John Robyns

a Staffordshire Man born, became a Student in this University, an. 1516, or thereabouts, was elected Fellow of Allsouls Coll. 1520. and afterwards took the Degrees in Arts and holy Orders. But such was his vigorous genie, that by the force thereof being conducted to the pleasant studies of Mathematicks and Astrology, he made so great a progress in them, that he became the ablest Person in his time for those studies, not excepted his friend Record, whose learning was more general. At length taking the Degree of Bach. of Divinity in 1531, he was the Year following made by K. Hen. 8. (to whom he was Chaplain) one of the Canons of his College in Oxon, and in Decemb. 1543 Canon of Windsore, (upon the death of Dr. Rich. Rawson, who was also Archdeacon of Essex) and in fine Chaplain to Qu. Mary, who had him in great veneration for his learning. Among several things that he hath written relating to Astrology, I find these following.
De culminatione fixarum stellarum, &c.
De ortu & occasu stellarum fixarum, &c.
Annotationes Astrologicae, &c. lib. 3.
Annotationes de Edwardo VI.
Tractatus de prognosticatione per Ecclipsin. All which Books, that are in MS. were sometimes in the choice Library of Mr. Tho. Allen of Glocester Hall. After his death, they coming into the hands of Sir Ken. Digby, were by him given to the Bodleian Library, where they yet remain. ’Tis said also, that he the said Robyns hath written a Book intit. De portentosis cometis, but such a thing I have not yet seen, nor do I know any thing else of the Author, only that paying his last debt to nature 25. Aug. in Fifteen hundred fifty and eight, 1558 was buried in the Chappel of St. George at Windsore. Over his Grave was soon after a Marble-stone laid, with a large inscription thereon, part of which you may read in Hist. & Antiq. Univ. Oxon. lib. 2. p. 178. b.