William Wyrley

, Son of Augustin Wyrly of Netherseile in Leicestershire (by Mary his Wife, Daughter of Walt. Charnells) Son of Will. Wyrley of Handsworth in Staffordshire, descended from an antient family of his name, sometimes living at Rowley in the said County, was born (a)(a) Reg. Matric. Univ. Oxon. P. pag. 447. in Staffordshire; and in those parts educated in Grammar learning. This person, whom we are farther to mention, having from his childhood had an excellent Genie for Arms and Armory was entertained in the family of Sampson Erdswyke of Sandon Esq (mentioned under the year 1603.) called then by some the Antiquary of Staffordshire, where making a considerable progress in Heraldical and Antiquarian studies under his inspection, published a book under his own name entitled,

The true use of Armory, shewed by History and plainly proved by example, &c. Lond. 1592. qu. Reported by some to be originally written by the said Erdeswyke, but he being then an ancient man, thought it fitter to have it published under Wyrley’s name than his. However the reader is not to think so, but rather to suspend his thoughts (being only a bare report that came (b)(b) See Sir Will. Dugdales book en [•] it. The anti [•] nt usage and bearing of suc [•] Ensigns of honour, as are called Armes, &c. Oxo [•] . 1681 and 82. in oct. p. 4. originally from Erdeswykes mouth; and to know this, that Wyrley was an ingenious man, and fit to compose such a book, and that Erdeswyke being often times crazed especially in his last days, and fit then for no kind of serious business, would say any thing which came into his mind, as ’tis very well known at this day among the chief of the college of Arms. Soon after the publication of that book, Wyrley left him, and retired to Balliol coll. purposely to obtain Academical learning, where being put under the tuition of a good tutor, and in great hope to obtain the grounds of the said learning, was matriculated in the University (c)(c) Ib. in reg. matric. ut sup. as a member of that house in Act term, an. 1595. he being then about 29. years of age. How long he continued there, or whether he took a degree, it appears not. However for diversion sake, he employed his time so admirably well during his abode in that house that he made several (d)(d) In manibus D. H [•] n. St. George Clare [•] t. Arg. Arm. collections of Arms from Monuments and Windows in Churches and elsewhere in and near Oxon, which have given me much light in my searches after things of that nature, in order to the finishing the great work that I have been many years drudging in. He also made divers remarks and collections from various Leiger books, sometimes belonging to Monasteries in these parts, and elsewhere. The Original of which, written with his own hand, I have in my little Library, which tho partly perished by wet and moisture, yet I shall always keep them as monuments of his industry. On the 15. May, 2. Jac. 1. dom. 1604. he was (e)(e) Pat. 2 Jac. 1. p. 1. constituted Ronge-Cr [•] ix, Officer or Pursivant of Armes. Which place he holding several years, was always reputed among those of the coll. of Arms, a knowing and useful person in his profession; and might, had a longer life been spared, have published several matters relating thereunto, but being untimely cut off in the midst of his endeavours, about the beginning of Feb. 1617-18. in sixteen hundred and seventeen, we have enjoyed only (besides the printed book and collections already mentioned) various collections of Arms and Inscriptions made in, and from (which several Churches and Gentlemens habitations in his own Countie, Leicestershire have assisted Burton the Antiquary thereof) and in other Counties, and from Churches in, and near to, London. Some of which I have seen and perused in the Sheldonian Library, I mean in that Library which belonged sometimes to that most worthy and generous person, (my friendly acquaintance never to be forgotten) Raphe Sheldon of Boely Esquire, the same Raphe (for there are several of his family of both his names) who died on Midsomerday, an. 1684. aged 61. or thereabouts. Which Library, the MSS. only, to the number of about 300. besides very many Parchment rolls and Pedegrees, he bequeathed to the Coll. of Arms situated on Bennet-hill near to St. Paul’s Cathedral in London, where they yet remain. As for the body of Wyrley, ’twas buried, as I have been informed, in the Church of S. Bennet near to Pauls Wharff.