He maried....
He dyed at Brampton-Brian 16 Nov. Sunday, 6h A.M., anno Domini 1673.
James Harrington (1611/2-1677).
[1073]James Harrington, esq.—he was borne the first Fryday[1074] in January Anno Domini 1611, near Northampton. Quaere Mr. Marvell's epitaph on him.
[1075]James Harrington[EN], esq., borne the first Fryday in January 1611, neer Northampton; the son of [Sir[1076] Sapcote] Harrington of ... in the countie of ..., by
..., daughter of Sir ... Samuel[1077], was borne at [Upton[1078]]
(Sir ... Samuel's house in Northamptonshire) anno....
He was a <gentleman> commoner of Trinity Colledge in Oxford. He travelled France, Italie, and the Netherlands. His genius lay chiefly towards the politiques and democraticall goverment.
He was much respected by the queen of Bohemia[EO], who was bred up by the lord Harrington's lady, and she owned the kindnes of the family.
Anno 1647, if not 6, he was by order of Parliament made one of his Majestie's Bedchamber, at Holmeby, &c. The king loved his company; only he would not endure to heare of a Commonwealth: and Mr. Harington passionately loved his majestie. Mr. Harrington and the king often disputed about goverment. He was on the scaffold with the king when he was beheaded; and I have at these meetings[1079] oftentimes heard him speake of king Charles I with the greatest zeale and passion imaginable, and that his death gave him so great griefe that he contracted a disease by it; that never any thing did goe so neer to him. Memorandum:—Mr. <Thomas> Herbert, the traveller, was th' other of his Bedchamber by order of Parliament, and was also on the scaffold. He gave them both there some watches: vide Speech.
He made severall essayes in Poetry, viz. love-verses, &c., and translated ... booke of Virgill's Æn.; but his muse was rough, and Mr. Henry Nevill, an ingeniose and well-bred gentleman, a member of the House of Commons, and an excellent (but concealed) poet, was his great familiar and confident friend, and disswaded him from tampering in poetrie which he did invitâ Minervâ, and to improve his proper talent, viz. Politicall Reflections.