Parkes in this County and but two Market Townes for commerce of commodities which causeth the Inhabitants for their better aduantage to trauell to others in the Shires next adioyning but of the two Okâ—ham is the best and fairest which stands not farre from Burley that famous and stately house of the right honourable the Lord Harrington who in this Lordship of Okeham had such an extraordinary Royaltie that if any Noble man came at any time within the precinct of it he was to forfet an homage horse-shooe from the Steed whereon he rode or else to redeeme it at a price in money and for a true confirmation thereof a man may see many horse-shooes fastened on the doore of the Shire-Hall whereof some are large and of ancient fashion The Towne is large and the Church faire And here also hath beene a Castle of defence which seemes by the ruines to haue beene of great strength The Eleuatiâ—n of the Pole is here 52. 45. and the Longitude 23. 48. King Edward the Confessor gaue this County to Eâ—dgâ—th his Queene and after her death to the Monasterie at Westminster but William the Conqueror cancelled it and bestowed the lands vpon others The Coritani according to Ptolemy were the ancient Inhabitants of this County which for aire and health is as good pleasant and delightfull as any other place of the Land and for the quantitie hath as fertile a Soile which for tillage may compare with the best Woods are here good store and both hills and pleasant bottomes watered with many fresh Springs are not wanting which bring forth abundance of Corne and with stocks of sheepe and herds of Neat are plentifully stored RUTLAND SHIRE Leicester-shire THis Shire for the bounds hath Lincolne and Rutland-shires on the East and on the West the way called Watling-street diuides it from Warwicke-shire Nottingham-shire imbordereth on the North and Northampton-shire on the South It is neere as broad as long for the full length in her greatest Longitude from East to West is not altogether thirty miles and the bredth from North to South is twenty foure which makes the whole circumference much vpon 196 miles The diuision of it is into six Hundreds namely Sparkingho Framland Goodlaxton Gartrey East Goscote and West Goscote which doe containe in them 200 Parish-Churches This Shire is watered but with one Riuer of note besides small brookes namely Stowre yet hath ten Bridges and in it are also contained two Forests and fifteene Parkes A dosen of Market Townes are here and there dispersed in this County for the Inhabitants traffique and commerce whereof the chiefest is the Shire-Towne Leicester which as our old Histories record in ancient times was called Legecestria and by Ninus Caer-Leriâ—n being built 844 yeeres before the birth of our Sauiour by King Leir who there erected the Temple of Ianus and in it placed a Flamine and after as it is recorded was therein himselfe interred But long after this did Ethelred the King of the Mercians make it an Episcopall Sea wherein he made Sexwulph the first Bishop But in processe of time the Bishopricke being thence translated and the Towne brought to a low ebbe Edelfred repaired and fortified it with a strong wall whereof there is now no memoriall but by some of the old ruines for Henry the second both vtterly rased the Castle and fired the Towne It is situate on the Riuer Stowre neere the very midst of the Shire And the Eleuation of the Pole is there 52. 41. and the Longitude 23. 32. In the yeere 1485 the 22 day of August neere Market Bosworth was King Richard the Third slaine with 4000 men in a battell fought by King Henry the seuenth who thereby happily ended the long and wofull contention betweene the two Houses of Yorke and Lancaster and the Vsurpers body despightfully mangled laid naked on a horse backe and so carried to Leicester and was there buried in the Gray Friers The Aire in this County is milde pleasant and healthfull The Soile towards the South and East which is most Champion is not so wooddie as the North where Pit-cole for fuell is gotten in abundance yeeldeth great store of Corne So as the chiefe commodities here are Cattell Corne and Pit-cole And yet for other necessaries they are nothing wanting LEICESTER SHIRE Stafford-shire THis County which wee call Staffâ—rd-shire was so called also by the Englâ—sh Saxons and is inclosed on the East with the Riuers of Dowâ— and Trent which diuide it from Darby-shire and on the West with Shroâ—shire Châ—shire and Daâ—by-shires confine it on the North and Warwicke and Worcester-shires on the South The length is measured from North to South 44 miles and the bredth from East to West 27 making the whole circumference to containe 140 miles It is diuided into fiue Hundreds and they are subdiuided into 130 Parishes There is in it also one Citie one Chase one Forest and 38 Parkes Thirteene Riuers doe irriguate this County which haue ouer them nineteene Bridges And for commerce and traffique it is traded in thirteene Market Townes whereof Stafford the Shire-Towne is accounted one of the chiefest which was anciently called Bethâ—ney from the holy Hermite Bertlin that there liued It hath in times past on the East and South sides beene fortified both with a Wall and Trench and on the opposite sides had a stâ—ange defence of water which now by time is transformed into faire and pleasant meadowes Foure Gates according to the foure Cardinall points doe make way for passage into this Towne which is seated on the North side of the Riuer Sowe and is ciuilly and orderly gouerned by two yeerely elected Bailisses out of the Common Counsell consisting of 21 Assistants The Pole is here eleuated to 52. 53. and the Longitude 22. 29. In this Shire also is seated Lichfield which is both of greater antiquitie and farre more famous than Stafford and which by Beda was called Licedfeld signifying a field of dead carkasses which as some hold was so termed of a great number of Saints there slaine by Dioclesian In this Citie did Oswn King of Northumberland build a Church and made it a Bishops Sea which afterwards was by meanes of King Ossa and Adrian the Pope aduanced to the dignitie of an Archbishopricke and in this Church were the bodies of Wolphere and Celred two Mercian Kings interred This Citie at this day is gouerned by two Bailiffes and one Sheriffe which from 24 Burgesses are annually elected By Ptolemy the ancient Inhabitants of this County were the Corâ—aâ—ij but afterwards it became part of the Mercian Saxons possession whose Kings palace was then seated at the Towne of Tamworth Many famous and faire Religious Houses that a long time flourished haue beene raised vp in this County but in continuance of time as well as others in other Shires haue beene rased downe and buried in their owne â—uines And with thirteene strong Castles also was it once guarded whereof now but few remaine so much as for an
for traffique and commerce amongst the Inhabitants is traded with 45 Market Townes whereof the most famous is the ancient and renowmed Citie of Yorke which by Ptolemy was called Brigantium and by the Britaines Caer Effrock It is accounted the second Citie of England and for beautie of building and other ornaments it farre surpasseth all others in the County It is large faire rich and populous being made a Metropolitan Citie by Honorius where King Henry the Eiâ—hth established a Counsell consisting of a Lord President with diuers Counsellors at the Kings pleasure and a Secretary to heare and determine all causes in those Northerne parts In this Citie both liued and died the Emperour Seuerus whose ashes were afterwards carried to Rome and there shriued Here also we reade was sometime seated a Temple dedicated to the Goddesse Bellona And here died the Emperour Constantius surnamed Chlorus who in this citie kept his royall Court It was most famous also for a long time in the English Saxons time till the Danes suppressed and destroyed it yet afterwards it recouered it selfe and by the Citizens was strengthened with a Wall adorned and fortified with Towers and Bulwarkes and is now gouerned by a Lord Maior 12. Aldermen diuers Chamberlaines and a Recorder The latitude being here 54. 3. and the longitude 23. 48. Diuers other faire famous and remarkable Townes are seated in this Prouince as Richmond Hul Halifax and many others whereof I am abridged particularly to discourse by the straightnesse of my limits As also am I restrained from relating of many strange raâ—ities wherewith this County is plentifully stored as the dropping Well at Knausbrough the Giggleswicke springs Saint Wilfrids Needle Constantius his Lamp the Mountaine Coâ—les and Sea-fish stones as also those at Whitby which are formed like wreathed Serpents of all which I must referre you to our former and most famous Historiographers Mr. Camden Mr. Speed and others With very many Abbies Monasteries and Religious houses hath this Shire beene adorned which are now subuerted and vtterly decaied The Aire here though it be more sharp and frigid than in other parts of the land yet is it very healthfull and the Soile though in some places sterile and barren yet in others fat rich and fruitfull so as what is defectiue in one part is supplied by another the whole Continent feeling no want because it is generally sufficiently stored with Corne Cattell Fish Fowle and hath many mines of Copper Lead Cole Stone Allome Coperasse and other rich commodities YORKE SHIRE The Bishopricke of Durham THis Prouince which wee call The Bishopricke of Durham is confined on the East by the German Seas and on the West is parted from Cumberland Westmoreland and Stainesmore by the Riuer Tees Yorke-shire bounds it on the South and Northumberland on the North. It is shaped in the fashion of an Hoscedes Triangle hauing two sides containing much vpon thirty miles a peece and that by the Sea side but about 23 or 24 making the whole circumference to containe neere to 103 miles within which compasse are dispersed 118 Parish-Churches In this Shire are interfluent eleuen Riuers which are passable by twenty Bridges and because the quantitie of the County is but small there is in it but one Citie one Bishopricke and but six Market Townes whereof the chiefest is the ancient Citie of Durham which was called by the Saxons Dun-holm of the word Dun signifying an Hill and Holme an Iland for indeed it is almost circularly ingirt with the Riuer of Were It was at first erected as wee haue it by tradition by the Monkes of Lyndisferne who by Oracle were commanded to doe it And here did William the Conquerour vpon an high hill raise a strong and stately Castle and not only so but made it a County Palatine whereof the Bishops in times past haue had the Royalties of Princes And here was the Tombe of S. Cuthbert whereto King Egfrid Aelfrid Athelstane and others of our English Kings came in Pilgrimage and some of them bare-footed in humble deuotion and to giue great gifts and offerings to the Church in the West part whereof is still remaining the Marble monument of the Reuerend Beda that learned Monke of Wermouth And here is the Pole eleuated 54. 56. ½ and the Longitude 22. 54. The Inhabitants of this County in Ptolemies time were the Brigantes whom the Romans conquered and after that by the Saxons was this Shire made a part of the Kingdome of Northumberland which the Danes subdued and was lastly ouercome and possessed by the Normans About a mile from Darlington in this County haue I seene 3 round Ponds of water which the Countrey people call Hell-Kettles which are in forme circular the water alwayes temperately warme and as they say neuer seene to be frozen They likewise affirme them to be bottomelesse because by no meanes they could euer be sounded But of their strange beginning with other particulars of them as also of the salt stones in the Riuer Weere at Batterby considering the strictnesse of my bounds I must referre you to the learned Workes of our euer famous Antiquarie M. Camden With diuers rich Religious Houses hath this County beene beautified which are now defaced and subuerted and with seuen strong Castles was it fortified sed tempus edax rerum The Aire is here sharpe subtile and healthfull and Soile on the East side well stored with Pastures and Arable Grounds but moorish on the South and though other parts be more barren yet are they so well stored with Cole-pits that besides their owne abundant expence they vent so much to other parts as is a constant annuall and exceeding great benefit to the Inhabitants THE BISHOPRICK OF DVRHAM Northumberland THis County was called by the English Saxons North-Humberland and is bounded on the South with the Bishopricke of Dâ—rham on the North with Scotland on the West with part of Scotland and part of Câ—mberland and on the East with the German Sea It is fashioned in a triangular forme containing from the South-East to the South-west about 40 miles and from the South-west to the North point much vpon 60 miles from whence to Wâ—llinton by the Sea Coast 45 miles whereby the whole circumference amounts to the measure of 145 miles or thereabouts In which circuit are included but 46 Parish-Churches Many Riuers ouer which a man may passe by 16 Bridges It hath one Forest in it and eight Parkes And for trade and traffique amongst the Inhabitants there are dispersed in this County but fiue Market Townes whereof the principall is Nowcastle vpon Tine so called of a new Castle built there by Robert the sonne of William the Conquerour but before the Conquest it was called Monke-Chester as a strong defence for Monkes that it seemes were resident there It is now rich and famous and very populous by reason of the plentifull vent of Sea-Coles which from thence are vttered in fâ—rre more abundance thâ—n from any other part or place in
Writers of the middle age call the Inhabitants of this coast Magesetae and make mention of Earles Magesetenses also the distance if it be counted from Gobannium or Abergeuenny or from Brangonium i. Worcester differeth not from Antonines computation Three miles Eastward from this Towne lieth Prestaine in British Lhan Andrew i. St. Andrews Church which of a very little Village by the meanes of Richard Martin Bishop of St. Davids is of late yeares growne to be so great and faire a Mâ—rket Towne that it dimmeth the light of Radnor Scarce foure miles from Prestaine standeth Knighton a Towne not inferiour to the former it is called in the British Trebuclo in stead of Trefyclaudh of a famous Ditch lying vnder it which Offa King of the Mercians caused to be cast from Dee mouth to Wye mouth to separate the Britaine 's from his English-men In the South-west of this Countrey lieth a wide wildernesse into which Vortigerne whose memory the Britaines may wish damned withdrew himselfe when he had called the Saxons into this Land and in horrible incest married his owne daughter and here was he with his Citie Treguortigâ—rn burnt with fire from heauen And not farre from the place where this Vortigerâ— the last absolute Monarch of the Britaines perished was Lhewellin the last Prince of Wales of the British race slaine by Roger Francton The Mortimers not long after the Conquest wonne a great part of this little countrey and after that they had beene a long time eminent aboue others in these parts King Edward the Third created Roger Mortimer Lord of Wigmore Earle of these Welsh limits or according to the common speech Earle of March RADNOR SHIRE Brecknock-shire THis Countie of Brecknock was called Brechineau in the British tongue of one Brichauius a Prince that as the Inhabitants report had foure and twentie daughters and all of them Canonized for Saints It is bounded on the East with Monmouth and Radnor-shires on the West with Carmarden and Cardigan on the South with Glamorgan and the North side by the Riuers Wye and Clarwen is diuided from Radnor The length of it from Istragunles South to Llanuthel North is 28. miles and the extent of the broadest part from Pentrisso East to Llywell West 20. the whole compasse containing much vpon 102. miles Into six Hundreds is this Shire severed and those are subdiuided into 61. Parishes with 27. Riuers is it interlaced ouer which in diuers places are 13. Bridges for passage And for Traffique and trade amongst the Inhabitants it is stored but with three Market Townes namely Hay Bealt and the Shire Towne Brecknock which is now accounted the principall though the other two in former times would haue beene preferred Hay pleasantly seated on Wye and Dulas in Owen Glendowrs rebellion was vtterly ruinated and Bealt though still in some frequencie yet is now nothing to what in antique Ages it hath beene but Brecknock at this time is the best which being pleasantly seated on the Riuers Vske and Howthy is fortified with a faire strong wall that besides ten Towers hath 3. Gates for entrance with a stately Castle situate on the West part of the Towne and is moreouer beautified with diuers faire buildings It is ciuilly gouerned by two Bayliffes fifteene Aldermen two Chamberlaines two Constables where the Pole is eleuated 52. 8. and the longitude 21. 11. The Inhabitants of this Countie that anciently possessed it were the Silures who greatly opposed the Romans whereto they were much aduantaged by the huge Mountaines wherewith the Shire is replenished one of them neere Brecknock which in Welsh they call Mounch-denny is of an vncredible height in so much as nothing without it be some metalline substance or stone can be cast from the top of it but with the aire and wind it will be blowne vp again and neuer fall to the ground Llynsauathan also which is neare to Brecknock is also admirable for there by report stood a sumptuous Citie which suncke downe in an earthquake And with nine Castles hath this Countie beene accommodated The Aire being cold sharpe and piercing and the Soile though for the most part hilly sterill and barren yet the fresh Riuerers issuing from the Mountaines make the Valleyes so fruitfull as they yeeld both Corne and Grasse in abundance BRECKNOCK SHIRE Monmouth-shire FOr the Riuer Mounowe is this Towne Monmouth so termed and from that Towne we call this Countie Monmouth-shire which on the East is bordered vpon by Glocester-shire on the West by Brecknock and Glamorgan-shires The South is bounded by the Seuerne Sea and the North by the Riuer Monnowe diuided from Hereford-shire The extent of the greatest measure between North and South is about twenty foure miles in length and at the widest between East and West not aboue nineteen the whole circumference being much vpon 76. miles The diuision of it is into six Hundreds wherein are contained 127. Parish Churches and with the pleasant streames of fifteene Riuers passable by fourteene Bridges is it interlaced besides which for more delight in this Shire is there one Chace and eight Parks and for Trade and Traffique of buying and selling six Market Townes whereof that of the greatest note is the ancient Shire Towne of Monmouth which betweene the two Riuers Wye and Monnowe is very delectably situate wherein is yet remaining a faire Church and thirteene Gates besides the Towre vpon the Bridge But that which was called the Monkes Church and was in times past most curiously edified in the East end of the Towne is now vtterly ruined as well as the Castle on the North which yet will be euer memorable for the birth of the famous and victorious King Henry the Fifth The gouernment of this Towne is committed to a Maior two Bayliffes fifteene common Councellours and a Towne Clerke The eleuation of the Pole being there 15. 53. and the Longitude 21. 39. The Silures were the ancient Inhabitants of this Countie who had Caerwent for their principall place of abode where the British St. Tathaie made an Academie And at Caer-Lion lay the second Romane Legion called Augusta whereof yet are found many antique Romane testimonies And here also did the great King Arthur keepe his Royall Court which then was a most magnificent Citie but is now intombed in the heapes of her owne ruines And so also are diuers Religious Houses sometime that beautified and fourteene strong Castles that someâ—â—me fortified this famous Prouince where the Aire is pleasant and healthfull and the Soile though hilly yet rich fruitfull and full of Woods yeelding plenty of Corne Grasse Cattell and many other nenessary Commodities MONMOUTH SHIRE Glamorgan-shire THis Province which is called Glamorgan-shire is supposed by some to deriue the name from one Morgan a Prince that possessed it but others hold that it hath it from the Abbey Morgan which on the South side of this Shire neare the Sea did Earle William of Glocester build And it is seuered by the Riuer Remner on the East from
released Anno 1202 43 H. 3. Normandy was lost by King Iohn and the title thereto released Anno 1258 11 E. 1. Wales was subdued Anno 1283 19 E. 3. The order of the Garter deuised Anno 1344 14 E. 3. England first quartered the Armes of France Anno 1339 21 E. 3. Calice was wonne in Anno 1346 5 Mariae Calice was lost Anno 1557 5 H. 5. Normandy was wonne in Anno 1416 8 H. 5. King Henry the fifth was proclaimed heire Apparant and Regent of France in Anno 1419 10 H. 6. Henry the sixth was crowned King of France in the Citie of Paris Anno 1431 27 H. 6. France was lost in Anno 1449 28 H. 6. Normandy was lost in Anno 1449 31 H. 6. Acuitaine c. were lost in Anno 1453 4 R. 2. Wat Tylors Rebellion Anno 1380 29 H. 6. Iack Cades Rebellion Anno 1450 4 H. 8. Nauarre surprised by the Spaniards Anno 1512 At the time of the first dissoluing of Religious Houses in ENGLAND there were ARchbishopricks and Bishopricks 21 Deanries 11 Archdeaconries 60 Dignities and Prebends in Cathedrall Churches 364 Benefices 8803 Religious Houses 65 Hospitalls 110 Colledges 96 Chauntries and free Chappell 's 2374 Their Rates were per annum 320180 In the Prouince of Canterbury  Dioceses Parish-Churches Churches appropriated In the Diocese Of Canterbury 257 140 Of London 623 189 Of Winchester 362 131 Of Couentrey and Lichfield 557 250 Of Salisburie 248 109 Of Baâ—h and Wellâ— 388 160 Of Lincolne 1255 577 Of Peterborough 293 91 Of Exeter 604 239 Of Glocester 267 125 Of Hereford 313 166 Of Norwich 1121 385 Of Elie 141 75 Of Rochester 98 36 Of Chichester 250 112 Of Oxford 195 88 Of Worcester 241 76 Of Eristol 236 64 Of S. Dauids 308 120 Of Bangor 107 36 Of Llandeffe 177 98 Of S. Asaph 121 19 Peculiar in the Prouince of Canterbury 57 14 The summe of the Prouince of Canterbury 8219 3303 In the Prouince of Yorke In the Diocese Of Yorke 581 336 Of Durham 135 87 Of Chester 256 101 Of Carlisle 93 18 The summe of the Prouince of Yorke 1065 592 The totall summe in both Prouinces 9284 3845 Shires in ENGLAND COrnwall Deuonshire Dorcetshire Somersetshire Wiltshire Hampshire Barkshire Surrey Sussex Kent Middlesex Essex Hartfordshire Buckinghamshire Oxfordshire Glocestershire Worcestershire Warwickshire Northamptonshire Bedfordshire Huntingtonshire Cambridgeshire Suffolke Northfolke Lincolneshire Rutlandshire Leicestershire Staffordshire Darbishire Nottinghamshire Yorkeshire Durham Bishoprick Northumberland Cumberland Westmerland Lancaster Cheshire Shropshire Herefordshire Shires in Wales RAdnorshire Brecknocksh Monmouthsh Glamorganshire Carmardenshire Pembrookeshire Cardiganshire Montgomerishire Merionethshire Carnaruanshire Anglesey Denbighshire Flintshire THE MAPS AND DESCRIPTIONS OF THE SEVERALL SHIRES OF ENGLAND AND WALES Deuon-shire DEuon-shire which the Cornish-Britaines named Deuinan and the Welsh-Britaines Duffneint signifying low Valleys abbutteth on the West vpon Cornwall being diuided from it by the Riuer Tamar On the South and North sides it is walled with the Sea and on the East with Sommerset-shire The Dimension being from Canshere North to Salcombe South 55. Miles and from Thornecombe East to Hartland-point West 54. Miles the compasse being about 200. Miles It is diuided into 33. Hundreds wherein are contained 394. Parish Churches and it is interspersed with 29. Riuers being fitted with 166. Bridges It hath the foundations of 9. notable Religious Houses and Monasteries which now remaine but ruines It is well traded with 37. Market Townes for commerce the principall whereof is the famous Citie of Exeter which is seated vpon the Riuer Ex and thereof hath the name but by Ptolomy it was called Isea and by the Welsh Pencaer It is very pleasant situated on the rising of a Hill adorned with stately buildings and is plentifully furnished with all kinde of prouision as well for pleasure as necessary vse It was compassed about by King Athalstane with a circular wall except on the side towards the Riuer Ex where it is built in a strait line and is beautified with faire Battlements diuers Towers and 6. Gates for passage On the East side of this Citie stands the Castle which in former times was the resident seat of the West-Saxon Kings In it also are many faire Churches but the chiefe is Saint Peters the Cathedrall which was made a Bishops Sea by Edward the Confessor It is gouerned by a Maior 24. Brethren and a Recorder hauing Latitude 50. 45. degrees and Longitude degrees 20. 39. This Shire hath many hills and dales hauing store of woods And though the soile be somewhat fruitfull of it selfe yet it is very much amended by the industry of the Inhabitants with the sand that they feâ—ch from the Sea side The Aire is sharp and healthfull the commodities are generally Wooll Cloth Kearsies Lead Corne and Cattell with abundance of Fish and Fowle This Countrey hath many fitter Hauens for intercourse of ships than Cornwall whereof Totnes Plimouth and Dartmouth are accounted the most famous In Exmore in this Shire are sandy stones set in diuers formes some circular and some triangle wise which are said to be the ancient memorable markes of Victories obtained there by the Romans Saxons and Danes And at a place called Hubstow not farre from the mouth of Tawe in the yeare of Christ 879. was the Dane Hubba who in many places persecuted the English encountred slaine and buried DEVON SHIRE Dorset-shire DOrset-shirs the Inhabitants wherof by Ptolomy were called Durotriges by the Britâ—ines Dur-Gwgr and by the English Saxons Dor-Seddar It hath Sommerset and Wilt-shires on the North Deuâ—n-shire and another part of Sommerset-shire on the West Hamp-shire on the East and the Brittish Seas on the South It is extended in length 44. Miles in bredth 24. and makes his circumference about 150. Miles It is shared into fiue diuisions viz Sherborne Bridport Shastâ—r Dorchâ—â—tâ—r and Blanford and these are subdiuided into 34. Hundreds which containe in them 248. Parish Churches It is interlaced with the currents of many cleare and fresh-water Springs hauing 4. Riuers and 24. Bridges in former times hath beene guarded with 8. strong Castles which time hath now almost quite deuoured It hath entercourse and trastique with 8. Market Townes the principall whereof is Dorchester which in the Itinerarium of Antoninus was called Durnouaria signifying the Ferry it is seated on the South side of the Riuer Frome and Fosse-way the Romane Cawsy In times past this Towne was walled and much greater than it is but by the Danes who quite rased downe the walles it was brought low and of a lesse quantitie It is now gouerned by two Bayliffes one Alderman and a Recorder The height of the Pole being there 50. 38. degrees for Latitude and the Longitude 21. 51. degrees Not farre from this Towne on the South side is a small plot of ground raised some 30. paces higher than the rest of the Plaine and compassed about with 5. Trenches containing 10. Acres in quantitie and is called by the Country people The Maydâ—
Dorset and Wilt shires with the I le of Wight opposing his West The length of this County from Bascomb South to Blaâ—kwater North containeth 54. Miles the bredth from Petersfield East to Tedworth West about 29. or 30. Miles making about 155. the whole circumference It is diuided into 37. Hundreds wherein are contained 253. parish Churches It is watered with 4. Riuers ouer which for passage are 31. Bridges and it is commodiously furnished with faire Hauens for ships as at Southampton Portsmouth Tichfield and Hamble c. It is fortified with diuers strong Castles as at Southampton Calshot Hurst Saint Andrewes Porchester Worth and the South Castle with diuers other places of strength which are situate on the Sea coast for defence of the County Besides at Winchester Malwood and Odiam which are seated within Land Marker Townes for commerce are in this Shire 18. wherof the Citie of Winchester is the chiefe which by the Britans was called Caer Gwent by the Romans Venta Belgarum and the Saxons Windanearder it was built by Rudbudibras before our Sauiours natiuitie 900. yeares and after it had beene twice consumed by fire in the time of the Saxons was reedified the walls raised and made the chiefe seat of the West-Saxon Kings and the Metropolitane Sea of their Bishops wherein were crowned Egbert and Elfred and Henry 3. was borne In the time of King Edward 3. this Citie was made the staple for Cloth and Wooll and in the Cathedrall Church of this Citie haue diuers English Kings beene interred The situation of this City is in a bottome vnder hills very pleasant and fruitfull hauing the Castle on the one side and the Riuer on the other the walls which ingirt it containing neare two English Miles hauing 6. Gates for entrance and 7. Churches within it besides the Cathedrall but heretofore it hath beene adorned with many others which now remaine nothing but Ruines The graduation of this Citie for Latitude is 51. 5. and for Longitude 23. 10. The next to this in this Shire is the Towne of Southampton from which the whole Shire hath the name it is both beautifull and rich walled with a strong stone wall wherein are 7. gates and 29. Towers and two faire Hauens for ships 5. Churches and an Hospitall and on the West side of this Towne standeth a fairâ— strong double walled Castle vpon the Top of a very faire high hill making a most delightfull prospect both by Sea and Land The aire in this Shire is very temperate though sometimes somewhat foggy which proceeds from the Seas adioyning to it and the Riuers passing thorow it which notwithstanding doe store the Countrey with plentie of fish And for the soile it is both rich and pleasant producing plenty of Corne Cattell Woods and Pasture bountifully storing the Inhabitants with Woolls Cloths Iron and almost all kinde of profitable commodities both by Sea and Land HANT SHIRE Barke-shire THe English Saxons called this Shire Berrocscyre which on the North is diuided from Buckingham and Oxford-shires by the Riuer of Thames on the South it butteth on Hamp-shire the East is bounded with Surrey and the West with Wilt-shire and Glocester-shire The length from Inglesham West to old Windsor in the East being about 40. Miles and the bredth from Inkpen South to Wightham North 24. Miles maketh the compasse much vpon 120. Miles This County is parted in 20. Hundreds which containe in them 140. Parish Churches It is interlaced with 3. Riuers which for conuenient passage haue 7. Bridges 13. Market Townes are also dispersed in it for the commoditie commerce of the Inhabitants whereof Reading is the chiefe where the Danes An. 866. setled and fortified themselues But it was built by King Henry 1. who adorned it both with a faire Monasterie and strong Castle which the first Henry raised and the 2. Henry razed and turned to Ruines The Latitude here is 51. 31. degrees and Longitude 23. 34 In this Shire is seated that famous and stately Castle of Windsor which sometimes did belong to the Abbot of Westm till William the Conquerour by composition obtained it and made it his Regall Palace In it was borne King Edward 3 who afterwards held there as his prisoners Iohn King of France and Dauid King of Scots In this Castle is also celebrated the famous and memorable institution of that most honourable order of the Garter and in the Chappell thereof lie interred the bodies of K. Henry 6. Edward 4. and Henry 8. Wallingford Watham in the East and Sinodum in the North in this Shire were all places of residence for the Romans as appeareth by their moneys which very often are found in those places And Mr Stow writeth that at Finchamsted in the yeare of grace 1100. did a wonderfull spring boyle vp for the space of 15. dayes sending forth streames of bloud This County is adorned with many faire and stately buildings 6. faire Castles 3. of his Maiesties houses and in times past had diuers Religious houses and Monasteries at Aâ—â—â—gton Reading Bysham Bromhall Hernly Hamme and Wallingford The aire is pleasant temperate and wholsome the soyle bringing plenty of Corne and pasturage yeelding an abundance of increase especially in the Vale of Whâ—â—ehorse But generally the whole County both for profit and pleasure producing Corne and Cattell with woods waters and very delightfull prospects is inferiour for the quantitie to no other Shire in England BARKE SHIRE Surrey SVrrey was called by the Saxons Suthrea and by Beda Suthri It is bounded on the North with the Counties of Buckingham and Middlesex and diuided from them by the River of Thames Sussex and Hampshire inclose it on the South Kent on the East and Hampshire and Barkshire on the West This Shire is as it were square in forme yet the length extending from Frensham to Redrith containeth 34. miles and the bredth from Aufold Southward to the Thames by Stanes Northward is 22. miles which makes the Shires circuit about 112. miles It is diuided into 13. Hundreds which containe in them 140. Parish Churches and 8. Market Townes for traffique and commerce In this County is no Citie nor great Towne and yet may it compare with any for faire buildings and stately houses whereof 5. are his Maiesties magnificent Palaces Ptolemy affirmeth that in this County an ancient people called the Regni had their residence and after that Ella with the South-Saxons made it their Kingdome At Lambeth which was founded by Archbishop Baldwin and is now a Palace for the Archbishops of Canterburie and famous for being the seat of the Metropolitans of England Canutus died who was the last King of the Danes And at Kingston in this County were crowned King Athelstan Edwin and Ethelred And at the ancient Towne of Guildford whose Pole for Latitude is eleuated 51. 15. and Longitude 24.59 was seated the royall Palace of the English-Saxon Kings This Shire hath beene adorned with the foundations of many faire and rich Religious Houses as at
furthest part South 39. miles and the bredth from Ashridge East to the Forest of Brenwood West 18. miles whereby the whole circuit is about 138 miles The bounds of this Shire are Northampton and Bedfordshires on the North part of Bedford and Hertford-shires on the East Barkeshire on the South and Oxfordshire on the West This Prouince is parted into 8 Hundreds which are furnished with 185 Parish-Churches It is watered with two Riuers which haue 14 Bridges for passage And for conuenient traffique of their commodities it is interspersed with 11 Market Townes whereof the chiefe is Buckingham the Shire-Towne which is situated vpon the Riuer Ouse which compasseth the Towne on all sides but the North. In times past it hath beene fortified by King Edward the elder with Sconces on both sides of the Riuer ouer which are built three faire stone Bridges and vpon a high hill in the middest of the Towne was sometime raised a strong Castle which is now vtterly rased to dustie ruines A Bailiffe with 12 Burgesses doe now very orderly gouerne this Towne where the eleuation of the Pole is 52. 2. and the Longitude 23. 30. At Stony Stretford an ancient Towne in this Shire standing vpon the Causey called Watling-street which passeth thorow England is a Crosse built by King Edward the first for a memoriall of Eleanor his Queene because there her dead corps rested as it was brought from Herdby in Lincolne-shire to be buried at Westminster and the like did he doe in euery place where it rested This Shire hath beene strengthned with 4 Castles viz. at Buckingham Newport Launden and Hampsleepe and was also beautified with many Religious Houses which time hath now ruined and conuerted to other vses The Aire in this County is temperate wholesome and pleasant and the Soile by reason of his fatnesse is both rich and fruitfull yeelding Corne Grasse and Marle in abundance The middle part of the Shire being high called the Chilterne Hills hath beene and still is well stored with woods and the Vallies lying plaine are very fruitfull for medowes tillage and pastures feeding infinite numbers of fleecie sheepe BVCKINGHAM SHIRE Oxford-shire THe Histories of our English-Saxons say that the Citie of Oxford deriueth the name from the Foord of Oxen from which Citie the whole County is called Oxfordshire which is enuironed on the North side with Warwicke and Northampton-shires on the East with Buckingham the West with Glocester and the South by Barkshire It containeth in length from Cleydon North-west to Cauersham South-east neere forty miles and in bredth from the aforesaid Cleydon North to Farringdon vpon the Riuer Isis in the South which is the broadest of the Shire almost 26. miles causing the circumference to come neere to 130 miles This County is diuided into 14 Hundreds and they haue 280 Parish Churches contained in them It is interlaced with 3. Riuers which are fitted with 26. Bridges Foure Forests and 9 Parks doe also beautifie this County and for commerce and traffique of commodities there are dispersed 10 Market Townes the chiefe whereof is the faire Citie and euer renowned Vniuersitie of Oxford which for the infinite numbers of most learned reuerend and famous Fathers Doctors Scholers it hath produced and enriched this Kingdome withal hath made it selfe not only glorious in this our Nation but purchased an euer-liuing fame and memorie thorow all the Kingdomes of Christendome This Citie hath beene walled and strongly fortified with a Castle which though time hath now vtterly ruined yet is it adorned with 17 most stately Colleges 8 Halls and many other most beautifull buildings The Pole is there eleuated 51. 47. and the Longitude 23. 15. About six miles from this Citie is seated Woodflocke where King Hen. 2. built a Labyrinth to keepe his faire Concubine Rosamond who was afterward poisoned by the Queene and buried in the Nunnery at Godstow neere thereto adioyning This County is adorned with many faire Mannors and beautifull buildings wherein as by their ruines doth appeare haue beene many stately and richly endowed Religious Houses as Oseney Godstow Tame Burchester Euisham Beuerne and diuers others The Aire in this County is both sweet pleasant and healthfull The Soile rich commodious and fruitfull yeelding to the Inhabitants great plenty of Wood Wooll Cattell Corne Pasture and in a word almost all vsefull commodities in abundance OXFORD SHIRE Glocester-shire GLocestershire in the Saxon tongue was called Gleaucesderschyre fetching the name from the chiefest Towne the Citie of Glocester It is ingirt with Worcester and Warwickeshires on the North Somersetshire on the South Oxford and Wiltshires on the East and Hâ—refordshire on the West The length of it reaching from Bristow vpon Auon South to Clifford vpon Auon North is much vpon 48 miles and the bredth extending from Lechlad East to Preston West 28. which causeth the whole compasse to containe about 138 miles The ancient Inhabitants of this County were the Dobuni and in some part the Silures This Prouince is diuided into 30 Hundreds which containe in them 280 Parish-Churches It hath three faire Riuers ouer which a man may passe by 22 Bridges the chiefe whereof is Seuerne which for store of Fish bredth of Channell and swiftnesse of Streame excelleth any other in the Land It is conueniently sprinkled with 25 Market-Townes for trade and traffique whereof two are famous Cities whereof the first and most ancient is Glocester which about the middle of the Shire is situate vpon the Riuer Seuerne It was built by the Romans and was the Garrison Towne for their Colonia Gleuum It hath beene strongly walled on all parts but that towards the Riuer as may appeare by the ruines yet remaining in many places There was the stately Nunnerie built by Osrick King of Northumberland wherein three of the Mercian Queenes succeeded one another being Prioresses The Cathedrall Church first built by Edelsâ—ed King Edward the elders sister was ruinated by the Danes but afterwards reedified and dedicated to S. Peter where King Edward the second who was murdered at Barkley Castle lies intombed The Graduation of the Pole in this Citie is 51. 54. and Longitude 22. 17. The other Citie which standeth but part in this Shire and part in Somersetshire is Bristow seated vpon the two Riuers Froome and Auon and as is formerly said the quantitie excepted for qualitie is parallel to the chiefest in England In the Iland Alney neere Glâ—cester Edmund Iron-side combatted hand to hand with Canutus the Dane And at Barkley Castle King Edward the second had a red hot spit thrust thorow his fundament into his belly The foundations of many Religious Houses haue beene both raised vp and rased downe in this County where the Aire is very pleasant and delectable the Soile being so fruitfull by nature that the very Hedge-rowes of their owne accord bring plenty of excellent fruits and in times past hath yeelded abundance of most pleasant Vines but now it produceth store of Corne Fruits Fâ—ne Wools and Iron
and is most pleasantly accommodated with Woods and Pasture GLOCESTER SHIRE Worcester-shire BY the English Saxons this County was written Wirceasderscyre which wee call Worcester shire which being inuerged on the East with Oxford and Warwicke-shires is on the West diuided from Herefordshire by Maluerne Hills the South is inuironed with Glocester-shire and the North with the County of Stafford It reacheth in length from Ridmerly South to Yardley North 32 miles and the bredth from Church Honyborne East to Tenbury West about 28. which maketh the whole circumference to amount much vpon 120 miles Into 7 Hundreds is this Shire diuided and those containe in them 152 Parish-Churches It hath but one Citie one Bishopricke but is pleasantly watered with foure faire Riuers as Auon Tame Salwarpe and Seuerne which passeth almost thorow the Center of the Shire and these may be passed ouer by 13 Bridges This Shire also is delighted with one Chase two Forests and 16 Parkes and for concourse and commerce is fitted with 10 Market Townes whereof the Citie of Worcester whence the County is so called is the chiefest which is a faire rich and populous Citie most delightfully situate on the East side of Seuerne being built somewhat like the whole Shire in a triangular forme The old Saxons called it Wireceasâ—er the Latines Vigornia and we Worcester It was founded as is supposed by the Romans to oppost the Britaines It is compassed with a wall which giues entrance thorow seuen gates and both for defence and ornament hath fiue Turrets This Citie hath diuers times tasted of diuers fortunes hauing beene sometimes almost quite consumed by fire and otherwise grieuously oppressed by enemies and yet is now againe become a famous and magnificent Citie which hath a faire Cathedrall Church first founded by Sexwolfe the Bishop in the yeere 680. wherein are interred the bodies of King Iohn that was poisoned by a Monke and Prince Arthur King Henry the Seuenths eldest sonne The gouernment of this Citie is orderly menaged by two Bailiffes two Aldermen two Chamberlaines and two Constables which being chosen out of 24 Burgesses are annually changed The Pole is here eleuated 52. 19. and the Longitude is 22. 17. The ancient Inhabitants of this County were the Cornauij who in Claudius Caesars time were ouercome by the Romans after whose departure it became part of the Mercian Saxon kingdome Vpton in this Shire in the Romans time was a place of Garrison for their Legions and to this day are many of their moneyes found there In this County haue many famous Religious Houses beene founded but by King Henry the Eighth were they rased downe like the rest and nothing now remaining for their memoriall but huge heaps of pitifull ruines And with diuers strong Castles also hath this County beene fortified whereof the most of them haue felt the heauy hand of fortune to suppresse them as low as their foundations were laid In a most temperate and pleasant aire is this Shire seated and for fertilitie of Soile may be accounted comparable to the best in the Land It is plentifully stored with all kinde of most necessary commodities yeelding abundance of Corne Cattell Woods and Pastures hauing the fields and hedges set full of Peare trees wherewith they make much Peâ—â—y Besides all which in this Prouince are many Salt Springs and diuers other profitable commodities which yeeld welcome gaine to the Inhabitants WORCESTER SHIRE Warwicke-shire WArwicke-shire is so called from the Shire-Towne now vulgarly named Warwicke but was â—â—armed by the Saxons Warringwicke as our euer famous Historian M. Camden records which he also iudgeth to haue beene the Romans Garrisons Towne By Ptolemy they were called the Cornauij wherein after were seated the Mercian Saxons It is enuironed with the County of Stafford on the North Watling-street and Northampton-shire on the East Oxford and Glocester-shires on the South and Worcester-shire on the West It is extended from Newton in the North to Long Compton in the South 33. miles and is spread in widenesse from Hewell Grange in the West to Hill Morton in the East 25 miles the whole circuit thereof being 135 miles It is diuided into fiue Hundreds viz. Hemlingford Couentry Knightlow Barklichway and Kington wherein are 158 Parish-Churches This Shire is interlaced with eight Riuers as Auon Anker Blyth Bourne Leame Sherburne Sowe and Tame being fitted with 29 Bridges It is traded with 16 Market Townes the chiefe whereof are Couentry and Warwicke Couentry being stately adorned with faire buildings well fortified with a Wall wherein are 13 Gates and 18 Towers by the grant of King Edward the Third whereby also they might elect a Maior and two Bailiffes but by King Henry the Sixth it was incorporated a County of it selfe and the names of Bailiffes turned into Sheriffes by which at this day it is gouerned At Goffard Gate in the East end of this Citie hangs the shield-bone of a wilde Boare slaine by Sir Guy of Warwicke as the report goes Warwicke is built vpon the North-East banke of Auon by Gurgustius the sonne of Belinus 375 yeeres before the birth of our Sauiour There is a very sumptuous Castle lately repaired by Sir Fulke Greuill and from the Towne ouer the Riuer is a very faire strong stone Bridge the passage into the Towne being hewed out of the Rocke It hath two faire Churches and is gouerned by a Bailiffe 12 Brethren and 24 Burgesses This Shire is beautified with many faire Edifices hauing had sometime 12 notable foundations of Religious Houses and Monasteries 20 Parks and one Chase The Riuer Auon hath on the North side the Woodland and on the South side the Feilden with the Vale of Red-Horse It is abundantly fruitfull producing plenty of Corne Wools and Wood with Mines of Iron and Cole At a place called Shugborow in this Shire is found the pretious stone â—storices At Offchurch is the Palace of the great Norman Commander Offa. At Lemington farre from the Sea is a Spring where Salt water continually boyles vp And at Newnham Regis is found a Well the water whereof is very medicinable for many diseases and turneth wood into stone At Guyes Cliffe neere Warwicke the famous Earle Guy after many worthy exploits atchieued lead an Hermites life vnknowne WARWICK SHIRE Northampton-shire THis Shire by the Saxons tearmed Northafendonscire and by vs Northampton-shire is long and narrow seated very neere the Center of England and is bounded on the East by Huntington-shire hauing the Riuer Nene to diuide them on the West by Warwicke and Watling-street the North is seuered from Lincolne-shire by the Riuer Weland and Oxford and Buckingham-shires inclose it on the South It containes in length from Cherwell to Weland Riuer neere Crowland 46 miles and at the broadest betweene the Riuers of Ouse and Auon neere 20 the whole circuit being about 119 miles Into 20 Hundreds is this Shire shared which containe in them 326 Parish Churches and with fiue Riuers is it watered which are passeable by 24 Bridges