for its Salt-Pits or Wiches having three Fountains that afford great plenty of Water for the making of Salt which is excellent white and good for which here is drove a good Trade Sturbridge Sturbridge seated on a Flat and on the Stower over which it hath a Bridge it is a good and well-built Town hath the accommodation of a good Free-School with a Library and its Market on Fridays is well furnished with Corn Provisions and Swine Kidderminster Kidderminster feated under a Hill and on the Severn where the Stower loseth it self dividing the Town in twain an ancient Bailiwick-Town beautified with a fair Church hath well-built Houses is well inhabited and much traded unto for its Stuffs called Kidderminster-Stuffs and its Market which is on Thursdays is considerable for Corn Gottle Provisions and several Country-commodities Bewdley Bewdley a Bailiwick-Town which sends Burgesses to Parliament pleasantly seated on the Severn and near the Forest of Wire which in former time was a place of great delight and much resorted unto It is a neat and well-built Town enjoyeth a good Trade for Mault Leather and Caps called Bewdley-Caps here made and hath a Market on Saturdays chiefly considerable for Barly YORK-SHIRE County of York describ'd the largest County in England being above 300 miles in compass and although thus spacious for the generality is indifferent fertil yielding good plenty of Cattle Corn Fowl and Fish for if one part is stony sandy and barren other parts make amends and although there are great store of Heaths and Moors which are barren ground yet are they profitable to the Inhabitants for the feeding of Cattle In this County the Romans had several Stations and here were abundance of Abbeys Monasteries and Religious Houses many of which were of great note eminency and wealth The chief Manufactures of this Shire are Stockings Alum Jett Lime Knives Pins c. but above all Cloth in great plenty It is fevered into three distinct parts and called the North-Riding the East-Riding and the West-Riding which said Ridings or Parts are subdivided into 26 Wapontacks or Hundreds viz. the North into Eleven the East into Six and the West into Nine and in all these Wapontacks are numbred 563 Parish Churches besides abundance of Chapels of Ease by reason of the largeness of the Parishes many of the Chapels being as large as Parishes in other parts of England The North-Riding of Yorkshire may not improperly be divided into Richmondshire Cleaveland a fertil part North-Allerton and Blackmore very Mountainous Craggy and Moorish The chief places in this Riding are York City of York which next to London claimeth the Priority of all others in the Kingdom a place of great antiquity and fame having its rise from the Romans who had it in such great esteem that Severus their Emperour had here his Palace and here ended his days and had those Funeral Rites solemnized on his Corps according to their custom And here Fl. Valerius Constantius surnamed Chlorus bid adue to the World and in his room his Son Constantine was here proclaimed Emperour Nor did this City thus flourish only in the time of the Romans but was of great repute in all succeeding Ages and hath in all the revolutions and changes under the Saxons Danes and Normans preserved its ancient lustre and is at present a fair large and beautiful City adorned with many splendid Buildings both publick and private is very populous much resorted unto and well inhabited by Gentry and wealthy Tradesmen and numbreth about 30 Parish Churches and Chapels besides its Cathedral or Minster a most stately Structure dedicated to St. Peter Amongst its publick Buildings of note these may be taken notice of The Bishops-Palace its Chapter-House a curious piece of Architecture the Princes-House called the Mannor and the Courts of Judicature held for the Neighbouring Marches according to that of Ludlow It is a City and County within it self enjoyeth large Immunities sendeth Burgesses to Parliament is governed by a Lord Major 12 Aldermen clad in Scarlet 2 Sheriffs 12 Common Council 8 Chamberlains a Recorder Town Clerk Sword-Bearer and Common Serjeant with other sub-Officers It is a place of great strength being well fortified and enclosed with a strong Wall on which are many Turrets or Watch-houses and hath for entrance 4 Gates and 5 Posterns It s scituation is no less pleasantly than commodiously seated on the Owse which severeth it in two parts but joyned together by a fair Stone-bridge and to conclude its Markets on Thursdays and Staturdays are very considerable and well served with Flesh Fish Fowl c. as are its Shambles on the Week-days with Provisions Malton or New-Malton seated on the Derwent Malton over which it hath a good Stone-bridge It is composed of two Towns the New and the Old Malton and both containing 3 Parish Churches it is a place well inhabited and accommodated with good Inns hath weekly two Markets on Tuesdays and Saturdays which is one of the best in the County for Horses living Cattle Provisions and most Country-commodities especially Vtensils for Husbandry and as a Borough Town which is but meanly built electeth Parliament men Pickering or the Honour of Pickering a pretty good Town Pickering belonging to the Dutchy of Lancaster hath a famous Old Castle now ruinous in which they keep their Courts for the hearing of Causes under 40 s. in the said Honour which includeth several Villages which as it were encompass it so that the adjacent Country is called Pickering-Lith the Forest of Pickering and the Liberty of Pickering It s Market which is on Mondays is well served with Corn and Provisions Scarborough a place of great strength as well by Nature as Art Scarborough being seated on a steep Rock with such craggy Cliffs that it is almost inaccessible and beareth so into the Sea that it is washed on all parts except on the West where it yieldeth access by a strait passage Cliff or Gullet where it hath a strong Wall On the top of this Rock is a very fair green and large Plain containing about 60 Acres of ground and hath a little Well of Fresh-water springing out of the Rock and for its further defence hath a strong Castle now made use of by his Majesty for a Garrison This Town is not very large but well built and inhabited enjoyeth a good Trade having a commodious Key with several Vessels belonging to it which are employed by them and during the Herring-season for the Fishing Trade they being plentifully taken on this Coast This place is of note for its famous Spaw much resorted unto as well by Foreigners as the English It is a Town Corporate electing Parliament men is governed by two Bailiffs and a Common Council and hath two Markets weekly on Thursdays which is of good account and on Saturdays which is but small Not far from this Town is Robinhoods-Bay so called from Robinhood that noted Robber in the Reign of
Maffaeus relateth there is a Mountain which continually vomiteth Flames on the top of which the Evil Spirit sheweth himself to certain Persons after that they have macerated themselves for a Vow sake 10. Many Vulcanelloes are found in the Isles of Japan distant 70 miles from Ferando Also in a certain small Isle which lieth between Tanaxuma and the Isles called the Sisters a burning Mountain is discovered at other times smoaking Certain Vulcanes in the Isle Tendai 11. In Tendai one of the Philippine Isles where the Promontory of the Holy Spirit is certain Vulcans are found One also in the Isle Marindique another of the Philippine Isles 12. In Nicaragna a Province in America a lofty Mountain casteth forth flames in such great abundance that they may be seen 10 miles distant Vulcan Mountains in Cordillera 13. In the Ridge of Peru called Cordillera here and there are certain Rocks and Vulcan Mountains partly smoaking and partly burning and they are said to cast out fire Especially in the Province of Carrapa there is a Mountain from whose top when the Heaven is serene much smoak is discovered to be elevated Others in Peru 14. Near to Arequipa a City of Peru 90 miles distant from Lima a certain Sulphureous Mountain continually ejaculateth fire which is found dangerous to the City 15. In Peru near the Valley Mulahallow about 50 Leagues from Quito there is a Vulcan which once rending cast forth great Stones and terrified also the remote places with the huge noise Other Vulcans 16. In one of the Islands which they call Papoys which Le Maire discovered except peradventure it may adhere to the South Continent on the Oriental Coast of New Guiney is a Vulcan which at that time burned 17. Certain Mountains lying on the Oriental Shore of the River Jeniscea in the Country of the Tingesi beyond Ob towards the East by a journey of some weeks there are Vulcans as the Muscovites do report 18. Certain Mountains at the River Pesida beyond the Region of the Tingaesi A Vulcan in Liburnia 19. In Liburnia near the City Apollonia is a rocky Mountain from the top of which continually issueth smoak and flame In the Land adjoyning there are hot Fountains there are also certain Mountains which have now ceased to burn So the Isle Queimoda on the Coast of Brasil not far from the mouth of the Silver River in time past did burn so the Mountains in Congo or Angola which they term Vesbrande Bergen In the Isles of the Azores especially Tercera and St. Michael formerly the Earth burned in many places but now the smoak in some places is sometimes expelled hence also they have often Earthquakes The Isles of St. Helena and of the Ascension have also its Earth like unto these viz. a Dust Embers and Ashes so that in times past it is probably the Mountains of these Isles burned which is also manifest from the Sulphureous Earth and Coals which they call Smitskolen Now the cause of these Vulcans or burning Mountains is a Sulphureous bituminous Substance which is contained in such like Mountains Proposition VI. The Tanges of the Mountains some admit of no passage or opening some of many other some of one or another only Of the Tanges of the Mountains They are called Portae and also Thermopylae Of which the more noted are 1. The Thermopylae in Phocis from which this name was communicated to the rest 2. The Caspian Portae which as through a narrow passage are admitted into the Caspian Mountains 3. The Port of the Mountain Cordillera in Peru. 4. The Port of the Mountain which is extended between Abyssiue and Arabia Troglodytica through which they carry Provision and Grain from that Region unto this 5. In Caucasus the Sarmatick and Albanian Ports Proposition VII That Mountain is termed a Promontory which runneth forth in a certain Tract to the Sea or on the Shore is elevated above the adjacent places Of Promontories or Capes In Mapps they are called Capes or Heads among which the more noted are Cape of Good-hope 1. The Cape of Good-hope in Africa which must be passed by those that sail into India Cape Victoria 2. Cape Victoria in the end of the Streights of Magellan Cape Verd. 3. Cape Verd in the Angle or Point of Africa where the Shore windeth from West to East Cape Vincent 4. Cape Vincent in Spain Promontory or Cape of Atlas 5. The Promontory of Atlas so anciently called not a Cape because that Mariners some Ages past supposed that it could not be passable or that if any one had sailed beyond it yet he could not return back safe therefore this was the bound of their Navigation on the Coast of Africa Other Promontories may be seen in the Mapps Proposition VIII Vnto Mountains are opposed Caves and deep Abysses which are found in few places of the Earth Of Caves or deep Abysses In times past that Mephitick Cave in Island called the Cave of St. Patrick and that Cave in Italy called Grotta del Cane was famous In the Mountain of Fessano Beni Guazeval is a Cave that vomiteth forth fire In the Island Baruch adjoynig to Wales in England near the Sea is a Rock in which there is a Cave unto which if you apply your ear a noise like stroaks of Hammers upon Iron as in a Smith's shop may be heard Not far from the City Bessa in Aquitain is a Cave vulgarly called Du Souley in which in the Summer season a noise is heard like unto Thunder In many places betwixt the midst of the Mountains there are found Valleys so profound that they strike the Beholders with horrour and cause a giddiness CHAP. XI Of Mines Woods and Desarts MInes Woods and Desarts do ennoble certain Parts or Tracts of the Earth Of Mines Woods and Desarts concerning which although little can be proposed yet for an exact knowledge of the Terrestrial Superficies it will not be unnecessary to consider those Places and to design the Tracts and Limits of them which we shall briefly perform in this Chapter Proposition I. A Mine is a place in the Earth from which Metals Minerals or other sorts of Earth are dugg But because what is dugg up out of the Earth is various therefore all these Mines receive various denominations Of Mines as Mines of Gold Silver Copper Iron Marble Mines of precious Stones and the like The most famous of the Gold and Silver Mines are those of Peru and Castella Aurea Peru and Castella Aurea and Potosi rich in Mines the richest in the world for throughout all the Provinces of Peru are found Mines abounding with Gold and Silver yet not excluding the other Metals so that the Natives of Peru and the Spaniards in times past did boast that the Ground or Soyl of this Kingdom was Gold and Silver Girava a Spanish Writer testifieth at the City Quito are Mines which yield more Gold than Earth
FRANCE viz. In the Estates of the CATHO LICK KING to wit In SPAIN as The County of Rousillon where are Perpignan Elne Collioure Salces c. The County of Cerdagne Puy Cerda c. The Principality of Catalogne and County of Barcelone where are Barcelona Girona Vich Solsona Urgel Manressa Cardona Cadegues c. In the LOW COUNTRY as Part of the County of Flanders Gravelines Wasten Part of the County of Artois Arras Hesdin Bappaumes Part of the County of Haynaut Landrochy Part of the Dutchy of Luxenbourg Thionville Damvillers In the FRENCH COUNTY as Part of the Balliages of Gray Vesoul Lure c. Part of the Balliages of Salins Arbois Poligny Bletterans St. Amour Joux c. In divers Lands and Principalities the most part of which are esteemed in the Empire of GERMANY to wit In the Estate of LORRAIN as The Dutchy of Barrois Barle Duc Ligny St. Michael Pont a Moosson The Dutchy of Lorrain Nancy Mirecourt Newchasted on the Meuse Dieuze Sirke c. The Bishoprick of Metz Vic Moyen-Vic Marsal St. Avold Alberstrof Espernay About LORRAIN as The Principality of Sedan The Principality of Arches or Charleville Clermont Stenay Jametz The County of Biche In and about the PALATINATE of the RHINE as Part of the Palatinate of the Rhine Bacharach Creutznach Altzheim Oppenheim Neustat Landau Cermosheim c. Part of the Archbishoprick of Mayence Mayence Bingen c. Part of the Bishoprick of Wormes Wormes Part of the Bishoprick of Spire Spire Udenheim or Philipsbourâ— Part of the Estate of Bade Baden Durlach Pfortzheim c. In ALSACE or ALSATIA as Low Alsace Haguenau Saverne c. Higher Alsace Colmar Schlestat Brisach Newbourg c. County of Pfirt or Ferrette and Country of Sungou Ferrette Tannes Befo rt Blome Landseror c. About ALSACE as The County of Monbeliard c. The Bishoprick of Basle Porentru St. Uâ—sand Dalsperg or Delmont c. The County of Reinfield Reinfield Lanffenbourg Waldshout In the Dutchy of Wirtenberg Hohen-Wiel In Piedmont Pignerol c. In ITALY In the Estates of the Duke of SAVOY to wit In the Principality of Piedmont Turin Suze Avigliane Chivas Santja Ast Quierascq Coni Caours c. In the Marquisate of Saluces Carmagnole Demont In the Estates of MONFERRAT viz. In the Dukedom of Savoy Trin c. In the Dukedom of Mantoua Casal Aqui. On the River of GENES The Principality of Monaco or Morgues Rt. Worshipfull Sr. Iustinian 〈◊〉 of Lamport in Northamptoâ—shire Baronet 〈◊〉 Mapp is Humbly DD. by R. Blome GENERALL MAPP of the KINGDOM of FRANCE Designed by Monsieur Sanson Geographer to the French King FRANCE FRANCE is esteemed the most fertil and powerful Kingdom in Europe and the best next to England that can subsist without the help of others It is seated about the 45th degrees of Latitude It s Scituation which is in the midst of the Temperate Zone It is washed on the East with the Rhine together with an imaginary line drawn from Strasburgh to Calais on the South by the Mediterranean Seas and opens a passage to the Northern Ocean on the West by the Aquitain Sea and on the North by the British Ocean Its Bounds It extends it self from the 42 degrees of Latitude unto the 51 and from the 15th of Longitude to the 29th which makes its length and breadth to be above 200 French Leagues It is contiguous to the Low Countries on the North to Germany and Italy on the East and to Spain on the South It s Soil and Commodities It is of an extraordinary fertil Soil affording three excellent and useful Commodities in great plenty viz. Corn Wine and Salt also Oil Almonds Paper Canvass Linnen both fine and course Oade Corral Skins Nuts Stuffs and several Manufactures Toies and Curiosities It is very plentiful in all Provisions It s People It is exceeding populous and crouded with Towns and Cities once numbring 100000 Parishes which are now reduced to a less number The People are well proportionate and indifferent handsom especially the Men they are of a ready and Mercurial wit of a courteous Behaviour of a hot Brain and soon moved to Broils they are very active and given to Exercises in weighty Affairs both Civil and Martial they are not over subtle their first attempt being like thunder and their end like smoak In matters of Religion they generally follow the Church of Rome in which they are not over strict It would be too tedious to observe all the different Orders and Governments in this Kingdom we will content our selves to say that in the Assemblies of the General Estates where the Nobility Clergy and third Estate have their Seats it is divided into twelve several Government of which four are on this side or if you please Northwards of the Loire four upon and about the Loire and four beyond the South of the Loire The four on this side are Picardy Normandy the Isle of France and Champaigne the four about the Loire are Bretaigne Orleance or Orlenois Bourgogne or Burgundy and Lionois and the four beyond the Loire are Guienne and Gascoigne Languedoc Dauphin and Provence In each Government are several Parts or Countries which are taken notice of in the Geographical Tables of the Kingdom of which in order Goverment of Picardy PICARDY is divided into the Higher and Lower in both of which are divers good Towns in the Lower are 1. Calais called by Coesar Portus Iccius held by the English near 200 years and was then esteemed the Key of the Kingdom it is esteemed one of the best Ports in Picardy seated opposite to Dover in England from which it is distant about eight Leagues once a place of great Trade as being the Staple of English Wools now only of note for its being the receipt of Passengers from this Kingdom to England to and fro 2. Bulloigne a strong Frontier Town towards the Sea 3. Abbeville also a strong Frontier Town In the higher Picardy are 1. Amiens a Frontier City towards Flanaers well fortified and famous for the sudden loss and as sudden and brave regaining it by Henry the Fourth 2. St. Quintin a strong Frontier Town Dukedom of Normandy NORMANDY well watered with Rivers amongst which are the Seine Anon and Orne It is well garnished with Cities and Towns many of which are commodiously seated for Trade by reason of their vicinity to the British Ocean the chief of which are 1. Roan its Metropolis seated in the higher Normandy on the banks of the Seine over which there is a famous Bridge of Boats Here is held one of the Parliaments of France and it is a place of as great Trade as any in France being one of the three principal Towns where Exchanges are used Here the English have a publick Hall allowed them for the sale of English Woolen cloth to which place at certain days they are constrained to expose them to sale 2. Havre de Grace or Now Haven the strongest
together extend from about the 48th degree of Latitude unto the 57th which are about 225 French Leagues and from the 38th of Longitude unto the 61 and have near as much Continent again as France They are bounded on the East for the most part by Moscovy Bounds and part of the Petit Tartars on the South the Mountains oâ— Caprack and the River Neister divide them from Hungaria Transilvania and Moldavia on the West by Germany and toucht in part on the Balticâ— Sea and on the North they are bounded part by Livonia and Moscovy Ancient Inhabitants The Ancient name of Poland was Sauromatia from its Inhabitants the Sauromatae afterwards by Lechius the first Duke hereof in Anno 550 it was called Poland which signifies a plain Country as generally it is It was made a Kingdom by the Emperour Otho the Third Anno 1000 Boleslaus being Duke and hath ever had its Dukes and Kings elected by the States who by reason of their vicinity to the Turks generally chuse a Warriour Fertility Commodities c. The Country is plain well clothed with Firs and other Timber-Trees the Air is so cold that they have neither Wine nor Grapes instead of which having store of Barly they make use of the Old drink of England viz. Ale The Country is well furnished with Grains and Fruits but they are but lean their chief Commodities are rich Furs Horses Hony Wax Bow-staves Buff-hides Ambergreese Flax Linnen-cloth Masts Cordage Boards Wainscot Timber Rozin Tar and Pith of both kinds Match Iron Stock-fish Salt digged out of the Earth Pot-ashes Rye in great plenty for which it hath made Dantzick famous It is well furnished with Flesh Fowl and Fish and to waâ—ds the Carpatian Mountains of Hungaria are found Mines of Gold and Silver as also Iron and Brimstone To the R t Worship Full Sr Robert Clayton of the Citty of London Kt and Alderman and Lord Mayr thee of Anno 1680 This Mapp is D D by R B P of the ESTATES of the CROWNE of POLAND where are the KINGDOM of POLAND withits Palatinates the DUTCHES of RUSSIA-NOIRE CUJAVIA MOZOVIA PRUSSIA â—IA VOLHYNIA PODOLIA c Designed by Monsieur Sanson Geographer to the French King The Revenue of the King The Revenue of the King is not great for so large a Country and that which is he receiveth from them quarterly the Kingdom being divided into four Parts every one of which keepeth the King and Court a quarter which Revenue is not certain but more or less according to his occasions by War Marriage of his Daughters or the like Poland with its parts and chief places The Kingdom is divided throughout into Palatinates and Castlewicks Poland taken particularly is divided into the Higher and Lower in the Higher are the Palatinates of Cracou Sandomirz and Lublin Places of most note in these parts are 1. Cracou or Cracovia seated in a Plain and on the Banks of the Vistula dignified with the residence of the King It is in form round the Houses fair and lofty and built of Freestone in the midst of the City is a large Quadrangle Market-house where is seated the Cathedral Church and the Senate-house for the Citizens about which are several Shops for Merchants The City is encompassed with two strong Stone Walls and a dry Ditch on the East-side of the City is the Kings Castle being fair well built and pleasantly seated on a Hill as also the Kings and Queens Lodgings on the West is a Chappel where the Kings are interr'd and on the North-side Lodgings for Entertainment and Feasting the South-side being without Buildings but as to matters of Trade this City is of small account Also Sandomirz and Lublin both chief Cities of their Palatinates are in the higher Polonia or Poland Lower Poland In the Lower Poland are the Palatinates of Posna Kalisch Sirad Lencinâ— Dobrzin Ploczk and Rava whose chief Cities or places bear the same name and are the residence of their Palatines Besides which there are several other Towns of good note which are taken notice of in the Geographical Table of the Kingdom and in chief Posna and Gnesna dignified with the See of an Archbishop who during the Interregnum of the King holdeth the Supream Authority in the Kingdom and summoneth the Diets To Poland doth also belong the Dutchies of Russia Noire Cujavia Mazovia Prussia and Polaquie Russia Noire RVSSIA NOIRE hath for its chief places Loewenberg and Belz both chief of their Palatinates OVJAVIA hath for its principal places Brzesti and Vladislau Cujavia both chief of their Castelwicks Mazovia with its places MAZOVIA hath only one Palatinate viz. Czersk under which is comprised several Cities and Castlewicks the chief of which is Warzaw one of the fairest in the Kingdom it oft-times being the residence of the Kings of Poland a place noted for its excellent Metheglin here made PRVSSIA is considered in two parts Prussia which are called Royale and Ducale Prussia Royale is immediately subject to the Crown of Poland and hath its Palatinates in the Cities of 1. Dantzick seated on the Vistula at its influx into the Baltick Sea and at the foot of a great Mountain which hangs over it it is the fairest best and of the greatest Trade of any in Prussia Through this City runs a River very commodious to the Inhabitants whereon are many Mills for the grinding of Corn which is here found in great plenty as also a Water-Mill for the conveyance of water in Pipes to their Houses and by reason of its great Trade for Corn with England and other parts they have a great many Granaries or Store-houses for the same which is hither brought them from Poland 2. Elbin though but small yet a fair City and indifferently well frequented by the English Merchants 3. Marienburg the Seat of the Masters of the Dutch Knights 4. Culne and 5. Thorn which though it hath no Palatinate is esteemed by many next to Dantzick Prussia Ducale belongs to the Marquess of Brandenbourg who holds it from the Crown of Poland It hath only one Palatinate at Koningsberg seated on an Inlet of the Baltick Sea and washed with the River Pegel it is a fair City a famous Mart and a good University and before its Coast is gathered great quantity of Ambergriece This Ambergriece is the juyce of a Stone growing like Coral on a Rock in the North-Sea continually covered with Water and in the Months of September and December by the violence of the Sea is rent from the Rocks and cast into the Havens of the Neighbouring Countries POLAQVIE is a small Province between the Estates of Poland and Lithuania Polaquie and seems to have belonged to Mozavia Bielsk is the Seat of its Palatinate And hitherto we have treated of the Estates of Poland almost all on the Vistula or the Rivers that fall into it on which are seated the three fairest Cities of these Quarters viz. Cracow towards its Spring
accommodation of its Inhabitants is traded unto by 8 Market Towns Cambridge seated in an Air somewhat unhealthful Cambridge occasioned through the Fenny-grounds near adjoyning and on the River Cam or Grant navigable for Barges which separates it into two but unequal parts which are joyned together by a Bridge 'T is a place of great antiquity being said to derive its name from Cantabar a Spaniard who about 375 years before the Incarnation of Christ had there setled the Muses Seat but more certain it is that Sigilbert the first Christian King of the East Saxons established here several Schools and of no less fame for its University or Seminary of true Learning which is its chiefest ornament being adorned with 16 Colledges and Halls many of which are superb Buildings and by reason of these Seminaries it is a place of a large extent numbring 14 Parish Churches is beautified with well built Houses its Streets are paved and well ordered is well inhabited enjoyeth a good Trade and its Market on Saturdays is sufficiently furnished with Provisions which are had at easie rates It is a Town Corporate endowed with ample Immunities and sendeth 4 Burgesses to Parliament viz. two for the Vniversity and two for the Town Nigh unto Cambridge Southwards are Gogmagog-Hills which are of a great eminency and yet retain the remembrance of the Danish Station and of these Hills the Country people tell fine stories Ely seated in a fenny and waterish place and on the banks of the Owse Ely which rendreth it very unhealthful it is a City of more antiquity than beauty being but meanly built nor overmuch frequented or inhabited and would be far less were it not for being the See of a Bishop whose Palace is so ruinous that it is uninhabitable but its Cathedral or Minister is a lofty structure and beautified with a stately Lenthorn of curious Architecture It is a City that enjoyeth ample Immunities for in the Isle of Ely the Bishop hath all the rights of a Count Palatine and beareth chief sway therein appointing a Judge for the hearing of Causes within the said Isle he also holdeth Assizes Goal-delivery and Quarter-Sessions of the Peace and hath his chief Bayliff and other Officers and although the City is but meanly inhabited yet its Market on Saturdays is well served with Provisions New-Market New-Market seated part in this County and part in Suffolk and in a large and pleasant Heath so called a place of some largness containing two Parish Churches and is well inhabited and much resorred unto by the Gentry by reason of its commodious scituation for Horse-races and Hunting being both Recreations that his Majesty taketh so great delight in that he hath there his Palace for his reception which adds no small advantage to the Town often honouring it with his Royal presence It s Market is on Tuesdays which is not very considerable by reason of its vicinity to Bury and Cambridge Caxton seated in the Clay and on the North-road a small Town Caxton and hath a little Market on Tuesdays Royston seated on the high Road to Huntington in a bottom amongst Hills Royston and part in this County and part in Hartfordshire It is a large well inhabited Town and hath a considerable Market on Wednesdays for Provisions especially for Mault here and in parts adjacent made in great quantities Cheshire described CHESHIRE a County Palatine of a rich and fertil Soil both for Tillage and Pasturage feeding abundance of Cattle and affording plenty of Corn Fish especially Salmon Fowl Butter Cheese and Salt which is their staple commodity and here had in great plenty and out of the Rocks and Quarries broad Slates and fair Stones for building are dug as are Mill-stones out of Moucop-Hill It is well furnished with Timber and Fuel from its Woods and Forests of Delamer and Maxfield is plentifully watered with Rivers Meers and Pools hath several Heaths and Mosses The ancient People were the Cornavii of Ptolomy and afterwards became part of the Kingdom of the Mercians In this County are seated 86 Parish Churches besides 38 Chappels of Ease and hath Traffick with 13 Market Towns Chester Chester or West-Chester a City of great antiquity said to be raised from the Fort of Ostorius Lieutenant of Britain for Claudius the Emperour and of a pleasant scituation on the Dee over which it hath a fair Stone-bridge sustained by eight Arches at each end of which is a Gate but the Channel is now so choaked up with Sand that it is scarce navigable for small Vessels so that all Ships now come to a place called New-Key about 6 miles distant It s form is Quadrangular and taketh up about two miles in circuit within its Wall on which are 7 Watch-Towers and which gives entrance by 4 Gates and 3 Posterns and of these Gates the East-Cate is esteemed one of the stateliest Gates in England For its further defence it hath a large Castle seated on a Rocky Hill where the Shire Hall is which something resembleth that of Westminster where all matters concerning the County Palatine are tried by their peculiar Officers The City is large numbring to Parish Churches beside its Minster or Cathedral a large structure adjoyning to which is the Bishops Palace it is beautified with divers fair Buildings both publick and private is graced with large and well ordered Streets is well frequented and inhabited by Gentry and Assizes are kept as also for being the usual place of taking Shippipng for Ireland with which it hath a great intercourse and hath a considerable Trade It is governed by a Major 2 Sheriffs 24 Aldermen a Recorder and Sub-Officers enjoyeth ample Immunities and sendeth Burgesses to Parliament which no other Town in the County doth It is well served with Provisions for besides its Shambles it hath two considerable Markers weekly on Wednesdays and Saturdays Not far from this City is the Forest of Delamer where Aedested the Mercian Lady built a small City long since reduced to ruins which place is now called The Chamber in the Forest Nantwich Nantwich seated on the Wever the largest and best built Town next to Chester in the Country and is graced with a goodly spacious Church It is a place well inhabited and frequented chiefly occasioned for its Salt-pits or Salt-wich for the making of white Salt here had in great plenty and its Market which is on Saturdays is sufficiently provided with all Provisions and necessaries especially Corn and Cattle Malpas Malpas scituate on a great eminency and on the River Dee a fair Town containing 3 Streets which are paved and well ordered it hath an Hospital and Grammar School and its Market on Mondays is of good account Middlewich Middlewich seated between Nantwich and Northwich a large Town containing several Streets and Lanes its chief place being called the Kings-Mexon The Town is of note for its Salt-pits and making of Salt and hath a good Market for Provisions on
Parliament men is of great great strength as well by nature as art The Town is not large but is well inhabited and frequented by those that have relation to Sea-Affairs and the rather by reason of its safe and commodious Haven harbour for Ships and Vessels to Anchor in it being oft-times the station of the Navy Royal which and for being the ready passage to Holland where the Packet-boats are kept for that purpose doth occasion it to enjoy a good Trade yet its Market on Tuesdays is not very considerable About 4 miles Northwards from Harwich is Horsey Isle and about 2 miles further is the Ness a Promontory well known to Sea-men Maldon Maldon a Town of great antiquity and repute in the time of the Romans as Cambden noteth and was the Seat of Cunobelin King of the Trinobantes It is well seated on an Arm of the Sea about 6 or 7 miles from the Main before which lie small Isles called Northey and Osey the Town is large having one Street about a mile in length is well inhabited enjoyeth a good trade occasioned by reason of the commodiousness of its Haven amongst its Immunities electeth Parliament men is governed by 2 Bailiffs 6 Aldermen 18 Brethren a Recorder High-Steward c. and hath a very considerable Market on Saturdays for Flesh Fish Fowl and other Provisions Walden Walden or Saffron-Walden seated on an Ascent amongst pleasant Fields of Saffron a large fair well inhabited and frequented Town Corporate enjoying several Immunities is governed by a Treasurer 2 Chamberlains and the Commonalty and hath a very considerable Market on Saturdays for Corn and all forts of Provisions Near unto this Town is that stately House Audley-end Audley-end built by the Right Honourable Tho. Howard Earl of Suffolk then Lord High Treasurer of England which said House now belongeth to his Majesty Chelmesford Chelmesford seated in the Road and between two Rivers over which are Bridges for conveniency of passage It is a fair large and well frequented Town where the Assizes are usually kept and hath a very great Market for Corn Provisions c. on Fridays Raleigh Raleigh a place of great antiquity though not of largeness and its Market which is on Saturdays is but small Not far from this Town are the Isles of Wallop and Fowlness that is the Promontory of Fowls which hath a Church in it Also Canvey Isle of a rich Soil and feedeth good store of Sheep Brentwood Brentwood seated on a Hill and on the high Road a place of good Antiquity is well inhabited and its Market on Thursdays is well served with Provisions Rumford Rumford a large thoroughfare well frequented and inhabited Town seated in the Liberty of Haverill which enjoyeth large Immunities being an ancient retiring place of the Kings This Town of Rumford is of note for its great Market on Tuesdays for living Cattle but for Corn and Provisions which it is plentifully served with it hath a Market on Wednesdays Waltham Waltham or Waltham-Abby seated on the River Leg where it formeth several Eights or small Isles and in a large Forest so called well stored with Deer and other Game It is a Town of some note and hath a Market on Tuesdays Gloucestershire described GLOVCESTERSHIRE a County of a healthful Air and fertil Soil both for Corn and Pasturage yielding plenty of Corn and feeding abundance of Cattle and great flocks of Sheep especially about Coteswold whose Wool is much esteemed for its fineness The part lying Eastwards called Coteswold riseth up with Hills and is for grazing the middle part which is watered with the Severne lieth low and maketh a most fertil Plain and the Western part beyond the Severne is overspread with Wood and called Dean Forest which affordeth excellent Timber Trees for the building of Ships and great store of Coal and Iron-Mines where there are divers Furnaces and Forges for working the same This Forest is of a large extent being about 20 miles in length and 10 in breadth within which tract of ground are numbred 3 Hundreds 23 Parish Churches 1 Castle 1 Abby 3 Market Towns and 1 Major Town and the Common thereof besides the Purlieus and Abby-woods is said to contain 32000 Acres of Ground The chief Commodities that this County produceth are Corn Wool Cloth Iron Steel Wool and Timber also Fruits here had in such great plenty that the Highways and Lanes are beset with Apple Pear and Plumb-trees which grow naturally without ingrafting It is well watered with Rivers amongst which are the Isis Strowd Churne Avon Wye and Severne which for broadness of Channel swiftness of Stream and plenty of Salmon and other excellent Fish comes little short of any River in England The ancient Inhabitants were the Dobuni and in the time of the Saxons it became part of the Kingdom of the Mercians This County is divided into 30 Hundreds in which are numbred 280 Parish Churches and is traded unto by 25 Market-Towns Bristol Bristol seated between the Avon and the Froom which after a small course fall into the Severne the Avon dividing it into two parts as the Thames doth London and Southwark and are so joyned by a fair Stone-bridge on which are also stately Houses The greatest part of this City is in this County and the least in Somersetshire but it will owe subjection to neither being an entire County incorporate of it self enjoying large Immunities sendeth Burgesses to Parliament is governed by its peculiar Magistrates as a Major Court of Aldermen 2 Sheriffs and other sub-Officers and is dignified with the See of a Bishop and the title of an Earldom now invested in the person of the Right Honourable George Digby Earl of Bristol c. It is a City of a sweet and delightful scituation and of far more beauty than antiquity being adorned with many fair and well built Edifices and its Streets so neatly ordered by reason of the Avon that runneth through it together with the common Sinks and Sewers under ground that no filth is to be seen to annoy its Inhabitants It is a City of a large extent numbring 18 Parish Churches besides its Cathedral a fair structure It is begirt with a Wall and further defended with Fortifications its Port is good and commodious for Ships of a considerable burthen which doth occasion it to be a place of a very considerable Trade and to be well inhabited and frequented by Merchants and Tradesmen insomuch that next after London it may justly claim priority of all others in England and for the accommodation of its Inhabitants besides its Shambles its Markets on Wednesdays and Saturdays are plentifully served with all sorts of Provisions It is of note for its Bristol-Stones taken out of St. Vincents-Rock near adjoyning Gloucester Gloucester a City of good antiquity and pleasantly seated on an easie Ascent and on the banks of the Severne over which it hath a fair Stone-bridge 'T is a City not
Parish Churches and is traded unto by 12 Market Towns Leicester delightfully seated in a healthful Air rich Soil Leicester and on the Banks of the Stour over which it hath two Bridges It is a place of more antiquity than beauty being said to be built by King Leir and called Caer-Lerion wherein Authors say he placed a High-Priest to serve in the Temple of Janus which he caused to be built and wherein he was buried This Town was also had in great request in the time of the Romans also Ethelred King of the Mercians erected here an Episcopal See which he soon translated elsewhere to its great impoverishment but the noble Lady Edelfled not only repaired it but also encompassed it with a strong Wall and much added to its Riches so that it soon became a place of a great Trade which glory and riches it lost by the Spoils it sustained by Rob. Bossu the Crouch-back Earl of this Shire As to its present state it is a Borough and Town Corporate governed by a Major Aldermen and sub-Officers is dignified with the title of an Earldom is well inhabited hath indifferent good Buildings sendeth two Representatives to Parliament containeth 3 Parish Churches and its Market on Saturdays is well served with Corn Provisions and Country commodities From this Town Crouch-back Richard set forth with great strength and pomp to Redmore near Bosworth where on the 22 of August 1485 in a bloody Battle there fought for the deciding the differences betwixt the Houses of York and Lancaster he was slain yielding both himself and the victory to Henry of Richmond who was proclaimed King in the field and the next day the body of the said Richard was disgracefully brought back torn and naked and as meanly buried in the Gray-Friars of Leicester in a Stone-chest which now is made use of in an Inn for a Drinking-trough for Horses Loughborough Loughborough delightfully seated on the banks of the Sour over which it hath a Bridge amongst fertil Meadows and near Charwood Forrest It is a handsom Town beautified with fair Buildings and a large Church and hath a very considerable Market for Corn Cattle Sheep and Provisions on Thursdays Melton-Mowbray Melton-Mowbray well seated in a fertil Soil and on the banks of the Eye which almost encircleth it over which are two fair Stone-bridges It is an indifferent large and well built Town and hath a very considerable Market on Tuesdays for Corn Cattle Hogs Sheep Provisions c. Lutterworth Lutterworth seated on the Swift and in a good Soil an indifferent Country Town beautified with a large and fair Church which hath a lofty spired Steeple and its Market on Thursdays is well served with Corn and Country commodities Near this Town is a Spring so cold that in a short time it turns Straws and small Sticks into Stone LINCOLNSHIRE County of Lincoln described a County of a large extent and doth divide its form bounds and division into Hundreds The Soil is of a different temperature the Western and Northern parts being very pleasant and grateful to the Husbandman both for Corn and rich Pastures which feed great store of Cattle and the Eastern and Southern parts are fenny barren and unfit for Corn but in recompence hath great plenty of Fish and Fowl The Air upon the South and East parts is thick and foggy occasioned through the Fenny grounds but the other parts good and healthful It is well watered with Rivers as the Humber Trent Idell Dane Wash Witham Welland c. which lose themselves in the Sea The chief Commodities that this County produceth are Corn Cattle Fish Fowl Flax Wool Alablaster c. This County is severed into 3 principal Divisions or Parts viz Lindsey Holland and Kesteven which are divided into 30 Hundreds in which are numbred 631 Parish Churches and is traded unto by 31 Market Towns Lincoln Lincoln a City of great antiquity and hath been far more magnificent and spacious than now it is whose ruinous places doth witness the same being said to have had 50 Churches which now are reduced to 15 besides its Cathedral or Minster said to be one of the finest loftiest and stateliest structures in England This City in the time of the Britains was of great strength and fame containing 1070 Mansions and 900 Burgesses with 12 Lage-men having Sac and Soc and in the time of the Normans it was esteemed one of the best peopled Cities in the Isle and enjoyed a great Trade both by Sea and Land insomuch that King Edward the Third ordained here his Staple for the Mart of Wools Leather and Lead But it s pristine glory has been much eclipsed by the several shocks of ill Fortune it hath met with nevertheless it is a place well inhabited and frequented enjoyeth a good Trade and its Markets on Fridays is well served with Provisions and its Shops furnished with Commodities It is pleasantly seated on the side of a Hill and on the River Witham which divideth it self into several streams and waters in the lower part of the City over which are divers Bridges for the accommodation of the Inhabitants in their passage to and sro It is dignified with an Episcopai See where the Bishop hath his Palace and whose Diocess is the greatest of any in England numbring within its Jurisdiction 1255 Parishes of which 577 are Impropriations The civil Government of this City is committed to the care of a Major 2 Sheriffs 12 Aldermen who are clothed in Scarlet besides a Recorder Town Clerk 4 Chamberlains a Sword-bearer 4 Serjeants at Mace c. It enjoyeth ample Immunities sendeth two Representatives to Parliament and is a County within it self whose Liberties extends about 20 miles in compass and is called the County and City of Lincoln The Isle of Axholme made so by the Rivers Trent Dun Idel Isle of Axholms and others It is a large tract of ground in which are seated several Towns the flat and lower part of the Isle towards the Rivers is Moorish and yieldeth a sweet Shrub called by the Inhabitants Gall. In this part have been great and tall Fir-trees digged up And the middle part which is a rising ground is fertil and produceth great store of Flax. Barton seated on the Humber Barton where there is a considerable Ferry into Yorkshire which doth much advantage the Town which is large and stragling yet hath but an indifferent Market on Saturdays Grimsby Magna seated near the Humber or rather the Sea Grimsby Magna and in a flat and Marshy rich ground This Town was formerly very large having two Parish Churches enjoyed a good Trade but its Harbour which was then commodious being choaked up hath much eclipsed its trade and grandure having now but one Church which for largeness giveth place to few Cathedrals Here was formerly a Castle an Abby a Nunnery 2 Priories and 2 Chantries which time hath reduced to ruins and in their places are erected Houses It
inhabited by Gentry and Persons of Honour as are Hampsted Highgate Hornsey Tottenham-Highcross Muswel-Hill Edmonton c. Towns near adjacent to London London London the epitomy and glory of the Kingdom was the Seat of the British Empire as now the Royal-Chamber of our Kings a City of great antiquity said to be built by Brute the Trojan but all agree it was re-edified by King Lud in Anno Mundi 5131 who called it Luddestown It is seated in a healthful Air and no less pleasantly than commodiously on the banks of the Thames which severeth it into two but unequal parts which are joyned together by a stately Stone-bridge so covered with Houses that it seemeth rather a Street than a Bridge This City is begirt with a Wall first built by Constantine the Great at the suit of his Mother Helena and hath for entrance 7 principal Gates but now as contemning bondage it hath enlarged it self on all sides with spacious Suburbs insomuch that she hath joyned her self to the City of Westminster which name is now swallowed up all passing under the general name of London The City of Westminster according to Mr. Norden in his description of Middlesex was in time past called Thorney or Dorney and was an Isle encompassed with the Thames which divided it self and one branch passed between Chairin-Cross and Kingstreet through St. James's including Tut-hill which said Isle was so called as being overgrown with Briars and Thorns but in the time of King Lucius it is said to be cleansed and the foundation of the great Temple of St. Peters was laid which was raised out of the ruins of a former delicated to Apollo where the Trinobantes or Troinovantes did sacrifice Bulls Bullocks Stags and such like Beasts to Diana Tauropolia whom the Gentiles called the Queen of Heaven This City or part of London is the noblest though not the longest being taken up by the King the Nobility Gentry and such as have their dependancy on the Court or Law being sufficiently graced with fair and beautiful Edifices as 1. The Palaces of his Majesty Whitehall and St. James's to which is joyned a small but delightful Park wherein is a Pall-Mall said to be the best in Christendom 2. The Courts of Judicature and Houses of Parliament now all known by the general name of Westminster-hall and was anciently the Palace of the Kings of England 3. It s Collegiate-Church of Westminster which was formerly the Temple of St. Peter and now renowned for its Chapel built by King Henry the Seventh being beautified with the Tombs of the Kings and Queens and many of the Nobility of England nor is it less famous for the Inauguration of our Kings and Queens 4. The Palace of her Majesty Somerset-house and 5. The Houses of the Nobility And thus much for the City of Westminster The Eastern part or Suburbs of London beyond the Tower is taken up by those that have relation to the Sea and the whole City thus taken is now of a great extent being in length from Black-wall in the East to Tuttle-fields in the West about six miles in breadth 1 2 and in some places 3 miles and is said to make in circuit about 14 or 15 miles in which extent are numbred about 500 Streets and Lanes and contains according to computation about 75000 Houses and by the great number of Houses the Inhabitants may be guest at which without doubt are very numerous and if we consider its great Trade and Commerce with other Nations its Riches Jurisdiction bounds and populousness its good Government the ingenuity of its Inhabitants in Letters Arts and Manufactures c. it may deservedly be numbred with any City of the highest rank in the World The Buildings of note belonging to this City are its Inns of Court and Chancery Guildhall a stately Structure where the Courts of Judicature are held and where the Lord Major Aldermen and Common Council meet for the negotiating the Affairs of the City The Royal Exchange built quadrangular now said to be the best in the known World The Tower a place or large extent well furnished with a Magazin or Arsenal of warlike Munition both for Sea and Land-service and doth contain according to observation a Kings Palace a Prison an Armory a Mint a Wardrobe and an Artillery each having their peculiar Officers and for Buildings resembleth a Town having a Parochial Church exempted from the Jurisdiction of the Archbishop Gresham Colledge given to the City by Sir Tho. Gresham with the allowance of liberal Salaries to professors of several Arts and Sciences to read Lectures for the advancement of Learning amongst the Citizens The Colledge of Heralds called the Heralds Office where the Records for the Arms Descents and Pedigrees of the Nobility and Gentry are kept Doctors Commons which is taken up by the Civilians The Colledge of Physitians The Halls of the several Incorporated Companies The Houses of Correction amongst which that of most note is Bridewell a large Building The Hospitals viz. St. Bartholomews Christ-Church and the Charter-house or Suttons Hospital being the noblest Hospital in the Kingdom in which are well maintained 80 Old men and 40 Boys The Sessions House for the trial of Malefactors and lastly its Churches and Free Schools This City within the Walls and Freedom is divided into 26 Wards and the Government thereof committed to the care of so many Aldermen each having the overseeing of his several Ward and besides these Aldermen there are 2 Shoriffs which are yearly chosen as also a Lord Major who is the principal Magistrate To the making a compleat City there are several principal parts or helps required for the supportation thereof and without which it cannot well stand to wit Husbandry and Artificers for the providing Food and Rayment for its Inhabitants Arms and Ammunition for its defence the Priesthood for Divine worship Judges Councellors c. for the administration of Justice and Traffick for the bringing in of Riches In all which this City in a liberal measure is blest with County of Monmouth MONMOVTHSHIRE This County formerly part of Wales is blest with a healthful Air and although very hilly and woody yet is exceeding fertil especially the Eastern parts which are not so hilly as the Western the Hills feeding abundance of Cattle and Sheep and the Valleys bearing great crops of Corn and Grass and the rather for its being watered with so many fresh Streams the chief of which are the Vske Wye Munow Ebunith Scoway and the Rumney which fall into the Severn Sea It is divided into Hundreds in which Tract are seated 127 Parish Churches and is traded unto by 7 Market Towns Monmouth Monmouth no less pleasantly than commodiously seated on the banks of the Wye and Munow which doth almost encircle it over each of which is a Bridge In the midst of the Town near the Market-place standeth a once stately but now ruinous Castle It is a fair large well built and inhabited
and frequented Town enjoying large Immunities and sendeth a Burgess to Parliament It is governed by a Major 2 Bailiffs 15 Common Councellors a Town Clerk and other sub-Officers and hath a considerable Market for Corn and Provisions on Saturdays Chepstow Chepstow seated on the side of a Hill which is washed with the Wye near its fall into the Severn a Town formerly very famous and of great resort being said to be raised out of the ruins of Venta Silurum the chief City of the Silures It is a large well built inhabited and frequented Town and hath a Market on Saturdays which is very good for Corn and Provisions and very considerable for Swine Carlion or Caerleon an ancient and flourishing City of the Romans Carlion which is evidenced by the ruins of its stately Buildings as Palaces Temples and Theaters enclosed within fair Walls the Water-pipes Vaults Hot-houses and Roman Coins oft digged up And here the Noble Arthur kept his Court and here was a famous Colledge for 200 Students in Astronomy and other the liberal Arts and Sciences This Town which is indifferent large is commodiously seated on the banks of the Vske over which it hath a large wooden Bridge yet its Houses for the generality are built of Stone and its Market which is but indifferent is on Thursdays Vske seated on a River so called a large Town uske beautified with well built Stone-houses and hath a very good Market on Mondays and Fridays Abergavenny seated at the meeting of the Vske and the Keveny Abergavenny once a place of great strength It is a large Town hath well-built Houses enjoyeth a good Trade for Flanels and Straw-Hats here made in great plenty and its Market which is on Tuesdays is very considerable for Cattle Provisions c. County of Norfolk The County of NORFOLK is of a different Soil but may be comprised under two heads to wit Champain and Wood-land yet notwithstanding about the Towns it is of a Claiey Chalkey and fat Earth and not without Wood. That which is comprised under the head of Champain is along the Sea-Coasts and from Thetford to Burnham and so Westwards and affords great plenty of Corn and on the Heaths great flocks of Sheep are fed The Wood-land part is chiefly for grasing yet not without Corn ground The ancient Inhabitants known to the Romans were the Iceni and afterwards became part of the Kingdom of the Angles The Commodities that this Country plentifully affordeth are Worsteds Stockings Norwich Stuffs and Herrings The chief Rivers that water this County are the Owse Waveny Yare and the Thryne It is generally well inhabited with Gentry is very populous and full of Towns and Villages numbring 660 Parish Churches which are the most of any County in England and is traded unto by 27 Market Towns Norwich a City of great antiquity Norwich and formerly of as great splendor when the Seat of the East Angles since which it hath undergone several calamities by Fire Sword and Pestilence and notwithstanding all its shocks of Ill fortune it is at present a fair large and populous City and enjoyeth a great Trade especially for their Stockings Stuffs and Manufactures here made It is commodiously seated on the banks of the Yare which severeth it but is joyned together by several Briges and in a pleasant Valley It is about a mile and half in length and almost of the like breadth and is encompassed with a Wall except on the side seated on the River and hath 12 Gates for entrance and for Divine worship 32 Parish Churches bisides Chapels It s chief buildings are the Cathedral the Bishops Palace the Palace of the Duke of Norfolk the Market-house the Cross and the House of Correction made of Free-stone Here is an Hospital where 100 poor Men and Women are maintained This City may not improperly be called an Orchard in a City or a City in an Orchard by reason of the pleasant intermixture of the Houses with Trees It was first governed by 4 Bailiffs but in the Reign of Henry the Fourth it was incorporated into a Majoralty and made a County whose limits extend to Eaton-Bridge It enjoys several Immunities sends Burgesses to Parliament and is the See of a Bishop Its Markets on Wednesdays Fridays and Saturdays are very great and well stored with Corn living Cattle Leathen Yarn Worsteds and all sorts of Provisions Lynn Lynn or Lynn Regis seated almost at the influx of the Owse into the Washes a fair large and well-built Borough Town numbring 3 Parish Churches of good antiquity enjoying ample Immunities which were granted them for their good service against the outlawed Barons in the Isle of Ely It is governed by a Major 12 Aldermon hath a Recorder Sword-Bearer and other sub-Officers sendeth its Representatives to Parliament for its defence is encompassed about with a Wall and a deep Trench is well watered having 2 Rivulets which run through the Streets which are passed over by 15 Bridges It is well inhabited by Merchants and Tradesmen having a commodious Haven and its Markets on Tuesdays and Saturdays are well served with Commodities and Provisions Yarmouth Yarmouth seated on the Yare at its influx into the Sea It is a place of great strength as well by Nature as Art being esteemed the Key of this Goast The Town is large yet hath but one Church but that is so large that it serveth for two Ministers Its Buildings are good it is a place of a great resort is well inhabited and traded unto and the more as being the ready passage to Holland for the Packet-Boat and other Vessels About this Coast great abundance of Herrings are caught in September and as great quantities of Mackerels in the Summer season It is a Town Corporate having for its chief Magistrates 2 Bailiffs it enjoyeth several Immunities and sends Burgesses to Parliament It s Market is on Saturdays which is very great for Corn Fish and Provisions Windham Windham seated in a dirty bottom hath an indifferent good Market for Corn and Provisions on Fridays but chiefly for Stockings Wooden-Spoons Yapps and Spindles which are here made and sold by the Inhabitants in great abundance Swasham Swasham seated on a Hill a large and well built Town full of Inns end well inhabited by Shopkeepers who drive a good trade It s Market which is on Saturdays is very well served with Corn and Provisions being esteemed one of the best Market Towns in the County North Walsham North Walsham seated in a level not far from the Sea a fine Market Town which on Thursdays is well provided with Corn Flesh and other Commodities County of Northampton described NORTHAMPTON an Inland County of a fat and rich Soil both for Tillage and Pasturage every way recompencing the Husbandmans pains and industry both for its excellent Grain and for feeding and breeding of store of Sheep Horses and Cattle insomuch that here is observed to be less wast
Bogs which oft-times prove dangerous especially to New-comers and occasion Rheums and Fluxes for the cure of which they drink a sort of hot Water called Vskebah It s Air and Temperature It is blest with a mild and healthful Air its Summer being not so hot nor its Winter so cold as in England but more inclined to soggy Mists and Rains which makes it more unfit for Tillage than Pasturage the Clime being not very favourable for ripening of Corn or Fruits but beareth such great abundance of long and sweet Grass that the Cattle which are the Inhabitants chiefest wealth are soon fat and fit for slaughter therewith And it is further observed That the Air is so pure that it neither breedeth nor suffereth any venemous Beast Serpent or Insect being brought out of other Countries long to retain their life Its Names Many have been the Names according to Tradition that this Island hath been known by Orphaeus Aristotle and Claudian named it Jerna Juvenal and Mela Iverna or Hibernia Diodorus Siculus Iris Eustachius Oyernia and Bernia the Britains Yuerdon the Natives Eryn and the English Ireland Why so called Some there be that will have it called Hibernia from Hyberno tempore that is from its Winter season others from Hiberus a Spaniard and others from the ancient River Iberus whilst some strive to have it so called from the Irish word Hiere which signifieth West or Western Coast whence Eryn may seem to fetch its derivation Festus Avienus calleth this Island Sacram Insulam the Holy Island for that the People are soon drawn thereunto witness the many Saints that it hath produced Ireland long ago inhabited If you will take for truth what the Irish Historians report this Island hath been exceeding long inhabited for according to Cambden 't is said that it was possessed by Caesarea Niece to Noah before the Floud that Bartholanus a Scythian arrived here near 300 years before the Deluge that many years after Nemethus with his four Sons arrived here but was soon forced hence by the Giant-like sort of People of the Nimrods Race here inhabiting that after this the Five Grecians seized this Island and that soon after being about the time of the Israelites departure out of Aegypt Gaothel with his Wife Scota Daughter to Pharaoh King of Aegypt landed here and called the Island Scotia from his Wifes name And further the British History saith that some Ages after Hiberius Hermion Euer and Erimon Sons of Milesius King of Spain by permission of Gurguntius the British King here planted Colonies after that the Country had been wasted by a Pestilence and from the eldest Son was called Hibernia Nor is it much to be doubted but that the Britains setled themselves here seeing there is so great affinity betwixt them and the Irish in their natures dispositions and speech It s Extent Scituation This Island contains in length about 240 miles and in breadth about 120 't is scituate under the 10th and 12th Climates the longest day making about 16 hours It is a near Neighbour to Scotland from which it is separated by an Isthmus of about seven miles but England far more remote being from Dublin its Metropolitan City to Holy-land in the Isle of Anglesey the usual place for taking of Landing about 50. It s strength It is an Island of great strength as well by Nature as Art by reason of its scituation in such Tempestuous and dangerous Seas and the several Fortifications and Castles that the English have built since they became Masters thereof It s chief Rivers It is a Country well watered having several great Rivers the chief amongst which are those of Shannon being about 60 miles navigable and after its course of about 200 miles looseth it self into the Western Ocean Liff Showre Awidaff Slanie Sione c. And besides these Rivers there are several Lakes or Loughs amongst which that of most note is Lough-Erne about 30 miles in length and 15 in breadth in which are several small Isles Its Commodities The Commodities that this Island affordeth are great abundance of Cattle Hides Tallow Cheese Wool of which they make course-Cloth Freezes Rugs Mantles c. also Furs Pipe-staves Salt Hemp Linnen-Cloth Hony and Wax and its Seas likewise afford great plenty of Cod-fish Herrings Pilchards Oysters c. Its Inhabitants It s Native Inhabitants were extreamly rude and barbarous they made use of Women in common without any difference of other mens Wives they were very bold couragious and greedy of honour constant in love impatient of Injuries of an easie belief much addicted to phantastical conceits as holding it ominous to give their Neighbours Fire on a May-day with many the like Fooleries they are much inclined to superstitious Idolatry as worshipping the Moon after her change about their Childrens Necks they hung the beginning of St. Johns Gospel a piece of Wolves-skin or a crooked Nail of a Horse-shoe which they thought preserved them from danger the Hoofs of dead Horses they held Sacred with many such like ridiculous Fancies They accounted Ease and Idleness their greatest Liberty and Riches not coveting Worldly possessions contenting themselves with mean Cottages Hovels or Cabins nor were they profuse in their Apparel or Diet being well satisfied if they had wherewith to keep them warm and to fill their Bellies their chief food being Herbs Roots Butter Milk Oatmeal and the like For their dying they hired Women to Mourn who expostulated why they would die telling them that they had such and such things and the Corps were accompanied to the Grave with howlings clapping of hands and such like sorrowful actions But many of these ridiculous and absurd Customs since the English are setled amongst them are forgotten The Christian Faith was here first planted by St. Patrick The Christian Falth first planted by St. Patrick this Patrick according to Writers was the Son of Calphurus by St. Martins Sister and born at Glasco in Scotland who in his Youth was taken Captive by the Irish Pirates and sold for six years as a Slave in the meanest condition to Macbuain yet in this dejected condition he much desired the Conversion of this Nation from their extream Idolatrous ways to the true serving of the living God insomuch that he dreamed that the unborn Babes cried unto him for Baptisin and being at length redeemed from his bondage by a piece of Gold which he found in the Field that was rooted up by some Swine he lest the Isle but still having his thoughts on these People in his Aged years he again returned and in better state than before preached the Gospel converted the People became Bishop of Armagh and when dead was received or canonized as their Saint The English become Masters of Ireland These Irish having civil dissentions amongst them prompted the English in the Reign of K. Henry the Second to attempt the Conquest of this Kingdom who in Anno Dom. 1172.
landed his Army there and obtained the Regal Dominion thereof which being passed over unto him by their Nobles and Commonalty their Charter so signed was transmitted to Rome and was confirmed by a Patent of Pope Hadrian by a Ring delivered unto him in token of his investure and was farther confirmed by the Authority of certain Provincial Synods and ever since that time it hath remained in the possessions of the Kings of England The Temporal Government of Ireland The Temporal Government since the English became Masters thereof hath most commonly been by one Supream Officer sent over by the Kings of England and called Lord Deputy or Lord Lieutenant who for Majesty State and Power is not inferiour to any Vice-Roy in Christendom living in great grandure and having ample and Royal Power and Authority granted unto him and as Assistant unto him in so weighty a concern he hath his Privy Council being a select number of honourable and prudent persons chosen out of the Nobility Clergy and Capital Officers of State for their Degrees of Honour and Offices of State they are the same with those of England already treated of The present Lord Lieutenant is the Right Noble his Excellency Arthur Capell Earl of Essex Viscount Maldon Baron Capell of Hadham c. Its Laws and Courts of Judicature The Laws of this Kingdom have correspondency with those of England and have likewise there several Courts of Judicature as the Chancery Common-Pleas Kings-Bench Exchequer c. but above all the High Court of Parliament There are likewise in each County Justices of the Peace for the quiet governing and well ordering the Inhabitants as in England The Archbishops and Bishops As to the Ecclesiastical Government of this Kingdom it is committed to the care of four Archbishops under whom are divers Suffragan Bishops whose names are as followeth Under the Archbishop of Armagh who is Primate of Ireland are the Bishops of Meath or Elnamirand Conuer Rathluc Dune or Dundalethglas Ardachad Derry Dal-Liquir Chlocor or Lugundum and Rathbot Under the Archbishop of Dublin those of Ferne Lechlin Glendalach Ossery and Kildare Under the Archbishop of Cassile those of Limrick Waterford Corke Laonie or Kendalnan Gellumabrath Lismore Ardefret the Isle of Gathay Clon De Rosalither Melite or Emilech and Ross or Roscree And under the Archbishop of Tuam those of Elphin Gonany Clonfred Enachdun Achad Duac or Killmacduoc Mage Killmundâ—ach Cellaiar Roscomon and Lade or Killaleth According to the Temporal Government of this Kingdom it is severed into four Provinces to wit Leimster Vlster Connaugh and Mounster which are again subdivided into several Counties which comprehend several Baronies in which are seated several Towns And of these Provinces in order LEIMSTER It s fertility THis Part of Ireland for the generality is of a fertil Soil affording great plenty of Corn Cattle Fowl and Fish enjoyeth a wholsom and temperate Air is well watered with Rivers the chief amongst which are the Shour Neor and Barraeo It s Bivers which have their rise out of that great Mountain called by Giraldus Bladinae Montes It is very well inhabited as well by the Gentry as the Commonalty and the rather by reason of Dublin the Metropolitan City of this Kingdom therein seated It s form may be said to be triangular for from South-east to the West-point is above 80 miles from thence to the North-west about 70 and her East-Coast about 18 the circumference making about 270 miles And for its bounds it hath on the West the Province of Connough on the North that of Leimster and on the East and South the Sea which regards England from which that is from Holy-head in the Isle of Anglesey it is distant about 50 miles a Sea very dangerous for Saylers by reason of the Flats and Shallows that lie over against Holy-point which are called the Grounds And as to its division it is severed into ten Counties to wit Dublin East-Meath West-Meath Longford Kildare Kings County Queens County Caterlough Weixford and Kilkenny all which are again subdivided into several Baronies and of these Counties in order County of Dublin described DVBLIN or Divelin a fertil County for Corn and Cattle but ill provided with Wood which defect is supplied by Peat or Turff dug up in the clammy places as also by Sea-Coal brought from England It is severed into seven Baronies viz. New-Castle Vpper-Cross Rath-down Castle-knock Coolock Balrudery and Nether-Cross and by reason of its City Dublin the Metropolis of Ireland is very well furnished with Towns and inhabited by Gentry It s chief places are Dublin Dublin the capital City in the Island by Ptolomy called Eblana by the Latinists Dublinium and Dublinia by the West Britains Dinas Dulin and by the Irish Balacleigh that is the Town upon Hurdles by reason that when it began to be first built the ground being wet and moorish the Foundation of its Houses were laid upon Hurdles It is a City of great Antiquity and said to be built by Harold the first King of Norway who brought most of the Kingdom under his obedience though not without great Spoils and after the Conquest of the English was Peopled by a Colony of Bristol-men It is no less pleasantly than commodiously seated on the River Liffie which after a small course emptieth it self into a capacious Bay of the Sea where it hath a good Haven and a fair prospect and on the South it hath delightful Hills which with the several Parks here adjacent afford great Recreation to the Gentry It is a City dignified and enriched with the residence of the Lord Lieutenant as also with the See of an Archbishop with an Vniversity and the Courts of Judicature by reason of which it is a place of good Traffick being well inhabited and frequented by Nobility and Gentry as also by abundance of wealthy Merchants and Shop-keepers It is beautified with many fair Buildings both publik and private the principal amongst which are the Lord Lieutenants Palace a stately Structure built by order of King Henry the Second in the East-Suburbs then the Cathedral Church dedicated to St. Patrick consisting of a Dean Chanter Chancellor Treasurer two Arch-Deacons and twenty Prebendaries Nigh unto which is the Archbishops Palace both which are without the City in the Suburbs called St. Patricks Then the Collegiate Church consecrated to the Holy Trinity commonly called Christ-Church seated in the midst of the City which Queen Elizabeth dignified with the Priviledges of an Vniversity and not far from this is the Town-Hall called Toles-tale a fair Stone-building of a quadrangular form and here the Lord Major Sheriffs Aldermen and other the Magistrates of the City assemble together for the management and consulting on the publick Concerns of the City as to hear Causes hold Sessions c. Then a beautiful Colledge with several other fair Edifices It is at present a City of a large Extent to what it formerly was and doth daily increase in