I HAVE receiv'd the Transcript you sent me of Mr. Somner's discourse of the Roman Ports and Forts in Kent: and I agree with you in the opi­nion, that the publication of it would do honour to our County, and service to the learned world. And since you have obtained leave of that Venerable Body, to whom the Original belongs; I am willing to assist in the Edition. You judge right, that the life of the Author is much wanting; and that some notes should be affixt to this Treatise, to explain what otherwise might stop the Reader. From which task I wish you had not excus'd your self by a retir'd life, and want of ac­cess to books, and other notices of [Page 2] this kind. But since you devolve those cares on me, I will take up one half of the burthen; and commit the other to our Friend Mr. Edmund. Gibson of Queens College, a Person well verst in the subject of Antiquities, and therefore most fit to illustrate a discourse of this nature with such cursory remarks, as may adorn and improve the work. As to the Author's Life, since you have furnisht me with so many faithful ma­terials; I am content to tell the world, how great a Man lyes buried, and how much his memory deserves to be reviv'd.

In doing this, I shall treat him not as a Courtier or a Patron, whose repu­tation must be rais'd by lines of flattery, and artificial disguise; but as an Histo­rian and Antiquary, who is best repre­sented in the same truth and plainness, with which he liv'd and wrote. There is this religion due to the ashes of an honest man, to let the Memoirs of him be simple and unaffected, to lay by all unnecessary shades and colours, and only draw him like himself.

William Somner, son of William Somner and Ann his wife, was born on the 30. day of March 1606. within the Parish of St. [Page 3] Margatet's in the City of Canterbury. A fit birth-place for an Antiquary; this being one of the most ancient Cities in England ¹. And like a true Patriot, he prov'd his na­tural affection, and repaid his nativity by giving it a new birth. He restor'd the perisht ruines, and brought back all its pristine glories. For his thoughts and affections having ever much inclin'd him to the search and study of Antiquities, he did more particularly, as bound in duty and thankfulness, apply himself to the Antiqui­ties of Canterbury. He hoped the better acceptance of the work from the Author's thankful intentions towards the place of his birth, judging this a sufficient motive why he should of all other places desire to know the Antiquities and former stars thereof ².

He was so well pleas'd with his lot of breathing first in this fair ground, that neither mind nor body could be mov'd to any distance from it: he took pleasure to call it the place of his Birth, Education, and abode ³. Like the good old Citizen of Veron [...], within the walls, or in sight of them, he liv'd, grew up, and died.

[Page 4] Fashions he despised abroad, and learning he would have at home. So that here in studious content, he took up his cradle, his mansion, and his grave.

He was descended of an honest and suf­ficient family ¹. His father was Registra­ry, of the Court of Canterbury under Sir Nathanael Brent Commissary. This name had been eminent in other ages, and in other Counties. Iohn Somenour of Multon near Croyland was a Commoner of some figure in the reign of Henry the fifth ². There was a publick Hall or Inn with­in this University, that was called from the first owner of it Hospitium Somneri, or, Somenor shyn ³. And there is now a gentile branch of this ancient name in the County of Bucks. But let me ob­serve this for the honour of our mo­dest Author; that tho' the knowledge of Podigrees was one of his proper ta­lents, yet in all his works he gives no one hint of his own Parentage or name.

When his forward years made him ca­pable of literature, he was committed to the Free School of that City, then go­vern'd [Page 5] by Mr. Ludd, which he after grate­fully remembers as the place of his Educa­tion ¹. What his improvements here were, I know none living who can attest, and it shall not be my vanity to conjecture. Tho perhaps he here imbib'd the inclinations to Antiquity from the fresh memory of the late Master Iohn Twine LL.B. who dying 1581. had been very inquisitive into former ages, had left a public monument of such knowledge ², and had made particular collections of the An­tiquities of this City ³: whose fame in this part of learning might well incite an emulous youth, and raise that spi­rit, which carried him at last beyond this great example. However, here was our Author initiated in the elements of Rome and Greece, among many rival wits, of whom let me mention only Peter Gunning son of a Clergyman born at How in Kent, An. 1613. and bred at this School to the age of fifteen, when being remarkably ripe for the Vni­versity, he was sent to Clare-Hall in Cam­bridge ⁴, and left his school-fellow behind. Their acquaintance here con­tracted, [Page 6] settled after into a sacred friend­ship, and there hapned good oppor­tunities to confirm it, by Mr. Gunning's frequent visits to this City, and by his Preferment to a Prebend in this Church, An. 1660. But let the School be proud of this honour, that at the same time it instructed two of the greatest Men of their age and nation, one of the best of Divines, and one of the best of An­tiquaries.

When our young Scholar had made such progress in years, and in his studies, as qualified him for admission to ei­ther of the two greater Schools of Learning; then, either by the perswa­sion of his friends, who in tenderness would keep him near themselves, or by his own inclination to deal with an­cient Records, he was plac't as Clerk to his Father in the Ecclesiastical Courts of that Diocese. And when the usual time of apprehending was expir'd, he was soon preferr'd to a creditable office in those Courts by that true Judge of men, Arch-bishop Laud, to whom he after dedicated his first labours for the public, and gratefully declares, that the chief inducement whereby he was animated to appear in that kind, was his [Page 7] Grace's interest in the Author, as subsisting in his place and profession, under God, chiefly by his Grace's favour and goodness ¹. What made that great Patron of letters to prefer him, was no doubt a sense of his happy Genius, comprehensive of past ages. For that wise disposer of stations in the Church, made it his care and his glory to select such persons, whose abilities might best suit their re­spective employs. And being therefore to entrust the many antient Records of his Metropolitical Church, he would provide a Man of that spirit, who should with integrity preserve them, and with industry apply them to the service of the Public; as seems mo­destly acknowledged by our Author, when he commemorates his Grace's ex­traordinary care and cost for the collection of Antiquities of all sorts from all parts, crowned by singular piety and nobleness in disposing them to the good and service of the Publick ¹. Believe me (friend) however some narrow envious souls would de­tract from the merits of this glorious Prelate, and represent him so, as if even his memory were to be martyr'd: yet no one Governour of the Church ever [Page 8] did greater things, or promoted greater men. Where shall we find that spirit to serve the Public? where that noble zeal for Books and Scholars? Forgive me these expressions. We of this place had in him the most effectual Patron of our studies. He endow'd us with many admirable Manuscripts, and en­courag'd those that would search them. Not that we now want an accession of such treasure to our Bodley Archieves. You will be pleas'd, I know, to hear that in one year elaps'd, we have ex­pended sixteen hundred pounds in the truest riches of the East, in the pur­chase of such Manuscripts as had been imported from those parts by two learned and judicious Men. Yet of these, the greatest part were in effect owing to the same Prelate; who supported the travels of Dr. Pocock, and enabled him to make that Return we now enjoy.

But I hast to Mr. Somner, who pro­secuted the duties of his office with prudence and integrity. An office (as he calls it) laudable, and enough honourable ¹. And when he had any hours reliev'd from the business of his called ², those he [Page 9] devoted to his beloved search into the mysteries of time: to which by the na­ture of his profession, he seemed the more determined; he himself observing, that to the studie of Antiquities his par­ticular calling did in some manner lead him ¹ He lov'd much, and much fre­quented the Cathedral service; where after his devotions were paid, he had a new zeal for the honour of the House, walking often in the Nave, and in the more recluse parts, not in that idle and inadvertent posture, nor with that common and trivial discourse, with which those open Temples are vulgarly profan'd: but with a curious and ob­servant eye, to distinguish the age of the buildings, to sift the ashes of the dead; and, in a word, to eternize the memory of things and Men. His visits within the City were to find out the Ancestors, rather than the present in­habitants; and to know the genealogie of houses, and walls, and dust. When he had leisure to refresh himself in the Suburbs and the fields, it was not meerly for digestion, and for air; but to sur­vey the British bricks ², the Roman ways ³, [Page 10] the Danish hills and works, the Saxon ¹ Monasteries ² and the Norman Churches ³ At the digging up foundations, and o­ther descents into the bowels of the earth, he came often to survey the Workmen; and to purchase from them the treasure of Coins, Medals, and o­ther buried reliques, of which he in­forms us, that many were found in almost all parts of the City, some of which came to his hands ⁴ Whenever he relaxt his mind to any other recreation, it was to that of shooting with the long bow, which no doubt he lov'd as much for the antiquity, as for the health and pleasure of that manly sport. He for­gets not to give a worthy commendation of it, to confess himself grounded in a good opinion of Archery; and not unwilling to vindicate the undervaluing of it with o­ther Men. He recommends to the Reader a judicious Elogie on this England's an­tient glory, by Mr. John Bingham in his Notes upon Aelian's Tacticks, which be­cause the Book was dear and scarce, he presents a true copy of that whole passage ⁵

[Page 11] This was his diversion: but his more constant delight was in classic Historians, in old Manuscripts, Leiger-books, Rolls and Records. Which made him so quick­ly known to be a man of use and ser­vice to his Country, that upon the great questions in descent of families, tenure of estates, dedication of Churches, right of tithes, and all the history of use and custom, he was consulted as a Druid or a Bard. While appeal to his judgment and deference to it satisfied contending parties, and stopt litigious suits. This honour and trouble done to him he modestly owns in the Epilogue to his Countrymen, where he mentions the recourse which some of them had to him for satisfaction and information, rejoycing to give content to them and others ¹ And truly I know no one part of humane learning, that can render any Man a more agreeable Companion, and a more beneficial friend, than this knowledge of places, times, and people. Whoever is thus accomplisht, can never want in­formation to strangers, instruction to neighbours, and a turn of diversion and profit to all society. If he have prudence and good nature, he may be [Page 12] as Mr. Somner was, the Oracle of his Country.

But the soul of our Author thought it too narrow a Province to resolve the doubts of private Men, and therefore would satisfie the whole inquisitive world. Hence when he had digested his elaborate collections made for the ho­nour of that ancient Metropolis, and his good Affection to Antiquities, he de­dicates them in a humble unaffected stile to the Arch-bishop of Canterbury, had them licens'd by his Chaplain Guil. Bray, Octob. 23. 1639. aud the next year publisht under this title. The Antiquities of Canterbury, or a survey of that ancient City, with the Suburbs and Cathedral, con­taining principally matters of Antiquity in them all, &c. Sought out and publisht by the industry and good will of William Somner; London 1640. 4 [...]. In his Pre­face with wit and learning he celebrates the knowledge of ancient things, confesses his own thoughts and affections to lie that way, and owns the encouragement of worthy Friends, of whom he names Dr. Casaubon, one of the Prebendaries of the Church, and Thomas Denne Esq.

This accurate performance is the more laudable, because he could find no [Page 13] way, but what he made. There had indeed been two discourses of the like nature, Spot's History of Canterbury, men­tion'd by Bale, and Collections of the An­tiquities of Canterbury, by Iohn Twine, to which he refers in his Comment de rebus Albionicis; but both these were lost to the use of our Author, ¹ and we do not hear they are yet recovered. So as he had no one writer to transcribe or imitate, but all the labour and glory were his own. And indeed this difficult honour is the reward of true Antiquaries, they tread in steps unknown, and bring to light the hidden things of past ages. While most other Authors write over a­gain in new words: and do not dis­cover, but only represent.

In this useful book, he forgets not to justifie his own profession. He enquires into the institution of Notaries ² proves Ecclesiastical Courts to be Courts of Record, &c. ³ He often shews his duty and zeal to his Mother, the Church of England; defends her discipline, and justifies her constitution in his learned remarks on Church government ⁴, on Archbishops ⁵, on privilege of the [Page 14] Clergy ¹, on dedication of holy places ², mischief of Impropriations, ³ and such other subjects, on which, by the best of arguments, reason and authority, he vindicates the establishment which then began to shake. And truly this justice must be done to Antiquities and the Church of England. None have been perfect Masters of the one, but what have been true Sons and servants to the other. It was eminently so in those great names, Camde [...], Spelman, Twisden, Marsham, Dugdals. And might I men­tion the living, I know many who by improvement in these studies, have in the same way settled their judgment, and improv'd their zeal. For indeed there is a natural reason for this effects a good cause must appear best to those who look farthest back upon it. Our Church cannot have more genuine Sons than those, who by research into the primitive state of things, can refute the impudence of those abroad, who pre­tend to Antiquity; and can expose the ignorance of those at home, who affect Innovation. These Men can stand in the ways, and see the old paths, and are fit [Page 15] guides to those who are but of yesterday, and know nothing.

But of one providence which attended this work, I must remind you. It was done in such a juncture as preserv'd the memorial of many Epitaphs, In­scriptions, and proper observations which otherwise had soon been lost to all succeeding ages. For immediately began that Rebellion and Sacrilege, which plundred and defac't most of the Cathedral Churches; and among other sad examples of popular phanatic fury, by the instigation of Richard Culm [...]r call'd in contempt Blew Dick (the same I think, who procur'd an Order from the House of Lords to Arch-bishop L [...]ud in the Tower Feb. 4. 1642. to have the Rectory of Chartham conferr'd on him, void by the death of Dr. Isaa [...] Bargrave Dean of Canterbury, to which his Majesty by Letters, recommended that Loyal sufferer Mr. Iohn Reading [...] ¹) this stately Cathedral was storm'd and pillag'd, the beautified windows were broke, the Tombs of Princes ▪and Pre­lates were ravag'd, and every graceful ornament despoil'd. So that ha [...] no [...] Mr. Somner took a faithful transcript [Page 16] before the originals were thus eras'd, all had been lost in ignorance and obli­vion. The like providence has often watcht over and preserv'd many mo­numents of Antiquity, just before the fatal ruine of them. The days of defo­lation were coming on, when that ex­cellent Antiquary, Mr. Iohn Leland ob­tain'd a commission from Henry 8: An. Dom. 1533. to authorise him to have access to all the Libraries of Cathedrals, Abbles, Priories, and all other places wherein Records and ancient writings were repos'd, for collecting and tran­scribing whatever pertain'd to the hi­story of the Nation ¹ By virtue of this power he transmitted the know­ledge of many Manuscripts, and other evidences which might have been dis­sperst by the dissolutions which fol­lowed in the years. 1536. and 1537. Thus the indefatigable Mr. Roger Dods­worth, just before the late destructive wars, transcrib'd most of the Charters and other Manuscripts, then lying in St. Marie's tower in York, which tower was soon after blown up, and all those sacred remains were mingled with the common dust and ashes. Thus again [Page 17] the worthy Mr. William Dugdale, (after honour'd and preferr'd for his perfe­ction in these studies) search'd over all the Manuscript Books, original Char­ters, old Rolls, and other evidences relating to the Cathedral of St. Paul in London, copied out the monumental Inscriptions, and procur'd Sculptures of the whole Fabric, and all the parts of it, about the year 1656. when that Mother Church was converted into a stable, and ten years after to a heap of rubbish. So that had not that An­tiquary drawn the image, as it were, before the loss of the original, all had been forgot, but what tradition had most imperfectly convey'd to us. Thus are Antiquaries, if not inspir'd, yet guided by the counsel of Providence, to remit to posterity the memorial of things past, before their final period. It was thus our Author recorded that flourishing beauty of holiness in that cri­tical season; which had it been omitted, the Church had soon been lost within it's own walls.

I cannot forbear to recommend to you that ingenious Poem, which on this oc­casion was wrote by Mr. Charles Fotherby, [Page 18] Grandson of a worthy Dean of that Church. It is inscrib'd

This is but a part; I refer you to the whole Poem, as inserted in the Mona­sticon ¹, out of pure respect to Mr. [Page 19] Somner. There were not wanting other pens to celebrate this first performance of our Author. It has a just character given by a proper judge, the learned Dr. Meric Casaubon, a pious and laborious work, and highly useful, not only to those who desir'd to know the state of that once flourishing City, but to all that were curious in the ancient English history ¹ The best Topographer since Camden, when he comes to the Roman station at Canter­bury, does for its modern splendor and glory, refer us to courteous Mr. Somner's description of it ², a very rational Gentle­man, &c. Mr. Kilburne in his survey of Kent does only briefly touch upon the City of Canterbury, because Mr. William Som­ner had so elaborately, judiciously and fully wrote of the same, that there was left but little (if any thing observable) which he had not there set down ³. And Mr. Phil­pot who had reason to envy him, breaks into this acknowledgement: Canterbury hath so exactly in all the parts and limbs of it been describ'd and survey'd by Mr. Som­ner, that I should exceedingly eclipse the labours of so industrious a Pen, if I should [Page 20] go about to pourtray that in any contracted landskip, which hath been before represented to the publick, pencilled out in so large and exquisite a volume ¹.

As this was the most ancient royal City, and the first Episcopal Church of the Saxon Christians: so had they both, a new precedence in this honour: they were the first whose Antiquities were publisht to the world. And how few have been since conform'd to their example? The history of St. Paul's Cathe­dral in London from its foundation, &c. is an absolute performance ² And the hi­story of the Church of Peterburg will be it's everlasting monument ³ But beside these two, I know of none but mean attempts. The historical account of the original, increase, and present state of St. Peter's or the Abby Church of Westminster, is little more than a bundle of Epitaphs and Inscriptions ⁴ The remarkable An­tiquities of the City of Exeter ⁵, are a dry collection, full of mistakes. The history of the Bishops and Bishoprick of Winche­ster, [Page 21] with a description of that City, ¹, I presume to be an imperfect work, and therefore not publisht. The brief ac­count of the Monuments of the Cathedral of Norwich ² was wrote for private use, and seems more to fear, than to deserve an Edition ³ The antient rites and Monu­ments of the Monastical and Cathedral Church of Durham ⁴, is an ignorant and pitiful Legend. The history of St. Cuth­bert with the Antiquities of the (same) Church of Durham, was drawn by a much better hand ⁵, but the Edition of it that has crept abroad is false and spurious ⁶. We expect the Author's own exact and neat original to be publisht, with fit notes and illustrations, by an ingenious person of singular industry, and great progress in these studies ⁷. I hear of some o­thers, who are now designing the An­tiquities of York, Worcester, and Carlisle: all of character and abilities for such performance. How happily would it spread the glory of the English Church and Nation, if among Divines addicted [Page 22] to these studies, some one were prefer'd to a dignity in every Collegiate Church, on condition to employ his talent in the History and Antiquities of that Body, of which he was a grateful and an useful Member?

Thus far Mr. Somner had searcht only into the Latin writers, and such Na­tional Records, as had been penn'd since the Norman conquest. But there is a sacred ambition in the spirit of Learning, that will not let a man rest without new conquests, and enlarg'd dominions. Especially in Antiquities, every acquest heightens the desire, and the wishes are those of the Eastern Mo­narch, to have more than one old world to bring into subjection. This generous emulation invited our Au­thor to proceed, and attain the British and the Saxon tongues. To acquire the first, there were rules of Grammar, explication of words, and other suffi­cient Memoirs, beside the living Dia­lect, to guide a man of industry and resolution. But the Saxon language was extinct, and the monuments of it so few and so latent, that it requir'd infinite courage and patience, to at­tempt and prosecute the knowledge of [Page 23] it. To this trial he was encourag'd by the advice of his constant friend Dr. Meric Casaubon, who gives this account of it: that while he was lamenting the ob­scure remains of that tongue, it happily fell out, that he grew acquainted with Mr. Somner, born of a creditable family, one of primitive probity and simplicity. Being ex­tremely taken with his sagacious wit, and observing his wonderful industry in search­ing for the Antiquities of his Country; and much approving his sharp and solid judge­ment, temper'd with the greatest modesty; he began earnestly to perswade and excite him to the study of the Saxon tongue, as a labour worthy his patient and ingenious spirit, promising his own assistance if he were able to give any, and to furnish him with any materials, that might aid and pro­mote those studies ¹. Mr. Somner, whose humility of mind made him obsequious to the counsel of his friends, and tra­ctable to any motion of doing good, complied with the advice of that Reve­rend Person, confirm'd by his own ju­dicious thoughts, being sensible of the truth of what Sir Henry Spelman had found by his own experience, that the knowledge of the Saxon language was so far [Page 24] necessary, as without it the Antiquities of England be either not discover'd, or at least imperfectly known ¹.

When Mr. Somner began this task, give me leave to represent the difficul­ties he labour'd under. When the Sax­ons had made the Britains strangers in their own land, then the language which the Conquerors brought with them, soon grew into contempt among them­selves. Even so early as the year 652. Many out of this Island were sent to the Monasteries of France for Education, and to bring back the manners and language of those parts ². In the reign of Edward the Confessor, by the great resort of Normans to his Court, the whole Island began to lose their English rites, and to imitate the man­ners of the Franks; especially it was e­steem'd a piece of breeding for all the lesser sort to speak the Gallic Idiom, and to despise the language and customs of their own Coun­try ³. This inglorious affectation is con­fess'd by an Historian who liv'd in that age. It lookt like an omen of being to be shortly conquer'd by that nation, of whose tongue and fashions they were [Page 25] so industriously fond. The event was so. Three and twenty years after came in the Norman Lords, who threatned an extirpation to that language of which the Natives began to be asham'd. For these new Masters hated the English, and so much abburr'd their Idiom, that the Laws were all administred in the French tongue, the very children in Schools were kept from learning to read their Mother language, and were instructed only in the Norman; the English manner of writing was omit­ted ¹ The ignominious marks of a con­quered people. The same Author from his own experience does again lament, that the Saxon hand which had been us'd in all writings grew into disgrace, and the French hand, because it was more legible and more pleasing to the eyes, did every where obtain ², so as in the very next reign, the Saxon letters were so obsolete and so unknown, that but few of the elder people were able to read them ³. Nay in the year 1095. Wulstan Bishop of Worcester was de­pos'd, when scarce any other thing was objected against him, but that he was an old English Idiot, who did not under­stand the French tongue ⁴ It is true, the [Page 26] next successor Henry the first, gave a Charter to William Arch-bishop of Can­terbury, confirming to him the possessi­ons of his See, in the Saxon language and characters ¹ This was but a single instance, and perhaps done to oblige his Queen of the Saxon line, and to in­gratiate himself with the English sub­jects, who might hope by this marriage they had a better title in him. And therefore it is a mistake in the learned Mabillon ², and some other Authors, who assert the Saxon way of writing was lost from the very time of the Nor­man Conquest. It was with the Saxon characters as with signs of the Cross in public Deeds, which were for the most part chang'd into the Norman way of seals and subscriptions, yet some Char­ters were with the old form of Crosses. The Saxon Dialect obtain'd no doubt in Country Vills, with some borrowed variation from the French, and some re­mains of it did intermix with the Court language. But the Barons and Knights who were most of them Norman, were so afraid of their children's talking the old English, that in the reign of Henry [Page 27] the second, They sent them over into France for education, to wear off the barbarousness of the native tongue ¹ At the beginning of the reign of Edward the third, Robert Holcot a Dominican, confess [...], there was no institution of children in the old English, but they first learn'd the French, and from the French the Latin tongue, which he ob­serves to have been a practice introduc'd by William the Conqueror, and to have ever since obtain'd ². Tho from the first de­cline of the Barons, and advance of the Commons who were more of English blood, the Country language grew more into request, till at last the Com­mons in Parliament at Westminster the 36. of Edw. the third, shewed so much of the English spirit, as to represent to the King the great mischiefs which would happen to divers of the Realm, if that the Laws were pleaded, shewed, and judged in the French tongue, which is much unknown in the said Realm, &c. Upon which it was ordain'd and stablished, that all Plees, &c. should be pleaded, shewed and defended, answered, debated, and judged in the En­glish tongue, &c ³. Yet this law did by no [Page 28] means restore the Saxon, either in the Alphabet or in the prime Dialect: It only redeemed the kingdom from an old token of subjection, and did ho­nour to the then compound language, much vitiated by imported words and phrases. And still there seem'd a dash of the Norman spirit, which by the same law provided that all such Pleas should be entred and enroll'd in the Latin.

If there were any conveyance of the true Saxon tongue, it was in the Mona­steries; but in those only which were founded before the Norman Conquest; for in such, interest did oblige them to understand the language of their ori­ginal Charters. It was for this reason, that in the Abby of Croyland, a Tutor was appointed to teach Saxon to some of the younger brethren, that in their old age they might be more fit to alledge the Records of their Monastery against their adversaries ¹. And it was no doubt for the like rea­son, that in the Abby of Tavistoke, which had a Saxon Founder about 691. there were solemn Lectures in the Saxon tongue, even to the time of our Fathers, that the knowledge of that language might not fail, as it has since well nigh done ².

[Page 29] So that had Mr. Somner liv'd before, or in the age of reformation, the way of attainment had been less difficult. Or had he been reserv'd to these lower times, he had met with more of help and conduct. For we have since had a good part of the Scriptures more cor­rectly publisht, with excellent notes ¹. We have had histories most correct ², But what above all facilitates the pro­gress and perfection of learners; We have had methodical and accurate In­stitutions of Grammar by the Learned Dr. George Hicks, incomparably skill'd in the Antiquities of our Church and Na­tion. So that now to be ignorant of that tongue is not the misfortune of a Scholar, but his fault. Common in­dustry, and an easie application serves.

But Mr. Somner had a much harder province; he was in a manner to in­vent the language, as well as to restore it. For upon his first essays that way, he had but two poor Manuscripts, and one of them on so obscure a subject, as might have exercis'd a Critic, sooner than instructed a Novice. But he had an active soul that would feel no im­pediment. [Page 30] This made him his own guide, to be not only the discoverer of a new world, but the Master of it. His success in those studies he himself con­gratulated in his own modest way▪ When by the advice and perswas [...]on of Dr. Meri [...] Casaubon, I began to apply my mind to the Saxon tongue, in no long space of time I seem'd to reap some tolerable fruits of my endeavors, which did abundantly compensate my labors, &c ¹. And that first moving friend does applaud the event of his counsel in these words. To be short, when he had approved my advice, he prosecuted the business with that [...] industry, and such equal happi [...] of wit, that within few years he may be compar'd (to speak modestly) with the most eminent in that knowledge ². Nor did he only sur­pass most of his Predecessors, but ex­ceeded some that followed after: and is numbred among the few complete Critics by the best of Judges; who has rightly observ'd, that since the erection of Monasteries, where Saxon Books lay un­known to those that kept them, unto our own times, onely two forreigners, and about twenty Natives, had by their own industry [Page 31] attain'd the faculty of this tongue. Of which small number few arriv'd to an ac­curate and critical knowledge; Jocelin [...], Somner, Mareshall, and Junius, publisht all their Saxon purely and correctly: but from almost all others, it came with fault and imperfection▪ namely from those greatest men J. Selden, and Sir Henry Spelman, and even from the very Professor, Mr. A. Whee­lock ¹. I would not cite the approbati­on of lesser Writers after the testimony of so great a man. I would only add that his very enemies (if he had any) admir'd this accomplishment in him. He who was the only man that oppos'd any thing our Author wrote, does him this justice. His labours, says he, as they are pleasant to such who are delighted in the knowledge and observation of the manners and language of our forefathers; so have they been and ever will be, very profitable to all that are studious and inquisitive into Anti­quity. For his success in the restauration of that our ancient speech, which had been almost lost, and in a manner so long huried in oblivion, is very eminently known and admir'd▪ and shall by me be always gratefully acknowledg'd ².

[Page 32] Mr. Somner by his absolute faculty in the Saxon tongue, was now enabled to make the more intimate search into all remote Antiquities. His next merit was on this occasion: his honour'd friend and Countryman Sir Roger Twisden had publisht the laws of Henry the first, An. 1644. fol. to which was prefixt an old Glossary, which Mr. Somner observ'd to be faulty in very many places. ¹. On this Edition he wrote notes and observations large and learn'd, with a very useful Glos­sary. ². To which he himself refers in his other Glossary on the ten Historians, on the words Gravatio, Mancusa, &c. of which he had treated more largely in his former, not then, nor alass yet pub­lisht. If those papers are in your hands, you have an opportunity to serve and oblige the world.

From his time of engaging in the me­morials of Canterbury, he laid the foun­dation of a larger design, to collect all the remains of the state of the whole County, for a just and perfect History of the Antiquities of Kent. This pro­jected labour he owns to have taken on him, in the kind Epilogue to his Country­men. [Page 33] If by your good acceptance of these my labours for the City, I may receive [...]couragement to proceed in my end [...]avours [...] it is in my thoughts, by God's assistance, int convenient time, to do somewhat in like ki [...] for you in the Country. ¹. And to confirm the truth and honesty of these inten­tions, An account of what Saints had th [...] dedication of Parochial Churches within that Diocess he leaves with them in pawn, and as a pledge of those his future endeavours, for their farther content hereafter, if God [...] He omitted no time, and spar'd no pain [...], to prepare this work without, and to make it fit in the field, that he might afterwards build the house: a house that was not to be built in a day, but the foundations to be dug deep, and the materials to be fectht from afar, with great contrivance, great patience, and great expence. But he made a gra­dual progress, and in the Preface to his Tract of Gavelkind, which he wrote twelve years before the publication, i. e. An. 1648. He confesses it was now [...]full eighteen (I think it should be eight) years, since by solemn promise he became indebted to his Countrymen, upon their good accep­tance of certain of his labours in behalf of [Page 34] their City, to proceed to the same or some other such like undertaking for the County: a thing which as he then really intended, so had he not since wanted that encourage­ment for it from the better sort, which he could expect. But (says he) being soon af­ter (pro [...] dolor!) overtaken by that impe­tuous storm of civil war, not yet quite blown over; I was necessitated to betake my self to other thoughts. This was a just excuse, and he had the same reason to beg their longer patience. For [...]he resolv'd the conception should be an Elephant be­fore its birth, therefore he was still en­creasing his plentiful store, and still di­gesting and disposing the order of it. In the mean time▪ he hop'd not only to be ex [...]us'd of his Countrymen for (what had not else been hitherto delay'd) his County-under­taking, but also to obtain of them yet far­ther respite, in hope of a better opportunity to discharge that debt. In the year 1659. the time of publishing his Saxon Dictio­nary; he again renew'd his promise, that when that work was finisht, he would adorn and complete the Antiquities of Kent ¹. In the following year 1660. he was so taken up with the joys of a returning [Page 35] Church and King; and so particularly involv'd in the cares of retrieving the scatter'd Records, and raising the Me­moirs of the dead: above all so im­merst in providing that all might justly refund their stolen portion of Church­lands, and in stating the accounts of Fines, Leases, and other emoluments o [...] the Dean and Chapter, who trusted all to his entire integrity and art: that he could not possibly attend to the finishing that long promis'd work. Tho' the generous design was still breathing, and expir'd only with him­self.

But let not the world lament it's be­ing depriv'd of those labours. For the Discourse here given of the Roman Ports and Forts in Kent, was no doubt an a­partment of that spacious Fabric, and was to have been joyn'd to the rest of that Model. As is evident by this: in his Sax [...]n Dictionary on the names of Racul [...] Reculver, Limene mu [...], mouth of the river or haven of Limne, Luu [...]n-pi [...] or Sandwich, &c. he promises a better and more large account in his Kentish Antiquities; all which are largely dicuss'd in this Tract, which must argue it a part of the same work, to which he [Page 36] then refer'd. Besides, among all the intimations of his other performances, he never cites this by the title, under which he left it, Roman Ports, &c. which proves it was included under the gene­ral design of the Antiquities of Kent. There be some other loose papers on that subject, which are now, Sir, in your hands, and I know your spirit for the public interest, will embrace any fair op­portunity to do good and to communicate. I doubt he set his last hand to that part of the argument only which you now publish, which really is a learned and judicious discourse; there runs thro' the whole such a vein of reason, and such a force of authority, as is not easie to find in any Authors, that write for a party, or for any thing but truth. He is singularly happy in fixing Limene or the mouth of the river Limene, or Ro­ther, at Romney, since turn'd another way: which is much confirm'd by some old Manuscript Annals that I have lately seen ¹. And in placing the Lapis Tituls of Nennius not at Stonar, but at Folkstone, wherein he has the honour to be followed by a most learned Pre­late. ¹ [Page 37] Had he liv'd to supply and me­thodize the whole, how would he have corrected the remarks of all that went before, and superseded the endeavours of most that could follow after. For I be­lieve, it is your opinion, Sir, as well as mine, that what Lambard and Camden did before, might admit of emendations, and considerable additions. And what Mr. Kilburn and Mr. Philpot did since, was all modern and superficial. I wonder these two last who were cotemporary with our Author, should seem to have had no recourse to him, nor any know­ledge of his more complete design; which could be only owing to their own pride, or want of address to an easie and communicative man. Mr. Phil­pot did engage to write another dis­course of the Ports in Kent, speaking less of the Cinque Ports, because he in­tended to publish a particular Treatise re­lating solely to their immunities, and their just right to take cognisance of the fishery at Yarmouth ². This faith the writer might have kept, for he liv'd to the year 1684. but there is no dependance on a man who could afford to rob his [Page 38] own Father of the credit of that book. For the Villare Cantianum, or Kent sur­veyed and Illustrated republisht, London, 1659. and 1664. fol. under the name of Thomas Philpot, is said to have been done by Iohn Philpot the Father, born at Folkstone, Somerset Herald at Arms, who died 1645 ¹. Let this only be ob­serv'd for the honour of Kent, that while other Counties (and but few of them) have met with single pens to give the History and description of them; ours of Kent has had no less than four Writers to celebrate the glo­ries of it, Lambard, Somner, Kilburn, Phil­pot. Let me observe farther in respect and duty to my native Town, that what Mr. Somner asserts of Dover, being the place where Iulius Caesar intended and attempted to arrive, is from Astro­nomical computation, fully demonstra­ted by the very ingenious Mr. E. Halley, who proves the year, the day, the time of day, and place, the Downs, where he made his first descent ².

Let not posterity censure Mr. Somner for this abortive design on the Anti­quities of Kent, nor impute it to sloth­fulness, [Page 39] or change of mind, that he did not complete the model he had so long fram'd. It is a common infirmity of those who write nothing, to reflect on the delay of any one expected work: As if it were no more to do, than to talk of being done. Of the fatigues in a great performance, none are sensible but those who are engag'd in them. Thought and reflections, searches and reviews, remarks and collations, me­thod and stile, and ten thousand cares, all multiplied on the men of greater fidelity and caution, retard the Author, and protract his work: especially in matters of Antiquity, to be in haste does make the blinder birth. For those wri­ters cannot at one prospect get a view of their design. Like the new improve­ment of Perspective, the scene opens wider by longer looking on: that is, the business multiplies on the under­taker's hand, and the burden encreases on the weary Bearer. It is this has made more Antiquaries fail of their proposed attempts, than any other sort of writers. Mr. Iohn Leland the first restorer of En­glish Antiquities after the age of print­ing, undertook so immense a task, that the very thoughts of completing, did (as 'tis [Page 40] said, distract him ¹. So as after the pub­lishing some short and trivial essays, he left his four Volumes of collections, fol. his five Volumes of Itinerary, 4 ^•. and some other monuments of industry in Manuscript, for the most part indigested without leisure, or without patience to complete them. The next Antiquary Mr. Robert Talbot, had a great genius and an equal diligence, to gather and preserve the fragments of time: but designing Annotations on the Itinerary of Antonine; and a Collection of ancient Charters, &c. he died with his thoughts and his papers in confusion. With what tedious application and gradual ad­vances, did the great Camden conceive and nourish his fam'd Britannia? Had his life and strength endur'd, no doubt he had still been altering and augment­ing the glorious work. But he fell, and left unfinisht this and some other of his own, and the world's disappointed hopes ². Mr. Roger Dodsworth fill'd a­bove sixty Volumes with the most ela­borate collections; but was still hunting for more, without the content of dis­posing what he had. And therefore [Page 41] excepting the Charters inserted in the two Volumes of Monasticon, which cost him little other pains than finding, and remitting to the press; he left nothing but infinite materials for those who would apply them better. Sir Simonds D'ewes, a great valuer of History and Coins, had laid a scheme for the Anti­quities and state of Britain, wherein he pretends he would discover errors in every page of Camden ¹; but by death he fell from his great and vain attempt. Mr. T. Allen, Mr. B. Twine, Mr. W. Ful­man, and many other Antiquaries of this place, had the same ambition to collect, and the same misfortune never to methodize or publish. But beside these instances of general designs, the particular efforts on a History of single Counties, (like Mr. Somner's on Kent) have dropt into the graves of their in­tended Authors. Mr. Thomas Risdon drew up a Survey or Chorographical de­scription of Devonshire; but had not time to make the Edition of it ². Sir Simonds D'ewes attempted the Topography of Suf­folk ³. Sir Edward Byshe promis'd the [Page 42] Antiquities of the County of Surry ¹. Sir Matthew Hale made great collections relating to the County of Glocester, but would not frame them into any dispo­sition for the press ². Captain Silas Tay­lor spent some years in picking up va­rious remarks on the County of Here­ford, but cast them into no just dis­course ³. Mr. Sampson Erdeswick wrote a short view of Staffordshire, containing the Antiquities of the said County; but could carry it no farther than MS. notes ⁴. And Mr. Randal Catheral, got voluminous collections that respected this County of Oxford ⁵; but never could cast them into a regular History, and took so little care to reposite his MSS. that to all my enquiries, they are now lost. Not to mention the reported designs of later men, Dr. Nat. Iohnston on the west-riding of Yorkshire. Iohn Aubrey Esq on Wiltshire. Walter Chetwind Esq on Staffordshire; to whose labours, if still depending, I wish resolution and success.

Forgive me this digression, and think [Page 43] it less impertinent; because it serves to justifie the memory of our Author, when so many others have fallen short of the like intentions: and the nature of such attempts is more apt to absorb and discourage the aggressors. In the mean time, we should better accept and e­steem this remnant that is sav'd of the Antiquities of Kent, and hang up the little plank, as more sacred than the whole ship.

But it is a more just Apology for Mr. Somner, that he did not devote his whole time to this ineffectual labour; but was all along employ'd in some o­ther duties to the public.

He found it necessary, not only to know the places and persons, but the customs and tenures of his Country; of which none so eminent, and so pe­culiar, as that of Gavelkind. This the Lawyers inform'd him to be the local custom of Kent, whereby if the Ante­cessor died intestate, all the Heirs male did equally share in the inheritance of lands, which had not been held in capite, nor disgavelld by special Act of Parli­ament. But this account would not sa­tisfie so inquisitive a mind as that of Mr. Somner, for his aim was always to [Page 44] understand properties and nature, more than names: according to that end pro­pounded by himself in all his researches, which was to know things, not so much in their present as primitive state, more in their causes than effects ¹. And to this enquiry he was the more induc'd, that he might satisfie his Countrymen, and gain excuse for delay of his County-undertaking. For the more easie purohasing whereof, that they and others might perceive he had not been altogether idle, he pitch'd in his thoughts upon the Kentish custom of Gavelkind, and to some more than vulgar discourse thereof, as a specimen and earnest of his farther in­tentions for the County. This discourse he divided into five heads. 1. The true Etymologis and derivation of the name, where he refutes the continued fancy of Lambard, Coke, Camden, Verstegan, Cowell, Spelman, Dodderidge, and many other Lawyers and Antiquaries, who would derive it from the Saxon gipe [...]eal cyn give to all kindred, or to all alike. Whereas he proves the name is by no means borrowed from the partible na­ture of the land; but from gapol or gavel a tribute or customary rent, and gecynoe nature, sort or kind; implying it to be [Page 45] land not held in fee, as Knights service; but chargeable with such rents as made it socage tenure. 2. He enquires into the nature of Gavelkind-land in point of partition, and proves it was neither from the name, nor bare nature of the land; but partly from the nature of the land, and partly from a general custom ex­tended thro the whole County in such censual land. 3. He searches into the Antiquity of Gavelkind-custom (in point especially of partition) and why more general in Kent than elsewhere. 4. Whe­ther Gavelkind be properly a tenure or custom? where he treats with incom­parable learning of all feudatory right, and all menial service. 5. Whether before the statute of Wills (32, & 34, Henry 8.) Gavelkind-land in Kent were devisable or not? which he resolves in the ne­gative, and answers all arguments of those who hold the contrary. All these points are discust with that variety of knowledge, and that ingenuity of spi­rit, as will make the Author and the book valued, while learning and Law are valued. At the end is an Appendix of such Muniments, Charters, and other Escripts, as were quoted in the prece­dent discourse. This subject led him [Page 46] thro a long course of Common Law, and thro the sense of very many Sta­tutes: for which he was afraid he might be thought too bold with the men of that robe, too much medling with matters of their peculiar science; but hopes they would excuse him, being one that honour'd their profession, and had an intent only in his way to do them service, and their profession right, by holding forth to public view some Antiquities, tending at once to the satisfa­ction of the one, and illustration of the other. What esteem this treatise bears among men of that honourable facultie, I might suggest by this familiar hint. I sought in vain for the book among many Libraries, till it was lent me by a worthy friend eminent in that pro­fession. I hope in a short time a new Edition may spread it into more hands. But let me give you a farther history of it. When Mr. Somner had drawn all his thoughts and authorities into a just discourse, he sent his papers to his ju­dicious friend Arch-bishop Vsher, who return'd them with this testimony: I have perus'd this learned treatise of Gavel­kind, and judge it very fit to be published. Ja. Armachanus. Apr. 7. 1647 ¹. This [Page 47] approbation of so great and good a man, was the best License that could be askt, or given to the book. But there were two reasons that hindred the pub­lication. First, the distress and perse­cution of the writer, which might take from him the appetite and ability of printing. Secondly, the ignorance and affectation of those times, that hated all Antiquity Ecclesiastical and Civil; and doted on a new Gospel, and new Laws: so that till the nation was dis­possest of this spirit, it was not fit to cast the pearl before them. The Au­thor laid it up in his own Archives, and imparted it only to the perusal of some peculiar friends. Dr. M. Casaubon had seen and read it, and in the year 1650. told the world, that his friend had write a just Treatise in English, upon that most famous and most ancient custom in Kent, call'd Gavelkind, &c ¹. The Author him­self upon occasion own'd the hidden treasure, and pointed to it once or more in his notes to the words of Lipsius, An. 1650 ². and very often in his Glos­sary, An. 1652 ³. But when Monarchy, [Page 48] Episcopacy, and learning were restor'd, then the Author brought forth the things new and old, when the eyes of men were opened. Yet still his own modesty would have longer conceal'd the talent, if the importunity of friends had not prevail'd. For he confesses An. 1660. That the Preface and Treatise had been written more than twelve years agon, and had lain by the Author ever since, and they had not now come forth but upon the encouragement of some worthy and judicious friends. At their request it appear'd a­broad with this title. Atreatise of Gavel­kind, both name and thing, shewing the true Etymology and derivation of the one, the nature, antiquity, and original of the o­ther; With sundry emergent observations, both pleasant and profitable to be known of Kentish men and others, especially such as are studious either of the ancient custom, or the Common Law of this kingdom, by a Wellwisher to both, William Somner. Lon­don, 1660. 4 ^to.

In this elaborate work, the Author is most happy in the Etymology and description of Gavelkind, and Socage, of the Norman's Fief de Haubert, and Fief de Roturier; of the Saxon's Boclan [...] and Folclan [...]; of the Feudists Allodium and [Page 49] Feudum, &c. wherein he is singular and dissenting from all precedent writers, with such a vein of modesty, and such a strength of reason and authority, as has yet satisfied all Readers, and silenc'd all Critics. He has farther explain'd all the different tenures In capite; Knights-service; Fee-farm; Frank-almoign; Di­vine-service; Escuage certain; Burgage; Villenage, &c. with all lands denominat­ed from their service, as Work-land; Boc-land; Aver-land; Drof-land; Swilling-land; Mol-land; Ber-land; Ware-land; Terra-susanna; For-land; Bord-land; Scrud-land; Over-land; Mondy-land, &c. Where­in he supplies and corrects Littleton, and his oraculous Commentator: He fills up the defects of Spelman, and prevents the industry of Glossographers, that should follow after. And therefore the diligent Du-Fresne, in explication of most of these terms, barely translates the English of this book, and faithfully re­fers to it ¹.

By this one performance he has in­deed shew'd himself an absolute Civi­lian, and a complete Common Lawyer; stating all tenures and methods of con­veyance [Page 50] with exquisite judgment; and examming the Writ de rationabili parte bonorum, with that nice hand, as prov'd him Master of more than he profest. And in many of these disputes he could have been a more final Arbiter; but that his habitual modesty restrain'd him; So that when many other points of Common Law did offer themselves to his discourse, yet being out of his profession, he would not wade or engage any farther in the argument; lest he should be censur'd of a mind to thrust his sickle into another man's harvest. ¹

To obtain this knowledge in the Laws of his Country, he had trac'd all the streams of justice to their fountain head; he had searcht back into all the Institutions of the Norman and the Sax­on ages. And having first diligently en­quir'd into the Laws of Henry the first, and adorn'd them with Notes, and a Glossary, as was before observ'd; he went back farther, and reviewed all the po­licy of the Saxon Kings; a copy of whose Laws had been first gathered up by Mr. Alexander Nowell, (whom Mr. Camden ² calls the Reviver of the Saxon [Page 51] language) in the year 1567. who going then beyond the seas committed them to his pupil in those studies, Mr. William Lambard, desiring him to translate them into Latin, and to make them public, ¹. Which was done the following year under the title of APXAIONOMIA, sive de pris [...]is Anglorum Legibus, &c. Lond [...]ni, 1568. 4 ^to. reprinted fol. at Cambridge, 1644. In the perusal of this work, our judicious Author found, that in the latin version there was a polite and elaborate stile, too much affected, that gave little or no help to the Reader in understanding the original Saxon ². Which opinion was after con­firm'd by that stupendous Master of the Northern tongues, Fr. Iunius, who speak­ing of Mr. Lambard's publishing the Laws of the English Saxon Kings, translated by himself, tells us that he better approves the an­cient version by Jo. Brompton, and advises all that love the genuine Monuments of Anti­quity, rather to embrace the old interpre­tation of a rough and impolite age, than rashly adhere to the modern and more re­fin'd Translators. ³. The same censure was continued by the Annotators on the [Page 52] Life of Alfred, ¹, and by the last Editor of the Saxon Chronicle. ². Upon this prin­ciple Mr. Somner did believe, that such an elegant and paraphrastic way of ren­dring old Records, was too much like paint on the face of a wrinkled ma­tron, or a cap and feather upon gray hairs. He resolv'd to take off the dis­guise, and represent the true venerable aspect; by a new version plain and nigh to literal, for the benefit of all who were studious of the Saxon tongue; to which he added some Laws that were omitted in that collection by Mr. Lambard. ³. And designing farther; that such Gentlemen who would read only their mother tongue, might not be ignorant of these fundamental constitutions, he turn'd them all to modern English, and has left the Transcript thus entitled, The ancient Saxon Laws translated into En­glish. Neither of these versions has yet seen the light, tho [...] most worthy of it. The first of them especially, will be of great use to the next Editor of the Saxon Laws. For Mr. Lambard's colle­ction might be now greatly improv'd, as one, who best knows, assures the [Page 53] world, that beside the Laws first publisht by Lambard, and revis'd by Wheelock, it was probable that many others lie con­ceal'd in the Bennet and Cottonian Li­braries, which it would be good service to send abroad into the world. And (says the same great man) I have by me a Transcript of the Laws of King Aethelbert, Hlothare, and Edric, from the Textus Roffensis, which Lambard, however dili­gent in searching out these Laws, had not seen before his Edition of Archaionomia. ¹. Let us not despair of a revisal and aug­mentation of this Codex of English Laws. Our Friend who has done so much honour to the Saxon Chronicle, is of abilities, and a genius fit for this o­ther performance.

In the mean time, let me observe, that nothing would more facilitate and perfect the studie of our Common Law, than an application to Antiqui­ties of this kind. It is pity the young Gentlemen of that profession should be content to learn only the present pra­ctise of the Courts, and look no far­ther into the original of judicial me­thods: which alone can admit them to the depth of reason, and the bottom of [Page 54] a cause. There is indeed little hope of this progress in those new measures, of first learning the practic forms in sub­servience to Attorneys, and bare en­tring of names for a title to the bar. But where men of parts are honour'd with the more liberal education of spending some years in one of the two national Schools of learning, and thence transfer themselves to the Seminaries of the Law, to prosecute the Histories of use and custom: from such we might expect those degrees of knowledge, that would accomplish the Advocate, the Judge, and the Statesman; such would be truest Patriots of their Coun­try, and would be the more unwilling to have the Laws of England chang'd, when they understood what they were from the beginning. I dare not speak more of my own sence; but I humbly refer to the words of a wise man, who when he has recommended ancient Hi­stories and original Laws, concludes thus. This I thought good to say for the sake of our young Gentry, who adorn the Inns of Court, if possibly by my advice they would not spare their pains to attain the Saxon tongue, and run over the many monu­ments of venerable Antiquity in that lan­guage [Page 55] and Character, the peculiar treasure of their nation. ¹. Possibly Estates and some titles may have been obtain'd by lighter means; but the good name, and the abilities to serve a Kingdom, have been acquir'd only by these industrious studies. This keeps up the memory of Coke, Dodderidge, Noy, Selden, Hale, and many other oracles, whom no autho­rity nor time can silence.

But I proceed to tell you the next la­bour of Mr. Somner: which was a disserta­tion de Portu Iccio. For examining the ex­pedition of Caesar into Britain, he found by his own account, ², that his first voyage began from a Port of the Mo­rini, from whence was the shortest pas­sage into Britain. And where he took ship the second time, (which by de­scription appears to be the same place) he expresly call'd Portus Iccius, Men of learning were not agreed in the site of this haven. Mr. Camden and Ortelius thought it to be Witsan. Raimundus Marlian, and Adrian Iunius, believ'd it the same with Calais. Iac. Chifletius for the honour of his Master the King of Spain, woud have it Mardike in Flanders. But [Page 56] Mr. Somner fixes it at Gessoriacum, now Bologne; wherein he was followed by Sanson, &c. Of later writers, Adrian Valesius ¹ concludes it to be Estaples nigh Bologne. The noble Du-Fresne ² and M. Baudrand ³ restore it to Witsan or Wit­sant. And Mr. Halley ⁴ conjectures it was near Calais-clifts, either Ambleteuse on the one side, or Calais on the other. Other Critics may suspend their judge­ment, till they see this discourse of Mr. Somner, which deserves to be fairly publisht. The MS bears this title, A dis­course of Portus Iccius, wherein the late conceits of Chifletius, in his Topographical discourse, are examined and refuted: the judgement of Cluverius concerning the same Port asserted and embraced, and the true site thereof more clearly demonstrated, by William Somner.

Our Author's skill in the Saxon tongue, oblig'd him to enquire into most of the European languages anci­ent and modern. For there is a con­nexion in all learning, especially in the knowledge of tongues, which draws the student from one link to another, [Page 57] till he has past over the whole chain of dependance. This made him run through the old Gallic, Irish, Scotch, and Danish dialects; especially the Gothic, Scla­vonian and German. Of his perfection in the latter, he gave the world a pub­lic specimen on this occasion. While his Reverend friend Dr. Meric Casaubon was employ'd in an essay on the Saxon tongue, he hapned upon an Epistle of Iustus Lipsuis to Henry Schottius, which contain'd a large catalogue of old Ger­man words, in use with that nation, about eight or nine hundred years before. The Dr. thought many of them had a great affinity to the Saxon; and there­fore being then at London, sent down the Catalogue to Mr. Somner at Canter­bury, and desir'd his opinion of them. Who within few days return'd his Ani­madversions, and shew'd the relation of the German with the Saxon tongue. But because they were too long to be inserted by Dr. Casaubon, in the body of his discourse; he plac'd them as an Ap­pendix under this title, Gulielmi Somneri Cantuariens [...]s ad verba vetera Germanica à V. Cl. Iusto Lipsio Epist. Cent. III. ad Bel­gas Epist. XLIV. collecta, Notae. This first part of Dr. Casaubon's Comment on four [Page 58] tongues, Hebrew and Saxon, (the other two Greek and Latin, the Dr. did not finish) was publisht at London, 1650. 8 ^vo. Ou the mention of it, I will put you in mind of one mistake of a learn'd man, Du Fresne Ld. du Gange, who in the preface to his admirable Latin Glossary, reflects on those Critics, who would derive the modern languages from Greek originals: Ioachimus Perio [...]us and Hen. Stephanus for the French; Monosmius for the Ita­lian; Matutius and Aldretus for the Spa­nish, and Stephen Skynner for the English. When this last must be a lapse of me­mory: for Dr. M [...]ri [...] Casaubon, who in this Comment on the Saxon tongue, does industriously refer it to the Greek, and gives a long Catalogue of Saxon words so deduc'd. Whereas Dr. Skynner does indeed fetch the Saxon from the Nor­thern dialects, and reflects on Dr. Ca­saubon for being so fond of that other conceit.

These were the public services done by Mr. Somner, till the year 1650. at which time Dr. Casaubon reports, that he would have printed all his useful labours, and would have wrote much more: if that fatal catastrophe had not interpos'd, which brought no less desolation upon letters, than [Page 59] upon the Land. ¹. And he himself had a­bout three years before declar'd, that he had by him some other things in a rea­diness for the public, which should not, God willing, be much longer retarded, if the times permitted by the continuance of our Countie's peace, peace that Mother of Arts ².

His next opportunity of doing pub­lic good was this. It was an observa­tion of the learned, that no one nation had so many various Histories of their own affairs, as that of England: wrote by Britains, Saxons, and Normans; but most of them in a manner dissolv'd with the Monasteries, wherein they laid and slept. Some of them had been rais'd from the dust by Ioceline, Howard, Parker, Camden, Savile; but many were yet in chains of darkness; which it would be justice and mercy to redeem, and expose to view. The proposal was made by that industrious Bookseller Cornelius Bee, who about 1641. had im­portun'd Sir Roger Twisden to supply him with materials of this kind for the press ³. That worthy Baronet call'd in the as­sistance of Arch-bishop Vsher and Iohn [Page 60] Selden Esq ¹: by whose industry and good affection to learning, ten writers of the English history were transcrib'd from the originals in the Bennet and Cottonian Libraries, and faithfully col­lated with all different copies, by an expert Amanuensis Mr. Ralph Iennings. For the more elegant Edition, a new fund of letters was neatly cast, and a provision made of fine paper. To adorn the work, Sir Roger Twisden was to acquaint the Reader with the occa­sion of the book, and the conveyance of those MSS from which it was com­pil'd. Mr. Selden was in a larger pre­face to give account of the ten Histo­rians, and their writings. And Mr. Ien­nings to subjoyn the various lections. But still the Editors were sensible that to complete the glory of the work, there wanted a Glossary, or explication of the more obscure and obsolete words, which often occurr'd in those primaeve writers. For this province, they knew none so well qualified as Mr. Somner: to him they commit the office, and he discharg'd it with infinite integrity and honour. So that when in 1652. this best collection of Historians came forth [Page 61] under this title, Historiae Anglicanae scri­ptores X. &c. ex vetustis Manuscriptis nunc primum in lucem editi, &c. The Ap­pendix was Mr. Somner's labour, thus inscrib'd, Glossarium, in quo obscuriora quae (que) vocabula, quae toto hoc opere conti­nentur, copiose explicantur, & ad origines suas plera (que) revocantur, Gulielmo Som­nero Cantuar [...]ensi Auctore. Of this per­formance Sir Roger Twisden gives the Reader this character. One word of the Glossary, without which this work had been imperfect and little useful. Vnderstand Reader, it was compil'd for your sake by William Somner, a man of primitive pro­bity and candor, a most sagacious searcher into the Antiquities of his Country, and most expert in the Saxon tongue. If some words are here glost upon, not found in these writers; know, this was not done out of ostentation, or the affected glory to appear learned; but it was granted at the impor­tunate request of his friends, by a man of the greatest modesty and ingenuity; that if such terms occur in other Historians of our nation, and by none that I know of explain'd; you may from hence discover the sense of them: our design being not to give trouble to him, but satisfaction to you; such are Cul­vertagium, Witerden, Tenmantale, ( the [Page 62] understanding of which I owe purely to him) and others of that kind.

This key to recluse and antiquated words, improv'd whatever of this na­ture had been done before: it amends and supplies the old Gallic Glossary of Pontanus; the signification of words by Skon [...]us; the explanation of terms prefixt by Mr. Lambard to his Saxon Laws; the Onomasticon of Clement Reiner, in his Apost. Bened. in Anglia; the Glossography to the works of Chaucer; the Etymolo­gicon of Io. Ger. Vossius; the Glossary of Dr. Watts, adjoin'd to his noble Edition of Mat. Paris; and above all the ex­cellent Glossary of Sir Henry Spelman, then only publisht to the letter N. Nor has Mr. Somner like the former Glos­sographers, confin'd himself to the anti­quated names of things; but with happy learning has commented on the names of this Island and several parts of it; to which he has affixt such new and apposite derivations, as delight and satisfie all ju­dicious Readers. It is indeed a work of that extent, as may serve for a cla [...]is to all other Historians, and to all Re­cords. Therefore when the learned Sir Iohn Marsham wrote an Introduction to the Monasticon Anglicanum, he refers the [Page 63] Reader to this Glossary of Mr. Somner's, where a barbarous word creates him any trouble. And that living Author, (whom I often mention, but cannot enough commend) observes, That the Laws of the Saxon Kings may be read with some profit, as turn'd into Latin by Jo. Brom­pton, if the incomparable Glossary of Mr. Somner be consulted, wherein the more obscure words are fully explain'd ¹. And after calls it, a truly golden work, without which, as Sir Roger Twisden writes, the ten historians had been imperfect, and little useful.

How complete might this Glossary be made from our Author's several ex­ercises of this nature, which now re­main in the Archives of Canterbury? His marginal notes on Bracton de Legibus Anglia; on the collection of English and Latin Statutes, printed 1556. 8 ^vo. on Mr. Selden's Spicilegium ad Eadmerum; on Verstegan's restitution of decayed in­telligence: especially from his Glossari [...] rerum & verborum difficilium in Legibus H [...]rici 1. And his Adversaria in Spelm [...]i Glossarium, in Wat [...]ii Glossarium Mat. Par. additum: & in Tractatum Ger. Io. Vossii de vitio sermonis. Had the inquisitive du [Page 64] Fresne been inform'd of all these papers, how much would he have augmented his immense work? How much will the knowledge of all our Laws and u­sages improve, when these mighty ma­terials come at last to be digested by an able and patient hand?

The Author himself intended to publish more of this kind. For in his Addenda ad Gloss. X. Script. he does advertise the Reader, that if any other difficult words occur, which he had not there explain'd, (as omissions might be easie in so long a work) and read over as it were ex­tempore, he would be glad to be inform'd of them, and would not fail with thanks to ex­plicate them in the best manner that he could: at least in another Tome of Histo­rians, shortly to be publisht. Sir Roger Twisden in his Preface gives the world the same encouragement, to hope for a second Tome, if this first were well accepted. But it was not allow'd to Scholars to be so happy. The association of those E­ditors was dissolv'd by the death of Selden and Vsher within few years. Tho possibly the greatest impediment was the ignorance and distraction of the times, that could not enough en­courage the great expences of the Book­seller [Page 65] Mr. Cornelius Bee, to whom Mr. Somner gives this just character, that he was a man who had deserv'd very well of the republic of letters, by publishing, at his own care and cost, many books of better note, wherein he was so industrious, as literally to answer his own name ¹. He had indeed with great charge and pains, collected sufficient copies to have made up a se­cond Tome; which lay dead in the hands of his Executors, till for a con­siderable sum they were purchas'd from them, by that generous promoter of learning, the right Reverend Father in God Iohn Fell Bishop of Oxford; by whose encouragement some were pub­lisht; and by whose never enough la­mented death, others remain in private hands. I have seen the following copies, 1. Willielmus Malmsburiensis de Antiqui­tate Glastoniensis Ecclesiae ejus (que) Abbati­bus. Ex Libro Roberti Cotton, quem ipsi dono dedit Tho. Allen, Aug. 12. 1672. exam. & collat. cum alio Manuscripto libro, quem Richardus Tychburn eques & Ba­ronettus dedit Paulo Robinsono, qui ean­dem inscripsit Bibliothecae S. Gregorianae, Duaci, Iul. 15. 1651. 2. Invictissimi An­glorum Franciae (que) Regis Henrici quinti, ad [Page 66] ejus filium Christianissimum Regem Hen­ricum sextum, vita per Titum Livium de Frulovisiis Ferrariensem edita. Ex Libro Cottoniano, collat. cum alio Libro Manu­scripto in Bibl. Bened. Cantab. 3. Hi­storia de tempore primaevae inchoationis sedis Episcopalis Wellensis, & ejusdem Episcopis, & de Episcopis in sede Bathoniensi. 4. Fragmentum Annalium Saxonum ab An. 726. ad An. 1055. 5. Fragmentum Anna­lium de rebus ad Hiberniam spectantibus ab An. 994. ad An. 1177. To most of these copies is a Postscript by the Ama­nuensis, Mr. Ralph Iennings, wherein he acknowledges the receipt of several sums of mony, for his reward in tran­scribing and collating the said copies, and promises to compare them with the original, when desir'd. What honour to the nation had it been, if these and many other copies had been publisht, in the same method with the former Volumes. I am sure, we have since had no one Edition of Historians with that exactness, and that grandeur. Nor can we hope for any so correct and so au­gust, till the same measures be taken, of several hands joyning in the same work. For any one undertaker has either not opportunity to discover all [Page 67] copies, or not leisure to collate them; or not the advantage of attending the press for correction; or not patience to draw up (what is the main benefit of a large book) a full and faithful In­dex. So that we have lame and inac­ [...]rate Editions, for want of the wis­dom of our forefathers to assist one an­other. It is by this mutual help, that the Societies in France give us such ab­solute Impressions. And could we re­sume that practise here at home, we should infinitely advance the good of letters, and the glory of Britain. I de­tract not from the public services of Mr. Fulman, Dr. Gale, and Mr. Wharton, who seem to have done as much, as pri­vate men can do.

Mr. Somner's reputation was now so well establisht, that no Monuments of Antiquity could be farther publisht, without his advice and helping hand. Therefore when the noble Sir Henry Spelman had encourag'd Mr. Dugdale to joyn with Mr. Dodsworth, to collect and publish the Charters and Monuments of Religious houses, and had commu­nicated to them his own originals and transcripts, of the foundations in Nor­folk and Suffolk: when Mr. Dugdale in [Page 68] Oxford had got many materials from the Bodleian and College Libraries: and in France had gathered from the papers of Du-Chesne, several memorials of our Priories Alien. When Mr. Dods­worth had preserv'd all that related to Yorkshire, and most Northern Counties; when they had both searcht the Tower of London, the Cotton Library, and o­ther Archives; they invited Mr. Somner to assist in that immense labour, who return'd them the Charters of Christ­church, and St. Augustin's in Canterbury, with the ichnography of the Cathedral, the draught of the Monastery, and o­ther Sculptures: furnisht them with the original Charter of King Stephen to the Abby of Feversham, then in his hands; and inform'd them in many other que­ries relating to the City and County: and then accepted the office impos'd upon him, of bearing a peculiar part of the burden, by translating all the Saxon originals, and all the English tran­scripts from the Itinerary of Leland, and other Records, into plain and proper Latin: a necessary and useful ornament to those admirable volumes. Which service Sir Iohn Marsham commemo­rates in his learned Propylaeum; There [Page 69] assisted in this work a man of the greatest knowledge in our Antiquities, William Somner of Canterbury, who has rendred into latin all the Saxon, and the English of Leland. To whose Glossary, lately pub­lisht with the English Historians, the Reader is refer'd, if any barbarous word creates him trouble. The same person is now preparing for the press a curious Saxon Dictionary. The first Volume of this Monasticon was publisht, London, 1655. The book which now stands in the Li­brary of the Church of Canterbury, has inserted after the Propylaeum a printed leaf in folio, containing six copies of verses made by Kentish men, in com­mendation of Mr. Dodsworth, Mr. Dug­dale, and Mr. Somner, who are there said to be the joint collectors of that glo­rious work. The second Volume was deferr'd (as a punishment to the in­grateful world) to the year 1661. A third Volume of Cathedral and Col­legiate Churches, with Additaments to the two former, was publisht An. 1673. In these books are promiscuously com­pris'd the most Authentic, because most genuine and inartificial, History of En­gland. There be materials enough dis­perst in several hands to complete a [Page 70] fourth Volume. Dr. Hicks recites the title of many Charters, in the Archives of the Church of Worcester, of which, he says, none are inserted in the Monasticon ¹. I have seen many originals and Tran­scripts of omitted Charters and Mona­stic Annals, in the hands of men of cu­riosity and public spirit; who would contribute their additions to such a work, when ever men of industry and courage dare to undertake it.

Mr. Somner's friends knew, how far­ther to employ a useful man. They ob­serv'd it impossible to cultivate any language, or recommend it to the in­dustry of learners, without the help of some Dictionary for a standing oracle in obscure and dubious words. This was yet wanting to the Saxon language, and was the reason why so few were masters of it. For men care not to tra­vel without a guide in lands unknown. This was a burden that wanted heart and shoulders equal to it; but they could impose it on none more able than Mr. Somner: on him they lay the mighty task, and adjure him to per­form it. Above all, the Counsellor of his studies Dr. M. Casaubon, us'd all his [Page 71] interest of friendship to press him to this labour; as he thus informs us: When Mr. Somner by several essays on the Saxon tongue, had sufficiently prov'd himself a master of it; I ceas'd not then to impor­tune him, that he would think of compiling a Saxon Dictionary; by which work I did assure him, he would best merit of that language, and would receive infinite thanks from all that were studious of it. But in such unhappy times, what can the Reader promise to himself, or what can I promise for the Author? I leave all to his own dis­cretion. ¹. Upon this hint given to the public, many other of Mr. Somner's friends, who knew his course of studies, did themselves hope, and made others expect, to see such a labour done by him. Especially when by his Glossary and Version of Saxon Charters, he had farther serv'd the world: from that time he was incited by the daily request and importunity of many persons, to undertake and finish that work; many of his judicious and af­fectionate friends, considering his slender fortune, and offering to contribute in the charges of the impression: with assurance that the book would be very acceptable both at home and abroad, especially to all that were [Page 72] studious of the Teutonic Antiquities, which language was originally the same with the Saxon ¹. But for a work that requir'd so much time, and so great expence, his friends were to contrive some more competent support and reward: to which Providence (that seldom fails industrious men) ordain'd an oppor­tunity. The great Sir Henry Spelman, while he was at Cambridge with Mr. Ie­remy Stephens, to search those Libraries, and collect materials for his designed Volumes of British Councils, finding very many Saxon Manuscripts, and very few that understood them; resolv'd to found a Lecture in that language, to restore and improve the study of it. This generous act was soon done by him, and he first conferr'd that office on Mr. Abraham Wheelock, one that had assisted him in some Transcripts of that tongue; and for endowment settled on him and his successors a sufficient yearly stipend, with presentation to the be­nefice of Midleton, nigh Lin-Regis in Norfolk ². By the death of Mr. Wheelock An. 1657. the disposal of that Lecture fell to Roger Spelman Esq son of Sir [Page 73] Iohn, son of the founder, who de­sign'd to bestow it on Mr. Samuel Foster, a learned and worthy Divine. But Arch-bishop Vsher, a friend to Anti­quities and Mr. Somner, recommended him to the Patron, that he would confer on him the pecuniary stipend, to enable him to prosecute a Saxon Dictionary, which would more improve that tongue than bare Academic Lectures ¹. And herein that Prelate was like himself, judicious. For the endowment of public Lectures has often met with this till success, to make the Readers neglect, and the hearers despise them. Whereas if the same re­wards were given, on condition of printing those Lectures, or publishing some other remains of that Art or Science: mens industry would be great­er, and the Republic of Letters much better serv'd. This seem'd the inten­tion of the wise and pious founder Sir Henry Spelman, in establishing this Le­cture. The words of his foundation being to promote the Saxon tongue, either by reading it publicly, or by the edition of Saxon Manuscripts, and other books ². Which last design Mr. Wheelock had [Page 74] most answered, by publishing the Eccle­siastical History of Bede, with the Saxon Paraphrase of King Alfred. The Saxon Chronology with his own latin version, and Mr. Lambard's Saxon Laws, with some additions. Cambridge 1644. fol.

This reason of the thing, and this Will of his Grandfather, inclin'd Mr. Spelman to comply with the advice of Bishop Vsher, and to present Mr. Som­ner to the annual salary of that Le­cture. Which this man of tenderness and modesty would not accept, with­out the free consent of Mr. Foster, be­fore nominated to the place: who prefer'd the public before his own in­terest, and Mr. Somner before himself. Therefore content with the Ecclesia­stical benefice, he left the annual por­tion of mony to Mr. Somner, who re­ceiving this reward, would not omit the duty for it.

He was enough sensible, that to make a Lexicon in any tongue, was one of the hardest and most servile labours. Espe­cially if no foundations were before laid; there to find materials, and to build the whole structure, was more tedious and expensive, than barely to augment, or adorn. On reflection he [Page 75] found those difficulties to press upon him: some faint endeavours, and for­gotten promises, but no one public per­formance of this nature.

The first example was given by Ael­fric the Grammarian and Arch-bishop, either of Canterbury ¹, or rather of York ². who flourisht about the year 1004. and made two distinct Glossaries on this tongue; one of which F. Iunius tran­scrib'd from a very ancient copy in the Library of Peter Paul Rubenius of Brus­sels, and communicated to Mr. Somner ³, who publisht it with the Latin Gram­mar in Saxon, by the same Author. This could be no great assistance to Mr. Somner, because short and imper­fect, and indeed erroneous, and a little barbarous, as the Editor himself com­plains ⁴: and another expert in these studies does affirm, when Aelfric expounds the words in Latin, he is very oft mistaken ⁵. There is another Glossary Latin-Saxon, by the same Prelate, (distinct from the former) which he wrote as a Comment on his Grammar; and is found at the end of those copies of the Grammar [Page 76] which are now in the Cotton Library, and in that of St. Iohn's Oxon: which seems to have escap'd the knowledge of Mr. Somner. This latter may be the same with that Diction. Latin-Saxon: which Dr. Cave recounts among the Manuscripts of Aelfric ¹. And therefore a worthy Author is injurious to Dr. Cave, in taxing him with an error, for re­citing this work among the Manuscripts of AElfric, when it was publisht by Mr. Som­ner ². No, that work is still in MS. and what was publisht by Mr. Somner is a different Tract, which the Dr. had be­fore mention'd, as printed at Oxon. 1659. One writer should be tender of ano­ther writer's reputation, and not im­pute mistakes, but where he is very cer­tain of them.

There were two other ancient Saxon Glossaries by unknown hands, in the Cotton Library, the one a thin folio, the other a more thick octavo; what help Mr. Somner had from these, he freely owns, by referring to them. Since the Reformation, Mr. Laurence Nowell spent time in drawing up a Saxon vocabulary, which he design'd to complete, and pub­lish. But he dying in 1576. left the im­perfect [Page 77] Manuscript, which Mr. Selden procur'd, and lent to Mr. Somner; who seems not to have receiv'd it, till he had in great part digested his own colle­ctions; and implies it to be a deficient work. F. Iunius after took a transcript of it, the original and copy are both with us. Next to him, Mr. I. Ioceline Secretary to Arch-bishop Parker, by ad­vice of that learned Prelate, made some larger collections to the same intent, which were transcrib'd by Sir Symonds D'ewes Baronet, and remitted to Mr. Somner: who farther mentions a report that Iohn de Laet of Antwerp, a man learned in Saxon letters, had projected a work of this nature; but no perfor­mance. After all, Mr. Abraham Wheelock, Spelman-Professor, did promise the world that he would compile a Saxon Dictio­nary; but he either forgot the promise, or death absolv'd him from it. It has been the infirmity of great men, when their first thoughts have laid the scheme of any work, to take occasion of pro­claiming their design; to raise and de­ceive the expectation of the world. Prudence should temper this vain de­sire of glory. An imprinted promise is a very sacred thing: and men should [Page 78] not engage their faith to the public, unless they are sure to discharge it. How often are men weary of a warm resolution? How oft do second thoughts correct the former: and when the scene is laid, it must be took away? How oft do mens labours encrease upon their hands, till the undertaking prove a­bove their strength? How many ac­cidents of business, sickness, and mor­tality may intervene? So as what wise man would enter into obligation, when it is such a hazard whether he shall be able to pay?

But this mention of the few Saxon Glossographers, is only to do justice to the memory of Mr. Somner, by inferring what small assistance he had in so large a work. He had not that easy task of adding to things invented, or improv­ing an old book; but was to compose all, and be properly an Author. We have been taught at School to honour the Lexicon of I. Scapula, and yet Vogler has call'd him the Epitomator of Henry Stephens ¹: and another eminent writer says, he cannot be absolv'd from the crime of Plagiarism and concealment ². We ad­mire [Page 79] the laborious Volumes of I. I. Hoffman: and yet it is observ'd with great indignation, that he has arrogated to himself the interpolated and depraved works of other men, suppressing the names of the true Authors. ¹. And a great Critic animadverts on him, for transposing the whole Lexicon of Baudrand into the first Tome of his work. ². Nay Baudrand himself is by Sanson accus'd of theft from his own Father, without any dutiful mention of him. ³. Nothing has been more familiar, than to hear Holyoak bor­rowed most from Rider, and he from Eliot, and so on. But I will give you one instance, which I have more lately observ'd. Tho. Cooper's Thesaurus Linguae Romanae, &c. first publisht London, 1565. greatly rais'd the reputation of that writer, and is said to have prefer'd him to his great station in the Church. Yet this mighty work is very little more, than a pure Transcript of the Dictiona­rium Latino Gallicum, by Charles Stephens at Paris, 1553. I have collated them in most parts, and find them literally the same in allmost all words, and the [Page 80] direct order of them, and in every clas­sic phrase; with this only difference, that those phrases are rendred in French by Stephens, and in English by Cooper: whose disingenuity is much the greater, because in his preface and Dedication, he mentions the Bibliothece of Sir Tho. Eliot, and the Thesaurus of Rob. Stephens; but speaks not a word of this other Dictionary of Charles Stephens, which was the copy (I assure you) that he tran­scrib'd verbatim.

When Mr. Somner had made an im­mense collection of materials, in order to compile his Dictionary, and had me­thodiz'd them in two large Volumes, now remaining in the Canterbury Ar­chives; he sent up his papers to Oxford, and the Impression was here made for the Author, Apr. 1659. with an elegant inscription to all Students in the Saxon tongue; a grateful dedication to his Patron Roger Spelman Esq, and a proper useful Preface. The Author and his work recommended by the ingenious verses English and Latin, of Iohn de Bosco; Henry Hugford; Ioshua Childrey; and Will. Iacob Physitian; with an Appendix of the Grammar and Glossary of Aelfric. And at the end of all, is a Catalogue of [Page 81] those worthy persons who contributed to th [...] great charge of the Impression, whose names and example he commends to the present age, and to posterity; for the perpetual honour of Philologers▪ and as a testimony of the Author's grateful mind.

Let none be offended, that so excel­lent a work was forc'd to be thrown upon the public stock, and brought up on common charity. Till the men on curiosity encrease their number, this must be the fate of the best books, that they shall not bear the charges of their own Impression. It is this has stifled the conception of many glorious de­signs, to see exquisite Volumes thrown back upon an Author's empty hands; while Plays and Pamphlets reward the trifling writers. What else was the rea­son that most of our old Historians were first printed beyond the seas; but only, that cheaper methods, and quicker sale, made the Editors to gain abroad, what they must have lost at home? What induc'd Sir Walter Raleigh to burn the second part of his admirable Hi­story; but only a fordid complaint, that the first five books were a burden to the printer ¹? What inclin'd Sir Henry [Page 82] Spelman so long to suppress the second part of his incomparable Glossary, but this only; that when he offer'd the copy of the first part to Bill the Kings Printer, for five pounds in books; that light proposal was rejected, and he was forc'd to make the Impression at his own great charge? ¹? How could Dr. Brian Walton have carried on those six stupendous volumes of the Biblia Poly­glotta, An. 1657. if there had not been a public fund, and Treasurer appoint­ed to collect and dispose the contribu­tions of worthy men? ²? In a word, it was a credit to this work of Mr. Somners, that it appear'd so little the interest of the writer, and deserv'd so much the charity of public benefactors. Espe­cially at a time, when the oppressed Royalists were more tempted to write for bread, than for glory; and were drove upon a double necessity, to beg for the support of themselves, and the Edition of their books.

For this indeed is a farther honour to the work, and the Author of it; that it was done in the days of Anarchy and Confusion, of Ignorance and Ty­ranny; [Page 83] when all the Professors of true Religion and good literature were si­lenc'd and opprest. And yet Providence so order'd, that the loyal suffering party did all that was then done, for the improvement of letters, and the ho­nour of the nation. Those that intru­ded into the places of power and profit, did nothing but defile the press with lying news, and Fast-Sermons▪ while the poor ejected Church-men, did works, of which the world was not wor­thy. I appeal to the Manas [...]icon, the Decem Scrip [...]ores, the Polyglot Bible, and the Saxon Dictionary.

I need not tell of the good reception this labour met with among men of judgment; nor how the great progress in the knowledge of this tongue, was owing most to this one work. I would onely remind you, that our eminent Linguist Dr. Tho. Mareshall, in the Pre­face to his Saxon Gospels, refers the Reader upon all doubtful words, to this com­plete Dictionary, which Mr. Somner com­pos'd with great diligence. And our first excellent Grammarian does gratefully acknowledge, that he collected many cri­tical observations, which lay disperst in this work ¹.

[Page 84] It is true, this first public essay on the construction of the Saxon tongue, was not so full and absolute, but that it is now capable of additions, and great im­provement. For how indeed can any works, but those of creation, be per­fect, when they are first produc'd? Espe­cially in a performance of this nature, that depends on the variety of words, and Author's various acceptation of them: here the prime birth can give no more than infancy: it is age and education must encrease the stature, and mature the strength. Besides, our Author had this peculiar disadvantage, that while the abundant sense of words can be gathered only from a multitude of writers in all different times, and all different professions; he could procure but few books, and those of a short and ignorant age. This Apology I can better represent in the words of an in­genious Etymologist. How small a por­tion of our ancient tongue, like a few planks from a fatal shipwrack, has come into our hands? What a slender stock of words can be drawn out of three or four small Tracts? If of Roman Authors, none had been left to us but the Offices of Tully, and the Hi­stories of Salust and Tacitus. If of the [Page 85] Grecian, none but Herodotus, Thucidi­des, and Zenophon, how could Cale­pine and Stephanus have swell'd their volumes to so great a bulk? If you compare our Somner to those giant Authors, tho in diligence not inferiour to either of them, you would see there a Hercules and a Cy­clops; here a Hylas and a Pigmy ¹. Tho certainly, if we look back on the first attempts of this kind, in all the ancient and modern tongues, we shall find no one Nomenclature, in it's pure begin­ning so copious, and so exact, as this of Mr. Somner.

He himself was most conscious, what was wanting to it, and therefore was alway improving the stock, and soli­citing all Scholars, whom he thought could be beneficial to him. Among o­thers, Mr. George Davenport, a great pro­ficient in that language, sent him many Notes and Observations. I have now before me an original letter of Mr. Somner to Dr. Casaubon, Canterbury. 12. Octob. 1664. of which part runs thus. I return many thanks for those papers of Mr. Davenport, which you were pleas'd to im­part unto me. I have more than once per­used them, and am so well pleas'd with [Page 86] them, and instructed by them, that I shall improve them to a good degree; in point of correction to some, enlargement and illustra­tion in other parts of my Lexicon; not without the ingen [...]ous acknowledgement of my Author. Mean time, in order to such a use, I keep them by me, &c. But Mr. Somner liv'd not to execute the good design; nor has any yet resum'd it; tho ma­terials ly ready gathered. For among the printed Authors, left corrected and illustrated by the hand of Iunius, there is this Lexicon of Mr. Somner, with o­ther loose sheets, and the Grammar of Aelfric collated with some Manuscripts. Another of these printed volumes was in possession of Mr. George Davenport, much noted and enlarg'd by the curi­ous owner; and is now in other hands, interleav'd, and much farther improv'd. The want of a new Edition would in­deed be superseded, could the world at last enjoy the Etymologicon Anglicanum, completed by F. F. Iunius in two vo­lumes, and that Author's incomparable Lexicon of five Northern languages, which that most worthy Prelate Bishop Fell, took care to have transcrib'd in eleven volumes: and some few years since, we were encourag'd with the hopes of a [Page 87] speedy publication. ¹. But chance and change have employ'd mens thoughts another way. Whenever the impression is resolv'd upon, it must pass through many hands, which will never joyn, if they must return empty. It wants and deserves a public spirit, and a public fund.

The last service of our Author was to publish his Treatise of Gavelkind, &c. An. 1660. which I have already men­tion'd; and need only add, that some reflections were made on this discourse by Silas Taylor Gentleman, in his Hi­story of Gavelkind, with the Etymology thereof, &c. London, 1663. 4 ^to. who, in his Preface, does inform the Reader, that he took occasion to publish his notes of this Tenure, from the late printed Treatise of that industrious Gentleman, Mr. William Somner of Canterbury, that he has in­termingled those first observations with these Animadversions on his learned discourses: that he entred not on this undertaking to quarrel with him, or with a design to carp at any thing, which he hath laboriously written, &c. This less accurate writer has only attempted to carry the origi­nal [Page 88] of the name and of the custom from the Saxons to the Britains; and to prove it not proper to Kent, but of an ancient use in other parts of the King­dom, &c. In all material points he con­firms the opinion of Mr. Somner, who in other exceptions has made his own defence in marginal Notes, on Mr. Silas Taylor's Gavelkind History, correcting his mistakes, &c. And his own printed treatise, when he was after conscious of any omissions, or lighter errors, he supplied and amended with his own hand. Both the books so annotated are now in the Canterbury Archives, and will be of great use to the next Editor of this very excellent Treatise of Gavel­kind.

Tho' our Author publisht nothing more in his own name; yet he was a fellow-labourer in many other works. Particularly in the second Tome of Coun­cils, of which the first had been pub­lish by Sir Henry Spelman London, 1639. who had projected two other volumes. After the Restauration, Arch-bishop Sheldon, and Chancellor Hido, impor­tun'd Mr. Dugdal [...] to perfect a second Tome, who is said to have added as many Transcripts as now fill 143. of [Page 89] the 200. printed sheets; of which he had several communicated to him by his old faithful Correspondent Mr. Som­ner, from the Registers of Canterbury. It was publisht London, 1664. full of mi­stakes. Mr. Somner with great pains and accuracy, collated the printed copy with many of the original Records, and in the margin amended the infinite de­fects. He had before done the same justice to the first Tome; of which he publicly complain'd, that the version of the Saxon was faulty, and occasio­nally gave a more correct interpreta­tion. ¹. Both these volumes so emend­ed are now in your Canterbury Archives; and will lend a very great assistance to any learned man, who has spirit to un­dertake a second Edition of those Mo­numents of the Church; for which the world will praise him, and may God reward him. I have now done with the works and more public services of Mr. Somner, as an Antiquary and an Author. I would only invite you to look back upon his Loyalty to the King, his af­fection to the Church, and his inte­grity to all the world.

His Loyalty was firm and constant, [Page 90] not depending on interest, which might change; but upon a judgement, which could not alter. He adher'd to his Royal Master, and dar'd to suffer with him. A man of his parts and acquaintance, might have chosen his office from the usurping state, and his portion of lands from the dissolved Church. But he would accept of nothing from those who had no right to give; choosing rather to suffer affliction. He could in­fluence his whole family to the same principles. Both his brothers were true and zealous in the same cause. Iohn who was afterwards Wood-Reve to the Arch-bishop of Canterbury, and George a Major in the Militia of Kent; who ap­pearing at the head of a party in the last effort, which was made by the Roy­alists in that County, 1648. engag'd the rebels at Wye with very unequal force: and tho' he might have safely retir'd, or secur'd his life by asking, he fought on, and fell with honour. Our Author's profession and genius had less adapted him for arms; but he was no less zealous to assert the rights of the Crown, and the Laws of the land, by all the means which his capacity could use. When no endeavours could stop [Page 91] the madness of the people, nor save the effusion of Royal blood; he could no longer contain himself, but broke into a passionate Elegy, The insecurity of Princes, considered in an occasional medi­tation upon the King's late sufferings and Death. Printed in the year, 1648. 4 [...]. And soon after he publisht another af­fectionate Poem, to which is prefixt the Pourtraicture of Charles the first, be­fore his [...], and this title, The Frontispice of the King's book opened, with a Poem annexed, The insecurity of Princes, &c. 4 ^to. He waited all oppor­tunities to serve his banisht Prince; but it was the fate of the honest Gentry to be disappointed in all attempts, and draw down the greater persecution upon their own heads. Mr. Somner had his share of sufferings from the jealous powers, and, among other hardships, was imprison'd in the Castle of Deal for endeavouring to get hands to petition for a Free Parliament; which he fore­saw would restore the Church and King. Within a month or two, this method, blesst by providence, gave li­berty to him and all the Nation.

If we next consider his zeal and af­fection to the Church of England, we [Page 92] shall find them arising from a sense of conscience, that no threats or flatteries could move. His own primitive spi­rit, inclin'd him to the Doctrine and discipline of true Antiquity; and made him naturally averse to change and in­novation. He helpt to sustain the old foundations, as far as his strength and art could do: and when he found they must be overthrown, he was content to be involv'd in the common ruines. He murmured not, but made a soft com­plaint, that he was overtaken by the im­petuous storm, and necessitated to betake himself to other thoughts; chiefly how he might secure himself against the fury, in warding off the danger, &c. Yet his cares were more for the public interest, than for his own fortunes: as Keeper of the Archives, he had been allway faithful in the trust committed to him: But sacrilege and rapine, when they had devour'd the holy things, would have embezled or destroy'd all the Deeds and Records, that convey'd and con­firm'd them. This was the practice of those blest Reformers. At Peterburgh in April 1643. a Regiment of horse under Colonel Cromwell, forc'd open the Church doors, tore in pieces the Common-Prayer [Page 93] books, took away the Leiger-book of the Church, broke into the Chapter-house, ran­sackt the Records, broke the seals, tore the writings, and left the floor cover'd over with torn papers, parchments, and seals ¹. A­bout the same time a party under com­mand of the Lord Brooks, storm'd and took the Cathedral Church of Lichfield, broke and shot down all the ornaments of it, and cast into flames all the Registers, Charters, Books, and Vestments ². At Wor­cester Septemb. 24. 1643. the Army under command of the Earl of Essex, prophan'd the Cathedral, rifled the Library, with the Records and Evidences of the Church ³. The like outrages were committed in the Cathedral of Canterbury, Aug. 26. 1642. by the countenance of Colonel Edwyn Sandys, and the madness of Cul­mer; and much greater spoil had been done to the Muniments and Histories of the Church, if the courage and pru­dence of Mr. Somner had not diverted the thieves, and conceal'd the treasure. Some he reposited in unsuspected hands, and kept others in his own custody; and redeem'd others from the needy [Page 94] soldiers, who (like the old woman with Tarquin) would have burnt them, if the price had not been given. Soon after professing, That his great care should now be to secure and rescue old. Records from that scorn, neglect and contempt cast upon them, in the days of so much novelty ¹. Nor did he only preserve the writings, but other ornaments of the desolated Church. Particularly, when the beau­tiful Font in the nave of that Cathe­dral (built by the right Reverend Iohn Warner Bishop of Rochester, late Pre­bendary of Canterbury, and consecrated by Iohn Lord Bishop of Oxon. 1636.) was pull'd down, and the materials car­ried away by the rabble, he enquir'd with great diligence for all the scatter'd pieces, bought them up at his own charge, kept them safe till the King's return, and then delivered them to that worthy Bishop; who reedified his Font, and made it a greater beauty of holy­ness; giving to Mr. Somner the just ho­nour, to have a daughter of his own first baptized in it.

This Prelate was he, whom the Fana­tics of that age condemn'd for a cove­tous man. His memory needs no vin­dication; [Page 95] but give me leave to men­tion this certain relation of him. When in the days of usurpation, an honest friend paid a visit to him, and upon his Lordship's importunity, told him freely the censures of the world upon him, as of a close and too thrifty. temper: the Bishop produc'd a Roll of distressed Clergy, whom in their ejectments he had reliev'd with no less than eight thousand pounds: and enquir'd of the same friend, whether he knew of any other the like objects of charity. Upon which motion the Gentleman soon af­ter by letter, recommended a sequestr [...]d Divine, so whom at first address he gave one hundred pounds. Let me go on, and tell you; that by his last Will An. 1666. he left a personal estate to build an Hospital, for the maintenance of twenty Widows, the Relicts of Ortho­dox and loyal Clergymen, to each an exhibition of twenty pounds annual, and fifty for a Chaplain to attend upon them. He gave one thousand pounds to encrease the Library of Magdalan College Oxon. five hundred pounds to the Library at Rochester: eight hundred to his Cathedral Church, in addition to two hundred, which he had before [Page 96] given: one thousand and fifty pounds to the repair of St. Paul's in London: two thousand to the buying in of Im­propriations within the Dioc [...] of R [...] ­chester▪ twenty pounds to the Church of St. Clement [...]nes: twenty to Br [...] ­ly and a yearly pension to St. [...]onyse B [...]ckchurch; and four score pounds! yearly for the maintenance of fo [...] Scholars of the Scotch Nation, in Baliol C [...]ll-Oxon. All this was the charity of one single Prelate, who was depriv'd of his Ec­clesiastic revenues, for more years than he enjoy'd them. He was a peculiar friend to Mr. Somner, and the chief con­tributor to the Impression of his Saxon Dictionary, his name standing in the front of those encouragers of learning ¹.

Let us lastly reflect on Mr. Somner's integrity to all the world or This alone can prove Loyalty and Orthodoxy, not to be the affectation of a [...], but the conscience of a Christian. Men may profess any faith, or adopt any cause; but it is innocence and honesty alone, that can prove it a belief, and not a pretension. This proof was given by Mr. Somner, who in all his writings had been so plain and sincere that he [Page 97] would not dissemble a truth, nor sug­gest a false invention. His profession was, That he loved truth (the end of all science) for itself; and was all together an­biast with any by respects, whether of vain­glory, singularity, or the like: making it his constant endeavour, that truth alone might triumph ever falshood, Antiquity over no­velty ¹. How do most Historians betray a partial regard to their Nation, or their party? How many pretenders to Antiquity, have conceal'd the notice of whatever oppos'd their own fancy: and rais'd the apparition of Records, to justifie the cause for which they wrote? Especially, how do most describers of their native soil, take pains to flourish and disguise; and (like Sir Henry Wot­ton's Embassador) think it even a merit to lie for the honour of their Country? Mr. Somner had a probity and excel­lence of spirit, that made him abhor all such artifice and guile. Let one short instance serve. There were two specious traditions, that seem'd much to illustrate the credit of our County. 1. That the Kentish-men were the only English who maintain'd their privi­leges against William the Conqueror, and [Page 98] under the conduct of Stigand Arch-bi­shop, and Aegelfina Abbot of St. Augu­staines, march'd with boughs, and made their composition at Swansco [...]. 2. That, of all Counties, Kent alone enjoy'd an immunity from the tenure of villenage, a priviledge continued to them by the said Conqueror. Tho for the honour of his mother County, he might have been glad to defend these titles; yet having found them false, he scorn'd to appear an Advocate for them; but refutes them as Monkish figments, and po­liticly devis'd ¹.

Mr. Somner's whole life was like his writings, void of prejudice and passion: he had that civility, which Caesar ob­serv'd to have been peculiar to the in­habitants of Kent ²; and that firm reso­lution, which made our Country-men claim an ancient privilege, of being plac'd in the front of a battel ³. He was courteous, without design; was wise, without a trick: and faithful, with­out a reward. Humble, and compassio­nate: moderate, and equal: never fret­ted by his afflictions: nor elated by the favours of Heaven, and good men. [Page 99] It was his charity, and purity of heart, that prefer'd him to the Mastership of St. Iohn's Hospital, in the suburbs of Can­terbury, An. 1660. In which station he did not substract from the pietance of the poor, nor use any arts to rob the spittle; but was tender of their per­sons, and zealous of their rights. By his interest and courage, he recovered some parts of their endowment, of which by the Commissioners on the Stat. 37. of Henry 8. it had been fleeced, at other like places, by the sacrilegious pil­feries of those ravenous and wretched times ¹ ▪ It was for the same plain and open honesty, that at the Restauration, he was appointed Auditor of Christ­church Canterbury, by the Dean and Chapter, to whom he was a Father and friend, more than an honorary servant. He entertain'd them in his own house, till their own were clear'd from the Fanatic intruders, and made conveni­ent for them. He deliver'd back all their preserv'd writings, inform'd them of all their late alienated lands: re­ceiv'd all their Fines, and digested all accounts to universal satisfaction. This settled him such an interest in [Page 100] that Body, and all the members of it; that no private man had an equal in­fluence and authority: which he never employ'd, but to promote some act of charity and justice. He was frequently entrusted by the Dean and Prebenda­ries, to supervise the public School, to examine Lads, that should be elected King's Scholar's; and, upon the like trial, to judge who were most fit for removal to the Universities: in which, his en­quiries were exact; and his favours were impartial. His endeavours were to ad­vance the interest and honour of the School, to as high a pitch, as while he was himself a member of it: when his master Mr. Iohn Ludd, some years before he died, affirm'd, he had thirty seven Masters of Arts of his own bringing up ¹. Dr. Tho. Turner the worthy Dean, had a most peculiar esteem for him, and paid him the frequent visits of a most familiar friend. All the neighbouring Clergy, whom he knew to be of good principles, and honest conversation, he assisted with his knowledge, his interest, and his free advice. I remember to have often heard my Honour'd Father dwell much upon the fair character of Mr. [Page 101] Somner, and represent him as a Patron and protector of all the regular Clergy. Of his resolute and incorrupted honesty, there can be no greater argument than this. Among all his temptations, in se­veral offices, to high and arbitrary fees: among the easy advantages to be brib'd: and the just expectances to be rewarded: among the many opportunities of shar­ing in the Churches treasure: and taking leases of their land: among the most ready and effectual means to raise an estate, and advance a family: He left but a small competence, which if not frugally manag'd, could never have answered the support of his Widow, and the education of his Children.

By his last Will he gave several Le­gacies to the poor, and a kind remem­brance to Mr. Stockar then Minister of St. Aelphege. Canterbury. In the begin­ning of his last illness, he took an op­portunity to tell his Wife, that through his whole life, he had never been let blood, nor taken any phisic, which is a just argument, not only of his happy constitution; but of his exact tempe­rance and sobriety. The day of his birth was the day of his death, March 30. 1669. aged 63. years; according to [Page 102] the account given by his Wife and Son, who report it from tradition, and some better grounds. But a Certificate from the Register-book of St. Margaret's Can­terbury; under the hand of of Mr. Tho. Iohnson, represents him to be baptiz'd Novemb. 5th. 1598. by which, his age must reach to seventy years, five months, &c. Which length of days had allmost made him (as Queen Christina, said lately of her self and Rome) one of the Anti­quities of the City. He was buried Apr. the 2. within the Church of St. Mar­garet's, where many of his Ancestors lay interr'd. His grave is distinguisht by no stone, or inscription on it. An omission, that, I presume, was more owing to his own modesty, than any disrepect of his surviving friends. Yet I cannot but admire and lament, that such learned ashes should lye without a letter on them: that he who rais'd the memory of so many great names, should himself sleep in a place forgot­ten: and after all his labours, to eter­nize the tombs and epitaphs of others, should have no such decent ceremony paid to his own dust. Sure the time will come, when some grateful monu­ment shall be erected for him, either [Page 103] by some one of his family, whom pro­vidence shall enable to pay that duty: or by some one generous lover of An­tiquities: or by that Capitular body, to whom he did such great service, and such great honour.

He was twice married. His first wife was Mrs. Elisabeth Thurgar, born of a good family in Cambridgeshire, with whom he liv'd in love and peace about thirty years: and had by her four chil­dren, three daughters, and one son, all dead. His second wife was Barbara daughter of Mr. Iohn Dawson, a Kentish Gentleman, (a great sufferer in the long Rebellion) by whom he had one daugh­ter, that died unmarried, and three sons, of which two are now living: William Somner M. A. late of Merton Coll. Oxon. now Vicar of Liminge in Kent, our worthy friend: and Iohn, who pra­ctises Chirurgery with good repute in those parts. His last wife is now the mourning Relict of Mr. Henry H [...]nning­ton, late Vicar of Elham.

His many well selected books, and choice Manuscripts, were purchas'd by the Dean and Chapter, who knew the great value of them, and what a noble addition they would make to the public [Page 104] Library of that Church: where they now remain an inestimable treasure. The catalogue of his Manuscripts, I will subjoin to his life, in the same order and words, wherein you have transmitted the account, not doubting your care and exactness in it.

Many of his notes, and looser papers were carried from his study to the Audit-house, within the precincts of Christ-Church; where they were unfor­tunately burnt, by a fire which hapned in that place soon after his death. By this and other accidents, his letters and many memorials of his life are lost. Had they continued to us, we should have better trac'd his friendship and correspondence, with most of the men of honour and learning in that age. From the obscure hints, that now re­main, I shall mention some of them.

First. Arch-bishop Laud, by whose favour and goodness, he subsisted in his place and profession ¹; who made great use of him in his Articles and Injunctions, sent to the French and Dutch congregations in those parts, An. 1634. and in many re­gulations of the Diocese and Cathedral, An. 1636. For which dutiful assistance, [Page 105] Mr. Somner was publicly charg'd by those foreigners, as accessory to their troubles ¹: and he bore from all Schisf­matic parties, a greater share of ca­lumny and persecution, for being (in the brethren's language) one of Laud's creatures. The great esteem that Prelate had for him, was not so much for his faithfulness and dexterity in discharge of his office, as for his profound know­ledge of Antiquities. For as no one part of learning was unrewarded by that Great Soul: so he had a most par­ticular respect to Historians, and Anti­quaries. Sir Henry Spelman does grate­fully report him, a great encourager of his Edition of the Saxon Councils ². Mr. Ier. Stephens, by the Arch-bishop's fa­vour was made Prebendary of Bigles­wade in the Church of Linc. as a reward of assisting Sir Henry Spelman in that la­bour ³. Fr. Iunius, that oracle of the Northern tongues, at his first coming into England, was recommended to the Earl of Arundel, and retain'd in his fa­mily by the interest of Dr. Laud, the [...] Bishop of St. Davids ⁴. Iohn, son of Sir [Page 106] Henry Spelman, dedicates to the Arch­bishop his Latin Saxon Psalter, and ce­lebrates him for a Preserver of ancient Manuscripts, and a Patron of the Saxon tungue ¹. The same excellent Prelate countenanc'd the like studies of Mr. Somner, and made use of his assistance in collecting many of those various Ma­nuscripts, which he sent hither to a­dorn our Bodley Archives, of which eighty at least are purely on the subject of National Antiquities. And it is pro­bable, our Author was employ'd fur­ther in compiling or digesting that large book in vellam, fairly written, con­taining the Records which are in the Tower, and concern the Clergy, ab anno 20. Edw. 1. ad an. 14. Edw. 4. which book the Arch-bishop got done at his own charge, and left it in his study at Lambeth for posterity, Iune 10. 1643. This was the prudence and honour of that Gover­nour, to consider useful and beneficial men; and should indeed be the spirit of all Patrons, to respect such as can serve them, and the public. For this dependance, and these favours, Mr. Somner was humbly grateful. Of whom, (says he) to speak, is not a task for my [Page 107] pen, I leave it to posterity hereafter, and to better abilities, to set forth his constant piety, great wisdom, and spotless justice. Horobert, what all men take unto themselves a liberty to speak of him, I shall be hold to commemorate,—that never to be forgot­ten gift of his to the University Library of Oxford, of an innumerable multitude of choice and rare Manuscripts, with his great care and cost, gathered from all parts, not only of this kingdom, but also of the whole world ¹.

Arch-bishop Vsher may be justly e­steem'd the next friend and Patron of Mr. Somner. How infinite the learning, and how large the goodness of this Pre­late, is not to be here observ'd. It is only proper to remark his great zeal in restoring the old Northern Antiqui­ties, buried in the Gothic and Anglo­Saxon tongues. He first mov'd Sir Henry Spelman to found a Saxon Lecture at Cambridge; he made the proposal in Sidney College 1640 ²; he recommeded Mr. Abr. Wheelock to that office ³; he advis'd him the method of reading the Saxon Gospels ⁴; he gave him direction and encouragement to publish his Saxon [Page 108] volume; and inform'd him that the Doxology in the Lords Prayer, was to be found in the old translation of the Gospels into Gothic ¹. He furnisht Fr. Iunius with a MS copy of Caedm [...]n's Pa­raphrase on Genesis: and promoted the Edition of that work ²: which very ancient Manuscript, the Bishop first communicated to Mr. Somner, for an account and more legible transcript of it ³. On which occasion, his Lordship was so well convinc'd of the abilities of our Author, that he gave a public ap­probation to his Treatise of Gavelkind; he encourag'd his attempts upon a Saxon Dictionary; he recommended him to Roger Spelman. Esq for enjoy­ment of the salary settled by his Grand­father on a Saxon Lecture ⁴: and did him all the other true offices of friend­ship.

Sir Thomas Cotton of Connington Com. Huntin. Baronet, by an hereditary love of Scholars, was a great Benefactor to Mr. Somner, and his studies. He maintain'd an Epistolary correspondence with him, gave him free access to his immense Li­brary; [Page 109] lent him Glossaries, and other remains of ancient letters ¹; entertain'd him in his house at Westminster some months, to collect and digest his Saxon Dictionary; and contributed to the ex­pence of its publication ².

That great Master of History and Law, Sir Roger Twisden of West-Peckham in Kent Baronet, exchang'd many kind letters, and intimate visits, with our Au­thor; receiv'd from him notes, and cor­rections, to his edition of the Laws of Henry the first; furnish'd him with the chartulary of St. Augustin's Abby in Canterbury, and other curiosities ³; pre­vail'd with him to adorn the X. Scri­ptores, with an incomparable Glossary; bore a generous share in the costly e­dition of his Saxon Dictionary; ⁴; and gave him the just character of a man of primitive probity and candour, a most saga­cious searcher into the Antiquities of his Country, and most expert in the Saxon tongue, &c ⁵. For which service and ci­vilities, Mr. Somner does more than once acknowledge him his very noble and learned [Page 110] friend, the prime encourager of his studies. ¹

That great example of industry Sir W. Dugdale, by his genius and parity of studies, was directed to the acquain­tance of Mr. Somner, and contracted a fast friendship with him. He call'd in his assistance to the magnificent vo­lumes of Monast. Anglican. 1655. and 1661. appeal'd to him for the etymo­logy of names of places, to illustrate his Antiquities of Warwickshire, 1656. receiv'd from his hands very many of the materials, that fill'd up the second volume of Provincial Councils, 1664. de­pended upon his judgment and infor­mation, to complete the Glossary of Sir Henry Spelman. He seems to have attempted nothing without his advice, and to have publisht nothing without his approbation: giving among others, this testimony of his respect and love. In etymologizing the names of Towns and Places, I have not been over bold, &c. Nor should I have adventured thus far, had I not received much light from that learned Gentleman Mr. William Somner of Can­terbury, my singular friend, unto whom I [Page 111] cannot attribute enough for his great know­ledge in Antiquities, and those commend­able works which he hath allready, and is now taking pains in. ¹ By this last, he meant the Saxon Dictionary, to which Mr. Dugdale contributed his knowledge and his money; and had this grateful acknowledgement made of it, The great retriever of our English Antiquities, my noble friend, Mr. William Dugdale, one (to do him right) without whose active and effectual assistance, in the publication of it, this work had never seen the light. ²

The treasurer of Antiquities Mr. Ro­ger Dodsworth, knew the person, and the worth of Mr. Somner. He borrowed from him the chartulary of Horton­monachorum in Kent ³, and many other evidences of old devotion. He receiv'd from him farther satisfaction in the ca­talogue of Archdeacons of Canterbury, which he had transcrib'd from his An­tiquities of that City ⁴: and from his kindness had a copy of many Wills, out of the Registers of that See. ⁵

Sir Simonds D'ewes Baronet, of Stom­Hall in Suffolk, a zealous assertor of [Page 112] Antiquities, was not so happy in the use of his own learning, as in his interest with Mr. Somner; who instructed him in the notice of many things; and made the better use of his inestimable records; taking occasion to tell the world, of a very rare Deed [...] Ch [...]rter, taken from an ancient Manuscript chartulary, thee remain­ing with Sir Thomas Cotton, which he must confess to owe to the courtesie of his late learned friend, Sir Simonds D'ewes.

That excellent Philologer and An­tiquary Mr. William Burton, had a know­ledge and esteem of Mr. Somner; when he mentions Canterbury for one of the Roman stages, for its modern splendor and glory, he refers his Reader to co [...]tious Mr. Somner's description thereof, and ap­proves the derivation of its name, given by that learned Antiquary ¹: and in fixing other of these ancient stations, he rejects the opinions of Talbot, Har­rison, Camden, &c. and adheres to Mr. Somner, as a very rational Gentleman, who places Noviomagus or Noviod [...]num at C [...]yford in Kent, very judici [...]sly, as he doth other things. ¹⁷⁹ And for the situation of Durolenum, he follows the same [Page 113] knowing Gentleman, whom (says he) for his [...], and love to ancient studi [...]s, I singularly resp [...]t: who [...] it to have been [...] f [...]r from Newington, a village on the road from Rochester to Can­terbury. In this particular, not a little strengthened in his conjecture, by the multi­tude of Roman [...], found in digg­ing there, as is allready discovered, and dis­coursed of by the learned Meric Casau [...]on, his ever [...] friend. ¹ This new de­signation of the Roman ways and stages, so happily determin'd by Mr. Somner, is allow'd and confirm'd by a Prelate of incomparable knowledge. ².

Sir Iohn M [...]rsham of Whornplace in Kent, valued at home, and admir'd a­broad for his profound learning, had a just esteem of our Author: and gave him the public character of a man most expert in our national Antiquities, the Author of [...] most useful Glossary, and the Projector of a C [...]pious Saxon Dictionary ³; the Edition of which he encourag'd by a liberal contribution. ⁴.

Sir [...] By [...]she, [...] King of Arms, had the counsel and assistance [Page 114] of Mr. Somner, to improve him in his own profession of Heraldry: kept an Epistolary correspondence with him: and kindly advanc'd the impression of his Saxon Dictionary. ¹.

Another accurate Herald and Anti­quary, Elias Ashmole Esq, exhibited to the same work of Mr. Somner ²: furnish'd him with many select papers and tracts ³: and receiv'd from him the notice of many books and things, to carry on his complete History of the Order of the Garter, and to fill up his many volumes of elaborate Collections, which are now reposited in this place ⁴, by the last Will of that generous Benefactor.

Dr. Thomas Fuller, who labour'd for the reputation of an Historian and An­tiquary, courted the friendship of our Author: and, had he been more guided by him, would never have defil'd his writings with puns and tales. He closes his discourse of Canterbury with these words, For the rest, I refer the Reader to the pains of my worthy friend, Mr. Wil­liam Somner, who hath written justum volumen of the antiquities of this City. I am sorry to see him subject bound (betrayed [Page 115] thereto by his own modesty) seeing otherwise, not the City, but the Diocese of Canterbury, had been more adequate to his abilities. ¹.

Dr. William Watts, the learned and noble Editor of Matthew Paris, 1640. in the useful Glossary affixt to that work, was assisted by Mr. Somner, who conveyed to him many other informa­tions, and at last laments him as his deceased friend. ².

Mr. George Davenport, an absolute Critic in the Saxon tongue, was a true and useful friend to Mr. Somner, and after publication of the Saxon Dictio­nary, contracted a more firm acquain­tance with him: recommended to him some few emendations, and several ad­ditions to that work: for which our Author gave him the respectful lan­guage of his approved friend, of whose com­municative goodness, he had formerly tasted, ³, &c.

But in recounting Mr. Somner's friends, it would be injustice to omit his most intimate guide and companion, Dr. Meris Casaubon, whose affection to his person, and influence on his studies, [Page 116] have appear'd in many instan [...]s before related. Mr. Somner very often expresse his grateful sense of obligation: con­fesses, that to the study of the Saxon tongue, he was encourag'd by his precious friend, and ever honoured Mecenas, Dr. Casau­bon, ¹ who had admitted him is an en­tire friendship, and familiar daily conver­sation, whose good learning and good na­ture, he could never enough celebrate ² the only Patron of his studies; and one who deserv'd greatly from all that were ambiti­ous of the Saxon tongue. ³.

Many other worthy names rewarded the public spirit of Mr. Somner, and con­tributed to the service he did the world: Sir Orlando Bridgman, Sir Simon Archer, Sir Richard Leveson, Walter Chetwind, Thomas Stanley, Thomas Henshaw, Ralph Sheldon, &c. Esquires; of Divines, Bishop Warner, Dr. Langbain, Mr. Barlow, &c. of Physitians, Dr. Ferne, Dr. Pugh, Dr. Currer, Dr. Rogers, &c. and of our own County, all those Gentlemen who had an affection to virtue and good letters: The Honourable Iohn Finch, Baron of Fordwich, Sir Edward Monins of Walder­shire, Sir Norton Knatchbull of Mersham, [Page 117] Sir Richard Hardres of Hardres, Sir Henry Palmer of Wingham, Baronets, Sir Cri­stopher Harflete of Hackington, Sir An­thony Arch [...]r of Bishopshourn, Sir Thomas Godfrey of Nackington, Sir William Man of Can [...]erbury, Sir Iohn Boys of Bonington, Knights, Iohn Boys of Fredfield, Iohn Boys of Hede-court, Iohn Boys of Bethes­hanger, Edward Scot of Scots-hall, Richard Master of West-Langdon, Thomas Enge­ham of Goodnestone, Iames Brockman of Bitchborough, Arnold Brames of Bridge, Thomas Courthope of Stodmersh, Thomas Peke of Ashe, Laurence Rooke of Monks­Horton, Esquires. Edward Master of Canterbury, Herbert Randolph of Canter­bury, William Randolph of Biddenden, Io­seph Roberts of Canterbury, Iohn Lynch of Staple, Gentlemen, &c. These all did honour to their Country, and to their Families, by serving the interest of Mr. Somner, and the public.

Pray, Sir, accept this plain account of the life of Mr. Somner: and my hearty thanks for your affection to the me­mory of this good man: and for your care in publishing this excellent part of his works. It is true, to send forth every postumous tract of learned men, from loose and indigested papers, is an [Page 118] affront to the world: and often seems a libel to the Author, and Editor of them; but where the remains of an ac­curate writer are left complete and absolute, and argue a design of being wrote for public notice: there, to con­vey such reliques to the press, is an of­fice of justice to the Author, and of charity to all the world.