Thomas Lyte

, a Gentleman studious of all good knowledge, as the learned Camden his acquaintance (a)(a) In Britannia in Com. [〈◊〉] tells us, was the Son of Hen. Lyte mentioned under the year 1607. by his second Wife Fraunces Daughter of John Tiptoft of London, and after he had been partly educated in Grammar learning in his native Country of Sommersetshire, did spend several years in Academicals in this University: But his Genie being mostly inclined to Genealogies and Histories, he left it without a degree, and retiring to his Patrimony and ancient Seat called Lytes-cary in the said County, did draw up, with very great curiosity, the Genealogy of James 1. from Bru [••] written by him on Vellam with his own hand fairer than any print, it was also illuminated with admirable flourishes and painting, and had the pictures of the Kings and Queens mentioned therein, most neatly performed by the hands of an exact Limner. This Genealogy the author did dedicate to his Majesty, who, after a long and serious perusal of it, gave the said author his picture in Gold, set with diamonds, with gracious thanks. Charles Prince of Wales (afterwards K. Ch. 1.) was so exceedingly taken with it, that he gave the author his picture in Gold also. Camden before mentioned had the perusal of it, and underneath wrote with his own hand about 6 verses in commendation of it and the author. About which time it being hang’d up in publick in one of the rooms at Whitehall, became by the carelessness of pages and idle people a little soiled: wherefore upon the authors desire made to his Majesty, it was engraven on copper and printed, with this title,

The most royally ennobled Genealogy of the high and mighty Prince, and renowned Monarch, James, by the Grace of God K. of Great Brittain, &c. extracted from Brute the most noble Founder of the Brittains, as also from the first original of the Scots, from them ascending to the Imperial Romans, the warlike Picts, the Saxons, Danes, and conquering Normans: with his lineal descent from Charlemaine, and other the modern Kings of France, their several regiments, titles, honors, matches, sirnames, and descents, when they began their Reign, how long each Prince ruled and governed, the Estate Royal, the manner of their death and place of burial. Whereunto is added their Regal Ensigns, Arms, atchievements of Honour, Emblems and memorable Epitaphs, &c. reduced into a Genealogical Table, &c.—Printed at Lond. in forma patenti.—This Mr. Tho. Lyte died in sixteen hundred thirty and nine, 1639 or thereabouts, and was buried in, or near to, the grave of his Father, in the north Isle of the Church of Charlton-Makerel in Somersetshire (which Isle belongs to the Lytes of Lytescary) leaving then behind him other matters fit to be printed, and the character of an ingenious and learned Gentleman.