Ecclesiastical History Society.

Established for the publication and republication of Church Histories, &c., 1847.

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICE.

THE life of a scholastic Theologian, as it contains, generally, but little incident, so it furnishes few materials for an interesting memoir. The writer of a Book such as that which is now republished, passes his days in laborious, but retired, research: and as his labours are noiseless, so the results of them are not found in any striking effects which the historian of his own or of a future generation can celebrate.

The Author of the following valuable Work was born October 15, 1561, in the parish of Hemel Hempstead in Hertfordshire, "of a family ancient, and of good repute and esteem in the county," as we learn from his son and biographer Nathaniel Field1; who then introduces us at once to the life of laborious study which his father passed, by adding, that "his ancestors were blessed with length of days;" and that "he also might have attained unto a greater age, being of a strong, healthy con

1 See "Some Short Memorials concerning the Life" of Dr Field, by his son, N. Field; published by Le Neve. Lond. 1716-17. Also, Wood's "Athenæ Oxonienses," and "Fasti."

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stitution, had not his studies, together with multiplicity of business and frequent journies, hindered him from taking that care of his health which otherwise he might have done." At the age of sixteen he was sent to Oxford, where, according to Antony à Wood, he entered at Magdalen College, and subsequently migrated to Magdalen Hall; although, in his son's Memoir, no mention is made of his having resided at any period of his academical course at Magdalen College. Wood, however, makes the above statement in the following express terms; "He was entered a Student in Magdalen College, in 1557; where, continuing in drudging at his book till he was about Bachelor's standing, he retired to Magdalen Hall." That Wood was correct in this assertion is placed beyond a doubt by the following extract from the Matriculation-book of the University. 'Coll. Magdal. Richardus Fyeld, Cantius, pleb. fil. an. 19. 4d'

It is evident that Field was held in high repute as a Theologian at an early period of his career, for he was appointed to read "the Catechism Lecture in Magdalen Hall, which, though a private Lecture for that particular House, was heard with a great concourse out of the whole University." Among this number of voluntary auditors he reckoned Dr John Reynolds, who was either then, or