Tide it walloweth up amain The cause may be as Polibius reports of the like at Cadys Wherein the windy air when it is deprived of his â—onted issues forcibly returneth shutting and stopping up the paâ—sages and veins of the Spring whereby the waters are kept in But contrariwise when the surface thereof is void and empty of water the veins of the Source or Spring are unstopped and set free which then boileth up in great abundance 8 And upon the same Shoar more North and by West on the top of an Hill called Minyd-Margaâ— is erected a Monument inscribed with a strange Character and as strange a conceit held thereof by the by-dwellers whose opinions are possessed that if any man read the same he shall shortly after die This Shire as it is the furthest Coast of South-Wales and lay open to forrain Invasion so was it fortified with twenty five stronger Castles whereof times and storms have devoured the most such were Barry Saint Dâ—neits Denispowis Morlashe Meneshe Loghâ—r Llanddeny Llanquian Oxwich Oystermouth Ogmor Pile Porkery Pennarth Winston Newcastle Caersly Coche Peullyn Kethligarâ—â— Kenfeage Tallavan Treer and Cothy Neither was the County so ill seated for sufficiency of Life or barren of Grain but that therein were planted places for divine piety such were Neath Margan and Caerdif besides the Episcopal See of Landaf which last still remaineth the other three suppressed among the fall of their like under King Henry the eight This Shire is divided into ten Hundreds wherein are seated six Market-Towns and one hundred and eighteen Parish-Churches Mounmouth Shire MONMOUTH-SHIRE CHAPTER VIII MONMOUTH-SHIRE from Monmouth Town and that from Monnowe-water bearing name is altogether inclosed on the North and is separated from Hereford-shire with the same River upon the East both it and Wye divides this County from Glocester-shire The South-side is wholly waâ—hed by the Severne-Sea and some of her Weâ—t part by Rempney is parted from Glamorgan and the rest lyeth bordered upon by Brecknock shire 2 The form thereof is Scallop-wise both long and broad shooting her North point to Llantony and her South to the fall of Rempney betwixt which two are twenty four English miles and from Chepâ—tow East to Blanagwent West are not altogether nineteen miles the whole in circuit draweth somewhat neer to seventy seven miles 3 The Air is temperate healthful and clear the Soil is hilly woody and rich all places fruitful but no place barren The Hills are grased upon by Cattel and Sheep the Vallies are laden with Corn and Grass never ungrateful of the Husbandmans pains nor makes frustrate his hope of expected increase whose Springs abundantly risâ—ng in this County with many Streams do fatten the Soil even from side to side 4 Anciently the Silures inhabited this Shire whose chief City by the Emperour Antonine is named Venta Silurum by the Welsh-Caerâ—â—ent and was by Tathaie the British Saint made an Academy and a divine place for Worship So likewise Caer-lion now once Isâ—a was where the second Roman Legion called Augusta lay as by their Coins Altars Tables and Inscriptions there found and daily therein digged up doth evidently appear By the report of Giraldm in this City was the Court of great Arthur whither the Roman Embassadors resorted unto him and as Alexander Elsebiensis writeth therein was a School of two hundred Philosophers skilful in Astronomy and other Arts. Which is the more credible for that Amphibalus S. Albant Instructer was therein born and Iulius and Aaron two noble Proto-Martyrs of great Britain in this City received the Crown of Martyrdom where their Bodies were also interred But as all things find their fatal period so this City for beauty circuit and magnifical respect is laid in the ruines of her own decay neither may any more lament the loss of glory than Monmouths Castle which Captive-like doth yield to conquering Time Her down-cast Stones from those lofty Turrets do shew what beauty once it bare standing mounted round in compass and within her Walls another Mount whereon a Tower of great height and strength is built which was the birth place of our Conquering Henry the great Triumpher over France but now decayed and from a Princely Castle is become no better than a regardless Cottage In this Town a beautiful Church built with three Isles is remaining and at the East-end a most curiously built but now decayed Church stands called the Monks Church In the Monastery whereof our great Antiquary Geoffery surnamed Monmouth and ap Artâ—ur wrote his History of Great Britain whose pains as they were both learned and great so have they bred great pains among the learned both to defend and to disprove The Towns situation is pleasant and good seated betwixt the Rivers Monnow and Wye three Gates yet stand besides that Tower or Lock of the Bridge and a Trench or Tract of Wall running betwixt them on each side down to the River containing in circuit about eight hundred paces The Town is in good repair and well frequented governed by a Mayor two Bailiffs fifteen Common-Coâ—â—ellors a Town-Clerk and two Sergeants for their Attendance It is in Latitude removed from the Equator 52 degrees and 8 minutes and from the West point of Longitude is set in the degree 17 36 minutes Religious Houses erected and suppressed in this Shire for greatest account have been in Caerlion Chepstow Gold-cliff Monmouth and Llantony which last stood so solitary and among Hills that the Sun was not seen to shine there but only betwixt the hours of one and three This Shire is strengthned with fourteen Castles traded with six Market-Towns divided into six Hundreds wherein are situated one hundred twenty and seven Parish-Churches and is not accounted among the Welsh-shires being subdued by Henry the Second who passing the Nant-Peâ—-carne a small Brook and of no danger yet held fatal by the Welsh over credulous to a Prophecy of Merlyn Sylvester the British Apollo who had fore-shewed that when a stout and freckled fac'd King such as Henry was should pass over that Ford then the power of the Welshmen should be brought under whereby their stout courage was soon abated and the whole County the sooner in subjection to the English Montgomerie Merionidh Shires MOUNTGOMERY-SHIRE CHAPTER IX MOUNTGOMERY-SHIRE in the British speech called Siretrefaldwin and that of the principal Town Mountgomery lyeth bounded upon the North with Denbigh-shire upon the East with Shrop-shire on the South with Radnor and Cardigan-shires and on the West with Merioneth shire 2 In form it somewhat resembleth a Pear or Pine-apple as it were growing out of the West and rising thence with many high Hills and plentiful Springs which water and make fruitful the Soil every where whose searching rills with a longing desire haste ever forward to find an increase and to augment their growth into a bigger body whereof the Severne is the chief and the second River in the Land whose Head rising from the spired Mountain Plynillimon runneth not far without
Archiepiscopal Seats grounding his conjecture on the saying of Pope Lucius who affirmeth that the Ecclesiastical Iurisdictions of the Christians accorded with the precincts of the Roman Magistrates and that their Archbâ—shops had their Sees in those Cities wherein their Presidents abode so that the ancient Seats of the three Archbâ—shops here being London in the East Câ—erleon in the West and York in the North Londons Diocess as seemeth made Britain prima Caerleon Britain secunda and York Maxima Caesariâ—nsis 15 But in the next age when the power of their Presidents began to grow over great they again divided Britain into five parts adding to the three former Valentia and â—lavia Caesariensis the first of which two seemeth to have been the Northerly part of Maxima Caesariensis recovered from the Picts and Scots by Theodoâ—lus the General under Valence the Emperour and in honour of him named Valeâ—tia and Flavia may be conjectured to receive the name from Flavius the Emperour son of Theâ—dâ—sius for that we read not of the name Britain â—lavia before his time 16 So these five partitions had their limits assigned after this manner Britaine prima contained those coasts that lay betwixt Thamesis the Severne and the British Sea Britaine Secunda extended from Severne unto the Irish Seas containing the Countrey that we now call Wales Flavia Caesariensis was that which lay betwixt the Rivers Humber and Tyne and Valentia from the said River and Picts wall reached unto the Rampire near Edenburgh in Scotland the farthest part that the Romans possessed when this division was in use For the several people inhabiting all those parts with their ancient Names and Borders whether designed by the Romans or the old Britains together with our modern Names and Shires answerable to each of them we will refer you to the Tables thereof elsewhere 17 This whole Province of Britain as in our History shall appear was highly esteemed of the Emperours themselves assuming as a glorious surname Britannicus coming thither in person over those dangerous and scarce known Seas here marrying living and dying enacting here Laws for the whole Empire and giving to those Captains that served here many ensigns of great honour yea Claudius gave Plantius the first Prefect of that Province the right hand as he accompanied him in his Triumph and his own Triumph of Britain was set out with such magnificence that the Provinces brought in golden Crowes of great weight the Governours commanded to attend and the very Captains permitted to be present at the same A Naval Coronet was fixed upon a Pinnacle of his Palace Arches and Trophies were raised in Rome and himself on his aged knees mounted the staires into the Capitol supported by his two sons in Law so great a joy conceived he in himself for the Conquest of some small portion of Britain 18 Now the Romans found it held it and left it as times ripened and rottened their success with the Names the Inhabitants Manners and Resisters I leave to be pursued in the following Histories and will only now shew thee these three Kingdoms that are in present the chief Bodies of Great Britains Monarchy two of which Scotland and Ireland shall in their due places have their farther and more particular Descriptions THE KINGDOME OF ENGLAND ENGLANDS General Description CHAPTER II. THE Saxons glory now near to expire by his appointment who holdeth both times and Kingdoms in his all-ordering hand their own Swords being the Instruments and the Danâ—s the mauls that beat their beautiful Diadem into pieces the Normans a stirring Nation neither expected nor much feared under the leading of William their Duke and encouragement of the Roman Bishop an usual promoter of broken titles made hither suddenly into England who in one only battel with the title of his sword and slaughter of Harold set the imperial Crown thereof upon his own head which no sooner was done but the English went down and the Normans lording it became Owners of those Cities which themselves never built possessed those Vineyards which they never planted drunk of those Wells which they never had digged and inhabited those Houses filled with riches for which they never had laboured for they found it to be as the land whereupon the Lord set his eye even from the beginning to the end of the year not only drinking water of the rain of Heaven but having also rivers of waters and fountains in her valleys and without all scarcitie whose stones are Iron and out of whose mountains is digged brass This made them more resolute at first to settle themselves in this fairest and fruitfullest part of the Island the conquerour using all policy both Martial and Civil to plant his posterity here for ever How he found the Land governed we shewed in the Heptarchy but his restless thoughts were not contented with conquering the Nation and their Land unless he also overcame their very Customes Laws and Language 2 Touching the distribution of the Kingdome whereas other Kings before him made use of it chiefly for the good of the people and better ministring of Iustice he made use of it to know the wealth of his Subjects and to enrich his Coffers for he caused a description to be made of all England â—ow much land every one of his Barons possessed how many Knights fees how many Plow-lands how many in villanage how many heads of beasts yea how much ready money every man from the greatest to the â—ast did possess and what rents might be made of every mans possession the Book of which inquisition yet in the Exchequer was called Doomesday for the generality of that Iudgment on all the Land Whereunto we may add his other distribution of this Land worse than any former when thrusting the English out of their possessions â—e distributed their inheritances to his Souldiers yet so that all should be held of the King as of the only true Lord and possessor 3 For the Laws by which he meant to govern he held one excellent rule and purpose which was that a people ought â—to be ruled by Laws written and certain for otherwise new Iudges would still bring new Iudgments and therefore he caused twelve to be chosen out of every County which should on their oath without inclining one way or other neither adding nor deâ—racting open unto him all their ancient Laws and Customes By whose relation understanding that three sorts of Laws formerly were in the Land Merchelenage West-Saxonlage Dane-lage he had preferred these last himâ—elf and people being anciently derived from those Northern people had not all the Barons bewayling to the King how grievous it was for a Land to be judged by those Laws which they understood not altered his resolute purpose yet in bringing in the strange â—orms of Norman Processe and pleading in the French tongue which continued till Edward the thirds time that grievance was buâ— slendâ—rly prevented So likewise did he much alter the old Courts of Iustice where these Laws shouâ—d
since over-shadowed by the height of Beckets Tomb that for glory wealth and superstitious worships equalized the Pyramides of Egypt or the Oracle of Delphos yet now with Dagon is fallen before the Ark of God This City hath been honoured with the presence and Coronations of King Iohn and Queen Isabel his wife with the marriages of King Henry the third and of King Edward the first and with the interments of Edward the Black Prince King Henry the fourth and of Queen Ioan his wife as Feversham is with the burials of King Stephen and of Maud his Queen and wife But as in glory so in adversity hath this City born a part being divers times afflicted by the Danes but most especially in the dayes of Ethelred who in that revenge of their massacre made havock of all and herein slew forty three thousand and two hundred persons the tenth besides reserved to live Afterward it recovered breath and beauty by the liberality of Bishop Lanford Characters and priviledges by King Henry the third strength in Trench and Fortifications from King Richard the second and lastly Walls for her defence by Simon Sudbury Arch-bishop of that See whose Graduation is placed for Latitude 51. 25 and parallelized for Longitude 22. 8 her sister Rochester differing not much in either degree 9 Which City as Beda saith was built by one Rof Lord of the same though some ascribe the foundation of the Castle to Iulius Câ—sar and hath been often ruinated by the injuries of war both in the times when the Saxons strove for superiority among themselves wherein this City was laid waste Anno 680. as also in the assaults of their common enemy the Danes who about the year 884. from France sailed up the River Medway and besieged the same so that had not King Elfred speedily come to the rescue it had been overthrown by those Pagans And again in Anno 999. the Dâ—nes miserably spoiled this City in the time of King Ethelred neither haâ—n it stood safe from danger since though not defaced so much by war for twice hath it been sore endamaged by chance of fire the first was in the Reign of King Henry the first Anno 1130. himself being present with most of his Nobility for the consecration of the Cathedral Church of S. Andrew And again almost wholly consumed about the latter end of the Reign of King Henry the second Anno 1177. Yet after all these calamities it recovered some strength again by the bounty of King Henry the third both in buildings and in ditching her about for defence 10 Civil broyls and dissentions hath this County been burdened with and that not only under the Saxons and Danes whose desolations were many and grievous but also by other rebellions since the Normans Conquest both in those infamous insurrections called The Barons Wars in the reign of King Henry the Third wherein much harm was done as also under King Richard the Second when Wat Tyler Captain of a dreadful commotion assembled at Black-heath Mile-end and in London doing many outrages where in Smithfield he was lastly struck down by William VVallworth then Mayor of the City and worthily slain for his notorious treasons Again upon Black-heath Michael Ioseph the Lord Dawbeney with their Cornish Rebels were overthrown by King Henry the Seventh Anno 1497. 11 Kent in the time of Iulius Caesar was governed by four several Kings Under Vortigern the Britain by a Lieutenant called Guoronge from whom the said King gave it to Hengist the Saxon in favour of his Daughter Howen who seeking to make himself absolute King thereof eight years after his first entrance fought a victorious battel against the Britains near unto Crayford and thenceforth accounted that Province his own Yet afterward Vortimer the valiant Britain gave him battel at Aylesford in the which both Horsa and Catigern brethren to both the Generals were slain and the Saxons driven into the Isle of Thanet their first assigned habitation not daring to enter the Continent so long as Vortimer lived Catigern was interred upon that plain where to this day remaineth his Monument being 4 stones pitched in manner of the Stonehenge and is vulgarly called Citscotehouse The like Monument was of Horsa at Horsted which stormes and time have now devoured Hengist made this Province a Kingdom for himself and successors which name and power it retained the space of three hundred and twenty years when Egbert King of the West-Saxons subdued and joyned it to his own in which subjection it stood untill the time of the Normans Then it was given under the title of an Earldom by the Conquerour unto Otha Bishop of Bayeux his half brother whose successors in that dignity were those most honourable families whose Arms and Names within this plot are blazed and expressed It is divided principally into five Lathes subdivided into 66 hundreds and them again into 398 Parishes and wherein had been seated twenty three Religious Houses SUSSEX SUSSEX CHAPTER IV. SOUTH-SEX a word compounded of the site thereof Southward lieth stretched along the British Seas The North confronts upon Surrey and Kent and the West butteth upon Hampshire 2 For form it lieth long and narrow so that all her Rapes do run quite through the Shire and containeth from Westharting in the West to Kent ditch that divides it from Kent in the East sixty four miles but in the broadest part little above twenty the whole circumference about one hundred fifty eight miles 3 The Air is good though somewhat clouded with mists which arise forth of her South bordering Sea who is very prodigal unto her for Fish and Sea-fowl though as sparing for Harbours or Ships arrivage and those which she hath as uncertain for continuance as dangerous for entrance 4 Rich is the Soil and yieldeth great plenty of all things necessary but very ill for travellers especially in the winter the Land lying low and the ways very deep whose middle tract is garnished with Meadows Pastures and Corn fields the Sea-coast with Hills which are called the Downs abundantly yielding both Grain and Grass and the North side over shadowed with pleasant Groves and thick Woods where sometimes stood the famous wood Andradswald containing no less than an hundred and twenty miles in length and thirty in breadth taking the name of Andexida a City adjoyning both which were won from the Britains by Ella the first Saxon King of this Province and the place made fatal to Sigebert King of the VVest-Saxens who being deposed from his Royal throne was met in this Wood by a Swine-herd and slain in revenge of his Lord whom Sigebert had nurdered 5 The ancient people in the Romans time were the Râ—gni of whom we have spoken and who were subdued by Vespasian the Leader of the second Legion under Aulus Plautius Lieutenant in Britain for Claudius the Emperour But after the departure of the Romans this with Surrey was made the South â—axons Kingâ—ome yet that giving place to the VVest-Saxons as they
princely Houses inheritable to the English Crown are â—eated in this Shire which are Enfield Hanworth White-hall S. Iames and Hampton-Court a City rather in shew than the Palace of a Prince and for stately Port and gorgeous building not inferiour to any in Europe At Thistleworth once stood the Palace of King Richard of the Romans Earl of Cornwall which the Londoners in a tumultuous broile burned to the ground many other stately Houses of our English Nobility Knights and Centlemen as also of the Worshipful Citizens of London are in this Shire so sumptuously built and pleasantly seated as the like in the like circuit are no where else to be found Near unto Thamesis entrance into this County is kept the remembrance of Caesars entrance over Thamesis by the name of Coway-stakes stuck fast in the bottom to impeach his designs and further at Stanes a Maire-stone once stood for a mark of Iurisdiction that London had so far upon Thameâ—is 7 Which City is more ancient than any true Record beareth fabuled from Brute Troynovant from Lud Ludstone But by more credible Writers Tacitus Ptolomy and Antonine Londinium by Ammianus Marcellinus for her successive prosperity Augustâ— the great title that can be given to any by Britains Londayn by Strangers Londra and by us London This City doth shew as the Cedars among other Trees being the seat of the British Kings the Chamber of the English the model of the Land and the Mart of the World for thither are brought the silk of Asia the Spices from Africa the Balms from Grecia and the riches of both the Indies East and West no City standing so long in fame nor any for divine and politick government may with her be compared Her walls were first set by great Constantine the first Christian Emperour at the suit of his Mother Queen Helen reared with rough Stone and British Brick three English miles in compass thorow which are now made seven most fair gates besides three other passages for entrance Along the Thameâ—is this wall at first ranged and with two gates openedâ— the one Doure-gate now Dowgate and the other Billingsgate a receptacle for Ships In the midst of this wall was set a mile-mark as the like was in Rome from whence were measured their stations for carriage or otherwise the same as yet standeth and hath been long known by the name of London Stone Upon the East of this City the Church of S. Peters is thought to be the Cathedral of Restitutâ—â— the Christians Bishops See who lived in the reign of great Constantine but since St. Pauls in the West part from the Temple of Diana assumed that dignity whose greatness doth exceed any other at this day and spires so high that twice it hath been consumed by lightning from heaven Besides this Cathedral God is honoured in one hundred twenty one Churches more in this City that is ninety six within the walls sixteen without but within the Liberties and nine more in her Suburbs and in Fitz Stephens time thirteen Convents of relgious Orders It is divided into 26 Wards governed by so many grave Aldermen a Lord Major and two Sheriffs the yearly choice whereof was granted them by Patent from King Iohn in whose time also a Bridge of stone was made over Thames upon nineteen Arches for length breadth beauty and building the like again not found in the World 8 This London as it were disdaining bondage hath set her self on each side far without the walls and hath leâ—t her West gate in the midst from whence with continual buildings still affecting greatness she hath continued her streets unto a Kings Palace and joyned a second City to her self famous for the Seat and Sepulchre of our Kings and for the Gates of Iustice that termly there are opened only once a Bishops See whose title died with the man No walls are set about this City and those of London are left to shew rather what it was than what it is Whose Citizens as the Lacedemonians did do impute their strength in their men and not in their walls how strong soever Or else for their multitude cannot be circulated but as another Ierusalem is inhabited without walls as Zachary said The wealth of this City as Isa once speak of Nilus grows from the Revenues and Harvest of her South bounding Thames whose trafique for merchandizing is like that of Tyrus whereof Ezekiel speaks and stands in abundance of Silver Iron Tinn and Lead c. And for London her channel is navigable straitned along with meadowing borders until she taketh her full liberty in the German Seas Upon this Thamesis the Ships of Tharsis seem to ride and the Navy that rightly is termed the Lady of the Sea spreads her sail Whence twice with lucky success hath been accomplished the compassing of the universal Globe This River Câ—nutus laying siege against London sought by digging to divert and before him the Danes had done great harmes in the City yet was their State recovered by King Elfred and the River kept her old course notwithstanding that cost In the times of the Normans some civil broyles have been attempted in this City as in the days of King Iohn whereinto his Barons entred and the Tower yielded unto Lewis And again Waâ— Tyleâ— herein committed outragioâ—s cruelties but was worthily struck down by the Major and stain in Smithfield This Cities graduation for Latitude is the degree 51 45 minutes and in Longitude 20 degrees 29 minutes 9 In this County at Barnet upon Easter-day a bloudy battel was fought betwixt Henry the sixt and Edward the fourth wherein was slain one Marquess one Earl three Lords and with them ten thousand Englishmen 10 The division of this Shire is into seven hundreds wherein are seated two Cities four Market-Towns and seventy three Parish Churches besides them in London where in the Church of Gray-â—ryâ—rs now called Christ-Chuâ—ch three Queens lye interred which were Queen Margaret the D. of Phil. the hardy King of France second wife to King Edward the first the second was Queen Isabel wife to King Edward the second and D. to Philip the fair King of France and the third was Queen Ioan their daughter married to David King of Scotland ESSEX COUNTY ESSEX CHAPTER XV. ESSEX by the Normans Excessa and by the vulgar Essex is a County large in compass very populous and nothing inferiour to the best of the Land 2 The Form thereof is somewhat circular excepting the East part which shooteth her self with many Promontories into the Sea and from Horsey Island to Haidon in the West the broadest part of the Shire are they by measure forty miles and the length from East Ham upon Thamesis in the South to Sturmere upon the River Stow in the North are thirty five miles the whole in circumference one hundred forty six miles 3 It lyeth bounded upon the North with Suffolk and Cambridge-Shires upon the West with Hertford and Middlesex upon the South by Thamesis is parted from
which last was built with great cost by Richaâ—d Earl of Cornwall King of the Romans wherein himself and his Dutchesse was interred Their Son Earl Edmund brought out of Germany the bloud of Hales supposed and said to be part of that whicâ— Christ shed upon his Cross. In this place with great confluence and devotions of Pilgrimage it was sought and worshiped till time proved it a meer counterfeit when the glorious light of the Gospel revealed to eye-sight such gross Idolatries and the skirts of Superstition were were turned up to the shew of her ownâ—shame 12 Dukes and Earls that have born the title of Glocester the first of every Family are by their Arms and Names expressed ever fatal to their Dukes though the greatest in bloud and birth The first was Thomas VVoodstock son to King Edward the third who in Callis was â—mothered in a Feather-bed to death The second was Humfrey brother to King Henry the fifth by the fraudulent practice of the malignant Cardinal and Queen made away at S. Edmundsbury And the last was Richard brother to King Edward the fourth who by the just hand of God was cut off in battle by King Henry the Second 13 This Shires division is principally into four parts subdivided into thirty Hundreds and thâ—m again into two hundred and eight Parish-Churcâ—es Hereford SHIRE HEREFORD-SHIRE CHAPTER XXIV HEREFORD-SHIRE formerly accounted within the limits of Wales lyeth circulated upon the North with Worcester and Shrop-shires upon the East with Malvern Hills is parted from Glocester-shire upon the South is kept in with Monmouth-shire and upon the West in part with the Haiterall Hills is divided from Brecknock and the rest confined with Radnor-shire 2 This Counties climate is most healthful and temperate and Soyl so fertile for Corn and Cattle that no place in England yieldeth more or better conditioned sweet Rivers ruâ—ning as veins in the body do make the Corn-bearing grounds in some of her parts rightly to be termed the Golden Vale and for Waters Wool and Wheat doth contend with Nilus Colchos and Egypt such are Leâ—ster Irchenfield the banks of Wye Luge and Frome 3 The ancient people known to the Romans whose power they well felt before they could subdue them were the Silures placed by Ptolomy in this Tract and branched further into Radnor Breckâ—ock Monmouth and Glamorgan shires at this day by us called Southâ—wales and by the Welsh Deheubarth Their Original as Tacitus conjectureth by their site coloured countenances and curled hair was out of Spain and both as he and Pliny describes them were fierce valiant and impatient of servitude which well they shewed under Caratacus their Captain and nine years scourge to the Roman assaulters for whose only conquest and that made by treachery the Victor in Rome triumphed with more than a usual Aspect and with so equal an hand bare the Scoale of Resistance that their own Writers evermore term it a dangeâ—ous War For the Legion of Marius Valence they put to â—light and that with such havock of the Associates that Asterius the Lievtenant of Britain for very grief gave up the ghost and Veranius under Nero assaulted them in vain But when Vâ—spasian was Emperour and expert Souldiers imployed in every Province Iulius Frontinus subdued these Silures unto the Romans where continually some of their Legions afterward kept till all was abandoned in Valentinians â—ime 4 The Saxons then made themselves Lords of this Land and this Province a part of their Mercians Kingdom yea and Sutton the Court of great Offa their King 5 But Hereford after raised of the ruines of the old Ariconium now Kencâ—ester shaken in pieces by a violent earthquake grew to great fame thorow a conceived sanctity by the burial of Etâ—elbert King of the East-Angles slain at Sutton by Offa at what time he came thither to have espoused his Daughter whose grave was first made at Merden but afterwards câ—nonized and removed to this City when in honour of him was built the Cathedral Church by Milfrid a petty King of that County which Gruffith Prince of South-Wales and Algar an Englishâ—â—an rebelling against Edward Confessor consumed with fire but by Bishop Remelâ—n was restored as now it is at what time the Town was walled and iâ— so remaining in good repair having six gates for entrance and fifteen Watch-Towers for defence extending in compass to fifteen hundred paces and whence the North Pole is observed to be raised 52 degrees 27 minutes in Latitude and is set from the first point of the West in Longitude 17 degrees and 30 minutes being yearly governed by a Mayor chosen out of one and thirty Citizens which are commonly called the Election and he ever after is known for an Alderman and clothed in Scarlet whereof four of the eldest are Iustices of Peace graced with a Sword-bearer a Recorder a Town-Clerk and four Sergeants with Mace The greatest glory that this City received was in King Athelstans days where as Malmesbury doth report he caused the Lords of â—ales by way of Tribute to pay yearly besides Hawkes and Hounds twenty pound of Gold and three hundred pound of Silver by weight but how that was performed and continued I find not 6 Things of rare note in this Shire are said to be Bone-well a Spring not faâ— from Richards Castle wherein are continually found little Fishes bones but not a â—in seen and being wholly cleansed thereof will notwithstanding have again the like whether naturally produced or in veins thither brought no man knoweth 7 But more admirable was the work of the Omnipotent even in our own remembrances and year of Christ â—esus 1571 when the Marcley Hill in the East of this Shire rouzed it self out of a dead sleep with a roaring noise removed from the place where it stood and for three days together travelled from her first â—ite to the great amazement and fear of the beholders It began to journey upon the seventh day of February being sunday at six of the Clock at night and by seven in the next morning had gone forty paces carrying with it Sheep in their coats hedge-rows and trees whereof some were overturned and some that stood upon the plain are firmly growing upon the hill those that were East were turned West and those in the West were set in the East in which remove it overthrew â—â—â—â—aston-Chappel and turned two high-ways near an hundred yards from their usual paths formerly trod The ground thus travelling was about twenty six Acres which opening it self with Rocks and all bare the earth before it for four hundred yards space without any stay leaving that which was Pasturage in place of the Tillage and the Tillage overspread with Paâ—turage Lastly overwhelming her lower parts mounted to an hill of twelve fathoms high and there rested her self after three days travel remaining his mark that so laid hand upon this Rock whose power â—ath poysed the Hills in his Ballance 8 Religious Houses built by the devotions of Princes and
shiâ—e Dudley in Stafford-shire and Rochford in Herâ—ford-shire whither I must refer the Reader to find out these and the like in these Western Tracts 8 Religious places erected in this Shire and devoted unto God by devout persons were Breden Brodlege Evesholme Alâ—ecester Cochel Eladbury Malverin Pershore Stodlâ—ge Westwoods and Worcester plenteously provided for and further secured by many priviledges both which they abused as were the Inditements of all such in the days of King Henry the eight at whose Bar himself being Iudge they were found guilty and received sentence of their ends and destâ—uction 9 Castles for defence built in this County â—uinate or in strength were Hartlebâ—ry Holt Haâ—dley Norton Elmely and Worcester besides his Majesties Mannour of Tichnel 10 This Shires diviâ—ion is into seven Hundreds wherein are seated ten Market-Towns and one hundred fifty two Parish-Churches WARWICKE SHIRE VVARVVICK-SHIRE CHAPTER XXVI WARWICK-SHIRE so called from her Shire-Town is bounded upon the North with the County of Stafford upon the East with Watling-street-way is parted from Leicester-shire and the rest bordered upon by Nortâ—ampton-â—hire the South part is butted by Oxford and Glocester-shires and all her West with the County of Worcesâ—er 2 The Form thereof is not much unlike to a Scallop-shell growing from her Western-head and sprâ—ading her body wider with many indents The length thereof from Newton in the North to Long-Compton in the South are miles thirty and three and the broadest part of this Shire is from Hâ—wellgrange in the West unto Hill-morton in the East distant assunder twenty five miles the whole in circumference aboâ—t one hundred thiâ—ty and five miles 3 This Shire is seated near unto the heart of all England and therefore participates with her in the best both for Air and soyl wanting nothing for profit or pleasure for man The South part from Avon that runneth thorow the midst of this County is called the Feldon as more champion and tractable to be stirred for Corn which yearly yieldeth such plenty of harvest that the Husbâ—ndman smileth in beholding his pains and the meadowing pastures with their green mantles so imbroydred with â—lowers that from Edg-hill we may behold another Eden as Lot did the Plain of Ioâ—dan before that Sodom fell The Woodland lyeth upon the North of Avon so called in regard of the plenty of Woods which now are much thinner by the making of Iron and the soyl more churlish to yield to the Plough 4 The ancient people that poâ—sessed this Province are by Ptolomies description called the Cornavii wherein after were seated the Mercian Saxons a part of whose Kingdom it was and greatâ—y sought after by the West Saxons whose King Cutâ—red about the year of Châ—ist Iesus 749 in Battel â—ew Ethelbald at Sekington neer unto Tamworth And not far from thence King Edward the 4 aâ— unfortunatelâ— fought agaiâ—st that â—tout make-King Richard Nevil Earl of Warwiâ—k near unto which upon Blacklow hill Pierce Gaveston that proud and new-raised Earl of Cornwall was beheaded by Guy Earl of VVarwick assisted with the Earls of Lancaster and Hereford And surely by the testimony of Iohn Rosse and others this County hath been better replenished with people who maketh complâ—int of whole Town-ships depopulations altogether laid waste by a puissant Army of feeding sheep 5 Notwithstanding many fair Towns it hath and some of them matchable to the most of England The chief thereof is Coventree a City both stately for building and walled for defence whose Citizens having highly offended their â—irst Lord Leofrikâ— had their priviledges infringed and themselves oppressed with many heavy Tributes whose wife Lady Godiva pitying their estates uncessantly sâ—ed for their peace and that with such importunacy as hardly could be said whether was greater his hatred or her love at last overcome with her continual intercessions he granted her suit upon an uneivil and as he thought an unacceptable condition which was that she should ride naked thorow the face of the City and that openly at high noon day This notwithstanding she thankfully accepted and performed the Act accordingly enjoyned for this Lady Godiva stripping her self of all rich attire let loose the tresses of her fair hair which on every side so covered â—er nakedness that no part of her body was uncivil to sight whereby she redeemed her former freedoms and remissions of such heavy Tributes Whose memory I wish may remain honourable in that City for â—ver and her pity followed by sâ—ch posâ—essing Ladies This City had grant to choose their yearly Magistrates a Mayor and two Bayliffs and to build about and â—mbattle a wall by King Edward the 3 whom Heâ—ry the 6 corporated a County of it self and changed the names of their Bayliffs into Sheriffs and the walls then were built as they now stand thorow which open 13 gates for entrance besides 18 other Towers thereon for defence At Gofford-gate in the East hangeth the shield-bonâ— of a wild-Boare far bigger than the greatest Oxe-bone with whose sâ—out the great Pit called Swanswell was turned up and was â—â—ain by the famous Guy if we will believe report 6 Next unto this City in account and commerce is VVarwick upon the North west bank of Avon built by Gurgunstus the son of Beline as Iohn Rosse Monk of the place saith 375 years before the birth of Christ by Ninus called Caer-Guarvic and Caer Leon and by learned Cambden judged to be PRAESIDIUM the Roman Garrisons Town The situation of this place is most pleasant upon a hill riâ—ing from the River over which is a strong and fair Stone-bridge and her sharp stream upon the Town-side checked with a most sumptuous and stately Castle the decays whereof with great cost and curious buildings the right worthy Knight Sir Foulke Grevil in whose person shineth all true vertue and high Nobility hath repaired whose merits to me-ward I do acknowledge in setting this hand free from the daily imployments of a manual trade and giving it full liberty thus to express the inclination of my mind himself being the Procurer of my prâ—sent estate It seemeth this Town hath been walled about as appeareth by the Trench in some places seen and two very fair Gates whose passages are hewed out of the Rock as all other into the Town are over whom two beautiful Chappels are built that towards the East called S. Peters and that on the South-west S. Iames. Two fair Churches arâ— therein seated called S. Marries and S. Nicholas but these in and about the Town suppressed S. Lawrence S. Michaels Iohn Baptist and Iohn of Ierusaleâ— beside the Nâ—nnery in the North of the Town whose North Polâ— is elevated in Latitude 52 degrees 45 minutes and is seated from the first point in the West of Longitude 18 degrees and 45 minutes being yearly governed by a Bayliff twelve Brethren twenty four Burgesses for Common-Counsell a Recorder a Townclâ—rk and one Sergâ—ant their Attendant 7 Places of most memorable note observed in this Shire are Shugbury where the
many Horse-shooes nailed upon the Shire-Hall door some of large size and ancient fashion others new and of our present Nobility whose names are thereupon stamped as followeth Henry Hastings Roger Rutland Edward L. Russel Earl of Bedford Ralph L. Euwer of Parram Henry L. Bertley Henry L. Mordant William L. Compton Edward L. Dudley Henry L. Winsor George Earl of Cumberland Philip Earl of Montgomery L Willoughby P. L Whartâ—n The Lord Shandois Besides many others without names That such homage was his due the said Lord himself told me and at that iâ—stâ—nt a suit depended in Law against the Earl of Lincoln who refused to forfeit the penalâ—y or to pay his fine 6 Her ancient Inhabitant known to the Romans mentioned in Prolomy were the Coritani and by him branched thorow Leicester Lincoln Nottingham Darby-shire and this who with the Icenians were subdued by P. Ostorius under the yoke of Claudius the Roman Emperour and at their departure by conquest of the Saxons made it a Province unto their Mercian Kingdom whose fortunes likewise coming to a full period the Normans annexed it under their Crown 7 This County King Edward Confessor bequeathed by his Testament unto Queen Eadgith his wife and after her decease unto his Monastery at Westminster which William the Conquerour cancelled and made void bestowing the Lands upon others the Tithes and the Church unto those Monks That the Ferrars here first seated besides the credit of Writers the Horse-shooe whose badge then it was doth witness where in the Castle and now the Shire-Hall right over the â—eat of the Iudge a Horse-shooe of Iron curiously wrought containing five foot and a half in length and the breadth thereto proportionably is fixed The Castle hath been strong but now is decayed the Church fair end the Town spacious whose degree of Longitude is 19 46 scruples and the North-poles elevation in Latitude 53 degrees and 7 minutes 8 Let it not seem offensive that I to fill up this little Shire have inserted the seat of a Town not sited in this County for besides the conveniency of place the circuit and beauty but especially it being for a time an University did move much yea and the first in this Island if Iohn Hardings Author fail him not that will have Bladud to bring from Athens certain Philosophers whom here he seated and made publick profession of the Liberal Sciences where as he saith a great number of Scolars Studied the Arts and so continuing an University unto the coming of Augustine at which time the Bishop of Rome interdicted it for certain Heresies sprung up among the Britains and Saxons But most true it is that the Reign of King Edward the third upon debate falling betwixt the Southern and Northern Students at Oxford many School-men withdrew themselves hither and a while professed and named a Colledge according to one in Oxford Brazen-nose which retaineth that name unto this day This was so great a skar unto the other that when they were recalled by Proclamation to Oxford it was provided by Oath that no Student in Oxford should publickly profess or read in the Arts at Stanford to the prejudice of Oxford 9 As this Shire is the least in circuit so is it with the fewest Market-Towns replenished having onely two And from societies that feed upon the labours of others was this Land the freest for besides Rishal where Tibba the Falconers Goddess was worshiped for a Saint when Superstition had well neer put Gods true hononr out of place I find very few neither with more Castles strengthened than that at Okam whose ruines shew that a Castle hath been there Divided it is into five Hundreds and therein are planted forty eight Parish-Churches LEICESTER SHIRE LEICESTER-SHIRE CHAPTER XXX LEICESTERSHIRE lyeth bordered upon the North with Nottingham-shire upon the East with Lincoln and Rutland upon the South with Northampton-shire upon the West with Watling-street-way is parted from Warwick-shire the rest being bounded with the confines of Darby is a County Champion abounding in Corn but sparing of woods especially in the South and East parts which are supplyed with Pit-coals plenteously gotten in the North of this Province and with abundance of Cattle bred in the hills beyond the River Wrâ—ak which is nothing so well inhabited as the rest 2 The Air is gentle milde and temperate and giveth appetite both to labour and rest wholesome it is and draweth mans life to a long age and that much without sickness at Carleton onely some defect of pronunciation appeareth in their speech 3 The Soil thus consisting the Commodities are raised accordingly of Corn Cattle and Coals and in the Rocks near Bever are sometimes found the Astroites the Star-like precious Stone 4 The ancient people that inhabited this County were the Coritani who were spread further into other Shires but after that the Romans had left the Land to it self this with many more fell to be under the possession and government of the Mercians and their Kings from whom the English enjoyed it at this day 5 In Circular-wise almost the compass of this Shire is drawn indifferently spacious but not very thick of Inclosures being from East to West in the broadest part not fully 30 miles and from North to South but 24 the whole circumference about 196 miles whose principal City is set as the Center almost in the midst from whom the Pole is elevated 53 degrees and 4 minutes in Laritude and for Longitude 19 degrees 22 minutes 6 From this Town the Shire hath the name though the name of her self is diversly written as Legecestria Legara Legâ—o-cester by Ninius Caer-Lerion by Matthew of Westminster if we do not mistake him â—irall and now lastly Leicester ancient enough if King Leir was her builder eight hundred and forty and four years before the birth of our Saviour wherein he placed a Flamine to serve in the Temple of Ianus by himself there erected and where he was buried if Ieffery ap Arthur say true but now certain it is that Ethelred the Mercian Monarch made it an Episcopal See in the year of Christ Iesus 680 wherein Sexwulâ—â— of his elâ—ction became the first Bishop which shortly after was thence translated and therewith the beauty of the Town began to decay upon whole desolations that erectifying Lady Edelfled cast her eyes of compassion and both re-edified the buildings and compassed it about with a strong wall where in short time the Cities Trade so increased that Matthew Paris in his lesser Storâ— reporteth as followeth Lege-cester saith he is a right wealthy City and notably defeâ—ded and had the wall a sure foundation were inferiour to no City whatsoever But this pride of prosperity long lasted not under the Normans for it was sore oppressed with a world of Calamities when Robert Bossu the Crouch-back Earl of that Province rebelled against his Soveâ—aign Lord King Henry the second whereof hear the same Author Paris speak Through the obstinaâ—e stubbornness of Earl Robert saith he
this name whether from Vignina an ancient King thereof or from our Virgin Queen Elizabeth the other parts being since distinguished by the names of New-England New-York and Mary-Land After the more perfect discovery of these parts which is said to have been first encouraged and promoted by Sir Walter Raleigh by several worthy Adventurers as first Captain Philip Amidas and Captain Arthur Barlow Anno 1584. Sir Richard Greenvil 1585. Mr. Iohn White 1587 and 1589. Captain Gosnol 1602 Captain Martin Pring 1603 set out by the City of Bristol Captain George Weymouth 1605 set out by the Lord Arundel of Warder at last iâ— the year 1606 some footing being got for all the forementioned voyages had prov'd succesless those that went over with Captain Newport carrying with them a commission from King Iames for the establishing a Counsel to direct those new discoveries landed on the 19th of December at a place afterwards called Cape Henry at the mouth of Chesapeac-Bay and immediately opened their Orders by which eight of the Counsel were declared with power to choose a President to govern for a year together with the Counsel The next year Letters Patents bearing date April the 10th were granted by the King to Sir Thomas Gates Sir George Summers and the rest of the Undertakers who were divers Knights Gentlemen and Merchants of London Bristol Exeter Plymouth anâ— other parts to make a double Colony for the more speedy Planting of the place the first Colony to be undertaken by those of London the other by those of Bristol Exeter Plymouth c. However it was not till in some years after that this Plantation came to be considerably peopled and that principally by the great care industry and activity in this affair of the Valiant Capt. Iohn Smith who in the year 1615 in the 12th of King Iames his Reign procured by his interest at Court his Majesties recommendatory Letters for the encouragement of a standing Lottery for the benefit of the Plantation which accordingly succeeded and in two or three years time turn'd to no bad account And perhaps the cancelling and making void of the Patent granted to the Corporation of the first Colony of Virginia and all other Patents by which the said Corporation or Company of Adventurers of Virginia held any interest there which was done in Trinity Term 1623 by reason of several misdemeanors and miscarriages objected against the said Corporation was an inlet of a far greater conflux into these parts than otherwise would have been by reason that this Corporation been dissolved and the Plantation governed be persons immediately appointed by commission from the King a greater freedom of Trade was opened to all his Majesties Subjects that would adventure into those parts The greatest disturbance the English received from the Natives was in the year 1622 when by a general insurrection of the Barbarians 300 of our men were massacred In the year 1631 being the 7th of the Reign of King Charles the First the most Nothernly part of this Countrey was parcell'd out into a particular Province and by Patent granted to the Lord Baltâ—more by the name of Maryland And in like manner in the 15th year of his present Majesty being the year of our Lord 1663 that part of Florida which lies South of Virginia to Edw. Earl of Clarendon then Lord High Chancellor of England George Duke of Albermarl William Earl of Craven Iohn Lord Berkley Anthony Lord Ashly now Earl of Shaftsbury Sir George Carteret Sir William Berkley and Sir Iohn Colleton by the name of Carolina as is specified more at large in the particular discourses of these two Countreys So that Virginia as it now stands with these two Provinces lopt from it for in Carolina also is included some part of the Land which belonged formerly to the dissolved Company of Virgina extends it self only between 36 and 37 degrees and 50 minutes of Northern latitude being bounded to the East by the Ocean to the North by Mary-land to the West by the South-Seas and to the South by Carolina The Air of Virginia is accounted of a temperature very wholsome and agreeable to English constitutions especially since by the cutâ—ng down of the Woods and the regulation of diet the seasonings have been abated only within the present limits of Virginia it is somewhat hotter in Summer than that part called Mary-Land and the seasoning was formerly more violent and dangerous here to the English at their first landing The Soil which is generally plain but sometimes diversified with variety of hill and dale is capable being very fertile of producing all things that naturally grow in these parts besides which there are of the proper growth of this Countrey a sort of Plant called Silk-grass of which is made a very fine Stuff of a silky gloss and cordage more strong and lasting than any of hemp or flax For fruits the Mettaquâ—sunanks something resembling the Indian Fig the Chechinquamins which come nearest to the Chesnut the Putchcamines a fruit somewhat like a Damsin Messamines a sort of Grape in shew Rawcomens the resemblance of a Gooseberry Morocoks not much unlike a Strawberry Macoquer a kind of Apple Ocoughtanamnis a berry much like Câ—pers For Roots Musquaspen with the juice whereof being a rich sort of paint they colour their Mars and Targets Wichsacan yielding a most excellent healing jâ—ice for wounds Pocones an emulgent of much efficacy for swellings and aches Tockawaugh frequently â—aten there is also a Plant called Matonna of which they make bread and Assament a sort of Pulse a great delicacy among the natives The Beasts peculiar to this Countrey are the Opassum a certain beast which carrieth and suckleth her young in a bag which she hath under her belly the Assapanic or flying Squirrel the Mussascus a musk-sented beast having the shape of a Water-rat the Aroughena a sort of Badger the Utchuâ—quâ—is somewhat like a wild Cat also a sort of beast called Roscones Of Fish the most peculiar is the Sâ—ringraise which is also common to this Countrey with New-England So many several Towns as were anciently among the natives so many distinct Nations there were all Monarchical except that of the Sesquahanocks all something differing in disposition customs and religious Ceremonies and most of all in language but all of them in general valiant well-set of a tawny complexion with black flaggy and long hair crafty and treacherous sufficiently laborious in the art of War which they used frequently to exercise among each other and wonderful lovers of hunting in other things most scandalously lazy and indulgent to their ease mean in their apparel homely in their diet and sluttish in their houses All Ships that come to Virginia and Mary-Land enter through the Bay of Chesapeac at whose opening to the South Virginia begins between those famous Capes Cape Henry and Cape Charles Into this Bay which runs up 75 Leagues Northward into the Coâ—ntrey and is in some places seven leagues broad there fall