Page:Dictionary of National Biography volume 21.djvu/263

  of his Royal Highness James, Duke of York,’ fol. [London], 1678, and again in 1679. It was reprinted by Aubrey in his ‘Miscellanies,’ with additions at the end by himself, and in vol. viii. of the quarto editions of the ‘Harleian Miscellany.’ In 1686 appeared a ‘second impression, with … additions. To which is added, Prince-Protecting Providences and the Swans Welcome. All by an Officer at Arms, author of a book, Introductio ad Latinam Blasoniam,’ 2 pts. fol. Gibbon's other political writings are: 1. ‘A Touch of the Times; or, two letters casually intercepted’ [London, 1679], against Henry Care [q. v.], author of the ‘Weekly Packet of Advice from Rome.’ 2. ‘Unio Dissidentium. Heir apparent and presumptive made one. By J. G., B.M.,’ fol. [London? 1680?]. 3. ‘Edovardus Confessor redivivus … in the sacred Majesty of King James the II.; being a Relation of the admirable and unexpected finding of a sacred relique of that pious prince, … since worn sometimes by his present majesty’ [anon.], 4to, London, 1688. At page 157 of his ‘Introductio’ Gibbon makes humorous reference to his antagonist, ‘little Mr. Harry Care,’ whose arguments he had ridiculed in a pamphlet called ‘Flagellum Mercurii Antiducalis.’ The triumph of the whigs proved a lasting check to Gibbon's preferment, and he was suspended from his office until he could bring himself to take the oath of allegiance.

Among his contemporaries Gibbon's reputation as a writer on heraldry and genealogy ranked deservedly high. In 1682 he published at London his ‘Introductio ad Latinam Blasoniam. An Essay towards a more correct Blason in Latine than formerly hath been used,’ 8vo, ‘an original attempt, which Camden had desiderated, to define, in a Roman idiom, the terms and attributes of a Gothic institution. His manner is quaint and affected; his order is confused; but he displays some wit, more reading, and still more enthusiasm. An English text is perpetually interspersed with Latin sentences in prose and verse; but in his own poetry he claims an exemption from the laws of prosody’ (, Autobiography). He also compiled from British and foreign authorities an elaborate account of the important services rendered by heralds in former times, which compilation, named by him ‘Heraldo-Memoriale,’ he communicated to Strype for insertion in an abridged form in the latter's edition of Stow's ‘Survey,’ 1720 (bk. i. pp. 143–5). He was able to render Strype other aid (ib. bk. i. p. 204, bk. ii. pp. 7, 8). Three of his letters occur in the ‘Strype Correspondence’ in the University Library, Cambridge (Cat. of MSS. v. 148).

Gibbon died in the parish of St. Faith, London, on 2 Aug. 1718 (affidavit appended to will registered in P. C. C. 160, Tenison), and was buried on the 6th in the church of St. Mary Aldermary (Registers of St. Mary Aldermary, Harl. Soc. p. 215). His wife, Susannah, had been buried in the same church on 24 Aug. 1704 (ib. p. 208).

 GIBBON or GIBBONS, NICHOLAS, the elder (fl. 1600), theological writer, matriculated as pensioner at Clare Hall, Cambridge, in June 1585. He proceeded B.A. in 1588–9, M.A. in 1592, and was incorporated at Oxford July 1592. He has been identified with the Nicholas Gibbon of Heckford, Dorsetshire, whose son of the same name, born at Poole in 1605, became rector of Corfe Castle [see, the younger, (1605–1697)]. He published ‘Questions and Disputations concerning the Holy Scripture, wherein are contained … expositions of the most difficult places,’ London, 1601, 4to. This work of nearly six hundred pages deals with the first fourteen chapters of Genesis, and is described on the title-page as ‘the first part of the first Tome. By Nicholas Gibbens, Minister and Preacher of the Word of God.’

 GIBBON, NICHOLAS, the younger (1605–1697), divine, son of Nicholas Gibbon of Heckford, Dorsetshire [see preceding art.], was born at Poole in 1605. He was admitted into Queen's College, Oxford, in 1622, but soon afterwards migrated to St. Edmund Hall. He took the degrees of B.A. in 1626, M.A. in 1629, B.D. and D.D. in 1639. In 1632 he became rector of Sevenoaks. Charles I, when at Carisbrooke Castle in 1647, sent for him in order to consult him on questions of church government. He was ejected from Sevenoaks in 1650 or earlier, and had to work as a farm labourer in order to support himself and his eleven children. While thus engaged he was brought before the committee in Kent, and asked how he spent his time. He answered that he studied during part of the night, and performed manual labour by day, and showed his hardened hands, remarking to some who scoffed, ‘Mallem callum in manu quam in conscientiâ.’ He was then offered possession of his living if he would take the covenant,