William Middleton

, the third Son of Rich. Middleton of Denbigh, (by Jane his Wife, Daughter of Hugh Dryhurst of the same place,) fourth Son of Foulk Middleton of Denbigh before-mentioned, the third Son of Dav. Middleton of Gwenock, Recordator of North-Wales, was born in Denbighshire, and educated for a time among the Oxonians, but whether in Jesus coll. at its first foundation, as probably it might be so, or whether he took more than one degree, I know not. Afterwards he travelled into various parts of the World, exercised himself in fears of Arms, became the most noted Bard of his Country; and tho a Souldier and a Captain by profession, (having had the command of a Ship for several years,) yet all the time he got, was bestowed in exercising his Poetical fancy. The Works of him that I have seen are these.

Bardoniaeth: or, the Art of Welsh poetry. Lond. 1593. qu. in 3 sh. and half. This book which is written in Welsh, he stiles the first book, or part, as if there was a second to be published. He also translated into the Welsh tongue the Psalms of David, running in excellent Meter. Which noble work he performed apud se [•] tum insulam occidentalium Indorum, and finished it there 24. Jan. in fifteen hundred ninety and five.Clar. 1595. This translation coming into the hands of his Country-man Tho. Salisbury, was, with the help of his Friend Tho. Middleton Citizen of London, and kinsman to the author, published at Lond. 1603. qu. Before which time the author, as it seems, was dead. In my searches I find another Will. Middleton Bach. of Divinity and Minister of Hardwick in Cambridgshire, author of Papisto mastix: or, the Protestants Religion defended, &c. Lond. 1606. qu. and of other things, but what relation there was between the former and this (who seems to have been educated in Cambridge) I know not.