with great efficacy 4 As Cornwall so this hath the same Commodities that arise from the Seas and being more inlaâ—ded hath more commodious Havens for Shippings entercourse among whom Totnes is famous for Brutes first entrance if Geffry say true or if Havillan the Poet took not a Poetical liberty when speaking of Brute he wrote thus The Gods did guide his sail and course the winds were at command And Totnes was the happy shour where first he came on land But with more credit and lamentable event the Danes at Teigne-mouth first entred for the invasion of this Land about the year of Christ 787 unto whom Britrik King of the West-Saxons sent the Steward of his house to know their intents whom râ—sistantly they slew yet were they forced back to their Ships by the Inhabitants though long they stayed not but eagerly pursued their begun enterprises With more happy success hath Plimouth set forth the purchasers of same and stopped the entrance of Englands Invaders as in the reign of that eternized Queen the â—irrour of Princes Elizabeth of everlasting memory for from this Port Sir Francis Drake that potent man at Sea setting forth Anno 1577 in the space of two years and ten months did compass the circle of the earth by Sea And the Lord Charles Howard Englands high Admiral did not only from hence impeach the entrance of the proud invincible Spanish Navy intending invasion and subversion of State but with his Bullets so signed their passage that their sides did well shew in whose hands they had been as seals of their own shame and his high honour 5 The Commodities of this Shire consist much in Wools and Clothings where the best and finest Kersies are made in the Land Corn is most plenteous in the fruitful Vallies and Cattle spreading upon the topped Hills Sea-Fish and Fowl exceedingly abundant Veins of Lead yea and some of Silver in this Shire are found and the Load-stone not the least for use and esteem from the Rocks upon Dart-more hath been taken Many fresh Spâ—ings bubble from the Hills in this Province which with a longing desire of Society search out their passage till they meet and conjoyn in the Vallies and gathering still strength with more branches lastly grow bodies able to bear Ships into the Land and to lodge them of great burthen in their bosoms or Falls whereof Tamer Tave and Ex are the fairest and most commodious 6 Upon which last the chief City and shire Town of this County is seated and from that River hath her name Excester this City by Ptolomy is called Isca by the Itinerary of Antonius Emperour Isca Danmonioram and by the Welsh Pencaer It is pleasantly seated upon the gentle ascent of an hill so stately for building so rich with inhabitants so frequent for commeree and concourse of strangers that a man can desire nothing but there it is to be had saith VVilliam of Malmesbury The walls of this City first built by King Athelstane are in a manner circular or round but towards the Ex rangeth almost in a straight line having six Gates for entrance and many Watch-Towers interposed betwixt whose compass containeth about fifteen hundred paces upon the East part of this City standeth a Castle of Rugemont sometimes the Palace of the VVest-Saxon Kings and after them of the Earls of Cornwall whose Prospect is pleasant unto the Sea and over against it a most magnificent Cathedral Church founded by King Athelstane also in the honour of S. Peter and by Edward the Confessor made the Bishops See which he removed from Crediton or Kirton in this County unto the City of Excester as saith the private History of that place whose dilapidations the reverend Father in God VVilliam now Bishop of the Diocess with great cost hath repaired whom I may not name without a most thankful remembrance for the great benefits received by his carefull providence towards me and mine This City was so strong and so well stored of Britains that they held out against the Saxons for 465 years after their first entrance and was not absolutely won until Athelstane became Monarch of the whole who then peopled it with his Saxons and enriched the beauty thereof with many fair buildings but in the times of the Danish desolation this City with the rest felt their destroying hands for in the year 875 it was by them sore afflicted spoiled and shaken and that most grievously by Swane in the year of Christ Iesus 1003. who razed it down from East to West so that scarcely had it gotten breath before VVilliam the bastard of Normandy besieged it against whom the Citizens with great manhood served till a part of the wall fell down of it self and that by the hand of Gods providence saith mine Author Since when it hath been three times besieged and with valiant resistance ever defended The first was by Hugh Courtney Earl of Devonshire in the civil broiles betwixt Lancaster and York Then by Perkin VVarbeck that counterfeited Richard Duke of York And lastly by the Cornish Rebels wherein although the Citizens were grievously pinched with scarcity yet continued they their faithful allegiance unto King Edward the sixth and at this day flourisheth in tranquility and wealth being governed by a Major twenty four Brethren with a Recorder Town-Clerk and other Officers their Attendants This Cities graduation is set in the degree of Latitude from the North Pole 50 and 45 scruples And for Longitude from the West to the degree 16 and 25 scruples Neither is Ioseph that excellent Poet whose birth was in this City the least of her Ornaments whose Writings bear so great credit that they were divulged in the German Language under the name of Cornelius Nepos The like credit got Crediton in her birth child VVinifred the Apostle of the Hassians Thuringers and Frisians of Germany which were converted by him unto Gospel and knowledge of Christ. 7 Places memorable in this County remaining for signs of Battles or other antiquities are these Upon Exmore certain Monuments of Antick-work are erected which are stones pitched in order some Triangle-wise and some in round compass These no doubt were trophies of Victories there obtained either by the Romans Saxons or Danes and with Danish Letters one of them is inscribed giving direction to such as should travel that way Hublestowe likewise near unto the mouth of â—awe was the burial place of Huba the Dane who with his Brother Hungar had harried the English in divers parts of the Land But lastly was there encountred with and slain by this Shires Inhabitants and under a heap of copped stones interred and the Banner Reasen there and then taken that had so often been spread in the Danes quarrel and wherein they reposed no small confidence for success 8 A double dignity remaineth in this County where Princes of State have born the Titles both of Devon-shire and Excester of which City there have been entituled Dukes the last of whom namely Henry Holland
or ever become the ruin of time which is much feared for the merciless underminings of the Sea that with her daily and forcible irruptions never ceaseth to wash away the Foundations of the Key The People of this Town are well approved for courtesie and also Civil Government which is administred by the Constable of the Castle who is ever Mayor by Patent having the assistance of one Alderman two Bailiffs two Sergeants at Mace and one Town-Cleâ—k The Townsmen do not a little glory that King Edward the Second was born there in a Tower of the Castle called Eagle-Tower and surnamed of Caer-nar-von he being the first Prince of Wales of the English Line The site of this Town according to Mathematical observation is in the degree of Longitude 15 and 50 scruples from the first West point and the Pole elevated in Latitude 53 and 50. Bangor the Bishops See though it be now but a small Town yet it was in time past so large that for the greatness thereof it was called Banchor-Vaur that is Great-Banchor which Hugh Earl of Chester fortified with a Castle But it hath been long since utterly ruinated and laid level with the ground insomuch as there is not any footing to be found or oâ—her monuments left thereof although they have been sought with all diligent enquiry This Bishops See hath been the Diocess of ninety six Parishes But the ancient Church which was consecrated unto Daniel sometime Bishop thereof was defaced and set on fire by that notorious Rebel Owen Glendowerdwy who had a purpose also to destroy all the Cities of Wales for that they stood for the King of England And though the same Church was since repaired about the time of King Henry the seventh yet hath it scarce recovered the resemblance of her former dignity The River Conwey which limiteth this Shire on the East-side is in Ptolomy by corruption or ignorance of Transcribers called Toissonius instead of Cononius whence Canonium a Town mentioned by Antonine took name and albeit both it and its name be now utterly extinct yet is there a covert remembrance thereof in the new name of a poor Village standing among the rubbish thereof called Caer-hean that is the ancient City Out of the Spoil whereof King Edward the first built a new Town at the Rivers mouth termed thereupon Aber-Conwey that is the mouth of Conwey which being formerly fortified by Hugh of Chester and strongly situate and senced both with Walls and a fair Castle by the Rivers side deserves rather the name of a City than a Town if it were more populous and traffiqued with Inhabitants Neither must I here forget Nowin though but a small Market-Town for that it pleased the English Nobles Anno 1284 to honour it and the memory of King Arthur with triumphant celebrity after they had subdued the rebellious Ringleaders of Wales 7 Other matters of memorable note this Country affordeth not much unless perhaps this That just over-against the River Conwey where it issueth into the Sea there sometimes stood an ancient City named Diganwey which many years ago was consumed by Lightning and so made utterly desolate as many other Monuments have been of ancient and worthy memory As likewise that in the Pool Lin-Peris there is a kind of Fish called there Tâ—rcoth having a red Belly no where else seen For touching these two other miracles famoused by Giraâ—dus and Gervasius that on those his high Hills there are two Pools called the Mears the one of which produceth great store of Fish but all having only one Eye and the other there is a moveable Island which as soon as a man treadeth thereon it forthwith floateth a great way off whereby the Welsh are said to have often scaped and deluded their Enemies assailing them these matters are out of my Creed and yet I think the Reader had rather believe them than to go to see whether it be so or no. It is traded with five Market-Towns fit for bargaining buying and selling fortified with four Castles and hath sixty eight Parish-Churches in it where the Inhabitants concur and meet together for the celebration of Divine-Service THE KINGDOME OF SCOTLAND SCOTLANDS General Description CHAPTER I. SCOTLAND the second Kingdom of Great-Britain and the North part of the Island hath on the East the German-Ocean on the North the Orkneys and Deucalidon-Sea the West affronted with Ireland and the South hath the River Tweed the Cheviot-Hills and the adjacent Tract reaching to the Sulway-Sands whereby it is separated from England 2 This Kingdom is fair and spacious and from these South borders spreadeth it self wide into the East and West till again it contracts it self narrower unto the Northern Promontories furnished with all things befitting a famous Kingdom both for Air and Soil Rivers Woods Mountains Fish Fowl and Cattel and Corn so plenteous that it supplyeth therewith other Countries in their want The People thereof are of good feature strong of body and of couragious mind and in Wars so venturous that scarce any service of note hath been performed but that they were with the first and last in the Field Their Nobility and Gentry are very studious of learning and all civil knowledge for which end they not only frequent the three Universities of their own Kingdom S. Andrews Glasco and Edoâ—borough the Nurseries of Piety and Mansions of the sacred Muses but also much addict themselves to travel into forain Countries The South ê‘ t of ScotlaÌ„d wherin are contayned Edinbrough St. Andrew and Glasco Archbishoâ— 4 Yet in the mean while lest I should seem too defective in my intendments let me without offence in this third though short Book give only a general view of that Kingdom upon observations from others which to accomplish by mine own survey if others should hap to fail and my crazy-aged body will give leave is my chief desire knowing the Island furnished with many worthy remembrances appertaining both unto them and us whom God now hath set under one Crown and the rather for that their more Southern People are from the same Original with us the English being both alike the Saxoâ— branches as also that the Picts anciently inhabiting part of that Kingdom were the inborn Britains and such as thither fled to avoid the Romans servitude whose names began first to be distinguished under Dioclesian the Emperor when they were termed Picts for painting their Bodies like the Britains as saith Flavius Vigetius which is more strengthned for that the Northern Britains converted by Saint Columb are called Britain-Picts 5 But the Highland-men the natural Scot indeed are supposed to descend from the Scythians who with the Getes infesting Ireland left both their issue there and their manners apparent in the Wild-Irish even to this day And from Scytha as is thought the name of Scot grew for so the Netherlanders by Scutten express indifferently the Scythian or Scot so Gildas called the Irish-Britains Scythians so King Elfred in translating the History of Orosius
note are Troys and Brye and Auxerre and Sans an arch-Arch-Bishops See c. 6 Burgundia both the Dutchy and Country The Dutchy or Burgundia suferiour and Western lieth on the South of higher Germany Her principal places are Digion Saint Bernards birth-Town Antun Bealne Sologue and Aliza once the famous City of Alexia The County of Burgundy or Burgundia Ihperior yields not to the choicest Garden in France for fertility of soil nor to the most renowned for stoutness of Inhabitants They acknowledge not as yet the French command no more than Savoy and Lorain They were under divers Generals and are called Walloons corruptly for Galleâ—s a trick of the Dutch Her principal Cities are Besanson the Metropolis of both Burgundies Salives Arboys Gray and Dola 7 Lugdunense Territorium Lione an illustrious City The center of Europe I mean where Merchants meet for Traffique from all quarters All these Provinces belong either wholly or at least in part to Gallia Lugdunensis For indeed some lie divided and stretch into their neighbours Territories as Campania into Belgica and this last Lugdunense is in part under the Government of Savoy 14 Narbonensis Gallia on the West hath the Comitatus Armenaici and Comminges Eastâ—ward part of the Alps North-ward the Mountain Cemenus and South-ward the French Seas It is generally a fruitful Country not inferior in the esteem of Pliny to Italy it self it comprehends the Provinces 1 of Languedo supposed from Languegotia language of the Goths it reacheth from the bounds of Armenia and Comminges to the Mediterraneam Her chief Cities are Narbon from whence this whole Region receives her appellation and is reckon'd the first Roman Province in Europe and Mons pessulame Mont-Pellein an University most famous for the study of Physick Nimes where there is at this day many reliques of Antiquity and Pons Sancti Spiritus c. 2 Provence provincia 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 divided from Languedoc by the River Rhodanus Rhoan It belongs part to the Crown of France part to the Pope and a third to the Prince of Orange In the Kings portion are Air a Parliamentary City â—rles and Maâ—silia the last built in the time of the Roman Tarquin To the Bishop of Rome belongs â—â—enian a City and Arch-bishops See with the whole Comitatus Venissimus To the Prince of Orange the chief City Aurangia or Orange on the River Meine Estang Boys de S Poll c. 3 Dâ—â—lphine on the North of Provence regio Allobrogum and is divided in Delphinatum superiorem and inferiorem The first contains in it Embrum where Agaric and Manna is plentifully gathered and Valentia c. The latter Grinnoble Vienna Daulphin Romans 4 Savoy Sabadia on the East of Daulphin a Dukedome without whose limits stands the well known City Geneva which entertains people from all Countries of any Religion But yet enforceth a Law upon fugitives not common elsewhere For whatsoever malefactor is there apprehended for mischief done in his own Countrey suffers as if he had been there condemned The principal Cities besides are Tarantise Bele Moustire Maurience c. To this Dukedom belong Cambrey on the West side of the Alps and the Countrey of Bresse whose heir is intituled Prince of Piemont a part of Italy at the very East foot of the Mountains which â—ever her from this Countrey 15 Gallia Belgica the last is the Eastern tract toward Germany and as much as belongs to this Kingdom contains only Picardy which is divided into the higher and lower The first portends towards the British Seas and here stands Calice distant but thirty miles from Dover It is that which Caesar called Portus Iâ—cius won from the French by our Edward the third lost by Q. Mary Upon her Confines toward England is the Country of Bononia and Guinnes which contain sundry Towns and Villages The chief â—â—lloin conquered by our Henry the Eighth but delivered back in the reign of Edward the Sixth In this Picardy stands Terwin besieged by King Henry in person where the Emperour Maximilian served under his Coulours and received pay as his Souldier In the lower Picardy stands Ambianum Amiens the Metropols Here are the Dutchy of Terache whose chief City is Guisa which gave name to the family of the Guises and the Country of Vermindois where Saint Quintin stands Retelois and Retel her Metropolis Artelois and Laâ—erre her 's Ponthein and Aberille 16 The Islands which are reckoned properly French are only those which lye neer in the Atlantick Ocean They are but few and of no great account The principal Dame de Bovin L'ille de Dieu Marmotier Insula regis A NEW MAPE OF Y E XVII PROVINCES OF LOW GERMANIE P. Kaerius Caelavit The Description of BELGIA IN this we continue still the Description of Belgia begun in the Map of France For the title is common as well to those Territories as indeed to all the North-East Tracts of the old Gallia The portion hereditary to the French King was marked out among the rest of his Dominions The residue since it hath been by length of time chance of war or at least chance of Fortune dispersed into the power of several Princes is better known to us by the familiar names of the Low-Countries than Netherlands Flandars c. 2 In the search of her Original we may have reference to our precedent Discourse For questionless it was possest by the Gauls as the other parts were aud if trust may be given to those Antique Stories whose truth is almost worn out with age she reacheth her pedegree as high as any and likely enough did partake in the Spoils of Rome when the Capitol was ransaked by the Gauls under the conduct of our two â—nglish Brothers For her chief Captain â—elgius whose memory she preserves to this day in her name is mentioned by Qâ—adus andother as companion to Brennius in his expedition toward Macedonia after they were intreated from Rome 3 In the first times they were a stout people and practised to continual wars by the bordering Germans which made them as well expert as hardy It seems Caesar found them so in his tryal â—or he gives them in his Commentaries the honour of a valâ—ant Nation above any other part of Gallia Yet at last he brought them under and in time they were expulsed by the Germans who for their neerest speech and customs are sâ—pposed and justly too the Predecessors to the now Inhabitants 4 For her first name I find no other likely account given than from a City built by their â—elgius in the Province of Hannonia where now stands Bavaria The râ—st Germania inâ—erior the Low Countries and Netherlands require no long search for without doubt they have little other ground than her low situation upon the Seas and indeed it is such as hath oft times endangered her by inundations and sunk many hundreds of their Towns and Villages which to this day in some places shew their tops above water at a dead low ebb Lastly Flanders
be ministred but whereas the ancient Kings of England acâ—ording to Moses his example sate in pâ—rson in the seat of Iustice to right the greater affairs of their Subjects as William Lambeâ—â— sheweth in King Alfred Edgar Canutus c. and proves out of the Kings Oath out of Bractoâ— Britain â—axon Laws c. King William not only continued this but besideâ— erâ—cted some other Câ—urtâ— of â—ustice as the Exchequer and certain Courts and Sessions to be held four times every year â—appointing both Iudges some to hear causes others to whom appeals should be made but none from them and also Praefects to look to good orders Those last Polydor calleth Iustices of Peace but their instruction seems to be far later and no less is his errour on the other side in saying the Conquerour first instituted Sheriffs and the trial by twelve men which were both ancienter 4 And because the Conquerour for honour of Bishops caused them to remove from small obssure places to Cities of more renown we have therefore reserved to this last â—lace that division of this Kingdome which is according to Iurisdiction Episcopal Formerly in the year of Salvation 636. Honorius the first Archbishop of Canterbury first divided England into Parishes which at this day are contained under their several Diocesans and these again under their two Metropolitanes Canâ—erbury and York in manner following CANTERBVRY Bishopricks Counties Parishes Canterbury Kent 257. Rochester 98. London Essex 623. Middlesex Hertford-shire part Lincoln Lincoln-shire 1255. Leicester-shire Huntington Bedford-shire Buckingham-shire Hertford-shire part Chichester Hertford-shire 250. Sussex Winchester Hant-shire 362. Surrey Wight Isle Gernesey Isle Iersey Isle Salisbury Wilt-shire 248. Bark-shire Exeter Devon-shire 604. Corne-wall Bath and Wells Sommerset-shire 388. Gloucester Gloucester-shire 267. Worcester Worcester-shire 241. Warwick-shire Litchfield and Coventry Warwick shire part 557. Stafford-shire Derby-shire Shrop-shire part Hereford Shrop shire part 313. Hereford-shire Ely Cambridge-shire 141. Ely Isle Norwich Norfolke 1641. Suffolk Oxford Oxford-shire 195. Peterborow Northampton 293. Rutland-shire Bristow Dorset-shire 236. Glamorgan Landaffe Monmouth-shire 177. Brecknock-shire Radnor-shire S. David Pembroke-shire 308. Caermarden Bangor Caernarvon-shire 107. Anglesey Isle Merioneth-shire Denbigh-shire S. Asaph Devon-shire part 121. Flint-shire part  YORK  York York-shire 581. Nottingham-shire Chester Cheshire 256. Richmond-shire Cumberland part Lanca-shire Flint part Carlile Cumberland part 93. Westmorland Durham â—urham 135. Northumberland Sodor Man Island 17. Total Bishopricks 27. Parishes 9285. 9 To speak nothing of these twenty eight Flamins the Priests of Idolatry and the three Arch-Flamins whose seats were at London Caerlion and York all of them converted by King Lucius into Christian Bishops Sees let us only insist upon the three last by the same King appointed to be Metropolitanes over the rest among whom London is said to be chief whose first Christian Archbishop was Thean the builder of S. Peters Church in Cornhill for his Cathedral as by an ancient Table there hanging was affirmed and tradition to this day doth hold Our British Historians do bring a succession of fifteen Arch-bishops to have sate from his time unto the coming of the Saxons whose last was Vodius slain by King Vortiger for reprehending his heathenish marriage with Rowen the Daughter of Hengist At what time began the misery of the Land and of holy Religion both which they laid waste under their prophane feet until Ethelbert of Kent the first Christian Saxon King advanced Christianity and Augustine to the Archbishoprick of Caâ—terbury when London under Melitus became subject to that See 6 At Caerlion upon Vske in the time of the great Arthur sate Dubritius a man excellently learned and of an holâ— conversation he had sate Bishop of Landaffe a long time and with Germanus and Lupus two French Bishops greatly impugned the Pelagian Heresie infecting at that time the Island very far whose fame and integrity was such that he was made Archbishop of all Wales but grown very old he resigned the same unto Daviâ— his Disciple a man of greater birth and greater austerity of life who by consent of King Arthur removed his Archbishops See unto Menevia a place very solitary and meet for meditation the miracles of the man which are said to be many changed both the name of the place into his own and robbed Caerlion of her Archiepiscopal seat This See of S. Davids as in an ancient Register belonging to that Church is recorded had seven Bishops Suffragans subject unto it which were Exeter Bath Hereford Landaffe Bangor S. Asapâ— and â—ernes in Ireland notwithstanding either for want of Pall carried into Britany by Archbishop Sampson in a dangerous infection of sickness or by poverty or negligence it lost that jurisdiction and in the days of King Henry the first became subject to the See of Canterbury 7 York hath had better succesâ— than either of the former in retaining her original honour though much impaired in her circuit challenging to have been sometime Metropolitane over all the Bishops in Scotland and although it was made equal in honour and power with Canterbury by Pope Gregory as Beda relateth and had twelve suffragan Bishopricks that owed obedience onely four now acknowledge York their Metropolitane but Canterbury the Superiour for William the Conquerour thinking it dangerous to have two in like authority lest the one should set on his Crown and the other 〈◊〉 it off left York to be a primate but Canterbury only the primate of all England 8 That Lichfield was made an Archiepiscopal See by Pope Hadrian the first at the suit of Offa the great King of Mercia is manifested by Matthew of Westminster unto whose Iurisdiction were assigned the Bishopricks of Winchester Hereford Leicester Sidnacester Helmham and Dunwich and whose first and last Archbishop was Aldwin That Winchester also had intended an Archiepiscopal Pall the same Author recordeth when Henry Bloys of the Bloud Royal greatly contended with the Archbishop of Canterbury for superiority under the pretence of being Cardinal de latere to him an Archiepiscopal Pallâ— was sent with power and authority over seven Churches but he dying before that the design was done the See of Winchester remained in subjection to Canterbury And that long before the See of Dorchester by Oxford had the Iurisdiction of an Archbishop is apparent by those provinces that were under his Diocess which were Winchester Oxford Lincoln Salisbury Bristow Wells Litchfield Chester and Exeter and the first Bishop of this great circuit Derinus was called the Apostle and Bishop of the West Saxons which in his next successor was divided into two parts Winchester and Dorchester and not long after into Lichfield Sidnacester and Legecister and lastly the See removed from Dorchester to Lincoln as now it is And thus far for the division of this Realm both Politick and Ecclesiastick as it hath stood and stands at this day 9 But the whole Islands division by most certain Record was anciently made when Iulius Agricola drew a trench or fortification
upon that narrow space of ground betwixt Edenborough Frith and Dunbetton Bay maketh the Southern part a province unto the Roman Empire Afterwards Hadrian the Emperour seeing perhaps the Province too spacious to be well governed without great expence drew back these limits almost sourscore miles shorter even to the mouth of the River Tyne which he fortified with a wall of admirable work unto Carlâ—le where stood the Lands border while it was a Roman Province yet the conquering Saxons did spread again over those bounds and as seemeth enlarged their government to that first Tract as by this inscription in a Stone Cross standing upon a Bridge over the water of Frith appeareth I am a free Mark as Passengers may ken To Scots to Britains and to English men 10 But afterward William the Conquerour and Malcolm King of Scotland falling to an agreement for their limits arreared a Cross upon Stanemore where on the one side the portraiture and Armes of the King of England was sculptured and of the King of Scots on the other a piece whereof is yet remaining there near to the Spittle thence called the Rey-Cross there erected to be a Meare-stone to either Kingdome His successors also abolished the two partitions in the West whereby the Welsh became one Nation and Kingdome with the English It is also said that King Stephen to purchase friendship with the Scottish Nation gave unto their King the County of Cumberland who with it held both Westmorland and Northumberland but as Newbrigensis writeth he restored them to King Henry the second wisely considering his great power and right to those parts 11 The last known borders were from the Sulway in the West bay along the Cheviot hills unto the water of Tweed by Barwick in the East to maintain which on each part many Laws have been made and many inrodes robberies and fewdes practised all which by the hand of God is cut off and by the rightfull succession of King Iames our Soveraigne who hath broken down the partition of this great Island and made the extreames of two Kingdomes the very midst of his great united Empire KENT KENT CHAPTER III. KENT the first province appearing in the South of this Kingdom is bounded upon the North with the famous River Thamisis on the East with the German Ocean on the South with Sussex and the narrow Seas and upon the West with Sussex and Surrey The length thereof extending from Langley in the West unto Ramsgate Eastward in the Isle of Thanet is about 53 English miles From Rother in the South unto the Isle of Graine Northward the breadth is not much above 26 and the whole circumference about 160 miles 2 In form it somewhat resembleth the head of a Hammer or Battle-axe and lieth corner-wise into the Sea by Strabo Caesar Diodorus and Pâ—olomy called Cantium of Cant or Canton an Angle or Corner or of Caine a British word which signifieth Bushes or VVoods whereof that County in those former times was plentifully stored 3 The Air though not very clear because of the vapours arising from the Sea and Rivers that environ the same is both wholesome and temperate as seated nearest to the Equinoctial and the furthest from the North Pole not touched with cold as the other parts of the Land are 4 The soil towards the East is uneven rising into little hills the West more level and Woody in all places fruitful and in plenty equals any other of the Realm yea and in some things hath the best esteem as in broad cloths Fruits and feeding for Cattel Onely Mines except Iron are wanting all things else delivered with a prodigal heart and liberal hand 5 Sundry navigable Rivers are in Kent whereof Medway that divideth the shire in the midst is chief in whose bosome securely rideth his Majesties Navy Royal the walls of the Land and terrours of the Sea besides ten other of name and account that open with twenty Creeks and Havens for Ships arrivage into this Land four of them bearing the name of Cinque Ports are places oâ— great strength and priviledges which are Dover Sandwich Rumney and Winchelsey among which Dover with the Castle is accounted by Matthew Paris the Monk the lock and key to the whole Realm of England and by Iohn Rosse and Lidgate is said to be built by Iulius Caesar fatal only for the death of King Stephen and surrender of King Iohn therein happening 6 A conceit is that Goodwin Sands were sunk for the sins of himself and his sons Shelves indeed that dangerously lie on the North-east of this County and are much feared of all Navigators These formerly had been firm ground but by a sudden inundation of the Sea were swallowed up as at the same time a great part of Flanders and the Low Countries were and the like also at the same time befel in Scotland as Hector Boetius their Historiographer writeth A like accident hapned in the year 1586 the fourth day of August in this County at Mottingham a Town eight miles from London suddenly the ground began to sink and three great Elmes thereon growing were carried so deep into the bowels of the earth that no part of them could any more be seen the hole left in compass fourscore yards about and a line of fifty fathoms plummed into it doth find no bottom 7 The Kentish people in Caesars time were accounted the civillest among the Britains and as yet esteem themselves the freest Subjects of the English not conquered but compounded with by the Normans and herein glory that their King and Commons of all the Saxons were the first Christians converted in Anno 596 yea and long before that time also Kent received the Faith for it is recorded that Lucius the first Christian British King in this Island built a Church to the name and service of Christ within the Castle of Dover endowing it with the Toll of the same Haven 8 This County is enriched with two Cities and Bishops Sees strengthened with 27 Castles graced with 8 of His Majesties most Princely Houses traded with 24 Market-Towns and beautified with many stately and gorgeous buildings The chiefest Ciâ—y thereof the Motropolitane and Arch-bishops See is Canterbury buiâ—t as our British Historians report 900 years before the birth of â—hrist by Henry of Huntington called Caier-Kent wherein as M. Lambard saith was erected the first School of professed Arts and Sciences and the same a pattern unto Sigibert King of the East Angles for hiâ— foundation at Cambridge notwithstanding by the computation of time this Sigibert was slain by Penda King of Mercia thirty years before that Theodore the Grecian was Bishop of Canterbury who is said to be the erector of that Academy But certain it is that Austin the Monk had made this City famous before that time by the conversion of these Saxons unto Christianiâ—y and in building a most magnificent Church to Gods service wherein eight of their Kings have been interred but all their Monuments
in time to the Normans iâ— became a Province under the Conquerours power who gave to his followers much Land in these parts 6 The place of most account in this Shire is Chichester by the Britains called Câ—ercei a City beautifull and large and very well walled about first built by Cissa the second King of the â—outh Saxons wherein his Royal Palace was kept And when King VVilliam the First had enacted that Bishops Sees should be transâ—â—ted out of small Towns unto places of greater resort the Reâ—idence of the Bishop until then held at Selsey was removed to this City where Bishop Raulfe began a most goodly Cathedral Church but before it was fuâ—ly finished by a sudden mischance of fire was quite consumed Yet the same Bishop with the helping liberality of King Henry the First began it again and saw it wholly finished whose beauty and greatness her fatal enemy still envying again cast down in the dayes of King Richard the First and by her raging flames consumed the buildings both of it and the Bishops Palace adjoyning which Seffrid the second Bishop of that Name re-edified and built anew And now to augment the honour of this place the City hath born the Title of an Earldome whereof they of Arundel were sometimes so styled Whose Graduation for Latitude which is removed from the Aequator unto the degree fifty five minutes and for Longitude observing the same point in the West whence Mercator hath measured are twenty degrees 7 With whom for frequency bigness and building the Town Lewes seemeth to contend where King Athelstane appointed the mintage of his Moneys and VVilliam de VVarron built a strong Castle whereunto the disloyal Barons of King Henry the Third in warlike manner resorted and fought a great Battle against their own Soveraign and his son wherein the King had his Horse flain under him Richard King of the Romans surprised and taken in a Wind-mill and Prince Edward delivered unto them upon equal conditions of peace But a greater Battel was fought at Battle when the hazard of England was tried in one days fight and Harold the King gave place to his Conquerour by losing of his life among sixty seven thousand nine hundred seventy four Englishmen besides whose bloud so spilt gave name to the place in French Sangue lac And the soyl naturally after rain becoming of a reddish colour caused William Newbery untruly to write That if there fall any small sweet showers in the place where so great a slaughter of the English-men was made presently sweateth forth very fresh bloud out of the earth as if the evidence thereof did plainly declare the voice of bloud there shed and cried still from the earth unto the Lord. 8 But places of other note in this Shire are these from Basham Earl Harold taking the Sea for his delight in a small Boat was driven upon the Coast of Normandy where by Duke William he was retained 'till he had sworn to make him King after Edward the Confessors death which oath being broken the Bastard arrived at Pensey and with his sword revenged that Perjury At VVest-VVittering also Ellâ— the Saxon before him had landed for the conquering of those parts and gave name to the shore from Cimen his son But with greater glory doth Gromebridge raise up her head where Charles Duke of Orleance father to Lewes the twelfth King of France taken prisoner at Agincourt was there a long time detained 9 The commodities of this Province are many and divers both in Corn Cattle VVood Iron and Glass which two last as they bring great gain to their possessors so do they impoverish the County of Woods whose want will be found in ages to come if not at this present in some sort felt 10 Great have been the devotions of religious Persons in building and consecrating many houses unto the use and only service of Christ whose Beadmen abusing the intents of their Founders hath caused those Foundations to lament their own ruins For in the tempestuous time of King Henry the Eighth eighteen of them in this County were blown down whose fruit fell into the Laps of some that never meant to restore them again to the like use This County is principally divided into six Rapes every of them containing a River a Castle and Forrest in themselves besides the several Hundreds whereunto they are parted that is the Rape of Chichester into seven of Arundel into five of Bramber into ten of Lewes into thirteen of Pevensey into seventeen and of Hastings into thirteen in all fifty six wherein are seated ten Castles eighteen Market-Towns and three hundred and twelve Parish-Churches SURREY SURREY CHAPTER V. SURREY by Beda called Sutbri lieth seperated upon the North from the counties of Buckingham and Middlesex by the great River Thamisis upon the East Kent doth inbound it upon the South is held in with Sussex and Hamp-shire and her West part is bordered upon by Hamp-shire and Bark-shire 2 The form thereof is somewhat square and lieth by North and by East whereof Redrith and Frensham are the opposites betwixt whom are extended thirty four miles The broadest part is from Awfold Southward to Thamisis by Stanes and them asunder twenty two the whole in circumference is one hundred and twelve miles 3 The heavens breathing Air in this Shire is most sweet and delectable so that for the same cause many Royal Palaces of our Princes are therein seated and the Countrey better stored with game than with grain insomuch that this County is by some men compared unto a home-spun freeze-cloth with a costly fair list for that the out-verge doth exceed the middle it self And yet it is wealthy enough both in Corn and Pasturage especially in Holmesdale and towards the River of Thamisis 4 In this shire the Regni an ancient people mentioned by Ptolomy were seated whom he brancheth further through Sussex and some part of Hamp-shire And in the wane of the Romans Government when the Land was left to the will of invaders the South-Saxons under Ella here erected their Kingdome which with the first was raised and soonest found end From them no doubt the Countrey was named Suth-rey as seated upon the South of the River and now by contraction is called Surâ—ey 5 And albeit the County is barren of Cities or Towns of great estate yet is she stored with many Priâ—cely Houses yea and five of his Majesties so magnificently built that of some she may well say no shire hath none such as is None such indeed And were not Richmond a fatal place of Englands best Princes it might in estem be ranked with the richest For therein died the great Conquerour of France King Edward the Third the beautiful Ann daughter to Charles the Fourth Emperour and intirely beloved wife to King Richard the Second the most wise Prince King Henry the Seventh and the rarest of her Sex the Mirrour of Princes Queen Elizabeth the worlds love and Subjects joy 6 At Mâ—rton likewise
foreign Countries to that Countries great benefit and Englands great praise 9 The Trade thereof with other provisions for the whole are vented through eighteen Market-Towns in this Shire whereof Winchester the Britains Caer Gwent the Romans Venta Belgarum in chief ancient enough by our British Historians as built by King Budhudthras nine hundred years before the Nativity of Christ and famous in the Romans times for the weavings and embroderies therein wrought to the peculiar uses of their Emperours own persons In the Saxons time after two Calamities of consuming fire her walls was raised and the City made the Royal Seat of their West Saxons Kings and the Metropolitan of their Bishops See wherein Egbert and Elfred their most famous Monarchs were Crowned and Henry the third the Normans longest Reigner first took breath And here King Aethelstane erected six Houses for his Mint but the Danish desolation over running all this City felt their fury in the days of King Ethelbright and in the Normans time twice was defaced by the mis-fortune of fire which they again repaired and graced with the trust of keeping the publick Records of the Realm In the civil wars of Maud and Stephen this City was sore sacked but again received breath was by King Edward the third appointed the place for Mart of Wool and Cloth The Caehedral Church built by Kenwolf King of the West-Saxons that had been Amphibalus S. Peters Swethins and now holy Trinitie is the Sanctuary for the ashes of many English Kings for herein great Egbert anno 836. with his son King Ethelwolf 857. Here Elfred Oxfords founder 901. with his Queen Elswith 904. Here the first Edmund before the Conquest 924. with his sons Elfred and Elsward Here Edred 955. and Edwy 956. both Kings of England Here Emme 1052. with her Danish Lord Canute 1035. and his son Hardicanute 1042. And here lastly the Normaus Richard and Rufus 1100. were interred their bones by Bishop Fox were gathered and shrined in little gilt coffers fixed upon a wall in the Quire where still they remain carefully preserved This Cities situation is fruitful and pleasant in a valley under hills having her River on the East and Castle on the West the circuit of whose walls are well near two English miles containing one thousand eight hundred and eighty paces through which openeth six gates for entrance and therein are seven Churches for divine Service besides the Minister and those decayed such as Callender Ruell Chappell S. Maries Abbey and the Friers without the Suburbs and Sooke in the East is S. Peteâ—s and in the North Hyde Church and Monastery whose ruins remaining shew the beauâ—y that formerly it bare The graduation of this City by the Mathematicks is placed for Latitude in the Degree 51 10 minutes and for Longitude 19 3 minutes 10 More South is South-hampton a Town populous rich and beautiful from whom the whole Shire deriveth her name most strongly walled about with square stone containing in circuit one thousand and two hundred paces having seven Gates for entrance and twenty nine Towers for defence two very stately Keys for Ships arrivage and five fair Churches for Gods divine Service besides an Hospital called Gods-house wherein the unfortunate Richard Earle of Cambridge beheaded for treason lieth interred On the West of this Town is mounted a most beautifull Castle in form Circular and wall within wall the foundation upon a hill so topped that it cannot be ascended but by stairs carrying a goodly prospect both by Land and Sea and in the East without the walls a goodly Church sometimes stood called S. Maries which was pulled down for that it gave the French direction of course who with fire had greatly endangered the Town instead thereof is newly erected a small and unfinished Chappel In this place saith learned Cambden stood the ancient Clausentium or Fort of the Romans whose circuit on that side extended it self to the Sea this suffered many depredations by the Saxon Pirates and in Anno 980. was by the Danes almost quite overthrown In King Edward the thirds time it was fired by the French under the Conduct of the King of Sicils son whom a Countrey man encountred and struck down with his Club he crying Rancon that is Ransome but he neither understandiog his language nor the Law that Arms doth allow laid on more soundly saying I know thee a Frankon and therefore shalt thou die And in Richard the seconds time it was somewhat removed and built in the place where now it standeth In this Clausentium Canute to evict his flatterers made trial of his Deity commanding the Seas to keep back from his seat But being not obeyed he acknowledged God to be the onely supreme Governour and in a religious devotion gave up his Crown to the Rood at Winchester More ancient was Silcester built by Constantius great Constantines son whose Monument they say was seen in in that City and where another Constantine put on the purple robe against Honorius ' as both Ninius and Gervase of Canterbury do withess Herein by our Historians record the warlike Arthur was Crowned Whose greatness for circuit contained no less than fourscore Acres of ground and the walls of great height yet standing two miles in compass about This City by the Danish Rovers suffered such wrack that her mounted tops were never since seen and her Hulke the walls immured to the middle of the earth which the rubbish of her own desolations hath filled 11 Chief Religious houses within this County erected and again suppressed were these Christ's-Church Beaulieu Whâ—rwall Rumsey Redbridge Winchester Hyde South-hampton and Tichfield The honour of this Shire is dignified with the high Titles of Marquess and them Earls of VVinchester and South-hampton whose Arms of Families are as thou seest and her division into thirty seven Hundreds and those again into two Hundred fifty three Parishes WIGHT ISLAND VVIGHT ILAND CHAPTER VII WIGHT ILAND was in times past named by the Romans Vecta Vectis and Vectâ—sis by the Britains Guyth and in these days usually called by us The Lsle of Wight it belongeth to the County of South-hampton and lieth out in length over against the midst of it South-ward It is encompassed round with the British Seas and severed from the Main-land that it may seem to have been conjoyned to it and thereof it is thought the British name Guyth hath been given unto it which betokeneth separation even as Sicily being broken off and cut from Italy got the name from Secando which signifieth cutting 2 The form of this Isle is long and at the midst far more wide than at either end From Binbridge Isle in the East to Hurst Castle in the West it stretcheth out in length 20 miles and in breadth from Newport haven Northward to Chale-bay Southward 12 miles The whole in circumference is about sixty miles 3 The Air is commended both for health and delight whereof the first is witnessed by the long continuance of the Inhabitants in
from the first West-Point 15 13 minutes as Mercatâ—r hath measured them 9 Memorable matters both for antiquity and strangeness of sight are these At Boskenna upon the South west of her Promontory is a trophy erected which are eighteen Stones placed round in compass and pitched twelve foot each from others with another far bigger in the very center These do shew some victory there attained either by the Roman or else King Athelstan At the foot of the Rock near unto S. Michaels Mâ—â—nt in the memory of our Fathers were digged up Spear-heads Axes and Swords of Brass wrapped in linen the weapons that the Cimbrians and ancient Britains anciently used At Camelford likewise pieces of Armours both for horse and man are many times found in digging of the ground imputed to the signs of that fight wherein Mordred was slain and wherein great Arthur received his deaths wound And at Castle Dennys are the Trenches wherein the Danes lodged when they first minded to subdue the Land In the Parish S. Clare two stones are pitched one of them inscribed with a strange Character and the other called The other half stone The Hurlers also fabuled to be men metamorphosed into stones but in truth shew a note of some victory or else are so set for Land-marks Bounders There also the Wring-Cheese doth shew it self which aâ—e huge Rocks heaped one upon another and the lowest of them the least fashioned like a Cheese lâ—ing pressed under the rest of those Hills which seemâ—th very dangerous to be passed under But near to Pensans and unto Mounts bay a far more strange Rock standeth namely Main-Amber which lyeth mounted upon others of meaner size with so equal a counterpoize that a man may move it with the push of his finger but no strength remove it out of its place 10 Religious Houses built and suppressed within the limits of Cornwall the fairest and greatest for account were Launston S. Neotes S Buriens S. Michaels Mount and S. Germains a Bishops See so was Pedman also from whence King Edward the Confessor removed it unto the City of Excester 11 The division of this Shire is into nine hundreds wherein are seated twenty two Market-Towns and 161 Parish-Churches SOMERSET SHIRE Petrus Kaerius caelavit SOMMERSET-SHIRE CHAPTER XI SOMMERSET-SHIRE is both a rich and spacious Countrey having the Severâ— Sea beating upon it on the North side the South part bordering upon Devon and Dorset-shires the West confined with Devon shire and the East and North-East upon Wilt shire and Gloucester shire It took the name of Sommerron sometime the chief Town of this Shire whence in the Ancient Historian Asserius this County is called Sommertunensis that is Sommertun-shire 2 The form thereof is large bearing it self still wider as it slretcheth into the middle part thereof and contains in length from Brackley near unto Frome Selwood Eastward to Oure in the West Miles 55. In breadth from Parshut Point in the North to Chard Southward is somewhat above forty miles The whole ciacumference is about 204 miles 3 The Air is milde and pleasing and for the most part subject to such temperate dispositions as the Sommer-season affordeth whence some have erroniously conceited that the Region borrowed her name from the nature of her Clime yet how delightful soever it is in the time of Summer with change of the season it may well change her pleasing name and borrow some Winterly denomination so full of wet so miry and moorish it is in so much as the Inhabitants can hardly travel to and fro without their encumbrance 4 Howbeit they pass over this with all patience knowing their ensuing seasonable profits far to exceed any present detriments and displeasures for as it is fowl so it is fruitful which makes them comfort themselves with this Proverb that What is worst for the Rider is best for the â—bider the Soyl and Glebe thereof being very fertile and every side garnished with Pastures and delightful Meadows and beautified with Mannor houses both many and fair and in a word hath every thing in it to content the purse the heart the eye at home and sufficient ports to give entertainment to commodities from abroad 5 The ancient Inhabitants that possessed this Province were the Belgae who spread themselves far and wide as well here as in Wilt-shire and the inner parts of Hant-shire who being branched from the Germans conferred the names of those places from whence they came upon these their seats where they resided 6 The general profits of this province are Corn and Cattle wherewith it is so plentifully stored as it may challenge any neighbouring County for the quantity to make shew of Cattle so fat or Grain so rich Some places are peculiarly enriched by Lead-mines as Mindiphils perchance so called of the deep Mines by Leiland aptly termed Minerarii Mineral-hills which yield plenty of Lead the most Merchantable Commodity that is in England and vented into all parts of the world Some are beautified with Diamonds as S Vincent Rock whereof there is great plenty and so bright of colour as they might equalize Indian Diamonds if they had their hardness yet being so many and so common they are less sought after or commended 7 This Countrey is famoused by three Cities Bath Wells and Bristow The first takes name of the hot Bathes which Antonine called Aquae Solis The waters of the Sun Stephanus Badiza we at this day Bathe and the Latinists Bathonta a place of continual concourse for persons of all degrees and almost of all diseases weence it was sometimes called Akemancester who by divine providence do very often find relief there the Springs thereof by reason of their Mineral and sulphurous passage being of such exceeding power and medicinable heat as that they cure and conquer the rebellious stubbornness of corrupt humours in repect of which admirable vertues some have fabled that they were first conveyed by Magick Art To testifie the antiquity of this place many images and Roman Inscriptions are found in the walls which can now be hardly read they are so worn and eaten into by age Wells as Leiland reporteth was sometimes called Theoderodunum but from whence it had that denomination he makes no mention the name it now beareth is taken as some think from the River there which King Kinewulph in his Charter Anno 766 calleth Welâ—e or as others from the Wells or Springs which there break forth and whereupon that See under whose Iurisdiction is also the City of Bath hath been anciently called Fontanensis Eccleâ—â— the Fountain Church where the Cathedral built by King Inas to the memory of S Andrew is very beautiful and richly endowed The City is likewise well replenished both with Inhabitants and seemly buildings Whose government is managed by a Mayor yearly elected a Recorder and seven Masters having the Assistancs of sixteen Burgesses a Town-Clerk and Two Sergeants at Mace Whose Latitude is 51 20 minutes and Longitude 17 31 minutes Bristow is
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
was resumed by Henry the eight and now by the Heir of Darcy matched to the Lord Clifton is become the seat of the Barony This Hundred had in it no house of Religion but Stolney a Priory of seven black Cannons of the order of S. Augustine founded by the Bigrames and at the Suppression valued at 62 l. 12 s. 3 d. ob It stood within the reach of the great Mannor Kimbolton once an Hundred which was the Land of Earl Harold the Usurper after by grant it came with the Chase of Swinesheved to Fitz-Peter from whom by Magâ—avil to Bohum who in time of the tumulâ—uous Barons built there a Forcelet and so to Staffard by whose attainture forfeited it was given by Henry the eight to the Family of Wingfield that now possesseth it At Bugden the See of Lincoln hath a seat and was Lord of Spaldwick and the Soke given in compensation from the Church of Ely when rent from them it was by the first Henry made a Bishoprick until of late that Church gave up their interest in Spaldwick to the Crown Brampton was given by King Iohn at Mirabel to Earl David and by Ada his youngest Daughter fell to Hastings Earl of Pembroke and now is reverted to the King To the same Earl David by gift of the former King came Alcumesbury and by the bounty of Iohn Scot his son to Segrave and so the Lord Barkley the late possessor To Serlo de Quincy Earl of Winchester was Keston by Henry the second given by whose Heir general â—errars it came to the late Earl of Essex and by exchange to the Crown 10 TOULESLANDHUNDRED taketh name likewise of a Town therein situate in the out Angle of this to the memory of S. Neotus a Monk of Glastenbury but the supposed son to Ethelwolfe King of the VVest-Saxons whose body from Neostock in Cornwall was transferred to Arâ—alphesbury then of Arnulphus a holy man now Enesbury named Earl Alrick and Ethelsteda turned the Palace of Earl Elfred into a Monastery of black Monks which was razed by the Danes but out of the ashes of this Roisia wife to Richard the son of Earl Gilbert to God our Lady de Becco and S. Neot as a Cell to the Abbey of Becco in Normandy erected up of black Monks in the year 1113 the late Priory of S. Nedes suppressed by Henry the eight and valued at 256 l. 15 d. q. At Southo the Land of Eustachius the Sheriff Lovetote made the seat of that Seigniory on which in this Shire 13 Knights Fees and a half depended but from his line by gift of Verdon and Vesâ—y drowned were these in the honour of Gloucester Near to this at Cretingsbury dwelt Sir Adam de Cretings famous in Edward the thirds wars of France whose Heir General Wautoâ— doth now possess it Staunton given by the first VVilliam to Gilbert de Gaunt after the death issueless of De Rupes escheated to the King who gave it to Iohn his â—ister Queen of Scots She on the Abbey of Tarant bestowed part the rest reverting being given to Segrave descended to the Barons of Berkly Godmanchester or Gormanchester so named of that Dane to whom Aelfred at his conversion granted some regiment in these parts was the old Land of the Crown now the Inhabitants in Fee farme by grant of King Iohn pro Sexies viginti libris pondere numero It is flat seated by as fruitful and flowry Meadows as any this Kingdom yieldeth and is the most spacious of any one Parish in fertile tillage oft having waited on their Soveraign Lords with ninescore Ploughs in a rural pompe Some from the name Gunicester which this often beareth in record suppose it the City where Machutus placed his Bishops Chair But for certain it was the Roman Town Durosipont of the Bridges named so many hundred years until the light of our Britain story overshone it forgotten Thus as this City so the old Families have been here with time outworn few onely of the many former now remaining whose sirnames before the reign of the last Henry were in this Shire of any eminency But Non indignemur mortalia Nomina solvi Cernimus exemplis Oppida posse mori Let 's not repine that Men and Names do die Since stone-built Cities dead and ruin'd lie This Description I received from a right worthy and learned Friend RVTLANDE SHIRE RUTLAND-SHIRE CHAPTER XXIX RUTLAND-SHIRE the least of any County in this Realm is circulated upon the North with Lincoln-shire upon the East and South with the River VVeland is parted from Northampton-shire and the West is altogether held in with Leicester-shire 2 The Form thereof is round and no larger in compass than a light horse man can easily ride about in a day upon which occasion some will have the Shire named of one Rut that so rode But others from the redness of the Soyl will have it called Rutland and so the old English-Saxoâ—s called it for that Roet and Rut is in their Tongue Red with us and may very well give the name of this Province seeing the earth doth stain the wool of her Sheep into a reddish colour Neither is it strange that the stain of the Soyl gives names unto places and that very many for have we not in Che-shire the Red Rock in Lanca-shire the Red Bank and in Wales Rutland Castlâ— To speak nothing of that famous Red Sea which shooteth into the Land betwivt Egypt and Arabia which gave back her waters for the Israelites to pass on foot all of them named from the colour of the Soile 3 The longest part of this Shire is from Caldecot in the South upon the River Ey unto Thistleton a small Village seated in the North not fully twelve miles and from Timwell East-ward to Wissenden in the West her broadest extent is hardly nine the whole circumference about forty miles 4 The Air is good both for health and delight subject to neither extremity of heat nor cold nor is greatly troubled with foggy mists The Soil is rich and for Corn and tillage gives place unto none Woods there are plenty and many of them imparked Hills feeding heards of Neat and flocks of Sheep Vallies besprinkled with many sweet springs Grain in abundance and Pastures not wanting in a word all things ministred to the content of life with a liberal heart and open hand Only this is objected that the Circuit is not great 5 The draught whereof that I may acknowledge my duty and his right I received at the hands of the right Honourable Iohn Lord Harrington Baron of Exton done by himself in his younger years Near unto his house Burley standeth Okam a fair Market-Town which Lordship the said Baron enjoyeth with a Royalty somewhat extraordinary which is this If any Noble by birth come within the precinct of the said Lordship he shall forfeit as an homage a shooe from the horse whereon he rideth unless he redeem it at a price with money In witness whereof there are
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
ground of a marvellous capacity which is commonly called The Devils Arse in the Peak whereof Gervase of Tilbury hath told many pretty Tales and 〈◊〉 do make it one of the wonders of our Land 9 As inâ—other Csounties the devotions of the Religious have been made apparent in the erectioâ— of Places for Gods peculiar Service so in this have been founded eight of that nature which werâ— Dale Derelege Darby Repton Bechef Graiesley Faverwell and Pollewerke whose peace and plenty stood secure from all danger till the blustering Winds arising in the Reign of King Henry the Eight blew off the Pinacles of their beauteous Buildings and shook asunder the revenues of those Foundations which never are like again to be laid 10 This Shire is divided into six hundreds wherein have been seated seven Castles and is still traded with eight Market-Towns and replenished with one Hundred and six Parish-Churches Staffordshir STAFFORD-SHIRE CHAPTER XXXIV STAFFORD-SHIRE whose situation is much about the middle of England meeâ—eth upon the North with Chess-shire and Darby and that in a Triangle point where three Stones are pitched for the bounds of these Shires it is parted from Darby-shire on the East with Dowe and with Trent the South is confined with Warwick and Worcester-shires and the West butteth against the County of Shrop-shire 2 The form thereof is somewhat Lozeng-like that is sharp at both ends and broadest in the midst The lengh extending from North to South is by measure forty four miles and the breadth from East to West twenty seven miles the whole in Circumference one hundred and forty miles 3 The Air is good and very healthful though over sharp in her North and Moreland where the Snow lyeth long and the Wind bloweth cold 4 The Soil in that part is barren of Corn because her Hills and Moors are no friends unto Tillage the middle more level but therewithal wooddy as well witnesseth that great one called the Cank But the South is most plenteous in Corn and Pasturage 5 Her ancient Inhabitants were the CORNAVII whom Ptolomy placeth in the Tract that containeth Shrop-shire Worcester-shire Chess-shire and this all which were pâ—sâ—essed by the Mercian-Saxons when their Heptarchy slourished And Tameworth in this Shire was then held their Kingâ— Court. The Danes after them often assayed herein to have seated as witnesseth Tâ—trall then Theotenâ—â—ll by inteâ—pretation The habitation of Pagans imbrued with their blood by King 〈◊〉 the Flder But the Inhabitants of this Province Beda terms The midland-Englishmen because to his seeming it lay in the heart of the Land which when the Normans had made Conquest of all many of them set down their rest here whose posterity at this day are fairly and further branched into other parts 6 The Commodities of this County consist chiefly in Corn Caâ—tle Alablaster Woods and Iron if the one prove not the destruction of the other Pit-coal Flesh and Fish whereof the River Trent is said to swarm and others arising and running thorow this Shire do so batâ—en the ground that the Meadows even in the midst of Winter grow green such are Dowe Manifold Churnot Hunsye Yenden Tean Blith Trent Tyne and Sowe whereof Trent is not only the principal but in esteem accounted the third of this Land 7 Stafford the Shire-Town anciently Bâ—theney from Berâ—elin a reputed holy Man that therein lead an Hermits life was built by King Edward the Elder incorporated by King Iohn and upon the East and South Parts was Walled and Trenched by the Barons of the Place the rest from East to North was secured by a large Pool of Water which now is become fair Meadow-grounds The tract and circuit of these Walls extended to twelve hundred and forty Paces thorow which four Gates into the four Winds have passage the River Sowe running on the South and West of the Town King Edward the Sixt did incorporate the Burgesses and gave them a perpetual Succession whose Government in under two Bailiffs yearly elected out of one and twenty Assistants called the Common-Counsel a Recorder whereof the Dukes of Buckingham have born the Office and as yet is kept a Court of Record wherein they hold Plea without limitation of summe a Town-Clerk also from whose Pen I received these Instructions and to attend them two Sergeants at Mace This Town is sited in the degree of Latitude 53 20 scruples and of Longitude 18 and 40 scurples 8 But Leichfield more large and of far greater fame is much her ancient known unto 〈◊〉 by the name of Licidfeld which Rosse doth interpret to be The field of dead bodies for the number of Saints under the rage of Dioclesian there slain upon which cause the City beareth for her Arms an Eschucheon of Landskip with divers Martyrs in divers manner Massacred Here Oswin King of Northumberland overcoming the Pagan-Mercians built a Church and made it the See of Duma the Bishop whose Successors grown rich with golden reasons so overcame King Offa and he Adrian the Pope that an Archiepiscopal Pale was granted Bishop Eadulph to the great disgrace of Lambert Archbishop of Canterbury In this Church were interred the Bodie of VVulfhere and Celred both of them Kings of the Mercians But when the minds of Men were set altogether upon gorgeous building this old Foundation was new reared Roger Clinton Bishop this See and dedicated to the Virgin Mary and Saint Chad and the Close inwalled by Bishop Langton The government of this City is by two Bailiffs and one Sheriff yearly chosen out of twenty four Burgessâ—s a Recorder a Town-Clerck and two Sergeants their Attendants 9 Houses of Religion erected in this Shire were at Leichfield Stafford De la Crosse Cruxden Trentham Burton Tamworth and VVolver-hampton These Votaries abusing their Founders true pieties and heaping up Riches with disdain of the Laity laid themselves open as marks to be shot at whom the hand of the skilful soon hit and quite pierced under the aim of King Henry the Eighth who with such Revenues in most places relieved the Poor and the Orphans with Schools and maintenace for the training up of Youth a work no doubt more acceptable to God and of more charitable use to the Land 10 With thirteen Castles this County hath been strengthned and in Thirteen Market-Towns her Commodities traded being divided into five Hundreds and in them seated one hundred and thirty Parish-Churches Shropshire Petrus Kaerius caelavit SHROP-SHIRE CHAPTER XXXV SHROP-SHIRE is both large in circuit well peopled and very fruitful for life It lyeth circulated upon the North with the County Palatine of Chester upon the East altogether with Stafford-shire upon the South with Worcester Hereford and Radnor-shire and upon the West with Mountgomâ—ry and Denbigh 2 The form thereof is almost circular or round whose length from Wooserton below Lodlane South to Over neer unto the River Trent in the North is thirty four miles the broadest part is from Tong in the East to Oswestre fited at the head of
the degree of Latitude 54 yet the warmth from the Irish-Seas melteth the Snow and dissolveth Ice sooner there then in those parts that are further off and so wholsome for life that the Inhabitants generally attain to many years 4 The Soyl is fat fruitful and rich yielding abundantly both profit and pleasures for Man The Champion grounds make glad the hearts of their Tillers The Meadows imbroydered with divers sweet smelling Flowers and the Pasture makes the Kines Udder to strout to the Pail from whom and wherein the best Cheese of all Europe is made 5 The ancient Inhabitants were the CORNAVII who with Warwick-shire Worcester-shire Stafford-shire and Shrop-shire spread themselves further into this County as in Ptolomy is placed and the Cangi likewise if they be the Ceaâ—gi whose remembrance was found upon the Shore of this Shire on the surface of certain pieces of Lead in this manner inscribed IMP. DOMIT. AU. GER DF CEANG. These Cangi were subdued by P. Ostorius Scapula immediately before his great Victory against Caractacus where in the mouth of Deva he built a Fortress at the back of the Ordovices to restrain their power which was great in those parts in the Reign of Vespasian the Emperour But after the departure of the Romans this Province became a Portion of the Saxon-Mercians Kingdom notwithstanding saith Ran Higdan the City it self was held by the Britains until all fell into the Monarchy of Egbert Of the dispositions of the fince Inhabitants hear Lucan the Monk who lived prelently after the Conquest speak They are found saith he to differ from the rest of the English partly better and partly equal In feasting they are friendly at meat chearful in entertainment liberal soon aâ—gry and soon pacified lavish in words impatient of servitude merciful to the afflicted compassionate to the poor kind to their kindred spary of labour void of dissimulation not greedy in eating and far from dangerous practises And let me add thus much which Lucian could not namely that this Shire hath never been stained with the blot of Rebellion but ever stood true to their King and his Crown whose loyalty Richard the Second so far found and esteemed that he held his Person most safe among them and by the Authority of Parliament made the County to be a Principality and stiled himself Prince of Chester King Henry the Third gave it to his eldest Son Prince Edward against whom Lewlin Prince of Wales gathered a mighty Band and with them did the County much harm even unto the Cities Gaâ—es With the like scare-fires it had oft times been affrighted which the ylastâ—y defenced with a Wall made of the Welsh-mens Heads on the South side of Dee in Hambridge The Shire may well be said to be a Seed-plot of Gentility and the producer of many most ancient and worthy Families neither hath any brought more men of valour into the Field than Chess-shire hath done who by a general speech are to this day called The chief of Men and for Natures endowments besides their nobleness of minds may compare with any other Nation in the World their Limbs straight and well-composed their complexions fair with a chearful countenance and the Women for grace feature and beauty inferiour unto none 6 The Commodities of of this Province by the report of Ranulphus the Monk of Chester are chiefly Corn Cattle Fish Fowl Salt Mines Metals Mears and Rivers whereof the Banks of Dee in her West and the Vale-Royal in her midst for fruitfulness of pasturage equals any other in the Land either in grain or gain from the Cow 7 These with all other provision for life are traded thorow thirteen Market-Towns in this Shire whereof Chester is the fairest from whom the Shire hath the name A City raised from the Fort of Ostorius Lieutenant of Britain for Claudius the Emperour whither the twentieth Legion named Victrix was sent by Galba to restrain the Britains but grown themselves out of order Iulius Agricola was appointed their General by Vespasian as appeareth by Moneys then Minted and there found and from them no doubt by the Britains the place waâ— called Cder-Legion by Ptolomy Denanâ— by Antonine Dena and now by us West-Chester but Henry Bradshaw will have it built before Brute by the Giant Leon Gaver a Man beyond the Moon and called by Marius the vanquisher of the Picts Over Deva or Dee a fair Stone-bridge leadeth built upon eight Arches at either end whereof is a Gate from whence in a long Quadrant-wise the Walls do incompass the City high and strongly built with four fair Gates opening into the four Winds besides three 〈◊〉 and seven Watch-Towers extending in compass one thousand nine hundred and forty paces On the South of this City is mounted a strong and stately Castle round in form and the base Court likewise inclosed with a circular Wall In the North is the Minster first built by Earl Leofrike to the honour of S. Werburga the Virgin and after most sumptuously repaired by Hugh the first Earl of Chester of the Normans now the Cathedral of the Bishops See Therein lyeth interred as report doth relate the body of Henry the Fourth Emperour of Almane who leaving his Imperial Estate lead lastly therein an Hermites life This City hath formerly been sore defaced first by Egfrid King of Northumberland where he slew twelve hundred Christian Monks resorted thither from Bangor to pray Again by the Danes it was sore defaced when their destroying feet had trampled down the beauty of the Land But was again rebuilt by Edelfleada the Mercian Lady who in this County and Forrest of Delamer built two fine Cities nothing of them now remaining besides the Chamber in the Forrest Chester in the daies of King Edgar was in most flourishing estate wherein he had the homage of eight other Kings who rowed his Barge from S. Iohns to his Palace himself holding the Helm as their Supream This City was made a County incorporate of it self by King Henry the Seventh and is yearly governed by a Major with Sword and Mace born before him in State two Sheriffs twenty four Aldermen a Recorder a Town-Clerk and a Serjeant of Peace four Sergeants and six â—eomen It hath been accounted the Key into Ireland and great pity it is that the Port should decay as it daily doth the Sea being stopped to secure the River by a Causey that thwarteth Dee at her bridge Within the Walls of the City are eight Parish-Churches St. Iohns the greater and lesser in the Suburbs are the VVhite-Fryers Black-Fryers and Nunnery now suppressed From which City the Pole is elevated unto the degree 53 58 minutes of Latitude and from the first point of the West in Longitude unto the 17 degree and 18 minutes 8 The Earldom whereof was possessed from the Conquerour till it fell lastly to the Crown the last of whom though not with the least hopes is Prince Henry who to the Titles of Prince of VVales and Duke of Cornwall hath
homeward with his Wife he was drowned in a Tempest neer unto the Coasts of Radland 13 An. Dom. 1249. Raignald the Son of Olave and brother to Harold began his raign and on the thirtieth day thereof was slain by one Tvar a Knight in a Meadow neer unto the holy Trinity-Church and lieth buried in the Church of S. Mary of Russin 14 In the year 1252. Magnus the son of Olave came to Man and was made King The next year following he went to the King of Norway and stayed there a year 15 In the year 1265. Magnus Olaves son King of Man and of the Islands departed this life at the Castle of Russin and was buried in the Church of S. Mary of Russin 16 In the year 1266 the Kingdom of the Islands was translated by reason of Alexander King of Scots who had gotten into his hands the Western Islands and brought the Isle of Man under his dominion as one of that number 17 An. 1340. William Montacute Earl of Salisbury wrested it from the Scottish by strong hand and force of Arms and in year the 1393 as Thomas Walsingham saith he sold Man and the Crown thereof unto William Scroope for a great summe of money But he being beheaded for high Treason and his Goods confiscate it came into the hands of Henry the Fourth King of England who granted this Island unto Henry Piercy Earl of Northumberland But Henry Piercy entring into open Rebellion the fifth year following the King sent Sir Iohn Stanley and William Stanley to seize the Isle and Castle of Man the inheritance whereof he granted afterwards to Sir Iohn Stanley and his Heirs by Letters Patents â—with the Patronage of the Bishoprick c. So that his Heirs and Successors who were honoured with the Title of Earls of Darby were commonly called Kings of Man HOLY ISLAND GARNSEY FARNE IARSEY HOLY-ISLAND CHAPTER XLV THis Island is called Lindisfarne by the River Lied that is opposite unto it on the Coast of Northumberland Beda termed it a Demâ—-Island The Britains name it Iuis Medicante for that it twice every day suffereth an exordinary inundation and over-flowing of the Ocean in manner of an Island which twice likewise makes it continent to the Land and returning unto her watry habitation lays the Shore bare again as before It is called in English Holy-Island for that in ancient times many Monks have been accustomed to retired themselves thither and to make it their receptacle for solitude having on the West and South Northumberland and more South Eastward the Island Farne 2 The form of it is long and narrow the West-side narrower than the East and are both conjoyned by a very small spang of Land that is left unto Conies The South is much broader than the rest It is from East to West about two thousand two hundred and fifty paces and from North to South twelve hundred and fifty paces so that the circumference cannot be great 3 The Air is not very good either for health or delight as being seated on those parts that are subject to extremity of cold and greatly troubled with vapouâ—s and foggy mists that arise from the Seas 4 The Soil cannot be rich being rocky and full of Stones and unfit for Corn and Tillage It is neither commended for Hills to feed Sheep nor Pastures to fat Cattel neither hath it Vallies replenished with sweet Springs or running Rivolets only one excepted descending from a standing Pond The only thing this Island yieldeth is a fit and accommodate aptitude for Fishing and Fowling 5 Notwithstanding this is very worthy of note concerning the same which Alcun wrote in an Epistle to Egelred King of Northumberland namely that it was a place more venerable than all the places of Britain and that after the departure of S. Paulinus from York there Christian Religion began in their Nation though afterwards it there felt the first beginning of misery and calamity being left to the spoil of Pagans and Miscreants 6 It is also remembred of this Island that sometime there hath been in it an Episcopal See which Aidan the Scot instituted being called thither to Preach the Christian Faith to the People of Northumberland being thus delighted with the solitary situation thereof as a most fit place for retirement But afterwards when the Danes rifled all the Sea-Coasts the Episcopal See was translated to Durham 7 This Island so small in account either for compass or commodity and so unpeopled and unprofitable cannot be numerous in Towns and Villages It hath in it only one Town with a Church and a Castle under which there is a commodious Haven defended with a Block-house situate upon an Hill towards the South-East FARNE-ISLE THis Isle South-Eastward seven miles from Holy-Island sheweth it self distant almost two miles from Brambrough Castle On the West and South it beareth upon Northumberland and on the North-east-side it hath other smaller Islands adjoyning to it as Widopons and Staple-Island which lie two miles off Bronsinan and two lesser than these which are called the Wambes 2 The Form of this Iâ—le is round and no longer in compass than may easily be ridden in one half of a day The breadth of it is but five miles and the length no more The whole circumference extends it self no further than to fifteen miles 3 The Air is very unwholsom and subject both to many Dysenteries and other Diseases by reason of the miâ—ty Fogs and Exhalations that are thereunto drawn up from the Ocean It is many times troubled with unusual Tempests of Winds with boisterous â—ury of stormy Rains and with several and uncouth rages of the Sea 4 The Soil cannot be fertile being incircled about with craggy Clifts â—either hath it in it much matter either of pleasure or profit It can neither defend it self from Cold lacking Fuel as Wood Coal Turffs c. Nor from Famine wanting Food as Corn Pastures Cattel c. The best Commodity it yields is Fish and Fowl 5 This thing nevertheless is worthy to be remembred of it which Beda writing of the Life of Cuthbert Bishop of Lindisfarne that Tutelar Patron of the Northern Eâ—glishmen reporteth namely that in this Isle he built a City fitting his Government and erected certain Houses in the same the whole building standing almost round in compass and reaching the space of four or five Pearches The Wall about it he made higher than a Mans height to with-hold and keep in the wanton lasciviousness both of his thoughts and eyes and to elevate the whole intention of his mind up to heavenly desires that he might wholly give himself to the service of God But these are all made the ruins of time as sithence many other Monuments have been of worthy Antiquity 6 I cannot report that there are now many Houses standing in it much less Towns or Villages Only this that it hath a Tower or Place of Fortification belonging unto it placed well-neer in the middle part of the Isle GARNSEY THis Island
of his Mothers kindred by the Fathers side sâ—rely pestred and endamaged the English he sent into Wales both to purge aâ—d disburden his own Kingdom and to quell and keep back thâ— courage of his enemies These men here seated deceived not his expectation but so carried themselves in his quarrel that they seldome communicated with their Neighbours so that to this day they speak not the Language and the Country is yet called Little England beyond Wales 5 The Commodities of this Shire are Corn Cattel Sea-Fish and Fowl and in Giraldus his daies of saleable Wines the Havens being so commodious for Ships arrivage such is that at Tenby and Milford and Haven of such capacity that sixteen Creeks â—ive Bays and thirteen Roads known all by several names 〈◊〉 therein contained where Henry of Richmond of most happy memory arrived with 〈…〉 of Eâ—glands freedom from under the government of an usurping Tyrant 6 Near unto this is Pembroke the Shire-Town seated more ancient in shew than it is in years and more houses without Inhabitants than I saw in any one City throughout my Survey It is walled long-wife and them but indifferent for repair containing in circuit eight hundred and fourscore paces having three Gates of passage and at the West-end a large Castle and locked Causey that leads over the water to the decayed Priory of Monton The site of this Town is in the degree of Longitude as Mercâ—tor doth measure 14 and 35 minutes and the Elevation from the North-Pole in the degree of Latitude 52. 7 A City as barren is old Saint Davids neither clad with Woods nor garnished with Rivers nor beauâ—ified with Fields nor adorned with Meadows but lieth alwaies open both to Wind and Storms Yet hath it been a Nursery to Holy Men for herein lived Calphurnius a Britain Priest whose Wife was Choncha Sister to Saint Martin and both of them the Paâ—ents of Saint Patrick the Apostle of Ireland Devi a most Religious Bishop made this an Archepiscopal See removed from Isca Legiâ—num This the Britains call Tuy Dewy the House of Devi we Saint Davids a City with few Inhabitants yet hath it a fair Cathedral Church dedicated to Saint Andrew and David in the midst of whose Quire lieth intombed Edmond Earl of Richmond Father to King Henry the Seventh whose Monument as the Prebends told me spared their Church from other defacements when all went down under the Hammers of King Henry the Eighth About this is a fair Wall and the Bishops Palace all of Free-Stone a goodly House I assure you and of great Receit whose uncovered Tops cause the curious Works in the Walls daily to weep and them to fear their downfal ere long 8 But Monton the Priory and S. Dogmels places of devout piety erected in this County found not the like favour when the commission of their dissolutions came down against them and the axes of destruction cut down the props of their Walls 9 This Shire hath been strengthened with sixteen Castles besides two Block-Houses commandiâ—g the Mouth of Milfâ—rd-Haven and is still traded in five Market-Towns being divided into seven Hundreds and in them seated one hundred forty five Pariâ—h-Churches RADNOR BREKNOK CARDIGAN and CAERMARTHEN discribed Petrus Kaerius caelavit 1500. RADNOR-SHIRE CHAPTER III. RADNOR-SHIRE lyeth bordered upon the North with the County Monmouth upon the East toucheth Shropshire and Herefoâ—dshire the Rivers Clarwen and Wye divide it from Brecknock in the South and the West part doth shorten point-wise in Cardigan-shire 2 The form thereof is in proportion triangle every side containing almost a like distance for from West to North are twenty miles from North to South twenty two miles and from South to West are twenty four miles the whole in circumference extending to fourscore and ten miles 3 The Air thereof is sharp and cold as most of Wales is for that the Snow lieth and lasteth long unmelted under those shadowing high Hills and over-hanging Rocks 4 The Soil is hungry though not barren and that in the East and South the best the other parts are rough and churlish and hardly bettered by painful labour so that the Riches of the North and West consisted chiefly in the brood of Cattel 5 Anciently this County was posseâ—â—ed by the Silâ—res warlike People and great withstanders of the Romans Impoâ—itions who had not only them to â—ight against but withal the unacceâ—â—ible Mountains wherewith this Shire is so overpressed and burdened that many times I feared to look down from the hanging Rocks whereunder I passed into those deep and dark Dales seeming to me an entrance into Limbâ— Among thâ—se as say our Historiaâ—s that hateful Prince to God and Man Vâ—rtigâ—r his Countries scourge and last Monarch of the British-blood by Fire from Heaven was consumed with his incestuous Wise from whom â—iniâ— nameth the Country wherein his Castle stood Guartiger-Maur of whose Rubbish the Castle Guthremion was raised as some are of opinion Yet they of North-Wales will have his destruction and Castle to stand in their parts near unto Beth-Kellech whereof we will further speak in the relation of his Life Fatal was this place also to Llewellin the last Prince of the British Race who being betrayed by the Men of Buelth â—â—ed into those vast Mountains of Radnor where by Adam Francton he was slain and his Head Crowned with Ivy set upon the Tower of London 6 Places most worthy of note in this Shire are as ensueth The first is Radnor from whom the County receiveth her name anciently Magi where the Commander of the Pacensian Regiment lay and thought to be the Magnos in Antonine the Emperours Survey This Town is pleasantly seated under a Hill whereon standeth mounted a large and strong Castle from whose Bulwark a Trench is drawn along the West of the Town whereon a Wall of Stone was once raised as by the remains in many places appeareth This Trench doth likewise inverge her West-side so far as the River but after is no more seen whose Graduation is observed to have the Pole elevated for Latitude 52 degrees and 45 minutes and for Longitude from the first Point of the West set by Mercator 17 degrees and one minute Prestayn for beautious building is the best in this Shire a Town of Commerce wonderfully frequented and that very lately Next is Kâ—ighton a Market-Town likewise under which is seen the Clawdh-Offa or Offaes Ditâ—h whose Tract for a space I followed along the edge of the Mounâ—ain which was a bound set to separate the Welsh from the English by the Mercian King Offa and by Egberâ— the Monarch a Law made by the instigation of his Wife that it should be present death for the Welsh to pass over the same as Iohn Bever the Monk of Westminster reporteth and the like under Hâ—â—ald as Iohn of Salisbury writeth wherein it was ordained that what Welshman soever should be found with any weapon on this side of that Limit which was Offaes Ditch should have
them they suddenly perish Thus we see how God gives a property to each place that may make up her defects lest it should be left as well by beasts as men Their Land is full of sandy deserts wâ—ich â—e open to the winds and storms and ofttimes are thrown up into Billows like waves of the Sea and indeed are no less dangerous Straho writes that Cambyses his Army was thus hazarded in Aeâ—hiopia And Herodotus that the Psilli an ancient but foolish Nation it seemâ— in Africa as they marched toward the South to revenge themselves upon the winds for drying up their Rivers were over-whelmed with sand and so died in their graves Besides these annoyances it is so full of a venomous kind of Serpent that in some places they dare not dress their Land unless they first sence their legs with Boots against the sting Other wild creatures there are which range about and possess to themselves a great portion of this Country and make a Wilderness of Lions Leopards Elephants and in some places Crocodiles Hyenaes Basilisks and indeed Monsters without either number or name Afrâ—ca now every year produceth some strange creature before not heard of peradventure not extant For so Plâ—ny thiâ—ks that for want of water creatures of all kinds at some times of the year gather to those few Rivers that are to quench their thirst And then the Males promiscuously enforcing the Females of every Species which comes next him produceth this variety of forms and would be a grace to Afâ—ica were it not so full of danger to the Inhabitants which as Salusâ—t reports die more by Beasts than by diseases And those Tracts about Barbary are every tenth year 15 or 25 visited with a great plague and continually infected with the French disease in such violence that few recover unless by change of Air into Numidia or the Land of Negroâ—s whose very temper is said to be a proper Antidâ—te against those diseases 8 But among all these inconveniences commodities are found of good worth and the very evils yield at last their benefit both to their own Country and other Parts of the world The Elephant a docible creature and exceeding useful for Battel The Camel which affords much riches to the Arabian The Barâ—ary Horse which we our selves commend the Ram that besides his flesh gives twenty pound of wool from his very tail The Bull painful and able to do best service in their tillage And so most of their worst alive or dead yield us their medicinal parts which the World could not well want 9 In her division we will follow our later Masters in this Art whom time at least and experience if no other worth have made more authentick and those divide it into seven parts 1 Barbary or Mauritania 2 Numidia 3 Lybia or Africa pâ—opria 4 Nigritarum Terra 5 Aethiopia superior 6 Aethiopia inferior 7 Aegypt and to these we add the 8 Islands belonging to Africa 10 Barbary is the first The bounds of it are Northward the Mediterraneum Westward the Atlantick On the South the Mountain Atlas and on the East Aegypt It is esteeâ—ed the most noble part of all Africa and hath its name from an Arabick word Barbara that signifies a kind of rude sound for such the Arabians took their language to be and thence the Grecians call them Barbarians that speak a haâ—sher language than themselves Aftâ—r the Latines and now we esteem the people of our own Nation barbarous if they ever so little differ from the rudeness either of our Tongue or Mannâ—rs The Inhabitants are noted to be faithful in their course but yet crafty in promising and per forming too for they are covetous ambitious jealous of their Wives beyond measure Their Country yields Oranges Dates Olives â—igs and a certain kind of Goat whose hair makes a Stuff as firâ— as Sâ—â—k It contains in it the Kingdoms of â—unnis Algeires â—esse and Morocho 1 Tunnis is famous for several places mentioned of old Here was Dona where Augustine was Bâ—shop and Hippo his birth-place And Tunnis a City five miles in compass and old Carthage built by Virgils Dido Romes amâ—la for wealth valour and ambition of the universal Empire It was twenty two miles in câ—rcuit And Vtica memorable for Cato's death 2 Algeires contains in it a strange harbour for the Turkish Pirats and is of note for the resistance it made Charls the Fifth who received before the chief Towns in this Region an innumerable loss of Ships Horses Oâ—dnance and Men. 3 Eesse hath a City in it with seven hundred Churches and one of them a mâ—le and half in coniâ—ass Stafford And in this Country was our English Stukely slain 4 Morocho where the chief Town of the same name hath a Church larger than that of â—essâ— and hath a Tower so high that you may discern from the top of the hills of Azasi at an hundred and thiry miles distance Here is likewise a Castle of great same for their Globes of pure gold that stand upon the top of it and weighing 130000 Barbary Duckets 11 Numidia was the second part in our division of Africa and hath on the West the Atlantick on the East Egypt on the North Atlas and the Deserts of Lybia on the South It is called likewise Regio Dactylifera from the abundance of Dates for they feed upon them only and people Idolaters Ideots Thieves Murderers except some few Arabians that are mingled among them of ingenious disposition and addicted much to Poetry They seldome stay longer in one place than the eating down of the grass and this wandering course makes but few Cities and those in some places three hundred miles distant 12 Lybia the third is limited on the East with Nilus Westward with the Atlantick on the Noâ—th with Numidia and the South with Terra Nigritarum It was called Sarra as much as Desert For so it is and a dry one too such as can afford no water to a Traveller sometimes in seven days Iourney The Inhabitants are much like to the Numidians live without any Law almost of Nature Yet in this place were two of the Sibyls which prophesied of Christ and Arrius the Heretick About Lybia were the Garamantes and the Psilli mentioned before for their simple attempts against the South-wind 13 Terra Nigritarum the Land of Negroes is the fourth and hath on the West the Atlantick on the East Aethiopia superior on the North Lybia on the South Kingdom of Manilongâ— in the inferiâ—r Aethiopia It hath the Name either from the colour of the people which are black or from the River Niger famous as Nilus almost for her over-flowing insomuch that they pass at some times in Boats through the whole Country It is full of Gold and Silver and other Commodities but the Inhabitants most barbarous They draw their Original form Châ—s and have erâ—ertained all Religions that came in their way First their own then the Iews the Mahometans and some of them the Christian.
Tillage This in general 10 Time hath not given way to many divisions of this America I find one only in the best Authors and that it seems nature marked out to their hands For she hath severed the Continent into two Peninsulae The one lieth North-ward from the Aequinoctial and is called Mexicana The other for the most part South-ward toward the Magellanick Straits and is called Peruviana Each of them are subdivided into their Provinces 11 Mexicana is the first and her bounds on the East and West are the Atlantick Ocean and Mare del Zur By the first it is severed from Europe and by the last from the Regions of China and Tartaria in Asia and is distant not above 250 miles if we measure the passage at the shortest cut On the South it hath the Peninsula Peruviana and North-ward we are not sure whether Sea or Land It comprehends in compass 13000 miles The quality of the Inhabitants and the riches of her soyl shall appear in her several Provinces which are numbred thus 1 Nova Hispania or Mexicana propria 2 Quivira 3 Nicarugua 4 Iacutan 5 Florida 6 Virginia 7 Norumbega 8 Nova Francia 9 Terra laboratoris or Corterilalis 10 Estotâ—landia 12 Nova Hispania or Mexicana propria is the largest Province of this North part of America and gave the name Mexiacana to the whole Peninsula which her self received from her chief City Mexico Her bounds South-ward is the Isthmus that joyns the Continents North-ward the same with the Peninsulaes on the West Califormia or Mar Viriniglio and on the East Incutan It was first possest by the Spaniard 1518. But it cost them much bloud to intitle their Kings Hispaniarum Reges It is an excellent Country full of all variety almost in every kind usual with us and exceeds in rarities full of wonder There is one tree which they dress like our Vine and order it so that it yields them almost all useful necessâ—ries The leaves serve them instead of Paper and of the Vine â—ark they make Flax Mantles Mats Shoes Girdles and Cordage She hath in her four principal Regions of note 1 Nova Galicia found out by Nunnus Gusmannus 1530. Her Cities are Compostella now a Bishops See Sancte Espritte and Guadalaiara The inhabitants lived at large heretofore without any government But since the Spaniard came they have endured incredible servitude and cruelty 2 Mechnacan a fertile Region the Inhabitants comely and witty Her chief Cities Sinsonse the place of their native Kings Pascuar and Valudolit the Bishops See 3 Mexico or Tomistian which contains in it the City of Mexico in compass six miles the seat of an Arch-Duke and the Spanish Viceroy and in it is an University a Printing-house and a Mint for coynage Other Cities there are Tescuvo and Angelorum Civitby 4 Ganstecan lying open on the East near Mare del Nort. It is but barren and the people poor but cunning The Spaniards have here two Colonies Panuce and S. Iames in the vallies 13 Quivira bordereth upon the West of the Continent towards Tartary It is temperate and fertile But the chief riches is the Kine which feed them with their flesh and cloath them with their Hides Her Provinces are Cibola and Nova Albion The last was discovered by our noble Sir Francis Drake and voluntarily yieded to the protection of our admired Queen of England Elizabeth 14 Nicarugua on the South-east of Nova Hispania had a kind of setled Common wealth before they knew Christianity and is reported to have a tree that withereth at a mans touch The chief Cities are now Granado and Leo a Bishops See 15 Incutan is situated over against the Isle Cuba upon the East of the Peninsula The people adored the Cross before they heard of Christ. The Country is indifferent fertile though that indeed as in all other places of this new World have proved worse for the Inhabitants for it hath drawn upon them their forraign Invadour 16 Florida lyeth near the Gulf of Mexico and bordereth upon the Mare del Nort. A pleasant Region it is and was discovered by our English under Sebastian Cuhbot 1497. out left for the Spaniard to posses which for a while he did and after him the French but neither in quiet For they warred upon each other till they left neither of them men enough to hold it The French built the City called Ara Corobina The Spanish Est Hevens and S. Matthews and planted there three Forts Saint Iames Saint Philip Saint Augustine which was burnt by Sir Francis Drake 1586. but recovered again 17 Virginia carries in her name the happy memory of our Elizabeth On the East it hath Mare del Nort on the North Norumbega Florida on the South and Westward the bounds are not set It was first entred by Sir Walter Raleigh 1584. and some at that time left there to discover the Country till more were sent but they perished before the second supply Since there have been many Colonies planted out of England which have there manured the ground and returened good Commodities to the Adventurers For indeed it is a rich Country in Fruits Trees Beasts Fish Fowle Mines of Iron and Copper Viens of Pitch Allum and Tar Râ—zin Gums Dies Timber c. The Plantation went on with good success till the year 1622. And then by the treachery of the Inhabitants there were murdered near upon three hundred of our men The Natives are very vile people horrible Idolaters adore the creature which they most fear and hate them which keep them not in awe they were kindly entreated by our English and invited by all friendly means to Christianity The North parts are most inhabited by our men and is therefore called New Eâ—gland It hath but one entrance by Sea at a fair Bay Her Capes are called Cape Henry and Cope Charls The chief Towns are Ianus Town Regnoughton and Balesguift 18 Norumbega on the North of Virgiâ—ia lyeth toward the Mare del Nort and is a very fertile Region It is inhabited by the Spanish and French The Seas are shallow and endanger many ships So full of Fish that the Boats cannot have free passage saith Maginus 19 Nova Francia is further North-ward from Norumbega a barren Country and the people barbarous some Anthropophagi A few French there are besides the Natives 20 Terra Laboratoris or Conterialis still more North-ward upon the Sea-coast and is divided from Norumbega by the River Lanada It reacheth into the Sea in form of a Pâ—niusula The men are barbarous live in Caves run swiftly and are good Archers The chief places are Bresto Cabo Marzo and South Maria. 21 Estotiland the last Province of the Northern Peninsula still creeps by the edge of the Atlantick and on the North hath the Straits called Fretum Daveissii an English man who this way attempted the North-west unto Cathai and China And in regard it was adventured in the name of our Queen the Promontory is called Elizabeths Fore-land and the Sea running by
12 Brunswick and Lunenburg 13 Franconia 14 Palaltinus Rhâ—ne 15 Wittenburg 16 Aâ—sper 17 Bayden 18 Mentz 19 Bamberg 20 Weirstberg 21 Saxonia 22 Anâ—â—â—t 23 Mansfield 24 Swevia 25 Bavaria 26 Brandenburg 27 Lusatia 28 Tirolum 29 Misnia 30 Bohemia 31 Silesia 32 Moravia 33 Pomeranea 34 Mecklinburg 35 Austria 15 East-Frezeland is on the West side of Germany and bounded with the North Sea Her chief Town is Embden 2 Wesphalia is on the South of East Frizeland It is most famous for Swine and excellent Bacon which is esteemed with us one of our greatest dainties to commend a feast Part of it belongs to the three next Bishops of Cullen Munster and Triers 3 Cullen her Arch-Bishop is an Elector The chief Town was called Vbiopolis afterward Agrippina and lastly Cullen from a Colony which was there planted by the French It is a received tradition among the Inhabitants that the bodies of the Wisemen which came from the East to worship Christ are here interred None almost but hath heard of the three Kings of Cullen 4 Munster Her chief City is Munster notable since the year 1533 at which time a company of brain sick Anabaptists named it Ierusalem and raised them a new Governour by the title of the King of Sâ—â—â— 5 Triers Her Arch bishop an Elecator Her chief City Tâ—iers of great antiquity founded by Trebeta the son of Nâ—â—ius and â—â—pport sackt by our Earl Richard King of the Romans 16 6 Clivia or Cleeveland a Duke dome of that name Her chief Cities are Wesell Emrick and Cleve Her commodity the Tophus-stone of which they make Cement 7 Iuliacum Gulick a Dutchy Her principal City is Aken or Aquiseranum where the Emperour receives his Silver Crown for Germany and doth great worship to a clout which they take to be our Saviours Mantle in which he was wrapped 8 Hassia a mountainous Country but fruitful Her Metropolis Marpurgum an University and the chief place of her Lant-grave is Cassels It comprehends likewise the Counties of Nassâ—w and Hanaw 9 Alsatia Her chief City is Strasburg famous for a Clock of wonderful art and a Tower of five hundred seventy eight paces high Other Towns here are of note as Bing Worms Confluence and Andernach 10 Helvetia Swetzerland on the East of France and North of Italy It contains thirteen Cantons Zurich Berne â—â— ucerne Vrenia Glavis Zugh Basell Friburg Vnderwalt Soâ—oâ—r Shasâ—haâ—â—en Apeâ—sol and Suits Her chief Cities are Zurike or Tigurum where Zuinglius was martyred and Sengâ—ll or Civitas Sancti Galli and Baâ—ell where a general Council was decreed to be above the Pope in the year one thousand four hundred thirty one 17 Tariâ—gia Her Prince a Lant-grave Her ground though not of large extent nor above twelve German miles either in length or breadth saith Maginus yet it is very rich it comprehends twelve Counties as many Abbies a hundred fourty four Cities as many Towns above two thousand Viliages two hundred and fifty Castles Her Metropolisis Eâ—â—ord 12 Brunswick on the East of Wâ—sâ—phaliâ— a Dukedom whose principal Citiâ—s are Brunswick Hâ—lâ—erstâ—de Wolâ—heiton and Luneburg which gives title to an other Dukâ—dom whose chief Seat is Cella â—18 13 Franconia Iâ— lyeth on the West of Tâ—ringia and joyns to Hossia Northward The Inhabitants were converted to Christianity by Boniface In this Province stands Francfort famous for her â—wo Marts every year and Noremâ—erge within the Territories are comprehended the seven other which â—elong to this section 18 The Palatine of Rhene some seventy two miles from North to South and from East to West nienty six Her chief City is Heidelberge Her Prince an Elector and hath many more priviledges than the other six In the vacancy he is Governour of a great part of Germany â—â— Wâ—tteâ—â—â—rge The chief Towns are Tubing an Vniversity Stâ—dgard c. 16 Aâ—spech a Marquiâ—aâ—e Her chiâ—f Town Aâ—â—pech 17 Badâ—n a Marquisate pleasant and fruitfull betwixt the Rivers Rhene and Nâ—ccar Her chief Cities are 〈◊〉 and Baden in which there be Bathes that cures many diseases 18 Mentâ— Mâ—guntia a Bishoprick The Prince is a Spiritual Elector and sits alwaies at the right hand of the Emperour 19 Bamberg a Bishoprick of it self of large revenues In this stands Fochia where they say Pontius Pilate Was born 20 Weirstberg Her Bishop is entituled Duke of Franconia 19 21 Saxony on the East of Hassia and South of Brunswick and North of 〈◊〉 In this Province was Luther born at Isâ—eben Within her bounds are likewise comprehended tâ—ese two other Principalities of Anhalt and Mansfield 22 Anhalt whose Governour with great courage and power bore Arms in defence of the Palatines right to the Kingdom of Bohemia 23 Mansâ—â—eld an Eâ—rldom the more famous for the valiant acts of the present Count who to this day wars upon the Emperours party in the behalf of the illustrious Pâ—latine and his unparrelled â—ady Elizabeth Sister to his royal Maâ—esty of England 20 14 Swevia on the South of Franconia It is a Country full of people and those 〈◊〉 goodly personage great wit and valiant In this Province is the head of Danubius and runs through the middle of the Country Her chief Towns are Vlme Lendawe and Auspurg or Augusta Vindelicorum Norlingen c. 25 Bavaria on the South of Bohemia and Franconia There is both the upper and lower Bavaria Of the first the chief Cities are Muchen Ingolstade Frising and about thirty four Towns more equal to the most Cities of the lower Bavaria the principal are Ratisbone Patâ—vium Pâ—ssâ—n Lanshutum and Saltâ—pâ—rge In this City lyeth â—uried Paracelsus 26 Brandenburg on the East of Saxoâ—y a Marquisate of five hundred and twenty miles in compass It was heretofore inhabited by the Vandales The Metropolis is Brandenburg and Francfort ad Oâ—iâ—um for so it is distinguisht from the other Francfort in Franconia and Berlium Herâ— are fifty-five Cities and sixty-four Towns 27 Lusatia it looks West-ward toward Saxony The chief City is Gorlitâ—ia 28 Tyrolum on the South of South of Bavaria and East of Helvetia Her cheif Cities are Oonipus Inspruck Brâ—ixen Tridentum Trent where the general Council was held one thousand five hundred forty six 29 Misnia on the East of Lâ—satia a â—ruitfull Region Her chief Ciâ—ies are Misnia Dresden Lipsin a place of learning and Torga many Writers place this Province with Saxony 21 30 Bohemia on the South of Saxony and Misnia encompassed with the Sylva Hircinia a â—ruitfull and pleasant Country It may deserve a particular description of it self and therefore I wilâ— mention it here with no other solemnity then I do the rest of Germany Her Metropolis is Prague which was taken by the Impâ—rialists in thâ—â— last quarrel the King and Queen being at that time in the Church celebrating Gods service were forced suddenly to flie for their safety into Sileâ—ia 31 Silâ—sia Eastâ—ward from part of Bohemia two hundred miles long and eighty one broad a fruitfull Country the people valiant Her principal Cities
hour and caused them to cast off the Spanish clog which they did in the year 1581. and declared by their Writings that Philip the second King of Spain had forfeited his Government of the Low-Countries by breach of his faith And withall they bound their people by a new oath never to return to their obedience which they yet make good against the Arch-Dutchess who by kindred to the Spanish King and marriage to the Arch-Duke is at this time interested in the Government and therefore in the quarrel 11 To her there belongs of the 17 Provinces 1 The Dukedoms of Lutzenburg 2 Limburg and 3 Brabant 4 The Earldoms of Flanders 5 Artoyse 6 Hannault 7 Namurcia 8 The Barony of Mechlin 9 The Marquisate of the holy Empire To the States are reckoned 10 Dutchy of Geldria 11 The Earldoms of Zutphen 12 Zealand and 13 Holland 14 The Baronies of Vtrech 15 Overissell 16 Frizeland 17 And Groyning 12 We begin with the Dukedomes entailed to the Spanish Faction and for the easier finding their situation we will take them as they lie from West to East And in this order is 1 Lutzenburg It stands betwixt the River Mosa on the West and the Forrest of Ardenna East on the South it joyns upon a part of France Her chief City is Lucenburg called by Ptolomy Angusta Romanduorum In circuit this Dukedome is 240 miles and contains in it many other Towns which have been much battered in the Wars betwixt the French and Spanish Kings before the States were at difference among themselves Thâ—onville among others is of note for the stronger Bostâ—nachum for the chief Merchandise It is called the Paris of Ardenna for by some that Forrest is reckoned into this Dukedom It stands on the East-side was in Caesars time 500 miles in compass now about 90. Near to Ardenna is the Spaw Baths of great fame for the cure of sundry diseases And hath oftentimes given our false English a pretence to leave their Countrey forsooth for Physick when they have no other excuse to get free and joyn themselves with the Romish Catholicks Maginus reckons into this Region 1168 Villages besides Castles with several Earldoms many other petty Governments In the South is the Dutchy of Bovillon belonging to a Peer of France 2 Limburg on the North East of Lutzenburg divides the Government between her own Duke and the Bishop of Luick who commands the Western Tract as much as contains 24 walled Towns and 1800 Villages and hath under him 52 Baronies Luick the chief City of the Bishoprick is an University memorable for this one story above any other in Christendom That at one time there studied 9 Kings sons 24 Dukes sons 29 Earls sons c. The Dukes part in the East is not of that fame either for multitude of Towns and Villages or command of under territories In the year 1293 the heirs male were extinct and by that means it fell to the Duke of Brabant The whole Region is exceeding fertile and affords almost all necessaries except Wine Among other commodities it abounds with a kind of stone of excellent use in Physick called Lapis Calaminani The principal City Limburg stands upon the River Wesa 3 Brabant on the North of Limburg which commonly is supposed to have the name from Brachlant as if a barren soil but it is otherwise reported unless towards the North. The people are very jolly ut veri gravem senectutem sentire videantur And that methinks should argue plenty Her chief Cities are Loraign an University which contains 20 Colledges and among the rest a Seminary for English Iesuits Bruxels and this is the Dukes seat strengthened with a double wall and is adorned with very elegant buildings Bergen ap Some which is yet fresh in the memory and mouths since the siege 1622. Bolduc whose people are noted to have preserved the antique valour of their Predecessors more than any other of the Provinces Breda was the place of the Prince of Orange got from the Spaniard by a desperate policy of a small number of Gentlemen which ventured themselves into the Castle being conveyed in a Boat covered with turves when they were past recoil they were forced to set their best strength forward as well for their lives as the Victory and were blest with a success beyond hope They mastered the Castle and the rest soon followed It was of late recovered by the Spaniards after a long siege where our English got honour though not conquest under the conduct of our noble and valiant Earl of Oxford And lastly within the compass of this D. is contained 13 The Marquisate of the holy Empire whose chief City is Antwerp a Town heretofore of infinite Trading had two Marts every year qualified with an extraordinary priviledge that during the time no man might be arrested nor his goods seized and questionless this invited many which were in debt and could not have the freedom of traâ—tique elsewhere 14 The Earldoms are 1 Flanders First indeed as well in esteem as situation For it gives name to the whole Region of the Netherlands and the Prince writes himself Comes Dei gratiâ it is the very North west tract of this Belgia and is divided in Teutonican Imperatoriam and Gallicam The first is the Flandria Flandricans properly Flanders The principal Cities are Gandadâ—m Gaut the birth place of our Iohn Duke of Lancâ—ster She is severed by the River Shead and lets into 26 Islands and hath passage from one to another by 98 Bridges Her walls are seven miles in compass Her other Towns are Burgies and Graveling Her Ports Dunkirk Scluse Newport Ostend c. The two last notable one for a pitcht field the other for a long siege In both the English honourably maintained the right of the States against the Archâ—Duke Flandria Imperatoria is but a small parcel and borders upon Brabant is called the Earldom of Hulit which is the chief City within her Territoties Gallica Flandria is not of any large extent but very fertile and pleasant Her chief Towns are Lilla or Lilse Duacum Doway an University Orchais Tornai taken by King Henry the Eighth and ransomed by the Inhabitants for 100000 Duckets 2 Artesia Artoyse the seat of the Atrebates in Caesars time Their chief City was then called Atrebatum now Arras whence we have our rich hangings and their name It lieth most on the South of Flanders Maginus reckons to her 12 Cities and 852 Villages The chief of name beside their Mother Town Arras are Ayre Pernes S. Omer S. Paul 3 Hannonia Hanolt on the East of Flanders 60 miles long broad 48 contains 950 Villages and 24 Towns besides Castles The chief are Banais supposed to stand in the same place where the ancient Belgium was built Mons Conde Valenciennes c. 4 Namurce on the East of Hanolt a fruitful Countrey and full of Mines especially of Iron It hath but four Cities 182 Villages The Metropolis is Namurce and the rest Charlemont
was forced by Evander the Arcadian a man of that admirable eloquence that he was called the son of Mercury but had by chance slain his Father and was therefore expulsed his inheritance and advised into Italy by his Mother a great Prophetess of those times He removed the Aborigines from their seat and planted his companions in the same plot of ground where after Rome was built and in the Mons Palatinus founded a little Town which he called Palâ—auteum in memory of his great grandâ—father And this was about the year 2710. 6 About 60 years after Aeneas arrived in this Countrey from the siege of Troy was entertained as an amorous suitor by Lavinia with consent of her Father Latinus and after the death of his corrival Turnus King of the Rutilians was setled heir to the Latin Monarchy after his Father 7 From Aeneas to Numitor the succession went on not without some rubs but suffered no great breach for almost four hundred years When the title should have fallen to him being the elder and true heir he was spoiled of the Kingdom by his younger Amulius Sylvius nor could it be recovered till time had given growth and strength to Romulus and Remus his grand-children by his daughter Rhea 8 The birth and breeding of these two brothers is well known we need not enlarge their story farther than thus They were the sons of Rhea a Virgin which was cloystered up into the Temple of Vesta by her Uncle Amulius Sylvus that she might not bring forth an heir to endanger his Title Notwithstanding means was found so that she conceived at once two children by Mars and was delivered among her Sister Vâ—stals For this her self as the censure was upon such delinquents was buried alive her boys exposed to be destroyed but were preserved by Faustulus the Kings Shepherd and nursed by his wife Laurentia or Lâ—pa for her bad life 9 When years and their supposed father had taught them their pedegree and the base tyranny of their Uncle they began with revenge upon him for their mothers quick burial for their own intended murder and their Grandsires injury To be brief they slew their great Uncle Amâ—lius Sylvius and turned the Kingdom to the rightful 〈◊〉 10 Thus when they had once dealt in disposing of Empires they could not easily return to the Shepherds hook but bethought them of the like fortune for their own advancement and stirred not far to make good their purpose but in the very Mons Palatinus the place where they suckt their nurse they drew together a monstrous head of debaucht Shepherds and built the City which is now called Rome from Romulus who in strife for the name or as some say for a disdainful skip over the new walls slew his brother Rhemus and was left the sole Founder and Commander of this rascal crew for so indeed it was and held in that contempt by their borderers that they could not by intreaty get wives from them to continue their succession till by a guile they had enticed the Sabines to their Pastimes ravisht their women and afterward by degrees either made their peace or wan it with the sword from the people round about them 11 Thus began the Empire of Rome and was governed at first by 7 Kings in a direct succession to Tarquinius Superbus who lost both himself and Kingdom by his own pride and his Son Sextus rape upon Lucretia It was next taken up by Consuls two annually chosen out of the Patritii or principal Citizens The third rank were of Decemviri but they again were dispossest for the like rape of Appius upon Virginia and Tribunes were constituted of Consulary authority Then Consuls again in another course and for a while Dictators which when Caesar had once clapsed he soon made to himself a power Imperial and though after five years it cost him his life which he enchanged with Brutus and Cassius for 23 wounds in the Senate-house yet the liberty of Rome was never so fully recovered but that soon after the Government fell upon Angustus by the death of Anthony and deposing of Lepidus who for a while were joyned with him into the Triumviratus 12 Thâ—s hold was scarce ever lost clearly to this day though by the changing of the seat Imperial from Rome to Bizantium in the reign of their forty third Constantinus by the division into the Eastern and Western in the time of Theodotius by the many invasions of the Goths Huns Vandals Alani Burgundians and Lombards it comes now far short of that full glory in which it once shined 13 Yet is Italy still as before a happy soyl pleasant and fertile at all times moderate weather and healthful air full of variety as well of living creatures as Plants Corn Wine Oyl Linnen Herbs c. And can afford into other Countries Rice Silks Velvets Sattins Taffataes Grogram Rash Fustians Gold-wire Armour Allom Glasses c. The rich are very rich for wealth will come with much labour in great abundance but the poor are extream poor for they are most of them very idle 14 Her chief Rivers are Padus or Poe Athesis Rubica Tyberis Arnus c. And her chief Mountains are the Alps and Mons Appennius The first are in height 5 dayes journey covered with snow and from thence have their name à nivibus albis They have two passages from Germany into the Countrey and three out of France From Germany by the Valtoline and by Trent Out of France through Provence and Liguria through the hills Genura to Lombardy and through the Countrey of Turaign The Appennine Mountains run at length with Italy like the ridge of a mans back and is called indeed Spina The measure of Italy is from North-west to South-East about 1020 miles and from the two Seas cross in some places 410. 15 The Inhabitants are of a sad temper solid judgement witty Politick and frugal yet they are as deeply engaged to their peculiar vices hot letchers and those seldome stand quit from that horrible torture of jealousie over their Wives for it measures others actions by its own rule Both in them are incredible and makes treachery and murder seem no fault in their eye if they be provoked by suspition Little friendship with them but for advantage and a man must beware that he venter not farther upon those terms than he may well step back lest he be betrayed perhaps forced to a love worse than their hate for they are most unnatural in their lust The Women when they have their free liberty differ not much but their close keeping either hinders or at least hides their faults so as they appear modest lovely and witty for as much as they dare speak 16 For war and learning it bred in times past the mirrour of both Camillus Fabius Maximus Scipio Pompey Caesar Cicero Livie Tacitus Virgil Ovid and many hundreds which yet prompt our tongues and pens with examples of goodness in several kinds Nor hath it lost that
Sibenburgen which she yet keeps as a remembrance of her residence in these parts The Country is populous and fertile It breeds fair and fierce Horses wild Bulls Indeed their men in some parts are not very tame Toward the North in the Province Zaculcia they live most upon the spoil maintaining continual war with the Turks and Germans and acknowledge no difference of worth or degrees among themselves Their Government or rather want of government is compared to the Helvetian Three places they have Hâ—sdy Corbay and Sceply whither they resort to determine of their State busines The chief Towns of Transylvania are Harmenstad Alba Iulia or Weisingburg Claneenburg Schlesburg Millenbachium Coronae or Cronstant 15 Moldavia lieth in the North of Transylvania and reacheth as far as the Euxine Sea on the West it hath part of Ruthenia This Country hath been by course in the several possessions of the Emperour of Germany the King of Poland and sometimes the Turk thereafter as it was cast by chance of war It was a Vayvodate and her chief Cities Occazonia Fuchiana and Falezing To this Moldavia belongs the Countrey of the Bessi mentioned by Ovid in his 6 de Tristibus Vivere quà m miserum est inter Bessosque Getasque They were a people of Thrace not far from Pontus who lived most by theft and pillage and after possest the Mountain Haemus and a part which lies betwixt it and Lituania and from the Inhabitants bears the name of â—essaralia Their principal Towns are â—ilim and Chermem This last is the seat of the Turkish Sanziack for the whole Province became subject to his tyranny in the year 1485. 16 Walachia is supposed rather to have been first named Flaccia by the Roman Flaccus who placed here a Colony which have continued the Latine tongue to this day among the Inhabitants though in a corrupt idiome such as can hardly be understood Near to this over the River Danubius stands Pons Trajanus built by the Emperour Trajanus Nerva a work worth admiration as appears by those ruinous parcels which are yet standing It hath puzzled the best Artificers to find out how such a vast foundation could be framed in so deep and fierce a stream which could not be turned into any other course to give way to the building The Country abounds with good commodities Gold Silver and Iron Salt-pits Wine Cattel and excellent great Horses The chief Cities are Sabinivus Prâ—ilaba and Tergoresta 17 Servia lies divided from Hungary and Rascia with the River Savus on her North and Bosnia on her West It was the seat of the ancient Triballi who met with Philip King of Macedonia and took from him the spoils which he had brought from Maeteas King of the Sarmatians It was it seems but a barbarous people and therefore Aristophanes in one of his Comedies among his mock-gods names Marathane-triballos Her chief Cities are 1 Taurunum which Pliny placeth in the utmost bounds of Pannonia It is commonly known by the name of Belgard and Alba Graeca It is not so great as glorious nor is it fortified so much with walls as Rivers it lieth open for a siege only one way which the Turk often attempted and returned with great loss yet at last in the year one thousand five hundred twenty one it gave up to Solyman and became a Province to his Empire It stands near where the Rivers Danubius and Savus are dissevered and is the Town which the Hungarians report to have been once delivered by the admirable industry of Ioannes Capistranus a Franciscan who is much honoured for the action by those of his own Society But Ioannes Huviades thaâ—t great Souldier and terrour to the Turk challengeth the glory as his peculiar Vadianus 2 Samandria and 3 Stoniburg 18 Rascia is on the North of Danubius where it parts with the River Savus and lieth betwixt Servia and Bulgaria In her chief City Boden there is kept a Fair once every year and much people resort for enterchange of commodities from most Countries thereabout 19 Bulgaria somewhat North-East from Rascia and is bounded with Danubius upon the South Theophylact was here Bishop and was called Bulgarius Near this is the City Tomos where Ovid lived in Banishment as himself mentioneth in his 3. de Tâ—istibus The principal Cities at this present are 1 Sophia the seat of the Berlegbeg of Greece And 2 Nicopolis The ornament of their King was imperial a Crown of gold attire of silk and red shoes Their title 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a tearm allowed by the Greek Emperours to those only which might wear this habit the rest they called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as much as Reges 20 Bosnia on the West of Servia and South of the River Savus had her name from the Bossi or Bessi the people of Bulgaria within the memory almost of our Fathers it was governed by Kings and as yet retains the title of the Kingdom of Bosnia The chief Towns are Cuzachium and Iaâ—iga the first is the place of residency and the second of burial for the Bosnian Kings Heretofore the City Sinderoria had that honour which some suppose to be the same that was once called Dardanum DANIA The Description of the Kingdom of DENMARK THE Kingdom of Denmark strikes into the Sea upon the North of Germany as Italy on the South the manner of both is not much unlike and the glory of this heretofore was not inferior For however in these latter ages the pride of Rome hath pranked up her Territories in gay apparel yet the day was when both she and they stooped to the Inhabitants of this Country though then known by another name of Cimbria Chersonesus Three Roman Consuls Manilius Sillanus and Cepio fell by their sword and the Empire it self it seems was in a shrewd hazzard when their own Historian reports that Actum esset de imperio nisi illi saecul Marius contigisset 2 The people were then and had been from their beginning the Cimbri a Progeny of Gomer first son of Iapheth who before they removed into this quarter of the world dwelt in the inner Asia near the straight which passeth from the Pontus Euxinus to the Polus Maeotis there we yet find the Bosphorus Cimmericus in Ptolomy which took name from the Cimmerii for so they were called at large and by contraction Cimbri 3 From thence they were in time disturbed by the Scythians and forced to seek them a new sea for their habitation which after long travel here they found fittest for their security as being a Peninsula fenced almost round with Seas from the force of all foreign Enemies Yet here too they met at last with a worse danger which they could less resist For the main Ocean brake into a great part of the Countrey displaced many of their Colonies and sent them Petitioners to Rome for a dwelling within her Dominions but their entreaty being with some neglect denied it kindled the sparks which to this time had lain as it were
now belongs to this government the first since the year 1454. in the time of Casimirus and the last was brought under by Sigismond the first about an hundred years after 3 14 Polonia is divided into the greater and less The greater Poland is more Northern and joyns upon Pomerania and Prussia It was therefore called the greater because here Lechius first planted himself and built the City Guesna which was the Regal seat till it was translated to Cracovia in the lesser Poland 1320. yet at this day is her Archbishop Primate of the Kingdom during an interregnum hath the power of a Prince and Crowns the new King at his Inauguration Polonia the less is more Southern lies hard upon Russia and Hungary It is now esteemed the more noble part of this Province For here stands the Metropolis Cracovia on the banks of Vistula and Lublin and other of the best note in Poland 4 15 Prussia Spruce on the East of Pomerania hath the Baltick Seas on the Norâ—â— and Massoriâ— on the South and on her own East Lituania It is now a Dukedome and contains Cities of note Danâ—zike where Keckerman professed and Mons Regus Regimont Maneburg Heilsperge Câ—lne c. Her chief commodity is Leather much used heretofore to make Ierkins where none more brave than the younker that could compass a Leather Ierkin Here is likewise great store of Amber a juyco growing like a Corral in a Mountain of the North Sea which is clean covered with water and cast up by violence of the waves into their Havens 5 Russia nigra on the East and South of Poland the less and the North of Hungary and West of Podolia and had her name as some suppose first Ruthenia and Russia which in the Ruthen tongue signifies no other than a dispersed Nation For so were the Russians through all Sarmatia Europaea and a part of the Asiatick from the frozen Ocean to the Mediterrâ—neum and the Sinus Adriaticus and the Pontus Euxinus and the Mare Balticum all that used the Sclavonian tongue and professed Christ after the manner of the Greeks were called Russi and Luthenâ— But the Province here meant is only the South Tract as much as belongs to the King of Poland and is called Nigra to distinguish it from Muscovia or Russia Alba. The people are valiant and in their fights use weapons of exceeding weight and bigness Her Prince is eâ—tituled Duke the name of King they will not endure This Province contains the Territories Leopoliensis with her chief city Leopolis Lunt-burg a fair Town and an Arch bishop See And the Territories Haliciensis â—elzensis Praemifliensis c. 6 16 Samogitia toward the North and her West hath the Sinus Balticus North East Livora It is in length fifty miles very cold compassed in with Woods and Rivers Her principal Town is Camâ—a But not that nor any other is very famous for Lordly buildings the fairest are but sheds in respect of other Countries The Peasants are truly so indeed for they reckon themselves but little better than their Cattel live under the same roof with them without any partition or nice loathing of their nastiness a life fit enough for such a people for they are yet most of them gross Ido laters and are oft times met in their Woods with horrid visions and are strangely cozened by the Devil with a belief that they can prophecy The silly blasphemers nourish in their house a poor snake like themselves gathered out of some ditch and call it their god worship it with great fear and reverence and sacrifice once in a year I Octob. to their devil but by the name of their god Ziem enike The better sort are Christians of a comely portraiture and good feature valiant and ready to take Arms when occasion calls them Their greatest plenty is of Honey which they gather ready made to their hands in their hollow trees 17 Massoria on the South of Prussia and North of Polonia and Russia and the East of either Poland West of Lituania She had her name from a former Duke which was ejected by Casimirus where it had a peculiar Prince of its own it belonged to the second son of the Kings of Poland but in the year 1526 after the untimely death of Iohn and Starislaus heirs to this State it became a peculiar to the Crown of Poland Her chief City is Marscoria which hath many under her all use the same speech and customes with the other Polonians 8 Livonia to the North bounded with Finland on the South with Lituania on the West with the Baltick Sea and on the East with Muscovie It is a large Province carries in breadth one hundred and sixty miles and in length five hundred It is Fenny and Woody but yet hath Corn and Fruit plenty Cattel good store wild and tame especially Horses They have Honey Wax c. enough to exchange with other Countries for Wine and Oyl For this yields little or none It became Christian one thousand two hundred Her chief Towns are Riga Rivalia Derpe and Venda About some twelve miles from the Continent is the Isle of Osel 9. 18 Podlussia on the East of Massoria and West of Lituania was joyned to Poland one thousand five hundred sixty nine The Inhabitants are Massorites Russians and Polands Her chief Towns are Titock sin a Fort where the Kings Treasure is kept Beisco and Russin In this the King hath a fair Court furnisht magnificently both for state and pleasure 10 Lituania on the East of Poland and South of Livonia on the West of Muscovia and North of Podolia The air is very unnatural and by that means the creatures thereof every kind are very small and their wants great of Corn Wine Salt c. The people are of a slavish disposition and live thereafter poor and basely The women have a freedom by custome to keep many Stallions which their Husbands love us themselves and call them their adjutories But the men may by no means play false Their condemned persons be it to death must execute themselves or be tormented till they expire They became Christians 〈◊〉 as they are one thousand three hundred eighty six The principal Cities are Vilna 〈◊〉 and Brestia and Norigredum a City by report larger than Rome 19 11 Volhinia lieth betwixt Lituania Padolia and Russia a plentiful Region and breeds hardy Souldiers They live as Russians use the same speech and customes Her chief Towns are Kioria and Lircassia upon the edge of Boristhenes 12 Podoâ—ia is on the South of Lituania East of Poland and North of the River Niester or Boristhenes as it runs from his head to the Pontus Euxinus and on the West of Russia It affords great plenty it seems three Harvests they say of one sowing It is pity saith Vadianus it should be left desert as in manner it is unless here and there a Village Her chief is Camiensen the only one able to return the Turks and Tartars with the loss as it
themselves near this Lake is another whose waters cast up a sulphureous scum Of the Mountains of thâ—is Countrey the only of note are those famous Amadoci Riphaei and Hyperboreâ— so much spoken of and so obscurely defin'd by the Ancients being one continued ridge of â—ilâ—s which under these several names runs overthwart European Sarmatia and tends first North then South lastly Eastward into Asiatick Sarmatia The Russian or Moscovian Empire is divided into 30 Provinces whereof several are Dutchies and Principalities viz. 1 Moscovia properly so called the Principal City whereof and not only of this Province but of the whole Empire is Mosco seated on a River of the same name but five miles in compass since burnt by the Tartar it contains 16 Churches built for the most part like the houses of mud and wood but the chief ornament of the Town is the Emperor's Palace like a Town for largeness next it is the Palace of the Patriarch This City is defended by two Castles Kitugorod and Basigorod the next Town of note is Sloboda a Bishop's See This Province extends from East to West 600 German miles and besides the inferior Souldiery furnishes the Great Duke with 3000 Boiares who serve in the nature of the Tuâ—kish Timariots or such as hold by Knights service 2 Volodomire a Dukedom added to the Title of the Great Duke a fertile Province once the Seat of the Empire till the time of Iohn Danielovitâ— who removed to Mosco from which it is distant 36 Polonish miles the next City of note is Muron 3 Novogardia the lower not inferior to Wolodomire in fertility and a Dukedom whose denominating City scarce parallell'd by any other of the Empire for largeness and fair building is seated on the Confluence of the Volga and Occa and guarded with a strong Castle hew'd out of a Rock by the Great Duke Basiâ—ius and adorned with a stately Temple reported to be built in imitation of that of St. Sophia at Constantinople In some out-skirts of this Province rather than in distinct Provinces there may be said to live rather than inhabit sculking up and down in Woods and Wildernesses two rustick people the Czeremissi wonderfully swift of foot both men and women and most expert handlers of the Bow and Arrow and the Mordwits the civiller of the two and not altogether without Houses and little scattering Villages but both of them either Maâ—umetans or rather the greatest part of them down-right Idolaters being boâ—h of them a sort of Tartars though within the Great Dukes Dominion 4 Rostow 5 ustynga 6 Vologda 7 Iaroslow with their several Provincial Towns or Cities of the same denomination which some will have to belong to the Province of Moscovia Rostow and Iaroslow seated on the banks of Volga have both the Titles of Dukedoms and belonged heretofore to the Great Duke's second Son the first is one of the Metropolitan Sees and guarded with a Castle the other a Bishop's See Vologda is also a Bishop's See and fortified with a strong Castle where the Czar keeps part of his treasure 8 Duina as it were Twain so called from its principal Town and that from the River upon which it stands in which are united the streams of Iuch and Sachona But the places of most trade and concourse are St. Nicholas a Sea-Port Town and Bâ—shops See on the Gulph of Granvicus otherwise called the Bay of St. Nicholas into which the River Duina cischargeth it self and especially St. Michael generally called Archangel where the English Merchants have a very great Trade and large-Priviledges there are also to be taken notice of Sanga so named from the stream Sachona on which it stands and Cargapol another Bishops See besides the strong Castles Colmagro and Pineâ—ul 9 Rhesan between Occa and Tanais adding the Title of another Dukedom to the Czar a very fertile Province and well peopled yielding to the service of the Czar no less than 1500 Boiari Kâ—ights or Horsemen and consequently Foot proportionably The Town from which the Province takes name stands upon the River Octa the rest are Cossira an Episcopal See Tulla the source or fountain-head of Tanais and Colluga a strong Garrison against the Tartars 10 Severia a large and in some places fertile Dutchy for it is very much taken up with vast Desarts and Forests the most observ'd Towns are Starodub Potâ—volo and Czernigo 11 The Dutchy of Woâ—otine which stretcheth it self along the Western-Bank of the River Occa upon which also stands the Town of Worotine with a strong Castle 12 Permia a large extended Province and deriving name from its chief Town seated on the River Vishore second to which Town is Siewarsky 13 Smolensco Dutchy full of thick Forests extending it self along the banks of the River Niâ—per upon which the City Smolensco stands an Episcopal See 14 Mosaiski a Dukedom extending in length above 87 German miles and as much in bredth taken by Iohn the Father of Basilius from Alexander King of Poland the City which denominates this Province is a Bishops See 15 Biela or Bielski a Principality with a City and Castle of the same name seated on the River Opska 16 The Dukedom of Ruschovia whose City and Castle of the same name is seated on the River Volga which takes its source in this Province from the Lake Volga 17 Tuver heretofore one of the chief Principalities of Russia whose City Tuverda an Episcopal See and reported more magnificent than Mosco it self is situated on the Volga along whose Banks is extended this fair and spacious Territory affording the Czar no less than 40000 Bâ—iaâ—i and double if not treble the number of Foot 18 Plescow a Principality which stretcheth it self above 80 German miles in length and near a third part in bredth whose spacious Metropolis of the same name is of all the Cities of the Russian Empire the only walled City It was in the year 1509 taken by the Great Duke Basiâ—ius from the King of Poland some say by the treachery of the Priests 19 The Dukedom of Novogardia or Novogrod for distinction sake entituled Novogardia Magna as being indeed one of the amplest Provinces in all the Russian Empire as the City that gives appellation to iâ— one of the largest Cities but generally consisting of wooden or clay buildings seated on the River Narva or Ny ah Archiepiscopal See and one of the four great Marts or Hans Towns of Russia heretofore belonging to the King of Poland as Duke of Lithuania from whom it was taken by the Great Duke Basilius or as some say his Son Ioannes The other Towns thought worthy mention are Narva taken also by the Great Duke from the Polander situate Northward at the Influx of Duina into the Bay of Finland Pozow and Volocoluc two Frontier Towns strongly fortified to prevent the incursions of the Poles besides the strong Castle of Iuanagogoâ—od which serves as a frontier defence aganist the Suedes of Narva 20 Volzka or Wotâ—ka a little Region lying North-west from