Nathaniel Brent

Son of Anchor Brent of Little Wolford in Warwickshire, a younger Son of Rich. Brent Gentleman, eldest Son of John Brent of the House of Brent of Cosington in Sommersetshire, was born at Little Wolford beforemention’d, became Portionist, commonly called Postmaster, of Merton Coll, in 1589, admitted Probationer-Fellow of the said Coll. in 94. being then Bach. of Arts, proceeded in that faculty four years after, entred himself on the Law Line, became Proctor of the University in 1607, travelled into several parts of the learned World in 1613. 14. &c. and underwent dangerous adventures in Italy to procure the History of the Council of Trent, which he translated into English, as I shall anon tell you; and therefore to be remembred by posterity with an honorable mention. After his return he married Martha Dau. and Heir of Dr. Rob. Abbot Bish. of Salisbury, and neice to Dr. Abbot Archb. of Canterbury; by the favour of which last, he had the Wardenship of Merton Coll. conferr’d on him, was made Commissary to him, Vicar general of England, being then Doctor of the Civ. Law, and at length judge of the Prerogative on the death of Sir Henry Marten by another hand. In 1629, Aug. 23, he received the honour of Knighthood from his Majesty at Woodstock, he being then and after accounted a zealous man for the Church and Prelacy. But when he saw the Presbyterians begin to be dominant, he sided with them, and because of a Pique that had been between the Abbots and Bishop Laud, he therefore became a frequent witness against the last at his trial, deserted Oxon and his College, when K. Ch. 1. garrisoned that place for his use, took the Covenant, and ran altogether with the rebellious rout. About the same time he was ejected his Wardenship of Mert. Coll. by his Majesties command, but restored again when Oxford Garison was surrendred for the Parliaments use, an. 1646. In the years 1647. and 48. he was appointed Arch-visitor of this University, and what he did there to promote the Presbyterian cause, the Hist. and Antiq. of the Univ. of Oxon. will tell you under those years. When an order was made against pluralities, he was forced to leave Mert. Coll. in 1650, at which time, if I mistake not, he refused also the oath called the Engagement. He translated into English, as I have intimated before, The History of the Council of Trent, containing eight books. In which (besides the ordinary Acts of Council) are declared many notable occurrences, which hapned in Christendom, during the space of 40 years and more, &c. Lond. 1616. there again 1619. 1677. fol. Sir Nath. Brent did also review Vindiciae Ecclesiae Anglicanae, examine the quotations, and compare them with the originals, as I have told you before, in Fr. Mason, under the year 1621: And what else he hath translated and written, is yet (if any) in Ms. At length after he had lived 79 years, he gave way to fate in his house in Little Britaine in the City of London, on the sixth day of November in sixteen hundred fifty and two.1652. Whereupon his body was buried with great solemnity on the 17. of the same month in the Church of Little S. Barthelmew within the said City. I have seen a printed Epitaph made on him by John Sictor a Bohemian Exile, who, if I mistake not, had for some time before been exhibited to by Brent: The contents of which being large, I shall now for brevity sake pass by. I find one William Brent a writer, whose Great Grandfather William Brent of Stoke-lark in Glocestershire, was younger Brother to Richard Brent, Grandfather to Sir Nathaniel. Of which William Brent the Writer, I shall make some mention in Hen. Carey Earl of Monmouth, under the year 1661.