"Sir Roger Lestrange, talking some years before his death with a
very ingenious and learned Gentleman about our Historians, was
pleased to say, _that it was always a wonder to him, that the
very best that had penn'd our History in English should be a
poor Taylour, honest John Stowe_. Sir Roger said a _Taylour_,
because Stowe, as is reported, was bred a cap-maker. The trade
of Cap-making was then much in fashion, Hats being not at that
time much in request."