256] A TOPOGRAPHICAL 



the reader, for his style is harsh, his sentences perplexed and often 

 obscure, and his attention was more powerfully attracted by the 

 vague assertions and conjectures of antiquaries, than by the in- 

 finitely more interesting and valuable progress of society, and the 

 improvement of those arts and sciences which humanize and en- 

 lighten civilized man. Perhaps the most valuable parts of Shaw's 

 History of Staffordshire consist of the communications respecting 

 agriculture, which were transmitted to him by intelligent farmers 

 from different parts of the county. Still his work is truly valuable 

 for reference, and it is much to be regretted that he did not live to 

 finish it. 



JOHN DUKE OF NORTHUMBERLAND. 



This accomplished statesman was the son of the unfortunate Ed- 

 mund Dudley, and was born near Okeover, in 1502. By the influ- 

 ence of his friends, his father's attainder was reversed by an act 

 of parliament passed in 1511, and himself restored in blood. He 

 received a classical education, and was introduced at the Court of 

 Henry the Eighth in the 22d year of his age, where he soon was 

 distinguished for a handsome person and various accomplishments. 

 Naturally emulous of distinction, young Dudley accompanied 

 Charles Brandon Duke of Suffolk, in his expedition to France, 

 and received the honour of knighthood for his bravery in the field. 

 On his return to England, he became a partizan of the celebrated 

 Cardinal Wolsey, whom he attended in his embassy to France, and 

 on the disgrace of that minister, Sir John Dudley was so fortu- 

 nate as to obtain the confidence of Lord Cromwell. When that 

 eminent statesman fell, Sir John Dudley, like an adroit courtier, by 

 a ready submission to the will of the king, continued in favour, 

 and in 1542 he was exalted to the dignity of the peerage by the 

 title of Viscount L'Isle, and at the next festival of St. George 

 was elected Knight of the Garter. 



This nobleman owed his fortune, and many of his preferments to 

 King Henry the Eighth, who appointed him Lord High Admiral 

 of England during life, a post for which he was well qualified by 

 his abilities and courage. The King towards the close of his 

 reign also conferred upon Viscount L'Isle large grants of church 

 lands, which excited the envy and hatred of the clergy, and many 



