, of the family of the lord keeper, was the son of sir Thomas Finch
, of the family of the lord keeper, was
the son of sir Thomas Finch of Eastwell in Kent, and was
born in that county, and educated at Oriel college, Oxford. From that he went to Gray’s Inn, and after pursuing
the usual course of law studies, became a counsellor of
reputation, and was autumn or summer reader of that
house in 2 James I. In 1614 he attained the rank of a
Serjeant, and two years after was knighted. He died Oct.
11, 1625, leaving a son, John, who was afterward created
lord Finch of Fordwich, and was keeper of the great seal.
Sir Henry Finch wrote “Nomotechnia, ou description del
Commun Leys d'Angleterre, &c.
” Lond. Description of the Common Law
” was afterwards published by himself in English, under the title “Of Law, or
a Discourse thereof,
” Lond. On the Calling of the Jews,
” a work which Wood has so imperfectly described that it is not easy to discover its drift. Finet (Sir John), a man considerable enough to be
remembered, was son of Robert Finet of Soulton, near
Dover, in Kent, and born in 1571. His great grandfather was of Sienna, in Italy, where his family was ancient;
and coming into England a servant to cardinal Campegius,
the pope’s legate, married a maid of honour to queen Catherine, consort to Henry VIII. and settled here. He was
bred up in the court, where, by his wit, mirth, and uncommon skill in composing songs, he very much pleased James
I. In 1614 he was sent into France about matters of public concern; and the year after was knighted. In 1626 he
was made assistant to the master of the ceremonies, being
then in good esteem with Charles I. He died in 1641,
aged seventy. He wrote a book entitled “Fineti
Philoxenus: Some choice observations touching the reception and
precedency, the treatment and audience, the punctilios
and contests of foreign ambassadors in England, 1656,
”
8vo published by James Howel, and dedicated to lord
LTsle. He also translated from French into English “The
beginning, continuance, and decay of Estates, &c. 1606;
”
written originally by R. de Lusing.