Henry Ferrers

, Son and heir of Edw. Ferrers of Baldesley-Clynton in Warwickshire Esq; was born in that County, became a Student in this University (in Hart hall as it seems) in the beginning of the raign of Qu. Elizabeth, but whether he took a degree it doth not appear. Afterwards he retired to his Patrimony, which was considerable, and prosecuting his natural Genie to the study of Heraldry, Genealogies, and Antiquities, became highly valued for his eminent knowledge in them; whereby he did not only give a fair lustre to his ancient and noble family, (whereof he was no small ornament) but also to the County of his nativity. He was well known to, and respected by the Learned Camden, who, in his Discourse of the antiquity of the City of Coventry in Warwickshire doth make this honorable mention of him.—“Thus much of Coventry: yet have you not all this of me, but (willingly to acknowledge by whom I have profited) of Henry Ferrers of Baldesley, a man both for parentage, and for knowledge of antiquity very commendable, and my special friend: who, both in this place, and also elsewhere, hath at all times curteously shewed me the right way when I was out, and from his Candle, as it were hath lightened mine.” What this Mr. Ferrers hath published, I know not, sure I am that he made several volums of choice collections (one of which in fol. containing Pedegrees, I have seen in the Sheldonian Library, now in that of the college of Arms) from which, but chiefly from those of Sir Sim. Archer of Vmberslade in the parish of Tamworth in Warwickshire, a person naturally qualified with a great affection to Antiquities, Will. Dugdale Gent. (afterwards a Knight) laid a large foundation of that elaborate work (which is his Master-piece) intit. The Antiquities of Warwickshire illustrated, &c. Lond. 1656. fol. After Sir Will. Dugdales death several of Mr. Ferrers collections that had come into his hands were reposited in the Ashmolean Musaeum: see the book marked with Z. He had also in his younger days a good faculty in Poetry, some of which I have seen scattered in divers books printed in the raign of Qu. Elizabeth. At length dying on the tenth day of Oct. in sixteen hundred thirty and three, 1633 aged 84. was (*)(*) W. Dugd. in his Antiq. Warwickshire, p. [•] 10 buried in the middle of the Chancel belonging to the Church of Baldesley-Clynton before mentioned, leaving behind him the character of a well bred Gent, a good neighbour and an honest man.