Heath, James
, an English historian, was born 1629,
in London, where his father, who was the king’s cutler,
lived. He was educated at Westminster-school, and was
elected to Christ Church, Oxford, in 1646. In 1648 he
was ejected thence by the parliament-visitors, for his adherence to the royal cause lived upon his patrimony till
it was almost spent and then married, which prevented
his return to Christ Church at the restoration, where he
might have qualified himself for one of the learned professions. To maintain his family he now commenced author,
and corrector of the press. He died of a consumption and
dropsy, at London, in August 1664, and left several children to the parish. He published, 1. “A brief Chronicle
of the late intestine War in the three kingdoms of England, Scotland, and Ireland, &c.” 1661, 8vo, afterwards
enlarged by the author, and completed from 1637 to 1663,
in four parts, 1663, in a thick 8vo; a work which, on account of the numerous portraits, rather than its intrinsic
value, bears a very high price. To this edition was again
added a continuation from 1663 to 1675 by John Philips,
nephew by the mother to Milton, 1676, folio. 2. “Elegy
| upon Dr. Thomas Fuller,” 1661. 3. “The glories and
magnificent triumphs of the blessed Restoration of king
Charles II. &c. 1662,” 8vo. 4. “Flagellum or, the Life
and Death, Birth and Burial, of Oliver Cromwell, the late
usurper,” 1663, of which a third edition came out with
additions in 1665, 8vo. 5. “Elegy on Dr. Sanderson,
bishop of Lincoln,” 1662. 6. “A new book of loyal English Martyrs and Confessors, who have endured the pains
and terrors of death, arraignment, &c. for the maintenance
of the just and legal government of these kingdoms both in
church and state,” 1663, 12mo. 7. “Brief but exact Survey
of the Affairs of the United Netherlands, &.c.” 12mo.
Heath, as a historian, is entitled to little praise on account
of style or argument, but his works contain many lesser
particulars illustrative of the characters and manners of
the times, which are interesting to a curious inquirer. In
the meanest historian there will always be found some
facts, of which there will be no cause to doubt the truth,
and which yet will not be found in the best; and Heath,
who perhaps had nothing but pamphlets and newspapers
to compile from, frequently relates facts that throw light
upon the history of those times, which Clarendon, though
he drew every thing from the most authentic records, has
omitted. 1
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Works found by this author (or others with similar names) in the Early English Books Online Collection:
An elegie upon Dr. Tho. Fuller that most incomparable writer who deceased August the 15th, M. DC. LXI. (1661) by Heath, James, 1629-1664.
[An essay to the] celebration of the anniversary day of His Majesties Birth and restitution. May 29, 1630/60. (1661) by Heath, James, 1629-1664.
An Elegie upon Dr. Tho. Fuller that most incomparable writer, who deceased August the 15th M.DC.LXI. / sic mœret James Heath. (1661) by Heath, James, 1629-1664.
An elegy upon the most lamented death of the right reverend Dr. John Gauden late lord bishop of Worcester; who deceased on Friday, September 19th. 1662. in Worcester. (1662) by Heath, James, 1629-1664.
The glories and magnificent triumphs of the blessed restitution of His Sacred Majesty K. Charles II from his arrival in Holland 1659/60 till this present, comprizing all the honours and grandeurs done to, and conferred by, Him ... / by James Heath ... (1662) by Heath, James, 1629-1664.
A brief chronicle of all the chief actions so fatally falling out in these three kingdoms, viz. England, Scotland & Ireland from the year, 1640, to this present twentieth of November, 1661 : containing the unhappy breaches, sad divisions, the great battels fought, number of men, with the eminent persons of honor and note slain, with several debates and treaties : also, the happy escape by a wonderful delivererance of His Majestie at Worcester, more fully expressed then hitherto : with His Majesties happy return, together with what passages of note hapned to this present November, 1661 : the like exact account hath not as yet been printed. (1662) by Heath, James, 1629-1664.
The history of the life & death of Oliver Cromwell the late usurper and pretended protector of England &c. / truely collected and published for a warning to all tyrants and usurpers by J.H. (1663) by Heath, James, 1629-1664.
Flagellum, or, The life and death, birth and burial of Oliver Cromwel faithfully described in an exact account of his policies and successes, not heretofore published or discovered / by S.T., Gent. (1663) by Heath, James, 1629-1664.
A new book of loyal English martyrs and confessors who have endured the pains and terrours of death, arraignment, banishment and imprisonment for the maintenance of the just and legal government of these kingdoms both in church and state / by James Heath ... (1665) by Heath, James, 1629-1664.
A chronicle of the late intestine war in the three kingdoms of England, Scotland and Ireland with the intervening affairs of treaties and other occurrences relating thereunto : as also the several usurpations, forreign wars, differences and interests depending upon it, to the happy restitution of our sacred soveraign, K. Charles II : in four parts, viz. the commons war, democracie, protectorate, restitution / by James Heath ... ; to which is added a continuation to this present year 1675 : being a brief account of the most memorable transactions in England, Scotland and Ireland, and forreign parts / by J.P. (1676) by Heath, James, 1629-1664.
Englands chronicle, or, The lives & reigns of the kings and queens from the time of Julius Cæsar to the present reign of K. William and Q. Mary containing the remarkable transactions and revolutions in peace and war, both at home and abroad, as they relate to this kingdom, with the wars, policies, religion and customs, success and misfortunes as well of the ancient Britains, as Roman, Saxon, Danish, and Norman conquerors, with copper cuts and whatever else is conduceable to the illustration of history / by J. Heath. (1689) by Heath, James, 1629-1664.