But I have digressed too far: To return therefore unto _Lydgate_. _Scripsit partim Anglice, partim Latine; partim Prosa, partim Versu Libros numero plures, eruditione politissimos_. He writ (saith my Author) partly _English_, partly _Latine_; partly in Prose, and partly in Verse, many exquisite learned Books, saith _Pitseus_, which are mentioned by him and _Bale_, as also in the latter end of _Chaucer's_ Works; the last Edition, amongst which are _Eglogues_, _Odes_, _Satyrs_, and other Poems. He flourished in the Reign of _Henry_ the Sixth, and departed this world (aged about 60 years) _circiter_ An. 1440. and was buried in his own Convent at _Bury_, with this Epitaph, _Mortuus saeclo, superis Superstes, Hic jacet_ Lydgate _tumulaetus Urna: Qui fuit quondam celebris_ Britannae _Fama Poesis_. Dead in this World, living above the Sky, Intomb'd within this Urn doth _Lydgate_ lie; In former time fam'd for his Poetry, All over _England_. * * * * * _JOHN HARDING_. _John Harding_, our Famous _English_ Chronologer, was born (saith _Bale_) in the Northern parts, and most likely in _Yorkshire_, being an Esquire of an eminent Parentage. He was a man equally addicted to Arms and Arts, spending his Youth in the one, and his Age in the other: His first Military Employment was under _Robert Umfreuil_, Governor of _Roxborough_-Castle, where he did good Service against the _Scots_. Afterwards he followed the Standard of King _Edward_ the Fourth, to whom he valiantly and faithfully adhered, not only in the Sun-shine of his Prosperity, but also in his deepest Distress. But what endeared him the most to his Favour, and was indeed the Masterpiece of his Service, was his adventuring into _Scotland_; a desperate Attempt, and performed not without the manifest hazarding of his Life; where he so cunningly demeaned himself, and insinuated himself so far into their Favour, as he got a sight of their Records and Original Letters; a Copy of which he brought with him to _England_, and presented the same to King _Edward_ the Fourth: Out of these he collected a History of the several Submissions, and sacred Oaths of Fealty openly taken from the time of King _Athelstane_, by the Kings of _Scotland_; to the Kings of _England_, for the Crown of _Scotland_; a Work which was afterwards made much use of by the _English_; although the _Scotch_ Historians stickle with might and main, that such Homage was performed only for the County of _Cumberland_, and some parcel of Land their Kings had in _England_ South of _Tweed_.