princely Houses inheritable to the English Crown are â—eated in this Shire which are Enfield Hanworth White-hall S. Iames and Hampton-Court a City rather in shew than the Palace of a Prince and for stately Port and gorgeous building not inferiour to any in Europe At Thistleworth once stood the Palace of King Richard of the Romans Earl of Cornwall which the Londoners in a tumultuous broile burned to the ground many other stately Houses of our English Nobility Knights and Centlemen as also of the Worshipful Citizens of London are in this Shire so sumptuously built and pleasantly seated as the like in the like circuit are no where else to be found Near unto Thamesis entrance into this County is kept the remembrance of Caesars entrance over Thamesis by the name of Coway-stakes stuck fast in the bottom to impeach his designs and further at Stanes a Maire-stone once stood for a mark of Iurisdiction that London had so far upon Thameâ—is 7 Which City is more ancient than any true Record beareth fabuled from Brute Troynovant from Lud Ludstone But by more credible Writers Tacitus Ptolomy and Antonine Londinium by Ammianus Marcellinus for her successive prosperity Augustâ— the great title that can be given to any by Britains Londayn by Strangers Londra and by us London This City doth shew as the Cedars among other Trees being the seat of the British Kings the Chamber of the English the model of the Land and the Mart of the World for thither are brought the silk of Asia the Spices from Africa the Balms from Grecia and the riches of both the Indies East and West no City standing so long in fame nor any for divine and politick government may with her be compared Her walls were first set by great Constantine the first Christian Emperour at the suit of his Mother Queen Helen reared with rough Stone and British Brick three English miles in compass thorow which are now made seven most fair gates besides three other passages for entrance Along the Thameâ—is this wall at first ranged and with two gates openedâ— the one Doure-gate now Dowgate and the other Billingsgate a receptacle for Ships In the midst of this wall was set a mile-mark as the like was in Rome from whence were measured their stations for carriage or otherwise the same as yet standeth and hath been long known by the name of London Stone Upon the East of this City the Church of S. Peters is thought to be the Cathedral of Restitutâ—â— the Christians Bishops See who lived in the reign of great Constantine but since St. Pauls in the West part from the Temple of Diana assumed that dignity whose greatness doth exceed any other at this day and spires so high that twice it hath been consumed by lightning from heaven Besides this Cathedral God is honoured in one hundred twenty one Churches more in this City that is ninety six within the walls sixteen without but within the Liberties and nine more in her Suburbs and in Fitz Stephens time thirteen Convents of relgious Orders It is divided into 26 Wards governed by so many grave Aldermen a Lord Major and two Sheriffs the yearly choice whereof was granted them by Patent from King Iohn in whose time also a Bridge of stone was made over Thames upon nineteen Arches for length breadth beauty and building the like again not found in the World 8 This London as it were disdaining bondage hath set her self on each side far without the walls and hath leâ—t her West gate in the midst from whence with continual buildings still affecting greatness she hath continued her streets unto a Kings Palace and joyned a second City to her self famous for the Seat and Sepulchre of our Kings and for the Gates of Iustice that termly there are opened only once a Bishops See whose title died with the man No walls are set about this City and those of London are left to shew rather what it was than what it is Whose Citizens as the Lacedemonians did do impute their strength in their men and not in their walls how strong soever Or else for their multitude cannot be circulated but as another Ierusalem is inhabited without walls as Zachary said The wealth of this City as Isa once speak of Nilus grows from the Revenues and Harvest of her South bounding Thames whose trafique for merchandizing is like that of Tyrus whereof Ezekiel speaks and stands in abundance of Silver Iron Tinn and Lead c. And for London her channel is navigable straitned along with meadowing borders until she taketh her full liberty in the German Seas Upon this Thamesis the Ships of Tharsis seem to ride and the Navy that rightly is termed the Lady of the Sea spreads her sail Whence twice with lucky success hath been accomplished the compassing of the universal Globe This River Câ—nutus laying siege against London sought by digging to divert and before him the Danes had done great harmes in the City yet was their State recovered by King Elfred and the River kept her old course notwithstanding that cost In the times of the Normans some civil broyles have been attempted in this City as in the days of King Iohn whereinto his Barons entred and the Tower yielded unto Lewis And again Waâ— Tyleâ— herein committed outragioâ—s cruelties but was worthily struck down by the Major and stain in Smithfield This Cities graduation for Latitude is the degree 51 45 minutes and in Longitude 20 degrees 29 minutes 9 In this County at Barnet upon Easter-day a bloudy battel was fought betwixt Henry the sixt and Edward the fourth wherein was slain one Marquess one Earl three Lords and with them ten thousand Englishmen 10 The division of this Shire is into seven hundreds wherein are seated two Cities four Market-Towns and seventy three Parish Churches besides them in London where in the Church of Gray-â—ryâ—rs now called Christ-Chuâ—ch three Queens lye interred which were Queen Margaret the D. of Phil. the hardy King of France second wife to King Edward the first the second was Queen Isabel wife to King Edward the second and D. to Philip the fair King of France and the third was Queen Ioan their daughter married to David King of Scotland ESSEX COUNTY ESSEX CHAPTER XV. ESSEX by the Normans Excessa and by the vulgar Essex is a County large in compass very populous and nothing inferiour to the best of the Land 2 The Form thereof is somewhat circular excepting the East part which shooteth her self with many Promontories into the Sea and from Horsey Island to Haidon in the West the broadest part of the Shire are they by measure forty miles and the length from East Ham upon Thamesis in the South to Sturmere upon the River Stow in the North are thirty five miles the whole in circumference one hundred forty six miles 3 It lyeth bounded upon the North with Suffolk and Cambridge-Shires upon the West with Hertford and Middlesex upon the South by Thamesis is parted from
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 Câ—sar 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 Dâ—nes miserably spoiled this City in the time of King Ethelred neither haâ—n 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 Râ—gni 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 â—axons Kingâ—ome yet that giving place to the VVest-Saxons as they
with great efficacy 4 As Cornwall so this hath the same Commodities that arise from the Seas and being more inlaâ—ded hath more commodious Havens for Shippings entercourse among whom Totnes is famous for Brutes first entrance if Geffry say true or if Havillan the Poet took not a Poetical liberty when speaking of Brute he wrote thus The Gods did guide his sail and course the winds were at command And Totnes was the happy shour where first he came on land But with more credit and lamentable event the Danes at Teigne-mouth first entred for the invasion of this Land about the year of Christ 787 unto whom Britrik King of the West-Saxons sent the Steward of his house to know their intents whom râ—sistantly they slew yet were they forced back to their Ships by the Inhabitants though long they stayed not but eagerly pursued their begun enterprises With more happy success hath Plimouth set forth the purchasers of same and stopped the entrance of Englands Invaders as in the reign of that eternized Queen the â—irrour of Princes Elizabeth of everlasting memory for from this Port Sir Francis Drake that potent man at Sea setting forth Anno 1577 in the space of two years and ten months did compass the circle of the earth by Sea And the Lord Charles Howard Englands high Admiral did not only from hence impeach the entrance of the proud invincible Spanish Navy intending invasion and subversion of State but with his Bullets so signed their passage that their sides did well shew in whose hands they had been as seals of their own shame and his high honour 5 The Commodities of this Shire consist much in Wools and Clothings where the best and finest Kersies are made in the Land Corn is most plenteous in the fruitful Vallies and Cattle spreading upon the topped Hills Sea-Fish and Fowl exceedingly abundant Veins of Lead yea and some of Silver in this Shire are found and the Load-stone not the least for use and esteem from the Rocks upon Dart-more hath been taken Many fresh Spâ—ings bubble from the Hills in this Province which with a longing desire of Society search out their passage till they meet and conjoyn in the Vallies and gathering still strength with more branches lastly grow bodies able to bear Ships into the Land and to lodge them of great burthen in their bosoms or Falls whereof Tamer Tave and Ex are the fairest and most commodious 6 Upon which last the chief City and shire Town of this County is seated and from that River hath her name Excester this City by Ptolomy is called Isca by the Itinerary of Antonius Emperour Isca Danmonioram and by the Welsh Pencaer It is pleasantly seated upon the gentle ascent of an hill so stately for building so rich with inhabitants so frequent for commeree and concourse of strangers that a man can desire nothing but there it is to be had saith VVilliam of Malmesbury The walls of this City first built by King Athelstane are in a manner circular or round but towards the Ex rangeth almost in a straight line having six Gates for entrance and many Watch-Towers interposed betwixt whose compass containeth about fifteen hundred paces upon the East part of this City standeth a Castle of Rugemont sometimes the Palace of the VVest-Saxon Kings and after them of the Earls of Cornwall whose Prospect is pleasant unto the Sea and over against it a most magnificent Cathedral Church founded by King Athelstane also in the honour of S. Peter and by Edward the Confessor made the Bishops See which he removed from Crediton or Kirton in this County unto the City of Excester as saith the private History of that place whose dilapidations the reverend Father in God VVilliam now Bishop of the Diocess with great cost hath repaired whom I may not name without a most thankful remembrance for the great benefits received by his carefull providence towards me and mine This City was so strong and so well stored of Britains that they held out against the Saxons for 465 years after their first entrance and was not absolutely won until Athelstane became Monarch of the whole who then peopled it with his Saxons and enriched the beauty thereof with many fair buildings but in the times of the Danish desolation this City with the rest felt their destroying hands for in the year 875 it was by them sore afflicted spoiled and shaken and that most grievously by Swane in the year of Christ Iesus 1003. who razed it down from East to West so that scarcely had it gotten breath before VVilliam the bastard of Normandy besieged it against whom the Citizens with great manhood served till a part of the wall fell down of it self and that by the hand of Gods providence saith mine Author Since when it hath been three times besieged and with valiant resistance ever defended The first was by Hugh Courtney Earl of Devonshire in the civil broiles betwixt Lancaster and York Then by Perkin VVarbeck that counterfeited Richard Duke of York And lastly by the Cornish Rebels wherein although the Citizens were grievously pinched with scarcity yet continued they their faithful allegiance unto King Edward the sixth and at this day flourisheth in tranquility and wealth being governed by a Major twenty four Brethren with a Recorder Town-Clerk and other Officers their Attendants This Cities graduation is set in the degree of Latitude from the North Pole 50 and 45 scruples And for Longitude from the West to the degree 16 and 25 scruples Neither is Ioseph that excellent Poet whose birth was in this City the least of her Ornaments whose Writings bear so great credit that they were divulged in the German Language under the name of Cornelius Nepos The like credit got Crediton in her birth child VVinifred the Apostle of the Hassians Thuringers and Frisians of Germany which were converted by him unto Gospel and knowledge of Christ. 7 Places memorable in this County remaining for signs of Battles or other antiquities are these Upon Exmore certain Monuments of Antick-work are erected which are stones pitched in order some Triangle-wise and some in round compass These no doubt were trophies of Victories there obtained either by the Romans Saxons or Danes and with Danish Letters one of them is inscribed giving direction to such as should travel that way Hublestowe likewise near unto the mouth of â—awe was the burial place of Huba the Dane who with his Brother Hungar had harried the English in divers parts of the Land But lastly was there encountred with and slain by this Shires Inhabitants and under a heap of copped stones interred and the Banner Reasen there and then taken that had so often been spread in the Danes quarrel and wherein they reposed no small confidence for success 8 A double dignity remaineth in this County where Princes of State have born the Titles both of Devon-shire and Excester of which City there have been entituled Dukes the last of whom namely Henry Holland
obtained either by or against Rollo the Dane who in the year 876 entred England and in this Shire fought two battles one neer unto Hoâ—k-Norton and a second at the ScienStane 6 Rodâ—ot likewise remaineth as a monument of Oxfords highâ— styled Earl but unfortunate Prince Robert de Vere who besides the â—arldom was created by King Richard the second Mâ—â—quess of Dublin and Duke of Ireland but at that Bridge discomfited in fight by the Nobles and forced to swim the River where began the downfal of his high mounted fortunes for being driven forth of his Country lastly died in exile and distressed estate But more happy is this County in producing far more glorious Princes as King Edward the Confessor who in Islip was born Edward the victorious black Prince in Woodstock and in Oxford that warlike Coeur de Lion King Richard the first the son of King Henry the second first took breath 7 Which City is and long hath been the glorious seat of the Muses the British Athens and learnings well spring from whose living Fountain the wholsome waters of all good literature streaming plenteously have made fruitful all other parts of this Realm and gained glory amongst all Nations abroad Antiquity avoucheth that this place was consecrated unto the sacred Sciences in the time of the Old Britains and that from Greek-lod a Town in Wilt shire the Academy was translated unto Oxford as unto a Plant-plot both more pleasing and fâ—uitful whereto accordeth the ancient Burlaeus and Necham this latter also alledging Merlin But when the beauty of the Land lay under the Saxons prophane feet it sustained a part of these common calamities having little reserved to uphold its former glory save onely the famous monument of S. Frideswids Virgin Conquest no other School then left standing besides her Monastery yet those great blasts together with other Danish storms being well blown over King Elfred that learned and religious Monarch recalled the exiled Muses to their sacred place and built there three goodly Colledges for the studies of Divinity Philosophy and other Arts of humanity sending thither his own son Ethelward and drew thither the young Nobles from all parts of his Kingdom The first Reader thereof was his supposed brother Neote a man of great learning by whose direction King Elfred was altogether guided in this his goodly foundation At which time also Assereus Menevensis a writer of those times affairs read the Grammar and Rhetorick and affirmeth that long before them Gildas Melkin Ninius Kentigern S. German and others spent there their lives in learned studies From which time that it continued a Seedploâ— of learning till the Norman Conquest Ingulphus â—ecordeth who himself then lived No marvel then if Matthew Paris calleth Oxford the second School of Christendom and the very chief Pillar of the Catholick Church And in the Council holden at Vienna it was ordâ—ined that in Paris Oxford â—ononiâ— and Salamanca the onely Vniversities then in Europe should be erected Schools for the Hebrew Greek Arabick and Caldean tongues and that Oxford should be the general universiâ—y for all England Ireland Scotland and Wales which point was likewise of such weight with the Council of Constance that from this pâ—â—cedent of Oxford University it was concluded that the English Nation was not only to have pâ—ecedence oâ— Spain in all General Councils but was also to be held equal with France it self By which high peâ—ogatives this of ours hath always so flourished that in the days of King Henry the third thirty tâ—ousand Students were therein resident as Archbishop Armachanus who then lived hath writ and Riâ—haâ—ger then also living sheweth that for all the civil wars which hindred such placâ—s of quiet study yet 15000 Students were there remaining whose names saith he were entered in Matricula in the matriculation book About which time Iohn Baliol the father of â—aliol King of Scots built a Colledge yet bearing his name Anno 1269 and Walter Merton Bishop of Rochester that which is now called Merton Colledge both of them beautified with buiâ—dings and enriched wâ—th landâ— and were the first endowed Colledges for learning in all Christendom And at this present there are sixteen Colledges besides another newly builded with eight Halls and many most fair Collegiate Churches all aâ—orned with most stately buildings and enriched with great endowments noble Libraries and most learned Graduates of all professions that unless it be her sister Cambridge the other â—ursing breast of this land the like is not found again in the World This City is also honoured with an Episcopal See As for the site thereof it is removed from the Equatâ—r in the degree 52 and one minute and from the West by Mercators measure 19 degrees and 20 minutes â— As this County is happy in the possâ—ssion of so famous an Academy so it is graced with most Princely Palaces apperâ—aining to the English Crown whereof Woodsâ—ock is the most ancient and magnificent built to that glory by King Henry the first and enlarged with a Labyrinth of many windings by King Henry the second to hide from his jealous Iuno his intirely beloved Concubine Rosamond Clifford a Damosel of surpassing beauty where notwithstanding followed by a clew of silk that fell from her lap she was surprised and poâ—soned by Queen Eleanor his wife and was first buried at Godsâ—ow Nunnery in the midst of the quiâ—e under a Hearse of silk set about with lights whom Hugh Bishop of Lincoln thinking it an unfâ—t object for Virgins devotion caused to be removed into the Church â—ard but those chast sisters liked so well the memory of that kind Lady as that her bones they translated again into their Chappel Bensington is another of his Majesties Mannors built by William de la Pole Duke of Suffolk but now in neglect through the annoyance arising from the waters or marishes adjoyning Houses built for devotion and for abuse suppressed and again put down the chief in account were Enishamâ— Osney Bruern Godsâ—ow Burchester and Tame besides S. Frideswides and very many other stately Houses of Religion in this City The Division of this Shire is into fourteen Hundreds wherein are seated ten Market-Towns and two â—undred and fourscore Parish Câ—uâ—ches Glocester Shire GLOCESTER-SHIRE CHAPTER XXIII GLOCESTER-SHIRE lieth bordered upon the North with Worcester and Warwick-shires upon the East with Oxford and Wilt-shires upon the South altogether with Somerset-Shire and upon the West with the River Wye and Hertford shire 2 The length thereof extended from Bristow upon the River Avon in her South unto Clifford upon another Avon in her North are about forty eight miles and her broadest part from East to West is from Lechland unto Preston containing twenty eight the whole circumference about one hundred thirty eight miles 3 The Form whereof is somewhat long and narrow the Air thereof is pleasant sweet and delectable and for fruitfulness of Soyl hear Malmesbury and not me The ground of this Shire throughout saith
shiâ—e Dudley in Stafford-shire and Rochford in Herâ—ford-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 Alâ—ecester Cochel Eladbury Malverin Pershore Stodlâ—ge 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 destâ—uction 9 Castles for defence built in this County â—uinate or in strength were Hartlebâ—ry Holt Haâ—dley Norton Elmely and Worcester besides his Majesties Mannour of Tichnel 10 This Shires diviâ—ion 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 Nortâ—ampton-â—hire the South part is butted by Oxford and Glocester-shires and all her West with the County of Worcesâ—er 2 The Form thereof is not much unlike to a Scallop-shell growing from her Western-head and sprâ—ading 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 Hâ—wellgrange in the West unto Hill-morton in the East distant assunder twenty five miles the whole in circumference aboâ—t one hundred thiâ—ty 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 Husbâ—ndman smileth in beholding his pains and the meadowing pastures with their green mantles so imbroydred with â—lowers that from Edg-hill we may behold another Eden as Lot did the Plain of Ioâ—dan 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 poâ—sessed this Province are by Ptolomies description called the Cornavii wherein after were seated the Mercian Saxons a part of whose Kingdom it was and greatâ—y sought after by the West Saxons whose King Cutâ—red about the year of Châ—ist Iesus 749 in Battel â—ew Ethelbald at Sekington neer unto Tamworth And not far from thence King Edward the 4 aâ— unfortunatelâ— fought agaiâ—st that â—tout make-King Richard Nevil Earl of Warwiâ—k 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 complâ—int 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 â—irst Lord Leofrikâ— had their priviledges infringed and themselves oppressed with many heavy Tributes whose wife Lady Godiva pitying their estates uncessantly sâ—ed 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 â—er 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 â—ver and her pity followed by sâ—ch posâ—essing Ladies This City had grant to choose their yearly Magistrates a Mayor and two Bayliffs and to build about and â—mbattle a wall by King Edward the 3 whom Heâ—ry 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 sâ—out the great Pit called Swanswell was turned up and was â—â—ain 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 riâ—ing 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 prâ—sent 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 Nâ—nnery 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 Townclâ—rk and one Sergâ—ant their Attendant 7 Places of most memorable note observed in this Shire are Shugbury where the
the degree of Latitude 54 yet the warmth from the Irish-Seas melteth the Snow and dissolveth Ice sooner there then in those parts that are further off and so wholsome for life that the Inhabitants generally attain to many years 4 The Soyl is fat fruitful and rich yielding abundantly both profit and pleasures for Man The Champion grounds make glad the hearts of their Tillers The Meadows imbroydered with divers sweet smelling Flowers and the Pasture makes the Kines Udder to strout to the Pail from whom and wherein the best Cheese of all Europe is made 5 The ancient Inhabitants were the CORNAVII who with Warwick-shire Worcester-shire Stafford-shire and Shrop-shire spread themselves further into this County as in Ptolomy is placed and the Cangi likewise if they be the Ceaâ—gi whose remembrance was found upon the Shore of this Shire on the surface of certain pieces of Lead in this manner inscribed IMP. DOMIT. AU. GER DF CEANG. These Cangi were subdued by P. Ostorius Scapula immediately before his great Victory against Caractacus where in the mouth of Deva he built a Fortress at the back of the Ordovices to restrain their power which was great in those parts in the Reign of Vespasian the Emperour But after the departure of the Romans this Province became a Portion of the Saxon-Mercians Kingdom notwithstanding saith Ran Higdan the City it self was held by the Britains until all fell into the Monarchy of Egbert Of the dispositions of the fince Inhabitants hear Lucan the Monk who lived prelently after the Conquest speak They are found saith he to differ from the rest of the English partly better and partly equal In feasting they are friendly at meat chearful in entertainment liberal soon aâ—gry and soon pacified lavish in words impatient of servitude merciful to the afflicted compassionate to the poor kind to their kindred spary of labour void of dissimulation not greedy in eating and far from dangerous practises And let me add thus much which Lucian could not namely that this Shire hath never been stained with the blot of Rebellion but ever stood true to their King and his Crown whose loyalty Richard the Second so far found and esteemed that he held his Person most safe among them and by the Authority of Parliament made the County to be a Principality and stiled himself Prince of Chester King Henry the Third gave it to his eldest Son Prince Edward against whom Lewlin Prince of Wales gathered a mighty Band and with them did the County much harm even unto the Cities Gaâ—es With the like scare-fires it had oft times been affrighted which the ylastâ—y defenced with a Wall made of the Welsh-mens Heads on the South side of Dee in Hambridge The Shire may well be said to be a Seed-plot of Gentility and the producer of many most ancient and worthy Families neither hath any brought more men of valour into the Field than Chess-shire hath done who by a general speech are to this day called The chief of Men and for Natures endowments besides their nobleness of minds may compare with any other Nation in the World their Limbs straight and well-composed their complexions fair with a chearful countenance and the Women for grace feature and beauty inferiour unto none 6 The Commodities of of this Province by the report of Ranulphus the Monk of Chester are chiefly Corn Cattle Fish Fowl Salt Mines Metals Mears and Rivers whereof the Banks of Dee in her West and the Vale-Royal in her midst for fruitfulness of pasturage equals any other in the Land either in grain or gain from the Cow 7 These with all other provision for life are traded thorow thirteen Market-Towns in this Shire whereof Chester is the fairest from whom the Shire hath the name A City raised from the Fort of Ostorius Lieutenant of Britain for Claudius the Emperour whither the twentieth Legion named Victrix was sent by Galba to restrain the Britains but grown themselves out of order Iulius Agricola was appointed their General by Vespasian as appeareth by Moneys then Minted and there found and from them no doubt by the Britains the place waâ— called Cder-Legion by Ptolomy Denanâ— by Antonine Dena and now by us West-Chester but Henry Bradshaw will have it built before Brute by the Giant Leon Gaver a Man beyond the Moon and called by Marius the vanquisher of the Picts Over Deva or Dee a fair Stone-bridge leadeth built upon eight Arches at either end whereof is a Gate from whence in a long Quadrant-wise the Walls do incompass the City high and strongly built with four fair Gates opening into the four Winds besides three 〈◊〉 and seven Watch-Towers extending in compass one thousand nine hundred and forty paces On the South of this City is mounted a strong and stately Castle round in form and the base Court likewise inclosed with a circular Wall In the North is the Minster first built by Earl Leofrike to the honour of S. Werburga the Virgin and after most sumptuously repaired by Hugh the first Earl of Chester of the Normans now the Cathedral of the Bishops See Therein lyeth interred as report doth relate the body of Henry the Fourth Emperour of Almane who leaving his Imperial Estate lead lastly therein an Hermites life This City hath formerly been sore defaced first by Egfrid King of Northumberland where he slew twelve hundred Christian Monks resorted thither from Bangor to pray Again by the Danes it was sore defaced when their destroying feet had trampled down the beauty of the Land But was again rebuilt by Edelfleada the Mercian Lady who in this County and Forrest of Delamer built two fine Cities nothing of them now remaining besides the Chamber in the Forrest Chester in the daies of King Edgar was in most flourishing estate wherein he had the homage of eight other Kings who rowed his Barge from S. Iohns to his Palace himself holding the Helm as their Supream This City was made a County incorporate of it self by King Henry the Seventh and is yearly governed by a Major with Sword and Mace born before him in State two Sheriffs twenty four Aldermen a Recorder a Town-Clerk and a Serjeant of Peace four Sergeants and six â—eomen It hath been accounted the Key into Ireland and great pity it is that the Port should decay as it daily doth the Sea being stopped to secure the River by a Causey that thwarteth Dee at her bridge Within the Walls of the City are eight Parish-Churches St. Iohns the greater and lesser in the Suburbs are the VVhite-Fryers Black-Fryers and Nunnery now suppressed From which City the Pole is elevated unto the degree 53 58 minutes of Latitude and from the first point of the West in Longitude unto the 17 degree and 18 minutes 8 The Earldom whereof was possessed from the Conquerour till it fell lastly to the Crown the last of whom though not with the least hopes is Prince Henry who to the Titles of Prince of VVales and Duke of Cornwall hath
upon that narrow space of ground betwixt Edenborough Frith and Dunbetton Bay maketh the Southern part a province unto the Roman Empire Afterwards Hadrian the Emperour seeing perhaps the Province too spacious to be well governed without great expence drew back these limits almost sourscore miles shorter even to the mouth of the River Tyne which he fortified with a wall of admirable work unto Carlâ—le where stood the Lands border while it was a Roman Province yet the conquering Saxons did spread again over those bounds and as seemeth enlarged their government to that first Tract as by this inscription in a Stone Cross standing upon a Bridge over the water of Frith appeareth I am a free Mark as Passengers may ken To Scots to Britains and to English men 10 But afterward William the Conquerour and Malcolm King of Scotland falling to an agreement for their limits arreared a Cross upon Stanemore where on the one side the portraiture and Armes of the King of England was sculptured and of the King of Scots on the other a piece whereof is yet remaining there near to the Spittle thence called the Rey-Cross there erected to be a Meare-stone to either Kingdome His successors also abolished the two partitions in the West whereby the Welsh became one Nation and Kingdome with the English It is also said that King Stephen to purchase friendship with the Scottish Nation gave unto their King the County of Cumberland who with it held both Westmorland and Northumberland but as Newbrigensis writeth he restored them to King Henry the second wisely considering his great power and right to those parts 11 The last known borders were from the Sulway in the West bay along the Cheviot hills unto the water of Tweed by Barwick in the East to maintain which on each part many Laws have been made and many inrodes robberies and fewdes practised all which by the hand of God is cut off and by the rightfull succession of King Iames our Soveraigne who hath broken down the partition of this great Island and made the extreames of two Kingdomes the very midst of his great united Empire KENT KENT CHAPTER III. KENT the first province appearing in the South of this Kingdom is bounded upon the North with the famous River Thamisis on the East with the German Ocean on the South with Sussex and the narrow Seas and upon the West with Sussex and Surrey The length thereof extending from Langley in the West unto Ramsgate Eastward in the Isle of Thanet is about 53 English miles From Rother in the South unto the Isle of Graine Northward the breadth is not much above 26 and the whole circumference about 160 miles 2 In form it somewhat resembleth the head of a Hammer or Battle-axe and lieth corner-wise into the Sea by Strabo Caesar Diodorus and Pâ—olomy called Cantium of Cant or Canton an Angle or Corner or of Caine a British word which signifieth Bushes or VVoods whereof that County in those former times was plentifully stored 3 The Air though not very clear because of the vapours arising from the Sea and Rivers that environ the same is both wholesome and temperate as seated nearest to the Equinoctial and the furthest from the North Pole not touched with cold as the other parts of the Land are 4 The soil towards the East is uneven rising into little hills the West more level and Woody in all places fruitful and in plenty equals any other of the Realm yea and in some things hath the best esteem as in broad cloths Fruits and feeding for Cattel Onely Mines except Iron are wanting all things else delivered with a prodigal heart and liberal hand 5 Sundry navigable Rivers are in Kent whereof Medway that divideth the shire in the midst is chief in whose bosome securely rideth his Majesties Navy Royal the walls of the Land and terrours of the Sea besides ten other of name and account that open with twenty Creeks and Havens for Ships arrivage into this Land four of them bearing the name of Cinque Ports are places oâ— great strength and priviledges which are Dover Sandwich Rumney and Winchelsey among which Dover with the Castle is accounted by Matthew Paris the Monk the lock and key to the whole Realm of England and by Iohn Rosse and Lidgate is said to be built by Iulius Caesar fatal only for the death of King Stephen and surrender of King Iohn therein happening 6 A conceit is that Goodwin Sands were sunk for the sins of himself and his sons Shelves indeed that dangerously lie on the North-east of this County and are much feared of all Navigators These formerly had been firm ground but by a sudden inundation of the Sea were swallowed up as at the same time a great part of Flanders and the Low Countries were and the like also at the same time befel in Scotland as Hector Boetius their Historiographer writeth A like accident hapned in the year 1586 the fourth day of August in this County at Mottingham a Town eight miles from London suddenly the ground began to sink and three great Elmes thereon growing were carried so deep into the bowels of the earth that no part of them could any more be seen the hole left in compass fourscore yards about and a line of fifty fathoms plummed into it doth find no bottom 7 The Kentish people in Caesars time were accounted the civillest among the Britains and as yet esteem themselves the freest Subjects of the English not conquered but compounded with by the Normans and herein glory that their King and Commons of all the Saxons were the first Christians converted in Anno 596 yea and long before that time also Kent received the Faith for it is recorded that Lucius the first Christian British King in this Island built a Church to the name and service of Christ within the Castle of Dover endowing it with the Toll of the same Haven 8 This County is enriched with two Cities and Bishops Sees strengthened with 27 Castles graced with 8 of His Majesties most Princely Houses traded with 24 Market-Towns and beautified with many stately and gorgeous buildings The chiefest Ciâ—y thereof the Motropolitane and Arch-bishops See is Canterbury buiâ—t as our British Historians report 900 years before the birth of â—hrist by Henry of Huntington called Caier-Kent wherein as M. Lambard saith was erected the first School of professed Arts and Sciences and the same a pattern unto Sigibert King of the East Angles for hiâ— foundation at Cambridge notwithstanding by the computation of time this Sigibert was slain by Penda King of Mercia thirty years before that Theodore the Grecian was Bishop of Canterbury who is said to be the erector of that Academy But certain it is that Austin the Monk had made this City famous before that time by the conversion of these Saxons unto Christianiâ—y and in building a most magnificent Church to Gods service wherein eight of their Kings have been interred but all their Monuments
in time to the Normans iâ— became a Province under the Conquerours power who gave to his followers much Land in these parts 6 The place of most account in this Shire is Chichester by the Britains called Câ—ercei a City beautifull and large and very well walled about first built by Cissa the second King of the â—outh Saxons wherein his Royal Palace was kept And when King VVilliam the First had enacted that Bishops Sees should be transâ—â—ted out of small Towns unto places of greater resort the Reâ—idence of the Bishop until then held at Selsey was removed to this City where Bishop Raulfe began a most goodly Cathedral Church but before it was fuâ—ly finished by a sudden mischance of fire was quite consumed Yet the same Bishop with the helping liberality of King Henry the First began it again and saw it wholly finished whose beauty and greatness her fatal enemy still envying again cast down in the dayes of King Richard the First and by her raging flames consumed the buildings both of it and the Bishops Palace adjoyning which Seffrid the second Bishop of that Name re-edified and built anew And now to augment the honour of this place the City hath born the Title of an Earldome whereof they of Arundel were sometimes so styled Whose Graduation for Latitude which is removed from the Aequator unto the degree fifty five minutes and for Longitude observing the same point in the West whence Mercator hath measured are twenty degrees 7 With whom for frequency bigness and building the Town Lewes seemeth to contend where King Athelstane appointed the mintage of his Moneys and VVilliam de VVarron built a strong Castle whereunto the disloyal Barons of King Henry the Third in warlike manner resorted and fought a great Battle against their own Soveraign and his son wherein the King had his Horse flain under him Richard King of the Romans surprised and taken in a Wind-mill and Prince Edward delivered unto them upon equal conditions of peace But a greater Battel was fought at Battle when the hazard of England was tried in one days fight and Harold the King gave place to his Conquerour by losing of his life among sixty seven thousand nine hundred seventy four Englishmen besides whose bloud so spilt gave name to the place in French Sangue lac And the soyl naturally after rain becoming of a reddish colour caused William Newbery untruly to write That if there fall any small sweet showers in the place where so great a slaughter of the English-men was made presently sweateth forth very fresh bloud out of the earth as if the evidence thereof did plainly declare the voice of bloud there shed and cried still from the earth unto the Lord. 8 But places of other note in this Shire are these from Basham Earl Harold taking the Sea for his delight in a small Boat was driven upon the Coast of Normandy where by Duke William he was retained 'till he had sworn to make him King after Edward the Confessors death which oath being broken the Bastard arrived at Pensey and with his sword revenged that Perjury At VVest-VVittering also Ellâ— the Saxon before him had landed for the conquering of those parts and gave name to the shore from Cimen his son But with greater glory doth Gromebridge raise up her head where Charles Duke of Orleance father to Lewes the twelfth King of France taken prisoner at Agincourt was there a long time detained 9 The commodities of this Province are many and divers both in Corn Cattle VVood Iron and Glass which two last as they bring great gain to their possessors so do they impoverish the County of Woods whose want will be found in ages to come if not at this present in some sort felt 10 Great have been the devotions of religious Persons in building and consecrating many houses unto the use and only service of Christ whose Beadmen abusing the intents of their Founders hath caused those Foundations to lament their own ruins For in the tempestuous time of King Henry the Eighth eighteen of them in this County were blown down whose fruit fell into the Laps of some that never meant to restore them again to the like use This County is principally divided into six Rapes every of them containing a River a Castle and Forrest in themselves besides the several Hundreds whereunto they are parted that is the Rape of Chichester into seven of Arundel into five of Bramber into ten of Lewes into thirteen of Pevensey into seventeen and of Hastings into thirteen in all fifty six wherein are seated ten Castles eighteen Market-Towns and three hundred and twelve Parish-Churches SURREY SURREY CHAPTER V. SURREY by Beda called Sutbri lieth seperated upon the North from the counties of Buckingham and Middlesex by the great River Thamisis upon the East Kent doth inbound it upon the South is held in with Sussex and Hamp-shire and her West part is bordered upon by Hamp-shire and Bark-shire 2 The form thereof is somewhat square and lieth by North and by East whereof Redrith and Frensham are the opposites betwixt whom are extended thirty four miles The broadest part is from Awfold Southward to Thamisis by Stanes and them asunder twenty two the whole in circumference is one hundred and twelve miles 3 The heavens breathing Air in this Shire is most sweet and delectable so that for the same cause many Royal Palaces of our Princes are therein seated and the Countrey better stored with game than with grain insomuch that this County is by some men compared unto a home-spun freeze-cloth with a costly fair list for that the out-verge doth exceed the middle it self And yet it is wealthy enough both in Corn and Pasturage especially in Holmesdale and towards the River of Thamisis 4 In this shire the Regni an ancient people mentioned by Ptolomy were seated whom he brancheth further through Sussex and some part of Hamp-shire And in the wane of the Romans Government when the Land was left to the will of invaders the South-Saxons under Ella here erected their Kingdome which with the first was raised and soonest found end From them no doubt the Countrey was named Suth-rey as seated upon the South of the River and now by contraction is called Surâ—ey 5 And albeit the County is barren of Cities or Towns of great estate yet is she stored with many Priâ—cely Houses yea and five of his Majesties so magnificently built that of some she may well say no shire hath none such as is None such indeed And were not Richmond a fatal place of Englands best Princes it might in estem be ranked with the richest For therein died the great Conquerour of France King Edward the Third the beautiful Ann daughter to Charles the Fourth Emperour and intirely beloved wife to King Richard the Second the most wise Prince King Henry the Seventh and the rarest of her Sex the Mirrour of Princes Queen Elizabeth the worlds love and Subjects joy 6 At Mâ—rton likewise
Grand-child to Iohn Holland half-brother to King Richard the Second siding with Lancaster against Edward the fourth whose Sister was his wife was driven to such misery as Philip Comineus repotteth that he was seen all torn and bare-footed to beg his living in the Low Countries And lastly his body was cast upon the shore of Kent as if he had perished by ship-wrack so certain is Fortune in her endowments and the state of man notwithstanding his great birth 9 Religious Houses in this Shire built in devotion and for Idolatry pulled down were at Excester Torhay Tanton Tavestokes Kirton Hartland Axminster and Berstuble 10 And the Counties divisions are parted into thirty three Hundreds wherein are seated thirty seven Market-Towns and three hundred ninety four Parish-Churches Cornwaile CORNVVALL CHAPTER X. CORNWALL as Matthew of Winchester affirmeth is so named partly from the form and partly from her people for shooting it self into the Sea like an Horn which the Britains call Kâ—rne and inhabited by them whom the Saxons named Wallia of these two compounded words it became Cornwallia Not to trouble the Reader with the Fable of Corinnus cousin to King Brute who in free gift received this County in reward of his prowess for wrestling with the Giant Gogmagog and breaking his neck from the Cliffe of Dover as he of Monmouth hath fabuled 2 Touching the temperature of this County the Air thereof is cleansed as with Bellowes by the Billowes that ever work from off her environing Seas where thorow it becometh pure and subtile and is made thereby very healthful but withall so piercing and sharp that it is apter to preserve than to recover health The Spring is not so early as in more Eastern parts yet the Summer with a temperate heat recompenseth his â—low fostering of the fruits with their most kindly ripening The Autumne bringeth a somewhat late Harvest and the Winter by reason of the Seas warm breath maketh the cold milder than else-where Notwithstanding that Countrey is much subject to stormy bâ—asts whose violence hath freedome from the open waves to beat upon the dwellers at Land leaving many times their houses uncovered 3 The Soyl for the most part is lifted up into many hills parted asunder with narrow and short valâ—â—es and a shallow earth doth cover their outside which by a Sea weed called Orewood and a certain kind of frâ—â—sul Sea-sand they make so rank and batten as is uncredible But more are the riches that out of those hills are gotten from the Mines of Copper and Tinn which Countrey was the first and continueth the best stored in that merchandize of any in the world Timaeus the Historian in Pliny reporteth that the Britains fetched their Tinn in Wicker boats stitched about with Leather And Diodorus Siculus of Augustus Caesars time writeth that the Britains in this part digged Tin out of stony ground which by Merchants was carried into Gallia and thence to Narborne as it were to a Mart. Which howsoever the English Saxons neglected yet the Normans made great benefit thereof especially Richard brother to King Henry the third who was Earl of Cornwall and by those Tinn-works became exceedingly rich for the incursions of the Moores having stopped up the Tinn-Mines in Spain and them in Germany not discovered before the year of Christ 1240. these in Cornwall supplyed the want in all parts of the world This Earl made certain Tinn-Laws which with liberties and priviledges were confirmed by Earl Edmund his son And in the days of King Edward the third the Common-weale of Tinn-works from one body was divided into four and a Lord Warden of the Stanniers appointed their Iudge 4 The Borders of this Shire on all parts but the East is bound in with the Sea and had Tamer drawn his course but four miles further to the North betwixt this County and Devonshire it might have been rather accounted an Island than stood with the Mayne Her length is from Launston to the Lands-end containing by measure 60 miles and the broadest part stretching along by the Tamer is fully forty lessening thence still lesser like a horn 5 The Antient inhabitants known to the Romans were the Danmonii that spread themselves further into Devon-shire also by the report of Diodorus Siculâ—â— a most courteous and civil people and by Michael their Poet extolled for valour and strength of limbs nor therein doth he take the liberty that Poets are allowed to add to the subject whreof they write but truly repotteth what we see by them performed who in activity surmount many other people When the Heathen Saxons had seated themselves in the best of this Land and forced the Christian Britains into these rocky parts then did Cornwall abound in Saints unto whose honour most of the Churches were erected by whose names they are yet known and called To speak nothing of Visula that Counties Dukes daughter with her company of canonized Virgin-Saints that are now reputed but to trouble the Calender These Britains in Cornwall so fenced the Countrey and defended themselves that to the reign of Athelstaâ—e they held out against the Saxons who subduing those Western Parts made Tamer the Bounder betwixt them and his English whose last Earl of the British Bloud was called Candorus 6 But William the Bastard created Robert his half-brother by Herlotta their mother the first Earl of the Normans race and Edward the Black Prince the ninth from him was by his Father King Edward the third invested the first Duke of Cornwall which Title ever since hath continued in the Crown 7 The Commodities of this Shire ministred both by Sea and Soile are many and and great for besides the abundance of Fish that do suffice the Inhabitants the Pilchard is taken who in great shuls swarm about the Coast whence being transported to France Spain and Italy yield a yearly revenue of gain unto Cornwall wherein also Copper and Tinn so plentifully grow in the utmost part of this Promontory that at a low water the veins thereof lie bare and are seen and what gain that commodity begets is vulgarly known Neither are these Rocks destitute of Gold nor Silver yea and Diamonds shaped and pointed Angle wise and smoothed by Nature her self whereof some are as big as Wallnuts inferiour to the Orient only in blackness and hardness Many are the Ports Bayes and Havens that open into this Shire both safe for arrivage and commodious transport whereof Falmouth is so copious that an hundred Ships may therein ride at Anchor apart by themselves so that from the tops of their highest Masts they shall not see each other and lie most safely under the Winds 8 This County is fruitful in Corn Cattle Sea-fish and Fowl all which with other provision for pleasures and life are traded thorow twenty two Market-Towns in this Shire whereof Lauston and Bodman are the best from which last being the middle of the Shire the Pole is elevated to the degree of Latitude 50 35 minutes and for Longitude
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 faâ—ning 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 Egbâ—rt bought this and the whole into an entire and absolute Monarchy the Danes after them laid so â—ore for this Province that at â—â—â—mfleet and Havenet now Sâ—â—bery 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 â—ight 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 bâ—ilt 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 Luâ—ius Helena and Constantine the first Christian King Empresse and Emperour in the World were born which made Nechâ—m 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 aâ—d 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 Victriâ—â—nsis 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 Ithaâ—chester 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 Coggâ—shall 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
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 swiâ—ter 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 dâ—iving 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 â—urther into Oxford-sâ—ire 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 Northumâ—erland 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 â—ister 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 Pâ—olomy 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 Gurmâ—nd 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 Lancâ—strian 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 Deorâ—ust Glocester Minching Burkley Kinswood Circester Winchcombe and Hales
sâ—ored 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 Câ—â—fford Mâ—nemue Acornbury Lemster Linbroke Peterchurch Kilpeck Dâ—râ— and VViggermore and suspected of hypocrisie were called in question by King Henry the Eighth and so strictly pursued that some faulâ—s 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 Proâ—ince 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 Snowdâ—â— Harlewois Huntington VVilion VVigmore Richards Monemue Corâ—t Kilbeck Clifford Skensfred VVâ—teney Radenwer and Kâ—nevenleis 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 Staffordâ—shire upon the East with Warwick and Oxford-shires upon the South with â—locesterâ—shire and the West by Malverne Hills is parted from Herefordâ—shire 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 sâ—pplicate their Gods with their devout praâ—ers 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 Feckeâ—â—am 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 fruitâ—ul their passage and stored with Fish of most delicious taste 4 The ancient people possâ—ssors of this Shire were the CORNAVII inhabitants of Cheâ—shire Shrop-shire Stafford and Warwick-shires subdued by the Romans in Claudius Caesars time and after their departure made a portion of the Merciâ—nâ—Saxons 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 Câ—er-VVrangon by Ninius Câ—er-Guorcon and by the Latines Vigornia This City is seated upon the East bank of Severâ—e 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 Roâ—ans built this to restrain the Britains that held all beyond Sâ—verne This City by Hardy Canute in the year of Christ 1041 was soâ—ely endangered and set on â—â—re 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 â—royles of King Sâ—ephen 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 â—ince when it hath been augmented almost to the River In the midst of whose Quiâ—e from his many turmoiles resteth the body of King Ioâ—n 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-â—ide of the same Quire lyeth entombed Prince Aâ—thur 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 Councellâ—rs 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 â—aving 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 Hâ—lls 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 thwaâ—ting disputes 7 Neither is it wiâ—hout admâ—ration to me that many places of this Shire lye far within the Precincts of other Provinces as Aulston Washborâ—es Cuttesden Paxford Hanging-Easton Northwickâ— Blockley Eurlode in Glocester-shire and Goldcote Aldermeâ—ston Newâ—old Steddenton Armiscote Blackwell Darlings-cote Shipton Tydminâ—on Olbarrow in Warwick
precious stone Astroites is found Off-Church which was the Palace of great Offa the Merciaâ— and the burial-place of S. Fremâ—nd his son Cheâ—terton 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 Imposthuâ—es and dâ—unk 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 aâ—chieved retired and unknown led an Hermâ—ts 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 Toâ—ns 〈…〉 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-â—aton Ashley â—therston 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 â—s large and narrow broadest in the South-west and thence shooâ—ing still lesser like unto a Horn nor not much unlike to the Form of Cornwal and from the entrance of Câ—erwel into this Shire unto the fall of VVeland and Nene near unto Crowland are by measure forty six miles and the broadeâ—t 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 hoâ—ses 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 chiâ—fly gotten by tillage and plough whereby Corn so plentifully aboundeth that in no other Counâ—y is found more or so much the pasâ—ures and woods are filled with Cattle and every where sheep loaden with their sleeces of wool 6 The chief Town in this Shire is Noâ—thampton 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 Bâ—rons 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 Eâ—glands civil division was fought whence Richard Nevil the stout Earl of Warwick led away prisoner that unfortunate man King Heâ—ry the sixth Upon the West part of this Town standeth a large Castle mounted upon an hill whose aged countenance well shâ—weth 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 Latiâ—ude and in Longiâ—ude is removed from the West 19 degrees and 40 scruples being yearly governed by a Mayor two Bayliffs twelve Magisâ—rates a Recorder Town-Clerk a Common Counsel of forty eight Burgesses with five Serjeants to execute buâ—iness 7 But the devotions of the Saxon-Kings made Peterbâ—row more famous formerly called Meddâ—swell 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 â—urthered in case of Chrisâ—ianity 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 reâ—edifying of the place and then became Abbot thereof himself The Cathedral is most beautiful and magniâ—ical where in the Quire lie interred two unfortunate Queens on the North side Katherine Dowager of Spain the
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 â—riariâ—s 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 Thorâ—eholme 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 Liquoâ—ice very delicious and good 5 More South in this Shire at Stoke in the Reign of King Henry the seventh a great baâ—te was fought by Iohn De-la-Poole Earl of Lincoln which Richard the Uâ—urper 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 â—ewed oâ—t of the Rocks in this Town are seen and those under the Castle of an especial note one for the story of Christs Passion engrâ—â—en 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 â—upprized 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 â—ome 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
Morda in the West twenty and five miles the whole in circuit about extending to one hundred thirty four miles 3 Wholesome is the Air delectable and good yielding the Spring and the Autumn Seed-time and Harvest in a temperate condition and affordeth health to the Inhabitants in all seasons of the year 4 The Soil is rich and standeth most upon a reddish Clay abounding in Wheat and Barley Pit-coals Iron and Woods which two last continue not long in league together It hath Rivers that make fruitful the Land and in their Waters contain great store of fresh-fish whereof Severn is the chief and second in the Realm whose stream cutteth this County in the midst and with many winding sporteth her self forward leaving both Pastures and Meadows bedecked with flowers and green colours which every where she bestoweth upon such her attendants 5 This River was once the bounds of the North-Britains and divided their possession from the Land of the Saxons until of latter times their began to decay and the Welsh to increase who enlarged their lists to the River Dee So formerly had it separated the Ordovices from the Cornavâ—â— those ancient Inhabitants mentioned by Ptolomy The Ordovices under Caractacus purchased great honour whilst he a Prince of the Silures removed his Wars thence among them where a while he maintained the Britains liberty with valour and courage in despite of the Romans His Fort is yet witness of his unfortunate Fight seated near Clune-Castle at the confluence of that River with Temd where in remembrance of him the place is yet called Caer-Caradoc a Fort of his won by P. Ostorius Lieutenant of the Romans about the year of Grace 53. The Cornavii were seated upon the North of Severn and branched into other Counties of whom we have said 6 But when the strength of the Romans was too weak to support their own Empire and Britain emptied of her Souldiers to resist the Saxons set foot in this most fair Soil and made it a part of their Mercian Kingdom their line likewise issued to the last period and the Normans beginning where these Saxons left the VVelshmen took advantage of all present occasions and brake over Severn unto the River Dee to recover which the Normans first Kings often assayed and Henry the Second with such danger of Life that at the Siege of Bridge-North he had been slain had not Sir Hubert Syncler received the Arrow aimed at him in stepping betwixt that Shaft and his Soveraign and therewith was shot thorow unto death In the like danger stood Henry Prince of Scotland who in the strait Siege of Ludlow begirt by King Stephen had been plucked from his Saddle with an Iron-hook from the Wall had not Stephen presently rescued him Anno 1139. 7 This then being the Marches of England and VVales was sore afflicted by bloody broils which caused many of their Towns to be strongly walled and thirty two Castles to be strongly built Lastly into this County the most wise King Henry the Seventh sent his eldest Son Prince Arthur to be resident at Ludlow where that fair Castle became a most famous Princes Court And here King Henry the Eight ordained the Council of the Marches consisting of a Lord President as many Counsellors as the Prince shall please a Secretary an Attorney a Soliciter and four Iustices of the Counties in Wales in whose Court were pleaded the Causes depending and termly tried for the most part in presence of that honourable President 8 But the Shire-Town Shrewsbury for circuit trade and wealth doth far exceed this and is inferiour to few of our Cities her buildings fair her streets many and large her Citizens rich her trade for the most part in the Staple Commodities of Cloth and Freeses her Walls strong and of a large compass extending to seventeen hundred paâ—es about besides another Bulwark ranging from the Castle down unto and in part along the side of Severn thorow which there are three entrances into the Town East and West over by two fair Stone-Bridges with Towers Gates and Bars and the third into the North no less strong than them over which is mounted a large Castle whose gaping chinks do doubtless threaten her fall This Town is governed by two Bailiffs yearly elected out or twenty four Burgesses a Recorder Town-Clerk and Chamberlain with three Sergeants at Mace the Pole being raised hence from the degrees of Latitude 53 16 minutes and from West in Longitude 17 degrees 27 minutes 9 Yea and ancienter Cities have been set in this Shire such was Râ—xalter or Wroxcester lower upon Severn that had been Vriconium the chiefest City of the Cornavii Vfocâ—nia now Okenyateâ— near unto the Wrekin and under Red-Castle the Ruins of a City whom the Vulgar report to have been famous in Arthurs daies but the pieces of Romish Coins in these three do well assure us that therein their Legions lodged as many other Trenches are signs of War and of Blood But as Swords have been stirring in most parts of this Province so Beads have been hid for the preservation of the whole and places erected for the maintenance of Votaries in whom at that time was imputed great holiness in Shrewsbury many at Coulmere Stow Dudley Bromfield Wigmore Hamond Lyleshill Bildas Bishops-Castle and Wâ—nloke where in the Reign of Richard the Second was likewise a rich Mine of Copper But the same blasts that blew down the Buds of such Plants scattered also the Fruits from these fair Trees which never since bare the like nor is likely any more to do That only which is rare in this Province is a Well at Pitchford in a private mans yard whereupon floateth a thick Skum of liquid Bitumen which being clear off to day will gather the like again on the Morrow not much unlike to the Lake in the Land of Iewry This Shire is divided into fifteen Hundreds wherein are seated fourteen Market-Towns and hath in it one hundred and seventy Churches for Gods sacred and divine Service CHESTER Petrus Kaerius caeelavit The County Palatine of CHESTER CHAPTER XXXVI CHESSE-SHIRE the County Palatine of Chester is parted upon the North from Lancashire with the River Mercey upon the East by Mercey Goit and the Dane is separated from Darâ—y and Stafford-shires upon the South toucheth the Counties of Shrop-shire and Flint and upon the West with Dee is parted from Denbigh-shire 2 The form of this County doth much resemble the right Wing of an Eagle spreading it self from Wirall and as it were with her Pinion or first Feather toucheth York-shire betwixt which extreams in following the windings of the Shires divider from East to West are 47 miles and from North to South twenty six miles The whole Circumference about one hundred forty two miles 3 If the affection to my natural producer blind not the judgment of this my Survey for Air and Soyl it equals the best and far exceeds her Neighbours the next Counties for although the Climate be cold and toucheth
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 â—onted issues forcibly returneth shutting and stopping up the paâ—sages 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 Dâ—neits Denispowis Morlashe Meneshe Loghâ—r Llanddeny Llanquian Oxwich Oystermouth Ogmor Pile Porkery Pennarth Winston Newcastle Caersly Coche Peullyn Kethligarâ—â— 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 waâ—hed by the Severne-Sea and some of her Weâ—t 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 Chepâ—tow 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 risâ—ng 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-Caerâ—â—ent and was by Tathaie the British Saint made an Academy and a divine place for Worship So likewise Caer-lion now once Isâ—a 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 Artâ—ur 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-Coâ—â—ellors 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
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 diâ—tant 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 Cambreâ—sis 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 Alâ—m 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 Drâ—yds 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
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 endangeâ—eth 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 â—he rest do is suddenly caught from the ground and carryed as it were flâ—ing 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 câ—ught with the help of Hounds and Hunters Great pity that the foul fiâ—nd 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 câ—rtain 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 â—oldness 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 pâ—st 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-â—bbey 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 conâ—low 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 Desâ—ond 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 Connâ—ught do upon Spain 2 The form thereof is triangle and sides not much unequal from her South East unto the
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 Goddessâ—s 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 aâ—d 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 Paphlagonâ—a and from hence had the Venetians their original and were at first called Heneti but being driven out by sedition they followed Antenâ—â— 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 disperâ—ed 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 Câ—imaera 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 â—id it and first made it habitable and thence this Fable Here was Iconium and Lystra where Timothy wâ—s 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
12 Brunswick and Lunenburg 13 Franconia 14 Palaltinus Rhâ—ne 15 Wittenburg 16 Aâ—sper 17 Bayden 18 Mentz 19 Bamberg 20 Weirstberg 21 Saxonia 22 Anâ—â—â—t 23 Mansfield 24 Swevia 25 Bavaria 26 Brandenburg 27 Lusatia 28 Tirolum 29 Misnia 30 Bohemia 31 Silesia 32 Moravia 33 Pomeranea 34 Mecklinburg 35 Austria 15 East-Frezeland is on the West side of Germany and bounded with the North Sea Her chief Town is Embden 2 Wesphalia is on the South of East Frizeland It is most famous for Swine and excellent Bacon which is esteemed with us one of our greatest dainties to commend a feast Part of it belongs to the three next Bishops of Cullen Munster and Triers 3 Cullen her Arch-Bishop is an Elector The chief Town was called Vbiopolis afterward Agrippina and lastly Cullen from a Colony which was there planted by the French It is a received tradition among the Inhabitants that the bodies of the Wisemen which came from the East to worship Christ are here interred None almost but hath heard of the three Kings of Cullen 4 Munster Her chief City is Munster notable since the year 1533 at which time a company of brain sick Anabaptists named it Ierusalem and raised them a new Governour by the title of the King of Sâ—â—â— 5 Triers Her Arch bishop an Elecator Her chief City Tâ—iers of great antiquity founded by Trebeta the son of Nâ—â—ius and â—â—pport sackt by our Earl Richard King of the Romans 16 6 Clivia or Cleeveland a Duke dome of that name Her chief Cities are Wesell Emrick and Cleve Her commodity the Tophus-stone of which they make Cement 7 Iuliacum Gulick a Dutchy Her principal City is Aken or Aquiseranum where the Emperour receives his Silver Crown for Germany and doth great worship to a clout which they take to be our Saviours Mantle in which he was wrapped 8 Hassia a mountainous Country but fruitful Her Metropolis Marpurgum an University and the chief place of her Lant-grave is Cassels It comprehends likewise the Counties of Nassâ—w and Hanaw 9 Alsatia Her chief City is Strasburg famous for a Clock of wonderful art and a Tower of five hundred seventy eight paces high Other Towns here are of note as Bing Worms Confluence and Andernach 10 Helvetia Swetzerland on the East of France and North of Italy It contains thirteen Cantons Zurich Berne â—â— ucerne Vrenia Glavis Zugh Basell Friburg Vnderwalt Soâ—oâ—r Shasâ—haâ—â—en Apeâ—sol and Suits Her chief Cities are Zurike or Tigurum where Zuinglius was martyred and Sengâ—ll or Civitas Sancti Galli and Baâ—ell where a general Council was decreed to be above the Pope in the year one thousand four hundred thirty one 17 Tariâ—gia Her Prince a Lant-grave Her ground though not of large extent nor above twelve German miles either in length or breadth saith Maginus yet it is very rich it comprehends twelve Counties as many Abbies a hundred fourty four Cities as many Towns above two thousand Viliages two hundred and fifty Castles Her Metropolisis Eâ—â—ord 12 Brunswick on the East of Wâ—sâ—phaliâ— a Dukedom whose principal Citiâ—s are Brunswick Hâ—lâ—erstâ—de Wolâ—heiton and Luneburg which gives title to an other Dukâ—dom whose chief Seat is Cella â—18 13 Franconia Iâ— lyeth on the West of Tâ—ringia and joyns to Hossia Northward The Inhabitants were converted to Christianity by Boniface In this Province stands Francfort famous for her â—wo Marts every year and Noremâ—erge within the Territories are comprehended the seven other which â—elong to this section 18 The Palatine of Rhene some seventy two miles from North to South and from East to West nienty six Her chief City is Heidelberge Her Prince an Elector and hath many more priviledges than the other six In the vacancy he is Governour of a great part of Germany â—â— Wâ—tteâ—â—â—rge The chief Towns are Tubing an Vniversity Stâ—dgard c. 16 Aâ—spech a Marquiâ—aâ—e Her chiâ—f Town Aâ—â—pech 17 Badâ—n a Marquisate pleasant and fruitfull betwixt the Rivers Rhene and Nâ—ccar Her chief Cities are 〈◊〉 and Baden in which there be Bathes that cures many diseases 18 Mentâ— Mâ—guntia a Bishoprick The Prince is a Spiritual Elector and sits alwaies at the right hand of the Emperour 19 Bamberg a Bishoprick of it self of large revenues In this stands Fochia where they say Pontius Pilate Was born 20 Weirstberg Her Bishop is entituled Duke of Franconia 19 21 Saxony on the East of Hassia and South of Brunswick and North of 〈◊〉 In this Province was Luther born at Isâ—eben Within her bounds are likewise comprehended tâ—ese two other Principalities of Anhalt and Mansfield 22 Anhalt whose Governour with great courage and power bore Arms in defence of the Palatines right to the Kingdom of Bohemia 23 Mansâ—â—eld an Eâ—rldom the more famous for the valiant acts of the present Count who to this day wars upon the Emperours party in the behalf of the illustrious Pâ—latine and his unparrelled â—ady Elizabeth Sister to his royal Maâ—esty of England 20 14 Swevia on the South of Franconia It is a Country full of people and those 〈◊〉 goodly personage great wit and valiant In this Province is the head of Danubius and runs through the middle of the Country Her chief Towns are Vlme Lendawe and Auspurg or Augusta Vindelicorum Norlingen c. 25 Bavaria on the South of Bohemia and Franconia There is both the upper and lower Bavaria Of the first the chief Cities are Muchen Ingolstade Frising and about thirty four Towns more equal to the most Cities of the lower Bavaria the principal are Ratisbone Patâ—vium Pâ—ssâ—n Lanshutum and Saltâ—pâ—rge In this City lyeth â—uried Paracelsus 26 Brandenburg on the East of Saxoâ—y a Marquisate of five hundred and twenty miles in compass It was heretofore inhabited by the Vandales The Metropolis is Brandenburg and Francfort ad Oâ—iâ—um for so it is distinguisht from the other Francfort in Franconia and Berlium Herâ— are fifty-five Cities and sixty-four Towns 27 Lusatia it looks West-ward toward Saxony The chief City is Gorlitâ—ia 28 Tyrolum on the South of South of Bavaria and East of Helvetia Her cheif Cities are Oonipus Inspruck Brâ—ixen Tridentum Trent where the general Council was held one thousand five hundred forty six 29 Misnia on the East of Lâ—satia a â—ruitfull Region Her chief Ciâ—ies are Misnia Dresden Lipsin a place of learning and Torga many Writers place this Province with Saxony 21 30 Bohemia on the South of Saxony and Misnia encompassed with the Sylva Hircinia a â—ruitfull and pleasant Country It may deserve a particular description of it self and therefore I wilâ— mention it here with no other solemnity then I do the rest of Germany Her Metropolis is Prague which was taken by the Impâ—rialists in thâ—â— last quarrel the King and Queen being at that time in the Church celebrating Gods service were forced suddenly to flie for their safety into Sileâ—ia 31 Silâ—sia Eastâ—ward from part of Bohemia two hundred miles long and eighty one broad a fruitfull Country the people valiant Her principal Cities
to be observed to be full with Mines of all sorts of metals Gold only excepted Their Tin was found out by an Eâ—glish man of Cornwall in the year one thousand two hundred and forty one belike which hâ—d been skilled in that work in his own Country for it is said That at that time there was no Tin known elsewhere in Eâ—rope 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 Foxâ—s 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 â—ollow her For they say she hath a kind of bladder hanging under her â—aws which in the hunting she fills with a sâ—lding hot water and â—asts it upon the Dogs with thâ—t nimbleness that they are not able to avoid or pursue her but oft times have their veâ—y hair â—all off as from a drest Pig The Coâ—nâ—ry is generally 〈◊〉 in Saffron and other medâ—cinal drugs Wine it hath too but not so kind or pleasiâ—g as in other places â—nsomuch that the richer sort furnish themselves out of Aâ—stria Hâ—ngary and the Regâ—on 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 drâ—nking when thâ—y have done It is said of the 〈◊〉 sort I 〈◊〉 that if once they set to a Veâ—â—el of good lâ—quor they will not looâ—e it tâ—ll they 〈◊〉 â—ound it â—â—pty 〈…〉 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 Hiâ—rome 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 posâ—est 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 multipliâ—amini 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 〈◊〉 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 adornâ—d 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 Boâ—emia 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 waâ—er which the Inhabitants drink Instead of Beer 3 Krens toward Austria on the North side of Daâ—ubius 4 Piâ—sen on the West of Bohemia a City which long held out against General Tilly by the defence of the now Count Manâ—â—ield 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 Galâ—ia Ielgica To these we will add 5 the Isles adjoyning Their principal underâ—Territories 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 Thoâ—ouse 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 Poâ—tiers 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 â—ochel a place the best fortified both by nature and art of any in Europe And is at this tiâ—â—e 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 〈◊〉 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 aâ—d 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 â—loys 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 Armoâ—ica 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 Wâ—lch 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 â—ixth 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 Luteâ—ia 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
hour and caused them to cast off the Spanish clog which they did in the year 1581. and declared by their Writings that Philip the second King of Spain had forfeited his Government of the Low-Countries by breach of his faith And withall they bound their people by a new oath never to return to their obedience which they yet make good against the Arch-Dutchess who by kindred to the Spanish King and marriage to the Arch-Duke is at this time interested in the Government and therefore in the quarrel 11 To her there belongs of the 17 Provinces 1 The Dukedoms of Lutzenburg 2 Limburg and 3 Brabant 4 The Earldoms of Flanders 5 Artoyse 6 Hannault 7 Namurcia 8 The Barony of Mechlin 9 The Marquisate of the holy Empire To the States are reckoned 10 Dutchy of Geldria 11 The Earldoms of Zutphen 12 Zealand and 13 Holland 14 The Baronies of Vtrech 15 Overissell 16 Frizeland 17 And Groyning 12 We begin with the Dukedomes entailed to the Spanish Faction and for the easier finding their situation we will take them as they lie from West to East And in this order is 1 Lutzenburg It stands betwixt the River Mosa on the West and the Forrest of Ardenna East on the South it joyns upon a part of France Her chief City is Lucenburg called by Ptolomy Angusta Romanduorum In circuit this Dukedome is 240 miles and contains in it many other Towns which have been much battered in the Wars betwixt the French and Spanish Kings before the States were at difference among themselves Thâ—onville among others is of note for the stronger Bostâ—nachum for the chief Merchandise It is called the Paris of Ardenna for by some that Forrest is reckoned into this Dukedom It stands on the East-side was in Caesars time 500 miles in compass now about 90. Near to Ardenna is the Spaw Baths of great fame for the cure of sundry diseases And hath oftentimes given our false English a pretence to leave their Countrey forsooth for Physick when they have no other excuse to get free and joyn themselves with the Romish Catholicks Maginus reckons into this Region 1168 Villages besides Castles with several Earldoms many other petty Governments In the South is the Dutchy of Bovillon belonging to a Peer of France 2 Limburg on the North East of Lutzenburg divides the Government between her own Duke and the Bishop of Luick who commands the Western Tract as much as contains 24 walled Towns and 1800 Villages and hath under him 52 Baronies Luick the chief City of the Bishoprick is an University memorable for this one story above any other in Christendom That at one time there studied 9 Kings sons 24 Dukes sons 29 Earls sons c. The Dukes part in the East is not of that fame either for multitude of Towns and Villages or command of under territories In the year 1293 the heirs male were extinct and by that means it fell to the Duke of Brabant The whole Region is exceeding fertile and affords almost all necessaries except Wine Among other commodities it abounds with a kind of stone of excellent use in Physick called Lapis Calaminani The principal City Limburg stands upon the River Wesa 3 Brabant on the North of Limburg which commonly is supposed to have the name from Brachlant as if a barren soil but it is otherwise reported unless towards the North. The people are very jolly ut veri gravem senectutem sentire videantur And that methinks should argue plenty Her chief Cities are Loraign an University which contains 20 Colledges and among the rest a Seminary for English Iesuits Bruxels and this is the Dukes seat strengthened with a double wall and is adorned with very elegant buildings Bergen ap Some which is yet fresh in the memory and mouths since the siege 1622. Bolduc whose people are noted to have preserved the antique valour of their Predecessors more than any other of the Provinces Breda was the place of the Prince of Orange got from the Spaniard by a desperate policy of a small number of Gentlemen which ventured themselves into the Castle being conveyed in a Boat covered with turves when they were past recoil they were forced to set their best strength forward as well for their lives as the Victory and were blest with a success beyond hope They mastered the Castle and the rest soon followed It was of late recovered by the Spaniards after a long siege where our English got honour though not conquest under the conduct of our noble and valiant Earl of Oxford And lastly within the compass of this D. is contained 13 The Marquisate of the holy Empire whose chief City is Antwerp a Town heretofore of infinite Trading had two Marts every year qualified with an extraordinary priviledge that during the time no man might be arrested nor his goods seized and questionless this invited many which were in debt and could not have the freedom of traâ—tique elsewhere 14 The Earldoms are 1 Flanders First indeed as well in esteem as situation For it gives name to the whole Region of the Netherlands and the Prince writes himself Comes Dei gratiâ it is the very North west tract of this Belgia and is divided in Teutonican Imperatoriam and Gallicam The first is the Flandria Flandricans properly Flanders The principal Cities are Gandadâ—m Gaut the birth place of our Iohn Duke of Lancâ—ster She is severed by the River Shead and lets into 26 Islands and hath passage from one to another by 98 Bridges Her walls are seven miles in compass Her other Towns are Burgies and Graveling Her Ports Dunkirk Scluse Newport Ostend c. The two last notable one for a pitcht field the other for a long siege In both the English honourably maintained the right of the States against the Archâ—Duke Flandria Imperatoria is but a small parcel and borders upon Brabant is called the Earldom of Hulit which is the chief City within her Territoties Gallica Flandria is not of any large extent but very fertile and pleasant Her chief Towns are Lilla or Lilse Duacum Doway an University Orchais Tornai taken by King Henry the Eighth and ransomed by the Inhabitants for 100000 Duckets 2 Artesia Artoyse the seat of the Atrebates in Caesars time Their chief City was then called Atrebatum now Arras whence we have our rich hangings and their name It lieth most on the South of Flanders Maginus reckons to her 12 Cities and 852 Villages The chief of name beside their Mother Town Arras are Ayre Pernes S. Omer S. Paul 3 Hannonia Hanolt on the East of Flanders 60 miles long broad 48 contains 950 Villages and 24 Towns besides Castles The chief are Banais supposed to stand in the same place where the ancient Belgium was built Mons Conde Valenciennes c. 4 Namurce on the East of Hanolt a fruitful Countrey and full of Mines especially of Iron It hath but four Cities 182 Villages The Metropolis is Namurce and the rest Charlemont
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 â—its 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 Brundusiâ—m 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 Gaâ—ii 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 Aâ—istarchy 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 Pissâ—o on the East A great part of it was Tuscany and gives yet to their Prince the title of great Duke of Tusâ—any Her chief Cities are Florence where the most â—legant 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 haâ—ing been before but a very poor Taylor in Essex the third is Pistoya where first began the quarrel of the Gueâ—fes 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
Austria on the East with the River Tibiâ—cus 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 Tibiâ—cus 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 â—owls 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 Osâ—en and is thought by some to be the same with Câ—rta 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 â—avarium not far from Comaâ—â— and is called Rab. 7 Neuhensel where â—â—ucquoy was slain in the year one thousand six hundred twenty one having adventured too far upon the Hungarians Ambush with iâ—tent onâ—y 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 Hâ—ngary and is divided on the North from Sarmatia by the Carpathian Mountains on the South from Greece with Haemus and on the East reâ—â—heth 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 Dâ—â—ri The Country is fruitful and enricht with Mines their Horses are very comely aâ—d 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
themselves near this Lake is another whose waters cast up a sulphureous scum Of the Mountains of thâ—is Countrey the only of note are those famous Amadoci Riphaei and Hyperboreâ— so much spoken of and so obscurely defin'd by the Ancients being one continued ridge of â—ilâ—s which under these several names runs overthwart European Sarmatia and tends first North then South lastly Eastward into Asiatick Sarmatia The Russian or Moscovian Empire is divided into 30 Provinces whereof several are Dutchies and Principalities viz. 1 Moscovia properly so called the Principal City whereof and not only of this Province but of the whole Empire is Mosco seated on a River of the same name but five miles in compass since burnt by the Tartar it contains 16 Churches built for the most part like the houses of mud and wood but the chief ornament of the Town is the Emperor's Palace like a Town for largeness next it is the Palace of the Patriarch This City is defended by two Castles Kitugorod and Basigorod the next Town of note is Sloboda a Bishop's See This Province extends from East to West 600 German miles and besides the inferior Souldiery furnishes the Great Duke with 3000 Boiares who serve in the nature of the Tuâ—kish Timariots or such as hold by Knights service 2 Volodomire a Dukedom added to the Title of the Great Duke a fertile Province once the Seat of the Empire till the time of Iohn Danielovitâ— who removed to Mosco from which it is distant 36 Polonish miles the next City of note is Muron 3 Novogardia the lower not inferior to Wolodomire in fertility and a Dukedom whose denominating City scarce parallell'd by any other of the Empire for largeness and fair building is seated on the Confluence of the Volga and Occa and guarded with a strong Castle hew'd out of a Rock by the Great Duke Basiâ—ius and adorned with a stately Temple reported to be built in imitation of that of St. Sophia at Constantinople In some out-skirts of this Province rather than in distinct Provinces there may be said to live rather than inhabit sculking up and down in Woods and Wildernesses two rustick people the Czeremissi wonderfully swift of foot both men and women and most expert handlers of the Bow and Arrow and the Mordwits the civiller of the two and not altogether without Houses and little scattering Villages but both of them either Maâ—umetans or rather the greatest part of them down-right Idolaters being boâ—h of them a sort of Tartars though within the Great Dukes Dominion 4 Rostow 5 ustynga 6 Vologda 7 Iaroslow with their several Provincial Towns or Cities of the same denomination which some will have to belong to the Province of Moscovia Rostow and Iaroslow seated on the banks of Volga have both the Titles of Dukedoms and belonged heretofore to the Great Duke's second Son the first is one of the Metropolitan Sees and guarded with a Castle the other a Bishop's See Vologda is also a Bishop's See and fortified with a strong Castle where the Czar keeps part of his treasure 8 Duina as it were Twain so called from its principal Town and that from the River upon which it stands in which are united the streams of Iuch and Sachona But the places of most trade and concourse are St. Nicholas a Sea-Port Town and Bâ—shops See on the Gulph of Granvicus otherwise called the Bay of St. Nicholas into which the River Duina cischargeth it self and especially St. Michael generally called Archangel where the English Merchants have a very great Trade and large-Priviledges there are also to be taken notice of Sanga so named from the stream Sachona on which it stands and Cargapol another Bishops See besides the strong Castles Colmagro and Pineâ—ul 9 Rhesan between Occa and Tanais adding the Title of another Dukedom to the Czar a very fertile Province and well peopled yielding to the service of the Czar no less than 1500 Boiari Kâ—ights or Horsemen and consequently Foot proportionably The Town from which the Province takes name stands upon the River Octa the rest are Cossira an Episcopal See Tulla the source or fountain-head of Tanais and Colluga a strong Garrison against the Tartars 10 Severia a large and in some places fertile Dutchy for it is very much taken up with vast Desarts and Forests the most observ'd Towns are Starodub Potâ—volo and Czernigo 11 The Dutchy of Woâ—otine which stretcheth it self along the Western-Bank of the River Occa upon which also stands the Town of Worotine with a strong Castle 12 Permia a large extended Province and deriving name from its chief Town seated on the River Vishore second to which Town is Siewarsky 13 Smolensco Dutchy full of thick Forests extending it self along the banks of the River Niâ—per upon which the City Smolensco stands an Episcopal See 14 Mosaiski a Dukedom extending in length above 87 German miles and as much in bredth taken by Iohn the Father of Basilius from Alexander King of Poland the City which denominates this Province is a Bishops See 15 Biela or Bielski a Principality with a City and Castle of the same name seated on the River Opska 16 The Dukedom of Ruschovia whose City and Castle of the same name is seated on the River Volga which takes its source in this Province from the Lake Volga 17 Tuver heretofore one of the chief Principalities of Russia whose City Tuverda an Episcopal See and reported more magnificent than Mosco it self is situated on the Volga along whose Banks is extended this fair and spacious Territory affording the Czar no less than 40000 Bâ—iaâ—i and double if not treble the number of Foot 18 Plescow a Principality which stretcheth it self above 80 German miles in length and near a third part in bredth whose spacious Metropolis of the same name is of all the Cities of the Russian Empire the only walled City It was in the year 1509 taken by the Great Duke Basiâ—ius from the King of Poland some say by the treachery of the Priests 19 The Dukedom of Novogardia or Novogrod for distinction sake entituled Novogardia Magna as being indeed one of the amplest Provinces in all the Russian Empire as the City that gives appellation to iâ— one of the largest Cities but generally consisting of wooden or clay buildings seated on the River Narva or Ny ah Archiepiscopal See and one of the four great Marts or Hans Towns of Russia heretofore belonging to the King of Poland as Duke of Lithuania from whom it was taken by the Great Duke Basilius or as some say his Son Ioannes The other Towns thought worthy mention are Narva taken also by the Great Duke from the Polander situate Northward at the Influx of Duina into the Bay of Finland Pozow and Volocoluc two Frontier Towns strongly fortified to prevent the incursions of the Poles besides the strong Castle of Iuanagogoâ—od which serves as a frontier defence aganist the Suedes of Narva 20 Volzka or Wotâ—ka a little Region lying North-west from