< His father. >

Thomas Hobbes, then, whose life I write, was second son of Mr. Thomas Hobbes, vicar of Westport juxta Malmesbury, who maried ... Middleton of Brokinborough (a yeomanly family).He was also vicar of Charlton (a mile hence): they are annexed, and are both worth 60 or 80li. per annum.—Memorandum, Brokenborough also is appendant to Charlton vicaridge—160li. per annum—from Philip Laurence, whose father-in-law was vicar. [The vicaridge of Malmesbury is but XX nobles per annum = 6li. 13s. 4d.; but Coston and Radbourne belongs to it, which addition is equal to 50 or 60li. per annum.]

Thomas, the father, was one of the ignorant 'Sir Johns' of queen Elizabeth's time; could only read the prayers of the church and the homilies; and disesteemed learning (his son Edmund told me so), as not knowing the sweetnes of it.

As to his father's ignorance and clownery, 'twas as good metall in the oare which wants excoriating and refineing. A witt requires much cultivation, much paines, and art and good conversation to perfect a man.