This _Alexander_ was born in _Staffordshire_, say some; in _Somersetshire_, say others; for which, each County might strive as being a Jewel worth the owning, being reckoned among the chief of _English_ Poets and Orators of that Age. He in imitation of _Ovid de Fastis_, put our Christian Festivals into Verse, setting a Copy therein to _Baptista Mantuan_. Then leaving _Ovid_, he aspired to _Virgil_, and wrote the History of the Bible, (with the Lives of some Saints,) in an Heroical Poem, which he performed even to admiration; and though he fell short in part of _Virgil_'s lofty style, yet went he beyond himself therein. He afterward became Prior of _Esseby-Abbey_, belonging to the _Augustines_, and flourished under King _Henry_ the Third, _Anno Dom._ 1220.
_Robert Baston_ was born not far from _Nottingham_, and bred a _Carmelite_ Frier at _Scarborough_ in _Yorkshire_: He was of such great Fame in Poetry, that King _Edward_ the Second, in his _Scotish_ Expedition pitcht upon him to be the Celebrater of his Heroick Acts; when being taken Prisoner by the _Scots_, he was forced by Torments to change his Note, and represent all things to the advantage of _Robert Bruce_, who then claimed the Crown of _Scotland_: This Task he undertook full sore against his will, as he thus intimates in the two first Lines.
In dreery Verse my Rymes I make, Bewailing whilest such Theme I take.
Besides his Poem _De Belle Strivilensi_, there was published of his writing a Book of Tragedies, with other Poems of various Subjects.
_Henry Bradshaw_ was born in the City of _Chester_, and bred a _Benedictine_ Monk in the Monastery of _St. Werburg_; the Life of which Saint he wrote in Verse, as also (saith my Author) a no bad Chronicle, though following therein those Authors, who think it the greatest Glory of a Nation to fetch their Original from times out of mind. Take a Taste of his Poetry in what he wrote concerning the Original of the City of _Chester_, in these words;
The Founder of this City, as saith _Polychronicon_, Was _Leon Gawer_, a mighty strong Gyant, Which builded Caves and Dungeons many a one, No goodly Building, ne proper, ne pleasant.
But King _Leir_, a _Britain_ fine and valiant, Was Founder of _Chester_ by pleasant Building, And was named _Guer Leir_ by the King.