Viner, William

He who sleeps here was WILLIAM VINER, Steward to the most Illustrious Lord, Fulke Lord Brook, during the space of almost forty years: and who having discharged his office with the greatest fidelity and ingenuity, was held in such esteem by the very Honourable Baron, that when he endeavoured to secure a happy seat in heaven on his removal hence, he added him to those to whom he committed the care of his last testament. - A man entirely of ancient manners, and to whom you will scarcely find an equal, particularly in point of generosity. Two schools in a very wretched condition, and almost ruined, the one at Northleach, in the county of Gloucester, the other in this town, he with no small expense repaired, and rendered very elegant. Besides the revenue of this school in Warwick, he improved with the perpetual addition of £ 6. per annum; as also the revenue of the hospital of Leamington, with 30s . per annum. These considerable things he did with no considerable estate, it not exceeding £100. yearly, including a patrimony to be left to four children . He was added to the number of the heavenly inhabitants, maturely for himself, but prematurely for his friends, in the 70th year, on the 28th of April, Anno Dom. 1639. [Translation from "A Brief Description of the Collegiate Church and Choir of St. Mary's (Warwick, 1819), amended.]