of and yet deserueth most greatest lawdation And in deede the more honorable it is for that your Highnesse princely Auncestors sprong forth of the noble braunches of that Nation Thus duetifully praying for your Maiesties long preseruation by whose bountie and goodnesse I a long while haue liued I wish your Highnesse all the hap honour victorie and harts ease that can be desired or imagined Your Highnesse humble Seruant and Subiect Thomas Churchyard ⧠To euery louing and friendly Reader IT may seeme straunge good Reader that I haue chosen in the end of my daies to trauaile and make discription of Countries whereas the beginning of my youth and a long while after I haue hauÌ„ted the warres and written somewhat of Martiall Discipline but as euery season breedeth a seuerall humour and the humours of men are diuers drawing the mynd to sondrie dispositions so common occasion that commands the iudgement hath set me a worke and the warme good will affection borne in breast towards the worthie Countrey of Wales hath haled me often forward to take this labour in hand which many before haue learnedly handled But yet to shewe a difference in writing and a playnnesse in speech because playne people affects no florishing phrase I haue now in as ample a maner without borrowed termes as I could declared my opinion of that sweete Soyle and good Subiects therof euen at that very instant when Wales was almost forgotten or scarce remembred with any great lawdation when it hath merited to be written of for sondrie famous causes most meete to be honored and necessary to be touched in First the world will confesse or els it shall do wrong that some of our greatest Kings that haue conquered much were borne bred in that Countrey which Kings in their times to the glory of England haue wrought wonders brought great benefites to our weale publicke Among the same Princes I pray you giue me leaue to place our good Queene Elizabeth and pardoÌ„ me withall to commit you to the Chronicles for the seeking out of her Auncestors noble actions and suffer me to shewe a little of the goodnesse gathered by vs from her Maiesties well doing and possessed a long season from her princely and iust dealings An act so noble notorious that neither can escape immortall fame nor shall not passe my pen vnresited Now weigh in what plight was our state when she came first to the Crowne and see how soone Religion was reformed a matter of great moment peace planted and warres vtterly extinguished as the sequell yet falleth out Then behold how she succoured the afflicted in Fraunce let the going to Newhauen beare witnesse and chargeably without breaking of League mainteyned her friends and amazed her enemies Then looke into the seruice and preseruation of Scotland at the siege of Leeth and see how finely the French were al shipped away they being a great power and sent home in such sort that neuer since they had mynd to returne thether againe in that fashion and forme that they sayled towards Scotland at the first Then consider how bace our money was in what short tyme with little losse to our Countrey the bad coyne was conuerted to good siluer and so is like to continue to the end of the world Then in the aduancing of Gods word and good people regard how Rochell was relieued and Rone and other places fouÌ„d cause to pray for her life who sought to purchase their peace and see them in safetie Then thinke on the care she tooke for Flaunders during the first troubles and how that Countrey had bene vtterly destroyed if her Highnes helping hand had not propped vp that tottering State Then Christianly coÌ„ceiue how many mulâ—itudes of strangers she hath giuen gracious countenance vnto and hath freely licensed them to liue here in peace and rest Then paise in an equall ballance the daungerous estate of Scotland once againe when the Kings owne Subiects kept the Castle of Edenbrough against their owne naturall Lord Maister which presumptuous part of Subiects her Highnesse could not abide to behold wherevpon she sent a sufficient power to ayde the Kings Maiestie which power valiantly wonne the Castle and freely deliuered the same to the right owner thereof with all the treasure and prisoners therein Then regard how honourably she hath dealt with diuers Princes that came to see her or needed her magnificeÌ„t supportation and countenance Then looke throughly into the mightinesse managing of all matters gone about and put in exercise princely and yet peaceably since the day of her Highnesse Coronation and you shalbe forced to confesse that she surmounts a great number of her Predecessors and she is not at this day no whit inferiour to the greatest Monarke of the world Is not such a peereles Queene then a comfort to Wales a glorie to England and a great reioysing to all her good neighbours And doth not she daily deserue to haue bookes dedicated in the highest degree of honor to her Highnesse Yes vndoubtedly or els my sences and iudgement fayleth me So good Reader do iudge of my labours my pen is procured by a band of causes to write as farre as my knowledge may leade and my duetie hath no end of seruice nor no limits are set to a loyall Subiect but to wish and worke to the vttermost of power Within this worke are seuerall discourses some of the beautie blessednes of the Countrey some of the strength and statelynesse of their inpregnable Castles some of their trim Townes and fine situation some of their antiquitie shewing from what Kings and Princes they tooke their first name and prerogatiue So generally of all maner of matters belonging to that Soyle as Churches Monuments Mountaynes Valleys Waters Bridges fayre Gentlemens houses and the rest of things whatsoeuer may become a writers pen to touch or a readers iudgement to knowe I write not contenciously to find fault with any or confute the former writers and tyme but to aduaunce and winne credite to the present trueth agreeing and yeelding to all former tymes and ages that hath iustly giuen euery Nation their due and truely without affection hath set downe in plaine words the worthines of plaine people for I honor and loue as much a true Author as I hate and detest a reporter of trifeling fables A true Historie is called the Mistresse of life and yet all Historyographers in writing of one thing agree not well one with another because the writers were not present in the tymes in the places nor saw the persons they make meÌ„tion of but rather haue leaned and listned on the common report than stayed or trusted to their owne experience Strabo a most famous writer findes fault for the like occasion with Erstaotheus Metrodorus Septius Possidonius and Patrocles the Geographer And such discord did arise amoÌ„g writers in tyme past as Iosephus saith against Appio that they reprooued one another by bookes and all men in
THE Worthines of Wales VVherein are more then a thousand seuerall things rehearsed some set out in prose to the pleasure of the Reader and with such varietie of verse for the beautifying of the Book as no doubt shal delight thousands to vnderstand Which worke is enterlarded with many wonders and right strange matter to consider of All the which labour and deuice is drawne forth and set out by Thomas Church-yard to the glorie of God and honour of his Prince and Countrey ¶ Imprinted at London by G. Robinson for Thomas Cadman 1587. ⧠To the Queenes most Excellent Maiestie Elizabeth by the grace of God Queene of England Fraunce and Ireland c. Thomas Church-yard wisheth alwayes blessednes good fortune victorie and worldly honour with the encrease of quiet raigne vertuous lyfe and most Princely gouernment MOST Redoubted and Royall Queene that Kings doe feare Subiects doe honour strangers seeke succour of and people of speciall spirit acknowledge as their manifold books declare I least of all presume to farre either in presenting matter to be iudged of or to aduenture the cracking of credite with writing any thing that may breede mislike presents not well taken in the deepe iudgement of so high and mightie a Princesse But where a multitude runnes forward forced through desire or fortune to shewe duetie or to see what falleth out of their forwardnes I stepping in among the rest am driuen and led by affection to followe beyond the force of my power or feeling of any learned arte So being thrust on with the throng I finding my self brought before the presence of your Maiestie but barely furnished of knowledge to whom I must vtter some matter of delight or from whom I must retourne all abashed with open disgrace Thus Gracious Lady vnder your Princely fauour I haue vndertaken to set foorth a worke in the honour of VVales where your highnes auncestors tooke name and where your Maiestie is as much loued and feared as in any place of your highnesse dominion And the loue and obedience of which people so exceedes and surpasseth the common good-will of the worlde that it seemeth a wonder in our age wherein are so many writers that no one man doth not worthely according to the countries goodnes set forth that noble Soyle and Nation Though in deede diuers haue sleightly written of the same and some of those labours deserueth the reading yet except the eye be a witnes to their workes the writers can not therein sufficiently yeeld due commendation to those stately Soyles and Principalities For which cause I haue trauayled sondry times of purpose through the same and what is written of I haue beheld and throughly seene to my great contentment and admiration For the Citties Townes and goodly Castles thereof are to be mused on and merites to bee registred in euerlasting memorie but chiefly the Castles that stand like a company of Fortes may not be forgotten their buyldings are so princely their strength is so greate and they are such stately seates and defences of nature To which Castles great Royaltie and liuings belongeth and haue bene and are in the giftes of Princes now possessed of noble men and such as they appoint to keep them The royalties whereof are alwayes looked vnto but the Castles doe dayly decay a sorrowfull sight and in a maner remediles But nowe to come to the cōditions of the people to shew somewhat of their curtesie loyalty naturall kindnes I presume your Maiestie will pardon me to speake of for of trueth your highnes is no soner named among them but such a generall reioysing doth arise as maketh glad any good mans hart to behold or heare it it proceeds of such an affectionate fauour For let the meanest of the Court come downe to that countrey he shalbe so saluted halsed and made of as though he were some Lords sonne of that soyle further the plain people thinks it debt duetie to follow a strangers Stirrop being out of the way to bring him where he wisheth which gentlenes in all countries is not vsed and yet besides all this goodnes and great regard there is neither hewe nor cry for a robbery in many hundreth myles riding so whether it be for feare of iustice loue of God or good disposition small Robberies or none at all are heard of there They triumph likewise so much of fidelitie that the very name of a falsifier of promes a murtherer or a theef is most odious among them especially a Traytor is so hated that his whole race is rated at and abhord as I haue heard there report of Parrie and others who the common people would haue torne in peeces if the lawe had not proceeded And such regard they haue one of another that neither in market townes high wayes meetings nor publicke assemblies they striue not for place nor shewe any kind of roysting for in sted of such high stomackes and stoutnes they vse frendly salutations and courtesie acknowledging duetie thereby doing such reuerence to their betters that euery one in his degree is so well vnderctood and honored that none can iustly say hee hath suffered iniurie or found offence by the rude burbarous behauiour of the people These vsages of theirs with the rest that may be spoken of their ciuil maner and honest frame of lyfe doth argue there is some more nobler nature in that Nation then is generally reported which I doubt not but your Highnes is as willing to heare as I am desirous to make manifest and publish the hope whereof redoubleth my boldnes and may happely sheeld me from the hazard of worlds hastie iudgement that condemnes men without cause for writing that they know and praysing of people before their faces which suspicious heads call a kind of adulation but if telling of troth be rebukable and playne speeches be offensiue the ignorant world shall dwell long in errors and true writers may sodaynly sit in silence I haue not only searched sondry good Authors for the confirmation of my matter but also paynfully traueiled to trye out the substance of that is written for feare of committing some vnpardonable fault and offence in presenting this Booke vnto your Highnesse VVhich worke albeit it is but litle because it treateth not of many Shieres yet greatly it shal reioyce the whole Countrey of VVales whē they shall heare it hath found fauour in your gracious sight hath passed through those blessed hands that holds the rayne and bridle of many a stately Kingdome and Terrytorie And my selfe shall reape so much gladnesse by the free passage of this simple labour that hereafter I shall goe through GOD sparing life with the rest of the other Shieres not heere named These things only taken in hād to cause your Highnesse to knowe what puysance and strength such a Princesse is of that may commaund such a people and what obedience loue and loyaltie is in such a Countrey as hereunto hath bin but little spoken
amore beneuolentia liberalitate prosequi denique iuxta eximias probitates easdem magnificentiùs ornare decorare quatenus in personis huiuscemodi congestis clarissimis virtutum praemijs ceteri socordia ignauiaque sepositis ad peragenda pulcherrima quaeque facinora laude gloria concitentur Nos ne à maiorum nrō laudatissimis moribus discedere videamur nostri esse officij putamus probatissimū nobis virum qui ob res ab se clarissimè gestas quà m maxima de nobis promeruit condignis honorū fastigijs attollere verè regijs insignire muneribus Strenuum insignem loquimur militē Willūm Herbert Dominum Herbart iam defunctū cuius in regni nostri primordijs obsequia gratissima tum nobis multipliciter impensa cum nrō pro iure decertaretur satis ambiguè obliuisci non possumus accessere de post in hoc vsque temporis continuata seruicia que non parum nobis fuere complacita presertim nuperimis hijs diebus quibus optimum se gessit militem ac non mediocres sibi laudis fame titulos comparauit Hijs equidem iampridē cū Rebellis hostisque nostri Iasper Owini Tedur filliū nuper Pembrochiae se Comitem dicens Walliae partes peruaderet multaque arte ad contra nos statum nostrum vilem populo seditionem concitandum truculentiam moliretur societatis sibi ad eandem rem conficiendam electissimis viris fidelibus nostris arma cepit confligendi copiam hostibus exhibuit adeoque valida manu peruasus ab ipsis partes peruagatus est nusquam eis locum permiserit quo nō eos complicesque affligauerit vires eorūdem fregerit morteque affecerit seu desperantes in fugam propulerit demum Castrum nostrum de Hardelagh nobis ab initio regni nostri contrarium quo vnicum miseris patebat refugium obsidione vallabat quod capi impossible ferebatur cepit inclusos que ad deditionem compulit adiacentem quoque primam omnem nostram Regiae Maiestati rebellem hactenus ad summam obedientiam reduxit Haec itaque sua laudabilia obsequia promeritaque memoriter vt decet intimè recolentes volentesque proinde eundem Willūm condignis honoribus regalibúsque praemijs ornare amplicare sublimare octauo die Septembris anno regni nostri octauo per Chartam nostram de gratia nostra speciali ac ex certa scientia mero motu nostris ipsum Willūm in Comitem Pembrochiae ereximus praefecerimus creauerimus ei nomē statum stilum titulum dignitatem Comitis Pembrochie cum omnibus singulis preëminencijs honoribus ceteris quibuscunque huius statui Comitis pertinentibus siue congruis dederimus concesserimus ipsumque huiusmodi statu stilo titulo honore dignitate per cincturam gladij insigniuerimus realiter nobilitauerimus This was set downe for causes more then one The world beléeues no more than it hath seene When things lye dead and tyme is past and gone Blynd people say it is not so we weene It is a tale deuisde to please the eare More for delight of toyes then troth may beare But those that thinks this may a fable be To Authors good I send them here from me First let them search Records as I haue done Then shall they finde this is most certaine true And all the rest before I here begun Is taken out not of no writers nue The oldest sort and soundest men of skill Myne Authors are now reade their names who will Their workes their words and so their learning through Shall shewe you all what troth I write of now BEcause many that fauoured not Wales parsiall writers and historians haue written set downe their owne opinions as they pleased to publish of that Countrey I therefore a little degresse from the orderly matter of the booke and touch somewhat the workes and wordes of them that rashly haue written more then they knewe or well could proue As learned men hath wrote graue works of yore So great regard to natiue Soyle they had For such respect I blame now Pollydore Because of Wales his iudgement was but bad If Buckanan the Scottish Poet late Were here in sprite of Brittons to debate He should finde men that would with him dispute And many a pen which would his works confute But with the dead the quick may neuer striue Though sondrie works of theirs were little worth Yet better farre they had not bene aliue Than sowe such seedes as brings no goodnesse forth Their praise is small that plucks backe others fame Their loue not great that blots out neighbours name Their bookes but brawles their bable bauld and bare That in disdaine of fables writers are What fable more then say they knowe that thing They neuer sawe and so giue iudgement streight And by their bookes the world in error bring That thinks it reades a matter of great weight When that a tale of much vntroth is told Thus all that shines and glisters is not gold Nor all the bookes that auncient Fathers wrate Are not alo'wd for troth in euery state Though Caesar was a wise and worthie Prince And conquerd much of Wales and England both The writers than and other Authors since Did flatter tyme and still abuse the troth Same for a fee and some did humors feede When sore was healde to make a wound to bleede And some sought meanes their patient still to please When body throwe was full of foule disease The worldly wits that with each tyme would wagge Were caryed cleane away from wisedomes lore They rather watcht to fill an emptie bagge Than touch the tyme then present or before Nor car'd not much for future tyme to come They rould vp tyme like thréede about the thome And when their clue on trifles all was spent Much rotten stuffe vnto the garment went Which stuffe patcht vp a péece of homely ware In Printers shop set out to sale sometyme Which ill wrought worke at length became so bare It neither seru'd for prose nor pleasant ryme But past like that and old wiues tales full vayne That thunders long but neuer brings forth rayne A kynd of sound that makes a hurling noyse To feare young babes with brute of bugges and toyes But aged sires of riper wit and skill Disdaines to reade such rabble farst with lyes This is enough to shewe you my goodwill Of Authors true and writers graue and wise Whose pen shall proue each thing in printed booke Whose eyes withall on matter straunge did looke And whose great charge and labour witnesse beares Their words are iust they offer to your eares Each Nation had some writer in their daies For to aduaunce their Countrey to the Starres Homer was one who gaue the Greekes great praise And honord not the Troyans for their warres Liui among the Romaines wrate right mitch With rare renowne his Countrey to enritch And Pollidore did ply the pen a pace To blurre
All this without and all the Towne within When Castle stood to vewe hath subiect bin But now doth hold their fréedome of the Prince And as is found in Records true vnfaynd This trim shiere towne was buylt a great while since Whose priuiledge by loyaltie was gaynd Two Bayliefes there doth rule as course doth fall In state like Maior and orders good withall Each officer due that fits for stately place Each yéere they haue to yéeld the roume more grace On sollemne daies in Scarlet gownes they goe Good house they kéepe as cause doth serue therefore But Christmas feasts compares with all I knowe Saue London sure whose state is farre much more That Cities charge makes straungers blush to see So princely still it is in each degree But though it beare a Torch beyond the best This Lanterne light may shine among the rest This Towne with more fit members for the head Makes London ritch yet reapes great gayne from thence It giues good gold for Clothes and markes of lead And for Welsh ware exchaungeth English pence A fountaine head that many Condits serue Kéepes moyst drye Springs and doth it selfe preserue The flowing Sea to which all Riuers run May spare some shewres to quench the heate of Sun So London must like mother to the Realme To all her babes giue milke giue sucke and pap Small Brookes swelles vp by force of mightie streame As little things from greatest gaynes good hap If Shrewsebrie thriue and last in this good lucke It is not like to lacke of worldly mucke The trade is great the Towne and Seaee stands well Great health they haue in such swéete Soyles that dwell Thus farre I goe to proue this Wales in déede Or els at least the martches of the same But further speake of Shiere it is no néede Saue Ludloe now a Towne of noble fame A goodly Seate where oft the Councell lyes Where Monuments are found in auncient guyse Where Kings and Quéenes in pompe did long abyde And where God pleasde that good Prince Arthur dyde This Towne doth front on Wales as right as lyne So sondrie Townes in Shropshiere doe for troth As Ozestry a pretie Towne full fine Which may be lou'd be likte and praysed both It stands so trim and is maintaynd so cleane And péepled is with folke that well doe meane That it deserues to be enrould and shrynd In each good breast and euery manly mynd The Market there so farre excéedes withall As no one Towne comes néere it in some sort For looke what may be wisht or had at call It is there found as market men report For Poultrie Foule of euery kind somewhat No place can shewe so much more cheape then that All kind of Cates that Countrie can afford For money there is bought with one bare word They harke not long about the thing they sell For price is knowne of each thing that is brought Poore folke God wot in Towne no longer dwell Then money had perhaps a thing of nought So trudge they home both barelegge and vnshod With song in Welsh or els in praysing God O swéete content O merrie mynd and mood With sweat of browes thou lou'st to get thy food O plaine good folke that haue no craftie braines O Conscience cléere thou knowst no cunning knacks O harmlesse hearts where feare of God remaines O simple Soules as sweete as Uirgin waxe O happie heads and labouring bodies blest O sillie Doues of holy Abrahams brest You sléepe in peace and rise in ioye and blisse For Heauen hence for you prepared is Where shall we finde such dealing now adaies Where is such chéere so cheape and chaunge of fare Ride North and South and search all beaten waies From Barwick bounds to Venice if you dare And finde the like that I in Wales haue found And I shall be your slaue and bondman bound If Wales be thus as tryall well shall proue Take Wales goodwill and giue them neighbours loue To Ludloe now my muse must needes returne A season short no long discourse doth craue Tyme rouleth on I doe but daylight burne And many things in déede to doe I haue Looke what great Towne doth front on Wales this hower I minde to touch God sparing life and power Not hyerd thereto but hal'de by harts desire To giue them praise whose deedes doe fame require Verte folium ¶ Of Shrewsebury Churches and the Monuments therein with a Bridge of stone two bowshot long and a streate called Colam being in the Subbarbs and a fayre Bridge there in like maner all this was forgotten in the first copie I Had such haste in hope to be but briefe That Monuments in Churches were forgot And somewhat more behind the walles as chiefe Where Playes haue bin which is most worthie note There is a ground newe made Theat or wise Both deepe and hye in goodly auncient guise Where well may sit ten thousand men at ease And yet the one the other not displease A space belowe to bayt both Bull and Beare For Players too great roume and place at will And in the same a Cocke pit wondrous feare Besides where men may wrastle in their fill A ground most apt and they that sits aboue At once in vewe all this may see for loue At Astons Play who had beheld this then Might well haue seene there twentie thousand men Fayre Seuarne streame runs round about this ground Saue that one side is closde with Shrewsebrie wall And Seuarne bankes whose beautie doth abound In that same Soyle behold at will ye shall Who comes to marke and note what may be seene Shall surely see great pleasures on this greene Who walkes the bankes and thinkes his payne not greate Shall say the Towne is sure a princely Seate Without the walles as Subbarbs buylded bée So doe they stand as armes and legges to Towne Each one a streate doth answer in degrée And by some part comes Seuarne running downe As though that streame had mynd to garde them all And as through bridge this flood doth dayly fall So of Freestone three Bridges bigge there are All stately built a thing full straunge and rare Then iudge by this and other things a heape They had déepe skill that first the founders were Good right they should the fruite of labour reape Whose wit and wealth did all the charges beare O fathers wise and wits beyond the nicke That had the head the spréetes and sence so quicke O golden age that car'de not what was spent So leaden daies did stand therewith content Gold were those yéeres that sparde such siluer pence And brazen world was that which hoorded all The leaden daies that we haue sauerd since Bytes to the bones and tasteth worse then gall What newe things now with franknesse well begun Can staine those déedes our fathers old haue done Great Townes they buylt great Churches reard likewise Which makes our fame to