Sir Thomas Pope (1508-1559).
[700]Sir Thomas Pope, founder of Trinity College, Oxon, bought church-lands without money. His way was this. He contracted, and then presently sold long leases, for which he had great fines and but a small rent. These leases were out in the reigne of King James the first, and then the estate was worth 8000 pounds per annum. He could have rode in his owne lands from Cogges (by Witney) to Banbury, about 18 miles.
[701]I have a curious MSS. manuall of Sir Thomas Pope, which if I thought would be chained in Trinity College library, I would dedicate it there, but I know not how magistracy, etc., have altered somebody[702].
Sir John Popham (1531-1607).
[703]Sir John Popham[AV], Lord Chiefe Justice of the King's Bench, was the ... son of ... Popham, of ... in the countie of Somerset.
He was of the Societie of ... and for severall <years> addicted himselfe but little to the studie of the lawes, but profligate company, and was wont to tak a purse with them. His wife considered her and his condition, and at last prevailed with him to lead another life, and to stick to the studie of the lawe: which, upon her importunity, he did, being then about thirtie yeares old. <He> spake to his wife to provide a very good entertainment for his camerades to take his leave of them; and after that day fell extremely hard to his studie, and profited exceedingly. He was a strong, stout man, and could endure to sit at it day and night[LIX.]; became eminent in his calling, had good practise; called to be a Serjeant <1578>, a Judge <1592>: vide Origines Juridiciales.
[LIX.] The picture of a common law(y)er:—He must have 'an iron head, a brazen face, and a leaden breech.'
Sir ... (John, I think) Dayrell, of Littlecote, in com. Wilts, having gott his ladie's waiting woman with child, when her travell came, sent a servant with a horse for a midwife, whom he was to bring hood-winked. She was brought, and layd the woman, but as soon as the child was borne, she sawe the knight take the child and murther it, and burnt it in the fire in the chamber. She having donne her businesse was extraordinarily rewarded for her paines, and sent blinfold away. This horrid action did much run in her mind, and she had a desire to discover it, but knew not where 'twas. She considerd with herselfe the time that she was riding, and how many miles might be rode at that rate in that time, and that it must be some great person's house, for the roome was 12 foot high; and she could know the chamber if she sawe it. She went to a Justice of Peace, and search was made. The very chamber found. The knight was brought to his tryall; and to be short, this judge had this noble howse, parke, and mannor, and (I thinke) more, for a bribe to save his life[LX.].