William Elstob
Encyclopedia
William Elstob was an English divine.
Elstob was the son of Ralph Elstob, merchant of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, was baptised at All Saints' Church, Newcastle, on 1 January 1673. The Elstob family claimed descent from ancient Welsh kings, and had long been settled in the diocese of Durham
. Elstob was educated Newcastle
, at Eton
, at sixteen he was sent (following advice of his uncle and guardian, Charles Elstob, D.D. (prebendary of Canterbury from 1685 to 1721)), to Catharine Hall, Cambridge, 'in a station below his birth and fortune.' His health also suffered when at Catherine Hall, and so he left for Queen's College, Oxford, where he entered as a commoner and graduated B.A. in 1694. He was elected fellow of University College
on 23 July 1696, and took his M.A. degree on 8 June 1697. Hearne says that having failed of election to All Souls as a south country man, he 'became a northern man,' and was elected one of Skirlaw's fellows at University College. In 1702 he was presented by the dean and chapter of Canterbury, presumably through his uncle's influence, to the united parishes of St. Swithin and St. Mary Bothaw, London. Here he died, after a lingering illness, on 3 March 1714-15, and was buried in the chancel of St. Swithin's. He was chaplain to Bishop Nicolson of Carlisle, who in February 1713 applied for Chief-justice Parker's influence for his appointment to the preachership at Lincoln's inn
.
Elstob was a linguist and antiquary, and especially skilled in Anglo-Saxon
. He was a friend, probably a nephew, of the learned nonjuror, Hickes, of Humphrey Wanley, Sir Andrew Fountaine
, Strype
, and other men of learning. In 1701 he contributed a Latin translation of the homily of Lupus to the Dissertatio Epistolaris in Hickes's Thesaurus (part iii. page 99). Hickes wrote a preface to his 'Essay on the great Affinity and Mutual Agreement of the two professions of Divinity and Law, ... in vindication of the Clergy's concerning themselves in political matters.' It is a defence of high-church principles. Sir Andrew Fountaine acknowledges Elstob's help in giving descriptions of Saxon coins for the tables published by him in Hickes's Thesaurus (part iii. page 166). Elstob communicated to Strype a copy of Sir John Cheke
's Discourse upon Plutarch's Treatise on Superstition. This had been preserved in manuscript in the library of University College, and mutilated by Obadiah Walker
. Elstob's version is appended to Strype's Life of Cheke. In 1703 Elstob published a new edition (much enlarged)of Roger Ascham
's 'Letters.' In 1709 he contributed a Latin version of the Saxon homily on the nativity of St. Gregory to his sister's edition of the original [see Elstob, Elizabeth], and an Anglo-Saxon book of 'Hours,' with a translation by him, is appended to 'Letters' between Hickes and a popish priest. He made collections for a history of Newcastle and of 'proper names formerly used in northern countries.' He also made proposals for what was to be his great work, a new edition of the Saxon laws already published by Lombarde (1568) and Wheelock
(1644), with many additions, comments, prefaces, and glossaries. This design was stopped by his death, and afterwards executed bv David Wilkins, Leges Anglo-Saxoniæ, etc. (1721), who mentions Elstob's plan in his preface. Hickes also speaks of this plan in the dedication of his two volumes of posthumous sermons (1726). Elstob prepared a version of Ælfred's Orosius, which finally came into the hands of Daines Barrington
. He printed a specimen of this at Oxford in 1699
He also published two separate sermons in 1704 on the battle of Blenheim
and the anniversary of the queen's accession. In Hearne's 'Collections,' (by Doble, ii. 107-9) is a mock-heroic poem by Elstob upon the butler of University College.
Elstob was the son of Ralph Elstob, merchant of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, was baptised at All Saints' Church, Newcastle, on 1 January 1673. The Elstob family claimed descent from ancient Welsh kings, and had long been settled in the diocese of Durham
Diocese of Durham
The Diocese of Durham is a Church of England diocese, based in Durham, and covering the historic County Durham . It was created in AD 1000 to replace the Diocese of Lindisfarne...
. Elstob was educated Newcastle
Newcastle upon Tyne
Newcastle upon Tyne is a city and metropolitan borough of Tyne and Wear, in North East England. Historically a part of Northumberland, it is situated on the north bank of the River Tyne...
, at Eton
Eton College
Eton College, often referred to simply as Eton, is a British independent school for boys aged 13 to 18. It was founded in 1440 by King Henry VI as "The King's College of Our Lady of Eton besides Wyndsor"....
, at sixteen he was sent (following advice of his uncle and guardian, Charles Elstob, D.D. (prebendary of Canterbury from 1685 to 1721)), to Catharine Hall, Cambridge, 'in a station below his birth and fortune.' His health also suffered when at Catherine Hall, and so he left for Queen's College, Oxford, where he entered as a commoner and graduated B.A. in 1694. He was elected fellow of University College
University College
University College can refer to several institutions:- Canada :* University College, University of Toronto* University College of the North, The Pas, Manitoba* Booth University College, Winnipeg, Manitoba...
on 23 July 1696, and took his M.A. degree on 8 June 1697. Hearne says that having failed of election to All Souls as a south country man, he 'became a northern man,' and was elected one of Skirlaw's fellows at University College. In 1702 he was presented by the dean and chapter of Canterbury, presumably through his uncle's influence, to the united parishes of St. Swithin and St. Mary Bothaw, London. Here he died, after a lingering illness, on 3 March 1714-15, and was buried in the chancel of St. Swithin's. He was chaplain to Bishop Nicolson of Carlisle, who in February 1713 applied for Chief-justice Parker's influence for his appointment to the preachership at Lincoln's inn
Lincoln's Inn
The Honourable Society of Lincoln's Inn is one of four Inns of Court in London to which barristers of England and Wales belong and where they are called to the Bar. The other three are Middle Temple, Inner Temple and Gray's Inn. Although Lincoln's Inn is able to trace its official records beyond...
.
Elstob was a linguist and antiquary, and especially skilled in Anglo-Saxon
Anglo-Saxon
Anglo-Saxon may refer to:* Anglo-Saxons, a group that invaded Britain** Old English, their language** Anglo-Saxon England, their history, one of various ships* White Anglo-Saxon Protestant, an ethnicity* Anglo-Saxon economy, modern macroeconomic term...
. He was a friend, probably a nephew, of the learned nonjuror, Hickes, of Humphrey Wanley, Sir Andrew Fountaine
Andrew Fountaine
Andrew Fountaine was a veteran of the far right scene in British politics.Born into a land-owning Norfolk family, Fountaine was educated at the Army College in Aldershot and was the son of Vice Admiral Charles Fountaine who had been naval ADC to King George V...
, Strype
Strype
Strype can refer to:*John Strype , an English historian.*Strype, a village in the municipality of Westvoorne, the Netherlands....
, and other men of learning. In 1701 he contributed a Latin translation of the homily of Lupus to the Dissertatio Epistolaris in Hickes's Thesaurus (part iii. page 99). Hickes wrote a preface to his 'Essay on the great Affinity and Mutual Agreement of the two professions of Divinity and Law, ... in vindication of the Clergy's concerning themselves in political matters.' It is a defence of high-church principles. Sir Andrew Fountaine acknowledges Elstob's help in giving descriptions of Saxon coins for the tables published by him in Hickes's Thesaurus (part iii. page 166). Elstob communicated to Strype a copy of Sir John Cheke
John Cheke
Sir John Cheke was an English classical scholar and statesman, notable as the first Regius Professor of Greek at Cambridge University....
's Discourse upon Plutarch's Treatise on Superstition. This had been preserved in manuscript in the library of University College, and mutilated by Obadiah Walker
Obadiah Walker
Obadiah Walker was an English academic and Master of University College, Oxford from 1676 to 1688.-Life:Walker was born at Darfield near Barnsley, South Yorkshire, and was educated at University College, Oxford, becoming a fellow and tutor of this College and a prominent figure in University circles...
. Elstob's version is appended to Strype's Life of Cheke. In 1703 Elstob published a new edition (much enlarged)of Roger Ascham
Roger Ascham
Roger Ascham was an English scholar and didactic writer, famous for his prose style, his promotion of the vernacular, and his theories of education...
's 'Letters.' In 1709 he contributed a Latin version of the Saxon homily on the nativity of St. Gregory to his sister's edition of the original [see Elstob, Elizabeth], and an Anglo-Saxon book of 'Hours,' with a translation by him, is appended to 'Letters' between Hickes and a popish priest. He made collections for a history of Newcastle and of 'proper names formerly used in northern countries.' He also made proposals for what was to be his great work, a new edition of the Saxon laws already published by Lombarde (1568) and Wheelock
Wheelock
-Places:*River Wheelock in Cheshire in England.*Wheelock, Cheshire, a long village south of Sandbach in Cheshire in England.*Wheelock, Vermont*Wheelock, North Dakota, a ghost town in the United States*Wheelock, Texas, a small town near College Station, Texas...
(1644), with many additions, comments, prefaces, and glossaries. This design was stopped by his death, and afterwards executed bv David Wilkins, Leges Anglo-Saxoniæ, etc. (1721), who mentions Elstob's plan in his preface. Hickes also speaks of this plan in the dedication of his two volumes of posthumous sermons (1726). Elstob prepared a version of Ælfred's Orosius, which finally came into the hands of Daines Barrington
Daines Barrington
Daines Barrington, FRS was an English lawyer, antiquary and naturalist.Barrington was the fourth son of the first Viscount Barrington. He was educated for the profession of the law, and after filling various posts, was appointed a Welsh judge in 1757 and afterwards second justice of Chester...
. He printed a specimen of this at Oxford in 1699
He also published two separate sermons in 1704 on the battle of Blenheim
Battle of Blenheim
The Battle of Blenheim , fought on 13 August 1704, was a major battle of the War of the Spanish Succession. Louis XIV of France sought to knock Emperor Leopold out of the war by seizing Vienna, the Habsburg capital, and gain a favourable peace settlement...
and the anniversary of the queen's accession. In Hearne's 'Collections,' (by Doble, ii. 107-9) is a mock-heroic poem by Elstob upon the butler of University College.