William Forrest

was related to John Forrest before-mentioned, but where born, I cannot justly say, spent several years in study among the Oxonians, and was there a Student, when the question was discussed among the Doctors and Masters concerning the divorce of King Hen. 8. from his Royal Consort Qu. Catherine in 1530, as in the life of the said Queen (which I shall anon mention) appeareth. He was a Priest, and had preferment in the Church, was well skill’d in Musick and Poetry, had a collection of the choicest compositions in Musick that were then in use: Which coming after his death into the hands of Dr. Heather founder of the Musical Praxis in this University, he gave them to the publick School thereof, where they yet continue, and are kept only as matters of antiquity. Among them are the compositions of Joh. Taverner of Boston, sometimes Organist of Cardinal Coll. in Oxon; of Joh. Merbeck Org. of Windsore, Rob. Fairfax a Doctor of Musick of Cambridge, Dr. Christ. Tye, Joh. Sheppard, John Norman, &c. All the Books that our Author Forrest hath composed (which have as yet come to my view) were written in English Poetry, such as was commonly used in the Reigns of Hen. 8. and Ed. 6. The titles of which follow.

A true and most notable History of a right noble and famous Lady, produced in Spayne, entituled the second Gresield, practised not long out of this tyme, in much part tragedous, as delectable both to hearers and readers—This is a MS. containing the life of Queen Catherine, the first Wife of K. Hen. 8. and is by the Author dedicated to Qu. Mary, he being then Chaplain to her. Tis a broad thin Folio, written very fairly on Vellam, and seems to be the very same (it being now my proper Book) that the Author presented to the said Queen. There be many things in it, that are very zealously written against the Hereticks of those times, as he calls them, which plainly shews him to be entirely devoted to the Church of Rome. And tho there be no great streins in it, yet the historical part of it is good, (if not too much partiality therein) and I have discovered from the said Book, many things relating to the Affairs of Oxon, acted during the time of the said divorce, which I could never see elsewhere. The beginning of the prologue to Qu. Mary is this, As nature hath no inclination, &c. and of the work it self, Wryters have many endeavoured their pains, &c. Throughout the whole History, the Author makes use of the name of Grysild the second for Qu. Catherine, and the name of Walter for K. Hen. 8. At the end of it (contained in 20 Chapters) is this written, “Here endethe the Historye of Grysilde the seconde, dulie meanyng Qu. Catharine, Mother to our most dread Soveraigne Lady Qu. Mary, fynysched the 25. day of June, the Yeare of owre Lorde. 1558. by the symple and unlearned Syr Wyllyam Forrest Preeiste, propria manus. ”—At the end of the said Historie, is written in verse also,

An Oration consolatory to Queen Mary—’Tis contained in six leaves, and hath this beginning, Among much inward profound perpending, &c. This Book richly bound in laced Sattin, hath on every brass boss at each corner, this sentence embossed in an English Character, Ave Maria, Gratia plena. Our Author Forrest hath also written in old English verse,

The tragedious Troubles of the most chast and innocent Joseph, Son to the holy Patriarch Jacob—MS. in two vol. in fol. dedicated to Thom. Haward Duke of Norfolk, written curiously on Vellam, and sometime in the Library of Joh. Theyer of Coopershill near to the City of Glocester, Gent. Which, with the rest of the MSS belonging to that person, coming by sale into the hands of Rob. Scot of London, Bookseller, he sold them for the use of the Kings Library at S. James. Robert Earl of Alesbury had a Copie of the said History of Joseph, but whether it was the very same that belonged to Mr. Theyer, I cannot justly say. He had also these following MSS written by the said Will. Forrest, viz.

Poems upon several Occasions—MS. fol.

Certain meditations and Prayers necessary of a Christian—MS. fol. in prose and verse.

Treatise of Hereticks and their properties. Of faith, works, and justification.

Glass of charity on the seven penitential Psalmes.

Consolation against temptation. Of Pennance.

Against desperation of the last judgment. A Mirrour of Christianity.

That Hereticks are not to be disputed withal.

Several Tracts in defence of the Articles of the Church of Rome.

MS. in two vol. in fol.

What other Books he hath written, I know not, nor any thing else of him, only that he was in great esteem among the Rom.Clar. 1558. Catholicks in Fifteen hundred fifty and eight, which was part of the last Year of Queen Mary, and part of the first of Qu. Elizabeth.