John Bekinsau

, a younger Son of Joh. Bekinsau an inhabitant of Hampshire, but a native of Bekinsau in Lancashire, where his name was ancient and gentile, received his first breath at Broadchalke in Wilts. and his Grammatical education in Wykeham’s School near Winchester. At which place being made soon ripe for the University, was sent to New Coll. where after he had served two Years of probation, was admitted perpetual Fellow, in 1520. In 1526. he compleated the degree of M. of A. being that year about to take a journey beyond the Seas for the sake of study, as one of the University registers informs me; at which time he was esteemed in his Coll. a most admirable Grecian. But whether he did then, or after, perform his journey, it doth not farther appear there. Sure I am that I find it entred upon (†)(†) In Offic. Armorum Londini in Reg. vel lib. C. fol 72. b. record that John Beconsaw second Son of John Beconsaw of Hartley-Wespell in Hampshire, (born at Beconsaw in Lancashire) was Reader of the Greek Lecture at Parys, and afterwards came over and died at Sherburne in Hampshire. In 1538. John Bekinsau left his Fellowship of New Coll. because he had then taken a Wife, but what preferment or employment he had afterwards, I know not. At that time he was acquainted with, and had in veneration by, the most learned Men of the Nation, among whom was John Leland the famous Antiquary and Historian, who in his (*)(*) In Encomiis, Trophaeis, &c. eruditorum in Anglia virorum. p. 91. Poetry doth speak several things to his honor, of his being bred in Oxon, and of his studying at Parys, with several other things, which shew him to have been a great Scholar. In 1546. when he saw that the Pope’s power was quite exterminated, he wrot a Book entit.

De supremo & absoluto Regis imperio. Lond. 1546. oct. Printed also in the first vol. of Monarchia S. Romani imperii, &c. by Melchior Goldast. Hamensfeldius—Franc. 1621. fol. The Author Bekinsau did dedicate it to K. Hen. 8. with whom, as also with K. Ed. 6. he was in some value; but when Qu. Mary came to the Crown, and endeavoured to alter all what her Father and Brother had done, as to the reformation of the Church; then did he wheel about, change his mind, and became a zealous Person for the Church of Rome, and a hater of Protestants. After Queen Elizabeth was fetled in the Throne, he retired to an obscure Town called Sherbourne in Hampshire, where giving way to fate in great discontent, was buried in the Church of that place 20. 1559 Decemb. in Fifteen hundred fifty and nine, aged about 63 years, leaving then behind him this character among the R. Catholicks, that As he was a learned Man, so might he have been promoted according to his deserts, had his principles been constant.