those places which we now call Academies and Universities were in former ages fitly call'd Studies Universiâ—â— call'd Studies as St. Hierom speaks of the flourishing Studies of France Epist ad Râ—stâ—â—â— Monaâ—hâ— For the name of University for publick Schools of Learning obtain'd first about the reign of King Henry 3. and if I am not mistaken this word did not at first so much signifie the place of study as the Society of Students But perhaps this may seem out of my road Now the worthy Patrons and Favourers of Learning began to furnish the City and Suburbs with stately Colleges Colâ—eges Halls and Schools and to endow them with ample Revenues for before this time the greatest part of the University stood without North-gate Then in the reign of King Henry 3. John Baliol of Bernard-castle who died in the year 1269. Father of John Baliol King of Scots Book of Mailros founded Baliol-College s And soon after Walter Merton Bishop of Rochester transferr'd the College which he had built in Surrey to Oxford in the year 1274. endow'd it and call'd it Merton-College t 9 And these two were the first endow'd Colleges for Students in Christâ—ndâ—m Then William Archdeacon of Durham repair'd and restor'd the Foundation of King Alfred which we now call University-College u About which time the Scholars having been somewhat rude to Otto the Pope's Legate or rather his Horse-leach sent hither to suck the blood of the poor people they were excommunicated and treated with great severity At which time as Richard of Armagh tells us there were reckon'd in this University no less than thirty thousand Students Under King Edward the second Walter Stapledon Bishop of Exeter built Exeter-College and Hart-Hall w and the King after his example a Royal College commonly call'd Orial x and St. Mary-Hall About which time the Hebrew tongue began to be read by a Jewish Convert Regist Mon. Hâ—â— for whose stipend every Clerk in Oxford contributed one penny for every mark of his Ecclesiastical revenue After this Queen Philippa wife of King Edward 3. built Queens-College y and Simon Islip Arch-bishop of Canterbury Canterbury-College The Scholars now abounding in peace and plenty grew insolent upon their good fortune and divided into the factions of the Northern and Southern men carrying on the quarrel with open arms and all manner of hostility upon which the Northern-men retir'd to Stanford and there set up publick Schools But after a few years when the storm was blown over and the feuds forgot they all return'd hither again 10 Recall'd by Proclamation directed to the High-Sheriff of Lincolnshire upon penalty to forfeit their Books and the King's displeasure and Statutes were enacted to prohibit all persons from professing at Stanford to the prejudice of Oxford About that time William Wickam Bishop of Winchester built a magnificent Structure call'd New College z into which the ripest Lads are every year transplanted from his other College at Winchester 11 And he about the same by the tract of the City wall built a fair high wall embattled and turretted Then Richard Angervil Bishop of Durham calld Philobiblos or The Lover of Books y At his death An. 1345. he left his voluminous Library to Durham-College with liberty of access upon certain conditions to all Scholars At the dissolution of which house in the reign of Henry 8. some of the Books of this admirable collection were remov'd to the Publick Library some to Baliol College and some came into the hands of Dr. George Owen a Physician of Godstow who bought the said College of Edward 6. began a publick Library And his Successor Thomas de Hatfield z This College is much rather to be ascrib'd to Richard de Bury for when the Monks of Durham had begun their buildings for a Seminary to their own Convent it was furnisht and endo'wd by this great and generous Prelate built Durham-College for the benefit of the Monks of Durham and Richard Fleming Bishop of Lincoln founded Lincoln-College About the same time the Benedictine Monks 12 By a Chapter held among them laid their monies together and encreased Glocester-Hall built before by John Lord Giffard of Brimsfield for Monks of Glocester built Glocester-College at their own proper cost and charges bb where were constantly maintain'd two or three Monks of every House of that Order who afterwards should profess good Letters in their respective Convents 13 Nicholas Wadham of Merefield in the County of Somerset hath assign'd a fair portion of lands and money for the propagation of religion and learning which I note incidently by way of congratulation to our age that there are yet some who graciously respect the advancement of good learning To speak nothing of the Canons of St. Frideswide there were erected no less than four beautiful Cells of Friers in the Suburbs where there often flourisht men of considerable parts and learning In the next age during the reign of King Henry 5. Henry Chichely Arch-bishop of Canterbury founded two eminent Colleges one of which he dedicated to the memory of All-Souls cc and the other to St. Bernard Not long after William Wainster Bishop of Winchester built Magdalen-College remarkable for building fine situation and pleasure of adjoyning groves and walks dd At the same time the a The ground was purchast by the University An. 1427. and upon several contributions the Structure was soon after begun but was intermitted till by the piety and bounty of Humfrey Duke of Glocester it was farther carried on but not compleated till the year 1480. Divinity School Dâ—â—inity School was erected a work of such admirable texture and beauty that the saying of Xeuxis may justly be inscrib'd upon it It is more easie to envy than to imitate this work Publick L brary And above this School was a Library furnisht with one hundred twenty nine choice Volumes procur'd from Italy at the great expence of Humphrey the Good Duke of Glocester a chief Patron and admirer of Learning But most of these Books are long since embezell'd and converted to private uses 14 In the giddy time of King Edward the sixth But now may all happiness attend the generous design the worthy Sir Thomas Bodley Thâ—mas Bâ—dâ—ey Kt. formerly a Member of this University with extraordinary charge and indefatigable pains is furnishing a new Library in the same place with the best Books procur'd from all parts of the world that the University may enjoy a publick Arsenal of Wisdom and he himself an everlasting honour ee And since it was a good custom of the Ancients in all their Libraries to erect Statues of Gold Pâ—al 35. c. 2 Silver or Brass both to those who had instituted them and those who had adorn'd them with excellent Writings that time and Age might not triumph over Benefactors and that the curiosity of Mankind might be satisfied while they enquired after men of worth and
Antesignani Standard-bearers of London 16 And amongst them Robert Fitz-Walter had licence of King Edw. 1. to sell the site of Bainard-Castle to the said Archbishop Robert The Bishopâ—ick Nor was London only wall'd round at that time but also upon the confirmation Christianity receiv'd from that best of Emperours the Flamine was remov'd and a Bishop put in his place For 't is plain that the Bishop of London was at the Council of Arles held in the year 314. under Constantine the Great since we find by the first Tome of the Councils See Baronius concerning this Council Out of the Province of Britain Restitutus Bishop of the City of London whom with his successors some affirm to have had his residence at St. Peter's in Cornhill From that time London flourish'd so exceedingly London caâ—â—'d Augâ—sta as that by degrees it was call'd Augusta and had that honourable title under Valentinian the Emperour For thus Ammianus Marcellinus in his 27th Book And going to London an ancient town which posterity call'd Augusta And in his 28th Book Going from Augusta which the Ancients call'd London Upon which account The Mint when a Mint-Office was settled here in Constantine the Great 's time for we read in those Medals that he made in memory of Constantius his father as well as in others P. LON. S. i.e. Pecunia Londini signata or money coin'd at London then he that was Governour here under the Count of the * Sacrarum largitiorum Augusta a most honourable name Imperial Largesses we find call'd by the Notitia Provost of the Treasures of the Augustenses in Britain This Augusta was a name of the greatest honour and full of Majesty For the Builders or Repairers of Cities out of either hopes or wishes that they might be powerful flourishing and great us'd to give them auspicious names But amongst all the rest there was none so magnificent none so auspicious as Augusta For that best and greatest of Emperours Octavianus took the name of Augustus not without the judgment of the most Learned He was surnam'd Augustus says Dio to imply that he was above the common reach of men Lib. 54. For those things which best deserve honour and are most sacred are call'd Augusta Nor had London this name and this particular mark of honour without the consent of the Roman Emperours Which custom of taking no name without a particular Licence Virgil hints to in that verse of his Urbem appellabant permisso nomine Acestam The city they with leave Acesta call'd But as time has destroy'd this most honourable name so has it confirm'd that more ancient one of London While it had that other name it was very near being sack'd by a seditious gang of Robbers but Theodosius father to Theodosius the Emperour falling upon them while they were laden with the spoils routed them and as Marcellinus has it with great joy and in a triumphant manner enter'd the City that had just before been overwhelm'd in miseries Marching from thence he so effectually freed Britain by his singular courage from those calamities wherein 't was involv'd that as Symmachus tells us †Consecrarunt Britannicum Ducem inter prisca nomina London in the Saxons hands the Romans honour'd this British General with a Statue on horse-back amongst their ancient heroes Not long after when the Roman Government in Britain expir'd by a publick calamity of the whole Island it fell under the power of the Saxons but by what methods does not appear from History I fancy that Vortigern when a captive gave it Hengist the Saxon for his ransom for it belong'd to the East-Saxons and Authors tell us that Vortigern gave Hengist that Country upon this account At which time the Church suffer'd whatever could be inflicted it 's Pastors martyr'd or banish'd the flocks driven away and when all the wealth sacred and profane was swallow'd up in plunders and rapines Theonus the last Bishop of London that was a Britain hid the Reliques of the Saints as my Author says to preserve their memory and not out of any superstition Reliques hid to preserve the memory of persoâ—s But tho' the disturbances of the Saxon age were such that one might truly say Mars himself had brandish'd his weapons yet was London as Bede tells us a Mart-town of great traffick and commerce both by sea and land But afterwards when a gentle gale of peace began to fan and inspirit this weary Island and the Saxons turn'd Christian it rose again with a new and greater lustre For Aethelbert King of Kent under whom Sebert was a ‖ Quasi beneficiarius sort of petty Prince purely by permission in those parts he built here a Church dedicated to S. Paul S. Pauls which by improvements at several times is grown to an exceeding large and magnificent building and the revenues of it are so considerable as to maintain a Bishop Dean Praecentor Chancellour Treasurer 5 Archdeacons 30 Prebendaries and others The east-part of this Church which seems to be newer and is curiously wrought having a vault and a most beautiful porch call'd also S. Faith's Church was re-edify'd by Bp. Maurice about 1036. out of the ruins of that Palatine Tower above-mention'd having been before that lamentably burnt down Of which Malmesbury It has such a majestick beauty as to deserve a name amongst the buildings of greatest note So wide is the vault so capacious * Superior aedes the body of the Church that one would think it might contain the greatest Congregation imaginable And thus Maurice by satisfying his extravagant humour entail'd the charge of this great work upon posterity And afterward when Richard his successor had allow'd the entire revenues of his Bishoprick to the building of this Cathedral finding other ways to maintain himself and his family he seem'd to have done nothing towards it thus he bestow'd all he had upon it and to little purpose The west part of it as also ‖ Transeptum the Cross-Ile is spacious with lofty large pillars and a most beautiful roof Where these 4 parts do as it were cut one another there arises a large and lofty tower upon which stood a spire cover'd over with lead and of a prodigious height for from the ground it was 534 foot but in the year 1087. it was burnt with lightning not without great damage to the city and tho' built again yet very lately when we were boys suffering the same fate once more it is not yet re-edify'd I will subjoyn the description of this magnificent structure out of an Author of pretty good Antiquity which you may read or let alone as you please The length of Paul's Church is 690 foot the breadth 130 foot the height of the western-roof from the area 102 foot the height of the roof of the new building from the area 88 foot the height of the stone-work belonging to * Campanile the Belfrey from the ground
Canutus founded for Nuns who being expell'd within a little time in the year 1040. Leofrick Earl of Mercia enlarg'd it and in a manner built it a-new with so great a show of gold and silver to use Malmesbury's words that the walls of the Church seem'd too strait to contain the treasures of it It was very prodigious to behold for from one beam were scrap'd w Five hundred marks Malmesb. See Dugdale's Warwickshire 50 marks of silver And he endow'd it with so great revenues that Robert de Limsey Bishop of Lichfield and Chester remov'd his See hither as to the golden sands of Lydia that as the same Malmesbury hath it he might steal from the treasures of the Church wherewithall to fill the King's Coffers to cheat the Pope of his provisions and gratifie the Roman avarice However this See after a few years return'd back to Lichfield but upon these terms that one and the same Bishop should be stil'd Bishop of Coventry and Lichfield The first Lord of this City that I know of 〈◊〉 of â—â—â—try was Leofrick who being incens'd against the Citizens laid upon them very heavy taxes these he would by no means remit notwithstanding the great intercession of his Lady Godiva unless she would consent to â—ide naked thro' the most frequented parts of the city â—â—50 which if credit may be given to tradition she perform'd â—egus having cover'd her body with her long dangling hair without being seen by any one and so freed her Citizens from many heavy impositions From Leofrick this City by Lucia his son Algar's daughter came into the possession of the Earls of Chester for she had marry'd Ranulph the first Earl of that name and the third of the family who granted the same Liberties to Coventry that Lincoln enjoy'd and gave a great part of the City to the Monks the residue of it and Chilmore their manour-house near the City he reserv'd to him and his heirs who dying and the inheritance for want of issue-male coming to be divided amongst the sisters Coventry by the death of the Earls of Arundel fell to Roger de Monte alto De monte Alto. or Monthault whose grandson Robert granted all his right for want of issue-male to Queen Isabel Mother of King Edw. 3. to hold during her life after her decease the remainder to John de Eltham brother of the King and to the heirs of his body begotten In default of such the remainder to Edward King of England and his heirs for ever For so you have it in a Fine the second year of Edward 3. But John of Eltham was afterwards created Earl of Cornwall and this place became annex'd to the Earldom of Cornwall from which time it hath flourish'd very much Several Kings gave it divers immunities and privileges especially Edward 3. who granted them the electing of a Mayor and two Bayliffs 11 And to build and embattle a wall about it and Henry 6. who having laid to it some of the neighbouring villages granted by his Charter For so are the very words of it That it should be an entire County incorporate by it self in deed and name distinct from the County of Warwick At which time in lieu of two Bayliffs he constituted two Sheriffs and the Citizens began to enclose it with very strong walls In these are very noble and beautiful gates at that which goes by the name of Gofford is to be seen a vast shield-bone of a Boar which you may believe that Guy of Warwick or Diana of the Groves which you please kill'd in hunting after he had with his shout turn'd up the pit or pond that is now called Swansewell-pool but in ancient Charters Swineswell As to the Longitude of this City it lies in 25 degrees and 52 scruples the Latitude in 52 degrees and 25 scruples Thus much of Coventry which yet that I may ingenuously acknowledge the person who furnish'd me with it you must know you have not from me but from Henry Ferrars of Badsley a person to be respected as for his birth so for his great knowledge in Antiquity and my very good friend who in this and other places courteously directed me and as it were gave me leave to light my candle at his s Near Coventry to the North are situated Ausley Ausley a castle heretofore of the Hastings Lords of Abergavenny and ww Brandon Brand Brand. of old a seat of the Verdons To the East is placed Caloughdon vulgarly call'd Caledon Caledon an ancient seat of the Barons Segrave Barons Segrave from whom it descended to the Barons de Berkley by one of the daughters of Thomas Mowbray Duke of Norfolk These Segraves from the time that Stephen de Segrave was Lord Chief Justice of England were Barons of this Realm and enjoy'd the inheritance of the Chaucumbs whose Arms from that time they assumed viz. Arms of the Segraves A Lion rampant Argent crowned Or in a shield Sable John the last of this family marry'd Margaret Dutchess of Norfolk daughter of Thomas de Brotherton and had issue Elizabeth who carry'd the honour of Marshal of England and title of Duke of Norfolk into the family of the Mowbrays Not far from hence is Brinkle Brinkle-castle where was an ancient castle of the Mowbrays to which belong'd many fair possessions lying round it but time hath swept away the very ruins of it t as also of the Monastery of Combe Combe-Abbey which the Camvils and the Mowbrays endow'd Out of whose ashes the fair structure of the Harringtons arose in this place As you go Eastward x Anciently writ Thester Over as being seated castward of Monks-kirby and call'd but lately Cester-over by the inhabitants Dugd. Warwicksh p. 60. Cester-over presents it self the possession of the Grevils of whom I have before made mention Near which Watling street a Military way of the Romans dividing this County to the North from Leicestershire passes by High-cross of which we have already spoken near Nonn-eaton which of old was call'd Eaton but Amicia the wise of Robert Bossu Earl of Leicester as Henry Knighton writes having founded a Monastery of Nuns here in which she her self was profess'd of that number from those Nuns it got the name of Non-Eaton And formerly it was of great fame for the piety of its holy virgins who being constant in their devotions gave a good example of holy living to all about them Near this stood heretofore Asteley-castle Asteley the chief seat of the family of the Asteleys 12 Out of which flourish'd Barons in the time of King Edward the first second and third Baron Asteâ—ey the heiress of which was the second wife of Reginald Grey Lord of Ruthin From him sprang the Greys Marquisses of Dorset some of whom lye interr'd 13 In a most fine and fair Collegiate Church which Thomas Lord Astley founded with a Dean and Secular Canons in the neat
naufraga Petri Ductorem in mediis expectat cymba procellis Now thy vast honours with thy virtues grow Now a third mitre waits thy sacred brow Deserted Wigorn mourns that thou art gone And Kent's glad sons thy happy conduct own Now Rome desires thee Peter wants thy hand To guide his leaky vessel safe to land This city was in all probability built by the Romans when to curb the Britains who dwelt beyond Severn they planted cities at convenient distances all along upon its east-bank just as they did in Germany on the south-side of the Rhine It is seated upon an easie ascent from the river over which lieth a bridge with a tower upon it It was anciently fenced with lofty Roman walls as an old parchment-roll informs us and hath to this day a good firm wall But its glory consists in its inhabitants who are numerous courteous and wealthy by means of the Cloathing trade in the neatness of its buildings the number of Churches and most of all in the Episcopal See which Sexuulfus Bishop of the Mercians placed here A. D. 680. building a Cathedral Church in the south part of the city which hath often been repair'd and by the Bishops and Monks hath been lengthened westward a little at a time almost to Severn side It is really a fair and magnificent Structure ennobled with the monuments of King John Arthur Prince of Wales and some of the Beauchamps A College also of learned men called Prebendaries no less famous than were formerly the Priory of Monks or College of Secular Priests here For in this Church presently upon its first foundation as in the other Abbies of England were placed married Presbyters Married Priests who govern'd those Churches a long time with great reputation for sanctity till Dunstan Archbishop of Canterbury in a Synod decreed Register of the Church of Worcester A. D. 964. That for the future all Religious men in England should lead a single life For then Oswald Bishop of this See who was a most zealous promoter of Monkery remov'd the Priests and plac'd Monks in their room which King Edgar attests in these words l The Convents both of Monks and Virgins were destroy'd and neglected all England over which I have determined to repair to the praise of God for the benefit of my own soul and to increase the number of the Servants of God of both sexes and accordingly I have already settled Monks and Nuns in seven and forty houses and resolve if Christ spare me life to do it that I will go on in the oblation of my devout munificence to God till I have made them up fifty the number of the years of Remission Wherefore at present that Monastery in the Episcopal See of Worcester which the reverend Bishop Oswald hath to the honour of Mary the holy mother of God enlarged and having expelled the Secular Clerks c. by my assent and favour bestowed on the religious servants of God the Monks I do by my royal Authority confirm to the said religious persons leading a Monastick life and with the advice and consent of my Princes and Nobles do corroborate and consign c. After some considerable time when through the incursions of the Danes and civil broils the state of this Church was so decay'd that in the place of that numerous company of Monks which Oswald founded here scarce 12 were left Wulfstan S. Wulstan who sate Bp. of this See about A. D. 1090. restor'd it and augmented the number of Monks to 50. and also built a new Church He was a mean scholar even in the account of that age but a person of such simplicity and unfeigned integrity and of a conversation so severe and strict that he was a terrour to ill men and beloved by all that were good insomuch that after his death the Church gave him a place in the Kalendar among the Saints Now after they had flourished in great wealth and power above 500 years King Hen. 8. expell'd these Monks and in their room placed a Dean and Prebendaries and founded a Grammar-school for the instruction of youth Close by this Church remain the bare name and ground-plot of the Castle Which as we read in William of Malmesbury's history of Bishops Ursus made Sheriff of Worcester by William 1. built in the very teeth of the Monks so that the grass took away part of their cemetery But this Castle through the injury of time and casualty of fire hath many years since been ruined The City also hath been more than once burnt down A. D. 1041. it was set on fire by Hardy-Canute who being enraged at the Citizens for killing his Huscarles so they call'd his Officers who collected the Danegelt did not only fire the City Marianus but also massacre all the inhabitants except such as escaped into Bevercy a small island in the river Nevertheless we find in the survey of William 1. that in the days of Edward the Confessor it had a great many Burgesses and was rated at xv hide-land and when the Mint went every Minter gave xx shillings at London for stamps to coin withall In the year 1113. a casual fire which consumed the Castle burnt the roof of the Church also During the Civil wars in K. Stephen's reign it was fired once and again but suffered most when that King took the City Anno 15 Steph. Reâ—â—â— which he had unadvisedly put into the hands of Walleran Earl of Mellent but at that time he could not carry the Castle m However it still rose out of the ashes with greater beauty and hath flourished under an excellent Government managed by two Bailiffs chosen out of 24 Citizens two Aldermen and two Chamberlains with a Common Council consisting of 48 Citizens more n As to the Geographical account of it it 's Longitude from the west Meridian is 21 degrees 52 minutes and hath the north pole elevated 52 degrees and 12 minutes o From Worcester taking its course westward the river passeth by Powick Barons of Powick anciently the seat of John Beauchamp whom K. Hen. 6. raised to the dignity of a Baron whose estate soon after heirs female carried to the Willoughbies of Broke the Reads and Ligons p Hence through rich and fragrant meadows it runs by Hanley Hanley formerly a Castle belonging to the Earls of Glocester and Upton Upton a noted market town where Roman Coins are frequently dug up Not far off on the right-hand Severn hath the prospect of Malvern Malvern hills hills hills indeed or rather great and lofty mountains for about seven miles together rising like stairs one higher than the other and dividing this County from that of Hereford On the top Gilbert de Clare Earl of Glocester did anciently cast up a ditch all along to part his lands from those of the Church of Worcester which ditch is still to be seen and is very much admired pp On the other side Severn and near the same distance
of Archenfeld whenever the Army marches forward against the Enemy by custom make the Avauntward and in the return homeward the Rereward As the Munow runs along the lower pâ—rt of this County The river Wye so the Wye with a winding course cuts it in the middle upon which in the Western bounds stands Clifford-castle Cliffâ—rd-Castle which William Fitz-Osborn Earl of Hereford built upon his own Waste these are the very words of Domesday-book but Ralph de Todeny held it Clivus fortis It is suppos'd that it came afterwards to Walter the son of Richard Punt a Norman for his sirname was de Clifford and from him the illustrious family of the Cliffords Earls of Cumberland are originally descended But in King Edward the first 's time Inq. 26 E. 1. John Giffard held it who married the heir of Walter Clifford Thence the Wye with a crooked and winding stream rolls by Whitney which has given name to a noted family next by Bradwardin-Castle that gave both original and name to the famous Thomas Bradwardin Archbishop of Canterbury who for the great variety of his studies and his admirable proficiency in the most abstruse and hidden parts of learning was in that age honour'd with the title of * The Profound Dâ—ctor Doctor profundus At length it comes to Hereford the Metropolis of this County b How far that little Tract Arcenfeld reach'd I know not but the affinity between these names Ereinuc Arcenfeld the town Ariconium mention'd by Antonine in these parts and Hareford or Hereford Hereford the present Metropolis of this Shire have by little and little induc'd me to this opinion that they are every one deriv'd from Ariconium And yet I do not believe that Ariconium and Hereford were the same but as Basle in Germany has challeng'd the name of Augusta Rauracorum and Baldach in Assyria that of Babylon because as this had its original from the ruins of Babylon so that had its birth from those of Augusta so our Hariford for thus the common people call it had its name and beginning from its neighbour Ariconium as I am of opinion which at this day has no clear marks of a town having been destroyed as 't is reported by an Earthquake Only it still retains a slight shadow of the name being call'd Kenchester Kenchester and shews some ruins of old Walls call'd Kenchester Walls about which are often dug up stones of inlaid Checquer-work British bricks Roman coyns c. c But Hareford her daughter which carries more express remains of the name d stands eastward scarce three Italian miles from it amongst meadows extremely pleasant and corn-fields very fruitful encompass'd almost round about with rivers by an anonymous one on the north and west sides on the south by the Wye which hastens hither out of Wales It is supposed to have first sprung up when the Saxon Heptarchy was in its glory founded as some write by Edward the â—lder and indeed there is no mention of it more ancient For the Britains before the name of Hereford was known called the place Trefawith from Beech-trees and Henford from an Old way and the Saxons themselves Fern-leg of Fern. It owes if I mistake not it 's greatest encrease and growth to Religion and the Martyrdom of Ethelbert a King of the East-Angles who whilst in person he courted the daughter of Offa King of the Mercians was villanously way-laid and murmurder'd by Quendreda Offa's wife who longed more for the Kingdom of the East-Angles than to have her daughter honestly and honourably married He was hereupon registred in the Catalogue of Martyrs S 〈◊〉 Mâ—â—â—â— and had a Church here built and dedicated to him by Milfrid a petty King of the Country which being soon after adorn'd with a Bishop's See grew very rich first by the liberality of the Mercian afterwards of the West-Saxon Kings For they at length were possessed of this City as may be gathered from William of Malmesbury where he writes that Athelstan the West-Saxon forc'd the Princes of Wales in this City to comply with such hard conditions as to pay him tribute besides hounds and hawks 20 pound weight of gold and 300 pound of silver every year This city as far as I have observ'd by reading had never any misfortune unless it were in the year of our Lord 1055. when Gryffin Prince of South-Wales and Algar an Englishman rebelling against Edward the Confessor after they had routed Earl Ralph sacked the City destroy'd the Cathedral and carried away captive Leofgar the Bishop But Harold having soon quieted their bold rebellion fortified it as Floriacensis informs us with a broad and high Rampire Upon this account it is that Malmesbury ‖ Lib â— Pâ—â—â—â— writes thus Hereford is no great City and yet by the high and formidable ruins of its steep and broken Bulwarks it shews it has been some great thing and as it appears by Domesday book there were in all but 103 men within and without the walls The Normans afterwards built a very large and strong Castle on the east-side of the Cathedral along the river Wye the work as some report of Earl Miles but now ruin'd by time and falling to decay e Afterwards they wall'd the City about In the reign of King Hen. 1. was founded by Bishop Reinelm that beautiful Church now to be seen which his successors enlarged by adding to it a neat College and fine houses for the Prebendaries For besides the Bishop who has 302 Churches in his Diocese there are in this Church a Dean two Archdeacons a Praecentor a Chancellour a Treasurer and 28 Prebendaries I saw in it scarce any monuments besides those of the Bishops and I have heard that Thomas Cantlow the Bishop a person nobly born had here a stately and magnificent tomb who being canonized for his holiness wanted little of out-shining the Royal Martyr Ethelbert so great was the opinion of his piety and devotion f According to Geographers the Longitude of this City is 20 degrees 24 minutes Lat. 52 degrees 6 min. g The Wye has scarce gone three miles from this City when he intercepts the river Lug which having run with a rapid stream down from Radnor-Hills with a still course glides through this Province from the north-west to the south-east h At the first entrance it has a distant prospect of Brampton Brian a Castle which a famous family hence sirnam'd de Brampton Brampton Brian whose christian name was usually Brian held by a continual succession to the time of King Edward 1. then by female-heirs it came to R. Harley But it has a nearer view of Wigmore Wigmore in Saxon b Wigingamere in the Saxon Annals Wynginga-mere repair'd in ancient times by King Edw. the elder afterwards fortify'd with a Castle by William Earl of Hereford in the wast of a ground for so it is in Domesday book which was called Marestun in the tenure of Randulph de Mortimer from
was a burial-place to them Bordering upon this stands Rabye Rabye-castle which King Cnute or Canutus the Dane gave to the Church of Durham with the Land about it and Stanthorpe to have and to hold freely for ever From which time as my Author has it the family of the Nevils The Family of the Nevills or de Nova villa have held Rabye of the Church by a rent of 4 l. and a Stagg yearly For this Family is descended from Waltheof Earl of Northumberland of whose Posterity Robert the Son of Malredus Lord of Rabye having marry'd the daughter of Galfred Nevill the Norman whose grandfather Gilbert Nevill is said to have been Admiral to King William the first their Posterity then took the name of Nevill and grew up to a considerable and very numerous family they built here a Castle of no small compass which was their principal and chief Seat b Ever since King James the first 's time Raby-Castle has belong'd to the Family of the Vanes and is now the Seat of Christopher Vane 〈…〉 These two places Stainthorpe and Rabye are only sunder d by a little river which after some few miles falls into the Tees near Selaby Selaby where the Seat of the family of the Brakenburys now is eminent for their antiquity and marriages with the heirs of Denton and Witcliff d The Tees flowing from hence by Sockburne the house of that ancient and noble family the Cogniers from whom are descended the Barons Coigniers Barons Cogniers of Hornby whose estate being much enlarg d by marriages with the heirs of Darcy of Menill and of William Nevill Earl of Kent and Lord Fauconberg went in the last age to the Atherstons and the Darcys runs near Derlington Derlington a throng market-town which Seir a Saxon the son of Ulphus with King Etheldred's leave gave to the Church of Durham and Hugh de Puteaco or Pudsey adorn'd it with a Church and other Buildings e In a field belonging to this place there are three Wells of great depth commonly call'd Hell-kettles Hell-kettles or the Kettles of Hell because the water by an Antiperistasis or reverberation of the cold Air is hot in them Men of better sence and discretion think them to have been sunk by an Earth-quake and indeed not improbably For we find in the Chronicle of Tinmouth That in the year of our Lord 1179. upon Christmas-day at Oxenhall in the out fields of Darlington in the Bishoprick of Durham the Earth rais'd it self up to a great height in manner of a lofty tower and remain'd all that day till the evening as it were fixed and unmoveable in that posture but then it sunk down again with such a horrid noise that it terrified all the neighbours and the Earth suck'd it in and made there a deep pit which continues as a testimony to this day That there are subterraneous passages in these pits and a way out of them was first discover'd by Cuthbert Tunstall the Bishop c 'T is said this story of the Goose is all Romance at least nothing is now to be heard of it thereabouts who found a Goose in the Tees which he had mark'd and put into the greater of them for an experiment f From Derlington the Tees has no eminent Towns upon it Those Gentlemen call'd Sur-Teis i e. upon the Tees formerly flourish'd upon it so winding on by green fields and country villages it falls at last from a large mouth into the Ocean where begins the basis of this triangle towards the Sea-coast The shore runs hence northward being interrupted only with one or two brooks near Gretham Gretham where Robert Bishop of Durham built a good Hospital the manour of this being bestow'd upon him by the Lord of it Peter de Montfort Next it stands Claxton that gives name to a famous family in these parts which I the rather take notice of because T. Claxton a great admirer of venerable antiquity was a branch of it From hence the shore starts out in a little promontory only at one place scarce seven miles above the mouth of the river Tees upon which stands Hartlepole a famous market and under it a safe harbour well situated Bede seems to call it Heortu which Huntingdon renders Cervi insula and tells us that Heiu a religious woman formerly built a monastery there if Heorteu be not rather the name of that small territory as the Durham book intimates and in some places calls it Heortnesse because it shoots out pretty far into the sea From this place for fifteen miles together the shore with some towns here and there on it affords an entertaining prospect to those that sail by and continues uninterrupted till it opens a passage for the river Vedra Vedra for so it is call'd by Ptolemy but in Bede Wirus in Saxon Weorg and by us now Were Were This river rises in the very angle of the triangle namely in the utmost part of the County to the westward from two small streams Kellhop and Burn-hop which uniting into one current take this name and run swiftly to the eastward through vast heaths and large parks belonging to the Bishop and by Witton Witton a castle of the Lords d'Evers Barons Euers or de Eure. who are of ancient note and eminence in this County as being descended from the Lords of Clavering and Warkworth as also by daughters from the Vescies and the Attons Barons famous for their warlike gallantry as Scotland can plainly shew us For Kettnes a little town in the farthest parts of Scotland was bestow'd upon them by K. Edw. 1. for their great service and in the last age Henry 8. dignified them with the title of Barons After this the Were some few miles lower receives Gaunless a little river from the south where at the very confluence upon a little hill stands Aukland Aukland so nam'd as Sarron in Greece was from the caks where we see a fair-built house of the Bishops with turrets as it now stands repair'd by Anthony Bec and a very fine bridge built by Walter Skirlaw the Bishop about the year 1400 who then also enlarg'd this house and made a bridge over the Tees at Yarum g From hence the Were goes northward that it may continue the longer in this County and soon comes within sight of the reliques of an old City seated upon the top of a hill which is not in being at this day but dead and gone many years ago call'd by Antoninus Vinovium Vinovium by Ptolemy Binovium Finchester in which Author it is so misplac'd and as it were seated under another pole that I could never have discover'd it but by Antoninus's direction At present it is call'd by us Binchester and consists of about one or two houses only yet much took notice of by the neighbours thereabouts upon the account of the rubbish and the ruins of walls yet extant and also for the
bounded with the sea to the south with the water of North-Esk to the west with the Gransbain-hills and to the north with the River of Dee In length it is about twenty six miles or as some say twenty eight miles in breadth about twenty Upon the sea-coasts they have several convenient Crecks and some good harbours whereof Stone-hive is one of the best and for its greater safety the Earl Marshal who has a Salmon-fishing upon the north side of the harbour is now raising a Peer of stone Where the water of Cowy falls into the sea stands Cowy 〈◊〉 a free burgh Beneath the town are to be seen the ruines of a Castle built as 't is reported by Malcolm Kenmore who made the town a free Burgh On the Lands of Arduthie and Redcloak are some trenches to be seen cast up by the Danes at one of their Invasions made upon those parts and round the hill of Urie there is a deep ditch where the Scots encamped â—â—tyr Dunnotyr-Castle stands upon a rock washed by the sea on three sides and joyned to the Land only by a narrow neck Towards the entrance of the Gate is a huge rock near forty ells high which one would think were always just ready to fall The Court is a large plot of green ground and the old buildings seven story high have exceeding thick walls It had once a Church which was demolished in the late Civil wars In the new buildings there are some rooms very stately and a Closet wherein is the Library of the family Within the Close there is a large Cistern about thirty cubits about Not far from this place is a dropping Cave where the water petrifies St. Padie's Church here is famous for being the burial place of St. Palladius â—â—deen-â— k ABERDEEN-SHIRE so called from the chief burgh in it contains the Countries or Marre Fourmanteen Garioch Strathbogie and that part of Buchan which lyeth south to the water of Ugie To the South it is bounded with the River Dee and the Gransbain mountains to the north-west and west it hath Bamf-shire and the river of Doverne to the east the Ocean and to the north part of Murray-Firth In length it 's about forty six miles and in breadth twenty eight The Inhabitants are generally very civil and polite They find here a spotted sort of Marble and much Slate and in the waters abundance of Pearls some of them very big and of a fine colour They have Deer in great abundance And the Eagles have their Nests upon the Craigs of Pennan Old Aberdeen 〈◊〉 Aberâ—â—â—â—â—â—eatr â—a â— 28. is the Bishop's Seat and hath a Cathedral Church commonly call'd St. Machars large and stately built by several Bishops of this See In this Church was formerly a Library but about the year 1560 it was almost wholly destroyed so that now only the ruines remain The King's College so called from King James the fourth who assumed the Patronage of it is seated upon the south side of the town and for neatness and stateliness much exceeds the rest of the houses One side is covered with Slate the rest with Lead The windows of the Church wherein is a fine monument of Bishop Elphingston the Founder were formerly very remarkable for their painted glass and something of their ancient splendor still remains The Steeple besides others hath two bells of a very extraordinary bigness the top is vaulted with a double cross Arch above which is a King's crown having eight corners upheld by as many pillars of stone a round globe of stone with two gilded crosses closing the crown Hard by the Church there is a Library well stock'd with Books enlarged lately by those which Doctor Henry Scougal Professor of Divinity there and his Father Bishop of Aberdeen gave to it The College has a Primate or Principal a Professor of Divinity a Professor of the Civil Law a Professor of Physick a Sub-Principal who is also Professor of Philosophy three other Philosophy Professors and a Professor of the Languages New Aberdeen New Aberdeen * Theatrum Scotiae p. 29. about a mile from the Old as it is the Capital of the Sheriffdom of Aberdeen and the Seat of the Sheriff for tryal of causes so does it much exceed the rest of the Cities in the north of Scotland in bigness trade and beauty The air is wholsome and the Inhabitants well bred The Streets are paved with flint or a very hard sort of stone like it and the houses are very beautiful generally four Stories high or more which having for the most part Gardens and Orchards behind them make the whole City at a distance look like a Wood. In the High street there is a Church of Franciscans of free-stone begun by Bishop Elphingston and finished by Gavin Dumbar Bishop of the place The same Gavin built also a bridge of seven Arches over the river Dee about a mile from the City But the greatest ornament of this City is its College called the Mareshallian Academy as being founded by George Keith Earl Marshal in the year 1693 which the City of Aberdeen hath very much adorned with several additional buildings Besides a Primary-Professor who is called Principal it has four Professors of Philosophy one of Divinity and one of Mathematicks There is also a famous Library founded by the City supplied with Books by the benefactions of several learned men and well furnished with mathematical Instruments This College with that in the New Town make up one University called the University of King Charles Add to these the School-house founded by Dr. Dune which has one head Master and three Ushers and the Musick-School St. Nicholas's Church the Cathedral is built of Free-stone and covered with lead Formerly it was divided into three Churches the biggest was called the Old Church another the New Church and a third the Arch'd-Church They have also an Alms-house for the maintenance of such Inhabitants as are old and poor with three Hospitals founded by several Persons The City is built upon three hills but the greatest part upon the highest and the outer parts are spread out upon the plain from whence there is an easie access by an ascent every way It had formerly a Mint as appears by silver Coins stamped there with this Inscription Urbs Aberdeae which are still preserved in the Closets of the curious At the West end of the City is a little round hill at the foot whereof there breaks out a fountain of clear water And in the middle another spring bubbles out called the Aberdonian-Spaw coming near the Spaw-water in the Bishoprick of Liege both in taste and quality Besides Aberdeen Kintor is a Burgh-Royal upon the Don and giveth title to the Earl of Kintor Kintor And Inerurie Inerurie erected into a Burgh-Royal by King Robert Bruce upon account of his having gain'd a signal victory at it Upon the South side of the water of Ugie stands Peterhead which has a Road
and many Christians cut off MCLXXXVII On the Kalends or first of July the Abby of Ynes in Ulster was founded MCLXXXIX Henry Fitz Empress departed this life was succeeded by his son Richard and buried in Font Evrard This same year was founded the Abby De Colle Victoriae i.e. Cnokmoy MCXC. King Richard and King Philip made a Voyage to the Holy Land MCXCI. In the Monastery of Clareval the translation of Malachy Bishop of Armagh was celebrated with great solemnity MCXCII The City of Dublin was burnt MCXCIII Richard King of England in his return from the Holy Land was taken Prisoner by the Duke of Austria and paid to the Emperor 100000 Marks for Ransom besides 30000 to the Empress and 20000 to the Duke upon an Obligation he had made to them for Henry Duke of Saxony He was detain'd in Prison by the Emperor a year six months and three days all the Chalices in a manner throughout England were sold to raise this Sum. This year was founded the Abby De Jugo Dei. MCXCIV The Reliques of S. Malachy Bishop of Clareval were brought into Ireland and receiv'd with great honour into the Monastery of Millifont and other Monasteries of the Cistercians MCXCV. Matthew Archbishop of Cassil Legat of Ireland and John Archbishop of Dublin got the Corps of Hugh Lacy that conquered Meth from the Irish and interr'd them with great solemnity in the Monastery of Blessedness or Becty but the Head of the said Hugh was laid in S. Thomas 's Monastery in Dublin MCXCVIII The Order of the Friers Predicants was begun about Tolouse founded by Dominick II. MCXCIX Died Richard King of England succeeded by his Brother John who was Lord of Ireland and Earl of Moriton Arthur the lawful Heir Son of Geffrey his whole Brother was slain by him The death of Richard was after this manner When King Richard besieg'd the Castle of Chaluz in Little Bretagn he receiv'd his mortal Wound by an Arrow shot at him by one of those in the Castle nam'd Bertram de Gourdon As soon as the King found there was no hopes of Life he committed his Kingdom of England and all his other Possessions to the Custody of his Brother All his Jewels and the fourth part of his Treasure he bequeath'd to his Nephew Otho Another fourth part of his Treasure he left to be distributed among his Servants and the poor People When Bertram was taken and brought before the King he ask'd him for what harm he had kill'd him Bertram without any fear told him That he had kill'd his Father and two of his Brethren with his own Hand and then intended to do the same with him That he might take what Revenge he pleas'd but he should not care since he was to die too that had done so much mischief in the World Notwithstanding the King pardon'd him and order'd him to be set at liberty and to have a 100 Shillings Sterling given him Yet after the King's death some of the King's Officers flea'd him and hung him up The King died on the eighteenth of the Ides of April which happen'd to be the fourth * Feria day before Palm-sunday and the eleventh day after he was wounded He was buried at Font Eberard at the feet of his Father A certain Versificator writ this Distich upon his death Istius in morte perimit Formica Leonem Proh dolor in tanto funere mundus obit An Ant a Lyon slew when Richard fell And his must be the World 's great Funeral His Corps were divided into three Parts Whence this of another Viscera Carceolum Corpus Fons servat Ebrardi Et cor Rothomagum magne Richarde tuum Great Richard's Body 's at Fontevrault shown His Bowels at Chalons his Head at Roan After the death of King Richard his Brother John was begirt by the Archbishop of Roan with the Sword of the Dukedom of Normandy upon the 7th of the Kalends of May next following The Archbishop also set a Crown adorn'd with golden Roses upon his Head Afterwards upon the 6th of the Kalends of June he was anointed and crown'd King of England in S. Peter's Church Westminster upon Ascension-day attended with all the Nobility of England Afterwards he was summon'd to Parliament in France to answer for the death of his Nephew Arthur and depriv'd of Normandy because he came not accordingly This same Year was founded the Abby of Commerer MCC Cathol Cronerg King of Conaught founder of the Abby De Colle Victoriae was expell'd Conaught This year the Monastery De Voto was founded that is to say Tyntern Monastery by William Marshall Earl Marshal and Pembroch who was Lord of Leinster viz. of Wrisford Ossory Caterlagh and Kildare in right of his Wife who married the daughter of Richard Earl of Stroghul and of Eve the daughter of Dermic Murcard This William Earl Marshal being in great danger of Shipwreck a night and a day made a Vow That if he escap'd and came to Land he would found a Monastery and dedicate it to Christ and his Mother Mary So as soon as he arriv'd at Weysford he founded this Monastery of Tynterne according to his Vow and it is nam'd De Voto This year also was founded the Monastery de Flumine Dei MCCII. Cathol Cronirg or Crorobdyr King of Conaught was restor'd to his Kingdom The same year was founded the house of Canons of S. Marie of Connal by Sir Meiler Fitz-Henry MCCIII The Abby of S. Saviour i.e. Dawisky which was before founded was this Year and the next following finish'd MCCIV. A Battle was fought between John Courcy first Earl of Ulster and Hugh Lacie at Doune with great slaughter on both sides Yet John Curcy had the Victory Afterwards upon the 6th day of the Week being Good Friday as the said John was unarm'd and going in Pilgrimage barefoot and in a linnen Vestment to the Churches after the common manner he was treacherously taken Prisoner by his own People for a sum of Mony part in hand and part promis'd to be paid afterwards and so he was deliver'd to Hugh Lacy who brought him to the King of England and receiv'd the Earldom of Ulster and the Seigniory of Connaught upon that account both belonging to John Curcy Hugh Lacy now being made Earl rewarded the said Traytors with Gold and Silver some more some less but hung them up as soon as he had done and took away all their Goods by these means Hugh Lacy ruleth in Ulster and John Curcie is condemn'd to perpetual Imprisonment for his former Rebellion against King John refusing to do him homage and accusing him for the death of Arthur the lawful and right Heir to the Crown While the Earl was in Prison and in great Poverty having but a small allowance of Provisions and the same mean and course he expostulated with God why he dealt thus with him who had built and repair'd so many Monasteries for him and his Saints After many Expostulations of this kind he fell asleep and the Holy
rich man died this year This Continuation following is took from a Manuscript Chronicle in the Hands of Henry Marleburgh MCCCLXXII SIr Robert Ashton being made Chief Justice came into Ireland MCCCLXXIII A great war between the English of Meth and O-Feroll with much slaughter on both sides Item John Lord Husse Baron of Galtrim John Fitz Richard Sheriff of Meth and William Dalton were in May kill'd by the Irish in Kynaleagh MCCCLXXV Died Thomas Archbishop of Dublin the same year Robert of Wickford was consecrated Archbishop of this see MCCCLXXXI Edmund Mortimer the King's Lieutenant in Ireland Earl of March and Ulster died at Cork MCCCLXXXIII A raging pestilence in Ireland MCCCLXXXV Dublin bridge fell down MCCCXC Died Robert Wikford Archbishop of Dublin Robeâ—t Waldebey Archbishop of Dublin of the order of the Austin Friers was translated also this year MCCCXCVII Died Frier Richard Northalis Archbishop of Dublin of the order of the Carmelites This year Thomas Crauley was consecrated Archbishop of Dublin Thomas Lord Burk and Walter Lord Bermingham cut off 600 of the Irish and Mac Con their Captain * Read Roger. Edmund Earl of March Lieutenant of Ireland with the assistance of the Earl of Ormond wasted the Country of O Bryn and knighted Christopher Preston John Bedeleu Edmund Loundris John Loundry William Nugent Walter de la Hide and Rober Cadel at the storming of a strong mannor-house of the said O Bryn MCCCXCVIII Forty English among whom were John Fitz Williams Thomas Talbot and Thomas Comyn were unfortunately cut off on the Ascension day by the Tothils On S. Margaret's day this year Roger Earl of March the King's Lieutenant was slain with many others by O Bryn and other Irish of Leinster at Kenlys in that province Roger Grey was appointed to succeed him in the office of Chief Justice On the Feast of S. Mark Pope and Confessor the noble Duke of Sutherey came into Ireland being made the King's Deputy Lieutenant thereof accompanied with the Archbishop of Dublin Thomas Crawley MCCCXCIX In the 23d year of King Richard being Sunday the very morrow after S. Petronil or Pernil the Virgin 's day King Richard arriv'd at Waterford with 200 sail At Ford in Kenlys within Kildare on the 6th day of this week two hundred of the Irish were slain by Jenicho and others of the English the next day the people of Dublin made an inroad into the Country of O Bryn cut off 33 of the Irish and took to the number of 80 men and women with their children prisoners The King came to Dublin this year on the fourth before the kalends of July and embark'd in great haste for England upon a report of Henry duke of Lancaster's being arriv'd there MCCCC At Whitsontide in the first year of King Henry IV. the Constable of Dublin-castle and several others engag'd the Scots at Stranford in Ulster which prov'd unfortunate to the English many of them being cut off and drown'd in that encounter MCCCCI In the second year of this reign Sir John Stanley the King's Lieutenant went over into England in May leaving Sir William Stanley to supply his office On Bartholomew-eve this year Stephen Scrope came into Ireland as Deputy to the Lord Thomas of Lancaster the King's Lieutenant The same year on the feast of S. Brice Bishop and Confessor Thomas Lord Lancaster the King's son being Viceroy of Ireland arriv'd at Dublin MCCCCII The Church of the Friers Predicants at Dublin was consecrated on the 5th of July by the Archbishop of this City The same day 493 Irish were slain by John Drake Mayor of Dublin assisted with the Citizens and the Country people near Bree where they gain'd a considerable victory In September this year a Parliament was held at Dublin Sir Bartholomew Verdon James White Stephen Gernon and their accomplices kill'd John Dowdal Sheriff of Louith in Urgal during this session MCCCCIII In the fourth year of King Henry IV. Sir Walter Beterley a valiant Knight then steward there with thirty more was kill'd in May. About the feast of S. Martin this year the King's Son Thomas went over into Enlgand leaving Stephen Scroop to officiate as his Deputy who return'd also on the first day of Lent into England after which the Lords of the Kingdom chose the Earl of Ormond Lord Chief Justice of Ireland MCCCCIV In the 5th Year of King Henry's reign died John Cowlton Archbishop of Armagh on the 5th of May and was succeeded by Nicholas Fleming The same year on S. Vitali's day a Parliament was held at Dublin by the Earl of Ormond at that time Chief Justice of the Kingdom where the Statutes of Kilkenny and Dublin and the Charter of Ireland was confirm'd Patrick Savage was this year treacherously slain in Ulster by Mac Kilmori his brother Richard being also given in hostage was murder'd in prison after he had paid a ransom of 200 marks MCCCCV In the 6th year of King Henry three Scotch Galleys two at Green Castle and one at Dalkey were taken in May with the Captain Thomas Mac Golagh The merchants of Tredagh entred Scotland this year and took hostages and booty The same year Stephen Scroop went into England leaving the Earl of Ormond to officiate as Justice during his absence In June this year the people of Dublin invaded Scotland entering it at S. Ninians where they gallantly behav'd themselves after which they made a descent upon Wales and did great hurt among the Welsh in this expedition they carried the shrine of S. Cubie to the Church of the Holy Trinity in Dublin Item This year on the vigil of the blessed Virgin died James Botiller Earl of Ormond at Baligauran during his office he was much lamented and succeeded by Gerald Earl of Kildare MCCCCVI In the seventh year of King Richard the Dublinians on Corpus Christi day with the assistance of the country people overcame the Irish and kill'd some of them they took three ensigns and carried off several of their heads to Dublin The same year the Prior of Conal in a battle with 200 well-arm'd Irish on the Plain of Kildare vanquish'd them by his great valour killing some and putting the rest to flight The Prior and his party were not above twenty such is the regard of Providence to those that trust in it The same year after the feast of S. Michael Scroop Deputy Justice to Thomas the King's son Viceroy of Ireland arriv'd here The same year died Innocentius VII succeeded in the chair by Gregory The same year on S. Hilaries-day a Parliament was held at Dublin which broke up in Lent at Trym Meiler Bermingham slew Cathol O Conghir in the latter end of February about the same time died Sir Geffery Vaux a valiant Knight of the County of Carlagh MCCCCVII A perfidious base Irishman call'd Mac Adam Mac Gilmori never christen'd and therefore call'd Morbi nay one that had been the ruin of forty Churches took Patrick Savage prisoner forc'd him to pay 2000 marks for ransom
Mortality Foundation of the Hospitallers and Order of St. John of Jerusalem Fol. MONMOVTHSHIRE LAmentable News from Monmouthshire of the loss of 26 Parishes in a great Flood which hapn'd January 1607. Publish'd the same year The manner of the Wire-Works at Tinton in Monmouthshire Ray English words pag. 194. NORFOLK SEE Sir William Dugdale's History of Imbanking Of the lamentable Burning of East Derham in the County of Norfolk July 1. 1581. in verse black Letter publish'd 1582. History of the Norfolk-Rebels by Alexander Nevil a Kentish-man with the History of Norwich and a Catalogue of the Mayors Publish'd 1575. Norfolk's Furies or a View of Kitt's Camp with a table of the Mayors and Sheriffs of Norwich c. done out of Latin into English by R. W. 1615. The Antiquities of Norwich writ by Dr. Jo. Caius are mention'd by Dr. Fuller but still remain in Manuscript Norwich Monuments and Antiquities by Sir Thomas Brown M. D. a Manuscript in the hands of the learned Dr. More the present Bishop of Norwich Nashe's Lent-Stuff containing an account of the growth of Great Yarmouth with a Play in praise of Red-herring Publish'd 1599. A description of the town of Great Yarmouth with a Survey of Little Yarmouth incorporated with the Great c. in a sheet A Survey of Norfolk was taken by Sir Henry Spelman Knight in Latin and is still in Manuscript in the Bodleian-Library at Oxon. A relation of the damages done by a tempest and overflowing of the Tyde upon the coasts of Norfolk and Lincolnshire The West prospect of Linn-Regis a sheet Urn-burial or a discourse of the Sepulchral Urns lately found in Norfolk by Sir Thomas Brown 1669. Mercurius Centralis or a Discourse of Subterraneal Cockle Muscle and Oyster-shells found in digging of a Well at Sir William Doylie's in Norfolk by Tho. Lawrence A. M. in a Letter to Sir Tho. Browne 1664. NORTHAMPTONSHIRE HIstory of the Cathedral Church of Peterburrow by Simon Gunter Prebendary Publish'd with a large Appendix by Simon Patrick D. D. then Dean of this Church and now Bishop of Ely Fol. 1685. The Fall and Funeral of Northampton in an Elegy first publish'd in Latin since made English with some variations and addititions and publish'd An. 1677. The state of Northampton from the beginning of the Fire Sept. 20. 1675. to Nov. 5. in a Letter to a Friend 1675. Names of the Hides in Northamptonshire by Francis Tate MS. Wood's Athenae Vol. 1. p. 349. A Survey of this County is said to have been intended by Mr. Augustin Vincent Wood's Athenae vol. 1. p. 349. NORTHVMBERLAND A Chorographical Survey of Newcastle upon Tine by ..... Grey An. 1649. England's Grievances in relation to the Cole-trade with a Map of the river of Tine and the situation of the town and corporation of New-castle 1655. A Survey of the river Tine grav'd by Fathorne The Antiquities of the ancient Kingdom of Northumberland are now ready for the Press compil'd by Mr. Nicolson Archdeacon of Carlisle who designs shortly to publish the Book under this Title Norðanhymbraric or a description of the ancient Kingdom of Northumberland The work will consist of eight parts whereof he stiles the I. Northanhymbria or an account of the Bounds and natural History of the Country II. Northanhymbri the Original Language Manners and Government of the People III. Annales the Succession and History of the several Dukes Kings and Earls from the first institution of the Government down to the Conquest IV. Ecclesiastica Religious Rites observ'd by the Pagan Inhabitants before the establishment of Christianity together with the state of the Church and the succession of Bishops in it afterwards V. Literae Literati the state of Learning with a Catalogue of the Writers VI. Villare the Cities Towns Villages and other places of note in an Alphabetical Catalogue VII Monumenta Danica Danish Remains in the Language Temples Courts of Judicature Runic Inscriptions c. To the whole will be prefix'd a Prefatory Discourse of the condition these parts of the Isle were in upon and some time before the coming in of the Saxons wherein notice will be taken of many pieces of Brittish and Roman Antiquities never yet observ'd Large Collections have been made by Sir Robert Shafto relating to the Antiquities of the County of Northumberland Mr. Clavering of Callaly a very knowing Antiquary has also done great service to his native Country in this kind NOTTINGHAMSHIRE THE Antiquities of the County of Nottingham by Dr. Robert Thoroton OXFORDSHIRE MAnuscript History of Alchester in the hands of Mr. Blackwell History and Antiquities of the University of Oxford by Anthony à Wood fol. Twine's Vindication of the Antiquity of the University of Oxford Natural History of Oxfordshire by Dr. Robert Plot folio Survey of Woodstock by Mr. Widows Athen. Oxon. vol. 2. p. 119. Parochial Antiquities or the History of Ambrosden Burcester and other adjacent Towns and Villages in the North-east parts of the County of Oxford delivering the general Remains of the British Roman and Saxon Ages and a more particular account of English Memoirs reduc'd into Annals from 1 Will. Conq. to 1 Edw. 4. with several Sculptures of ancient and modern Curiosities 4o. By the Reverend Mr. White Kennet B. D. An account of an Earthquake in Oxfordshire Philosoph Transact Num. 10. p. 166. Num. 11. p. 180. A Relation of an Accident by Thunder and Lightning in Oxford Philosoph Transact Num. 13. pag. 215. RVTLANDSHIRE ANtiquities of Rutlandshire by Mr. Wright Folio SOMERSETSHIRE THE ancient Laws Customs and Orders of the Miners in the King's Forest of Mendipp in the County of Somerset London 1687. 12o. Proposals for a Natural History of Somersetshire have been publish'd by Mr. John Beaumont A Letter from Mr. Beaumont giving an account of Ookey-hole and other subterraneous Grotto's in Mendip-hills Philosoph Transact 1681. Num. 2. Ookey-hole describ'd An. 1632. Thermae Redivivae by Mr. John Chapman 1673. with an Appendix of Coriat's Rhimes of the Antiquities of the Bath Johnson in his Mercurius Britannicus hath given an account of the Antiquities of the Bath with a ground-plot of the City A Discourse of the several Bathes and hot waters at the Bath with the Lives and Characters of the Physicians that have liv'd and practis'd there Together with an Enquiry into the Nature of S. Vincent's Rock near Bristol and that of Castle Cary by Dr. Thomas Guidot Enlarg'd by the same hand with the addition of several Antiquities 1691. The Antiquities of the City of Bath collected in Latin by the same Author MS. STAFFORDSHIRE NAtural History of Staffordshire by Dr. Robert Plot. Fol. Genealogies of the Nobility and Gentry in this County MS. written by Mr. Erdswick and now in the collection of Walter Chetwind Esq who very much improv'd it SVFFOLK AN account of some Saxon Coins found in Suffolk Philosoph Transact Num. 189. 1687. WARWICKSHIRE THE Antiquities of Warwickshire by Sir William Dugdale WESTMORLAND THE Antiquities of Westmorland collected by Mr. Thomas Machel of
rains So those Northern terrors are as it were reserved by God to be sent out for a punishment when and upon whom the Divine Providence shall think fit The Division of BRITAIN How Countries are divided LET us now prepare our selves for the Division of Britain Countries are divided by Geographers either naturally according to the state of the rivers and mountains or nationally with respect to the people who inhabit them or * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 differently and under a †〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 political consideration according to the pleasure and jurisdiction of Princes Now seeing the first and second of these divisions are here and there treated of through the whole work the third i.e. the political seems proper to this place which yet is so much obscured by the injury of time that in this matter 't is easier to convince one of errors than to discover the truth Our Historians affirm that the most ancient division of Britain is into Loegria Cambria and Albania that is to speak more intelligibly into England Wales and Scotland But I look upon this to be of later date both because 't is threefold arising from those three People the Angles the Cambrians and the Scots who afterwards shared this Island amongst them and also because there is no such division mentioned by classick Authors no nor before our country-man Geoffrey of Monmouth For as the Criticks of our age imagine his Romance had not been all of a piece unless he had made Brute have three Sons Locrinus Camber and Albanactus to answer the three nations that were here in his time in the same manner that he had before made his Brute because this Island was then called Britain And they no way doubt but if there had been more distinct nations about that time here in Britain he would have found more of Brute's children In the opinion of many learned men the most ancient division of Britain is that of Ptolemy's in his second book of Mathematical Construction where treating of Parallels he divides it into Great and Little Britain But with due submission to so great persons I conceive they would be of opinion that in this place our Island is called Britannia Magna and Ireland Parva Greâ—â— Littleâ— â—tain if they would please to consider the distances there from the Aequator a little more accurately and compare it with his Geographical Works However some modern writers have called the hither part of this Island Southwards Great and the farther towards the North Little the inhabitants whereof were formerly distinguished into Maiatae and Caledonii that is into the Inhabitants of the Plains and the Mountaineers as now the Scots are into Hechtland-men and Lowland-men But the Romans neglecting the farther tract because as Appian says it could be of no importance or advantage to them and fixing their bounds not far from Edenburgh divided the hither part now reduced to the form of a Province into two the Lower and the Upper L. 55. Britaâ—â— infeâ—â— and srior as may be gathered from Dio. The hither part along with Wales was their Upper the farther lying northward the Lower And this is confirmed by Dio's account of the Seats of the Legions The second Legion termed Augusta at Caerleon in Wales Isâ—â— Câ— erleâ—◠〈◊〉 Viâ— and the Twentieth called Victrix at Chester or Deva are both placed by him in Upper Britain But he tells us that the Sixth Legion called Victrix whose residence was at York served in Lower Britain I should think this division to have been made by Severus the Emperor since Herodian assures us that after he had conquer'd Albinus the then General of the Britains had possessed himself of the Government and setled the affairs of Britain he divided the whole Province into two parts and assigned to each its Lieutenant Afterwards the Romans divided the Province of Britain into three parts a Usserii Anâ—â—quitat Britano p. 51 as we may learn from a Manuscript of Sextus Rufus viz. Maxima Caesariensis Britannia prima and Britannia Secunda Bâ—â—tâ—â— which I fancy I have found out by the ancient Bishops and their Dioceses Pope Lucius in Grtaian intimates Dâ—â—â— that the Ecclesiastical jurisdiction of the Christians was model'd according to the jurisdiction of the Roman Magistrates and that the Archbishops had their Sees in such Cities as had formerly been the residence of the Roman Governors The cities says he and the places where Primats are to preside are not of a late model but were fixt many years before the coming of Christ to the Governors of which cities the Gentiles also made their appeals in the more weighty matters In which very cities after the coming of Christ the Apostles and their Successors setled Patriarchs or Primates Primates who have power to judge of the affairs of Bishops and in all causes of consequence Now since Britain had formerly three Archbishops London York and Caerleon I fancy that the Province we now call Canterbury for thither the See of London was translated made up the Britannia Prima that Wales which was subject to the Bishop of Caerleon was the Secunda and that the Province of York which then reached as far as the Bound was the Maxima Caesariensis â—ritain diâ—ided into parts The next age after when the Constitution of the Roman Government was every day changed either through ambition that more might be preferred to places of honour â—otitia â—rovinciâ—am or the policy of the Emperors to curb the growing power of their Presidents they divided Britain into five parts Britannia prima Secunda Maxima Caesariensis Valentia and Flavia Caesariensis Valentia seems to have been the northern part of the Maxima Caesariensis which Theodosius General under the Emperor Valens recovered from the Picts and Scots and out of complement to his Master called it Valentia as Marcellinus fully testifies in those words â—b 28. The province which had fell into the Enemy's hands he recovered and reduced to its former state so that by his means it both enjoyed a lawful Governor and was also by appointment of the Prince afterwards called Valentia 'T is reasonable to imagine that the Son of this Theodosius who being made Emperor was call'd Flavius Theodosius and made several alterations in the Empire might add the Flavia because we never meet with Britannia Flavia before the time of this Flavius To be short then Britannia Prima â—itannia â—â—ima was all that Southern tract bounded on one hand with the British Ocean and on the other with the Thames and the Severn Sea â—â—tanâ— Seâ—â—da â—â—via â—â—arienâ—â—xima â—arienâ—â—â—entia Britannia Secunda the same with the present Wales Flavia Caesariensis reached from the Thames to Humber Maxima Caesariensis from Humber to the river Tine or Severus's wall Valentia from the Tine to the Wall near Edenburgh call'd by the Scots Gramesdike which was the farthest limit of the Roman Empire And here
by inheritance descended from them to the Powletts Not far from whence is Witham where K. Hen. 3. built a Nunnery 35 Which afterwards was the first house and as it were another to the Carthusians or Charter-house-Monks in England as Hinton not far off near Farley-castle was the second And now Frome encreas'd by some little rivers out of this wood joyns it self to the noble river Avon which with an oblique course presently runs to that ancient City â—e from the baths call'd by Ptolemy 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i.e. Hot waters and by Antoninus Waters of the Sun â—ae solis by the Britains Yr ennaint Twymin as also Caer Badon and by the Saxons Baþancester hat Baþan and for the concourse of sick people Å¿ The ancient Annals call it Ace-mannes-ceaster and Florence of Worcester Aâ—amanni civitas Ackmanchester as much as a City of Valetudinarians â—â—â—biâ— Stephanus calls it Badiza we at this day Bathe and in Latin Bathonia It lies low in a plain not very large and is as it were fortify'd on every side with hills of an equal height which send down many springs to the great advantage of the citizens 〈◊〉 baths In the city it self arise three t The heat of these is thought by some to be owing to the Sun which seems to be an unaccountable opinion as that of others referring it to the agitation of the wind The learned Selden in his notes upon Drayton affirms it to be owing to the passage through metallick bituminous and sulphureous veins or rather a real subterranean fire See pag. 52. hot springs of a blewish and sea-colour which exhale a thin sort of mist and something of â—aphitis an ill savour proceeding from corrupt water mix'd with earth and brimstone for the water it self has a sulphur and bituminous matter incorporated with it They are an effectual remedy to such bodies as by reason of ill humours are dull and heavy for by virtue of their heat they cause sweating and by that means the career of the humour is curb'd But it is not at all hours they are wholsom for from eight in the morning till three in the afternoon they are extream hot and boyl up violently by which they are mudded and throw up a filthy sort of stuff from the bottom so that at these times they are shut up nor does any one go into them till by their sluces they have eas'd themselves of that stuff and are purg'd n Of these three that which is call'd The Cross-bath because of a Cross formerly erected in the middle of it is very easie and moderately warm Upon the side of it are 12 stone-seats o and it is enclos'd with a wall The second scarce 200 foot distant is much hotter whereupon t is call'd Whotbath or Hot-bath Near these two is a Hospital built by Reginald Bishop of Bathe to relieve the necessities of sick people and in the midâ—le are two streets towards the west-part of the City The third which is largest is in the very heart of the City and is call'd the King 's or Royal bath it is near the Cathedral Church and enclos'd also with a wall It is accommodated with 32 seats arch'd over wherein the men and women sit apart and both of them when they go into the water put on linnen drawers 36 And have their guides Where now the Cathedral Church stands is formerly reported to have been a Temple dedicated to Minerva Temple of Minerva 'T is without all doubt that Solinus Polyhistor means these baths when he says In Britain there are hot springs richly accommodated with all conveniencies for the service of mankind their tutelar Deity is Minerva in whose Temple those perpetual fires never turn to embers but when they go out are converted into round pieces of hard stone Notwithstanding which Athenaeus affirms that all hot baths naturally springing out of the earth u 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Diogeniano Cent. 5. are sacred to Hercules and indeed amongst other old monuments almost quite defac'd by age there is here upon the walls something of an ancient image of Hercules holding a Serpent in his hand But rather than any difference should arise upon this we are willing to grant that baths were dedicated both to Hercules and Minerva For the Greeks have told us that Minerva was the first who furnish'd Hercules with a bath after he had gone through his labours I am content if thus much may be allow'd me upon Solinus's authority that since Minerva was the tutelar Goddess of those springs this must be the same city which the Britains call'd Caer Palladdur Caer-Palladur that is in latin Urbs Palladiae aquae or the city of Pallas's water For the thing name and meaning do exactly agree The finding of these springs is by our own traditions referr'd to a British King call'd Bleyden w The word in British is doyth or doeth Cloyth i.e. Bleyden the southsayer with what show of truth I leave to others However Britains very skilful in Art-Magick Pliny assures us that this Art-Magick was in such wonderful esteem among the Britains that they seem even to have given it to the Persians but as to these baths I dare not attribute their original to that art Some of our own nation too supinely affirm that Julius Caesar was the inventor But I cannot but think that it was late before the Romans came to know them since Solinus is the first that makes any mention of them The Saxons indeed about the 44th year after their landing in Britain by a breach of Articles renewing the war laid siege to this city p but being surpriz'd by the warlike Arthur they betook themselves to Badon-hill Badon-hill where tho' in a desperate condition they fought it out and were slain in great numbers This seems to be the same hill with that we now call Bannesdown hanging over a little village near the city nam'd Bathstone and showing at this day it's bulwarks and a rampire I know there are some who seek for it in Yorkshire but let Gildas himself restore it to this place For in an old Manuscript-Copy of him in the Cambridge-Library where he treats of the victory of Aurelius Ambrosius he says To the year of Badon-hill siege which is not far from the mouth of Severn But if this will not convince them let them understand farther that the adjoyning vale lying along the river Avon for a great way together is call'd in British Nant-Badon i.e. the vale of Badon and where to seek Badon-hill but near Badon-valley I cannot tell For a long time after this the Saxons frighted from making any more attempts upon this City left it quiet to the Britains But in the year of Christ 577. after x His right name is Ceawlin and so our best Historians call him Cewalin King of the West-Saxons had defeated the Britains at Deorham 37 In Glocestershire
this city being both besieg'd and storm'd first surrender'd it self to the Saxons and in a few years as it were recovering it self took the new name of Akmancester q and grew very splendid For Osbrich in the year 676. built a Nunnery and presently after when it came into the hands of the Mercians King Offa built another Church but both were destroy'd in the Danish Wars r Out of the ruins of these there grew up another Church dedicated to S. Peter to which Eadgar sirnam'd the Peaceful because he was there inaugurated King granted several immunities the memory whereof the inhabitants still keep up by anniversary sports In the times of Edw. the Confessor as we read in Domesday-book it gelded for 20 Hides when the Shire gelded There were 64 Burgesses of the King 's and 30 of others But this flourishing condition was not lasting for presently after the Norman Conquest Robert Mowbray nephew to the Bishop of Constance who rais'd a hot rebellion against William Rufus plunder'd and burn'd it But it got up again in a short time by the assistance of John de Villula of Tours in France who being Bishop of Wells did as Malmesbury informs us y Malmesbury has it quingentis libris i.e. 500 pounds for five hundred marks purchase the city of Henry 1. whither he translaâ—ed his See z He was only stil'd Bâ—shop of Bath subscribing himself commonly Joannes Lathon as Doctor Gaidot in his MS. history of the place has prov'd by several instances tho' still retaining the name of Bishop of Wells and built him here a new Cathedral But this not long ago being ready to drop down Oliver King Bishop of Bath laid the foundation of another near it exceeding large and stately which he well-nigh finish'd And if he had quite finish'd it without all doubt it had exceeded most Cathedrals in England But the untimely death of that great Bishop with the publick disturbances 38 And the suppression of Religious houses ensuing and the avarice of some persons who as t is said converted the money gather'd thro' England for that end to other uses envy'd it this glory s However from that time forward Bath has been a flourishing place both for the woollen manufacture and the great resort of strangers 39 For health twice a year and is now encompass d with walls wherein they have fix'd some ancient images and Roman Inscriptions to evidence the Antiquity of the place but age has so wore them out that they are scarce legible And lest any thing should be wanting to the Dignity of Bath Earls of Bath it has honour'd some of the Nobility with the title of Earl For we read that Philebert de Chandew born in Bretagne in France had that title conferr'd upon him by King Henry 7. Afterwards King Henry 8. in the 28th year of his reign created John Bourchier Lord Fitz-Warin Iâ—quis 31 Hen. 8. Earl of Bath 40 Who dyed shortly after leaving by his wife the sister of H. Daubenâ—y Earl of Bridgewater John second Earl of this family who by the daughter of George Lord Roos had John Lord Fitz-Warin who deceased before his father having by Frances the daughter of Sir Thomas Kitson of Hengrave Wâ—lliam now third Earl of Bathe who dying in the 31 year of the same King was succeeded by John his son who dy'd in the third year of Queen Elizabeth He before the death of his father had John Lord Fitz Warin from whom is descended William the present Earl of Bath who every day improves the nobility of his birth with the ornaments of learning ss Geographers make the Longitude of this City to be 20 degrees and 56 minutes the Latitude 51 degrees and 21 minutes For a conclusion take if you please those Verses such as they are concerning Bathe made by Necham who flourish'd 400 years ago Bathoniae thermas vix praefero Virgilianas Confecto prosunt balnea nostra seni Prosunt attritis collisis invalidisque Et quorum morbis frigida causa subest Praevenit humanum stabilis natura laborem Servit naturae legibus artis opus Igne suo succensa quibus data balnea fervent Aenea subter aquas vasa latere putant Errorem figmenta solent inducere passim Sed quid sulphureum novimus esse locum Scarce ours to Virgil's Baths the preference give Here old decrepit wretches find relief To bruises sores and ev'ry cold disease Apply'd they never fail of quick success Thus human ills kind nature does remove Thus nature's kindness human arts improve They 're apt to fancy brazen stoves below To which their constant heat the waters owe. Thus idle tales deluded minds possess But what we know that 't is a sulph'ry place Take also if you think them worth your reading two ancient Inscriptions lately digg'd up upon the high-way below the city in Waldcot-field and remov'd by Robert Chambers a great admirer of Antiquities into his gardens where I transcrib'd them C. MVRRIVS C. F. ARNIENSIS FORO IVLI. MODESTVS MIL. LEG II. * Adjâ—â—â—â—cis prae â—licis AD. P. F. IVLI. SECVND AN. XXV STIPEND †Hic sâ—â— est H. S. E. DIS MANIBVS M. VALERIVS M. POL. EATINVS * C. EQ MILES LEG AVG. AN. XXX STIPEN X. H. S. E. I saw likewise these Antiquities fasten'd on the inner side of the wall between the north and west gates Hercules holding up his left hand with his Club in the right In a broken piece of stone is this writing in large and beautiful letters * Decâ—â—ioni DEC COLONIAE †Glevi 〈◊〉 Glocester GLEV. VIXIT AN. LXXXVI Next leaves folded in Hercules bending two snakes and in a sepulchral table between two little images one whereof holds an Amalthaean horn there is written in a worse character and scarce legible D. M. SVCC PETRONIAE VIXIT ANN. IIII. * Meâ—â— M. IIII. †Dies D. XV. EPO MVLVS ET VICTISIRANA ‖ Filix â—rissime â—cerunt FIL. KAR. FEC A little below in a broken piece of stone and large letters is VRN IOP Between the west and south gates Ophiucus enfolded by a serpent two men's heads with curl'd locks within the copings of the walls a hare running and underneath in a great stone this in letters a cross VLIA ILIA A naked man as 't were laying hands upon a soldier also between the battlements of the walls leaves two lying kissing and embracing each other a footman brandishing his sword and holding forth his shield another footman with a spear and these letters a-cross on a stone III VSA IS VXSC. And Medusa's head with her snaky hairs t Upon the same river Avon which is the bound here between this County and Glocestershire on the western bank of it is Cainsham Cainâ—â— so nam'd from Keina a devout British Virgin whom many of the last age through an over-credulous temper believ'd to have chang'd serpents into stones Serpeâ—â— stones because they find sometimes in
quarries some such little miracles of sporting Nature And I have seen a stone brought from thence winded round like a serpent the head whereof tho' but imperfect jutted out in the circumference and the end of the tail was in the center u But most of them want the head In the neighbouring fields and other places hereabouts the herb Percepier â—ercepier grows naturally all the year round It is peculiar to England and one tastes in it a sort of tartness and bitterness 't is never higher than a span and grows in bushy flowers without a stalk It provokes urine strongly and quickly and there is a water distill'd out of it of great use as P. Poena in his Miscellanies upon Plants has observ'd w Scarce five miles from hence the river Avon parts Bristol in the middle â—â—tow call d by the Britains Caer Oder Nant Badon i.e. the City Odera in Badon valley In the Catalogue of the Ancient Cities it is nam'd Caer Brito and in Saxon it is BrightstoÆ¿ i.e. a famous place But a Amongst the rest Leland in his Comment upon the Cygnea cantio pag. 152. those who have affirm'd it to be the Venta Belgarum have impos'd both upon themselves and the world The City is plac'd partly in Somersetshire and partly in Glocestershire so that it does not belong to either having distinct Magistrates of it's own and being a county incorporate by it self It stands upon a pretty high gâ—ound between the Avon and the little river Frome what with walls and the rivers guarded very well for it was formerly enclos'd with a double wall It casts such a beautiful show both of publick and private buildings that it answers it's name and there are what they call Goutes in Latin Cloacae built in the subterraneous caverns of the earth to carry off and wash away the filth x so that nothing is wanting either for neatness or health But by this means it comes that Carts are not us'd here It is also so well furnish'd with the necessities of life and so populous that next to London and York it may justly claim a preeminence over all the cities in Britain For the trade of many nations is drawn thither by the advantage of commerce and of the harbour which brings vessels under sail into the heart of the city And the Avon swells so much by the coming in of the tide when the Moon descends from the Meridian and passes the place opposite that ships upon the shallows are born up 11 or 12 fathoms The citizens themselves drive a rich trade throughout Europe and make voyages to the remotest parts of America At what time and by whom it was built is hard to say but it seems to be of a late date since in all the Danish plunders it is not so much as mention'd in our Histories For my part I am of opinion it rose in the decline of the Saxon government since it is not taken notice of before the year of our Lord 1063. wherein Harald as Florence of Worcester has it set sail from Brytstow to Wales with a design to invade it In the beginning of the Norman times Berton an adjoyning farm and this Bristow paid to the King as 't is in Domesday book 110 marks of silver and the Burgesses return'd that Bishop G. had 33 marks â—â—am of â—â—â—ster and 1 mark of gold y Afterwards Robert Bishop of Constance plotting against William Rufus chose this for a seat of war and fortify'd the little city with that inner wall I suppose part of which remains to this day z But a few years after the Suburbs began to enlarge on every side for on the south Radcliff where were some little houses belonging to the suburbs is joyn'd to the rest of the city by a stone-bridge which is so set with houses that you would not think it a bridge but a street This part is included within the walls and the inhabitants have the privileges of citizens There are hospitals built in all parts for the poor and neat Churches for the glory of God Amongst the rest the most beautiful is S. Mary's of Radcliffe without the walls into which is a stately ascent by a great many stairs So large is it the workmanship so exquisite and the roof so artificially vaulted with stone and the tower so high that in my opinion it goes much beyond all the Parish Churches in England I have yet seen In it the founder William Canninges has two honorary monuments the one is his image in the habit of a Magistrate for he was five times Mayor of this City the other an image of the same person in Clergy-man's habit for in his latter days he took Orders and was Dean of the College which himself founded at Westbury Hard by it is also another Church call'd Temple the tower whereof as often as the bell rings moves to and again so as to be quite parted from the rest of the building and there is such a chink from top to bottom that the gaping is three fingers broad when the bell rings growing first narrower then again broader Nor must we omit taking notice of S. Stephen's Church the stately tower whereof was in the memory of our grandfathers built by one Shipward 41 Alià s Bâ—rstaple a citizen and merchant with great charge and curious workmanship On the east also and north parts it was enlarg'd with very many buildings and those too included within the walls being defended by the river Frome which after it has pass'd by these walls runs calmly into the Avon making a quiet station for ships and a creek convenient to load and unload wares which they call the Kay Under this The marsh between the confluence of Avon and Frome is a champain ground which is set round with trees and affords a pleasant walk to the citizens Upon the south-east where the rivers do not encompass it Robert natural son to King Henry 1. commonly call'd Robert Rufus Consul of Glocester because he was Earl of Glocester built a large and strong Castle for the defence of his city a and out of a pious inclination set aside every tenth stone for the building of a Chappel near the Priory of S. James which he also erected just under the City He took to wife Mabil daughter and sole heir of Robert Fitz-Hamon who held this city in fealty of William the Norman This castle yet scarce finish'd was besieg'd by King Stephen but he was forc'd to draw off without doing any thing and the same person not many years after being prisoner there was a fair instance how uncertain the events of war are Beyond the river Frome over which at Frome-gate is a bridge one goes obliquely up a high hill of a steep and difficult ascent from whence there is a pleasant prospect of the City and haven below it This upon the top runs into a large and green plain shaded all along the middle with a double rank of trees
and d Canute is here put erroneously for Swain as is evident by the concurring testimony of Historians Canute the Dane damnify'd it very much by fire about A. D. 1003. w It recover'd it's ancient splendour when by the authority of a e Enacting A. 1076. that all Bishops Sees should be removed into great Towns out of Villages Synod and the munificence of William the Conqueror Herman Bishop of Shirburn and Sunning translated his seat hither and his immediate Successor Osmund built the Cathedral Church And the said William 1. after he had made the survey of England summon'd all the Estates of the Kingdom hither to swear Allegiance to him at which time as it is in Domesday book Salisbury gelded for 50 hides Money by weight and by tale and of the third penny the King had xx s. by weight and of the increase lx lb by tale This I observe because not only the Romans but also our Ancestors used to weigh as well as tell their money Not long after in the reign of Richard 1. f It should be Henry 3. by reason of the insolencies of the garrison-souldiers x 20 Against the Churchmen and the scarcity of water 21 The Churchmen first and then c. the inhabitants began to remove and seated themselves in a low ground which at the conflux of the Avon and the Nadder is as it were a rendezvous of many waters scarce a mile distant toward the south-east Of this removal Petrus Blesensis maketh mention in his g Epist 105. Epistles New Sarisbury for thus he describes Old Sarum It was a place exposed to the winde barren dry and solitary a Tower was there as in Siloam by which the inhabitants were for a long time enslaved And afterward The Church of Salisbury was a captive on that hill let us therefore in God's name go down into the level there the vallies will yield plenty of corn and the champagn fields are of a rich soil And of the same place the foremention'd Poet thus writes Quid domini domus in castro nisi foederis arca In templo Baalim carcer uterque locus A Church within a Camp looks just as well As th' ark of God in the vile house of Baal And thus described the place to which they descended Est in valle locus nemori venatibus apto Contiguus celeber fructibus uber aquis Tale creatoris matri natura creata Hospitium toto quaesiit orbe diu Nigh a fair chase a happy vale there lies Where early fruit the burden'd trees surprize And constant springs with gentle murmurs rise Not careful Nature o're the world could meet With such another for our Lady's seat As soon as they were removed that they might begin at the house of God Richard Poor the Bishop in a pleasant meadow before call'd Merifield laid the foundation of the great Church a stately pile of building y The which with it's h The tower and steeple from the floor of the Church is 410 foot high high steeple and double cross-isles by it's venerable grandeur strikes it's spectators with a sacred joy and was in 43 years space finished at great expence and dedicated A. D. 1258. in the presence of K. Henry 3. whereof that ancient Poetaster hath these not contemptible verses Regis enim virtus templo spectabitur isto Praesulis affectus artificumque fides The Prince's piety the Workman's skill The Bishop's care the stately pile shall tell But much better are the verses of the famous and learned Daniel Rogers Mira canam soles quot continet annus in unâ Tam numerosa ferunt aede fenestra micat Marmoreasque capit fusas tot ab arte columnas Comprensas horas quot vagus annus habet Totque patent portae quot mensibus annus abundat Res mira at verâ res celebrata fide †Dr. Heâ—â—â— How many days in one whole year there be So many windows in our Church we see So many marble pillars there appear As there are hours thro'out the fleeting year So many gates as moons one year does view Strange tales to tell yet not so strange as true For they say this Church hath as many windows as there are days in the year as many pillars and pillasters as there are hours and as many gates as months On the south-side of the Church is the Cloyster as great and of as fine workmanship as any in England to which is adjoyn'd the Bishop's stately Palace on the north side stands apart from the Cathedral a very strong built and high Bell-tower This Church in a short time so increas'd in ornaments and revenues that it maintains a Dean a Chanter a Chancellor a Treasurer and 33 Prebendaries z all very well endow'd some of which whom they call Canons Resident have very good houses not far from the Church and all these are inclosed with a wall apart from the town Whilst the Bishop was building the house of God the Citizens in like manner with great forwardness founded the City settled the Civil government thereof supplied every street with a little rivulet of water and having obtained licence from Simon the Bishop to fortifie it they threw up a ditch on that side which is not defended by the river And to such splendour New-Salisbury arrived out of the ruines of Old-Sorbiodunum that presently after by the Royal Authority the High road into the West was turn'd thro' this town it became the second City in those parts being very populous abounding in plenty of all things especially fish and adorn'd with a very fine Council-house of wood which standeth in a spacious well-furnish'd Market-place But it hath nothing of which it can brag so much as of John Jewell late Bishop of this place the wonder of his age for Divinity and a strenuous defender of the Reformed Religion After this Old Sarum still decreasing was in the reign of Henry 7. wholly deserted so that now there scarce remaineth a turret of the castle yet for a long time after the inhabitants had left the town it was the seat of the Earls of Salisbury about which in the reign of Edward 3. there was a noted controversie 29 Edw. Term. â—lar For Robert Bishop of Sarum by vertue of a Writ which our Lawyers call Breve de Recto â— Duel aâ— out the Castle of â—arâ—m or as others â—yâ— Shirâ—â—â— question'd the right of William Montaoute E of Sarum to this Castle The Earl answered he would defend his right by Combat q So on the day appointed the Bishop brought to the lists his Champion clad in a white garment to the mid leg over which he had a Surcoat of the Bishop's Coat of Arms there follow'd him a Knight carrying the spear and a Page the shield Presently after the Earl led in his Champion arrayed after the same manner accompanied by two Knights bearing white staves And just as the Champions were about to fight whilst they withdrew that
had possession of this Monastery 270 years they were turn'd out by the command of King Eadwy and secular Priests put in their room but the Monks were restor'd by King Edgar Bishop Herman would willingly have translated the Bishop's See hither but was prevented in his design by the diligence of the Monks So that the †Monast Angl. T. 1â— p. 97. Abingdon Historiographer is under a mistake when he tells us that the seat of the Bishop of Barkshire and Wiltshire was at Malmsbury and Radulphus de Diceto when he calls Odo Bishop of Ramesbury Bishop of Malmsbury as also Gervasius Tilburiensis when he says that S. Aldhelm had the city of Maidulf that is Scireburn The Abbey here exceeeded all the rest in Wiltshire both in riches and honour the Lord Abbot sitting in Parliament as Peer of the Realm Robert Jenner Esq Goldsmith of London the 1 Car. 1. built an Almshouse here for 8 persons and endow'd it with 40 l. a year g From hence the Avon goes to Dantesey Dantesey of which place Henry Lord Danvers was made by K. Charles 1. Earl of Danby He it was who built the Physick-garden in Oxford and among many other acts of charity founded here an Alms-house and Free-school Upon the attainder of his brother and heir Sir John Danvers the town was given by K. Charles 2. to James then Duke of York whose second son James was created Baron of Dantsey it was afterwards part of the dowry of Queen Mary and since the Revolution belongs to the Earl of Monmouth The Avon bending it's course southward from hence runs near Bradenstoke Bradenstoke without doubt the same town to which Aethelwold carry'd his devastations in the year 905. At which time Bromton says he put to military execution all Brithendune i.e. all in Bradon-forest as far as Brandestok or as Higden more rightly calls it Bradenestoke so that Polydore Virgil Holinshed Speed and our late Historians are very much mistaken in asserting this to be Basingstoke in Hamshire Somewhat lower the Avon receives the Caln Oldbury-hill a little river rising at the bottom of Oldbury-hill * Aubr MS. on which is a large oval camp with double trenches possibly Danish g 2. For the town of Caln Caln 't is probable it arose out of the ruines of the old Roman Colony on the other side of the water near Studley where Roman Coins are frequently found It was one of the Palaces of the West-Saxon Kings and at the time of the Conquest enjoy'd great privileges one whereof was that it never gelded For says Domesday Cauna nunquam geldavit ergo nescitur quot sunt hidae ibidem Not far from Caln is Cummerford Cummerford probably the Cynemaeresford of the Saxon Chronicle call'd by Florence of Worcester Kimeresford where Aethelmund Earl of Mercia making an inroad into the country of the West-Saxons was met by Werstan Earl of Wiltshire between whom was a bloody battle wherein both Commanders lost their lives but the victory fell to the Wiltshire-men Upon second thoughts the circumstances of that action agree more exactly to this place than * Glossar ad Chron. Sax. to Kempsford in Glocestershire for setting aside that the Saxon name is more easily melted into Cummerford Higden tells us it was out of the bounds of Mercia Ethelmundus says he fines suos egressus usque ad vadum Chimeresford and if so it cannot be in Glocestershire If there is as I have been told a large entrenchment near this Cummerford it puts the matter so much the more beyond dispute h The Avon having receiv'd this little river goes forward to Chippenham Chippenham call'd by Bromton Urbs Chipenham one of the chiefest towns in the Kingdom of the West-Saxons and so very often mention'd in the Histories of those times That the Church there was founded by one of the Hungerfords as our Author observes I am afraid is hardly grounded upon any clear authority The Chappel indeed yet call'd Hungerford's Chappel might possibly be founded by Walter Lord Hungerford for 21 Henr. 6. he obtain'd a licence for the founding of a Chantry in the Chappel of our Lady within the Parish-Church of this place Queen Mary in the beginning of her reign granted her Charter to this Corporation which consists of a Bailiff and 12 Burgesses i Next is the Devises Devises call'd by Westminster Visae and by Walter Hemingford Wysae That this town was built by Dunwallo King of the Britains is scarce probable neither is it easie to imagine that it should be inhabited by the Romans tho' on the utmost part of Rund-way hill that overlooks the town there is a square single-trench'd Camp which seems to point out to us the presence of the Romans in those parts The Annotator upon the life of King Alfred has told us upon the authority of Tradition that the Castle here was built by that King but we have ground from the best Historians to believe it was built or at least repair'd by Roger Bishop of Salisbury Speed says It was one of the goodliest Castles in Europe and Holinshed That it was the strongest hold in England Which made Ralph Fitz-Stephen in the war between King Stephen and Mawd the Empress after he had possess'd himself of this Castle boast that by the assistance of it he would subject all the Country between London and Winchester The government of it was formerly look'd upon to be such an honourable post that it has been accepted by the greatest Lords It was not so much demolish'd but that some shew of fortifications were left till the Civil Wars when it was besieg'd more than once And Sir Ralph Hopton's being enclos'd herein by Sir William Waller occasion'd that memorable battle call'd Rundway-fight from the Down upon which it was fought July 13. 1643. Now all the Fortifications are dismantl'd and the very top of the Keep which Leland calls a work of incredible cost dug up by the Gardiners The town is a very populous Corporation consisting of two great Parishes and is govern'd by a Mayor Recorder c. Not far from hence his Heddington Heddington which without doubt was a Roman town as is evident from the foundations of houses that have been dug up here for a mile together and the finding of silver and copper coins of several Roman Emperors some of which are given by Mr. John Aubrey to the Royal Society and to Ashmole's Musaeum in Oxford These circumstances and the situation of this Heddington on the exact road between Bath and Marlborough made the learned Commentator on â— Alfred's life conclude this to be the Verlucio of Antoninus plac'd by him 15 miles from Aquae Solis and 20 from Cunetio But Heddington not being above 12 from Bath and but 10 from Marleburgh we must †See â—â—â—ward look for Verlucio in some other place South from hence is Steeple-Lavington or East-Lavington commonly call'd Market Lavington Lavingâ—â—â— East from the great
feet upon which he step'd back and said Let all the inhabitants of the world know That the power of Monarchs is a vain and empty thing and that no one deserves the name of a King but he whose will by an eternal law the Heaven Earth and Sea obey Nor would he ever after suffer the Crown to be put on his head c. Of those rivers between which this town is plac'd the western one now call'd Test but formerly I think Anton rising out of the Forest of Chute runs first to Andover â—ndover in Saxon e And Andeferan Andeafaran that is the Ferry or passage of the river Ande where in the year f In the year 994. according to the Saxon Annals 893. Aethelred K. of England when the Danes ravaged all his kingdom that he might bless his harrass'd nation with a safe and settl'd peace adopted Anlaf the Dane â—nlaf adâ—pted by 〈◊〉 Aethelâ—ed tho' this league of friendship was soon broke for so great a respect and honour could not restrain that barbarous foreigner from his usual rapines i 3 From thence it runneth down and receives from the East a brook passing by Bullingdon in whose parish is a place called Tibury-hill and contains a square field by estimation 10 acres ditch'd about in some places deeper than other wherein hath been found tokens of Wells and about which the Plough-men have found square-stones and Roman coins as they report for the place I have not seen From hence this river runs near Whorwel where Queen Aelfrith built a Monastery to expiate her heinous crime in vowing to kill King Edward her son-in-law and to atone for the murder of her former Husband the noble Earl Athelwold whom King Edgar upon an invitation to go a hunting did here murder because he had put a trick upon him in his love-intreagues and had by ill arts obtain'd from him this Lady Aelfrith who was the greatest beauty of her age After this the Test takes in another small stream call'd Wallop â—allâ—p or rather Wellop that is if we interpret it from our own ancient language a little fountain on the side of a hill which gives name to the ancient family of Wallops Knights who live near it Hence the river runs in search of Brige â—ge or Brage an ancient town by Antoninus plac'd 9 miles from the old Sorbiodunum at which distance between Salisbury and Winchester not far from its own banks it finds a small country village call'd Broughton and if the old Brage was not at this place I am of opinion that it was entirely demolish'd when William the Conquerour converted these parts into the forest before mention'd Next Rumsey â—umsey in Saxon Rumseg where King Edgar built a Nunnery the Church whereof is still standing is visited by this river 4 Out of the which Mary daughter to King Stephen being there Abbess and his only heir surviving was convey'd secretly by Matthew of Alsace son to the Earl of Flanders and to him married But after she had born to him two Daughters was enforced by Sentence of the Church to return hither again according to her vow which presently falls into South-hampton-bay at the Vadum Arundinis as Bede calls it which he interprets Redford but now from the bridge where the ford was instead of Redford 't is call'd Redbridge â—dbridge where in the infancy of the Saxon-Church stood a Monastery whereof one Cymberth was Abbot and baptised as Bede tells us two young Brothers of Arvandus petty King of the Isle of Wight just before they were to be murdered for when Cedwalla the Saxon invaded that Island these two boys made their escape and hid themselves at a little town called ad Lapidem till being betrayed they were killed at the command of Cedwalla If you ask where this little town ad Lapidem stood I should guess that 't was Stoneham a small village next to Redbridge as the name it self seems to prove very naturally The other river which runs on the east-side of South-hampton seems to have been call'd Alre for a market town on the banks of it not far from the lake out of which it rises is now call'd Alresford i.e. the ford of Arle Which place to use the words of an old Register of the Church of Winchester the religious K. Kinewalc with great devotion gave to the Church of Winchester after he had receiv'd the Christian Sacraments from Bishop Birinus at the beginning of Christianity in those parts In the year 1220. A book of waverly Monastery Godfrey Lucy Bishop of Winchester renew'd the market here and call'd the place New-market perhaps in respect of the old Alresford that lies near it But this new name did not last long with the people in whose power lies the use of words and names Nigh this place lies Tichborn Tichborn of which I must not omit to mention that it has given name to an eminent and ancient family On the western bank of this river lies the famous city of the British Belgae which Ptolemy and Antoninus call'd g From whence the Bishop of Winchester is in our Histories very often call'd Ventanus and Wentanus Venta Belgarum Venta Belgarum the Britains to this day Caer Gwent the old Saxons As also Winteceaster Winceaster Wincester Wintancester the Latin Writers commonly Wintonia and we Wintchester Wintchester Yet there are some Writers who pretend that this was the Venta Simenorum and give Bristol the honour of being the Venta Belgarum but that there was no such People as the Simeni in this Island I shall prove when I come to the Iceni In the mean time if they would confirm this their conjecture by seeking any where else for the towns which Antoninus places near to this Venta let them be as accurate as they can they will find nothing to their purpose The original of Venta some fetch from Ventus others from Vinum and again others from Wina a Bishop * Qui bonae menti litarent who might be asham'd of such trifling derivations I should rather subscribe to the opinion of our country-man Leland who derives the word from the British Guin or Guen that is white as if it signified Caer Gwin the White City And why should it not since from this same colour the old Latins gave name to the cities Alba Longa and Alba Regia the Greeks to Leuca Leucas and other places For this Venta as also two other towns of the same name Venta Silurum and Venta Icenorum is situate in a soil of Chalk and whitish Clay This city no doubt was very famous in the Roman times k for it is here the Roman Emperors seem to have had their †Textrina sua sacra Imperial Weaving-shops this city being the chief of all the British Ventae and lying nearest Italy For in the Notitia there is mention made of a Procurator or Governour of the Cynegium Ventense or Bentense
has been a long series of successors no less eminent for wealth and honour than for piety and devotion 5 But among others St. Swithin continues yet of greatest fame not so much for his sanctity as for the rain which usually falls about the feast of his translation in July by reason the Sun then is Cosmically with Praesepe and Aselli noted by ancient writers to be rainy Constellations and not for his weeping or other weeping Saints Margaret the Virgin and Mary Magdalen whose feasts are shortly after as some superstitiously credulous have believed and by a peculiar privilege are Chancellors to the Archbishop of Canterbury and Prelates of the Garter Some of these at great expence have beautify'd and enlarg'd this Church particularly Edington and Walkeling but above all Wickham who with incredible cost built the West part of the Church from the Choire a neat and curious piece of work in the middle of which between two pillars is his own monument The Church has been accordingly dedicated to new Patrons Amphibalus Peter Swithin and lastly to the Holy Trinity by which name it is at present call'd Among the Saxons it was in great repute for being honour'd with the Sepulture of some of their Kings whose bones were gathered by Richard Fox Bishop and put into little gilded Coffins which with their several Inscriptions he placed upon a wall that runs along the upper part of the Quire It was formerly call'd h Ealdan-Mynster Chron. Sax. Ealden-mynster i.e. the old Monastery or Minster to distinguish it from the more modern one i Niwan-Mynster Chron. Sax. NeÆ¿an-mynster i.e. New Minster which King Aelfred founded and to build the Offices belonging to it bought of the Bishop a certain peice of ground for every foot whereof he paid one Mark according to the publick Standard This new College as well as the old one was first founded for marry'd Priests who were afterwards expelled by Dunstan Archbishop of Canterbury upon the miracle of a Cross speaking and condemning the Order and so Monks were brought into their room These two Monasteries had their walls so near one another that when they were singing in one the noise was a disturbance to the other upon which arose some quarrels between the two Societies that afterwards broke out into feuds This reason and another inconvenience of a great confluence of waters which ran down the streets from the West-gate and making a standing pool at this new Monastery did infect the air with unwholsome vapours caus'd the Church 200 years after it's first building to be remov'd into the northern suburbs to a place call'd Hide Hide-Abby where by the licence of Henry 1. the Monks built a large and beautiful Monastery which within a few years by the treachery of Henry of Blois Bishop of Winchester as a private little History of that place tells us was miserably burnt down in which fire was consum'd that famous Cross the gift of Canute the Dane that as some old Records deliver it cost him the yearly revenue of all England But the Monastery was raised again to a noble fabrick as the present ruines testifie and grew by degrees till that fatal period for the destruction of Monks For then this house was demolished and the other of St. Trinity which is the Cathedral Church upon ejection of the Monks had a new foundation of a Dean and 12 Prebendaries At the East-side of the Cathedral stands a spacious k It was built A. D. 1137. by Henry Bishop of Winchester Leiger-Book of St. Cross in the hands of Mr. Worsley palace of the Bishop's call'd Wolvesey fortify'd by several turrets almost surrounded by the river and reaching to the City-walls m In the south suburbs there is a neat College that answers it which William of Wickham Bishop of this See the greatest patron and encourager of Learning that was in England A College bâ—â—â—â— by William of Wickham and whose memory shall be celebrated through all ages in the Monuments of Learning built for a publick school which affords great numbers of learned men both to Church and State In this are maintain'd gentilely a Warden 10 Fellows 2 Masters 70 Scholars l Particularly 3 Chaplains 3 Clerks an Organist 16 Choristers and the statutable servants with some others There are also other eminent buildings in this City most of them consecrated to religious uses which because time has destroy'd I have no mind to mention n tho' I cannot but take notice of that * Partheâ—â—â—m St. Mary's Abby Nunnery or Monastery for Virgins which Aelfwide wife to King Alfred founded it having been so noble a piece of building as the ruines of it still shew and the place out of which Henry 1. Maud wife to Henry 1. took his wife Maud daughter of Malcolm King of Scots by whom the Royal families of the Saxons and Normans were united and by which means that Prince gain'd much on the affections of the English For she was great grand-daughter to Edmund Ironside by his son Edward The banished and a Lady not only endow'd with all the vertues becoming a Queen but more especially eminent for piety and devotion Whereupon this old Tetrastick was made in her commendation Prospera non laetam fecêre nec aspera tristem Aspera risus ei prospera terror erant Non decor effecit fragilem non sceptra superbum Sola potens humilis sola pudica decens Nor bless'd rejoyc'd nor when unhappy mourn'd To laughter grief and joy to fear she turn'd Nor beauty made her frail nor sceptres proud Humble tho' great and scarce more fair than good As to Guy Earl of Warwick so famous in story who in a single combat here conquer'd Colbrand that Danish †Typhoëus Giant and Waltheof Earl of Huntingdon beheaded in this place where afterward was the Chapel of St. Giles and as to the famous adjoyning Hospital of St. Cross founded by Henry de Blois Brother of King Stephen and Bishop of this City and farther endow'd by Henry de Beaufort Cardinal I shall say nothing of all these because a full relation is already given of them in our common Histories As to the Earls of Winchester Earls of Winchester to pass by Clito a Saxon who at the coming in of the Normans was depriv'd of this ancient honour King John made Saer Quincy Earl of Winchester The Quincy's Arms. whose Arms were * Baltheus militaris a Fesse with a †Lemniscus label of seven as I learn'd from his seal To him succeeded Roger his son who bore in a field Gules seven ‖ Rhombos Mascles voided Or. But he dying without Issue male the honour was extinct in him for he marry'd the oldest daughter and co-heir by a former wife of Alan Lord of Galloway in Scotland in whose right he was Constable of Scotland But by her he had only 3 daughters of whom the eldest was marry'd to William de Ferrariis Earl of
Anderida sylva so nam'd from Anderida the next adjoyning city took up in this quarter 120 miles in length and 30 in breadth memorable for the death of Sigebert a King of the West-Saxons who being depos'd b In a place call'd Pryfetes flodan Aethelwerd l. 2. c. 17. was here stabb'd to death by a Swine-herd It has many little rivers but those that come from the north-side of the County presently bend their course to the sea and are therefore unable to carry vessels of burden It is full of Iron-mines everywhere Iron for the casting of which there are Furnaces up and down the Country and abundance of wood is yearly spent many streams are drawn into one chanel and a great deal of meadow-ground is turned into Ponds and Pools for the driving of Mills by the * Suo impetu flashes which beating with hammers upon the iron fill the neighbourhood round about night and day with their noise But the iron here wrought is not everywhere of the same goodness yet generally more brittle than the Spanish whether it be from it's nature or tincture and temper Nevertheless the Proprietors of the mines by casting of Cannon and other things get a great deal of money But whether the nation is any ways advantag'd by them is a doubt the next age will be better able to resolve Neither doth this County want Glass-houses Glass but the glass here made by reason of the matter or making I know not which is not so clear and transparent and therefore only us'd by the ordinary sort of people b This whole County as to it 's Civil partition is divided into 6 parts which by a peculiar term they call Rapes that is of Chichester Arundell Brembre Lewes Pevensey and Hastings every one of which besides their Hundreds has a Castle River and Forest of it 's own But c In the Map the Rapes are now duely distinguish'd and divided forasmuch as I have little knowledge of the limits within which they are bounded I design to take my way along the shore from west to east for the inner parts scatter'd here and there with villages have scarce any thing worth mentioning In the very confines of Hamshire and this County stands Bosenham Boseham commonly call'd Boseham environ'd round about with woods and the sea together where as Bede saith Dicul a Scotch Monk had a very small Cell and 5 or 6 Brothers living poorly and serving God which was a long time after converted into a private retreat for K. Harold From which place as he once in a little Pinnace made to sea for his recreation he was by a sudden turn of the wind driven upon the coast of France and there detain'd till he had by oath assur'd the Kingdom of England unto William of Normandy after the death of K. Edw. the Confessor by which means he presently drew upon himself his own ruin and the kingdom's overthrow But with what a subtle double meaning that cunning catcher of syllables Earl Godwin's double meaning Godwin Earl of Kent this Harold's Father got this place and deluded the Archbishop by captious wrestings of letters Walter Mapes who liv'd not many years after shall in his own very words inform you out of his book de Nugis Curialium This Boseham underneath Chichester says he Godwin saw and had a mind to and being accompanied with a great train of Lords comes smiling and jesting to the Archbishop of Canterbury whose town it then was My Lord says he give me * Alluding perhaps to Basium a Kiss in times past us'd in doing homage Boseam The Archbishop wondring what he demanded by that question I give you says he Boseam He presently with his company of Knights and Soldiers fell down as he had before design'd at his feet and kissing them with a world of thanks retires to Boseham and by force of arms kept possession as Lord of it and having his followers as Witnesses to back him gave the Archbishop a great many commendations as the Donor in the King's presence and so held it peaceably Afterwards as we read in Testa de Nevil which was an Inquisition of lands made in K. John's time King William who afterwards conquer'd England gave this to William Fitz-Aucher and his heirs in fee-farm paying out of it yearly into the Exchequer 40 pounds of silver d See in Wiltshire under the title Old Salisbury try'd and weigh'd and afterwards William Marshall held it as his inheritance Chichester Chichester in British Caercei in Saxon Cissanceaster in Latin Cicestria stands in a Plain farther inwards upon the same arm of the sea with Boseham a pretty large city and wall'd about built by Cissa the Saxon the second King of this Province taking also it 's name from him For Cissan-ceaster is nothing else but the City of Cissa whose father Aella was the first Saxon that here erected a kingdom Yet before the Norman conquest it was of little reputation noted only for St. Peter's Monastery and a little Nunnery But in the reign of William 1. as appears by Domesday book there were in it 100 Hagae and it was in the hands of Earl Roger †De 〈◊〉 Gomâ—rice i.e. of Montgomery and there are in the said place 60 houses more than there were before It paid 15 pound to the King and 10 to the Earl Afterwards when in the reign of the said William 1. it was ordain'd that the Bishops Sees should be translated out of little towns to places of greater note and resort this city being honour'd with the Bishop's residence which was before at Selsey began to flourish Not many years after Bishop Ralph built there a Cathedral Church which before it was fully finish'd was by a casual fire suddenly burnt down Notwithstanding by his endeavours and K. Hen. 1.'s liberality it was raised up again and now besides the Bishop has a Dean a Chaunter a Chancellor a Treasurer 2 Archdeacons and 30 Prebendaries At the same time the city began to flourish and had certainly been much frequented and very rich had not the haven been a little too far off and less commodious which nevertheless the citizens are about making more convenient by digging a new canal It is wall'd about in a circular form and is wash'd on every side except the north by the e The course of this river's stream is very unaccountable sometimes being quite dry but at other times and that very often too in the midst of Summer it is so full as to run very violently little river Lavant having 4 gates opening to the 4 quarters of the world from whence the streets lead directly and run cross in the middle where the market is kept and where Bishop Robert Read built a fine stone Piazza As for the castle which stood not far from the north gate it was anciently the seat of the Earls of Arundel who from hence wrote themselves Earls of Chichester Earls of
Chichâ—â—â—â—â— but was afterwards converted to a Convent of Franciscans All that space that lies between the west and south gates is taken up with the Cathedral Church Bishop's palace and f The Dean hath now no house the Dean and Prebendaries houses which about K. Rich. 1.'s time were again burnt down and Seffrid 2d Bishop of that name re-edify'd them g Besides the Cathedral there are within the walls 5 small Churches The Church it self indeed is not great but neat and has a very high stone spire and on part of the south-side of the Church the history of it's foundation is curiously painted as also the pictures of the Kings of England on the other part are the pictures of all the Bishops as well of Selsey as of Chichester all at the charge of Bishop Robert Shirburne who beautify'd this Church very much and has his Motto set up everywhere Credite operibus and Dilexi decorem domus tuae Domine 2 Neither he only adorn'd the Lord's house but repair'd also the Bishop's houses But that great tower which stands near the west-side of the Church was built by R. Riman as 't is reported upon his being prohibited the building a Castle at Aplederham hard by where he liv'd with those very stones he had beforehand provided for the Castle 3 Near the haven of Chichester is W. Witering where as the monuments of the Church testifie Aella the first founder of the kingdom of Suth-sex arrived c Selsey before mention'd in Saxon Seals-ey Selsey that is as Bede interprets it the Isle of Sea-Calves which we in our language call Seales Seales Here 〈◊〉 the beâ—â— Cockâ—es a creature that always makes to islands and shores to bring forth it 's young 4 But now it is most famous for good Cockles and fall Lobsters stands a little lower A place as Bede says compass'd round about with the sea unless on the west-side where it has an entry into it of about †Jaâ—â—s funâ—ae a stones throw over It contain'd 87 families when Edinwalch K. of this Province gave it to Wilfrid Bishop of York being then in exile who first preach'd the Gospel here and as he writes Slaves not only sav'd from the bondage of the Devil 250 bondmen by baptism but also by giving freedom deliver'd them from slavery under man Afterwards King Cedwalla who conquer'd Edilwalch founded here a Monastery and honour'd it with an Episcopal See which by Stigand the 22d Bishop was translated to Chichester where it now flourishes and owns Cedwalla for it's Founder In this Isle there are some obscure remains of that ancient little city in which those Bishops resided cover'd at high water but plainly visible at low water Beyond Selsey the shore breaks and makes way for a river that runs down out of St. Leonard's Forest by Amberley where William Read Bishop of Chichester in the reign of Edw. 3. built a castle for his successors and then by Arundel seated on the side of a hill a place more perhaps talk'd of than it deserves d nor is it indeed very ancient for I have not so much as read it's name before K. Alfred's time who gave it in his Will to Athelm his brother's son Unless I should believe it corruptly call'd Portus Adurni by a transposition of letters for Portus Arundi The etymology of this name is neither to be fetch'd from Bevosius's Romantick horse nor from Charudum a promontory in Denmark as Goropius Becanus dream'd but from a vale lying along the River Arun in case Arun be the name of the river as some have told us who upon that account nam'd it Aruntina vallis But all it's fame is owing to the Castle which flourish'd under the Saxon Government and was as we read presently after the coming in of the Normans repair'd by Roger Montgomery thereupon stil'd Earl of Arundel For it is by it's situation contriv'd large and well strengthen'd with works But his son Robert Belesme who succeeded his brother Hugh was outlaw'd by K. Hen. 1. and lost that and all his other honours For breaking into a perfidious Rebellion against him he chose this castle for the seat of war and strongly fortify'd it but had no better success than what is generally the issue of Treason for the King's forces surrounding it at length took it Upon this Robert's outlawry and banishment the King gave the castle and the rest of his estate to Adeliza daughter of Godfrey sirnam'd â—ong â—rd Barbatus of Lovaine Duke of Lorrain and Brabant his second Queen for her Dower In whose commendation a h It seems to be Henry Huntingdon See his History l. 7. p. 218. where there is Adelida and Adelnia Seld. certain English-man wrote these verses ingenious enough for that unlearned age Anglorum Regina tuos Adeliza decores Ipsa referre parans Musa stupore riget Quid Diadema tibi pulcherrima Quid tibi Gemma Pallet Gemma tibi nec Diadema nitet Deme tibi cultus cultum natura ministrat Non * 〈◊〉 othâ—r â—pies meâ—arâ— exornari forma beata potest Ornamenta cave nec quicquam luminis inde Accipis illa micant lumine clara tuo Non puduit modicas de magnis dicere laudes Nec pudeat Dominam te precor esse meam When Adeliza's name should grace my song A sudden wonder stops the Muse's tongue Your Crown and Jewels if compar'd to you How poor your Crown how pale your Jewels show Take off your robes your rich attire remove Such pomps will load you but can ne'er improve In vain your costly ornaments are worn You they obscure while others they adorn Ah! what new lustre can those trifles give Which all their beauty from your charms receive Thus I your lofty praise your vast renown In humble strains am not asham'd t' have shown Oh! be not you asham'd my services to own She after the King's death match'd with William * â—e Alâ—io or as â—rs de â—ineto 〈◊〉 de Alâ—â—aco 〈◊〉 Dawâ— D'aubeney who taking part with Maud the Empress against King Stephen and defending this Castle against him was in recompence for his good services by the said Maud â—ngloâ— Domiâ— Lady of the English for that was the title she us'd created Earl of Arundel And her son King Henry 2. gave the same William the whole Rape of Arundel to hold of him by the service of 84 Knights fees and an half and to his son William King Richard 1. granted in some such words as these Arundel Castle Earls of Arundel and Sussex together with the whole honour of Arundel and the third penny of the Pleas out of Sussex whereof he is Earl And when after the fourth Earl of this Sirname the issue male failed See the Earls of Sussex one of the sisters and heirs of Hugh the fourth Earl was marry'd to John Fitz-Alan Lord of Clun whose great grandson Richard Chartae Antiquae 10. m. 29. upon account
under is Ulcomb anciently a Mansion of the family De Sancto Leodegario commonly called Sentieger and Sellinger and Morinden where Sir R. Rockesley descended from Kriol and Crevecer built a house who held Lands at Seaton by Serjeanty to be Vantraâ—â—s Regis Fin. Mic. 11 E. 2. when the King goeth into Gascoin donec perusus fuerit pari solutarum pretii 4 d. which as they that understand Law-Latin for I do not translate that he should be the King's fore-footman until he had worn our a pair of shooes prized 4 d. Nor hath this river any other thing memorable upon it besides Leeds-castle Leeds-castle Famâ—y the Câ—â—queâ— built by the noble Crevequers call'd in ancient Charters de Crâ—uecuer and de Crepito corde Afterwards it was the unfortunate seat of Bartholomew Baron of Badilsmer who treacherously fortify'd it against King Edward 6. that had given it him but afterwards had the rewards of his treachery upon the gallows Take if you please the whole relation out of a little history of Thomas De-la-More a Nobleman of the same time which I lately publish'd In the year 1321. came Queen Isabel to the castle of Leeds about Michaelmas where she had design'd to lodge all night but was not suffer'd to enter The King highly resenting this as done in contempt of him call'd together some neighbouring inhabitants out of Essex and London and gave orders to besiege the Castle Bartholo mew de Badilsmer was he who own'd it and having left his wife and sons in it was gone with the rest of the Barons to spoil the estate of Hugh De-Spenser The besieg'd in the mean time despairing of succour the Barons with their Associates came as far as Kingston and by the mediation of the Bishops of Canterbury and London and the Earl of Pembroke petition'd the King to raise the Siege promising to surrender the Castle after the next Parliament But the King considering that the besieg'd could not hold out and moreover incens'd with their contumacy would not listen to the petition of the Barons After they had betook themselves to other parts he gain'd the Castle tho' with no small difficulty the rest of them that were in it he hang'd and sent his wife and sons to the Tower of London Thus the Medway after it has receiv'd the little river Len passes through fruitful Corn-fields and by Allington-Castle where Tho. Wiat senior a most learned Knight â—â—ford rebuilt a fair house 40 Now decay'd whose son Sir Thomas enrich'd by an heir of Sir T. Haut proposing to himself great hopes upon fair pretences pitifully overthrew himself and his state to Ailesford in Saxon Eaglesforð call'd by Henry Huntingdon Elstre by Ninnius Epifford who also has told us that 't was call'd Saissenaeg-haibail by the Britains because of the Saxons being conquer'd there as others have in the same sense call'd it Anglesford For Guor-timer the Britain son of Guortigern fell upon Hengist and the English Saxons here and disordering them so at first that they were not able to stand a second charge he put them to flight so that they had been routed for ever had not Hengist by a singular art of preventing dangers betook himself into the Isle of Thanet till that resolute fierceness of the Britains was a little allay'd and fresh forces came out of Germany In this battel the two Generals were slain Catigern the Britain and Horsa the Saxon the latter was buried at Horsted a little way from hence â—d and left his name to the place the former was bury'd in great state â—â—en's as 't is thought near Ailesford where 41 Under the side of a hill but not so artificially with mortis and tenents those four vast stones are pitch'd on end with others lying cross-ways upon them much of the same form with that British monument call'd Stone-henge And this the ignorant common people do still from Catigern name Keith-coty-house 42 In Ailsford it self for the religious house of the Carmelites founded by Richard Lord Grey of Codnor in the time of K. Henry 3. is now seen a fair habitation of Sir William Siddey a learned Knight painfully and expencefully studious of the common good of his country as both his endow'd house for the poor and the bridge here with the common voice do plentifully testifie p Nor must we forget Boxley â—â—y hard by where William de Ipres a Fleming Earl of Kent built a monastery in the year 1145. and supply'd it with monks from Clarevalle in Burgundy 43 Medway having wound himself higher from the east receiveth a brook springing near Wrotham or Wirtham so named for plenty of worts where the Archbishops had a place until Simon Islip pull'd it down leaveth Malling which grew to be a town after Gundulph Bishop of Rochester had there founded an Abbey of Nuns and watereth Leibourn which hath a Castle sometime the seat of a family thereof sirnamed out of which Sir Roger Leibourn was a great Agent in the Barons wars and William was a Parliamentary Baron in the time of K. Edw. 1. and not far from the opposite bank â—g just over against this is Birling 44 Now the habitation of the Lord Abergeveny formerly the Barony of the Maminots then of the Saies whose estate at last came by females to the families of Clinton Fienes and Aulton On the east-side of the Medway after it has pass'd by Halling â—â—g where Hamo de Heath Bishop of Rochester built a seat for his successors a little higher up is an ancient city call'd by Antoninus Duro-brus Duro-brivae and in some other places more truly Duro-provae â—â—revâ—s â—anciâ—ble â—sh'd â—elfer 〈◊〉 â—r 〈…〉 â—ester or Durobrovae Bede has it Duro-brevis and in the decline of the Roman Empire time did so contract this name that it was call'd Roibis whence with the addition of Ceaster which being deriv'd from the Latin castrum was us'd by our Forefathers to signifie a city town or castle they call'd it Hroueceaster and we more contractly Rochester as the Latins Roffa from one Rhoffus as Bede imagines tho' to me there seems to be some remains of that in the old Duro brovis And as to the name there is no reason to doubt of that since beside the course of the Itinerary and Bede's authority in an old Foundation-Charter of the Cathedral Church it is expresly call'd Durobrovis Only this I would have observ'd that the printed Copies of Bede read Daruervum where the Manuscripts have Durobrovis It is plac'd in a valley on some sides encompass'd 45 With a marsh river with walls but not very strong and as Malmesbury says is pent within too narrow a compass so that 't was formerly look'd upon as a Castle rather than a City for Bede calls it Castellum Cantuariorum i.e. the castle of the Kentish men But now it runs out with large suburbs towards west east and south It has had a great many
Cair Dorin Dorchester Dorchester call'd by Bede Civitas Dorciniae and by Leland Hydropolis which is a name of his own invention but well adapted to the nature of the place Dour signifying water in the British tongue That this was formerly a station of the Romans several of their Coins found frequently in this place do sufficiently attest and our Histories tell us it was once a Bishop's See founded by Birinus the Apostle of the West-Saxons who having baptiz'd Cinigilse a petty King of the West-Saxons to whom Oswald King of Northumberland was Godfather the two Kings as Bede tells us gave the Bishop this City to constitute here his Episcopal See This Birinus as we learn from the same Bede was f Whereupon we find in the MS. History of Alchester A round hill there still appears where the superstitious ensuing ages built Birinus a shrine teaching them that had any Cattel amiss to creep to that shrine for help esteem'd in that age as a miracle of piety and strictness of life whence an old Poet who wrote his life in verse does thus extol him Dignior attolli quà m sit Tyrinthius heros Quà m sit Alexander Macedo Tyrinthius hostes Vicit Alexander mundum Birinus utrunque Nec tantum vicit mundum Birinus hostem Sed sese bello vincens victus eodem Alcides less than thee shall men proclaim And Alexander own thy greater fame Tho that his foes and this the world o'recame With foes and world Birinus did subdue Himself the vanquisht and the victor too This See after four hundred and sixty years continuance lest the name and authority of a Bishop might grow contemptible from so mean and inconsiderable a place against which a Council of Bishops had g An. 1072. lately provided was translated to Lincoln by Remigius in the time of William the Conquerour At which time says William of Malmsbury who flourisht in that age Dorchester was a small and unfrequented village yet the beauty and state of its Churches was very remarkable as well for the ancient work as the present care taken of them After this removal of the Bishop's Chair it began sensibly to decay and of late the great road to London which lay through the town being turn'd another way it is so weakned and impoverisht that though it was formerly a city it scarce now deserves the name of a town Nor has it any thing to boast of but the ruins of its former greatness of which we find some signs and tokens in the adjacent fields qq Near this place Tame and Isis with mutual consent joyn as it were in wedlock and mix their names as well as their waters being h See the Additions to Wiltshire about the beginning henceforth call'd Tham-Isis or the Thames Tame and Isis joyn in like manner as the rivers Jor and Dan in the Holy Land and Dor and Dan in France from which composition are Jordan and Dordan This seems to have been first observ'd by the Author of the Eulogium Historiarum Of the marriage of Tame and Isis I present you here with some verses from a Poem of that title which you may read or pass over as you please Hic vestit Zephyrus florentes gramine ripas Floraque nectareis redimit caput Isidis herbis Seligit ambrosios pulcherrima Gratia flores Contexit geminas Concordia laeta corollas Extollitque suas taedas Hymenaeus in altum Naiades aedificant thalamumque thorumque profundo Stamine gemmato textum pictisque columnis Undique fulgentem Qualem nec Lydia Regi Extruxit Pelopi nec tu Cleopatra marito Illic manubias cumulant quas Brutus Achivis Quas Brennus Graecis rigidus Gurmundus Hibernis Bunduica Romanis claris Arthurius Anglis Eripuit quicquid Scotis victricibus armis Abstulit Edwardus virtusque Britannica Gallis Hauserat interea sperati conjugis ignes Tama Catechlanûm delabens montibus illa Impatiens nescire thorum nupturaque gressus Accelerat longique dies sibi stare videntur Ambitiosa suum donec praeponere nomen Possit amatori Quid non mortalia cogit Ambitio notamque suo jam nomine * Tame villam Linquit Norrisiis geminans salvete valete Cernitur tandem Dorcestria prisca petiti Augurium latura thori nunc Tama resurgit Nexa comam spicis trabea succincta virenti Aurorae superans digitos vultumque Diones Pestanae non labra rosae non lumina gemmae Lilia non aequant crines non colla pruinae Utque fluit crines madidos in terga repellit Reddit undanti legem formamque capillo En subito frontem placidis è fluctibus Isis Effert totis radios spargentia campis Aurea stillanti resplendent lumina vultu Jungit optatae nunc oscula plurima Tamae Mutuaque explicitis innectunt colla lacertis Oscula mille sonant connexu brachia pallent Labra ligant animos tandem descenditur una In thalamum quo juncta Fide Concordia sancta Splendida conceptis sancit connubia verbis Undique multifori strepitat nunc tibia buxi Flucticolae Nymphae Dryades Satyrique petulci In numeros circum ludunt ducuntque choreas Dum pede concutiunt alterno gramina laeti Permulcent volucres sylvas modulamine passim Certatimque sonat laetum reparabilis Echo Omnia nunc rident campi laetantur Amores Fraenatis plaudunt avibus per inania vecti Personat cythara quicquid vidêre priores Pronuba victura lauro velata Britôna Haec canit ut toto diducta Britannia mundo Cum victor rupes divulserit aequore Nereus Et cur Neptuni lapidosa grandine natum Albionem vicit nostras delatus in oras Hercules illimes libatus Thamisis undas Quas huc adveniens aras sacravit Ulysses Utque Corinaeo Brutus comitatus Achate Occiduos adiit tractus ut Caesar anhelus Territa quaesitis ostendit terga Britannis c. And after a few other verses Dixerat unito consurgit unus amore Laetior exultans nunc nomine Tamisis uno Oceanumque patrem quaerens jactantior undas Promovet Here with soft blasts obliging Zephyrs pass And cloath the flowry banks with long-liv'd grass The fragrant Crown that her glad hands have made Officious Flora puts on Isis head The beauteous Graces have their business too They brush the weeping flowers from their ambrosial dew Which joyful Concord does with pleasing care Weave into Chaplets for the God-like pair While Hymen's mounted Taper lights the air In a fair vault beneath the swelling stream The Marriage-bed the busie Naiads frame Where brightest gems the painted columns grace And doubly shine with their reflected rays No such great Pelops kingdom could afford Nor lavish Cleopatra for her Lord. On this the Virgins in vast numbers pile Proud spoils and trophies of the conqu'ring Isle What Bundwic Gurmund Brennus Brute brought home From Greece from Gaul from Ireland and from Rome What mighty Arthur from the Saxons won What Edward from the Scots and
Allies Yet afterward this City flourished again and grew to a very great eminency And I have seen several pieces of ancient money which in all probability were coined at this place with this Inscription TASCIA and on the reverse VER which that most inquisitive and learned Antiquary David Powel S. T. D. interpreteth to be the Tribute of Verulam Taâ—c what magnifies For Tasc as he tells me in the British tongue signifies Tribute Tascia a Tribute-penny and Tascyd the chief Collector of Tribute But you may here if you please view the Coyn once more for I have given you a sight of it before Some will have it that these pieces were coyned before the coming in of the Romans But I am not of their mind For I have always thought them to have been the Tribute-money which the Romans as I observ'd before were wont every year to raise by Poll and by a Land tax together For before the Romans coming I can scarce think that the Britains ever coyned money And yet I am not unmindful of what Caesar writes of them They use saith he British moâ—â—â— Oâ—hâ—rs Anâ—â—â—â—â— brass-money or rings of iron made to a certain weight where ancient Copies have Lanceis ferreis for which the Criticks have substituted Laminis ferreis i.e. Plates of iron But it would be impertinent here to repeat my former discourse upon this subject Let us therefore return to the business in hand Now as to Verulam no one thing ever reflected so much honour upon it as that once it brought forth St. Alban a man justly eminent for his piety and steadiness in the Christian Faith who when Dioclesian by all sorts of torments endeavoured the total extirpation of the Christian Religion with an invincible constancy of mind suffered Martyrdom the first man in all Britain For which reason he is called Our Stephen â—â—â—en the Martyr and the Protomartyr of Britain and Fortunatus Presbyter thus mentions him Albanum egregium foecunda Britannia profert And fruitful Britain holy Alban shews Also Hiericus a Frenchman who flourished 700 years since gives an account in verse of the same St. Alban's Martyrdom Iâ— the Life of St. German and also how his Executioner was by a miracle stricken blind Millia poenarum Christi pro nomine passus Quem tandem rapuit capitis sententia caesi Sed non lictori cessit res tuta superbo Utque caput Sancto ceciderunt lumina saevo After a thousand sufferings for the Faith When judg'd at last to end them all with death The bloody Lictor did just heav'n surprise And as the Saint his head the villain lost his eyes In an old Agonal or History of his passion we are told that the Citizens of Verulam caused an account of his suffering to be expressed on a marble which they plac'd in their town walls as a publick disgrace to him and a terror to all Christians But afterwards when the blood of Martyrs had overcome the cruelty of Tyrants the Christians built a Church here to his memory which as Bede tells us was a piece of most admirable workmanship And now Verulam came to be so much reverenced for it's sanctity that An. Dom. 429. a Synod was here held upon occasion of the Pelagian Heresie which was spread a-new over this Island by Agricola son to Severianus a Bishop and had so generally infected the British Churches that to make good the Orthodox Faith they were forced to send into France for German Bishop of Auxerre and Lupus Bishop of Troies who confuting the heresie thereby rendred themselves very venerable to the Britains especially St. German as appears by the many Churches dedicated to him in this Island Particularly there is still standing near the walls of this ruined city a small Chapel that bears that Saint's name S. German's Chapel tho' otherwise but ill employed It stands just in the place where St. German preached to the people for which tradition we have the authority of some ancient Records of St. Alban's Church We are told farther by Constantius who lived at the same time in the life of St. German that he caused the Sepulchre of St. Alban to be opened and placed therein the Reliques of certain Saints that so they whom one heaven had received might also be laid in one sepulchre By the way I take notice of this that we may thence collect what was the custom of that Age. Not long after Verulam fell into the hands of the Saxons But Uther the Britain for his serpentine subtilty sirnam'd Pendrago with much difficulty after a very tedious siege recovered it After whose death it quickly fell again into the same hands For Gildas's words do plainly enough intimate that the Saxons in his days were possessed of this City God saith he hath lighted up unto us the most clear Lamps of his Saints whose burial-places as well as the places of their passion might excite in our souls a great fervour of divine love every time we had cast our eyes upon them if as a punishment to our great wickedness the Barbarians had not been suffered to rob us of them I particularly mean St. Alban at Verulam c. Verulam was now quite ruined by these wars when about the year of our Lord 793. Offa the most potent King of the Mercians founded just over against it in a place then called Holmehurst a very large and stately Monastery to the memory of St. Alban or as the Charter it self expresseth it unto our Lord Jesus Christ and to St. Alban the Martyr whose Reliques the divine Grace hath discovered as an hopeful pledge both of our present prosperity and also of our future happiness Presently hereupon together with the Monastery there grew up a town which from the Saint took the name of St. Albans St. Albans This King Offa and several other Kings of England his successors bestowed upon this Monastery very large possessions and obtained for it also from divers Popes very ample privileges I will here recite a passage to that purpose out of Florilegus that you may therein observe the extraordinary liberality of our Princes to the Church Thus therefore he The most mighty K. Offa gave to S. Alban the Protomartyr a town of the Royal Demesne which is distant about 20 miles from Verulam and is called †Perhaps Winâ—slow Uneslaw and many other lands round about it as may be seen in this K.'s Charter kept to this day in the said Monastery The immunities also and privileges of this Monastery are so large and peculiar that it is exempt from paying the Apostolical duty or tax to the Pope commonly called ‖ That is of every house a penny Romescot whereas neither the King nor the Archbishop nor any Bishop Abbot or Prior or any other person whatsoever in the whole Kingdom is exempted from this payment this alone is exempt Furthermore the Abbot or a Monk that acts as Archdeacon under him exerciseth Episcopal Jurisdiction over all
springeth out of a pond vulgarly call'd Brown's-well for Brent-well that is in old English Frog-well passeth down between Hendon which Archbishop Dunstan born for the advancement of Monks purchased for some few gold Bizantines which were imperial pieces of gold coined at Byzantium or Constantinople and gave to the Monks of St. Peter of Westminster And Hampsted-hill from whence you have a most pleasant prospect to the most beautiful City of London and the lovely Country about it Over which the ancient Roman military way led to Verulam or St. Albans by Edgworth and not by High-gate as now which new way was opened by the Bishops of London about some 300 years since But to return Brent into whom all the small rivers of these parts resort runneth on by Brent-street an Hamlet to which it imparted its name watreth Hangerwood Hanwell Oiâ—terley-Park where Sir Thomas Gresham built a fair large house and so near her fall into the Thames giveth name to Brentford a fair thorough-fare and frequent Market Hard by is Brentford Brentford which receiv'd that name from the little river Brent where Edmund Ironside after he had oblig'd the Danes to draw off from the siege of London did so attack them as to force 'em to a disorderly flight wherein he kill'd great numbers of them From Stanes thus far all between the high-road along Hounslow and the Thames was call'd the Forrest or Warren of Stanes till Henry 3. as we read in his Charter deforrested and dewarren'd it Then 8 To the Thames side I saw Fulham Fulham in Saxon Fullonham i.e. a house of fowle which receives its greatest honour from the Bishop of London's Country-house 9 Standing there conveniently not far from the City albeit not so healthfully f And Chelsey Chelsey as if one should say Shelfsey so call'd from a bed of Sands in the river Thames 10 As some suppose but in Records 't is nam'd Chelche-hith adorn'd with stately buildings by Henry 8. William Powlett Marquess of Winchester and others g But amongst these London which is as it were the Epitome of all Britain the Seat of the British Empire and the †Camera Residence of the Kings of England is to use the Poet's comparison as much above the rest as the Cypress is above the little sprig Tacitus Ptolemy and Antoninus call it Londinium and Longidinium Ammianus Lundinum and Augusta Stephanus in his book of Cities 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 our British Lundayn the old Saxons Londen-ceaster Londen-byrig Londen-pyc foreigners Londra and Londres our own nation London London the fabulous Writers Troja Nova Dinas Belin i.e. the city of Belin and Caer Lud from one King Luddus whom they affirm to have given it both being and name But as for those new-broach'd names and originals as also Erasmus's conjecture that it came from Lindum a city of Rhodes I leave 'em to those that are inclin'd to admire them For my own part since Caesar and Strabo have told me British Towns that the ancient Britains call'd such woods or groves as they fenc'd with trees they had cut down Cities or Towns and since I have been inform'd that in British they call such places Llhwn I am almost of this opinion that London is by way of eminence simply call'd a City or a City in a wood But if that do not hit give me leave without the charge of inconstancy 11 While I disport in conjecture to guess once more that it might have it's name from the same original that it had it's growth and glory I mean Ships call'd by the British Lhong so that London is as much as a Harbour or City of Ships For the Britains term a City Dinas Dinas which the Latins turn'd into Dinum Upon which account it is call'd in one place Longidinium and in a * Naenia Song of an ancient British Bard Lhongporth i.e. a port or harbour for Ships And by the same word Bologne in France in Ptolemy Gessoriacum Navale is turn'd by the British Glossary Bolung Long. For several cities have had their names from shipping as Naupactus Naustathmos Nauplia Navalia Augusti c. None of which can lay better claim to the name of an harbour than our London For 't is admirably accommodated with both Elements standing in a fruitful soil abounding with every thing seated upon a gentle ascent and upon the river Thames which without trouble or difficulty brings it in the riches of the world For by the convenience of the tide coming in at set hours with the safety and depth of the river which brings up the largest vessels it daily heaps in so much wealth both from East and West that it may at this day dispute the preheminence with all the Mart-towns in Christendom Moreover it is such a sure and complete station for ships that one may term it a grov'd wood so shaded is it with masts and sails h Antiquity has told us nothing of the first Founder as indeed Cities growing up by little and little but seldom know their original Notwithstanding this among others has fabulously deriv'd it self from the Trojans and is persuaded that Brute ‖ Abnepos second Nephew to the famous Aeneas was it's Founder But whoever built it the growth of it may convince 't was begun with a †Vitali genio lucky omen 12 Marked for life and long continuance and Ammianus Marcellinus has taught us to pay it a veneration upon account of it's Antiquity when even in his time which is twelve hundred years ago he calls it an ancient town And agreeably Cornelius Tacitus who flourish'd under Nero 13 1540. years since has told us that then 't was a place exceeding famous for the number of merchants and it's trade Even then nothing was wanting to complete it's glory but that it was not either a ‖ Municipium Free-borough or a Colony Nor indeed would it have been the interest of the Romans that a City of such vast trade should enjoy the privileges of a Colony or Free-borough for which reason I fancy they made it a Praefecture Praefecturae for so they call'd the towns wherein there were * Nundinae Fairs and Courts kept Not that they had Magistrates of their own but had Praefects sent them yearly to do justice who were to act in all publick affairs such as taxes tributes imposts †Militiae the business of the army c. according to the Instructions of the Roman Senate Upon which account it is that London is only term'd Opidum a town by Tacitus by the Panegyrist and by Marcellinus But altho' it had not a more honourable title yet it has been as powerful wealthy and prosperous as any and that almost without interruption under the Roman Saxon and Norman Governments scarce ever falling under any great calamity i In Nero's reign when the Britains under the conduct of Boadicia had unanimously resolv'd
means they gain'd great esteem and respect from all hands by the bounty of Princes 27 Devout people had large possessions and much wealth and flourisht in great reputation for their piety 28 Yea and in the opinion both of the holiness of the men and of the place King Henry 3. c. Upon one of those Monuments the characters whereof are obscure I read Comes Pembrochiae and on the side Mâ— eram â—â—â—tis Mâ— multoâ— vâ—cerat armâ—s The Statute concerning the Templars lands 17 Edw. 2. Many Noble-men were bury'd among them whose Images are to be seen in this Temple with their leggs across for so all those in that age were bury'd who had devoted themselves to the service of the Holy War or as those times worded it had taken up the Cross Among the rest were William 29 Marshal the elder a most powerful man in his time the father William and Gilbert the sons all Marshals of England and Earls of Pembroke 30 Upon William the elder his Tomb I some years since read in the upper part Comes Pembrochiae and upon the side this Verse Miles eram Martis Mars multos vicerat armis But 31 But in process of time when with insatiable greediness they had hoarded great wealth by withdrawing Tithes from Churches appropriating spiritual livings to themselves and other hard means their riches turned to their ruin For thereby their former piety was after a manner stiflâ—d they fell at jarr with other Religious Orders their professed Obedience to the Patriarch of Jerusalem was rejected envy among the common sort was prâ—cured which hope of gain among the better sort so enkindled that in the year of our Lord 1312. this Order was condemn'd for Impiety and by authority of the Pope utterly abolisht However their revenues by Act of Parliament went to the Knights-Hospitalers of St. John of Jerusalem lest what was given upon a Religious design contrary to the Will of the Doners should be turn'd to other uses Notwithstanding it appears plainly by ancient Records that after the Templars were driven out this place was the seat of Thomas Earl of Lancaster and of that 32 Sir Hugh Spencer Spenser who was a great favourite of King Edward the second as afterwards of 33 Sir Aimer de Valentia or Valence Audomar de Valentia Earl of Pembroke and at last it was turn'd into two †Collegia Inns for Lawyers Concerning the other two I have met with nothing upon record only there is a Tradition that one of them was the habitation of the Lords Grey 34 Of Wilton the other of the Earls of Lincoln Near these between the New and Old Temple King Henry the third built a House of Converts for the maintenance of those who turn'd from Judaism to Christianity which afterwards King Edward 3. made a place for the Rolls and Records upon which account it is at this day call'd the Rowles The Rowles o These Suburbs run along in a continu'd set of buildings and the stately houses of some of the Nobility upon the Thames as far as Westminster The most considerable of them are ‖ â—ride-well St. Bridgid's-Well where King Henry 8. built a Palace for the reception of the Emperour Charles the fifth but now it is a house of Correction Buckhurst-house 35 Or Salisbury Court belonging sometimes to the Bishops of Salisbury 36 The White Friers or c. the house of the Carmelites the Temples before-mention'd 37 Then without the Barrs Essex-house built by the Lord Paget Arundel-house 38 Before call'd Hampton-Place Somerset-house built by Seimor Duke of Somerset Next to pass by the rest the Savoy so call'd from Peter Earl of Savoy who liv'd in it which Eleanor wife of Henry 3. bought of the Fraternity of * Montis Joâ—â—s Montjoy and gave to her son Edmund Earl of Lancaster whose posterity had it for a seat a good while till Henry the seventh made it a †Pauperibâ—â— sacraâ— Hospital for the Poor 39 Worcester-house late Bedford-house Salisbury-house Durham-house built by Anthony Bec Bishop of Durham and Patriarch of Jerusalem 40 And thereby the only ornament of this part the Britain Burse built by the Earl of Salisbury and so nam'd of King James 1. York-house for so it has been call'd of late formerly 41 And Northampton-house now begun by Henry Earl of Northampton Bath house But what do I giving particular names to these †〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which do not belong to any one but as Fortune disposes of them Westminster Wâ—â—tminâ—â—er formerly above a mile distant is now by these Suburbs joyn'd so close to London that it seems to be part of it notwithstanding 't is a distinct City of it self and enjoys its own Magistrates and Privileges Once it was call'd Thorney from the thorns now Westminster from its westerly situation and the minster For 't is particularly eminent for that Church for its Hall of Justice and the King's Palace The Church's greatest honour is deriv'd from the inauguration and burial of our Kings in it Sulcardus affirms that there once stood in that place a Temple of Apollo and that it was thrown down by an Earth-quake in the time of Antoninus Pius Out of the ruins whereof Sebert King of the East-Saxons built another to St. Peter which being destroy'd by the Danes was re-edify'd and granted to a few Monks by Bishop Dunstan But afterwards King Edward sirnam'd the Confessor built it anew out of the tenth peny of all his revenues for a burying place to himself and a Monastery to the Benedictine Monks endowing it with lands dispers'd here and there through all England But hear a cotemporary Historian The devout and pious King has dedicated that place to God both for its nearness to the famous and wealthy city for its pleasant situation among fruitful grounds and green fields and for the nearness of that principal river which from all parts of the world conveys whatever is necessary to the adjoyning City But above all for the love he bore to the Prince of the Apostles whom he always reverenc'd with a singular zeal and veneration he made choice of that for the place of his sepulchre Then he order'd a noble structure to be begun and built out of the tenths of his whole revenue such a one as might become the Prince of the Apostles that after the transitory course of this life he might find a propitious God both upon account of his piety and his free offering of those lands and ornaments with which he designs to enrich it Whereupon the work thus nobly begun is successfully carry'd on without sparing for either present or future charges so it may be made worthy of and acceptable to God and the Blessed Apostle Peter Please also to take the form of this ancient building out of an old Manuscript The * Principaâ— area body of
his vast estate made a considerable addition to King Henry the 2's Exchequer His Barony remain'd a long time in the Crown till 10 Sir Hubert de Burgâ— Hubert de Burgh obtain'd a grant of it from King John Farther to the North the shores being something dinted in give free entrance to the sea in two places one of which Bays the inhabitants call Crouch and the other Blackwater formerly Pant. In Crouch there lye four pretty green Islands but the water almost continually overflowing them makes 'em for the most part fenny and moorish The most considerable are Wallot and Foulness Foulness that is the Promontory of Birds which hath a Church that at low tide may be come at on horse back Between these Bays lies Dengy-hundred Dengy-Hundred formerly Dauncing the grass here is excellent good and well stock'd with Cattel but the air none of the healthiest The only trade almost that 's drove here consists in Cheeses Essex-cheese and men milk the ewes like women in other places Where are made those Cheeses of an extraordinary bigness which are used as well in foreign parts as in England to satisfie the coarse stomachs of husbandmen and labourers Dengy the chief town is thought to have receiv'd it's name from the Danes which it gives to the whole Hundred Nigh this stands Tillingham given by Ethelbert the first Christian King of the Saxons to the Monastery of St. Paul in London Up higher toward the Northern shore stood once a flourishing city called by our ancestors Ithancester For thus Ralph Niger tells us out of Bede Ceada the Bishop baptized the East-Saxons near Maldon in the city of Ithancester which stood upon the bank of the rivâ—r Pant that runs near Maldon in the Province of Dengy but that city hath since been quite swallow'd up in the river Pant. I can't exactly point out the place but that the river Froshwell was heretofore called Pant I am pretty confident since one of it's springs still keeps the name of Pant's-Well and since the Monks of Coggeshall speaking of it use the same appellation Some think this Ithancester Ithanceâ—ter to have been seated in the utmost point of Dengy Hundred where stands at present St. Peter's on the Wall For on this shore the Country-people are hardly put to 't with great banks and walls of mud to keep the sea out of their fields I am enclin'd to believe this Ithancester was the same as Othona Othona the Station of the Band of the Fortenses with their Provost in the declension of the Roman Empire placed here under the Count of the Saxon shore to secure the Coast against the Pirating Saxons For Othona might very easily pass into Ithana and the situation in a creek at the mouth of several rivers was very convenient for such a design 11 Yet there remaineth a huge ruin of a thick wall whereby many Roman Coins have bâ—en found Here we may add that the Confessor granted the Custody of this Hundred to Ralph * The Nâ—rmans calâ— him Peâ—â—rell Peperking by a short Charter which I am willing to set down that we who now rake into all the niceties of the Law may see the innocent freedom and plainness of that age It stands thus in the Rolls of the Exchequer but by often transcribing some words are made smoother than they were in the Original Iche Edward Koning Among the Records of Hilary-term E. â— 1â— in the Custody of the Treasurer and Chamberlain of the Exchequer Have geven of my Forrest the keeping Of the Hundred of Chelmer and Dancing To Randolph Peperking and to his kindling With heorte and hinde doe and bocke Hare and Foxe Cat and Brocke Wilde Fowell with his flocke Partrich Fesant hen and Fesant cock With greene and wilde stob and stock To kepen and to yemen by all her might Both by day and eke by night And Hounds for to holde Good and swift and bolde Fower Grehounds and six racches For Hare and Fox and wild Cattes And therefore ich made him my booke Witnesse the Bishop Wolston And booke ylered many on And Sweyne of Essex our Brother And teken him many other And our Stiward Howelin That by sought me for him Seals first 〈◊〉 amâ—â—g the â—â—gâ—th This was the honest undesigning simplicity of that age which thought a few lines and a few golden crosses sufficient assurances For before the coming in of the Normans as we read in Ingulphus Indentures were made firm by golden crosses and such other marks but the Normans used to strengthen their writings with the impression in wax of the particular seals of the parties concern'd and of three or four witnesses But before many Tenures were granted by the bare word without writing or paper only with the sword of the Lord or his helmet with a horn or a cup and several others with a spur a curry-comb a bow and sometimes with an arrow Into Blackwater-bay which as I said before bounds the north part of this Hundred and is famous for abundance of excellent Oysters which we call Wallfleot-oysters flow two rivers that wash the greatest part of the County Chelmer and Froshwell Chelmer flowing from those parts that lye farther in and are thick cloath'd with woods passeth through Thaxsted Thaxâ—ted a little Market-town seated very pleasantly on a hill and Tiltey Tiltey where Maurice Fitz-Gilbert founded a small Monastery to Estannes by the tower now Eston which was the seat of the Lords of Lovain Lâ—â—ds of Lâ—â—â—in descended from Godfrey brother to Henry the sixth Duke of Brabant who being sent hither to take care of the Honour of Eya were accounted Barons to the sixth generation But in the time of Edw. 3. for want of issue male the estate and honour passed by marriage to William Bourgchter whose Posterity were for a short time Earls of Essex Then to Dunmow anciently Dunmawg and in the Rate-book of England Dunmaw a town of a very delightful situation on the top of a moderately steep hill where one Juga founded a Monastery in the year 1111. But William Bainard as we read in the private History of that Monastery of whom Juga held the village of little Dunmow was for felony depriv'd of his Barony and King Henry 1. gave it to Robert son of Richard Fitz-Gislbert Earl of Clare and to his heirs with the honour of Bainard-castle in London which Robert was then Sewer to King Henry These are the Author 's own words Nor do I think it just for me to alter them though they contain a manifest 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or anticipation of time a crime to be met withal in the best historians Inasmuch as that family was not yet honour'd with the dignity of Earls of Clare e Now let us retire a little farther back from the river on both sides On the one at a little distance stands Plaisy so call'd in French from pleasing The former name was Estre This was the
and Thet are not very unlike 'T is now but thin peopled tho' pretty large and formerly a populous and famous place Besides other marks of it's Antiquity it shews a huge mote thrown up to a great height fortify'd with a double rampire and formerly too as they say with walls Some will have it to have been a work of the Romans but others are rather inclin'd to think it done by the Saxon Kings under whom it was in a flourishing condition for a long while But by the cruelty of Sueno the Dane who set it on fire in the year 1003. and that of the Danes who spoil'd it 6 years after it lost all it's dignity and grandeur To restore which Arfastus the Bishop remov'd his Episcopal See from Elmham to this place and his successor William spar'd neither cost nor pains for it's ornament so that under Edward the Confessor there were reckon'd in it 947 Burgesses And in the time of William the Conquerour it had 720 mansions whereof 224 stood empty and their chief Magistrate was stil'd Consul 1 Which name may intimate that it was a Roman town But when Herbert sirnam'd b Leasung in Saxon signifies a Lye or trick Losenga as being almost made up of lying and flattery the third Bishop that rais'd himself to this honour by ill arts and bribery had translated this See to Norwich it relaps'd as if come to it 's last period Nor did the Monastery of Cluniacks built there by his means make amends for the removal of the Bishop The house was built by Hugh Bigod as appears from what he says in his original Foundation-Charter I Hugh Bigod Steward to King Henry by his consent and the advice of Herbert Bishop of Norwich plac'd Cluniac-Monks in the Church of St. Mary lately the Episcopal See of Thetford which I gave them and afterwards founded them another more convenient without the village Then the greatest part of the City which had stood in the hither bank fell to decay by little and little but in the other part tho' that too fail'd very much about two ages since there were seven Churches besides three small Monasteries one whereof they say was built in memory of the English and Danes slain here For our Historians tell us that the most holy King Edmund a little before his death engag'd the Danes hard by for seven hours together not without vast loss on both sides and that at last they parted with equal success such effect had those frequent turns of fortune on both sides that it had made them altogether senseless NORFOLK By Robt. Morden The Yare has not run much towards the east till a little river Wentsum by others call'd Wentfar empties it self into it from the south Upon this near it's rise is a square entrenchment at Taiesborrough containing 24 Acres It seems to be an Encampment of the Romans possibly that which by the Chorographical Table publish'd by Mark Velser is call'd Ad Taum Higher up upon the same river formerly stood Venta Icenorum 〈◊〉 Iceâ—â—m the most flourishing City of this People but now it has lost the ancient name and is call'd Caster â—â—â—â—â—r Nor need we wonder that of the three Ventae in Britain this alone should have lost it's name when it has lost it's very being For now setting aside the broken walls which in a square contain about 30 acres the marks where the buildings have stood and some Roman Coins which they now and then dig up there is nothing left h But in after-ages Norwich at three miles distance had it's rise out of this standing near the confluence of Yare and another anonymous river call'd by some Bariden which in a long course 11 By Fakenham which K. Hen. 1. gave to Hugh Capel and K. John afterward to the Earl of Arundel with it's dinted and winding banks comes this way by Attilbridge leaving Horsford â—â—â—sfâ—â—d to the north where the Castle of William de Casinet or Cheney who in the reign of Hen. 2. was a chief man among the Nobility lies overgrown with bushes and brambles The Norwich â—â—â—wich above-mention'd is a famous City call'd in Saxon Norðƿic i.e. the northern bay or bosom if Æ¿ic in Saxon signifies a bay or winding 〈◊〉 what â—â—gnâ—fâ—es â—â—â—g the 〈◊〉 as Rhenanus has told us for here the river runs along with crooked windings or the northern Station if Æ¿ic as Hadrianus Junius will have it signifie a secure Station where the houses are built close one to another or else the northern castle if Æ¿ic as 12 Archbishop Alfrick the Saxon has affirm'd denote a Castle i But if I should imagine with some that Norwich were the same with Venta what were it but a downright renouncing Truth For it has no better title to the name of Venta than either Basil has to that of Augusta â—â—â—usta or Baldach to Babilonia â—â—â—coâ—â— Namely as this latter rose upon the fall of Babilonia and the former upon that of Augusta just so our Norwich grew up long after the decay of the ancient Venta Which appears from it's British name in Authors Caer Guntum wherein as in the river Wentsum or Wentfar we find the plain remains of the name Venta For the name of Norwich does not appear in any Writer before the time of the Danish wars So far is it from having been built either by Caesar or Guiteline the Britain as some fabulous Authors tell you who swallow every thing that comes without either consideration or judgment However at present upon account of it's wealth populousness neatness of buildings beautiful Churches with the number of them for it has a matter of 30 Parishes as also the industry of it's Citizens Loyalty to their Prince and Civility to Foreigners it is to be reckon'd among the most considerable Cities in Britain It 's Latitude is 52 degrees 40 minutes the Longitude 24 degrees 55 minutes 'T is pleasantly seated long-ways on the side of an hill reaching from south to north a mile and a half the breadth of it is hardly half so much and towards the south it draws it self in as it were by little and little like a Cone It is fortify'd with walls that have a great many turrets and eleven gates on all sides except the east which the river defends with a deep chanel and steep banks after it has with it's winding reach wash'd the northern part where 't is made passable by four bridges In the infancy as it were of this City and the reign of King Etheldred a Prince of no manner of policy or conduct Sweno the Dane who invaded England with a great army first spoil'd and then burnt it Notwithstanding which it recover'd it self and as appears by the Conquerour's Survey-book in the reign of Edward the Confessor reckon'd 1320 Burgesses At which time to use the expression of that Book it paid 20 pound to the King and 10 to the Earl and beside that 20
shillings 4 Prebendaries 6 Sextaries of honey and ‖ Ursum sex canes ad ursum a bear with 6 dogs to bait him Now it pays 70 pound by weight to the King a hundred shillings * De Gersuma as a fine to the Queen with an ambling Palfrey 20 pound †Blancas blank also to the Earl and 20 shillings fine by tale In the reign of William 1. this was the seat of a Civil war which Ralph Earl of the East-Angles rais'd against that King For after he had escap'd by flight his wife along with the Armorican Britains endur'd a close siege till for want of provisions she was forc'd to get off and quit her Country And at that time the City was so impair'd that as appears by the same Domesday there were scarce 560 Burgesses left in it Lanfrank Archbishop of Canterbury mentions this surrender in a Letter to King William in these words Your kingdom is purg'd from the infection of the Britains or Armoricans the Castle of Norwich is surrender'd and the Britains that were in it and had lands here in England upon granting them life and limb have took an oath to depart your Dominions within forty days and never to return more without your special licence From that time forward it began by little and little to recover it self out of this deluge of miseries and Bishop Herbert whose reputation had suffer'd much by Simoniacal practices translated the Episcopal See from Thetford hither He built a very beautiful Cathedral on the east and lower part of the City in a place till then call'd Cow-holme near the Castle the first stone whereof in the reign of William Rufus and year of our Lord 1096. he himself laid with this Inscription DOMINUS HERBERTUS POSUIT PRIMUM LAPIDEM IN NOMINE PATRIS FILII ET SPIRITUS SANCTI AMEN That is Lord Bishop Herbert laid the first stone in the name of the Father the Son and Holy Ghost Amen Afterwards he procur'd a Licence from Pope Paschal to confirm and establish it the mother-Church of Norfolk and Suffolk and endow'd it liberally with lands sufficient for the maintenance of 60 Monks who had their neat and curious Cloysters But these were remov'd and a Dean six Prebendaries with others put in their places After the Church thus built and an Episcopal See plac'd here it became a Town as Malmsbury has it famous for Merchandise and number of Inhabitants And in the 17th of King Stephen as we read in some ancient Records Norwich was built anew was a populous town and made a Corporation That King Stephen also granted it to his Son William for an Appennage as they call it or inheritance is very evident from the publick Records But Henry the second took it from him and held it himself notwithstanding Henry his Son the Junior-King as they call'd him when he endeavour'd after the Crown had promis'd it in large terms to Hugh Bigod Earl of Norfolk whom he had drawn over to his party Bigod however adhering to the young King who could not over-rule his eager hopes of the Crown with Justice and Equity miserably harrass'd this City and is thought to have rebuilt that Castle on the high hill near the Cathedral within the City encompast with a trench of such vast depth that in those times it was lookt upon as impregnable But Lewis of France under whom the rebellious Barons had joyn'd against King John easily took it by siege The reason why I fancy Bigod repair'd the Castle is because I observ'd Lions saliant cut in a stone in the same manner as the Bigods formerly us'd them in their seals of whom tho' there was one that made use of a Cross And this was the condition of Norwich in its infancy But in the next age it increas'd mightily and abounded with wealthy Citizens who by a humble petition in Parliament desir'd liberty of Edward the first to wall their City round and afterwards accordingly did it to the great strength and ornament of it †They obtain'd of King Richard the second that the Worsted made there might be transported In the year 1403. they obtain'd leave of Henry the fourth instead of Bailiffs which they had before to elect a Mayor yearly and in the very heart of the City near the market-place built a most beautiful Town-house which on the set days are furnisht with all manner of provisions 'T is partly indebted to the Netherlands who after they could no longer endure the tyranny of the Duke of ‖ Albani Alva nor the bloody Inquisition setting up flockt hither in great numbers and first brought in the manufacture of * Of Saies Baies and other Stuffs now much in use light worsted stuffs ‖ Levidenâ—ium quorundam pannorum But why am I so long upon these matters when they are all with the History of the Bishops the succession of their Magistrates and the fury of that villanous rebel Kett against this City very elegantly describ'd by Alexander Nevil a person eminent both for birth and learning I will only add that in the year 1583. the Citizens by the help of * Instrumento Hydragogico an artificial Instrument convey'd water through pipes into the highest part of the City And here I could summon both Polydore Virgil the Italian and Angelus Capellus the Frenchman to answer before the Tribunal of venerable Antiquity how they come to affirm that our old Ordovices who liv'd almost under another Hemisphere inhabited this Norwich I could bring the same Action against our Country-man Caius but that I am satisfy'd 't was nothing but a natural love of his native Country that blinded the learned old man And I have nothing more to add about Norwich unless you have a mind to run over these verses made upon it by John Johnston a Scotchman Urbs speciosa situ nitidis pulcherrima tectis Grata peregrinis delitiosa suis Bellorum sedes trepido turbante tumultu Tristia Neustriaco sub duce damna tulit Victis dissidiis postquam caput ardua coelo Extulit immensis crevit opima opibus Cultus vincit opes cultum gratia rerum Quam benè si luxus non comitetur opes Omnia sic adeò sola haec sibi sufficit ut si Fo rs regno desit haec caput esse queat A town whose stately piles and happy seat Her Citizens and Strangers both delight Whose tedious siege and plunder made her bear In Norman troubles an unhappy share And feel the sad effects of dreadful war These storms o'reblown now blest with constant peace She saw her riches and her trade increase State here by wealth by beauty wealth 's out-done How blest if vain excess be yet unknown So fully is she from her self supply'd That England while she stands can never want an head From Norwich the river Yare with the increase of other waters that take the same name rowls on in a winding chanel and abounds with the fish call'd a
the Saxons died in this City and was here interr'd altho' he left commands to the contrary for he as 't is related by Ninnius Eluodugus's disciple hop'd and was fully perswaded that his Ghost would defend Britain from the Saxons if he should be buried on the Sea-shore But yet the Saxons after they had demolish'd this old Lindum first inhabited the South-side of the hill 11 At the foot whereof they built as it seemeth the gate yet standing compiled of vast stones and fortified it with the ruins of the former town afterwards they went down near the river built in a place call'd Wickanforde and wall'd it on that side where it was not guarded by the water At which time Paulinus as Bede Bede affirms preach'd the word of God in the Province of Lindesey and first of all converted the Governour of the city Lindcolnia whose name was Blecca with his whole family He built in this city a curious Church of stone the roof whereof is either fall'n down for want of repairing or beat down by force of some enemy for the walls are yet to be seen standing Afterwards the Danes won it twice by assault first when those pillaging troops took it from whom Edmund Ironside wrested it by force secondly when Canutus took it from whom 't was retaken by Aetheldred who on his return out of Normandy valiantly drove Canutus out of this town and beyond all expectation recover'd England which was very nigh lost In Edward the Confessor's reign there was in it as 't is set down in Domesday-book one thousand and seventy Inns for entertainment and twelve Lagemen having their Sac and Soc. 'T was indeed in the Norman times as Malmsbury relates one of the most populous cities of England and a mart for all goods coming by land and water for at that time there were taxed in it as 't is in the said Domesday-book Nine hundred Burgesses and many dwelling houses to the number of one hundred sixty and six were destroy'd for the castle with 74 more without the limits of the castle not by the oppression of the Sheriff and his Ministers but by misfortune poverty and fire William the first to strengthen it and to keep the Citizens in awe built a very large and strong castle on the ridge of the hill and about the same time Remigius Bishop of Dorchester to grace it transferr'd hither from Dorchester a little town in the farthest part of his Diocese his Bishop's See And when the Church erected by Paulinus was utterly decay'd The aforesaid Râ—migius bought in the very highest part of the city several houses with the ground thereto belonging near the castle that overtops all as Henry of Huntingdon notes with its mighty towers and built in a strong place a strong and fine Church dedicated to the Virgin Mary and endow'd it with 44 Prebends at which the Arch-bishop of York was very angry for he claim'd for himself the property of the ground This Church being disfigur'd by fire was afterwards repair'd as the said Henry mentions with very great art by Alexander that bountiful Bishop of Lincoln of whom the aforesaid William of Malmsbury speaks thus Seeing he was lookt upon as a prodigy by reason of his small body his mind strove to excel and be the more famous in the world and among other things a Poet of that age wrote thus Qui dare festinans gratis ne danda rogentur Quod nondum dederat nondum se credit habere Still with frank gifts preventing each request What is not yet bestow'd he thinks not yet possest And not only these two but Robert Bloet who was predecessor to Alexander and R. de Beaumeis Hugo Burgundus and their successors contributed to advance this work which was too much for one Bishop to its present state and grandeur The whole pile is not only very costly but indeed very beautiful and excellent for its workmanship especially that porch on the West-side which attracts and delights every beholders eye Altho' there be many tombs of Bishops and others in this Church yet the only ones worth our notice are that of brass in which the entrails of the most excellent Queen Eleanor wife to Edward the first 12 Who dy'd at Hardby in this Shire are interr'd and that of 13 Sir Nicholas Nicholas de Cantelupo with one or two belonging to the family of Burghersh also that of Katharine Swinford third wife to John of Gaunt Duke of Lancaster and mother of the Somerset-family with whom lyes buried her daughter Joan second wife to Ralph Nevill the first Earl of Westmorland who had many children by her The Diocese of the Bishops of Lincoln being of a far greater extent than that of the Bishops of Sidnacester who in the primitive Saxon Church presided in this County contain'd under it so many Counties that its greatness was a burden to it and altho' Henry the second took out of it the Diocese of Ely and Henry the eighth those of Peterborough and Oxford yet 't is still counted the largest Bishoprick in England both for jurisdiction and number of shires and contains no less than 1247 Parish-Churches Many excellent Bishops have govern'd this See since Remigius but to be particular in reckoning them is beyond my design And therefore make no mention of Robert Bloet on whom King William Rufus set an amercement of 50000 pounds alledging that the Bishop's title to the city of Lincoln was defective â—â—eden nor of that bountiful Alexander who was ever extravagantly fond of prodigious buildings nor yet of Hugo Burgundus who being canoniz'd had his corps carry'd to the grave as my Author says on the shoulders of King John and his Nobles out of respect and duty to God and the sainted Prelate I must not however omit mentioning two persons 〈◊〉 diâ—d â— â—233 the one Robert Grostest a better Scholar and Linguist than could be expected from the age he liv'd in â—atth Paris â—d an â—nymous â—tâ—rian an awe to the Pope a Monitor to the King a Lover of Truth a Corrector of Prelates a Director of Priests an Instructor of the Clergy a Maintainer of Scholars a Preacher to the People and a diligent Searcher of Scripture a Mallet to the Romanists c. The other is the most reverend Father Thomas Cooper very deserving both from the Common-wealth of Learning and from the Church whom I am bound always to honour for that he was the Master in whose School I must graetfully own I had my education The city it self also flourish'd for a long time being made by Edward the third a Staple â—he Staple as they call it that is a Mart for Wooll Leather Lead c. Tho' it cannot have reason to complain of great misfortunes yet it has been once burnt once besieged and that in vain by King Stephen who was there overthrown and taken prisoner and once taken by Henry the third defended then against him by his rebellious Barons who
had Those of this castle tell many stories of David King of Scotland a prisoner here and of Roger Mortimer Earl of March taken by means of a passage under ground and afterwards hang'd for betraying his Country to the Scots for money and for other mischiefs out of an extravagant and vast imagination design'd by him In the first court of this castle we still go down a great many steps with candle-light into a vault under-ground and rooms cut and made out of the very stone in the walls whereof the story of Christ's passion and other things are engraven by David the second King of Scotland as they say who was kept prisoner there In the upper part of the castle which stands very high upon the rock I likewise went down many stairs into another vault under-ground which they call Mortimer's hole Mortimer's Hole because Roger Mortimer absconded in it being afraid of himself out of a consciousness of his own guilt As for position this place is 53 degrees in Latitude and 22 degrees 14 minutes in Longitude c From hence the Trent runs gently by Holme nam'd from the Lords Holme Pierpount Pierpount a noble and ancient family of whom Robert de Petrae Ponte or Pierpount was summon'd to sit among the Barons in Parliament by Edward the third Then to f In Domesday Shelford Shelford 3 Where Ralph Hanselin founded a Priory and the Lords Randolphs had a mansion but now the seat of c. The Barony of Shelford the seat of the famous family of the Stanhops Knights d whose state and grandeur in these parts is great and their name eminent 4 Since they match'd with an heir of Mallovel But it was formerly the Barony of Ralph Hanselin by whose daughters it came to the Bardolphs and Everinghams Hence it goes to Stoke Stoke a small village but remarkable for no small slaughter Battel of Stoke 1447. here John De la pole Earl of Lincoln who was design'd for the Crown by Richard the third when he saw himself excluded from the throne by Henry the seventh rebelliously fought for a counterfeit Prince against his lawful King and after a stout defence was cut off with his whole party Not far from hence 5 Is Thurgarton where Sir Ralph D'eincourt founded a Priory and somewhat higher Southwell c. stands Southwell Southwell a Collegiate-Church of Prebendaries dedicated to the Virgin Mary not very splendid I must confess but strong ancient and famous Paulinus the first Arch-Bishop of York built it as they write after he had baptiz'd the people of this Country in the river Trent From that time the arch-Arch-Bishops of York have had a large Palace here and three Parks adjoyning well-stor'd with Deer That this is that city which Bede calls Tio vul-Fingacester Tio-vul-Fingacester I the rather believe because those things which he relates of Paulinus's baptizing in the Trent near Tio-vul-Fingacester are always said to have been done here by the private history of this Church e Hence from the east the Snite a small river runs into the Trent which is but shallow and washes Langer Lâ—nger famous for its Lords the Tibetots or Tiptofts Tâ—pâ—â—fâ—s f who were afterwards Earls of Worcester and Wiverton Wâ—â—â—â—tâ—â— which from Heriz a famous man in these parts formerly went by the Bretts and Caltosts to the Chaworths who take their name from the Cadurci in France Châ—â—â—â—â— or 〈◊〉 Câ—aâ—â—â—â— Qâ—â—â—â— and their pedigree from the Lords de Walchervill Now the Trent divides it self 6 Near Averham or Aram an ancient habitation of the Suttons Gentlemen of respective worth and runs under Newark Newaâ—k a pretty large town so call'd as if one should say A new work from the new castle very pleasant and curiously built as g Dr. Thoroton is of opinion that he only repair'd it See p. 197. Hist Nottinghamshire Henry of Huntingdon describes it by Alexander that munificent Bishop of Lincoln Who to use the words of an old historian being of a very liberal and gentile temper built this and another castle at vast expence And because buildings of this nature seem'd less agreeable to the character of a Bishop to extinguish the envy of them and to expiate as it were for that offence he built an equal number of Monasteries and fill'd them with religious societies However the extravagant profuseness of this military Bishop was soon pursu'd with condign punishment For King Stephen Vide p â— who had no better means to establish the sinking state of his kingdom than by possessing himself of all the fortify'd places brought the Bishop to that pinch by imprisonment and famine that he was forc'd to deliver up into his hands both this castle and that other at Sleford There is no other memorable accident in this place but that King John ended the tedious course of an uneasie life here 7 And King Edward the sixth incorporated it of one Alderman and twelve Assistants g From hence the river uniting again flows directly to the northward by many villages but has nothing remarkable before it comes to Littleborrough Littleborrougâ— a small town and so exactly answerable to the name where as there is at this day a ferry much us'd so was there formerly that famous station or abode which Antoninus twice mentions variously read in some copies Agelocum and in others Segelocum Agelâ—cuâ— or Segelâ—cum Formerly I sought for this place in vain hereabouts but now I verily believe I have found it both because it stands by the military way and also because the marks of an old wall are still discernable in the neighbouring field where many coins of the Roman Emperours are daily found by the plow-men which are call'd Swines penies Swâ—nes-penies by the Country people because they are oftnest discover'd by the grubbing of the Swine there They also imagine according to their poor sense of things that their forefathers enclos'd this field with a stone-wall to keep the water from overflowing it in the winter h In the west part of this County call'd the Sand where the Erwash a small river runs toward the Trent we see Strelley Strelley h Otherwise call'd Stradlegh and Straley heretofore Strellegh which hath given a name and seat to the Strellies Knights commonly call'd Sturly one of the most ancient and famous families of this County More inward lyes Shirewood Shirewooâ— which some interpret a clear wood others a famous wood formerly a close shade with the boughs of trees so entangl'd in one another that a single person could hardly walk in the paths of it At present it is much thinner yet it still feeds an infinite number of Deer and branchy-headed Staggs and has some towns in it whereof Mansfield Mansfeld is the chief a very plentiful market the name of which is made use of for an argument by some 8 Who delineate the pedigree
for she was married to Walter de Beauchamp whom King Stephen made Constable of England when he displaced Miles Earl of Glocester Within a few years after K. Stephen made Walleran Earl of Mellent 6 Twin-brother brother to Robert Bossu Robert de Monte. Earl of Leicester the first Earl of Worcester and gave him the City of Worcester which Walleran became a Monk and died at Preaux in Normandy in the year 1166. His son Robert who married the daughter of Reginald Earl of Cornwall and set up the standard of Rebellion against Hen. 2. and Peter the son of Robert who revolted to the French in 1203. used only the title of Earl of Mellent as far as I have observed and not of Worcester For K. Hen. 2. who succeeded Stephen did not easily suffer any to enjoy those honours under him which they had received from his enemy For as the Annals of the Monastery of Waverley have it he deposed the titular and pretended Earls among whom K. Stephen had indiscreetly distributed all the Revenues of the Crown After this till the time of K. Rich. 2. I know of none who bore the title of Earl of Worcester He conferred it upon Thomas Percy who being slain in the Civil wars by Hen. 4. Richard Beauchamp descended from the Abtots received this honour from K. Hen. 5. After him who died without heirs male John Tiptoft Lord Lieutenant of Ireland was created Earl of Worcester by K. Hen. 6. And he presently after siding with Edward 4. and accommodating himself with a blind obedience to the humour of that Prince became the Executioner of his vengeance till he in like manner lost his own head when Hen. 6. was restored But K. Edward having recovered the Crown restored Edward Tiptoft his son to all again He died without issue and the estate was divided among the sisters of that John Tiptoft who was Earl of Worcester Orig. 1 H. 7. R. 36. who were married to the Lord Roos Lord Dudley and Edmund Ingoldsthorp whereupon Charles Somerset natural son of Henry Duke of Somerset was honoured with that title by K. Hen. 8. to whom in a direct line have succeeded Henry William and Edward who is now living and among his other vertuous and noble qualities is to be honoured as a great Patron of good literature This County hath 152 Parishes ADDITIONS to WORCESTERSHIRE a AFTER the Britains were expell'd this nation by the Conquering Saxons they retir'd beyond the Severn and defended their new Territories against the encroaching Enemy So that the County of Worcester with those other through which that large river runs were for a long time the frontiers between the two people And * Breviar f. 26. p. 1. as Mr. Twine has observ'd most of the great cities that lye upon the East-shore of Severn and Dee were built to resist the irruptions of the Britains by the Romans or Saxons or both like as the Romans erected many places of strength on the West-shore of the Rhine to restrain the forcible invasions of the Germans into France b The people of those parts in Bede's time before England was divided into Counties were as our Author observes term'd Wiccii as also were some of their neighbours But the great question is how far that name reach'd the solution whereof is not attempted by Mr. Camden They seem to have inhâ—bited all that tract which was anciently subject to the Bishops of Worcester that is all Glocestershire on the East-side Severn with the city of Bristol all Worcestershire except 16 parishes in the North-west-part lying beyond Aberley-hills and the river Teme and near the South-half of Warwickshire with Warwick-town For as under the Heptarchy at first there was but one Bishop in each kingdom and the whole realm was his Diocese so upon the subdividing the kingdom of Mercia into five Bishopricks An. Dom. 679. of which Florentius Wigorniensis saith Wiccia was the first doubtless the Bishop had the entire Province under his jurisdiction and accordingly he was stil'd Bishop of the Wiccians and not of Worcester This will appear more probable yet from a passage in †P. 559. edit Lond. quarto Florentius who saith that Oshere Vice-Roy of the Wiccians perswaded Aethelred King of Mercia to make this division out of a desire that the Province of Wiccia which he govern'd with a sort of Regal power might have the honour of a Bishop of its own This being effected his See was at Worcester the Metropolis of the Province which according to ‖ Hist Ecel lib. 2. cap. 2. Bede border'd on the Kingdom of the West-Saxons that is Wiltshire and Somersetshire and Coteswold-hills lye in it which in Eadgar's Charter to Oswald is call'd Mons Wiccisca or Wiccian-hill tho' * Concil Tom. 1. p. 433. Spelman reads it corruptly Monte Wittisca and the †Monast Angl. T. 1. p. 140. Monasticon more corruptly Wibisca Moreover Sceorstan which possibly is the Shire-stone beyond these hills is said by ‖ Flor. p. 385. 4o. Florentius to be in Wiccia c Having premi's thus much concerning the ancient Inhabitants of those parts let us next with Mr. Camden go thorow the County it self In the very North-point whereof lies Stourbridge Stourbridge so nam'd from the river Stour upon which it stands a well-built market-town and of late much enrich'd by the iron and glass-works King Edward the sixth sounded and liberally endow'd a Grammar-school here and in our time near this place the pious munificence of Tho. Foley Esq erected a noble Hospital and endow'd it with Lands for the maintenance and education of 60 poor Children chosen mostly out of this and some neighbour parishes They are instructed in Grammar Writing Arithmetick c. to fit them for trades Their habit and discipline are much like that of Christ's Hospital in London d Going along with the Stour not far from its entrance into the Severn we meet with Kidderminster Kidderminster famous for the Bissets Lords of it part of whose estate Mr. Camden tells us upon a division came to an Hospital in Wiltshire built for Lepers This was Maiden-Bradley * Monast Angl. Tom. 2. p. 408. which was built by Manser Bisset in King Stephen's time or the beginning of Henr. 2. and endow'd by him and his son Henry long before the estate was divided among daughters †Dugd Baronage T. 1. p. 632. For that hapned not till the year 1241. so that the Tradition of the Leprous Lady is a vulgar fable e Leaving this river our next guide is the Severn upon which stands Holt-castle Holt castlâ—â— now the inheritance of the Bromleys descended from Sir Thomas Bromley Lord Chancellor of England in the middle of Queen Elizabeth's reign A little below Salwarp enters the Severn not far from the first lies Grafton Grafton which Mr. Camden tells us was given to Gilbert Talbot and that hapned upon the attainder of Humfrey Stafford Brook's Cataloguâ— of
a †â—â—â—tim yard or farm and also a river-island or any place surrounded with water as Keysers-wert and Bomelsweort in Germany signifie Caesar's-Island and Bomelus's Island In the time of the Mercian Kingdom this was a royal seat and as it is in the Lieger-book of Worcester a very eminent place Afterwards it was destroy'd in the Danish wars but rebuilt by Aethelfleda the Mercian and Editha the daughter of King Edgar who declining marriage for the love of Chastity is kalender'd among the she-saints and founded a little house for Nuns here which was some few years after translated to Pollesworth by the Marmions of Normandy when they built a Collegiate Church here wherein some of their tombs are still extant having had the town given them by William the Conquerour Here likewise they built a neat Castle which from them went by the Frevils to the Ferrars a family descended from a younger brother of the Barons Ferrars of Groby These Marmions as 't is in history were hereditary Champions to the Kings of England King's â—â—â—ons 〈…〉 of 〈◊〉 For upon every Coronation of a new King of England the heir of this family was bound to ride arm'd in compleat harness into the King's hall and in a set form challenge any man to duel that would dare to withstand the King 's right And this is certain from the Publick Records that Alexander Frevill in the reign of Edward 3. Ed. 3. held this same castle by that kind of service Yet the Frevills lost this honor in the Coronation of Rich. 2. 5 When Baldwin Frevil inhibited his petition for the same it was adjudg'd from this family to Sir John Dimock his Competitor descended also from Marmion and producing more authentick Records and Evidences which went by marriage to the family of Dimocks in Lincolnshire d But now to return Watling-street at the bridge of Falkesley already mention'd that military Roman-way which I have often before spoke of and shall have occasion still to take notice of hereafter enters this County and crossing it almost in a streight line runs westwardly to Shropshire I survey'd it very accurately in hopes of finding Etocetum Eâ—ocetum which Antoninus makes the next Station after Manvessedum and with good luck I have at last found it and must ingenuously own my self to have been quite wrong heretofore For at that distance which Antoninus makes between Manvessedum and Etocetum I happen'd to meet with the ruins of an old city near this way scarce a mile southward from Lichfield eminent for the Bishop's See there The name of the place is at this day in English Wall Wall from the remains of the walls there extant which encompass about two acres of ground call'd the Castle-croft as if one should say the Castle-field Near this stood another ancient little city on the other side the way which was demolish'd before William the Conquerour's time as the inhabitants from an old tradition tell us and they shew the place where the Temple stood guessing it to be so from the greatness of the foundation and produce many Coyns of the Roman Caesars which are always the most infallible proofs of Antiquity e But that which mainly makes for this point is that the Military-way continues from hence very fair plain and almost without any breach till 't is cross'd and interrupted by the river Penck and hath a stone bridge built over it at Pennocrucium Pennocrucium so call'd from the river and standing at the same distance which Antoninus has made The town has not quite lost that name at this day being for Pennocrucium call'd Penckridge Penckridge At present 't is only a small village famous for a Horse-fair which Hugh Blunt or Flavus the Lord of it obtain'd of King Edward 2. f From hence there is nothing memorable in the County upon this road 6 But at a small distance from thence is Breewood a market-town where the Bishops of the Diocese had a seat before the Conquest and then near Weston is that clear unless it be that clear and pretty-broad lake near Weston by which the way continues in a direct line to Oken-yate in Shropshire And now for the middle-part of the County water'd by the Trent in describing of which my design is to trace the river from its first rise following its course and windings The Trent The river Trent which in comparison is the third best river in England springs from two neighbouring fountains 7 In the north part of this Shire and amidst the moors or marshes in the upper part of this County to the westward Some ignorant and idle pretenders do imagine that name deriv'd from the French word Trente and upon that account have feign'd thirty rivers all running into it and likewise so many kinds of fish swimming in it the names of which the people thereabouts have compris'd in English rhyme Neither do they stick to ascribe to this river what the Hungarians attribute to their Tibiscus namely that it consists of two parts water and the third fish From the rise of it it first runs southward with many windings not far from New-Castle under Lime Newcastle under Lime so call'd upon the account of an older Castle which formerly stood not far from it at Chesterton under Lime where I saw the ruinous and shatter'd walls of an old Castle which first belong'd to Ranulph Earl of Chester by the gift of King John and after by the bounty of Henry 3. to the house of Lancaster g Then by Trentham Trentham heretofore Tricingham a little Monastery of that holy and royal Virgin Werburga h from whence it hastens to Stone Stone a market-town which had its rise in the Saxon time and its name from those Stones which our Ancestors were accustom'd yearly to heap together to denote the place where Wolpherus that most heathen King of the Mercians barbarously slew his sons Vulfald and Rufin for turning Christians At which place when after ages had consecrated a little Church to their memory a town presently grew up which the History of Peterborough Historia Petroburgensis tells us was call'd Stone from these stones From Stone the Trent runs smooth and easie by Sandon formerly the seat of the Staffords a knightly and very famous family but of late of Sampson Erdeswick Erdeswick by inheritance a very eminent man who has nicely enquir'd into the venerable matters of Antiquity and is no less memorable upon this account than for being directly in the male-line descended from Hugh de Vernon Baron of Shipbroc this name being varied by change of habitation Name chang'd and alter'd as the person shifted his habitation first into Holgrave and after that into Erdeswick Here the Trent turns towards the East with Canocwood on the South of it commonly Cankwood Cankwood which is every way of great extent and at last receives the river Sow on the left This
the same river not far from the mouth it self which Ptolemy calls Seteia for Deia stands that noble city which the same Ptolemy writes Deunana â—â—ana 〈◊〉 and Antoninus Deva from the river the Britains Caer-Legion Caer-Leon-Vaur Caer-Leon ar Dufyr Dwy and by way of preheminence Caer as our Ancestors the Saxons Legeacester from the Legion's camp there and we more contractly â—â—er West-chester from its westwardly situation and simply Chester according to that verse Cestria de Castris nomen quasi Castria sumpsit Chester from Caster or the Camp was nam'd And without question these names were derived from the twentieth Legion call'd Victrix For in the second Consulship of Galba the Emperor with Titus Vinius that Legion was transported into Britain where growing too heady and too formidable to the Lieutenants as well to those of Consular dignity as those who had been only Praetors Vespasian the Emperor made Julius Agricola Lieutenant over them and they were at last seated in this City which I believe had not been then long built for a check and barriere to the Ordovices Tho' I know some do aver it to be older than the Moon to have been built many thousands of years ago by the gyant Leon Vaur But these are young Antiquaries and the name it self may convince them of the greatness of this errour For they cannot deny but that Leon Vaur in British signifies a great Legion and whether it is more natural to derive the name of this City from a great Legion or from the gyant Leon let the world judge considering that in Hispania Tarraconensis we find a territory call'd Leon from the seventh Legio Germanica and that the twentieth Legion call'd Britannica Valens Victrix and falsly by some Valeria Victrix was quarter'd in this City as Ptolemy Antoninus and the coins of Septimius Geta testifie c By the coins last mention'd it appears also that Chester was a Colony Chester â— Roman Colony for the reverse of them is inscribed COL DIVANA LEG XX. VICTRIX And tho' at this day there remain here few memorials of the Roman magnificence besides some pavements of Chequer-works yet in the last age it afforded many as Ranulph a Monk of this City tells us in his Polychronicon There are ways here under ground wonderfully arched with stone work vaulted Dining-rooms huge stones engraven with the names of the Ancients and sometimes coins digged up with the Inscriptions of Julius Caesar and other famous men Likewise Roger of Chester in his Polycraticon c This passage is likewise in the Polychronicon When I beheld the foundation of vast buildings up and down in the streets it seemed rather the effect of the Roman strength and the work of Giants than of the British industry The City is of a square form surrounded with a wall two miles in compass and contains eleven Parish-Churches 2 But that of St. John's without the North-gate was the fairest being a stately and solemn building as appears by the remains wherein were anciently Prebendaries and as some write the Bishop's See Upon a rising ground near the river stands the Castle built by the Earl of this place wherein the Courts Palatine and the Assizes were held twice a year The buildings are neat The Rowes and there are Piazza's on both sides along the chief street 3 They call them Rowes having shops on both sides through which a man may walk dry from one end unto the other The City has not been equally prosperous at all times first it was demolish'd by Egfrid the Northumbrian then by the Danes but repair'd by Aedelfleda * Domina Governess of the Mercians and soon after saw King Eadgar gloriously triumphing over the British Princes For being seated in a triumphal Barge at the fore-deck Kinnadius King of Scotland Malcolin King of Cumberland Circ An. 960. Macon King of Man and of the Islands with all the Princes of Wales brought to do him homage like Bargemen row'd him up the river Dee to the great joy of the Spectators Afterwards Churches restor'd Glaber Rodolphus about the year 1094. when as one says by a pious kind of contest the fabricks of Cathedrals and other Churches began to be more decent and stately and the Christian world began to raise it self from the old dejected state and sordidness to the decency and splendour of white Vestments Hugh the first of Norman blood that was Earl of Chester repaired the Church which Leofrick had formerly founded here in honour of the Virgin Saint Werburga and by the advice of Anselm whom he had invited out of Normandy granted the same unto the Monks Now the town is famous for the tomb of Henry the fourth Emperour of Germany who is said to have abdicated his Empire and become an Hermite here and also for its being an Episcopal See This See was immediately after the Conquest translated from Lichfield hither by Peter Bishop of Lichfield after it was transferred to Coventry and from thence into the ancient Seat again so that Chester continu'd without this dignity till the last age when King Henry the eighth displaced the Monks instituted Prebends and raised it again to a Bishop's See to contain within it's jurisdiction this County Lancashire Richmond c. and to be it self contained within the Province of York But now let us come to points of higher antiquity When the Cathedral here was built the Earls who were then Normans fortified the town with a wall and castle For as the Bishop held of the King that which belonged to his Bishoprick these are the very words of Domesday book made by William the Conquerour so the Earls with their men held of the King wholly all the rest of the city It paid gelt for fifty hides and there were 431 houses geldable and 7 Mint-masters When the King came in person here every Carrucat paid him 200 Hestha's one Cuna of Ale and one Rusca of Butter And in the same place For the repairing the city-wall and bridge the Provost gave warning by Edict that out of every hide of the County one man should come and whosoever sent not his man he was amerced 40 shillings to the King and Earl If I should particularly relate the skirmishes here between the Welsh and English in the beginning of the Norman times the many inroads and excursions the frequent firings of the suburbs of Hanbrid beyond the bridge whereupon the Welsh-men call it Treboeth that is the burnt town and tell you of the long wall made there of Welsh-mens skuls I should seem to forget my self and run too far into the business of an Historian From that time the town of Chester hath very much flourished and K. Hen. 7. incorporated it into a distinct County Nor is there now any requisite wanting to make it a flourishing city only the sea indeed is not so favourable as it has been to some few Mills that were formerly situated upon the river d ee for it
indebted for the description of it It lay with the Inscription downward upon a stone two foot square which is suppos'd to have been the Pedestal of it the foundation lay deep and broad consisting of many large stones The earth about it was solid but of several colours and some ashes were mixt in it About the foundation were found signs of a Sacrifice the bones horns and heads of several creatures as the Ox Roe-buck c. with these two coyns I. Brass On the first side Imp. Caes. Vespasian Aug. Cos. 111. and the face of the Emperour On the reverse Victoria Augusti S. C. and a winged Victory standing II. Copper On the first side Fl. Val. Constantius Nob. C. and the face of Constantius On the reverse Genio populi Romani A Genius standing holding a bowl us'd in sacrifices in the right hand and a Cornucopia in the left Our Antiquary tells us that presently after the Norman-Conquest the Episcopal See was translated hither from Lichfield and this is the reason why the Bishops of Lichfield are sometimes call'd by our Historians Bishops of Chester and Peter who translated it is by our Saxon Annals call'd Episcopus Licifeldensis sive Cestrensis Bishop of Lichfield or Chester d Leaving this ancient city the next thing that offers it self is Wirall Wirall call'd by the Saxon Annals Wirheale and by Matthew Westminster more corruptly Wirhale * Burton Itinerar p. 129. which the same Mattthew confounds with Chester making them one place This error proceeded from the misunderstanding of that passage in the Saxon Chronicle hie gedydon on anre pestre ceastre on Wirhealum sio is Legaceastre gehaten i.e. They abode in a certain Western city in Wirheale which is call'd Legaceaster The latter part of the sentence he imagin'd had referr'd to Wirheale whereas it is plainly a farther explication of the Western-city e From the Western parts of this County let us pass to the Eastern where upon the river Dane is Congleton the ancient Condatum of Antoninus according to our Author Mr. Burton Mr. Talbot and others Wherever it was it seems probable enough as Mr. †Comment upon the Iâ—inerar p. 124. Burton has hinted that it came from Condate in Gaul famous for the death of S. Martin For ‖ Dâ— Bell. Gâ—ll. l. 5. Caesar expresly tells us that even in his time they translated themselves out of that part of Gaul into Britain and that after they were settl'd they call'd their respective cities after the name of those wherein they had been born and bred Whether any remains of Roman Antiquities that have been discover'd at Congleton induc'd our Antiquaries to fix it there is uncertain since they are silent in the matter but if the bare affinity of names be their only ground supposing the distances would but answer there might be some reason to remove it into the Bishoprick of Durham wherein at Consby near Percebridge was dug up a Roman Altar very much favouring this conjecture The draught and inscription of it with the remarks upon them shall be inserted in their proper place More towards the North lies Maclesfield where in a Chapel or Oratory on the South-side of the Parochial Chapel and belonging to Peter Leigh of Lyme Esq as it anciently belong'd to his Ancestors in a brass Plate are the verses and following account of two worthy persons of this family Here lyeth the body of Perkin A Legh That for King Richard the death did dye Betrayed for righteousness And the bones of Sir Peers his sonne That with King Henry the fifth did wonne In Paris This Perkin served King Edward the third and the Black Prince his son in all their wars in France and was at the Battel of Cressie and had Lyme given him for that service And after their deaths served King Richard the second and left him not in his troubles but was taken with him and beheaded at Chester by King Henry the fourth And the said Sir Peers his sonne served King Henry the fifth and was slain at the battel of Agen-court In their memory Sir Peter Legh of Lyme Knight descended from them finding the said old verses written upon a stone in this Chapel did reedifie this place An. Dom. 1626. On the other side of the same Parochial Chapel in an Oratory belonging to the right honourable Thomas Earl Rivers is this Copy of a Pardon grav'd in a brass Plate The pardon for saying of v pater nosters and v aves and a ...... is xxvi thousand yeres and xxvi dayes of pardon Another brass Plate in the same Chapel has this ancient Inscription Orato pro animabus Rogeri Legh Elizabeth uxoris suae qui quidem Rogerus obiit iiii die Novembris Anno Domini M. v. c. vi Elizabeth verò obiit v o die Octobris An. Domini Mcccclxxxix quorum animabus propitietur Deus This town of Macclesfield hath given the title of Earl to the Gerrards the first whereof invested with that Honour was Charles created Earl of this place 31 Car. 2. who being lately dead is now succeeded by his son and heir The more rare Plant yet observ'd to grow in Cheshire is Cerasus avium fructu minimo cordiformi Phyt. Brit. The least wild Heart Cherry-tree or Merry-tree Near Stock-port and in other places Mr. Lawson could observe no other difference between this and the common Cherry-tree but only in the figure and smallness of the fruit HEREFORD-SHIRE By Robt. Morden SILURES IT seems most adviseable before we go to the other parts of England to take a round into Cambria or Wales still possest by the posterity of the old Britains Tho' I cannot look upon this as a digression but a pursuing of the natural course of things For this tract is spread out along by the sides of the Cornavii and seems to have a right to be consider'd here as in its proper place Especially seeing the British or Welsh the Inhabitants of these parts enjoy the same laws and privileges with us and have been this long time as it were engrafted into our Government Wales Wales therefore which formerly comprehended all that lies beyond the Severn but has now narrower bounds was formerly inhabited by three People the Silures Silures the Dimetae Dimetae and the Ordovices Ordovices To these did not only belong the twelve Counties of Wales but also the two others lying beyond the Severn Herefordshire and Monmouthshire now reckon'd among the Counties of England To take them then as they lye the Silures as we gather from Ptolemy's description of them inhabited those Countries which the Welsh call by one general name Deheubarth i.e. the Southern part at this day brancht into the new names of Herefordshire Radnorshire Brecknockshire Monmouthshire and Glamorganshire within which compass there are still some remains of the name Silures As to the derivation of the word I can think of none that will answer the nature of the Country but as to the original of
Roman work the Britain bricks and Roman coyns there found are most certain arguments among which the Reverend Father in God Francis Bishop of Landaffe by whose information I write this imparted unto me of his kindness one of the greatest pieces that ever I saw coyn'd of Corinthian copper by the city of Elaia in the lesser Asia to the honour of the Emperour Severus with this Greek Inscription 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is The Emperour Caesar Lucius Septimius Severus Pertinax And on the reverse an Horseman with a Trophee erected before him but the letters not legible save under him 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is of the Elaians which kind of great pieces the Italians call Medaglioni and were extraordinary coyns not for common use but coyn'd by the Emperours either to be distributed by the way of largess in Triumphs or to be sent for Tokens to men well deserving or else by free Cities to the glory and memory of good Princes What name this place anciently had is hard to be found but seemeth to have been the Port and Landing place for Venta Silurum when as it is but two miles from it Near Caldecot Câ—â—decot where the river Throgoy enters the Severn-Sea Inq 3 E. 1. I observ'd the wall of a castle which formerly belong'd to the High-Constables of England and was held by the service of Constableship of England Not far from hence are Wondy and Pen-how Wâ—â—dy and Peâ—-â—â—w the seats formerly of the illustrious family of St. Maur St Maur or Seiâ—â—r now corruptly call'd Seimour For we find that about the year 1240. in order to wrest Wondy out of the hands of the Welsh G. Marescal Earl of Pembroke was obliged to assist William of St. Maur. From whom was descended Roger of St. Maur Kt. who married one of the heiresses of the illustrious J. Beauchamp the noble Baron of Hach who was descended from Sibyl one of the co-heiresses of that most puissant William Marshal E. of Pembroke and from William Ferrars Earl of Derby Hugh de Vivon and William Mallet men of eminent worth in their times The Nobility of all which as also of several others have as may be made evident concentred in the Right Honourable Edward de St. Maur or Seimour now Earl of Hereford a singular encourager of virtue and learning for which qualification he 's deservedly famous The Fenny tract extended below this for some miles is call'd the Moor The Mâ—or which at my present reviewing these notes An Inundatâ—â— 16â—â— Jan. has suffer'd a most lamentable devastation For the Severn-Sea after a Spring-tide being driven back by a Southwest-wind which continued for 3 days without intermission and then again repuls'd by a very forcible Sea-wind it raged with such a tide as to overflow all this lower tract and also that of Somersetshire over against it undermining several Houses and overwhelming a considerable number of cattel and men In the borders of this Fenny tract where the land rises lies Gold-cliff Gâ—â—d-câ—iff so call'd saith Giraldus because the stones appear when the Sun shines of a bright gold colour Nor can I be easily perswaded saith he that nature hath bestow'd this colour on the stones in vain or that this is merely a flower without fruit should some skilful Artist search the veins and bowels of this rock In this place there remain some ruins of an old Priory founded by one of the family of Chandois From hence we come through a Fenny Country to the mouth of the river Isca â—he river 〈◊〉 call'd by the Britains Wysk in English Usk and by others Osca This river as we have already observ'd taking its course through the midst of the County passes by three small cities of noted antiquity The first on the Northwest borders of the County call'd by Antoninus Gobannium Gâ—bannium is situate at the confluence of the rivers Wysk and Govenni and thence denominated It is at this day retaining its ancient appellation call'd Aber-Gavenni and by contraction Aber-Gaenni which signifies the Confluence of Gavenni or Gobannium It is fortified with walls and a castle which as Giraldus observes has been oftner stain'd with the infamy of treachery than any other castle of Wales First by William Son of Earl Miles and afterwards by William Breos both having upon publick assurance and under pretence of friendship invited thither some of the Welsh Nobility and then basely murder'd them But they escaped not God's just punishment for Breos having been depriv'd of all his effects his wife and son starv'd with hunger died himself in exile The other having his brains dash'd out with a stone while Breulas-castle was on fire suffer'd at length the due reward of his villany The first Lord of Aber-Gavenni Lords of Aber-Gavenni that I know of was one Hamelin Balun who made Brien Wallingford or Brient de L'Isle call d also Fitz-Count his Executor And he having built here an Hospital for his two sons who were Lepers left the greatest part of his Inheritance to Walter the son of Miles Earl of Hereford This Walter was succeeded by his brother Henry whom the Welsh slew and invaded his Territories which the King's Lieutenants defended though not without great hazard By Henry's sister it descended to the Breoses and from them in right of marriage by the Cantelows and Hastings to Reginald Lord Grey of Ruthin 19 Rich. 2. But William Beauchamp obtain'd it of the Lord Grey by conveyance and he again in default of Issue male entail'd it on his brother Thomas Earl of Warwick and on his heirs-male Richard son of William Beauchamp Lord of Aber-gavenni for his military valour created Earl of Worcester being slain in the wars of France left one only daughter who was married to Edward Nevil From henceforth the Nevils became eminent under the title of Barons of Aber-Gavenni But the castle was a long time detain'd from them upon occasion of the conveyance before mention'd The fourth of these dying in our memory left one only daughter Mary married to Sir Thomas Fane Claus 19 21 Hen. 6. c. between whom and Sir Edward Nevil the next heir-male to whom the castle and most of the estate had been left by Will which was also confirm'd by authority of Parliament there was a trial for the title of Baron of Aber-Gavenni before the House of Lords in the second year of King James which continued seven days But in regard the question of right could not be fully adjusted and that each of them seem'd to all in respect of descent very worthy of the title and that moreover it was evident that both the title of Baron of Aber-Gavenni and that of Le Despenser belong'd hereditarily to this family the Peers requested of his Majesty that both might be honour'd with the title of Baron to which he agreed It was then proposed to the Peers by the L. Chancellor first Whether the heirs-male or female should enjoy the
aloft that it seems I shall not say to threaten the sky but even to thrust its head into it And yet it harbours snow continually being throughout the year cover'd with it or rather with a harden'd crust †Nivium senio of snow of many years continuance And hence the British name of Kreigieu Eryreu and that of Snowdon Snowdon Hills in English both which signifie Snowy mountains so Niphates in Armenia and Imaus in Scythia as Pliny informs us were denominated from Snow Nevertheless these mountains are so fertile in grass that it 's a common saying among the Welsh That the mountains of Eryreu would in a case of necessity afford pasture enough for all the cattel in Wales I shall say nothing of the two lakes on the tops of these mountains in one of which there floats a wandring island and the other affords plenty of fish each whereof has but one eye lest I might seem to countenance fables tho' some relying on Giraldus's authority have believ'd both However that there are lakes and standing waters on the tops of these mountains is certain whence Gervase of Tilbury in his book entitl'd Otia Imperialia writes thus In the land of Wales within the bounds of Great Britain are high mountains which have laid their foundations on exceeding hard rocks on the tops whereof the ground is so boggy that where you do but just place your foot you 'll perceive it to move for a stones cast Wherefore upon a surprisal of the enemy the Welsh by their agility skipping over that boggy ground do either escape their assaults or resolutely expect them while they advance forward to their own ruin Joannes Sarisburiensis in his Polycraticon calls the inhabitants of these mountains by a new-coin'd word Nivi collinos of whom he wrote thus in the time of Henry 2. Nivicollini Britones irruunt c. The Snowdon-Britains make inroads and being now come out of their caverns and woods they seize the plains of our Nobles and before their faces assault and overthrow them or retain what they have got because our youth who delight in the house and shade as if they were born only to consume the fruit of the land sleep commonly till broad day c. a But let us now descend from the mountains to the plains which seeing we find only by the sea it may suffice if we coast along the shore That promontory we have observ'd already to be extended to the south-west is call'd in the several copies of Ptolemy Canganum Cangaâ—â—â— Janganum and Langanum Which is truest I know not but it may seem to be Langanum seeing the inhabitants at this day call it LhÅ·n Lhyn It runs in with a narrow Peninsula having larger plains than the rest of this County which yield plenty of Barley It affords but two small towns worth our notice the innermost at the bay of Pwlh heli Pwlh 〈◊〉 which name signifies the Salt Pool and the other by the Irish sea which washes one part of this Peninsula call'd Nevin Nevin where in the year 1284 the English Nobility as Florilegus writes triumphing over the Welsh celebrated the memory of Arthur the Great with Tournaments and festival pomp If any more towns flourish'd here they were then destroyed Vita Gâ—fydâ—â—naâ—â— when Hugh Earl of Chester Robert of Rutland and Guarin of Salop the first Normans that advanc'd thus far so wasted this promontory that for seven years it lay desolate From Nevin the shore indented with two or three promontories is continued northwards and then turning to the north-east passes by a narrow frith or chanel call'd Meneu â—neu or â—nat See â—irebeâ— which separates the Isle of Anglesey from the firm land Upon this Fretum stood the city Segontium â—â—goâ—tium mention'd by Antoninus of the walls whereof I have seen some ruins near a small Church built in honour of St. Publicius 〈…〉 It took its name from a river that runs by it call'd to this day Seiont which issues out of the lake LhÅ·n Peris wherein they take a peculiar fish not seen elsewhere call'd by the inhabitants from its red belly Torgoch â—â—â—goch Now seeing an ancient copy of Ptolemy places the haven of the Setantii â—ntii in this coast which other copies remov'd much farther off if I should read it Segontiorum Portum and should say it was at the mouth of this river perhaps I should come near the truth at least a candid reader would pardon my conjecture Ninnius calls this city Kaer Kystenydh and the author of the life of Grufydh ap Kynan tells us that Hugh Earl of Chester built a castle at Hén Gaer Kystenin which the Latin Interpreter renders The ancient city of the Emperour Constantine Moreover Matthew of Westminster hath recorded but herein I 'll not avouch for him that the body of Constantius the father of Constantine the Great was found here in the year 1283. and honourably interr'd in the Church of the new town by command of King Edward 1. who at that time built the town of Kaer'n Arvon out of the ruins of this city â—narâ— a little higher by the mouth of the river in such a situation that the sea washes it on the west and north This as it took its name from its situation opposite to the island Mona so did it communicate that name to the whole County for thence the English call it Caernarvonshire This town is encompass'd with a firm wall tho' of a small circumference almost of a circular form and shews a beautiful castle which takes up all the west-side of it The private buildings for the manner of the Country are neat and the civility of the inhabitants much commended They esteem it a great honour that King Edward 1. was their founder and that his son Edward 2. the first Prince of Wales of English extraction was born there who was therefore stiled Edward of Caernarvon Moreover the Princes of Wales had here their Chancery their Exchequer and their Justiciary for North Wales In a bottom seven miles hence on the same Fretum lies Bangor â—gor or Banchor enclosed on the south-side with a very steep mountain and a hill on the north so call'd à choro pulchro or as others suppose quasi locus chori â—ee ◠〈◊〉 â—sh D. 〈◊〉 in word 〈◊〉 â—eâ— â—â—i Penâ—â— or 〈◊〉 Ceâ— which is a Bishop's See and contains in it's Diocese 96 Parishes The Cathedral is consecrated to Daniel once Bishop thereof it 's no very fair building having been burnt by that most profligate Rebel Owen Glyn Dowrdwy who design'd no less than the destruction of all the Cities of Wales 'T was afterwards restored in the time of Henry 7. by the Bishop thereof Henry Deny but hath not yet recover'd it's ancient splendour 'T is now only a small town but was heretofore so considerable â—a Gâ—â—f that for it 's large extent it was call'd Bangor-vawr and
Roman coins often dug up in it which they call Binchester-penies and for Roman Inscriptions one of which cut out thus in an Altar there I lately met with Of the Mother Goddesses see Lancashire In the year of Christ 236. Votum solvit lubens merito DEAB MATRIB Q. LO CL. QVIN TIANVS COS V. S. L. M. Another stone was lately dug up here very much defac'd with gaps which yet upon a narrow view shews this Inscription TRIB COHOR I. CARTOV MARTI VICTORI GENIO LOCI ET BONO EVENTVI I have read nothing else relating to it but what is mention'd in an old book That the Earls of Northumberland tore this with other villages from the Church when that cursed lust after gold swallow'd up the sacred revenues of the Church On the other side of the Were among the hills we see Branspeth-castle Branspeth-castle built by the Bulmers and by a daughter of Bernard Bulmer marry'd to Galfrid Nevill added with other great possessions to the family of the Nevills h A little lower the Were has many huge stones in the chanel of it never cover'd but when the river is overflow'd by rain upon these if you pour water and it mix and temper a while upon the stone it becomes thereupon saltish a thing to be effected no where else Nay at Butterby a little village when the river is shallow and fallen from those stones in the summer time Salt stones there bursts out of them a reddish salt water which grows so white and hard by the heat of the sun that they who live thereabouts take it up and use it for salt Now the river as if it design'd to make an island goes almost quite round the chief city of this County seated on a hill upon which account it was call'd Dunholm by the Saxons Dunholâ— Durhaâ— or Dâ—â—â— For as we may infer from Bede they call'd a hill Dun and a River Island holme From hence the Latins call it Dunelmâ—m but the common name is very corruptly Durham The town stands high and is very strong but is of no great compass lying in a kind of oval form enclos'd quite round by the river except on the north part and fortify'd with walls besides In the south part almost where the river winds it self back again stands the Cathedral Church which with its spires and tower-steeple makes a fine show In the heart of the town stands the castle almost in the middle between two stone bridges the one upon the river on the east side the other on the west From the castle northward lies the market-place and S. Nicholas's Church from whence there shoots out a suburbs to the north-east for a good way within a winding of the river as likewise others on both sides beyond the river leading towards the bridges each of which has its particular and distinct Church The original of this town is not very ancient For when the Monks of Lindisfarn were disquieted in the Danish wars and forc'd by that people to wander up and down with the reliques of S. Cuthbert at last if we may believe it being admonish'd by an oracle they fix'd and settl'd here about the year of Christ 995. But take this relation from my Durham-Author himself All the people following the corps of our most holy father Cuthbert came to Durham a place strong by nature and scarce habitable enclos'd quite round with a very thick wood and in the middle only a small plain which they us'd to plough up and sow where Bishop Aldwin afterwards built a pretty large Church of stone The said Prelate therefore with the help of all the people and the assistance of Uthred Earl of the Northumbrians fell'd and grubb'd up all this wood and in a short time made the place habitable Lastly from the river Coqued to the very Tees there was no body but came in readily both to help forward this work and also afterwards to build the Church and till it was finish'd ceas'd not with great zeal to follow it The wood being thus routed up and every one as his lot fell having a house assign'd him the aforesaid Bishop out of zeal to Christ and S. Cuthbert began to build a handsome pretty large Church and endeavour'd with great application to finish it Thus far my Author i Not many years after those of the English who could not endure the Norman Empire trusting to the strength of this place made it the seat of war and gave William the Conquerour no small disturbance from it For Guilielmus Gemeticensis writes That they went into a part of the County inaccessible by reason of woods and waters building a castle with a strong rampire round it which they call'd Dunholm Out of this they made frequent sallies and kept themselves close there waiting for King Sueno the Dane's coming But things not happening as they had expected they took themselves to flight and William the Conquerour coming to Durham granted many privileges to secure and confirm the liberties of the Church and built the castle already mention'd upon a higher part of the hill which afterwards became a habitation for the Bishops and the Keys of it when that See was vacant by an old custom were wont to be hung upon St. Cuthbert's Sepulcher When this castle was new built William of Malmesbury who liv'd about that time gives us this description of the City Durham is a hill rising by little and little from one plain of the valley by an easie and slow ascent to the very top and notwithstanding by its rugged situation and craggy precipices the access to it be cut off on all sides yet lately they have built a castle upon the hill At the very foot and bottom of the castle runs an excellent river for fish especially Salmon Almost at the same time as that old book has it William de Carelepho the Bishop who resettled Monks here for their Cloisters had been every where subverted by the Danes having pull'd down that Church which Aldwin had built began another more stately which was finish'd by Radulph his successor and enlarg'd with other buildings by Nicholas Fernham the Bishop and Thomas Melscomb the Prior in the year 1242. A pretty while after that William Skirlaw the Bishop rais'd a neat building on the west part of the Church which they call Gallilee 〈◊〉 whither they transferr'd the marble tomb of Venerable Bede In which place Hugh de Puteaco formerly began a piece of building where Women these are the words of an old book might lawfully enter and those who might not personally take a view of the secrets of the holy places might nevertheless have some comfort from the view and contemplation of the Saints This same Bishop Ralph as our Historian relates converted all that space of ground between the Church and the Castle where many houses stood into a plain field lest the Church should either be defil'd by the dirt or endanger'd by the fire of the town
but I should rather take it to be the Petrianae For that the Ala Petriana Petriana was quarter'd here is plain from the fragment of an old Inscription which one Vlpius Trajanus ‖ Emeritus a pensionary of the same Ala Petriana set up But take this and some others which I copy'd out here GADVNO VLP TRAI EM AL. PET MARTIVS * Hâ—ply Faciendum procuraviâ— F P. C. ' D M. AICETVOS MATER VIXIT * Annot. A XXXXV ET LATTIO FIL-VIX A XII LIMISIVS CONIV ET FILIAE PIENTISSIMIS POSVIT D M FL MARTIO SEN IN * Possibly in Cohorte C CARVETIOR QVESTORIO VIXIT AN XXXXV MARTIOLA FILIA ET HERES PONEN * Duâ— CVRAVIT DM CROTILO GERMANVS VIX ANIS XXVI GRECA VIX ANIS IIII VINDICIANVS * Fratri filiae Titulum posuit FRA. ET FIL. TIT. PO. After Eden has receiv'd the Eimot n it hastens to the north along by little inconsiderable villages and Forts to the two Salkelds At Little Salkeld there is a circle of stones 77. in number each ten foot high and before these at the entrance is a single one by it self fifteen foot high This the common people call Long-Megg and the rest her daughters and within the circle are hh The heaps of stones in the middle of this monument are no part of it but have been gather'd off the plough'd-lands adjoyning and as in many other parts of the County have been thrown up here together in a waste corner of the field Both this and Rolrich-stones in Oxfordshire may seem to be monuments erected at the solemn Investiture of some Danish Kings and of the same kind as the Kongstolen in Denmark and Moresteen in Sweeden Whereof the Reader may see Discourses at large in Wormius's Mon. Dan. lib. 1. cap. 12. S. J. Steph. Not. ad Sax. Gram. p. 29. Messen Paraph. Theat Nobil Suec p. 108. and our Countryman Dr. Plot 's History of Oxfordshire p. 336 337 c. two heaps of stones under which they say there are dead bodies bury'd And indeed 't is probable enough that this has been a monument erected in memory of some victory From thence the Eden passes by Kirk-Oswald Kirk-Oswald dedicated to S. Oswald formerly the possession of that 11 Sir Hugh Hugh Morvil who with his Accomplices kill'd Thomas Archbishop of Canterbury in memory of which fact the sword he then us'd was preserv'd here for a long time then by Armanthwayte Armanthwayte the Castle of the Skeltons and Corby Câ—rby-Castle a Castle of the noble and ancient family of the Salkelds which was much enrich'd by marriage with the heir of Rosgil then by Wetherall Wetheraâ—â— formerly a little monastery belonging to the Abbey of S. Mary in York where one sees i These Caves are in a rock of difficult access two Rooms one within the other of about five or six yards square each They seem to have been cut out for some Hermits to lodge in being near the Abbey a sort of houses dug out of rock that seem to have been design'd * In pâ— gii 〈◊〉 Viroâ—iâ—â— for an absconding place 12 In this dangerous Country next by Warwic which I take to be the old Virosidum where the sixth Cohort of the Nervii formerly kept garison along the Wall against the Picts and Scots In the last age there was built here a very strong stone-bridge at the expence of the Salkelds and Richmonds And so by Linstoc Linstoc a castle of the Bishops of Carlisle within the Barony of Crosby Crosby which Waldeve son of Earl Gospatrick and Lord of Allerdale gave to the Church of Carlisle The present name I fancy is contracted from Olenacum For that Olenacum Olenacâ—â— where the Ala prima Herculea lay in garison against the Barbarians seems to have been along the Wall And now Eden ready to fall into the Aestuary receives two little rivers almost at the same place Peterill and Caude which from the south keep all along at an equall distance Upon the Peterill beside the Perrianae already spoken of is Greystock â—â—eystock the Castle of a family which has been long famous deriving its original from one Ralph Fitz-Wolter Of whose posterity William de Greystock marry'd Mary daughter and coheir of Roger de Merley Lord of Morpath He had a son John who having no issue got leave of King Edward 1. to make over his estate to his 〈…〉 Cousin Ralph de Granthorpe son of William whose posterity for a long time flourish'd here in great honour 13 With the title of Lord Greystock But about the reign of Henry 7. that family ended and the estate came by marriage to the Barons of Dacre the heirs general of the last of whom were marry'd to 14 Philip Earl of Arundel and Lord William Howard two sons of Thomas Howard late Duke of Norfolk o Near the Caude besides the Copper-mines â—â—pper-â—â—nes at Caudebeck is Highyate a Castle of the Richmonds p and a beautiful Castle of the Bishops of Carlisle call'd The Rose-Castle this seems to have been the old Congavata â—â—ngavata where the second Cohoâ—t of the Lergi were quarter'd for Congavata signifies in British a vale upon the Gavata now contracted into Cauda But I have not yet been able to mark out the express place where it was seated q Between the confluence of those rivers 〈◊〉 the ancient City Carlile has a delicate pleasant situation bounded on the north with Eden â—â—en on the east with Peterill and on the west with Caude Also besides these natural fences it is arm'd with a strong stone wall a castle and a citadel 'T is of an oblong form from west to east upon the west is a pretty large castle which by the Arms appears to have been k It might be repair'd by Rich. 3. tho' 't is very improbable considering the affairs of his Reign but 't is certain it was built by Will 2. some hundred years before built by Rich. 3. Almost in the middle of the city stands the Cathedral Church the upper part whereof being newer is a curious piece of Workmanship l The Lower W. part is the Parochial-Church and as old as S. Cuthbert or Walter who came in with the Conquerour was a Commander in his Army rebuilt the City founded a Priory and turning Religious became himself the first Prior of it The Chancel was built by Contribution A. D. 1350 1 2 3 c. The Belfrey was rais'd and the Bells plac'd in it at the charge of William de Strickland Bishop A. D. 1401. but the lower is much more ancient On the east it is defended with a Citadel very strong and fortify'd with â—â—griis â—â—agnaâ—â—â— several Orillons or Roundels built by K. Hen. 8. The Romans and Britains call'd this City Lugu-ballum â—â—gu-â—â—â—lum and Lugu-vallium or Lugu balia the Saxons as Bede witnesses Luel Ptolemy as some
think m This reading should make it seem to be the ancient Whitern or Candida Casa in Galloway in Scotland being possibly a corruption for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i.e. White-houses Leucopibia Nennius Caer Lualid the ridiculous Welsh Prophecies The City of Duballus we Carlile and the Latins from the more modern name Carleolum For that Luguballia and Carlile are the same is universally agreed upon by our Historians n Caer in Welsh signifies a City and Caer-Luul Caer-Luel Caer-Lugubal as it was anciently writ are the very same with Caer-Leil or Caer-Luil the present appellation and import as much as the Town or City of Luul Luel or Lugubal But as to the Etymology good God! what pains has our Countryman Leland took about it and at last he 's driven upon this shift to fancy Ituna might be call'd Lugus and that Ballum came from Vallis a valley and so makes Lugu-vallum as much as a valley upon the Luge But give me leave also to produce my conjecture I dare affirm that the Vallum and Vallin were deriv'd from that famous military Vallum of the Romans which runs just by the City For Antoninus calls it Luguvallum ad vallum and the Picts-wall that was afterwards built upon the Wall of Severus is to be seen at Stanwicks a small village a little beyond the Eden over which there is a wooden bridge It pass'd the river over against the Castle where in the very chanel the remains of it namely great stones appear to this day Also Pomponius Mela has told us 〈◊〉 â—â—gus â—hat they â—â—gnify'd â—â—ong the â—â—cient Briâ—â—â—ns and â—â—als that Lugus or Lucus signify'd a Tower among the old Celtae who spoke the same Language with the Britains For what Antoninus calls Lugo Augusti is in him Turris Augusti so that Lugu-vallum both really is and signifies a tower or fort upon the wall or vallum Upon this bottom if the French had made their Lugdunum â—â—gduâ—â—m signifie as much as a tower upon a hill and their Lucotetia Lucotetia or Lutetia in France An old Itinerary lately publish'd says that Lugdunum signifies a desirable mountain so the Ancients nam'd what we call Lutetia as much as a beautiful tower for the words import so much in the British possibly they might have been more in the right than by deriving the latter from Lutum dirt and the former from one Lugdus a fabulous King That this City flourish'd in the times of the Romans does plainly enough appear both from the several evidences of Antiquity they now and then dig up and from the frequent mention made of it by Roman Authors And even after the ravages of the Picts and Scots it retain'd something of it's ancient beauty and was reckon'd a City For in the year of our Lord 619. Egfrid King of Northumberland o See the Donation at large in Sim. Dunelm l 2. p. 58. gave it to the famous S. Cuthbert in these words I have also bestow'd upon him the City call'd Luguballia with the lands fifteen miles round it At which time also it was wall'd round The Citizens says Bede carry'd Cuthbert to see the Walls of the City and a Well of admirable workmanship built in it by the Romans At which time Cuthbert as the Durham-book has it founded a Religious-house for Nuns with an Abbess and Schools for the instruction of youth Afterwards being miserably destroy'd by the Danes it lay bury'd for about two hundred years in it's own ashes till it began to flourish again by the favour and assistance of William Rufus who built it a-new with a Castle and planted there a Colony first of the Flemings whom upon better consideration he quickly remov'd into oo North-Wales and the Isle of Anglesey Wales and then of English sent out of the south r Then as Malmesbury has it was to be seen a Roman Triclinium or dining-room of stone arch'd over which neither the violence of Weather nor Fire could destroy On the front of it was this Inscription Marii Victoriae Some will have this Marius to have been Arviragus the Britain others that Marius who was saluted Emperour in opposition to Gallienus and is said to have been so strong that Authors tell us he had nerves instead of veins in his fingers Yet I have heard that some Copies have it not Marii Victoriae but Marti Victori which latter may perhaps be favour'd by some and seem to come nearer the truth Luguballia now grown populous had as they write it's Earl or rather Lord Ralph Meschines or de Micenis from whom are descended the Earls of Chester and being about the same time honour'd with an Episcopal See by Hen. 1. had Athulph for it's first Bishop This the Monks of Durham look'd upon as an injury to their Church When Ralph say they Bishop of Durham was banish'd and the Church had none to protect it certain Bishops seis'd upon Carleil and Tividale and joyn'd them to their own Dioceses How the Scots in the reign of King Stephen took this City and Henry 2. recover'd it how Henry 3. Eversden committed the Castle of Carlile and the County to Robert de Veteri ponte or Vipont how in the year 1292. it was p The Chronicle of Lauercost is very particular in describing this lamentable Fire He that recorded the account was an eye-witness and says that the fire was so violent that it consum'd the villages two miles off as well as the Church Castle and the whole City and by his relation it should seem that the City was then much larger and more populous than at present it is burnt down along with the Cathedral and Suburbs how Robert Brus the Scot in the year 1315. besieg'd it without success c. are matters treated of at large in our Histories But it may be worth our while to add two Inscriptions I saw here one in the house of Thomas Aglionby near the Citadel * Deterioris seculi but not ancient DIIS MANIBV S MARCI TROIANI AVGVSTINANI * Tumulum TVM FA CIENDVM CVRAVIT AFEL AMMILLVSIMA CONIVX †Carissima KARISS To which is joyn'd the effigies of an armed Horseman with a Lance. The other is in the Garden of Thomas Middleton in a large and beautiful Character LEG VI VIC P. F. G. P. R. F. That is as I fancy Legio Sexta Victrix Pia Felix The interpretation of the rest I leave to others Andrew Harcla Earl of Carlisle Carlisle had only one Earl 15 Sir Andrew Andrew de Harcla whom Edward the second to speak from the Original Charter of Creation for his honourable and good services against Thomas Earl of Lancaster and his Adherents for subduing the King's Subjects who were in rebellion and delivering them prisoners to the King by the girding of a sword created Earl under the honour and title of Earl of Carleol But the same person afterwards prov'd ungrateful villanous and perfidious to
already mention'd Besides the Notitia Provinciarum places Gabrosentum Gabrâ—â—â—â—tum and in it the second Cohort of the Thracians ad lineam Valli within the very range of the Wall And 't is most certain that the Rampier and afterwards the Wall pass'd through this Town and at Pandon-gate there still remains as 't is thought one of the little Turrets of that very Wall 'T is indeed different from the rest both in fashion and masonry and seems to carry a very great age The name of Monk-chester is also an argument of its being a garrison'd Fort for so from the Monks it was call'd about the time of the Conquest Soon after it got the modern name of New-castle from that new castle which was here built by Robert son of William the Conquerour and within a while was mightily enlarg'd by a good trade on the coasts of Germany and by the sale of its sea-coal whereof this Country has great plenty into other parts of England In the reign of Edward the first a very rich Burger being carry'd off a prisoner by the Scots out of the middle of the town first paid a round ransom for himself and afterwards began the first fortifications of the place The rest of the townsmen mov'd by his example finish'd the work and wholly encompass'd themselves with good stout walls since which time this place has so securely manag'd her trade in spight of all the attempts of her enemies and the many neighbouring thieves that she is now in a most flourishing state of wealth and commerce s upon which account s King Richard the second granted that a sword should be carry'd before the Mayor and King Henry the sixth c. Henry the sixth made it a County incorporate of it self It lies in 21 degrees and 30 minutes longitude and in 54 and 57 of northern latitude We have already treated of the suburbs of Gateshead which is joyn'd to Newcastle by the bridge and belongs to the Bishop of Durham This town for its situation and plenty of sea-coal t so useful in it self and to which so great a part of England and the Low-Countries are indebted for their good fires is thus commended by Jonston in his Poems on the Cities of Britain NOVUM CASTRUM Rupe sedens celâ—â— rerum aut miracula spectat Naturae aut solerâ— distrahil illa â—liis Sedibus Aethereis quid frustra quaeritis ignem Hunc alit hunc terra suscitat ista sinu Non illum torvo terras qui turbine terret Sed qui animam Terris detque animos animis Eliquat hic ferrum aes hic aurum ductile fundit Quos non auri illex conciet umbra animos Quin aiunt auro permutat bruta metalla Alchimus hunc igitur praedicat esse Deum Si deus est ceu tu dictas divine magister Haec quot alit Quot alit Scotia nostra Deos NEW-CASTLE From her high rock great nature's works surveys And kindly spreads her goods through lands and seas Why seek you fire in some exalted sphere Earth's fruitful bosom will supply you here Not such whose horrid flashes scare the plain But gives enliv'ning warmth to earth and man It'n brass and gold its melting force obey Ah! whos e'er free from gold's almighty sway Nay into gold 't will change a baser ore Hence the vain Chymist deifies its power If 't be a god as is believ'd by you This place and Scotland more than Heaven can shew Scarce three miles hence for I take no notice of Gosseford which was the Barony of Richard Sur-Teis or Upon the Tees â—â—â—ons Sur 〈◊〉 a person of great repute under Henry the fiâ—sty stands a little village call'd Walls-end â—â—lls-end The very signification of the word proves this to have been the station of the q Read the First Cohort of the Frixagi for so says the Liber Notitiarum The second Cohort of the Thracians was just now rightly placed by our Author at Gabrosentum By the way there is an ill-contriv'd and incoherent Interpolation in Bede's Eccles Hist lib. 1. cap. 12. wherewith Buchanan and some other Scottish Writers seem to be mightily taken which if it proves any thing at all shews that Vindobala was by the Britains call'd Penvahel second Cohort of the Thracians which in the Liber Notitiarum is call'd Vindobalâ— â—â—â—dobala and by Antoninus Vindomora â—â—â—domora for the latter seems in the provincial language of the Britains to have signified the Walls-end and the former the Rampiers-end since they anciently nam'd a Wall Mur and a Ditch or Rampier Gual 6 Bal Val and Gual Nor is it likely that either the Ditch or the Wall went any further since they are not to be traced beyond this place and Tine being now near the sea carries so deep a chanel as may serve instead of the strongest Fort. Yet some will needs maintain that the Ditch tho' not the Wall reach'd as far as Tinmouth â—â—â—mouth which they assert was call'd Pen ball-crag that is the Head of the Rampier in the Rock This opinion I shall not gainsay however I dare confidently affirm that this place was in the time of the Romans call'd Tunnocellum â—â—â—nocelâ—â—â— which signifies as much as the Promontory of Tunna or Tina where the first Cohort Aelia Classica first rais'd as the name probably imports by Aelius Hadrianus was in pay for Sea-service for the Romans had their Naves Lusoriae â—â—ves Luâ—â—â—â—â—e or light Frigats in their border-rivers both for the suppressing of the excursions of the neighbouring enemy and the making incursions upon him as may be seen in the Codex Theodosii under the title De Lusoriis Danubii Under the Saxon Heptarchy it was called Tunnacester not as Bede affirms from r 'T is a pity the story of Tunna and his giving his name to Tunnacestir or Tunnanceastre should be discountenanc'd His praying of his quick brother out of true bonds instead of relieving his departed soul in Purgatory is one of the prettiest and most comical Miracles in Bede's whole-pack and what I cannot but recommend to the Reader for very good diversion Eccl. Hist lib. 4. cap. 22. Abbot Tunna but from the river Here was also a Å¿ After the Câ—nquest it became a Cell of St. Alban's The ruins of this Monastery are still to be seen within the Castle Here was formerly the Parish-Church but that being gone much to decay and the Parishioners in the late civil wars being often debarr'd the liberty of a free resort to it another was begun to be built in the year 1659. which was afterwards finish'd and consecrated by Bishop Cosins in the year 1668. little Monastery which was frequently plunder'd by the Danes 't is now nam'd Tinmouth-castle and glories in a stately and strong Castle which says an ancient Author is inaccessibly seated on a very high rock towards the Ocean on the east and north and elsewhere so well mounted that a slender garison makes
Parliament The Parliament by the same name as it is in England and hath the same absolute Authority It consists of three States of the Lords Spiritual that is the Bishops Abbots and Priors of the Lords Temporal viz. Dukes Marquisses Earls Viscounts and Barons and the Commissioners for the Cities and Buroughs To whom were joyned not long since for every County also two * Delegati Commissioners It is called by the King at pleasure allowing a certain time for notice before it is to sit When they are convened and the causes of their meeting are declared by the King and the Chancellour the Lords Spiritual retire apart and choose eight of the Lords Temporal the Lords Temporal likewise as many out of the Lords Spiritual Then all these together nominate eight of the Knights of the Shires and as many of the Burgesses which all together make 32. and are called Lords of the Articles and with the Chancellor Treasurer Privy-Seal the King's Secretary c. admit or reject all matters that are propos'd to the States after they have been first communicated to the King After they are approved by the whole Assembly of the States they are throughly examined and such as pass by a majority of Votes are presented to the King who by touching them with his Scepter signifies the confirming or vacating of them But if the King dislikes any thing it is first razed out Next to the Parliament is the College of Justice The College of Justice or as they call it the Session which King James 5. instituted An. 1532. after the manner of the Parliament at Paris consisting of a President fourteen Senators seven of the Clergy and as many of the Laity to whom was afterwards added the Chancellor who takes place first and five other Senators three principal Clerks and as many Advocates as the Senators shall think convenient These are to administer justice not according to the rigour of the Law but with reason and equity every day except Sunday and Monday from the first of November to the fifteenth of March and from Trinity Sunday to the first of August All the space between as being the times of sowing and harvest is Vacation and intermission from Suits and matters of Law They give judgment according to Acts of Parliament and where they are defective according to the Civil Law There are besides in every County inferiour Civil Courts wherein the Sheriff or his deputy decides controversies amongst the inhabitants about ejections intrusions damages debts c. from whom upon suspicion of partiality or alliance they appeal sometimes to the Session These Sheriffs are all for the most part hereditary For the Kings of Scotland as well as of England to oblige the better sort of Gentlemen more closely to them by their favours in old time made these Sheriffs hereditary and perpetual But the English Kings soon perceiving the inconveniencies happening thereupon purposely changed them into annual There are Civil Courts held also in the Fiefs of the Crown by their respective Bailiffs to whom the King hath graciously granted Royal privileges as also in free Boroughs and Cities by their Magistrates There are likewise Courts called The Commissariat the highest of which is kept at Edenborough wherein before four Judges actions are pleaded concerning matters relating to Wills the right of Ecclesiastical Benefices Tythes Divorces c. and Ecclesiastical Causes of like nature But in almost all the other parts of the Kingdom there sits but one Judge on these Causes In criminal Causes the King 's Chief Justice holds his Courts generally at Edenborough which Office hath for some time been executed by the Earls of Argyle who depute two or three Counsellors to take cognizance of actions of life and death loss of limbs or of goods and chattels In this Court likewise the Defendant is permitted even in case of High Treason to retain an Advocate to plead for him Moreover in criminal matters Justices are sometimes appointed by the King's Commission for deciding this or that particular cause Also the Sheriffs in their territories and Magistrates in some Boroughs may sit in judgment of Manslaughter in case the Manslayer be apprehended in the space of 24 hours and having found him guilty by a Jury may put him to death But if that time be once overpast the cause is referred to the King's Justice or his Deputies The same privilege also some of the Nobility and Gentry enjoy against Thieves taken within their own Jurisdictions There are likewise who have such Royalties that in criminal causes they may exercise a jurisdiction within their own limits and in some cases recall those that dwell within their own liberties from the King's Justice provided they judge according to Law These matters as having had but a transient view of them I have lightly touched upon What manner of Country Scotland is and what men it breeds Pomponius Mela. as of old that excellent Geographer writ of Britain will in a little time more certainly and evidently be shown since the greatest of Princes hath opened a passage to it which was so long shut up In the Interim I will proceed to the Places which is a subject I am more immediately concern'd in GADENI or LADENI UPon the Ottadini or Northumberland bordered the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Gadeni who by the turning of one letter upside down are called in some Copies of Ptolemy Ladeni seated in that Country lying between the mouth of the River Tweed and Edenborough-Frith Joh. Skene de Verborum significatione which is now cantoned into many petty Countries The principal of them are Teifidale Twedale Merch and Lothien in Latin Lodeneium under which general name the Writers of the middle age comprised them all a TEIFIDALE TEifidale that is to say the Valley or Dale by the River d This river divideth that part of the shire properly called Teviotdale into that which lyeth on the South and that which lyeth on the North. Tefy or Teviot lying next to England amongst cliffs of craggy hills and rocks is inhabited by a warlike people who by reason of so frequent encounters between the Scots and English in former ages are always very ready for service and sudden invasions The first place we meet with amongst these is Jedburg a Borough well frequented standing near the confluence of the Tefy and Jed from whence it takes its name and Mailros â—â—â—â—ross a very ancient Monastery wherein in the Church's infancy were Monks of that antient instituion that gave themselves to prayer and with the labour of their hands earn'd their living And more Eastward where the Twede and the Tefy joyn in one stream â—â—â—oâ—â—â—h e The Royalty of this place was transmitted to the town of Iedburgh the chief burgh-royal of the shire Rosburg called also Roxburgh and in antient times Marchidun from its being seated in the Marches where stands a Castle that by its natural situation and tow'red fortifications
confiscated by Act of Parliament The head city of this county is Limerick encompass'd by the Shanon a famous river which divides its stream and embraces it The Irish call it Å¿ Louminagh is the name Loumeagh Limeâ—ick L umeagh the English Limerick It is a Bishop's See and the great mart of this Province of Munster first taken by Reimund le Gross an Englishman the son of William Girald afterwards it was burnt by Duvenald a petty King of Thuetmond At last it was given in fee to Philip Breos an Englishman and King John fortified it with a castle At present t is reputed two towns the upper for so they call it where stands the cathedral and the castle has two gates which give entrance to it and each of them a fair stone bridge leading to them strengthen'd with bulwarks and little draw-bridges one of which leads Westward the other East The lower town which is joyned to this is fortified with a wall and castle and a fore-gate at the entrance More to the East stands Clan-William Clan-William so called from a family of that name descended from the House de Burgo which the Irish call Bourk who inhabit it Of this family was that William who slew James Fitz-Moris the plague and firebrand of this country upon whom Queen Elizabeth conferr'd the title and honour of Baron of Castle-Conel where Richard Rufus Earl of Ulster Baron â—f Castâ—e-Coneâ— had fortified the Castle together with a yearly pension in recompense for his bravery and the loss of his sons slain in that conflict In the South part of this county stands t Killmalock Kil-mallo next in dignity to Limerick both in respect of plenty and populousness and walled round Likewise Adare a little town fortified heretofore situate upon the same river which straightways from thence runs into the Shanon near which stands u This is now in the County of Cork Clan Gibbon Clâ—n Gibbâ—n the Lord whereof John Fitz-Girald called John Oge Fitz-John Fitz-Gibbon and from the grey hair of his head the white Knight was banished by Act of Parliament But by the clemency of Queen Elizabeth his son was restored to the whole estate The most noted and eminent in this tract besides these Bourks and Fitz-Giralds are the Lacies the Browns the Hurleys the Chacys the Sapells the Pourcells all of English extraction the Mac-Shees and the Mac-brien O Brians c. of Irish extraction The County of TIPPERARY THE County of Tipperary is bounded on the west with that of Limerick and the river Shanon on the east with the County of Kilkenny on the south with the Counties of Cork and Waterford and on the north with the territory of the O Carolls The south part is very fruitful produces much corn and is well built The west part of it is water'd by the long course of the river Glason Emely not far from the bank whereof stands Emely or Awn a Bishop's See and by report a very populous and well frequented city heretofore The Sewer or Swire a noble river which rises at Badin-hill runs through the middle of it and so through the lower Ossery Lower-Ossâ—ry which by the bounty of King Henry the 8th gave the title of Earl to the Butlers and then through Thurles which gave them the title of Viscounts from whence it passes by Holy-Cross a famous Abby heretofore which makes the Country about it to be commonly called the County of the Holy Cross of Tipperary The County of the holy Cross of Tipperary The wood of the Cross This Abby enjoys certain privileges granted in honour of a piece of Christ's Cross preserv'd there The whole world says St. Cyrill is fill'd with pieces of this Cross and yet as Paulinus says by a constant miracle it hath never been diminished This was the belief and opinion of Christians in ancient times And it is incredible what a concourse of people do still out of devotion throng hither as to a holy place For this nation does yet firmly persevere in the religion of their fore-fathers which is now grown in more reputation than ever by the neglect and ignorance of their Bishops for there is none here to instruct them otherwise Cassil From hence the Swire passes by Cassil adorn'd with an Archbishop's See by Eugenius the third Bishop of Rome with many suffragan Bishops under it and so forward making many Islands as it runs along till it encompasses Cahir-Castle which has its Baron one of the family of the Butlers raised to that honour by Queen Elizabeth But his son proving disloyal was thereupon attainted the castle being taken by the Earl of Essex in the year 1599 and he himself committed From whence it runs by Clomell Clomell a market town of good resort and well fortified and also by Carick Mac-Griffin situated upon a rock from which it takes its name the habitation of the Earls of Ormond which with the honour of Earl of Carrick was granted by King Edward the 2d to Edmund Boteler or Butler Here it leaves Tipperary Earl of Caâ—rick Annâ— 9. Edw. 2. and becomes a boundary to the Counties of Waterford and Kilkenny Thus much concerning the south part of this County That northward is but barren and mountaneous twelve of the hills here are huddled together and over-top the rest these they call Phelem-ge-Modona This north part is call'd in Latin Ormondia Ormondia Butlers Earls of Oâ—mandâ—â— in Irish Orwowon that is The front of Mounster in English Ormond and by many very corruptly Wormewood It s glory is from its Earls who have been many since James Butler a The heir of this noble family is now Duke of Ormond both in England and Ireland to whom and his heirs King Edw. the third gave this title for term of life Anno 2. Ed. 3. together with the royalties and other liberties as also the Knights-fees in the County of Tipperary which by the favour of the Kings of England his posterity still enjoy Earl f Tipperary Hence this County is reputed Palatine and he has been call'd by some the Earl of Tipperary The ancestors of this James were heretofore Butlers of Ireland an honourable office from which they derive the name of Le Boteler or Butler Those of this family were nearly related to Thomas Becket Archbishop of Canterbury being descended from his sister After his murder they were translated into Ireland by King Hen. the 2d who hoped to redeem his credit in the world by preferring his relations to wealth and honours The first Earl of Ormond in this family was James son of Edmund Earl of Carrick who married the daughter of Humphry Bohun Earl of Hereford by a daughter of King Edw. the first and this was their first step towards honour Hereupon his son James was commonly called by the people the noble Earl The fifth Earl of this family not to be particular in the account of them had the
and Inis Bovind 〈◊〉 lib. 4. 〈◊〉 Eccl. 〈◊〉 which signifies in Scotch as Bede has explained it the Isle of white heifers though the word is really British This Monastery was soon abandoned by the English who could not live peaceably and easie with the Scots 〈◊〉 â—â—is More inward lies Lough Corbes where Ptolemy places the river Ausoba about 20 miles in length and 3 or 4 in breadth navigable and adorned with 300 petty Islands which produce much grass and Pine trees Towards the sea it grows narrow and runs by Gallway â—â—â—ay in Irish Gallive yet I dare not affirm it so call'd from the Gallaeci in Spain This is by far the most eminent e Galway is not a City nor Bishop's See but is within the Aâ—chbishoprick of Tuam though the Warden of Galway contested the jurisdiction pretending to be a Peculiar City in this County and which in competition with the other cities of Ireland would hardly accept the third place 'T is neat and fair-built with firm stone of an oval form and somewhat tower-like famous for a Bishops See and by reason of its harbour and the road already mentioned just under it well frequented by merchants and enriched by a great trade in all sorts of commodities both by sea and land Scarce four miles from hence stands Knoc-toe i.e. A hill of hatchets under which the greatest body of rebels that had been seen in Ireland The battle of Knoc-toe 1516. were drawn together by William de Burgo O-Brien Mac Nemare and O-Carrall and defeated with great slaughter by that Girald Earl of Kildare who * Per intervalla from time to time was thirty three years Lord Deputy of Ireland On the east at no great distance from hence stands Aterith Aterith in which word the name of the Auteri is still apparent commonly called Athenry enclosed with walls of a great compass but thinly inhabited It has had the honour of giving the title of Baron to the valiant John de Bermingham Bermingham an Englishman of which family was the Earl of Louth These Berminghams are now so degenerated that they hardly own themselves English The Irish families of better note in these parts are the O-Kellies a O-Madden O-Maidins b O-Flagherty O-Flairtes Mac-Dervis c. Clan-Richard Earl Clan-Richard Clan-Richard i.e. the sons or posterity of Richard or the land of the sons of Richard borders upon these and is reckoned within this County They take their name after the Irish manner from one Richard an Englishman sirnamed De Burgo and afterwards came to have great authority and interest in these parts Ulick de Burgo one of this family was by Henry the 8 made Earl of Clan-Ricard whose eldest son now enjoys the title of Baron of Inis Kellin He had a son Richard the second Earl whose children by several venters involved their father their country and themselves in great difficulties Richard who died old was succeeded by his son Ulick the third Earl he had a son Richard the fourth Earl whose untainted loyalty to the English and great valour have been eminent in the most dangerous Rebellions of this Kingdom Arcâ—bish pâ—iâ—â— of Tâ—â—â— The Archbishop of Toam's See lyes in this County which had formerly several Episcopal Sees under it but at present this Province comprises only the Sees of * 〈…〉 Anagchony Duae and Maio. The Bishoprick of Kilmacough which is not mentioned in the old Provincial unless the name there be corrupted as also the Bishoprick of Clonfert are both in this Province and as I am informed c Clonfert is not united to Tuam annext to the See of Toam The County of MAIO THE County of Maio lies upon the Western Ocean bounded on the South by the County of Gallway on the East by Roscommon and on the North by the County of Slego fertile pleasant and well stockt with cattle bucks hawks and honey It is so called from Maio Maio. a little Episcopal City which in the Roman Provincial is writ Mageo At present this See is annext to its Metropolis the Archbishoprick of Toam and the neighbours live under the jurisdiction of the Bishop of Killaley in the Barony of Tir-auley Bishoprick of Killaley In Maio if I mistake not Colman Bishop of Ireland founded a Monastery as Bede says for about 30 English that had been educated Monks and brought over by him into Ireland But let him speak in his own words L. 4. C. 4. Colman found a place in Ireland very proper for a Monastery which was called Magio by the Scots and so he purchased a small part of it of the Earl that he might build a Monastery on it with this condition annext That the Monks resident there should expresly pray for the Earl The Monastery with the assistance of the Earl and the neighbours thereabouts was soon finisht and there leaving the Scots in the Isle of Bovind he placed the English This very Monastery is at present filled by English being grown much greater the very same which is usually called In Mago Here things have been very much reformed so that there are now a very regular Convent who are all transplanted thither out of England and live by the labour of their own hands under certain Rules and a Canonical Abbot after the example of the venerable Fathers in great continence and sincerity About the year 1115. this Monastery was repaired and continued in a flourishing state in King John's time who by his Letters Patents confirmed its title to several possessions From hence we meet with no other place remarkable but Logh-Mesk Logh Mesk a large lough full of fish containing two small Islands well fortified formerly belonging to the family de Burgo or the Burks This County is not so eminent for Towns as inhabitants who are either of Irish Original as the O Mailes Ieies Mac-vaduses or Scots transplanted from the Hebrides and the family of the Donells from thence called Clan-Donells who are all Galloglasses Galloglasses and as it were mercenary soldiers armed with double-headed axes and coats of mail * Triaâ—â—i â—â—â—cenarii formerly invited over by the Rebels and rewarded with lands among them or else English as the Burks aforesaid the Jordans descended from Jordan of Exeter the Nangles of Castlough and Prendergest of Clan-morris But the most powerful are the Barks who owe their original and glory to William younger Brother of Walter de Burgo Earl of Ulster He was famous for his bravery in the wars and carried prisoner into Scotland where leaving his wife as hostage he was dismissed and upon his return to Ireland restored After this he valiantly recovered Conaught out of which the English had been banisht in his absence by Phelim O Connor having slain Phelim O-Conor Mac-Dermond and Tego O-Kelly in an engagement and he himself was at last kill'd out of revenge by Cormac Mac-Dermond His Grandson Thomas by his son Edmund
the labour of their own hands to quit tithes and oblations and leave them for the clergy of the Diocess to depend upon and wear woven or leathern breeches no longer On the contrary they flatly refuse to recede from those customs observed in the Monasteries of the west which were allowed to be instituted by Maurus of blessed memory disciple to S. Benedict and by S. Columban But this is too great a ramble therefore now to return Upon the Sea-coast stands Arglus where S. Patrick is reported to have built a Church and Strangeford formerly Strandford a safe harbour where the river Coyn runs into the sea with great noise and violence In the Chersonese hard by Queen Mary always bountiful to the Nobility gave much land to the Earl of Kildare The Russels Audleys Whites and those who setled last here the Bagnells of English descent live up and down among the wild Irish in these parts against whom they stoutly defend the possessions left them by their Ancestors Ardes Ardes another Chersonese 47 Called the Andes lyes over-against this separated on the west by a small chanel from the Lough Coin enclosed on the east by the sea and on the north by the bay of Knoc-Fergus You may resemble it to a bended arm for by a very narrow Isthmus it grows to the main land just as the arm does to the shoulder The soil is very good in all parts of it unless in a flat boggy plain in the very middle of about twelve miles long The shore is well stock'd with Villages and was formerly grac'd with a monastery situated upon the bay of Knoc-Fergus very famous for the same order and name with that eminent and very ancient Monastery in England near Chester call'd Banchor Banchor Monastery Which of them it was that produc'd that great heretick Pelagius Pelagius is uncertain some will have him from this others from that of Britain but both upon ill authority That he was a Britain is most certain upon many accounts and among others upon the authority of Prosper Aquitanus thus inveighing against his impiety in that distich I procul insana impietas artesque malignas Aufer authorem comitare exclusa Britannum Far hence with wicked arts profaness fly And bear thy british patron company But let us hear what S. Bernard says of him A man of great power and riches gave Banchor to Malachy In the life of Malachy to build or rather re-build a monastery thereon For it had been a noble monastery before under Congell the first father which had bred many thousand Monks and planted many inferior Monasteries A place truly pious the mother of many holy men and very fruitful in promoting Godliness insomuch that one of the sons of that holy Society called Luan is said to be the sole founder of a hundred Monasteries I mention it that by this instance the Reader may imagine the vast numbers in it Lastly by this means it filled both Ireland and Scotland with its off-spring One of which S. Columbanus came into these parts of France and built the Monastery of Luxovium which grew up to a great society 'T is said to have been so large that divine service continued both night and day without ceasing one moment by the many Quires they could make immediately to succeed one another And thus much in praise of Banchor monastery Being formerly destroyed by Pirats it was repaired by Malachy who seized it with a design to replant a sort of Paradise in respect of its ancient dignity and the many Saints that had dy'd in it For not to mention those that had departed in peace there nine hundred were said to have been put to death in one day by the Pyrates The lands belonging to it were very large and many but Malachy contenting himself with the holy place only gave them to another For from that instant it was destroyed it had been seized upon and held with all its possessions For Abbots were still elected and enjoyed it under that name being as heretofore nominally though not really so Althâ—ugh many dissuaded him from alienating these Lands and pâ—ssessions and advised him to retain them yet he was so much in love with Poverty that he made one be chosen as formerly to hold them reserving only as we have already said the place to himself and his Within a few days the Church was finished made of wood smooth'd and firmly joynted after the Scotch manner but pretty beautiful Malachy thought it proper afterward to have a stone Church in Banchor like those he had seen in other Countries When he began to lay the foundation the natives were struck with admiration at it having never seen any building of that nature before in this Country So that one of them exclaimed Good Sir Why these fashions from other Countries We are Scots and not Frenchmen What means this levity what need this superfluous and proud fabrick More inward upon the lake lyes the Bishoprick of Coner Bishoprick of Coner in which S. Malachy himself presided but how far his flock was from coming up to piety we may learn from S. Bernard Malachy was made Bishop of Coner for that 's the name of the city near the thirtieth year of his age When he began to do his duty among them this man of God soon saw that he was not placed among men but beasts such as he had never before met with for all kinds of barbarity for manners so froward for customs so devillish for faith so impious for laws so barbarous so averse to discipline and good living They were nominally Christians but really and indeed Pagans No tithes nor first-fruits no lawfull marriages nor confessions of sins among them No one either to ask or give penance and few or no Ministers of the Altar But what need I enlarge upon this matter since the Laity was for the most part idle No fruit could be expected by their performances among so lewd a people For there was neither preaching nor singing to be heard in their Churches And what could the Lord's Champion do in such a case He must either yield with dishonour or fight on with danger And so he did knowing himself a Shepherd and not a hireling he chose to stand rather than fly being ready upon occasion to give up his life for his flock And notwithstanding they were all wolves and no sheep he stood in the midst of them like an undaunted Shepherd considering how by any means he might convert his wolves into sheep Thus S. Bernard and as I am informed the present Bishop even at this day is hardly able to give them a much better Character This Ardes was formerly the estate of the Savages Savaâ—e an English family one of which is famous for that stout and witty saying 48 When he was mov'd to build a Castle for his own defence He would never rely upon a castle of stones but upon one of bones
side there is an ancient fort and a dwelling house built at the charge of the Chamberlans for the fee farm of the Isle was granted by Queen Elizabeth to G. Chamberlane son to Sir Leonard Chamberlane of Sâ—â—rburne in Oxfordshire when he recovered it from the French And under this fort the sand with violent drifts from the Northwest overlaid the land so that now it serveth thereabout most for comes is hardly seven miles from the promontory Le Hague in Normandy and about eight miles in compass The soil is rich and produces both grass and corn very well The Island contains one church and about eighty houses I need hardly take notice of a gyants tooth found here The Gyâ—â—â—oorth 〈◊〉 civ 〈◊〉 l. 15. 〈◊〉 9. which was full as big as a mans fist since St. Austin says he has seen one so large that it might be cut into a hundred teeth as big as any ordinary mans From hence there runs a ridge of high rocks for some way to the westward which 3 Which have their several Eddies and therefore are dreaded c. are dreaded by the mariners who call them the Quasquettes 4 Out of one of the which properly named Casquet there gusheth a most sweet spring of frâ—sh water to the great comfort of the Island fishermen beating up and down hereabout At these to remember incidently that the memory of a well-deserving Patriot may not perish the fleet which John Philipot Citizen of London set forth and manned at his own private charges had a glorious victory over a rabble of Pirates who impeached all traffick taking their Captain and fifteen Spanish ships that consorted with them Which worthy man also maintained 1020 Soldiers at his own pay for the defence of the Realm against the French who sore infested the southern coast in the beginning of the reign of King Richard the second to omit his great loans to the King and other good and laudable offices to his country Under these southward lies Caesarea Câ—sarea mentioned by Antoninus hardly twelve miles distant which the French havve contracted in pronouncing just as they have done Caesaris Burgus in Normandy and as the Spaniards Caesaraugusta in Spain for they call it Gearzey â—â—â—rsey as they do Cherburgh for Caesaris Burgum and as Saragosa is generally spoke for Caesaraugusta Gregorius Turonensis call it Insula Maris quod Constantiae civitati adjacet i.e. the Island of the sea that lyeth to the City Constantia and tells us how Praetextatus Bishop of Roan was confined here Thus Papirius Massonius calls it Insula littoris Constantini because it lies over-against Constantia an old City which seems to be called in Ammianus Castra Constantia â—â—â—ra â—onstanâ—â—â—oritoâ—um and in former ages Moritonium for Robertus Montensis writes thus Comes Moritonii id est Constantiarum unless this be the gloss of the Librarian for Moritonium or Mortaigne as it is now call'd is more remote from the sea This Island is about thirty miles in compass and defended with rocks and quicksands which are shallow places dangerous for such as sail that way The soil is fertil so that the Isle has great plenty of fruit and good stocks of cattle and sheep many whereof carry b They have six horns three on each side one bent towards the nose another towards the neck and the third standing upright between the other two but these now are become very rare four horns The air is very wholesom the Inhabitants are subject to no distempers but * Agues Fevers and those in the month of September which therefore they call Settembers for this reason there are no Physitians to be found among them The Island affords very little fewel and therefore they use a sea-weed instead of wood which they term Uraic Uraic and which is supposed to be Pliny's Fucus marinus Fuâ—us Mâ—rinus produced very plentifully in rocks and craggy Islands This being dried in the sun serves for fire and after it is burnt the ashes is as good as marle or dung for manuring the fields and fallows and does as much enrich them But they are not to gather this but in the spring and in the summer and then only on certain days appointed by the Magistrate And at the times allowed they repair with their Cars to the shore or in boats to the neighbouring rocks with great joy and readiness However the poor people are permitted to take up all that the sea casts up of it for their own uses The midland part of this Isle is somewhat high and mountainous but the valleys under these hills are finely watered with brooks and very pleasant being planted with fruit-trees but apple-trees especially of which they make Cyder The villages stand thick and make in all twelve parishes which have the advantage of many fine creeks for ships the securest of which is that on the south-side of the Island S Hilarius between the towns of S. Hilary and S. Albans which harbour has also a little Isle belonging to it and therein a garison that cuts off all manner of access S. Hilary Bishop of Poictiers that was banished hither is said to be buried here For the town which is dedicated to his name lies just over-against the Island and is reckoned the chief both because of its trade and market and also upon the account of a Court of Justice which is fixed here On the east-side where it looks towards the City Constantia over-against it stands a very strong castle situated upon a steep rock called by the proud name of Mont-Orgueil repaired by Henry the 5th Mont Oâ—gue◠〈◊〉 iâ— to say A p oud thiâ—â— and commanded by the Governor of the Isle who was formerly stil'd The Keeper of the Isle and in Henry the 3d's time had a yearly Salary of 200 l. On the south but at greater distance lies S. Malo which takes this new name from Maclovius a man of great piety being formerly called the city Diablintum and Aletum Aletum in the old Notitia for in a Manuscript of Isiodorus Mercator it is expressly read Civitas Diablintum quae alio nomine Aletum i e The City Diablintum otherwise called Aletum The people apply themselves to fishing but especially to Agriculture The women make great gain by knitting hose which they call Gersey Stockes As for the State and Polity of this Isle whoever the King of England sends to govern it is the supream Magistrate He substitutes a Bailiff who with twelve Jurors chosen out of each parish by their respective parishioners to sit and assist him has the trial of pleas In capital causes he 's to have seven of these assessors with him in civil three only c A very particular account of the Island of Jersey is lately publish'd by Mr. Philip Falle Rector of S. Saviour in that Island Twenty miles north west of this lies another Island which Antoninus calls Sarnia Sarnia and we
call'd Hogelyn John de Northon John de Breton and many others Item On the 16th before the kalends of July Dolovan Tobyr and other towns and villages bordering upon them were burnt down by the said malefactors Item Soon after this a great Parliament was held at London wherein a sad difference arose between the Barons upon the account of Pieirs Gaveston who was banish'd out of the Kingdom of England the day after the feast of S. John the baptist's nativity and went over into Ireland about the feast of the Saints Quirita and Julita together with his wife and sister the Countess of Glocester and came to Dublin in great state and there continued Item William Mac Baltor a stout robber and incendiary was condemn'd in the court of our Lord the King at Dublin by the Lord Chief Justice John Wogan on the 12th before the kalends of September and was drawn at a horse's tail to the gallows and there hang'd as he deserv'd Item This year a marble cistern was made to receive the Water from the conduit-head in Dublin such as was never before seen here by the Mayor of the City Master John Decer and all at his own proper expences This same John a little before made a bridge to be built over the river Aven-Liffie near the priory of S. Wolstan He also built the Chappel of S. Mary of the Friers minors wherein he was buried and the Chappel of S. Mary of the Hospital of S. John in Dublin Item This John Decer was bountiful to the convent of Friers Predicants in Dublin For instance he made one stone-pillar in the Church and laid the great stone upon the high altar with all its ornaments Item He entertain'd the friers at his own table on the 6th day of the week out of pure charity as the seniors have reported to their juniors Item The Lord John Wogan took ship in Autumn to be at the parliament of England and the Lord William Bourk was appointed Keeper of Ireland in his room Item This year on the eve of S. Simon and Jude the Lord Roger de Mortimer and his Lady the right heir of Meth the daughter of the Lord Peter son of Sir Gefferey Genevil arriv'd in Ireland As soon as they landed they took possession of Meth Sir Gefferey Genevil giving way to them and entring himself into the order of the Friers predicants at Trym the morrow after S. Edward the Archbishop's day Item Dermot Odympsy was slain at Tully by the servants of Sir Piers Gaveston Item Richard Bourk Earl of Ulster at Whitsontide made a great feast at Trym and conferr'd Knighthood upon Walter Lacie and Hugh Lacie In the vigil of the Assumption the Earl of Ulster came against Piers Gaveston Earl of Cornwal at Drogheda and at the same time turn'd back towards Scotland Item This year Maud the Earl of Ulster's daughter imbark'd for England in order for a marriage with the Earl of Glocester which within a month was consummated between them Item Maurice Caunton kill'd Richard Talon and the Roches afterwards kill'd him Item Sir David Caunton was hang'd at Dublin Item Odo the son of Cathol O Conghir kill'd Odo O Conghiâ— King of Connaght Item Athi was burnt by the Irish MCCCIX Peter Gaveston subdued the O Brynnes in Ireland and rebuilt the new castle of Mackingham and the castle of Kemny he also cut down and scour'd the pass between Kemny castle and Glyndelagh in spite of all the opposition the Irish could make and sâ— march'd away and offer'd in the Church of S. Kimny The same year the Lord Peter Gaveston went over into Englanâ— on the eve of S. John Baptist's Nativity Item The Earl of Ulster's son's wife daughter of the Earl oâ— Glocester came into Ireland on the 15th of October Item On Christmas-eve the Earl of Ulster returned out of England and landed at Drogheda Item On the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary Sir John Bonevil was slain near the town of Arstol by Sir Arnold Pover and his accomplices and buried at Athy in the Church of the Frierâ— predicants Item A Parliament was held at Kilkenny in the octaves of thâ— Purification of the Blessed Mary by the Earl of Ulster John Wogan Justiciary of Ireland and others of the nobility wherein a difference among certain of the great men was adjusted and many proviso's made in the nature of statutes that might havâ— been of good consequence to the Kingdom if they had been observ'd Item Shortly after Sir Edward Botiller return'd out of England where he had been knighted at London Item The Earl of Ulster Roger Mortimer and Sir John Fitz-Thomas went over into England Item This year died Sir Theobald Verdon MCCCX. King Edward and Sir Peter Gaveston took theiâ— march for Scotland against Robert Brus. Item There was this year a great scarcity of corn in Ireland * Eranca an eranc of corn sold at the rate of twenty shilling and upwards Item The Bakers of Dublin were punish'd after a new way foâ— false weights For on S. Sampson the Bishop's day they werâ— drawn upon hurdles at the horses tails along the streets of thâ— City Item In the Abby of S. Thomas the Martyr at Dublin Sir Neiâ— Bruin Knight Escheator to our Lord the King in Ireland departed this life his corps was buried at the Friers-minors in Dublin witâ— such a pomp of tapers and wax-lights as never was before seen iâ— this Kingdom This year a Parliament was held at Kildare wherin Sir Arnold Pover was acquitted of the death of the Lord Bonevil for it waâ— found Se defendendo Item On S. Patrick's day Mr. Alexander Bickenor was witâ— the unanimous consent of the Chapter made Archbishop of Dublin Item The Lord Roger Mortimer in the octaves of the nativity of the Blessed Virgin return'd into Ireland Item This year died Henry Lacy Earl of Lincoln MCCCXI In Thomond at Bonnorathie the Lord Richarâ— Clare gave the Earl of Ulster's party a very strange defeat Thâ— Lord William Bourk and John the Lord Walter Lacy's Son werâ— taken prisoners with many others This battle was fought on thâ— 13th before the kalends of June and great numbers both of thâ— English and the Irish slain in it Item Tassagard and Rathcante were invaded by the rapperies namely the O Brinnes and O Tothiles the day after S. John Baptist's nativity Whereupon in the Autumn soon after a greaâ— army was rais'd in Leinster to defeat them both in Glindelory anâ— in other woody places Item In August a Parliament was holden at London between thâ— King and the Barons to consider the state of the Kingdom and thâ— King's houshold and a committee of six Bishops six Earls and six Barons was appointed to consult the good of the Realm Item On the 2d day before the Ides of November the Lord Richard Clare cut off 600 Galegolaghes Item On All saints day last past Peter Gaveston was banished out of England by the Earls and Barons and many good statutes were
And although the city be naturally strong yet he increas'd both the strength and state of it by a wall for he built one all along from the Chancel of the Church to the tower of the castle which now begins by degrees to fall under the weight of age but never that I know of bore the brunt of an enemy For when David Brus King of Scots destroy'd all with fire and sword as far as Beaupark or Berepark â—epark which is a Park just under the city whilst Edward 3. â—346 was at the siege of Calis in France Henry Percy and William Zouch Archbishop of York with such troops as they could raise on a sudden encounter'd the Scots and charg'd them with that heat and bravery that they almost cut off the first and second battalions to a man took the King prisoner and put the third into such consternation that they fled with all the haste they could make their fear carrying them over the deepest precipices till they got again into their own country This was a remarkable engagement and to be reckon'd among the many bloody defeats we have given the Scots call'd by us The Battel of Nevill Cross For the greatest of the Scotch Nobility being slain here and the King himself taken they were forc'd to part with much ground hereabouts and yield up many Castles into our hands And this may suffice for Durham to which with the Reader 's leave I will add a distich of Necham's and an Hexastich of Jonston's and so conclude Arte situque loci munita Dunelmia salve Qua floret sanctae relligionis apex Hail happy Durham Art and Nature's care Where Faith and Truth at th' noblest height appear Vedra ruens rapidis modò cursibus agmine leni Seque minor celebres suspicit urbe viros Quos dedit ipsa olim quorum tegit ossa sepulta Magnus ubi sacro marmore Beda cubat Se jactant aliae vel relligione vel armis Haec armis cluit haec relligione potens Unequal Were as by her walls it runs Looks up and wonders at her noble sons Whom she gave life and now their death does mourn And ever weeps o'er Beda's sacred urn Let others boast of piety or war While she 's the care of both and both of her As for the Monks being turn'd out and twelve Prebendaries with two Archdeacons substituted in lieu of them as for the Prior's also being chang'd into a Dean I have nothing to say to them These are things sufficiently known to every body 1 And unwilling I am to remember how this Bishoprick was dissolv'd by a private Statute and all the possessions thereof given to Edward 6. when private greediness edg'd by Church-men did grinde the Church and withdrew match from God wherewith Christian piety had formerly honour'd God But Queen Mary repeal'd that Statute and restor'd the said Bishoprick with all the possessions and franchises thereof that God might enjoy his own It stands in 22 degr of Longitude and in 54 degr 57 min. of Latitude Beneath Durham not to omit this there stands eastward a very noble Hospital founded by Hugh * Pudsey an extraordinary rich Bishop and for some time Earl of Northumberland for Lepers and as Newbrigensis has it with great cost and expence yet upon some accounts not very honourable For to advance this charitable design he made use of his power to extort from other men when he was not willing to allow enough of his own to that work However he settled a very good allowance for maintaining sixty five Lepers besides Mass-priests From hence the Were is carry'd in a streighter course towards the north by Finchale Fin hale where in the reign of Henry 2. Godricus a man of ancient and Christian simplicity and wholly intent upon God and Religion led and ended a solitary life and was here buried in the same place where as William of Newburrow says he was wont in a fit of devotion to prostrate himself or to lye down in a fit of sickness This man grew into such admiration for this holy simplicity of his that R. brother to that rich Bishop Hugh Pudsey built a * Ecclesiola Chapel to his memory k Hence the Were runs by Lumley Lumley a castle with a Park quite round it the ancient seat of the Lumleys Barons Lumley who are descended from Liulphus a man of great Nobility in these parts in Edward the Confessor's time who married Aldgitha the daughter of Aldred Earl of Northumberland Of these Marmaduke took his mother's Coat of Arms in whose right he came to the rich inheritance of the Thwengs The Arms were In a field argent a fess Gules between three Poppinjays Vert whereas the Lumleys before that bore for their Arms Six Poppinjays argent in a field Gules For she was the eldest daughter of Marmaduke Thweng Lord of Kilton and coheir to Thomas Thweng her brother But Ralph the son of this Marmaduke was made the first Baron of Lumley by Richard 2. Which honour John the ninth from him enjoys at this day a man of accomplish'd virtue and integrity and now in his old age most honourable for all the ornaments of true nobility Opposite to this and not far from the river on the other side stands Chester upon the street Chester upon the street that is a castle or little city by the highway call'd in Saxon Concester d From an Altar found at Benwall in Northumberland 't is probable the Condercum was there that place being nearer ad Lineam Valli See Northumberland for which reason I have thought it the Condercum Condercum where upon the line of the Vallum the first wing of the Astures kept garrison in the Roman times as the Notitia tells us For it is but some few miles distant from the Vallum of which I shall treat hereafter The Bishops of Lindifarn liv'd retiredly here for 113 years with the body of S. Cuthbert in the time of the Danish wars In memory of which whilst Egelric Bishop of Durham was laying the foundation of a new Church there he digg'd up such a prodigious sum of money 2 Bury'd as 't is thought by the Romans that he left his Bishoprick as being now rich enough and so returning to Peterborough where he was Abbot before he made Causeys through the fens and did several other works not without very great expence Long after this Anthony Bec Bishop of Durham 3 And Patriarch of Jerusalâ—m founded a Collegiate Church a Deanry and seven Prebends here In this Church Baron Lumley but now mention'd plac'd the monuments of his ancestors all in order as they succeeded one another from Liulphus down to our own times which he had either pick'd up out of the suppress'd Monasteries or made new More inward and in the middle as it were of the triangle stands another small village lately noted for it's College with a Dean and Prebendaries in it founded by