Yet others say he was buried at St. Albans (where he found repulse when living, but repose when dead) with this Epitaph,
Alexander, cognomento Nequam, Abbas Cirecestriæ, Literarum scientia clarus, obiit Anno Dom. 1217. Lit. Dom. C. prid. Cal. Feb. & sepultus erat apud Fanum S. Albani, sujus Animæ propitietur altissimus, Amen.
ALEXANDER ESSEBIE.
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.
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.