Note 74 — THE ABBEY OF ST. ALBANS.
Reading edition
“As protector of the realm,” says Hollinshed, “he was highlie esteemed of learned men, himselfe also not meanlie furnished with knowledge, hauing rare skill in astrologie, whereof beside manie other things he compiled a singular treatise, obteining the name of Tabula directionum.” Whethamstead, the abbot above-named, concludes a copy of Latin verses on the death of the Good Duke in the following complimentary terms:—
Fidior in regno regi duce non fuit isto, Plusque fide stabilis aut major amator honoris, Et tamen ut prædo voto potiretur iniquo, Fraudem consuluit, cum fraude dolum sociavit, Sicque ducem falsi maculans cum proditione Obtinuit votum praedator oratque bonorum Illius, et tristis obiit Dux criminis expers.