to
this. He died about the year 1180.

* * * * *

_ALEXANDER NEQUAM_.

_Alexander Nequam_, the learnedest _Englishman_ of his Age, was born at
St. _Albans_ in _Hartfordshire_: His Name in _English_ signifies _Bad_,
which caused many, who thought themselves wondrous witty in making
Jests, (which indeed made themselves) to pass several Jokes on his
Sirname, whereof take this one instance: _Nequam_ had a mind to become
a Monk in St. _Albans_, the Town of his Nativity, and thus Laconically
wrote for leave to the Abbot thereof;

_Si vis, veniam, sin autem, tu autem_.

To whom the Abbot returned,

_Si bonus sis, venias, si nequam, nequaquam_.

Whereupon for the future, to avoid the occasion of such Jokes, he
altered his Name from _Nequam_, to _Neckam_.

His admirable knowledge in good Arts, made him famous throughout
_England_, _France_, _Italy_, yea and the whole World, and that with
incredible admiration, that he was called _Miraculum ingenij_, the
Wonder and Miracle of Wit and Sapience. He was an exact Philosopher,
and excellent Divine, an accurate Rhetorician, and an admirable Poet,
as did appear by many his Writings which he left to posterity, some of
which are mentioned by _Bale_.

That he was born at St. _Albans_, appears by a certain passage in one
of his _Latine_ Poems, cited by Mr. _Cambden_, and thus Englished by
his Translatour, Doctor _Holland_.

_This is the place that knowledge took of my Nativity,
My happy Years, my Days also of Mirth and Jollity.
This Place my Childhood trained up in all Arts liberal,
And laid the ground-work of my Name, and skill Poetical.
This Place great and renowned Clerks into the World hath sent;
For Martyr bless'd, for Nation, for Sight, all excellent.
A troop here of Religious Men serve Christ both night and day,
In Holy Warfare, taking pains duly to watch and pray._

He is thought by some, saith _Bale_, to have been a Canon Regular, and
to have been preferred to the Abbotship of _Glocester_, as the
Continuater of _Robert of Glocester_ will have it.

And Master Alisander that Chanon was er
Imaked was of Gloucestre Abbot thulk yer.
Viz. 7 Reg. Regis _Johannis_.

But this may be understood of _Alexander Theologus_, who was contempory
with him: and was Abbot of St. _Maries_ in _Cirencester_ at the time of
his death.

Bishop _Godwin_, in his Catalogue of the Bishops of _Lincoln_, maketh
mention of a pa