Dorset and Wilt shires with the I le of Wight opposing his West The length of this County from Bascomb South to Blaâ—kwater North containeth 54. Miles the bredth from Petersfield East to Tedworth West about 29. or 30. Miles making about 155. the whole circumference It is diuided into 37. Hundreds wherein are contained 253. parish Churches It is watered with 4. Riuers ouer which for passage are 31. Bridges and it is commodiously furnished with faire Hauens for ships as at Southampton Portsmouth Tichfield and Hamble c. It is fortified with diuers strong Castles as at Southampton Calshot Hurst Saint Andrewes Porchester Worth and the South Castle with diuers other places of strength which are situate on the Sea coast for defence of the County Besides at Winchester Malwood and Odiam which are seated within Land Marker Townes for commerce are in this Shire 18. wherof the Citie of Winchester is the chiefe which by the Britans was called Caer Gwent by the Romans Venta Belgarum and the Saxons Windanearder it was built by Rudbudibras before our Sauiours natiuitie 900. yeares and after it had beene twice consumed by fire in the time of the Saxons was reedified the walls raised and made the chiefe seat of the West-Saxon Kings and the Metropolitane Sea of their Bishops wherein were crowned Egbert and Elfred and Henry 3. was borne In the time of King Edward 3. this Citie was made the staple for Cloth and Wooll and in the Cathedrall Church of this Citie haue diuers English Kings beene interred The situation of this City is in a bottome vnder hills very pleasant and fruitfull hauing the Castle on the one side and the Riuer on the other the walls which ingirt it containing neare two English Miles hauing 6. Gates for entrance and 7. Churches within it besides the Cathedrall but heretofore it hath beene adorned with many others which now remaine nothing but Ruines The graduation of this Citie for Latitude is 51. 5. and for Longitude 23. 10. The next to this in this Shire is the Towne of Southampton from which the whole Shire hath the name it is both beautifull and rich walled with a strong stone wall wherein are 7. gates and 29. Towers and two faire Hauens for ships 5. Churches and an Hospitall and on the West side of this Towne standeth a fairâ— strong double walled Castle vpon the Top of a very faire high hill making a most delightfull prospect both by Sea and Land The aire in this Shire is very temperate though sometimes somewhat foggy which proceeds from the Seas adioyning to it and the Riuers passing thorow it which notwithstanding doe store the Countrey with plentie of fish And for the soile it is both rich and pleasant producing plenty of Corne Cattell Woods and Pasture bountifully storing the Inhabitants with Woolls Cloths Iron and almost all kinde of profitable commodities both by Sea and Land HANT SHIRE Barke-shire THe English Saxons called this Shire Berrocscyre which on the North is diuided from Buckingham and Oxford-shires by the Riuer of Thames on the South it butteth on Hamp-shire the East is bounded with Surrey and the West with Wilt-shire and Glocester-shire The length from Inglesham West to old Windsor in the East being about 40. Miles and the bredth from Inkpen South to Wightham North 24. Miles maketh the compasse much vpon 120. Miles This County is parted in 20. Hundreds which containe in them 140. Parish Churches It is interlaced with 3. Riuers which for conuenient passage haue 7. Bridges 13. Market Townes are also dispersed in it for the commoditie commerce of the Inhabitants whereof Reading is the chiefe where the Danes An. 866. setled and fortified themselues But it was built by King Henry 1. who adorned it both with a faire Monasterie and strong Castle which the first Henry raised and the 2. Henry razed and turned to Ruines The Latitude here is 51. 31. degrees and Longitude 23. 34 In this Shire is seated that famous and stately Castle of Windsor which sometimes did belong to the Abbot of Westm till William the Conquerour by composition obtained it and made it his Regall Palace In it was borne King Edward 3 who afterwards held there as his prisoners Iohn King of France and Dauid King of Scots In this Castle is also celebrated the famous and memorable institution of that most honourable order of the Garter and in the Chappell thereof lie interred the bodies of K. Henry 6. Edward 4. and Henry 8. Wallingford Watham in the East and Sinodum in the North in this Shire were all places of residence for the Romans as appeareth by their moneys which very often are found in those places And Mr Stow writeth that at Finchamsted in the yeare of grace 1100. did a wonderfull spring boyle vp for the space of 15. dayes sending forth streames of bloud This County is adorned with many faire and stately buildings 6. faire Castles 3. of his Maiesties houses and in times past had diuers Religious houses and Monasteries at Aâ—â—â—gton Reading Bysham Bromhall Hernly Hamme and Wallingford The aire is pleasant temperate and wholsome the soyle bringing plenty of Corne and pasturage yeelding an abundance of increase especially in the Vale of Whâ—â—ehorse But generally the whole County both for profit and pleasure producing Corne and Cattell with woods waters and very delightfull prospects is inferiour for the quantitie to no other Shire in England BARKE SHIRE Surrey SVrrey was called by the Saxons Suthrea and by Beda Suthri It is bounded on the North with the Counties of Buckingham and Middlesex and diuided from them by the River of Thames Sussex and Hampshire inclose it on the South Kent on the East and Hampshire and Barkshire on the West This Shire is as it were square in forme yet the length extending from Frensham to Redrith containeth 34. miles and the bredth from Aufold Southward to the Thames by Stanes Northward is 22. miles which makes the Shires circuit about 112. miles It is diuided into 13. Hundreds which containe in them 140. Parish Churches and 8. Market Townes for traffique and commerce In this County is no Citie nor great Towne and yet may it compare with any for faire buildings and stately houses whereof 5. are his Maiesties magnificent Palaces Ptolemy affirmeth that in this County an ancient people called the Regni had their residence and after that Ella with the South-Saxons made it their Kingdome At Lambeth which was founded by Archbishop Baldwin and is now a Palace for the Archbishops of Canterburie and famous for being the seat of the Metropolitans of England Canutus died who was the last King of the Danes And at Kingston in this County were crowned King Athelstan Edwin and Ethelred And at the ancient Towne of Guildford whose Pole for Latitude is eleuated 51. 15. and Longitude 24.59 was seated the royall Palace of the English-Saxon Kings This Shire hath beene adorned with the foundations of many faire and rich Religious Houses as at
and is most pleasantly accommodated with Woods and Pasture GLOCESTER SHIRE Worcester-shire BY the English Saxons this County was written Wirceasderscyre which wee call Worcester shire which being inuerged on the East with Oxford and Warwicke-shires is on the West diuided from Herefordshire by Maluerne Hills the South is inuironed with Glocester-shire and the North with the County of Stafford It reacheth in length from Ridmerly South to Yardley North 32 miles and the bredth from Church Honyborne East to Tenbury West about 28. which maketh the whole circumference to amount much vpon 120 miles Into 7 Hundreds is this Shire diuided and those containe in them 152 Parish-Churches It hath but one Citie one Bishopricke but is pleasantly watered with foure faire Riuers as Auon Tame Salwarpe and Seuerne which passeth almost thorow the Center of the Shire and these may be passed ouer by 13 Bridges This Shire also is delighted with one Chase two Forests and 16 Parkes and for concourse and commerce is fitted with 10 Market Townes whereof the Citie of Worcester whence the County is so called is the chiefest which is a faire rich and populous Citie most delightfully situate on the East side of Seuerne being built somewhat like the whole Shire in a triangular forme The old Saxons called it Wireceasâ—er the Latines Vigornia and we Worcester It was founded as is supposed by the Romans to oppost the Britaines It is compassed with a wall which giues entrance thorow seuen gates and both for defence and ornament hath fiue Turrets This Citie hath diuers times tasted of diuers fortunes hauing beene sometimes almost quite consumed by fire and otherwise grieuously oppressed by enemies and yet is now againe become a famous and magnificent Citie which hath a faire Cathedrall Church first founded by Sexwolfe the Bishop in the yeere 680. wherein are interred the bodies of King Iohn that was poisoned by a Monke and Prince Arthur King Henry the Seuenths eldest sonne The gouernment of this Citie is orderly menaged by two Bailiffes two Aldermen two Chamberlaines and two Constables which being chosen out of 24 Burgesses are annually changed The Pole is here eleuated 52. 19. and the Longitude is 22. 17. The ancient Inhabitants of this County were the Cornauij who in Claudius Caesars time were ouercome by the Romans after whose departure it became part of the Mercian Saxon kingdome Vpton in this Shire in the Romans time was a place of Garrison for their Legions and to this day are many of their moneyes found there In this County haue many famous Religious Houses beene founded but by King Henry the Eighth were they rased downe like the rest and nothing now remaining for their memoriall but huge heaps of pitifull ruines And with diuers strong Castles also hath this County beene fortified whereof the most of them haue felt the heauy hand of fortune to suppresse them as low as their foundations were laid In a most temperate and pleasant aire is this Shire seated and for fertilitie of Soile may be accounted comparable to the best in the Land It is plentifully stored with all kinde of most necessary commodities yeelding abundance of Corne Cattell Woods and Pastures hauing the fields and hedges set full of Peare trees wherewith they make much Peâ—â—y Besides all which in this Prouince are many Salt Springs and diuers other profitable commodities which yeeld welcome gaine to the Inhabitants WORCESTER SHIRE Warwicke-shire WArwicke-shire is so called from the Shire-Towne now vulgarly named Warwicke but was â—â—armed by the Saxons Warringwicke as our euer famous Historian M. Camden records which he also iudgeth to haue beene the Romans Garrisons Towne By Ptolemy they were called the Cornauij wherein after were seated the Mercian Saxons It is enuironed with the County of Stafford on the North Watling-street and Northampton-shire on the East Oxford and Glocester-shires on the South and Worcester-shire on the West It is extended from Newton in the North to Long Compton in the South 33. miles and is spread in widenesse from Hewell Grange in the West to Hill Morton in the East 25 miles the whole circuit thereof being 135 miles It is diuided into fiue Hundreds viz. Hemlingford Couentry Knightlow Barklichway and Kington wherein are 158 Parish-Churches This Shire is interlaced with eight Riuers as Auon Anker Blyth Bourne Leame Sherburne Sowe and Tame being fitted with 29 Bridges It is traded with 16 Market Townes the chiefe whereof are Couentry and Warwicke Couentry being stately adorned with faire buildings well fortified with a Wall wherein are 13 Gates and 18 Towers by the grant of King Edward the Third whereby also they might elect a Maior and two Bailiffes but by King Henry the Sixth it was incorporated a County of it selfe and the names of Bailiffes turned into Sheriffes by which at this day it is gouerned At Goffard Gate in the East end of this Citie hangs the shield-bone of a wilde Boare slaine by Sir Guy of Warwicke as the report goes Warwicke is built vpon the North-East banke of Auon by Gurgustius the sonne of Belinus 375 yeeres before the birth of our Sauiour There is a very sumptuous Castle lately repaired by Sir Fulke Greuill and from the Towne ouer the Riuer is a very faire strong stone Bridge the passage into the Towne being hewed out of the Rocke It hath two faire Churches and is gouerned by a Bailiffe 12 Brethren and 24 Burgesses This Shire is beautified with many faire Edifices hauing had sometime 12 notable foundations of Religious Houses and Monasteries 20 Parks and one Chase The Riuer Auon hath on the North side the Woodland and on the South side the Feilden with the Vale of Red-Horse It is abundantly fruitfull producing plenty of Corne Wools and Wood with Mines of Iron and Cole At a place called Shugborow in this Shire is found the pretious stone â—storices At Offchurch is the Palace of the great Norman Commander Offa. At Lemington farre from the Sea is a Spring where Salt water continually boyles vp And at Newnham Regis is found a Well the water whereof is very medicinable for many diseases and turneth wood into stone At Guyes Cliffe neere Warwicke the famous Earle Guy after many worthy exploits atchieued lead an Hermites life vnknowne WARWICK SHIRE Northampton-shire THis Shire by the Saxons tearmed Northafendonscire and by vs Northampton-shire is long and narrow seated very neere the Center of England and is bounded on the East by Huntington-shire hauing the Riuer Nene to diuide them on the West by Warwicke and Watling-street the North is seuered from Lincolne-shire by the Riuer Weland and Oxford and Buckingham-shires inclose it on the South It containes in length from Cherwell to Weland Riuer neere Crowland 46 miles and at the broadest betweene the Riuers of Ouse and Auon neere 20 the whole circuit being about 119 miles Into 20 Hundreds is this Shire shared which containe in them 326 Parish Churches and with fiue Riuers is it watered which are passeable by 24 Bridges
Parkes in this County and but two Market Townes for commerce of commodities which causeth the Inhabitants for their better aduantage to trauell to others in the Shires next adioyning but of the two Okâ—ham is the best and fairest which stands not farre from Burley that famous and stately house of the right honourable the Lord Harrington who in this Lordship of Okeham had such an extraordinary Royaltie that if any Noble man came at any time within the precinct of it he was to forfet an homage horse-shooe from the Steed whereon he rode or else to redeeme it at a price in money and for a true confirmation thereof a man may see many horse-shooes fastened on the doore of the Shire-Hall whereof some are large and of ancient fashion The Towne is large and the Church faire And here also hath beene a Castle of defence which seemes by the ruines to haue beene of great strength The Eleuatiâ—n of the Pole is here 52. 45. and the Longitude 23. 48. King Edward the Confessor gaue this County to Eâ—dgâ—th his Queene and after her death to the Monasterie at Westminster but William the Conqueror cancelled it and bestowed the lands vpon others The Coritani according to Ptolemy were the ancient Inhabitants of this County which for aire and health is as good pleasant and delightfull as any other place of the Land and for the quantitie hath as fertile a Soile which for tillage may compare with the best Woods are here good store and both hills and pleasant bottomes watered with many fresh Springs are not wanting which bring forth abundance of Corne and with stocks of sheepe and herds of Neat are plentifully stored RUTLAND SHIRE Leicester-shire THis Shire for the bounds hath Lincolne and Rutland-shires on the East and on the West the way called Watling-street diuides it from Warwicke-shire Nottingham-shire imbordereth on the North and Northampton-shire on the South It is neere as broad as long for the full length in her greatest Longitude from East to West is not altogether thirty miles and the bredth from North to South is twenty foure which makes the whole circumference much vpon 196 miles The diuision of it is into six Hundreds namely Sparkingho Framland Goodlaxton Gartrey East Goscote and West Goscote which doe containe in them 200 Parish-Churches This Shire is watered but with one Riuer of note besides small brookes namely Stowre yet hath ten Bridges and in it are also contained two Forests and fifteene Parkes A dosen of Market Townes are here and there dispersed in this County for the Inhabitants traffique and commerce whereof the chiefest is the Shire-Towne Leicester which as our old Histories record in ancient times was called Legecestria and by Ninus Caer-Leriâ—n being built 844 yeeres before the birth of our Sauiour by King Leir who there erected the Temple of Ianus and in it placed a Flamine and after as it is recorded was therein himselfe interred But long after this did Ethelred the King of the Mercians make it an Episcopall Sea wherein he made Sexwulph the first Bishop But in processe of time the Bishopricke being thence translated and the Towne brought to a low ebbe Edelfred repaired and fortified it with a strong wall whereof there is now no memoriall but by some of the old ruines for Henry the second both vtterly rased the Castle and fired the Towne It is situate on the Riuer Stowre neere the very midst of the Shire And the Eleuation of the Pole is there 52. 41. and the Longitude 23. 32. In the yeere 1485 the 22 day of August neere Market Bosworth was King Richard the Third slaine with 4000 men in a battell fought by King Henry the seuenth who thereby happily ended the long and wofull contention betweene the two Houses of Yorke and Lancaster and the Vsurpers body despightfully mangled laid naked on a horse backe and so carried to Leicester and was there buried in the Gray Friers The Aire in this County is milde pleasant and healthfull The Soile towards the South and East which is most Champion is not so wooddie as the North where Pit-cole for fuell is gotten in abundance yeeldeth great store of Corne So as the chiefe commodities here are Cattell Corne and Pit-cole And yet for other necessaries they are nothing wanting LEICESTER SHIRE Stafford-shire THis County which wee call Staffâ—rd-shire was so called also by the Englâ—sh Saxons and is inclosed on the East with the Riuers of Dowâ— and Trent which diuide it from Darby-shire and on the West with Shroâ—shire Châ—shire and Daâ—by-shires confine it on the North and Warwicke and Worcester-shires on the South The length is measured from North to South 44 miles and the bredth from East to West 27 making the whole circumference to containe 140 miles It is diuided into fiue Hundreds and they are subdiuided into 130 Parishes There is in it also one Citie one Chase one Forest and 38 Parkes Thirteene Riuers doe irriguate this County which haue ouer them nineteene Bridges And for commerce and traffique it is traded in thirteene Market Townes whereof Stafford the Shire-Towne is accounted one of the chiefest which was anciently called Bethâ—ney from the holy Hermite Bertlin that there liued It hath in times past on the East and South sides beene fortified both with a Wall and Trench and on the opposite sides had a stâ—ange defence of water which now by time is transformed into faire and pleasant meadowes Foure Gates according to the foure Cardinall points doe make way for passage into this Towne which is seated on the North side of the Riuer Sowe and is ciuilly and orderly gouerned by two yeerely elected Bailisses out of the Common Counsell consisting of 21 Assistants The Pole is here eleuated to 52. 53. and the Longitude 22. 29. In this Shire also is seated Lichfield which is both of greater antiquitie and farre more famous than Stafford and which by Beda was called Licedfeld signifying a field of dead carkasses which as some hold was so termed of a great number of Saints there slaine by Dioclesian In this Citie did Oswn King of Northumberland build a Church and made it a Bishops Sea which afterwards was by meanes of King Ossa and Adrian the Pope aduanced to the dignitie of an Archbishopricke and in this Church were the bodies of Wolphere and Celred two Mercian Kings interred This Citie at this day is gouerned by two Bailiffes and one Sheriffe which from 24 Burgesses are annually elected By Ptolemy the ancient Inhabitants of this County were the Corâ—aâ—ij but afterwards it became part of the Mercian Saxons possession whose Kings palace was then seated at the Towne of Tamworth Many famous and faire Religious Houses that a long time flourished haue beene raised vp in this County but in continuance of time as well as others in other Shires haue beene rased downe and buried in their owne â—uines And with thirteene strong Castles also was it once guarded whereof now but few remaine so much as for an
the Countie of Monmouth and on the West by the Riuer Loghor from Caermarden-shire The South is inclosed with the British Sea and the North is bounded vpon by Brecknock It containes in length from East to West almost forty miles and in the breadth from South to North almost twenty making the whole compasse to containe 112. miles which are distinguished into twelue Hundreds and those are subdiuided into 118. Parishes This Shire is well watered with sixteene Riuers and containes for Commerce and Trade six Market Townes whereof the chiefest is Cardiffe which the Britaines called Caerdid being pleasantly situated on the East side of the Riuer Taue and in King Rufus time was strengthened with a wall hauing foure Gates and a strong Castle built by Fitz-Haimon but afterwards the Normans wan it and Rufus made it his Royall Court. This Towne is Gouerned by a Maior annually elected out of twelue Aldermen who are assisted with as many other Burgesses a Towne Clerke and foure Constables The eleuation of the Pole being there 51. 32 ½ and the Longitude 20. 21. And neare to this is the Citie Landaffe where nothing but the Cathedrall Church and Castle is worthy obseruance Minyd-Margan is a Hill in this County on the top whereof is a Monument that hath such strange Characters that as the countrey people report and beleeue hee that readeth them shall shortly after die This Countie in times past hath beene strongly fortified with fiue and twentie Castles whereof the most part are quite consumed to ruines as are also some Religious Houses which in former ages did adorne this Countrey The Aire is cheerefull pleasant and temperate And the Soile though the more North the more Hilly yet Southward is plaine euen and fruitfull yeelding to the Inhabitants good store of Corne and Cattell GLAMORGAN SHIRE Caermarden-shire THis Countie of Caermarden hath the name from the Towne of Caermarden which the ancient Britaines called Caer-Firdhin and is inuironed on the East with Brecknock and Glamorganshire on the West with Pembrook-shire on the South with the British Sea and on the North with Cardigan-shire The length of it from point to point in the longest part being not aboue fiue and thirty miles and the widenesse from the broadest part twentie so as the measure of the whole circumference containes about an hundred and two miles It is parted into six Hundreds which are againe diuided into 87. Parishes It is irriguated with eight and twenty Riuers which may be passed by sixteene Bridges and it containeth two Parkes and foure Forests In six Market Townes haue the Inhabitants Traffique and Commerce the chiefe whereof is the Shire Towne Caermarden which in Ptolomies time was called Maridunum and is very delectably situate on the Westerne side of the Riuer Towy which diuideth the whole Shire in the middest ouer which water is a faire strong built Bridge of stone for passage to the Towne wherein vpon a Rocke is seated a large Castle from whence a wall enuironeth the Towne where by report wee haue it was borne the famous Welch Prophet Merlin being the sonne of an Incubus spirit This Towne hath formerly bin the Exchequer for all South Wales The gouernment wherof is now committed to a Maior who euer after is a Iustice of Peace with two Sheriffes and sixteene Burgesses The Pole being there eleuated 50. 50. the Latitude 20. 16. The ancient Inhabitants of this Countie were the Dimetriae yet some thinke they were part of the Silures and that this Shire was afterward the strong Fort of the Romans where lay their Legions as appeareth by their Coines lately found at Kilmanlloyd Some seuen or eight mile Eastward from Caermarden are the ruines of Castle Carreg on the top of an high Hill which is famous for spacious holes and wide Caues that are within it and also for a Well which ebbes and flowes twice euery foure and twentie houres The Aire is here pleasant temperate and healthfull The Soile not so Hilly and more fertile than in some adioyning Shires And for Commodities produceth Corne Cattell Grasse Woods and Pit-coale with plentie of Fowle and Fish whereof the Salmon is there caught in very great abundance CARMADEN SHIRE Pembroke-shire THis Shire which as learned Mr. Cambden reports was in old books named the Lawfull Countie of Pembroch is bounded on the East side by the County of Caermarden on the West and South by the Irish Seas and on the North with the Riuers Keach and Tyuy is diuided from Cardigan And the length of the Shire from Cardigan North to St. Gowers point South containes 26. miles and the bredth from Landeny East to St. Dauids point West about twenty whereby the whole compasse is accounted much vpon 93. miles The diuision of this Shire is into seuen Hundreds wherein are dispersed the number of 145. Parish Churches There being interfluent in this Countie six Riuers that haue seuen Bridges In it also are two Forests and three Parkes And for the Inhabitants intercourse for Trade and Traffique they are furnished in this County with siue Market Townes whereof that which is accounted the chiefe is Pembroke the Shire Towne and Denominator of the Countie which is pleasantly seated on the Banke of a Creeke where the water ebbeth and floweth euen vp to the walls which hauing three Gates in a long forme and now decaying doe inclose the Towne which on the West end hath a Castle that hath beene large and strong And a Causey locked which is the way to Monton Priory now suppressed Within the walls are two Parish Churches and the Towne at this day gouerned by a Maior assisted with Bayliffes and Burgesses the height of the Pole being there 51. 47. and the Longitude 19. 40. Another Towne note-worthy in the West of this Shire is ancient St. Dauids which is barren and vnfruitfull standing open to all kinde of ill weather and yet from thence came St. Patrick the Irish Apostle whose parents were the British Priest Calphurnius and his wife Concha that was Sister to St. Martin This Citie though ill stored with houses and Inhabitants hath yet a faire Cathedrall Church in the Quire whereof is intombed Edmund Earle of Richmond King Henry the Seuenths father for whose sake King Henry the Eighth spared the pulling downe of this Church in the time of Suppression The ancient Inhabitants of this County were the Dimetriae but long after King Henry the First planted Flemings there Monto Priory and St. Dogmells were the Religious Houses that I finde were erected in this Shire and in the dissolution were suppressed yet with sixteene strong Castles and two Block-houses at the mouth of Milford Hauen was it well fortified The Aire being temperate and wholesome and the Soile fat fertile and full of Marle yeelding plentie of Corne Cattell Fowle and Fish PENBROKE SHIRE Cardigan-shire THis Countie of Cardigan called by old Latine Writers Geretica and in British Sire-Aber-Tius is bordered vpon on the East by Montgomery and Brecknock-shires on the
Castle hauing entrance into it but only at the East West sides it is now tilled and beareth Corne but it is thought in times past to haue beene some fort of defence for the Roman Garisons The soile of this Country is very fruitfull producing many necessary commodities the Aire very wholsome and the situation most pâ—easâ—â—t both for Champion and Woods hauing in it 2. Forrests 12. Parks and one Chase The chiefe commoditie being here Wood Wooll and Corne. This Shire hath also beene beautified with many faire Monasterieâ— and Religious Houses which are now transformed to heaps of Ruines like that old decayed Castle of Badburg which was inuironed with a triple Trench and had beene sometime the seat of the West-Saxon Kings DORSET SHIRE Sommerset-shire SOmmerset-shire is so called of an ancient Towne named Sommerton which in former ages was the chiefest and most famous in all the County It is bounded with Deuon and Dorset-shires on the South the Seuerne Sea on the North Wilt-shire and Glocester-shire on the East and North-east and Deuon-shire on the West The length of it from Brackley East to Oure West being 55. Miles and bredth from Chard South to Porshut-point North about 40. Miles the whole circuit containing much vpon 204. Miles It is diuided into 42. Hundreds wherein are 305. Parish Churches It is furnished with commodious Hauens and Ports hauing 9. Riuers and 45. Bridges It is strengthened with 4. Castles and hath beene fairely adorned with many Religious Houses whereof the Abbey of Glastenburg was of greatest note both for quantitie and quality the antiquitie whereof was deduced from Ioseph of Arimathea whole body as the report goes was there interred So likewise was Witham Nunnery erected by King Henry the 3. and Hinton which were afterwards the first and second Houses of Carthusian Monkes that euer were in England but now with diuers other like they lie pressed with their owne ruines This County is traffiqued with 24. Market Townes and 3. famous Cities namely Bristow Bath and Wells the first whereof though vnequall in bignesse to some others in England yet for beautie and pleasant situation will hardly yeeld vnto any The next is Bath so called from the Hot-Bathes and medicinable springs which to the exceeding comfort and wonderfull cures of infinite diseased persons of all sorts by Gods prouidence doe there continually boyle and bubble vp The third is Wells which as some hold hath the name from certaine Wells which there spring up insomuch as in former times that Sea hath beene called Fontanensis Ecclesia It is gouerned by a Maior 7. Magistrates 16. Burgesses and a Recorder The Latitude being there 51. 12. degrees and the Longitude 21. 36. degrees This County as it is most delightfull in Summer the Aire being mild temperate and pleasant yet is it as myry moist and wet in Winter insomuch as it is then exceeding troublesome for Trauellers But the soile is most fruitfull and fertile yeelding in abundance most of our necessary commodities yet chiefly doth it excell for the goodnesse of Corne and fatnesse of Cattell wherein it exceedeth the most of our other Prouinces Neither is it without rich Mines of Lead which haue beene and are very gainfull to the County and at Saint Vincents Rocke are gotten great store of Diamonds which for beautie and luster doe parallel the best but are defectiue in the hardnesse In this Shire haue beene fought many bloudy battells as that neere Pen when King Canutus was pursued by Edmond named Ironside and that which was performed by Ealstaw Bishop of Sherborne vpon the Danes neare to Bridge-water with diuers others SOMERSET SHIRE Wilt-shire WIltshire which the old English-Saxons called Wilsetta hath Barkeshire on the East Glocester and Somersetshires on the West Glocestershire alone on the North and Dorset and Hampshire on the South The length from Burgate South to Ingl sham North being about 40. miles and the bredth from the Shire-stones in the West to Buttermer East which is the broadest part of the Shire spreadeth 29. miles making the compasse of the whole Shire much vpon 140. miles This County is diuided into 29. Hundreds wherein are 304. Parish Churches and it is well watered and irriguated with 5. Riuers ouer which is conuenient passage by 31. Bridges It hath beene fortified also with 8. Castles of strength viz. Malmesbury Castlecombe Lacocke The Deuises Lurgishall Warder-Castle Salisbury and Marlingsborough It is traffiqued for commerce with 21. Market Townes the chiefe whereof is the Citie of Salisburie which in time past was placed some what higher than it is now but was changed to a farre fitter place where it is plentifully accommodated with pleasant Riuerets of fresh running water passing thorow many of the streets It is adorned with many beautifull buildings hauing a most sumptuous Cathedrall Church wherein are as many doores as there are moneths as many windowes as there are dayes as many marble pillaâ—s as there be houres in the yeare This Church was begun by Richard Poore a Bishop being 40. yeares before it was finished And as my selfe haue read in an ancient Record yet remaining in the Treasurie there amongst all the workmen that were at the building thereof he that had the greatest wages had but three halfe pence a day and found himselfe This Citie is placed for Latitude 51. 5. and for Longitude 22. 35. Not farre from this but somewhat higher stands old Salisburie which was anciently the seat of the Romans but now is transformed to ruines This County is decked with many faire edifices and in times past hath had the foundations of many Monasteries and Religious Houses whereof that at Malmesburie was of great note for William the Monke of Malmesburie who with great industrie recorded the historie of this our Land and another at Ambresburie where Queene Eleanor wife to King Henry the Third spent her widowhood as a Nunne besides diuers others which would be here too tedious to recite This Shire is both pleasant and fertile being situate in a temperate clime and most wholesome The North part commonly called North-Wiltshire is both hillie and wooddie which besides many other delectable Riuerets is watered with the famous Riuer Isis But the South being not so hillie thorow which passe the Riuers Wâ—ly Adder and Alton is inriched most plentifully with grasse and corne And the middle part situate betweene them both very leuell and euen called Salisbury Plaines whereon doe graze an infinite number of sleecie sheepe At a little village in this County called Calne Ann. Dom. 977. was assembled a Synod about the mariages of the Clergie where by the sudden breaking of the floore of the roome wherein they were very many both of the Nobles Prelates and Commons were slaine and sore hurt but Dunstan the President was only vntouched WILT SHIRE Hamp-shire THis Shire by the Saxons was called Handerchyr hauing his North side butting vpon Barkshire his East vpon Survey Sussex with the Brittish Seas bounding his South side and
Shene Chertsey Newarke Rigate Merton Wauerley and diuers others And also 8. strong Castles at Brenchingley Goseford Guilford Farnham Rigate Darking Starburg and Addington but of most of them is nought now to be seene but heaps of old ruines This County is seated in a very delectable pleasant and wholesome aire and though it be not large and altogether so commodious as others for profit yet is it pleasurable and healthie yeelding sufficient store of corne fruit and pasture SURREY Middlesex THis County was so called for being seated betweene the East and West Saxons and is bounded on the East by the Riuer Lea where it butteth vpon Essex and on the West by Colne is diuided from Buâ—kingham The Thames parts Surrey from it on the South and Hartford-shire incloseth it on the North. The length from Stratford in the East to Moâ—ehall in the West containes of our English Miles 19. and the bredth from Hampton Court South to South-Mines in the North about 16. measuring the whole circumference about 90. Miles It is distinguished into these 7. Hundreds viz. Edmonton Osulslon Finnesbury Gâ—re Isâ—eworth Spelthorne and Elthorne in all which are contained 73. Parish Churches besides those in London This County though smaller in quantitie than many other is the chiefest of all the Land both for beauty and ability wherein are 2. Cities and is watered with the most famous Riuer of Thames being plentifully stored with Ships of great burthen which continually send out and bring in all manner of wealthy commodities for the abundant enriching of all these his Maiesties Dominions which Riuer carries her course all along the South side of the farre renowned and euer famous Citie of London which for antiquity hath almost worne out her Records yet we reade she was first called Troy-Nouant from Bruâ—e and Ludstone from King Lud by the Britans Londaine by the Saxons London Cearder and now by vs London It is the rich Seat and Royall Chamber of the English Kings whereto from all parts of the world are brought all sorts of commodious Merchandize Shee was first compassed with walls by the first Christian Emperour Constantine the Great wherein besides other passages are now built 7. most Magnificent Gates for entrance and in it with the Suburbs are contained 121. Churches besides the Cathedrall of Saint Paul which as by tradition is receiued was first the Temple of Diana This Cities graduation is 51. 32½ of Latitude and in Longitude 24. 27. It is diuided into 26. wards which by a Lord Maior two Sherifes and 26. Aldermen is most religiously in all good order gouerned In the time of King Iohn was the stone Bridge built ouer the Thames which for strength length bredth and beauty exceeds all others in the world Close adioyning to this London is the Citie of Westminster famous as well for the seats of Iustice as for the rich and stately Sepulchers of many Kings Queenes and other the Nobilitie of England But if I should insist any longer in the particular descriptions of these Cities I should exceed my limits and therefore generally for the County thus It is adorned with very many rich and magnificent edifices whereof 5. are his Maiesties princely Palaces The forme of this Shire is square-like The Aire delightfull pleasant and healthfull and the Soile rich and fruitfull yeelding great plenty of full Corne of all kindes anâ— fat Pasture in abundance MIDDLESSEX Kent THis County of Kent which by Ptolemy and diuers other Writers was called Cantium is bounded on the East with the Germane Sea on the West with Sussex and Surrey on the North with the Riuer of Thames and on the South with the narrow Seas and Sussex It runneth in length from Langley West to Ramsgate East about 53. Miles from Rother South vnto the Northern Isle of Graine about 26. Miles whereby the whole circuit containeth much vpon 160. Miles It is diuided into 5. Lathes and they into 66. Hundreds wherein are counted 398. Parish Churches The Inland of it is watered with 11. faire Riuers ouer which is passage by 14. Bridges and diuers of them are nauigable whereof Medwey which diuideth the Shire in two parts is principall It is fortified with 27. Castles and hath in it 2. Cities 2. Bishops Seas and for commerce and traffique 24. Market Townes bâ—ing besides garnished and fairely adorned with diuers stately and sumptuous buildings whereof 8. of them are his Maiesties Houses The chiefest Citie is Canterbury which is the Metrapolitan and Archbishops Sea It was built 900. yeares before the birth of our Sauiour as we read in the ancient Brittish Histories but afterwaâ—d it became most famous by Austen the Monke his conuerting the Saxons to Christianity and for the Cathedrall Church wherein is the Tombe of Thomas of Becket which in the time of Idolatrie became infinitely rich by superstitious offerings In it was King Iohn with Queene Isabel his wife crowned King Henry the 3. maried and Henry the 4. buried Henry the 3. granted it afterwards priuiledges and Charters Richard the 2. fortified and entrenched it and Archbishop Sudbury walled it The graduation for Latitude being there 50. 18. and the Longitude 25. 41. This Shire is well stored with faire Hauens for ships some of them being strongly fortified as Winchelsey Rumney Sandwich and Douer which with the Castle there is accounted the Locke and Key of the Realme The Inhabitants of this County doe account themselues the freest of any other in England because they were neuer conquered but by Conquering Williâ—m were compounded withall The Christian faith was first planted in this County and as ancient Records doe testifie the fiâ—st Church dedicated to the seruice of Christ was founded in Douer Castle by Lucius the first Christian King of the Brittaines In this Shire haue beene seated 23. Religious Houses which now by time are conuerted to Ruines The Aire of this County is temperate and healthfull though sometimes mist-clouded with vapours from the Sea The East side of the Shire is Hilly but the West more plaine euen wooddy yeelding generally great store of all profitable commodities but is most remarkable for Broad cloths fruits and feedings for Cattell KENT Sussex THis Shire which of vs is called Sussex was written by the Saxons Suthrex sâ—gnifying as if it were their South Kingdome in the time of their Heptarchie It is confined on the North with Surrey and Kent on the West with Hampshire the Brittish Seas ingirting both the East and South It is formed long and narrow stretching in length from West-harting in the West to the Ditch that diuides it from Kent called Kent Ditch 64. Miles but where it is broadest it containes not aboue 20. making the compasse of it about 158. Miles This Shire diuideth it selfe into 6 Rapes viz. Chichester Arundell Bramber Lewes Peuenscy and Hastings and euery of these haue seuerall Hundreds an cunting in all to the number of 65. which containe in them 312. Parish Churches Industrious Mr. Speed also
ornament to the County The â—ire here though toward the North somewhat fresh and sharpe is very healthfull and the Soile on the South faiâ—e and â—â—uitfull but on the North more barren by â—eason of Moores and Hills there seated yet is the middle both well woodded and watered with many pleasant Riuers yeelding great plenty of Fish as well as the whole County doth of Flesh and other necessary commodities as namely of Corne Cattell Woods Pit-cole Iron and Alablaster STAFFORD SHIRE Darby-shire DArby-shire which the old Saxons called Deorbyrscire is on the East inclosed with Nottingham-shire on the South with Leicester-shire on the West with Stafford-shire and with Yorke-shire on the North the Riuer Derwent as it were diuiding it falleth into Trent which ouerthwarteth the South point of the Shire The East and South parts are very fruitfull hauing many Parkes in them but the West called the Peake which is hillie stonie and craggie is more barren yet hath it much Lead Iron and Coles and is very good for the keeping of sheepe On the West side of Derwent is seated Darby the chiefest Towne of the Shire which by the Danes was called Deoraby of the Riuer Derwent contracted from Derwentby as ancient Athelward records This Towne is of a reasonable bignesse hauing good trade and resort vnto it the Riuer hauing a beautifull stone Bridge ouer it in the North-East of the Towne whereupon was erected a faire Chapell which is now decaying besides which there are fiue Churches in the Towne the greatest whereof called All-Hallowes is famous both for the height of the Tower and the excellencie of the workmanship And close by it the Countesse of Shrewsbury hath founded an Hospitall for the maintenance of eight men and foure women This Towne is gouerned with two Bailiffes chosen out of 24 brethren and as many Burgesses and a Towne-Clarke The Eleuation of the Pole being there 55. 5. and the Longitude 23. 7. This was the Rendeuous for the Danes till Ethelfleda the Mercian Lady by surprising and slaughtering of them became Mistresse of it And in the time of King Edward the Confessor it had 143 Burgesses This Shire is in forme of a Triangle the length from North to South containing 38 miles and the bredth in the broadest part neere 29 miles the circumference being about 130 miles It is diuided into six Hundreds wherein are 106 Parish-Churches It hath commerce with eight Market Townes and hath had seuen Castles with eight foundations of Religious Houses and Monasteries It hath store of Woods Cattell and Corne with Mines of Lead Milstone Cole and Stibium At a place called Buxtons in eight yards compasse arise nine Springs eight warme and one cold neere which also is another hot Spring from a Well called S. Anne of Buxtons and close by it another cold Spring the waters of all which are reported to performe many strange Cures Not farre hence is a place called Elden Hole being of a huge widenesse very steepe and of a wonderfull depth And about seuen miles from it is an old Castle called The Castle in the Peake vnder which is a hole tearmed The Deuils Arse which in the entrance is very wide hauing many turnings and retiring roomes in it and is accounted for one of our English wonders In Peake Forest neere Buxtons is a Well which ebbeth and floweth foure times an houre DARBY SHIRE Nottingham-shire NOttingham-shire is so called from Nottingham the chiefe Towne and it is bounded on the North and North-west with the County of Yorke on the East with Lincolne-shire the South side being confined with Leicester-shire and with Darby-shire on the West It is extended from Fimingly North to Steanford in the South 38 miles and from Teuersall West to Beesthorpe East about 20 miles the whole compasse being 110 miles This Shire is diuided into two parts called by the Inhabitants The Sand and The Clay and these are subdiuided into eight Wapentacks which containe in them 168 Parish-Churches This County is traffiqued with eight Market Townes for commerce whereof the best and greatest is Nottingham which is most pleasantly situated on a high hill adorned with stately buildings and for many faire streets much excelling diuers other greater Cities The Market-place is large and faire Many Caues and Vaults are in the Towne which are hewen out of the Rocke but the most famous of them are those vnder the Castle whereof one hath the story of Christs passion engrauen on the walls by Dauid the Second King of Scots being there held prisoner and another wherein Lord Mortimer was surprised by King Edward the Third for which cause it is still called Mortimers Hole The Roomes and Staires of these are made out of the Rock the Castle it selfe being strong King Edward surnamed the Elder compassed this Towne with a Wall whereof but a little doth now remaine the rest being turned to ruines The compasse of this Towne according to M. Speed is 2120 pases And it is gouerned by a Maior two Sheriffes two Chamberlaines and six Aldermen The Pole being there eleuated 52. 58. and Longitude 23. 35. This County is pleasant and wholsome for Aire Clayie Sandie and rich for Soile very fruitfull both for Corne and Grasse being plentifully stored with Wood Water and Cole In this Shire groweth a Stone which being not so hard as Alablaster maketh a Plaster harder than Plaster of Paris wherewith they vse to floore their vpper roomes At a place neere Worksopp in this Shire is planted much and very good Liquorice And at Stoke neere Newarke was fought a great Battell by Iohn de la Poole in the reigne of King Henry the Seuenth This County hath 5 Riuers interfluent to water and fertilize it of which Trent is the greatest It hath also 17 Bridges and 18 Parkes NOTINGHAM SHIRE Yorke-shire THis is the greatest County in all this Land and by the Saxons was called Effroc-scyre and Eborascyre but now by vs Yorke-shire which is bounded on the East with the German Seas on the West with the Counties of Westmerland and Lancashire on the South with Cheshire Darby Not ingham and Lincolne shires and on the North it is parted by the Riuer Tees from the Bishopricke of Durham In length from Harthill in the South to the beginning of Tees in the North is contained about 70 miles and the bredth from Flamborough head to Horne Castle on the Riuer Lun 80 making the whole compasse much vpon 308 miles It is diuided into three parts called Ridings viz. the East West and North Ridings and they are subdiuided into Hundreds whereof the West Riding containes ten the North Riding twelue and the East Riding fiue making in all 27 Hundreds which containe in them 563 Parish-Churches besides very many Chapels of ease It is interlaced with 36 Riuers ouer which a man may passe by 62 Bridges It hath but one Citie and one Bishops Sea but is delighted with foure Chases eight Forests and 72 Parkes It hath beene fortified with fifteene strong Castles and
for traffique and commerce amongst the Inhabitants is traded with 45 Market Townes whereof the most famous is the ancient and renowmed Citie of Yorke which by Ptolemy was called Brigantium and by the Britaines Caer Effrock It is accounted the second Citie of England and for beautie of building and other ornaments it farre surpasseth all others in the County It is large faire rich and populous being made a Metropolitan Citie by Honorius where King Henry the Eiâ—hth established a Counsell consisting of a Lord President with diuers Counsellors at the Kings pleasure and a Secretary to heare and determine all causes in those Northerne parts In this Citie both liued and died the Emperour Seuerus whose ashes were afterwards carried to Rome and there shriued Here also we reade was sometime seated a Temple dedicated to the Goddesse Bellona And here died the Emperour Constantius surnamed Chlorus who in this citie kept his royall Court It was most famous also for a long time in the English Saxons time till the Danes suppressed and destroyed it yet afterwards it recouered it selfe and by the Citizens was strengthened with a Wall adorned and fortified with Towers and Bulwarkes and is now gouerned by a Lord Maior 12. Aldermen diuers Chamberlaines and a Recorder The latitude being here 54. 3. and the longitude 23. 48. Diuers other faire famous and remarkable Townes are seated in this Prouince as Richmond Hul Halifax and many others whereof I am abridged particularly to discourse by the straightnesse of my limits As also am I restrained from relating of many strange raâ—ities wherewith this County is plentifully stored as the dropping Well at Knausbrough the Giggleswicke springs Saint Wilfrids Needle Constantius his Lamp the Mountaine Coâ—les and Sea-fish stones as also those at Whitby which are formed like wreathed Serpents of all which I must referre you to our former and most famous Historiographers Mr. Camden Mr. Speed and others With very many Abbies Monasteries and Religious houses hath this Shire beene adorned which are now subuerted and vtterly decaied The Aire here though it be more sharp and frigid than in other parts of the land yet is it very healthfull and the Soile though in some places sterile and barren yet in others fat rich and fruitfull so as what is defectiue in one part is supplied by another the whole Continent feeling no want because it is generally sufficiently stored with Corne Cattell Fish Fowle and hath many mines of Copper Lead Cole Stone Allome Coperasse and other rich commodities YORKE SHIRE The Bishopricke of Durham THis Prouince which wee call The Bishopricke of Durham is confined on the East by the German Seas and on the West is parted from Cumberland Westmoreland and Stainesmore by the Riuer Tees Yorke-shire bounds it on the South and Northumberland on the North. It is shaped in the fashion of an Hoscedes Triangle hauing two sides containing much vpon thirty miles a peece and that by the Sea side but about 23 or 24 making the whole circumference to containe neere to 103 miles within which compasse are dispersed 118 Parish-Churches In this Shire are interfluent eleuen Riuers which are passable by twenty Bridges and because the quantitie of the County is but small there is in it but one Citie one Bishopricke and but six Market Townes whereof the chiefest is the ancient Citie of Durham which was called by the Saxons Dun-holm of the word Dun signifying an Hill and Holme an Iland for indeed it is almost circularly ingirt with the Riuer of Were It was at first erected as wee haue it by tradition by the Monkes of Lyndisferne who by Oracle were commanded to doe it And here did William the Conquerour vpon an high hill raise a strong and stately Castle and not only so but made it a County Palatine whereof the Bishops in times past haue had the Royalties of Princes And here was the Tombe of S. Cuthbert whereto King Egfrid Aelfrid Athelstane and others of our English Kings came in Pilgrimage and some of them bare-footed in humble deuotion and to giue great gifts and offerings to the Church in the West part whereof is still remaining the Marble monument of the Reuerend Beda that learned Monke of Wermouth And here is the Pole eleuated 54. 56. ½ and the Longitude 22. 54. The Inhabitants of this County in Ptolemies time were the Brigantes whom the Romans conquered and after that by the Saxons was this Shire made a part of the Kingdome of Northumberland which the Danes subdued and was lastly ouercome and possessed by the Normans About a mile from Darlington in this County haue I seene 3 round Ponds of water which the Countrey people call Hell-Kettles which are in forme circular the water alwayes temperately warme and as they say neuer seene to be frozen They likewise affirme them to be bottomelesse because by no meanes they could euer be sounded But of their strange beginning with other particulars of them as also of the salt stones in the Riuer Weere at Batterby considering the strictnesse of my bounds I must referre you to the learned Workes of our euer famous Antiquarie M. Camden With diuers rich Religious Houses hath this County beene beautified which are now defaced and subuerted and with seuen strong Castles was it fortified sed tempus edax rerum The Aire is here sharpe subtile and healthfull and Soile on the East side well stored with Pastures and Arable Grounds but moorish on the South and though other parts be more barren yet are they so well stored with Cole-pits that besides their owne abundant expence they vent so much to other parts as is a constant annuall and exceeding great benefit to the Inhabitants THE BISHOPRICK OF DVRHAM Northumberland THis County was called by the English Saxons North-Humberland and is bounded on the South with the Bishopricke of Dâ—rham on the North with Scotland on the West with part of Scotland and part of Câ—mberland and on the East with the German Sea It is fashioned in a triangular forme containing from the South-East to the South-west about 40 miles and from the South-west to the North point much vpon 60 miles from whence to Wâ—llinton by the Sea Coast 45 miles whereby the whole circumference amounts to the measure of 145 miles or thereabouts In which circuit are included but 46 Parish-Churches Many Riuers ouer which a man may passe by 16 Bridges It hath one Forest in it and eight Parkes And for trade and traffique amongst the Inhabitants there are dispersed in this County but fiue Market Townes whereof the principall is Nowcastle vpon Tine so called of a new Castle built there by Robert the sonne of William the Conquerour but before the Conquest it was called Monke-Chester as a strong defence for Monkes that it seemes were resident there It is now rich and famous and very populous by reason of the plentifull vent of Sea-Coles which from thence are vttered in fâ—rre more abundance thâ—n from any other part or place in