in time to the Normans iâ became a Province under the Conquerours power who gave to his followers much Land in these parts 6 The place of most account in this Shire is Chichester by the Britains called Câercei a City beautifull and large and very well walled about first built by Cissa the second King of the âouth Saxons wherein his Royal Palace was kept And when King VVilliam the First had enacted that Bishops Sees should be transââted out of small Towns unto places of greater resort the Reâidence of the Bishop until then held at Selsey was removed to this City where Bishop Raulfe began a most goodly Cathedral Church but before it was fuâly finished by a sudden mischance of fire was quite consumed Yet the same Bishop with the helping liberality of King Henry the First began it again and saw it wholly finished whose beauty and greatness her fatal enemy still envying again cast down in the dayes of King Richard the First and by her raging flames consumed the buildings both of it and the Bishops Palace adjoyning which Seffrid the second Bishop of that Name re-edified and built anew And now to augment the honour of this place the City hath born the Title of an Earldome whereof they of Arundel were sometimes so styled Whose Graduation for Latitude which is removed from the Aequator unto the degree fifty five minutes and for Longitude observing the same point in the West whence Mercator hath measured are twenty degrees 7 With whom for frequency bigness and building the Town Lewes seemeth to contend where King Athelstane appointed the mintage of his Moneys and VVilliam de VVarron built a strong Castle whereunto the disloyal Barons of King Henry the Third in warlike manner resorted and fought a great Battle against their own Soveraign and his son wherein the King had his Horse flain under him Richard King of the Romans surprised and taken in a Wind-mill and Prince Edward delivered unto them upon equal conditions of peace But a greater Battel was fought at Battle when the hazard of England was tried in one days fight and Harold the King gave place to his Conquerour by losing of his life among sixty seven thousand nine hundred seventy four Englishmen besides whose bloud so spilt gave name to the place in French Sangue lac And the soyl naturally after rain becoming of a reddish colour caused William Newbery untruly to write That if there fall any small sweet showers in the place where so great a slaughter of the English-men was made presently sweateth forth very fresh bloud out of the earth as if the evidence thereof did plainly declare the voice of bloud there shed and cried still from the earth unto the Lord. 8 But places of other note in this Shire are these from Basham Earl Harold taking the Sea for his delight in a small Boat was driven upon the Coast of Normandy where by Duke William he was retained 'till he had sworn to make him King after Edward the Confessors death which oath being broken the Bastard arrived at Pensey and with his sword revenged that Perjury At VVest-VVittering also Ellâ the Saxon before him had landed for the conquering of those parts and gave name to the shore from Cimen his son But with greater glory doth Gromebridge raise up her head where Charles Duke of Orleance father to Lewes the twelfth King of France taken prisoner at Agincourt was there a long time detained 9 The commodities of this Province are many and divers both in Corn Cattle VVood Iron and Glass which two last as they bring great gain to their possessors so do they impoverish the County of Woods whose want will be found in ages to come if not at this present in some sort felt 10 Great have been the devotions of religious Persons in building and consecrating many houses unto the use and only service of Christ whose Beadmen abusing the intents of their Founders hath caused those Foundations to lament their own ruins For in the tempestuous time of King Henry the Eighth eighteen of them in this County were blown down whose fruit fell into the Laps of some that never meant to restore them again to the like use This County is principally divided into six Rapes every of them containing a River a Castle and Forrest in themselves besides the several Hundreds whereunto they are parted that is the Rape of Chichester into seven of Arundel into five of Bramber into ten of Lewes into thirteen of Pevensey into seventeen and of Hastings into thirteen in all fifty six wherein are seated ten Castles eighteen Market-Towns and three hundred and twelve Parish-Churches SURREY SURREY CHAPTER V. SURREY by Beda called Sutbri lieth seperated upon the North from the counties of Buckingham and Middlesex by the great River Thamisis upon the East Kent doth inbound it upon the South is held in with Sussex and Hamp-shire and her West part is bordered upon by Hamp-shire and Bark-shire 2 The form thereof is somewhat square and lieth by North and by East whereof Redrith and Frensham are the opposites betwixt whom are extended thirty four miles The broadest part is from Awfold Southward to Thamisis by Stanes and them asunder twenty two the whole in circumference is one hundred and twelve miles 3 The heavens breathing Air in this Shire is most sweet and delectable so that for the same cause many Royal Palaces of our Princes are therein seated and the Countrey better stored with game than with grain insomuch that this County is by some men compared unto a home-spun freeze-cloth with a costly fair list for that the out-verge doth exceed the middle it self And yet it is wealthy enough both in Corn and Pasturage especially in Holmesdale and towards the River of Thamisis 4 In this shire the Regni an ancient people mentioned by Ptolomy were seated whom he brancheth further through Sussex and some part of Hamp-shire And in the wane of the Romans Government when the Land was left to the will of invaders the South-Saxons under Ella here erected their Kingdome which with the first was raised and soonest found end From them no doubt the Countrey was named Suth-rey as seated upon the South of the River and now by contraction is called Surâey 5 And albeit the County is barren of Cities or Towns of great estate yet is she stored with many Priâcely Houses yea and five of his Majesties so magnificently built that of some she may well say no shire hath none such as is None such indeed And were not Richmond a fatal place of Englands best Princes it might in estem be ranked with the richest For therein died the great Conquerour of France King Edward the Third the beautiful Ann daughter to Charles the Fourth Emperour and intirely beloved wife to King Richard the Second the most wise Prince King Henry the Seventh and the rarest of her Sex the Mirrour of Princes Queen Elizabeth the worlds love and Subjects joy 6 At Mârton likewise
Gwyâeth and upon the East the Marches of England from Chester to Wye a little above Hereford This part was divided into Powis Vadoc Powis between Wye and Severne and Powis-Weâwynwyn In Powis-Vadoc is the Castle of Holt in Bromefield and the Castle of Chirke in Chirkâland the Castle likewise of Whittington and Lordship of Oswestrie with others 13 The second part of Powiâ or the Territory belonging to Mathrâvâl is Poâis between ãâã and Severne or Guy and Hauren whereof some is at this day in Montgoâery-shirâ some in Radnor-shire and some in Brecknock-shire and among sundry other hath these Towns and Castles following Montgomery The Castle of Clyâ The Town of Knightân The Castle of Cyâaron Presteyn The Town and the Castle of Radâor called in Welch Maesyvet which is at this day the Shire-Town The Town of Kinton and the Castle of Huntington 14 The third part belonging to Mathraval the chief seat of Powis after the Welsh were driven from Peâgwern or Shrewsbury was Powis Wenwynwyâ a County full of Woods Hills and Rivers having in it among others the Towns of Welsh-Pool New-Town Machinâaâth Arustly was anciently in this part but afterward it came to them of Gwyneth This may suffice for the description of that which in old time was called Gwyneth and Powis 15 It now remaineth that we describe the last Kingdom of Wales called Demetia-Deheubarth or the Talaith of Dinevowr which although it was the greatest yet was it not the best because it was much molested with Flemings and Normans and for that also divers parts thereof would not obey their Prince as in Gwent and in Morganwe 16 This was divided into six parts of which Cardigaâ was the first and is a Champion Country without much Wood. It hath Merionyth-shire on the North part of Powys upon the East Carmarden-shire and Pembroke-shire with the River Tivi upon the South and upon the West the Irish-Sea In this part is the Town of Cardigaâ upon Tivi not far from the Sea as also the Town of Aberstwyth upon the River Istwyth and Lâaâbadârâevowr which in times past waâ a great Sanctuary there were also many Castles as of Strâtneyrie of Walter of Lâanâysted of Dyvârth and of Aâer-Roydâll c. 17 The second part was called Dyvet and at this day Pembroke-shire It hath upon the North and West the Irish-Sea upon the East Carmarden-shire and upon the South Severne There are in it sundry Towns and Havens among others these Pembroke Tenby Hereford-West with the goodly and many Branched Haven of Milford called in Welsh Aberdangledhett S. Davids or Menevia which is the chiefest See in Wales Fiscard called Aberwayn and Newport named Tresdreth 18 The third part was Carmarden-shire which is a Country accounted the strongest part of all South-Wales as that which is full of high Mountains great Woods and fair Rivers 19 The fourth called Morganwe now Glamorgan-shire hath on the South the Severne-Sea which divideth it self from Devon-shire and Cornwall upon the West and North-West Carmardenshire upon the North-East Brecknock-shire and upon the East Monmouth-shire 20 The fifth now called Gwent and in Monmouth-shire hath in it the ancient City of Caerlheân upon Vske There are also divers Towns and Castles Chepstow Glynstrygul Ros Tynterne upon the River Wye c. This is a fair and fertile Country It hath on the West Glamorgan and Brecknock-shirâs upon the North Hereford-shire upon the East Glocester-shire with the River Wye and the River Severne upon the South and South-East 21 The last is Brecknock-shire for the most part full of Mountains Woods and Rivers This Country is both great and large being full of fair Plains and Valley for Corn it hath plenty of thick Woods Forrests and Parks It is full also of clear and deep Rivers of which Severne is the chiefest although there be other fair Rivers as Vske and the like 22 Thus far concerning the ancient Welsh division by Talaiths but the present division distributeth them more compendiously into two Countries and twelve Shires enacted so by Parliament under King Henry the Eighth The Countries are North-Wales and South-Wales which have shared and as it were devoured between them all Powysland each of which Countries contains ãâã Shires North-Wales Aâglesây Câernarvan Merionyth Denbigh Flint Montgomery South-Wales Cardigan Pembroke Carmarden Glamorgan Brecknock Radââr But whereas Monmouth-shire and Radnor were anciently parts the first of South-Wales the other of Powys-land Monmouth-shire by Act of Parliament also under the same King was pluckt away wholly from Wales and laid to England one of whose Counties and Shires it was from that time forward and is at this present reckoned and Radnor-Shire as it were in lieu thereof is comprehended in South-Wales Humphry Hluyd a Welsh Gentleman in his Epistle and Map of old Wales maketh mention of a West-Wales which he calleth Demeâia and Dyfer the one the Latine and the other the British name there but because it is wholly swallowed up by this last division we will not perplex the Reader with superfluous and impertinent recitals PEMBROK Shire PEMBROKE-SHIRE CHAPTER II. PEMBROKE-SHIRE the furthest Promontoây of all West-Wales liâth parted on the North from Cardigan-shire with the Rivers Tivy and Keach and on the East is Confronted by Caermarden-shire the South and West shooting far into the Irish-Seas is with the same altogether washed 2 The form thereof is longer than it is broad for from S. Govens South-point to Cardigan-bridge in the North are twenty six miles the Eastern Landenie to S. Davids-point in the West are twenty miles the whole circumference is ninety three miles 3 The Air is passing temperate by the report of Giraldus who ãâã his reason from the sitâ of Ireland against which it butteth and is so nearly adjoyned that ãâã Rufâ thought it possible to make a Bridge of his Ships over the Sea whereby he might pass to ãâã on foot 4 Anciently it was poââessed by the Demetia further branched into Cardigan and Caermarden-shires as in that County hath been said and in the Saxons Conquest and Hâptarchy by the Britaiâs forced into those parts for refuge whither Hââry the First and third of the Normans Kings sent certain Flemings whose Country was over-whelmed with the breaking in of the Seas to inhabit the Maritime Tract called Rosse lying West upon the River Dougledye These Dutchmen saith Giraldus were a strong and stout Nation inured to Wars and accustomed to seek gain by Cloathiâg Traffique and Tillage and ever ready for the Field to fight it out adding withal that they were most loyal âo the English and most faithful to the Englishmen Whereupon Malmesbury writeth thus Many a timâ did King William Rufus aââaile the Welsh but âver in vain which is to be wondred aâ ânsidâring his other fortunate success But saith he it may be the unevenness of the ground and sharpness of the air that maintained their courage and impeached his valour which to redress King Henry his Brother found means for those Flemings who in regard
and large promises could not by any means obtain his desires he therefore in a place of advantage suddenly surprised and ravished her weak yet resisting body After the deed done the cruel 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 Fountain such a forcible stream and Current as the like is not found in Christendom Over the Head of the Spring there is built a Chappel of Free-stone with Pillars curiously wrought and engraved in the Chancel whereof and Glass-Window the Picture of the Virgin is drawn together with the memorial of her Life and Death To this Fountain Pilgrims are accustomed to repair in their zealous but blind devotion and divers others resort to Bath in holding firmly that the water is of much vertue There be many red Stones in the bottom of this Well and much green Moss growing upon the sides the superstition of the People holding that those red spots in the Stones were drops of the Ladies Blood which all the Water in the Spring can never wash away and that the Moss about the Wall was her Hair which though some of it be given to every Stranger that comes yet it never wasteth But howsoever this be carried for truth by the Tradition of time the Moss it self smells exceeding sweet There is also hard by Kilken a small Village within this County a little Well of no great note that at certain times riseth and falleth after the manner of Sea-tydes 9 In the South-part of this Country divided from the rest is a place in some written Copies of Antonine called Bovium which we now term Banchor first a City 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 Monks and them divided into seven Companies every one having his several Ruler assigned None of these Companies had less than three hundred Persons devoted to Prayer and to get living by their own labour for themselves and the poor although it hath long since been utterly ruinate so as now there is scarce seen the face and outward shew of a dead City or Monastery It hath only the names of two Gates remaining one standing a mile diâtant from another and betwixt which the River Dee now runneth where are often-times found many pieces of Roman Coyn and other tokens of antiquity But of these shall be more mention made in the following History Another like Monastery but of lesser account stood in the Vale beneath Varish a little City placed by the Romans in the consines of this Shire and Denbigh-shire and upon the Bank of Elwy and Cluyd This the Britains call Llan-Elwy of the River the Englishmen Asaph of the Founder and the Historiographers Asaphensis It is more famoused for antiquity than for building or bravery for about the year 560 Kentigern Bishop of Glasco being fled hither out of Scotland placed here a Bishops See and erected a Monastery gathering together 663. in a Religious Brotherhood whereof 300 that were unlearned gave themselves to husbandry and to work within the Monastery the rest to Prayer and Meditations When he returned into Scotland he ordained Asaph a godly and upright man to be Governour over this Monastery of whom it took the name and is called Saint Asaphs Another Monastery of great account was at Basingwarke in this County near unto which began that admirable Ditch drawn thence into the Month of Severne by King Offa the Tract whereof I have expressed thorow this Shire and will further speak thereof in the following History 10 This Shire is divided into five Hundreds fortified with seven Castles hath only one Market-Town and twenty eight Parishes in which there is a continual celebration of Divine Service ANGLESEY and CARNARVAN ANGLESEY CHAPTER XIII ANGLESEY was in the time of the Romans called Mona by the Britains Mon and Ver-Mon that is the Land of Mon of the ancient England-Saxons Moneg And at last after the Englishmen had by their sharp and several assaults brought it under their rule and became Lords thereof it was termed Anglesey as one would say The Englishmens Island 2 For an Island it is albeit it be severed from the Continent of Britain but with a small and narrow straight of the River Menai and on all other parts beaten upon 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 utmost Promontory Westward which we call Holy-head twenty miles and in breadth from Llambederick Northward to the point of Menai Southward seventeen miles the whole circuit or circumference amounting towards seventy miles 3 The Air is reasonable grateful and healthful and not generally subject to Diseases excepting certain Agues at sometimes which are occasioned by the Fogs and misty Exhalations which arise from the Sea called Mare Virginium with the which this Isle is encompassed 4 The Commodities that commend or rather beautifie this Country are in Corn and Cattel wherewith it not only enricheth it self exceedingly but sendeth out great Provision thereof to others to supply their defects and although the ground may seem dry and stony or unpleasant and nothing sightly wherein for the outward quality it resembleth some other parts of Wales that are not so fruitful yet for the inward bounties of nature it is far unlike for above all the Coasts of Wales it is most plentiful of Wheat insomuch as by Giraldus Cambreâsis report they are wont to say in Welsh by way of a Proverb Mon Mam Cambry which is to say Mon is the Mother of Wales for that when other Countries Harvest fails round about or their Provision is exhaust and drawn dry this alone like a provident and full breasted Mother is able to sustain the rest Whereunto Nature most providently hath added another benefit serviceable and necessary to the former in that the Country produceth also those kind of Stones which are called Molares as of all other fittest to make Millstones or Grindstones In some places also it yieldeth an Earth of Aluminous quality out of which some not long since began to make Alâm and Copperose who like unflesht Souldiers gave over their enterprise without further hope because at first they saw it not answer their over-hasty expectations 5 The ancient Inhabitants of this Country were the Ordovines mentioned before in the precedent Provinces of Denbigh-shire Flint-shire and Carnarvon-shire And this very Island was that ancient and so much ennobled Seat of the British Drâyds who so amated the Army of Roman Invaders as Tacitus reports and as else-where we have related in the sixth Book and seventh Chapter of our ensuing History 6 This Nation was attempted first by Paulinus Suetonius in the Reign of Nero but brought under the Roman Empire by Iulius Agricola When the
West-point about 80 miles from thence to her North-west about 70 miles and her East Coast along the Irish Sea-shore eighty miles the circumference upon two hundred and seventy miles 3 The air is clear and gentle mixt with a temperate disposition yielding neither extremity of heat or cold according to the seasonable times of the year and the natural condition of the Continent The soil is generally fruitful plentiful both in fish and flesh and in other victuals as butter cheese and milk It is fertil in Corn Cattle and pasture grounds and would be much more if the husbandman did but apply his industry to which he is invited by the commodiousness of the Country It is well watered with Rivers and for the most part well wooded except the County of Divelin which complains much of that want being so destitute of wood that they are compelled to use a clammy kind of fat turff for their fuel or Sea-coal brought out of England 4 The Inhabitants of these parts in Ptolomies days were the Brigantes Menapii Cauci and âlani from which Blani may seem to be derived and contracted the latter and modern names of this Country Lâin Leighnigh and Leinster The Menapii as the name doth after a sort imply came from the Menapians a Nation in Low Germany that dwelt by the Sea-Coasts These Brigantes called also Brigants Florianus del Campo a âpaniard labours to fetch from the Brigants of his own Countrey of whom an ancient City in Spain called Brigantia took the name But they may seem rather to derive their denomination from the River Birgus about which they inhabited for to this the very name is almost sufficient to perswade us 5 The commodities of this Country do chiefly consist in Cattle Sea-fowl and Fish It breeds many excellent good horses called Irish Hobbies which have not the same pace that other horses have in their course but a soft and round amble setting very easily 6 This Country hath in it three Rivers of note termed in old time the three sisters Shour Neor and Batraeo which issue out of the huge Mountain called by Giraldus Bladinae Montes as out of their mothers womb and from their rising tops descending with a downfal into several Channels before they empty themselves into the Ocean joyn hand in hand altogether in a mutual league and combination 7 Places very dangerous for shipping are certain flats and shallows in the Sea that lie over against Holy-point which the Mariners call the Grounds Also the shelves of sand that lie a great way in length opposite to Newcastlâ which over looketh them into the Sea from the top of an high hill adjoyning 8 In this Province are placed many fair and wealthy Towns as Kilkenny which for a Burrough-Town excels all the midland Burroughs in this Island Kildare which is adorned with an Episcopal See and much graced in the first infancy of the Irish Church by reason of Saint Brigid a venerable Virgin had in great account and estimation for her virginity and devotion as who was the Disciple of S. Patrick of so great fame renown and antiquity also Weisford a name given unto it by these Germans whom the Irish term Oustmans a Town though inferiour to some yet as memorable as any so that it became the first Colony of the English and did first submit it self unto their protection being assaulted by Fitz Stephen a Captain worthily made famous for his valour and magnanimity 9 But the City which fame may justly celebrate alone beyond all the Cities or Towns in Ireland is that which we call Divelin Ptolomy Eblana the Latinists Dublinium and Dubliniâ the West-Britaines Dinas Dublin the English-Saxons in times past Duplin and the Irish Balacleigh that is the Town upon hurdles for it is reported that the place being fennish and moorish when it first began to be builded the foundation was laid upon hurdles 10 That it is ancient is perswaded by the authority of Ptolomy That it was grievously rent and dismembred in the tumultuous wars of the Danes and brought afterwards under the subjection of Edgar King of England which his Charter also confirmeth wherein he calleth it the noble City of Ireland is written by Saxo Grammaticus That it was built by Harold of Norway which may seem to be Harold Harsager when he had brought the greatest part of Ireland into an awful obedience unto him we read in the life of Griffith ap Sinan Prince of Wales At length it yielded unto the valour and protection of the English at their first arrival into Ireland by whom it was manfully defended from the fierce assaults as well of Auscoulph Prince of the Dublinians as afterwards of Gotard King of the Isles since which time it hath still augmented her flourishing estate and given approved testimony of her faith and loyalty to the Crown of England in the times of any tumultuous straights and commotions 11 This is the Royal Seat of Ireland strong in her munition beautiful in her buildings and for the quantity matchable to many other Cities frequent for traffick and intercourse of Merchantâ In the East Suburbs Henry the second King of England as Hoveden reporteth caused a royal Palace to be erected and Henry Loundres Archbishop of Divelin built a Store house about the year of Christ 1220. Not far from it is the beautiful Colledge consecrated unto the name of the holy Trinity which Queen Elizabeth of famous memory dignified with the priviledges of an University The Church of S. Patrick being much enlarged by King Iohn was by Iohn Comin Archbishop of Dublin born at Evesham in England first ordained to be a Church of Prebends in the year 1191 It doth at this day maintain a Dean a Chanter a Chancellor a Treasurer two Archdeacons and twenty two Prebendaries This City in times past for the due administration of Civil Government had a Provost for the chief Magistrate But in the year of mans redemption 1409 King Henry the fourth granted them liberty to chuse every year a Major and two Bailiffes and that the Major should have a gilt sword carried before him for ever And King Edward the sixth to heap more honour upon this place changed the two Bailiffs afterwards into Sherifâs so that there is not any thing here wanting that may serve to make the estate of a City most flourishing 12 As the people of this Country do about the neighbouring parts of Divelin come nearest unto the civil conditions and orderly subjection of the English so in places farther off they are more tumultuous being at deadly feuds amongst themselves committing oft-times Man slaughter one upon another and working their own mischiefs by mutual wrongs for so the Irish of Leinster wasted Leinster with many Towns in the same Province in the year 1294. And in the year 1301 the men of Leinster in like manner raised a war in the winter season setting on fire the Town of Wykinlo Rathdoâ and others working their own plague and punishment by burning
Empire Tartaria Persia and China all Kingdoms of Asia the great The parts as for the present we will divide it are these 1 Syria 2 Palestina 3 Armenia Major 4 Arabia triplex 5 Media 6 Assyria 7 Mesopotamia 8 Persia 9 Chaldea 10 Parthia 11 Hircania 12 Tartaria 13 Chin 14 India 12 Syria is the first and hath in it the Provinces of Phaenicia Caelosyria and Syrophaenicia In Phaenicia was Tyre and Sydon Sarepta and Ptolemais where two Kings of England have laid their Siege Richard and Edward the first In Câlosyria stands Hieropolis and Damâscus Aleppo Tripolis c. The second Palestina which Ptolomy reckons into Syria It is in length 200 miles in breadth not above 50. It contained the Provinces of Samaria Idumaea Iudea where Ierusalem was and not far thence Bethlehem Galilaea both the higher called Galilaea Gentium and the lower and in this was Nazareth and Mount Tabor where Christ was transfigured 3 The third is Armenia Major or Turkomania In this was Colchus whence Iason fetcht his golden ãâã now it is inhabited by Turks 4 Arabia is the fourth and that had three parts Arabia deserta where the Children of Israel were fed with Manna forty years Arabia petrosa where mount Sinai was and the law given The last Arabia felix counted the fruitfullest Countrey in the world In this Arabia is the City Medina where Mahomet is intombed in an iron Chest supported only by a roof of Adamant without other Art âo keep it from falling to the ground 5 The fifth Media it was once a large Empire and one of the first The fruits of the Countrey are said to be alwayes green 6 The sixth Assyria a very pleasant and temperate Countrey and here was the City Niniveâ whither Ionas was sent 7 The seventh Mesopotamia in whose lower part Chaldaeâ stood as our latest Writers affirm and Babylonia 8 The eighth Persia a mighty Empire governed by a Sophy The people are Mahumetans vet differ somewhat from the Turks Their Language passeth currant through the whole Eastern world The Metriopolitane is Persepolis 9 The ninth Chaldaea often mentioned in the Scripture and here was the fifth Sybil called Erythraea that prophesied of Christ. 10 The tenth Parthia a Province of note for its continual hostility with Rome and excellent Archery for the Inhabitants used their Bow with as much dexterity in their retreat as in the Battle and by that means oftentimes won advantage upon the enemy by their slight 11 Hircania the eleventh an illustrious Country and hath many Cities of note abounds with Wine and Honey 12 Tartaria called heretofore Scythia the Inhabitants Scythians and before that Magâzins from Magog the son of Iapheth that first Inhabited these parts It was once possessed by the Amazons a Nation of women after their dissolution came the Scythians among whom Tomyris is ennobled by Iustine for her victory over Cyrus Upon them came the Goths and those were driven out by the Tartars which began their Empire 1187. so Maginus It is a large Countrey and the people stout They have no Cities nor Houses but live in Tents by troops which they call herds Their Prince is named Cham and obeyed with great reverence 13 The thirteenth is China by Ptolomy Sinarum Regio it hath in it 240 Cities of note In this Region is Quinsay the greatest City in the world It hath on the North a wall of 100 miles in length 14 The last is India and the largest portion of earth that passeth under one name Strabo writes that there were 50000 Towns quorum nullum Cominus fuit In the middle runneth the River Ganges and divides it into India intra Gangem the part that lieth toward the West and India extra Gangem which is the part toward the East The Scripture calleth it Havilah This Region hath very many precious Commodities Medicinal drugs and Merchandise of great estimation The chief place is Goa where the Viceroy of Portugal resides and with a Councel of the King of Spain exercises a power over all these quarters 13 The Islands of Asia at they are of less account than the Main so they must be content with a shorter Surveâ We will rank them into the same order with the Continent 14 The first are of Asia the less and lie more West-ward toward Europe They only worth note are two Rhodes and Cyprus 1 First Rhodes is in the Sea over against Caria In the chief City of this Isle stood the Colossus in the form of a man erected in a kind of Religion to the Sun that once a day at least breaks out upon the Isle howsoever cloudy it be in other places Graeians heretofore possest it and when the Christians had lost the Holy Land the Emperour of Constantinople gave this Isle to the Knights of Saint Iohn in Ierusalem in the year 1308. But now the Inhabitants are most Turks and some Iews sent thither out of Spain As for Christians they may not stay in the City in the night time 2 The second is Cyprus a place heretofore consecrated to Venus to whom both men and women peformed their sacrifice naked till by the prayer of Barnabas the Apostle the Temple was ruined Trogus reports that the fathers of this Isle were wont to prostitute their Daughters to Mariners for money whereby to raise them a portion against they could get them husbands but Christianity corrected those barbarous Customs In time it was made a Roman Province and in the division of the Empire was assigned to the Emperor of Constantinople So it continued till Richard the first of England in his voyage put into this place for fresh water but being incensed by the discourteous usage of the Cyprians turned his intent into an invasion took the King prisoner and bound him in silver fetters Afterwards he sold it to the Templers for a time but recovered it again and exchanged it for the title of Ierusalem 15 Lastly the Islands of Asia the great lie most in the Indian or Eastern Ocean and indeed are innumerable but the chief of account are these Ormus Zeilan Summatra Avirae Insulae Bocuro Iava Major and Minor Iapan and Moluccoes and the Philippian Isles The first is Ormus exceeding barren and yet of it self a kingdom and full of Trade 2 Zeilan so happy in pleasant âruits that some have thought it was the place of Paradise 3 Summatra lying directly rectlâ under the Aequator the Inhabitants are ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã 4 And so are the Inhabitants of the Avirae Insulae that lie West from Summatra 5 Bocuro so large an Isle that the compass is said to be three months sail 6 Iava major called by Scaliger the Compendium of the world The Inhabitants feed on Rats and Mice it yields much Spice 7 And so doth Iava Minâr 8 Iapan aboundeth so with Gold that the Kings Palace was covered with it in the time of Paulus Venâtus They enter not into their Dining Room with their shooes on 9 The Molâccoes are
length The compass is reckoned by us to be 1890 English miles It is begirt on every side with Seas unless on the Eastern and there it is joyned to France by a kind of Isthmus when the Pyrenaean Mountains cross from one Sea to the other and set the limits to both Kingdoms On the West it is bounded with the Atlantick Ocean on the North with the Cantabrick and on the South with the Fretum Herculeum South East with the Mediterraneum Till within this 800 years it continued mangled and broken by many turns of Fortune Since it hath felt variety enough now it is wholly subject to one Monarch though it yet carry the name of three Kingdoms Aragou Castile and Portugal The Land yields all sorts of Wines Sugar Fruits Grain Oyls Metals especially Gold and Silver It is fertile enough for the Inhabitants For indeed they are not many nor have they so great Cities as there are in other Regions in Europe Besides the conditions of those for the most part are base The meanest proud the best superstitious and hypocrites most of them lascivious Give them their own they are good Souldiers not so much for their valour in performing as patience to endure labours hunger thirst and by this means oft-times weary out an enemy rather than Conquer him 10 France the second Region of Europe beginneth from the West at the Pyrenean Mountains and is bounded on the East with Germany on the North with our English Seas and South-ward with the Mediterraneum South East with the Alpes which divide it from Italy It was once tributary to Rome as most of these parts besides and had its division into Provinces as they pleased Now the chief are Loraign Burgundy Savoy and these have their free Princes the rest are Norway Brittany Berry Aquitane Picardy Poictou Languedock Anjow Gascoin Province Compagne and many more The Country is very fruitful and calls her neighbouring Nations to her for Traffique Their special Commodities are Wine Corn and Salt Well peopled and hath very many illustrious Cities But the Inhabitants are naturally light in their carriage almost Counter-point to the Spaniard yet of great âame both in learning and wars Commended by all strangers for compleat Courtship 11 Belgia hath France on the South on the North Denmark on the East Germany and the main Ocean on the West It is known best with us by the Name of Low Countreys or Netherlands The compass of it is about a thousand miles It is divided into 17 Provinces And of these four are Dukedoms seven Earldoms five Baronies and one Marqueship The Dukedoms are 1 Brabant and in this is Antwerp 2 Luick 3 Lutzenburg here stands the vast Forrest of Ardeuna 4 Gelderland The Earldomâ 1 Flanders 2 Artois 3 Hainalt 4 Holland 5 Zealand 6 Zutphen 7 and Hamme The Baronies 1 Friezland 2 Vtreck 3 Mechlin 4 Overissell 5 Groueling The Marqueship is that of the holy Empire The Land is good and affordeth great store of Butter Cheese and breeds Oxen of incredible bigness and weight The people too are very industrious and excellent Mechanicks The men commonly are of a goodly Porrtaiture yet of more fame for their wars than their volour but are forced to maintain their liberty by the Sword good Sea-men indeed and in that they bear some sway Their Governours are called the States of the Low Conntries The General of their Forces is the Prince of Orange 12 Germany lyeth East-ward from Belgia and on her own East is bounded with Hungary and Polonia and the River Vistula and the North with the Germane Ocean and on the South with the Alpes that divide her from Italy In the middle is situated the Kingdome of Bohemia compassed with the Sylva Hircinia and in this stands Prague where the Emperour commonly keeps his Court. And comprehends many Provinces of note Saxony Brandenberge Pomerania Bavaria Silesia Franconia Austria Helvetia East-Friezland Westphalia Cleveland Alsatia Brunswick and Hassia It hath now the name of the Empire as once Rome had but it comes far short of her in glory The right to it descends not by succession but by choice of six Electors Arch-Bishops of Triers Mentes and Cullen Count Palatine of Rhene Duke of Saxony and Marquess Brandenbââg In case of equality the King of Bohemia hath a suffrage which carries it It is a rich Country in Corn Wine Fruits Mines and hath in it healthfull Bathes The people warlike and ingenious for the invention of many useful implements 13 Italy hath Germany on the North divided by the Alpes on the South the Mediterraneum on the East the Adriatique Sea and on the West Mare Tyrrhenum In length it is 1010 miles and in the broadest place 420. It was once intirely one Now it is divided into many States and Provinces The chief are the Kingdom of Naples the Territory of Rome Lumbardy Tuscain the Seignory of Vânice Verona and others of great fame For indeed the whole Country is of admirable fertility and called by good Authors The Paradise of the earth The Inhabitants grave and frugal yet hot and lascivious 14 Denmark is joyned to Germany on the South and on the West hath the Mare Germanicum and so almost is invironed with Sea and is a Peninsula In the Continent are two Provinces of note Irglant and Holsten The other are petty Islands for the most part The chief Zealand and Loiland The Country breedeth goodly Horses and store of Cattel The people are good Souldiers and subject to one King 15 Hungaria hath part of Germany on the West on the East the River Tibiscus and Walachia on the North with Poland and on the South with the River Saure South West with Sclavonia The great Danubius cuts her in the middle and names her parts Citerior and Vlterior The chief Provinces are 1 The Country of Soliense where the earth sends forth such a ftench that it poysoneth the very Birds which fly over it 2 An Island in Danubius exceeding fertile And so indeed is the whole Country The people are generally strong but shew the Ancientry to be of the Scythians by their barbarous manner and neglect of learning Their daughters portion are only a new attire and their Sons equally inherit without priviledge of birth-right The Emperour of Germany and the Turk share it betwixt them 16 Polonia and Silesia a Province of Germany on the West on the East the River Boristhenes or Neiper on the North the Baltick Sea and Hungary on the South It is in compass 2600 miles The chief Provinces which belong at least to Poland are Livânia Lituania Volinia Samogiiia Podolia âussianigra Mazoria Prussia Podlassia The Dukedomes of Optwittes and Zotor Polonia propria The Land abounds with Honey Wax Mines of Copper and Iron It breeds store of Horses fit for service Their Religion is promiscuous of all kinds from the true worship to the very Atheist which acknowledgeth no God yet they are governed by one King which doth not succeed but is chosen by
called Epidaânum and Croya The whole Country was invaded by Amurath ânâ recovered by George Castriot or Scanderbeg the terriblest enemy that ever the Turk had 18 Epirus in her name carries no more than a firm land and is a part as most esteem it of Albania but indeed lies somewhat more South-ward than Abania propria on the East she is divided from Achaia by the River Achelous and on the West is bounded with Monâes Acroceraunii on the South with the Ionian Sea It was of old divided into Câaonia which took her name from Chaon the brother of Helenus and Acarnania which is now called Graecia the less The Country was fertile and populous but at this day lies wast and breeds better Cattel than men especially Buls Sheep and Dogs of wonderfull bigness among the rest extraordinary Mares which from thence were called Eporiticae It was the Kingdom of Pyrrhus and of later years was governed by George Castriot 19 Achaia is upon the South of Thessalia East of the River Achelous West of the Aegean Sea and North of Peloponnesus It contains many famous Provinces the chief are 1 Attica and her prime City was Athens now Setines she had her first name from Minerva whom they honoured as their peculiar goddess as being at that time accounted the best learned among the Heathens and excelled as well in Martial affairs In a word they came short to noâe in wealth State-policy aâd what else might make a people happy above expression so Pliny sets her forth The second Priovince is Daris a tract near Parnassus Mount and mother to the most elegant Greek Dialect 3 Aetolian and in this the City Câlynan 4 Locris and Regio Opuntiorum her chief City Naupactus and the famous Lepanto 5 Phocis which can glory in nothing more than the City Delphi where the Oracle of Apollo gave answer for many years to the silly Idolaters 6 Beotia and in this stood Thebes 7 Megaris her principal City Megara and from hence was the Seâta Megarica of which Euclide was chief 20 Pâloponnesus is a Peninsula on the South of Graecia and joyned to the rest by an Isthmuâ which is not above 5 miles in breath from one Sea to the other insomuch that it hath been sometimes attempted to be digged through and was began by Nero but the work was found not worth the charge and trouble It waâ fenced cross with a strong wall and five Castles which being once destroyed was the second time by many hands erected in five days and called Hexamillium 21 This Peninsula is indeed the fortress of all Greece and though it wants much of the ancient glory which it might well vaunt in the time of Agamemnon Menelaus Ajax and the rest yet is she not so much to be contemned as other parts of this ruinated Coântry However the Turk is her Master and she his now called generally Morea 22 Her Provinces were 1 Corinthia neer the Isthmus and is named from her chief City Corintâus which being ââred melted sundry metals into a confused medly and made up the Aes Corinthium held more precious than any other of its own simple nature 2 Argia her Common-wealth was heretofore of great note and her City Argos is at this day held pleasant and well seated And in this likewise stood Epidamnus 3 Laconia to the South of the Peninsulae her Chief City was Lacedemonia once Sparta when Lycurgus gave his Laws and is now called Misithra 4 Messeniâ and her chief Cities are Messene Methone Corone c. 5 Elis. 6 Achaia propria and here stood Aegina and Aegium and Patras 7 Arcadia once Pelasgia in the Centeâ almost of Peloponnesus full of pleasant Mountains fit for pasture and is therefore made the Shepâerds scene in our renowned Sir Philip âidney's poetical story Her principal City is Megalopolis 23 Thus have we passed the Continent of Greece and want coâing only to give mâ Reader a brief survey of the Islands which lie round in the Adriatique Mediteraneân Ionian and Aegean seas But by reason the compass is so large and the number so great the little space which is left me will scarce admit more than their bare names which I will set down with reference to their next neighbouring Provinces as I have described them in the Continent 24 First then near Pelepâââesus and the Ionian sea toward Macedonia and Epirus the chief âre Aegina Cithera the Stâophâdes Zââynâbus Cephalonia Ithacâ Eââinades Corcyra or Corphin and Saphâ c. In the Aegean sea belonging to Greece are the Cyclades and Sporades and over against Thrace Thassus Samothracia Imbrus and Lemnos Vulcani Neer Macedonia Pepanthos Scopelos Scyathos Scyros Aââonnesus Cycinnethus Dromus Seraquinus Neer Achaia is Euboea now Megreponte a very large Island and not far distant Andros Tenos Delos Rhene Melos and many others THE ROMANE EMPIRE Petrus Karius Caelavit The Description of the Roman Empire VIRTVTE Duce comite Fortunâ is the word of most Historians upon the low birth and quick growth of the state of Rome For had not matchless prowess and infallible success joyned in their full strength to make up an Empire for the world to admire I see not how she could in so few years raise her self from so small grounds to so high a pitch of luâtre as set the whole earth at a gaze and found us all business enough for a time to do liâtle else but obâerve her actions Look back to Romulus her first founder you shall find him no better man than the base son of a licentious Vestall his father not truly known to this day but simply surmised to be Mars the god of War His mother Rhea burnt by law for that very fact in which she conceived him and himself an out-cast exposed with his brother Rhemus to be torn by the wild Beasts Little hope we see left for such a Nation to spring from their loins had not Fortune lulled them in her own lap and delivered them by meer chance into the hands of one Faustulus the Kings Shepherd when thây were thus found the best Writers afford them no better Nurse than the Shepherds wife a known Strumpet who for her insatiate lust was called Lupa and might perhaps occasion the fable of the Shâwâlf She suckled them with no choicer milk than she did her own home-spun brats nor were they bred under Faustâlus to any better fortune than the Sheep-hook yet no sooner the yonkers were start up to the knowledge of their true birth but they stript themselves out of their disguise revenged their mothers death upon their usurping Uncle Aeâilius Sylvius restâred the Latine Kingdom to the rightful Numitor and erected a new Empire for their own posterity 2 These were the progeny of Aeneas who arrived here from the Trâjan War and made love to Lavinia daâghter to Latinus King of the Laureâtiâi The great combat betwixt him and Turnâs the Rutilian grew upon no other terms than for her fair looks which he could not nor did he
glory in this age For that Nation directs not their travellers into these parts to see hear and partake of their excellent learning though they compass it with great expence and venture through dangerous hazzards by reason of their treacherous dispositions and cruel barbarous usage of such as shall in any light circumstance seem to be averse from their idolatrous suspition But their Universities are many and very famous Rome Ferrara Naples Salernum Venice Padua Verona Florence Millain Mantua c. 17 I must omit those many divisions of Italy made first by Cato in Appenninam Cisappenninam Transappenninam By Pliny in Liguriam Latium c. By Strabo in Venetiam Lucaniam Apaliam Romam c. By Ptolomy into 45 several Nations We will rest in the latest which best âits the present state and numbers ten Provinces 1 The Kingdom of Naples 2 The Land of the Church 3 The Commonwealth of Venice 4 The Dukedom of Florence 5 The Dukedom of Millain 6 The Dukedom of Mantua 7 The Dukedom of Vrbin 8 The Principality of Parma 9 The State of Genoa 10 The State of Luca. 18 The first is the Kingdom of Naples in the South part of Italy and is the most fertile it is bounded with the Seas unless on that side towards the Papacy It is of large compass and comprehends many Provinces 1 Campania faelix or terra laboris and in this stands Naples the Metropopolis and Cuma where the Sybyls Cave was by which Aeneas went down to Hell And not far off is the lake Avernus 2 Abrazzo her chief Towns of note are Sulmo and Aquine the birth-place of our great School-man Thomas Aquinas 3 Calabria inferior The chief City Salernum an Academy famous for Physick 4 Calabria superior called Magna Grecia from a multitude of Greek Colonies which there built Cities and possest a great part of the Countries The principal of note was Tarentum 5 Terra Di Otranto for her Metropolis Otranto once Hydruntun And here stands Brundusiâm famous for one of the best Havens in Christendom 6 Puglia and her chief City was Arpinum Tully's birth-place 19 The Land of the Church lieth on the West of Naples and South-East of the Common-wealth of Venice North and South she crosseth from the Adriatique to the Tuscau Sea Her under-Provinces are 1 Romandiola and her chief Cities Bononia and Ferrara and Ravenna 2 Marchia Anchonitana in which stands Loretta the place where so many miracles are performed by our Lady as they deliver among the rest of their Legends 3 Ducato Spoletano and in this Asis where Saint Francis was born 4 Saint Peters Patrimony a large portion and I believe more than ever he enjoyed or could leave to his heirs Her ancient Towns well known and oft mentioned in the Roman Stories were Alba the seat of the Sylvian Kings and Ostia built by Ancus Martius and Tybur Preneste the Gaâii the Veii and that which bustles for the place above any other in Christendome Rome her self we will not repeat her beginning she was then but two miles in compass but after she grew far she burnished to 50 miles about upon the walls 740 Turrets and the Inhabitants innumerable For those memorable actions which were performed in her under the Antique Empire we will refer the Reader to a particular Description derived wholly to that purpose As it is now it stands somewhat lower on the banks of Tiber in the Campus Maetins she retains yet 11 miles round and 200000 Inhabitants a great part Friars and such odd idle fellows which pretend to Religion for want of other means to live cloyster themselves up to a single life only to avoid the charge and incumbrances of marriage not to separate themselves from the world or desires of the flesh for among them they maintain commonly 40000 Curtizans in good custome and so rich that they are able to pay 30000 Duckets yearly to the Pope The buildings in which they most glory in are the Church of Saint Peter the Castle of Saint Angelo the Vatican Library and the Popes Palace The truth is there is pride enough to attire the Whore of Babylon as there can hardly be any other meant than Rome she sits upon the Beast with seven heads for she was built upon seven Hills Palatinus Capitolinus Viminalis Aventinus Esquilinus Caelius Quirinalis was ruled first by seven Kings and hath been since subject to seven several forms of Government if you joyn the Popedom to those former which I have now mentioned 20 The Common-wealth of Venice on the North of the Papacy is a large Territory and is now as famous for State-policy as it hath been heretofore glorious for warlike atchievements The Inhabitants were first a people of lesser Asia and assisted their neighbour Trojans in their ten years quarrel with the Greeks So long since they were known by the name of Heneti and that differs not much from Veneti as they are now called Though they have a Duke yet it is a free State and governed by an Aâistarchy for he is ordered to the very cloaths on his back by a certain number of the chief Citizens of Venice for that is their Gentry and hath his allowance out of their treasury little enough to keep him from the thought of tyranny about 40000 Duckets by the year The City it self is eight miles round built upon 72 Islands five miles from the firm land but for convenience of passage is alwayes furnisht with Boats and hath 4000 Bridges Their Arsnal keeps in continual readiness 200 Gallies In their Magazin of War there is ever furniture for 100000 men at Arms. The younger brothers of the Gentry may not marry to increase the number beyond maintenance yet to make up their liberty they allow them stews Her Provinces are 1 Marca Trarigniana and her chief Cities are Truisco and Padua the University best frequented by Physicians by reason of her rare garden of Simples and Verona with many others 2 Frinby 3 Histria 4 Part of Dalmatia 5 The Islands Candie Corsica Ithaca Zant Leucadia Cythera c. 21 The Dukedome of Florence betwixt the Appennine Mountains on the North and the Tyrrhene Sea on the South hath on the West Romagna and Pissâo on the East A great part of it was Tuscany and gives yet to their Prince the title of great Duke of Tusâany Her chief Cities are Florence where the most âlegant Italian is spoke familiarly and Pisa which the Florentines besieged and conquered by the valour of our English Sir Iohn Haukewood who raised himself by his brave carriage in the wars haâing been before but a very poor Taylor in Essex the third is Pistoya where first began the quarrel of the Gueâfes and Gabellines 22 The Dukedome of Millain in Lombardy on the South of Traginana North of Liguria West of Mantua and East of Piedmont A pleasant and rich Province Her chief City Millain of seven miles compass the seat of St. Ambrose his Bishoprick 23 The Dukedom of Mantua on the East
of Millain is of circuit not much short of Florence and her chief Town is Mantua who may still glory in the birth of that excellent Pot Virgil. It is very strongly situated and fenced on three sides with water a quarter of a mile broad and the rest is guarded by a firm wall And to this Principality belongs the Dukedome of Mount-ferrat in the South East of Piedmont 24 The Dukedom of Vrbin in the midst of the Papal Territories and upon the North side of the Appennine Mountains Her principal City is Vrbin the birth-place of another Virgil though not of equal âame yet one in whom we have somewhat more interest for he writ an English History being at that time here resident and Collector of the Popes Peter-pence Besides this here are two hundred Castles The rock of Sâ Leo Marivol c. Some other Towns as Cabo Pisanco c. 25 The Principality of Parma on the South of Mantua and the North of the Appennine East of Millain and West of Medena Besides other commodities which she yields in equal plenty with other parts of Italy sends a pleasant Cheese into other Countries which we call Parmasans And her chief City is Parma This Principate carries with it Mirandula and her Territories a place heard of by the common mention which is made of learned Picus de Mirandula 26 The state of Genoa is contracted now from that large compass which heretofore it fetcht in It contained once Liguria and Capua with the Taurica Chersonesus Hetruria and a fair company of Islands in the Greek Seas Little left at this time upon the main Land besides Liguria and that lieth betwixt the Rivers Varus and Marca hath the Alps on the West which divide her from Provence Hetruria on the East on the North of the Appennine Mountains and on the South the Tyrrhene Seas She hath her name from the chief City built by Ianus It is in compass eight miles and the houses for two stories high are built with marble The people noble minded and forward to any honourable action be it in Wars by the Land or hazzard by Sea One Christopher Columbus is sufficient to make good this Elogy for whose birth she deserves to be honoured to the Worlds end The women of Genoa are the most happy of any in Italy for they may see a man and speak and be courted if not too boldly without suspition of their friends or jealousie of their husbands 27 The state of Luca is in Tuscania and comprehends the Territories and City Luca built by Lucumâ King of Italy upon the River Serchius It was once the rendezvouz of Pompey Caesar and Crassus Here they joyned their forces in their great attempt This hath been the Emperours the Genoa's the Vânetians the Mâllanois and the Florentines in their several turns They now rest under the protection of the King of Spain HUNGARIA Petrus Kaerius Caelavit The Description of the Kingdom of HUNGARY IT is not without example of good authoriy if I take into this Description not only that part which is now more peculiarly known by the name of Hungary but the whole Country likewise of Darcia which was once one with it though time and fortune have at last severed them so that each hath now its own Princes Laws Customes Language and Religion different from other I the rather take to my self this leave to avoid both the charge and trouble of ordering for every one a several Table 2 First then the Kingdom of Hungaria is on the South-East of Germany and joyns upon the Dukedom of Austria They heretofore divided betwixt them the Countrey of Pannonia Austria was the superior and this the inferior Pannonia The government and titles are now dis-joyned and Austria hath got the start in power for she is the mother of many German Princes and hath drawn the crown Imperial almost into a succession 3 Yet is Hungary still an absolute Kingdom and if not so rich and populous as heretofore it must not take from her honour since her fortunes sunk not through want of valour and fault of her former Inhabitants but we have been for a long time exposed to hazzard in the defence of Christendome against the mis-believing Turks and for that it hath been by some stiled the Coâk-pit of the world where once in a year at least a prize is played and some ground either won or lost by either party 4 The first Inhabitants of this Country were the Pannones those were expulsed by the Gothes And when the Gothes went into Italy it was leât to the possession of the Hunni a Scythian people which lived before near the Palâs Mâotis and when they saw their time changed their seat and about the year three hundred seventy three brake by great multitudes into these parts of Europe which they held till they were displaced by the Lombards These last were the Winnili which lived in Scandia or Scandinaria a Northern Peninsula betwixt the German and Hyperborean Seas Their seat it seems was too barren for their number and meer want of Victuals forced them to seek better sustenance in some other quarter They over-ran many Countries e're they could find any one to their content Among the rest the Parnonia had her course and here they continued till they marched into Italy under the command of Alboinus where after 200 years their Kingdom was ruined by Charlemain 5 When it was thus left by Lombards the Hunnes returned to their former seat and after some time of rest grew up to a great Nation able to encounter the Roman Macrinus to break his forces and return victors from the battel About the year 439. they chose for their King Attyla whose inscription was Attyla Mundizi filius Magni Nim nepos Engadiae natus divinâ benignitate Hunnorum Medorum Gothorum ac Danor um metus orbis Deique flagellum An insolent title but indeed he was victorious over most parts of the then known world and bethought himself of enlarging his Territories in Asia and Africa But that design was drowned in wine and Lust which at length brought him to a most miserable destruction For in the night time when he had filled himself with both as he lay by his Concubine with his face upward in a dead sleep his nose gusht a bleeding and châked him being not able to recover himself from his back to give it pasâage 6 Since this setling they were once more disturbed by the Lombards and after by Charles the Great so that they were not well âastned in their possession of this Countrey till the time of the Emperour Arnulphus about the year 900. And indeed at this day hardly enjoy it by reason of the incredible spoils and massacres which the Tartars commit amongst them This last name of Hângaria without doubt had the Original from their present Inhabitants and their Predecessors which at times have peopled this Countrey above 1200 years 7 This Hungaria propria is bounded on the West with
Sibenburgen which she yet keeps as a remembrance of her residence in these parts The Country is populous and fertile It breeds fair and fierce Horses wild Bulls Indeed their men in some parts are not very tame Toward the North in the Province Zaculcia they live most upon the spoil maintaining continual war with the Turks and Germans and acknowledge no difference of worth or degrees among themselves Their Government or rather want of government is compared to the Helvetian Three places they have Hâsdy Corbay and Sceply whither they resort to determine of their State busines The chief Towns of Transylvania are Harmenstad Alba Iulia or Weisingburg Claneenburg Schlesburg Millenbachium Coronae or Cronstant 15 Moldavia lieth in the North of Transylvania and reacheth as far as the Euxine Sea on the West it hath part of Ruthenia This Country hath been by course in the several possessions of the Emperour of Germany the King of Poland and sometimes the Turk thereafter as it was cast by chance of war It was a Vayvodate and her chief Cities Occazonia Fuchiana and Falezing To this Moldavia belongs the Countrey of the Bessi mentioned by Ovid in his 6 de Tristibus Vivere quà m miserum est inter Bessosque Getasque They were a people of Thrace not far from Pontus who lived most by theft and pillage and after possest the Mountain Haemus and a part which lies betwixt it and Lituania and from the Inhabitants bears the name of âessaralia Their principal Towns are âilim and Chermem This last is the seat of the Turkish Sanziack for the whole Province became subject to his tyranny in the year 1485. 16 Walachia is supposed rather to have been first named Flaccia by the Roman Flaccus who placed here a Colony which have continued the Latine tongue to this day among the Inhabitants though in a corrupt idiome such as can hardly be understood Near to this over the River Danubius stands Pons Trajanus built by the Emperour Trajanus Nerva a work worth admiration as appears by those ruinous parcels which are yet standing It hath puzzled the best Artificers to find out how such a vast foundation could be framed in so deep and fierce a stream which could not be turned into any other course to give way to the building The Country abounds with good commodities Gold Silver and Iron Salt-pits Wine Cattel and excellent great Horses The chief Cities are Sabinivus Prâilaba and Tergoresta 17 Servia lies divided from Hungary and Rascia with the River Savus on her North and Bosnia on her West It was the seat of the ancient Triballi who met with Philip King of Macedonia and took from him the spoils which he had brought from Maeteas King of the Sarmatians It was it seems but a barbarous people and therefore Aristophanes in one of his Comedies among his mock-gods names Marathane-triballos Her chief Cities are 1 Taurunum which Pliny placeth in the utmost bounds of Pannonia It is commonly known by the name of Belgard and Alba Graeca It is not so great as glorious nor is it fortified so much with walls as Rivers it lieth open for a siege only one way which the Turk often attempted and returned with great loss yet at last in the year one thousand five hundred twenty one it gave up to Solyman and became a Province to his Empire It stands near where the Rivers Danubius and Savus are dissevered and is the Town which the Hungarians report to have been once delivered by the admirable industry of Ioannes Capistranus a Franciscan who is much honoured for the action by those of his own Society But Ioannes Huviades thaât great Souldier and terrour to the Turk challengeth the glory as his peculiar Vadianus 2 Samandria and 3 Stoniburg 18 Rascia is on the North of Danubius where it parts with the River Savus and lieth betwixt Servia and Bulgaria In her chief City Boden there is kept a Fair once every year and much people resort for enterchange of commodities from most Countries thereabout 19 Bulgaria somewhat North-East from Rascia and is bounded with Danubius upon the South Theophylact was here Bishop and was called Bulgarius Near this is the City Tomos where Ovid lived in Banishment as himself mentioneth in his 3. de Tâistibus The principal Cities at this present are 1 Sophia the seat of the Berlegbeg of Greece And 2 Nicopolis The ornament of their King was imperial a Crown of gold attire of silk and red shoes Their title ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã a tearm allowed by the Greek Emperours to those only which might wear this habit the rest they called ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã as much as Reges 20 Bosnia on the West of Servia and South of the River Savus had her name from the Bossi or Bessi the people of Bulgaria within the memory almost of our Fathers it was governed by Kings and as yet retains the title of the Kingdom of Bosnia The chief Towns are Cuzachium and Iaâiga the first is the place of residency and the second of burial for the Bosnian Kings Heretofore the City Sinderoria had that honour which some suppose to be the same that was once called Dardanum DANIA The Description of the Kingdom of DENMARK THE Kingdom of Denmark strikes into the Sea upon the North of Germany as Italy on the South the manner of both is not much unlike and the glory of this heretofore was not inferior For however in these latter ages the pride of Rome hath pranked up her Territories in gay apparel yet the day was when both she and they stooped to the Inhabitants of this Country though then known by another name of Cimbria Chersonesus Three Roman Consuls Manilius Sillanus and Cepio fell by their sword and the Empire it self it seems was in a shrewd hazzard when their own Historian reports that Actum esset de imperio nisi illi saecul Marius contigisset 2 The people were then and had been from their beginning the Cimbri a Progeny of Gomer first son of Iapheth who before they removed into this quarter of the world dwelt in the inner Asia near the straight which passeth from the Pontus Euxinus to the Polus Maeotis there we yet find the Bosphorus Cimmericus in Ptolomy which took name from the Cimmerii for so they were called at large and by contraction Cimbri 3 From thence they were in time disturbed by the Scythians and forced to seek them a new sea for their habitation which after long travel here they found fittest for their security as being a Peninsula fenced almost round with Seas from the force of all foreign Enemies Yet here too they met at last with a worse danger which they could less resist For the main Ocean brake into a great part of the Countrey displaced many of their Colonies and sent them Petitioners to Rome for a dwelling within her Dominions but their entreaty being with some neglect denied it kindled the sparks which to this time had lain as it were
in this Countrey 20 5 Mesopotamia now Diarbecha heretofore Aram or Charam lies betwixt the two Rivers Euphrates and Tigris and hath Armenia major on her North and on her South Arabia deserta it is of large extent and hath much variety of commodities in her several quarters but hath suffered great calamities by reason of her continual wars with the Turk Her chief Cities are Charon or Haran where Abraham setled himself when he was called forth of Chaldaea and where that gurges Avaritiae the Roman Marcus Crassus lost his life Not far distant is the City Nisibis which was once called Antiochia and Migdonia to these Maginus adds Merdin and Mosus 21 6 Parthia now Arach on the East of Media on the South of Hyrcania North of Carmania and West of Aria The Inhabitants were valiant and had their course of Sovereignty in the Eastern Monarchy Her chief Cities are Cassan and Hispaham which the Persian hath in so great account that he calls it half the world 22 7 Hyrcania now Strava on the North of Parthia and East of Media and South of the Mare Caspium it is plain fertile and rich Her Metropolis Hyrcania the rest of note are Bestan Mesnadran 8 Bactriana now Charassan on the South is divided from Aria by the mountain Parapomissus Her chief City Bactra the birth place of that great Physician Avicenna and Zoroaster Magus This Region belongs not entire to the Sophie of Persia. 9 Parapomissus now Sublestan and Candbear on the East of Aria a mountainous Countrey and the Inhabitants rude and ragged yet her chief City Candatura is a great market and well frequented both from India and Cathaia 10 Aria now Eri on the East of Parthia the Inhabitants of this Region rebelled against Alexander but were forced by his Armies to flye for shelter into a Cave upon the âop of a Rock yet thither he pursued them and dammed up the Caves mouth with Timber which he set on fire and stifled most the rest were taken to the Victors mercy the treason of Philotus against Alexander was here discovered 11 Drangiana now Sigestan In this Country the Hill Taurus is called Caucasus where the Poets seign that Prometheus was perpetually gnawn by a Vulture for stealing fire from Heaven Her chief Cities are Sim and Cabul built by Alexander at the foot of Caucasus and therefore Alexandria Arachosiae 12 Gedrosia now Circan near the Mare Indicum a barren Countrey scarce worth a farther description and so 13 Carmania 23 14 Upon the confines of the Persian Empire stands a potent Kingdome which comprehends part of the coast of Persia some Islands of the Persick bay and a good portion of Arabia Foelix near to those Seas The chief seat is the City and Island Ormutz a place of a great merchandise but of it self affordeth little provision for victuals so that they are forced to have it brought in from other Parts of the Empire though at an extream dear rate It bounds with a precious Pearl called the Vnion Their King is now tributary to Portugal as once it was to the Persian Emperour THE TURKISH EMPIRE The Description of the TURKISH EMPIRE THe Turk is admired for nothing more than his sudden advancement of so great an Empire For before these three hundred and odd years we must seek this people which is become now a terrour to the whole world lurking in the by-corners of Asia like runnagates and thieves as indeed they were such as so infested their neighbours with rapines and murders as that they neither enjoyed their own lives freely nor possest more wealth than they could maintain with the sword 2 The great Osmand was the first which redeemed them from obscurity his Predecessors were scarce mentioned as a Nation worth story and therefore it is not easie to give their true original or set justly the place of earth from whence they sprang There are which say from the Caspain mountains and that in the time of the Macedoâian ââasilius they served the Sarazens in their Indian Wars but turned the Victory to their own advantage for when they had once tryed their strength and found their Forces sufficient in behalf of others they bethought themselves at last to use them for their own advancement and to that purpose turned head first upon their pay masters out of whose spoils they raised incredible Armies which over-spread all Asia to the very Euxine Sea Others again conjecture that they were a Scythian people and the rather for that they made their way into these parts through Pontus and Cappadocia and so on as it were in a direct course from Scythia The truth is the customs of both are not much unlike their habit very near and their wars waged with the same weapons and discipline 3 But admit their first attempt upon the Sarazens yet were they again scattered by their civil dissention lived as before and could not be recollected into a Nation till Othoman took upon him to be their Leader in the year 1300 a man of as low birth and fortunes as the meanest but had ãâã spirit and an able wit may weild it which put upon this great action to conquer the world and suffered him not to rest in it till he had seated himself in an Empire which his progeny enjoy to this day He began with a rascal crew of such as were led on by want and seemed rather to bear Arms in defence of their privy thests than with intent to invade an enemy for he appeared not at first as an open Warriour but wrought his spoils by stratagems and sleights and clandestine excursions upon such as were unprovided for resistance possest himself of mountains and woods as lay most convenient for his lurking practises and whither he might retire safe if at any time he were pursued 4 By these means he was content for a while to encrease his wealth and power which soon grew to that eminency as in few years he durst meet a strong enemy to the face buckle with him upon his own ground for his possessions and at last so prevailed where ever he set footing that he scarce stept back till he claspt into his own government Pontus and Cappadocia Galathia and Bythinia Pamphilia and Licia and Phrygia and all Asia minor to the Greek Seas to which his successors have in latter times added many other Countries of Asia Africa and Europe so that it is now become the most potent and tyrannical Empire of the world 5 The first of State was at Prussia in Bythinia from thence it was removed Hadrianopolis and at last to Constantinople a City of Greece in the Province of Romania His Palace is called Seraglio is built in the most eminent part of the Town contains three miles in circuit within the walls and surpasseth all other Courts under Heaven for Majesty and number of buildings for pleasurable gardens sweet fountains and rich furniture The Emperour himself hath for his common Guard four thousand footmen the sons
by Pearl-fishing Chamdagrir sometimes honoured with the Residence of the Narsingan Kings Prepeti where an annual Feast is celebrated to their Saint Pereimar once sole King of Malabar Golconda peculiar to Musulipatan a little Province subject to the Crown of Narsinga Madura Gingi and Tanajor the Seat of the Naigi or Tributary Roytelets to the King of Narsinga Mâliapur called by the Christians St. Thomas from a supposition that this Apostle martyred by the Idolaters was here interred it is said to have had once 330 Temples Cheromandel whence all that Sea-coast which lies on the West-side of the Gulf of Bengala is denominated Negapatan said to be chiefly inhabited by Thomasians Tarnassart once the Royal Seat of a Kingdom so nam'd Casta remarkable for the kind custom of women there who accompanying their dead Husbands into the Grave are buried with them alive Bisnagar ruined by the joynt Forces of four Decan Kings whereupon the Court was removed first to Ponegardo thence after a short time to the City of Narsinga where yet for the most part it remains 12 Oristan whose eminent Towns or Cities are besides that which gives name and credit to the Countrey Catech â once the Seat of the Kings of this Countrey till vanquished by the Mogul Bacolli peculiar to a little Kingdom so called Angeli Simergan and Senerpase 13 Bofanter containing divers petty Kingdoms as Botia Kacares Conche Gouren Rame Recon Tippura all denominated from their predominating Cities 14 Patanau of which Patane is the mother City the rest are Banaras seated upon the River Ganges frequented by those whose supeâstition leads them to bath in that reputed holy stream Siripur and Ciandecan the Seat of two old Princes not yet subdued by the Mogul Sagtagam reckoned of late too 15 Bengala taking name together with a famous Gulf from a City of great Trade seated on the Ganges whose holy waters enrich it also with a concourse of Pilgrims The rest are Gonro anciently the Seat of the Bengalan Kings Caligan a place once of Traffick as seated on the Gulf Taxda till the diversion of the Channel Porto Grande and Porto Pequeno two Towns built by the Portugheses adjoyning to the North of Bengala and therefore accounted part of it the City and Kingdom of Arachan India extra Gangem contains several Territories which are either large Kingdoms of themselves or are divided into divers lesser Kingdoms the first are six namely 1 Brama or Bârma 2 Cauchin-China 3 Camboia 4 Iangoma 5. Siam 6 Pegu. 1 Brama is subdivided into these following lesser Kingdoms viz. Cavilan or Calum Prom Melinta Miranda Bacan Tangu âva and Brama peculiarly so called all taking âhis appellation from their grand Cities and inhabited by the Brames or Bramines 2 Cauchin-China with its principal City of the same name it is divided into three Provinces each governed by his particular petty King but all under one Head and he tributary to the King of China 3 Camboia with its Capital City of the same name divided also into two inferior Provinces Champa and Camboia properly so called 4 Iangoma or the Countrey of the Laos divided into three Provinces Lavea Curroy and Iangoma strictly so called 5 Siam a Peninsula the same which of old was termed Aurea Câersonesus or the Golden Cherâonese and supposed by some to be Solomon's Land of Ophir as the other tract of this part of India was called the Silver Region This Peninsula comprehends within it the Kingdoms of Malaca Patane Ior Muontay and Siam peculiarly so called Malaca denominated from its Emporium or City of greatest Trade belongs to the Portugheses who have also Sincapura and PaloZambilan Patane or as some say Pathane to distinguish it from that Patane already mentioned taking name also from its chief City where by the Queens leave for it hath of late been governed by Queens the English and Hollanders have their several Factories Muantay whose chief City Odia may be well reputed the Metropolis of the whole Kingdom of Siam being the Seat-Royal of the Siamese Kings it is situate like Venice upon several little Islands tack'd together with Bridges in the River Capumo Siam specially so called whose Cities of chiefest note are Socotai remarkable for a Temple 80 spans high all intirely made of metal Quedoa a Town of great Trade for Pepper of which the best sort is there to be had Tavy lying on the Sea-coast and bordering on the Kingdom of Pegu. Lugor near the Isthmus of the Chersonese Calantan peculiar to a petty Kingdom subordinate to the Crown of Siam Pegu divided into several lesser Kingdoms Verma Marin Martavan Orachan and Pegu peculiarly so called all denominated from their prevalent Cities besides which we find not in the three first any of remark but in Orachan there are also mentioned Dianga destroyed by the Portugheses who took it Ann. 1608. In Pegu Cosmi built of Canes of a vast circumference in the midst of a wilderness Coilan a quadrangular City whose four sides are said to consist of four miles a piece Dala chiefly memorable for the Stables of the Kings Elephants Lanagen delightfully seated among Palm-trees Tocabel and Dian both seated upon a River full of habitable Vessels as big as Gallies Meccao a place of retreat for the King by reason of its strong Castle in time of imminent danger but above all the Cities Pegu it self exceeds in strength pleasantness of situation and sumptuousness of building RUSSIA The Description of Russia RUSSIA sirnamed Alba to distinguish it from Russia Nigra a Province of Poland otherwise called also Moscovia from its chief Province is the greatest or rather only Empire of all Europe and one of the greatest of all the World extending from the 43 d to the 66th degree of Northern latitude the longest day in the most Southern parts 16 hours and an half and in the most Northern 22 hours and an half the length in terrestrial measure is reckoned from the Promontory Litamin vulgarly Cape Oby to the Town Czercassy 380 German miles the bredth from Corelenburgh a Town in the Confines of Finland to the River Ob near Lopin 300 German miles each German mile being equivalent to four of ours all under the Dominion of one Prince the Czar or Emperor of Russia otherwise stil'd the Great Duke of Moscovy It is bounded on the North with the frozen Sea on the East with Tartary on the South with part of Livonia a Province now belonging to the Kingdom of Poland and those Cremensian Tartars inhabiting the Southern Shores of Mar del Zabache and the Euxin or Black Sea on the West with certain Mountains and the River Polne which separates it from Livonia and Finland This large Countrey is judged to have been the principal habitation of the ancient Sarmatae or Sauromatae who yet besides what belongs at present to the Great Czar are concluded also to have possest all Borussia Livonia and Lithuania and that part of Moldovia between the Rivers Ister Tyra and Hierasus As to
Novogardia and whose primary City of the same name was besieged in vain by Steven King of Poland with an Army of 10000 men One remarkable thing is reported of this Countrey namely that the Cattel of what coloured hair soever that are brought into it after a short while turn perfectly white The Volsks or people of this Countrey have a Language peculiar to themselves 21 Corelia a Province separated toward the East with a long tract of Hills from Finland its chief Towns are Corelâburgh according to the name of the Province and Nordenburg seated at the entrance of the River Warfuga into St. Nicholas-Bay besides Hexholm in possession of the Swedish King to whom therefore as Lord of Finland this Province is tributary 22 Biarmia or West-Lapland for it is accounted a part of Lapland though subject to the Great Duke since the people of this Countrey called Dikilâppâ are a sort of wild Laplanders Tude and barbarous without setled habitations in Towns or Cities but living most in Caves some in scattered sheds toward the Sea-side withal bruitish Idolaters but performing strange things by sorcery 23 Bieleiezioro a Dukedom increasing the Titles of the Czar or Great Duke It is named from the Lake Biolisero or the White Lake on which it is situated extending 36 German miles in length and as many in bredth This Countrey is almost all over fenny and full of woods 24 25 26 and 27 Four Provinces comprehended in a vast Promontory which lying on the other side of the Bay of Granvick or St. Nicholas over against Biarmia shoots Northward into the Arctick Region all won from the Tartars of late years to the Russian Empire namely Petzora with its chief Town so nam'd from the River on which it is situate near its influx into the Sea and girdled with a parcel ridge of those Hills called Hâperborei Condora more Northward whose chief Town is Pustozera so calâed from the Lake Ozera near which it stands Obdora lying on each side of the River ob from whence it is so nam'd Iugria between the Provinces of Petzora and Duina the original habitation as some Writers affirm of the Pannonians or Hungarjans as is conjectured from the resemblance of the Language or as others say of the ancient Iaâyges often mentionâd in History 28 wiathca a barren Countrey and much taken up with large woods lying beyond tâe River Cammâ Eastward taken from the Tartar by the Great Duke Basilius yet still inhabited according to the Tartarian manner of Hoords and movable Habitations excepting one City built by the Moscovites since their taking of this Countrey whereof it bears the name serving as a Fortress being garrison'd to deâend it against those from whom they took it but that which hath given greatest advantage to the Russian over the Tartar hath been the taking of 29 Casan and 30 Astracan heretofore two Potent Kingdoms of Tartaria Deserta from the Nothacensian Tartars They were first conquered by Bâsilius but revolting totally subdued about the year 1553 by Iohn Vasilovich annex'd to the Russian Empire and give Royal addition to the Style of the Czar Homonymous with these two Kingdoms are their Capital Cities besides which there are most taken notice of in Casan the Cities Sâiatski 20 versts from the City that is within a fourth part so many Italian miles Tetus 120 versts distant Samara 350. Soratof as many from Samara In the Kingdom of Astacan Zarisa 350 versts beyond Saratof towards Astracan Tzornogar 200 versts from Sariza Before the first Conquest of these two Kingdoms by Basilius Casan and the total subduing of them by Ioannes Bâsââides and the winning of those Provinces before mentioned The Tartarian yoke was shâken off by Iohn the third before whose time the Russians were so slavishly tributary to the Tartars that the Czar was obliged once a year to feed an Horse of the Cham's which was kept at Mosco for the purpose with Oats out of his own Cap. On the Northern or frozen Ocean there lie two Islands towards the Coast of Russia and therefore supposed to belong to the Russian Empire viz. Nova Zembla and Willoughby's Island so called as being first discovered in the year 1553 by Sir Hugh Willoughby who in a second Voyage the next year his Ship being fix'd in the ice was in these Seas frozen to death with all his Company FINIS
West-Saxons in the year of Christ 614 in a doubtfull and dangerous Batteâ vanquished the Britains Neither were the Saxons so surely herein seated but that the Danes sought to defeat them thereof for twice these bold Rovers landed at Chartmouth the first was in Anno 831. and reign of King Egbert and the other eight years after when Elthelwolfe was King in both which they went away Victors Yet when the Iron-side wore the English Dâadem and these fierce people âought to pluck 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 County are chiefly Wools and Woods in her North where the Vorrests are stored with the one and the pleasant green Hills with the other The other part is over-spread both with Corn and Grass and the Sea yieldeth the Isidis Plocamos a Shrub growing not unlike the Corral without any leafe besides her other gifts turning all to great gain which the more is made manifect by the many Market-Towns in this Shire whereof Dorchester is the chief in Antonius his Itinerarum termed Durnovaria situated upon the South side of Frome and the Roman Causey called Fosse-way wherein some of their Legions kept as by the Rampiers and Coâns there daily digged up is probably conjectured at which time it seemeth the City was walled whereof some part yet standeth especially upon the West and South sides and the Tract and Trench most apparent in a Quadrant-wise almost meeteth the River containing in circuit one thousand and seven hundred paces but were cast down by the Daues whose trampling feet destroyed all things wheresover they came and hands here razed the Trenches Maudbury and Poundbury the seals of their Siege and signs of times misery About three hundred paces South-ward from hence standeth an old Fortification of Earth trenched about and mounted above the ordinary Plain thirty paces containing some five Acres of ground wherein at my there-being plenty of Corn grew This the Inhabitants call The Maiden Castle having entrance thereunto only upon the East and West This is thought to have been a Summer-Camp or Station of âhe Romans when their Garisons kept the Frontiers of this Province The government of this City is yearly committed to two Bayliffs elected out of eight Magistrates or Aldermen a Recorder Town-Clerk and two Sergeants attending them whence the North-Pole is elevated 50 degrees 48 minutes in Latitude and for Longitude is removed from the first West-point unto the Meridian of eighteen degrees 6 Other places also are memorable through the actions therein happening or antiquities there yet remaining such is âadbury now nothing but a Trench and decayed Castle hardly seen though sometimes it was the Court of the West-Saxons Kings Such also is Cerne where Augustine the English Apostle brake down the Altars and Idols of the Saxons God HELL whom they devoutly honoured as the only conserver of their health Shaftsbury also wherein one Aquila whether a Man or Eagle I know not by our Historians report is said to have prophesied the future times of this our Empire and that after the reigns of the Saxons and Normans it should again return unto the government of the British Kings But with such vain predictions our Nation is more than once taxed by Philip Comineus the famous French Writer In this City Edward the son of great Edgar and one and thirtieth Monarch of the English-men was interred being murdered at Corfe a Castle seated in the Isle of Purbeck by his Step mother Aelfrith to make way for her Son to enjoy his Crown in repentance whereof and to pacifie Heaven for his bloud she built the Monasteries of Ambresbury and Whorwell in the County of Wilt-shire and South-hampton In the former of which with great penitency she spent the rest of her life 7 As upon the like occasion the Monastery of Middleton was laid in this Shire by King Ethelstan to appease the Ghost of Edwin his innocent brother and to expiate the sin of his own soul for the bloud of that just Prince whom most unjustly he caused to die and with the like devotion thought not to satisfie for the like bloudy sins did Queen Cuthburga sue a Divorce from her secoâd husband the Northumberlands King and at Winburne built her a Nunnery whereof her self became Abbesse where afterward was raised a most stately Minster which added not only more glory to the place but withall enlarged the name and made it to be called Winburn-Minster where King Etheldred a most vertuous Prince after much disquietness had with the Danes in peace here resteth with his Tombe and insâription as in his History Christ assisting shall be further seen Neither among these may I omit Sherburne which in the year of grace 704. was made a Bishops See in whose Cathedral Church was interred the bodies of Ethelbald and Ethelbert brethren both of them Monarchs of the English men 8 Seven more besides these were set apart from worldly impolyments consecrated onely to God and his service in this Service which were Camestern Cranburn Abbottesbury Bindon Sturminster Tarrant and Warham These with the others came to their full period under the hand of King Henry the Eighth which lay with such weight upon their fair buildings that he crushed the juyce thereof into his own Coffers 9 Castles for defence in repair and decayed were at Sherburne Dorchester Branksey Portland Corfe Newton Woodford and Wareham so that with these and others the County hath been strengthned with twelve Religious Houses their poor relieved with eighteen Market-Towns at this day is traded and principally into five divisions parted subdivided into thirty four Hundreds and them again into two hundred forty eight Parishes DEVONSHIRE P. Kaerius caelavit DEVON-SHIRE CHAPTER IX DEVON-SHIRE by the Cornish Britains called Devinan and by contraction of the vulgar Denshire is not derived from the Danes as some would have it but from the people Danmonii the same we will speak of in Cornwall and whom Ptolomy hath seated in these Western Borders 2 The West of this County is bounded altogether by the River Tamer the East is held in with the verge of Sommerset-shire and the North and South sides are washed wholly with the British and Severn Seas betwixt whose shoares from Cunshire in the North unto Salcombe Haven entering in at the South are fifty five miles and from the Hartland Point West to Thorncombe East are fifty four the whole in circumference about two hundred and two miles 3 The Air is sharp healthful and good the Soyl is hilly woody and fruitful yet so as the haâd of the Manurer must never be idle nor the purse of the Farmer never fast shut especially of them that are far from the Sea whence they fetch a sand with charge and much travel which being spread upon the face of the earth bettereth the leanness thereof for grain and giveth life to the Glebe
lessoning of the next but grown unto more ripeness they assigned their limits by a great and long ditch crossing thorow the midst of these Plaines which for the wonder thereof is supposed by the vulgar to be the work of the Devil and is called of all Wansdike undoubtedly of Wooden the Saxons Ancester and great reputed God where a little Village yet standeth and retaineth to name Woodens-burg At this place in Anno 590 Ceaâlin the West-Saxon received such a foyl of the Britains and his Countrey-men that he was forced to sorfake his Kingdom and to end his days in exile becoming a pitiful spectacle even unto his own enemies And in this place Ina the West-Saxon joyned Battle with Ceolred the Mercian whence both of them departed with equal loss The like was at Bradford by Kenilwalch and Cuthred at Wilton betwixt Egbert and Beornwolfe at Edindon where King Elfred was vanquisher of the Danes and at wilton where the Danes won the day against him With as bloudy success though not happening by sword was the issue of that Synod assembled at Calne a small town in this County in the year of Christ Iesus 977 where being hotly debating for the single life and against the marriages of the Clergy what wanted by the word to prove their divorce was supplyed by a Stratagem and that very bloody for suddenly the main timber brake and down fell the floor with the Nobles and Prelates the Gentlemen and Commons whereby a great number were hurt and many more slain onely Dunstan the Prefident and mouth for the Monks escaped untouched the Ioist whereon his Chair stood remaining most firm which confirmed the sentence of their separations whom God had conjoyned and became the fall and snare of much incontinency in both sexes 7 The chiefest City of this Shire is Salesbury removed from a higher but a far more convenient place whose want of Water was not so great in the mother as is supplied and replenished in the daughter every street almost having a River running thorow her middest and for sumptuous and delicate buildings is inferiour to none The Cathedral a most rich magnificent Church was begun by Richard Poors Bishop and with fourty years continuance was raised to her perfect beauty wherein are as many windows as there are days in the year as many cast Pillars of Marble as there are hours in the year and as many gates for entrance as there are Months in the year Neither doth this City retain true honour to her self but imparteth hers and receiveth honour from others who are intituled Earls of Salesbury whereof eight Noble Families have been dignified âince the Normans Conquest This Cities situation is in degree of Latitude 51 10 minutes and from the first West point observed by Mercator 18 Degrees and 31 Minutes of Longitude 8 Over this old Salesby sheweth it self where Kenrick over came the Britains and where Cânutus the Dana did great damage by fire This formerly had been the seat of the Romans as likewise was Lecham as by their Coins digged up is apparent 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 Province whereof Malmesbury was the most famous I will not with Monmouth avouch the foundation thereof unto Malmutius but by true Records from Maidulph a Scot a man of great learning that therein built a Coll and led an Hermits life whereof Beda calleth it the City of Maidulph and we by contraction Malmesbury Adelme his Disciple and Successor built here a fair Monastery which Athelstane the Monarch richly endowed and left his body after death there to rest Neither hath any graced this more than William her Monk in recording to postârities the Chronicles of our Land concerning both the Church and Common-weal wherein himself lived and worte those Histories 9 Ambresbury for repute did second this built by Alfritha King Edgar his wife to expiate the sin of murder which she committed upon young Edward her son in law that hers might be King In this place Queen Elâanor widow to King Henry the Third renounced all Royal pomp and devoted her self unto God in the habit of a Nun. Other places erected for piety were at Salesbury Lacock Stanley Wilton Ivichurch Parnleg Bradstoks Briopune and Bromhore These graffs grown to full greatness were cut down by the Pruiner least the cankers thereof should infect the whole body as by them was alledged and their Revenues bestowed upon far better uses both for the bringing up of youth and the Maintenance of estate 10 With eight strong Castles this County hath been guarded in nineteen Market-Towns her commodities are traded into twenty nine Hundreds for business is divided and in them are seated three hundred and four Parish-Churches BARKSHIRE BARK-SHIRE CHAPTER XIII BARK-SHIRE whether of the Box woods there sited according to the censure of Asseriuâ Menevensis or from a naked and bear less Oak-tree whereunto the people usually resorted in troublesome times to confer for the State I determine not only the County a long time hath been so called and bounded with other in manner as followeth The North part is parted by Thamisis from Buckingham and Oxford Shires the South near Kenneâ doth tract upon Hamp-shire the East is confined with the County of Surrey and the West with VVilt-shire and Glocester-shire is held in 2 The form 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 heel 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 VVindsor in the East extendeth unto forty miles from Ink-pen to VVightham the broadest part from South to North are twenty four the whole in Circumference about one hundred and twenty miles 4 The Air is temperate sweet and delightful and prospect for pleasure inferiour to none the Soyl is plenteous of Corn especially in the Vale of VVhite-horse that yieldeth yearly an admirable encrease In a word for Corn and Cattle Waters and Woods of profit and pleasure it gives place unto none 5 Her ancient inhabitants by Ptolomy and Caesar were the Attrebatii and them of those that descended from Gallia among whom Comiuâ conquered by the Dictator was of good respect and could do much with the ãâã who as Frontinus reporteth used this stratagem though it proved nothing at last he flyed before Caesar to recover aid of these Attrebatians light bedded upon a shelf in the Sea whereupon hoysting his âailes as before a fore-wind gave shew to his pursuer that they were in swift flight so that hopeless to hail them he gave over the chase yet no sooner had Caesar made over among them but that some of these people by the
he yieldeth plenty of Corn and bringeth forth abundance of Fruits the one through the natural goodness only of the ground the other through the diligent manuring and tillage in such wise that it would provoke the laziest person to take pains Here you may see the High-ways and Common Lanes clad with Apple-trees and Pear-trees not ingraffed by the industry of mens hand but growing naturally of their own accord the ground of it self is so inclined to bear fruits and those both in taste and beauty far exceeding others and will endure until a new supply come There is not any County in England so thick set with Vineyards as this Province is so plentiful of increase and so pleasant in taste The very Wines made thereof carry no unpleasant tartness as being little inferiour in sweet Verdure to the French Wines the houses are innumerable the Churches passing fair and the Towns standing very thick But that which addeth unto all good gifts a special glory is the River Severn than which there is not any in all the Land for Channel broader for Stream swiâter oâ for Fish better stored There is in it a daily rage and fury of waters which I know not whether I may call a Gulf or Whirl-pool of waters raising up the sands from the bottom winding and dâiving them upon heaps sometimes overflowing her banks roveth a great way upon the face of her bordering grounds and again retireth as a Conquerour into the usual Channel Unhappy is the Vessel which it taketh full upon the side but the Watermen will beware thereof when they see that Hydra coming turn the Vessel upon it and cut thorow the midst of it whereby they check and avoid her violence and danger 4 The ancient people that possessed this Province were the DOBUNI who spread themselves âurther into Oxford-sâire But betwixt the Severn and VVyâ were seated part of SILURES or Inhabitants of South-VVales And upon what ground I know not let Lawyers dispute it the Inhabitants in some part of this Shire enjoy a private custom to this day that the Goods and Lands of Condemned Persons fall unto the Crown but only for a year and a day and then return to the next heirs contrary to the custom of all England besides 5 The general Commodities of this Shire are Corn Iron and VVols all passing fine besides Pasturage Fruits and VVoods which last are much lessened by making of Iron the only bane of Oke Elm and Beech. 6 These with all other provisions are traded thorow twenty five Market-Towns in this County whereof two are Cities of no small import the first is Glocester from whom the Shire taketh name seated upon Severn near the middest of this Shire by Antoninâ the Emperour called Glouum built first by the Romans and set as it were upon the neck of the Silures to yoke them where their legion called Colonia Gleuum lay It hath been walled about excepting that part that is defended by the River the ruines thereof in many places appear and some part yet standing doth well witness their strength This City was first won from the Britains by Cheulin the first King of the West-Saxons about the year of Christ 570 and afterwards under the Mercians it flourished with great honour where Offrick King of Northumâerland by the sufferance of Ethelred of Mercia founded a most stately Monastery of Nuns whereof Kineburgh Edbergh and Eve Queens of the Mercians were Prioresses successively each after other 7 Edelfled a most renowned Lady âister to King Edward the elder in this City built a fair Church wherein her self was interred which being overthrown by the Danes was afterwards rebuilt and made the Cathedral of that See dedicated unto the honour of S. Peter In this Church the unfortunate Prince King Edward the second under a Monument of Alablaster doth lye who being murdered at Barkley Castle by the cruelty of French Isabel his wife was there entombed And not far from him another Prince as unfortunate namely Robert Curthose the eldest son of William the Conquerour lyeth in a painted wooden Tombe in the midst of the Quire whose eyes were pluckt out in Cardiffe Castle wherein he was kept prisoner twenty six years with all contumelious indignities until through extream anguish he ended his life And before any of these in this City say our British Historians the body of Lucius our first Christian King was interred and before his days the Britains Arviragus The graduation of this County I observe from this City whence the Pole is elevated in the degree of Latitude 52 and 14 minutes and in Longitude from the West 18 and 5 minutes 8 The other City is Bristow fair but not very ancient built upon the Rivers Avon and Frome for trade of Merchandize a second London and for beauty and account next unto York This City standeth partly in this County and partly in Sommerset-shire but being a County of it self will acknowledge subjection to neither 9 A City more ancient hath been Circestar by Pâolomy called Corinium by Antonine Durocornovium by Giraldus Passerum Vrbem The Sparrows City upon a flying report that Gurmund a Tyrant from Africk besieging this City tyed fire unto the wings of Sparrows who lighting in the Town upon light matter set flame upon all The circuit of whose walls extended two miles about wherein the Consular Port or ways of the Romans met and crossed each other This City was won from the Britains by Cheulin first King of the West Saxons afterwards it was possessed by the Mercians and lastly by the Danes under Gurmând the former no doubt mistaken for him wherein a rable of them kept the space of a year Anno 879 and never since inhabited according to the circuit of her walls 10 Places of memorable note are these The Island Alney near unto Glocester wherein Edmund Iron-side the English and Canutus the Dane after many battles and bloud fought in single Combat hand to hand alone until they compounded for the Kingdoms partition Barkley Castle where King Edward the second was thorow his fundament run into his bowels with a red burning Spit Tewkesbury the fatal period of King Henry the sixth his government and the wound of the Lancâstrian Cause for in a battle there fought in Anno 1471 Prince Edward the only son of King Henry had his brains dashed out in a most shameful manner the Queen and his Mother taken prisoners and most of their favourites slain and beheaded And at Alderley a little Town standing eight miles from the Severne upon the Hills to this day are found Cockles Periwincles and Oysters of solid stone which whether they have been Shel-fish and living creatures or else the sports of Nature in her works let the Natural Philosophers dispute of and judge 11 The places of piety set apart from other worldly Services and dedicated to religious uses by the devotions of Princes erected in this Shire were Tewkesbury Deorâust Glocester Minching Burkley Kinswood Circester Winchcombe and Hales
the degree of Latitude 54 yet the warmth from the Irish-Seas melteth the Snow and dissolveth Ice sooner there then in those parts that are further off and so wholsome for life that the Inhabitants generally attain to many years 4 The Soyl is fat fruitful and rich yielding abundantly both profit and pleasures for Man The Champion grounds make glad the hearts of their Tillers The Meadows imbroydered with divers sweet smelling Flowers and the Pasture makes the Kines Udder to strout to the Pail from whom and wherein the best Cheese of all Europe is made 5 The ancient Inhabitants were the CORNAVII who with Warwick-shire Worcester-shire Stafford-shire and Shrop-shire spread themselves further into this County as in Ptolomy is placed and the Cangi likewise if they be the Ceaâgi whose remembrance was found upon the Shore of this Shire on the surface of certain pieces of Lead in this manner inscribed IMP. DOMIT. AU. GER DF CEANG. These Cangi were subdued by P. Ostorius Scapula immediately before his great Victory against Caractacus where in the mouth of Deva he built a Fortress at the back of the Ordovices to restrain their power which was great in those parts in the Reign of Vespasian the Emperour But after the departure of the Romans this Province became a Portion of the Saxon-Mercians Kingdom notwithstanding saith Ran Higdan the City it self was held by the Britains until all fell into the Monarchy of Egbert Of the dispositions of the fince Inhabitants hear Lucan the Monk who lived prelently after the Conquest speak They are found saith he to differ from the rest of the English partly better and partly equal In feasting they are friendly at meat chearful in entertainment liberal soon aâgry and soon pacified lavish in words impatient of servitude merciful to the afflicted compassionate to the poor kind to their kindred spary of labour void of dissimulation not greedy in eating and far from dangerous practises And let me add thus much which Lucian could not namely that this Shire hath never been stained with the blot of Rebellion but ever stood true to their King and his Crown whose loyalty Richard the Second so far found and esteemed that he held his Person most safe among them and by the Authority of Parliament made the County to be a Principality and stiled himself Prince of Chester King Henry the Third gave it to his eldest Son Prince Edward against whom Lewlin Prince of Wales gathered a mighty Band and with them did the County much harm even unto the Cities Gaâes With the like scare-fires it had oft times been affrighted which the ylastây defenced with a Wall made of the Welsh-mens Heads on the South side of Dee in Hambridge The Shire may well be said to be a Seed-plot of Gentility and the producer of many most ancient and worthy Families neither hath any brought more men of valour into the Field than Chess-shire hath done who by a general speech are to this day called The chief of Men and for Natures endowments besides their nobleness of minds may compare with any other Nation in the World their Limbs straight and well-composed their complexions fair with a chearful countenance and the Women for grace feature and beauty inferiour unto none 6 The Commodities of of this Province by the report of Ranulphus the Monk of Chester are chiefly Corn Cattle Fish Fowl Salt Mines Metals Mears and Rivers whereof the Banks of Dee in her West and the Vale-Royal in her midst for fruitfulness of pasturage equals any other in the Land either in grain or gain from the Cow 7 These with all other provision for life are traded thorow thirteen Market-Towns in this Shire whereof Chester is the fairest from whom the Shire hath the name A City raised from the Fort of Ostorius Lieutenant of Britain for Claudius the Emperour whither the twentieth Legion named Victrix was sent by Galba to restrain the Britains but grown themselves out of order Iulius Agricola was appointed their General by Vespasian as appeareth by Moneys then Minted and there found and from them no doubt by the Britains the place waâ called Cder-Legion by Ptolomy Denanâ by Antonine Dena and now by us West-Chester but Henry Bradshaw will have it built before Brute by the Giant Leon Gaver a Man beyond the Moon and called by Marius the vanquisher of the Picts Over Deva or Dee a fair Stone-bridge leadeth built upon eight Arches at either end whereof is a Gate from whence in a long Quadrant-wise the Walls do incompass the City high and strongly built with four fair Gates opening into the four Winds besides three ãâã and seven Watch-Towers extending in compass one thousand nine hundred and forty paces On the South of this City is mounted a strong and stately Castle round in form and the base Court likewise inclosed with a circular Wall In the North is the Minster first built by Earl Leofrike to the honour of S. Werburga the Virgin and after most sumptuously repaired by Hugh the first Earl of Chester of the Normans now the Cathedral of the Bishops See Therein lyeth interred as report doth relate the body of Henry the Fourth Emperour of Almane who leaving his Imperial Estate lead lastly therein an Hermites life This City hath formerly been sore defaced first by Egfrid King of Northumberland where he slew twelve hundred Christian Monks resorted thither from Bangor to pray Again by the Danes it was sore defaced when their destroying feet had trampled down the beauty of the Land But was again rebuilt by Edelfleada the Mercian Lady who in this County and Forrest of Delamer built two fine Cities nothing of them now remaining besides the Chamber in the Forrest Chester in the daies of King Edgar was in most flourishing estate wherein he had the homage of eight other Kings who rowed his Barge from S. Iohns to his Palace himself holding the Helm as their Supream This City was made a County incorporate of it self by King Henry the Seventh and is yearly governed by a Major with Sword and Mace born before him in State two Sheriffs twenty four Aldermen a Recorder a Town-Clerk and a Serjeant of Peace four Sergeants and six âeomen It hath been accounted the Key into Ireland and great pity it is that the Port should decay as it daily doth the Sea being stopped to secure the River by a Causey that thwarteth Dee at her bridge Within the Walls of the City are eight Parish-Churches St. Iohns the greater and lesser in the Suburbs are the VVhite-Fryers Black-Fryers and Nunnery now suppressed From which City the Pole is elevated unto the degree 53 58 minutes of Latitude and from the first point of the West in Longitude unto the 17 degree and 18 minutes 8 The Earldom whereof was possessed from the Conquerour till it fell lastly to the Crown the last of whom though not with the least hopes is Prince Henry who to the Titles of Prince of VVales and Duke of Cornwall hath
Tide it walloweth up amain The cause may be as Polibius reports of the like at Cadys Wherein the windy air when it is deprived of his âonted issues forcibly returneth shutting and stopping up the paâsages and veins of the Spring whereby the waters are kept in But contrariwise when the surface thereof is void and empty of water the veins of the Source or Spring are unstopped and set free which then boileth up in great abundance 8 And upon the same Shoar more North and by West on the top of an Hill called Minyd-Margaâ is erected a Monument inscribed with a strange Character and as strange a conceit held thereof by the by-dwellers whose opinions are possessed that if any man read the same he shall shortly after die This Shire as it is the furthest Coast of South-Wales and lay open to forrain Invasion so was it fortified with twenty five stronger Castles whereof times and storms have devoured the most such were Barry Saint Dâneits Denispowis Morlashe Meneshe Loghâr Llanddeny Llanquian Oxwich Oystermouth Ogmor Pile Porkery Pennarth Winston Newcastle Caersly Coche Peullyn Kethligarââ Kenfeage Tallavan Treer and Cothy Neither was the County so ill seated for sufficiency of Life or barren of Grain but that therein were planted places for divine piety such were Neath Margan and Caerdif besides the Episcopal See of Landaf which last still remaineth the other three suppressed among the fall of their like under King Henry the eight This Shire is divided into ten Hundreds wherein are seated six Market-Towns and one hundred and eighteen Parish-Churches Mounmouth Shire MONMOUTH-SHIRE CHAPTER VIII MONMOUTH-SHIRE from Monmouth Town and that from Monnowe-water bearing name is altogether inclosed on the North and is separated from Hereford-shire with the same River upon the East both it and Wye divides this County from Glocester-shire The South-side is wholly waâhed by the Severne-Sea and some of her Weât part by Rempney is parted from Glamorgan and the rest lyeth bordered upon by Brecknock shire 2 The form thereof is Scallop-wise both long and broad shooting her North point to Llantony and her South to the fall of Rempney betwixt which two are twenty four English miles and from Chepâtow East to Blanagwent West are not altogether nineteen miles the whole in circuit draweth somewhat neer to seventy seven miles 3 The Air is temperate healthful and clear the Soil is hilly woody and rich all places fruitful but no place barren The Hills are grased upon by Cattel and Sheep the Vallies are laden with Corn and Grass never ungrateful of the Husbandmans pains nor makes frustrate his hope of expected increase whose Springs abundantly risâng in this County with many Streams do fatten the Soil even from side to side 4 Anciently the Silures inhabited this Shire whose chief City by the Emperour Antonine is named Venta Silurum by the Welsh-Caerââent and was by Tathaie the British Saint made an Academy and a divine place for Worship So likewise Caer-lion now once Isâa was where the second Roman Legion called Augusta lay as by their Coins Altars Tables and Inscriptions there found and daily therein digged up doth evidently appear By the report of Giraldm in this City was the Court of great Arthur whither the Roman Embassadors resorted unto him and as Alexander Elsebiensis writeth therein was a School of two hundred Philosophers skilful in Astronomy and other Arts. Which is the more credible for that Amphibalus S. Albant Instructer was therein born and Iulius and Aaron two noble Proto-Martyrs of great Britain in this City received the Crown of Martyrdom where their Bodies were also interred But as all things find their fatal period so this City for beauty circuit and magnifical respect is laid in the ruines of her own decay neither may any more lament the loss of glory than Monmouths Castle which Captive-like doth yield to conquering Time Her down-cast Stones from those lofty Turrets do shew what beauty once it bare standing mounted round in compass and within her Walls another Mount whereon a Tower of great height and strength is built which was the birth place of our Conquering Henry the great Triumpher over France but now decayed and from a Princely Castle is become no better than a regardless Cottage In this Town a beautiful Church built with three Isles is remaining and at the East-end a most curiously built but now decayed Church stands called the Monks Church In the Monastery whereof our great Antiquary Geoffery surnamed Monmouth and ap Artâur wrote his History of Great Britain whose pains as they were both learned and great so have they bred great pains among the learned both to defend and to disprove The Towns situation is pleasant and good seated betwixt the Rivers Monnow and Wye three Gates yet stand besides that Tower or Lock of the Bridge and a Trench or Tract of Wall running betwixt them on each side down to the River containing in circuit about eight hundred paces The Town is in good repair and well frequented governed by a Mayor two Bailiffs fifteen Common-Coââellors a Town-Clerk and two Sergeants for their Attendance It is in Latitude removed from the Equator 52 degrees and 8 minutes and from the West point of Longitude is set in the degree 17 36 minutes Religious Houses erected and suppressed in this Shire for greatest account have been in Caerlion Chepstow Gold-cliff Monmouth and Llantony which last stood so solitary and among Hills that the Sun was not seen to shine there but only betwixt the hours of one and three This Shire is strengthned with fourteen Castles traded with six Market-Towns divided into six Hundreds wherein are situated one hundred twenty and seven Parish-Churches and is not accounted among the Welsh-shires being subdued by Henry the Second who passing the Nant-Peâ-carne a small Brook and of no danger yet held fatal by the Welsh over credulous to a Prophecy of Merlyn Sylvester the British Apollo who had fore-shewed that when a stout and freckled fac'd King such as Henry was should pass over that Ford then the power of the Welshmen should be brought under whereby their stout courage was soon abated and the whole County the sooner in subjection to the English Montgomerie Merionidh Shires MOUNTGOMERY-SHIRE CHAPTER IX MOUNTGOMERY-SHIRE in the British speech called Siretrefaldwin and that of the principal Town Mountgomery lyeth bounded upon the North with Denbigh-shire upon the East with Shrop-shire on the South with Radnor and Cardigan-shires and on the West with Merioneth shire 2 In form it somewhat resembleth a Pear or Pine-apple as it were growing out of the West and rising thence with many high Hills and plentiful Springs which water and make fruitful the Soil every where whose searching rills with a longing desire haste ever forward to find an increase and to augment their growth into a bigger body whereof the Severne is the chief and the second River in the Land whose Head rising from the spired Mountain Plynillimon runneth not far without
Empire of the Romans in Britain began to decline and go downward some out of Ireland entred into this Isle by stealth and âestled themselves there as may be gathered by certain mounts of earth entrenched about and yet to be seen which they call the Irish-mens Cottages as also by a place named of the Irish-men yâ Hiericy Gâidid who did there as is recorded put the Britains to flight under the leading of Sirigus The Norwegians also were often infestuous to this Island but King Ethelreds Fleet having in the year 1000 scoured the Seas round about this Isle far exceeded all both Irish and Norwegian depopulations for they wasâed the Country in all hostile manner 7 After this two Hughs both Normans did greatly afflict this Island The one being Earl of Chester the other of Shrewsbury at which very time Magnus the Norwegian arriving there shot Hugh Earl of Shrewsbury through with an Arrow and departed afâer he had ransacked the Island It was afterwards grievouslâ infested by the Englishmen who never gave over from time to time to invade it until in the Reign oâ King Edward ââe first it was wholây broâght under his subjection 8 The principal Town in this Isle is Beaumarish which the said King Edward the First built in the East-side thereof and for the fââr situation thâuâh in a Mooâish-place gave it the name which it now beareth whereas in times past it was called Bonover which âe also fortified with a goodly Caâtle 9 The Mayor is the chiefest Magistrate of the Town who is yearly chosen and hath the assistance and help of two Bailiffs two Sergeants at Mâce and one Town-Clerk by whose careful diligence the affairs of this Town are orderly managed and commanded whose Latitude is 54 and Longitude 15 45 minutes 10 Not far from hence is Lhaanvais in times past a fair Religious House of the Friers Minors which although it be now in a manner rased out of memory yet antiquity maketh mention that it hath been of great regard among the Kings of England who hâve shâwed themselves very bountiful Patrons unto that Covent both in respect of the sanctimonious life of such as conversed there as also because there the Bodies of very eminent persons as the Daughter of King Iohn the Son of a King of the Danes as likewise of many great Lords Knights and Squires were enterred that were slain in the Wars againât the Welsh in the time of many illustrious Kings of England 11 This Isle is reckoned to have had anciently many Villagâs in it even to the number of three hundred threescore and three and the same even at this day is very well peopled The division of this Isle for disposition of affairs that belong either to the state of the Crown or to the condition of the Country is into six Hundreds in which are seated two Market-Towns and seventy four Parish-Churches for Gods Divine Honour and Worship CAERNARVON-SHIRE CHAPTER XIV CAERNARVON-SHIRE in Welsh Sire Caer-ar-vân so called because it is just over against Anglesey which the Britains call Mon and in composition was termed also Snowden-Forrest before Wales was laid into Shires the North-side whereof and the West butteth upon the Irish-Sea the South-side is inclosed with Merioneth and the East with Denbigh shires from which it is severed by the River Conwey 2 The form thereof is much like a wedge long and narrow towards the South and growing still wider towards the North so that from Pevânkel-point Southward to Orms-head-point Northward are forty miles from the River Conwey Eastward to the River Llânoy Westward miles twenty and the whole circumference one hundred and ten miles 3 The Air is sharp and piercing by reason that the Country hath not natural Provision to ensconce her self against the extremity of Winds and Weather but especially as may be thought through the continuance of the Snow on the Hills which also exclude the Suns aspect and warmth 4 The Soil cannot be much commended for the fertility except those parts of the Sea-coasts which lie on the West towards Ireland but for the heart of this Shire it is altogether mountainous as if nature had a purpose here by rearing up these craggy Hills so thick together strongly to compact the joynts of this our Island and to frame the Inland part thereof for a fit place of refuge to the Britains against those times of adversity which afterward did fall upon them for no Army though never so strongly or scarce any Travellers though never so lightly appointed can find passage among those so many rough and hard Rocks so many Vales and Pools here and there crossing all the ways as ready obstacles to repel any Inroads of forrain assailants These Mountains may not unfitly be termed the British Alps as being the most vast of all Britain and for their steepness and cragginess not unlike to those of Italy all of them towring up into the Air and round encompassing one far higher than all the rest peculiarly called Snowdon Hills though the other likewise in the saââe sense are by the Welsh termed Craig Eriry as much as Snowy Mountains taking their name as doth by Plinies testimony Niphates in Armenia and Imaus in Scythia For all the year long these lie mantelled over with Snow hard crusted together though otherwise for their height they are open and liable both to the Sun to dissolve them and the Winds to over-sweep them 5 The ancient Inhabitants of this Country were the Oââovices of whom we have sufficiently spoken in the description of the former Provinces neither need I insist either upon the pleasures or profits that this Country yieldeth 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 certain Shel-fishes which being conceived by an heavenly dew bring forth Pearls in ancient times more reckoned of than now they are 6 Touching places of note that City is very ancient which the Emperour Antonine callââh Segontium taking name of a River running by which at this day is called Sââent some Reliques of the Walls whereof do yet appear neer unto a little Church consecrated to the honour of Saint Publicius This City Ninius calleth Caer Custenith which some interpret the City of Constantine Indeed Matthew Westminster saith how true I know not that Anno 1283. here was found the body of Constantius Father to Great Constantine which King Edward thâ first caused to be sumptuously bestowed in the Church of the new City which he raised out of the ruins of the old and is now called Caernarvon which giveth name to this whole Shire The Town it self yieldeth a most excellent prospect towards the Sea and is incompassed in a manner round with the Walls of the Castle so as we may say it is a City within a Castle which taketh up the whole West-side of it and great pity it is that so famous a work should not be perpetuous
Apocalyps Now scarce is it inhabited but toward the Sea-side and that by a base and abject people such as are both lazy in their life and odious Idolaters in their Religions For the most part Mahumetans 8 Let my first division of this Asia the Less be into two Regions of these one hath the particular appellation of Asia propria and contains the several Regions of 1 Caria 2 Ionia 3 Doris 4 Aeolis Phrygia 5 Lydia 6 Minor 7 and Major The other hath no one name as I find among Geographers but is known by her Provinces of 1 Cilicia 2 Pamphilia 3 Lycia 4 Bythynia 5 Pontus 6 Paphlagonia 7 Galatia 8 Cappadocia 9 Lycaonia 10 Pisidia and 11 Armenia minor 9 Asia propria was the scene of many noble actions much celebrated among our Historians First in Caria stood the City Mindum upon which Diogenes brake his Iest That the Citizens should take heed lest it run out at her Gates And Halicarnassus the birth place of Dyonisius and Herodotus and of this was Artemisia Queen that erected the miraculus Monument in honour of her Husband Mausolus The second Province is Ionia and here stood Miletum where Paul made his Oration to the Elders of Ephesus and here Ephesus it self the Star of Asia that as well for her Religion as her miraculous Temple set the World at a gaze upon her It was raised in the middle of the City modelled out by Ctesiphon but was 220 years in building and was ordered in such a ground that no Earth-quake should move it it was 425 foot long and 220 broad and had an hundred twenty seven Pillars given by so many several Kings saith Vadianus whereof twenty seven were most curiously graven all the rest of Marble polished In this City Saint Iohn the Evangelist is said to have gone down into his Grave alive there be who yet question his Death and Irenaeus reports that he lived in Trajans time This with the third and fourth Provinces of Doris and Aeolis were only accounted Greeks the other Nations of Asia were called Barbarians 5 Lydia was the fifth named in our Division and in her are many Cities which we have mentioned in Scripture and are common among other Writers Of these the chief are Laodicea Thyatira Philadelphia Sardis where Croesus kept his Court and Pergamus the Seat of Attalus that made the Romans his Heir and where Galen the great Physician was born and lived 140 years 6 The first was phrygia minor it is called Troas by the Inhabitants and those are now Greeks Turks and Arabians heretofore they were the antient Trojans that gave Homer his subject for his admired Poem Here is that Adramittium named in the Acts. and Trajanopolis and the Mount Tmolus that sends down a River into Lydia with abundance of Gold and Silver And lastly the Mount Ada famous for the judgment of Paris past upon the three Goddessâs 7 The last was Phrygia major and on this was Gordion the very Town where Gordius hampered his Plow-tacklings in such a knot that none might unty but he that should possess the Monarchy of the World and indeed it proved true enough in Alexander the Great Another was Midaium where Midas son to this Gordius turned all to Gold with a Touch. A third Coloss the place of the Colossians to whom Saint Paul directs an Epistle And all these were contained within the compass of that one part which bears the name of Asia propria 10 The other Provinces of Asia minor have their Stories worth the Memory 1 The first was Cilicia now called Garamania whose People in times past were noted for grand Pirats till overcome by Pompey and when by force they were turned honest they gained the repute of a warlike Nation especially in Sea-fights So Lucan Itque Cilix justâ non jam pirata Carinà It was a rich Province to Rome when Cicero was Proconsul and still it is full of pleasant places but withal hath many wild and waste grounds that are no mans peculiar but who will may there freely feed his Goats which afford them good commodities as well by their milk as their hair of which are made most curious Chamlets In this Province was Tarsus the City of Saint Paul and Nicopolis aâd Pompeiopolis and Alexandria 2 The second Pampbilia The People were once called Soli and used a rude kind of Idiom from whence the very word Solaecismus and here was Perga Sida and Attalia Sea Towns mentioned in the Acts. 3 The third was Lycia a fruitful Country in the Plains and was heretofore of great fame The Metropolis was Patara Saint Nicholas his birth-place and where sometimes Apollo's answers were returned 4 Pontus and Bythinia were the fourth and fifth though once severed yet afterward they made but one Province and was governed by Mithridates that first found out the Medicine that bares his name He had many years war with Rome but at last with much adoe was overcome Her Cities were Chalcedon the place of the fourth General Counsel and Nice of the first as also Nicomedia Apamia c. 6 The sixth Paphlagonâa and from hence had the Venetians their original and were at first called Heneti but being driven out by sedition they followed Antenââ into Italy and there it seems changed a letter of their name 7 Galatia the seventh and to the Inhabitants Saint Paul directed one of his Epistles It was the seat of King Deiotarus Client to Cycero as appears by an Oration in his behalf In this Province were many Iews disperâed after the Passion the chief Cities are Iuliopolis and Ancyra where a Synod hererofore was held called Synod Ancyrana 8 The eigth Capadocia heretofore Leucosyria Here is the City Amasia which receiveth the Turks eldest Son after their circumcision till their Father's the Emperor's death And here Mazaca where St. Basil lived that first gave himself to a Monastical life and the flourishing City of Trepizand heretofore a Seat Imperial 9 Ninethly Lycaonia In the South of this Region is the Hill Câimaera that gives occasion to a Poetical Fiction of a Monster with a Lions head a Goats body and tail of a Serpent for so on the top of this Hill were Lions in the middle Goats and in the valley Serpents Bellerophou âid it and first made it habitable and thence this Fable Here was Iconium and Lystra where Timothy wâs born and Paul and Barnabas adored as Gods 10 Pisidia was famous for the Cities of Antiochia and Lysinia 11 Lastly Armenia Minor is by most thought to be the Land of Ararat where the Ark rested And there is great store of Oyl and excellent Wine 11 Hitherto our Tract hath been of Asia the less or Anatolia It resteth that we proceed to Asia Major which lieth remote from Europe toward the East And of this we can make no large description in so small a scantling we will only mark cut the Provinces and refer my Reader to more particular Relations in our several Maps that contain the Turkish
it is likewise named Forbishers Straights from another of our worthy Country-men that were interested before in the same service This Region is held to be the first discovered of the New world The North of it is still unknown It yields plenty of gold but is exteam cold The people ingenious and good Artificers in most kinds they are cloathed with Beasts Hides and are skilled to make themselves Boats of Sea Calves skins which they venture into the main Sea without danger 22 Peninsula Peruviana is the South tract of America from the Isthmus to the Magellanick Straights The same Seas are the bounds upon the East and West which were of the other Mexicana by which she is divided from Africa on the East and on the West at a large distance from the most Southren Islands of Asia The compass of it is 17000 miles From North to South there runs a continued course of high Mountains whose tops the very Fowls of the air cannot reach by flight And from thence descend many admirable Rivers among which Maragno and Argenteus are most famous The one for his extent and the other for his plenty of silver The Country is exceeding rich but the people differ not much from the worst of Beasts They devour mans flesh filthy worms and what else comes in their way The chief Provinces are numbred thus 1 Castella Aurea 2 Guiana 3 Peru. 4 Brasil 5 Chile 23 Castella Auren is the first named from her plenty of gold She lieth part in the Isthmus The âest is the Northern tract of Peru 1 Castella del oro in the very Isthmus which is by some measured to be seventeen miles in breadth by others twelve the Merchandise sent from Spain is unladen at Nombre de Dios and conveyed cross the Isthmus by land to Panamais from thence shipped again for the North-west of Peru Near these parts was an admirable atchievement performed by our valiant Country-man Iohn Oxenham who by the direction of Moors skilled in the Country went to the Land of Pearls and took from the Spaniards an incredible weight of gold and Silver 2 Nova Andalusia South-ward from Castella del oro The chief Towns are Tocoio and Sancta Espritia 3 Nova Granata a rich Region with Mines of gold and silver part of it lyeth under the Aequinoctial And this is S. Foy one of the Arch-Bishops Sees 4 Carthagena a fruitful Country which yielded when time was to out still renowned Sir Francis Drake store of prize and 240 pieces of Ordnace 24 Guiana is the second Province of the Peninsula Peru Maria situated just under the Aequinoctial On the North it hath the main River Oronoque or Raliana from Sir Walter Raleigh who went further than any before him into the Country This River is navigable by report above 1000 miles On the South it hath likewise another great River of the Peninsula called Maragnon which exceeds the former and is navigable 600 miles in length In this province stands the largest City of America called el Dorodo or the guilded City For indeed there is plenty of gold The length as it is spoken by some Travellers will exceed belief The second memorable Town is S. Thome not so much for her own worth as the disastrous fortunes of Sir Walter Raleigh who there first lost his eldest son and after returned home with that ill success as it cost him his own life 25 Peru the third in rank yet by name it seems to be the chiefest Province of this Southern Tract It is contained almost betwixt the Aequator and the Tropick of Capricorn On the North it hath Castella del oro on the South Chila on the West mare del Zur and on the East the Mountains of Peru. It is a very rich Country aboundeth with gold and silver little esteemed among the Inhabitants For by report the Spaniard ordinarily shooed their Horses with gold Another great Commodity is Tobacco a toy to play withall but yields a great Revenue to the King of Spain In this Province stands Lima the Arch-Bishops See and place of residency for the Vicerây Cusco where the Native Kings of Peru had wont to keep their Court The Inhabitants are strange Idolaters and worship a black Sheep Serpents and other ugly creatures 26 Brasile on the North hath the great River Maragnon and on the South and West Argenteus on the East Mare del North. The âongitude from North to South is accounted 150 the breadth 500 the compass about 3000. The Inhabitants are rude live for the most part in the Bodies of trees They swim excellently and are able to keep under the water for a long space Their chief Commodities are Sugar and Brazile wood The people are covered with natural hair cruel lascivious false and what not In this Region is an herb called Viva which if you touch it will shut up as a Dasie in the night and will not open till the party that injured it be out of sight Here are few Towns of note St. Anna Equitum Ascensio Pernanbuco 27 Chile is the last of the Peninsula and on the North hath Peru on the West the Mare del Zur on the South the Magellanick Straits on the East the Virginian Ocean She hath her name from her extream cold temper in so much that many are frozen to death and hardned like marble It is a rich Country as well for Gold as other Commodities of worth The Rivers are fed with Snow that falls from the tops of high Mountains The people are of large stature and very valiant The chief City is St. Iames where a Colony of Spaniards keep hold And thus we are travelled from the Basis to the very Pyris at the South America The utmost poynt of it is called Caput victoriae from Magellanus ship The rest must be performed by Sea Our best Courâe will be from the East Atlantick Ocean round by the Magellanick Straits into the Pacifick Sea For within this compass lyeth all the Islands that belong to this new world and those were my second part in the general division of the whole Hemisphere 28 The Islands of America in the Atlantick Ocean are 1 Margarita not far from Castella delorâ It is very barren in provision for victuals but exceeds in plenty of precious stones of the greatest value And so doth her neighbour 2 Aubagna 3 Trinidado stored with Tobacco 4 Bacalaââ over against Terra Laboratoris 5 Boriquân North-ward from Guiana Her principal Cities are S. Iolas and Port Rico ruined by our Earl of Cumberland 1597. 6 Iamaica spoiled by the Spaniards cruelty of most of her Natives Insomuch that the mothers strangled their babes in their womb to prevent their servitude under so hard a Master as the Spanish Governour 7 Laba a rich Isle In this there is a Bishops See called Ingo 8 Lucaiae insulae in number a 130. and is best commended for the beauty of her women 9 Barmudae many in number discovered by Sir Thomas Summers and thence
fashion the rest which are under the Venetian observe them in their apparel for they are slaves to both in their whole course 9 Yet they retain still a shew of the Christian Religion which was here setled by Timâthy to whom Saint Paul wrote two Epistles and was after in the Primitive time professed by divers learned and reverend Divines of their own Nation which are with us received as Authenick Fathers of the Church S. Chrysostom Basil the Gregories Nysene and Nazianzen were all Grecians The government Ecclesiastical is in the power of four Patriarchs 1 of Constantinople and his extends over all Greece Muscovie Sclavonia Dacia part of Poland and all the Islands of the Adriatick and Aegean Seas 2 Of Alexandria and his over Aeââpt and Arabia 3 of Hierusalem and his over the Greeks in Palestine 4 Of Antioch and his over Syria Armenia and Cilicia 10 The people of this Country were heretofore distinguished by their principal dialects And those were the Attike Ionike Dorike and Aeolike A fift there was which was called a mixt or common dialect Each differed from other no more than we do from our selves in several parts of our Kingdom But this division will hardly reach the limits which bounds Greece according to our description we will adhere rather to that of our modern Geographers whith reckon to Greece six Provinces 1 Thrace 2 Macedonia 3 Albania 4 Epirus 5 Achaia 6 Pelâponnesus and 7 The Islands 11 Thrace is the most Northern tract of all Greece and lyeth on the South of the mountain Hemus on the North of the Aegean Sea on the West of the Pontus Euxinus and East of Macedonia It hath the name from the sharpness of the air and indeed it is very unpleasant for the most part and too unnatural to its own fruit that it scarce ever ripens what it brings forth The people are many and those very strong âierce and heady and most impatient of government or discipline and by this means they have seldom had success in their battles whereas if they could have been brought to a joynt force it is said they would have been invincible 12 Part of this Nation was heretofore perswaded that their ancestors did not at all die neither should they but pass only out of this world into another to their supposed god Zaâmâxis once a scholar of Pythagoras who when he had perswaded them into this Religion seemed wonderfully to vanish out of their sight and appeared not any more but left them fully possest that he was the deity which must after a time entertain them And this they expected with that great joy that as oft as one died in stead of mourning they set forth games and feasts to congratulate his freedom from the troubles of this earthly condition and the wife only whom he loved best for they had many was thought worthy to be killed by her best friends at her husbands grave that she might bare him company in the other world the rest bewailed their neglect and the residue of their life was to them as a disgrace When a child was born neighbours were called to bemoan his entrance into a multitude of calamities and in course they reckoned up what he was to pass before he could go to their goâ Zalmoxis for they acknowledged no other but blasphemed and shot arrows against the Heavens as oft as they heard it thunder 13 Their Kings saith Quadus are chose by suffrage and those especially which are best known to be most mild not young nor yet a Father of any children for they will not by any means admit that their government should become hereditary If the Prince himself offend he shall not escape their Laws even to death yet no man may set a hand to his execution but by a common desertion he is allowed no necessaries to live and therefore must needs die Here once reigned Polymnestor which murdered Priam's younâ est son Polydorus And Tereus and Diomedes c. 14 This Province is now called Romenia and takes that name from her chief City Constantinopolis or Roma nova heretofore Bizantium of great fame from her first building and that was six hundred threescore and three âears before the Incarnation her founder Pousanias a Lacedemonian She stands so commodiously and commands the Euxine Sea the Propontis and Hellespont that there can hardly be any passage to or fro betwixt Europe and Asia in those parts without her leave And likely enough that for this cause Constantine the great when he divided the Empire chose this for his Eastern feat and in the year three hundred fifteen enlarged it with magnificient buildings and deckt her in the appaâel of old Româ from whence he translated hither many ancient and costly monuments and fain would have removed her name but that his Subjects out of their endeared affâction to their Prince would hear no other than Constantinopolis the City of Cânstantine It is in compass eighteen miles contains commonly seventy thousand Inhabitants though almost every third year she be visited with a great Pestilence The other eminent Cities of Thrace are Abdera Nicopolis Philopolis Hadrianopolis Trajanopolis Phinopolis Pemithus c. The Chersonesus over against Troas in Asia is called Saint George his Arm and in it stands Sestos where the love passed betwixt Leander and Here 15 Macâdonia is on the West of Thrace East of Albania North of Epirus and Achaia and Soâth of Mysia superior It had this name from Macedo grand-child to Deucalion as Solinus gives him The Land is fertile and pleasant rich with Miâââ of gold and silver and the quality of the Inhabitants were heretofore answerable Their disposition noble and free Their Laws good and those their own their attempts great and their Kings valiant and victorious The most renowned were Philip and the greatest one that ever the world knew Alexander his son which conquered the world and set here the Throne of the third Empire 16 There are many under-Provinces in Macedonia The principal is Thessalia and here stands Triaeca the Bishops See of Heliodorus author of that excellent fiction of Theagines and Cariclea though he were too much wedded to a youthful fable when he chose rather to forgo his charge than disavow his work And here likewise is the Pharsalis famous for the great battel betwixt Caesar and Pompey The other Provinces are Aemathia Biââia Pelasgia Eshotis and Phthiotis which yield matter for many of their stories and are famous for divers Hills and Rivers often mentioned in our ancient Poets The chief are Olympus Pelion and Ossa with their delicious valley Tempe Piâdus Nymphaus Atââs c. The Rivers Axius and Erigonius The chief City in the whole Region was in Augustus his time Thessalonica now Salonike comparable they sây in state and merchandise to Naples in Iâaly 17 Albania is on the West of Macedonia and East of the Adriatick Sea North of Eâirus and South of Sclavonia Her chief Cities Albanopoâis and Duractinum heâetofore
12 Brunswick and Lunenburg 13 Franconia 14 Palaltinus Rhâne 15 Wittenburg 16 Aâsper 17 Bayden 18 Mentz 19 Bamberg 20 Weirstberg 21 Saxonia 22 Anââât 23 Mansfield 24 Swevia 25 Bavaria 26 Brandenburg 27 Lusatia 28 Tirolum 29 Misnia 30 Bohemia 31 Silesia 32 Moravia 33 Pomeranea 34 Mecklinburg 35 Austria 15 East-Frezeland is on the West side of Germany and bounded with the North Sea Her chief Town is Embden 2 Wesphalia is on the South of East Frizeland It is most famous for Swine and excellent Bacon which is esteemed with us one of our greatest dainties to commend a feast Part of it belongs to the three next Bishops of Cullen Munster and Triers 3 Cullen her Arch-Bishop is an Elector The chief Town was called Vbiopolis afterward Agrippina and lastly Cullen from a Colony which was there planted by the French It is a received tradition among the Inhabitants that the bodies of the Wisemen which came from the East to worship Christ are here interred None almost but hath heard of the three Kings of Cullen 4 Munster Her chief City is Munster notable since the year 1533 at which time a company of brain sick Anabaptists named it Ierusalem and raised them a new Governour by the title of the King of Sâââ 5 Triers Her Arch bishop an Elecator Her chief City Tâiers of great antiquity founded by Trebeta the son of Nââius and ââpport sackt by our Earl Richard King of the Romans 16 6 Clivia or Cleeveland a Duke dome of that name Her chief Cities are Wesell Emrick and Cleve Her commodity the Tophus-stone of which they make Cement 7 Iuliacum Gulick a Dutchy Her principal City is Aken or Aquiseranum where the Emperour receives his Silver Crown for Germany and doth great worship to a clout which they take to be our Saviours Mantle in which he was wrapped 8 Hassia a mountainous Country but fruitful Her Metropolis Marpurgum an University and the chief place of her Lant-grave is Cassels It comprehends likewise the Counties of Nassâw and Hanaw 9 Alsatia Her chief City is Strasburg famous for a Clock of wonderful art and a Tower of five hundred seventy eight paces high Other Towns here are of note as Bing Worms Confluence and Andernach 10 Helvetia Swetzerland on the East of France and North of Italy It contains thirteen Cantons Zurich Berne ââ ucerne Vrenia Glavis Zugh Basell Friburg Vnderwalt Soâoâr Shasâhaââen Apeâsol and Suits Her chief Cities are Zurike or Tigurum where Zuinglius was martyred and Sengâll or Civitas Sancti Galli and Baâell where a general Council was decreed to be above the Pope in the year one thousand four hundred thirty one 17 Tariâgia Her Prince a Lant-grave Her ground though not of large extent nor above twelve German miles either in length or breadth saith Maginus yet it is very rich it comprehends twelve Counties as many Abbies a hundred fourty four Cities as many Towns above two thousand Viliages two hundred and fifty Castles Her Metropolisis Eââord 12 Brunswick on the East of Wâsâphaliâ a Dukedom whose principal Citiâs are Brunswick Hâlâerstâde Wolâheiton and Luneburg which gives title to an other Dukâdom whose chief Seat is Cella â18 13 Franconia Iâ lyeth on the West of Târingia and joyns to Hossia Northward The Inhabitants were converted to Christianity by Boniface In this Province stands Francfort famous for her âwo Marts every year and Noremâerge within the Territories are comprehended the seven other which âelong to this section 18 The Palatine of Rhene some seventy two miles from North to South and from East to West nienty six Her chief City is Heidelberge Her Prince an Elector and hath many more priviledges than the other six In the vacancy he is Governour of a great part of Germany ââ Wâtteââârge The chief Towns are Tubing an Vniversity Stâdgard c. 16 Aâspech a Marquiâaâe Her chiâf Town Aââpech 17 Badân a Marquisate pleasant and fruitfull betwixt the Rivers Rhene and Nâccar Her chief Cities are ãâã and Baden in which there be Bathes that cures many diseases 18 Mentâ Mâguntia a Bishoprick The Prince is a Spiritual Elector and sits alwaies at the right hand of the Emperour 19 Bamberg a Bishoprick of it self of large revenues In this stands Fochia where they say Pontius Pilate Was born 20 Weirstberg Her Bishop is entituled Duke of Franconia 19 21 Saxony on the East of Hassia and South of Brunswick and North of ãâã In this Province was Luther born at Isâeben Within her bounds are likewise comprehended tâese two other Principalities of Anhalt and Mansfield 22 Anhalt whose Governour with great courage and power bore Arms in defence of the Palatines right to the Kingdom of Bohemia 23 Mansââeld an Eârldom the more famous for the valiant acts of the present Count who to this day wars upon the Emperours party in the behalf of the illustrious Pâlatine and his unparrelled âady Elizabeth Sister to his royal Maâesty of England 20 14 Swevia on the South of Franconia It is a Country full of people and those ãâã goodly personage great wit and valiant In this Province is the head of Danubius and runs through the middle of the Country Her chief Towns are Vlme Lendawe and Auspurg or Augusta Vindelicorum Norlingen c. 25 Bavaria on the South of Bohemia and Franconia There is both the upper and lower Bavaria Of the first the chief Cities are Muchen Ingolstade Frising and about thirty four Towns more equal to the most Cities of the lower Bavaria the principal are Ratisbone Patâvium Pâssân Lanshutum and Saltâpârge In this City lyeth âuried Paracelsus 26 Brandenburg on the East of Saxoây a Marquisate of five hundred and twenty miles in compass It was heretofore inhabited by the Vandales The Metropolis is Brandenburg and Francfort ad Oâiâum for so it is distinguisht from the other Francfort in Franconia and Berlium Herâ are fifty-five Cities and sixty-four Towns 27 Lusatia it looks West-ward toward Saxony The chief City is Gorlitâia 28 Tyrolum on the South of South of Bavaria and East of Helvetia Her cheif Cities are Oonipus Inspruck Brâixen Tridentum Trent where the general Council was held one thousand five hundred forty six 29 Misnia on the East of Lâsatia a âruitfull Region Her chief Ciâies are Misnia Dresden Lipsin a place of learning and Torga many Writers place this Province with Saxony 21 30 Bohemia on the South of Saxony and Misnia encompassed with the Sylva Hircinia a âruitfull and pleasant Country It may deserve a particular description of it self and therefore I wilâ mention it here with no other solemnity then I do the rest of Germany Her Metropolis is Prague which was taken by the Impârialists in thââ last quarrel the King and Queen being at that time in the Church celebrating Gods service were forced suddenly to flie for their safety into Sileâia 31 Silâsia Eastâward from part of Bohemia two hundred miles long and eighty one broad a fruitfull Country the people valiant Her principal Cities
are Breselare and Neisse 32 Moravia on the East of Bohemia and South of Silesia Her chief Cities are Almusium Olmutz and Brin 33 Pomerania It is bounded on the East with Iâtula on the North with the Baltick Ocean Her Metropolis is Stetin Oâhers châef are Wolââst Wallin c. On the West of this Region stands 34 Mecklingburg or Mâgalopâlis a place Provincial of it self and hath Towns of note Malâhawe Rostock c. 22 35 Aâstria an Arch-Dukedome it lieth upon Hungary and is esteemed by the Germans the Easteân bâând of the Empire It was formerly called Pannonia superior It is a rich Country Her chief Cities are Viânna famous for beauty wealth and learning Emps St. Leopald c. There are reckoned to this Region the Provinces of Styria Carinthia Carinola and by some Tirolum BOHEMIA Petrus Kaerius Caelavit The Description of the Kingdome of BOHEMIA IN our Description of Germany we reckoned Bohemia but as a Province among the rest and therefore she was mentioned there with no more solemnity than the other parts were We purpose here to declare it an intire Kingdom of it self which besides her own compass as she is most commonly limited by Geographers hath under-subjects Dukedoms and Marquisates such as do her homage and make her well worthy of a more particular History than we had before room for 2 The ancient Inhabitant of these parts was the Bemorum magna gens as Ptolomy calls it and placeth it somewhat South toward Danubius under Suna sylva After them the Boii a people of Gallia Lugdunensis which had been before conquered by Caesar saith Quadus and packt over the Alpes to seek them a new seat in Italy But when they found the Romans too hot for their abode there they were forced to trudge farther and to pass the River Rhene into Germany as Strabo witnesseth where they found them a fit place to lurk in compassed with a large Wood called the Sylva Hircinia and like enough they joyned in with the Bemi to make up the name of Bohemia But neither here did they enjoy their peace long for they were in time nestled out by a potent people of Swevia called Marcomanni and they again had the like measure from the Sclavonians a barbarous crue which came in upon them under the conduct of an exiled murderer of Croatia one Zechius about the year five hundred and fifty 3 From that time there hath been no general expulsion but the present Bohemians are the progeny of those Sclavonians whose very language and customs are in use among them at this day Doubtless it was at first a rude Common-wealth that had no other Governours but so ungoverned a multitude for so they continued above an hundred years after Zechius But when they had for a time endured the misery of such a confusion they were content to agree upon some one for their Prince that might rule them and the first which they elected was Croâus a man of grâat esteem among them for his wisdom and goodness 4 Till the time of Vratislaus it had the title of a Dukedome only He was the fiâst King and was created by Henry the fourth of Germany Anno one thousand eighty six Yet after that again for the succession of six Princes it was governed by Dukes For the second King was Vladislaus the third crowned by Frederick the Emperour in the year one thâusand one hundred fifty nine and the third Primaslaus crowned by the Emperour Phillip one thousand one hundred nienty nine after six other Dukes from his Predecessor Vlaâislaus the third It hath been now long since fully setled into a Kingdom and is the title of the right noble Frederick Count Elector Palatine of the Rhene and husband to the illustrious Elizabeth daughter to our late Soveraign King Iames. They were both crowned at Prague in the year one thousand six hundred and nineteen but have been enforced ever since to maintain their right by continual wars against Fârdinand the second who by vertue of an adoption which declared him successor to Matthias laies claim to the Crown of Boââmia But the âasâ was before deâided in their third Vladislaus who though as deeply ãâã to tâe Kingdom as ãâã coâld be yet for that he had past no lâgall âlâctâon accââding to âââir Custâmes and Priviledgâs he was deposed by the States and Vladislâus chose in his room 5 There remains no great difficulty concerning the naâe It appears suffâcienâly to proceâd either from her first people or first Prince who as some report was one Boemus And it is worth observinâ that though this Land hath in sundry ages being so oftân ranâaâkt and poââst by sârangers and Tyrants yet in her name she constantly preserves the memory only of her fââst Natives and hath not suffered that change as we have done from Albion to Britain from Britain to Eâgland Aâd so indeed it is with almost all which have been equally subject to the like Invaââons 6 The situation of this Kingdom is almost in the midst of Germany and is easily desâried in ouâ common Maps by the Hircinian Forest held in the Romans time to be nine dayes journey in breadth and in length at lâast forty So Caeser in his sixth Com. It âoseth Boâemia on every side insomuch that to shâw they are not unlike an Aâphitâeater it is Mâginus his comparison The several parts of thâs Wood are known by divers names which they take from the Country adjacent The portion North west is by Sârabo called Gaâreta Sylva that South toward Danubius Luâa Sylva by Ptolomy non Sâlva Passarica and so the rest Without this Wall of Bohemia as Qâadus calls it her limits are on the West Franconia on the North Lâsatia and Misâia on the South âavaria and Austria on the East âoravia and Silesia The figure of it is in a manner circular and the Diameter is esteemed three daâes journey to a quick traveller The circuit contains five hundred and fifty miles of good ground fertile and pleasant enricht as well by her Rivers as Land commodities 7 Her principal are 1 Albis Elve which hath hâs rising in the Hircinian Wood and the name from eleven Fountains which meet in oâe at the head of the River For Elve or Elbe in the German Tongue signiâies eleven It runs through a great part of the Country and by the chief City Prague and at last vents it selfe into the German Ocean Of this Lucan thus Fundat ab extremo flavos Aquilene Suevos Albis indomitum Rheni caput 2 Multaria Mulda 3 Egra which gives a name to a Town 4 Sassâva 5 Gisera 6 Missa 7 Vatto They are received all into the River Albis yield excellent Salmon and plenty And if we will believe report there is oft times found in the sands lumps of pure gold which need no other refining and very precious shels of great value 8 It seems the water supplies that only defect which is to be found in their Land For it is
to be observed to be full with Mines of all sorts of metals Gold only excepted Their Tin was found out by an Eâglish man of Cornwall in the year one thousand two hundred and forty one belike which hâd been skilled in that work in his own Country for it is said That at that time there was no Tin known elsewhere in Eârope The earth gives good Corn and their pastures breed as good Cattle There is Wood good store as there are Woods which harbour multitudes of wile Beasts Foxâs Bears Harts Bulls and others which afford them sport in the hunting and meat for the best manâ Table Among the rest there is a wild Beast which they call Lomi armed by nature with a strange defence against the hounds which âollow her For they say she hath a kind of bladder hanging under her âaws which in the hunting she fills with a sâlding hot water and âasts it upon the Dogs with thât nimbleness that they are not able to avoid or pursue her but oft times have their veây hair âall off as from a drest Pig The Coânâry is generally ãâã in Saffron and other medâcinal drugs Wine it hath too but not so kind or pleasiâg as in other places ânsomuch that the richer sort furnish themselves out of Aâstria Hângary and the Regâon about which they in lieu of it supply with excellent Beer For they are held very good at the art of brewing and not behind hand at drânking when thây have done It is said of the ãâã sort I ãâã that if once they set to a Veââel of good lâquor they will not looâe it tâll they ãâã âound it ââpty ãâ¦ã before them as oft as he was heard though in a dead sound by the enemy whom he had so often crushed while he was yet living 10 For matter of learning they have not been very famous heretofore howbeit now the better parts are not now behind with the other parts of Germany The chief of note were Iohn Hussâ and Hiârome of Prague two worthy members of the Church They were condemned for Heretiques in the Council of Constance one thousand four hundred and fourteen for attempting a reformation of such errours as they held not agreeable with the word of God But yet their sufferings could not dead the good seed which they had sown in the true hearted It lives still among them in some measure though they have been often assayed by strange Impostures in Religion such as the heart of man could not conceive without a strong and extraordinary working of that great Deceiver 11 I cannot pass the most wicked cousenage of Picardus who posâest great multitudes of these silly people with an opinion that he could recall them to that perfect state in which Adam was created placed them in an Island for that purpose which he called Paradise caused them to walk naked and named this Sect Adamites Horrible sins were committed under that pretence promiscuous whoredome and incest at their very Divine Service It is feared that at this day there are many secret professors which live under ground meet at their solemnities have their prayers framed to their own humour and when the Priest pronounceth the words of Genesis as his custome is Crescite multipliâamini replete terram the lights are suddenly pop 't out and without any respect had to alliance or kindred or reverence to their exercise they mingle like Beasts and when they have acted their wickedness and are returned to their seats the Candles are again lighted and they fall to their pretended prayers as if there had been no harm done 12 The King is one of the seven Electors of the Emperour and in case the other six be equally divided he gives the suffrage which carrieth it It is to be thought that his power was conferred upon ãâã not without great counsel and good reason For besides that the place it self is by naturâ strong the people to have a special inbred love to Germany and defence of her liberties At Coronation he is Cup-bearer and performs it himself in person if he bepresent His revenues are cast up to be three Millions of Crowns which are not gathered all within the compass here limited but part out of other Principalities which are annexed to this Kingdom For there are four Regions which make up his Title and are subject to his government 1 Bohemia it self as we have described it 2 Lusatia 3 Silesia 4 Moravia They were named in the Map of Germany as being parts of the whole Country but will admit here a more particular tract as belonging properly to this Kingdom 13 First then for Bohemia it self it contains about thirty Cities which are immediate subjects to the King as Quadus calls them besides many others which are held in possession of the chief Princes Primates Barons Counts and Nobles of the Country The Metropolis is Prague heretofore know by the names of Bubienum and Morobudum saith Maginus but rather I think by the situation it should be the same which Ptolomy calls Casurgis It was compassed with a wall by Primaslans their third King and received the name of Prague by the wise Lubussa a Limine which they say is called Prague in the Bohemian language It is indeed a very stately City seated in the middle of the Country in the River Multaria and compared by some to Florence It consists of three Cities which are called the old Town the new Town and the little Town The old Town is the chief and is adornâd with may illustrious buildings The new Town is divided from the old by a large ditch And the little Town stands on the other side of the River Mulda but is joyned to the old Town by a stone bridg of twenty four Arches It was made an Arch-bishops See by Charles the Emperour and King of Boâemia was once the chief University but that now is removed to Lipsia in the Province of Misnia It is the Regal seat of Bohemia and here was the King and Queen when it was taken by the Imperialists 14 The other Cities of this Region which are worth the noting are 2 Egra It stands upon the River from whence it beares the name before it was called by Ptolomy Monosgada on the West end of Sylva Gabreta that part of the Hircinia which portends toward Franconia It was a City Imperial till the right was sold by Lodovicus Bavares to Iohn King of Bohemia It is a very strong City fortified as well by Nature as Art for the most part is built upon a Rock It is in compass two miles within the walls and with the Suburbs three Not far from it there is a fountain of a kind of sharp waâer which the Inhabitants drink Instead of Beer 3 Krens toward Austria on the North side of Daâubius 4 Piâsen on the West of Bohemia a City which long held out against General Tilly by the defence of the now Count Manââield but was at last betrayed by some of his
he was heir in general by marriage of a daughter But the truth is we have been ever easie to part with our hold there or at least forced to forgo it by our civil dissentions at home else after all those glorious Victories of our Predecessors we might have had some Power more to shew there as well as Title 11 There are very many Provinces belonging to this Kingdom more than will find room here for their full Descriptions in several and therefore we will reduce as well this new France as the old Gallia to the four parts of Ptolomies division 1 Aquitania 2 Lugdunensis 3 Narbonensis and 4 Galâia Ielgica To these we will add 5 the Isles adjoyning Their principal underâTerritories shall be mentioned as Maginus ranks them 12 Aquitania lieth on the West of France close upon the Pyrenean Mountains and Countries 1 Another part of Biscay mentioned in the Map of Spain and indeed differeth from that but very little 2 Gascoign and Guien The first to this day keeps its name with a very little change from the Spanish Vascones The chief City is Burdigala or Burdiaux a Parliamentary and Archiepiscopal Seat and University of good esteem was honoured with the birth of our Richard the Second Another City of note is Thoâouse a seat Parliamentary and supposed to be as ancient as the rule of Deborah in Israel This Gascogin contains in it the Earldomes of Fory Comminges Armeniaci and the Dutch Albert. 3 Pictavia Poictou on the north of Guien a pleasant Region and a plentiful It contains three Bishopricks Poâtiers Lucon and Mailazai Her chief Cities are Poictiers an ancient and the largest next Paris in all France Castrum Heraldi once the title of the Scotch Earls of Hamildon In this Province was fought the great Battel betwixt our black Prince and Iohn of France where with eight thousand he vanquished forty thousand took the King Prisoner and his Son Philip 70 Earls 50 Barons and 12000 Gentlemen 4 Sonictonia severed from Poictiers but by the River Canentell and so differs but little from her fertility Her Metropolis Saints Her other chief Bourg Blay Marennes S. Iohn D'angely and Anglosme Betwixt this Country and Poictiers stands âochel a place the best fortified both by nature and art of any in Europe And is at this tiââe possest by those of the reformed Religion where they stand upon their guard and defend their freedom of conscience against the Roman Catholicks of France 5 Limosin in Limo sita say some Maginus takes ãâã from Limoges her chief City toward the North which revolted and was recovered by our black Prince Her other Towns of note are Tulles and Vxerca and Chalaz where our Richard the first was shot It hath been by turns possest of French and English till Charies the Seventh since we have had little hold there 6 Berry regio Biturigum from her chief City Bituris now Burges an Archiepiscopal See and University It is exceedingly stored with sheep and sufficiently well with other Merchandise of value 7 Burbone from her chief City Burbone heretofore Boya a Dukedom aâd much frequented by Princes and the Nobility of France by reason of her healthful air and commodious Baths 8 Turiene the Garden of France Her chief Cities âloys Amboyse Taurs and a little higher upon the Layre stands Orleance 13 Lugdunensis or Celtica lieth betwixt the Rivers Loyre and Seyne and takes the name from Lugdunum or Lions her chief City This Province comprehends 1 Brittany heretofore Armoâica till subdued by Maximinus King of England about the year 367 since it hath had the name of Britanny and for distinction from this of ours it is commonly stiled Minor Britannia There is yet remaining a smack of the Wâlch tongue which it seems the Invaders had so great a desire to settle in those parts as a trophy of their Conquests that when they first mingled in marriage with the Inhabitants they cut out their wives tongues as many as were Natives that no sound of French might be heard among their children It hath few Rivers but that defect is in some measure made up by the neighbourhood of the Sea insomuch that the Countrey is reckoned one of the most fertile in all France for Corn Wine and Wood. It breeds good Horses and special Dogs Iron Lead c. Her chief Cities are Nants Rhenes S. Breny and Rohan It is divided into Britanniam inferiorem the base or lower Britanny West-ward and nearest England and Superiorem toward the Loire East-ward Her chief parts are S. Malo and Breste 2 Normandy a part of the Region which was heretofore called Newstria and took the name it hath from the Norwegians Their first Duke was Rollo and the âixth from him our William the Conquerour It was lost from his Successors in the time of King Iohn Her chief Cities are Rhothomagus or Rhoan the Metropolis Constance and Cane memorable for the siege of our English Henry the fifth And Verveile besieged by Philip the second of France in the time of our Richard the first which when the King heard as he sate in his Palace at Westminster it is said he sware he would never turn his back to France till he had his revenge and to make good his oath brake through the walls and justly performed his threat upon the besieger Her principal parts are Harflew the first which King Henry the fifth of England assaulted and New Haven given up by the Prince of Conde to Queen Elizabeth as a Pledge for such Forces as she would supply him with to maintain wars with the King in defence of Religion And Diep c. 3 Anjove regio Audegarensis a fertile Country and yields the best Wine of France excellent Marble and other fair stone for buildings Her chief City is Anjours which Ortelius takes to be Ptolomy's Iuliomagum It is now an University To this Dukedome there are four Earldomes which owe a kind of homage Manie Vandosm Beauford and Laval 4 Francia which gives name to the whole Kingdom and received it her self from the German Francones which before inhabited the great Forrest called Sylva Hircinia Her chief City and the glory of France is Paris or Luteâia quasi in luto sita in compass twelve miles is reckoned the first Academy of Europe consists of 55 Colledges And here was Henry the sixth crowned King of France and England In this Province stands S. Vincent where Henry the fifth died and Saisons and the Dukedome of Valoys c. 5 Campaigne and Bye partners in the title of Earldom it is severed from Picardy only with the River A fertile Country and hath many eminent Cities The principal is Rheimes where the Kings most commonly are crowned and anointed with an Oyl sent they say from Heaven which as oft as it hath been used never decreaseth It is the seat of an Arch-Bishop and University of note especially with our English Roman Catholiques who have a Colledge there appointed for their Fugitives And others of
Inhabitants there of Spain after the Syrians and indeed the first which affords us any Story worth observing were the Carthaginians and the first cause of their entrance was to defend the Islanders of Cales but when they had once got firm footing and sucked the sweetness they were not to be removed by the easie term of friendship but there kept hold till a people stronger than themselves dispossessed them The attempt was made by Scipio and the Roman forces but they withstood their assault with so resolved a courage and so strong a hand that it might oft times be questioned Vter populus alteri esset pariturus and so held play almost 200 years and could not be fully subdued into the form of a Province till the Reign of Augustus Caesar yet after they were held to it till Honorius 3 About his sixth year was there a second Invasion made by the Vandales and soon after by the Gothes which bare sway for above 300 years The last King was Rodericus who lost both himself and Kingdom for a rape committed upon the Daughter of Iulian a Noble Gentlemen and at that time Embassadour with the Moors in Africa When the Father had understood of his Daughters unworthy injury he brought back his revenge with him 30000 Horse any 180000 Foot of Moors and Sarazens which discomfited the King overthrew all the ressistance which he could make and bespread the Countrey with their Forces where they and their posterity stood firm till within the memory of some which yet live 4 This change of State was before prophesied and concealed in a large Chest within a part of the Palace which both the last King and his Predecessors were forewarned not to discover But the hope of an inestimable treasure made him transgress and when he had entred there appeared nothing but the Portraictures of armed Moors with a presage annexed that when the part of the Palace should be forced open such enemies should ruine Spain It is now at last but one people but yet retains the mixtures of those many Nations which have heretofore possest it Goths Sarazens and Iews who were partly banisht hither by Hadrian the Emperour and partly sent hither by Vlider Vbit the Caliph after the Moors conquest 5 In all this discourse touching the beginning and setling of the State of Spain it appears not from whence she derives her several names of Iberia Hesperia and Hispania It seems they are more ancient than the entrance of the Carthaginians and therefore they allow us no certain Story nor other reason indeed more than likely conjecture and in some scarce that Her first name of Iâeria was given by her ancients from a River that runs almost through the middle of the Countrey So saith Maginus and relies upon Pliny and Iustin for his Authors Others give it rather to the Iberi the ancient people of Asia thas came in under Panus from toward Syria and possest it before the Carthaginians Her second name admits as much question Some fetch it from Hesperus the brother of Atlas and their twelfth King from Tubal Others beyond the Moon from the Evening star because it is situate upon the West of Europe The last Hispania is supposed from one Hispanus or Hispalus who reigned in those parts and was the third in the account of some from Tubal or else from Hispalis now Seril rather we may take it from the fore-mentioned Panus Captain of the Iberians by the prefiction of an S. for so the Greeks give it ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã and since by their own addition and corruption it is made Espania Hispania 6 Her whole compass is reckoned to be 1893 English miles and her bounds are Seas on every side unless on the East towards France from which she is severed by the Pyrenaean Mountains On the West the Atlantick Ocean on the North the Cantabrick and on the South the Fretum Herculeum and other of the Mediterraneum which divide her from Africa Her Rivers of note are specially 1 Minius of Mingo 2 Dorio now Duerus 3 Tagus now Taio famous for her golden sands 4 Botis or Guadilquiver 5 Iberius now Ebro and 6 Ana or Guadiana which in one place glides under ground for fifteen miles together and gives the Spaniard an occasion as he will catch at any to brag that they have ten thousand Cattel daily feeding upon one bridge Yet give them their own sense the truth may be questioned For they have not such plenty of meat as they have of sawce 7 It yields indeed abundance of Oranges Lemmons Capers Dates Sugar Oyl Honey Licorish Horses It hath been heretofore noted for rich Mines insomuch that Hannibal received daily 3000 from one Mine in Spain The number is not answerable in proportion to other Regions of Europe Their Cities not so great nor so many The reason may be because indeed their Women are not so fertile to multiply among themselves and their usage of strangers so uncivil that very few of other Countries seat themselves there as in France England and Germany And yet they have of late times sent many Colonies abroad into both Indies 8 They are extreamly proud and the âilliest of them pretend to a great portion of wisdom which they would seem to express in a kind of reserved state and silent gravity when perhaps their wit will scarce serve them to speak sense But if once their mouths be got too open they esteem their breath too precious to be spent upon any other subject than their own glorious actions They are most unjust neglecters of other Nations and impudent vain flatterers of themselves Superstitious beyond any other people which indeed commonly attends those which affected to be accounted religious rather than to be so For how can hearty devotion stand with cruelty lechery pride Idolatry and those other Gothish Moorish Iewish Heathenish conditions of which they still savour 9 Yet it hath yielded heretofore men very famous for their excellent endowments both of wit and Religion The Apostle himself expresseth a great desire to see Spain as hoping to do much good among those which had entertained the name of Christ. Osius a learned Bishop in the time of Constantine the Great And Pacianus mentioned by S. Hierome Isidore âulgentiuâ Arius Montanus Tostatus and ãâã were all Spaniards Sâneca Quintilian the Orator Lumen Romanae elâquentiae as Valla stiles him Martialis Lucan Silius and Pomponius Mela were Spaniards Trajan the Emperour Theodosius Ferdinand the Catholick and Charles the Emperour were Spaniards To this day it breeds good Souldiers âlow but sure and successful in their Conquests Yet such as prevail more by art than valour Their continual scarcity of victuals inureth them to hunger and other hardness which oft times wearieth out their enemy and makes him yield at least to their patience if not to their strength 10 She hath been subject to many divisions according to the humour of those that have been her Lords The first of note was made by
the Romans in Citeriorem which lay nearest to their Territories and Vlteriorem which was all the extent beyond the River Iberus ad fretum usque Herculeum The second was by them too in Baeticum the whole tract beyond the River Ana South-ward 2 Lusitanium Northward toward the Cantabrick Ocean and 3 Terraconensem Eastward joyning upon France When the Moors enjoyed it they rent it into twelve parcels a multitude of petty royalties Arragon Catalonia Valentia Castile Toledo Biscay Leon Gallicea Murcia Navarre Corduba and Portugal And these yet retain the name of Kingdoms but their government was long ago recovered into the hands of five which bare the titles of Castile Arragon Granada Navarre and Portugal It was of latter times contracted into the three Kingdoms of Arragon Castile and Portugal but is in the power of one King called the Catholick King of Spain We stand to this last division as most proper for our times and best befitting my brief Discourse Give me leave to add the Islands which lie near to each Kingdom 11 The present state of Arragon comprehends three of those Kingdomes as it was scattered by the Moors and Sarazens 1 Arragon it self which lieth on the South of Navarre on the East of Castile on the North of Valentia and the West of Catalonia The ancient Inhabitants were the Iaccetani Lutenses and Celtiberi her chief City Caesar Augusta 2 Catalonia It lieth betwixt Arragon and the Pyrenâan hills It is supposed a mixt name from Gothi and Alani people which heretofore possest it after the Vandals had lost their hold The Region is but barren yet it hath in it many Cities the chief Terra cona which gave name to the whole Province called by the Romans Terraconenses 3 Valentia which on the East is touched with the Mediterraneum on the North with Castile on the South with the Kingdom of Murcia It is reported for the most pleasant and fruitful Region in all Spain it hath her name from her chief City and as Maginus relates admits as yet of 22 thousand Families of Moors In this is the University where S. Dominick Father of the Dominicans studied and the old Saguntum besieged by Hannibal now Morvedre 12 The state of Castile as now it stands comprehends all the rest of those scattered Governments as were possest by the Moors Portugal only excepted And first Castile it self both the old which joyns with Arragon on the East of Portugal and the west of Navarre and the new which toucheth her upon the South The first abounds not much with fruits but yet it breeds many Cattel The Metropolis is Burgos and the other chief are Salamanca an University and Valadolit once the seat of the Kings of Spain Now Castile abounds more with Corn is watered with the River Tagus and Ana And in this stands the Kings chief Cities Madrid and Toledo which was heretofore a propriatory of it self The rest that belong to Castile are 2. Toledo however now but a City of new Castile yet in the division her Territories spread themselves over a large compass The City is in the midst of Spain It was the seat of the Gothish Kings and successively of the Moorish Princes now of the Arch-Bishops who exceed in Revenues any other Prelate in the world except the Pope Here hath sate eighteen National Councils in the time of the Gothish Kings 3. 13 Biscay heretofore Cantabria on the North of old Castile toward the Ocean it was the last people which yielded to the Romans and after to the Moors A Mountainous Countrey but affords excellent Timber for ships and good Iron Her Cities are S. Sebastian Fonterabia and Bilbao which stands but two miles from the Sea and is noted for excellent Blades some have been tried by the English upon their own Crests 4. 14 Leon heretofore Austria on the East hath Biscay on the West Gallicia on the North the Cantabrick Ocean and on the South old Castile The Region is reported to yield plenty of Gold Vermilion red Lead and other Colours else she is barren her inhabitants not many and those live most upon Hunting and Fishing It is the title of the eldest Son of Castile as Wales is to our Prince of England Her chief City is Oveido which bears part with her in the name of a Kingdom and indeed was the Title of the first Christian King after the Moors Conquest 15 Gallicia on the East joyns upon Leon on the West it is bounded with the Atlantick Ocean on the North with the Cantabrick and on the South with the River Mingo It breeds Iennets in abundance insomuch that they have been Poetically feigned to be conceived by the wind Niger writes that here hath been an incredible plenty of Gold Lead and Silver that the Rivers are full of a mixt earth and that the Plough could scarce wag for clods of Golden Ore There appears now no such matter The principal Cities are Saint Iago where S. Iames the Apostle lieth buried his Reliques kept worshipped and visited by Pilgrims And the other of note especially with us is Corugna an excellent Port for Ships and mentioned oft in our wars with the Spaniards by the name of the Groyne Here likewise is the Promontory Nerius called by our Mariners Capo de finis terrae 16 Murcia on the North hath new Castile on the South and East the Spanish Seas It is not much peopled but yet is famous for several commodities especially for pure earthen Vessels and fine Silk Heretofore it enriched the Romans with a daily supply of 25000 Drachmae of silver Her chief places are Alicante whence our Alicant Wines come and new Carthage oft commended by our Travellers for her large and safe Haven and lastly Murcia a Town which gives name to the whole Region 17 Navarre lieth close to the Pirenaean Hills and as Maginus gives it is enclosed with Mountains and so it is North and East on the West it hath the River Ebro and on the South Arragon The Vascones are said to have lived here who afterward placed themselves in France and kept there their name to this day of Vascones corruptly Gascoigns The chief Towns are Bampelme the Metropolis and Viana the title of the Navarran Prince Maginus sets the Revenue annual of this Kingdom at 100000 Duckets 18 Corduba now a City only heretofore a Kingdom and included Andaluzia Granada and Estremadura Equalized almost the whole Province which the Romans in their second division called Baetica Andaluzia hath lost but one Letter of her name since she was possest by the Vandales From them she was first called Vandalicia since Andalicia corruptly Andaluzia It lieth on the west of Granada and is a very fertile Countrey In this Region is the chief City Corduba whence we receive our Cordavan Leather The second of note is Sevil the Metropolitan of Andaluzia and the fortunate Islands esteemed the goodliest City in all Spain and though as Corduba it was not honoured with the Title of a Kingdom
now belongs to this government the first since the year 1454. in the time of Casimirus and the last was brought under by Sigismond the first about an hundred years after 3 14 Polonia is divided into the greater and less The greater Poland is more Northern and joyns upon Pomerania and Prussia It was therefore called the greater because here Lechius first planted himself and built the City Guesna which was the Regal seat till it was translated to Cracovia in the lesser Poland 1320. yet at this day is her Archbishop Primate of the Kingdom during an interregnum hath the power of a Prince and Crowns the new King at his Inauguration Polonia the less is more Southern lies hard upon Russia and Hungary It is now esteemed the more noble part of this Province For here stands the Metropolis Cracovia on the banks of Vistula and Lublin and other of the best note in Poland 4 15 Prussia Spruce on the East of Pomerania hath the Baltick Seas on the Norââ and Massoriâ on the South and on her own East Lituania It is now a Dukedome and contains Cities of note Danâzike where Keckerman professed and Mons Regus Regimont Maneburg Heilsperge Câlne c. Her chief commodity is Leather much used heretofore to make Ierkins where none more brave than the younker that could compass a Leather Ierkin Here is likewise great store of Amber a juyco growing like a Corral in a Mountain of the North Sea which is clean covered with water and cast up by violence of the waves into their Havens 5 Russia nigra on the East and South of Poland the less and the North of Hungary and West of Podolia and had her name as some suppose first Ruthenia and Russia which in the Ruthen tongue signifies no other than a dispersed Nation For so were the Russians through all Sarmatia Europaea and a part of the Asiatick from the frozen Ocean to the Mediterrâneum and the Sinus Adriaticus and the Pontus Euxinus and the Mare Balticum all that used the Sclavonian tongue and professed Christ after the manner of the Greeks were called Russi and Luthenâ But the Province here meant is only the South Tract as much as belongs to the King of Poland and is called Nigra to distinguish it from Muscovia or Russia Alba. The people are valiant and in their fights use weapons of exceeding weight and bigness Her Prince is eâtituled Duke the name of King they will not endure This Province contains the Territories Leopoliensis with her chief city Leopolis Lunt-burg a fair Town and an Arch bishop See And the Territories Haliciensis âelzensis Praemifliensis c. 6 16 Samogitia toward the North and her West hath the Sinus Balticus North East Livora It is in length fifty miles very cold compassed in with Woods and Rivers Her principal Town is Camâa But not that nor any other is very famous for Lordly buildings the fairest are but sheds in respect of other Countries The Peasants are truly so indeed for they reckon themselves but little better than their Cattel live under the same roof with them without any partition or nice loathing of their nastiness a life fit enough for such a people for they are yet most of them gross Ido laters and are oft times met in their Woods with horrid visions and are strangely cozened by the Devil with a belief that they can prophecy The silly blasphemers nourish in their house a poor snake like themselves gathered out of some ditch and call it their god worship it with great fear and reverence and sacrifice once in a year I Octob. to their devil but by the name of their god Ziem enike The better sort are Christians of a comely portraiture and good feature valiant and ready to take Arms when occasion calls them Their greatest plenty is of Honey which they gather ready made to their hands in their hollow trees 17 Massoria on the South of Prussia and North of Polonia and Russia and the East of either Poland West of Lituania She had her name from a former Duke which was ejected by Casimirus where it had a peculiar Prince of its own it belonged to the second son of the Kings of Poland but in the year 1526 after the untimely death of Iohn and Starislaus heirs to this State it became a peculiar to the Crown of Poland Her chief City is Marscoria which hath many under her all use the same speech and customes with the other Polonians 8 Livonia to the North bounded with Finland on the South with Lituania on the West with the Baltick Sea and on the East with Muscovie It is a large Province carries in breadth one hundred and sixty miles and in length five hundred It is Fenny and Woody but yet hath Corn and Fruit plenty Cattel good store wild and tame especially Horses They have Honey Wax c. enough to exchange with other Countries for Wine and Oyl For this yields little or none It became Christian one thousand two hundred Her chief Towns are Riga Rivalia Derpe and Venda About some twelve miles from the Continent is the Isle of Osel 9. 18 Podlussia on the East of Massoria and West of Lituania was joyned to Poland one thousand five hundred sixty nine The Inhabitants are Massorites Russians and Polands Her chief Towns are Titock sin a Fort where the Kings Treasure is kept Beisco and Russin In this the King hath a fair Court furnisht magnificently both for state and pleasure 10 Lituania on the East of Poland and South of Livonia on the West of Muscovia and North of Podolia The air is very unnatural and by that means the creatures thereof every kind are very small and their wants great of Corn Wine Salt c. The people are of a slavish disposition and live thereafter poor and basely The women have a freedom by custome to keep many Stallions which their Husbands love us themselves and call them their adjutories But the men may by no means play false Their condemned persons be it to death must execute themselves or be tormented till they expire They became Christians ãâã as they are one thousand three hundred eighty six The principal Cities are Vilna ãâã and Brestia and Norigredum a City by report larger than Rome 19 11 Volhinia lieth betwixt Lituania Padolia and Russia a plentiful Region and breeds hardy Souldiers They live as Russians use the same speech and customes Her chief Towns are Kioria and Lircassia upon the edge of Boristhenes 12 Podoâia is on the South of Lituania East of Poland and North of the River Niester or Boristhenes as it runs from his head to the Pontus Euxinus and on the West of Russia It affords great plenty it seems three Harvests they say of one sowing It is pity saith Vadianus it should be left desert as in manner it is unless here and there a Village Her chief is Camiensen the only one able to return the Turks and Tartars with the loss as it
precepts of civility from their Fore-fathers though never so long since For what people can we read of in Stories which have at any time been enlightned with the truth and yet afterward fallen into that gross barbarism which is now found among the Tartarians See their Character which as they are by most described deals impartially gives them ill-fashioned bodies answerable to their rude minds fit Houses for so unclean Guests 7 There stature is different The most part have large shoulders a broad face with a crooked nose deformed countenance swarthy colour hollow eyes hairy and untrimmed beard and head close shaved Their speech is boysterous and clamourous their noise in singing like the yell of Wolves and endurance of Hunger Thirst Heat Cold and Watching equals them in strength of body to the most able beast for it exceeds the common power of a man Their lust is without law For they except no kindred but their own Mothers Daughters and Sisters No species for they mix with Beasts no sex for they are insatiate Sodomites and yet take liberty for as many wives as they can maintain which contrary to our civil courses they buy of their Parents instead of receiving dowries Their meat is the raw flesh of Horses without regard how they were killed or of what diseases they died sometimes they suck bloud from the living to appease their Hunger and Thirst if in a journey they be distressed for want of food 8 Cities they have but few nor Houses other than moveable Tents made of Beasts skins which they pitch up by great multitudes in the form of a Town and those are called Hordes when the grass is once eaten bare aâd the ground yields not meat for their Cattel they trudge with bag and baggage to another quarter and so in course they wander through the vast deserts unsetled and indeed impatient to be setled or rather imprisoned as they take it within any one bounded compass having the widâ world to roam in Their chief Arms are Bow and Arrows which they use most on Horseback for their more speedy flight and have them commonly strongly poysoned for the more sure mischief to the Foe Their Stratagems are down right fraud and breach of truth for they keep no Faith with any enemy regard not any compact made upon terms of peace but follow their own sense and commit what outrages they can with least danger to themselves 9 Their Religion is answerable to their vile customs Some are Pagans others Mahometans yet will not be called Turks but Bersemanni and their chief Priest Seyd whom they reverence more than their Maker and admit that none should touch his Hand but their Kings and these too with an humble gesture their Dukes aspire not above his knee nor their Nobles higher than his feet the rest are happy if they can but reach at his garment his horse his any thing so simple are they in their Superstition and thus have they continued either Atheists or false Idolaters ever since their first entrance upon this Kingdome in the year 1187. Before they were not esteemed a Nation at all but wild people without law or reason almost who lived in the open fields and conversed with no other than their own Heards of Cattel 10 Their first King was one Chinchis a man of low birth but high spirit impatient of that slavish condition to which he was bred he brake forth at last and drew more by his example into the thoughts of better fortunes which he ceased not to prosecute till he had made good his purpose and not only setled himself in the throne but enlarged the dominion of the Tartars through a great part of Asia and Europe which had scarce before heard of any such people His first Forces he imployed upon Tenduch and Argon bounded with the Eastern Seas both of them were then Provinces governed by Vnchan or Presbyter Iohn Soon after they got ground in Sarmatia Asiatica followed their blow upon Russia Hungary and Polonia fetcht in the Kingdoms of China Mein and âengala and left many out-reaches to their successors which have not kept entire to this day as being not able to match so many potent adversaries as they have from every quarter of their Kingdome 11 The limits are now on the North the Scythian Ocean on the West the Muscovian Empire Sarmatia Europoea and mare Caspium on the South Mount Caucasus the Kingdom of Persia and part of India and on the East partly the Easterly Seas and partly the Kingdom of China Thus divided she contains five Provinces 1 Tartaria minor 2 Asiatica 3 Antiqua 4 Zagathai intra Imaum 5 Cathai extra Imaum 12 Tartaria minor is called likewise Horda Precopensium a sort of Tartars which have their name from one City Precops but inhabit all those plains which lie round about the âontus Euxinus or Mare Magor and Palus Maeotis including the whole Taurica Chersonesus so that she extends her limits from the banks of the River Boristhenes as far as Tanais Her chief Province is the Chersonesus a Peninsula seventy miles in compass which took the name of Taurica from Oâyris who they say first ploughed this Land with a yoke of Bulls It was invaded by one Vlanus from whom the Inhabitants of this whole Region were sometimes called Vlani as they were after Crym Tartars from that City Crym once the Kings seat of this Peninsula though it stood not within her limits For her principal Town was 1 Theodosia now Casta where there was heretofore a Colony of Genoaes till they were dispossest by Mahomet the eighth Emperour of the Turks 2 Eupatoria 3 Parthenium c. The other Towns of this Tartaria Precopensis which stand without the Chersonesus are Ocâacon which this people took from the Dukes of Lituania and Tanas which stands in the utmost part of this Tartaria above the mouth of the River Tanais some three miles distant It is called by the Inhabitants Azac and it is a place of great Traffique and free access from many neighbouring Nations Near this South-ward begins the Palus Maeotis reacheth as far as the Taurica Chersonesus betwixt which and the main Land is the Bosphorus Cimmerius and on their South banks flows their Poutus Euxinus which runs into the Propontis but returns not This Sea is in some places so deep that the water appears at top black and was therefore called Mare nigrum It might be thought that the people living so near the civil parts of Christendome were better mannered than the Asiatick Tartars but their stubborn rudeness takes in foul scorn to be taught by any other Nation and therefore stands stiffly to their old course of life in Woods and wild Fields and cease not to commit continual murders and rapines upon the Countries adjoyning with an inveterate hate to such as profess the Name of Christ insomuch that they have engaged themselves to pay yearly three hundred Christians as tribute to the great Turk which number they draw
Merhamed the Great Mogul The others of most note are Moltan Scheââus for antiâuity Polymbothy the Palibothra of Ptolemy 4 Delly so nam'd from its Mother City sometimes the Seat of the Great Moguls where many of them had their Sepulchral Monuments many other great Towns and Cities there are in this Province among which Tremer is particularly culiarly mentioned and also Doceti made the more remarkable by the great overthrow given by Merhamed to Badurius 5 Agra whose Supreme City of the same name is the present Imperial Seat and ordinary residence of the Great Mogul ever since the time of Ecâar it stands on the Eastern-bank of the River Iemâna and not above 18 miles the way being stag'd with Mahometan Temples from Fatepore once a stately City to which Echebar removed his Court from Caximir and built him here a Royal Palace with sumptuous Gardens but much demolished since the removal of the Imperial Seat to Agra whither the materials of the said Palace were conveyed Hendee adorned with a Regal Castle which serves for a Prison of State hewn out of the main Rock as also two Hospitals for maimed Commanders Biani the most peculiar place in all East-India for the manufacture of Indico all the way between Lahor and Agra which is reckoned 400 miles is set with rows of Mulberry and other fair trees on each side the way and at every ten miles end fair houses for the entertainment of Travellers Within this Terrritory is included the Kingdom of Gualiar with its grand City of the same name where the Mogul hath a rich Treasury of Gold and Silver and a strong Castle for Prisoners 6 Sanga once a Kingdom whose Regal City Citor of 12 miles circuit and seated on a Rocky Hill with a narrow access shews the ruines of 100 Temples since its being taken first from Queen Crementina by Badurius King of Cambaia afterwards from him by the Great Mogul 180 miles from Agra is Azimere remarkable for the Pillars erected by Echebar between that and Agra one at the end of every mile and half and at 15 miles end a Caravansera or Inn for Travellers Into this division is reckoned the Kingdom of Nagracut with its Metropolis of the same name in which is a Chappel seel'd and pav'd with Plates and adorn'd with figures of massy Silver 7 Cambaia divided into 3 Provinces Sinda Gusarate Cambaia properly so called Of Sinda a great part whereof is a wast sandy Desartâ the chief Towns or Citi 's are Tutta a Town well Traded by the Portugheses Lauribander supposed very near if not in the same place with that ancient Aâexandria Calwalla given by Echebar for the maintenance of a race of Women-dancers Radempoor a large City at the entrance of the Desart fortified with a strong Castle Nuraquemire a grateful retreat for such as have past a wearisome journey of ten daies through the Desart at the farthest end whereof it is seated Sarrama the center of the Province to which it belongs as it is usually accounted Of Guasarate whose ancient Inhabitanâs are the Râsboochs yet unsubdued by the Mogul Diu a Town of great importance to the Portughâses by whom it hath been long possest and so well fortified that it held out and baffleda strong Siege laid against it by the Admiral of the Great Turk Solyman the Magnificent in the year 1537. Sauran a Town of the forementioned Resboochs which fortified with a strong Castle defies the whole power of the Mogul Boldra a Town more neat and handsome than large Amadabat accounted by some the chief City of Gusarate Sârkâff adorned with the Sepulchres of the ancient Cambaian Kings Ardovat Saringo and Periano Of Cambaia properly so called the Metropolitan City of the same name for its populousness term'd the Caire of the Indies Baracho where the best Calicuts are made Swally giving name to a very commodious Bay Surat a pleasant well-built and well-fortified City and at present a very eminent Factory of English Merchants Neriand a Town of all the East-Indies second only to that of Biani for the manufacture of Indico's Daman a neat and well-fortified Town in possession of the Portugheses Campanel once the usual Râsidence of the Cambaian Kings being encompassed with a seven-fold wall and seated on the top of an high Hill Dacaiotote a place whose strength rendred it capable to capitulate with the Mogul for a King or Governor of their own Netherby a Town trading in Aâmory and brasen Ware Tanai and Bandore 8 Decan having a City of the same name whose Inhabitants are very wealthy though Bider was rather made choice of for the Royal Residence at least it was the Seat of Mamutâa as Danager of Niâalmoxa and Visapore of Idalcan Goa the most flourishing Emporium of the Portugheses in the East-Indies and therefore the Seat of their Vice-Roy and an Arch-Bishops See and so impregnably fortified that Idalcan attempted in vain with all his force to take it in the year 1573. Chaul a Sea-port Town in possession also of the Portugheses by them no less strongly fortified and no less vainly assaulted by Nisamolocco another King of Decan Brampore once the Royal Seat of Chanlis taken from Miram the then King by the Mogul in the year 1600. Sintacora and Balagnate the native people of this Countrey were formerly called Venazarari who still hold out in some parts against the Mogul as the Resboochs in Cambaia 9 Canara ancient accounted a part of Decan but now almost wholly in the power of the Kings of Narsinga except what the Portugals possess of it The now most flourishing Towns belonging to it are Meâinde Onor Sea-Port Towns Baticalia Mayendre Mongalor recovered from the Portugals by the King of Narsinga Lispor chiefly remarkable for the Quarries of Adamant near it Salsette seated in a Peninsula under the subjection of the Portugals 10 Malabar divided into 7 Provinces some whereof are Kingdoms viz. Calecut Granganor Cochin Caicolam Coulan and Travancor The most memorable Towns or Cities of Calecut are the Metropolitan from whence it takes denomination and whence that sort of linnen-Cloath which had here its first manufacture is called Calicut Of Cranganor there is only of note one City of the same name in which are said to be no less than 70000 Christlans of the race of those converted by Sr. Thomas Of Cochin Angamale an Archiepiscopal See of these Thomasian Christians and Cochin an Episcopal See Of Caicolam one only of remark giving name to the Province Of Coulam the like accounted by some the Soveraign City of all Malabaâ and once the peculiar Residence of the Cobâitin or Arch-Priest of the Bramines Of Travancor the denominating City and Quilacare which a petty King of Travancor holds of the King of Narsinga by a most bloody tenure being obliged at 12 years end to sacrifice himself in a horrid manner to a filthy Idol 11 Narfinga or Bisnagar in which are many Cities worth notice as Cael whose Inhabitants the Paravi a sort of Christians live
themselves near this Lake is another whose waters cast up a sulphureous scum Of the Mountains of thâis Countrey the only of note are those famous Amadoci Riphaei and Hyperboreâ so much spoken of and so obscurely defin'd by the Ancients being one continued ridge of âilâs which under these several names runs overthwart European Sarmatia and tends first North then South lastly Eastward into Asiatick Sarmatia The Russian or Moscovian Empire is divided into 30 Provinces whereof several are Dutchies and Principalities viz. 1 Moscovia properly so called the Principal City whereof and not only of this Province but of the whole Empire is Mosco seated on a River of the same name but five miles in compass since burnt by the Tartar it contains 16 Churches built for the most part like the houses of mud and wood but the chief ornament of the Town is the Emperor's Palace like a Town for largeness next it is the Palace of the Patriarch This City is defended by two Castles Kitugorod and Basigorod the next Town of note is Sloboda a Bishop's See This Province extends from East to West 600 German miles and besides the inferior Souldiery furnishes the Great Duke with 3000 Boiares who serve in the nature of the Tuâkish Timariots or such as hold by Knights service 2 Volodomire a Dukedom added to the Title of the Great Duke a fertile Province once the Seat of the Empire till the time of Iohn Danielovitâ who removed to Mosco from which it is distant 36 Polonish miles the next City of note is Muron 3 Novogardia the lower not inferior to Wolodomire in fertility and a Dukedom whose denominating City scarce parallell'd by any other of the Empire for largeness and fair building is seated on the Confluence of the Volga and Occa and guarded with a strong Castle hew'd out of a Rock by the Great Duke Basiâius and adorned with a stately Temple reported to be built in imitation of that of St. Sophia at Constantinople In some out-skirts of this Province rather than in distinct Provinces there may be said to live rather than inhabit sculking up and down in Woods and Wildernesses two rustick people the Czeremissi wonderfully swift of foot both men and women and most expert handlers of the Bow and Arrow and the Mordwits the civiller of the two and not altogether without Houses and little scattering Villages but both of them either Maâumetans or rather the greatest part of them down-right Idolaters being boâh of them a sort of Tartars though within the Great Dukes Dominion 4 Rostow 5 ustynga 6 Vologda 7 Iaroslow with their several Provincial Towns or Cities of the same denomination which some will have to belong to the Province of Moscovia Rostow and Iaroslow seated on the banks of Volga have both the Titles of Dukedoms and belonged heretofore to the Great Duke's second Son the first is one of the Metropolitan Sees and guarded with a Castle the other a Bishop's See Vologda is also a Bishop's See and fortified with a strong Castle where the Czar keeps part of his treasure 8 Duina as it were Twain so called from its principal Town and that from the River upon which it stands in which are united the streams of Iuch and Sachona But the places of most trade and concourse are St. Nicholas a Sea-Port Town and Bâshops See on the Gulph of Granvicus otherwise called the Bay of St. Nicholas into which the River Duina cischargeth it self and especially St. Michael generally called Archangel where the English Merchants have a very great Trade and large-Priviledges there are also to be taken notice of Sanga so named from the stream Sachona on which it stands and Cargapol another Bishops See besides the strong Castles Colmagro and Pineâul 9 Rhesan between Occa and Tanais adding the Title of another Dukedom to the Czar a very fertile Province and well peopled yielding to the service of the Czar no less than 1500 Boiari Kâights or Horsemen and consequently Foot proportionably The Town from which the Province takes name stands upon the River Octa the rest are Cossira an Episcopal See Tulla the source or fountain-head of Tanais and Colluga a strong Garrison against the Tartars 10 Severia a large and in some places fertile Dutchy for it is very much taken up with vast Desarts and Forests the most observ'd Towns are Starodub Potâvolo and Czernigo 11 The Dutchy of Woâotine which stretcheth it self along the Western-Bank of the River Occa upon which also stands the Town of Worotine with a strong Castle 12 Permia a large extended Province and deriving name from its chief Town seated on the River Vishore second to which Town is Siewarsky 13 Smolensco Dutchy full of thick Forests extending it self along the banks of the River Niâper upon which the City Smolensco stands an Episcopal See 14 Mosaiski a Dukedom extending in length above 87 German miles and as much in bredth taken by Iohn the Father of Basilius from Alexander King of Poland the City which denominates this Province is a Bishops See 15 Biela or Bielski a Principality with a City and Castle of the same name seated on the River Opska 16 The Dukedom of Ruschovia whose City and Castle of the same name is seated on the River Volga which takes its source in this Province from the Lake Volga 17 Tuver heretofore one of the chief Principalities of Russia whose City Tuverda an Episcopal See and reported more magnificent than Mosco it self is situated on the Volga along whose Banks is extended this fair and spacious Territory affording the Czar no less than 40000 Bâiaâi and double if not treble the number of Foot 18 Plescow a Principality which stretcheth it self above 80 German miles in length and near a third part in bredth whose spacious Metropolis of the same name is of all the Cities of the Russian Empire the only walled City It was in the year 1509 taken by the Great Duke Basiâius from the King of Poland some say by the treachery of the Priests 19 The Dukedom of Novogardia or Novogrod for distinction sake entituled Novogardia Magna as being indeed one of the amplest Provinces in all the Russian Empire as the City that gives appellation to iâ one of the largest Cities but generally consisting of wooden or clay buildings seated on the River Narva or Ny ah Archiepiscopal See and one of the four great Marts or Hans Towns of Russia heretofore belonging to the King of Poland as Duke of Lithuania from whom it was taken by the Great Duke Basilius or as some say his Son Ioannes The other Towns thought worthy mention are Narva taken also by the Great Duke from the Polander situate Northward at the Influx of Duina into the Bay of Finland Pozow and Volocoluc two Frontier Towns strongly fortified to prevent the incursions of the Poles besides the strong Castle of Iuanagogoâod which serves as a frontier defence aganist the Suedes of Narva 20 Volzka or Wotâka a little Region lying North-west from
A DANE A NORMAN England Wales Scotland and Ireland Described ãâã and Abridged With y e Historie Relation of things worthy memory from a farr larger Voulume Done by Iohn Spied Anno Cum priuilegio 1676 AN EPITOME OF Mr. IOHN SPEED's THEATRE of the EMPIRE OF GREAT BRITAIN And of His PROSPECT Of the Most Famous Parts of the WORLD In this New Edition are added The Descriptions of His Majesties Dominions abroad viz. New England 226 New York Carolina 251 Florida Virginia 212 Maryland Iamaica 232 Barbados 239 AS ALSO The Empire of the Great Mogol 255 with the rest of the East-Indies The Empire of Russia 266 With their respective Descriptions London Printed for Tho. Basset at the George in Fleet-street and Ric. Chiswel at the Rose and Crown in St. Paul's Church-yard 1676. England Scotland and Ireland A Catalogue of all the Shires Citties Bishoprickes Market Townes Castles Parishes Rivers Bridges Chases Forrests and Parkes conteyned in every particuler shire of the Kingdom of England Shires Cities Bishopckes Mark Townes Castles Parish ãâã Rivers Bridgs Chases Forrests Parkes Kente 02 02 17 08 398 06 14 00 00 23 Sussex 01 01 18 01 312 02 10 00 04 33 Surrie 00 00 06 00 140 01 07 00 0¼ 17 Middlesex 02 02 03 00 073 01 03 01 00 04 Hant-shire 01 01 18 05 248 04 31 00 04 22 Dorcet shire 00 00 18 06 248 04 29 01 02 12 Wilt shire 01 01 21 01 304 05 31 01 09 29 Somerset shire 03 02 29 01 385 09 4â 00 02 18 Devon shire 01 01 40 03 394 23 106 00 00 23 Corrnuall 00 00 23 00 161 07 31 00 00 09 Essex 01 00 21 01 415 07 28 00 01 46 Hartford shire 00 00 18 00 120 01 24 00 00 23 Oxford-shire 01 01 10 00 208 03 26 00 04 09 Buckinghamsh 00 00 11 00 185 02 14 00 00 15 Berck shire 00 00 11 01 140 03 07 00 0â 13 Glocester shire 01 01 20 01 280 12 22 01 02 19 Suffolk 00 00 28 01 464 02 32 00 00 27 Norfolk 01 01 26 00 625 03 15 00 00 00 Rutlande 00 00 02 00 047 00 01 00 00 04 Northampton-sh 01 01 11 02 326 05 24 00 03 23 Huntinton-shire 00 00 05 00 078 01 05 00 00 07 Bedford-shire 00 00 10 00 116 01 06 00 00 12 Cambridg-shire 00 01 06 00 163 01 07 00 00 05 Warwick shire 01 01 12 01 15â 07 21 01 00 16 Lecester shire 00 00 11 02 200 01 10 00 02 13 Stafford-shire 01 00 12 05 130 13 19 01 01 38 Worcester shire 01 01 07 03 152 05 17 01 02 16 Shrop shire 00 00 13 13 170 18 13 00 07 27 Hereford shire 01 01 08 07 176 13 11 01 02 08 Lincolne shire 01 01 26 02 630 09 15 00 00 13 Nottingham sh. 00 00 11 00 168 05 17 00 01 18 Darby shire 00 00 08 04 106 1â 2â 00 01 34 Cheshire 01 01 09 03 068 09 19 00 02 18 Yorke-shire 01 01 46 14 563 36 62 04 08 72 Lancasshire 00 00 08 06 036 33 24 00 01 30 Durham 01 01 05 04 062 11 20 00 00 21 Westmoreland 00 00 04 06 026 08 15 00 02 19 Cumberland 01 01 08 15 058 20 33 00 03 08 Northumbrland 00 00 11 â2 040 21 16 00 01 08 Monmouth 00 00 06 07 14â 15 14 01 00 08 Glamorgan 00 01 07 â2 151 16 06 00 00 05 Radnor 00 00 04 05 043 13 05 00 03 00 Brecknok 00 00 03 04 070 27 13 00 00 02 Cardigan 00 00 04 00 077 26 09 00 0â 00 Carmarthin 00 00 06 04 08â 20 16 00 0â 0â Pembrok 00 01 06 05 142 06 07 00 02 03 Montgomery 00 00 06 03 042 28 06 00 00 00 Merionidth 00 00 03 02 034 26 07 00 00 00 Denbigh 00 00 03 03 05â 24 06 00 00 06 Flint shire 00 01 03 04 024 04 0â 00 00 02 Anglesey 00 00 03 00 08â 08 02 00 00 00 Caernarvon 00 0â 05 03 073 17 06 00 00 00 * The totall Summe of this Catalogue is           5 â Shires 25 Cities 26 Bish 645 Market 156 Castles â725 Pa. Ch 555 Rivers 956 Bridg 93 Chas. 62 For. 783 Parks The General of Great BRITAIN CHAPTER I. THE State of every Kingdome well managed by prudent government seems to me to represent a humane Body guided by the soveraignty of the Reasonable Soul the Countrey and Land it self representing the one the Actions and State-Affairs the other Sith therefore the excellencies of the whole are but imperfectly laid open where either of these Parts is defective our intendment is to take a view as well out of the outward Body and Lineaments of the now flourishing British Monarchy the Islands Kingdomes and Provinces thereof in actual possession for with others no less justly claimed in the continent we meddle not which shall be the continent of our first or Chorographical Tome containing the four first Books of this our Theatre as also of its successive government and vital actions of State which shall be our second or Historical Tome containing the five last Books And here first we will by example of the best Anatomists propose to view the whole Body and Monarchy entire as far as conveniently we could comprise it and after will dissect and lay open the particular Members Veins and Ioynts I mean the Shires Rivââs Cities and Towns with such things as shall occur most worthy our regard and most behoveful for our use 2 The Islând of Great Britain which with her adjoyning Isles is here first presented containâth the Kingdomes of England and Scotland and is of many accounted the greatest Island in the World though Iustus Lypsius gives that praise to Cuba in America as the Oriental Navigators do unto Sumatra taken for Pâolomy's Taproâaria or to Madagascar the Island of S. Laurence both which are near unto or under the Equiâoctial Line in which we will not contend as pleasing our selves with her other praises greater than her Greatness yet with this honour also that it was without question the greatest Island of the Roman World and for any thing yet certainly known of all the rest Concerning whose positure in respect of Heaven Lucretius the first of the Latin Writers that names Britain seemeth to place it in the same Parallel with Pontus where he saith Nam quid Britannum coelum differre putamus c. What differs Britains Heaven from that of Nile Or Pontus welkin from Gades warmer Ile In which by a certain cross comparison he opposeth two likes against two unlikes Britain and Pontus against Egypt and Gades But to seek into profound Antiquity rather than present practice for matters in which Vse makes perfectness were to affect the giving light by shadows rather than by Sun-shine 3 It is by experience found to lie included form the degree fifty and thirty scruples of Latitude and for
since over-shadowed by the height of Beckets Tomb that for glory wealth and superstitious worships equalized the Pyramides of Egypt or the Oracle of Delphos yet now with Dagon is fallen before the Ark of God This City hath been honoured with the presence and Coronations of King Iohn and Queen Isabel his wife with the marriages of King Henry the third and of King Edward the first and with the interments of Edward the Black Prince King Henry the fourth and of Queen Ioan his wife as Feversham is with the burials of King Stephen and of Maud his Queen and wife But as in glory so in adversity hath this City born a part being divers times afflicted by the Danes but most especially in the dayes of Ethelred who in that revenge of their massacre made havock of all and herein slew forty three thousand and two hundred persons the tenth besides reserved to live Afterward it recovered breath and beauty by the liberality of Bishop Lanford Characters and priviledges by King Henry the third strength in Trench and Fortifications from King Richard the second and lastly Walls for her defence by Simon Sudbury Arch-bishop of that See whose Graduation is placed for Latitude 51. 25 and parallelized for Longitude 22. 8 her sister Rochester differing not much in either degree 9 Which City as Beda saith was built by one Rof Lord of the same though some ascribe the foundation of the Castle to Iulius Câsar and hath been often ruinated by the injuries of war both in the times when the Saxons strove for superiority among themselves wherein this City was laid waste Anno 680. as also in the assaults of their common enemy the Danes who about the year 884. from France sailed up the River Medway and besieged the same so that had not King Elfred speedily come to the rescue it had been overthrown by those Pagans And again in Anno 999. the Dânes miserably spoiled this City in the time of King Ethelred neither haân it stood safe from danger since though not defaced so much by war for twice hath it been sore endamaged by chance of fire the first was in the Reign of King Henry the first Anno 1130. himself being present with most of his Nobility for the consecration of the Cathedral Church of S. Andrew And again almost wholly consumed about the latter end of the Reign of King Henry the second Anno 1177. Yet after all these calamities it recovered some strength again by the bounty of King Henry the third both in buildings and in ditching her about for defence 10 Civil broyls and dissentions hath this County been burdened with and that not only under the Saxons and Danes whose desolations were many and grievous but also by other rebellions since the Normans Conquest both in those infamous insurrections called The Barons Wars in the reign of King Henry the Third wherein much harm was done as also under King Richard the Second when Wat Tyler Captain of a dreadful commotion assembled at Black-heath Mile-end and in London doing many outrages where in Smithfield he was lastly struck down by William VVallworth then Mayor of the City and worthily slain for his notorious treasons Again upon Black-heath Michael Ioseph the Lord Dawbeney with their Cornish Rebels were overthrown by King Henry the Seventh Anno 1497. 11 Kent in the time of Iulius Caesar was governed by four several Kings Under Vortigern the Britain by a Lieutenant called Guoronge from whom the said King gave it to Hengist the Saxon in favour of his Daughter Howen who seeking to make himself absolute King thereof eight years after his first entrance fought a victorious battel against the Britains near unto Crayford and thenceforth accounted that Province his own Yet afterward Vortimer the valiant Britain gave him battel at Aylesford in the which both Horsa and Catigern brethren to both the Generals were slain and the Saxons driven into the Isle of Thanet their first assigned habitation not daring to enter the Continent so long as Vortimer lived Catigern was interred upon that plain where to this day remaineth his Monument being 4 stones pitched in manner of the Stonehenge and is vulgarly called Citscotehouse The like Monument was of Horsa at Horsted which stormes and time have now devoured Hengist made this Province a Kingdom for himself and successors which name and power it retained the space of three hundred and twenty years when Egbert King of the West-Saxons subdued and joyned it to his own in which subjection it stood untill the time of the Normans Then it was given under the title of an Earldom by the Conquerour unto Otha Bishop of Bayeux his half brother whose successors in that dignity were those most honourable families whose Arms and Names within this plot are blazed and expressed It is divided principally into five Lathes subdivided into 66 hundreds and them again into 398 Parishes and wherein had been seated twenty three Religious Houses SUSSEX SUSSEX CHAPTER IV. SOUTH-SEX a word compounded of the site thereof Southward lieth stretched along the British Seas The North confronts upon Surrey and Kent and the West butteth upon Hampshire 2 For form it lieth long and narrow so that all her Rapes do run quite through the Shire and containeth from Westharting in the West to Kent ditch that divides it from Kent in the East sixty four miles but in the broadest part little above twenty the whole circumference about one hundred fifty eight miles 3 The Air is good though somewhat clouded with mists which arise forth of her South bordering Sea who is very prodigal unto her for Fish and Sea-fowl though as sparing for Harbours or Ships arrivage and those which she hath as uncertain for continuance as dangerous for entrance 4 Rich is the Soil and yieldeth great plenty of all things necessary but very ill for travellers especially in the winter the Land lying low and the ways very deep whose middle tract is garnished with Meadows Pastures and Corn fields the Sea-coast with Hills which are called the Downs abundantly yielding both Grain and Grass and the North side over shadowed with pleasant Groves and thick Woods where sometimes stood the famous wood Andradswald containing no less than an hundred and twenty miles in length and thirty in breadth taking the name of Andexida a City adjoyning both which were won from the Britains by Ella the first Saxon King of this Province and the place made fatal to Sigebert King of the VVest-Saxens who being deposed from his Royal throne was met in this Wood by a Swine-herd and slain in revenge of his Lord whom Sigebert had nurdered 5 The ancient people in the Romans time were the Râgni of whom we have spoken and who were subdued by Vespasian the Leader of the second Legion under Aulus Plautius Lieutenant in Britain for Claudius the Emperour But after the departure of the Romans this with Surrey was made the South âaxons Kingâome yet that giving place to the VVest-Saxons as they
foreign Countries to that Countries great benefit and Englands great praise 9 The Trade thereof with other provisions for the whole are vented through eighteen Market-Towns in this Shire whereof Winchester the Britains Caer Gwent the Romans Venta Belgarum in chief ancient enough by our British Historians as built by King Budhudthras nine hundred years before the Nativity of Christ and famous in the Romans times for the weavings and embroderies therein wrought to the peculiar uses of their Emperours own persons In the Saxons time after two Calamities of consuming fire her walls was raised and the City made the Royal Seat of their West Saxons Kings and the Metropolitan of their Bishops See wherein Egbert and Elfred their most famous Monarchs were Crowned and Henry the third the Normans longest Reigner first took breath And here King Aethelstane erected six Houses for his Mint but the Danish desolation over running all this City felt their fury in the days of King Ethelbright and in the Normans time twice was defaced by the mis-fortune of fire which they again repaired and graced with the trust of keeping the publick Records of the Realm In the civil wars of Maud and Stephen this City was sore sacked but again received breath was by King Edward the third appointed the place for Mart of Wool and Cloth The Caehedral Church built by Kenwolf King of the West-Saxons that had been Amphibalus S. Peters Swethins and now holy Trinitie is the Sanctuary for the ashes of many English Kings for herein great Egbert anno 836. with his son King Ethelwolf 857. Here Elfred Oxfords founder 901. with his Queen Elswith 904. Here the first Edmund before the Conquest 924. with his sons Elfred and Elsward Here Edred 955. and Edwy 956. both Kings of England Here Emme 1052. with her Danish Lord Canute 1035. and his son Hardicanute 1042. And here lastly the Normaus Richard and Rufus 1100. were interred their bones by Bishop Fox were gathered and shrined in little gilt coffers fixed upon a wall in the Quire where still they remain carefully preserved This Cities situation is fruitful and pleasant in a valley under hills having her River on the East and Castle on the West the circuit of whose walls are well near two English miles containing one thousand eight hundred and eighty paces through which openeth six gates for entrance and therein are seven Churches for divine Service besides the Minister and those decayed such as Callender Ruell Chappell S. Maries Abbey and the Friers without the Suburbs and Sooke in the East is S. Peteâs and in the North Hyde Church and Monastery whose ruins remaining shew the beauây that formerly it bare The graduation of this City by the Mathematicks is placed for Latitude in the Degree 51 10 minutes and for Longitude 19 3 minutes 10 More South is South-hampton a Town populous rich and beautiful from whom the whole Shire deriveth her name most strongly walled about with square stone containing in circuit one thousand and two hundred paces having seven Gates for entrance and twenty nine Towers for defence two very stately Keys for Ships arrivage and five fair Churches for Gods divine Service besides an Hospital called Gods-house wherein the unfortunate Richard Earle of Cambridge beheaded for treason lieth interred On the West of this Town is mounted a most beautifull Castle in form Circular and wall within wall the foundation upon a hill so topped that it cannot be ascended but by stairs carrying a goodly prospect both by Land and Sea and in the East without the walls a goodly Church sometimes stood called S. Maries which was pulled down for that it gave the French direction of course who with fire had greatly endangered the Town instead thereof is newly erected a small and unfinished Chappel In this place saith learned Cambden stood the ancient Clausentium or Fort of the Romans whose circuit on that side extended it self to the Sea this suffered many depredations by the Saxon Pirates and in Anno 980. was by the Danes almost quite overthrown In King Edward the thirds time it was fired by the French under the Conduct of the King of Sicils son whom a Countrey man encountred and struck down with his Club he crying Rancon that is Ransome but he neither understandiog his language nor the Law that Arms doth allow laid on more soundly saying I know thee a Frankon and therefore shalt thou die And in Richard the seconds time it was somewhat removed and built in the place where now it standeth In this Clausentium Canute to evict his flatterers made trial of his Deity commanding the Seas to keep back from his seat But being not obeyed he acknowledged God to be the onely supreme Governour and in a religious devotion gave up his Crown to the Rood at Winchester More ancient was Silcester built by Constantius great Constantines son whose Monument they say was seen in in that City and where another Constantine put on the purple robe against Honorius ' as both Ninius and Gervase of Canterbury do withess Herein by our Historians record the warlike Arthur was Crowned Whose greatness for circuit contained no less than fourscore Acres of ground and the walls of great height yet standing two miles in compass about This City by the Danish Rovers suffered such wrack that her mounted tops were never since seen and her Hulke the walls immured to the middle of the earth which the rubbish of her own desolations hath filled 11 Chief Religious houses within this County erected and again suppressed were these Christ's-Church Beaulieu Whârwall Rumsey Redbridge Winchester Hyde South-hampton and Tichfield The honour of this Shire is dignified with the high Titles of Marquess and them Earls of VVinchester and South-hampton whose Arms of Families are as thou seest and her division into thirty seven Hundreds and those again into two Hundred fifty three Parishes WIGHT ISLAND VVIGHT ILAND CHAPTER VII WIGHT ILAND was in times past named by the Romans Vecta Vectis and Vectâsis by the Britains Guyth and in these days usually called by us The Lsle of Wight it belongeth to the County of South-hampton and lieth out in length over against the midst of it South-ward It is encompassed round with the British Seas and severed from the Main-land that it may seem to have been conjoyned to it and thereof it is thought the British name Guyth hath been given unto it which betokeneth separation even as Sicily being broken off and cut from Italy got the name from Secando which signifieth cutting 2 The form of this Isle is long and at the midst far more wide than at either end From Binbridge Isle in the East to Hurst Castle in the West it stretcheth out in length 20 miles and in breadth from Newport haven Northward to Chale-bay Southward 12 miles The whole in circumference is about sixty miles 3 The Air is commended both for health and delight whereof the first is witnessed by the long continuance of the Inhabitants in
with great efficacy 4 As Cornwall so this hath the same Commodities that arise from the Seas and being more inlaâded hath more commodious Havens for Shippings entercourse among whom Totnes is famous for Brutes first entrance if Geffry say true or if Havillan the Poet took not a Poetical liberty when speaking of Brute he wrote thus The Gods did guide his sail and course the winds were at command And Totnes was the happy shour where first he came on land But with more credit and lamentable event the Danes at Teigne-mouth first entred for the invasion of this Land about the year of Christ 787 unto whom Britrik King of the West-Saxons sent the Steward of his house to know their intents whom râsistantly they slew yet were they forced back to their Ships by the Inhabitants though long they stayed not but eagerly pursued their begun enterprises With more happy success hath Plimouth set forth the purchasers of same and stopped the entrance of Englands Invaders as in the reign of that eternized Queen the âirrour of Princes Elizabeth of everlasting memory for from this Port Sir Francis Drake that potent man at Sea setting forth Anno 1577 in the space of two years and ten months did compass the circle of the earth by Sea And the Lord Charles Howard Englands high Admiral did not only from hence impeach the entrance of the proud invincible Spanish Navy intending invasion and subversion of State but with his Bullets so signed their passage that their sides did well shew in whose hands they had been as seals of their own shame and his high honour 5 The Commodities of this Shire consist much in Wools and Clothings where the best and finest Kersies are made in the Land Corn is most plenteous in the fruitful Vallies and Cattle spreading upon the topped Hills Sea-Fish and Fowl exceedingly abundant Veins of Lead yea and some of Silver in this Shire are found and the Load-stone not the least for use and esteem from the Rocks upon Dart-more hath been taken Many fresh Spâings bubble from the Hills in this Province which with a longing desire of Society search out their passage till they meet and conjoyn in the Vallies and gathering still strength with more branches lastly grow bodies able to bear Ships into the Land and to lodge them of great burthen in their bosoms or Falls whereof Tamer Tave and Ex are the fairest and most commodious 6 Upon which last the chief City and shire Town of this County is seated and from that River hath her name Excester this City by Ptolomy is called Isca by the Itinerary of Antonius Emperour Isca Danmonioram and by the Welsh Pencaer It is pleasantly seated upon the gentle ascent of an hill so stately for building so rich with inhabitants so frequent for commeree and concourse of strangers that a man can desire nothing but there it is to be had saith VVilliam of Malmesbury The walls of this City first built by King Athelstane are in a manner circular or round but towards the Ex rangeth almost in a straight line having six Gates for entrance and many Watch-Towers interposed betwixt whose compass containeth about fifteen hundred paces upon the East part of this City standeth a Castle of Rugemont sometimes the Palace of the VVest-Saxon Kings and after them of the Earls of Cornwall whose Prospect is pleasant unto the Sea and over against it a most magnificent Cathedral Church founded by King Athelstane also in the honour of S. Peter and by Edward the Confessor made the Bishops See which he removed from Crediton or Kirton in this County unto the City of Excester as saith the private History of that place whose dilapidations the reverend Father in God VVilliam now Bishop of the Diocess with great cost hath repaired whom I may not name without a most thankful remembrance for the great benefits received by his carefull providence towards me and mine This City was so strong and so well stored of Britains that they held out against the Saxons for 465 years after their first entrance and was not absolutely won until Athelstane became Monarch of the whole who then peopled it with his Saxons and enriched the beauty thereof with many fair buildings but in the times of the Danish desolation this City with the rest felt their destroying hands for in the year 875 it was by them sore afflicted spoiled and shaken and that most grievously by Swane in the year of Christ Iesus 1003. who razed it down from East to West so that scarcely had it gotten breath before VVilliam the bastard of Normandy besieged it against whom the Citizens with great manhood served till a part of the wall fell down of it self and that by the hand of Gods providence saith mine Author Since when it hath been three times besieged and with valiant resistance ever defended The first was by Hugh Courtney Earl of Devonshire in the civil broiles betwixt Lancaster and York Then by Perkin VVarbeck that counterfeited Richard Duke of York And lastly by the Cornish Rebels wherein although the Citizens were grievously pinched with scarcity yet continued they their faithful allegiance unto King Edward the sixth and at this day flourisheth in tranquility and wealth being governed by a Major twenty four Brethren with a Recorder Town-Clerk and other Officers their Attendants This Cities graduation is set in the degree of Latitude from the North Pole 50 and 45 scruples And for Longitude from the West to the degree 16 and 25 scruples Neither is Ioseph that excellent Poet whose birth was in this City the least of her Ornaments whose Writings bear so great credit that they were divulged in the German Language under the name of Cornelius Nepos The like credit got Crediton in her birth child VVinifred the Apostle of the Hassians Thuringers and Frisians of Germany which were converted by him unto Gospel and knowledge of Christ. 7 Places memorable in this County remaining for signs of Battles or other antiquities are these Upon Exmore certain Monuments of Antick-work are erected which are stones pitched in order some Triangle-wise and some in round compass These no doubt were trophies of Victories there obtained either by the Romans Saxons or Danes and with Danish Letters one of them is inscribed giving direction to such as should travel that way Hublestowe likewise near unto the mouth of âawe was the burial place of Huba the Dane who with his Brother Hungar had harried the English in divers parts of the Land But lastly was there encountred with and slain by this Shires Inhabitants and under a heap of copped stones interred and the Banner Reasen there and then taken that had so often been spread in the Danes quarrel and wherein they reposed no small confidence for success 8 A double dignity remaineth in this County where Princes of State have born the Titles both of Devon-shire and Excester of which City there have been entituled Dukes the last of whom namely Henry Holland
from the first West-Point 15 13 minutes as Mercatâr hath measured them 9 Memorable matters both for antiquity and strangeness of sight are these At Boskenna upon the South west of her Promontory is a trophy erected which are eighteen Stones placed round in compass and pitched twelve foot each from others with another far bigger in the very center These do shew some victory there attained either by the Roman or else King Athelstan At the foot of the Rock near unto S. Michaels Mâânt in the memory of our Fathers were digged up Spear-heads Axes and Swords of Brass wrapped in linen the weapons that the Cimbrians and ancient Britains anciently used At Camelford likewise pieces of Armours both for horse and man are many times found in digging of the ground imputed to the signs of that fight wherein Mordred was slain and wherein great Arthur received his deaths wound And at Castle Dennys are the Trenches wherein the Danes lodged when they first minded to subdue the Land In the Parish S. Clare two stones are pitched one of them inscribed with a strange Character and the other called The other half stone The Hurlers also fabuled to be men metamorphosed into stones but in truth shew a note of some victory or else are so set for Land-marks Bounders There also the Wring-Cheese doth shew it self which aâe huge Rocks heaped one upon another and the lowest of them the least fashioned like a Cheese lâing pressed under the rest of those Hills which seemâth very dangerous to be passed under But near to Pensans and unto Mounts bay a far more strange Rock standeth namely Main-Amber which lyeth mounted upon others of meaner size with so equal a counterpoize that a man may move it with the push of his finger but no strength remove it out of its place 10 Religious Houses built and suppressed within the limits of Cornwall the fairest and greatest for account were Launston S. Neotes S Buriens S. Michaels Mount and S. Germains a Bishops See so was Pedman also from whence King Edward the Confessor removed it unto the City of Excester 11 The division of this Shire is into nine hundreds wherein are seated twenty two Market-Towns and 161 Parish-Churches SOMERSET SHIRE Petrus Kaerius caelavit SOMMERSET-SHIRE CHAPTER XI SOMMERSET-SHIRE is both a rich and spacious Countrey having the Severâ Sea beating upon it on the North side the South part bordering upon Devon and Dorset-shires the West confined with Devon shire and the East and North-East upon Wilt shire and Gloucester shire It took the name of Sommerron sometime the chief Town of this Shire whence in the Ancient Historian Asserius this County is called Sommertunensis that is Sommertun-shire 2 The form thereof is large bearing it self still wider as it slretcheth into the middle part thereof and contains in length from Brackley near unto Frome Selwood Eastward to Oure in the West Miles 55. In breadth from Parshut Point in the North to Chard Southward is somewhat above forty miles The whole ciacumference is about 204 miles 3 The Air is milde and pleasing and for the most part subject to such temperate dispositions as the Sommer-season affordeth whence some have erroniously conceited that the Region borrowed her name from the nature of her Clime yet how delightful soever it is in the time of Summer with change of the season it may well change her pleasing name and borrow some Winterly denomination so full of wet so miry and moorish it is in so much as the Inhabitants can hardly travel to and fro without their encumbrance 4 Howbeit they pass over this with all patience knowing their ensuing seasonable profits far to exceed any present detriments and displeasures for as it is fowl so it is fruitful which makes them comfort themselves with this Proverb that What is worst for the Rider is best for the âbider the Soyl and Glebe thereof being very fertile and every side garnished with Pastures and delightful Meadows and beautified with Mannor houses both many and fair and in a word hath every thing in it to content the purse the heart the eye at home and sufficient ports to give entertainment to commodities from abroad 5 The ancient Inhabitants that possessed this Province were the Belgae who spread themselves far and wide as well here as in Wilt-shire and the inner parts of Hant-shire who being branched from the Germans conferred the names of those places from whence they came upon these their seats where they resided 6 The general profits of this province are Corn and Cattle wherewith it is so plentifully stored as it may challenge any neighbouring County for the quantity to make shew of Cattle so fat or Grain so rich Some places are peculiarly enriched by Lead-mines as Mindiphils perchance so called of the deep Mines by Leiland aptly termed Minerarii Mineral-hills which yield plenty of Lead the most Merchantable Commodity that is in England and vented into all parts of the world Some are beautified with Diamonds as S Vincent Rock whereof there is great plenty and so bright of colour as they might equalize Indian Diamonds if they had their hardness yet being so many and so common they are less sought after or commended 7 This Countrey is famoused by three Cities Bath Wells and Bristow The first takes name of the hot Bathes which Antonine called Aquae Solis The waters of the Sun Stephanus Badiza we at this day Bathe and the Latinists Bathonta a place of continual concourse for persons of all degrees and almost of all diseases weence it was sometimes called Akemancester who by divine providence do very often find relief there the Springs thereof by reason of their Mineral and sulphurous passage being of such exceeding power and medicinable heat as that they cure and conquer the rebellious stubbornness of corrupt humours in repect of which admirable vertues some have fabled that they were first conveyed by Magick Art To testifie the antiquity of this place many images and Roman Inscriptions are found in the walls which can now be hardly read they are so worn and eaten into by age Wells as Leiland reporteth was sometimes called Theoderodunum but from whence it had that denomination he makes no mention the name it now beareth is taken as some think from the River there which King Kinewulph in his Charter Anno 766 calleth Welâe or as others from the Wells or Springs which there break forth and whereupon that See under whose Iurisdiction is also the City of Bath hath been anciently called Fontanensis Eccleââ the Fountain Church where the Cathedral built by King Inas to the memory of S Andrew is very beautiful and richly endowed The City is likewise well replenished both with Inhabitants and seemly buildings Whose government is managed by a Mayor yearly elected a Recorder and seven Masters having the Assistancs of sixteen Burgesses a Town-Clerk and Two Sergeants at Mace Whose Latitude is 51 20 minutes and Longitude 17 31 minutes Bristow is
name Bibrotes yielded him subjection which proved the ruine of all former liberty But when the Romans had rent their own Empire and retired their Legion into a narrower circuit the Saxons set foot where their forces had been and made this County a parcel of their Western Kingdom The Danes then setting their desire upon spoils from their roaving Pinnaces pierced into these parts and at Redding fortified themselves betwixt the Rivers Kennet aâd Thamisis whether after their great overthrow received at Inglefield by the hand of King Ethelwolfe they retired for their further safety 6 This Town King Henry the first most stately beautified with a rich Monastery and strong Castle where in the Collegiate Chuch of the Abbey himself and Queen who lay both vailed and crowned with the daughter Maud the Empress called the Lady of England were interred as the private History of the place avoucheth though others bestow the bodies of these two Queens elsewhere 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 observed by Mercator 19 degrees and 35 minutes 7 A Castle and Town of greater strength and antiquity was Wallingford by Autonie and Ptolomy called Gellena the chiefest City of the Attrebatians whose large circuit and strong fortifications shew plainly that it was a place of the Romans abode and since in a conceived safety hath made many very bold especially when the sparks of Englands civil dissentions were forced to flame in case of the Crown betwixt Maud the Empress and King Stephen whether her self and associates resorted as their surest defence 8 But of far greater magnificence and state is the Castle of Windsor a most Princely Palace and Mansion of His Majesty I will not with Ieffery affirm it to be built by King Arthur but with better authority say it was so thirsted after-by the Conquerour that by a composition with the Abbot of Westminster whose then it was he made it to be the Kings possesson as a place besides the pleasures very commodious to entertain the King In this Castle that victorious Prince King Edward the third was born 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 David King of Scotland Neither was it ever graced with greater Majesty than by the institution of the most honourable Order of the Garter a signal Ornament of Martial Prowesse the invention thereof some ascribe to be from a Garter falling from his Queen or rather from Ioan Countess of Salisbury a Lady of an incomperable beauty as she danced before him whereat the by-standers smiling he gave the impress to check all evil conceits and in golden Letters imbellished the Garter with this French Posie HONI SOââ QUâ MALY PENSE And yet that worthy Clarenceaux alledging the Book of the first institution finds the invention to be more ancient as when King Richard the first warred against the Turks Saracens Cypres and Acon he girt the legs of certain choise Knights with a tack of leather which promised a future glory to the wearers The most Princely Chappel thereof is graced with the bodies of those two great Kings Henry the sixth and Edward the fourth whom the whole Kingdom was too little to contain the one of Lancaster the other of York where the rest now united in one mould with a branch of both those Houses even King Henry the eighth who there lieth 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 moneys there oftentimes found appeareth Neither was Sunning the least in this Tract that had been the seat of eight Bishops before the See was translated thence unto 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 Finchhamstead for wonder inferiour to none where as our Writers do witness that in the year a thousand and hundred a Well boyled up with streams of bloud and fiftoen days 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 County affordeth made many devout persons to shew their devotions unto true piety in erecting places for Gods divine Service and their exemptions from all worldly business such were Abington Redding Bysham Bromehall Hendley Hamme and Wallingford whose Votaries abusing the intents of their Founders overthrew both their own Orders and places of professions all which were dissolved by Act of Parliament and given the King to dispose at his will This Shires division is into twenty Hundreds and hath been strengthened with six strong Castles is yet graced with three of His Majesties most Princely Houses and traded with twelve Market-Towns and is replenished with one hundred and forty Parishes MIDLE-SEX MIDDLESEX CHAPTER XIV MIDDLESEX so called in regard of the situation as âeated betwixt the West-Saxons and East-Angles was sometimes together with Essex and Hartford-Shire that part and portion which the East-Saxons enjoyed for their Kingdom it lyeth bordered upon the North with Hartford-Shire upon the West by Colââ is severed from Buckingham the South by Thamesis from Surrey and Kent and on the East from Essex by the River Lea. 2 The length thereof extended from Stratford in the East to Morehall upon Colne in the West is by measure nineteen English miles and from South-mines in the North to his Majesties Mannour of Hampton Court in the South are little above sixteen miles the whole Circumference extending to ninety miles 3 In Form it is almost square for Air passing temperate for Soyl abundantly fertile and for Pasturage and Grain of all kinds yielding the best so that the Wheat of this County hath served a long time for the Manchet to our Princes Table 4 It lyeth seated in a vale most wholesome and rich having some hills also and them of good ascent from whose tops the prospect of the whole is seen like unto Zâar in Egypt or rather like a Paradise and Garden of God 5 The ancient Inhabitants known to Caesar were the Trinobants whom he nameth to be the most puisiant in the Land whose chief City and âeat yieldeth him subjection made the whole with less loss to the Romans to bear the yoke of their own bondage and to come in under terms of truce But when their Forces in these parts were spent and the Empire shaken by intestine wars the Saxons setting their eyes upon so fair a soyl made their footing as sure herein which lastly with Hartford and Essex was the portion of the East-Saxons Kingdom 6 Five
princely Houses inheritable to the English Crown are âeated in this Shire which are Enfield Hanworth White-hall S. Iames and Hampton-Court a City rather in shew than the Palace of a Prince and for stately Port and gorgeous building not inferiour to any in Europe At Thistleworth once stood the Palace of King Richard of the Romans Earl of Cornwall which the Londoners in a tumultuous broile burned to the ground many other stately Houses of our English Nobility Knights and Centlemen as also of the Worshipful Citizens of London are in this Shire so sumptuously built and pleasantly seated as the like in the like circuit are no where else to be found Near unto Thamesis entrance into this County is kept the remembrance of Caesars entrance over Thamesis by the name of Coway-stakes stuck fast in the bottom to impeach his designs and further at Stanes a Maire-stone once stood for a mark of Iurisdiction that London had so far upon Thameâis 7 Which City is more ancient than any true Record beareth fabuled from Brute Troynovant from Lud Ludstone But by more credible Writers Tacitus Ptolomy and Antonine Londinium by Ammianus Marcellinus for her successive prosperity Augustâ the great title that can be given to any by Britains Londayn by Strangers Londra and by us London This City doth shew as the Cedars among other Trees being the seat of the British Kings the Chamber of the English the model of the Land and the Mart of the World for thither are brought the silk of Asia the Spices from Africa the Balms from Grecia and the riches of both the Indies East and West no City standing so long in fame nor any for divine and politick government may with her be compared Her walls were first set by great Constantine the first Christian Emperour at the suit of his Mother Queen Helen reared with rough Stone and British Brick three English miles in compass thorow which are now made seven most fair gates besides three other passages for entrance Along the Thameâis this wall at first ranged and with two gates openedâ the one Doure-gate now Dowgate and the other Billingsgate a receptacle for Ships In the midst of this wall was set a mile-mark as the like was in Rome from whence were measured their stations for carriage or otherwise the same as yet standeth and hath been long known by the name of London Stone Upon the East of this City the Church of S. Peters is thought to be the Cathedral of Restitutââ the Christians Bishops See who lived in the reign of great Constantine but since St. Pauls in the West part from the Temple of Diana assumed that dignity whose greatness doth exceed any other at this day and spires so high that twice it hath been consumed by lightning from heaven Besides this Cathedral God is honoured in one hundred twenty one Churches more in this City that is ninety six within the walls sixteen without but within the Liberties and nine more in her Suburbs and in Fitz Stephens time thirteen Convents of relgious Orders It is divided into 26 Wards governed by so many grave Aldermen a Lord Major and two Sheriffs the yearly choice whereof was granted them by Patent from King Iohn in whose time also a Bridge of stone was made over Thames upon nineteen Arches for length breadth beauty and building the like again not found in the World 8 This London as it were disdaining bondage hath set her self on each side far without the walls and hath leât her West gate in the midst from whence with continual buildings still affecting greatness she hath continued her streets unto a Kings Palace and joyned a second City to her self famous for the Seat and Sepulchre of our Kings and for the Gates of Iustice that termly there are opened only once a Bishops See whose title died with the man No walls are set about this City and those of London are left to shew rather what it was than what it is Whose Citizens as the Lacedemonians did do impute their strength in their men and not in their walls how strong soever Or else for their multitude cannot be circulated but as another Ierusalem is inhabited without walls as Zachary said The wealth of this City as Isa once speak of Nilus grows from the Revenues and Harvest of her South bounding Thames whose trafique for merchandizing is like that of Tyrus whereof Ezekiel speaks and stands in abundance of Silver Iron Tinn and Lead c. And for London her channel is navigable straitned along with meadowing borders until she taketh her full liberty in the German Seas Upon this Thamesis the Ships of Tharsis seem to ride and the Navy that rightly is termed the Lady of the Sea spreads her sail Whence twice with lucky success hath been accomplished the compassing of the universal Globe This River Cânutus laying siege against London sought by digging to divert and before him the Danes had done great harmes in the City yet was their State recovered by King Elfred and the River kept her old course notwithstanding that cost In the times of the Normans some civil broyles have been attempted in this City as in the days of King Iohn whereinto his Barons entred and the Tower yielded unto Lewis And again Waâ Tyleâ herein committed outragioâs cruelties but was worthily struck down by the Major and stain in Smithfield This Cities graduation for Latitude is the degree 51 45 minutes and in Longitude 20 degrees 29 minutes 9 In this County at Barnet upon Easter-day a bloudy battel was fought betwixt Henry the sixt and Edward the fourth wherein was slain one Marquess one Earl three Lords and with them ten thousand Englishmen 10 The division of this Shire is into seven hundreds wherein are seated two Cities four Market-Towns and seventy three Parish Churches besides them in London where in the Church of Gray-âryârs now called Christ-Chuâch three Queens lye interred which were Queen Margaret the D. of Phil. the hardy King of France second wife to King Edward the first the second was Queen Isabel wife to King Edward the second and D. to Philip the fair King of France and the third was Queen Ioan their daughter married to David King of Scotland ESSEX COUNTY ESSEX CHAPTER XV. ESSEX by the Normans Excessa and by the vulgar Essex is a County large in compass very populous and nothing inferiour to the best of the Land 2 The Form thereof is somewhat circular excepting the East part which shooteth her self with many Promontories into the Sea and from Horsey Island to Haidon in the West the broadest part of the Shire are they by measure forty miles and the length from East Ham upon Thamesis in the South to Sturmere upon the River Stow in the North are thirty five miles the whole in circumference one hundred forty six miles 3 It lyeth bounded upon the North with Suffolk and Cambridge-Shires upon the West with Hertford and Middlesex upon the South by Thamesis is parted from
Kent and the East-side thereof is altogether washed with the German Seas 4 The Air is temperate and pleasant only towards the waters somewhat aguish the soyl is rich and fruitful though in some places sandy and barren yet so that it never frustrates the Husbandmans hopes or fills not the hands of her Harvest-labourers but in some part so fertile that after three years glebe of Saffron the Land for eighteen more will yield plenty of Barley without either dung or other faâning earth 5 Her ancient inhabitants known to the Romans were by Caesar called the Trinobants of whom in the former Chapter we have spoken and in our History shall speak more at large But this name perished with the age of the Empire the Saxons presently framed a new and with Hertford and Middlesex made it their East-Saxons Kingdom until that Egbârt bought this and the whole into an entire and absolute Monarchy the Danes after them laid so âore for this Province that at âââmfleet and Havenet now Sââbery they fortified most strongly and at Barklow besides the hills mounted for their burials the Danewort with her red berries so plentifully grow that it is held and accounted to spring from the blood of the Danes which in that place was spilt and the herb as yet is called from them the Danes-bloud neither yet were they quelled to surcease that quarrel but at Ashdowne abode the Iron side in âight wherein so much blood of the English was spilt that Canutus their King in remorse of conscience built a Church in the place to pacifie God for the sins of his people but when the Normans had got the garland of the whole many of the Nobles there seated themselves whose posterities since both there and else-where are spread further abroad in the Realm 6 The Commodities that this shire yieldeth are many and great as of Woods Corn Cattle Fish Forrests and Saffron which last groweth with such gain and increase upon her North parts that from a split Clove much like unto Garlike a white blewish Flower shortly springeth from whence fillets of Saffron are gathered before the Sun and dried are sold as spice with great gain From the Islands Canvey Mersey Horsey Northly Osey Wallot and Foulness great store of Fish and Fowl are daily gotten and so from their Cattle have they continual increase which men and boys milk as well the Ewe as the Kinâ whereof they make great and thick Cheese sold abroad in the Land much thereof transported unto other Countries Their Oysters which we call Walfleet the best in esteem and are thought from Pliny to have been served in the Romans Kitchins But least we should exceed measure in commending or the people repose their trust in the soyl behold what God can do to frustrate both in a moment and that by his meanest creatures for in our age and remembrance the year of Christ 158. an Army of Mice so over ran the Marshes in Dengey Hundred near unto South minster in this County that they shore the grass to the very roots and so tainted the same with their venemous teeth that a great Murtain fell upon the Cattle which grazed thereon to the great losse of their owners 7 The chiefest City for account at this day in this Shire is Colchester bâilt by Collus the Brittish Prince one hundred twenty four years after the birth of our Saviour Christ if he of Monmouth say true wherein his son Luâius Helena and Constantine the first Christian King Empresse and Emperour in the World were born which made Nechâm for Constantinâ to sing as he did From Colchester there rosâ a Star The Rayes whereof gave glorious light Throughout the world in Climates far Great Constantine Romes Emperour bright And the Romans to the great honour of Helena inscribed her Piissima Venerabilis Augustâ But of these we shall be occasioned to speak more hereafter This City is situated upon the South of the River Coln from whence it hath the name and is walled about raised upon a high Trench of earth though now much decayed having six gates of entrance and three Posterns in the West wall besideâ nine Watch-Towers for defence and containeth in compasse 1980 paces wherein stand eight fair Churches and two other without the walls for Gods divine service S. Tenants and the Black Fryers decayed in the Suburbs Mary Magdalens the Nunnery S. Iohns and the Crouched Fryers all suppressed within towards the East is mounted an old Castle and elder ruines upon a Trench containing two Acres of ground whereas yet may be seen the provident care they had against all ensuing assaults The trade of this Town standeth chiefly in making of Cloth and Bayes with Saies and other like Stuffs daily invented aâd is governed by two Bayliffs twelve Aldermen all wearing Scarlet a Recorder a Town Clerk and four 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 Antiquity and memorable note in this County I observe the most Famous to be Camolodunum by us Maldon which was the Royal Seat of Cunobelin King of the Trinobants as by his money therein minted appeareth about the time of our Saviours birth which City afterwards Claudius won from the Britains and therein placed a Colony of Souldiers which were called Victriâânsis This City Queen Boduâ in revenge of her wrongs razed to the ground what time she stirred their people against Nero with the slaughter of seventy thousand of the Romans Of some later and lesser account was Ithaâchester now S. Peters upon the wall where the Fortenses with their Captain kept towards the declination of the Roman Empirâ In the East promontory in this County in the Reign of Richard the second the teeth of a Giant were found if they were not of an Elephant of a marvellous size saith Ralph Coggeshall and not far thence in the reign of Elizabeth more bones to the like wonder were digged up 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 took the name Havering seeing the Monks of those times made no great dainty daily to forge matter for their own advantage who in this Shire so swarmed that they had houses erected at Waltham Pritelewel Tiltey Dunmow Lecyâ Hatfield-Peverel Chelmesford Coggâshall Maldon Earls coln Colchester S. Osiths Saffron-Walden Hatfield-Bradockâ and more with great revenues thereto belonging all which felt the Axes and Hammers of destruction when the rest of such foundations fell under the flail of King Henry the Eighth who with Hezekiah brake down all these Brazen Serpents 10 This Shire is divided into 23 Hundreds wherein are seated 21 Market-Towns 5 Castles 5 Havens 2 of His Majesties Mannours and 415 Parish-Churches SVFFOLCK SUFFOLK CHAPTER XVI SUFFOLK in regard of them which were seated in Northfolk is a County most plenteous and pleasant for habitation It is
S. Benedict of Holme annexed to it The Commodities of this County I have contained in these four Verses Ingenio populi cultu Norfolcia clara est Hinc fluviis illinc Insula clausa mari Qua ratis vellus frumenta cuniculus agnus Lac scatet pisces pabula mella crocus This Description of Norfolk I received from the Right Worshipful Sir HENRY SPELMAN Knight CAMBRIDGE SHIRE CAMBRIDGE-SHIRE CHAPTER XVIII CAMBRIDGE-SHIRE lyeth bounded upon the North with Lincoln shire and Northfolk upon the East with Northfolk and Suffolk upon the South with Harâfordâshire and Essex and upon the West with Bedford and Huntington-shires 2 This Province is not large nor for air greatly to be liked having the Fens so spread upon her North that they infect the Air far into the rest from whose furthest point unto Royston in the South are thirty five miles but in the broadest is not fully twenty the whole in Circumference traced by the compass of her many indents one hundred twenty and eight miles 3 The Soil doth differ both in Air and Commodities the Fenny surcharged with waters the South is Champion and yieldeth Corâ in abundance with Meadowing Pastures upon both the sides of the River Câme which divides that part of the Shire in the midst upon whose East-bank the Muses have built their most sacred Seat where with plenteous increase they have continued for these many hundred years 4 For from ancient Grantcester Camboritum by Antonine now famous Cambridge the other brest and Nurse-mother of all pious literature have flowed full streams of the learned Sciences into all other parts of this Land and else where ancient indeed if their story be rightly writ that will have it built by Cantaber a Spaniard three hundred seventy five years before the birth of our Saviour who thither first brought and planted the Muses This City Grantcester by the tyranny of time lost both her own beauty and her professed Athenian Students so that in Beda's days seven hundred years after the word became flesh it is described to lie a little desolate City and as yet retaineth the name without any memory of circuit by walls Of this City in the year of Christ ãâã as the Monk of Button doth report nine Scholars received their Baptism and became Preachâââ of the Gospel among the Britains which as he saith happened in the Reign of Hadrian the Emperour But when the Picts Scots Hunnes and Saxons had laid all things waste and with their savage swords cut ouâ the leaves of all civil learning this as the rest yielded to destruction and so lay forlorn till the Saxons themselves became likewise civil when Sigebert the first Christian King of the East-Anglâs from the example of France whither he had been banished built Shools in his Kingdom and here at Grancester the chief recalling thither the Profâssors of Arts and Sciences as the Story recordeth and Traditions do hold But afterwards as it seemeth their increase being straightned the Students complained as thâ Prophets did to Elisha that the place was too little for them to dwell in therefore enlarging more North-ward seated themselves near unto the Bridge whereupon the place began to be called Grantbridge though others from the crooked River Came will have 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 spoyls and left the scars of their savage sores ever behind them And in the year 1010 when Suen in his fierceness bare down all before him this place was no place for Scholars to be in Warres loud Alarum ill consorting the Muses mild Harmonies Yet when the Normans had got the Garland on their heads and these Danish storms turned into Sun-shine days Gislebert the Monk with Odo Terricus and William all three of the like Monastical Profession in the Reign of King Henry the first resorted unto this place and in a publick Barn read the Lectures of Grammar Logick and Rhetorick and Gislebert Divinity upon the Sabbath and festival days From this little Fountain saith Peter Blessensis grow a great River which made all England fruitful by the many Masters and Teachers proceeding out of Cambridge as on t of a holy Paradise of God The first Colledge therein endowed with Professions was Peter-house built by Hugh Balsham Bishop of Ely in the year of Grace 1284 whose godly example many others followed so that at this day there are sixteen most stately Colledges and Halls for building beauty endowments and store of Students so replenished that unless it be in her other âister Oxford the like are not found in all Europe But at what time it was made an Vniversity let Robert de Remyngton tell you for me In the Reign saith hâ of King Edward the first Granâbridge of a School by the Court of Rome was made an Vniversity such as Oxford is Lastly the âeridian Line Cutâing the Zenith over this City is distant from the furthest West Point according to Mercator 20 degrees 50 scruples and the Arch of the same Mâridian lying between the Aequator and Vertical point is 52 degrees 20 scruples 5 Another City formerly in great fame is Ely had in account for the repute and holiness of Votary Nuns there residing built first by Audry wife to one Tombrot a Prince in this Province who had this place as a part of her Dowry she having departed from her second Husband â Egbert King of Northumberland devoted her self to the service of God and built here a Monastery whereof she became the first Abbess This in the Danish desolations was destroyed but soon after re-edified by Ethelwood Bishop of Winchester who stored it with Monks unto whom King Edgar granted the jurisdiction over four hundreds and a half within these Fenns 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 Revenues that as Malmesbury saith The Abbot thereof laid up yearly in his own Coffers a thousand and four hundred pounds And of later times the Monks thereof became so wealthy that their old decayed Church they renewed with new and most stately buildings which is now the Cathedral of the Diocess and for beauty giveth place to no other in the Land Eight other foundations set apart from secular use in this Province were at Thorney Charteres Denny Elsey Beach Barnwell Swasey and Shengey all which in the days of King Henry the Eighth came to the period of their surpassing wealth and left their Lands to the dispose of his Will 6 The general Commodity of this Shire is Corn 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 withal fruitful whereof Henry of Huntington and William of Malinesbury thus do write
This âenny Countrey is passing rich and plenteous yea and beautiful also to behold wherein is so great store of fish that strangers do wonder and water fowl so cheap that five men may therewith be satisfied with less than an half penny 7 Places of ancient note in this Shire are these the Erminstreet-way which upon the lower West parts of this County thorow Roiston runneth forth right unto Huntington And from Reach a Market-Town standing near to the River Come a great Duch and Trench is cast all along New-Market-Heath which for the wonder received thereat is of the vulgar called The Devils Ditch being in truth made for a defence against the Mercians by the East-Angles whose Kingdom it inverged The Gâgmagog Hills near Cambridge retain the memembrance of the Danish Station where as yet on their tops is seen a Rampier strengthned with a three-sold Trench whereof Gervase of Tilbury tells many a pretty Tale. 8 This Shire is divided into seventeen Hundreds wherein are seated eight Market-Towns and hath been strengthened with seven Castles and God divinely honoâred in one Hundred sixty three Parish-Churches Hartforde Shire HERTFORD-SHIRE CHAPTER XIX HERTFORD-SHIRE is bordered upon the North with Bedford and Cambridge-shires upon the East is altogether bounded by Essex upon the South is confined with Middlesex and her west butteth upon Buckingham and Bedford-shires 2 The form thereof is somewhat circular with many indents to fetch in those Towns that are dispersedly stragled into her next Shire whereof Roiston and Totteridge are the two extreams from North to South betwixt whom in a straight drawn line are twenty seven English miles and from Putnam Westward to Cheston Nunnery in the East are twenty eight the whole circumference about an hundred and thirty miles 3 The Air is temperate sweet and healthful as seated in a Climate neither too hot nor too cold the soil is rich plenteous and delightful yielding abundance of Corn Cattle Wood and Grass destitute of nothing that ministereth profit or pleasures for life which are more augmented by âhe many Rivers that arise and run thorow this Shire watering her own and others till they empty themselves into the Sea 4 Her ancient Inhabitants in the time of the Romans were the Caâieucâlanians or Cassians and the Trinobants as their Writers declare and in the Heptarchy was possessed by the East-Saxons excepting some small portion thereof that the Mercian Kings enjoyed The Daâes also in their over-runnings sought to stay themselves in this Shire and at Ware then Weare pitched down their rest and hope for passing the Lea in their light Pinnaces and Shallops raised therein a Fort which mangre the English they kept until that by the wise policy of King Elfred that River was parted into more running streams whereby their Ships perished and they intercepted both of provision and further supply 5 The Romans before them made Verolaniumâ in this Shire their greatest for account which in Nero's time was a Municipal as Ninius in his Catalogue of Cities doth call it or as Tacitus a Freo Town sacked by Boduo that ever eternized Queen of the Icenians when seventy thousand of the Romans and Confederates by her revenging sword perished the site and circuit whereof in this Card we have set according to our view and measure there taken whose magnificence for Port and stately Architâcture were found by her large and arched Vaults in the days of King Edgar which were digged into and cast down by Elred and Edmer Abbots of S. Albans for that they were the receptacles and âurking holes of Whoores and Theeves the ruins of which have raised the beauty of her surviving and fair S. Albans where Offa the great Mercian in great devotion built a most stately Monastery whose Church yet standing retaineth the ashes of many Nobles there slain in the quarrel of York and Lancaster and a Font of solid Brass brought out of Scotland by Sir Richard Lea from the siege of Leeth 6 Many other Towns both for Commerce stately Buildings and of ancient Record this Shââe affordeth whereof Hertford though the Shire Town is not the richest the passage thorow Ware hath left her ways so untrodden to prevent which in former times that River at Ware was chained up and the Bayliff of Heriford had the custody of the Key which howsoever they have lost yet hath the Town gotten her Governour to be preferred from the name of a Bayliff unto a Mayor assisted with nine Burgesses a Reâorder and two Sergeants their Attendants Herein a Castle for situation pleasant for Trench Walls and River sufficiently fenced was lately seen but marked to deââiny as the Town to decay hath found the hand of Fortune to overmatch her strength and to ruinate the Priory S. Nicholas and S. Maries Churchos besides a Cell of S. Albans Monks that therein were seated The like fate falls unto Hensled and her fair Castle wherein Richard King of the Romans left his life Yet Langley is graced both in the birth of Prince Edmund the fifth son to King Edward the third and the burial of Richard the second that unfortunate King who in the Cell of Friers Preachers was there first buried but afterwards removed and enshrined at Westminster And in another Langley near the East from thence was born that Pontifical Break-speare Bishop of Rome known by the name of Hadrian the fourth and famous for his stirrup-holding by Frederick the Emperour whose breath was last stopped by a Flie that flew into his mouth 7 The civil Battles that in this Shire have been fought in the Map it self are inserted and therefore here omitted but the more ancient remembred unto us by Oister-hill near S. Albans whom the judicious Cambden supposeth to have been the Camp of Ostorius the second Lieutenant and Subduer of great Caractacus as also seven small round Hills betwixt Stevennedge and Knebworth in which are supposed some Roman Souldiers to lie buried 8 Religious Houses built and suppressed the chiefest for account in this Shire were S. Albans Roystone Ware Sopwell Langley besides them at Hertford whom Bâda calls Herudford which Cities graduation is distant and removed 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 Earldoms whereof were enjoyed only by those two honourable Families whose atchievements we have also therein expressed 9 This Counties division is into eight hundreds wherein are seated eighteen Market-Towns and one hundred and twenty Parish Churches BEDFORD SHIRE BEDFORD-SHIRE CHAPTER XX. BEDFORD-SHIRE seated in the South-East of this Island is a plain and champion Country and lyeth bounded upon the North with Huntington-Shire upon the East with Cambridge and Hartford-shires upon the South with Hertford and Buckingham-shires and upon the West with Buckingham and Northampton-shires 2 The Form thereof is somewhat oval and not very large for from Tilbroke in the North unto Studham in the South are but twenty four
which last was built with great cost by Richaâd Earl of Cornwall King of the Romans wherein himself and his Dutchesse was interred Their Son Earl Edmund brought out of Germany the bloud of Hales supposed and said to be part of that whicâ Christ shed upon his Cross. In this place with great confluence and devotions of Pilgrimage it was sought and worshiped till time proved it a meer counterfeit when the glorious light of the Gospel revealed to eye-sight such gross Idolatries and the skirts of Superstition were were turned up to the shew of her ownâshame 12 Dukes and Earls that have born the title of Glocester the first of every Family are by their Arms and Names expressed ever fatal to their Dukes though the greatest in bloud and birth The first was Thomas VVoodstock son to King Edward the third who in Callis was âmothered in a Feather-bed to death The second was Humfrey brother to King Henry the fifth by the fraudulent practice of the malignant Cardinal and Queen made away at S. Edmundsbury And the last was Richard brother to King Edward the fourth who by the just hand of God was cut off in battle by King Henry the Second 13 This Shires division is principally into four parts subdivided into thirty Hundreds and thâm again into two hundred and eight Parish-Churcâes Hereford SHIRE HEREFORD-SHIRE CHAPTER XXIV HEREFORD-SHIRE formerly accounted within the limits of Wales lyeth circulated upon the North with Worcester and Shrop-shires upon the East with Malvern Hills is parted from Glocester-shire upon the South is kept in with Monmouth-shire and upon the West in part with the Haiterall Hills is divided from Brecknock and the rest confined with Radnor-shire 2 This Counties climate is most healthful and temperate and Soyl so fertile for Corn and Cattle that no place in England yieldeth more or better conditioned sweet Rivers ruâning as veins in the body do make the Corn-bearing grounds in some of her parts rightly to be termed the Golden Vale and for Waters Wool and Wheat doth contend with Nilus Colchos and Egypt such are Leâster Irchenfield the banks of Wye Luge and Frome 3 The ancient people known to the Romans whose power they well felt before they could subdue them were the Silures placed by Ptolomy in this Tract and branched further into Radnor Breckâock Monmouth and Glamorgan shires at this day by us called Southâwales and by the Welsh Deheubarth Their Original as Tacitus conjectureth by their site coloured countenances and curled hair was out of Spain and both as he and Pliny describes them were fierce valiant and impatient of servitude which well they shewed under Caratacus their Captain and nine years scourge to the Roman assaulters for whose only conquest and that made by treachery the Victor in Rome triumphed with more than a usual Aspect and with so equal an hand bare the Scoale of Resistance that their own Writers evermore term it a dangeâous War For the Legion of Marius Valence they put to âlight and that with such havock of the Associates that Asterius the Lievtenant of Britain for very grief gave up the ghost and Veranius under Nero assaulted them in vain But when Vâspasian was Emperour and expert Souldiers imployed in every Province Iulius Frontinus subdued these Silures unto the Romans where continually some of their Legions afterward kept till all was abandoned in Valentinians âime 4 The Saxons then made themselves Lords of this Land and this Province a part of their Mercians Kingdom yea and Sutton the Court of great Offa their King 5 But Hereford after raised of the ruines of the old Ariconium now Kencâester shaken in pieces by a violent earthquake grew to great fame thorow a conceived sanctity by the burial of Etâelbert King of the East-Angles slain at Sutton by Offa at what time he came thither to have espoused his Daughter whose grave was first made at Merden but afterwards cânonized and removed to this City when in honour of him was built the Cathedral Church by Milfrid a petty King of that County which Gruffith Prince of South-Wales and Algar an Englishââan rebelling against Edward Confessor consumed with fire but by Bishop Remelân was restored as now it is at what time the Town was walled and iâ so remaining in good repair having six gates for entrance and fifteen Watch-Towers for defence extending in compass to fifteen hundred paces and whence the North Pole is observed to be raised 52 degrees 27 minutes in Latitude and is set from the first point of the West in Longitude 17 degrees and 30 minutes being yearly governed by a Mayor chosen out of one and thirty Citizens which are commonly called the Election and he ever after is known for an Alderman and clothed in Scarlet whereof four of the eldest are Iustices of Peace graced with a Sword-bearer a Recorder a Town-Clerk and four Sergeants with Mace The greatest glory that this City received was in King Athelstans days where as Malmesbury doth report he caused the Lords of âales by way of Tribute to pay yearly besides Hawkes and Hounds twenty pound of Gold and three hundred pound of Silver by weight but how that was performed and continued I find not 6 Things of rare note in this Shire are said to be Bone-well a Spring not faâ from Richards Castle wherein are continually found little Fishes bones but not a âin seen and being wholly cleansed thereof will notwithstanding have again the like whether naturally produced or in veins thither brought no man knoweth 7 But more admirable was the work of the Omnipotent even in our own remembrances and year of Christ âesus 1571 when the Marcley Hill in the East of this Shire rouzed it self out of a dead sleep with a roaring noise removed from the place where it stood and for three days together travelled from her first âite to the great amazement and fear of the beholders It began to journey upon the seventh day of February being sunday at six of the Clock at night and by seven in the next morning had gone forty paces carrying with it Sheep in their coats hedge-rows and trees whereof some were overturned and some that stood upon the plain are firmly growing upon the hill those that were East were turned West and those in the West were set in the East in which remove it overthrew ââââaston-Chappel and turned two high-ways near an hundred yards from their usual paths formerly trod The ground thus travelling was about twenty six Acres which opening it self with Rocks and all bare the earth before it for four hundred yards space without any stay leaving that which was Pasturage in place of the Tillage and the Tillage overspread with Paâturage Lastly overwhelming her lower parts mounted to an hill of twelve fathoms high and there rested her self after three days travel remaining his mark that so laid hand upon this Rock whose power âath poysed the Hills in his Ballance 8 Religious Houses built by the devotions of Princes and
sâored with Votaries and revenues for life were in this Shire no less than fourteen most stately seated in the places as followeth at both the Herefords Barroâ Ewayot Cââfford Mânemue Acornbury Lemster Linbroke Peterchurch Kilpeck Dârâ and VViggermore and suspected of hypocrisie were called in question by King Henry the Eighth and so strictly pursued that some faulâs were apparent whereby they were laid open to the general Deluge of the Time whose streams bare down the walls of all those Foundations carrying away the Shrines of the dead and defacing the Libraries of their ancient Records 9 This County before the Conquest being accounted in VVales was then strengthened with Forts against the English and being once made a Proâince to England was fortified with Castles against the VVelsh wherein we find no less than twenty eight though many of them now are ruinated to nothing Such were Alban at both the Ewyats Godridg Grosmond Herdly Hereford Old Castle Dorston Brampton Bredwarden Saint Brivels Ledbury Lenals Snowdââ Harlewois Huntington VVilion VVigmore Richards Monemue Corât Kilbeck Clifford Skensfred VVâteney Radenwer and Kânevenleis and is traded with eight Market-Towns being diuided into eleven Hundreds and in them seated one hundred seventy and six Parish-Churches containing in compass an hundred and two miles Worcestershir VVORCESTER-SHIRE CHAPTER XXV WORCESTER-SHIRE is a County both rich and populous and lyeth circulated upon the North with Staffordâshire upon the East with Warwick and Oxford-shires upon the South with âlocesterâshire and the West by Malverne Hills is parted from Herefordâshire the rest lyeth confronted upon and in part divided from Shrop-shire by the River Dowles 2 The form thereof is triangle but not of equal proportion for from North to South are thirty 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 twenty miles 3 The Air of this Shire is of a favourable temperature that gives an appetite for labour diet and rest The Soyl is fertile and to me seemed inferiour to none other in this Land for besides the abundance of Corn in every place spread the Woods and Pasturage in her hills and Plains sweet Rivers that water the Vallies below the Cattle that cover the tops of higher ground the Fields Hedge-rows and High-ways are beset with fruitful Peaâ-trees that yield great pleasure to sight and commodious use for with their juyce they make a bastard kind of Wine called Perry which is both pleasant and good in taste Many Salt Springs also this County affordeth yea and more than are commonly in use such with the Germans our ancient Predecessors were esteemed most sacred and holy so that as Tacitus writeth to such they wontedly resorted to sâpplicate their Gods with their devout praâers as to places neerest the Heavens and therefore the sooner to be heard And Poets in their feignings will have the Nymphs residence in shady green groves and banks of sweet Springs if so then as Helicon this County affords both such are the Forrests of Wire and Feckeââam the great Woods of Norton and most fair Chase of Malvern And for waters to witness what I say is the Severn that cuts this Shire in the midst Teme Salwarp and Avon all of them making fruitâul their passage and stored with Fish of most delicious taste 4 The ancient people possâssors of this Shire were the CORNAVII inhabitants of Cheâshire Shrop-shire Stafford and Warwick-shires subdued by the Romans in Claudius Caesars time and after their departure made a portion of the MerciânâSaxons Kingdom and in Beda's time were called the VVicii whereof it may be this Shire had the name unless you will have it from the Salt-Pits which in old English are named Witches or from the famous Forrest of Wyre Howsoever true it is that the County doth hold the name from the Chief City VVorcester 5 Which is most pleasantly seated passing well frequented and very richly inhabited This was the Branonium mentioned by Antonine and Ptolomy called by the Britains Câer-VVrangon by Ninius Câer-Guorcon and by the Latines Vigornia This City is seated upon the East bank of Severâe and from the same is walled in triangle-wise about extending in circuit one thousand six hundred and fifty paces thorow which seven Gates enter with five other Watch-Towers for defence It is thought the Roâans built this to restrain the Britains that held all beyond Sâverne This City by Hardy Canute in the year of Christ 1041 was soâely endangered and set on ââre and the Citizens slain almost every one for that they had killed his Collector of the Danish Tribute yet it way presently repaired and peopled with many Burgesses and for fifteen Hides discharged it self to the Conquerour as in his Doomesdays is to be seen But in the year 1113 a sudden fire happened no man knew how which burnt the Castle and Cathedral Church Likewise in the civil âroyles of King Sâephen it was twice lighted into a flame and the latter laid it hopeless of recovery Notwithstanding from those dead Ashes a new Phenix arose and her building raised in a more stately proportion especially the Cathedral dedicated to S. Mary first laid by Bishop Sexwolfe in Anno 680 âince when it hath been augmented almost to the River In the midst of whose Quiâe from his many turmoiles resteth the body of King Ioân the great withstandeâ of the Popes proceedings under a monument of white Marble in Princely Vestures with his portraiture thereon according to life And in the South-âide of the same Quire lyeth entombed Prince Aâthur the eldest Son to King Henry the seventh his Monument is all black Iett without remembrance of him by Picture This City is governed by two Bayliffs two Aldermen two Chamberlains and two Constables yearly elected out oâ twenty four Burgesses clothed in Scarlet assisted with forty eight other Citizenâ whom they call their Common Councellârs clad in Purple a Recorder Town-Clerk and five Sergeants with Mace their Attendants Whose Geographical Position is distant in Longitude from the West Meridian 18 degrees 10 scruples âaving the North-Pole elevated in Latitude 52 degrees and 32 scruples 6 Places of further note for memorable antiquity is Vpton of great account in the Roman time where some of their Legions kept as witness their Moneys there often found the admirable Ditch upon Malvern Hâlls drawn by Gilbert Clare Earl of Glocester to divide his Lands from the Church of Worcester the Saxons or Augustines Oke where he the English Apostle met with the British Bishops for the uniform celebration of Easter from whence both parts departed with discontented minds after many hot words and thwaâting disputes 7 Neither is it wiâhout admâration to me that many places of this Shire lye far within the Precincts of other Provinces as Aulston Washborâes Cuttesden Paxford Hanging-Easton Northwickâ Blockley Eurlode in Glocester-shire and Goldcote Aldermeâston Newâold Steddenton Armiscote Blackwell Darlings-cote Shipton Tydminâon Olbarrow in Warwick
shiâe Dudley in Stafford-shire and Rochford in Herâford-shire whither I must refer the Reader to find out these and the like in these Western Tracts 8 Religious places erected in this Shire and devoted unto God by devout persons were Breden Brodlege Evesholme Alâecester Cochel Eladbury Malverin Pershore Stodlâge Westwoods and Worcester plenteously provided for and further secured by many priviledges both which they abused as were the Inditements of all such in the days of King Henry the eight at whose Bar himself being Iudge they were found guilty and received sentence of their ends and destâuction 9 Castles for defence built in this County âuinate or in strength were Hartlebâry Holt Haâdley Norton Elmely and Worcester besides his Majesties Mannour of Tichnel 10 This Shires diviâion is into seven Hundreds wherein are seated ten Market-Towns and one hundred fifty two Parish-Churches WARWICKE SHIRE VVARVVICK-SHIRE CHAPTER XXVI WARWICK-SHIRE so called from her Shire-Town is bounded upon the North with the County of Stafford upon the East with Watling-street-way is parted from Leicester-shire and the rest bordered upon by Nortâampton-âhire the South part is butted by Oxford and Glocester-shires and all her West with the County of Worcesâer 2 The Form thereof is not much unlike to a Scallop-shell growing from her Western-head and sprâading her body wider with many indents The length thereof from Newton in the North to Long-Compton in the South are miles thirty and three and the broadest part of this Shire is from Hâwellgrange in the West unto Hill-morton in the East distant assunder twenty five miles the whole in circumference aboât one hundred thiâty and five miles 3 This Shire is seated near unto the heart of all England and therefore participates with her in the best both for Air and soyl wanting nothing for profit or pleasure for man The South part from Avon that runneth thorow the midst of this County is called the Feldon as more champion and tractable to be stirred for Corn which yearly yieldeth such plenty of harvest that the Husbândman smileth in beholding his pains and the meadowing pastures with their green mantles so imbroydred with âlowers that from Edg-hill we may behold another Eden as Lot did the Plain of Ioâdan before that Sodom fell The Woodland lyeth upon the North of Avon so called in regard of the plenty of Woods which now are much thinner by the making of Iron and the soyl more churlish to yield to the Plough 4 The ancient people that poâsessed this Province are by Ptolomies description called the Cornavii wherein after were seated the Mercian Saxons a part of whose Kingdom it was and greatây sought after by the West Saxons whose King Cutâred about the year of Châist Iesus 749 in Battel âew Ethelbald at Sekington neer unto Tamworth And not far from thence King Edward the 4 aâ unfortunatelâ fought agaiâst that âtout make-King Richard Nevil Earl of Warwiâk near unto which upon Blacklow hill Pierce Gaveston that proud and new-raised Earl of Cornwall was beheaded by Guy Earl of VVarwick assisted with the Earls of Lancaster and Hereford And surely by the testimony of Iohn Rosse and others this County hath been better replenished with people who maketh complâint of whole Town-ships depopulations altogether laid waste by a puissant Army of feeding sheep 5 Notwithstanding many fair Towns it hath and some of them matchable to the most of England The chief thereof is Coventree a City both stately for building and walled for defence whose Citizens having highly offended their âirst Lord Leofrikâ had their priviledges infringed and themselves oppressed with many heavy Tributes whose wife Lady Godiva pitying their estates uncessantly sâed for their peace and that with such importunacy as hardly could be said whether was greater his hatred or her love at last overcome with her continual intercessions he granted her suit upon an uneivil and as he thought an unacceptable condition which was that she should ride naked thorow the face of the City and that openly at high noon day This notwithstanding she thankfully accepted and performed the Act accordingly enjoyned for this Lady Godiva stripping her self of all rich attire let loose the tresses of her fair hair which on every side so covered âer nakedness that no part of her body was uncivil to sight whereby she redeemed her former freedoms and remissions of such heavy Tributes Whose memory I wish may remain honourable in that City for âver and her pity followed by sâch posâessing Ladies This City had grant to choose their yearly Magistrates a Mayor and two Bayliffs and to build about and âmbattle a wall by King Edward the 3 whom Heâry the 6 corporated a County of it self and changed the names of their Bayliffs into Sheriffs and the walls then were built as they now stand thorow which open 13 gates for entrance besides 18 other Towers thereon for defence At Gofford-gate in the East hangeth the shield-bonâ of a wild-Boare far bigger than the greatest Oxe-bone with whose sâout the great Pit called Swanswell was turned up and was ââain by the famous Guy if we will believe report 6 Next unto this City in account and commerce is VVarwick upon the North west bank of Avon built by Gurgunstus the son of Beline as Iohn Rosse Monk of the place saith 375 years before the birth of Christ by Ninus called Caer-Guarvic and Caer Leon and by learned Cambden judged to be PRAESIDIUM the Roman Garrisons Town The situation of this place is most pleasant upon a hill riâing from the River over which is a strong and fair Stone-bridge and her sharp stream upon the Town-side checked with a most sumptuous and stately Castle the decays whereof with great cost and curious buildings the right worthy Knight Sir Foulke Grevil in whose person shineth all true vertue and high Nobility hath repaired whose merits to me-ward I do acknowledge in setting this hand free from the daily imployments of a manual trade and giving it full liberty thus to express the inclination of my mind himself being the Procurer of my prâsent estate It seemeth this Town hath been walled about as appeareth by the Trench in some places seen and two very fair Gates whose passages are hewed out of the Rock as all other into the Town are over whom two beautiful Chappels are built that towards the East called S. Peters and that on the South-west S. Iames. Two fair Churches arâ therein seated called S. Marries and S. Nicholas but these in and about the Town suppressed S. Lawrence S. Michaels Iohn Baptist and Iohn of Ierusaleâ beside the Nânnery in the North of the Town whose North Polâ is elevated in Latitude 52 degrees 45 minutes and is seated from the first point in the West of Longitude 18 degrees and 45 minutes being yearly governed by a Bayliff twelve Brethren twenty four Burgesses for Common-Counsell a Recorder a Townclârk and one Sergâant their Attendant 7 Places of most memorable note observed in this Shire are Shugbury where the
precious stone Astroites is found Off-Church which was the Palace of great Offa the Merciaâ and the burial-place of S. Fremând his son Cheâterton where the famous Fosse-way is seen At Leamington so far from the Sea a Spring of Salt-water boyleth up and at Newenham Regis most soveraign wateâ against the Stone Green wounds Vlcers and Imposthuâes and dâunk with Salt looseth and with Sugar bindeth the body and turneth wood into stone as my self saw by many sticks that therein were faln some part of them Ash and some part of them Stone and Guy Cliffe where the famous Earl Guy after many painful exploits aâchieved retired and unknown led an Hermâts life and was lastly there buried 8 The chiefest Commodities in this County growing arâ Corn whereof the Red Horse Vale yieldeth most abundantly Wools in great plenty Woods and Iron though the producer of the one will be the destruction of the other Such honourable Families as have been dignified with the Earldom of this Sbire Toâns ãâ¦ã the Normans Conquest in the great Map it self are inserted and by their several names expressed This County is strengthened with eight strong Castles traded with fifteen Market-Towns inriched with many fair buildings and by the devotion of many Nobles had many foundations of religious Monasteries therein laid The chiefest were at Stoneley Warwick Thellisford Roxhall Balshall Killingworth worth Coventree Combe Nun-âaton Ashley âtherston and Pollesworth all which came to their period in the Reign of King Henry the eight when the rich Revenues were alienated to his use and those stately buildings either overturned or bestowed upon his Courtiers but yet to Gods glory and his divine service one hundred fifty eight Parish-Churches therein remain dispersedly seated in the nine Hundreds of this Shires Division NORTHAMPTON SHIRE NORTHAMPTON-SHIRE CHAPTER XXVII NORTHAMPTON-SHIRE situated near unto the midst of England lyeth separated upon the North from Lincoln-Shire by the Riuer Weland from Huntington-shire on the East is parted by the water Nene her South is bounded with Buckingham and Oxford-shires and the West from Warwick with VVatling-street-way Avon and VVeland is divided from Leicester 2 The Form of this County âs large and narrow broadest in the South-west and thence shooâing still lesser like unto a Horn nor not much unlike to the Form of Cornwal and from the entrance of Câerwel into this Shire unto the fall of VVeland and Nene near unto Crowland are by measure forty six miles and the broadeât part is from Ouse unto Avon which is not fully twenty miles the whole in circumference one hundred and nineteen miles 3 The Air is good temperate and healthful the soyl is champion rich and fruitful and so plenteously peopled that from some Ascents thirty Parish-Churches and many more Wind-mills at one view may be seen notwithstanding the simple and gentle Sheep of all creatures the most harmless are now become so ravenous that they begin to devour men waste fields and depopulate hoâses if not whole Town-Ships as one merrily hath written 4 The ancient people known to the Romans and recorded by Ptolomy were the Coritany who possessed this County and were branched further thorow Leicester Lincoln Nottingham Rutland and Darby-shires these joyning with the Icenians with them were fettered with the chains of subjection when for Claudius Publius Ostorius Scapula entred his Lieutenantship in Britain and in battle subdued all betwixt the Rivers Nene and Sabrina But when the Romans were content to let go 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 Kingdom but their government also grown out of date the Normans seated themselves in these fair possessions the branches of whose Stems are spread abroad in these parts most fruitful and fair 5 Commodities arising in this Shire are chiâfly gotten by tillage and plough whereby Corn so plentifully aboundeth that in no other Counây is found more or so much the pasâures and woods are filled with Cattle and every where sheep loaden with their sleeces of wool 6 The chief Town in this Shire is Noâthampton whereof the County taketh name which for circuit beauty and building may be ranked with the most of the Cities of our Land It is seated at the meeting and confluence of two Rivers the greater whereof beareth the name Nen. This Town hath been built all of stone as by many foundations remaining to this day is seen and is walled about both strong and high excepting the West which is defended by a River parted into many streams In the depredations of the Danes Swen their King set this Town on fire and afterwards it was sorely assaulted by the disobedient Bârons of King Iohn who named themselves The Army of God But the loyalty of this Town stood nothing so sure unto King Henry his son whence the Barons with displayed Banners sounded the Battle against their Soveraign And yet after this a woful field of Eâglands civil division was fought whence Richard Nevil the stout Earl of Warwick led away prisoner that unfortunate man King Heâry the sixth Upon the West part of this Town standeth a large Castle mounted upon an hill whose aged countenance well shâweth the beauty that she had born and whose gaping chinks do daily threaten the downfall of her walls To this upon the South the Town wall adjoyneth and in a round circuit meeteth the River in the North extending in compass two thousand one hundred and twenty paces whose site so pleased the Students of Cambridge that thither they removed themselves upon the Kings Warrant in mind to have made it an University from whence the North-Pole is elevated 52 degrees 36 scruples for Latiâude and in Longiâude is removed from the West 19 degrees and 40 scruples being yearly governed by a Mayor two Bayliffs twelve Magisârates a Recorder Town-Clerk a Common Counsel of forty eight Burgesses with five Serjeants to execute buâiness 7 But the devotions of the Saxon-Kings made Peterbârow more famous formerly called Meddâswell where VVolphere King of Mercia began a most stately Monastery to the honour of S. Peter for satisfaction of the bloud of his two sons whom he had âurthered in case of Chrisâianity but himself being for the like made away by his Mother his brother Penda continued the work with the assistance of his brother Ethelred and two sisters Kineburga and Kineswith This among the Danish Desolatioâ was cast down yet was it again restored to greater beauty by Ethelwold Bishop of VVinchester with the help of King Edgar and of Adulph his Chancellour who upon prick of conscience that in bed with his wife he had over-laid and smothered an Infant their only son laiâ all his wealth upon the reâedifying of the place and then became Abbot thereof himself The Cathedral is most beautiful and magniâical where in the Quire lie interred two unfortunate Queens on the North side Katherine Dowager of Spain the
repudâate wife of King Henry the eight under an Hearse covered with black Say having a white Cross in the midst and on the South side Mary Queen of Scotland whose Hearse is spread over with black Velvet The Cloyâter is large and in the Glaââe windows is very curiously portrayed the History of VVâlphere the Founder whose Royal Seat was at VVedon in the street converted unto a Monastery by S. VVerburgh his holy daughter and had been the Roman Station by Antonine the Emperour called Bannavenna So likewise Norman-Chester was the ancient City Durobriva where their Souldiers kept as by the moneys tâere daily found is most apparent 8 Houses of Religion devoted to Gods Service by the pious intents of their well meaning Founders were at Peterborow Peakirk Pipewell Higham Davintree Sulby Saulscombe Sewardesleg Gare S. Dewy S. Michael Luffeild Catesby Bruch Barkley Finshead Fotheringhay VVeden and VVithrop besides them in Northampton all which felt the storms of their own destruction that raged against them in the Reign of King Henry the eight who dispersed their Revenues to his own Coffers and Courtiers and pulled the stones asunder of their seeming ever sure Foundations and in the time of young Edward his son whose mind was free from wronging the dead the Tombs of his own Predecessours were not spared when as Edward slain at Agincourt and Richard at VVakefield both of them Dukes of York were after death assaulted with the weapons of destruction that cast down their most fair Monuments in the Collegiate Church of Fotheringhay Castle 9 Eight Princely Families have enjoyed the Title of the Earldom of Northampton whereof the last Henry Howard late Lord Privy Seale a most honourable Patron to all learned proceedings that I may acknowledge my dutiful and humble Service hath most honourably assisted and set forward these my endeavours 10 This Shires division for service to the Crown and imployment of businesses is into twenty Hundreds hath been strengthened with ten Castles and is still traded with ten Market-Towns and God honoured in three hundred twenty six Parish-Churches HUNTINGTON SHIRE HUNTINGTON-SHIRE CHAPTER XXVIII HUNTINGTON-SHIRE part of the Iceni under the Roman Monarch of Mercia in the Saxon Heptarchy is severed with Nene the North bounder from Northampton-shire to which it in part adjoyneth west from Bedford and Cambridge by mearing Towns on the South and from Ely by a fence of water East the work of Nature Benwick Stream or of Art Canutuâ Delph severed when Alfred or before him Off â shared the open circuit of their Empery into Principalities that by residence of subordinate rule Peace at home might be maintained Forreign offence by apt assembly of the Inhabitants resisted Tax and Revenue of the Crown laid more evenâly and enâily levyed Iustice at mens doors with less charge and journey administred all causes Civil having a right and speedy dispatch in the County or Earls monthly Court as Criminal in his Lieutenant the Sheriff Turne twice a year In form of a Lozeng this shire lyeth of positure temperate and is 52 degrees 4 scruples removed from the Aequator the Hilly soyl to the Plough-man grateful the Vale contiguous to the fens best for Pasture in which to no part of England it giveth place Woods are not much wanted the Rivers serving Coal as the Moors Turff for Fuell 2 This Content was as the whole Continent Forest until Caâutus gave this Law of grace Vt quisque tam in agris quam in silvis exciteâ agitetque feras Long were the hands of Kings to pull of old the Subjects right into Regal pleasure when perambulation and Proclamation only might make any mans land forrest It is in the first Williams time a Phrase in Record not rare Silva hujus Maneâii FORISEST missâ in Silvam Râgis from which word of power Forrest may seem not unaptly to be derived Cum videbat Henricus primus tres Biâsas sitting in his Forrest of Lyfield he caused Husculphus his Ranger to keep 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 Book call the Forrest Iustice for Vert and Venison not Iustum absolutâ but Iustum secundum Legem Forestae That Foresta is defined Tuta âerarum statio may seem to confine the Forresters Office onely to his Games care which of ancient was as well over Mineral and Maritimal revenue The Office of Baldwiâe the great Forrester of Flanders Non agrum tantum spectabat sed Maris custodiam saiâh Tullius out of the old Charters of the French Kings And sâe how just this squares to our Legal practise for of Assarts Purprestures Emprovement Greenhugh Herbage Paunage Fowles Mills Honey Mines Quarries and Wreacks at Sea did the Itineral Iustice of the Forrest hâre enquire His Subjects of this Shire Henry the 2 from servitude of his beasts whose Grand-father proâferis homines inâarceravit exhaereditavit multilavit truâidavit did pretend by Charter to enfranchise except Wabridge Saple Herthy His own Demaines But such was the success by encroachments under his two âucceeding Sons that it drew on the oppressed people to importune anew the Soveraignes redress which was by the great Charter of the third Henry âruitlesly effected His son in the seventh of his Reign by a perambulation reâuming back the fruit of his fathers goodness and so remaining until in his twenty ninth year by Petition and purchase of his people for they gave him a full fifteen he confirmed the former Charter and by Iury View and Perambulation setled that Boundary of âorrest which contented the People became the square of universal Iustice in this Kind and left in this Shire no more than the three former his own grounds Forrest 3 This Shire hath four Centuriatae or Hundreds and had of old time five these so called Quia prima iustitutione ex Hiderum aliquot center ariis compositae These are subdivided into 79 Parishes whereof five besides the Shire-Town have Markets These Parishes are measured by Hides and Carucks or Plough-lands more or less is either richness of Soil or strength of the Lord strengthned or extended their limits the Mass in whole containing of the first sort 818 and of the other 1136 These hides the ancient and general measure of land except in Kent where the account was by Solms or Lincoln-shire Vbi non sunt Hidae sed pro Hidis sum Carucatae were esteemed one hundred Acres Non Normanico sed Anglico numero una hida pro sexies viginti Acris duo pro duodecies viginti as in the Book of Doomesday Caruca the Teame-land not Carucata for they be different was in quantity of Acres proportioned to the quantity of Soil but usually in this Shire reputed 60. The Virgata or Yard-land was a more or less part of the Hide as the Acres in number varied which I find in this County from 18 to 42 but for the most part 30 which was the
the whole City Leicester was besieged and thrown down by King Henry and the Wall that seemed indissoluble was utterly raced even to the ground The pieces of these Fragments so fallen down remained in his days like to hard Rocks through the strength of the Morter cementing whole lumps together and at the Kings command the City was set on fire and burnt the Castle raced and a heavy imposition laid upon the Citizens who with great sums of money bought their own banishments but were so used in their departure that for extream fear many of them took Sanctuary both at S. Edmunds and S. Albans In repentance of these mischiefs the Author thereof Earl Robert built the Monastery of S. Mary de Pratis wherein himself became a Canon Regular and for fifteen years continuance in sad laments served God in continual prayers With the like devotion Henry the first Duke of Lancaster built an Hospital for an hundred and ten poor people with a Collegiate Church a Dean twelve Canons Prebendaries as many Vicars suffciently provided for with Revenues wherein himself lyeth buried and it was the greatest ornament of that City until the hand of King Henry the eighth lay over-heavy upon all the like foundations and laid their aspiring tops at his own feet The fortunes of another Crouch-back King Richard Usurper who no less remarkable in this City than the former Robert was both of them in like degree of dishonourable course of life though of different issue at their deaths the one dying penitent and of devout esteem the other leaving the stench of Tyranny to all following ages who from this City setting forth in one day with great pompe and in Battle aray to keep the Crown sure upon his own Helmet in a sore fought field yieldeth both it and his life unto the head and hands of Henry of Richmond his Conquerour and the next day was brought back like a Hog naked and torn and with contempt without tears obscurely buried in the Gray Friers of this City whose suppression had suppressed the plot place of his grave and only the stone-chest wherein he was laid a drinking trough now for horses in a common Inn retaineth the memory of that great Monarchs Funeral and so did a stone in the Church and Chappel of S. Maries inclose the Corps of the proud and pontifical cardinal Wolsey who had prepared for himself as was said a far more richer Monument 7 Other places worthy of remembrance in this Shire were these In the West where a high Cross was erected in former times stood the fair City Cleycester the Romans BENONNE where their Legions lay and where their two principal ways crossed each other as the Inhabitants report Loughborow in the North verge was as Marianus affirmeth taken from the Britains by Cuthwolse their King about the year of Christ 572. At Redmore near Bosworth Westward in this County the Kingdom of England lay in hazard of one Battle when King Richards field was fought where the Land at once was free from a Tyrant and wicked Usurper Neither may we pass Lutterworth as the least in account where the famous Iohn Wickliff Englands Morning star dispersed the clouds of all Papistical darkness by preaching the Gospel in that his charge the stile of his pen so piercing in power that the man of Sin ever since hath been better known to the world 8 Religious houses by Princes erected and by them devoted to God and his service the chiefest in this Shire were at Leicester Grace-Dieu Kerby-Bellers and at Burton a Spittle for Lazers a disease then newly approached in this Land for the erection whereof a common contribution was gathered thorow the Realm the patients in this place were not so much deformed in skin as the other were in the defects of the soul whose skirts being turned up to the sight of the world their shames were discovered and those houses dissolved that had long maintained such Idolatrous sins 9 This Shires division is into six Hundreds and in them are seated twelve Market-Towns for commerce and containeth in circuit two hundred Parish-Churches LINCOLNE SHIRE LINCOLN-SHIRE CHAPTER XXXI THe County of Lincoln by the Normans called Nicolshire is confined on the North with Hamber on the East with the German Ocean upon the South is parted from Cambridge and Northampton-shire by the River Nyne and on the West from Nottingham and York-shires by Dun and Trent 2 The length of this Province extendeth from Barton unto Humber in the North unto Stanford upon the River Nyne in the South are miles by our English measure fifty five and the breadth thereof from Newton in the West stretched unto Winthorp upon her East Sea containeth thirty five The whole in circumference about one hundred and eighty miles 3 The Air upon the East and South part is both thick and foggy by reason of the Fens and unsolute grounds but therewithal very moderate and pleasing Her graduation being removed from the Aequator to the degree of 53 and the winds that are âent of her still working-Seaâ to disperse those vapours from all power of hurt 4 The Form of this County doth somewhat resemble the body of a Lute whose East-coasts lye bow-like into the German-Ocean all along pestered with inlets of salt waters and sands which are neither firm nor safe for travellers as those in the South proved unto King Iohn who marching Northward from Northfolk against his disloyal Barons upon those washes lost all his furniture and carriage by the sudden return of the Sea and softness of the Sands 5 Her Soil upon the West and North is abundantly fertile pleasant and rich stored with pasturage arable and meadowing grounds the East and South Fenny and brackish and for Corn barren but for fowl and fiâh exceeding any other in the Realm wherein at some times and seasons of the year hath been taken in nets in August at one draught aboue three thousand Mallards and other Fowls of the like kind 6 The Shires commodities consist chiefly in Corn Cattle Fish Fowl Flax and Alablaster as also in a Plaister much esteemed of by the Romans for their works of Imagery and whereof Pliny in his Natural History maketh mention And the Astoriâes a precious stoâe Star-like pointed with five beams or rays anciently esteemed for their vertue in victories upon the South-west of this County near Bever are found not far thence in our Fathers memory at Harlaxton was ploughed up a brazen vessel wherein was inclosed a golden Helmet of an ancient fashion set with precious stones which was presented to Katherine of Spain Wife and Dowager to King Henry the eighth 7 This Shire triumpheth in the birth of Beauclerk King Henry the first whom Selby brought forth and of King Henry the fourth at Bullingbrooke born but may as justly lament for the death of King Iohn herein poisoned by Simon a Monk of Swynsted Abbey and of Queen Eleanor wife to King Edward the first the mirrour of wedlock and love to
the Commons who at Hardby near Bullingbrooke his birth-place ended her life 8 Trade and commerce for provision of life is vented thorow thirty one Market-Towns in this Shire whereof Lincoln the Counties Namer is chief by Ptolomy and Antonine called Lindum by Beda Linde-Collina and by the Normans Nichol. Very antient it is and hath been more Magnifical as by her many overturned ruines doth appear and far more populous as by Doomesdayes Book is seen where it is recorded that this City contained a thousand and seven mansions and nine hundred Burgesses with twelve Lage-men having Sac and Soc. And in the Normans time saith Malmesbury it was one of the best Cities of England being a place of traffick 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 less than fifty Parish-Churches did beautifie the same but now containeth onely fifteen besides the Cathedral Some ruines yet remain both of âriariâs and Nunneries who lie buried in their own ashes and the City conquered not by war but by time and very age and yet hath she not escaped the calamity 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 damage where King Stephen was vanquished and taken prisoner and again by the third Henry that assaulted and waâ it from his rebellious Barons By fire likewise it was for defaced wherein not only the buildings were consumed but wihal many men and women in the violence thereof perished as also by an Earth quake her foundation was much weakened and shaken wherein the fair Cathedral Church dedicated to the Virgin of Virgins was rent in pieces The government of this City is committed yearly to a Mayor two Sheriffs twelve Aldermen in Scarlet a Sword a Hat of Estate a Recorder Sword-bearer and four Serjeants with Maces whose situation on a steep hill standeth for Longitude in the degree 20 10 scruples the Pole elevated for Latitude from the degree 53 and 50 scruples 9 Much hath been the devotion of Princes in building of religious houses in this County as at Crowland Lincoln Markby Leyborn Grenfeld Alvingham Newnersby Grymmysby Newsted Elshaw Stansfeld Syxhill Torkesey Bryggerd Thorâeholme Nuncotten Fosse Hovings Axholme Isle Gokewell S. Michaels near Stamford Swyneshed Spalding Kirkested c. 10 Commotions in this shire were raised the eight and twentieth of King Henry the Eight where twenty thousand making insurrection violently sware certain Lords and Gentlemen to their Articles But no sooner they heard of the Kings power coming but they dispersed themselves and sued for pardon And again in the third year of King Edward the Sixt in ease of Inclosures Lincoln rose in seditious manner as did they of Cornwall Devonshire York-shire and Norfolk but after some slaughters of their chiefest men were reduced to former obedience The Shires division is into three principal parts viz. Lindsey Kesteven and Holland Lindsey is subdivided into seventeen Hundreds Kesteven into eleven and Holland into three containing in all thirty one wherein are situated thirty Market-Towns and six hundred thirty Parish Churches NOTTINGHAÌ SHIRE NOTTINGHAM-SHIRE CHAPTER XXXII NOTTINGHAM-SHIRE from Nottingham her chiefest Town hath the Name and that somewhat softned from the Saxons Snoddenzaham for the many Dens or Caves wrought in her Rocks and under ground lyeth bordered upon the North and North-west with York-shire upon 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 River Erwash is separated from Darby-shire 2 For Form long and Oval-wise doubling in length twice her breadth whose extreams are thus extended and distance observed From Feningley North of Steanford in the South are thirty eight English miles West part from Teversal to Besthorp in the East are little more than nineteen whose circumference draweth much upon one hundred and ten miles 3 The Air is good wholsome and delectable the Soyl is rich sandy and clayie as by the names of that Counties divisions may appear and surely for Corn and Grass of fruitful that it secondeth any other in the Realm and for Water Words and Canell Coals abundantly stored 4 Therein groweth a Stone softer then Alabaster but being burnt maketh a plaister harder than that of Paris wherewith they floor their upper Rooms for betwixt the Ioysts they lay only long Bulrushes and thereon spread this Plaister which being throughly dry becomes most solid and hard so that it seemeth rather to be firm stone than mortar and is trod upon without all danger In the West near Worksop groweth plenty of Liquoâice very delicious and good 5 More South in this Shire at Stoke in the Reign of King Henry the seventh a great baâte was fought by Iohn De-la-Poole Earl of Lincoln which Richard the Uâurper had declared his heir apparent but Richard losing his life and De-la-Poole his hopes in seeking here to set up a Lambert fell down himself and at Newark after many troubles King Iohn got his peace with the end of his life 6 Trade and Commerce for the Counties provision is frequented in eight Market-Towns in this Shire whereof Nottingham is both the greatest and best a Town seated most pleasant and delicate upon a high hill for building stately a number of fair streets surpassing and surmounting many other Cities and for a spacious and most fair Market-place doth compare with the best Many strange Vaults âewed oât of the Rocks in this Town are seen and those under the Castle of an especial note one for the story of Christs Passion engrââen in the Walls and cut by the hand of David the second King of Scots whilst he was therein detained Prisoner Another wherein Lord Mortimer was âupprized in the non-age of King Edward the Third ever since bearing the name of Mortimers Hole these have their Stairs and several Rooms made artificially even out of the Rocks as also in that Hill are dwelling Houses with Winding-stairs Windows Chimneys and Room above Room wrought all out of the solid Rock The Castle is strong and was kept by the Danes against Burthred Ethelred and Elfred the Mercian and West-Saxon Kings who together laid their siege against it and for the further strenght of the Town King Edward sirnamed the Elder walled it about whereof âome part as yet remains from the Castle to the West-gate and thence the foundation may be perceived to the North where in the midst of the way ranging with this bank stands a Gate of Stone and the same Tract passing along the North part may well be perceived the rest to the River and thence to the Castle are built upon and thereby buried from sight whose circuit as I took it extendeth two thousand one hundred twenty paces 7 In the wars betwixt Stephen and Maud the Empress by Robert Earl of Glocester these Walls were cast
and yields sufficiency of Corn and Cattle within it self One part whereof is particularly made famous by a Quarry of Stone out of which the stones newly hewn be very soft but seasoned with wind and weather of themselves do naturally become exceeding hard and solid Another by a kind of Limstone whereof it consisteth which being burnt and conveyed into the other parts of the Country which are hilly and somewhat cold serve to manure and enrich their Corn fields 6 That the Romans flourishing in military prowess made their several stations in this Country is made manifest by their Monuments by many Inscriptions fastned in the Walls of Churches by many Columns engraven with Roman work lying in Church-yards by many votive Altars digg'd up that were erected as it should seem to their Tutelar Gods for they had local and peculiar Topick Gods whom they honoured as Keepers and Guardians of some particular Places of the Country as also by a kind of Brick which they used for the Romans in time of peace to avoid and withstand idleness as an enemy to vertuous and valorous enterprises still exercised their Legions and Cohorts in casting of Ditches making of High-ways building of Bridges and making of Bricks which having sithence been found and from time to time digg'd out of the ground prove the Antiquity of the place by the Roman Inscriptions upon them 7 No less argument of the piety hereof are the many Monasteries Abbeys and Religious Houses that have been placed in this Country which whilest they retained their own state and magnificence were great ornaments unto it but since their dissolution and that the Teeth of Time which devours all things have eaten into them they are become like dead Carkasses leaving only some poor Ruins and Remains alive as Reliques to Posterity to shew of what beauty and magnitude they have been Such was the Abbey of Whitby founded by Lady Hilda daughter of the grand-child unto King Edwine Such was the Abbey built by Bolton which is now so razed and laid level with the earth as that at this time it affords no appearance of the former dignity Such was Kirksâalt Abbey of no small account in time past founded in the year of Christ 1147. Such was the renowned Abbey called S. Maries in York built and endowed with rich livings by Alaâ the third Earl of Litâââ Britain in America but since converted into the Princes House and is called The Mannor Such was the wealthy Abbey of Eoânâains built by Thurstan Archbishop of York Such was the famous Monastery founded in the Primitive Church of the East-Saxons by Wilfrid Archbishop of York and enlarged being faln down and decayed by Odâ Archbishop of Canterbury Such was Drax a Religious House of Canons Such that fair Abbey built by King William the Conqueror at Selby where his Son Henry the first was born in memory of Saint German who happily confuted that contagious Pelâgiaâ Heresie which oftentimes grew to a Serpentine head in Britain These places for Religion erected with many more within this Provincial Circuit and consecrated unto holy purposes shew the antiquity and how they have been sought unto by confluences of Pilgrims in their manner of Devotions The mists of which superstitious obscurities are since cleared by the pure light of the Gospel revealed and the skirts of Idolatry unfolded to her own shame and ignominy And they made subject to the dissolution of Times serving only as antique Monuments and remembrances to the memory of succeeding Ages 8 Many places of this Province are famous as well by Name being naturally fortunate in their situation as for some other accidental happiness befaln unto them Hallifax famous as well for that Iohaânes de sacrâ Bostâ Author of the Sphere was born there and for the Law it hath against stealing and for the greatness of the Parish which reckoneth in it eleven Chappels whereof two be Parish Chappels and in them to the number of twelve thousand People In former times it was called Horton and touching the alteration of the name this pretty story is related of it namely That a Clerk for so they call him being far in love with a Maid and by no means either of long praises or large promises able to gain like affection at her hands when he saw his hopes frustrate and that he was not like to have his purpose of her turned his love in rage and cut off the Maids head which being afterwards hung upon an Ewe-tree common people counted it as an hallowed Relique till it was rotten And afterwards such was the credulity of that time it maintained the opinion of reverence and Religion still for the People resorted thither on Pilgrimage and perswaded themselves that the little Veins that spread out between the Bark and Body of the Ewe trees like fine threds were the very Hairs of the Maids head Hereupon it was called by this name Haligfax or Halyfax that is Haly Hayre Pomfret is famous for the Site as being seated in a place so pleasant that it brings forth Liquârice and great plenty of Skirtworts but it is infamous for the murther and bloodshed of Princes The Castle whereof was built by Hildeâârt Laty a Norman to whom William the Conqueror gave this Town after Alrick the Saxon was thrust out of it 9 But I will sorbear to be prolix or tedious in the particular memoration of places in a Prâvince so spacious and only make a compendious relation of York the second City of England in Latine called Eboracum and Eburacum by Ptolomy Brigantium the chief City of the Brigants by Ninius Caer Ebrauc by the Britains Caer Effroc The British History reports that it took the Name of Ebrauâ that founded it but some others are of opinion that Eburacum hath no other derivation than from the River Ousâ running thorow it It over-masters all the other places of this Country for fairness and is a singular ornament and safeguard to all the North-parts A pleasant place large and full of magnificence rich populous and not only strengthened with fortifications but adorned with beautiful buildings as well private as publick For the greater dignity thereof it was made an Episcopal See by Constantius and a Metropolitane City by a Pall sent unto it from Hoâârius Egbert Arch-bishop of York who flourished about the year seven hundred forty erected in it a most famous Library Richard the third repaired the Castle thereof being ruinous and King Henry the eight appointed a Council in the same to decide and determine all the Causes and Controversies of the North parts according to Equity and Conscience which Council consisteth of a Lord President certain Counsellors at the Princes pleasure a Secretary and other Under-Officers The original of this City cannot be fetcht out but from the Romans seeing the Britains before the Romans came had no other Towns than Woods fenched with Trenches and Rampiers as Caesar and Strabo do testifie And that it was a Colony of the Romans appears both by
with six Market-Towns and Gods divine honour in one hundred and eighteen Parish-Churches celebrated Westmorland and ComberlaÌd VVESTMORLAND CHAPTER XL. WESTMORLAND by some late Latine Writers is called Westmaria and Westmorlandia by some later Westmoria and in our English Tongue Westmorland It came to be thus named in our language by the situation which in every part is so plenteously full of Moors and high Hills reaching one to another that Westmorland with us is nothing else but a Western moorish Country Having on the and North-side Cumberland on the South part Lanca-shire on the East-side York-shire and the Bishoprick of Durham 2 The length thereof extended from Burton in her South to Kirkland in her North part is 30 miles the broadest part from East to West is from the River Eden to Dunbal raise stones containing 24 miles the whole circumference about 112 miles 3 The form thereof is somewhat long and narrow the Air sharp and piercing purging it self from the trouble of gross foggy mists and vapours by reason of which the people of this Province are not acquainted with strange diseases or imperfections of body but live long and are healthful and atâain to the number of many years 4 The Soil for the most part of it is but barren and can hardly be brought to any fruitfulness by the industry and painful labour of the husbandman being so full of infertile places which the Norteern Englishmeâ call Moors yet the more Southerly part is not reported to be so sterile but more fruitful in the Vallies though contained in a narrow room between the River Lone and Winander-mear and it is all termed by one name The Barony of Kââdale or Caâdale that is the dale by Can taking the name of the River Can that runs through it 5 The ancient Inhabitants of this County were the Brigantes mentioned in the several Counties of York Lancaster and Cumberland 6 It is not commended either for plenty of Corn or Cattel being neither stored with Arable Grounds to bring forth the one nor pasturage to breed up the other the principle profit that the People of this Province raise unto themselves is by Cloathing 7 The chiefest place of which is Kandale or Kendale called also Kirkeby Kendale standing on the Bank of the River Can. This Town is of great Trade and resort and for the diligent and industrious practice of making Cloth so excels the rest that in regard thereof it carrieth a super-eminent name above them and hath great vent and Traffique for her Woollen-cloaths through all the parts of England It challengeth not much glory for Antiquity only that it accounteth it a great credit that it hath dignified three Earls with the title thereof as Iohn Duke of Bedford whom Henry the Fifth being his brother advanced to that honour Iohn Duke of Somerset and Iohn de Foix whom King Henry the Sixth preferred to that dignity for his honourable and trusty services done in the French Wars It is a place of very civil and orderly government the which is managed by an Alderman chosen every year out of his twelve Brethren who are all distinguished and notified from the rest by the wearing of purple Garments The Alderman and his Senior Brother are always Iustices of Peace and Quorum There are in it a Town Clerk a Recorder two Sergeants at Mace and two Chamberlains By Mathematical observation the site of this Town is in the degree of Longitude 17 30 scruples from the first West-point and the Pole elevated in Latitude to the degree 55 and 15 minutes 8 Places of memorable note for Antiquity are Vertera mentioned by Antonine the Emperour and Aballaba which we contractly call Apelby In the one the Northern English conspired against William the Conquerour in the beginning of the Norman Government In the other the Aurelian Maures kept a Station in the time of the Romans and their high-street is yet apparently to be seen by the ridges thereof which lead by Apelby to a place called Brovonacum mentioned in the Book of Provincial notices The antique pieces of Roman Coin otherwhiles digged up hereabouts and some Inscriptions not long âince found shew of what continuance they have been although Time which devoureth all things hath so fed upon 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 antiquity that makes it the more estimable in whose Castle the Assises are commonly kept it would be little better in account than a Village Verterae is long since decayed and the name of it changed into Burgh for it is commonly named Burgh under Stanemore In which it is said a Roman Captain made his abode with a Band of Directores in the declining Age of the Roman Empire These two places William of Newborough calleth Princely Holds and writeth that William King of Scots a little before he himself was taken Prisoner at Alnewicke surprized them on a sudden but King Iohn recovered them after and liberally bestowed them upon Robert Vipont for his many worthâ services 9 There is mention made but of one Religious House that hath been in all this Country and that was a little Monastery seated near unto the River Loder built by Thomas the son of Gospatricke the Son of Orms where there is a Fountain or Spring that Ebbs and Flows many times a day and it is thought that some notable Act of Atchievement hath been performed there for that there be huge Stones in form of Pyramides some nine foot high and fourteen foot thick ranged for a mile in length directly in a row and equally distant which might seem to have been there purposely pitched in memory thereof but what that Act was it is not now known but quite worn out of remembrance by Times injury 10 Other matters worthy of observation are only these That at Amboglaââ now called Amble-side near the upper-corner of Winander-Mear there appears at this day the ruins of an ancient City which by the British-Bricks by Roman-Money oftentimes found there by High-waies paved leading unto it and other likelihoods seems to have beed a work of the Romans The Fortress thereof so long fenced with a Ditch and Rampire that it took up in length one hundred thirty two Ells and in breadth eight There are also near Kendale in the River Can two Catadupae or Waterfalls where the Waters descend with such a forcible downfal that it compels a mighty noise to be heard which the neighbour Inhabitants make such use of as they stand them in as good stead as Prognostications for when that which standeth North from them soundeth more clear and with a louder eccho in their ears they certainly look for fair weather to follow But when that on the South doth the like they expect foggy mists and showers of rain 11 This Province is traded with four Market-Towns fortified with the strength of seven Castles and hath 26 Parishes
in it for the celebration of Divine Service CUMBERLAND CHAPTER XLI CUMBERLAND the furthest North-West Province in this Realm of England confronteth upon the South of Scotland and is divided from that Kingdom partly by the River Kirsop then crossing Eske by a tract thorow Solomâ-Moss until it come to the Solwaye-Frith by Ptolomy called the Itune-Bay 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 form whereof is long and narrow pointing wedg-like into the South which part is altogether pestred with copped hills and therefore hath the name of Cop-land The middle is more level and better inhabited yielding sufficient for the sustenance of man but the North is wild and solitary cumbred with Hills as Copland is 3 The Air is piercing and of a sharp temperature and would be more biting were it not that those high Hills break off the Northern storms and cold falling Snows 4 Notwithstanding rich is this Province and with great varieties thereof is replenished the Hills though rough yet smile upon their beholders spread with Sheep and Cattel the Vallies stored with Grass and Corn sufficient the Sea affordeth great store of Fish the Land overspread with variety of Fowls and the Rivers feed a kind of Muskle that bringeth forth Pearl 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 own little and the buyers great gain But the Mines Royal of Copper whereof this Country yieldeth much is for use the richest of all the place is at Keswick and Newland where likewise the Black-Lead is gotten whose plenty maketh it of no great esteem otherwise a commodity that could hardly be missed 5 The ancient Inhabitants known to the Romans were the Brigantes whom Ptolomy disperseth into Westmorland Richmond Durham York-shire and Lancashire But when the Saxons had overborn the Britains and forced them out of the best to seek their resting among the vast Mountains these by them were entred into where they held play with their enemies maugre their force and from them as Marianus doth witness the Land was called Cumber of those Kumbri the Britains But when the State of the Saxons was sore shaken by the Danes this Cumberland was accounted a Kingdom of it self for so the Flower-gatherer of Westminster recordeth King Edmund saith he with the help of Leoline Prince of South-Wales wasted all Cumberland and having put out the eyes of the ãâã soâs of Dunmail King of that Province granted that Kingdom unto Malcolm King of Scots whereof their eldest sons became Prefects This Province King Stephen to purchâse favour with the Scots what time he stood in most need of aid confirmed by gift under their Crown which Henry the Second notwithstanding made claim unto and got as Nubrigensis writeth and laid it again in the Marches of England since when many bickerings betwixt these Nations herein have hapned but none so bitter against the Scottish-side as was that at Salome Moss where their Nobility disdaining their General Oliver Sinclere gave over the Battel and yielded themselves to the English which dishonour pierced so deeply into to the heart of King Iames the fifth that for grief thereof he shortly after died 6 Many memorable Antiquities remain and have been found in this County for it being the Confines of the Romans Possessions was continually secured by their Garrisons where remains at this day part of that admirable Wall built by Severus also another Fortification from ãâã to Elââ-Moâth upon the Sea-shore toward Ireland by Stillicâ raised when under ãâã he suppressed the rage of the Picts and Irish and freed the Seas of the Saxon Pirates Upon Hard-knot hill Moresby Old-Carleil Pap-Castle along the Wall and in many other places their ruines remain with Altars and Iâscriptions of their Captains and Colonies whereof many have been found and more as yet lie hid 7 The chiefest City in this Shire is Careile pleasantly seated betwixt the Rivers Eden Petterelâ and Caud by the Romans called Luguvallum by Beda Luell by Ptolomy Leucopibia by Ninius Caer-Lualid and by us Carlile This City flourishing under the Romans at their departure by the furious outrages of the Scots and Picts was dejected yet in the daies of Egfrid King of Northumberland was walled about but again defaced by the over-running Danes lay buried in her own ashes the space of two hundred years upon 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 upon better advisement removed them into Wales After him Henry his Brother and Successor ordained this City for an Episcopal See whose site is placed in the degree of Longitude from the first West part 17 and 2 scruples and the Pole thence elevated from the degree of Latitude 55 and 56 scruples 8 West from hence at Burgh upon the Sand was the fatal end of our famous Monarch King Edward the First who there leaving his Wars unfinished against Scotland left his troubles and soon missed life to his untimely and soon lamented death 9 And at Salkelds upon the River Eden a Monument of seventy seven Stones each of them ten foot high above ground and one of them at the entrance fifteen as a Trophy of Victory was erected These are by the By-dwellers called Long-Meg and her Daughters 10 This Country as it stood in the Fronts of Assaults so was it strengthened with twenty-five Castles and preserved with the Prayers as then was thought of the Vâtaries in the Houses erected at Carlilâ Lâncroft Wether all Holme Daker and Saint Bees These with others were dissolved by King Henry the Eight and their revenues shadowed under his Crown but the Province being freed from the charge of Subsidie is not therefore divided into Hundreds in the Parliament Roles whence we have taken the divisions of the rest only this is observed that therein are seated nine Market-Towns fifty eight Parish-Churches besides many other Chappels of Ease NORTHUMBERLAND NORTHUMBERLAND CHAPTER XLII THE County of Northumberlaâd hath on the South the Bishoprick of Durham being shut in with the River Derwent and with Tyne the North is confined upon Scotland the West upon part of Scotland and part of Cumberland the East-side lyeth altogether upon the Sea called Mare Germanicum 2 The form thereof is Triangular and differs not much in the sidings for from her South-East unto the South-West point are near unto 40 miles from thence to her North-point are sixty miles and her base along the Sea-shore 45 miles The whole in circumference is about one hundred forty five miles 3 The Air must needs be subtile and piercing for that the Northernly parts are most exposed to extremity of weathers as great winds hard froâts and long lying of snows c. Yet would it be far more sharp than it is were
or ever become the ruin of time which is much feared for the merciless underminings of the Sea that with her daily and forcible irruptions never ceaseth to wash away the Foundations of the Key The People of this Town are well approved for courtesie and also Civil Government which is administred by the Constable of the Castle who is ever Mayor by Patent having the assistance of one Alderman two Bailiffs two Sergeants at Mace and one Town-Cleâk The Townsmen do not a little glory that King Edward the Second was born there in a Tower of the Castle called Eagle-Tower and surnamed of Caer-nar-von he being the first Prince of Wales of the English Line The site of this Town according to Mathematical observation is in the degree of Longitude 15 and 50 scruples from the first West point and the Pole elevated in Latitude 53 and 50. Bangor the Bishops See though it be now but a small Town yet it was in time past so large that for the greatness thereof it was called Banchor-Vaur that is Great-Banchor which Hugh Earl of Chester fortified with a Castle But it hath been long since utterly ruinated and laid level with the ground insomuch as there is not any footing to be found or oâher monuments left thereof although they have been sought with all diligent enquiry This Bishops See hath been the Diocess of ninety six Parishes But the ancient Church which was consecrated unto Daniel sometime Bishop thereof was defaced and set on fire by that notorious Rebel Owen Glendowerdwy who had a purpose also to destroy all the Cities of Wales for that they stood for the King of England And though the same Church was since repaired about the time of King Henry the seventh yet hath it scarce recovered the resemblance of her former dignity The River Conwey which limiteth this Shire on the East-side is in Ptolomy by corruption or ignorance of Transcribers called Toissonius instead of Cononius whence Canonium a Town mentioned by Antonine took name and albeit both it and its name be now utterly extinct yet is there a covert remembrance thereof in the new name of a poor Village standing among the rubbish thereof called Caer-hean that is the ancient City Out of the Spoil whereof King Edward the first built a new Town at the Rivers mouth termed thereupon Aber-Conwey that is the mouth of Conwey which being formerly fortified by Hugh of Chester and strongly situate and senced both with Walls and a fair Castle by the Rivers side deserves rather the name of a City than a Town if it were more populous and traffiqued with Inhabitants Neither must I here forget Nowin though but a small Market-Town for that it pleased the English Nobles Anno 1284 to honour it and the memory of King Arthur with triumphant celebrity after they had subdued the rebellious Ringleaders of Wales 7 Other matters of memorable note this Country affordeth not much unless perhaps this That just over-against the River Conwey where it issueth into the Sea there sometimes stood an ancient City named Diganwey which many years ago was consumed by Lightning and so made utterly desolate as many other Monuments have been of ancient and worthy memory As likewise that in the Pool Lin-Peris there is a kind of Fish called there Târcoth having a red Belly no where else seen For touching these two other miracles famoused by Giraâdus and Gervasius that on those his high Hills there are two Pools called the Mears the one of which produceth great store of Fish but all having only one Eye and the other there is a moveable Island which as soon as a man treadeth thereon it forthwith floateth a great way off whereby the Welsh are said to have often scaped and deluded their Enemies assailing them these matters are out of my Creed and yet I think the Reader had rather believe them than to go to see whether it be so or no. It is traded with five Market-Towns fit for bargaining buying and selling fortified with four Castles and hath sixty eight Parish-Churches in it where the Inhabitants concur and meet together for the celebration of Divine-Service THE KINGDOME OF SCOTLAND SCOTLANDS General Description CHAPTER I. SCOTLAND the second Kingdom of Great-Britain and the North part of the Island hath on the East the German-Ocean on the North the Orkneys and Deucalidon-Sea the West affronted with Ireland and the South hath the River Tweed the Cheviot-Hills and the adjacent Tract reaching to the Sulway-Sands whereby it is separated from England 2 This Kingdom is fair and spacious and from these South borders spreadeth it self wide into the East and West till again it contracts it self narrower unto the Northern Promontories furnished with all things befitting a famous Kingdom both for Air and Soil Rivers Woods Mountains Fish Fowl and Cattel and Corn so plenteous that it supplyeth therewith other Countries in their want The People thereof are of good feature strong of body and of couragious mind and in Wars so venturous that scarce any service of note hath been performed but that they were with the first and last in the Field Their Nobility and Gentry are very studious of learning and all civil knowledge for which end they not only frequent the three Universities of their own Kingdom S. Andrews Glasco and Edoâborough the Nurseries of Piety and Mansions of the sacred Muses but also much addict themselves to travel into forain Countries The South ê t of ScotlaÌd wherin are contayned Edinbrough St. Andrew and Glasco Archbishoâ 4 Yet in the mean while lest I should seem too defective in my intendments let me without offence in this third though short Book give only a general view of that Kingdom upon observations from others which to accomplish by mine own survey if others should hap to fail and my crazy-aged body will give leave is my chief desire knowing the Island furnished with many worthy remembrances appertaining both unto them and us whom God now hath set under one Crown and the rather for that their more Southern People are from the same Original with us the English being both alike the Saxoâ branches as also that the Picts anciently inhabiting part of that Kingdom were the inborn Britains and such as thither fled to avoid the Romans servitude whose names began first to be distinguished under Dioclesian the Emperor when they were termed Picts for painting their Bodies like the Britains as saith Flavius Vigetius which is more strengthned for that the Northern Britains converted by Saint Columb are called Britain-Picts 5 But the Highland-men the natural Scot indeed are supposed to descend from the Scythians who with the Getes infesting Ireland left both their issue there and their manners apparent in the Wild-Irish even to this day And from Scytha as is thought the name of Scot grew for so the Netherlanders by Scutten express indifferently the Scythian or Scot so Gildas called the Irish-Britains Scythians so King Elfred in translating the History of Orosius
of Greece they of Downe challenged his Grave to be with them upon certain Verses written on a Toâb which ascribes Patrick Bridget and Columbe to be buâied therein they of Armagh lay claim by the warrant of S. Bernard who saith that Patrick in his time there ruled and after death there rested Glascenbury in England by ancient Records will have his body interred with them and Scotland avoâcheth his birth to be at Glasco and bones to rest at Kirk Patrick with them of such reverent esteem was this Irish Apostle 23 This Patrick in his youth had been taken captive by the Irish Pirats and for six years continuance served Machuain as his slave and keeper of his Swine in which dejected condition so desirous he was of the Lands Salvation that in his Dreams he thought the Infants unborn cryed unto him for Baptism and redeeming himself thence for a piece of Gold found in the Feld which a Swine had turned up in his aged years came back again into Ireland preached the Gospel converted the People and lastly became Archbishop of Armagh Of whose miracles and Purgatory I leave others to speak that are more credulous in the one and have better leisure to relate the other and will shew thee Ireland as now it is first in general and then in parts Mounster The Province of MOUNSTER CHAPTER II. THis Province called in Irish Mown in a more ordinary construction of Speech Wown in Latine Momonia and in English Mounster lieth open Southward to the Virginian Sea Northward it affronteth part of Connaught The East is neighboured by Leinster and the West is altogether washed with the West-Ocean 2 The length thereof extended from âallatimore-Bay in her South unto the Bay of Galway in her North are about ninety miles Her broadest part from East to West is from Waterford-Haven to Feriter-Haven and containeth an hundred miles The whole circumference by following the Prometaries and indents are above five hundred and forty miles 3 The âorm thereof is quadrant or four-square The Air mild and temperated neither too chilling cold nor too scorching hot The Soil in some parts is âilly looking aloft with woody wilde and solitary Mountains yet the Vallies below are garnished with Corn-fields And generally all both pleasant for sight and fertil for Soil 4 This Province is at this day divided into two parts that is the West Mounster and the South Mounster The West Mounster was inhabited in old time by the Luceni the Velabri and the Vterini the South Mounster by the Oudiae or Vodiae and the Coriondi The Velabri and Luceni are said by Orosius to have dwelt in that part of the Country where it lieâh outmost Westward and passing towards the Cantabrian-Ocean looketh afar off to Gallitia in Spain The Luceni of Ireland who seem to have derived their name and original from the Lucensii of Gallitia and of whom there still remain some Reliques in the Barony of Lyxnouw are supposed to have been seated in those parts that lie neighbouring upon the bank of the River Shennon 5 The general Commodities of this Province are Corn Cattel Wood Wooll and Fish The last whereof it affords in every place and abundance of all sorts But none so well known for the store of Herrings that are taken there as is the Promontory called Eraugh that liâs between Banire and Ballatimore Bay whereunto every year a great Fleet of Spaniards and Portugals resort even in the midst of Winter to fish also for Cods 6 The principal City of the Province is Limericke which the Irish call Loumeagh compassed about with the famous River Shennon by the parting of the Channel This is a Bishops See and the very Mart-Town of Mounster It waâ first won by Reymond le Grosse an Englishman afterwards burnt by Duenald an Irish petty King of Thuetmond Then in process of time Philip Breos an Englishman was infeoffed in it and King Iohn fortified it with a Castle which he causâd therein to be built In this Castle certain Hostages making their abode in the year 1332 grew as is reported so full of pride and inconstancy that they slew the Constable thereof and seized the Castle into their own hands But the resolute Citizens that could neither brook nor bear with such barbarous cruelty did in revenge then shew such manly courage and vivacity as they soon after recovered the Castle again repaying the Hostages in such hostile manner as they put them all to the Sword without partiality The position of this Town is by Mercator placed for Latitude 53 degrees 20 minutes and for Longitude 9 degrees 34 minutes Near unto the River that Ptolomy calleth Daucona and Giraldus Cambrensis by the alteration of some few letters nameth Sauranus and Savarenus which issueth out of Muskerey Mountains is seated the City Corke graced also with another Episcopal dignity and with the Bishops See of Clon annexed unto it which Giraldus calleth Corragia the Englishmen Corke and the native inhabitants of the Country Coreach This Town is so besât on every side with neigâbouring molesters as that they are still constrained to keep watch and ward as if there lay continual siege against it The Citizens of this place are all linkt together in some one or other degree of affinity for that they dare not match their daughters in marriage into the Country but make contracts of Matrimony one with another among themselves In this place that holy and religious man Briock is said to have his birth and breeding who flourished among the Gaules in that fruitful age of Christianity and from whom the Diocess of Sambrioch in Britain Armorica commonly called S. Brieâ had the denomination 7 The City which the Irish and Britains call âorthlargy and the English Waterford though it be last in place yet is it not least in account as being the second City in all Ireland as well for the convenience and commodiousness of the Haven that affords such necessary aptitude for trade and traffique as also for the faithful loyalty which it hath always shewed to the Imperial Crown of England for ever since it was won by Richard Earl of Pembroke it still performed the obedience and peaceable offices of duty and service unto the English as they continued the course in the Conquest of Ireland whence it is that the Kings of England have from time to time endowed it with many large Franchises and Liberties which King Henry the Seventh did both augment and confirm 8 Although since the time of S. Patrick Christianity was never extinct in this Country yet the government being haled into contrary factions the Nobility lawless and the multitude wilful it hath come to pass that religion hath waxed with the temporal common sort more cold and feeble being most of them very irreligious and addicted wholly to superstitious observations for in some parts of this Province some are of opinion that certain men are yearly turned into Wolves and made Wolf-men Though this hath been constantly affirmed by
such as think their censures worthy to pass for currant and credible yet let us suppose that haply they be possessed with the disease and malady that the Physicians call Lycanthropy which begetteth and endangeâeth such like phantasies through the malicious humours of Melancholly and so oftentimes men imagine themselves to be turned and transformed into forms which they are not Some again embrace another ridiculous opinion and perswade themselves that he who in the barbarous acclamation and out-cry of the Souldiers which they use with great forcing and straining of their voices when they joyn battel doth not showre and make a noise as âhe rest do is suddenly caught from the ground and carryed as it were flâing in the Air out of any Country of Ireland into some desert vallies where he feedeth upon grass drinketh water hath some use 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 câught with the help of Hounds and Hunters Great pity that the foul fiând and father of darkness should so grievously seduce this people with misbelief 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 souls and understanding 9 This Province hath been sore wasted in the rebellions of Desmond to whose aid Pope Gregory the thirteenth and Philip King of Spain sent cârtain companies of Italians and Spaniards who arrived not far from Dingle fortified themselves and gave it the name of Fort de Ore sounding loud threats against the whole Country But Arthur Baron Grey Lord Deputy of Ireland at the first onset decided their quarrel by sheathing his Sword in their bowels and Desmond fearfully flying into the woods was by a Souldier cut shorter by the head And again when the Kingdom of Ireland lay bleeding and put almost to the hazard of the last cast Don Iohn D'Aquila with eight thousand Spaniards upon confidence of the excommunications of Piuâ the fift Gregory the thirteenth and Clemenâ the eight Popes all of them discharging their curses like unto thunderbolts against Queen Elizabeth of blessed memory landed near unto Kinsale presuming that the rebellions of Tyrone had turned the hearts of the Irish for Rome Sir Charles Blunt Lord Mountjoy in the depth of Winter and with his tired Souldiers so daunted their Spanish hearts that with one victory he repressed their bragging âoldness and recovered the Irish that were ready to revolt 10 God hath oftentimes shewed his tender love and affection to this people in laying his fatherly chastisements and afflictions upon them sometimes by winds sometimes by famine and dearth and sometimes again by opening his hand of plenty into their laps to convert them to himself and to divert their hearts from superstitions In the year 1330 about the feast of Saint Iohn Baptist there began such a dearth of Corn in this Country by the abundance of rain and the inundation of waters which continued until Michaelmas following that a Cranoc of Wheat was sold for twenty shillings a Cranoc of Oats for eight shillings a Cranoc of Pease Beans and Barley for as much The winds the same year were so mighty that many were hurt and many slain out-right by the fall of houses that was forced by the violence of the same The like whereof were never seen in Ireland In the year 1317 there was such a dearth of Corn and other Victuals that a Cranoc of Wheat was sold for twenty three shillings And many Housholders that before time had sustained and relieved a great number were this year driven to beg and many famished In the time of which famine the mercy of God so disposed that upon the 27 th day of Iune in the year 1331 there came to land such a mighty multitude of great Sea-fishes that is Thursheds such as in many ages pâst had never been seen that the people were much comforted in this distress and received great relief and sustenance by the same 11 Places of Religion in this Country were the two Abbies at Toghall calleth the North-âbbey and South-Abbey The two Abbeys at Limerick S. Francis Abbey and S. Dominick Abbey The two Abbeys at Cork the Abbey of the Isle and S. Frances Abbey and the famous Abbey in times past for the holy Cross which hath had many priviledges and liberties granted unto it in honour of a piece of Christs Cross that was as they say sometimes preserved there Thus were Christians perswaded in ancient times And it is a wonder in what Troops and Assemblies people do even yet conâlow thither upon devotion as unto a place of holiness and sanctity so firmly are they setled in the Religion of their Fore-fathers which hath been increased beyond all measure by the negligent care of their Teachers who should instruct their ignorance and labour to reduce them from the errors they persevere in This Province is governed by a Lord President who hath one assistant twelve learned Lawyers and a Secretary to keep it in duty and obedience It was in times past divided into many parts as Towoun that is North Mounster Deswoun that is South Mounster Hierwoun that is West Mounster Mean woun that is Middle Mounster and Vrwoun that is the Front of Mounster But at this day it is distinguished into these Counties Kerry Desmond Limerick Tiperary Holycross Waterford and Cork which County in times past had been a Kingdom containing with it Desmond also for so in the Grant given by King Henry the second unto Robert Fitz-Stephen and to Miles de Cogan it is called in these words Know ye that I have granted the whole Kingdom of Cork excepting the City and Cantred of the Oustmans to hold for them and their heirs of me and Iohn my son by the service of sixty Knights The County of Waterford King Henry the sixth gave unto Iohn Talbot Earl of Shrewsbury with the name stile and the title of Earl of Waterford which was afterward again assumed to the Crown Touching the County of Holy Cross as the opinion of that much frequented Abbey is much lessened so that County is swallowed up altogether in the County Tipperary It is fortified with five strong Castles traded with six Market-Towns and divided as followeth MOVNSTER Limerick Kerry Cork Waterford Desâond Holy-Cross in Tipperary LINSTER LEINSTER CHAPTER III. THis Country the Natives call Leighnigh the Britains Lein in Latine Lagenia in the ancient lives of the Saints Lagen and in English Leinster It lieth Eastward along Hibernicum Sea on Connaught side Westward it is bounded with the River Shaenon the North with the Territory of Louth and the South with part of the Province of Mounster This Country butteth upon England as Mounster and Connâught do upon Spain 2 The form thereof is triangle and sides not much unequal from her South East unto the
note are Troys and Brye and Auxerre and Sans an Arch-Bishops See c. 6 Burgundia both the Dutchy and Country The Dutchy or Burgundia suferiour and Western lieth on the South of higher Germany Her principal places are Digion Saint Bernards birth-Town Antun Bealne Sologue and Aliza once the famous City of Alexia The County of Burgundy or Burgundia Ihperior yields not to the choicest Garden in France for fertility of soil nor to the most renowned for stoutness of Inhabitants They acknowledge not as yet the French command no more than Savoy and Lorain They were under divers Generals and are called Walloons corruptly for Galleâs a trick of the Dutch Her principal Cities are Besanson the Metropolis of both Burgundies Salives Arboys Gray and Dola 7 Lugdunense Territorium Lione an illustrious City The center of Europe I mean where Merchants meet for Traffique from all quarters All these Provinces belong either wholly or at least in part to Gallia Lugdunensis For indeed some lie divided and stretch into their neighbours Territories as Campania into Belgica and this last Lugdunense is in part under the Government of Savoy 14 Narbonensis Gallia on the West hath the Comitatus Armenaici and Comminges Eastâward part of the Alps North-ward the Mountain Cemenus and South-ward the French Seas It is generally a fruitful Country not inferior in the esteem of Pliny to Italy it self it comprehends the Provinces 1 of Languedo supposed from Languegotia language of the Goths it reacheth from the bounds of Armenia and Comminges to the Mediterraneam Her chief Cities are Narbon from whence this whole Region receives her appellation and is reckon'd the first Roman Province in Europe and Mons pessulame Mont-Pellein an University most famous for the study of Physick Nimes where there is at this day many reliques of Antiquity and Pons Sancti Spiritus c. 2 Provence provincia ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã divided from Languedoc by the River Rhodanus Rhoan It belongs part to the Crown of France part to the Pope and a third to the Prince of Orange In the Kings portion are Air a Parliamentary City ârles and Maâsilia the last built in the time of the Roman Tarquin To the Bishop of Rome belongs ââenian a City and Arch-bishops See with the whole Comitatus Venissimus To the Prince of Orange the chief City Aurangia or Orange on the River Meine Estang Boys de S Poll c. 3 Dââlphine on the North of Provence regio Allobrogum and is divided in Delphinatum superiorem and inferiorem The first contains in it Embrum where Agaric and Manna is plentifully gathered and Valentia c. The latter Grinnoble Vienna Daulphin Romans 4 Savoy Sabadia on the East of Daulphin a Dukedome without whose limits stands the well known City Geneva which entertains people from all Countries of any Religion But yet enforceth a Law upon fugitives not common elsewhere For whatsoever malefactor is there apprehended for mischief done in his own Countrey suffers as if he had been there condemned The principal Cities besides are Tarantise Bele Moustire Maurience c. To this Dukedom belong Cambrey on the West side of the Alps and the Countrey of Bresse whose heir is intituled Prince of Piemont a part of Italy at the very East foot of the Mountains which âever her from this Countrey 15 Gallia Belgica the last is the Eastern tract toward Germany and as much as belongs to this Kingdom contains only Picardy which is divided into the higher and lower The first portends towards the British Seas and here stands Calice distant but thirty miles from Dover It is that which Caesar called Portus Iâcius won from the French by our Edward the third lost by Q. Mary Upon her Confines toward England is the Country of Bononia and Guinnes which contain sundry Towns and Villages The chief ââlloin conquered by our Henry the Eighth but delivered back in the reign of Edward the Sixth In this Picardy stands Terwin besieged by King Henry in person where the Emperour Maximilian served under his Coulours and received pay as his Souldier In the lower Picardy stands Ambianum Amiens the Metropols Here are the Dutchy of Terache whose chief City is Guisa which gave name to the family of the Guises and the Country of Vermindois where Saint Quintin stands Retelois and Retel her Metropolis Artelois and Laâerre her 's Ponthein and Aberille 16 The Islands which are reckoned properly French are only those which lye neer in the Atlantick Ocean They are but few and of no great account The principal Dame de Bovin L'ille de Dieu Marmotier Insula regis A NEW MAPE OF Y E XVII PROVINCES OF LOW GERMANIE P. Kaerius Caelavit The Description of BELGIA IN this we continue still the Description of Belgia begun in the Map of France For the title is common as well to those Territories as indeed to all the North-East Tracts of the old Gallia The portion hereditary to the French King was marked out among the rest of his Dominions The residue since it hath been by length of time chance of war or at least chance of Fortune dispersed into the power of several Princes is better known to us by the familiar names of the Low-Countries than Netherlands Flandars c. 2 In the search of her Original we may have reference to our precedent Discourse For questionless it was possest by the Gauls as the other parts were aud if trust may be given to those Antique Stories whose truth is almost worn out with age she reacheth her pedegree as high as any and likely enough did partake in the Spoils of Rome when the Capitol was ransaked by the Gauls under the conduct of our two ânglish Brothers For her chief Captain âelgius whose memory she preserves to this day in her name is mentioned by Qâadus andother as companion to Brennius in his expedition toward Macedonia after they were intreated from Rome 3 In the first times they were a stout people and practised to continual wars by the bordering Germans which made them as well expert as hardy It seems Caesar found them so in his tryal âor he gives them in his Commentaries the honour of a valâant Nation above any other part of Gallia Yet at last he brought them under and in time they were expulsed by the Germans who for their neerest speech and customs are sâpposed and justly too the Predecessors to the now Inhabitants 4 For her first name I find no other likely account given than from a City built by their âelgius in the Province of Hannonia where now stands Bavaria The râst Germania inâerior the Low Countries and Netherlands require no long search for without doubt they have little other ground than her low situation upon the Seas and indeed it is such as hath oft times endangered her by inundations and sunk many hundreds of their Towns and Villages which to this day in some places shew their tops above water at a dead low ebb Lastly Flanders
hour and caused them to cast off the Spanish clog which they did in the year 1581. and declared by their Writings that Philip the second King of Spain had forfeited his Government of the Low-Countries by breach of his faith And withall they bound their people by a new oath never to return to their obedience which they yet make good against the Arch-Dutchess who by kindred to the Spanish King and marriage to the Arch-Duke is at this time interested in the Government and therefore in the quarrel 11 To her there belongs of the 17 Provinces 1 The Dukedoms of Lutzenburg 2 Limburg and 3 Brabant 4 The Earldoms of Flanders 5 Artoyse 6 Hannault 7 Namurcia 8 The Barony of Mechlin 9 The Marquisate of the holy Empire To the States are reckoned 10 Dutchy of Geldria 11 The Earldoms of Zutphen 12 Zealand and 13 Holland 14 The Baronies of Vtrech 15 Overissell 16 Frizeland 17 And Groyning 12 We begin with the Dukedomes entailed to the Spanish Faction and for the easier finding their situation we will take them as they lie from West to East And in this order is 1 Lutzenburg It stands betwixt the River Mosa on the West and the Forrest of Ardenna East on the South it joyns upon a part of France Her chief City is Lucenburg called by Ptolomy Angusta Romanduorum In circuit this Dukedome is 240 miles and contains in it many other Towns which have been much battered in the Wars betwixt the French and Spanish Kings before the States were at difference among themselves Thâonville among others is of note for the stronger Bostânachum for the chief Merchandise It is called the Paris of Ardenna for by some that Forrest is reckoned into this Dukedom It stands on the East-side was in Caesars time 500 miles in compass now about 90. Near to Ardenna is the Spaw Baths of great fame for the cure of sundry diseases And hath oftentimes given our false English a pretence to leave their Countrey forsooth for Physick when they have no other excuse to get free and joyn themselves with the Romish Catholicks Maginus reckons into this Region 1168 Villages besides Castles with several Earldoms many other petty Governments In the South is the Dutchy of Bovillon belonging to a Peer of France 2 Limburg on the North East of Lutzenburg divides the Government between her own Duke and the Bishop of Luick who commands the Western Tract as much as contains 24 walled Towns and 1800 Villages and hath under him 52 Baronies Luick the chief City of the Bishoprick is an University memorable for this one story above any other in Christendom That at one time there studied 9 Kings sons 24 Dukes sons 29 Earls sons c. The Dukes part in the East is not of that fame either for multitude of Towns and Villages or command of under territories In the year 1293 the heirs male were extinct and by that means it fell to the Duke of Brabant The whole Region is exceeding fertile and affords almost all necessaries except Wine Among other commodities it abounds with a kind of stone of excellent use in Physick called Lapis Calaminani The principal City Limburg stands upon the River Wesa 3 Brabant on the North of Limburg which commonly is supposed to have the name from Brachlant as if a barren soil but it is otherwise reported unless towards the North. The people are very jolly ut veri gravem senectutem sentire videantur And that methinks should argue plenty Her chief Cities are Loraign an University which contains 20 Colledges and among the rest a Seminary for English Iesuits Bruxels and this is the Dukes seat strengthened with a double wall and is adorned with very elegant buildings Bergen ap Some which is yet fresh in the memory and mouths since the siege 1622. Bolduc whose people are noted to have preserved the antique valour of their Predecessors more than any other of the Provinces Breda was the place of the Prince of Orange got from the Spaniard by a desperate policy of a small number of Gentlemen which ventured themselves into the Castle being conveyed in a Boat covered with turves when they were past recoil they were forced to set their best strength forward as well for their lives as the Victory and were blest with a success beyond hope They mastered the Castle and the rest soon followed It was of late recovered by the Spaniards after a long siege where our English got honour though not conquest under the conduct of our noble and valiant Earl of Oxford And lastly within the compass of this D. is contained 13 The Marquisate of the holy Empire whose chief City is Antwerp a Town heretofore of infinite Trading had two Marts every year qualified with an extraordinary priviledge that during the time no man might be arrested nor his goods seized and questionless this invited many which were in debt and could not have the freedom of traâtique elsewhere 14 The Earldoms are 1 Flanders First indeed as well in esteem as situation For it gives name to the whole Region of the Netherlands and the Prince writes himself Comes Dei gratiâ it is the very North west tract of this Belgia and is divided in Teutonican Imperatoriam and Gallicam The first is the Flandria Flandricans properly Flanders The principal Cities are Gandadâm Gaut the birth place of our Iohn Duke of Lancâster She is severed by the River Shead and lets into 26 Islands and hath passage from one to another by 98 Bridges Her walls are seven miles in compass Her other Towns are Burgies and Graveling Her Ports Dunkirk Scluse Newport Ostend c. The two last notable one for a pitcht field the other for a long siege In both the English honourably maintained the right of the States against the ArchâDuke Flandria Imperatoria is but a small parcel and borders upon Brabant is called the Earldom of Hulit which is the chief City within her Territoties Gallica Flandria is not of any large extent but very fertile and pleasant Her chief Towns are Lilla or Lilse Duacum Doway an University Orchais Tornai taken by King Henry the Eighth and ransomed by the Inhabitants for 100000 Duckets 2 Artesia Artoyse the seat of the Atrebates in Caesars time Their chief City was then called Atrebatum now Arras whence we have our rich hangings and their name It lieth most on the South of Flanders Maginus reckons to her 12 Cities and 852 Villages The chief of name beside their Mother Town Arras are Ayre Pernes S. Omer S. Paul 3 Hannonia Hanolt on the East of Flanders 60 miles long broad 48 contains 950 Villages and 24 Towns besides Castles The chief are Banais supposed to stand in the same place where the ancient Belgium was built Mons Conde Valenciennes c. 4 Namurce on the East of Hanolt a fruitful Countrey and full of Mines especially of Iron It hath but four Cities 182 Villages The Metropolis is Namurce and the rest Charlemont
Valen-Court Bornies 15 The only âarony of the Arch-Dukes Province is Mechlen a City in Brabant which stands almost at equal distance betwixt Lovaine Bruxels and Antwerp Before the Spanish wars it was a place of Parliament for the States Since a great part of it was scattered by unfortunate chance of fire which catcht among 800 Barrels of Gunpowder In this stands a Monastery which at some times hath in it 1600 Nuns and within these limits is the power of the Arch-Duke confined And surely by reason of his infinite charge to maintain war and the ticklish terms he stands upon for fear of displeasing his Subjects who as he suspects may be apt enough to revolt he can reap but little clear profit and dare use but as little authority 16 To the States there hold first the Dukedom of Geldria which some will have to take her name from Gelduba once her chief City whether or not there appears not now any monument of such a Town The Province stands on the East of Brabant and North of Limburg It is a very fertile soil especially if it be well tilled it returneth the husbandman a liberal reward for his labour Her pastures are excellent insomuch that they feed up their Cattel to an incredible bigness and weight A report passeth of one Bull which weighed 3200 pounds It was killed at Antwerp 1570. It hath in it 22 walled Towns and about 300 Villages The principal of account are Neomagus or Nammâgen an Imperial City stands at the mouth of Rhene which is called the Vahall It was honoured with the title of a Vice-County had authority to coyn money and was bound to acknowledge subjection to the Emperour only by a small tribute a glove of Gun-powder which they were to tender at Aken once a year Others of note are Ruermund Arnem and Zuâpâen 17 The Earldoms are 1 Zuâphen a Town only in Gelderland at the North of the River Barikel where that valiant Souldier and incomparable Poet Sir Philip Sidney received his last wound It was joyned into the States strength 1590. 2 Zeland it stands in the North tract upon the Seas from whence it hath the name as it were of Zeland And indeed it oft times so falls out that they can hardly say whether they live in a Sea or upon the Land Eight Islands have been utterly lost what remains of this Province is by the water divided into seven Islands Walcheria in which Islands Middleborough and Flushing South Beveland North Develand Wolfors-dick These are the Western The Eastern are Schoven Tolen and Develand They are most of them a fierce people crafty in merchandise good Seamen and great Fishers 3 Holland or Holtland a woody Countrey It is but a small Region such as be a man where he will within her compass he may travel it out in three hours And yet is it of great fame and better known to the common sort of people than any of these parts The Inhabitants heretofore the Batavi on the West it hath the Sea and Isle of Zeland on the North the main Ocean It comprehends about 400 Villages and 29 walled Towns The chief are Dordret or Dort memorable for a Synod held against the Arminians 1618 Harlem a Town which first sent forth a Printed Book into the other parts of Europe Delât Amsterdam a great place of traffique Rotterdam Lugdunum Batavorum Leyden an University Among the rest the Hague may claim a room here though but a Village yet the fairest in Christendome and sear of the States Council The report lâeth upon this Province of Margareâ sister to the Earl of âloris that she brought at one birth 365 children all living till they were Christned 18 Baronies are 1 Vltrajactense Vtrecht on the East of Gelderland and in part West North and South of Holland It hath the name from her mother City Trajectum and she hers as is supposed from a common Ferry which was there For before it was called Antonina It hath four other good Towns and seventy Villages 2 Overyssell or Transisulana on the North of Gelderland It hath above 100 Villages and 11 Towns of note The chief Deventer won by our Robert Dudley Earl of Leicester from the Spaniards to the States It was once under Government of the Bishop of Vtrech And the first was Wilbrod an Englishman 3 Frizia West Friezland on the North of Overyssall It hath 345 Villages and 5 Towns The chief Lewarden Harlingham a Sea-town and Francker a late University 4 Groyning a Town only of West âriezland but hath command over 145 Villages hath her proper laws and jurisdiction of a Province 19 These last eight joyn together in an Aristarchical Government weilded by the LL. the states of the Low Countries and their assistants Each Province hath one and his common Councel is elected out of her own principal Towns but the residency of the general Councel of the States is at the Hagua in Holland And to this are admitted with equal priviledge of suffrage their General of their Forces and our English Ambassadour HISPANIA The Description of SPAIN IN our Division of Europe we placed her Regions as they lay from the first Meridian of Longitude in the Azores and so on towards Asia Eastward We will not here vary the course which was there proposed and that gave Spain the precedency as lying most Westward into the Atlantick Ocean And indeed she puts forward as well upon her terms of Antiquity as order of place For if her ãâã may be heard she derives ââer Being from Tubal the grand-child of Noah and would be one of the first Nations of the second world Likely enough those parts might be inhabited by his Progeny but I doubt whether so soon after the floud as himself lived and as some would have it who suppose that he then kept Cattel and named the Province Taraconensis from the Hebrew Taraco a possession of Herds This and other the like improbable Relations pass over her original Which as we may not accept for truths so we have no room here to confute them for lies We must be content rather to omit those former ages which give us no light but by Fables and begin with the affairs of Spain which come within the compass of our known and approved Stories As for the exploits of Hercules of Gerion and Cacus and the rest questionless they had some ground from truth it self if we knew how to search it forth and here was their residence men twelve hundred years by compute before the Romans or Carthaginians enjoyed it But by reason that the passage of those times was delivered only in vain fictions we can warrant nothing for certain till the Syrians there planted themselves in the Isle of Gades and of them little till the Carthaginians were called in to aid them against the disturbance of ill neighbours when once they were mingled with so flourishing a Nation they wanted not Writers to record their actions and sundry turns of Fortune 2 The next
Austria on the East with the River Tibiâcus on the North with Poland and Russia and on the South with the River Savus 8 The Land thus limited it is hard to believe what most Geographers report of her fertility That she yields Corn thrice in one year almost without any tillage or care of the husbandman Fruit of all kinds in great abundance and Grapes which make an excellent wholsome and rich Wine It breeds Cattel in such plenty that this one Countrey besides store for her own Inhabitants sends Sheep and Oxen into for eign Nations which lye about her and might say they suffice to feed all Europe with flesh Venison is not here any Dainty Does Hares Goats Boars are every mans meat and the game common as well to the Boors as Gentry And so for Phesant Partridge Black-birds Pigeons most Fowl wild and tame 9 The earth is enricht with variety of Mines which yields her plenty of Iron Steel Copper Silver and Gold Lead she hath not and scarce at all any Tin Her Rivers are equally commodious as well for their own wealth as fit conveyance of foreign Merchandise by shipping into their quarters The chief and only one indeed which belongs properly to this Region is Tibiâcus or Teissa and this imparts not her streams to any other Countrey but fully and freely pays her tribute to the Hungarian more Fish than can be spent yearly within their own limits It passeth proverbially upon this River that two parts of it are water and a third Fish The rest which are common to this with other Countries are Danubius here Ister and Savus and Darvus all of them well stored with water provision and in some places cast up a sand mixt with very good Gold Here are besides many waters of excellent vertues whereof some turn wood into Iron others Iron into Brass some very medicinal for sundry diseases others again so pestiferous that they kill the creature which doth but taste them The like is reported of an Hiatus in the ground unaccessible by any but the âowls of the air and those fall suddenly dead with the stench which ascends from it 10 The people for the most part are strong fierce revengeful harsh to strangers briefly ill-mannered and worse learned For they affect not either liberal Arts or mechanick Trades Yet it affords one of the most reverend Fathers of our Church good Saint Hierome Their greatest pride is their name of a warlike Nation and the basest infamy to put up the tearm of Coward Yet the person charged may not acquit himself upon his upbraider but must make good his honour in single combate with a Turk when he hath overcome him and not till then he may by order of the Country wear a Feather as a note of his true Gentry The sons only are inheriters If it chance that the males fail the estate descends not to the Daughters but is forfeit to the common treasury They have no portions with their wives but a wedding garment and till they are married neither one nor th' other are accustomed to lye in beds Their language is the Scythian and their Religion divers some Papists more Protestants They received Christianity above six hundred years since 11 Hungary hath been heretofore divided in citeriorem ulteriorem The former circa and the other ultra Danubium And both again had their division into fifty Counties as Maginus calls them Her most illustrioâ Cities are 1 Buda the Metropolis and seat of their Kings before it was taken by the Turk For pleasant situation wholsome air fertile fields about her stately buildings and whatsoever else may commend her Quadus sets her equal with any other in Europe Vadianus mentions here a stature of Hercules which himself saw made of brass so artificially that the very veins were lively expressed besides the ruines of other rich work a goodly Library furnisht by Matthias Corvinus King of Hungaria But at his being there it was not in the glory that it had been and not long after was for the most part utterly wasted by the inhumane Turks it is commonly called Osâen and is thought by some to be the same with Cârta in Ptolomies descriptions 12 2 Southward from Buda stands Albanum an ancient Town which of late they have called Alba now Alba Regalis for it was the place where their Kings were both Crowned and buried 3 Strigonium Grau an Arch-bishops seat and Metropolitan of Hungary It hath had the several chance of war was won by the Tark in the year one thousand five hundred forty three and recovered one thousand five hundred ninety five In which last action our noble Sir Thomas Arundel took with his own hand the Turkish Banner and was honoured by the Emperour Rodulphus with the title of a Count there and here by his own Sovereign Lord Arundel of Wardour 4 Quinque Ecclesiae a Bishops See taken by the Turk one thousand five hundred forty three 5 Comara in a small Island which takes her name from the Town And herâ it is reported that the grass exceeds in length the height of a man 6 âavarium not far from Comaââ and is called Rab. 7 Neuhensel where ââucquoy was slain in the year one thousand six hundred twenty one having adventured too far upon the Hungarians Ambush with iâtent onây to have received the order of their Forces and fittest place for access to bid them battel And thus of the Kingdom of Hungary as it is strictly bounded with its own proper limits 13 Dacia is on the East of Hângary and is divided on the North from Sarmatia by the Carpathian Mountains on the South from Greece with Haemus and on the East reââheth the Pontus Euxinus The first Inhabitants were the Maesti of Asia Afterward the Daci or as Strabo calls them the Dari a Nation of so slavish a disposition that the Athenians brought them into a Proverb and in their Comedies presented their Sycophants under no other name than Dââri The Country is fruitful and enricht with Mines their Horses are very comely aâd their manes so long that they touch the ground Their last King before it was made a Province to the Romans was Decebalus who as Dion delivers it affrighted the Emperour from an assault which he intended with an incredible number of stakes stuck up in battel array and attired in his Souldiers old habits A wooden shift it was but served him for the present yet after he was vanquished by Trajan and being sunk by the fortune of war below the hope of recovering his Kingdom fell upon his own sword It is now divided into 1 Transylvania 2 Moldavia 3 Walachia 4 Servia 5 Rascia 6 Bulgaria 7 Bosnia 14 Transylvania is the Province of Dacia and was it self called Dacia Mediterranea and Ripensis Dacia Since Transylvania because it was compassed with Woods and septem Castra from her seven Castles of defence upon the Frontiers built by the Saxons who questionless gave her the German name
Countries It hath five Towns Nistad Nasco Togrop Rothus and Marilus with some strong Castles pretty Villager and Noble-mens houses 5 ãâã in length four miles Her Cities are Stubecopen and Nicopen a pleasant and a fair one for which she is by some stiled the Neopolis of Denmark 6 Moena or Muen In this the City Steck and Elmelanda 7 Femera or Femeren Her chief Cities are Derborch and Petersborn and Stabull and here is the Castle Vraniburgh built by the great Mathematician Ticho Brahe which besides the fame of its own artificial structure is much celebrated for the admirable Instruments which are there kept whereby the particular motion of the Heavens is excellently observed 21 8 And to this Kingdom belongs the Islands Borâholme which lies in the Baltick Seas called more particularly Mare Suevicum betwixt Blicker and Pomerania It is a Region of excellent pasture and feed abundance of Cattel and therefore is full of Butter Cheese Wool Hides c. and sends into other Countries much of their provision for victuals powdered and barrelled up for the longer keeping It hath some well peopled Towns the chief is Boruholme It had lain for fifty years together in pawn to the State of Lubeck but was redeemed by Frederick the second 22 From these and those many other Northern Islands there have issued in several ages an innumerable sort of Nations which like so many birds as Maginus calls them have flown over the greatest part of our Christian world He concludes that ex his insulis olim Gothi Ostrogothi Vestrogothi Vandali Franci Cimbri Gepidae Dani Hunni Suedi Herculi Rugi Alani Longobardi Alemani alii plures Danubio Rheno superatis omnem Europam praesertim ipsam Italiam altricem imperii dominum 400. plus annis perpetuâ quadam regionum successione subjugarunt ac Romani nomines gloriam ferè omnem extinxerunt POLONIA P. Kaerius Caelavit The Description of POLAND THE Kingdom of Poland borders upon the East-side of Germany and indeed as far as the Râver Vistula it is accounted a part of the Empire and useth the same Speech Religions and Customes as the other Territories admitting only that variety which all of them have among themselves and must needs be found in so large compass s governed by so many several free Princes Beyond the River as it shrinks from the seat of Christianity so it begins to degenerate into a kind of Heathenish rudeness which favours of their Predecessors 2 For this Tract is a part of Sarmatia Europae and the first Inhabitants were the Sauromatae a Scythian people as well for barbarisme as by name It was next possest by the Vandals an active Nation of whom we have had some inkling at least almost in every place which we have past For they have spread their Victories through Europe and have left either name or story behind them in Spain France Italy Germany Tnrace and where not Their most received pedegree is from Vandalus whom Tacitus remembers the Tuscane King of the Progeny of Tuisco first Founder of the Germans Yet Munster in his Cosmography mentions a pretty conjecture of some well wishers it seems perhaps to their own Countrey which gave the original of their name of Vandals to one Vanda a Queen of Poland 3 Briefly Were the Vandals natives or were they invaders here they were found and ejected by the Sclavonians and these were the third Inhabitants of Polonia She was over-run at the same time and had the same fortune with Bohemia they were both lost to their old Lords and divided betwixt the two runnagate brothers of Croatia Zechius and Lechius who being forced for a murder out of their own soyl brought on their crew into these parts abouâ the year 550. and here have continued in their posterity to this day They are as yet remembred in the very names of the people For the Bohemians in their proper language call themselves Zechians and in the greater Poland there is still extant a Territory known by the title of Regnum Lechitorum 4 Her Etimon signifieth no other than the site of the Country as the Sclavonians first descryed it For it was a Champian or plain field and so is Pole land interpreted out of the Sclavonish tongue It was before called Sarmatia and the people Sauromatae ab oculis Lacertarum Lizzards eyes ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã and ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã a property it seems which gave name to all her Nations For this was divided from another Sarmatia by the River Tanais that on the one side was Asiatica for the most part wild Heathenâsh Idolaters and in the farthest parts of Scythia some ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã this other is Europaea which being joyned with some parts of Germany Westward to the River Odera Silesia and Moâavia make up the Kingdome of Polonia as it is here described 5 The bounds then of this great Region are on the West the River Odera Silesia and Moravia on the East the River Neiper which Ptolomy calls Boristhenes on the North Pomerania or rather the Baltick Ocean and on the South Russia and the Mountains of Hungary And if we will with Maginus take in the out Provinces which belong to this Government we must reach Eastward the Tartars and ãâã that live near on the other side of Boristhenes and North-east ward part of Muscovia Southward the Hungarian mountains and the Vallaci insomuch that the compass would come little short of all Spain as it lieth beyond the Pyrenaean 6 The principal Rivers of Poland are 1 Vistula it hath its rise in the Caparthian Mountains which divide this Kingdom from Hungary and it self runs into the Baltick but by the way takes in divers other streams on the West out of the Polonia Germanica and on the East out of the Sarmonica It is navigable 400 miles 2 Neister which hath her Fountains in the hills of Hângary and glâdes East ward on the South of Podolia into the Pontus Euxinus 3 Neiper or Boristhenes which bounds the Kingdom on the East is navigable 600 stadia and runs from North to South into the Pontus Euxinus where there is naturally cast up plenty of Salt which needs no art to perfect it 4 Rubin in Lituania 5 Hypanis now Bugh not far distant from the City Oleska and falls at last into the River Vistula with many others of lesser note though all conduce to make the Countrey in some kinds very fertile 7 For it abounds with most sorts of Corn and Pulse sufficient both for their own spending and continual traffique into other Countries Many of her neighbouring Regions could not well miss her plenty as well of Whet Rie and Barley as Beeves and other Cattel which gives supply to Saxony and the rest of Germany near hand which hardly yield enough for their Inhabitants out of their own store The blessing of this fertility cannot come alone but must needs bring with it the like riches of butter Cheese Milk Wax Honey and
Cambaia a spacious Land it is and contains from East to West 38 degrees and about 20 from the North to South 11 This variety of distance in respect of the Heavens must needs cause as much difference in the qualities of her several Regions In some places there is that fertility which makes her equal to any part of Asia in others again she is so barren unfruitful and unprofitable that the Land is left waste as being not able to nourish an Inhabitant Ora maritima saith Quadus aestuosa est ac ventosa fructuum inops praeterquam palmarum mediterranea regio Campestris est omnium ferax pecorumque optima nutrix stuminibus lacubus plena Maxime autem suppeditat Araxes plurimas commoditates It abounds much with metals and stones of great price 12 The ancient Persians were warlike and ambitious of rule for not content with their own which they freely posses in Asia they attempted the nearest parts of Africa and Europe which cost them the first fall from their Monarchy Nec enim petituri Macedones Persidem vide bantur in priores Persae Graeciam provocassent faith Vadianus Their customes are most of them superstitious but they held nothing almost in so great reverence as water it might not lawfully be soyled so much as with a soul hand but to piss or cast rubbish or a dead carcass into the Rivers was a kind of Sacriledge They had many Wives and more Concubines for they were exceeding desirous of increase and great rewards were appointed by their King himself for him that could most augment the number of his subjects in one year They seldome entred into any consultation of State till they had well armed themselves with drink for then they thought they should be more free to speak what they most thought To spit or laugh before their Prince was a crime well nigh unpardonable some say that they bury not their dead but cast them forth to be devoured by wild beasts and thought him most happy which was soonest torn to mammock the rest their friends bewailed as such who had lived impurely and were therefore by this sign declared worthy of hell only without any redemption 13 Their Philosophers were called Magi and studied principally the art of fore-telling things to come from whence we have our tearm of Magick and usurp the word only in the worse sense whereas questionless it was no other with them than the Greeks Philosophy Philosophi or Sapientes with the Latines for it is by most thought that such were those good Magi which came from the East to worship Christ and Saint Chrysostome directly names Persia to be that East from whence they were led by the Star 14 They have now put off most of their antique barbarism and are become good Politicians excellent Warriour sgreat Scholars especially in Astrology Physick and Poetry Those which apply themselves to Mechanick trades are not inferiour to any almost in our quarter they deal most in making of Silks which they send into all the Eastern Countries in great abundance They are mild and courteous to Strangers yet jealous of their Wives which for the most part are very fair and richly attired not withstanding their affection to them usque ad insanam Zelotypiam yet are they much addicted to that beastly sin of the Turks and have their Stews on purpose whither they resort without controul or shame Their language is elegant and in use in most of those Eastern Countries The Christian Religion was once planted here both by Saint Thomas and Saint Andrew yet are they now fallen to Mahametism and differ but as Schismaticks from the Turks which occasioneth much hatred and perpetual war betwixt them 15 The Regions which belong to the Empire of Perfia are 1 Persii 2 Media 3 Assyria 4 Susâina 5 Mesopotamia 6 Parthia 7 Hyrcania 8 Bactriana 9 Parapomissus 10 Aria 11 Drangiana 12 Gedrosia 13 Carmania and 14 Ormus 16 Persis had her name from Perseus which came hither out of Greece and this gives it to the whole Empire It is now called Faâst or Farsâstân and was heretofore Panchaia It lieth betwixt Media on the North and the Sinus Persicus on her South on her West Susiana and East Carmania Her Metropolis is Siras once Persepolâs and is built toward the mid land near the River Araxis it was surprized by Alexander and many thousand talents of gold sent into Greece with other rich spoâl and trophies of Victories which the Persians had before gotten from most parts of the then known world Upon the Sea-coast stands Cyrus a City which was built by their first absolute Monarch and called by the Inhabitants Grechaia It was the Bishop seat of the learned Theodoret who lived here about the year 450 and in this Region is Laodicea built by Antiochus and Passagarda where Cyrus had his Sepulchre 17 2 Media now Servania on the North of Persis and South of the Caspian Sea hath Armenia major and Assyria on her West and on her East Parthia and Hyrcania It was before Cyrus the seat of the Empire and mother to a warlike potent Nation Their Kings had many wives seldome fewer than seven and their women thought it a great calamity to have less than five husbands In this stands the Territory of Tauris which was called by our ancients Erbathana and doth stand some eight dayes journey from the Hyrcinian Sea it is rich and populous and was the seat of the Sophies till it was removed to Casbin which lieth somewhat more South Betwixt both stands the City Turcoman and elsewhere in this Province are many others dispersed of good note especially Suliana Symmachia Nassinum Ardovil Marant and Saucazan c. 18 3 Assyria now Arzeram on the West of Media South of Armenia North of Susiania and East of Mesopotamia it was the seat of Ninus his Kingdome lost by Sardanapalus and here stands the most famous City Nineveh near the River Tigris larger than Babylon containing full threescore miles in compass for the community which the Babylonians had with them in course of government they were oft times promiscuously used by Historians both had this custome to sell their Virgins which were fair and most desired and tender the price into the common treasury The homelier sort were placed in marriage with that money to those which would accept of them for gain at least if not for beauty They were much addicted to Astrology and were questionless led to it by the opportunity of their situation which gives them a more perfect view of the Heavens and several course of the Planets than any other part of the world besides 19 4 Susiana now Cuceston seems to have her name from Cus upon the South of Assyria West of Persia East of Babylonia and North of the Persick bay It is severed by Pliny from Elemauss the great by the River Euleus of whose waters only the Persian Kings were wont to drink as being more sweet and pure than any other
had a trick that it might seem to have been sent from heaven into the hands of Mahomet and to this purpose he had himself fed up a tame Bull which by custome became so familiar that no sooner he heard the voice of his Master but he would straight run cast the head in his lap and use his wanton dalliance as with a fellow Betwixt the horns of this Bull had he fastned the Alcoran and conveyed him into a by-place near where he had assembled the multitude at a set time to expect a wonderful miracle from Heaven that might confirm his Prophecy The sceâe thus ordered on the sudden he lift up his voice and made a loud cry which no sooner the Beast heard but he brake his way through the prease overturned many of the spectators which now stood at a gaze and gently laid his Horns and Book in the bosome of this false Couzener which he with much ceremony and feigned reverence received and in their presence opening the Volume began to interpret the chief of their Laws which for hereafter they were to observe 14 Circumcision he allowed and with the old Law forbad Swines flesh that he might with more ease lead on such as were Iewish he suffered himself to be baptized by Sergius that the Christian too might have in some measure his content Moses and our Saviour he denied not to be great Prophets but that neither party might emulate the greater observance of other and indeed especially that his own might seem new and yet take place from both he changed the Circumcision of the Iews from the eight day and multiplies Baptisme which can be conferred but once for all upon the true believer For the like reason of difference with other Nations and Sects he left both the Iews Sabbath and Diem Christianorum Dominicum and commands his holy ceremonies to be celebrated on the Friday for so it was when the Bull bestowed on him his Alcoran Before they enter the Temple they wash all the unclean parts of their bodies and then to Prayer which must be performed five times in a day with their face toward the South They have a moneths fast too once every year but it iâ observed only for the day for they may when the Sun is down redeem it with what gluttony they please Wine is forbidden only for a shew that he might not seem to have loved that which as he was guilty to himself had brought him into his epileptical fits Briefly what he knew would best agree with the bruitish desires of the people that he took order should be confirmed by his laws four or five wives to every husband and as many Concubines as they would maintain For their bliss after life he proposed no invisible delights which over-reacht their understanding but proportioned to each of their sensual thoughts and promised to those which could keep his Law a Paradise of all kinds of pleasure which they themselves most affected To the covetous wealth to the ambitious honours to the gluttonous meats to the Virgins rich attire and embraces of Angels the poor souls were never so fitted and when he had thus for a long time discoursed over his Alcoran he took a yoke from Sergius and put it upon the Bulls neck for it was foretold by an inscription brought by his door that whosoever could yoak the Bull it should be a sign to declare the man as one sent from God to govern his people 15 This huddle of miracles put the gazers beyond all pause so that in an instant they cryed him up King and held his companion in reputation of a minor Prophet called themselves Musulmanni true believers which the Turk still affects rather than his right name of Turk which imports banishment and upbraids him with the disgrace of his original 16 And now he hath past the difficulty of his attempt an easie matter to draw on millions of followers such as would like that Religion best which baulkt not their pleasures yet at last he met with an end answerable to his beginning for he was poysoned by some of his own Family 17 He had long before prophesied that he should be wonderfully conveyed to Heaven and to make good this fraud had framed an iron chest for his Sepulchre which he purposed should have been held up by force of a Load-stone placed in the top of the Temple and by this means have appeared to the beholder to hang in the air without any support But this trick it seems was prevented by death yet they expected still his ascent to Heaven till he stank upon earth so that at last they were forced to convey him into his iron coffin which remains to this day in Mecha a City of âersia and is visited by the Turks as the Sepulchre of our Saviour at Ierusalem by Pilgrim Christians 18 I took leave here to supply the room with the Customes and Religion of the Turks which in course of our former method was due to the division of the Empire and her several Provinces But I suppose I have the less trespassed in regard that most of them have already had their place and description in each of their particular Kingdomes to which they did formerly belong It will be sufficient here to name them with reference to the Map where you have them delivered more at large 19 In Europe it runs along the Sea coast of the Adriatick bay from the Land of Epidaurus now Ragusi and so about the Aegâan Sea and Propontus and a great part of the Euxine to the City Theodosia in the Taurica Câersonesus which is now called Caââa In the Mediterranean from Iovarinum in Hungary to Constantinâple in Greece The several Provinces of this compass are 1 a great part of Hungary Bosnia Servia Rassiâ Bulgaria Walachia and Transylvania c. in the description of Hungary 2 Graecia and her Provinces Thracia Macedonia Epirus Achaia Peloponnesus with the Islands of the Egean c. in the description of Greece 3 A part of Sclavonia 20 In Africa almost all the Sea-coasts from the City Bellis de âomera to the Arabick bay In this stands Algiers Tunis Tripolis all Aegypt Fâsse Marolum c. in the African description 21 In Asia Natolia the Islands of Cyprus all Syria Palestine Iudaea Coelofyria Phoenicia Babylonia Arabia Triplex Turcomannia and Georgea Mesopotamia and part of Media And these belong to the description of Asia CHINA Petrus Kaerius Caela The Description of the Kingdom of CHINA THE whole Tract of Asia which lies severed from Persia by the River Indus on the West is well known by one General name of the East-Indy and that again is divided by the other famous River Ganges into India intra Gangem the part which looks toward Europe and is conjectured by most to be the land of Evilah and India exter Gangem to the very East some think it was that which of old was called Seria both have now other names imposed by the Inhabitants the
miles in compass it is seated in a low and Fenny ground is subject to Flouds and hath been forced in very many places to erect bridges for free passage from one street to another there are in all 12000 built of stone and most of them so high that a good ship may strike under them with full sayl each of them hath its ten watchmen for a night guard The inhabitants of this City live luxuriously especially their women who are much more comely than their men yet all of them almost eat both Horse and Dogs flesh Towards the South part of the City there is a great lake about 24 miles in circuit in the midst stand two Islands whither the chief Nobility repair aâd invite their friends to solemnize their marriage and have in each a stately place erected furnished sufficiently with all fitting ornaments for a wedding jollity In many parts of the City there are publick places of receit for such as sustain any misfortune by fire there they may lodge their goods safe upon a sudden casualty till they can make better provision 18 It were vain to give a more particular Description of the many Cities which make up the several numbers in each Province they stand so thick and are so populous that they all seem to be as one one as well for their continued building almost as their fashion of building for they all observe the same form and dispose their streets alike two broad croââing each other in the middle in so strait a line that the eye may reach clean from one end to the other 19 We may conclude that both the Revenues of the whole Empire and number of Inhabitants are not easily to be reckoned yet this in brief he hath subject under him 70 crowned Kings gathers up yearly 120 millions of Crowns stirs not into the field without 300000 Foot and 200000 Horse To this Empire did once belong most of the Islands in the Eastern Seas but it seems the Chinoyse in time found that their defence was a business of more charge than their worth countervailed and therefore let them even slip into their own hands and bounded their government with the Sea-coaât yet for such as lye in the same Latitude from the Tropick toward the Pole they may most properly be named at least in this description and but named since they were before set forth in our general Map of Asia The chief are Lequio minor Reix Magos Lequio major Mazacar Iapan a very large Island Insula de Maico and Satyrorum Insula c. TARTARIA The Description of the Kingdom of TARTARY SCYTHICARVM gens semper antiquissima It was a judged case long since betwixt the Aegyptian and Inhabitant of this Countrey Yet were not the Scythans the first which possest it At least it was the first name by which they were known For before the entrance of Scythes the supposed Son of Hercules we find here a people which derive their pedegree from Magog the son of Iopheth and were called Magogins in remembrance of their antique Founder To this purpose Iunius and other learned interpret terram Magogin in the 38 of Ezek. 2. and Rev. 20. 8. and so in sundry places elsewhere of divine Scripture take it for other land than that which was after by prophane Writers called Scythia and Sarmatia and now Tartaria though perhaps these have not all had still the same bounds from the beginning for what any one Kingdom of the earth hath All States have had their course to rise and fall to be impaired or enlarged at pleasure of the most High who disposeth of Empires as seems best in his wisdome 2 Of the Magogins we have not much story yet they have left their name behind them which is now corrupted iâto Maâgol as most imagine While the Scythae bare rule they infested their neighbours without mercy or equity and practised their rapines as far almost as they could find a subject to work on Insomuch that they gave name to all the rude and inhumane Nations both of Asia and Europâ âârth of Danubius which for their cruelty were much feared and for bruitish customes grown ãâ¦ã the more civil parts of the World 3 ãâ¦ã barum mores was meant of these by the Poet and well it might For who could be more barbarââs than the Essedons which lived here by the Palus Mâotis and as Herod in his fourth Book of Histories delivers were wont to sing their Parents to the grave invite their best friends to feast with their fathers flesh and use his âkâll as a Cup to drink in at their lascivious banquets Who more than the Axiacae who quenched their thirst with the bloud of him whom they first flew as it gusht warm from his wounds Who more foolishly proud than the Agathyrsi who as God and nature had come short in their making up were used to mend their beauty by a deformed painting and ugly staining of their bodies with motly colours Our Picts are supposed by some to have had hence their original 4 It were too much to recite here the other scattered Nations which over-spread the earth for she was as most stile her the offiâina generis humani and sent forth swarms of her brood which soon fastned themselves whereâever they set footing For they were strong of body bold and hardy beyond the rule of valour distinguisht not right from wrong in their quarrels but reckoned justly their own whatever they could clasp by force of Arms. And this they all practised almost without difference of sex unless in this that their women were most warlike witness that incomparable story of Tomyris who cut off the Persian Cyrus and 200000 more of his Souldiers at one encounter and cast his head into a cauldron of bloud with this upbraid for the slaughter of her son Pergapises Satia te âanguine quem sitisti Nor was she the single one that put off the weakness of her sex to take Arms. For here lived those professed Amazons which admitted no man into their Camps but at set times of necessity to preserve their race yee were they a terrour to the world vext a great part of Asia the less and built the renowned Ephesus Smyrna Cuma Magnesia c. 5 These had their time The Gothes or Getae succeeded and were inheritors as well of their mischievous customs as ill-gotten possessions for which they purchased them the naâe of Polonei among their neighbours thieves and destroyers such as were no less grievous to thâm thân their predecessors Doubtless a curse of perpetual tyranny lies upon their wicked Empire For when next the Tartars came on the State it self was not much bettered nor the innocent which lay near any whit more secured 6 These last have been supposed to be the remnant of those ten Tribes which werâ led captive by Salmanassar How likely the Reasons are I will not dispute But surely if so they must have retained some knowledge of the the true God at least some
out of Polonia Russia Lituania Walachia and part of Muscovia 13 Asiatica or Tartaria deserta Muâcovitica differs not much from the ancient Sarmatia Asââtica which in Ptolomy's description is bounded on the West with the River Tanais and Palus Maeotis on the East with Scythia intra Imaum on the North with the Montes Hyperborei and on the South with the mountains Coran and Caucasus The Inhabitants live in Hordes as the rest do which remove often and direct their wandring course by observing the Pole-star In this too their Hordes have divisions and are known by several names The chief is Zavell which for the most part lies betwixt the Rivers Volga and Layich and in regard it is as it were the Mother Horde to the rest it was called magna Horda and her Emperour Vlacham magnus dominus for so he was and had full power of a Prince till they were subdued by the Precopenâes in the year one thousand five hundred six and after by Basilius Duke of Moscovia Next to this are the Casanenses which have their chief City Casan upon the River Velga near the confines of Muscovia It was once an entire government to it self but in the year one thousand five hundred fifty one after many victories and revolts it was fully and irrecoverably vanpuisht and made an addition to the Duke of Muscovia's title The Inhabitants here are somewhat more ingenious than the Precopenses they till their ground and in some places build houses and practise Merchandise with the Turks and Moscovites Not much unlike to these are the Astrocâanenses situate toward the Mare Caspium and have their name from the rich Metropolis Astrachan twenty Italian miles distant from the mouth of Volga both they and it were subdued in the year one thousand four hundred ninety four by the Duke of Muscovia Besides these there are many other wild Hordes of Tartars Of the Nohaicenses Thumenenses Scâibaschienses Casachienses Astnichanenses Bascâirdi Kirgessi Molgamozani These last strange Idolaters of the Sun and a piece of a red clout hung up before them upon a pole They live in Caves and feed for the most part upon such creatures as creep upon the ground some of them are Anthropophagi And hereabouts is the great Lake called Kvtay 14 Tartaria Antiqua the ancient seat of the Tartars and Kingdom of Magog when both the first Inhabitant was placed by the Son of Iapheth and when these last Tartars entred under the Command of Chinchis It was the utmost portion of the Tartarian Empire to the frozen Seas on her North the Scythian on the East and the mare de Annian for it contains many disperst Hordes all almost subject to the great Cham of Cathai In the most Northern tract which strikes into the Sea beyond the Polar circle dwell the Dani Neptalitae Mecriti c. more South-ward the Kingdom of Tabor and the vast desart Caraecoranum and the Mount Altay the place of burial for the Tartarian Emperours Toward the East Seas and near the Promontory of Tabin are the Regions of Arzaret which some think to be the very place first possest by the remnant of the ten Captive Tribes and Annian and Argon and Tenduch and Mongal and many other whose people live after the antique manner in tents moveable some few Cities they have poorly built and as rudely customed Among other incivilities they have this fashion to prostitute their wives and sisters to such guests as they would entertain most friendly and when it was once forbad by their great Cham they recovered it again with much suit and solemn protestation that they had not thrived since it was laid aside The ground bâings forth good store of especial good Rhubarb 15 Zagathai the same with Scythiaintra Imaum and is bounded upon the West with the mare Caspium upon the East with the Desart as far as Lop upon the North with the River Iaxartus and upon the South with the Mount Caucasus It hath the name from their Prince brother to theâr great Cham and contains in it these several Provinces 1 Zagatai where Tamberlane was born and first bare rule in the City Sarmachand a place enrâcht by his victories and memorable for the death of Clytus slain by Alexander in his drunken fury The seat of the Governour is in Bochara another town of the best note here 2 Bactria now Coccazzan the Inhabitants were led by âessus which âlew Darius and the first King was Zoroastes in the time of Ninus the Assyrian and twice tried the fortune of war with him but was at last vanquished and his Kingdom made a Province to the Monarchy In several ages it hath been tossed into the hands of divers States among the rest the Romans had it once in their possession at which time the Inhabitants received knowledge of the truth from the mouth of Saint Thomas but have lost it since by the tyranny of the Sarazens and Tartars 3 Sogdiana on the North of Bactria where Gâopolis stood built for a Fort against the Scythians and standing to the time of Alexander who battered it to the ground 4 Margiana and 5 Turchestan East of the Mare Caspium and was the sâat of the Turks before they brake into Armenia 16 Cathaie the same with Scythia extra Imaum and is the Empire of the great C ham of the Tartars and true progeny of Chinchis It is compassed almost with mountains and deserts and is divided from China only by a great wall on the South The soyl is exceeding fertile and the people far more civil than in the other parts of Tartaria Her Provinces are 1 Cathaie whâch is supposed to be the Antique seat of the Seres and is therefore called Regio Serica For it sends forth excellent Silks Stuffs and Chamlets and other rare commodities which equalize her at least in her own esteem to the best parts of Europe Her Metropolis is Cambelu twenty eight miles in compass besides the Suburbs built four square by the River Polysangus and enricht from India China and other Regions with all sorts of Merchandise Here their great Cham lives but is buried at the Mount Altay and is conveyed thither by a strong guard which kills all they meet in the way and commands them to serve their Lord in the other world Maginus reports from Marcus Polus that while he was in Cathai ten thousand persons lost their lives upon one such occasion 2 Tangut which they say had the Art of Printing many hundred years before it was known among us 3 Camul 4 Tanifu 5 Tebet not much differing either from themselves or the other parts of Tartaria which belong to the Kingdom of Carthaie FINIS The Description of Virginia VIRGINIA now Properly so called and which is here peculiarly to be described is is the most Southern part of that tract of Land which at its first discovery namely by the two Cabots and after them Iohn Vârazzano a Florentine though afterwards more distinctly by others was all comprehended by
and principal are the Wild Bee as they call it which building habitacles like Cobwebs among the Vine leaves guards the Grapes The Gurnipper which no bigger than a flea bites also like a flea though somewhat more rancorously and lives but three weeks The Musqueto which lives chiefly in thick woods or swamps scarcely induring wind or excess of cold or heat but in thick close weather and against rain it raiseth where it bites a venomous kind of itching The ancient Inhabitants of this part of the Country were formerly divided into several Tribes or petty Nations the chief whereof were East and North-East the Churchers and Tarentines Southward the Pequods and Naragansetts Westward the Canectacuts and Mawhacks North-West the Aberginians all which people how different from each other in nature and disposition in so small a compass of ground is wonderfull to imagine the Mawhacks most bloudy savage and man-eaters The Tarentines little less cruel but not Canibals The Aberginians more mild innocent and harmless c. But in religious Ceremonies Habit Civil manner of Government Marriages Burials Ingenuity in Arts and Manufactures Games and Exercises not materially differing Among the rest which it would be too tedious here to insist upon it is observable that the figures of Beasts and other things described upon their bodies are not described by superficial painting but by incision and impunction of colours between the skin and the flesh What Provinces this Country was anciently divided into I find not otherwise than accoâding to the several Tribes or people already mentioned Only there is peculiar mention made of the Province of Laconia now inalrged into a greater called the Province of Main and much about the same either more or less with the Country of the Troquois anciently so called The name of Laconia seems derived from those Lakes which are the most noted if not only ones of New-England but since is one grand one named the Lake of Trequois made by the River Sagadahoc and said to contain 60 Leagues in length and 40 in breadth in which Connent there are about four or five pretty large Islands The Rivers of this Country are Tamescot Agomentico Nansic Conecticut Sagadahoc Apanawapesk Merimec Pascatâway Newishwavoc Mistic Neraganset Pemnaquid Ashamahaga Tachobacco the most of which have English denominations and among the rest Chirâs River The number of well built Towns is far greater here than in any of the rest of his Maâesties American Plantations by reason it was so numerously peopled from the very first time of its settlement The first is Boston by the Indians called Accomonticus the principal Town or City and chief seat of Government secured with three hills whereon strong Fo ââs are raised 2. St. Georges Fort the first place where any Plantation was setled being at the mouth of the River Sagadahoc 3. New Plymouth the first Rendezvous of our Nonconformists sâated on the Bay of Pawtuxed 4. Mahumbec or Salem delightfully seated on a neck of Land between two Rivers 5. Mashawnut or Charles Town seated on an Isthmus or neck of Land on the North of a River called Charles River and through a part of which the River Mestic runs it is adorned with a handsome Church and a fair Market place near the River side 6. Roxbury a pleasant place for fruitful Gardens and fresh Springs between Boston and 7. Dorchester no less pleasant for Gardens and Orchards and watered with two small Rivers though standing near the Sea-side 8. Pigsgusset or Water Town upon one of the branches of the River Charles 9. Linne by the Indians named Saugus between Salem and Charles Town 10. Amoncangen or New-Town now Cambridge built in the year 1633 between Charles-Town and Water-Town on the River Merimec it is the only University of New-England having two Colledges and was once the seat of Government 11. Sawacatus or Ipswich seated on a pleasant River in the Sagamoreship of Aggawan now called Esâx 12. Newbury 12 miles from Ipswich near Merimec River 13. Hartford built by the people of Cambridge 14. Concord seated upon a branch of the River Merimec 15. Hingham a Sea-coast Town South-East of Charles River 16. Dukesbury alias Sandwich situate also upon the Sea-coast in Plymouth Government 17. Newhaven built in the year 1637 by a new supply near the shalles of Capecod 18. Dedham in the County of Suffolk 12 miles from Boston 19. Wâymouth a Sea-Town 20. Rowây 6 miles North-East from Ipswich 21. Hamptou built in the year 1639 in the County of Norfolk near the Sea-coast 22. Salisbury overagainst Newbury on the other side the River Merimec 23. Aguwon or Southampton built in the year 1640 by a supply that settled in long Island 24. Sudbury built in the same year 25 Braintre buâlt at Mount Wollaston by some old Planters of Boston 26. Glocester built in the year 1641 by Mr. Riâhard Blindman at Cape Anne 27. Dover situate upon Pascatoway ãâã North-East of Bâston 28. Wâburn built in the year 1642. 29. Reading built in the year 1644. 30. Wenham in the Matachusetts Government between Salem and Ipswich 31. Springfield built in the year 1645 by Mr. Pinchin conveniently for a brave trade with the Indians upon the River Canectico 32. Haverhill founded in the year 1648 and not long after 33. Malden by some that came out of Charles Town which lies over against it on the other side the River Mistic 34. Oxford alias Sagoquas 35. Falmouth alias Totum 36. Bristol 37. Hull alias Passataquac 38. Dartmouth alias Bohanna 39. Exeter 40. Greens Harbour 41. Taunton alias Cohannet 42. Norwich alias Segocket 43. Northam alias Pascataqua 44. Yarmouth 45. Berwick NEW ENGLAND and NEW YORK The Description of New-Neatherlands now called New-York NOvum Belgium or New-Netherland now called New-York was first discovered by Henry Hudson Aun 1609 at the charge of the East-India Company but in regard he return'd without leaving any men upon the place the Dutch in the year 1614 under Adrian Block and Godyn began to plant themselves there and doubtless had soon setled themselves upon a double pretence first as finding the place not pre-possest and therefore free for any that would enter next as having contracted with Hadson for his interest and bought all his Charts and Instruments had not Sir Samuel Argal then Governor of Virginia disputed the business with them And upon a serious debate and conference with them about it wherein he alledged that Hudson being a Subject of the King of England and acting solely by his commission had not power to alienate any Countrey he discovered for the King his Master without his Majesties consent but that this Countrey more especially belonged to him as his own Dominion being accounted part of the Province of Virginia he brought them to acknowledge the King of England's Title and to submit to the holding of the Countrey as feodatory of the Crown of England and under the Government of Virginia Yet this compliance was not of a very long
takes up the largest part thereof it being all that part which lies beyond the River Indus now Sââdo and bounded Eastward with part of China and the Indian Ocean Southward wholly with the Indian or Oriental Ocean Westward with Persia and Northward with that part of Mount Taurus which divides it from Tartary This Countrey as it was by the Ancients so is still primarily distinguished into India intra Gangem and India extra Gangem the first is vulgarly term'd Indostan the other Mangi under which some doubt not to comprehend China it self already described It extends from the nequator to the 44th degree of Northern latitude which makes the longest day 15 hours and ½ as in terrestrial length it reacheth from the Fountains of the River Inâus to the utmost Promontory of the Golden Chersonese six hundred German miles So that the temperature of the Air must needs be very diverse under so large an extent lying partly under the torrid partly under the temperate Zone Many vast and barren Desarts there are but generally the Soil is fruitful and the Countrey abounding with things convenient for life and in some parts are produc'd most delicious fruits especially the Palm of which the people of those parts make Wine more frequently than of the Grape and for Gums Spices and all sorts of rich Drugs it surpasseth all other Countreys but that which is the chief glory of the East-Indies is that the rest of the World receives lustre from the Diamonds Rubies and other precious Gems that are brought from thence So that it so far out-shineth the opposite or Occidental Indies by how much these Gems exceed in value Gold it self besides the great Trade that is driven in many places in Silks and other curious Stuffs and rich Commodities whereupon they are much frequented and resorted to by Strangers from all parts of the World The Indian people are generally of a complexion somewhat tawny tall of stature and strong of constitution healthful and for the most part long-liv'd even many times to the age of 130 years notwithstanding their addiction above all other people in the World to luxury and venereal exercises It is permitted them to marry every man as many Wives as he can maintain whereof nevertheless one of them hath a more peculiar respect and observance and a predominance over the rest for which she pays dear enough if she survive her Husband for at his death she is obliged to throw her self into the same Funeral Pyre with him They are simple-hearted and vold of all fraud and deceit in their bargains and contracts and not given to any quirks or cavils in the Law and scarcely is there any such thing as the every known among them so that their houses have little or no need of the guards of locks and bolts so usual and necessary among us The lowermost rank of people go very ill-habited or rather almost stark naked except their head feet and what decency requires to have hid but those of Quality Birth or Estate go richly clad in Silks fine Linnen or other the most costly attire and spare for no adornments of Pearl and the most precious of Gems and they stand very much upon the honour of their Birth and Family observing a suitable grandure in their garb and retinue admitting not of any mixture of affinity with those of mean degree The strength of the Indian Militia consists in their Nairi who are a select number of the Nobility and better sort of Citizens who from seven years of age are train'd up in all manner of bodily exercises by which and by a continual inunction and suppling of their nerves joynts and bones with oil of Sesamum they attain in time to an incredible dexterity and agility of body The chief Ministers and Dispencers of the Rites and Ceremonies of their Religion or rather Idolatry are said to be of the stock of those ancient Brachmanes who doubtless were the same with the Gymnosophists so term'd by the Greeks among whom they had a very great fame being mentioned for their Learning and Philosophy by divers both Greek and Latin Writers and reckoned in the same rank of honour and esteem as the Magi among the Persians and the Druids among the Gauls and Britains The great Mountain Taurus which for extent is doubtless the biggest in the World stretcheth in a continued ridge through the whole length of Asia only under several names as Imaus Emodus Caucasus Parapomisus c. This Mountain Taurus is judged to be the same with that Mount Ararat mentioned in holy Scripture upon which the Ark of Noah rested after the Flood Of the Rivers of India Oriental Indus and Ganges are the chiefest and most famous and of the number of the most principal and largest of all Asia Indus which gives denomination to the Countrey and is now vulgarly called Hiind Duil Inder Caercede and by some Pengah taking its rise in Parapomisus or Naugrocot a branch of the Mountain Taurus falls after 900 miles course Northward with seven mouths into the Indian Ocean having taken in by the way 19 navigable Rivers the chief whereof are Hydaspes and Hypasis which terminated Alexander the Great 's expedition This River where broadest is accounted 50 furlongs broad where deepest 15 paces deep Ganges now Guencam from her uncertain original some say the Mountain Imaâs falls into the Ocean having according to the testimony of Pliny taken in by the way 30 Navigable Rivers This River where narrowest is accounted two German miles broad where shallowest 100 foot deep It is moreover famous for the 460 Channels cut like so many wounds out of its sides by Cyrus King of Persia in revenge for the drowning of an Horse upon which he set a very great value The Empire of the Great Mogul is so promiscuously spread throughout that part of India which lies within Ganges that there are reckoned up no less than 37 Provinces or Kingdoms under his Dominion But because his Dominion doth not exactly comprehend all Indostan or Interior India others have chosen rather to divide it into those several Regions which have been adjudged the proper contents or comprehensions of it In most of which however the Mogul hath the greatest share if not the intire Iurisdiction of them namely these 14 following 1 Dulcinda in which the chief Cities and places of note are Caximir Roree Sestan and Multan 2 Pengah supposed the ancient Kingdom of Porus conquered by Alexander the Great The first Ciây of this Province is Laâor once the Royal Seat of the Mogul Other places of note are Sultan-Puare Atheâ and if we reckon as some do the Kingdoms of Haiacan and Buchor under this division Buchor and Suchor 3 Mandao the warlike temper of whose women-Inhabitants hath made them pass for a race of the Amazons The head-Head-City of this Province is of the same name remarkable both for its 30 miles circuit and for the great Battel between Baldurius King of Cambay and Mirumudius or
the temperature of the Air it must needs be supposed that in a Territory of so vast an extent all parts cannot be alike some being so very distant from others In Moscow and the adjacent Provinces the Air is so sharp and pâercing cold that sometimes no Furr is able to protect the nose and ears of those that venture forth into the Air yet the earth being kept very warm with the snow at the first approach of Spring which is almost as soon as in Germany the face of Heaven puts on a pleasant and most serene aspect and the earth a most lively verdure In Winter they travel for the most part in Sledges which being low and covered over with Canvas and the Passengers wrapt warm in Sheepskins they feel no cold but travel as it were in moving Stoves and in Summer the heat is very near as intollerable as the cold in Winter Among their Plants there is one peculiar sort which they call Boranez from its form or shape resembling a Lamb upon a stalk which seems to be its navel-string as far as which stalk permits it changes place and makes the grâss wither as it turns about This fruit is clothed with an hairy rind which they say is dressed in stead of Furr and Scaliger writes that no beast will feed on it but the Wolf whom to intrap it is often set as a bait Their Melons of which there is plenty are commended as singularly well-tasted and of an extraordinary large size The frequency of Wood and Forest furnishes this Countrey with store of Venijon and all those kinds of beasts whose Furrs are in highest price besides one of a very peculiar kind and proper to these parts called the Reen by the Modern Latins Rangifer and thought to be the same with the Tarandius of the Ancients With the skin of this beast the Samoides cloath themselves it is in shape and bigness and horns partlâ like a Stagg partly an âlk but with long rough and white hair a cloven foot whose horn strikes so far into the ice that it never slips it is frequently made use of in the drawing of their Sleds upon any occasion of expedition for it is reported to run 30 German leagues a day Of Fish none is here wanting but the Carp Of Fowl none but the Stork The Moscovites are strong and active of body of a middle stature but square-set and brawny arm'd of a natural ingenuity and subtilty which they make use of to cheat with in their bargains and contracts being false treacherous and perfidious withal very lazy and wholly unaddicted to Learning and Arâs only necessity obliges them to follow Husbandry they are malicious quarrelsome and scurrilous in company yet their choler seldom advances to farther violence than can be managed with the stick fist or foot which saves many a murther the Sword or Gun would be guilty of They are generally lascivious and beastly drinkers both men and women when occasion offers for all their great Solemnâies and Feastivals are so many drunken Bacchanals in which they walow one among another like Swine at other times if they are sober it is for want of what they love above all things strong liquor for their ordinary drink is but a pitiful poor sort of tiff and though the Countrey affords wherewith to fare delicately enough yet the best of them scarce know how to feed elegantly and the meaner sort eat like what they are poor slaves and lodge as ill that is like the wild Irish or bârbarous Indians the whole Family man woman and beast lie higgledy-piggledy altogether in a room upon straw or mats and in Summer-time upon benches or tables And no wonder their manner of life is so animal and uncultivated since they live subordinately in most wretched slavery the common People to the Nobles the Nobles to the Czar whose grand Maxim it is as generally in Monarchies so very absolute to proscribe Learning well knowing that the necks of the ignorant most âamely subject themselves to the yoke of tyranny The Religion they profess is according to the Greek-Church which they are said to have received from the Patriarch of Constantinople Ann. 987 though in the Moscoviâish Annals their first Conversion is boasted to have been from St. Andrew the Apostle others say that Duke Wolodomirus received Baptism in the year 987 upon his Marriage with Anna the Daughter of the Emperor Basilius but the most received opinion is that Leo coming out of Greece and planting the Christian Faith among the Russians became their first Patriarch and fix'd his Seat at Kiovia whence after some time the Patriarchal Seat was removed to Volodimiria and lastly to Mosco where it continues The Patriarch who till about 100 years since could not be confirmed but by the Patriarch of Conâtantinople but hath ever since been chosen and confirmed only by the Czar or Great Duke though with the consent of the generality of the Clergy hath subservient to him two Metropolitans or Arch-Bishops the Arch-Bishop of Novogrode and the Arch-Bishop of Rostow and under these there are 18 Bishops enjoying very large Revenues and therefore the largest contributers to the Great Duke when he hath occasion to raise an Army Of the Rivers of this Countrey the chief are the Dniâper or Borysthenes of the ancients whose Fountain though unknown to Herodotus hath been since found to be near Dnieperko a' Village of Moscovia in the Wood Wolskonski and which flowing Southward by the Cities Smolensko and Kiovian after having taken in many lesser Rivers dischargeth it self at last into the Euxin or Black Sea 2 Ducina concluded to be the Turuntus of Ptolemy which springing not far from the Fountains of Boryâthenes in the same Wood and flowing by Riga the Capital City of Livonia falls at last into the Baltick Sea 3 Volga the Rha of Ptolemy and now called Edel which springing from a Lake of the same name being about 25 miles from Mosco and flowing with a long course and many windings after the taking in of many lesser streams disburtheneth it self with no less than 70 mouths into the Caspian Sea not far from the the City citracham 4 Don or Tanais by the Italians called Tuna which dividing Europe from Asia hath its source as some are of opinion from the Riphaeân Mountains in a certain Wood out of a vast Lake not far from the City Tulla and flowing with a long course beyond the Confines of Russia Southward makes the Lake Mâotis 5 Occa which springing out of the Province Moâceneck which it semi-circles after a long course enters the Volga beneath Inferior Novogrod The most noted Lakes are the Ilmen or Ilmer 12 German miles in length and 8 in bredth The Ladoga whose length is 25 German miles the bredth 15 and containing divers Islands The White Lake called by the Inhabitants Bielcyesero twelve miles in length and as many in bredth and into which 360 Rivers small streams or rivulets doubtless are said to empty