History and genealogy of Peter Montague, of Nansemond and ...

28 INTRODUCTION.
His son, Richard Montague, was born about 1578 at Dorney,
educated at Eton and King's college, Cambridge. Having entered
into holy orders he was presented to the living of Wotten Courtney
in Somerset, afterward became rector of Stamford Rivers in Essex.
In 16 16 he was made Dean of Hereford. In 1628 he was consecrated
Bishop of Chichester, and translated in 1638 to the See of Norwich,
" Together with his fellowship at Eaton, he held by dispensation a
Canonry of Windsor. In the Chapel there, he preached the theological
lectures for eight years successively." Wood's Ath. Oxe. He
was also for a time Parson of Petworth. He was chaplain to King
James I., who remained his firm friend. His published works were
numerous. As a churchman, he opposed both Puritans and Roman
Catholics.
In one of his controversies he wrote a book " Appello Caesarem,"
for which he was summoned before the House of Commons on a
charge of maintaining Arminean and popish errors. He was censured
by the Speaker and was obliged to give bail of ^2000, for his appearance.
His books were ordered to be burned by the common
hangman. His bail bond was signed by the Duke of Buckingham
and his sister. Though prosecuted by parliament, the King (James)
remained his friend and patron and continued to advance him to
higher preferments.
At Eton college he assisted Sir Henry Savile and in 16 10 edited
several orations of St. Gregory Nazianzen which were published that
year. The history of Eton college says of him, "that he was admitted
Fellow in 16 13, was connected with the Greek press at Eton, and
revised the proof sheets of St. Chrysostom."
Laud describes him as a " very good scholar and a right honest
man, a man every way able to do God, his Majesty, and the church
of England great service." James I., no mean judge, considered him
competent to enter the lists against such formidable opponents as
Cardinal Baronius and John Selden, at different times.
The last years of Montague's life were spent in what he describes
divided into five districts called "liberties," namely Brightwell, Chippenham, Boveney,
Wood and East Burnham. After the dissolution of Monasteries by Henry VIII., Boveney
was united to the Paules of Braywick. It appears to have been well wooded with trees as it
is recorded that much of the timber for building Eton College mostly Elm was obtained
there, and at a later date, Lipscombe says, " The woods of Boveney were sufficient for 60
hogs, there was land for one team which was kept there, with one Villein (farmer) and a car-
acate of pasture which was estimated always at 10 shillings."