Lithgow, William
, a Scotchman, born the latter
end of the fifteenth century, whose sufferings by imprisonment and torture at Malaga, and whose travels on foot
over Europe, Asia, and Africa, seem to raise him almost
to the rank of a martyr and a hero, published a well-known
account of his peregrinations and adventures. The first
edition of this was printed in 1614, 4to, and reprinted in
the next reign, with additions, and a dedication to Charles J.
Though the author deals much in the marvellous, the accounts of the strange cruelties, of whioh he tells us he was
the subject, have, however, an air of truth. Soon after
his arrival in England from Malaga, he was carried to
Theobalds on a feather-bed, that king James might be an
eye-witness of his martyred anatomy, by which he means
his wretched body, mangled and reduced to a skeleton.
The whole court crowded to see him; and his majesty ordered him to be taken care of; and he was twice sent to
Bath at his expence. By the king’s command, he applied
to Gondamor, the Spanish ambassador, for the recovery of
money and other things of value which the governor of
Malaga had taken from him, and for a thousand pounds
for his support; but, although promised a full reparation
for the damages he had sustained, that minister never performed his promise. When he was upon the point of
| leaving England, Lithgow upbraided him with the breach
of his word, in the presence-chamber, before several gentlemen of the court. This occasioned their fighting upon
the spot; and the ambassador, as the traveller oddly expressed it, “had his fistula contrabanded with his fist;”
but the unfortunate Lithgow, although generally commended for his spirited behaviour, was sent to the Marshalsea, where he continued a prisoner nine months. At
the conclusion of the 8vo edition of his travels, he informs
us, that “in his three voyages his painful feet have traced
over, besides passages of seas and rivers, thirty-six thousand and odd miles, which draweth near to twice the circumference of the whole earth.” Here the marvellous seems
to rise to the incredible; and to set him in point of veracity below Coryat, whom it is nevertheless certain that he
far outwalked. His description of Ireland is whimsical
and curious. This, together with the narrative of his
sufferings, is reprinted in Morgan’s “Phcenix Britannicus.” He published also an account of the siege of Breda,
1637, of which the reader will find a notice in the “Restituta.” 1
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Works found by this author (or others with similar names) in the Early English Books Online Collection:
A most delectable and true discourse, of an admired and painefull peregrination from Scotland, to the most famous kingdomes in Europe, Asia and Affricke With the particular descriptions (more exactly set downe then hath beene heeretofore in English) of Italy Sycilia, Dalmatia, Ilyria, Epire, Peloponnesus, Macedonia, Thessalia, and the whole continent of Greece, Creta, Rhodes, the Iles Cyclades ... and the chiefest countries of Asia Minor. From thence, to Cyprus, Phænicia, Syria ... and the sacred citie Ierusalem, &c. (1616) by Lithgow, William, 1582-1645?
The pilgrimes farewell, to his natiue countrey of Scotland vvherein is contained, in way of dialogue, the ioyes and miseries of peregrination. With his Lamentado in his second trauels, his Passionado on the Rhyne, diuerse other insertings, and farewels, to noble personages, and, the heremites welcome to his third pilgrimage, &c. Worthie to be seene and read of all gallant spirits, and pompe-expecting eyes. By William Lithgow, the bonauenture of Europe, Asia, and Africa, &c. (1618) by Lithgow, William, 1582-1645?
Scotlands vvelcome to her native sonne, and soveraigne lord, King Charles wherein is also contained, the maner of his coronation, and convocation of Parliament; the whole grievances, and abuses of the common-wealth of this kingdome, with diverse other relations, never heretofore published. Worthy to be by all the nobles and gentry perused; and to be layed vp in the hearts, and chests of the whole commouns, whose interests may best claime it, either in meane, or maner, from which their priuiledges, and fortunes are drawne, as from the loadstar of true direction. By William Lithgovv, the bonaventure, of Europe, Asia, and Africa. (1633) by Lithgow, William, 1582-1645?
A true and experimentall discourse, upon the beginning, proceeding, and victorious event of this last siege of Breda With the antiquity and annexing of it, to the house of Nassaw, and the many alterations it hath suffered by armes, and armies, within these threescore yeares. Together with the prudent plots, projects, and policies of warre: the assailants and defendants matchlesse man-hood, in managing martiall affaires: the misery and manner of souldiers living, their pinching want, and fatall accidents: strange weapons and instruments used by both parties in severall conflicts. Lastly, their concluded articles, with circumstances and ordering of the siege and victory. Being pleasant to peruse, and profitable to observe. Written by him who was an eye witnesse of the siege. William Lithgow. (1637) by Lithgow, William, 1582-1645?
The totall discourse, of the rare adventures, and painefull peregrinations of long nineteene yeares travailes from Scotland, to the most famous kingdomes in Europe, Asia, and Affrica Perfited by three deare bought voyages, in surveying of forty eight kingdomes ancient and modern; twenty one rei-publicks, ten absolute principalities, with two hundred islands. ... divided into three bookes: being newly corrected, and augmented in many severall places, with the addition of a table thereunto annexed of all the chiefe heads. Wherein is contayed an exact relation of the lawes, religions, policies and governments of all their princes, potentates and people. Together with the grievous tortures he suffered by the Inquisition of Malaga in Spaine ... And of his last and late returne from the Northern Isles, and other places adjacent. By William Lithgow.Most delectable, and true discourse, of an admired and painefull peregrination from Scotland, to the most famous kingdomes in Europe, Asia and Affricke (1640) by Lithgow, William, 1582-1645?
The gushing teares of godly sorrovv Containing the causes, conditions, and remedies of sinne, depending mainly upon contrition and confession. And they seconded, with sacred and comfortable passages, under the mourning cannopie of teares, and repentance. By William Lithgovv. (1640) by Lithgow, William, 1582-1645?
A briefe and summarie discourse upon that lamentable and dreadfull disaster at Dunglasse. Anno 1640. the penult of August Collected from the soundest and best instructions, that time and place could certainly affoord, the serious enquirie of the painfull and industrious author. By William Lithgovv. (1640) by Lithgow, William, 1582-1645?
The present surveigh of London and Englands state Containing a topographicall description of all the particular forts, redoubts, breast-works, and trenches newly erected round about the citie on both sides of the river, with the severall fortifications thereof. And a perfect relation of some fatall accidents, and other disasters, which fell out in the city and countrey, during the Authors abode there. Intermingled also with certaine severall observations worthie of light and memorie. By William Lithgow. (1643) by Lithgow, William, 1582-1645?
A true experimentall and exact relation upon that famous and renovvned siege of Nevvcastle, the diverse conflicts and occurrances fell out there during the time of ten weeks and odde dayes: and of that mightie and marveilous storming therof, with power, policie, and prudent plots of warre. Together with a succinct commentarie upon the battell of Bowdon Hill, and that victorious battell of York or Marston Moore, never to be forgotten. / By him who was an eye witnesse to the siege of Nevvcastle, William Lithgovv. (1645) by Lithgow, William, 1582-1645?
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