Verstegan, Richard
, principally known as an antiquary, was the grandson of Richard Roland Verstegan,
of an ancient family in the duchy of Guelderland, who being
driven out of his own country by the confusions of war,
came to England in the time of Henry VII. Here he
married, and dying soon after, left an infant son, who was
afterwards put apprentice to a cooper, and was father to
the subject of this article. Richard was born in St. Catherine’s parish, near the Tower of London, and after receiving the rudiments of education, was sent to Oxford, where
he was generally called Roland. It does not appear what
college he belonged to, cr whether he is to be considered
as a regular member of any, but he seems to have
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distinguished himself in Saxon literature, then very little studied.
He was, however, a zealous Roman catholic, and finding
no encouragement in his studies without taking oaths adverse to his principles, he quitted the university, and settled
at Antwerp, and practised drawing and painting. About
1592 he published a work, now very rare, entitled “Theatrum crudelitatum Hsereticorum nostri temporis,” a thin
quarto, with curious cuts representing the deaths of the
Jesuits, and other missionaries who were hanged or otherwise put to death for their machinations against the church
and state. This effort of zeal does not appear to have been
in all respects agreeable to some of his own party; and
either his fears on this account, or some other causes, induced him to leave Antwerp for Paris. There being complained of by the English ambassador as a calumniator of
his royal mistress, he was thrown into prison by the French
king’s orders. How long he was confined is not known,
but when released he returned to Antwerp, and resumed his
studies, which produced his “Restitution of decayed Antiquities,” 1605, 4to, several times reprinted, a work of
very considerable merit and judicious research; but, the
principal subjects on English antiquities having been since
more accurately investigated and treated, Verstegan’s work
is rather a curious than a necessary addition to the historical library. When he published it he seems to have
been in better humour with England, and dedicated it very
respectfully to James I. He corresponded much with sir
Robert Cotton, and other antiquaries of the time. It is
uncertain when he died, but some place that event soon
after 1634. Verstegan wrote also “The successive regal
Governments of England,” Antwerp, 1620, in one sheet,
with cuts; “A Dialogue on Dying well,” a translation
from the Italian; and a collection of very indifferent poetry,
entitled “Odes; in imitation of the seven penitential
Psalmes. With sundry other poems and ditties, tending to
devotion and pietie,” imprinted 1601, 8vo, probably at
Antwerp. 1
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Works found by this author (or others with similar names) in the Early English Books Online Collection:
The post of the vvorld VVherein is contayned the antiquities and originall of the most famous cities in Europe. With their trade and traficke. With their wayes and distance of myles, from country to country. With the true and perfect knowledge of their coynes, the places of their mynts: with al their martes and fayres. And the raignes of all the kinges of England. A booke right necessary and profitable, for all sortes of persons, the like before this tyme not imprinted. (1576) by Verstegan, Richard, ca. 1550-1640.
The copy of a letter lately vvritten by a Spanishe gentleman, to his freind in England in refutation of sundry calumnies, there falsly bruited, and spred emonge the people. The originall vvhereof vvas vvritten in Spanish, since the authors being in England, vvho by reason of a ship of those that miscaried of the late Armado, vvas taken, and there detained prisoner, vntill his deliuery by ransome. Now newly translated into Englishe, for the benefite of those (of that nation) that vnderstand not the Spanishe tounge. (1589) by Verstegan, Richard, ca. 1550-1640.
A declaration of the true causes of the great troubles, presupposed to be intended against the realme of England VVherein the indifferent reader shall manifestly perceaue, by whome, and by what means, the realme is broughte into these pretented perills. Seene and allowed. (1592) by Verstegan, Richard, ca. 1550-1640.
Odes In imitation of the seauen penitential psalmes, vvith sundry other poemes and ditties tending to deuotion and pietie. (1601) by Verstegan, Richard, ca. 1550-1640.
A dialogue of dying wel. First written in the Italian tongue, by the reuerend father Don Peeter of Luca, a chanon regular, a Doctor of Diuinitie and famous preacher. VVherin is also contayned sundry profitable resolutions, vpon some doubtful questions in diuinitie. Translated first into French, and novv into EnglishDottrina del ben morire. English (1603) by Verstegan, Richard, ca. 1550-1640.
Obseruations concerning the present affaires of Holland and the Vnited Prouinces, made by an English gentleman there lately resident, & since written by himselfe from Paris, to his friend in EnglandSpiegel der Nederlandsche elenden. English (1621) by Verstegan, Richard, ca. 1550-1640.
Newes from the low-countreyes. Or The anatomy of Caluinisticall calumnyes, manifested in a dialogue betweene a Brabander, and a Hollander Vpon occasion of a placcart, lately published in Holla[n]d, against the Iesuites, priests, friars &c. by those that there assume vnto themselues, the tytle of the high-mighty-lords, the States &c. Translated out of the Netherland language, into English. By D.N.Anatomie van Calviniste calumnien. English. (1622) by Verstegan, Richard, ca. 1550-1640.
A toung-combat, lately happening, between two English soldiers; in the tilt-boat of Grauesend The one go-ing to serue the King of Spayn, the other to serue the States of Holland. (1623) by Verstegan, Richard, ca. 1550-1640.