generalitie is reasonable fertile and yeelds sufficiency of Corne and Cattle within it selfe One part whereof is particularly made famous by a 〈◊〉 of Stone out of which the stones newly hewen be very soft but seasoned with winde and 〈◊〉 of themselues doe naturally become exceeding hard and solide Another by a kind of 〈◊〉 whereof it consisteth which being burnt and conueyed into the other parts of the Country which are hilly and some what cold serue to manure and enrich their Corne-fields 6 That the Romans flourishing in military prowesse made their seuerall stations in this Country is made manifest by their Monuments by many Inscriptions fastned in the Walles of Churches by many Columnes engrauen with Roman workâ— found lying in Church-yards by many 〈◊〉 Altars digd vp that were erected as it should seeme to their Tutelar Gods for they had locall and peculiar Topicke Gods whom they honoured as Keepers and Guardians of some particular places of the Country as also by a kinde of Brickes which they vsed for the Romans in time of peace to auoid and withstand idlenesse as an enemy to vertuous and valorous enterprises still exercised their Legions and Cohorts in casting of ditches making of High-wayes building of Bridges and making of Brickes which hauing sithence bin found and from time to time digd out of the ground proue the Antiquitie of the place by the Romane Inscriptions vpon them 7 No lesse argument of the pietie hereof are the many Monasteries Abbyes and Religious houses that haue beene placed in this Country which whilest they retained their owne state and magnificence were great ornaments vnto it but since their dissolution and that the teeth of Time which deuours all things haue eaten into them they are become like dead carkasses leauing onely some poore ruines and remaines aliue as reliques to posteritie to shew of what beautie and magnitude they haue beene Such was the Abbey of Whiâ—â—y founded by Lady Hilda daughter of the grand-childe vnto King Edwine Such was the Abbey built by Bolcon which is now so razed and laid Ieuell with the earth as that at this time it affords no appearance of the former dignitie Such was Kirkstall Abbey of no small account in time past founded in the yeare of Christ 1147. Such was the renowned Abbey called S. Maries in Yorke built and endowed with rich liuings by Alan the third Earle of little Britaine in America but since conuerted into the Princes house and is called The Mannour Such the wealthy Abbey of Fountaines built by Tâ—urstin Arch bishop of Yorke Such was the famous Monastery founded in the Primitiue Church of the East-Saxons by Wilfrid Arch-bishop of Yorke and enlarged being fallen downe and decayed by Odo Arch-bishop of Canterbury Such was Drax a religious house of Chanons Such that faire Abbey built by King William the Conquerour at Silby where his Sonne Henry the first was borne in memory of Saint German who happily confuted that contagious Pelagian Heresie which oftentimes grew to Serpentine head in Britaine These places for Religion erected with many more within this Prouinciall Circuit and consecrated vnto holy purposes shew the antiquitie and how they haue beene sought vnto by confluences of Pilgrimes in their manner of deuotions The midst of which superstitious obscurities are since cleared by the pure light of the Gospell reuealed and the skirts of Idolatry vnfolded to her owne shame and ignominie And they made subiect to the dissolution of Times seruing onely as antique Monuments and remembrances to the memory of succeeding Ages 8 Many places of this Prouince are famoused as well by Name being naturally fortunate in their situation as for some other accidentall happinesse befallen vnto them Hallifax famous as well for that Iohannes defacro Besco Author of the Sphere was borne there and for the Law it hath against stealing and for the greatnesse of the Parish which reckoneth in it eleuen Chappels whereof two be Parish-Chappels and in them to the number of twelue thousand people In former times it was called Horton and touching the alteration of the name this prety story is related of it namely That a Clerke for so they call him being farre in loue with a maid and by no meanes either of long prayses or large promises able to gaine like affection at her hands when he saw his hopes frustrate and that he was not like to haue his purpose of her turned his loue into rage and cut off the maides head which being afterwards hung vpon an Ewe tree common people counted it as an hallowed relique till it was rotten And afterwards such was the credulitie of that time it maintained the opinion of reuerence and Religion still for the people resorted thither on pilgrimage and perswaded themselues that the little veynes that spread out betweene the Barke and Body of the Ewe tree like fine threds were the very haires of the maids head Hereupon it was called by this name Haligfax or Haly-fax that is Holy-Hayre Pomfret is famous for the Site as being seated in a place so pleasant that it brings forth Liquoriâ—e and great plentie of Skiriworts but it is infamous for the murther and bloudshed of Princes The Castle whereof was built by Hildebert Lacy a Norman to whom William the Conquerour gaue this Towne after Alrick the Saxon was thrust out of it 9 But I will forbeare to be prolixe or tedious in the particular memoration of places in a Prouince so spatious and onely make a compendious relation of Yorke the second Citie of England in Latine called Eboracum and Eburacum by Ptolemy Brigantium the chiefe Citie of the Brigants by Ninius Caer Ebrauc by the Britaines Caer Effroâ— The British History reports that it tooke the name of Ebrauc that founded it but some others are of opinion that Eburacum hath no other deriuation then from the Riuer Ouse running thorow it It ouer-masters all the other places of this Country for fairenesse and is a singular ornament safegard to all the North parts A pleasant place large and full of magnificence rich populous and not onely strengthened with fortifications but adorned with beautifull buildings as well priuate as publike For the greater dignitie thereof it was made an Episcopall See by Constantius and a Metropolitane Citie by a Pall sent vnto it from Homorius Egbert Arch-bishop of Yorke who flourished about the yeare seauen hundred fortie erected in it a most famous Library Richard the third repaired the Castle thereof being ruinous and King Henry the eight appointed a Counsell in the same to decide and determine all the causes and Controuersies of the North parts according to equitie and conscience which Counsell consisteth of a Lord President certaine Counsellers at the Princes pleasure a Secretarie and other Vnder-Officers The originall of this Citie cannot be fetcht out but from the romanes seeing the Britaine 's before the Romanes came had no other Townes then Woods fenced with Trenches and Rampiers as Caesar and Strabo doe testifie And that it
end and in London doing many outrages where in Smithfield he was lastly strucke downe by William Walworth then Maior of the Citie and worthily slaine for his notorious treasons Againe vpon Black-heath Michael Ioseph the Lord Dawbeny with their Cornish Rebels were ouerthrowne by King Henry the seauenth Anno 1497. SVSSEX CHAPTER IIII. SVTH-SEX a word compounded of the sire thâ—reof Southward lyeth stretched along the British Seas The North confronts vpon Surâ—â—y and Kent and the West butteth vpon Haâ—apshire 2 For forme it lyeth long and narrow so that all her Râ—pes doe runne quite through the Shire containeth from Weâ—â—harting in the West to Kent-ditch that diuides it from Kent in the East sixtie foure miles but in the broadest part little aboue twentie the whole in circumference about one hundred fiftie eight miles 3 The ayre is good though somewhat clouded with wists which arise forth of her South bordering Sea who is very prodigall vnto her for Fish and Sea-sowle though as sparing for Harbours or Ships ariuage and those which she hath as vncertaine for continuance as dangerous for entrance 4 Rich is the Soile and yeeldeth greatplentie of all things necessary but very ill for trauellers especially in the winter the Land lying low and the wayes very deepe whose middle tract is garnished with meadowes pastures and Corn-fields the Sea-coast with Hilles which are called the Downs abundantly yeelding both Graint and Grasse and the North side ouershadowed with pleasant Groues and thicke Woods where sometimes stood the famous wood Andradswald containing no lesse then an hundred and twentie miles in length and thirtie in bredth taking the name of Anderida a Citie adioyning both which were wonne from the Britaine 's by Llla the first Saxon King of this Prouince and the place made fatall to Sigebert King of the West-Saxons who being deposed from his Royall Throne was met in this Wood by a Swine-heard and slaine in reuenge of his Lord whom Sigebert had murdered 5 The ancient people in the Romans time were the Regni of whom we haue spoken and who were subdued by Vespasian the Leader of the second Legion vnder Aâ—lus Plautius Liceutenant in Britaine for Claudius the Emperour But after the departure of the Romanes this with Surrey was made the South-Saxons Kingdome yet that giuing place to the West-Saxons as they in time to the Normans it became a Prouince vnder the Conquerours power who gaue to his followers much Land in these parts 6 The place of most account in this Shire is Chichester by the Britaine 's called Caercei a Citie beautifull and large and very well walled about first built by Cissa the second King of the South-Saxons wherein his Royall palace was kept And when King William the First had enacted that Bishops Seas should be translated out of small Townes vnto places of greater resort the Residence of the Bishop vntill then held at Selsey was remoued to this Citie where Bishop Raulfe began a most goodly Cathedrall Church but before it was fully finished by a sudden mischance of fire was quite consumed Yet the same Bishop with the helping liberalitie of King Henry the First began it againe and saw it wholly finished whose beautie and greatnesse her fatall enemy still enuying againe cast downe in the dayes of King Richard the First and by her raging flames consumed the buildings both of it and the Bishops Palace adioyning which Seffrid the second Bishop of that name reedified and built a new And now to augment the honour of this place the Citie hath borne the Title of an Earledome whereof they of Arundell were sometimes so stiled Whose Gradustion for Latitude is remoued from the Equator vnto the degree fiftie fiftie fiue minutes and for Longitude obseruing the same point in the West whence Mercator hath measured are twentie degrees 7 With whom for frequencie bignesse and building the Towne Lewes seemeth to contend where King Athelstan appointed the mintage of his Moneyes and William de Warron built a strong Castle whereunto the disloyall Barons of King Henry the Third in warlike manner resorted and fought a great Battle against their owne Soueraigne and his sonne wherein the King had his Horse slaine vnder him Richard King of the Romans surprised and taken in a Wind-mill and Prince Edward deliuered vnto them vpon vnequall conditions of peace But a greater Battle was fought at Battle when the hazard of England was tryed in one dayes fight and Harold the King gaue place to his Conquerour by losing of his life among sixtie seuen thousand nine hundred seuentie-foure English men besides whose bloud so spilt gaue name to the place in French Sangue lac And the soile naturally after raine becomming of a reddish colour caused William of Newbery vntruely to write That if there fell any small sweet showers in the place where so great a slaughter of the English-men was made presently sweateth forth very fresh bloud out of the earth as if the euidence thereof did plainly declare the vaâ—ce of bloud there shed and cryed still from the earth vnto the Lord. 8 But places of other note in this Shire are these from Basham Earle Harold taking the Sea for his delight in a small Boat was driuen vpon the Coast of Normandie where by Duke William he was retained till he had sworne to make him King after Edward Confessors death which oath being broken the Bastard arriued at Pensey and with his sword reuenged that Periurie at West-Wittering also Ella the Saxon before him had landed for the conquering of those parts and gaue name to the shore from Cimen his son But with greater glory doth Gromebridge raise vp her head where Charles Duke of Orleaunce father to Lewes the twelfth King of France taken prisoner at Agincourt was there a long time detained 9 The commodities of this Prouince are many and diuers both in Corne Cattle Woods Iron and Glasse which two last as they bring great gaine to their possessors so doe they impouerish the Countie of Woods whose want will be found in ages to come if not at this present in some sort felt 10 Great haue beene the deuotions of religious Persons in building and consecrating many houses vnto the vse and onely seruice of Christ whose Beadmen abusing the intents of their Founders hath caused those Foundations to lament their owne ruines for in the tempestuous time of King Henry the Eight eighteene of them in this Countie were blowne downe whose fruit iell into the â—appes of some that neuer meant to restore them againe to the like vse SVRREY CHAPTER V. SVRREY by Beda called Suthri lieth separated vpon the North from the Counties of â—â—â—kingham and Miaâ—lesex by the great Riuer Thaâ—â—sâ—s vpon the East Kent doth inbound it vpon the South is held in with Sussex and Hampshire and her West part is bordered vpon by Hamp-shire and Bark-shire 2 The forme thereof is somewhat square and lieth by Northand by East whereof Redrith and Frensham are the opposites
which taking passage thorow the plaine Vallies doe lastly in a louing manner vnite themselues together and of their many branches make many bigge bodied streames neither doth the Sea deny them entrance but helpeth rather to fill vp their Bankes whereby Vessels of burden discharge their rich Treasures and her selfe with open hand distributeth her gifts all along the South of this Shore 4 Anciently it was possest by the Durotriges whom Ptolemie placeth along in this Tract who being subdued by the Romans yeelded them roome and vnwilling subiection After them the Saxons set foot in these parts whereof Portland seemeth from that Port to take name who in this place arriued in Anno 703. and did sorely infest and annoy all the South Tract And at Bindon before him Kinegillus King of the West-Saxons in the yeare of Christ 614. in a doubtfull and dangerous Battle vanquished the Britaines Neither were the Saxons so surely herein seated but that the Danes sought to defeat them thereof for twice these bold Rouers landed at Chartmouth the first was in Anno 831. and raigne of King Egbert and the other eight yeares after when Ethelwulfe was King in both which they went away Victors Yet when the Iron-side wore the English Diademe and these fierce people sought to plucke it from his Helmet he met them at Pen ham in Gillingham Forrest and with a small power obtained a great victory causing their King Canute with discourage to retire 5 Commodities arising in this Countie are chiefly Wools and Woods in her North where the Forrests are stored with the one and the pleasant greene Hilles with the other The inner part is ouer-spread both with Corne and Grasse and the Sea yeeldeth the Isidis Plocamos a Shrub growing not vnlike the Corrall without any leafe besides her other gifts turning all to great gaine which the more is made manifest by the many Market Townes in this Shire whereof Dorchester is the chiefe in Antonius his 〈◊〉 termed Durnouaria situated vpon the South side of Frome and the 〈…〉 called â—osse-way wherein some of their Lâ—gions kept a by the Rampiers and Coines there daily digged vp is probably coniectured at which time it seemeth the Citie was walled whereof some part yet standeth especially vpon the West and South sides and the Tract and Trench most apparent in a Quadrant-wise almost meeteth the Riuer containing in circuit one thousand and seuen hundred pases but were cast downe by the Danes whose tranâ—pling feete destroyed all things wheresoeuer they came and hands here razed the Trenches Mandbury and Poundbury theseales of their Siege and signes of times miserie About three hundred pases Southward from hence standeth an old Fortification of Earth trenched about and mounted aboue the ordinary plaine thirtie pases containing some fiue Acres of ground wherein at my there-being plentie of Corne grew This the Inhabitants call The Maiden-Castle hauing entrance thereunto onely vpon the East and West This is thought to haue beene a Summer-Campe or Station of the Romans when their Garrisons kept the Frontiers of this Prouince The gouernment of this City is yearely committed to two Bailiffes elected out of eight Magistrates or Aldermen a Recorder Towrâ—-Clerke and two Sergeants attending them whence the North-pole is eleuated 50. degrees 48. minutes in Latitude and for Longitude is remooued from the first West-point vnto the Meridian of 18. degrees 6 Other places also are memorable through the actions therein happening or antiquities there yet remaining such is Badbury now nothing but a Trench and decayed Castle hardly seene though sometimes it was the Court of the West-Saxons Kings Such also is Cerne where Augustine the English Apostle brake downe the Altars and Idols of the Saxons God HELL whom they deuoutly honoured as the onely conseruer of their health Shaftesbury also wherein one Aquila whether a Man or Eagle I know not by our Historians report is said to haue prophecied the future times of this our Empire and that after the raignes of the Saxons and Norman it should againe returne vnto the gouernment of the British Kings But with such vaine predictions our Nation is more then once taxed by Philip 〈◊〉 the famous French Writer In this Citie Edward the sonne of great Edgar and one and thirtieth Monarch of the English-men was interred being murdered at Corfe a Castle seated in the I le of Purbeck by his Step-mother Aelfrith to make way for her sonne to enioy his Crowne in repentance whereof and to pacifie Heauen for his bloud she built the Monasteries of Ambresbury and Whorwell in the Countie of Wilt-shire and South-Hamton In the former of which with great penitency she spent the rest of her life 7 As vpon the like occasion the Monastery of Middleton was laied in this Shire by King Ethelstan to appease the Ghost of Edwine his innocent brother and to expiate the sinne of his owne soule for the bloud of that iust Prince whom most vniustly he caused to die and with the like deuotion though not to satisfie for the like bloâ—die sinnes did Queene Cuthbarga sue a Diuorce from her second husband the Northumberlands King and it Winburne built her a Nunnery whereof her selfe becâ—me Abbesse where afterward was raised a most stately Minster which added not onely more glory to the place but withall enlarged the name and made it to be called Wimburn-minster where King Ethelâ—â—â— a most vertuous Prince after much disquâ—â—â—nesse had with the Danes in peace here resteth with his Tombe and Inscription as in his History Christ assisting shall be further seene Neither among these may I omit Sherburne which in the yeare of grace 704. was made a Bishops See in whose Cathedrall Church were interred the bodies of Ethelbald and Ethelbert brethren both of them Monarkes of the English-men 8 Seuen more besides these were set apart from worldly imployments consecrated onely to God and his seruice in this Shire which were Camestern Cranborn Abâ—ottesbury Bindon Sturmister Tarrant and Warham These with the others came to their full period vnder the hand of King Henry the Eight which lay with such waight vpon their faiâ—e buildings that he crushed the iuyce thereof into his owne Coffers DEVON-SHIRE CHAPTER IX DEVON-SHIRE by the Cornish Britaines called Deuinan and by contraction of the vulgar Denshire is not deriued from the Danes as some would haue it but from the people Danmonij the same we will speake of in Cornwall and whom Ptolemie hath seated in these Westerne Borders 2 The West of this County is bounded altogether by the Riuer Tamar the East is held in with the verge of Somerset-shire and the North and South sides are washed wholy with the British and Severne Seas Betwixt whose shoares from Cunshere in the North vnto Salcombe Hauen entering in at the South are fiftie fiue miles and from the Hartland Point West to Thorncombe East are fiftie foure the whole Circumference about two hundred and two miles 3 The Ayre is sharpe healthfull and good the Soile is hilly
Henry the first most stately beautified with a rich Monastery and strong Castle where in the Collegiate Church of the Abbey himselfe and Queene who lay both veiled and crowned with their daughter Maud the Empresse called the Lady of England were interred as the priuate History of the place auoucheth though others bestow the bodies of these two Queenes else-where The Castle King Henry the second razed to the ground because it was the refuge for the followers of King Stephen From whence the North-pole is raised in Latitude 51 degrees and 40 minutes and in Longitude from the first West-point obserued by Mercator 19 degrees and 35. minutes 7 A Castle and Towne of greater strength and antiquitie was Wallingford by Antonie and Ptolemie called Galtena the chiefest Citie of the Attribatians whose large circuit and strong fortifications shew plainly that it was a place of the Romans abode and since in a conceiued safetie hath made many very bold especially when the sparkes of Englands ciuill dissentions were forced to flame in case of the Crowne betwixt Maud the Empresse and King Stephen whither her selfe and associates resorted as their surest defence 8 But of farre greater magnificence and state is the Castle of Windsor a most Princely Palace and Mansion of his Maiestie I will not with Ieffrey affirme it to be built by King Arthur but with better authoritie say it was so thirsted after by the Conquerour that by a composition with the Abbat of Westminster whose then it was he made it to be the Kings Possession as a Place besides the pleasures very commodious to entertaine the King In this Castle that victorious Prince King Edward the third was borne and herein after he had subdued the French and Scots held he at one and the same time as his Prisoners Iohn King of France and Dauid King of Scotland Neither was it euer graced with greater Maiestie then by the institution of the most honourable Order of the Garter a signall Ornament of Martiall Prowesse the inuention thereof some ascribe to be from a Garter falling from his Queene or rather from Ioan Countesse of Salisbury a Lady of an incomparable beautie as she danced before him whereat the by-standers smâ—â—ing he gaue the impresse to checke all euill conceits and in golden Letters imbelished the Garter with this French Posie HONI SOIT QVI MALY PENSE And yet that worthy Clarenceaux alledging the booke of the first institution findes the inuention to be more ancient as when King Richard the first warred against the Turkes Saracens Cypres and Acon he girt the legs of certaine choise Knights with a tache of leather which promised a future glory to the wearers The most Princely Chappell thereof is graced with the bodies of those two great Kings Henry the sixt and Edward the fourth whom the whole Kingdome was too little to containo the one of Lancaster the other of Yorke where they rest now vnited in one mould with a branch of both those Houses euen King Henry the eight who there lyeth also interred and rests in the Lord. 9 Other places of note in this Shire are Sinodum in the North and Watham in the East both of them places of the Romans residence as by their monyes these oftentimes found appeareth Neither was Sunning the least in this Tract that had beene the Seat of eight Bishops before the See was translated thence vnto Shirburne or that to Salisbury Wantage also is not wanting of honour in bringing to life that learned and most valiant King Ealfred the scourge of the Danes and great Monarch of the English And Finchhamsted for wonder inferiour to none where as our Writers doe witnesse that in the yeare a thousand one hundred a Well boyled vp with streames of bloud and fifteene dayes together continued that Spring whose waters made red all others where they came to the great amazement of the beholders 10 The riches and sweet seats that this Country affordeth made many deuout persons to shew their deuotions vnto true pietie in erecting places for Gods diuine seruice and their exemptions from all worldly businesse such were Abington Redding Bysham Bromehall Henâ—ey Hamme and Wallingford whose Vâ—tarie abusing the intents of their Founders ouerthrew both their owne Orders and places of professions all which were dissolued by Act of Parliament and giuen the King to dispose at his will MIDDLESEX CHAPTER XIIII MIDDLESEX so called in regard of the situation as seated betwixt the West-Saxons and East-Angles was sometimes together with Essex and Hartford-shire that part and portion which the East Saxons enioyed for their Kingdome it lyeth bordered vpon the North with Hartford shire vpon the West by Colne is seuered from Buckingham the South by Thamesis from Surrey and Kent and on the East from Essex by the Riuer Lea. 2 The length thereof extended from 〈◊〉 in the East to Morehall vpon Colne in the West is by measure nineteene English miles and from South 〈◊〉 in the North to his Majesties Mannour of Hampton-Court in the South are little aboue sixteene miles the whole Circumference extending to ninetie miles 3 In foâ—â—e it is almost square for ayre passing temperate for soile abundantly fertile and for pasturage and graine of all kindes yeelding the best so that the Wheat of this Countie hath serued a long time for the manchâ—t to our Princes Table 4 It lyeth seated in a vale most wholesome and rich hauing some hils also and them of good 〈◊〉 from whose tops the prospect of the whole is seene like vnto Zoar in Egypt or rather like a Paradise and Garden of God 5 The ancient Inhabitants knowne to Caesar were the Trinobants whom he nameth to be the most puissant in the Iland whose chiefe Citie and State yeelding him subiection made the whole with lesse losse to the Romans to beare the yoke of their owne bondage and to come in vnder termes of truce But when their forces in these parts were spent and the Empire shaken by intestine warres the Saxons setting their eyes vpon so faire a soile made their footing as sure herein which lastly with Hartford and Essex was the portion of the East-Saxons Kingdome 6 Fiue Princely Houses inheritable to the English Crowne are seated in this Shire which are Enfield Hanworth White-hall S. Iames and Hampton-Court a Citie rather in shew then the Palace of a Prince and for stately Port and gorgeous building not inferiour to any in Europe At Thistleworth once stood the Palace of Richard King of the Romans Earle of Cornewall which the Londâ—ner in a tumultuous broile burned to the ground many other stately Houses of our English Nobilitie Knights and Gentlemen as also of the worshipfull Citizens of London are in this Shire so sumptuously built and pleasantly seated as the like in the like circuit are no where else to be found Neere vnto Thamesis entrance into this Countie is kept the remembrance of Caesars entrance ouer Thamesis by the name of Coway-Stakes stucke fast in the bottome to
and the Trinobantes as their Writers declare and in the Heptarâ—hy was possessed by the East-Saxons excepting some small portion thereof that the Mercian Kings enioyned The Danes also in their ouer-runnings sought to stay themselues in this Shire and at Ware then Weare pitched downe their rest and hope for passing the Lea in their light Pinnaces and Shallops raised therein a Fort which maugre the English they kept vntill that by the wise police of King Elfred that Riuer was parted into to more running streames whereby their Ships perished and they intercepted both of prouision and farther supply 5 The Romans before them had made Verolaxium in this Shire their greatest for account which in Neroes time was a Municipiall as Nimus in his Catalogue of Cities doth call it or as Tacitus a Free Towne sacked by Boduo that euer eternized Queene of the Ictanians when seuenty thousand of the Romans and Consecrates by her reuenging sword perished the site and circuit whereof in this Card we haue set according to our view and measure there taken whose magnificence for Port and stately Architecture were found by her large and arched Vaults in the dayes of King Edgar which were digged into and cast downe by 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 Abbots of S. Albanes for that they were the receptacles and lurking holes of 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 the ruines of which haue raised the beautie of her suruiuing and faire S. Albanes where 〈◊〉 the great Mercian in great deuotion built a most stately 〈◊〉 whose Church yet standing retaineth the ashes of many Nobles there slaine in the quarrell of Yorke and Lancaster and a Font of solid brasse brought out of Scotland by Sir Richara Lea from the siege of Lâ—eth 6 Many other Townes both for Commerce stately Buildings and of ancient Record this Shire affordeth whereof Hertford though the Shire-Towne is not the richest the passage thorow Ware hath left her wayes so vntrodden to preuent which in former times that Riuer at Ware was chained vp and the Bayliffe of Hertford had the custody of the Key which howsoeuer they haue lost yet hath the Towne gotten her Gouernour to be preferred from the name of a Bilisse vnto a Maior assisted with nine Burgâ—sses a Recorder and two Sergeants their Attendants Herein a Castle for situation pleasant for Trench Walles and Riuer sufficiently fenced was lately seene but marked to destinie as the Towne to decay hath found the hand of Fortune to ouermatch her strength and to ruinate the Priory S. Nicholas and S. Maries Churches besides a Cell of S. Albanes Monkes that therein were seated The like fate fals vnto Hemsled and her faire Castle wherein Richard King of the Romans left his life Yet Lingely is graced both in the birth of Prince Edmund the fifth sonne to King Edward the third and the buriall of Richard the second that vnfortunate King who in the Cell of Fryers Preachers was there first buried but afterwards remooued and enshrined at Westminster And in another Langley neere the East from thence was borne that Pontificall Break-speare Bishop of Rome knowne by the name of Hadrian the fourth and famous for his stirrup-holding by Fredericke the Emperour whose breath was lastly stopped by a Flie that flew into his mouth 7 The ciuill Battles that in this Shire haue beene sought in the Map it selfe are inserted and therefore here omitted but the more ancient remembred vnto vs by Osister-hill neere S. Albans whom the judicious Combden supposeth to haue beene the Campe of Ostorius the second Lieutenant and Subdueâ— of great Caractatus as also seuen small round Hils betwixt Sieuennedge and Kuâ—â—worth in which are supposed some Romane Souldiers to lie buried 8 Religious Houses built and suppressed the chiefest for account in this Shire were S. Albans Roâ—ston Ware Sopwell Langeley besides them at Hertford whom Beda cals Horudford which Cities graduation is distant and remoued from the Equator 52. degrees 5. minutes of Latitude and set from the first point of the West according to Mercator in the 20 degree 29. minutes of Longitude The â—â—â—domes whereof were enioyed onely by thoâ—â— two honourable 〈◊〉 whose atchieuements we haue also therein expressed BEDFORD-SHIRE CHAPTER XX. BEDFORD-SHIRE seated in the South-East of this Iland is a plaine and champion Country and lyeth bounded vpon the North with Huntington-shire vpon the East with Cambridge and Hartford-shires vpon the South with Hartford and Buckingham-shires and vpon the West with Buckingham and Northampton-shires 2 The forme thereof is somwhat ouall and not very large for from Tilbroke in the North vnto Stuâ—â—am in the South are but twentie-foure English miles and from Turny in the West vnto Hatley Coking in the East are not fully foureteene the whole in Circumference about seauenty three miles 3 The Ayre is temperate and the Soile bounteous especially the North whose Borders the fruitfull Ouse with her many windings watereth The South is more leane and with greater industry bringeth forth Barley no better else-where Generally this County is Champion though some places be sprinkled with Pasturage and Woods 4 The ancient Inhabitants knowne to the Romanes that held in this Shire were part of the Cattieuchlani a stout and warre-strring people and yet vpon the report of Caesars proceeding sent him their subiection for peace But when that conquering Nation had brought Britaine into a Prouince vnder Rome their Legions lay at Selenae and Magintum which are now Sandy and Dunstable places of memorable note in this Shire After them the Saxons coueting for so faire a Seate first dispossessed the Britaines vnder the leading of Cuthwulfe the West-Saxon about the yeare of Grace 572. who making it their owne was lastly enioyed by the Mercians as a part of their Kingdome 5 In the yeare of Christs Incarnation 1399 immediately before those Ciuill Warres that rent in pieces the peace of this Land betweene the Princes of Lancaster and Yorke the Riuer Ouse neere vnto Harwood stood sodainly still and refrained to passe any farther so that forward men passed three miles together on foot in the very depth of her Channell and backward the waters swelled vnto a great height which was obserued by the judicious to foretell some vnkinde diuision that shortly should arise 6 This Countie among the common calamities of the Land when it lay trampied vnder the fect of the Danes sustained a part and after that in the time of King Stephen when the Ciuill Warres thundred betwixt Maud the Empresse and himselfe the Shire-Towne was sore wasted with great slaughter of men So when the Barons forsooke their allegeance to King Iohn the Towne and Castle were rendred vp vnto their hands and lastly by King Henry the third laid leuell euen with the ground some ruinous walles appearing towards the Ouse but not a stone left vpon the Mount where stood his foundation 7 This Towne by the Britaine 's was called Lettidur and of vs Bedford being the chiefest in the Countie from whom it taketh the name and is most fruitfull and
chiefe Citie Worcester 5 Which is most pleasantly seated passing well frequented and very richly inhabited This was the Branouium mentioned by Antouine and Ptolemie called by the Britaines Caer-Wrangon by Ninius Caer-Cuorcon and by the Latines Vigornia This Citie is seated vpon the East banke of Seuerne and from the same is walled in triangle-wise about extending in circuit one thousand sixe hundred and fiftie paces thorow which seauen Gates enter with fiue other Watch Towers for defence It is thought the Romanes built this to restraine the Bertaines that held 〈◊〉 beyond Seutrâ—e This Citie by Hardy Canute in the yeare of Christ 1041. was sorely endangered and set on fire and the Citizens slaine almost euery one for that they had killed his Collector of the Danish Tribute yet it was presently repaired and peopled with many Burgesses and for fifteene Hides discharged it selfe to the Conquerour as in his Doomesdayes is to be seene But in the yeare 1113. a sodaine fire happened no man knew how which burnt the Castle and Cathedrall Church Likewise in the ciuill hroyles of King Stephen it was twice lighted into a flame and the later laid it hopelesse of recouery Notwithstanding from those dead Ashes a new Phenix arose and her building raised in a more stately proportion especially the Cathedrall dedicated to S. Mary first laid by Bishop Sexwolfe in Anno 680 since when it hath beene augmented almost to the Riuer In the midst of whose Quire from his many turmoiles resteth the body of King Iohn the great with-stander of the Popes proceedings vnder a Monument of white Marble in Princely Vestures with his portraiture thereon according to life And in the South-side of the same Quire lyeth intombed Prince Arthur the eldest Sonne to King Henry the seauenth his Monument is all blacke Iette without remembrance of him by Picture This City is gouerned by two Bailiffes two Aldermen two Chamberlaines and two Constables yearely elected out of twentie-foure Burgesses clothed in Scarlet assisted with fortie-eight other Citizens whom they call their Common Counsellors clad in Purple a Recorder Towne-Clerke and fiue Sergeants with Mace their Attendants Whos 's Geographichall Position is distant in Longitude from the West-Meridian 18. degrees 10. scruples hauing the North-Pole cleuated in Latitude 52. degrees and 32. scruples 6 Places of further note for memorable antiquitie is Vpton of great account in the Romane time wheresome of their Legions kept as witnesse their Monies there often found the admirable Ditch vpon Maluerne hils drawne by Gilbert Clare Earle of Glocester to diuide his Lands from the Church of Worcester the Saxons our Augustines Oke where he the English Apostle met with the British Bishops for the vniforme celebration of Easter from whence both parts departed with discontented minds after many hot word and thwarting disputes 7 Neither is it without admiration to me that many places of this Shire lye farre within the Precincts of other Prouinces as Aulston Washbornes Cuttesden Paxford Hanging Easton Northwickâ— Blockley Burlode in Glocester-shire and Goldcote Aldermerston Newbold Treddenton Armiscote Blackwell Darlings-cote Shiâ—â—â— Tydâ—â—ton Olbarrow in Warwick-shire Dudley in Stafford-shire and Rochford in Hereford-shire whither I must referre the Reader to finde out these and the like in these Westerne Tracts 8 Religious places erected in this Shire and deuoted vnto God by deuout persons were Bredon Brodlege Euesholme Alnecester Cochell Fladbury Maluerin Pershore Stodlege Westwoods and Worcester plenteously prouided for and further secured by many priuiledges both which they abused as were the inditements of all such in the dayes of King Henry the eight at whose Barre himselfe being Iudge they were found guiltie and receiued sentence of their ends and destruction 9 Castles for defence built in this County ruinate or in strength were Hartlebury Holt Handley Norton Elmeley and Worcester besides his Majesties Mannour of Tichnell VVARWICKE-SHIRE CHAPTER XXVI VVARVVICKE-SHIRE so called from her Shire-Towne is bounded vpon the North with the Countie of Stafford vpon the East with Watling-street-way is parted from Leicester shire and the rest bordered vpon by Northampton shire the South part is butted by Oxford and Glocester shires and all her West with the Countie of Worcester 2 The forme thereof is not much vnlike to a Scallop shell growing from her Westerne head and spreading her body wider with many indents The length thereof from Newton in the North to Lâ—ug Compton in the South are miles thirtie and three and the broadest part of this Shire is from Hâ—well grange in the West vnto Hill morton in the East distant asunder twentie fiue miles the whole in Circumference about one hundred thirtie and fiue miles 3 This Shire is sited neere vnto the heart of all England and therefore participates with her in the best both for ayre and soyle wanting nothing for profit or pleasure for man The South part from Auon that runneth thorow the midst of this Countie is called the Feldon as more champion and tractable to be stirred for Corne which yearely yeeldeth such plentifull haruest that the husbandman smâ—â—th in beholding his paines and the medowing pastures with their greene mantles so imbrodred with flowers that from Edg-hill we may behold another Eden as Lot did the Plaine of Iordon before that Sodome fell The Woodland lyeth vpon the North of Auon so called in regard of the plentie of Woods which now are much thinner by the making of Iron and the soile more churlish to yeeld to the Plough 4 The ancient people that possessed this Prouince are by Ptolemies description called the Cornaâ—â—ij wherein after were seated the Mercian-Saxons a part of whose Kingdome it was and greatly sought after by the West-Saxons whose King Cuthred about the yeare of Christ Iesus 749 in Battle slew Ethelbald at Seckington neere vnto Taâ—worth And not farre from thence King Edward the 4. as vnfortunately sought against that stout make-King Richard Neuil Earle of Warwicke neere vnto which vpon Blacklow-hill Pierce Gaueston that proud and new-raised Earle of Cornwall was beheaded by Guy Earle of Warwicke assisted with the Earles of Lancaster and Hereford And surely by the testimony of Iohn Rosse and others this County hath beene better replenished with people who maketh complaint of whole Towneships depopulations altogether laid waste by a puissant Armie of feeding sheepe 5 Notwithstanding many faire Townes it hath and some of them matchable to the most of England The chiefe thereof is Couentree a Citie both stately for building and walled for defence whose Citizens hauing highly offended their first Lord Leofricke had their priuiledges infringed and themselues oppressed with many hauie Tributes whose wife Lady Godina pitying their estates vnceslantly sued for their peace and that with such importunacie as hardly could be said whether was greater his hatred or her loue at last ouercome with her continuall intercessions he granted her suir vpon an vnciuill and as he thought an vnacceptable condition which was that she should ride naked thorow the face of the
Ocean all along pestered with inlets of salt waters and sands which are neither firme nor safe for trauellers as those in the South proued vnto King Iohn who matching North-ward from Northfolke against his disloyall Barons vpon those washes 〈…〉 and carriage by the sodaine returne of the Sea and sofenesse of the sands 5 Her Soile vpon the West and North is abundantly 〈◊〉 pleasant 〈…〉 pasturage areable and meadowing grounds the East and South fenny and 〈…〉 barren but for fowle and fish exceeding any other in the Realme wherein at some times and season of the yeare hath beene taken in nets in August at one draught aboue three thousand Mallards and other Fowles of the like kinde 6 The Shires commodities consist chiefly in Corne Cattle Fish Fowle Flax and Alablaster as also in a Plaister much esteemed of by the Romans for their workes of Imagery and whereof Plinie in his Naturall History maketh mention And the Astroites a precious stone Star-like pointed with fiue beames or rayes anciently esteemed for their vertue in victories vpon the South-west of this County neere Beuer are found not farre thence in our Fathers memory at Harlaxton was ploughed vp a brasen vessell wherein was inclosed a golden Helmet of an ancient fashion set with precious stones which was presented to Kathren of Spaine Wife and Dowager to King Henry the eight 7 This Shire triumpheth in the births of Beauclerke King Henry the first whom Selby brought forth and of King Henry the fourth at Bullingbrooke borne but may as iustly lament for the death of King Iohn herein poysoned by Sâ—non a Monke of Swynsted Abbey and of Queene Eleanor wife to King Edward the first the mirrour of wedlocke and loue to the Commons who at Hardby neere Bullingbrooke his birth place ended her life 8 Trade and commerce for prouision of life is vented thorow thirtie one Market-Townes in this Shire whereof Lincolne the Counties namer is chiefe by Ptolemie and Antonine called Lindum by Beda Linde-collma and by the Normans Nichol. Very ancient it is and hath beene more magnificall as by her many ouerturned ruines doth appeare and farre more populous as by Demesdayes Booke is seene where it is recorded that this Citie contained a thousand and seauen Mansions and nine hundred Burgesses with twelue Lage-men hauing Sac and Soc. And in the Normans time saith Malmesbury it was one of the best peopled Cities of England being a place for trafficke of Merchandize for all commerce by Land or Sea Herein King Edward the third ordained his Staple for the Mart of Wools Leather and Lead and no lesse then fiftie Parish Churches did beautifie the same but now containeth onely fifteene besides the Cathedrall Some ruines yet remaines both of Frieries and Nunneries who lye now buried in their owne ashes and the Citie conquered not by warre but by time and very age and yet hath she not escaped the calamitie of sword as in the time of the Saxons whence Arthur enforced their Host the like also did Edmund to the destroying Danes and by the Normans it suffered some dammage where King Stephen was vanquished and taken prisoner and againe by the third Henry that assaulted and wan it from his rebellious Barons By fire likewise it was fore defaced wherein not onely the buildings were consumed but withall many men and women in the violence thereof perished as also by an Earth-quake her foundation was much weakened and shaken wherein the faire Cathedrall Church dedicated to the Virgin of Virgins was rent in peeces The gouernment of this Citie is committed yearely to a Maior tow Sheriffes twelue Aldermen in Scarlet a Sword a Hat of Estate a Recorder Sword-bearer and foure Sergeants with Maces whose situation on a sleepe hill standeth for Longitude in the degree 20. 10. scruples the Pole eleuated for Latitude from the degree 53. and 50. scruples 9 Much hath beene the deuotion of Princes in building religious houses in this Countie as at Crowland Lincolne Markeby Leyborne Grenfeld Aluingham Newnersby Grymmysby Newsted Elsham Stayâ—feld Syxhyll Torkesey Bryggerd Thorneholme Nuncotton Fosse Heyings Axholme I le Goykewell S. Michaels neere Stamford Swynâ—shead Spalding Kirkested c. 10 Commotions in this Shire were raysed the eight and twentieth of King Henry the Eight where twentie thousand making insurrection violently sware certaine Lords and Gentlemen to their Articles But no sooner they heard of the Kings power comming but that they dispersed themselues and sued for pardon And againe in the third yeare of King Edward the Sixt in case of Inclosuâ—es Lincolne rose in seditious manner as did they of Cornwall Deuon-shire York-shire and Norfolke but after some flaughters of their chiefest men were reduced to former obedience NOTTINGHAM-SHIRE CHAPTER XXXII NOTTINGHAM-SHIRE from Nottingham her chiefest Towne hath the name and that somewhat softned from the Saxons Snoddenzaham for the many Dennes or Caues wrought in her Rocks and vnder ground lyeth bordered vpon the North North west with York-shire vpon the East a good distance by Trent is parted froM and with Lincoln-shire altogether confined the South with Leicester-shire and the West by the Riuer Erwash is seperated from Darby-shire 2 For forme long and Ouall-wise doubling in length twice her bredth whose extreames are thus extended and distance obserued From Finingley North to Sleanford in the South are thirtie eight English miles her West part from Teuersall to Besthorp in the East are little more then nineteene whose circumference draweth much vpon one hundred and ten miles 3 The Ayre is good wholesome and delectable the Soile is rich sandy and clayie as by the names of that Counties diuisions may appeare and surely for Corne and Grasse so fruitfull that it secondeth any other in the Realme and for Water Woods and Canell Coales abundantly stored 4 Therein groweth a Stone softer then Alablaster but being burnt maketh a plaister harder then that of Paris wherewith they flower their vpper roomes for betwixt the Ioysts they lay onely long Bulrushes and thereon spread this Plaister which being throughly dry becomes most solide and hard so that it seemeth rather to be firme stone then mortar and is trod vpon without all danger In the West neere Worksop groweth plentie of Liquorice very delicious and good 5 More South in this Shire at Stoke in the Raigne of King Henry the seauenth a great battle was fought by Iohn De-la-Pole Earle of Lincolne which Richard the Vsurper had declared his heire apparant but Richard losing his life and De-la Pole his hopes in seeking here to set vp a Lambert fell downe himselfe and at Newarke after many troubles King Iohn got his peace with the end of his life 6 Trade and commerce for the Counties prouision is frequented in eight Market-Townes in this Shire whereof Nottingham is both the greatest and best a Towne seated most pleasant and delicate vpon a high hill for buildings stately and number of faire streets surpassing and surmounting many other Cities and for a spacious and most faire
solitary combred with hilles as Copland is 3 The ayre is piercing and of a sharpe temperature and would be more biting were it not that those high hilles breake off the Northerne stormes and cold falling snowes 4 Notwithstanding rich is this Prouince and with great varieties thereof is replenished the hilles though rough yet smile vpon their beholders spread with sheepe and cattle the vallies stored with grasse and corne sufficient the Sea affordeth great store of fish the land ouer-spread with varietie of fowles and the Riuers feed a kinde of Muskle that bringeth forth Pearle where in the mouth of the Irt as they lie gaping and sucking in dew the Country people gather and sell to the Lapidaries to their owne little and the buyers great gaine But the Mines Royall of Copper whereof this Country yeeldeth much is for vse the richest of all the place is at Keswick and Newland where likewise the Blacke Lead is gotten whose plentie maketh it of no great esteeme otherwise a commoditie that could hardly be missed 5 The ancient Inhabitants knowne to the Romans were the Brigantes whom Ptolemie disperseth into Westmorland Richmond Durham York-shire and Lanca-shire But when the Saxons had ouer borne the Britaines and forced them out of the best to seeke their resting among the vast Mountaines these by them were entred into where they held play with those enemies maugre their force and from them as Mariama doth witnesse the Land was called Cumber of those Kumbri the Britaines But when the State of the Saxons was fore shaken by the Danes this Cumberland was accounted a Kingdome it selfe for so the Flower-gatherer of Westminster recordeth King Edmund saith he with the helpe of Leoline Prince of South-Wales wasted all Cumberland and hauing put out the eyes of the two sonnes of Dunmail King of that Prouince granted that Kingdome vnto Molcolm King of Scots whereof their eldest sonnes became Prefects This Prouince King Stephen to purchase fauour with the Scots what time he stood in most need of ayd confirmed by gift vnder their Crowne which Henry the second notwithstanding made claime vnto and got as Newbrigensis writeth and laid it againe in the Marches of England since when many bickerings betwixt these Nations herein haue hapned but none so sore against the Scotish side as was that at Sallome-Mosse where their Nobilitie disdaining their Generall Oliuer Sinclere gaue ouer the Battle and yeelded themselues to the English which dishonour pierâ—ed so deeply into the heart of King Iames the fift that for griefe thereof he shortly after died 6 Many memorable Antiquities remaine and haue beene found in this County for it being the Confines of the Romans Possessions was continually secured by their Garrisons where remaine aâ— this day parts of that admirable wall built by Seuerâ—s also another Fortification from Wâ—rkinton to Elus Mouth vpon the Sea-shoare toward Ireland by Stilico raised when vnder Theodosius he suppressed the rage of the Picts and Irish and freed the Seas of the Saxons Pirats Vpon Hard-knot hill Moresby Old Carleil Pap-castle along the Wall and in many other places their ruines remaine with altars and Inscriptions of their Captaines and Colonies whereof many haue beene found and more as yet lie hid 7 The chiefest Citie in this Shire is Carlile pleasantly seated betwixt the Riuers Eden Petterell and Caud by the Romans called Luguvallum by Beda Luell by Ptolemy Leucopibia by Nuâ—tuâ— Caer-Luâ—lid and by vs Carlile This Citie flourishing vnder the Romans at their departure by the furious outrages of the Scots and Picts was deiected yet in the dayes of Egfrid King of Northumberland was walled about but againe defaced by the ouer-running Danes lay buried in her owne ashes the space of two hundred yeares vpon whose ruines at length Rufus set his compassionate eye and built there the Castle planting a Colony of Flemings to secure the Coasts from the Scots but vpon better aduisement remoued them into Wales After him Henry his brother and successour ordained this Citie for an Episcopall See whose site is placed in the degree of Longitude from the first West part 17. and 2. scruples and the Pole thence eleuated from the degree of Latitude 55. and 56. scruples 8 West from hence at Burgh vpon the sand was the fatall end of our famous Monarch King Edward the first who there leauing his warres vnfinished against Scotland left his troubles and soone missed life to his vntimely and soone lamented death 9 And at Salkelds vpon the Riuer Eden a Monument of seuentie seuen stones each of them ten foot high aboue ground and one of them at the entrance fifteene as a Trophie of Victory was erected These are by the By-dwellers called Long Megge and her daughters NORTHVMBERLAND CHAPTER XLII THe County of Northumberland hath on the South the Bishopricke of Durham being shut in with the Riuer Derwent and with Tyne the North is confined vpon Scotland the West vpon part of Scotland and part of Cumberland the East-side lyeth altogether vpon the Sea called Mare-Germanicum 2 The forme thereof is Triangle and differs not much in the sidings for from her South-East vnto the South-West-point are neere vnto 40. miles from thence to 〈◊〉 North-point are sixty miles and her base along the Sea-shoare 45. miles The whole in circumâ—â—â—â— is about one hundred fortie fiue miles 3 The Ayre must needs be subtile and piercing for that the Northernly parts are most exposed to extremitie of weathers as great winds hard frosts and long lying of snowes c. Yet would it be farre more sharper then it is were not the Germane Seas a ready meanes to further the dissolution of her Ice and Snow and the plentie of Coales there gotten a great helpe to comfort the body with warmth and defend the bitter coldnesse 4 The Soile cannot be rich hauing neither fertilitie of ground for Corne or Cattle the most part of it being rough and in euery place hard to be manured saue onely towards the Sea and the Riuer Tyne where by the great diligence and industrious paines of good husbandry that part is become very fruitfull 5 The ancient Inhabitants of this Country mentioned by Ptolemie were called OTTALINI OTTADENI and OTTADINI which by an easie alteration as M. Cambden saith if it had â—ene called OTTATINI signifying about the Riuer Tyne or on the further side of Tyne 〈…〉 this people were planted there would haue beene much consonance both with the name of the Inhabitants and the Position and Site of the Prouince 6 The chiefest commoditie that enricheth this Countie are those Stones Linthancraces which we call Sea-coales whereof there is such plentie and abundance digged vp as they doe not onely returne a great gaine to the Inhabitants but procure also much pleasure and profit to others 7 No place of this Prouince vents forth so many of these Sea-coales into other regions as Newcastle doth being the very eye of all the Townes in this County for it doth not onely minister reliefe
too chilling cold not too scorching hot The soyle in some parts is hilly looking 〈◊〉 with wooddy wilde and solitary mountaines yet the vallies below are garnished with Corne-fields And generally all both pleasant for fight and fertile for soile 4 This Prouince is at this day diuided into two parts that is the West Mounster and the South Mounster The West Mounster was inhabited iâ— old 〈◊〉 by the 〈◊〉 the Velabri and the Vteriâ—â— the South Mounster by the Oudiâ—â— or 〈◊〉 and the Coriâ—ndi The Velabri and 〈◊〉 are said by Orosius to haue dwelt in that part of the Country where it lyeth outmost Westward and passing towards the Cantabrian Ocean looketh a farre off to Gallitia in Spaine The Luceni of Ireland who seeme to haue deriued their name and originall from the Lucenâ—â— of Gallâ—tia and of whom there still remaine some reliques in the Barony of Lyxnoâ—â— are supposed to haue bin seated in those parts that lie neighbouring vpon the banke of the Riuer Shemon 5 The generall Commodities of this Prouince are Corne Cattle Wood Wooll and Fish The last whereof it affords in euery place plenty abundance of all sorts But none so well knowne for the store of Herrings that are taken there as is the Promontory called Eraugh that lies betweene Bantre and Ballatimore Bay whereunto euery yeare a great Fleet of Spaniards and Portugals resort euen in the middest of Winter to fish also for Cods 6 The principall Citie of the Prouince is Limericke which the Irish call Loumeagh compassed about with the famous Riuer Shennon by the parting of the Channell This is a Bishops See and the very Mart-Towne of Mounster It was first wonne by Reymond le Grosse an Englishman afterwards burnt by Duncnald an Irish petty King of Thuetmond Then in processe of time Philip Breos an Englishman was infeoffed in it and King Iohn fortified it with a Castle which he caused therein to be built In this Castle certaine Hostages making their abode in the yeare 1332 grew as is reported so full of pride and insolency that they flew the Constable thereof and seized the Castle into their owne hands But the resolute Citizens that could neither brooke nor beare with such barbareus crueltie did in reuenge then shew such manly courage and viuacitie as they soone after recouered the Castle againe repaying the Hostages in such hostile manner as that they put them all to the sword without partialitie The position of this Towne is by Mercator placed for Latitude 53. degrees 20. minutes and for Longitude 9. degrees and 34. minutes Neere vnto the Riuer that Ptolemy calleth Daucona and Giraldus Cambrensis by the alteration of some few letters nameth Sauranus and Sauarenus which issueth out of Muskerey Mountaines is seated the Citie Corke graced also with another Episcopall dignitie and with the Bishops See of Clon annexed vnto it which Giraldus calleth Corragia the Englishmen Corke the natiue Inhabitants of the Country Coreach This Towne is so beset on euery side with neighbouring molesters as that they are still constrained to keepe watch and ward as if there lay continuall siege against it The Citizens of this place are all linkt together in some one or other degree of affinitie for that they dare not match their daughters in marriage into the Country but make contracts of matrimony one with another among themselues In this place that holy and religious man Briock is said to haue his birth and breeding who flourished among the Gaules in that fruitfull age of Christianitie and from whom the Diocesse of Sanbrâ—och in Britaine Armorua commonly called S Brieu had the denomination 7 The Citie which the Irish and Britaines call Porthlargy and the English Waterford though it be last in place yet is it not least in account as being the second Citie of all Ireland as well for the conuenience and commodiousnesse of the Hauen that affords such necessary aptitude for trade and traffique as also for the faithfull loyaltie which it hath alwayes shewed to the Imperiall Crowne of England for euer since it was wonne by Richard Earle of Pembrookâ— it still performed the obedience and peaceable offices of dutie and seruice vnto the English as they continued their course in the conquest of Ireland whence it is that the Kings of England haue from time to time endowed it with many large Franchises and Liberties which King Henry the seauenth did both augment and confirme 8 Although since the time of S. Patricke Christianitie was neuer extinct in this Country yet the gouernment being haled into contrary factions the Nobility lawlesâ—e and the multitude wilfull it hath come to passe that Religion hath waxed with the temporall common sort more cold and feeble being most of them very irreligious and addicted wholly to superstitious obseruations for in some parts of this Prouince some are of opinion that certaine men are yearely turned into Wolues and made Wolfe-men Though this hath beene constantly affirmed by such as thinke their censures worthy to passe for currant and credible yet let vs suppose that happily they be possessed with the disease and maladie that the Physicians call Lycanthropy which begetteth and engendreth such like phantasies through the malicious humours of Melancholy and so oftentimes men imagine themselues to be turned and transformed into formes which they are not Some againe embrace another ridiculous opinion and perswade themselues that he who in the barbarous acclamation and outcry of the Souldiers which they vse with great forcing and straining of their voices when they ioyne battaile doth not howte and make a noise as the rest doe is suddenly caught from the ground and carried as it were flying in the ayre out of any Country of Ireland into some desert vallies where he feedeth vpon grasse drinketh water hath some vse of reason but not of speech is ignorant of the present condition he stands in whether good or bad yet at length shall be brought to his own home being â—aught with the helpe of Hounds and Hunters Great pitie that the foule fiend and father of darknesse should so grieuously seduce this people with misbeliefe and that these errours be not chased away with the truth of Christian Religion whereby as they carry much grace in their countenances they may also not be void of the inward grace of their soules and vnderstanding 9 This Prouince hath beene fore wasted in the rebellions of Desmond to whose ayde Pope Gregory the thirteenth and Philip King of Spaine sent certaine companies of Italians and Spaniards who arriued not farre from Dingle fortified themselues gaue it the name of Fort de Ore founding loud threats against the whole Country But Aâ—â—â—ur 〈◊〉 Grey Lord Deputie of Ireland at the first onset decided their quarrell by sheathing his sword in their bowels and Desmond fearefully flying into the woods was by a Souldier cut shorter by the head And againe when the Kingdome of Ireland lay bleeding and put almost to the hazard of the last
betwixt whom are extended thirtie-foure miles The broadest part is from Awfold Southward to Thamisis by Stanes and them asunder twentie two the whole in circumference is one hundred and twelue miles 3 The Heauens breathing ayre in this Shire is most sweet and delectable so that for the same cause many royall Palaces of our Princes are therein seated and the Countrey better stored with game then with graine insomuch that this Countie is by some men compared vnto a home-spunne freeze cloth with a costly faire lift for that the out-verge doth exceed the middle itselfe And yet is it wealthy enough both in Corne and Pasturage especially in Hâ—â—esdale and towards the Riuer of Thamisis 4 In this Shire the Regni an ancient people mentioned by Ptolemie were seated whom he brancheth further thorow Sussex and some part of Hamp-shire And in the wane of the Romans gouernment when the Land was left to the will of Inuaders the South-Saxons vnder Ella here erected their Kingdome which with the first was raised and soonest found end From them no doubt the Courtie was named Suth-rey as seated vpon the South of the Riuer and now by contraction is called Surrey 5 And albeit the Countie is barren of Cities or Townes of great estate yet is she stored with many Princely Houses yea and fiue of his Majesties so magnificently built that of some she may well say no Shire hath none such as is None-such indeed And were not Richmond a fatall place of Englands best Princes it might in esteeme be ranked with the richest for therein died the great Conquerour of France King Edward the Third the beautifull Anne daughter to Charles the Fourth Emperour and intirely beloued wife to King Richard the Second the most wise Prince King Henry the Seuenth and the rarest of her Sexe the Mirrour of Princes Queene Elizabeth the worlds loue and Subiects joy 6 At Merton likewise Kenulph King of the West-Saxons came to his vntimely end and at Lambeth the hardre Canute and last of the Danish Kings died among his Cuppes But as these places were fatall for the last breath of these Princes so other in this Countie haue beene graced with the body and beginning of other worthy Monarkes for in Chertsâ—y Abbey King Henry the Sixth who was deposed and made away in the Tower of London was first interred without all funerall pompe but for his holy life was imputed a Saint and lastly translated and intombed at Windsore At Kingston likewise stood the Chaire of Maiestic wherein Athelstan Edwin and Ethelred sate at their Coronation and first receiued their Seepter of Imperiall Power Guildforâ— likewise hath beene farre greater then now it is when the Place of our English-Saxon Kingâ— was therein set And seeing it is the midst of the Shire the Graduation from hence shall be obserued where for Latitude the Pole is raised from the degree 51. 22. scruples and her Longitude from the West in the degree 20. and 2. scruples 7 Neither can we account Okam and Ripley two small Villages the least in this Shire which haue brought forth the well knowne men William de Okam that deepe Philosopher and admirable Scholar and George de Ripley the rung leader of our Alchymists and mysticall impostors both of them borne in this Countie and very neere together But why speake I of these sith a place neerer to sight and greater for fame euen Lambeth is the High Seat of Ecclesiasticall Gouernment Pietie and Learning and Palace of Canterburies Arch-bishops the Metropolitanâ— of England First erected by Archbishop Daldwin and euer since hath beene the residing of all those worthy Prelates of our Church who in a long succession euen from Anno 596 haue continued to him that now most worthily sits at the Churches sterne Richard by Gods prouidence Lord Archbishop of that See a most faithfull and prudent Counsellor vnto King IAMES and a most learned and prouident Guide of our most flourishing Church whose gracious fauour vndeseruedly conferred vpon me hath beene a great encouragement to these my poore endeuours 8 Memorable places for Battles sought before the Conquest were Wembledon where when the fulnesse of prosperitie burst forth into Ciuill Dissensions among the Saxons a bloudy Battle was fought betwixt Cheauâ—in the West-Saxon and young Ethelbert of Kent wherein he was discomfited and two of his principall Leaders slaine about the yeare of Christ 560. and three hundred thirtie three yeares after King Elfred with a small power ouercame the Danes with a great slaughter at Faruham in this Countie which somewhat quelled the courage of his sauage enemy 9 Religious Houses erected in this Shire by the deuotion of Princes and set apart ffom publike vses to Gods Diuine Seruice and their owne Saluation as then was taught the best in account were Sbene Chertsey Merton Newarke Rygate Wauerley Horsleg and in Southwarke Bermundsey and S. Maries These all flourished with increase till the ripeâ—esse of their fruit was so pleasing in sight and taste vnto King HENRY the Eight that in beating the boughes he brake downe body and all ruinating those houses and seazing their rich possessions into his owne hands So jealous is GOD of his honour and so great vengeance followeth the sinne of Idolatrie HANT-SHIRE CHAPTER VI. HANT-SHIRE lying vpon the West of England Is bordered vpon the North by Barkshire vpon the East with Surrey and Sussex vpon the South with the British Seas and I le of Wight and vpon the West with Dorset and Wilt-shires 2 The length thereof from Blackwater in the North vpon Surrey vnto Bascomb in the South vpon the Sea extended in a right line is fiftie foure English miles and the breadth drawne from Peters-field in the East vnto Tidworth in the West and confines of Wilt-shire is little lesse then thirtie miles the whole Circumference about one hundred fiftie and fiue miles 3 The Aire is temperate though somewhat thicke by reason of the Seas and the many Riuers that thorow the Shire doe fall whose plentie of fish and fruitfull increase doe manifoldly redeeme the harmes which they make 4 The Soile is rich for Corne and Cattle pleasant for pasturage and plenteous for woods in a word in all commodities either for Sea or Land blessed and happy 5 Hauens it hath and those commodious both to let in and to loose out Ships of great burthen in trade of Merchandise or other imployments whereof Portsmouth Tichfield Hamble and South-hampton are chiefe besides many other creeks that open their bosomes into those Seas and the Coast strengthned with many strong Castles such as Hurst Calshot South-hampton S. Andrewes Worth Porchester and the South Castle besides other Bulwarkes or Blockhouses that secure the Country and further in the Land as Malwood Winchester and Odiam so strong that in the time of King Iohn thirteene English-men onely defended the Fort for fifteene dayes against Lewis of France that with a great Host assaulted it most hotly 6 Anciently it was possest vpon the North by the
wooddy and fruitfull yet so as the hand of the Manurer must neuer be idle nor the purse of the Farmer neuer fast shut especially of them that are farre from the Sea whence they fetch a sand with charge and much trauell which being spread vpon the face of the earth bettereth the leannesse thereof for graine and giueth life to the Glebe with great efficacy 4 As Cornwall so this hath the same commodities that arise from the Seas and being more inlanded hath more commodious Hauens for Shâ—ppings entercourse among whom Totnes is famous for Brutes first entrance if Geffry say true or if Hauâ—llan the Poet tooke not a Poeticall libertie when speaking of Brute he wrote thus The Gods did guide his sayle and course the winds were at command And Totnes was the happie shoare where first he came on land But with more credit and lamentable euent the Danes at Teigne-mouth first entred for the inuasion of this Land about the yeare of Christ 787. vnto whom Brightrik King of the West-Saxons sent the Steward of his house to know their intents whom resistantly they slew yet were they forced backe to their Ships by the Inhabitants though long they stayed not but eagerly pursued their begun enterprises With more happie successe hath Plimouth set forth the purchasers of same and stopped the entrance of Englands Inuaders as in the Raigne of that eternized Queene the mirrour of Princes Elizabeth of euerlasting memory for from this Port Sir Francis Drake that potent man at Sea setting forth Anno 1577 in the space of two yeares and ten moneths did compasse the circle of the earth by Sea And the Lord Charles Howard Englands high Admirall did not onely from hence impeach the entrance of the proud inuincible Spanish Nauy intending inuasion and subuersion of State but with his Bullets so signed their passage that their sides did well shew in whose hands they had beene as seales of their owne shame and his high honour 5 The commodities of this Shire consist much in Wools and Clothings where the best and finest Kersies are made in the Land Corne is most plenteous in the fruitfull Vallies and Cattle spreading vpon the topped Hils Sea Fish and Fowle exceedingly abundant Veynes of Lead yea and some of Siluer in this Shire are found and the Load-stone not the least for vse and esteeme from the Rocks vpon Dart-more hath beene taken Many fresh Springs doe bubble from the Hils in this Prouince which with a longing desire of Socretie search out their passage till they meete and conjoyne in the Vallies and gathering still strength with more branches lastly grow bodyed able to beare Ships into the Land and to lodge them of great burthen in their Bosomes or Fals whereof Tamar Taue and Ex are the fairest and most commodious 6 Vpon which last the chiefe Citie and Shire-Towne of this Countie is seated and from that Riuer hath her name Excester this Citie by Ptolemie is called Isâ—a by the 〈…〉 Emperour Isâ—a Danmoniorum and by the We so 〈◊〉 It is pleasantly seated vpon the gentle â—scent of an hill so stately for building so rich with 〈…〉 strangers that a man can desire nothing but 〈…〉 The walls of this Citie first built by King 〈…〉 but towards the Ex rangeth almost in a straight line hauing six Gates for entrance and many 〈…〉 betwixt whose compasse containeth about fifteene hundred paces vpon the East part of this Citie standeth a Castle called Rugemont sometimes the Palace of the West-Saxon Kings and after them of the Earles of Cornwall whose prospect is pleasant vnto the 〈…〉 magnificent Cathedrall Church founded by King Athelstan also in the honour of S. Peter and by Edward the Confessor made the Bishops See which the remoued from 〈…〉 in this Countie vnto the Citie of Excester as saith the priuate History of that place whose â—â—â—apidations the reuerend Father in God William now Bishop of the Diocesse with great cost hath repaired whom I may not name without a most thankfull remembrance for the great benefits receiued by his carefull prouidence toward me and mine This Citie was so strong and so well stored of Britaines that they held out against the Saxons for 465. yeares after their first entrance and was not absolutely 〈◊〉 vntill Athelstan became Monarch of the whole who then peopled it with his Saxons and 〈◊〉 the beautie thereof with many faire buildings but in the times of the Danish desolations this Citie with the rest felt their destroying hands for in the yeare 875. it was by them fore afflicted spoyled and shaken and that most grieuously by Swane in the yeare of Christ Iesus 1003. who razed it downe from East to West so that scarcely had it gotten breath before William the bastard of Normandy besieged it against whom the Citizens with great manhood serued till a part of the wall fell downe of it selfe and that by the hand of Gods prouidence saith mine Author since when it hath beene three times besieged and with valiant resistance euer defended The first was by Hugh Courtney Earle of Deuenshire in the Ciuill broyles betwixt Lancaster and Yorke then by Perbin Warbeck that counterfeited Richard Duke of Yorke and lastly by the Cornish Rebels wherein although the Citizens were grieuously pinched with scarsitie yet continued they their faithfull allegeance vnto King Edward the sixt and at this day flourisheth in tranquillitie and wealth being gouerned by a Major twentie-foure Brethren with a Recorder Towne-Clerke and other Officers their Attendants This Cities graduation is set in the degree of Latitude from the North-Pole 50. and 45. scruples and for Longitude from the West to the degree 16. and 25. scruples Neither is Ioseph that excellent Poet whose birth was in this Citie the least of her Ornaments whose Writings bare so great credit that they were divulged in the Germane language vnder the name of Cornelius Nepos The like credit got Crediton in her birth-child Winefred the Apostle of the Hassians Thuringers and Frisians of Germany which were conuerted by him vnto the Gospell and knowledge of Christ 7 Places memorable in this Countie remaining for signes of Battles or other antiquities are these vpon Exmore certaine Monuments of Anticke-worke are erected which are stones pitched in order some triangle-wise and some in round compasse these no doubt were trophies of victories there obtained eyther by the Romans Saxons or Danes and with Danish letters one of them is inscribed giuing direction to such as should trauell that way Hublestowe likewise neere vnto the mouth of Tawe was the buriall place of Hubba the Dane who with his Brother Hungar had harried the English in diuers parts of the Land but lastly was there encountred with and slaine by this Shires Inhabitants and vnder a heape of copped stones interred and the Banner Reasen there and then taken that had so often beene spread in the Danes quarrell and wherein they reposed no small confidence for successe 8 A double dignitie remaineth in
35. minutes and for Longitude from the first West point 15. 13. minutes as Mercator hath measured them 9 Memorable matters both for antiquitie and strangenesse of sight are these At Boskeâ—â—â— vpon the South-west of her Promontorie is a Trophy erected which are eighteene Stones placed round in compasse and pitched twelue foot each from others with another farre bigger in the very center These doe shew some Victory there attained either by the Romans or els King Athelstane At the foot of the Rockes neere vnto S. Michaels Mount in the memory of our fathers were digged vp Speare-heads Axes and Swords of Brasse wrapped in linnen the weapons that the Cimbrians and ancient Britaines anciently vsed At Camelford likewise peices of Armours both for horse and man are many times found in digging of the ground imputed to be the signes of that fight wherein Mordred was slaine and wherein great Arthur receiued his deaths wound And at Casâ—le-Dennys are the Trenches wherein the Danes lodged when they first minded to subdue the Land In the Parish S Clare two stones are pitched one of them inscribed with a strange Character and the other called the other halfe stone The Hurlers also fabuled to be men metamorphosed into stones but in truth shew a note of some Victory or else are so set for Land-markes Bounders There also the Wring-cheese doth shew it selfe which are huge Rockes heaped one vpon another and the lowest of them the least fashioned like a Cheese lying pressed vnder the rest of those Hils which seemeth very dangerous to be passed vnder 〈◊〉 neere to Pensans and vnto Mounts-bay a faâ—â—e more strange Rocke standeth namely Main Amber which lyeth mounted vpon others of meaner size with so equall a counterpoize that a man may moue it with the push of his finger but no strength remoue it out of his place 10 Religious houses built and suppressed within the limits of Cornwall the fairest and greatest for account were Launston S. Neotes S. Buriens S. Michaels Mount and S. Germans a Bishopâ— See so was Bodman also from whence King Edward the Confessor remoued it vnto the Citie of Encester SVMMERSET-SHIRE CHAPTER XI SVVMMERSET-SHIRE is both a rich and spacious Countrey hauing the Seuerne Sea beating vpon it on the North-side the South part bordering vpon Deuon and Dorset shires the West confined with Deuon-shire and the East and North-East vpon Wiltshire and Gloucester-shire It tooke the name of Sommerton sometime the chiefe Towne of this Shire whence in the ancient Historian Asserius this Countie is called Sommertunensis that is Sommertun-shire 2 The forme thereof is large bearing it selfe still wider as it stretcheth into the middle part thereof and containes in length from Brackley neere vnto Frome-Selwood Eastward to Oure in the West Miles 55. In breadth from Porshut point in the North to Chard Southward is somewhat aboue fortie miles The whole circumference is about 204. miles 3 The ayre is milde and pleasing and for the most part subiect to such temperate dispositions as the Sommer-season affordeth whence some haue erroniously conceited that the Region borrowed her name from the nature of her Clime yet how delightefull so euer it is in the time of Sommer with change of the season it may well change her pleasing name and borrow some Winterly denomination so full of wet so myrie and moorish it is in so much as the Inhabitants can hardly trauell to and fro without their great encumbrance 4 Howbeit they passe ouer this with all patience knowing their ensuing seasonable profits farre to exceede any present detriments and displeasures for as it is foule so it is fruitfull which makes them comfort themselues with this Prouerbe that What is worst for the Rider is best for the Abider the Soyle and Globe thereof being very fertile and euery side garnished with Pastures and delightfull Meadowes and beautified with Mannor houses both many and fayre and in a word hath euery thing in it to content the purse the heart the eye at home and sufficient Ports to giue entertainment to commodities from abroad 5 The ancient Inhabitants that possessed this Prouince were the Belgae who spread themselues farre and wide as well here as in Wiltshire and the inner parts of Hamshire who being branched from the Germans conferred the names of those places from whence they came vpon these their seats where they resided 6 The generall profits of this Prouince are Corne and Cattle wherewith it is so plentifully stored as it may challenge any neighbouring Country for the quantitie to make shew of Cattle so fat or Graine so rich Some places are peculiarly enriched by Lead-mines as Mindiphiis perchance so called of the deepe Mynes by Leiland aptly tearmed Minerarij Minerall-hils which yeeld plenty of Lead the most Merchantable Commoditie that is in England and vented into all parts of the world Some are beautified with Diamons as S Vincent Rocke whereof there is great plentie and so bright of colour as they might equalize Indian Diamonds if they had their hardnesse yet being so many and so common they are lesse sought after or commended 7 This Country is famoused by three Cities Bath Wels and Bristow The first takes name of the hot Bathes which Antonine called Aqua Solis The waters of of the Sunne Stephanus Badiza we at this day Bathe and the Latinists Bathonia a place of continuall concourse for persons of all degrees and almost of all diseases whence it was sometimes called Akâ—man cester who by diuine prouidence doe very often finde reliefe there the Springs thereof by reason of their Minerall and sulphurous passage being of such exceeding power and medicinable heat as that they cure and conquer the rebellious stubbornnesse of corrupt humors in respect of which admirable vertues some haue fabled that they were first conuayed by Magicke Art To testifie the antiquitie of this place mâ—ny Images and Romane Inscriptions are found in the walles which can now be hardly read they are so worne and eaten into by age Wels as Leiland reporteth was sometimes called Theodorodunum but from whence it had that denomination he makes no mention The name it now beareth is taken as some thinke from the Riuer there which King Kinewulph in his Charter An 766. calleth Welwe or as others from the Welâ— or Springs which there breake forth and whereupon that See vnder whose Iurisdiction is also the Citie of Bath hath beene anciently called Pontanensis Ecclesiâ— the Fountaine-Church where the Cathedrall built by King Inas to the memory of S. Andrew is very beautifull and richly endowed The Citie is likewise well replenished both with Inhabitants and seemly buildings Whose gouernment is managed by a Major yearely elected a Recorder and seuen Maisters hauing the assistance of sixteene Burgesses a Towne-Clerke and two Sergeants at Mace Whose Latitude is 51. 20. minutes and Longitude 17. 31. minutes Bristow is not so ancient as it is faire and well seated The beautie of it being such as for the bignesse
retaineth to name Wodens-burg At this place in Anno 590. Ceaulin the West-Saxon receiued such a foyle of the Britaines and his Countrey-men that he was forced to forsake his Kingdome and to end his dayes in exile becomming a pittifull spectacle euen vnto his enemies And in this place Ina the West-Saxon joyned Battle with Ceolred the Mercian whence both of them departed with equall losse The like was at Bradford by Keâ—â—lwach and Cuthred at Wilton betwixt Egbert and Beornwolfe at Edindon where King Elfred was vanquisher of the Danes and at Wilton where the Danes wonne the day against him With as bloudy successe though not happening by sword was the issue of that Synod assembled at Colne a small Towne in this Countie in the yeare of Christ Iesus 977 where being hotly debating for the single life and against the marriages of the Clergie what wanted by the Word to proue their diuorce was supplyed by a Stratagem and that very bloudy for suddenly the maine timber brake and downe fell the floore with the Nobles and Prelates the Gentlemen and Commons whereby a great number were hurt and many more slaine onely Dunstan the President and mouth for the Monkes escaped vntouched the Ioist whereon his Chaire stood remaining most firme which confirmed the sentence of their separations whom God had conioyned and became the fall and snare of much incontinencie in both sexes 7 The chiefest Citie of this Shire is Salesburie remoued from a higher but a farre more conuenient place whose want of water was not so great in the mother as is supplied and replenished in the daughter euery street almost hauing a Riuer running thorow her middest and for sumptuous and delicate buildings is inferiour to none The Cathedrall a most rich magnificent Church was begun by Richard Poore Bishop and with fortie yeares continuante was raised to her perfect beautie wherein are as many windowes as there are dayes in the yeare as many cast pillars of Marble as there are houres in the yeare and as many gates for entrance as there are moneths in the yeare Neither doth this Citie retaine true honour to her selfe but imparteth hers and receiueth honour from others who are intituled Earles of Salesburie whereof eight noble Families haue beene dignified since the Normans Câ—â—quest This Cities situation is in the degree of Latitude 51. 10 minutes and from the first West point obserued by Mercator 18 Degrees and 31. minutes of Longitude 8 Ouer this old Salesburie sheweth it selfe where Kâ—nâ—â—k ouercame the Britaines and where Canutus the Dane did great dammage by fire This formerly had beene the Seat of the Romans as likewise was Lecham as by their Coines digged vp is apparant so were Brokenbridge and Cosham the Courts of the Saxon Kings But Fortune long since hath turned her face from all these as lately she did from many ancient and religious foundations planted in this Prouince whereof Malâ—â—esburie was the most famous I will not with Monmouth auouch the foundation thereof vnto Mulmutius but by true Records from Maidulph a Scot a man of great learning that therein built a Cell and lead an Hermits life whereof Beda calleth it the Citie of Maidulph and we by contraction Malmesburie Adelme his Disciple and Successor built here a faire Monastery which Athelstan the Monarch richly endowed and left his body after death there to rest Neither hath any graced this more then William her Monke in recording to posterities the Chronicles of our Land concerning both the Church and Common-weale wherein himselfe liued and wrote those Histories 9 Ambresburie for repute did second this built by Aâ—fritha King Edgar his wife to expiate the sinne of murder which she committed vpon yong Edward her sonne in law that hers might be King In this place Queene Eleanor widow to King Henry the third renounced all royall pompe and deuoted her selfe vnto God in the habit of a Nunne Other places erected for pietie were at Salesburie Lacock Stanley Wilton Luichurch Farnleg Bradstole Briopune and Brombore These grafts growne to full greatnesse were cut downe by the Pruiner least the cankers thereof should infect the whole body as by them was alledged and their Reuenewes bestowed vpon farre better vses both for the bringing vp of youth and the maintenance of estate BARK-SHIRE CHAPTER XIII BARK-SHIRE whether of the Eoâ—-woods there sited according to the censure of Asserius Meneuensis or from a naked and beare-lesse Oke-tree whereunto the people vsually resorted in troublesome times to conferte for the State I determine not onely the Countie a long time hath beene so called and bounded with other in manner as followeth The North-part is parted by Thamisis from Buckingham and Oxford-shires the South neere Kennet doth tract vpon Hampshire the East is confined with the Countie of Surrey and the West with Wiltshire and Glocestershire is held in 2 The forme of this Shire doth somewhat resemble a Sandall for a mans foot lying long-wise from East to West in which part she is broadest the middle most narrow and then spreading wider like to the heele though for her rich endowments and stately magnificence it may be well accounted the heart of the whole 3 The length thereof from Inglesham in the West to old Windsor in the East extendeth vnto fortie miles from Inkpen to Wightham the broadest part from South to North are twentie-foure the whole in Circumference about one hundred and twentie miles 4 The Ayre is temperate sweet and delightfull and prospect for pleasure inferiour to none the Soile is plenteous of corne especially in the Vale of White-horse that yeeldeth yearely an admirable encrease In a word for Corne and Cattle Waters and Woods of profit and pleasure it giues place vnto none 5 Her ancient Inhabitants by Ptolemie and Caesar were the Attrebatâ— and them of those that descended from Gallia among whom Comius conquered by the Dictator was of good respect and could doe much with the Britaines who as Frontinus reporteth vsed this stratagem though it proued nothing at last he flying before Caesar to recouer ayd of these Attrebatians light bedded vpon a shelfe in the Sea whereupon hoysting his sailes as before a fore-winde gaue shew to his pursuer that they were in swift flight so that hopelesse to hayle them he gaue ouer the chase yet no sooner had Caesar made ouer among them but that some of these people by name the Bibroces yeelded him subiection which prued the ruine of all former libertie But when the Romans had rent their owne Empire and retired their Legion into a narrower circuit the Saâ—â—ns set foot where their forces had beene and made this Countie a parcell of their Westerne Kingdome The Danes then setting their desire vpon spoiles from their â—oauing Pinnaces pierced into these parts and at Redding fortified themselues betwixt the Riuers Kennet and Thamâ—â—sis whither after their great ouerthrow receiued at Ingeâ—efield by the hand of King Ethelwolfe they retyred for their further safetie 6 This Towne King
abode the Iron-side in fight wherein so much bloud of the English was spilt that Canutus their King in remorse conscience built a Church in the place to pacifie God for the sinnes of his people But when the Normans had got the garland of the whole many of their Nobles there seated themselues whose posterities since both there and else-where are spread further abroad in the Realme 6 The Commodities that this Shire yeeldeth are many and great as of Woods Corne Cattle Fish Forests and Saffron which last groweth with such gaine and increase vpon her North parts that from a split cloue much like vnto Garlicke a white blewish Flower shortly springeth from whence fillets of Saffron are gathered before the Sunne and dryed are sold as spice with great gaine From the Ilands Canuey Mersey Horsey Northly Osey Wallot and Foulnesse great store of Fish and Fowle are daily gotten and so from their Cattle haue they continuall increase which men and boyes milke as well the Ewe as the Kine whereof they make great and thicke Cheese sold abroad in the Land and much thereof transported into other Countries Their Oysters which we call Walfleete the best in esteeme and are thought from Paâ—â—â—e to haue beene serued in the Romans Kitchins But least we should exceed measure in commending or the people repose their trust in the soyle behold what God can doe to frustrate both in a moment and that by his meanest creatures for in our age and remembrance the yeare of Christ 1581. an Army of Mice so ouer ranne the Marshes in Dengey Hundred neere vnto South-minster in this Countie that they shore the grasse to the very roots and so tainted the same with their venemous teeth that a great Murraine fell vpon the Cattle which grased thereon to the great losse of their owners 7 The chiefest Citie for account at this day in this Shire is Colchester built by Coilus the British Prince one hundred twentie-foure yeares after the birth of our Sauiour Christi if he of Moâ—mouth say true wherein his sonne Lucius Helena and Constantine the first Christian King Empresse and Emperour in the world were borne which made Necham for Consiantine to sing as he did From Colchester there rose a Starre The Rayes whereof gaue glorious light Throughout the world in climates farre Great Constantine Romes Emperour bright And the Romanes to the great honour of Helena inscribed her Piâ—ssima Venerabilis Augusta But of these we shall be occasioned to speake more hereafter This Citie is situated vpon the South of the Riuer Coln from whence it hath the name and is walled about raised vpon a high Trench of earth though now much decayed hauing six gates of entrance and three posternes in the West wall besides nine Watch-Towers for defence and containeth in compasse 1980 paces wherein stand eight faire Churches and two other without the walls for Gods diuine seruice S Tenants and the Blacke Fryers decayed in the Suburbs Mary Magdalins the Nunnery S Iohns and the Cruched Fryers all suppressed within towards the East is mounted an old Castle and elder ruines vpon a trench containing two Acres of ground whereas yet may be seene the prouident care they had against all ensuing assaults The trade of this Towne standeth chiefly in making of Cloth and Baies with Saies and other like Stuffes daily inuented and is gouerned by two Bailiffes twelue Aldermen all wearing Scarlet a Recorder a Towne-Clerke and foure Sergeants at Mace Whose position for Latitude is in the degree 52. 14. minutes and for Longitude in the degree 21. and 50. minutes 8 Places of antiquitie and memorable note in this Countie I obserue the most famous to be Camalodumum by vs Maldon which was the Royall Seat of Cunobelâ—â— King of the Trinoâ—antes as by his money therein minted appeareth about the time of our Sauiours birth which Citie afterwards Claudius wonne from the Britaines and therein placed a Colony of Souldiers which were called Victricensis This Citie Queene Boduo in reuenge of her wrongs raced to the ground what time she stirred their people against Nero with the slaughter of seuentie thousand of the Romanes Of some later and lesser account was Ithanchester now S. Peters vpon the wall where the Forteuses with their Captaine kept towards the declination of the Romane Empire In the East Promontory of this Countie in the Raigne of Richard the second the teeth of a Giant were found if they were not of an Elephant of a marueilous size saith Raph Coggeshall and not farre thence in the raigne of Elizabeth more bones to the like wonder were digged vp 9 I purposely omit the message of a Pilgrim from S. Iohn Baptist by whom he sent a Ring to King Edward Confessor for which cause his house tooke the name Hauering seeing the Monkes of those times made no great daintie daily to forge matter for their owne aduantage who in this Shire so swarmed that they had houses erected at Waltham Pritlewell Tiltey Dunâ—ow Leeye Hatfeild Peuerell Chelmesford Coggeshall Maldon Earls coln Colâ—hester S Osths Saffron-Walden Hatfield-Bradocke and more with great reuenewes thereto belonging all which felt the Axes and Hammers of destruction when the rest of such foundations fell vnder the â—â—â—ile of King Henry the eight who with Hezekiah brake downe all these Brazen Serpents SVFFOLKE CHAPTER XVI SVFFOLKE in regard of them which were seated in Norfolke is a Country most plenteous and pleasant for habitation It is separated from Norfolke by the Riuers of the lesser Ouse and Waueney whose heads meet almost in the midst of her Verge and that very neere together the one taking course East and the other full West vpon which part Cambridge-shire doth wholly confront The South side is seuered by Stoure from Essex and the East together washed with the Germane Seas 2 The Ayre is good sweet and delectable and in some parts of some of our best Physitians held to be the best in the Land the Soile is rich fruitfull and with all things well replenished in a word nothing wanting for pleasure of profit 3 The forme thereof is some what Cressant shooting vp narrower into the North and spreading wider towards the South whose broadest part is about twentie miles but from East to West much more for from Easton point the furthest of this Shire yea of all Britaine into the Sea vnto great Ouse Riuer her Westerne bounder are fortie fiue miles and the whole in circumference about one hundred fortie sixe miles 4 Anciently this part of the Iland was possessed by the Iceni who as it seemeth by Tacitus ioyned in Amitie with the Romans a mightie people saith he and neuer shaken with warres before the raigne of Claudius but then by Ostorius were vanquished though not without great slaughter of the Romans and in a Battle against them M. Ostorius the sonne of the Generall wonne great honour in sauing of a Roman Citizens life so ready were they to giue and receiue Honours to themselues but sleightly to
lye a little desolate Citie and as yet retaineth the name without any memory of circuit by wals Of this Citie in the yeare of Christ Iesus 141. as the Monke of Barton doth report nine Scholars receiued their Baptisme and became Preachers of the Gospell among the Britaines which as he saith happened in the Raigne of Hadriant the Emperour But when the 〈◊〉 Stors Hisâ—nes and Saxons had laid all things waste and with their sauage swords cut out the leaues of all ciuill learning this as the rest yeelded to destruction and so lay forlorne till the Saxons themselues became likewise ciuill when Sâ—gebert the first Christian King of the East-Angles from the example of France whither he had beene banished built Schooies in his Kingdome and here at Grancester the chiefe recalling thither the Professors of Arts and Sciences as the Story recordeth and Traditions doe hold But afterwards as it seemeth their increase being straightned the Students complained as the Prophets did to Elisha that the place was too little for them to dwell in therefore inlarging more North-ward seated themselues neere vnto the Bridge whereupon the place began to be called Grantbridge though others from the crooked Riuer Came will haue it named Cambridge This place though sacred and exempted from Mars as Sylla once spake when he spared Athens the Danes in their destructions regarded no whit wherein they often wintered after their spoyles and left the scatres of their sauage sores euer behinde them And in the yeare 1010 when Suen in his fiercenesse bare downe all before him this place was no place for Scholars to be in Warres loud Alarums ill consorting the Muses milde Harmonies Yet when the Normans had got the Garland on their heads and these Danish stormes turned into Sun-shine dayes Gislebert the Monke with Odo Terricus and William all three of the like Monasticall Profession in the Raigne of King Henry the First resorted vnto this place and in a publike Barne read the Lectures of Grammar Logicke and Rhetoricke and Gislebert Diuinitie vpon the Sabbath and Festiuall dayes From this little fountaine saith Peter Blessensis grew a great Riuer which made all England fruitfull by the many Masters Teachers proceeding out of Cambridge as out of a holy Paradise of God The first Colledge therein endowed with Possessions was Peter-house built by Hugh Balsham Bishop of Ely in the yeare of Grace 1284. whose godly example many others followed so that at this day there are sixteene most stately Colledges and Hals for building beautie endowments and store of Students so replenished that vnlesse it be in her other Sister Oxford the like are not found in all Europe But at what time it was made an Vniuersitie let Robert de Remyngton tell you for me Do the Raigne saith he of King Edward the first Grantbridge of a Schoole by the Court of Rome was made an Vniuersitie such as Oxford is Lastly the Meridian Line cutting the Zenith ouer this Citie is distant from the furthest West-poynt according to Mercator 20 degrees 50 scruples and the Arch of the same Meridian lying betweene the Aequator and Verticall point is 52. degrees 20 scruples 5 Another Citie formerly in great fame is Elie had in account for the repute and holinesse of Votary Nunnes there residing built first by Audrey wife to one Tombret a Prince in this Prouince who had this place as a part of her Dowry she hauing departed from her second Husband Egbert King of Northumberland deuoted her selfe to the seruice of God and built here a Monastery whereof she became the first Abbesse This in the Danish desolations was destroyed but soone after reedified by Ethelwold Bishop of Winchester who stored it with Monkes vnto whom King Edgar granted the iurisdiction ouer foure Hundreds and a halfe within these Fennes and the East-Angles limits which to this day are called The Liberties of S. Audrey after whose example many Nobles so enriched it with large Renexewes that as Malmesbury saith the Abbat thereof laid vp yeerely in his owne Coffers a thousand and foure hundred pounds And of latter times the Monkes thereof became so wealthy that their old decayed Church they renued with new and most stately buildings which is now the Cathedrall of the Diocesse and for beautie giueth place to no other in the Land Eight other foundations set apart from secular vse in this Prouince were at Thorney Charteres Denny Elsey Beach Barnwell Swasey and Shengey all which in the dayes of King Henry the eight came to the period of their surpassing wealth and left their Lands to the dispose of his Will 6 The generall commoditie of this Shire is Corne which in the South and Champion-part doth abundantly grow as also Saffron a very rich Spice Some Woods there are and Pasture both pleasant and profitable The North part thereof is Fenny but withall fruitfull whereof Henry of Huntington and William of Malinesbury thus doe write This Fenny Country is passing rich and plenteous yea and beautifull also to behold whereiwis so great store of fish that strangers doe wonder and water-fowle so cheape that fiue men may therewith be satisfied with lesse then an halfe-penny 7 Places of ancient note in this Shire are these the Erminstreet way which vpon the lower West parts of this County thorow Roisen runneth forthright vnto Huntingdon And from Reach a Market-Towne standing neere to the Riuer Came a great Ditch and Trench is cast all along Newmarket-Heath which for the wonder receiued thereat is of the vulgar called The Deuâ—â— Ditch being in truth made for a defence against the Mercians by the East-Angles whose Kingdome it inuerged The Gogmagog Hils neere Cambridge retaine the remembrance of the Danish Siaetion where as yet on their tops is seene a Rampior strengthened with a three-fold Trench whereof Goruase of Tillury tels vs many a pretio Tale. HERTFORD-SHIRE CHAPTER XIX HERTFORD-SHIRE is bordered vpon the North with Bedford and Cambridge-shires vpon the East is altogether bounded by Essex vpon the South is confined with Middlesex and her West butteth vpon Buckingham and Bedford-shires 2 The forme thereof is somwhat circular with many indents to fetch in those Townes that are dispersedly stragled into her next Shire whereof Roiston and Totteridge are the two extreames from North to South betwixt whom in a strait drawne line are twenty seuen English miles and from Putnam Westward to Cheston Nunnery in the East are twenty eight the whole circumference about an hundred and thirtie miles 3 The ayre is temperate sweet and healthfull as seated in a Climate neither too hot nor too cold the soile is rich plenteous and delightfull yeelding abundance of Corne Cattle Wood and Grasse destitute of nothing that ministreth profit or pleasures for life which are more augmented by the many Riuers that arise and run thorow this Shire watering her owne and others till they emptie themselues into the Sea 4 Her ancient Inhabitants in the time of the Romans were the Cattieuchlanians or Cassijans
This City was first won from the Britaine 's by Cheulin the first King of the West-Saxons about the yeare of Christ 570. and afterwards vnder the Mercians it flourished with great honour where Ofâ—â—k King of Northumberland by the sufferance of Ethelred of Mercia founded a most stately Monastery of Nunnes whereof Kineburgh Eadburgh and Eue Queenes of the Mercians were Prioresses successiuely each after other 7 Edelsted a most renowned Lady sister to King Edward the elder in this Citie built a faire Church wherein her selfe was interred which being ouerthrowne by the Danes was afterwards rebuilt and made the Cathedrall of that See dedicated vnto the honour of S. Peter In this Church the vnfortunate Prince King Edward the second vnder a Monument of Alablaster doth lye who being murdered at Barkley Castle by the crueltie of French Isabel his wife was there intombed And not farre from him another Prince as vnfortunate namely Robert Curthole the eldest sonne of William the Conquerour lyeth in a painted woodden Tombe in the middest of the Quire whose eyes were pluckt out in Cardiffe Castle wherein he was kept prisoner twenty six yeares with all contumelious indignities vntill through extreame anguish he ended his life And before any of these in this Citie say our British Historians the body of Lucius our first Christian King was interred and before his dayes the Britaines Aruiragus The graduation of this County I obserue from this Citie whence the Pole is eleuated in the degree of Latitude 52 and 14. minutes and in Longitude from the West 18. and 5. minutes 8 The other Citie is Pristow faâ—re but not very ancient built vpon the Riuers Auon and Froome for trade of Merchandize a second London and for beautie and account next vnto Yorke This Citie standeth partly in this Countie and partly in Sommerset shire but being a Countie of it selfe will acknowledge subiection to neither 9 A Citie more ancient hath beene Ciâ—cester by Ptolomie called Corinium by Antonine Duroâ—â—â—noâ—ium by Giraldus Passerum Viâ—em The Sparrowes Citie vpon a flying report that Guâ—mund a Tyrant from Africks besieging this Citie tyed fire vnto the wings of Sparrowes who lighting in the Towne vpon light matter set flame vpon all The circuit of whose walâ— extended two miles about wherein the Consular Port or wayes of the Romans met and crossed each other This Citie was wonne from the Britaine 's by Cheulin first King of the West-Saxons afterwards it was possessed by the Mercians and lastly by the Danes vnder Gurmund the former no doubt mistaken for him wherein a rable of them kept the space of a yeare Anno 879. and neuer since inhabited according to the circuit of her walles 10 Places of memorable note are these the Iland Alâ—ey neere vnto Glocester wherein Edmund Iron-side the English and Canutus the Dane after many battles and bloud fought in single Combat hand to hand alone vntill they compounded for the Kingdomes partition Barkley Castle where King Edward the second was thorow his fundament runne into his bowels with a red burning Spit Tewkesbury the fatall period of King Henry the sixt his gouernment and the wound of the Lancastrian Cause for in a Battle there fought in Anno 1471. Prince Edward the onely Sonne of King Henry had his braines dashed out in a most shamefull manner the Queene his mother taken prisoner and most of their fauorites slaine and beheaded And at Alderley a little Towne standing eight miles from the Seuerne vpon the hilles to this day are found Cockles Periwincles and Oysters of solid stone which whether they haue beene Shel-fish and liuing creatures or else the sports of Nature in her workes let the Naturall Philosophers dispute of and judge 11 The places of pietie set apart from other worldly Seruices and dedicated to religious vses by the deuotions of Princes erected in this Shire were Tewkesbury Deorhust Glocester Minching Barkley Kinswood Circester Winchcombe and Hales which last was built with great cost by Richard Earle of Cornwall King of the Romans wherein himselfe and his Dutchesse were interred Their son Earle Edmund brought out of Germany the bloud of Hales supposed and said to be part of that which Christ shed vpon his Crosse In this place with great confluence and deuotions of Pilgrimage it was sought to and worshipped till time proued it a meere counterfeit when the glorious light of the Gospell reuealed to eye-sight such grosse Idolatâ—ies and the skirts of Superstition were turned vp to the shew of her owne shame 12 Dukes and Earles that haue borne the title of Glocester the first of euery Family art by their Armes and Names expressed euer fatall to her Dukes though the greatest in bloud and birth The first was Thomas Woodstocke sonne to King Edward the third who in Caâ—â—is was smoothered in a Feather-bed to death The second was Humfrey brother to King Henry the fift by the fraudulent practise of the malignant Cardinall and Queene made away at S. Edmundsbury And the last was Richard brother to King Edward the fourth who by the iust hand of God was cut off in Battle by King Henry the seauenth HEREFORD-SHIRE CHAPTER XXIIII HEREFORD-SHIRE formerly accounted within the limits of Wales lyeth circulated vpon the North with Worcester and Shrop-shire vpon the East with Maluerne Hils is parted from Glocester-shire vpon the South is kept in with Monmouth-shire and vpon the West in part with the Hatterall Hilles is diuided from Brecknok and the rest confined with Radnorshire 2 This Counties Climate is most healthfull and temperate and Soyle so fertile for Corne and Cattle that no place in England yeeldeth more or better conditioned sweet Riuers running as veynes in the body doe make the Corne bearing grounds in some of her parts rightly to be tearmed the Gilden Vale and for Waters Wooll and Wheate doth contend with Nilus Colchos and Egypt such are Lemster Irchenfeild the bankes of Wye Luge and Frome 3 The ancient people knowne to the Romanes whose power they well felt before they could subdue them were the Silures placed by Ptolemie in this tract and branched further into Radnor Brecknok Monmouth and Glamorgan-shires at this day by vs called South-Wales and by the Welsh Debeubarth Their Originall as Tacitus coniectureth by their site coloured countenances and curled haire was out of Spaine and as both he and Plinie describes them were fierce valiant and impatient of seruitude which well they shewed vnder Caraâ—â—cus their Captaine and nine yeares scourge to the Roman assaulters for whose onely Conquest and that made by treachery the Victor in Rome triumphed with more then a vsuall Aspect and with so equall an hand bare the Scoale of Resistance that their owne Writers euermore terme it a dangerous Warre For the Legion of Marius Valens they put to flight and that with such hauock of the Associates that Osterius the Lieutenant of Britaine for very griefe gaue vp his ghost and Veranius vnder Nero assaulted them in vaine But when Vespasian was
Emperour and expert Souldiers imployed in euery Prouince Iulius Frontinus subdued these Silures vnto the Romans where continually some of their Legions afterward kept till all was abandoned in Valentinians time 4 The Saxons then made themselues Lords of this Land and this Prouince a part of their Mercians Kingdome yea and Sutton the Court of great Offa their King 5 But Hereford after raised of the ruines of old Ariconium now Kenchester shaken in pieces by a violent Earth quake grew to great fame through a conceiued sanctity by the buriall of Ethelbert King of the East-Angles slaine at Sutton by Offa at what time he came thither to haue espoused to his Daughter whose graue was first made at Marden but afterwards canonized and remoued to this Citie when in honour of him was built the Cathedrall Church by Milfrid a pettie King of that Country which Gruffith Prince of South-Wales and Algar an Englishman rebelling against King Edward Confessor consumed with fire but by Bishop Remesiu was restored at now it is at what time the Towne was walled and is so remaining in good repaire hauing sixe Gates for entrance and fifteen Watch-towers for defence extending in compasse to fifteen hundred paces and whence the North-Pole is obserued to be raised 52. degrees 17. minutes in Latitude and is set from the first point of the West in Longitude 17. degrees and 30. minutes being yearely gouerned by a Maior chosen out of one and thirtie Citizens which are commonly called the Election and he euer after is knowne for an Alderman and clothed in Scarlet whereof foure of the eldest are Iustices of Peace graced with a Sword-bearer a Recorder a Towne-Clerke and foure Sergeants with Mace The greatest glory that this Citie receiued was in King Athelstans dayes where as Malmesbury doth report he caused the Lords of Wales by way of Tribute to pay yearely besides Hawkes and Hounds twenty pound of Gold and three hundred pound of Siluer by waight but how that was performed and continued I finde not 6 Things of rare note in this Shire are said to be Bone well a Spring not farre from Richards Castle wherein are continually found little Fishes bones but not a sinne seene and being wholly cleansed thereof will notwithstanding haue againe the like whether naturally produced or in veynes thither brought no man knoweth 7 But more admirable was the worke of the Omnipotent euen in our owne remembrances and yeare of Christ Iesus 1571. when the Mareley hill in the East of this Shire rouzed it selfe out of a dead sleepe with a roaring noise remoued from the placewhere it stood and for three dayes together trauelled from her first site to the great amazement and feare of the beholders It began to journey vpon the seuenth day of February being Saturday at sixe of the Clocke at night and by seauen in the next morning had gone fortie paces carrying with it Sheepe in their coates hedge-rowes and trees whereof some were ouer-turned and some that stood vpon the plaine are firmely growing vpon the hill those that were East were turned West and those in the West 〈◊〉 set in the East in which remoue it ouerthrew Kâ—â—nasten Chappell and turned two high-wayes 〈◊〉 hundred yards from their vsuall paths formerly trod The ground thus trauelling was aboâ—◠〈…〉 six Acres which opening it selfe with Rockes and all bare the earth before it for foure hundred yards space without any stay leauing that which was Pasturage in place of the Tillage and the Tillage ouerspread with Pasturage Lastly ouerwhelming her lower parts mounted to an hill of twelue fadomes high and there rested her selfe after three dayes trauell remaining his marke that so laid hand vpon this Rocke whose power hath poysed the Hils in his Ballance 8 Religious Houses built by the deuotions of Princes and stored with Votaries and reuenewes for life were in this Shire no lesse then thirteene most sweetly seated in the places as followeth at both the Herefords Barron Ewayot Clifford Moneâ—â—e Acornebury Lemster Linbroke Peterchurch Kilpek Dore and Wiggemore and suspected of hypocrisie were called in question by King Henry the eight and so strictly pursued that some faults were apparant whereby they were laid open to the generall Deluge of the Time whose streame bare downe the walles of all those foundations carrying away the Shrines of the dead and defacing the Libraries of their ancient Records VVORCESTER-SHIRE CHAPTER XXV VVORCESTER-SHIRE is a Countie both rich and populour and lyeth circulated vpon the North with Stafford 〈◊〉 vpon 〈◊〉 East with Warwicke and Oxford-shires vpon the South with Glacester shire and the West by Maluerne Hils is parted from Hereford shire the rest lyeth confronted vpon and in part diuided from Shâ—op-shire by the Riuer Dowles 2 The forme thereof is triangle but not of equall proportion for from North to South are thirtie two miles from South to North-West twenty two and from thence to her North-East point are twenty eight the whole in Circumference is one hundred and twentie miles 3 The Ayre in this Shire is of a fauourable temperature that giues an appetite for labour diet and rest the Soyle is fertile and to me seemed inferiour to notice other in this Land for besides the abundance of Corne in euery place spread the Woods and Pasturage in her hils and plaines sweet Riuers that water the vallies below and Cattle that couer the tops of higher ground the Fields Hedge-rowes and High-wayes are beset with fruitfull Peare-trees that yeeld great pleasure to sight and commodious vse for with their iuyce they make a bastard kinde of Wine called Perry which is both pleasant and good in taste Many Salt Springs also this County affordeth yea and more then are commonly in vse such with the Germans our ancient Predecessors were esteemed most sacred and holy so that as Tacitus writeth to such they wontedly resoted to supplicate their Gods with their deuout prayers as to places neerest the heauens and therefore the sooner to be heard And Poets in their faynings will haue the Nymphs residence in shady greene groues and bankes of sweet Springs if so then as Hellicon this County affords both such are the Forrests of Wâ—re and Feckenham the great woods of Norton and most faire Chase of Maluerne And for waters to witnesse what I say is the Seueraâ— that cuts this Shire in the midst Teme Salwarp and Auon all of them making fruitfull their passage and stored with Fish of most delicious taste 4 The ancient people possessors of this Shire were the CORNAVII inhabitants of Chesse-shire Shrop-shire Stafford and Warwicke-shires subdued by the Romanes in Claudius Caesars time and after their departure made a portion of the Mercian-Saxons Kingdome and in Bedaes time were called the Wicij whereof it may be this Shire had the name vnlesse you will haue it from the Salt-Pits which in old English are named Wiches or from the famous Forrest of Wyre Howsoeuer true it is that the County doth hold the name from her
Citie and that openly at high noone-day This notwithstanding she thankfully accepted and performed the act accordingly enioyned for this Lady Gâ—diâ—a stripping her selfe of all rich attire let loose the treffes of her faire haire which on euery side so couered her nakednesse that no part of her body was vnciuill to sight whereby she redeemed the former freedomes and remission of such heauie Tributes Whose memory I wish may remaine honourable in that Citie for euer and her pitie followed by such possessing Ladies This Citie had grant to choose their yearely Magistrates a Maior and two Bailiffes and to build about and embattle a wall by King Edward the 3. whom Henry the 6. corporated a Countie of it selfe and changed the names of their Bailifs into Sherifs and the wals then were built as they now stand thorow which open 13 gates for entrance besides 18. other Towers thereon for defence At Gofford-gate in the East hangeth the shield-bene of a wild Bore farre bigger then the greatest Oxe-bone with whose snout the great pit called Swanswell was turned vp and was slaine by the famous Guy if we will beleeue report Next vnto this Citie in account and commerce is Warroicke vpon the North-west banke of Auon built by Gurgunstus the sonne of Belâ—â—e as Iohn Rosse Monke of the place saith 375. yeares before the birth of Christ by Ninius called Caer-Guaruic and Caer-Leon and by learned Cambden judged to be PRAESIDIVM the Romane Garrisons Towne The situation of this place is most pleasant vpon a hill rising from the Riuer ouer which is a strong and faire Stone bridge and her sharpe streame vpon the Towne side checked with a most sumptuous and stately Castle the decayes whereof with great cost and curious buildings the right worthy Knight Sir Foulke Greuil in whose person shineth all true vertue and high nobilitie hath repaired whose merits to me ward I doe acknowledge in setting this hand free from the daily imployments of a manuall trade and giuing it full libertie thus to expresse the inclination of my minde himselfe being the Procurer of my present estate It seemeth this Towne hath beene walled about as appeareth by the Trench in some places seene and two very faire Gates whose passages are hewed out of the Rocke as all other into the Towne are ouer whom two beautifull Chappels are built that towards the East called S Peters and that on the South-west S Iames. Two faire Churches are therein seated called S. Maries and S. Nicholas but these in and about the Towne suppressed S. Laurence S. Michaels Iohn Baptist and Iohn of Ierusalem beside the Nunnery in the North of the Towne whose North Pole is eleuated in Latitude 52. degrees 45 minutes and is seated from the first point in the West of Longitude 18 degrees and 45 minutes being yearely gouerned by a Bailiffe twelue Brethren twentie foure Burgesses for Common Counsell a Recorder a Towne-Clerke and one Sergeant their Attendant 7 Places of most memorable note obserued in this Shire are Shugbury where the precious stone Astroites is found Of-Church which was the Palace of great Offa the Mercian and the buriall-place of S. Fremund his sonne Chesterton where the famous Fosse-way is seene At Leamington so far from the Sea a Spring of Salt-water boileth vp and at Newenham Regis most soueraigne water against the Stone Greene wounds Vlcers and Impostumes and drunke with Salt looseth but with Sugar bindeth the body and turneth wood into stone as my selfe saw by many sticks that therein were fallen some part of them Ash and some part of them Stone and Guy-Cliffe where the famous Earle Guy after many painefull exploits atchieued retired and vnknowne lead an Hermits life and was lastly there buried 8 The chiefest Commodities in this Countie growing are Corne whereof the Red Horse Vale yeeldeth most abundantly Woolls in great plentie Woods and Iron though the producer of the one will be the destruction of the other Such honourable Families as haue beene dignified with the Earledome of this Shire-Townes name since the Normans Conquest in the great Map it selfe are inserted and by their seuerall names expressed NORTHAMPTON-SHIRE CHAPTER XXVII NORTHAMPTON-SHIRE situated neere vnto the middest of England lyeth separtted vpon the North from Lincoln-shire by the Riuer Wâ—land from Hammington-shire on the East is parted by the water Nene her South is bounded with Buckingham and Oxford shires and the West from Warwicke with Watling-street-way Auon and Weland is diuided from Leicester-shire 2 The forme of this Countie is large and narrow broadest in the South-west and thence shooting still lesser like vnto a Horne nor not much vnlike to the forme of Cornwall and from the entrance of Cherwell into this Shire vnto the fall of Weland and Nene neere vnto Crowland are by measure fortie sixe miles and the broadest part is from Ouse vnto Auon which is not fully twentie miles the whole in circumference one hundred and nineteene miles 3 The aire is good temperate and healthfull the soile is champion rich and fruitfull and so plenteously peopled that from some Ascents thirtie Parish-Churches and many more Wind-milles at one view may be seene notwithstanding the simple and gentle sheepe of all creatures the most harmelesse are now become so rauenous that they begin to deuoure men waste fields and depopulate houses if not whole Towne-ships as one merily hath written 4 The antient people knowne to the Romans and recorded by Ptolemie were the Coritani who possessed this Country and were branched further thorow Leicester Lincolne Nottingham Rutland and Darbie-shires these ioyning with the Irenians with them were fettered with the chaines of subiection when for Claudius Publius Ostrius Scapula entred his Lieutenantship in Britaine and in battle subdued all betwixt the Riuers Nene and Sabrina But when the Romans were content to let goe that which so long was desired and had cost so much in the getting the Saxons a most warlike Nation put into these parts and made it a portion of their Mercian Kingdome but their gouernment also growne out of date the Normans seated themselues in these faire possessions the branches of whole Stemmes are spread abroad in these parts most fruitfull and faire 5 Commodities arising in this Shire are chiefly gotten by tillage and plough whereby corne so plentifully aboundeth that in no other Countie is found more or so much the pastures and woods are filled with Cattle and euery where sheepe loaden with their fleeces of wooll 6 The chiefe Towne in this Shire is Northampton whereof the Countie taketh name which for circuit beautie and building may be ranked with the most of the Cities of our Land It is seated at the meeting and confluence of two Riuers the greater whereof beareth to name Nen. This Towne hath beene built all of stone as by many foundations remaining to this day is seene and is walled about both strong and high excepting the West which is defended by a Riuer parted into many streames In the depredations of the Danes
Suen their King set this Towne on fire and afterwards it was sorely assulted by the disobedient Barons of King Iohn who named themselues The Arâ—â—ie of God But the loyaltie of this Towne stood nothing so sure vnto King Henry his sonne whence the Barons with displayed Banners sounded the Battle against their Soueraigne And yet after this a woefull Field of Englands ciuill diuision was fought whence Richard Neuil the stout Earle of Warwicke lead away prisoner that vnfortunate man King Henry the sixth Vpon the West part of this Towne standeth a large Castle mounted vpon an hill whose aged countenance well sheweth the beautie that she hath borne and whose gaping chinkes doe daily threaten the downefall of her walles To this vpon the South the Townes wall adioyneth and in a round circuit meeteth the Riuer in the North extending in compasse two thousand one hundred and twentie pases whose fire so pleased the Students of Cambridge that thither they remoued themselues vpon the Kings Warrant in minde to haue made it on an Vniuersitie from whence the North-pole is eleuated 52. degrees 36. scruples for Latitude and in Longitude is remoued from the West 19 degrees and 40 scruples being yearely gouerned by a Maior two Bailiffes twelue Magistrates a Recorder Towne-Clerke a Common Counsell of fortie eight Burgesses with fiue Sergeants to execute businesse 7 But the deuotions of the Saxon-Kings made Peterborow more famous formerly called Meddeswell where Wolphere King of Mercia began a most stately Monastery to the honour of S. Peter for satisfaction of the bloud of his two sonnes whom he had murdered in case of Christianitie but himselfe being for the like made away by his mother his brother Penda continued the worke with the assistance of his brother Ethelred and two sisters Kineburga and Kineswith This among the Danish Desobutions was cast downe yet was it againe restored to greater beautie by Ethelwold Bishop of Winchester with the helpe of King Edgar and of Adulph his Chancellour who vpon pricke of Conscience that in bed with his wife had ouerlaid and smoothered an Infant their onely sonne laid all his wealth vpon the reedifying of the place and then became Abbot thereof himselfe The Cathedrall is most beautifull and magnificall where in the Quire lie interred two vnfortunate Queenes on the North side Katharine Dewager of Spaine the repudiate wife of King Henry the eight vnder an Hearse couered with blacke Saye hauing a white Crosse in the midst and on the South-side Mary Queene of Scotland whose Hearte is spread ouer with blacke Veluet The Cloyster is large and in the glasse-windowes very curiously portraied the History of Wolphere the Founder whose Royall Seat was at Wedon in the street conuerted into a Monastery by S Werburg his holy daughter and had beene the Roman Station by Antonine the Emperour called Bannauenna So likewise Norman-chester was the ancient Citie Durobriuae where their Souldiers kept as by the monies there daily found is most apparent 8 Houses of Religion deuoted to Gods Seruice by the pious intents of their well-meaning Founders were at Peterborow Peakirk Pipewell Higham Dauintree Sulby Sausecombe Sewardesug Gare S Dewy S Michell Luffeild Catesby Brvth Barkley Finishead Fotheringhay Wedon and Withâ—â—p besides them in Northampton all which felt the stormes of their owne destruction that raged against them in the Raigne of King Henry the eight who dispersed their Reuenewes to his owne Coffers and Courtiers and ulled the stones asunder or their seeming euer-sure Foundations and in the time of young Edward his sonne whose minde was free from wronging the dead the Tombes of his owne Predecessours were not spared when as Edward slaine at Agincourt and Richard at Wakefield both of them Dukes of Yorke were after death assaulted with the weapons of destruction that cast downe their most faire Monuments in the Collegiate Church of Fotheringhay Castle 9 Eight Princely Families haue enioyed the Title of the Earledome of Northampton whereof the last Henry Hawara late Lord Priuie Seale a most honourble Patron to all learned proceedings that I may acknowledge my dutifull and humble Seruice hath most honourably assisted and set forward these my endeuours HVNTINGTON-SHIRE CHAPTER XXVIII HVNTINGTON-SHIRE part of the leui vnder the Romane Monarch of Mertia in the Saxon Heptarchy is seuered with Nene the North-bounder from Northamptonshire to which it in part adioyneth West from Bedford and Cambridge by mearing Townes on the South and from Ely by a sence of water East theworke of Nature Benwicke Streame or of Art Canutus Delph seuered when Alfred or before him Offa shared the open circuit of their Empery into Principalities that by residency of subordinate rule Peace at home might be maintained Fortaine offence by apt assembly of the Inhabitants resisted Taxe and Reuenew of the Crowne laid more euenly and easierly leuyed Iustice at mens dores with lesse charge and iourney administered all causes Ciuill hauing a right and speedy dispatch in the County or Earles monethly Court as Criminall in his Lieutenant the Sheriffes Turne twice a yeare In forme of a Lozeng this Shire lyeth of positure temperate and is 52. degrees 4. scruples remoued from the Aequator the Hilly Soyle to the Plough-man gratefull the Vale contiguous to the Fennes best for Pasture in which to no part of England it giueth place Woods are not much wanted the Riuers seruing Coale as the Moores Turffe for fuell 2 This Content was as the whole Continent Forrest vntill Canutus gaue this Law of grace Vt quisque tam in agris quam in siluis excitet agitetque feras Long were were the hands of Kings to pull of old the Subiects right into Regall pleasure when Perambulation Proclamation onely might make any mans land Forrest It is in the first Williams time a Phrase in Record not rare Silua buâ—â—â— Manerâ—â— FORIS EST missa in Siluam Regâ—s from which word of power Forrest may seeme not vnaptly to be deriued Cum videbat Henricus primus tres Bissas fitting his Forrest of Lyfield he caused Husculphus his Raunger to keepe them for his Game as the Record doth testifie Thus did the second of his name and the first Richard in many parts well therefore may the Exchequer-Booke call the Forrest Iustice for Vert and Venison not Iustum absolutè but Iustum secundum Legem Forresta That Foresta is defined Tuta serarum sâ—ain may seeme to confine the Forresters office onely to his Games care which of ancient was as well ouer Minerall and Maritimall reuenew The office of Baldwme the great Forrester of Flanders Non agrum tantum spectabat sed et Maris custodiam saith Tullius out of the old Charters of the French Kings And see how iust this squares to our Legall practise for of Assarts Purprestures Eâ—â—prousment Greenebugh Herbage Paunage Fowles Mils Hony Mineâ— Quarries and Wreacks at Sea did the â—â—inerall Iustice of the Forrest here enquire His Subiects of this Shire Henry the 2. from seruitude of his beasts
Shire is drawne indifferently spacious but not very thicke of Inclosures being from East to West in the broadest part not fully 30. miles and from North to South but 24. the whole circumference about 196. miles whose principall Citie is set as the Center almost in the midst from whom the Pole is eleuated 53. degrees and 4 minutes in Latitude and for Longitude 19. degrees 22. minutes 6 From this Towne the Shire hath the name though the name of her selfe is diuersly written as Legecestria Legora Legeo-cester by Ninius Caer-Lerion by Mathew of Westminister if we doe not mistake him Wirall and now lastly Leicester ancient enough if King Leir was her builder eight hundred fortie and foure yeares before the birth of our Sauiour wherein he placed a Flamine to serue in the Temple of Ianus by himselfe there erected and where he was buried if Ieffery ap Arthur say true but now certaine it is that Ethelred the Mercian Monarch made it an Episcopall See in the yeare of Christ Iesus 680. wherein Sexwulph of his election became the first Bishop which shortly after was thence translated and therewith the beautie of the Towne began to decay vpon whose desolations that erectifying Lady Edelsted cast her eyes of compassion and both reedified the buildings and compassed it about with a strong wall where in short time the Cities trade so increased that Matthew Paris in his lesser Story reporteth as followeth Lege-cester saith he is a right wealthy Citie and notably defended and had the wall a sure foundation were inferiour to no Citie whatsoeuer But this pride of prosperitie long lasted not vnder the Normans for it was sore oppressed with a world of calamities when Robert Bossu the Crouch-backe Earle of that Prouince rebelled against his Soueraigne Lord King Henry the second whereof heare the same Author Paris speake Through the obstinate stubbornesse of Earle Robert saith he the noble Citie Leicester was besieged and throwne downe by King Henry and the wall that seemed indissoluble was vtterly raced euen to the ground The peeces of whose fragments so fallen downe remained in his dayes like to hard rockes through the strength of the Morter cementing whole lumpes together and at the Kings command the Citie was set on fire and burnt the Castle raced and a heauit imposition laid vpon the Citizens who with great summes of money bought their owne Banishments but were so vsed in their departure that for extreame feare many of them tooke Sanctuary both at S. Edmunds and S. Albanes In repentance of these mischiefes the Author thereof Earle Robert built the Monastery of S. Mary de Praetis wherein himselfe became a Canon regular and for fifteene yeares continuance in sad laments serued God in continuall prayers With the like deuotion Henry the first Duke of Lancaster built an Hospitall for an hundred and ten poore people with a Collegiate Church a Deane twelue Canons Prebendaries as many Vicars sufficiently prouided for with reuenewes wherein himselfe lyeth buryed and it was the greatest ornament of that Citie vntil the hand of King Henry the 8. lay ouer-heaiue vpon all the like foundations and laid their aspired tops at his owne feete The fortunes of another Crouch-backe King Richard the Vâ—â—â—per were no lesse remarkable in this Citie then the former Robert was both of them in like degree of dishonourable course of life though of disterent issue at their deaths the one dying penitent and of deuout esteeme the other leauing the stench of Tyranny to all following ages who from this Citie setting forth in one day with great pompe and in Battle aray to keepe the Crowne sure vpon his owne Helmet in a sore 〈◊〉 field yeelded both it and his life vnto the head and hands of Henry of Richmond his Conquerour and the next day was brought backe like a Hogge naked and 〈◊〉 and with contempt without teares 〈◊〉 buried in the Gâ—â—y-Fryers of this Citie whose suppression hath suppressed the plot place of his graue and onely the stone-chest wherein he was laid a drinking trough now for horses in a common Inâ—e retaineth the memory of that great Monarchs Funerall and so did a stone in the Church and Chappell of S. Maries inclose the corpse of the proud and pontificall Cardinall Wolsey who had prepared for himselfe as was said a farre more richer Monument 7 Otherplaces worthy of remembrance in this Shire were these In the West where a high Crosse was erected in former times stood the faire Citie Cleycester the Romans BENONNES where their Legions lay and where their two principall wayes crossed each other as the Inhabitants report Loughborrow in the North-verge was as Marianus affirmeth taken from the Britaine 's by Cuthwolfe their King about the yeare of Christ 572. At Redmore neere Bosworth Westward in this Countie the Kingdome of England lay in hazard of one Battle when King Richards Field was fought where the Land at once was freed from a Tyrant and a wicked Vsurper Neither may we passe Lutterworth as the least in account where the famous Iohn Wickliffe Englands Morning-starre dispersed the clouds of all Papisticall darknesse by preaching the Gospell in that his charge and stile of his pen so piercing in power that the man of Sinne euer since hath beene better knowne to the world 8 Religious houses by Princes erected and by them deuoted to God and his seruice the chiefest in this Shire were at Leicester Grace-Dieu Kerby Bellers and at Burton a Spittle for Lazers a disease then newly approched in this Land for the erection whereof a common contribution was gathered thorow the Realme the Patients in this place were not so much deformed in skin as the other were in the defects for the soule whose skirts being turned vp to the sight of the world their sâ—â—mes were discouered and those houses dissolued that had long maintained such Idolatrous sinnes LINCOLN-SHIRE CHAPTER XXXI THe County of Lincolne by the Normans called Nicolshire is consined on the North with Humber on the East with the German Ocean vpon the South is parted from Cambridge and Northampton-shire by the Riuer Nyne and on the West from Nottingham and York-shires by Dun and Trent 2 The length of this Prouince extended from Barton vpon Humber in the North vnto Stanford vpon the Riuer Nyne in the South are miles by our English measure fiftie fiue and the bredth thereof from Newton in the West stretched vnto Wintbory vpon her East Sea containeth thirtie fiue The whole in circumference about one hundred and eightie miles 3 The Ayre vpon the East and South part is both thicke and foggy by reason of the Fennes and vnsolute grounds but therewithall very moderate and pleasing Her graduation being remoued from the Aequator to the degree of 53. and the windes that are sent of her still working Seas doe disperse those vapours from all power of hurt 4 The forme of this County doth somewhat resemble the body of a Lute whose East coasts lye bowe-like into the German
as markes to be shot at whom the hand of the skilfull soone hit and quite pierced vnder the ayme of King Henry the eight who with such Reuenewes in most places relieued the poore and the Orphane with Schooles and maintenance for the training vp of youth a worke no doubt more acceptable to God and of more charitable vse to the Land SHROP-SHIRE CHAPTER XXXV SHROP-SHIRE is both large incircuit well peopled and very fruitfull for life It lieth circulated vpon the North with the County Palatine of Chester vpon the East altogether with Stafford-shire vpon the South with Worcester Hereford and Raduor-shires and vpon the West with Mountgomery and Denbigh 2 The forme thereof is almost ciruclar or round whose length from Weoâ—ertoâ— below â—odlane South to Ouer neere vnto the Riuer Trent in the North is thirtie foure miles the broadest part is from Tong in the East to Oswestre sited at the head of Morda in the West twentie and fiue miles the whole in circuit about extending to one hundred thirtie and foure miles 3 Wholesome is the Aire delectable and good yeelding the Spring and the Autmne Seede time and Haruest in a temperate condition and affoordeth health to the Inhabitants in all seasons of the yeare 4 The soile is rich and standeth most vpon a reddish Clay abounding in Wheat and Barley Pit-coales Iron and Woods which two last continue not long in league together It hath Riuers that make fruitfull the Land and in their waters containe great store of fresh-fish whereof Seuerâ—e is the chiefe and second in the Realme whose streame cutteth this Countie in the middest and with many windings sporteth her selfe forward leauing both pastures and meadowes beâ—â—â—â—ed with flowers and greene colours which euery where she bestoweth vpon such her attendants 5 This Riuer was once the bounds of the North-Britaines and diuided their possession from the Land of the Saxons vntill of latter times theirs began to decay and the Welsh to increase who enlarged their lists to the Riuer Dee So formerly had it separated the Ordouices from the Cornauji those ancient Inhabitants mentioned by Ptolemie The Ordouices vnder Caractachus purchased great honour whilest he a Prince of the Silures remoued his warres thence among them where a while he maintained the Britaines libertie with valour and courage in despight of the Romans His Fort is yet witnesse of his vnfortunate fight seated neere Clune Castle at the confluence of that Riuer with Temd where in remembrance of him the place is yet called Caer-Caradoc a Fort of his wonne by P. Ostorius Lieutenant of the Romans about the yeare of grace 53. The Cornauji were feared vpon the North of Scuerne and branched into other Counties of whom we haue said 6 But when the strength of the Romans was too weake to support their owne Empire and Britaine emptied of her Souldiers to resist the Saxons set foot in this most faire soile and made it a part of their Mercian Kingdome their line likewise issued to the last period and the Normans beginning where these Saxons left the Welshmen tooke aduantage of all present occasions and brake ouer Seuerne vnto the Riuer d ee to recouer which the Normans first Kings often affayed and Henry the second with such danger of life that at the siege of Bridge-north he had beene slaine had not Sir Hâ—bert Syncler receiued the arrow aimed at him in stepping betwixt that Shaft and his Soueraigne and therewith was shot thorow vnto death In the like danger stood Henry Prince of Scotland who in the strait siege of Ludlow begirt by King Stephen had beene plucked from his saddle with an iron hooke from the wall had not Stephen presently rescued him Anno 1139. 7 This then being the Marches of England and Wales was sore afflicted by bloudy broiles which caused many of their Townes to be strongly walled and thirtie two Castles to be strongly built lastly into this Countie the most wise King Henry the seauenth sent his eldest sonne Prince Arthur to be resident at Ludlow where that faire Castle became a most famous Princes Court And here King Henry the eight ordained the Counsell of the Marches consisting of a Lord President as many Counsellers as the Prince shall please a Secretary an Atturney a Soliciter and foure Iustices of the Counties in Wales in whose Court were pleaded the causes depending and tearmely tried for the most part in presence of that honourable President 8 But the Shire-Towne Shrewesburie for circuit trade and wealth doth farre exceed this and is inferiour to few of our Cities her buildings faire her streets many and large her Citizens rich her trade for the most part in the staple commodities of Cloth and Freeses her wals strong and of a large compasse extending to seauenteene hundred pases about besides another Bulwarke ranging from the Castle downe vnto and in part along the side of Seuerne thorow which there are three entrances into the Towne East West ouer by two faire stone-bridges with Towers Gates and Barres and the third into the North no lesse strong then them ouer which is mounted a large Castle whose gaping chinkes doe doubtlesse threaten her fall This Towne is gouerned by two Bailiffes yearely elected out of twentie-foure Burgesses a Recorder Towne-Clerke and Chamberlaine with three Sergeants at Mace the Pole being raised hence from the degrees of Latitude 53. 16. minutes and from West in Longitude 17. degrees 27. minutes 9 Yea and ancienter Cities haue beene set in this Shire such was Roxalter or Wroxcester lower vpon Seuerne that had beene Vricomum the chiefest Citie of the Cornauij Vsoconia now Okenyate neere vnto the Wrekin and vnder Red-Castle the ruines of a Citie whom the vulgar report to haue beene famous in Arthurs dayes but the peeces of Romish Coines in these three doe well assure vs that therein their Legions lodged as many other Trenches are signes of warre and of bloud But as swords haue beene stirring in most parts of this Prouince so Beads haue beene bid for the preseruation of the whole and places erected for the maintenance of Votaries in whom at that time was imputed great holinesse in Shrewesbury many at Couâ—â—ere Stowe Dudley Bromefeld Wigmore Hamond Lyleshill Bildas Bishops-castle and Wenloke where in the Raigne of Richard the second was likewise a rich Mine of Copper But the same blasts that blew downe the buds of such plants scattered also the fruits from these faire trees which neuer since bare the like nor is likely any more to doe That onely which is rare in this Prouince is a Well at Pichford in a priuate mans yard whereupon floteth a thicke skum of liquid Bitumen which being cleare off to day will gather the like againe on the morrw not much vnlike to the Lake in the Land of Iewry The Countie Palatine of CHESTER CHAPTER XXXVI CHESSE-SHIRE the Countie Palatine of Chester is parted vpon the North from Lanca-shire with the Riuer Mercy vpon the East by Mercey Goit and the
Dane is separated from Darby and Stafford-shires vpon the South toucheth the Counties of Shrop-shire and Flint and vpon the West with Dee is parted from Denbigh shire 2 The forme of this Countie doth much resemble the right wing of an Eagle spreading it selfe from Wirall and as it were with her pinion or first feather toucheth Yorke shire betwixt which extreames in following the windings of the Shires diuder from East to West are 47. miles and from North to South twentie-sixe miles The whole circumference about one hundred fortie two miles 3 If the affection to my naturall producer blind not the judgement of this my suruey for aire and soile it equale the best and farre exceeds her neighbours the next Counties for although the Climate be cold and toucheth the degree of Latitude 54. yet the warmth from the Irish Seas melteth the Snow and dissolueth the Ice sooner there then in those parts that are further off and so wholesome for life that the Inhabitants generally attaine to many yeares 4 The Soile is fat fruitfull and rich yeelding abundantly both profit and pleasures for man The Champion grounds make glad the hearts of their Tillers the Meadowes imbrodered with diuers sweet smelling flowers and the Pasture makes the Kines vdders to strout to the paile from whom and wherein the best Cheese of all Europe is made 5 The ancient Inhabitants were the CORNAVII who with Warwicke-shire Worcester-shire Stafford-shire and Shrop-shire spread themselues further into this Countie as in Ptolemie is placed and the Cangi likewise if they be the Ceangi whose remembrance was found vpon the shore of this Shire on the surface of certaine pieces of Lead in this manner inscribed IMP. DOMIT. AVO. GER DE CEANG. These Cangi were subdued by P. Ostorius Seapula immediately before his great victory against Caractacus where in the mouth of Deua he built a Fortresse at the backe of the Ordouices to restraine their power which was great in those parts in the raigne of Vespasian the Emperour But after the departure of the Romanes this Prouince became a portion of the Saxon Mercians Kingdome notwithstanding saith Ran Higden the Citie it selfe was hold by the Britaine 's vntill all fell into the Monarchy of Egbert Of the dispositions of the since Inhabitants heare Lucian the Monke who liued presently after the Conquest spake They are found saith he to differ from the rest of the English partly better and partly equall In feasting they are friendly at meat chearefull in entertainement liberall soone angry and soone pacified lauish in words impatient of seruitude mercifull to the afflicted compassionate to the poore kinde to their kindred spary of labour void of disimulation not greedie meating and far from dangerous practises And let me adde thus much which Lucian could not namely that this Shire hath neuer beene stained with the blot of rebellion but euer stood true to their King and his Crowne whose loyaltie Richard the second so farre found and esteemed that he held his person most safe among them and by authoritie of Parliament made the Countie to be a Principalitie and stiled himselfe Prince of Chester King Henry the third gaue it to his eldest sonne Prince Edward against whom Lewlyn Prince of Wales gathered a mightie Band and with them did the Conntie much harme euen vnto the Cities gates With the like scarre-fires it had oft times beene affrighted which they lastly defenced with a Wall made of the Welsh-mens heads on the South side of Dee in Hanbridge The Shire may well be said to be a Seed-plot of Gentilitie and the producer of many most ancient and worthy Families neither hath any brought more men of valour into the Field then Chesse-shire hath done who by a generall speech are to this day called The Chiefe of men and for Natures endowments besides their noblenesse of mindes may compare with any other Nation in the world their limmes straight and well-composed their complexions faire with a chearefull countenance and the Women for grace feature and beautie inferiour vnto none 6 The Commodities of this Prouince by the report of Ranulphus the Monke of Chester are chiefly Corne Cattle Fish Fowle Salt Mines Metals Meares and Riuers whereof the bankes of Dee in her West and the Vale Royall in her midst for fruitfulnesse of pasturage equals any other in the Land either in graine from the Cow 7 These with all other prouision for life are traded thorow thirteene Market-Townes in this Shire whereof Chester is the fairest from whom the Shire hath the name A Citie raised from the Fort of Ostorius Lieutenant of Britaine for Claudius the Emperour whither the twentieth Legion named Victrix were sent by Galba to restraine the Britaines but growne themselues out of order Iulius Agricola was appointed their Generall by Vespafian as appeareth by Monies then minted and there found and from them no doubt by the Britaine 's the place was called Caer Legion by Ptolemie Deunana by Antonine Dena and now by vs West-Chester but Henry Bradshawe will haue it built before Brute by the Giant Leon Gaueâ— a man beyond the Moone and called by Marius the vanquisher of the Picts Ouer Deua or Dee a faire stone-bridge leadeth built vpon eight Arches at either end whereof is a Gate from whence in a long Quadren-wise the wals do incompasse the Citie high and strongly built with foure faire Gates opening into the foure windes besides three Posternes and seauen Watch-Towers extending in compasse one thousand nine hundred and fortie paces On the South of this Citie is mounted a strong and stately Castle round in forme and the base Court likewise inclosed with a circular wall In the North is the Minister first built by Earle Leofrike to the honour of S. Werburga the Virgin and after most sumptuously repaired by Hugh the first Earle of Chester of the Normans now the Cathedrall of the Bishops See Therein lyeth interred as report doth relate the body of Henry the fourth Emperour of Almane who leauing his Imperiall Estate lead lastly therein an Hermites life This Citie hath formerly beene sore defaced first by Egfrid King of Northumberland where he slew twelue hundred Christian Monkes resorted thither from Bangor to pray Againe by the Danes it was sore defaced when their destroying feete had trampled downe the beautie of the Land But was againe rebuilt by Edelfleada the Mercian Lady who in this Countie and Forrest of Delamer built two fine Cities nothing of them now remaining besides the Chamber in the Forrest Chester in the dayes of King Edgar was in most flourishing estate wherein he had the homage of eight other Kings who rowed his Barge from S. Iohns to his Pallace himselfe holding the Helme as their supreme This Citie was made a County incorporate of it selfe by King Henry the seauenth and is yearely gouerned by a Mator with Sword and Mace borne before him in State two Sheriffes twentie-foure Aldermen a Recorder a Towne-Clerke and a Sergeant of Peace foure Sergeants and
rase-stones containing 24. miles the whole circumference about 112. miles 3 The forme thereof is somewhat long and narrow the Aire sharpe and piercing purging it selfe from the trouble of grosse foggy mists and vapours by reason of which the people of this Prouince are not acquainted with strange diseases or imperfections of body but liue long and are healthfull and attaine to the number of many yeares 4 The Soile for the most part of it is but barren and can hardly be brought to any fruitfulnesse by the industry and painfull labour of the husbandman being so full of infertile places which the Northern Englishmen call Moores yet the more Southerly part is not reported to be so sterile but more fruitfull in the vallies though contained in a narrow roome betweene the Riuer Lone and Wâ—â—ander mear and it is all termed by one name The Barony of Kendale or Candale that is the dale by Can taking the name of the Riuer Can that runs through it 5 The ancient Inhabitants of this Country were the Brigantes mentioned in the seuerall Counties of Yorke Lancaster and Cumberland 6 It is not commended either for plentie of Corne or Cattle being neither stored with arable grounds to bring forth the one nor pasturage to breed vp the other the principall profit that the people of this Prouince raise vnto themselues is by cloathing 7 The chiefest place of which is Kandale or Kendale called also Kirkeby Kendale standing on the banke of the Riuer Can. This Towne is of great trade and resort and for the diligent and industrious practise of making cloath so excels the rest that in regard thereof it carrieth a supereminent name aboue them and hath great vent trashque for her wollen cloaths through all the parts of England It challengeth not much glory for Antiquitie onely this it accounteth a great credit that it hath dignified three Earles with the title thereof as Iohn Duke of Bedford whom Henry the Fift being his brother aduanced to that honour Iohn Duke of Sommerset and Iohn de Foix whom King Henry the sixt preferred to that dignitie for his honourable and trusty seruices done in the French warres It is a place of very ciuill and orderly gouernment the which is mannaged by an Alderman chosen euery yeare out of his twelue Brethren who are all distinguished and notified from the rest by the wearing of purple garments The Alderman and his Senior Brother are alwayes Iustices of Peace and Quorum There are in it a Towne-Clerke a Recorder two Sergeants at Mace and two Chamberlaines By Mathematicall obseruation the site of this Towne is in the degree of Longitude 17. 30. scruples from the first West point and the Pole eleuated in Latitude to the degree 55. and 15. minutes 8 Places of memorable note for Antiquitie are Vertera mentioned by Antonine the Emperour and Aballaba which we contractly call Apelby In the one the Northerne English conspired against William the Conquerour in the beginning of the Norman gouernment In the other the Aâ—relâ—an Maures kept a station in the time of the Romanes and their high streete is yet apparently to be seene by the ridges thereof which lead by Apelby to a place called Brouonacum mentioned in the Booke of Prouinciall notices The antique pieces of Romane Coyne other whiles digd vp hereabouts and some Inscriptions not long since found shew of what continuance they haue beene although Time which deuouteth all things hath so fed vpon their carkasses many ages together as it hath almost consumed both houses and Inhabitants For Apelby now is bare both of people and building and were it not for the antiquitie that makes it the more esteemable in whose Castle the Assises are commonly kept it would be little better in account then a village Verterae is long since decayed and the name of it changed into Burgh for it is commonly named Burgh vnder Staâ—emore In which it is said a Romane Captaine made his abode with a band of Directores in the declining age of the Romane Empire These two places William of Newborough calleth Princely Holds and writeth that William King of Scots a little before he himselfe was taken prisoner at Alnewicke surprized them on a sodaine but King Iohn recouered them after and liberally bestowed them vpon Robert Vâ—pont for his many worthy seruices 9 There is mention made but of one religious house that hath beene in all this Country and that was a little Monastery seated neere vnto the Riuer Lodâ—â— built by Thoâ—as the sonne of Gospatricke the sonne of Orms where there is a fountaine or spring that ebbes and flowes many times a day and it is thought that some notable Act of Atchieuement hath beene performed there for that there be huge stones in forme of Pyramides some nine foot high and fourteene foot thicke ranged for a mile in length directly in a row and equally distant which might seeme to haue beene there purposely pitcâ—ed in memory thereof but what that Act was is not now knowne but quite worne out of remembrance by times iniurie 10 Other matters worthy obseruation are onely these That at Amboglana now called Amble-side neere the vpper corner of Winander mear there appeares at this day the ruines of an ancient Citie which by the British-Brickes by Romane-money oftentimes found there by High-wayes paued leading vnto it and other likelihoods seemes to haue beene a worke of the Romanes The Fortresse thereof so long fenced with a ditch and rampire that it tooke vp in length one hundred thirtie two Ells and in bredth eight There are also neere Kendale in the Riuer Can two Catadupae or Waterfals where the waters descend with such a forcible downefall that it compels a mightie noyse to be heard which the neighbour Inhabitants make such vse of as they stand them in as good stead as Prognostications for when that which standeth North from them soundeth more cleare and with a louder eccho in their eares they certainly looke for faire weather to follow But when that on the South doth the like they expect foggy mists and showres of raine 11 This Prouince is traded with foure Market-Townes fortified with the strength of seuen Castles and hath 26. Parishes in it for the celebration of Diuine Seruice CVMBERLAND CHAPTER XLI CVMBERLAND the furthest North-west Prouince in this Realme of England confronteth vpon the South of Scotland and is diuided from that Kingdome partly by the Riuer â—irsoâ— then crossing Eske by a tract thorow Solome-Mosse vntill it come to the Solwaye Frith by Ptolemie called the 〈◊〉 Baye The North-west part is neighboured by Northumberland more East-ward with Westmerland the South with Lancashire and the West is wholly washed with the Irish Seas 2 The forme whereof is long and narrow pointing wedge-like into the South which part is altogether pestred with copped-hilles and therefore hath the name of Cop-land The middle is more leuell and better inhabited yeelding sufficient for the sustenance of man but the North is wilde and
Penbroke Tenby Hereford West with the goodly and many branched Hauen of Milford called in Welsh Aberdangledhett S. Dauids or Meneuiâ— which is the chiefest See in Wales Fiscard called Aberwayn and Newport named Tresdreth 18 The third part was Caermarden-shire which is a Country accounted the strongest part of all South-Wales as that which is full of high Mountaines great Woods and faire Riuers 19 The fourth called Morganwe now Glamorgan-shire hath on the South the Seuerne Sea which diuideth it from Deuonshire and Cornewall vpon the West and North-west Carmarden-shire vpon the North-east Breckneck-shire and vpon the East Monmouth-shire 20 The fift now called Gwent and in Monmouth-shire hath in it the ancient Citie of Caerlbeon vpon Vske There are also diuers Townes and Castles Chepstow Glynstrygul Râ—s Tynterne vpon the Riuer Wye c. This is a faire and fertile Country It hath on the West Glamorgan and Brecknock-shires vpon the North Hereford-shire vpon the East Glocester-shire with the Riuer Wye and the Riuer Seuerne vpon the South and South-east 21 The last is Brecknock-shire for the most part full of Mountaines Woods and Riuers This Country is both great and large being full of faire plaines and vallyes for Corne it hath plentie of the thicke Woods Forrests and Parkes It is full also of cleere and deepe Riuers of which Seuerne is the chiefest although there be other faire Riuers as Vske and the like 22 Thus farre concerning the ancient Welsh diuision by Talaiths but the present diuision distributeth them more compendiously into two Countries and twelue Shires enacted so by Parlament vnder King Henry the eight The Countries are North-Wales and South-Wales which haue shared and as it were deuoured betweene them all Powysland each of which Countries containes sixe Shires North-Wales Anglesey Caâ—â—â—aruon Merionyth Denbigh Flint Montgomery South-Wales Caerdigan Pembroke Carmarden Glamorgan Brecknocks Radnâ—r PEMBROKE-SHIRE CHAPTER II. PEMBROKE-SHIRE the furthest Promontory of all West-Wales lieth parted on the North from Cardigan-shire with the Riuers Tyâ—y and Keach and on the East is confronted by Caermarden-shire the South and West shooting farre into the Irish Seas is with the same altogether washed 2 The forme thereof is longer then it is broad for from S 〈◊〉 South-point to Cardigan-bridge in the North are twentie-sixe miles the Easterne Landenie to S. Dauids point in the West are twentie miles the whole in circumference is nintie three miles 3 The Aire is passing temperate by the report of Giraldus who confirmeth his reason from the site of Ireland against which it butteth and so neere adioyned that King Rufus thought it possible to make a Bridge of his Shippes ouer the Sea whereby he might passe to Ireland on foot 4 Anciently it was possessed by the Demetia further branched into Cardigan and Caermarden-shires as in that County hath beene said and in the Saxons Conquest and Heptarchte by the Britaine 's forced into those parts for refuge whither Henry the first and third of the Normans King sent certaine Flemings whose Country was ouer-whelmed with the breaking 〈◊〉 of the Seas to inhabite the maritine Tract called Rosse lying West vpon the Riuer Dougledye Thess Dutchmen saith Giraldus were a strong and stout Nation inured to Warres and accustomed to seeke gaine by Clothing Traffique and Tillage and euer readie for the Field to fight it out adding withall that they were most loyall to the English and most faithfull to the English-men Whereupon Malmesbury writeth thus Many a time did King William Rufus assaile the Welsh but euer in vaine which is to be wondred at considering his other fortunate successe But saith he it may be the vneuennesse of the ground and sharpnesse of the aire that maintained their courage and impeached his valour which to redresse King Henry his brother found meanes for those Flemings who in regard of his mothers kindred by the fathers side sorely pestred and endammaged the English he sent into Wales both to purge and disburden his owne Kingdome and to quell and keepe backe the courage of his enemies These men here seated deceiued not his expectation but so carried themselues in his quarrell that they seldome communicated with their neighbours so that to this day they speake not the Language and the Country is yet called Little England beyond Wales 5 The commodities of this Shire are Corne Cattle Sea-Fish and Fowle and in Giraldus his dayes of saleable Wines the Hauens being so commodious for Ships arriuage such is that at Tenby and Milford an Hauen of such capacitie that sixteene Creekes fiue Bayes and thirteene Roades knowne all by seuerall names are therein contained where Henry of Richmond of most happie memory arriued with signall hopes of Englands freedome from vnder the gouernment of an vsurping Tyrant 6 Neere vnto this is Pembroke the Shire-Towne seated more ancient in shew then it is in yeares and more houses without Inhabitants then I saw in any one Citie thorowout my suruey It is walled long-wise and them but indifferent for repaire containing in circuit eight hundred and fourescore pases hauing three Gates of passage and at the West end a large Castle and locked-causey that leads ouer the water to the decayed Priory of Monton The site of this Towne is in the degree of Longitude as Mercator doth measure 14. and 55. minutes and the eleuation from the North-pole in the degree of Latitude 52. 7 A Citie as barren is old Saint Dauids neither clad with Woods nor garnished with Riuers nor beautified with Fields nor adorned vvith Meadowes but lieth alwayes open both to winde and stormes Yet hath it beene a Nursery to holy men for herein liued Calphâ—â—rnius a Britaine Priest whose wife was Concha sister to Saint Martin and both of them the parents of Saint Patricke the Apostle of Ireland Deus a most religious Bishop made this an Archiepiscopall See remoued from Isâ—a Legionum This the Britaines call Tuy Dewy the house of Deui we Saint Dauids a Citie with few Inhabitants yet hath it a faire Cathedrall Church dedicated to Saint Andrew and Dauid in the middest of whose Quire lieth intombed Edmund Earle of Richmond father to King Henry the seuenth whose Monument as the Prebends told me spared their Church from other defacements when all went downe vnder the hammers of King Henry the eight About this is a faire wall and the Bishops Palace all of free stone a goodly house I assure you and of great receit whose vncouered tops cause the curious workes in the walles daily to weepe and them to feare their downefall ere long 8 But Monton the Priorie and S. Dogmels places of deuout pietie erected in this Countie found not the like fauour when the commission of their dissolutions came downe against them and the axes of destruction cut downe the props of their walles RADNOR-SHIRE CHAPTER III. RADNOR-SHIRE lieth bordered vpon the North with the County Monmouth vpon the East toucheth Shropshire and Herefordshire the Riuers Clarwen and Wye diuide it from Breknock in the
fortified with a Wall and Castle in the raigne of King Rufus when he and his Norman Knights had ouercome Rhese the Prince of these parts and thrust out Iestine from his lawfull possession This Towne he made his owne Seat and Court of Iustice enioyning his Consorts to giue ayde to this honour and to hold their portions in vassallage of him Strong was the Castle as by the trust therein reposed may well appeare where the youngest brother Beautlark kept captiue the eldest Curthose both of them sonnes to the Conquerour the space of twentie sixe yeares This Castle is large and in good repaire whence the Towne-wall went both South and East to the Riuers side thorow which foure Gates enter into the foure windes and containe in compasse nine hundred and twentie pases and along the Riuer a sure defence vpon her West side three hundred more so that the Towne containeth in circuit twelue hundred and fourescore pases But as the Taue is a friend to the Towne in making a Key for arriuage of shipping so is she a foe to S. Maries Church in the South with vndermining her foundations and threatning her fall The Towne is gouerned by a Maior yearely elected out of twelue Aldermen assisted with other twelue Burgesses a Towne-Clerke foure Câ—â—stables and two Sergeants with Maces whose site is obserued from the North-Starre to lie in the degree of Latitude 51. and 49. scruples and from the first point in the West 16. and 53 scrupâ—â—â— 5 In the same graduation almost is sited the â—itie Landaf wherein is a Castle and Cathedrall Church dedicated to S. Telean Bishop of the same without any other memorable matter worthy the speaking of 6 ofâ—â—aldus â—â—aldus who affirmeth that in a Rocke or Cliffe vpon the Sea side and Iland Barry lying neere the South-â—â—st point of this County is beard out of a little Chinke let him take heed what he saith the noise as it 〈◊〉 of Smiths at their worke one whiles the blowing of Bellowes to increase the heat then the stroakes of the Hammer and sound of the 〈◊〉 sometimes the noise of the Grind-stone in grinding of Iron tooles then the hissing sparkes of Steele-gads as they flie from their beating with the puffing noise of flames in a Furnace And whether this is the place whereof Clemens Alexandrinus speaketh I determine not where in his writings he hath these words They that haue recorded Histories saith he doe say that in the I le of Britaine there is a certaine Hole or Caâ—e vnder the bottome of an Hill and on the top thereof a gaping Chinke into the which when the winde is gathered and tossed to and froâ— in the wombe or concauitie thereof there is heard aboue a sound of Cymbals for the winde being driuen backe from his hole is forced to make a loud sound at her vent 7 More Westward from hence vpon the Riuer Ogmore and neere vnto Newton in a sandie plaine about an hundred pases from Seuerne there springeth a Well though not of the clearest water where at the flowing and fulnesse of the Sea can hardly any water be gotten but at the ebbe and fall of tyde it walloweth vp amaine The cause may be as Polybius reports of the like at Cadys Wherein the windie ayre when it is depriued of his wonted issues forcibly returneth shutting and stopping vp the passages and veines of the Spring whereby 〈◊〉 waters are kept in But contrariwise when the surface thereof is void and emptie of water the veinâ—â— of the Source or Spring are vnstopped and set free which then boileth vp in great abundance 8 And vpon the same shoare more 〈◊〉 and by West on the top of a hill called Minyd-Margan is erected a Monument inscribed witâ—â— strange Character and as strange a conceit held thereof by the by-dwellers whose opinions are possessed that if any man reade the same he shall shortly after die This Shire as it is the furthest 〈◊〉 of South-Wales and lay open to forraine inuasion so was is fortified with twentie-fiue stronge Castles whereof times and stormes haue deuoured the most such were Barry Saint Doneitis Denâ—â—â—owis Morlashe Menesâ—e Loghoâ— Llanddeny Llanquian Oxwich Oystermouth Ognior Pile Porkery Peâ—â—arth Winston Newcastle Caerfly Coche Peullys 〈◊〉 Kenfeage Tallaâ—â—â— Treer and Cothy Neither was the Countie so ill seated for sufficiency of life or barren of graine but that therein were planted places for diuine pietie such were Neath Margan and Caerdif besides the Episcopall See of Landaâ— which last still remaineth the other three suppressed among the fall of their like vnder King Henry the eight MONMOVTH-SHIRE CHAPTER VIII MONMOVTH-SHIRE from Monmouth Towne and that from Mounowe-water bearing name is altogether inclosed on the North and is separated from Hereford-shire with the same Riuer vpon the East both it and Wye diuides this County from Glocester-shire The South-side wholly is washed by the Seuerne Sea and some of her West part by Rempney is parted from Glamorgan and the rest lyeth bordered vpon by Breknock-shire 2 The forme thereof is Scallop-wise both long and broad shooting her North point to Llantony and her South to the fall of Rempney betwixt which two are twentie foure English miles and from Chepstowe East to Blanagwent West are not altogether nineteene miles the whole in circuit draweth somewhat neere to seauentie seauen miles 3 The Ayre is temperate healthfull an◠〈◊〉 the soile is hilly wooddy and rich all places fruitfull but no place barren The Hils are 〈◊〉 vpon by Cattle and Sheepe the Vallies are laden with Corne and Grasse neuer vngratefull of 〈◊〉 bandmans paines nor makes frustrate his hope of expected increase whose springs abundantly â—sing in this Countie with many streames doe fatten the soile euen from side to side 4 Anciently the Silâ—â—es inhabited this Shire whose chiefe Citie by the Emperour Antonine is named Venta Silarum by the Welsh Caer-went and was by Tathâ— the British Saint made an Academiâ— and a diuine place for worship So like wise Caer-lion now once Isca was where the second Roman Legion called Augusta lay as by their Coines Altars Tables and Inscriptions there found and daily therein digged vp doth euidently appeare By the report of Giraldus in this Citie was the Court of great Arthur whither the Romane Embassadours resorted vnto him and as Alexander Elsebinsis writeth therein was a Schoole of two hundred Philosophers skilfull in Astronomie and other Arts. Which is the more credible for that Aâ—phibalus S. Albans instructer was therein borne and Iulius and Aaron two noble Proto-Martyrs of great Britaine in this Citiereceiued the Crowne of Martyrdome where their bodies were also interred But as all things finde their fatall period so this Citie for beautie circuit and magnificall respect is laid in the ruines of her owne decay neither may any more lament the losse of glory then Munmouths Castle which captiue-like doth yeeld to conquering Time Her downe-cast stones from those lostie turrets doe shew what beautie once it bare standing mounted
it gaue vnto the third It was founded by Henry the second finished by Edward the first and long after gaue harbour and entertainment to that noble but vnfortunate Prince Richard the second comming out of Ireland being within her walles a free and absolute King but no sooner without but taken prisoner by Henry Bullingbrooke Duke of Lancaster losing at that time his libertie and not long after his life This standeth in the graduation of Latitude 53. 55. minutes in Longitude 17. For the Castle of Hawarden no record remaines of the first founder but that it was held a long time by the Stewards of the Earles of Chester Howbeit their resistances did not so generally consist in the strength of their Castles and Fortifications as in their Mountaines and Hils which in times of danger serued as naturall Bulwarkes and Defences vnto them against the force of enemies As was that which standeth in a certaine strait set about with woods neere vnto the Riuer Alen called Coles-hull that is Coles-hill where the English by reason of their disordered multitude not ranged close in good array lost the field and were defeated when King Henry the second had made as great preparation as might be to giue battle vnto the Welsh and the very Kings Standard was forsaken by Henry of Essex who was Standard-bearer to the Kings of England in right of inheritance 8 This Country hath many shallow riuers in it but none of fame and note but d ee and Cluyde Howbeit there is a Spring not farre from Rudland Castle of great report and antiquitie which is termed Fons Sacer in English Holy-Well and is also commonly called S. Winefrids Well of whom antiquitie thus reporteth That Winefrid a Christian Virgin very faire and vertuous was doated vpon by a young lustfull Prince or Lord of the Country who not long able to rule his head-strong affections hauing many times in vaine attempted and tryed her chastitie both by rich gifts and large promises could not by any meanes obtaine his desires he therefore in a place of aduantage suddenly surprized and rauished her weake yet resisting body After the deed done the cruell Tyrant to stop her cries and acclamations slew her and cut off her head out of which place did suddenly arise a Spring that continueth to this day carrying from the Fountaine such a forcible streame and current as the like is not found in Christendome Ouer the head of the Spring there is built a Chappell of free stone with Pillars curiously wrought and engraued in the Chancell whereof and glasse window the picture of the Virgin is drawne together with the memoriall of her life and death To this Fountaine Pilgrims are accustomed to repaire in their zealous but blind deuotion and diuers others resort to bathe in holding firmely that the water is of much vertue There be many red stones in the bottome of this Well and much greene mosse growing vpon the sides the superstition of the people holding that those red spots in the stones were drops of the Ladies bloud which all the water in the Spring can neuer wash away and that the mosse about the wall was her haire which though some of it be giuen to euery stranger that comes yet it neuer wasteth But howsoeuer this be carried for truth by the tradition of time the mosse it selfe smels exceeding sweet There is also hard by Kilken a small village within this Countie a little Well of no great note that at certaine times riseth and falleth after the manner of Sea-tydes 9 In the South part of this Country diuided from the rest is a place in some written Coppies of Antonine called Bouium which we now terme Banchor first a Citie and afterwards a Monastery of famous memory and the first that is read of in the world wherein as Beda saith were a great number of Monkes and them diuided into seauen Companies euery one hauing his seuerall Ruler assigned None of these Companies had lesse then three hundred persons deuoted to prayer and to get liuing by their owne labour for themselues and the poore although it hath long since beene vtterly ruinate so as now there is scarce seene the face and outward shew of a dead Citie or Monastery It hath onely the names of two Gates remaining one standing a mile distant from another and betwixt which the Riuer Dee now runneth where are often times found many pieces of Romane Coyne and other tokens of antiquitie But of these shall be more mention made in the following History Another like Monastry but of lesser account stood in the Vale beneath Varis a little Citie placed the Romans in the confines of this Shire and Deabigh-shire and vpon the Ranke of Elwy and Cluyd This the Britaines call 〈◊〉 of the Riuer the Englishmen Asuph of the Founder and the Historiographers Asphensis It is more famouse for antiquitie then for building o◠brauery for about the yeare 560 Kentigein Bishop of Glas◠being fled 〈◊〉 out of Scotland placed here a Bishops See and erected a Monastry gathering together 66◠in a religious brotherhood whereof 300. that were vnlearned gaue themselues to husbandrie and to worke within the Monastery the rest to prayer and meditations When he returned into Scotland he ordained Asaph a godly and vpright man to be gouernous ouer this Monastery of whom it tooke the name and is called Saint Asaphs Another Monastry of great account was at Basingwarke in this County neere vnto which began that admirable Ditch drawne thence vnto the mouth of 〈◊〉 by King Offa the Tract whereof I haue expressed thorow this Shire and will further speake thereof in the following History ANGLESEY CHAPTER XIII ANGLESEY was in the time of the Romans called Mona by the Britaines Mon and Tir-Mon that is the Land of Mon of the ancient English-Saxons Moneg And at last after the Englishmen had by their sharpe and seuerall assaults brought it vnder their rules and became Lords thereof it was termed Anglesey as one would say The Englishmens Iland 2 For an Iland it is albeit it be seuered from the Continent of Britaine but with a small and narrow streight of the riuer Menai and on all other parts beaten vpon with the surging and troublous Irish Sea in which it lyeth somewhat square-wise not much different in length and breadth being where it reacheth out in length from Beau-marish Eastward to the vtmost Promontory West-ward which we call Holy-head twentie miles and in breadth from Llanbaderik North-ward to the point of Menai South-ward seauenteene miles the whole circuit or circumference amounting towards seauentie miles 3 The aire is reasonable gratefull and healthfull and not generally subiect to diseases excepting certaine Agues at some times which are occasioned by the sogs and misty exhalations which arise from the Sea called Mare Virginium with the which this Ile is encompassed 4 The Commodities that commend or rather beautifie this Country are in Corne and Cattle wherewith it not onely enricheth it selfe exceedingly
Imaus in Schithia For all the yeare long these lye mantelled ouer with Snow hard crusted together though otherwise for their height they are open and liable both to the Sunne to dissolue them and the windes to ouer-sweepe them 5 The ancient Inhabitants of this Country were the Ordouices of whom we haue sufficiently spoken in the description of the former Prouinces neither need I insist either vpon the pleasures or profits that this Country yeeldeth by reason of the great affinity it hath both of Climate and Commodities with Denbigh-shire and Flint-shire before mentioned But this beyond the other in some places breeds certaine Shel-fishes which being conceiued by an heauenly dew bring forth Pearles in ancient times 〈…〉 of then now they are 6 Touching places of note that Citie is very ancient which the Emperour Antonine calleth Segontium taking name of a Riuer running by which at this day is called Seront some reliques of the walls whereof doe yet appeare neere vnto a little Church consecrated to the honour of Saint Publicius This Citie Ninius calleth Caer Custenith which some interpret the Citie of Constantine Indeed Mathew Westminster saith how true I know not that Anno 1283. here was found the body of Constantius Father to great Constantine which King Edward the first caused to be sumptuously bestowed in the Church of the new Citie which he raised out of the ruines of the old and is now called Caâ—â—naruon which giueth name to this whole Shire The Towne it selfe yeeldeth a most excellent prospect towards the Sea and is incompassed in a manner round with the wals of the Castle so as we may say it is a Citie within a Castle which taketh vp the whole West-side of it and great pitie it is that so famous a worke should not be perpetuous or euer become the ruine of time which is much feared for the mercilesse vnderminings of the Sea that with her daily and forcible irruptions neuer ceaseth to wash away the foundations of the Key The people of this Towne are well approued for courteâ—ie and also Ciuill gouernment which is administred by the Constable of the Castle who is euer Maior by Patent hauing the assistance of one Alderman two Bailiffes two Sergeants at Mace and one Towne-Clerke The Townesmen doe not a little glory that King Edward the second was borne there in a Tower of the Castle called Eagle-Tower and surnamed of Caer-nar-uon he being the first Prince of Wales of the English line The site of this Towne according to Mathematicall obseruation is in the degree of Longitude 15. and 50. scruples from the first West-point and the Pole eleuated in Latitude 53. and 50. Bangor the Bishops See though it be now but a small Towne yet it was in time past so large that for the greatnesse thereof it was called Banchor Vaur that is Great Banchor which Hugh Earle of Chester fortified with a Castle But it hath beene long since vtterly ruinated and laid leuell with the ground in so much as there is not any footing to be found or other monuments left thereof although they haue beene sought with all diligent enquiry This Bishops See hath within the Dioces ninetie six Parishes But the ancient Church which was consecrated vnto Daniel sometime Bishop thereof was defaced and set on fire by that notorious Rebell Owen Glendowerdwy who had a purpose also to destroy all the Cities of Wales for that they stood for the King of England And though the same Church was since repaired about the time of King Henry the seauenth yet hath it scarce recouered the resemblance of her former dignitie The Riuer Conwey which limitteth this Shire on the East-side is in Ptolemy by corruption or ignorance of Transcribers called Toisonius in stead of Cononius whence Canonium a Towne mentioned by Antonine tooke name and albeit both it and its name be now vtterly extinct yet is there a couert remembrance thereof in the new name of a poore Village standing among the rubbish thereof called Caer-hean that is The ancient Citie Out of the spoyle whereof King Edward the first built a new Towne at the Riuers mouth termed thereupon Aber-Conwey that is the mouth of Conwey which being formerly fortified by Hugh of Chester and strongly situate and fenced both with wals a faire Castle by the Riuers side deserues rather the name of a Citie then a Towne if it were more populous and traffiqued with Inhabitants Neither must I here forget Newin though but a small Market-Towne for that it pleased the English Nobles Anno 1284 to honour it and the memory of King Arthur with triumphant celebritie after they had subdued the rebellious Ring-leaders of Wales 7 Other matters of memorable note this Country affordeth not much vnlesse perhaps this That iust ouer against the Riuer Conwey where it iflueth into the Sea there sometimes stood an ancient Citie named Diganwey which many yeares agoe was consumed by lightning and so made vtterly desolate as many other monuments haue beene of ancient and worthy memory As likewise that in the Poole Lin-Peris there is a kinde of Fish called there Torcoâ—h hauing a red belly no where else seene For touching these two other miracles famoused by Giraldus and Geruasius that on those his high hils there are two Pooles called the Meares the one of which produceth great store of fish but all hauing onely one eye and in the other there is a moueable Iland which as soone as a man treadeth on it forthwith floateth a great way off whereby the Welsh are said to haue often scaped and deluded their enemies assailing them these matters are out of my Creed and yet I thinke the Reader had rather beleeue them then to goe to see whether it be so or no. SCOTLANDS GENERALL DESCRIPTION CHAPTER I. SCOTLAND the second Kingdome of Great Britaine and the North part of the Iland hath on the East the Germane Ocean on the North the Orkneys and Deucalidon Sea the West affronted with Ireland and the South hath the Riuer Tweed the Cheuiot Hils and the adiacent Tract reaching to the Sulway Sands whereby it is separated from England 2 This Kingdome is faire and spacious and from these South-borders spreadeth it selfe wide into the East and West till againe it contracts it selfe narrower vnto the Northerne Promontories furnished with all things befitting a famous Kingdome both for Ayre and Soyle Riuers Woods Mountaines Fish Fowle and Cattle and Corne so plenteous that it supplyeth therewith other Countryes in their want The people thereof are of good feature strong of body and of couragious minde and in warres so venturous that scarce any seruice of note hath beene performed but that they were with the first and last in the field Their Nobilitie and Gentry are very studious of learning and all ciuill knowledge for which end they not onely frequent the three Vniuersities of their owne Kingdome S. Andrewes Glasco and Edenbrough the Nurseries of Pietie and Mansions of the sacred Muses but also much
magnanimitie 9 But the Citie which fame may iustly celebrate alone beyond all the Cities or Townes in Ireland is that which we call Diuelin Ptoleâ—ie Eblana the Latinists Dublinium and Dublinia the West-Britaines Dinas Dulm the English-Saxons in times past Duplin and the Irish Balacleigh that is the Towne vpon hurdles for it is reported that the place being fennish and moorish when it first began to be builded the foundation was laid vpon hurdles 10 That it is ancient is perswaded by the authoritie of Ptolâ—mie That it was grieuously rent and dismembred in the tamultuous warres of the Danes and brought afterwards vnder the subâ—ection of Eadgar King of England which his Charter also confirmeth wherein he calleth it the noble Citie of Ireland is written by Saxo Grammaticus That it was built by Harold of Norway which may seeme to be Harold Harâ—ager when he had brought the greatest part of Ireland into an awfull obedience vnto him we reade in the life of Griffith ap Sâ—â—an Prince of Wales At length it yeelded vnto the valour and protection of the English at their first arriuall into Ireland by whom it was manfully defended from the fierce assaults as well of Auscoulph Prince of the Dâ—blinians as afterwards of Gottard King of the Isles since which time it hath still augmented her flourishing estate and giuen approued testimony of her faith and loyaltie to the Crowne of England in the times of any tumultuous streights and commotions 11 This is the royall seat of Ireland strong in her munition beautifull in her buildings and for the quantitie matchable to many other Cities frequent for trafficke and intercourse of Merchants In the East Suburbs Henry the second King of England as Hâ—ueden reporteth caused a royall Pallace to be erected and Henry Loundres Archbishop of Diuelin built a Store-house about the yeare of Christ 1220. Not farre from it is the beautifull Colledge consecrated vnto the name of the holy Trinitie which Queene Elizabeth of famous memory dignified with the priuiledges of an Vniuersitie The Church of S. Patricke being much enlarged by King Iohn was by Iohn Comin Archbishop of Dublin borne at Euesham in England first ordained to be a Church of Prebends in the yeare 1191. It doth at this day maintaine a Deane a Chanter a Chancellor a Treasurer two Archdeacons and twentie two Prebendaries This Citie in times past for the due administration of Ciuill Gouernment had a Prouost for the chiefe Magistrate But in the yeare of mans redemption 1409 King Henry the fourth granted them libertie to chuse euery yeare a Maior and two Bailistes and that the Maior should haue a gilt sword carried before him for euer And King Edward the sixt to heape more honour vpon this place changed the two Bailiffes afterwards into Sheriffes so that there is not any thing here wanting that may serue to make the estate of a Citie most flourishing 12 As the people of this County doe about the neighbouring parts of Diuelin come neerest vnto the ciuill conditions and orderly subiection of the English so in places farther off they are more tumultuous being at deadly feuds amongst themselues committing oft times Man-slaughter one vpon another and working their owne mischiefes by mutuall wrongs for so the Irish of Leinster wasted Leinster with many Townes in the same Prouince in the yeare 1294. And in the yeare 1301. the men of Leinster in like manner raised a warre in the winter season setting on fire the Towne of Wykâ—â—lo Rathdon and others working their owne plague and punishment by burning vp their sustenance and losing their Castle by depredation 13 Matter of obseruation and no lesse admiration among them is the Giants dance commonly so called and so much talked of which Merlin is said by Art Magicke to haue translated out of this Territorie vnto Salisburie Plaine which how true it is I leaue to the vaine beleeuers of miracles and to the credulous obseruers of antiquitie 14 In this County haue beene erected many famous Monasteries Abbies and religious houses consecrated to deuout and holy purposes As the Monastery of Saint Maries of Oustmanby â—ounded for preaching Friers vnto which of late dayes the Iudiciall Courts of the Kingdome haue beene translated also the magnificent Abbey called S. Thomas Court at Dublin builded and endowed in times past with many large priuiledges and reuenewes of King Henry the second in expiation of the murther of Thomas Arch-bishop of Canterbury Likewise Tiutern Monastery or the notable Abbey which William Marshall Earle of Pembrooke founded and called De roto for that he had vowed to God being tossed at Sea with many a sore and dangerous tempest to erect an Abbey wheresoeuer he came to land and being after shipwracke cast vpon land in this place he made performance of his vow accordingly THE PROVINCE OF CONNAVGHT CHAPTER IIII. THis Prouince named by Giraldus Cambrensis Conachtia and Conacia by the Irish Conaughty and by English-men Connaught is bounded East-ward with part of the County of Leinster North-ward with part of Vlster West-ward with the West-maine Ocean and on the South it is confined with a part of the Prouince of Mounster closed in with the Riuer Sbennon and butting against the Kingdome of Spaine 2 The forme thereof is long and towards the North and South ends thinne and narrow but as it growes towards the middle from either part it waxeth still bigger and bigger extending in length from the Riuer Shennon in her South to Enis Kelling in her North 126. miles and the broadest part is from Tromer in her East to Barragh-Bay in her West containing about fourescore miles The whole in circuit and compasse is aboue foure hundred miles 3 The aire is not altogether so pure and cleare as in the other Prouinces of Ireland by reason of certaine moist places couered ouer with grasse which of their softnesse are vsually termed Boghes both dangerous and full of vaporous and foggie mists 4 This County as it is diuided into seuerall portions so is euery portion seuerally commended for the soile according to the seasonable times of the yeare Twomond or the County Clare is said to be a Country so conueniently situated that either from the Sea or Soile there can be nothin wisht for more then what it doth naturally afford of it selfe were but the industry of the Inhabitants answerable to the rest Galway is a land very thankfull to the painefull husbandman and no lesse commodious and profitable to the Shepheard Maio in the Roman Prouinciall called Mageo is replenished both with pleasure and fertility abundantly rich in Cattle Deere Hawkes and plenty of Hony Slego coasting vpon the Sea is a plenteous Country for feeding and raising of Cattle Le-Trim a place rising vp throughout with hilles is so full of ranke grasse and forrage that as Solinus reporteth if Cattle were not kept sometimes from grasing their fulnesse would endanger them And Roscoâ—en is a Territory for the most part plaine and fruitfull feeding many Heards
of Cattle and with meane husbandry and tillage yeelding plentie of Corne As euery particular part is thus seuerally profitable by in-bred commodities so is it no lesse commended in the generalitie for the many accomodate and fit Bayes Creekes and nauigable Riuers lying vpon her Sea-coasts that after a sort inuite and prouoke the Inhabitants to nauigation 5 Such as in ancient time made their abode and habitations in this Prouince were the GANGANI who were also called CONCANI AVTERI and NAGNATAE As the Luceni that were next neighbours vnto them came from the Luceniji in Spaine so those Gangam and Coneani may seeme also to haue fetcht their deriuation from the Concan Nation of the selfe-same Country both by the affinitie of name and vicinitie of place In Strabo according to the diuersitie of reading the same people are named Coniaci and Conisci and Silius testifieth them at the first to haue beene Scythians and to haue vsed ordinarily to drinke horses bloud a thing nothing strange among the wilde Irish euen of late dayes And some may also happily suppose that the Irish name Conaughty was compounded of Concani and Nagnatae Howsoeuer it is sure that these were the ancient Inhabitants of this Country as is to be seene in Ptolemie 6 The principall Citie of this Prouince and which may worthily be accounted the third in Ireland is Galway in Irish Galliue built in manner much like to a Tower It is dignified with a Bishops See and is much frequented with Merchants by reason whereof and the benefit of the Road and Hauen it is gainfull to the Inhabitants through traffique and exchange of rich commodities both by Sea and Iland Not farre from which neere the West shoare that lies indented with small in-lets and out lets in a row are the Ilands called Arran of which many a foolish fable goes as if they were the Ilands of the liuing wherein none died at any time or were subiect to moralitie which is as supersitious an obseruation as that vsed in some other corners of the Country where the people leaue the right armes of their Infants males vnchâ—stned as they terme it to the end that at any time afterwards they might giue a more deadly and vngracious blow when they strike which things doe not onely shew how palpably they are carried away by traditious obscurities but doe also intimate how full their hearts be of inueterate reuenge 7 This â—ouince presents no matter more worthy of memory then the battle of Knoe-toe that is The â—ull of axes vnder which the greatest rabble of Rebels that were euer seene before in Ireland raised and gathered together by the Arch-Rebels of that time William Burk O Brien Mac-Nomare and O-Carrol were after a bloudy ouerthrow discomfited and put to flight by the noble seruice of Girald Fâ—â—z-Gâ—rald Earle of â—ildare And the suppression of certaine Irish the posteritie of Mac-William who vsurping a tyrannie in these parts raged sometimes vpon themselues with mutuall iniuries and oppressed the poore people a long time with extorting pilling and spoiling so as they left scarce one house in the Country vnrifled or vnrased but were bridled and repressed euen in our remebrance by the seueritie and resolution of the Commissioner of those their vniust doings would be a meanes to draw the people away from the due obedience to their Prince such therefore as refused to obey the lawes and sided with the tumultuous with all care and diligence he soone scattered forcing their Forts and driuing them into woods and lurking holes for troubling the blessed estate of tranquilitie till the Lord Deputie who tooke pitie of them vpon their humble supplication commanded by his missiues that they should be receiued vpon tearmes of peace But they being a stiffenecked people tooke armes againe entred a-fresh into actuall rebellion draue away booties made foule vprores and vpon faire promises procured the aid of the Scottish Ilanders from out of the Hebrides whereupon the Gouernour assembled an Armie and pursued them with such powerfull violence through the Woods and Forrests that after sixe or seauen weekes being grieuously hunger-bitten they submitted themselues in all humilitie The Auxiliarie Forces also of the Scots he by day and night affronted so neere and followed so hardly that he put them to flight after he had killed and drowned about three thousand of them in the Riuer Moin 8 About the yeare 1316. there was such a great slaughter made of the Irish in this Prouince of Connaught through a quarrell that arose there betweene two Lords or Princes that there were slaine on both sides about foure thousand men and so great a tribulation at that time came vpon the people that they did deuoure and eat one another so as of 10000. there remained not aboue 200. liuing And it is reported for truth that the people were then so hunger-starued that in Church-yards they tooke the dead bodies out of their graues and in their sculs boiled the flesh and fed vpon it yea and that women did eat their owne children Thus appeared the ire and anger of God in punishing their sinnes and seeking their conuersion 9 Places memorable are Inis Ceath well knowne by the Monastery of Colman a deuout Saint founded for Scots and Englishmen and Inis Bouind which Bede calleth White Calse Isle Also Maâ—o a Monastery built as Bede writeth for thirtie men of the English Nation Likewise the Barony of Boile vnder Carlew hilles where in times past was a famous Abbey built together with the Abbey of Beatitude in the yeare of grace 1152 These Abbeyes and Monasteries erected at the first for religious seruices and through ignorance and other obseurities diuerted since vnto superstitious vses are now made the ruines of time THE PROVINCE OF VLSTER CHAPTER V. THis Prouince called by our Welsh-Britaines Vltw in Irish Cui Guilly in Latine Vltonia and Vlidia in English Vâ—sier on the North is diuided by a narrow Sea from Scotland South-ward it extends it selfe to Connagh and Leinster the East part lieth vpon the Irish Sea and the West part is continually beaten with the boisterous rage of the maine West Ocean This Prouince and furthest part of Ireland affronteth the Scotish Ilands which are called the Hebrides and are scattered in the Seas betweene both Kingdomes whose Inhabitants at this day is the Irish-Scot successour of the old Scythian 2 The forme thereof is round reaching in length from Coldagh-Hauen in her North to Kilmore in her South neere an hundred miles and in bredth from Black-Abbey in her East to Calebegh point in her West one hundred thirtie and odde miles The whole in circumference about foure hundred and twentie miles 3 This Country seldome feeleth any vnseasonable extremities the quicke and flexible windes cooling the heat of Summer and soft and gentle showers mollifie the hardnesse of the Winter Briefly the frozen nor torrid Zone haue not here any vsurpation the clouds in the aire very sweet and pleasant yea and when they are most
the onely Vniuersities then in Europe should be erected Schooles for the Hebrew Greeke Arabicke and Chaldean tongues and that Oxford should be the generall Vniuersitie for all England Ireland Scotland and Wales which point was likewise of such weight with the Councell of Constance that from this precedent of Oxford Vniuersitie it was concluded that the English Nation was not onely to haue precedence of Spaine in all Generall Councels but was also to be held equall with France it selfe By which high prerogatiues this of ours hath alwayes so flourished that in the dayes of King Henry the 〈◊〉 thirtie thousand Students were therein resident as Archbishop Armachanus who then liued 〈◊〉 writ and â—…ger then also liuing sheweth that for all the ciuill warres which hindered such 〈◊〉 of quiet studie yet 15000. Students were there remaining whose names saith he were 〈◊〉 in matricula in the matriculation booke About which time Iohn Baltol the father of Baltol King of Scots built a Colledge yet bearing his name Anno 1269. and Walter Merton Bishop of Rochester that which is now called Merton Colledge both of them beautified with buildings and enriched with lands and were the first endowed Colledges for learning in all Christendome And at this present 〈◊〉 sixteene Colledges besides another newly builded with eight Hals and many most 〈…〉 Churches all adorned with most stately buildings and enriched with great endowments noble Libraries and most learned Graduates of all professions that vnlesse it be her sister Cambridge the other nursing breast of this Land the like is not sound againe in the world This Citie is also honoured with an Episcopall See As for the site thereof it is remoued from the Equator in the degree 52. and one minute and from the West by Mercators measure 19. degrees and â—0 minutes 8 As this Countie is happie in the possession of so famous an Academie so is it graced with most Princely Palaces appertaining to the English Crowne whereof Woodstocke is the most ancient and magnificent built to that glory by King Henry the first and enlarged with a Labyrinth of many windings by King Henry the second to hide from his jealous Iuno his intirely beloued Concubine Rosamond Clifford a Damosell of surpassing beautie where notwithstanding followed by a clew of silke that fell from her lap she was surprised and poisoned by Queene Eleanor his wife and was first buried at Godstow Nunnery in the midst of the Quire vnder a Hearse of silke set about with lights whom Hugh Bishop of Lincolne thinking it an vnfit obiect for Virgins deuotion caused to be remoued into the Church yard but those chaste sisters liked so well the memory of that kinde Lady as that her bones they translated againe into their Chappell Bensington is another of his Majesties Mannours built by William de la Pole Duke of Suffolke but now in neglect through the annoâ—ance arising from the waters or marishes adioyning Houses built for deuotion and for abuse suppressed and againe put downe the chiefe in account were Enisham Osney Bruâ—rn Godstow Burchester and Tame besides S. Frideswides and very many other stately Houses of Religion in the Citie GLOCESTER-SHIRE CHAPTER XXIII GLOCESTER-SHIRE lyeth bordered vpon the North with Worcester and Warwicke-shires vpon the East with Oxford and Wileshire vpon the South altogether with Sommerset-shire and vpon the West with the Riuer Wye and Hereford-shire 2 The length thereof extended from Bristow vpon the Riuer Auon in her South vnto Clifford vpon another Auon in her North are about fortie eight miles and her broadest part from East to West is from Lechlad vnto Preston containing twentie eight the whole circumference about one hundred thirtie eight miles 3 The forme whereof is somewhat long and narrow the Ayre thereof is pleasant sweet and delectable and for fruitfulnesse of Soile heare Malmesbury and not me The ground of this Shire throughout saith he yeeldeth plentie of Corne and bringeth forth abundance of fruits the one through the naturall goodnesse onely of the ground the other through the diligent manuring and tillage in such wise that it would prouoke the laziest person to take paines Here you may see the High-wayes and Common Lanes clad with Apple trees and Peare trees not ingrafted by the industry of mans hand but growing naturally of their owne accord the ground of it selfe is so inclined to beare fruits and those both in taste and beautie farre exceeding others and will endure vntill a new supply come There is not any Country in England so thicke set with Vineyards as this Prouince is so plentifull of increase and so pleasant in taste The very wines made thereof carry no vnpleasant tartnesse as being little inferiour in sweet verdure to the French wines the houses are innumerable the Churches passing faire and the Townes standing very thicke But that which addeth vnto all good gifts a speciall glory is the Riuer Seuerne then which there is not any in all the Land for Channell broader for Streame swifter or for Fish better stored There is in it a daily rage and fury of waters which I know not whether I may call a Gulfe or Whirle-pole of waues raising vp the sands from the bottome winding and driuing them vpon heapes sometimes ouerflowing her bankes roâ—eth a great way vpon the face of her bordering grounds and againe retyreth as a Conquerour into the vsuall Channell Vnhappy is the Vessell which it taketh full vpon the side but the Water-men well ware thereof when they see that Hydra comming turne the Vessell vpon it and cut thorow the midst of it whereby they checke and auoyd her violence and danger 4 The ancient people that possessed this Prouince were the DOBVNI who spread themselues further into Oxford shire But betwixt the Seuerne and Wye were seated part of SILVRES or Inhabitants of South Wales And vpon what ground I know not let Lawyers dispute it the Inhabitants in some part of this Shire enioy a priuate custome to this day that the Goods and Lands of Condemned Persons fall vnto the Crowne but onely for a yeare and a day and then returne to the next heires contrary to the custome of all England besides 5 The general Commodities of this Shire are Corne Iron and Wools all passing fine besides Pasturage Fruits and Woods which last are much lessened by making of Iron the onely bane of Oke Elme and Beech. 6 These with all other prouisions are traded thorow twenty fiue Market-Townes in this County whereof two are Cities of no small import the first is Glocester from whom the Shire taketh name seated vpon Seuerne neere the middest of this Shire by Antonine the Emperour called Gleuum built first by the Romans and set as it were vpon the necke of the Silures to yoake them where their Leâ—ion called Colonia Gleuum lay It hath beene walled about excepting that part that is defended by the Riuer the ruines whereof in many places appeare and some part yet standing doth well witnesse their strength