Page:Men of Kent and Kentishmen.djvu/53

 the better of his good and loyal principles," and he distinguished himself by his opposition to the King's party. He brought in a bill for the abolition of Bishops, Deans, and Chapters, and proposed other violent measures. Subsequently, however, he changed his opinion, espoused the royal cause, and became a great sufferer in the civil war, his house at Surrenden being four times plundered by the Parliamentarian soldiers. He died before the Restoration. He founded a great library at Surrenden, and published his speeches in Parliament in a quarto volume.

[See "Hasted's Kent," and "Proceedings in Kent," published by Camden Society (Vol. 80.)]

LEONARD DIGGES,

Was born at Barham in the beginning of the sixteenth century and educated at University College, Oxford. "His mind," (says Fuller) "most inclined him to Mathematics, and he was the best architect in that age for all manner of buildings, for conveniency, pleasure, state, strength, being excellent at fortifications." He wrote a book on the measuring of land entitled "Tectonicum," published 1556, also a "Book of Rules," to judge the weather by "Sun, Moon and Stars," and other works. He died in 1573.

[See "Wood's Athenæ Oxon.," by Bliss, "Biographia Britannica." "Fuller's Worthies," "Hasted's Kent," "Watt's Bibliotheca Britannica."]