Earle, John, English bishop and writer, born about 1601, died 1665. He was educated at Oxford, and, after writing some short poems, gave to the world anonymously in 1628 Microcosmographie, or a Piece of the World discovered in Essays and Characters—a work full of wit, humour, and admirable character-painting. He was tutor to Charles II, accompanied him during his exile, and was held by him in the highest esteem. In 1662 he was consecrated Bishop of
Worcester, and next year was translated to Salisbury.
Earle, Rev. John, Anglo-Saxon scholar, was born in 1824, and died in 1903. He studied at Oriel College, Oxford, where he obtained first-class honours in classics, and was elected a fellow (1848). In the following year he took orders, and was appointed for five years university professor of Anglo-Saxon. In 1857 he became rector of Swanswick, near Bath, and in 1871, a prebendary of Wells. The five years' rule having been rescinded, he was re-elected professor of Anglo-Saxon at Oxford in 1876, and continued to hold the position, together with the rectory of Swanswick, until his death. Among his contributions to the study of Anglo-Saxon and modern English are the following: Two Saxon Chronicles Parallel (1865); The Philology of the English Tongue (1871); A Book for the Beginner in Anglo-Saxon (1877); English Plant Names from the Tenth to the Fifteenth Century (1880); Anglo-Saxon Literature (1884), a very useful and informing little manual; Handbook to the Land Charters and other Saxonic Documents (1888); English Prose: its Elements, History, and Usage (1890); The Deeds of Beowulf (1892), a translation of the well-known Anglo-Saxon epic; The Psalter of 1539 (1894); and A Simple Grammar of English now in Use (1898). He also wrote a book on Bath, Ancient and Modern (1864).
Earlestown, a town of Lancashire, England, 14 miles east of Liverpool. There are here engineering-works, sugar-works, and other establishments. Pop. 9020.
Earl-marshal, a great officer of England, who had, anciently, several courts under his jurisdiction, as the court of chivalry and the court of honour. He is the head of the College of Arms (Heralds' College), grants armorial bearings, and determines all claims in connection with them. Since 1672 the office is hereditary in the family of Howard (Dukes of Norfolk). There was also an earl-marshal of Scotland, the office being hereditary in the Keith family until 1716, when it was abolished.
Earlom, Richard, English mezzotinto engraver, born 1743, died 1822. His engravings from Reynolds, Hogarth, Van Huysum, &c., and from Claude's Liber Veritatis, are exceptionally fine, and are standard works in their department.
Earlston (originally Ercildoun), a village of Scotland in Berwickshire. Near it are the ruins of the ancient tower, which belonged to the famous Thomas the Rhymer. Pop. 1749.
Peterborough Cathedral. Part of the West Front Lincoln Cathedral. Early English Pillars in the Eastern Transept