Captain Cox

He was present at Kenilworth on Queen Elizabeth's visit in 1575 and took a leading part in one of the royal entertainments.

[1] Captain Cox, collector of ballads and romances, is described as "an od man, I promiz yoo: by profession a mason, and that right skilfull; very cunning in fens, and hardy as Gavin; … great oversight hath he in matters of storie".

[2] The contents of the captain's library, which are described by Laneham at considerable length, are of the most curious character.

Among the entertainments provided for Queen Elizabeth during her visit to Kenilworth was a burlesque imitation of a battle, from an old romance, and Captain Cox took a leading part.

He is introduced on his hobby-horse in Ben Jonson's Mask of Owls, at Kenelworth.

Map of the county of Warwickshire by John Speed , c. 1611
Three views of Kenilworth Castle by Wenceslas Hollar , 17th century