The Soil whereof is very Rich it lying in a Vale having some Hills also and some of them of good ascent from whose tops the Prospect of the whole is seen like unto Zoar in Egypt or rather saith Speed like a Paradise or Garden of God The Chief Commodities are Corn and Cattel It is in the Diocess of London and hath in it besides those in London and Westminster 73 Parishes Out of it are Elected 8 Members to sit in Parliament Knights 2 Westminster 2 LONDON 4 In it 5 Princely Houses inheritable to the English Crown are seated in this County viz. Enfield Hanworth White-Hall St. James and Hampton-Court The last whereof is rather a City in Shew than a Princely Palace only the which for stately Port and gorgeous Building not inferiour to any in Europe It s Division is into 7 Hundreds viz. Edmonton Goare Finisbury and Wenlaxeburn Osriston Elthorne Istleworth Spelthorn In it are 4 Market-Towns besides those in London and Westminster viz. Brainford Tues Edgware Thurs Vxbridge Thurs Stanes Friday The Principal Places in this County are the two Famous Cities of London and Westminster lying in the Latitude of 51 deg 32 min. Of which two Cities we shall speak more anon Things remarkable in this County At Barnet in this County are Medicinal Waters of late discovery and very famous Heston a little Village near to Istleworth is very remarkable for yielding the best Flower and the purest for Manchet The Waters of Crowders-Well by Cripplegate in London and that at the Postern by Tower-Hill have a very pleasant taste like that of New Milk and are very good for Sore Eyes But Crowders-Well is the better of the two And it is said that the Water of the Postern Spring on Tower-Hill being let stand for several days to settle will have in the bottom of it a yellow Sediment much resembling Brimstone both in colour and substance The Stews by the Bank-side in Southwark lying on the South side of London over the River Thames says Cambden were made to make Pikes and Tench fat and to scour them from their muddy Fennish taste And I have seen saith he Pikes Paunches opened with a knife to shew their fatness and presently the Wounds have come together again by the touch of Tenches and by the help of their glewy slime being perfectly healed up In the River of Thames there oftentimes happens a strange shifting of the Tides which is generally accounted a great Prodigie because it happens but seldom A recital of all those which I hear History makes mention of I shall here repeat Upon the 12th of October 1411. The Thames flowed thrice in one day Upon the 17th of December 1550. The Thames Flowed and Ebbed 3 times in 9 hours below Bridge Upon January the 26th in the year 1564 at night were two Tides in 2 hours The next day likewise were two in the morning and two at night Upon the 6th of November 1574 in the morning there happened two great Tides at London The one of Course and the other within an hour after which overflowed the Marshes and drowned many adjoyning Cellars Upon the 19th of February 1608 9 when of course it should have been dead low Water at London-Bridge it was high Water and presently it Ebbed almost half an hour to a foot depth and then suddenly it Flowed again almost 2 foot higher than it did before and then Ebbed again till it came near the right course Upon the 6th of February 1609 10 was another strange shifting of the Tides but the particulars I cannot gain Upon the 3d of January 1622 3 in the morning The Thames shifted four Tides within four hours viz. Two Floods and two Ebbs and then kept its right course Upon Candlemas-Day the 2d of February in Anno 1653 4 The Thames Ebbed and Flowed twice in 3 hours And the like shifting of the Tides at the same time was observed too by Seamen to be in the Maritine places of Kent Upon the 4th of October 1656 The River of Thames Ebbed and Flowed twice in 3 hours The Description following being too large to be inserted in its due place according to the Course of the rest of the Counties I have at the end by way of Supplement added this Brief DESCRIPTION OF LONDON K. Charles his Augusta or City Royal. And of the City of WESTMINSTER the Borough of SOVTHWARK and their Suburbs c. LONDON the Epitome and Glory of all Britain was the Seat of the British Empire as now the Royal Chamber of our Kings Who was the first Founder of Her Writers do much differ about some say Brute the Trojan others not but all agree that it was re-edified and enlarged by King Lud in Anno Mundi 5131. Antiquity For Antiquity London is very honourable as may appear by what A. Marcellinus says of her That she was called an Ancient City in his time which is above 1200 years ago and Cornelius Tacitus 300 years before that gives her this Character viz. London for multitude of Merchants and Commerce is very much renowned Situation This Noble City is seated on a gentle rising Bank in a healthful Air and no less pleasantly than commodiously on the River Thames so that whosoever was the Founder he shewed much prudence in the choice of its Situation and her successful estate hath given proof that built she was for long life and continuance Wall and its Gates The City is begirt with a Wall as is said by Constantine the Great which giveth entrance at seven principal Gates besides Posterns of later erection On the West side are two Ludgate and Newgate both which serve for Prisons the first for such Debtors as are Freemen of the City the other for Malefactors both of the City and Country as also the County-Goal for Debt Northwards those of Aldersgate Cripplegate Moorgate and Bishopsgate and Eastward Aldgate Besides these principal Gates there are several Posterns Also toward the River of Thames many Docks and Harbours for Vessels several Water-gates for the better security of the City and Advancement of Trade It s Extent But now as contemning Bondage this City hath enlarged her self on all sides with spacious Suburbs insomuch that she hath joyned her self Westward with another City to wit Westminster and extending her Building Eastward as far as Black-wall so that now the City is of great extent being in length from Black-wall in the East to Tuttle-fields in the West about six miles and in breadth one two and in some places almost three miles and in circuit 't is computed about 14 or 15 miles in which are numbred above 500 Streets and Lanes and 75000 Dwelling-Houses Of WESTMINSTER This City or part of London I shall first speak of being the Noblest and taken up by the King the Nobility Gentry and such as depend on the Court and Law was formerly called Thorney or Dorney and was an Island encompassed by the Thames overgrown with Briers and Thorns but now graced with fair
stately Houses and Palaces both publick and private The chief among which are First The Palaces of the King Whitehall and St. James the first being the Residence of His Sacred Majesty the other of his Royal Highness James Duke of York to which is joyned a delightful Park so called in which is a Pall-Mall said to be the best in Europe Secondly the Courts of Judicature and Houses of Parliament now known by the Name of Westminster-Hall a large Structure which was anciently the Palace of the Kings of England Thirdly Its Collegiate Church of Westminster which was the Temple of St. Peter raised out of the Ruines of a former dedicated to Apollo where the Trinobants did Sacrifice to Diana Tauropolia This Temple of St. Peter was destroyed by the Danes and re-edified by Dunstan Bishop of London in the year 960. Fourthly King Henry's Chappel being a most magnificent and curious Edifice beautified with the stately Tombs of the Kings and Queens with many of the Nobility of England renowned for the inauguration of our Kings and Queens now a Collegiate Church Fifthly Somerset-House a large and stately Structure belonging to the King situate upon the Thames Sixthly The New-Exchange a place well stored with variety of Shops and Goods to which may be added Seventhly The several Houses of the Nobility as Wallingford-House the Seat of the Earl of Arlington Northumberland-House the Residence of the Countess of Northumberland York-House belonging to the Duke of Buckingham but now turned into smaller Buildings and made new Streets of Houses Salisbury-House belonging to the Earl of Salisbury converted into a New-Exchange and a Street of smaller Houses Worcester-House to the Marquess of Worcester The Savoy formerly an Hospital now the Habitation of several Families where they have their Houses apart and here is His Majesties Wardrobe kept Arundel-House belonging to the Duke of Norfolk and Essex-House to the Duke of Somerset now also turned into small Buildings and made a Street to the Thames side Then Exeter-House Bedford-House Clarendon-House Leicester-House Southampton-House with divers others too many to be mentioned in this small Discourse The Limits of this City ends at Temple-Bar where the Liberty of London beginneth which we shall next speak of Of LONDON This City within the Walls and Freedom is divided into 26 Parts or Wards governed by a Lord Mayor so many grave Aldermen and two Sheriffs the yearly Choice of which was granted them by Patent from King John to these Henry the Third added some Aldermen these Aldermen take charge of the 26 Wards aforesaid and called from them Aldermanries The names of the Wards are thus called viz. 1. Tower-street 2. Portsoken 3. Aldgate 4. Limestreet 5. Bishopsgate 6. Broadstreet 7. Cornhil 8. Langhorn 9. Billingsgate 10. Bridgwater within 11. Candlewick 12. Walbrook 13. Dowgate 14. Vintrey 15. Cordwainer 16. Cheap 17. Coleman-street 18. Basinghall 19. Aldersgate 20. Cripplegate 21. Farringdon within 22. Faringdon without 23. Breadstreet 24. Queenhithe 25. Castle-Baynard 26. Bridgwater without viz. the Burrough of Southwark 1. Towerstreet Ward so termed from the Tower unto this Ward belongs Sydon-lane or Seething-lane part of Mark-lane Minchen-lane and Beer-lane Water-lane then Harp-lane in this Lane is the Bakers-Hall then the two Lanes called Church-Lanes and next to them Foul-lane then the Church of St. Dunstan's in the East the Custome-house and Key now bravely rebuilt and adorned 2. Portsoken Ward the East part of the Tower is in it then the Hospital of St. Katharine then East-Smithfield and Tower-hill where is the Store-house for keeping Provisions for the Navy Royal called the Slaughter-house the Merchant-Taylors have in this Ward Alms-houses for 14 Women next the Minories then the Church of St. Buttolph then is Hoglane near Goodmans-fields the Ward ending at Petticoat-lane 3. Aldgate Ward so named from the Gate the chief Street beginneth at the Gate betwixt the Gate and Limestreet in it is Bricklayers-Hall then Billeter-lane then Fenchurch-street till you come to Culver-alley then Crossed or Crouched-Friars Woodroof-lane Hart-street the North end of Mark-lane where the Ward endeth 4. Limestreet Ward here stands Leaden-Hall formerly a Storehouse for Provision for the Poor now a Market-place for Butchers Tanners Meal-men and Wool no Market in the World for variety of Provision able to stand in competition with it Tere is no Parish-Church or place for Divine Service in this Ward 5. Bishopsgate Ward part is without the Gate from St. Mary Spittle to Bishopsgate which Lanes and Alleys of note are Bethlehem East of the New Postern West by Moorfields and almost half of Houndsditch in this Ward is the Church of St. Buttolph without the Gate Fishers-folly the old Artillery-ground St. Mary-Spittle within the Gate is Bishopsgate-street so called of the Gate unto the East end of St. Martins-Outwitch where is Gresham-Colledg then by the West corner of Leaden-hall down that was called Grass-street to the Corner over against the Church great St. Hellens and little St. Hellens where is Leather-sellers-Hall 6. Broadstreet Ward so named from the Street in it is Throgmorton-street Threadneedle-street half Finch-lane and Scalding-alley in it is Alhallows in the Wall Winchester-street Carpenters-Hall Winchester-house the Hall between Winchester-street and Broad-street called the Glass-house in Broad-street are Sir Thomas Gresham's Alms-houses here standeth St. Peters the Poor of which Parish was formerly made this Rhime In the Parish of St. Peters the Poor There 's no Ale-house nor Tavern nor Sign at a door The Case is altered now quoth Ploydon The St. Augustine-Friers now the Dutch Church in this Ward is Drapers-Hall the House formerly of Cromwel Earl of Essex Bartholomew-lane and Merchant-Taylors-Hall in Threadneedle-street 7. Corn-hil Ward so called from a Corn-Market formerly kept there the chief Ornaments of this Ward are a famous Monument erected by Sir Thomas Gresham who named it the Burss afterwards by Queen Elizabeth called the Royal-Exchange it is the Place of publick meeting for Merchants whereunto they twice every day resort between twelve and one at Noon and six and seven at Night a stately Structure now said to be the best in the known World built quadrangular of Free-stone with a lofty Tower at the South entrance and Walks round the main Building over which are above 200 Shops for rich Wares and well stored with variety of all sorts The Church of St. Peter accounted the oldest Church in London the Church of St. Michael now rebuilt and bravely adorned also the South end of Finch-lane and the North end of Burching is in this Ward 8. Langborn Ward so termed of a Bourn or Brook of sweet Water that ran in it in which is Fenchurch-street Lombard-street half of Lime-street in which was Pewterers-Hall Dionys Back-church half of Birching-lane some few Houses in Philpot-lane St. Clements-lane down to St. Clements Church St. Nicholas-lane down beyond St. Nicholas Church a small portion of Abchurch-lane part of Beerbinder-lane Alhallows-Lombard-street St. Mary Wolnoth 9. Billingsgate Ward the Ornaments of this
hath a peculiar Alderman as an Overseer or Guardian assigned thereunto who hath a greater latitude of Power than any ordinary Justice of Peace This Alderman hath one Deputy and in some Wards more there are also a certain number of Common-Council-Men Constables Men of the Ward-Mote-Inquest Scavengers some more some less with Beadles belonging to every Ward This last Ward differs from all the rest in this That the Alderman appointed here hath three Deputies but no Common-Council-Man In this Ward is a Bayliff also for execution of Legal Process and other Affairs under the Government of the City of London This City for Divine Worship before the late dreadful Conflagration on Sunday the second of September 1666 and continued until Wednesday following in which space of time two thirds within its Wall and Freedom was consumed had 125 Parish-Churches the most stupendious Fabrick of which was the Cathedral of St. Pauls founded by Ethelbert King of Kent 610. It was the Bishops Sea of London endowed with fair Revenues and Livings the proportion of this Building was 690 foot in length 130 foot in breadth the height of the West erected Roof from the ground 102 the new Fabrick from the ground was 88 foot this was the only remaining Work of the English Saxons in London the which is now rebuilding The Inns of Court and Chancery belonging to this City are twelve viz. the Inner and Middle Temple Grays Inn and Lincolns Inn which are called Inns of Court and these Inns are taken up by the Benchers Barresters and Students at Law There are also two other Inns of Court which are called Sergeants Inn one in Chancery-lane the other in Fleet-street where the Judges and Sergeants have their Lodgings The Inns of Chancery are Cliffords Inn Clements Inn Staple Inn Furnivals Inn Lions Inn Bernards Inn and Thavies Inn all which are inhabited by Attorneys and Sollicitors at Law The Courts belonging to the City of London The Hustings Court is the House of Causes or Pleadings this Court preserveth the Laws Rights Franchises Customs and Dignities of the City this Court is held Tuesday as formerly The Court of the Lord Mayor and Aldermen a most ancient Court of Record for all Matters of Law and Equity There is the Inner Court where the Lord Mayor and Aldermen sit in Council on Tuesday and Thursday weekly and the Outer Court held every day but Holydays and certain other times of the year for Proceedings at Law The Court of Orphans The two Sheriffs Courts one for each Compter Wednesday and Friday for Tryal of Wood-street and Thursday and Saturday for the Poultrey The Court of Common Council for making of Laws and transacting of other Matters of publick concernment to the state of the City The Sessions of Peace held ordinarily once a month throughout the year The Court for the Conservation of the Water and Rivers of Thames and Medway The Court of the Coroner and the Easchetor The Chamberlains Court for Apprentices The Court of Requests commonly called the Court of Conscience All which Courts are kept within the Guildhal London The Sessions of Oyer and Terminer and Goal-delivery of Newgate for the City of London and County of Middlesex holden at Justice-Hall in the Old Baily whereof the Lord Mayor is the Chief Judg and hath power of Reprieving c. The Court of the Tower of London held within the verge of the City before the Steward by prescription of Debt Trespass and other Actions All which Courts are kept within the Guildhall London a fair and large Structure for the negotiating of the Affairs of the City The Court of Policies and Assurances to Merchants that Venture and Traffick on the Seas where Ships and Goods are Ensured at so much in the Hundred in the Royal Exchange The Court of Halmote or Hall-Court for every Company in London appropriate to each Hall they belong The Court of Wardmote or Wardmote Inquest for every VVard the Inquest consisteth of twelve or more as the custom of the VVard is chosen in each VVard St. Thomas's day Besides these Structures are several others as the Charter house or Sutton's Hospital a fair and large Building being one of the noblest Hospitals in England in which are constantly maintained 80 old Men and 40 Boys who have generous Education bestowed on them and after disposed of either to the University or to Trades Doctors Commons the Habitation of the Civilians that practise the Civil Law The Heralds Office or Colledg for preserving Genealogies of Families Coats of Arms c. The Colledg of Physicians a fine new built Structure in which Colledg there is a President four Censors and eight Elects to whom the management of Affairs of the said Society is committed The Halls belonging to the several Companies which are most of them very fair and large Structures There are four Free-schools in this City The Free-school of St. Pauls now built in ample manner and richly endowed Anno 1512 by Dr. Colet Dean of St. Pauls for 153 poor Mens Children for which there was a chief Master and Usher and Chaplain ordained Moreover in the year 1553 after the Erection of Christ's Hospital which arose out of the ruins of the Grey Fryers that stood there a great number of poor Children of the City taken in and a fair School appointed at the Charge of the City though Edward the Sixth bears the name of the Patron Also another School was founded in Christ's Hospital at the Charge of the Lady Ramsey There is also another lately erected by his Majesties Liberality for the instructing of forty Boys in Geometry Navigation and other parts of the Mathematicks yearly for ever Anno 1561 the Merchant-Taylors of London founded a School in the Parish of St. Lawrence Poultney near Thames-street Anno 1579 Sir Thomas Gresham gave the Royal Exchange with all the Buildings thereunto appertaining viz. the one Moiety to the Mayor and Commonalty of London and their Successors and the other moiety to the Mercers to find four to read Lectures of Divinity Astronomy Musick and Geometry within that dwelling in Bishopsgate-street called Gresham-House or Colledg and to bestow 50 pounds per Annum to every Reader the Mercers also are to find three Readers in the same place that is the Civil Law Reader Physick and Rhetorick and every Reader to have 50 pounds yearly stipend These Lectures are to be read every day in the week in Term-time Sundays excepted at nine a clock in the Morning in Latine and at two of the clock in the Afternoon in English only the Musick Lecture is at ten on Saturday in the Morning and at three in the Afternoon Sir John Cutler also set up a Lecture for Mechanicks at two of the clock on so many Fridays after the Term as there is weeks in the Term. All which are fair large Buildings It s House of Correction Bridewel for Vagabonds and Idle Persons It s Sessions House for Malefactors And its New Bethlehem in Moor-fields for
Star appeared visible at Noon the Sun shining clear at which time the King rode to St. Paul's Church to give thanks for the Queens safe delivery of her second Son Prince Charles now our most gracious Soveraign whom God grant long to Reign over us In the 8th year of his Reign near one half of the Houses upon London Bridge were burnt to the tops of the Arches In the year 1643. The most Magnificent Cross in Cheapside London was demolished In the 17th year of K. Charles the Second Began a dreadful Pestilence in the City of London continuing from the beginning of May till the end of December where there died in London and within the Bill of Mortality of the Plague and of other Diseases 97306. besides many more not taken account of On the 2d 3d 4th 5th of September in the 18th year of his Reign in the space of three days were in London consumed by Fire Fourscore and Ten Parish-Churches and above Thirteen Thousand Dwelling-Houses Norfolk THe County of Norfolk is bounded on the East by the German Ocean On the West by Cambridgeshire and Lincolnshire On the South by Suffolk And on the North by the German Ocean It containeth in length 50 Miles In breadth 35. And in Circumference 145 Miles The Temperature of the Air in this County is very sharp especially in the Champion and near the Sea and the Spring and Harvest here are very late The Soil in many places is very good but generally of Clay or fat Chalk And although it be healthy in some places yet by composture of Sheep the Heaths are made mighty Rich for Corn so that when they are laid again from bearing of Corn they yield a more sweet and plentiful feeding for Sheep The Chief Commodities of this County are Stuff Stockings Wool Corn Coals and Conies Herrings and other Fish It is in the Diocess of Norwich and hath in it 660 Parishes Out of it are Elected 12 Members to sit in Parliament Knights 2 Norwich 2 Kings-Lynn 2 Yarmouth 2 Thetford 2 Castle-rising 2 Its Division is into 31 Hundreds viz. Smethdon Brothercross North Grenehoe Halfe North Erpingham Tunstad Happing West Flegg Blowfield Tavatham South Erpingham Eynsford Gallowe Frecbridge Laundiche Milforde Forehoce Humbleyarde Hensteade Loe Clavering Earshaw Depwarde Dysse Guiltcrosse Shorpham Wayland South Grenehoe Walsham Clackelosse Grymshooe And in these Hundreds are 28 Market-Towns viz. Lyn Tues Sat. East Harling Tues Foulsham Tues Caston Tues Norwich W. F. S. Harlston Wed. Watton Wed. Attlebury Thurs Fakingham Thu. North Walsham Th. Dis Frid. Wymondham Fr. East Deareham Fr. Snetsham Fri. Walsingham Fri. Yarmouth Sat. Thetford Sa. Hingham Sa. New Bakenham Sa. Swafham Sa. Downham Sa. Holt Sa. Burnham Market Sa. Cromer Sa. Repham Sa. Alesham Sa. Worfled Sa. Sechy every second Monday Three New Markets Attlebury Southwold Winfield The Sea-Coasts of this County are very fortunate in Fish and on these Coasts are very good Harbours of which Lyn and Yarmouth are the Chief both of them of great Traffick And Wells and Blackney are next in estimation The chief place in this County is the ancient City of Norwich lying in the Latitude of 52 deg 12 min. and bears from London N E. by N. and is distant therefrom 90 miles Thus From London to Waltham Cross 12. to Ware 20. to Puckeridge 24. to Barkway 31. to Witlecford Bridge 41. to New-Market 53. to Thetford 69. to Attleborough 79. to Windham 84. to Norwich 90. But by a more accurate admeasurement upon the Road it is distant 108 miles It is a City flourishing in Peace Plenty Wealth and Honour It is situate upon the River Hierus in a pleasant Valley but upon rising ground In the 17th year of K. Stephen it was founded and made a Corporation In Edward the First 's time inclosed with a fair Wall It was first Governed by 4 Bailiffs Then by Henry the 4th in Anno 1403. erected into a Majoralty and County The Arms of this City are Gules a Castle triple Towred Argent in Base a Lyon of England or Passant Gardant Or. Lyn also in this County having been an ancient Borough under the Government of a Bailiff was by K. John made Liber Burgus who gave them a Cup which to this day honoureth their Corporation Henry the Third enlarged their Charter and granted them to choose a Maior Loco Praeposito unto whom K. Henry the 8th added 12 Aldermen a Recorder and other Officers and the bearing of a Sword before the Maior and further he changed their Name from Major Burgensis Lyn Episcopi to Major Burgensis Lyn Regis Yarmouth being the Key of the Coast seated by the Mouth of the River Year and is an ancient Member of the Cinque Ports being very well built and fortified This Town growing populous was by K. Henry the 3d made a Corporation under 2 Bailiffs The Earls and Dukes of Norfolk since the first Constitution Richard Gaiet E. of Norfolk William of Boloign E. of Norfolk Hugb Bigod E. of Norfolk Thomas Brotherton E. of Norfolk Tho. Moubray D. of Norfolk Richard of Shrewsbury D. of Norfolk L. Howard D. of Norfolk Things Remarkable in this County This County of Norfolk hath been infested with two remarkable Rebellions The first of them was commenced by John Litister a Dyer in Norwich calling himself King of the Commons who led 50 Thousand Soldiers into the Field and forcibly carried the Lord Morley and Scales and other Knights besides and caused them to serve him at his Table but he was shortly overthrown by Henry Spencer Bishop of Norwich and deservedly Hanged Anno 1381. The other was under the leading of Robert Ket a Tanner of Windham who in a Conflict forced the Lord William Par Marquess of Northampton to flight and slew the Lord Shefield in the Field but after many Outrages done to the City of Norwich was taken by John Dudley E. of Warwick having 5000 of his followers slain and himself takee and Hanged upon the top of the Castle Anno 1543. Cambden Reports that the Inhabitants of this County are naturally very capable of the niceties and quirks of the Law and those of them that bend their Studies that way prove generally excellent Lawyers On the Shore of this County viz. by Yarmouth is every year in the Month of September the worthiest fishing for Herrings in all Europe which draweth great concourse of People thither and maketh the Town much Richer all the year after The River Bure in this County is incredibly full of Fish In the River Tore by Norwich there is great plenty of a Fish they call a Ruffe which hath a Body all prickled over it delights in Sandy places and is much like a Perch in colour brown and duskish above but of a pale yellow beneath it is marked by the Chaws with a double course of half Circles the Eye for the upper part of it is of a dark brown and the lower part somewhat yellowish and the ball of it black
at Mace The Arms of the Town of Shrewsbury is Azure 3 Leopards heads Or. Things Remarkable in this County That the Air of this County is healthful as is aforesaid was versified in old Tho. Parre of Alderbury who was 152 years old who about two years before he died was brought up to London to K. Charles the First and dyed there in Anno 1635. At Wenlock in the time of Richard the Second was found a rich Mine of Copper At â—itchford in this Shire is a Well or Spring in a private man's Yard wherein floweth a thick skum of liquid Bitumen which being cleared and taken off one day will have the like upon it again on the morrow Upon that plot of Ground where the ancient City Wroxcester lay the Earth is more blackish than any elsewhere in the whole County and bears excellent good Barley In the third year of Q. Elizabeth the Town of Oswestre in this County 200 Houses in the space of two hours were consumed with Fire Dr. Fuller in his History of The Worthies of England quoteth a Proverb which is attributed to the Women of this County namely this He that Marries a Wife in Shropshire must carry her into Staffordshire or live in Cumberland The gingle of which Proverb and the reflexion of it upon the Women saying That this County of Shropshire affordeth as good Housewifes and as meek Women as any County in England of the like magnitude Somerset-Shire THis Shire is bounded on the East by Wiltshire On the West by Devonshire On the South by Dorsetshire And on the North by Gloucestershire It containeth in length 62 miles In breadth 32 miles And in Circumference 204 miles The Temperature of the Air is mild pleasing and delightful especially in the Summer Season The Soil is Wet Mirey and Moorish but as it is foul so it is fruitful and on every side garnished with delightful Meadows and beautified with many large Mansion-Houses and the Seven Sea beating upon it on the North side The chief Commodities of this County are Corn Cattel Lead and Bristol Stones It is in the Diocess of Bath and Wells and in it are contained 385 Parishes Out of it are elected 18 Members to sit in Parliament Knights 2 Bristol 2 Bath 2 Wells 2 Taunton 2 Bridgewater 2 Minehead 2 Ilchester 2 Milborn Port 2 Its Division is into 42 Hundreds viz. Chewe Chewton Bathforme Keynsham Bruton Cattesayshe Norton-ferry Frome Wellow Killmersdon Glaston Horethorne Wells and Melford Whitston North Curry Milverton Carhampton Wyllyton and Free-Mannor Whitleigh Canington North Petherton Anderfield Huntspill Puriton Abdicke Bulston Kingsbury S. Petherton Crewkerne Sommerton Pitney Stone Tintin hull Houndsborough Barwick Coker Martock Winterstoake Portbury Brempstone Brent Hartcliffe and Bedminster And in these Hundreds are 30 Market-Towns viz. Somerton Mond Chard Mond Glassenburrough Tu. N. Curry Tu Sat. Wivescomb Tu. Pensford Tu. Wrinton Tu. North Petherton Tu. Wincaunion W. Ilchester W. Taunton W. and S. Bristol W. and Sat. Bath W. and S. Wells W. and S. Frowmselwood Wed. Axebridge Th. South Petherton Th. Wellington Th. Bridgewater Th. Canesham Th. Shepton Mallet Fr. Evill Fr. Dunster Fr. Wruton Sa. Langport S. Crokehorn S. Ilmister S. Wattchet S. Dalverton S. Phillips Norton This County is famous for that in it are three Cities viz. Bath Wells and Bristol Bath taketh its name from the Wells or Springs which there break forth Bath taketh its name from the Hot Baths there But the principal City though not so ancient as the other two is Bristol It lies in the Latitude of 51 deg 32 min. It bears from London West and is distant therefrom 94 miles Thus From London to New Brainford 8 miles to Maidenhead 22. to Reading 32. to Newberry 47. to Marlborough 62. to Chipenham 77. to Marshfield 84. to Bristol 94. But by more accurate admeasurement upon the Road the distance from London is found to be 115 Miles This City is fair and well seated and for beauty may compare with any City in England of the bigness and may well deserve the old Saxon name Bright-stall whose pleasantness is much augmented by reason of the River Avon runs through the middle of it and the Severn running under all the Streets cleanses the City from all manner of filth It is not wholly seated in this County but one part of it is in Gloucestershire It is Governed both by a Bishop and a Maior a competent number of Aldermen and other Officers for the management of Civil affairs The Arms of the City is Gules a Castle upon a Hill by the Seaside and a helm of a Ship under Sail passing by all proper The Earls and Dukes of Somerset and Bath since the first Constitution Rheonald de Mohum Lord of Dunster and E of Somerset John Beauford Duke of Somerset Henry fits Roy Duke of Somerset Edward Somer Duke of Somerset Phllip Chamdew Earl of Bath John Boucheir Lord Fitz Warren Earl of Bath Henry Dawbney John Greenvile Earl of Bath Things Remarkable in this County Camalet a very steep Hill hard to be ascended on the top whereof are seen the Lineaments of a large and ancient Castle which is said to have been the Palace of King Arthur The Church-yard of Avelena or Glassenborough where K. Arthur's Sepulchre was searched for by Order of K. Henry the 2d and was there found under a Stone with an Inscription upon it almost 9 foot under ground The principal Rarity of this County is the Baths which are in number four viz. The Kings Bath The Queens Bath The Cross Bath And the Hot Bath The King's Bath lies in the middle of the City being about 60 foot Square and it hath about the middle of it many hot Springs rising whence it hath the greater heat The Queens Bath hath no Spring in it but only receives the Water from the King's Bath from which it is only divided by a Wall for which reason it is more Temperate than the Kings In these 2 Baths there is a Pump to Pump Water upon the Diseased where strong Embrocations are required The Croâ—â— Bath and the Hot Bath are in the West part of the City The Cross Bath is Triangular and about 25 foot long and as broad at one end It hath not so many Springs as the King's Bath and the Hot Bath have and therefore is of a more gentle heat About 100 foot from the Cross Bath is the Hot Bath so called because formerly when it was not so large as now it is it was much hotter than the rest Near the River Frome are Pit-Coals digged with which Smiths use to soften Iron By the Sea-side not far from Axbridge about the year 1625. a parcel of Land swelled up like a Hill and of a sudden clave asunder and fell down again into the Earth and in the place of it remains a great Pool At Kingsham in the Stone-Quarries there are found Stones in the form of Serpents At Bristol it Flows 13 or 14 foot in height every Tide
Shafton Dorchester Blanford And in these 5 Divisions are 29 Hundreds viz. White-Church H. Bemister Redohave Tollerford Lowsbarrow Eggardon Vgscomb Sherbourn Yeatminster Buckland Redlane Brownsell Whitway H. Puddletown Winfrith Beere Rushmore Cogdeane Badbury Knowlton Vpwinborn Newton George Rowbarrow Hasler H. Craneborne Culliford Totcomb H. Pimpern And in these Hundreds are 19 Market-Towns Middleton Mon. Pool Mond Thur. Weymouth Melcom Reg. Tu. F. Cerne Abbas Wed. Cranborn Wed. Abbots Bury Thurs Sherbourn Th. Sat. Corse Castle Th. Sturminster Th. Frampton Th. Wimborn Minster Fr. Dorchester Sat. Shaftsbury Sat. Blandford Sat. VVorham Sat. Lime Bird Port Bemyster Everstwit The Chief and most remarkable place in this Shire is Dorchester lying in 50 deg and 35 min. of North Latitude It bears from London S. W. by W. and is distant therefrom 85 miles thus To Basing-stoke 39. to Stockbridge 55. to Dunkton 67. to Cranburn 76. to Blandford 85. to Dorchester 97. but by measure on the Road 112 miles This City is situate on the South-side of Frome and hath formerly been Walled about part of which Wall upon the West and South side yet remaineth Not far from which there remaineth the Tract and Trench almost meeting the River a Fortification of Earth trenched about and mounted above the ordinary plain 150 foot and contains about five Acres of Ground wherein plenty of Corn grows This City is Governed by 2 Bailiffs elected out of 8 Magistrates or Aldermen a Recorder Town-Clerk and 2 Sergeants attending them The Earls and Marquesses of Dorchester since the first constitution are Osmond Earl of Dorset John Beaufort Marquess of Dorchester Thomas Grey Marquess of Dor. Thomas Sackvile Earl of Dor. Things remarkable in this Shire At Pool in this County upon the 20th of June 1653. it is reported that it rained warm Blood In the Haven of Pool the Sea contrary to all other Ports in England Ebbs and Flows four times in 24 hours viz. First at a S. E. and N. W. Moon and the Second time at a S. by E. and a N. by W. Moon In Anno 1582. and 1583. upon the 13th of January at Hermitage in the Vale of White Hart a piece of Ground of 3 Acres removed from its old place and was carried over another Close where Alders and VVillows grew the distance of 40 Rod or Perches stopping up the VVay to Cerne Abbas and yet the Hedges and Trees that enclosed it before enclose it still the Trees growing upright and the place where this Ground was before is left as a great Pit The Portland Men are Excellent good Slingers In the Isles of Purbeck are Veins of Marble running under the Earth The Arms of the City of Dorchester is Gules a Castle Argent in its Front the Arms of England and France Quartered Durham THE BISHOPRICK and CITY THis Bishoprick and City is bounded on the East by the German Ocean On the VVest by Westmorland and Cumberland On the South by Yorkshire And on the North by Northumberland It containeth in length 35 miles In breadth 30 miles And in Circumference 105 miles The Air of this Countrey is sharp and piercing The Soil on the Eastern part of it is Richest the South is Moorish but most inhabited the VVest all Rocky affording neither Grass nor Grain but only it feeds Cattle and is well stored with Coal as the whole Countrey is The Eastern part which I said before was the Richest yieldeth great plenty of Coal and where it hath plenty of Coal it is notwithstanding very fruitful and good Land The Commodities of this Countrey are Coles Lead and Iron It is in the Diocess of Durham and hath in it 118 Parishes Out of it are elected 4 Members for Parliament men Knights 2 Durham 2 The Division of it is not into Hundreds but VVakes which are Four In this Bishoprick are 6 Market-Towns Darlington Monday Barnard Castel Wed. Bishop Ankland Th. Sunderland Friday Durham Saturday Stainthorp The Principal place in the County is the City of Durham lying in the Latitude of 54 deg and 50 min. It bears from London N. by W. and is distant therefrom 200 Miles Thus From London to Waltam Cross 12. to Hodsdon 17. to Ware 20. to Buntingford 27. to Royston 33. to Caxton 42. to Huntington 48. to Stamford 69. to Grantham 85. to Newark 95. to Tuxford 105. to Doncaster 123. to Wentbridge 130. to Tadcaster 142. to York 150. to Borrowbridge 163. to Northallerton 176. to Dorlington 186. to Durham 200. But the same way being measured upon the Road it will be found to contain 262 miles Of this County the Bishops have had the Royalty of Princes and the Inhabitants have pleaded Priviledges in time of War not to pass over the River Tyne The Arms of Durham are Azure a Cross Flooree Or between four Lyons Rampant Argent Remarques in this County In the upper part of the City of Durham William the Conqueror erected a Castle upon a high Hill for her defence which is almost encompassed about with the River Were In the year of our Lord 1346. and in the 20th of Edward the 3d. upon the 20th of October at Nevel's Cross near Durham a Battel was fought betwixt the English and the Scots wherein David Brush K. of Scotland with many of his Nobility were taken Prisoners by Queen Phillip Wife to K. Edw. 3. who was in person present in the Field The Battel was managed by the Lords Moubray Percy and Nevil At Oxenhall near unto Dorlington in this County are three Pits wonderful deep called Hell Kettles They are thought to come of an Earthquake that hapned Anno 1179. For our Chronicles make mention that on Christmas-Day at Oxenhall the ground heaved up aloft like a Tower and so continued all that day till evening and then fell in making a very horrid noise and the Earth swallowed it up and made in the place three great holes Bishop Tunstall of this Diocess took a Goose and marked it and put it into one of these Pits and the same Goose was found afterwards in the River Tees At Batterby near Durham within the River Weer in the Summer time there issues a salt reddish water from the sides of certain Stones at the Ebb and Low water which the Sun calcines to whiteness and growing thick becomes Salt and the Inhabitants thereabouts do use it for Salt Essex THis County is bounded on the East by the German Ocean On the West by Hartfordshire and Middlesex On the South by Kent And on the North by Suffolk It contains in Length 45 miles In Breadth 38 miles And in Circumference 148 miles The Air of this Shire is temperate but down in the Hundreds towards the Sea-side it is very Aguish The Soil for the most part is good and in some parts so fruitful that after 3 years Glebe oâ— Saffron the Land for 18 years more will yield plenty of Barly without any manuring with dung or the like and then bear Saffron again One Acre of this Ground
which is most in the North part of the County will yield 80 or 100 weight of moist Saffron in a year which when dryed will be worth about 20 l. sterling The principal Commodities of this Shire are Cloaths Stuffs Hops Saffron Oysters c. It is in the Diocess of London and hath in it 415 Parishes Out of it are elected 8 Members to sit in Parliament Knights 2 Colechester 2 Harwich 2 Malden 2 Its Division is into 20 Hundreds viz. Vtlisford H. Clavering Waltham Becontre Ongar Dunmow Freshwell Hingkford Whittham Chelmsford Barstable H. Lexden Winstree Thurstable Dengie Rotchford Tendering Havering Harlow Chafford And in these Hundreds are 21 Market-Towns viz. Harwich Tuesd Manytree Tu. Billerakey Tu. Waltham Abby Tu. Braintree Wednes Rumford Wed. Brentwood Th. Epping Th. Fr. Haulsteed Fr. Thaxted Fr. Chelmsford Fr. Colchester Sat. Maldon S. Cogshall S. Walden S. Dunmore S. Hatfield S. Raleighe S. Hornden S. Barkin S. Cheping Onger S. In this County are 5 Castles and as many Havens and two of His Majesties Mannors The Principal place in this County is Colchester lying in the Latitude of 51 deg 58 min. It bears from London N. E. And is distant from it 43 miles Thus From London to Rumford 10. to Burnt-Wood 15. to Chelmsford 2. to Colchester 43. But being measured upon the Road it is distant 50 miles This City of Colchester is situate upon the South side of the River Coln and is walled about raised upon a high Trench of Earth now defaced it hath 6 Gates of entrance and 3 Posterns in the West wall and 9 watch-Towers for defence The City is said to be Built by Collus the Brittish Prince Anno Christi 124. and in it were born Lucius Helena and Constantine the first Christian King Empress and Emperor in the World It is Governed by Two Bailiffs 12 Aldermen all wearing Scarlet a Recorder a Town-Clerk and 4 Sergeants at Mace The Arms of this City of Colchester is Azure a Cross Trunked Argent between 3 Coronets Or. The Earls of Essex since the first Constitution Geffrey Mandevile E. Humphrey Bohun E. Thomas Woodstock E. Henry Bourcheir E. Tho. Cromwell Earl Will. Par E. Walter Euren and Arthur Capell Things remarkable in this County The Place of greatest Antiquity and Note in this County is Camolodunum now Maldon the seat of Cunobelin King of Trinobantes as by his Money therein Minted appears Near Tilbury there are Pits of 12 fathom deep in a Chalky ground The Salt Water about Harwich makes all their Springs Brackish At Barklow grows an Herb called Dane-wort very plentiful that beareth Red Berries the people there say that it sprang from Danes blood Walfleet in this County produceth the best Oysters that come to London In the East part of this Countrey in the time of Richard the 2d huge Teeth were found and not far from the same place in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth extraordinary large Bones were digged up They are thought to have been the Bones and Teeth of some Elephant who had been buried there by some loving Roman who was his Master About the beginning of November 1580. An Army of Mice so over-run the Marshes in Denge Hundred that they eat up the Grass to the very Roots and so poisoned it with their Teeth that a great Murren fell upon the Cattle that grazed there But at length a great number of strange Painted Owls came no man knows whence and devoured the Mice Gloucester-Shire IS bounded on the East by Warwickshire and Oxfordshire On the West by Monmouthshire On the South by Wiltshire and Somersetshire And on the North by Worcestershire It contains in length 60 miles In breadth 26 miles And in Circumference 190 miles The Air is very pleasant and wholsom For the Soil the Hilly part of this Country affords fine Wool which proceeds from a small Sheep long necked and square of Bulk and Bone The lower part is exceeding fruitful and rich in Grain almost of all sorts so that Mr. Cambdes says it returns an hundred for one About Bristol is store of Coals The Northern part abounds in fruit so that the Trees which grow in the very Hedges without grafting do naturally bear not only Fruit but such that for beauty and taste exceeds all other and will keep till a new supply and some sorts will not wither in a whole year Farthermore this Shire hath many Vineyards in it which produce Grapes that make Wine little inferior to that which comes from France The chief Commodities of this Shire are Corn Wool Cloath Steel Timber Sider and Perry It is in the Diocess of Gloucester and hath in it 280 Parishes Out of this Shire are elected 8 Parliament-Men Knights 2 Gloucester 2 Tewkesbury 2 Cirencester 2 Its Division is into 30 Hundreds viz. Cleeve Hundred Tibolston Cheltenham Tewksbury Westminster Slaughter Berkley Grombaldash Langley Swinshed Dirburst Kistage Kings Borton Pockle Church Henbury Thornbury Dudstone H. Blidestoe S. Briovels Westbury Botloe Crothern Rapsaye Whitston Britles Barrow Bradley Longtree Bisteigh Barton Wotton Gloucester And in these Hundreds are 26 Market-Towns viz. Dean Magna Mon. Wickware Mon. Cirencester M. Fr. Panswick Tues Minchinghampton Tu. Horton Tu. Marshfield Tu. Letchlad Tu. Campden W. Bristoh W. Sat. Blackley W. Tedbury W. Gloucester W. Sat. Stow on the Would Th. Cheltenham Thurs Dursley Th. Chipping Sudbury Th. Fair Ford Th. Newent Friday Newham Fr. Stroud Fr. Woottton underedge F Tewksbury Saturday Winchcombe Sat. Leonards Stanley Sat. Thornbury Sa. The Principal Place in this County is the City of Gloucester being in the Latitude of 51 deg 53. min. it bears from London W. by N. and is distant therefrom 81 miles Thus From London to Brainford 8. to Colebrook 15. to Maiden-head 22. to Nettlebed 33. to Abbingdon 45. to Farringdon 55. to Perrors Bridge 69. to Gloucester 81. But the distance upon the Road is 102. This City is seated upon the River Severn about the middle of the Shire it was first built by the Romans It hath formerly been walled about with a strong wall except that part which lyes against the Severn some reliques whereof in many places yet remain visible to witness their strength This City is not great but is wholsomly seated upon a Hillock the Streets every way descending from the Cross It is Governed by a Maior 2 Sheriffs and 12 Aldermen having a Sword and Maces born before them The Arms of the City of Gloucester are Or three Cheavornets Gules The Earls and Dukes of Gloucester since the first Constitution are Robert Fitz Hammon Earl of Gloucester William Mandevile Earl of Gloucester Robert de Millant Earl of Gloucester Richard de Clair Earl of Gloucester Ruff. Monthorner Earl of Gloucester Hugh Spencer Earl of Gloucester Hugh de Audley Earl of Gloucester Tho. of Woodstock Earl of Gloucester Humphrey Dukes of Gloucester Richard Dukes of Gloucester Besides the chief City of Gloucester from whence the County taketh its name we have the fair City
the Earth In the year 1571. Marsley Hill in the East part of this Shire with a roaring Noise removed it self from the place where it stood and for three days together travelled from its old Seat It began this Motion on Saturday the 17th of February about 6 of the Clock at Night and by 7 of the Clock the next Morning it had gone about 200 foot carrying with it Sheep in their Coats Hedge-rows and Trees whereof some were overthrown and those that stood upon the Plain are now firmly growing upon the Hill Those that were East are turned West and those in the West are turned East In this remove it overthrew Kinnaston Chappel and turned two High ways near 300 foot from their old Paths The Ground that thus removed was about 26 Acres which opening it self Rocks and all bore the Earth before it for about 1200 foot without any stay leaving Pasturage in the place of Tillage and Tillage overspread the Pasturage Thus overwhelming its lower parts it mounted to a Hill 12 Fathom high and there rested after three days Travel Huntington-Shire THis Shire is bounded on the East by Cambridgeshire On the West by Northamptonshire On the South by Lincolnshire And on the North by Northamptonshire It containeth in length 23 Miles In Breadth 18. And in Circumference 65 Miles The temperature of the Air of this County is not so good as in other parts of England in respect of the great quantity of Meers in it yet the Natives that dwell about them are healthful and live very long but Strangers are subject to much Sickness For the Soyl the Hilly part is for the Plough and the Valley for Pasture which is accounted as good as any in England The Chief Commodities are Corn and Cattle It is in the Diocess of Lincoln and hath in it 79 Parishes Out of it are elected 4 Parliament Men. Knights 2 Huntingdon 2 Its Division is into 4 Hundreds viz. Norman Cross Hurstingstone Leightenstoned Toltan And in these Hundreds are 6 Market-Towns viz. St. Ives Mond Yaxley Tuesd Ramsey Wedn. St. Neots Thurs Kimbolton Friday Huntingdon Sat. The Principal Town in this County is Huntingdon lying in the Latitude of 52 deg 21 min. It bears from London N. by W. And is distant therefrom 48 miles Thus From London to Edmonton 6. to Waltham-Cross 12. to Ware 20. to Puckeridge 24. to Royston 33. to Huntingdon 48. But by more accurate admeasurement upon the Road it is found to be 57 miles By Charter from K. John this Town hath a peculiar Coroner Profit by Toll and Custom Recorder Town-Clerk and 2 Bailiffs annually Elected The Seal of this Town is in a Ring a Huntsman with Dog Staff c. all Proper The Earls of this County since the first Constitution are Waldeof E. of Huntingdon Simon de St. Lizio E. Henry Prince of Scotland E. William Clinton E. Guyford Angolesme E. John Holland F. Thomas Gray E. William Herbert George Hastings Things remarkable in this Shire At Aleyceston in this Shire are two little Springs the one Fresh the other somewhat Brackish The latter is good for Leprosie and Scabs and the other for dim Sights Wittlesmere-Lake and other Meers near it in this Shire do sometimes in fair and calm weather suddenly rise tempestuously with Water-quakes by reason of Vapours breaking violently out of the Earth Kent KEnt is bounded on the East by the Narrow Seas On the West by Surrey On the South by Sussex And on the North by Essex It contains in length 60 miles In breadth 30. And in Circumference 170 miles The Air of this County is neither so serene nor wholsom as other parts of England are which is occasioned by the many Vapours that arise from the Sea and River of Thames which almost encompass the same making it a kind of Peninsula And as it is not so healthy and clear neither is it so cold as other parts of England especially in the lower places near the Sea for the Snow upon a Thaw in the Winter will sooner be dissolved in the Valleys than on the Hilly parts of this County For the Soil thus much in general may be said The Weald for Wood. East-Kent for Corn. Rumney for Meadow Tenham for an Orchard Sheppey and Reculver for Wheat Thannet for Barley And Hedcorn for the Brood of big fat and commended Capons The chief Commodities of this County are Corn and Fruit. It is in the Diocesses of Canterbury and Rochester and hath in it 408 Parishes Ten Members are elected out of it to sit in Parliament Knights 2 Canterbury 2 Rochester 2 Maidston 2 Queenborough 2 Its Division is into 5 Lathes 67 Hundreds viz. 1 Sutton Black Heath Bromeley Lesnes Axtane Rookesly Godsheath Westerham Somerden 2 Aylesford Hâ—o Shamele Toltingtroe Chetham Wortham Larkfield Littlefield Twyford Tunbridge Watchlingston West Bamfield Brenchley Marden Eghorne Maidstone 3 Scray Milton Tenham Feversham Becton Felbore Chart Wye Byircholt Galehill Ashford Blackborne Tenderden Barkley Cranbrooke Rolvenden Selbrightenden East Barnfield Newyndene 4 St. Augustine Ringslow Blengate Whitestable Westgate Downchamford Preston Bredge Kinghamford Seasalter Wingham Eastry Corniloe Bewksbrough Longport 5 Shepway Folkestane Lovingborne Stowting Heane Byrcholtsran Streats Worth Ham Langfoâ—t S. Martin Newchurch Alowsbridge Oxney In these Hundreds are contained 29 Market-Towns viz. Eltham M. Wrotham Tu. Lenham Tu. S. Mary Cray W. Westram W. Gouldhurst Wye Yhurs Rumney Th. Lydd Th. Fockestone Th. Bromley Th. Maidstone Th. Rochester Fr. Tunbridge Fr. Tenderden Fr. Smarden Fr. Woolwich Fr. Malinge Sa. Milton Sa. Cranbrooke Sa. Hyth Sa. Bartford Sat. Sevenoke Sat. Gravesend W. S. Feversham W. S. Canterbury W. S. Dover W. S. Sandwich W. S. Appledoor This County aboundeth with Navigable Rivers that of Medway which divideth the County being the chief In this County are also four Cinque-Ports viz. Dover Rumney Sandwich Winchelsey Of these four Dover with the Castle is the chief and by ancient Authors hath been accounted the Lock and Key to the whole Realm of England This County hath the happiness to be possessed of two Cities and Bishops Sees viz. Canterbury and Rochester strengthened with 27 Forts and Castles and graced with 8 of the Kings Palaces and beautified with many Stately Buildings The chief and principal City in this County is Canterbury the See of the Metrapolitan of England It lyeth in Latitude of 51 deg 17 min. And bears East from London being distant therefrom 44 miles Thus From London to Dartford 12. to Rochester 23. to Sittingborn 31. to Canterbury 44 miles But being measured upon the Road its distance from London is found to be 56 miles This City was as Historians record built 900 years before the Nativity of our Saviour and was the first erected School for Education in Arts and Sciences and was the motive which induced Sigibert King of the East Angles to lay his foundation for Cambridge University In this City were Married K. John and Isabella his Wife and also with the Marriages of
Amounderne Blackburn Laisand West Darbie Salford And in these Hundreds are 26 Market-Towns viz. Boulton Mon. Blackborn M. Wigan M. and Fr. Poulton Mon. Cartmill Mon. Hornby Mon. Haws-head Mon. Rochdale Tues Charley Tu. Ormek rk Tues Kirkham Tues Prescot Tues Hâ—slington Wed. Coln Wed. Warington W. Preston W. F. S. Bury Thurs Gastinge Th. Vlverston Th. Lancaster Sa. Manchester Sa. Clitheroe Sa. Leverpoole Sa. Dalton Sa. Leigh Great Eccleston The Shire-Town in this County is Lancaster lying in the Latitude of 54 deg 10. min. And it beareth from London N. W. by N. and is distant therefrom 187 miles Thus From London to Barnet 10. to St. Alban 20. to Dunstable 30. to Stony Stratford 44. to Toceter 50. to Daventry 60. to Coventry 74. to Lichfield 94. to Rugeley 99. to Stone 110. to Newcastle 116. to Warrington 136. to Newton 141. to Wiggan 148. to Preston 162. to Garstang 172. to Lancaster 187. But by a more exact admeasurement upon this Road it is found to be distant from London 232 miles This Town is very pleasantly situate but the Inhabitants thereof do not much abound in Wealth It is built on the South-side of the River Lon The principal Glory of this Town consisteth in the Church the Castle and the Bridge and in it are many fair and long Streets To this Town K. Edward the Third granted a Mayor and two Bailiffs which are elected out of 12 Brethren assisted by 24 Burgesses by whom it is yearly Governed with the supply of 2 Chamberlains a Recorder Town-Clerk and 2 Sergeants at Mace The Arms of this Town is Party per Fesse Vert and Gules in Chief a Quadrangle of Castles walled Argent and in Base a Lyon of England The Earls and Dukes of this County are Edmond Croukback Earl John of Gaunt D. The Kings of England of the House of Lancaster were Henry the IV. Henry the V. Henry the VI. Henry the VII Those of the House of York Edward IV. Edward V. Richard III. After many Battels and conflicts at length by the happy Marriage of Henry the 7th K. of England next Heir to the House of Lancaster with Elizabeth Daughter and Heir to Edward the 4th of the House of York the Red and white Roses were United Although Lancaster be the Shire Town yet the Town of Manchester far exceedeth it which is famous not only for the Church Colledge and Market-Place but for the great resort to it for Cloathing It was by Anthony the Emperour called Mancunium and was made the Fort and Station of the Romans Bible Chester also in this County though but a little Town hath been esteemed and called The Richest Town in Christendom Things Remarkable in this County Along the Sea side in many places lye heaps of Sand upon which the People pour Water till it contract a Saltish humour from the Sand and this they boyl with Turff till it become White Salt Not far from Fourness Fells is the greatest standing Water in England of a wonderful depth and stretching it self out for the space of 10 miles together all Paved in the bottom with Stone This Water is called the Miander Meer and there breeds in it a kind of Fish called a Chare which is no where else to be found The Mosses in this Shire are very unwholsom but the upper Coat of this Mossy Earth being pared away it yields a fat Earth for Fuel And in divers places under this mossy Earth good Marl is found to inrich the Land On the Banks of the River Irwell there is found a reddish Stone And about Manchester are Quarries of very good Stone By Chatmosse is a low moisy Ground very large a great part of which saith Cambden the Brooks swelling high carried quite away with them whereby the Rivers were corrupted and a number of fresh Fish perished In this place now lyes a low Vale watered with a small Brook where Trees have been digged up lying along The Wood of these Trees burns very bright so that some think them to be Fir Trees But Cambden questions whether they be not Subterraneous Trees growing under Ground as well as Plants and other Creatures Upon the very top of Pendle Hill grows a peculiar Plant called Clowdesberry as coming out of the Clouds This Hill lately did the Countrey near it much harm by abundance of water gushing out of it And this is remarkable for whensoever the top of it is covered with a Myst it is an infallible sign of Rain Besides this Hill there are not far from it two others viz. Ingleborrow and Penigent which seem to touch the Clouds In the River Lune near Cockerfand Abby is great store of Salmon Leicestershire THis Shire is bounded on the East by Lincolnshire On the West by Warwickshire On the South by Northamptonshire And on the North by Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire It containeth in length 30 miles In breadth 26 miles And in Circumference 100 miles The Air of this Shire is mild and wholsom making the Inhabitants very healthy and long liv'd The Soil is good for the production of Corn Cattle and Coles The principal Commodities are Pease Beans Cattle and Wool It is in the Diocess of Lincoln and hath in it 192 Parishes Out of it are elected 4 Parliament Men. Knights 2 Leicester 2 Its Division is into 6 Hundreds viz. West Goscote Sparkingho Goodlaxton Gartrey East Goscote Framland And in these Hundreds are 12 Market-Towns viz. Hinckley Mon. Mont Sorell Mon. Melton Mowbrey Tu. Harborough Tu. Bâ—sworth Wednes Loughborow Th. Waltham Would Th. Hallaton Th. Lutterworth Th. Billesden Frid. Leicester Sat. Asby de la Zouch Sa. The Principal Town in this Shire is Leicester lying in the Latitude of 52 deg 41 min. It beareth from London N. N. W. and is distant therefrom 78 miles Thus From London to Barnet 10. to St. Albans 20. to Dunstable 30. to Stony-Stratford 44. to Northampton 54. to Haverborough 66. to Leicester 78. But by more accurate admeasurement along the Road 98 miles This Town is said to be built by King Leir who lived 844 years before the Birth of Christ By whom this City is annually Governed I do not find but the Arms of the Town seem to be the same with that of Robert de Bellemont who was first Earl thereof which is Gules a Cinquefoil Ermine pierced of the Field The Earls of Leicester since the first Constitution are Robert de Bellemont Simon de Montefort Ranulph Earl of Chester Simon de Montefort Edmond Crouchback Will. de Bavar E. of Holland John of Gaunt D. of Lancaster Robert Dudley Things remarkable in this County Near Bosworth upon Redemore the last of the 13 Battels between the two Houses of York and Lancaster was fought whose dissention spent England more Blood than did the winning of France In which Battel Richard the Tyrant and Usurper by Henry Earl of Richmond with 4000 men were slain and but 10 only on the Earl's part lost their Lives The Corps of the Dead King
The Commodities that this Shire principally affords besides many others are Cloath Stockins Corn Cattle Knives Spurs c. It is in the Diocess of York and hath in it 563 Parishes Out of it are elected 29 Members to fit in Parliament Knights 2 York 2 Kingston upon Hull 2 Knaresborough 2 Skaredborough 2 Rippon 2 Richmond 2 Hidon 2 Burrowbrigg 2 Malton 2 Thirske 2 Aldeborough 2 Beverly 2 North-Allerton 2 Pomfret 2 Its Division is into Hundreds as are most of the Counties in England of which this is divided into 26. But because of the largeness thereof it is first divided into three Parts called Ridings viz. The East Riding The West Riding The North Riding And each of these Ridings have their several Hundreds and those Hundreds their respective Market Towns as followeth viz. The East Riding is divided into 4 Hundreds viz. Buccrosse Dickering Holdernesse Ouse and Derwent And in this Riding are these 8 Market-Towns viz. Hull Tu. and Sat. Beverly Wed. and Sa. Wighton Wednes Kilham Th. Headon Sat. Bridlington Sat. Howder Sat. Packlington Sat. The West Riding is divided into 10 Hundreds viz. Stancliffe Claro Ansty Barkston Skirink Motley Aggerage Osgoderosse Strasforth Staincrosse And in this Riding are 24 Market-Towns viz. Rotheram Monday Selby Mon. Leedes Tuesday and Saturday Otley Tues Settle Tues Sheffield Tues Barnesby Wednes Knaresborow Wed. Hallifax Thursday Wakefield Thursday and Friday Bradforth Thurs Wetherly Thurs Tadcaster Thurs Rippon Thurs Snathe Friday Ripley Friday Tickhill Saturday Bantrey Sat. Doncaster Sat. Sherborn Sat. Pontefract Sat. Borough Bridge Sat. Skipton Sat. Thorne The North Riding is divided into 12 Hundreds viz. Gilling West Gilling East Allerton Langborgh Whitbystand Pickering Ridall Bulmar Burford Hallikeld Hang East Hang West And in this Riding are 17 Market-Towns viz. Pickering Mond Gisborough Mond Thruske Mond Beda Tues Masham Tues Kirby moreside Wed North Allerton Wed. Abberforth Wedn. Scarborough Th. Yarum Thurs York Thursday and Saturday Malton Sat. Helmley Sat. Whitby Sat. Stokesly Sat. Richmond Sat. Askrigg The principal place in this large County is York the second City in England It lies in the Latitude of 53 deg 58 min. It bears from London N. by W. And is distant therefrom 150 miles Thus From London to Waltham-Crosse 12 miles to Ware 20. to Royston 33. to Caxton 42. to Huntingden 48. to Stamford 69. to Grantham 85. to Newark 95. to Tuxford 104. to Doncaster 122. to Wentbridge 129. to Tadcaster 141. to York 150. But being measured upon the Road the distance is found to be 192 miles from London This City saith Speed is a pleasant place large and full of Magnificence rich and populous in all which it over-masters all the other places of this County and it is not only strengthned with Fortifications but adorned with Magnificent Buildings both Private and Publick It is an Episcopal See a Metropolitan City and in it is a most famous Library It is Governed by a Lord Maior 12 Aldermen many Chamberlains a Recorder a Town-Clerk 6 Sergeants at Mace and 2 Esquires which are a Sword-bearer and a Common Sergeant who with a large Mace goeth on the left hand of the Sword The Arms of the City of York is Argent on a Cross Gules 5 Lyons Passant Guardant Or. Besides this City of York there are two other Places of note not to be forgotten viz. Richmond and Hull The Arms of Richmond is Gules an inner border Argent over all a Bend Dexter Ermine The Arms of Hull is Azure 3 Corronets in Pale Or. The Arms of such Families as have born the Dignity of Earls of Richmond and Holdernesse since the Conquest Allen E. of Brittain and Richmond Earl of Richmond John of Gaunt Duke of Lancaster Earl of Richmond Geffery 4th Son to K. Henry the 2d Earl of Richmond John D. of Brittain Earl of Richmond Gray Viscount Tours Earl of Richmond Ralph E. of Westmoreland Earl of Richmond Ralph E. of Chester Earl of Richmond John D. of Bedford Earl of Richmond Peter de Dreux Earl of Richmond Humphrey Duke of Gloucester Earl of Richmond Peter de Savoy Earl of Richmond Edmond Haddam Earl of Richmond John D. of Brittain Earl of Richmond Henry fits Roy D. Earl of Richmond Earls of Holdernesse Drugo de Buerer Earl of Holdernesse Stephen de Bloys Earl of Holdernesse William de Mendevile Earl of Holdernesse Baldwin de Beton Earl of Holdernesse William de Fortibus Earl of Holdernesse Edward E. of Rutland Earl of Holdernesse There are lately added by His Majesty K. Charles II. these following viz. Lodowick Stuart D. of Richmond John Ramsey E. of Richmond Rupert Count Palatine of the Rhyne E. of Holdernesse Things Remarkable in this County Upon Palm-Sunday in the year 1461. was a Battel fought in the Quarrel between Lancaster and York in which England never saw more Nobility and Gentry nor a more puissant Army in the Field for there were there at one time on both sides 100 Thousand fighting men When the Fight had continued doubtful a great part of the day the Lancasterians not being able longer to continue the force of their Enemies turned back and fled away and such as took part with York pursued them so hotly that they killed many of their Nobility and Gentry and that day were slain on both sides 30 thousand English-men About Pontefract and Knaresborough grows great quantities of Liquorice In some parts of this Shire near Sherbourn are Quarries whose Stones when first taken out of the Quarries are very soft but seasoned with Wind and Weather they become very hard and durable Other parts of this Shire produce a Lime-stone which being burnt serves to enrich and manure those Lands that are cold and hilly At the suppression of the Abbies in the days of K. Henry the 8th in a certain Chappel in York a Lamp was found burning in a Vault or Sepulchre under ground wherein Constantine the Emperour was supposed to have been Buried About Sheffield in this Shire are many Iron-Mines About the year of Christ 759. the Town of Doncaster was burnt by Fire from Heaven The Inhabitants about Dichmarsh and Marshland are of opinion that the Land there is hollow or hanging and that as the Waters rise the Land is also heaved up Near unto Bratherton is a yellow kind of Marle found which being cast upon the Fields causeth them to bear good Corn for many years together Not far from the Abby of Fountains there are Lead-Mines Near unto Burrough Bridge are certain Pyramids standing which are supposed to have been made of a factitious Stone compounded of pure Sand Lime Vitrials and other unctious matter Under Knaresborough is a Well called Dripa Well in which the Water springs not out of the Veins of the Earth but distills from the Rocks which hang over it The Water of this VVell saith Speed turns VVood into Stone for VVood put into it will shortly after be covered over with a Stony Bark and at length become Stone At Giggleswick in