Town is managed by two Aldermen and two Bailiffs who are yearly elected out of twenty five Burgesses that are their assistants It hath no Recorder one Town-Clerk and two Sergeants at Mace and by observation of the Mathematicks the Pole is elevated in the degree of Latiâ—ude 53 and 49 sâ—ruples and from she first point in Longitude 16 and 45. 8 This County with them of Flint and Carnarven-shires are not divided by pricks into their several hundreds according to the rest of this work the want of their particulars in the Parliament Roles so causing it which for the good of these three Shires I earnestly sought to have supplied from the Nomina Villarum in their Sheriffs Books and had promise of them that might easily have procured the same But whether a fearless jealousie possessed their spirits lest the riches of these Shires by revealing such particulars should be further sought into I cannot say yet this I have observed in all my Survey that where least is to be had the greatest fears are possâ—ssed Take these Shires therefore to be done as I could and not as I would that wish both the wealth of them all and their esteem to be of better regard by those that may do them good 6 This Shire then is divided into twelve Hundreds for the readier ordering of businesses necessary to the State of the Country wherein are placed three Market-Towns â—it for buying and selling and other negotiations It hath five Castles to defend her self and to offend her enemies and fifty seven Parishes for Gods Divine Service and Worship FLINT-SHIRE CHAPTER XII FLINT-SHIRE stretching out in length broad at one end and narrow at another is not much unlike in fashion to a Wedge a piece of which is cut off by the meetiâ—g of Cheshire and Denbighshire South-East in distance some four miles It borders East-ward with part of Cheshire from whence it is guarded in length with the River Dee unto the North which parteth Worrall and Flint-shire till you come to a little Island called Hellebree Northward it is bounded with the Virginian-Sea on the West a little River called Cluyd parteth her and Denbighshire asunder and on the South altogether by Shrop-shire 2 This Country is nothing mountainous as other parts of Wales are but rising gently all along the River Dee makes a fair shew and prospect of her self to every eye that beholds her as well upon the River being in most places thereabouts four or five miles broad as upon the other side thereof being a part of Cheshire 3 The Air is healthful and temperate without any foggy clouds or fenny vapours saving that sometimes there ariseth from the Sea and the River Dee certain thick and smoaky seeming Misâ—â— which nevertheless are not found hurtful to the Inhabitants who in this part live long and healthfully 4 The Clime is somewhat colder there than in Cheshire by reason of the Sea and the River that engiâ—ts the better part of her by which the Northern-winds being long carried upon the Waters blow the more cold and that side of the Country upward that lieth shoring unto the top having neiâ—her shelter nor defence receiveth them in their still power and is naturally a Bulwark from their violence unto her bordering Neighbours that maketh the Snow to lie much longer there than on the other side of the River 5 The Soil bringeth forth plenty both of Corn and Grass as also great store of Cattel but they be little To supply which defect they have more by much in their numbers than in other places where they be bigger Great store of Fish they take in the River of Dee but little from the Sea by reason they have no Havens or Creeks for Boats No great store of Woods either there or in any other part of Wales are found it having been a general plague unto all the Country ever since the head-strong Rebellions of their Princes and great Men against the Kings of England that in time took away the principal helps of their Innovations by cutting down their Woods whereof in this Shire there hath heretofore been great plenty Fruits are scarce but Milk Butter and Cheese plenty as also store of Honey of the which they make a pleasant Wine in colour like in taste not much unlike unto Muskadine which they call Metheglin Yea and in the days of Giraldus Cambrensis near the place now called Holy-Well was a rich Mine of Silver in seeking after which men pierced and pried into the very bowels of the earth 6 The ancient Inhabitants of this Country were the Ordovices a sturdy People against the Romans but now most kind and gentle towards the English and indeed make much of all Srangers except they be crossed and then they are the contrary 7 Places of defence are the Castles of Flint Hawarden vulgarly Harden Treer Rudland Mold Yowley and Hope of which Flint and Harden are the two principal The Castle of Flint famous for the benefit it received from two Kings and for the refuge and relief it gave unto the third It was founded by Henry the Second finished by Edward the First and long after gave harbour and entertainment to that noble but unfortunate Prince Richard the Second coming out of Ireland being within her Walls a free and absolute King but no sooner without but taken Prisoner by Henry Bullingbroke Duke of Lancaster losing at that time his liberty and not long after his life This standeth in the graduation of Latitude 53 55 minutes in Longitude 17. For the Castle of Hawarden no Record remains of the first Founder but that it was held a long time by the Stewards of the Earls of Chester Howbeit their resistances did not so genearally consist in the strength of their Castles and Fortifications as in their Mountains and Hills which in times of danger served as natural Bulwarks and Defences unto them against the force of Enemies As was that which standeth in a certain strait set about with Woods near unto the River Alen called Coles-hull that is Coles-hill where the English by reason of their disordered multitude not ranged in good array lost the Field and were defeated when King Henry the Second had made as great preparation as might be to give Battel unto the Welsh and the very Kings Standard was forsaken by Henry of Essex who was Standard-Bearer to the Kings of England in right of inheritance 8 This Country hath many shallow Rivers in it but none of fame and note but d ee and Cluyde Howbeit there is a Spring not far from Rudland Castle of great report and antiquity which is termed Fons Sacer in English Holy-Well and is also commonly called S. Winefrids-Well of whom antiquity thus reporteth That Winefrid a Christian Virgin very fair and vertuous was doated upon by a young lustful Prince or Lord of the Country who not long able to rule his head-strong affections having many times in vain attempted and tried her chastity both by rich gifts
Kent and the East-side thereof is altogether washed with the German Seas 4 The Air is temperate and pleasant only towards the waters somewhat aguish the soyl is rich and fruitful though in some places sandy and barren yet so that it never frustrates the Husbandmans hopes or fills not the hands of her Harvest-labourers but in some part so fertile that after three years glebe of Saffron the Land for eighteen more will yield plenty of Barley without either dung or other faâ—ning earth 5 Her ancient inhabitants known to the Romans were by Caesar called the Trinobants of whom in the former Chapter we have spoken and in our History shall speak more at large But this name perished with the age of the Empire the Saxons presently framed a new and with Hertford and Middlesex made it their East-Saxons Kingdom until that Egbâ—rt bought this and the whole into an entire and absolute Monarchy the Danes after them laid so â—ore for this Province that at â—â—â—mfleet and Havenet now Sâ—â—bery they fortified most strongly and at Barklow besides the hills mounted for their burials the Danewort with her red berries so plentifully grow that it is held and accounted to spring from the blood of the Danes which in that place was spilt and the herb as yet is called from them the Danes-bloud neither yet were they quelled to surcease that quarrel but at Ashdowne abode the Iron side in â—ight wherein so much blood of the English was spilt that Canutus their King in remorse of conscience built a Church in the place to pacifie God for the sins of his people but when the Normans had got the garland of the whole many of the Nobles there seated themselves whose posterities since both there and else-where are spread further abroad in the Realm 6 The Commodities that this shire yieldeth are many and great as of Woods Corn Cattle Fish Forrests and Saffron which last groweth with such gain and increase upon her North parts that from a split Clove much like unto Garlike a white blewish Flower shortly springeth from whence fillets of Saffron are gathered before the Sun and dried are sold as spice with great gain From the Islands Canvey Mersey Horsey Northly Osey Wallot and Foulness great store of Fish and Fowl are daily gotten and so from their Cattle have they continual increase which men and boys milk as well the Ewe as the Kinâ— whereof they make great and thick Cheese sold abroad in the Land much thereof transported unto other Countries Their Oysters which we call Walfleet the best in esteem and are thought from Pliny to have been served in the Romans Kitchins But least we should exceed measure in commending or the people repose their trust in the soyl behold what God can do to frustrate both in a moment and that by his meanest creatures for in our age and remembrance the year of Christ 158. an Army of Mice so over ran the Marshes in Dengey Hundred near unto South minster in this County that they shore the grass to the very roots and so tainted the same with their venemous teeth that a great Murtain fell upon the Cattle which grazed thereon to the great losse of their owners 7 The chiefest City for account at this day in this Shire is Colchester bâ—ilt by Collus the Brittish Prince one hundred twenty four years after the birth of our Saviour Christ if he of Monmouth say true wherein his son Luâ—ius Helena and Constantine the first Christian King Empresse and Emperour in the World were born which made Nechâ—m for Constantinâ— to sing as he did From Colchester there rosâ— a Star The Rayes whereof gave glorious light Throughout the world in Climates far Great Constantine Romes Emperour bright And the Romans to the great honour of Helena inscribed her Piissima Venerabilis Augustâ— But of these we shall be occasioned to speak more hereafter This City is situated upon the South of the River Coln from whence it hath the name and is walled about raised upon a high Trench of earth though now much decayed having six gates of entrance and three Posterns in the West wall besideâ— nine Watch-Towers for defence and containeth in compasse 1980 paces wherein stand eight fair Churches and two other without the walls for Gods divine service S. Tenants and the Black Fryers decayed in the Suburbs Mary Magdalens the Nunnery S. Iohns and the Crouched Fryers all suppressed within towards the East is mounted an old Castle and elder ruines upon a Trench containing two Acres of ground whereas yet may be seen the provident care they had against all ensuing assaults The trade of this Town standeth chiefly in making of Cloth and Bayes with Saies and other like Stuffs daily invented aâ—d is governed by two Bayliffs twelve Aldermen all wearing Scarlet a Recorder a Town Clerk and four Sergeants at Mace Whose position for Latitude is in the degree 52 14 minutes and for Longitude in the degree 21 and 50 minutes 8 Places of Antiquity and memorable note in this County I observe the most Famous to be Camolodunum by us Maldon which was the Royal Seat of Cunobelin King of the Trinobants as by his money therein minted appeareth about the time of our Saviours birth which City afterwards Claudius won from the Britains and therein placed a Colony of Souldiers which were called Victriâ—â—nsis This City Queen Boduâ— in revenge of her wrongs razed to the ground what time she stirred their people against Nero with the slaughter of seventy thousand of the Romans Of some later and lesser account was Ithaâ—chester now S. Peters upon the wall where the Fortenses with their Captain kept towards the declination of the Roman Empirâ— In the East promontory in this County in the Reign of Richard the second the teeth of a Giant were found if they were not of an Elephant of a marvellous size saith Ralph Coggeshall and not far thence in the reign of Elizabeth more bones to the like wonder were digged up 9 I purposely omit the message of a Pilgrim from S. Iohn Baptist by whom he sent a Ring to King Edward Confessor for which cause his house took the name Havering seeing the Monks of those times made no great dainty daily to forge matter for their own advantage who in this Shire so swarmed that they had houses erected at Waltham Pritelewel Tiltey Dunmow Lecyâ— Hatfield-Peverel Chelmesford Coggâ—shall Maldon Earls coln Colchester S. Osiths Saffron-Walden Hatfield-Bradockâ— and more with great revenues thereto belonging all which felt the Axes and Hammers of destruction when the rest of such foundations fell under the flail of King Henry the Eighth who with Hezekiah brake down all these Brazen Serpents 10 This Shire is divided into 23 Hundreds wherein are seated 21 Market-Towns 5 Castles 5 Havens 2 of His Majesties Mannours and 415 Parish-Churches SVFFOLCK SUFFOLK CHAPTER XVI SUFFOLK in regard of them which were seated in Northfolk is a County most plenteous and pleasant for habitation It is
Gwyâ—eth and upon the East the Marches of England from Chester to Wye a little above Hereford This part was divided into Powis Vadoc Powis between Wye and Severne and Powis-Weâ—wynwyn In Powis-Vadoc is the Castle of Holt in Bromefield and the Castle of Chirke in Chirkâ—land the Castle likewise of Whittington and Lordship of Oswestrie with others 13 The second part of Powiâ— or the Territory belonging to Mathrâ—vâ—l is Poâ—is between 〈◊〉 and Severne or Guy and Hauren whereof some is at this day in Montgoâ—ery-shirâ— some in Radnor-shire and some in Brecknock-shire and among sundry other hath these Towns and Castles following Montgomery The Castle of Clyâ— The Town of Knightâ—n The Castle of Cyâ—aron Presteyn The Town and the Castle of Radâ—or called in Welch Maesyvet which is at this day the Shire-Town The Town of Kinton and the Castle of Huntington 14 The third part belonging to Mathraval the chief seat of Powis after the Welsh were driven from Peâ—gwern or Shrewsbury was Powis Wenwynwyâ— a County full of Woods Hills and Rivers having in it among others the Towns of Welsh-Pool New-Town Machinâ—aâ—th Arustly was anciently in this part but afterward it came to them of Gwyneth This may suffice for the description of that which in old time was called Gwyneth and Powis 15 It now remaineth that we describe the last Kingdom of Wales called Demetia-Deheubarth or the Talaith of Dinevowr which although it was the greatest yet was it not the best because it was much molested with Flemings and Normans and for that also divers parts thereof would not obey their Prince as in Gwent and in Morganwe 16 This was divided into six parts of which Cardigaâ— was the first and is a Champion Country without much Wood. It hath Merionyth-shire on the North part of Powys upon the East Carmarden-shire and Pembroke-shire with the River Tivi upon the South and upon the West the Irish-Sea In this part is the Town of Cardigaâ— upon Tivi not far from the Sea as also the Town of Aberstwyth upon the River Istwyth and Lâ—aâ—badâ—râ—evowr which in times past waâ— a great Sanctuary there were also many Castles as of Strâ—tneyrie of Walter of Lâ—anâ—ysted of Dyvâ—rth and of Aâ—er-Roydâ—ll c. 17 The second part was called Dyvet and at this day Pembroke-shire It hath upon the North and West the Irish-Sea upon the East Carmarden-shire and upon the South Severne There are in it sundry Towns and Havens among others these Pembroke Tenby Hereford-West with the goodly and many Branched Haven of Milford called in Welsh Aberdangledhett S. Davids or Menevia which is the chiefest See in Wales Fiscard called Aberwayn and Newport named Tresdreth 18 The third part was Carmarden-shire which is a Country accounted the strongest part of all South-Wales as that which is full of high Mountains great Woods and fair Rivers 19 The fourth called Morganwe now Glamorgan-shire hath on the South the Severne-Sea which divideth it self from Devon-shire and Cornwall upon the West and North-West Carmardenshire upon the North-East Brecknock-shire and upon the East Monmouth-shire 20 The fifth now called Gwent and in Monmouth-shire hath in it the ancient City of Caerlheâ—n upon Vske There are also divers Towns and Castles Chepstow Glynstrygul Ros Tynterne upon the River Wye c. This is a fair and fertile Country It hath on the West Glamorgan and Brecknock-shirâ—s upon the North Hereford-shire upon the East Glocester-shire with the River Wye and the River Severne upon the South and South-East 21 The last is Brecknock-shire for the most part full of Mountains Woods and Rivers This Country is both great and large being full of fair Plains and Valley for Corn it hath plenty of thick Woods Forrests and Parks It is full also of clear and deep Rivers of which Severne is the chiefest although there be other fair Rivers as Vske and the like 22 Thus far concerning the ancient Welsh division by Talaiths but the present division distributeth them more compendiously into two Countries and twelve Shires enacted so by Parliament under King Henry the Eighth The Countries are North-Wales and South-Wales which have shared and as it were devoured between them all Powysland each of which Countries contains 〈◊〉 Shires North-Wales Aâ—glesâ—y Câ—ernarvan Merionyth Denbigh Flint Montgomery South-Wales Cardigan Pembroke Carmarden Glamorgan Brecknock Radâ—â—r But whereas Monmouth-shire and Radnor were anciently parts the first of South-Wales the other of Powys-land Monmouth-shire by Act of Parliament also under the same King was pluckt away wholly from Wales and laid to England one of whose Counties and Shires it was from that time forward and is at this present reckoned and Radnor-Shire as it were in lieu thereof is comprehended in South-Wales Humphry Hluyd a Welsh Gentleman in his Epistle and Map of old Wales maketh mention of a West-Wales which he calleth Demeâ—ia and Dyfer the one the Latine and the other the British name there but because it is wholly swallowed up by this last division we will not perplex the Reader with superfluous and impertinent recitals PEMBROK Shire PEMBROKE-SHIRE CHAPTER II. PEMBROKE-SHIRE the furthest Promontoâ—y of all West-Wales liâ—th parted on the North from Cardigan-shire with the Rivers Tivy and Keach and on the East is Confronted by Caermarden-shire the South and West shooting far into the Irish-Seas is with the same altogether washed 2 The form thereof is longer than it is broad for from S. Govens South-point to Cardigan-bridge in the North are twenty six miles the Eastern Landenie to S. Davids-point in the West are twenty miles the whole circumference is ninety three miles 3 The Air is passing temperate by the report of Giraldus who 〈◊〉 his reason from the sitâ— of Ireland against which it butteth and is so nearly adjoyned that 〈◊〉 Rufâ— thought it possible to make a Bridge of his Ships over the Sea whereby he might pass to 〈◊〉 on foot 4 Anciently it was poâ—â—essed by the Demetia further branched into Cardigan and Caermarden-shires as in that County hath been said and in the Saxons Conquest and Hâ—ptarchy by the Britaiâ—s forced into those parts for refuge whither Hâ—â—ry the First and third of the Normans Kings sent certain Flemings whose Country was over-whelmed with the breaking in of the Seas to inhabit the Maritime Tract called Rosse lying West upon the River Dougledye These Dutchmen saith Giraldus were a strong and stout Nation inured to Wars and accustomed to seek gain by Cloathiâ—g Traffique and Tillage and ever ready for the Field to fight it out adding withal that they were most loyal â—o the English and most faithful to the Englishmen Whereupon Malmesbury writeth thus Many a timâ— did King William Rufus aâ—â—aile the Welsh but â—ver in vain which is to be wondred aâ— â—nsidâ—ring his other fortunate success But saith he it may be the unevenness of the ground and sharpness of the air that maintained their courage and impeached his valour which to redress King Henry his Brother found means for those Flemings who in regard
and Sea-shore of this Shire Harlech a Market and Mayor-Town standeth bleak enough and barren but only for Fowl and Fish Houses not many neither curiously built wherein â—tandeth a little Chappel decayed and without use in which lieth buried Sir Richard Thimbleby an English Knight who for the delight he took in that game removed his abode from a far better Soil Here also standeth a most strong and beautiful Castle mounted upon a Hill and with a double Bulwark walled about commanding the Sea and passage of entrance of such as seek to invade the Coast and surely a great pity it is to see so fair a Work fall to decay the Constable whereof by Patent is ever the Mayor of this Town near unto which are two great Inlets of Seas which at low water may be paâ—sed upon the Sands with Guides Upon whose Shore as upon the Sea Coasts in this County abundance of Herrings are caught for which cause they are much frequented in the season of the year by many People from divers Countries 7 This Town being the chiefest of the Shire The Pole shall be elevated only from thence whose height for Latitude standeth in the degree 53 29 minutes and for Longitude in the 15 47 minutes The whole being bivided into six Hundreds wherein are feared thirty seven Parishes-Churches DENBIGH and FLINT discribed DENBIGH-SHIRE CHAPTER XI DENBIGH-SHIRE called in Welsh Sire Denbigh retiring more from the Sea within the Country on this side of the River Conwey shooteth Eastward in one place as far as to the River Dee on the North first the Sea for a small space and then Flint-shire encompasseth it on the West Caernarvan and Merioneth shire on the East Cheshire and Shropshire and on the South Mountgomery shire 2 The form thereof is long growing wider still towards the North-West and narrower towards the East It is in length from East to West one and thirty miles and in breadth from North to South seventeen miles in the whole circuit and circumference one hundred and fourteen miles 3 The Air is very wholsome and pleasant yet bleak-enough as exposed to the winds on all sides and the high Hills wherewith it is in many places environed long retaining the congealed Snow The tops whereof in the Summer time are the Harvest-Mens Almanacks by the rising of certain Vapours thereon in the Mornings and foreshew a fair Day ensuing 4 The Soil is but barren towards the West-part yet the middle where it lieth flat in a Valley is most fertile The East-side when it is once past the Valley findeth Nature to be a very sparing niggard of her favours but next unto Dee it feeleth a more liberal extent of her blessings The West part is but here and there inhabited and mounteth up more than the other with bare and hungry Hills yet the leanness of the Soil where the Hills settle any thing flatting hath been now a good while begun to bâ— overcome by the diligent pains and careful industry of the Husbandmen for they parting away the upper Coat of the Earth into certain Turffs with a broad kind of Spade pile them up artificially on heaps and fire them so as being turned into Ashes and thrown upon the ground so pared they fructifie the hungry barrenness and sterility of Soil and make the Fields bring forth a kind of Rie or Amell-Corn in such plenty as is hardly to be believed 5 The ancient Inhabitants of this Country were the Ordâ—vices who being also named Ordevices or Ordovicae a puissant and couragious People by reason they kept wholly in a mountainous place and took heart even of the Soil it self for they continued longest free from the Yoke both of Roman and also of English dominion They were not subdued by the Romans before the dayes of the Emperour Domitian for then Iulius Agricolâ— conquered almost the whole Nation nor brought under the command of the English before the Reign of King Edward the First but lived a long time in a lawless kind of liberty as bearing themselves bold upon their own magnanimity and the strength of the Country 6 The Mountains of this County yield sufficiency of Neat Sheep and Goats The Valleys in most places are very plenteous of Corn especially Eastward on this side betwixt the Rivers of Alen and Dee But the most Westerly part is Heathy and altogether barren The heart of the Shire shews it self beneath the Hills in a beautiful and pleasant Vale reaching seventeen miles in length from South to North and five miles or thereabouts in breadth and lieth open only toward the Sea It is environed on every side with high Hills amongst which the highest is Moillenly on the top whereof is a warlike Fence with Trench and Rampier and a little Fountain of clear Water From these Hills the River Cluyd resorts unto this Vale and from the very Spring-head increased with Becks and Brooks doth part it in twain running through the midst of it whereof in ancient time it was named Strat-Cluyd for Marianus maketh mention of a King of the Strat-Cluyd of the Wâ—lsh And at this day it is commonly called Diffryn-Cluyd that is The Vale of Cluyd This thing is worthy observation as a matter memorable both for admiration and antiquity that in the Parish of Lan-sanan within this Country there is a place compass cut out of the main Rock by Mans hand in the side of a Stony Hill wherein there be four and twenty Seats to sit in some less some bigger where children and young men coming to seek their Cattel use to sit and to have their sports And at this day they commonly call it Arthurs Round Table 7 Henry Lacy Earl of Lincoln obtaining Denbigh by the Grant of King Edward the First after the Conviction and Beheading of David Brother of Llewelin for High-Treason was the first that fortified it with a Wall about nor large in circuit but very strong and on the South-side with a fair Castle strengthned with many high Towers But he gave it over and left the work unfinished conceiving grief as a sorrowful Father that his only Son came to untimely death and was downed in the Well thereof The fame of this Town spreads it self far for repute aâ— being reckoned the most beautiful place in all North-Wales and it is of no less report for the Castle adjunct unto it is impregnable for fortification And this strange accident hapning there in the year 1575 deserves not to be omitâ—ed being left as a continual remembrance of Gods merciful Providence and preservation at that time that where by reason of great Earthquakes many People were put into great â—ear and had much harm done unto them both within and without their Houses in the Cities of â—ork Worcester Glocester Bristoâ— Hereford and in other Countries adjâ—cent yet in the Shire-Hall of Denbigh the Bell was caused to Toll twice by the shaking of the earth and no hurt or hindrance at all either done or received The government of this
Empire of the Romans in Britain began to decline and go downward some out of Ireland entred into this Isle by stealth and â—estled themselves there as may be gathered by certain mounts of earth entrenched about and yet to be seen which they call the Irish-mens Cottages as also by a place named of the Irish-men yâ— Hiericy Gâ—idid who did there as is recorded put the Britains to flight under the leading of Sirigus The Norwegians also were often infestuous to this Island but King Ethelreds Fleet having in the year 1000 scoured the Seas round about this Isle far exceeded all both Irish and Norwegian depopulations for they wasâ—ed the Country in all hostile manner 7 After this two Hughs both Normans did greatly afflict this Island The one being Earl of Chester the other of Shrewsbury at which very time Magnus the Norwegian arriving there shot Hugh Earl of Shrewsbury through with an Arrow and departed afâ—er he had ransacked the Island It was afterwards grievouslâ— infested by the Englishmen who never gave over from time to time to invade it until in the Reign oâ— King Edward â—â—e first it was wholâ—y broâ—ght under his subjection 8 The principal Town in this Isle is Beaumarish which the said King Edward the First built in the East-side thereof and for the fâ—â—r situation thâ—uâ—h in a Mooâ—ish-place gave it the name which it now beareth whereas in times past it was called Bonover which â—e also fortified with a goodly Caâ—tle 9 The Mayor is the chiefest Magistrate of the Town who is yearly chosen and hath the assistance and help of two Bailiffs two Sergeants at Mâ—ce and one Town-Clerk by whose careful diligence the affairs of this Town are orderly managed and commanded whose Latitude is 54 and Longitude 15 45 minutes 10 Not far from hence is Lhaanvais in times past a fair Religious House of the Friers Minors which although it be now in a manner rased out of memory yet antiquity maketh mention that it hath been of great regard among the Kings of England who hâ—ve shâ—wed themselves very bountiful Patrons unto that Covent both in respect of the sanctimonious life of such as conversed there as also because there the Bodies of very eminent persons as the Daughter of King Iohn the Son of a King of the Danes as likewise of many great Lords Knights and Squires were enterred that were slain in the Wars againâ—t the Welsh in the time of many illustrious Kings of England 11 This Isle is reckoned to have had anciently many Villagâ—s in it even to the number of three hundred threescore and three and the same even at this day is very well peopled The division of this Isle for disposition of affairs that belong either to the state of the Crown or to the condition of the Country is into six Hundreds in which are seated two Market-Towns and seventy four Parish-Churches for Gods Divine Honour and Worship CAERNARVON-SHIRE CHAPTER XIV CAERNARVON-SHIRE in Welsh Sire Caer-ar-vâ—n so called because it is just over against Anglesey which the Britains call Mon and in composition was termed also Snowden-Forrest before Wales was laid into Shires the North-side whereof and the West butteth upon the Irish-Sea the South-side is inclosed with Merioneth and the East with Denbigh shires from which it is severed by the River Conwey 2 The form thereof is much like a wedge long and narrow towards the South and growing still wider towards the North so that from Pevâ—nkel-point Southward to Orms-head-point Northward are forty miles from the River Conwey Eastward to the River Llâ—noy Westward miles twenty and the whole circumference one hundred and ten miles 3 The Air is sharp and piercing by reason that the Country hath not natural Provision to ensconce her self against the extremity of Winds and Weather but especially as may be thought through the continuance of the Snow on the Hills which also exclude the Suns aspect and warmth 4 The Soil cannot be much commended for the fertility except those parts of the Sea-coasts which lie on the West towards Ireland but for the heart of this Shire it is altogether mountainous as if nature had a purpose here by rearing up these craggy Hills so thick together strongly to compact the joynts of this our Island and to frame the Inland part thereof for a fit place of refuge to the Britains against those times of adversity which afterward did fall upon them for no Army though never so strongly or scarce any Travellers though never so lightly appointed can find passage among those so many rough and hard Rocks so many Vales and Pools here and there crossing all the ways as ready obstacles to repel any Inroads of forrain assailants These Mountains may not unfitly be termed the British Alps as being the most vast of all Britain and for their steepness and cragginess not unlike to those of Italy all of them towring up into the Air and round encompassing one far higher than all the rest peculiarly called Snowdon Hills though the other likewise in the saâ—â—e sense are by the Welsh termed Craig Eriry as much as Snowy Mountains taking their name as doth by Plinies testimony Niphates in Armenia and Imaus in Scythia For all the year long these lie mantelled over with Snow hard crusted together though otherwise for their height they are open and liable both to the Sun to dissolve them and the Winds to over-sweep them 5 The ancient Inhabitants of this Country were the Oâ—â—ovices of whom we have sufficiently spoken in the description of the former Provinces neither need I insist either upon the pleasures or profits that this Country yieldeth by reason of the great affinity it hath both of Climate and Commodities with Denbigh-shire and Flint-shire before mentioned But this beyond the other in some places breeds certain Shel-fishes which being conceived by an heavenly dew bring forth Pearls in ancient times more reckoned of than now they are 6 Touching places of note that City is very ancient which the Emperour Antonine callâ—â—h Segontium taking name of a River running by which at this day is called Sâ—â—ent some Reliques of the Walls whereof do yet appear neer unto a little Church consecrated to the honour of Saint Publicius This City Ninius calleth Caer Custenith which some interpret the City of Constantine Indeed Matthew Westminster saith how true I know not that Anno 1283. here was found the body of Constantius Father to Great Constantine which King Edward thâ— first caused to be sumptuously bestowed in the Church of the new City which he raised out of the ruins of the old and is now called Caernarvon which giveth name to this whole Shire The Town it self yieldeth a most excellent prospect towards the Sea and is incompassed in a manner round with the Walls of the Castle so as we may say it is a City within a Castle which taketh up the whole West-side of it and great pity it is that so famous a work should not be perpetuous
West-point about 80 miles from thence to her North-west about 70 miles and her East Coast along the Irish Sea-shore eighty miles the circumference upon two hundred and seventy miles 3 The air is clear and gentle mixt with a temperate disposition yielding neither extremity of heat or cold according to the seasonable times of the year and the natural condition of the Continent The soil is generally fruitful plentiful both in fish and flesh and in other victuals as butter cheese and milk It is fertil in Corn Cattle and pasture grounds and would be much more if the husbandman did but apply his industry to which he is invited by the commodiousness of the Country It is well watered with Rivers and for the most part well wooded except the County of Divelin which complains much of that want being so destitute of wood that they are compelled to use a clammy kind of fat turff for their fuel or Sea-coal brought out of England 4 The Inhabitants of these parts in Ptolomies days were the Brigantes Menapii Cauci and â—lani from which Blani may seem to be derived and contracted the latter and modern names of this Country Lâ—in Leighnigh and Leinster The Menapii as the name doth after a sort imply came from the Menapians a Nation in Low Germany that dwelt by the Sea-Coasts These Brigantes called also Brigants Florianus del Campo a â—paniard labours to fetch from the Brigants of his own Countrey of whom an ancient City in Spain called Brigantia took the name But they may seem rather to derive their denomination from the River Birgus about which they inhabited for to this the very name is almost sufficient to perswade us 5 The commodities of this Country do chiefly consist in Cattle Sea-fowl and Fish It breeds many excellent good horses called Irish Hobbies which have not the same pace that other horses have in their course but a soft and round amble setting very easily 6 This Country hath in it three Rivers of note termed in old time the three sisters Shour Neor and Batraeo which issue out of the huge Mountain called by Giraldus Bladinae Montes as out of their mothers womb and from their rising tops descending with a downfal into several Channels before they empty themselves into the Ocean joyn hand in hand altogether in a mutual league and combination 7 Places very dangerous for shipping are certain flats and shallows in the Sea that lie over against Holy-point which the Mariners call the Grounds Also the shelves of sand that lie a great way in length opposite to Newcastlâ— which over looketh them into the Sea from the top of an high hill adjoyning 8 In this Province are placed many fair and wealthy Towns as Kilkenny which for a Burrough-Town excels all the midland Burroughs in this Island Kildare which is adorned with an Episcopal See and much graced in the first infancy of the Irish Church by reason of Saint Brigid a venerable Virgin had in great account and estimation for her virginity and devotion as who was the Disciple of S. Patrick of so great fame renown and antiquity also Weisford a name given unto it by these Germans whom the Irish term Oustmans a Town though inferiour to some yet as memorable as any so that it became the first Colony of the English and did first submit it self unto their protection being assaulted by Fitz Stephen a Captain worthily made famous for his valour and magnanimity 9 But the City which fame may justly celebrate alone beyond all the Cities or Towns in Ireland is that which we call Divelin Ptolomy Eblana the Latinists Dublinium and Dubliniâ— the West-Britaines Dinas Dublin the English-Saxons in times past Duplin and the Irish Balacleigh that is the Town upon hurdles for it is reported that the place being fennish and moorish when it first began to be builded the foundation was laid upon hurdles 10 That it is ancient is perswaded by the authority of Ptolomy That it was grievously rent and dismembred in the tumultuous wars of the Danes and brought afterwards under the subjection of Edgar King of England which his Charter also confirmeth wherein he calleth it the noble City of Ireland is written by Saxo Grammaticus That it was built by Harold of Norway which may seem to be Harold Harsager when he had brought the greatest part of Ireland into an awful obedience unto him we read in the life of Griffith ap Sinan Prince of Wales At length it yielded unto the valour and protection of the English at their first arrival into Ireland by whom it was manfully defended from the fierce assaults as well of Auscoulph Prince of the Dublinians as afterwards of Gotard King of the Isles since which time it hath still augmented her flourishing estate and given approved testimony of her faith and loyalty to the Crown of England in the times of any tumultuous straights and commotions 11 This is the Royal Seat of Ireland strong in her munition beautiful in her buildings and for the quantity matchable to many other Cities frequent for traffick and intercourse of Merchantâ— In the East Suburbs Henry the second King of England as Hoveden reporteth caused a royal Palace to be erected and Henry Loundres Archbishop of Divelin built a Store house about the year of Christ 1220. Not far from it is the beautiful Colledge consecrated unto the name of the holy Trinity which Queen Elizabeth of famous memory dignified with the priviledges of an University The Church of S. Patrick being much enlarged by King Iohn was by Iohn Comin Archbishop of Dublin born at Evesham in England first ordained to be a Church of Prebends in the year 1191 It doth at this day maintain a Dean a Chanter a Chancellor a Treasurer two Archdeacons and twenty two Prebendaries This City in times past for the due administration of Civil Government had a Provost for the chief Magistrate But in the year of mans redemption 1409 King Henry the fourth granted them liberty to chuse every year a Major and two Bailiffes and that the Major should have a gilt sword carried before him for ever And King Edward the sixth to heap more honour upon this place changed the two Bailiffs afterwards into Sherifâ—s so that there is not any thing here wanting that may serve to make the estate of a City most flourishing 12 As the people of this Country do about the neighbouring parts of Divelin come nearest unto the civil conditions and orderly subjection of the English so in places farther off they are more tumultuous being at deadly feuds amongst themselves committing oft-times Man slaughter one upon another and working their own mischiefs by mutual wrongs for so the Irish of Leinster wasted Leinster with many Towns in the same Province in the year 1294. And in the year 1301 the men of Leinster in like manner raised a war in the winter season setting on fire the Town of Wykinlo Rathdoâ— and others working their own plague and punishment by burning
up their sustenance and losing their Castle by deprâ—dation 13 Matter of observation and no less admiration among them is the Giants dance commonly so called and so much talked of which Merlin is said by Art of Magick to have translated out of this Territory unto Salisbury Plain which how true it is I leave to the vain believers of miracles and to the credulous observers of antiquity 14 In this County have been erected many famous Monasteries Abbeys and religious houses consecrated to devout and holy purposes As the Monastery of Saint Maries of Oustmanby founded for preaching Fryers unto which of late daies the Iudicial Courts of thâ— Kingdom have been translated also the magnificent Abbey called S. Thomas Court at Dublin builded and endowed in times past with many large priviledges and revenues of King Henry the second in expiation of the murther of Thomas Arch-bishop of Canterbury Likewise Teniern Monastery or the notable Abbey which William Marshall Earl of Pembrooke founded and called Deâ—voto for that he had vowed to God being â—ossed at Sea with many a sore and dangerous tempest to errect an Abbey wheresoever he came to land and being after shipwrack cast upon land in this place he made performance of his vow accordingly This Province containeth the Counties of Kilkenny Caterlough Queens County Kings County Kildare East-Meath West-Meath Weisford and Dublin â—o say nothing of Wicklâ— and â—ernes which either be already or else are to be annexed unto it and subdivided into fifteen Market-Towns It hath been fortified with the strength of many Castles against the power of enemies and is thus divided Counties East Meath West-Meath Kilkenny Caterlough Queens County Kings County Kildare Weisford Dublin CONNACK Petrus Kaerius caelavit The Province of CONNAUGHT CHAPTER IIII. THis Province named by Giraldus Cambrensis Conachtia and Coâ—acia by the Irish Conaughty and by English-men Connaught is bounded East-ward with part of the County of Leinster North-ward with part of Vlster West-ward with the West-main Ocean and on the South it is confined with a part of the Province of Mounster closed in with the River Shennon and butting against the Kingdom of Spain 2 The form thereof is long and towards the North and South ends thin and narrow but as it grows towards the middle from either part it waxeth still bigger and bigger extending in length from the River Shennon in her South to Enis Kelling in her North 126 miles and the broadest part is from Tromer in her East to Barragh Bay in her West containing about fourscore miles The whole in circuit and compass is above four hundred miles 3 The Air is not altogether so pure and clear as in the other Provinces of Ireland by reason of certain most places covered over with grass which for their softness are usually termed Boghes both dangerous and full of vaporous and foggy mists 4 This County as it is divided into several portions so is every portion severally commended for the soile according to the seasonable times of the year to Twomond or the County Clare is said to be a Country so conveniently situated that either from the Sea or Soil there can be nothing wisht for more than what it doth naturally afford of it self were but the industry of the Inhabitants answerable to the rest Galway is a land very thankful to the painful husbandman and no less commodious and profitable to the Shepherd Maio in the Roman Provincial called Mageo is replenished both with pleasure and fertility abundantly rich in Cattel Deer Hawks and plenty of Honey Slego coasting up the Sea is a plenteous Country for feeding and raising of Cattel Le-Trim a place rising up throughout with hills is so full of rank grass and forrage that as Solinus reporteth if Cattel were not kept sometimes from grazing their fulness would endanger them And Roscomen is a Territory for the most part plain and fruitfull feeding many Herds of Cattle and with mean husbandry and tillage yielding plenty of Corn. As every particular part is thus severally profitabâ—e be in-bred commodities so is it no less commended in the generality for the many accommodate and fit Baies Creeks and navigable Rivers lying upon her Sea-Coasts that after a sort invite and provoke the Inhabitants to Navigation 5 Such as in ancient time made their abode and habitations in this Province were the GANGANI who were also called CONCANI AUTERI and NAGNATAE As the Luceni that were next neighbours unto them came from the Lucensii in Spain so those Gangani and Concani may seem also to have fetcht their derivation from the Concani a Nation of the self-same Country both by the affinity of name and vicinity of place In Strabo according to the diversity of reading the same people are named Coniaci and Conisci and Silius testifieth them at the first to have been Scythians and to have used ordinarily to drink horses bloud a thing nothing strange among the wild Irish even of late days And some may also haply suppose that the Irish name Conaughty was compounded of Concani and Nagnatae Howsoever it is sure that these were the ancient inhabitants of this Country as is to be seen in Ptolomy 6 The Principal City of this Province and which may worthily be accounted the third in Ireland is Galway in Irish Gallive built in manner much like to a Tower It is dignified with a Bishops See and it is much frequented with Merchants by reason whereof and the benefit of the Road and Haven it is gainful to the Inhabitants through traffique and exchange of rich commodities both by Sea and Land Not far from which near the West shoar that lies indented with small in-lets and out-lets in a row are the Islands called Arran of which many a foolish fable goes as if they were the Islands of the living wherein none died at any time or were subject to mortality which is as superstitious an observation as that used in some other corners of the Country where the people leave the right Arms of their Infants males unchristned as they term it to the end that at any time afterwards they might give a more deadly and ungracious blow when they strike which things do not only shew how palpable they are carried away by traditious obscurities but do also intimate how full their hearts be of inveterate revenge 7 This Province presents no matter more worthy of memory than the battel of Knock-â—â—â— that is The hill of Axes under which the greatest rabble of Rebbels that were ever seen before in Ireland raised and gathered together by the Arch-Rebbels of that time William Burk O Brien Mac-Nenare and O Carrol were after a bloudy overthrow discomfited and put to flight by the noble service of Girald Fitz-Girald Earl of Kildare And the suppression of certain Irish the posterity of Mac-William who usurping a tyranny in these parts raged sometimes upon themselves with mutual injuries and oppressed the poor people a long time with extorting pilling and spoiling so as
called Epidaâ—num and Croya The whole Country was invaded by Amurath â—nâ— recovered by George Castriot or Scanderbeg the terriblest enemy that ever the Turk had 18 Epirus in her name carries no more than a firm land and is a part as most esteem it of Albania but indeed lies somewhat more South-ward than Abania propria on the East she is divided from Achaia by the River Achelous and on the West is bounded with Monâ—es Acroceraunii on the South with the Ionian Sea It was of old divided into Câ—aonia which took her name from Chaon the brother of Helenus and Acarnania which is now called Graecia the less The Country was fertile and populous but at this day lies wast and breeds better Cattel than men especially Buls Sheep and Dogs of wonderfull bigness among the rest extraordinary Mares which from thence were called Eporiticae It was the Kingdom of Pyrrhus and of later years was governed by George Castriot 19 Achaia is upon the South of Thessalia East of the River Achelous West of the Aegean Sea and North of Peloponnesus It contains many famous Provinces the chief are 1 Attica and her prime City was Athens now Setines she had her first name from Minerva whom they honoured as their peculiar goddess as being at that time accounted the best learned among the Heathens and excelled as well in Martial affairs In a word they came short to noâ—e in wealth State-policy aâ—d what else might make a people happy above expression so Pliny sets her forth The second Priovince is Daris a tract near Parnassus Mount and mother to the most elegant Greek Dialect 3 Aetolian and in this the City Câ—lynan 4 Locris and Regio Opuntiorum her chief City Naupactus and the famous Lepanto 5 Phocis which can glory in nothing more than the City Delphi where the Oracle of Apollo gave answer for many years to the silly Idolaters 6 Beotia and in this stood Thebes 7 Megaris her principal City Megara and from hence was the Seâ—ta Megarica of which Euclide was chief 20 Pâ—loponnesus is a Peninsula on the South of Graecia and joyned to the rest by an Isthmuâ— which is not above 5 miles in breath from one Sea to the other insomuch that it hath been sometimes attempted to be digged through and was began by Nero but the work was found not worth the charge and trouble It waâ— fenced cross with a strong wall and five Castles which being once destroyed was the second time by many hands erected in five days and called Hexamillium 21 This Peninsula is indeed the fortress of all Greece and though it wants much of the ancient glory which it might well vaunt in the time of Agamemnon Menelaus Ajax and the rest yet is she not so much to be contemned as other parts of this ruinated Coâ—ntry However the Turk is her Master and she his now called generally Morea 22 Her Provinces were 1 Corinthia neer the Isthmus and is named from her chief City Corintâ—us which being â—â—red melted sundry metals into a confused medly and made up the Aes Corinthium held more precious than any other of its own simple nature 2 Argia her Common-wealth was heretofore of great note and her City Argos is at this day held pleasant and well seated And in this likewise stood Epidamnus 3 Laconia to the South of the Peninsulae her Chief City was Lacedemonia once Sparta when Lycurgus gave his Laws and is now called Misithra 4 Messeniâ— and her chief Cities are Messene Methone Corone c. 5 Elis. 6 Achaia propria and here stood Aegina and Aegium and Patras 7 Arcadia once Pelasgia in the Centeâ— almost of Peloponnesus full of pleasant Mountains fit for pasture and is therefore made the Shepâ—erds scene in our renowned Sir Philip â—idney's poetical story Her principal City is Megalopolis 23 Thus have we passed the Continent of Greece and want coâ—ing only to give mâ— Reader a brief survey of the Islands which lie round in the Adriatique Mediteraneâ—n Ionian and Aegean seas But by reason the compass is so large and the number so great the little space which is left me will scarce admit more than their bare names which I will set down with reference to their next neighbouring Provinces as I have described them in the Continent 24 First then near Pelepâ—â—â—esus and the Ionian sea toward Macedonia and Epirus the chief â—re Aegina Cithera the Stâ—ophâ—des Zâ—â—ynâ—bus Cephalonia Ithacâ— Eâ—â—inades Corcyra or Corphin and Saphâ— c. In the Aegean sea belonging to Greece are the Cyclades and Sporades and over against Thrace Thassus Samothracia Imbrus and Lemnos Vulcani Neer Macedonia Pepanthos Scopelos Scyathos Scyros Aâ—â—onnesus Cycinnethus Dromus Seraquinus Neer Achaia is Euboea now Megreponte a very large Island and not far distant Andros Tenos Delos Rhene Melos and many others THE ROMANE EMPIRE Petrus Karius Caelavit The Description of the Roman Empire VIRTVTE Duce comite Fortunâ is the word of most Historians upon the low birth and quick growth of the state of Rome For had not matchless prowess and infallible success joyned in their full strength to make up an Empire for the world to admire I see not how she could in so few years raise her self from so small grounds to so high a pitch of luâ—tre as set the whole earth at a gaze and found us all business enough for a time to do liâ—tle else but obâ—erve her actions Look back to Romulus her first founder you shall find him no better man than the base son of a licentious Vestall his father not truly known to this day but simply surmised to be Mars the god of War His mother Rhea burnt by law for that very fact in which she conceived him and himself an out-cast exposed with his brother Rhemus to be torn by the wild Beasts Little hope we see left for such a Nation to spring from their loins had not Fortune lulled them in her own lap and delivered them by meer chance into the hands of one Faustulus the Kings Shepherd when thâ—y were thus found the best Writers afford them no better Nurse than the Shepherds wife a known Strumpet who for her insatiate lust was called Lupa and might perhaps occasion the fable of the Shâ—wâ—lf She suckled them with no choicer milk than she did her own home-spun brats nor were they bred under Faustâ—lus to any better fortune than the Sheep-hook yet no sooner the yonkers were start up to the knowledge of their true birth but they stript themselves out of their disguise revenged their mothers death upon their usurping Uncle Aeâ—ilius Sylvius restâ—red the Latine Kingdom to the rightful Numitor and erected a new Empire for their own posterity 2 These were the progeny of Aeneas who arrived here from the Trâ—jan War and made love to Lavinia daâ—ghter to Latinus King of the Laureâ—tiâ—i The great combat betwixt him and Turnâ—s the Rutilian grew upon no other terms than for her fair looks which he could not nor did he
are by some named several Provinces into which this Countrey hath been formerly divided viz. Panuca bordering upon New Spain Aranaris Albardaosia whose Natives are peculiarly noted for their subâ—ilty Irquasia inhabited by a people exceeding all others in swiftness of foot and Alpachia Authia and Someria remarkable for expert swimmers even to the very women who make nothing to cross over wide Rivers with children in their arms it is said to abound also with Hermophradites who are made use of as drudges to follow the Camp and carry the luggage of the Army Colas bordering upon Cape Florida Tegista or Florida properly so called which stretcheth our North and South 100 leagues in length into a long Peninsula toward the Isle Cuba by the Cape Los Martyres Acuera Vitacuâ—â—us c. But the more common division of the Floridans is into their several Tribes as the Quitones the Susolas the Maticones the Avavares the Camoni the Canagadi the Marianes and the Quevenes of each of which the supreme Head or Prince is called the Paraousti This Countrey of Florida is well watered with many large and convenient Rivers of which the only mentioned in any noted Writer of these parts are these 1 Rio Grande 2 Rio Secco 3 Rio de Nieves 4 Rio de Spiritu Santo 5 Serravahi 6 Garuna 7 Ligeriâ— 8 Sequana 9 Axona 10 Charente all which fall into the great Lake of Mexico 11 Maio so called by Ribault from the Month in which he discovered it if it be not one of those already mentioned under another name The principal Towns of Florida whereof some built by the Spaniards and one by the French others by the ancient Inhabitants are 1 St. Helens situate on or near a Promontory or point so called on the utmost Frontier of the Country toward Virginia 2 Arx Carolina or Fort Charles built by Laudonier on the banks of the River Majo and by him so called in honour of King Charles the 9th of France in whose time the Conquest of Florida was undertaken by the French but this place was not long after taken from them by the Spaniard and very much ruinated 3 Port Royal a place inhabited for the sake of the Haven only which for the commodiousness of it is very much frequented 4 St. Matthews one of the principal sortifications of the Spaniards lying on the Eastern Coast of Tergesta of Florida properly so called 5 St. Augustines another of their ancient sortified places on the same Shore only somewhat more Southernly This Town as above mentioned was in the year 1585 taken and sack'd by Sir Francis Drake 6 Vitacuche once the chief Seat of the Province or petty Kingdom of Vitacuche though nâ— better indeed than an indifferent Village consisting but of 200 houses or rather cottages however thought worthy to be taken by the Natives from the Spaniards As also 7 Ocalis the Metropolitan Village of Acuera of so much the more note by how much the larger than the other 8 Osachite another Provincial Town of the Floridans 9 Apatache an ancient Native-built Town probably once of some note and resort at least taken by the Spaniards for such which made them the more eager to take it under the conduct of Pamphilus Narvaes in hopes of finding there great riches Doubtless it was then a place much larger and more considerable than to consist but of 40 or 50 houses or cottages as hath been by some delivered since it was capable of making so smart a resistance as it did when it was attack'd and of repelling them after the departure of Nervaes 10 Ante another ancient Town or Village of the Floridans chiefly remarkable for a sharp Ingagement between them and the Spaniards whom at this place though said to be nine days march from Apatache they overtook and forc'd to retreat not without the loss of very many of their men some of note 11 St. Philip. 12 St Iago both heretofore fortified by the Spaniards if not still possessed by them CAROLINA The Description of Carolina CAROLINA having been formerly accounted a part of Florida though of late separated into a peculiar Province little or nothing is to be said more of the discovery situation climate temperature soil commodities nature and customs of the natives than what hath been already mentioned in Florida it self of which we have been the more particular in regard this part of it which is called Carolina from his present Majesty King Charles the Second and which makes up a considerable Province belongs now to the English it being not so proper to attribute those things to a part only which are applicable to the whole it remains only therefore to speak of the present interest and propriety when upon what occasion and to whom the Patent was granted and if there be any thing else peculiar to this Province above the rest of Florida It was by the care charge and industrious endeavours of divers noble persons as Edward Earl of Clarendon â—ord Chancellor of England George Duke of Albemarl William Earl of Craven Iohn Lord Berkly Anthony Lord Ashly now Earl of Shaftsbury Sir George Carteret Vice-Chamberlain of his Majesties Houshold Sir William Berkly Knight and Baronet Sir Iohn Colleton Knight and Baronet that this Province of Carolinâ— as the best part of all Florida was impropriated into the interest and possession of the English to whom indeed of right the whole Countrey may be accounted properly to belong both in regard it was discovered by Sir Sebastian Cabott by the encouragement and for the use of King Henry the seventh of England and for its neighbouring situation to our other Plantations besides several other conveniences by setling therein two considerable Plantations the one at Albemarl-Point which lying to the North borders upon Virginia and whither very many Families have transplanted themselves from New-England and other of our American Plantations the other at Charles-Town or Ashly River almost in the center of the Countrey which being the better Plantation of the two may in all likelihood invite a far greater as well from New-England and other parts that way as from Barbadoes and Bermudas many have already removed their effects hither The most apparent boundary between Carolina and Virginia appears plainly by Mr. Ledderers Map who hath written a very exact description of his travels into these parts to be the Râ—ver Rorenock alias Shawan that is to say the main River for above half the way and afterwards a smaller branch running on Northward towards the Hills as far as Sapon in the Countrey of the Nabissans the rest of the main stream running farther into the heart of the Countrey which from this boundary stretcheth a long way North-west This Sapon is the first Town within the limits of Carolina and situate as it were upon the utmost point of the said branch of the River Rorenock whereby though it stand dry upon an high ground yet it is environed with a fruitful and productive Soil Nor far from it is a place
the state of their bodies before they be decayed and the other for quantity gives place to no neighbouring Countrey 4 The ground to say nothing of the Sea which is exceeding full of Fish consisteth of soil very fruiful yet the husbandmans labour deserves to be thankfully remembred by whose pains and industry it doth not only supply is self but affords Corn to be carried forth to others The Land is plentifully stored with Cattle and Grain and breeds every where store of Conies Hares Partridges and Phesants pleasant for meadows pasturage and Parks so that nothing is wanting that may suffice man The middle yields plenty of pasture and forrage for Sheep whose wooll the Clothiers esteem the best next unto that of Leinster and Cotteswold If you cast your eyes towards the North it is all over garnished with Meadows Pastures and Woods If towards the South side it lieth in a manner wholly bedecked with Corn fields enclosed where at each end the Sea doth so incroach it self that it maketh almost two Islands besides namely Freshwater Isle which looketh to the West and Binbridge Isle answering it to the East 5 The Commodities of the whole chiefly consist of Cattle Sea fowl Fish and Corn whereof it hath sufficient Woods are not here very plentiful for that it is only stored with one little Forrest yet the Countrey of Hant-shire for vicinity of Site is a friendly neighhour in that behalf so as it were being tyed together in affinity they are always ready and propense to add to each others wants and defects by a mutual supply 6 The ancient Inhabitants of this Island were the Belgae spoken of in the several Provinces of Sommerset-shire Wilt-shire and Hant-shire Such as did then possess it were called Lords of the Isle of Wight till it fell into the Kings hands by Roger Son to William Fits Osburne slain in the war of Flanders that was driven into exile And Henry the first King of England gave it unto Richard Ridvers with the Fee or Inheritance of the Town of Christs-Church where as in all other places he built certain Fortresses 7 The Principal Market-Town in the Isle of Newport called in times past Medena and Novus Burgus de Meden that is The new Burgh of Meden whereof the whole Countrey is divided into East Meden and West Meden A Town well seated and much frequented unto whose Burgesses his Majesty hath lately granted the choice of a Major who with his brethren do govern accordingly It is populous with Inhabitants having an entrance into the Isle from the Haven and a Passage for Vessels of small burden unto the Key Not far from it is the Castle Caresbrook whose founder is said to have been Whitgar the Saxon and from him called VVhite-Garesburgh but now made shorter for easier pronunciation the graduation whereof for Latitude is in the degree 50 36 minutes and her Longitude in 19 4 minutes where formerly hath stood a Priory and at Quarre a Nunnery a necessary neighbour to those Penitentiaries And yet in their merry mood the Inhabitants of this Island do boast that they were happier then their neighbour Countries for that they never had Monk that ever wore hood Lawyer that cavelled nor Foxes that were craftâ— 8 It is reported that in the year of mans Salvation 1176. and twenty three of King Henry the second that in this Island it rained a showre of bloud which continued for the space of 2 hours together to the great wonder and amazement of the people that beheld it with fear 9 This Isle of Wight is fortified both by Art and Nature for besides the strength of Artificial Forts and Block houses wherewith it is well furnished it wants not the Assistants of natural Fences as being enriched with a continual ridge and range of craggy Cliffs and Rocks and Banks very dangerous for Saylers as the Needles so called by reason of their sharpness The Shinglâ—s Mixon Brambles c. 10 Vespasian was the first that brought it to the subjection of the Romans whilest he served as a private person under Claudius Caesar. And Cerdic was the first English Saxon that subdued it who granting it unto Scuffe and VVhitgar they joyntly together slew almost all the British Inhabitants being but few of them there remaining in the Town aforesaid called of his name VVhitgaresburgh VVolpher King of the Mercians reduced this Island afterwards under his obedience and at that â—ime when he became God-father to Edelwalch King of the South Saxons and answered foâ—â—im at his Baptisme he assigned it over unto him with the Province also of the Menuari But when Edelwalch was slain and Arvandus the petty King of the Island was made away Caedwalla King of the West-Saxons annexed it to his Dominion and in a tragical and lamentable Massacre put to the sword almost every mothers child of the in-born Inhabitants The thing that is best worthy note and observation is this That Bishop Wilfrid was the first that instructed the Inhabitants of this Island in Christian Religion and brought them from Idolatrous Superstition with the which unto that time they were obscurely blinded For Ecclesiastical Iurisdiction this Countrey belongeth to the Bishop of Winchester and for Civil government to the County of South-hampton It is fortified with the strength of six Castles traded with three Market-Towns and hath 36 Parish-Churches planted in it Dorcet Shire DORCESTER-SHIRE CHAPTER VIII DORCESTER from her ancient people DUROTRIGES is most likely to have received that name By the Britains called DWRGWEIR lieth bounded upon the North side with Sommerset and Wilt-shire upon the West with Devon-shire and some part with Sommerset upon the East altogether with Hamp-shire and her South part is wholly bounded with the British Seas 2 The form grows wider from the West and spreads her self the broadest in the midst where it extends to twenty four miles but in length is no less than forty four The whole in Circumference about is one hundred and fifty miles 3 The Air is good and of an healthful constitution the soyl is fat affording many commodities and the Countrey most pleasant in her situation for the In-land is watered with many sweet and fresh running-Springs which taking passage through the plain Vallies do lastly in a loving manner unite themselves together and of their many branches make many big bodied streams neither doth the Sea deny them entrance but helpeth rather to fill up their Banks whereby Vâ—ssels of Burthen discharge their rich Treasures and her self with open hand distributeth her gifts all along the South of the Shore 4 Antiently it was possest by the Durotriges whom Ptolomy placeth along in this Tract who being subdued by the Romans yielded them room and unwilling subjection After them the Saxons set foot in these parts whereof Portland seemeth from that Port to take name who in this place arrived in Anno 703. and did sorely infect and annoy all the South Tract And at Bindon before him Kinegillus King of the
Grand-child to Iohn Holland half-brother to King Richard the Second siding with Lancaster against Edward the fourth whose Sister was his wife was driven to such misery as Philip Comineus repotteth that he was seen all torn and bare-footed to beg his living in the Low Countries And lastly his body was cast upon the shore of Kent as if he had perished by ship-wrack so certain is Fortune in her endowments and the state of man notwithstanding his great birth 9 Religious Houses in this Shire built in devotion and for Idolatry pulled down were at Excester Torhay Tanton Tavestokes Kirton Hartland Axminster and Berstuble 10 And the Counties divisions are parted into thirty three Hundreds wherein are seated thirty seven Market-Towns and three hundred ninety four Parish-Churches Cornwaile CORNVVALL CHAPTER X. CORNWALL as Matthew of Winchester affirmeth is so named partly from the form and partly from her people for shooting it self into the Sea like an Horn which the Britains call Kâ—rne and inhabited by them whom the Saxons named Wallia of these two compounded words it became Cornwallia Not to trouble the Reader with the Fable of Corinnus cousin to King Brute who in free gift received this County in reward of his prowess for wrestling with the Giant Gogmagog and breaking his neck from the Cliffe of Dover as he of Monmouth hath fabuled 2 Touching the temperature of this County the Air thereof is cleansed as with Bellowes by the Billowes that ever work from off her environing Seas where thorow it becometh pure and subtile and is made thereby very healthful but withall so piercing and sharp that it is apter to preserve than to recover health The Spring is not so early as in more Eastern parts yet the Summer with a temperate heat recompenseth his â—low fostering of the fruits with their most kindly ripening The Autumne bringeth a somewhat late Harvest and the Winter by reason of the Seas warm breath maketh the cold milder than else-where Notwithstanding that Countrey is much subject to stormy bâ—asts whose violence hath freedome from the open waves to beat upon the dwellers at Land leaving many times their houses uncovered 3 The Soyl for the most part is lifted up into many hills parted asunder with narrow and short valâ—â—es and a shallow earth doth cover their outside which by a Sea weed called Orewood and a certain kind of frâ—â—sul Sea-sand they make so rank and batten as is uncredible But more are the riches that out of those hills are gotten from the Mines of Copper and Tinn which Countrey was the first and continueth the best stored in that merchandize of any in the world Timaeus the Historian in Pliny reporteth that the Britains fetched their Tinn in Wicker boats stitched about with Leather And Diodorus Siculus of Augustus Caesars time writeth that the Britains in this part digged Tin out of stony ground which by Merchants was carried into Gallia and thence to Narborne as it were to a Mart. Which howsoever the English Saxons neglected yet the Normans made great benefit thereof especially Richard brother to King Henry the third who was Earl of Cornwall and by those Tinn-works became exceedingly rich for the incursions of the Moores having stopped up the Tinn-Mines in Spain and them in Germany not discovered before the year of Christ 1240. these in Cornwall supplyed the want in all parts of the world This Earl made certain Tinn-Laws which with liberties and priviledges were confirmed by Earl Edmund his son And in the days of King Edward the third the Common-weale of Tinn-works from one body was divided into four and a Lord Warden of the Stanniers appointed their Iudge 4 The Borders of this Shire on all parts but the East is bound in with the Sea and had Tamer drawn his course but four miles further to the North betwixt this County and Devonshire it might have been rather accounted an Island than stood with the Mayne Her length is from Launston to the Lands-end containing by measure 60 miles and the broadest part stretching along by the Tamer is fully forty lessening thence still lesser like a horn 5 The Antient inhabitants known to the Romans were the Danmonii that spread themselves further into Devon-shire also by the report of Diodorus Siculâ—â— a most courteous and civil people and by Michael their Poet extolled for valour and strength of limbs nor therein doth he take the liberty that Poets are allowed to add to the subject whreof they write but truly repotteth what we see by them performed who in activity surmount many other people When the Heathen Saxons had seated themselves in the best of this Land and forced the Christian Britains into these rocky parts then did Cornwall abound in Saints unto whose honour most of the Churches were erected by whose names they are yet known and called To speak nothing of Visula that Counties Dukes daughter with her company of canonized Virgin-Saints that are now reputed but to trouble the Calender These Britains in Cornwall so fenced the Countrey and defended themselves that to the reign of Athelstaâ—e they held out against the Saxons who subduing those Western Parts made Tamer the Bounder betwixt them and his English whose last Earl of the British Bloud was called Candorus 6 But William the Bastard created Robert his half-brother by Herlotta their mother the first Earl of the Normans race and Edward the Black Prince the ninth from him was by his Father King Edward the third invested the first Duke of Cornwall which Title ever since hath continued in the Crown 7 The Commodities of this Shire ministred both by Sea and Soile are many and and great for besides the abundance of Fish that do suffice the Inhabitants the Pilchard is taken who in great shuls swarm about the Coast whence being transported to France Spain and Italy yield a yearly revenue of gain unto Cornwall wherein also Copper and Tinn so plentifully grow in the utmost part of this Promontory that at a low water the veins thereof lie bare and are seen and what gain that commodity begets is vulgarly known Neither are these Rocks destitute of Gold nor Silver yea and Diamonds shaped and pointed Angle wise and smoothed by Nature her self whereof some are as big as Wallnuts inferiour to the Orient only in blackness and hardness Many are the Ports Bayes and Havens that open into this Shire both safe for arrivage and commodious transport whereof Falmouth is so copious that an hundred Ships may therein ride at Anchor apart by themselves so that from the tops of their highest Masts they shall not see each other and lie most safely under the Winds 8 This County is fruitful in Corn Cattle Sea-fish and Fowl all which with other provision for pleasures and life are traded thorow twenty two Market-Towns in this Shire whereof Lauston and Bodman are the best from which last being the middle of the Shire the Pole is elevated to the degree of Latitude 50 35 minutes and for Longitude
by Succession and Right of Inheritance the Earldâ—m of Chester annexed to his most happy Stiles Upon whose Person I pray that the Angels of Iacobs God may ever attend to his great glory and Great Britains happiness 9 If I should urge credit unto the report of certain Trees floating in Bagmere only against the deaths of the Heirs of the Breretons thereby seated and after to sink until the next like occasion or inforce for truth the Prophesie which Leyland in a Poetical fury forespake of Beeston-Castle highly mounted upon a steep Hill I should forget my self and wonted opinion that can hardly believe any such vain Predictions though they be told from the mouths of Credit as Bagmere-Trees are or learned Leyland for Beesson who thus writeth The day will come when it again shall mount his head aloft If I a Prophet may be heard from Seers that say so oft With eight other Castles this Shire hath been strengthened which were Ould-Castle Shocloch Shoâ—witch Chester Pouldford Dunham Frodesham and Haulten and by the Prayers as then was taught of eight Religious Houses therein seated preserved which by King Henry the Eight were suppressed â—â—amely Stanlow Ilbree Maxfeld Norton Bunbery Combermere Rud-neath and Vale-Royal besides the VVhite and black Friâ—rs and the Nunnery in Chester This Counties division is into seven Hundreds wherein are seated thirteen Market-Towns eighty five Parish-Churches and thirty-eight Chappels of Ease Lancaster LANCA-SHIRE CHAPTER XXXVII THE County Palatine of Lancaster famous for the four Henries the fourth fifth sixth and seventh Kings of England derived from Iohn of Gaunt Duke of Lancaster is upon the South confined and parted by the River Mersey from the County Palatine of Chester the fair County of Darby-shire bordering upon the East the large County of York-shire together with Westmerland and Cumberland being her kind neighbours upon the North and the Sea called Mare Hibernicum embracing her upon the West 2 The form thereof is long for it is so inclosed between York-shire on the East side and the Irish-Sea on the West that where it boundeth upon Cheshire on the South-side it is broader and by little and little more Northward it goeth confining upon Westmerland the more narrow it groweth It containeth in length from Brathey Northward to Halwood Southward fifty seven miles from Denton in the East to Formby by Altmouth in the West thirty one and the whole circumference in compass one hundred threescore and ten miles 3 The Air is subtile and piercing not troubled with gross vapours or foggy mists by reason whereof the People of that Country live long and healthfully and are not subject to strange and unknown diseases 4 The Soil for the generality is not very fruitful yet it produceth such numbers of Cattel of such large proportion and such goodly heads and horns as the whole Kingdom of Spain doth scarce the like It is a Country replenished with all necessaries for the use of Man yielding without any great labour the commodity of Corn Flax Grass Coals and such like The Sea also addeth her blessing to the Land that the People of that Province want nothing that serveth either for the sustenance of Nature or the satiety of appetite They are plentifully furnished with all sorts of Fish Flesh and Fowls Their principal Fuell is Coal and Turff which they have in great abundance the Gentlemen reserving their Woods very carefully as a beauty and principal ornament to their Mannors and Houses And though it be far from â—ondon the Capital City of this Kingdom yet doth it every year furnish her and many other parts of the Land besides with many thousands of Cattel bred in this Country giving thereby and other ways a firm testimony to the World of the blessed abundance that it hath pleased God to enrich this noble Dukedom withall 5 This Counties ancient Inhabitants were the Brigantes of whom there is more mention in the description of York-shire who by Claudius the Emperour were brought under the Roman subjection that so held aud made it their Seat secured by their Garrisons as hath been gathered as well by many Inscriptions found in Walls and ancient Monuments fixed in Stones as by certain Altars erected in favour of their Emperours After the Romans the Saxons brought it under their protection and held it for a part of their Northumbrian Kingdom till it was first made subjugate to the Invasion of the Danes and then conquered by the victorious Normans whose Posterities from thence are branched further into England 6 Places of antiquity or memorable note are these the Town of Manchester so famous as well for the Market-Place Church and Colledge as for the resort unto it for Clothing was called Manâ—unium by Antonine the Emperour and was made a Fort and Station of the Romans Riblechester which taketh the name from Râ—ibell a little River near Clithâ—râ— though it be a small Town yet by Tradition hath been called the richest Town in Christendom and reported to have been the Seat of the Romans which the many Monuments of their Antiquities Statues Pieces of Coin and other several Inscriptions digg'd up from time to time by the Inhabitants may give us sufficient perswasion to believe But the Shire Town is Lancaster more pleasant in situation than rich of Inhabitants built on the South of the River Lon and is the same Longovicum where as we find in the Notiâ—e Provinces a company of the Longovicarians under the Lieutenant General of Britain lay The beauty of this Town is in the Church Castle and Bridge her Streets many and stretched fair in length Unto this Town King Edward the Third granted a Mayor and two Bailiffs which to this day are elected out of twelve Brethren assisted by twenty four Burgesses by whom it is yearly governed with the supply of two Chamberlains a Recorder Town-Clerk and two Sergeants at Mace The elevation of whose Pole is in the degree of Latitude 54 and 58 scruples and her Longitude removed from the West point unto the degree 17 and 40 scruples 7 This Country in divers places suffereth the force of many flowing Tides of the Sea by which after a sort it doth violently rent asunder one part of the Shire from the other as in Fourness where the Ocean being displeased that the shore should from thence shoot a main way into the West hath not obstinately ceased from time to time to slash and mangle it and with his Fell irruptions and boysterous Tides to devour it Another thing there is not unworthy to be recommended to memory that in this Shire not far from Foâ—rness-Felles the greatest standing water in all England called Winander Mere lieth stretched out for the space of ten miles of wonderful depth and all paved with stone in the bottom and along the Sea-side in many places may be seen heaps of sand upon which the People pour water until it recover a saltish humour which they afterwards boil with Turffs till it become white Salt 8 This
not the German-Sâ—as a ready means to further the dissolution of her Ice and Snow and the plenty of Coals there gotten a great help to comfort the Body with marmth and defend it from the bitter coldness 4 The soil cannot be rich having neither fertility of ground for Corn or Cattel the most part of it being rough and in every place hard to be manâ—red save only towards the Sea and the River Tyne where by the great diligence and industrious pains of good husbandry that part is become very fruitful 5 The ancient Inhabitants of this Country mentioned by Ptolomy were called OTTALINI OTTADENI and OTTADINI which by an eaâ—ie alteration as M. Câ—mbden saith if it had been called OTTATINI signifying about the River Tyne or on the further side of Tyâ—e for so this People were planted there would have been much consonance both with the name of the Inhabitants and the Position and Site of the Province 6 The chiefest commodity that enricheth this County are those Stones Linthancrates which we call Sea-coals whereof there is such plenty and abundance digged up as they do not only return a great gain to the Inhabitants but procure also much pleasure and profit to others 7 No place of â—his Province vents forth so many of these Sea-coals into other Regions as New-Castle doth being the very Eye of all the Towns in this County for it doth not only minister relief by such provision to all other parts of England but doth also furnish the wants of forrain Countries with her plenty By means of this and the intercouse of Traffique which it hath the place is grown exceeding rich and populous Before the Conquest it was called Monk-chester having been as it seemed in the possession of â—onks and Chester being added which signifies a Bulwark or place of defence and shews that in ancient time it had been a place of Fortification 8 After the Conquest it got the name of Newcastle by the New Castle which Robert the Son of William the Conquerour built there out of the ground What it was called in old time is not known yet some are of opinion that it may be thought to have been Gatrosentum for that Gatesâ—ead the suburb as it were of the same expresseth in their own proper signification that British name Gatrosentum It is now most ennobled both by the Haven which Tyne maketh of that not able depth that it beareth very tall Ships and is able to defend them against Storms and Tempests As also by many favours and honours wherewith it hath been dignified by Princes for Richard the Second granted that a Sword should be carried before the Mayor and Henry the Sixt made it a County consisting of a Corporation within it self It is adorned with four Churches and fortified with strong Walls that have eight gates It is distant from the first West line 21 degrees and 30 minutes and from the Equinoctial-line towards the North-Pole thirty four degrees and fifâ—y-seven minutes 9 The utmost Town in England and the strongest Hold in all Britain is Barwick From whence it had the name is not certainly made known Some fetch it from Berengarius a Duke never read of Howsoever this is better to be said than trusted and whencesoever it hath the name it is seated between two mighty Kingdoms shooting far into the Sea with the which and the River Tweed it is almost encompassed and whensoever any discord fell between the two Nations this place was the first thing they took care of It hath endured the brunts of divers inroads and incursions and been oftentimes possessed and repossessed of the Sâ—ots and English But since it was reduced under the command of Edward the Fourth our Kings have from time to time so strengthned it with new Works and Fortifications as they cut off all hopes of winning it The Governour of this Town is also Warden of the East-Marches against Scotland The Longitude of it according to Mathematical observation is 21 degrees and 43 minutes the Latitude 55 degrees and 48 minutes 10 The Inhabitants of this Country are a warlike People and excellent Horsemen and arâ— made fierce and hard by the several encounters of the Scots and not much unlike them in neither betwixt whom in this County many Battels have been fought and the successes oftentimes waved through very doubtfully the Victory sometimes falling to the Scots sometimes to the English At Otterburne was one in which three or four times it stood doubtfully indifferent till in the end the Scots got the upperhand of the English Howbeit their glory was not made so illustrious by this Conquest but that it was as much darkned by the foil they received at Anwicke where William King of Scots was taken and presented Prisoner to Henry the Second As also by that Battel at Brumridge Where King Athelstan fought a pitcht field against Anlafe the Danâ— Constantine King of 〈◊〉 and Eâ—genius King of Cumberland and that with such fortunaâ—e success as it hath left matter sufficient to fill the pens of Historians Flodden-Field also memorable in the death of Iames the fourth King of Scots who was there slain and his Army overthrown in a sharp Fight as he displayed his Banner in great hope against England when King Henry the Eight lay at the siege of Turnay in France 11 Other Battels in this County have been as that at Hexam called by Beda Hangustâ—ld wherein Iohn Nevil Marquess Mâ—ntacute encountred the Leaders of the Lancastrian Faction with much courage and with greater success put them to flight for which he was made Earl of Northumberland by Edward the Fourth As also that of Dilston by Beda called Devilshurne where Oswald having the Faith of Christ for his Defence and Armour slew Cedwall the Britain in a set Battel himself straightwaies becoming a professed Christian and causing his people to be instructed in Christain Religion 12 Many memorable Antiquities are found in this Country along the Wall and in other places As pieces of Coin Inscriptions broken and unperfect Altars c. the ruines of the Wall yet to be seen but none that deserves more to be remembred than Wall-Town by Beda called Ad Murum for that Segebert King of the East-Saxons was in it baptized in the Christian Faith by the hands of Paulinus and Halyston where the said Paulinus is said to have baptized many thousands into the Faith of Christ in the Primitive Church of the English Nation 13 Busy-gap is a place infamous for robbing and thieving and is therefore rather remembred as a cautionary note for such as have cause to travel that way than for any proper matter of worth it hath that merits place with other parts of this Province Other matters of observation are only these that North-Tyne running thorow the Wall waters two Dales which breed notable light-horse-men and both of them have their hillsâ— hard by â—o boggy and standing with water on the top that no horse-men are able to ride through them and
yet which is wonderful there be many great heaps of Stones called Laws which the neighbouring people are verily perswaded were cast up and laid together in old time in remembrance of some that were slain there There is also a martial kind of Men which lie out up and down in little Cottages called by them Sheals and Shealings from April to August in scattering fashion summering as they term it their Cattel and these are such a sort of people as were the ancient Nomâ—dâ—sâ— The last not least matter of note is this that the Inhabitants of Morpeth set their own Town on fire in the year of Christ 1215 in the spight they bare to King Iohn for that he and his Rutars over-ran these Countries This County hath five Market-Towns in it for her Trade of Buying and Selling 26 Castles for her strength and fortification and 460 Parish-Churches for Divine Service THE ISLE OF MAN MAN-ISLAND CHAPTER XLIII THe Isle of Man is termed by Ptolomy Moneda by Pliny Menabia by Orâ—sius Mâ—navia by Beda Menavia secunda and by Gildas Eubonia and Menaw The Britains name it Menow the Inhabitants Maninge and we Englishmen The Isle of Man It boundeth Northward upon Scotland Southward upon the Isle of Auglesey Eastward upon part of Lanca-shire and Westward upon the Coast of Ireland 2 The form is long and narrow for from Cranston to the Mull-hills where it is longest it only stretcheth it self to twenty nine miles but from the widest part which is from Peele-Castle to Douglas-point are scarce nine the whole compass about is fourscore and two miles 3 The Air is cold and sharp being bordering upon the Septentrionâ—l parts and for her shelter having but a wall of water They have few Woods only they light sometimes upon subterranean trees buried under the ground by digging up the earth for a clammy kind of Turff which they use for fuell 4 The Soil is reasonable fruitful both for Cattel Fish and Corn yet it rather commendeth the pains of the People than the goodness of the ground for by the Industry of the Inhabitants it yieldeth â—uffciently of every thing for it self and sendeth good store into other Countries It hath Fields by good manuring plenteous of Barley and Wheat but especially of Oats and from hence it comes that the People eat most of all Oaten-bread It bears abundance of Hemp and Flax and is full of mighty Flocks of Sheep and other Cattel yet are they smaller in body than those we have in England and are much like to the Cattel in Ireland that are neighbouring upon it 5 This Commodity makes this Iâ—land more happy than we are here for the People are there free from unnecessary commencements of Suits from long and dilatory Pleas and from frivolous feeing of Lawyers No Iudg or Clerks of the Couâ—t take there any penny for drawing Instruments or makâ—ng of Processes All Controversies are there determined by certain Iudges without writings or other charges and them they all Deemsters and chuse forth among themselves If any complaint be made to the Magistrate for wrong either done or suffered he presently taketh up a Stone and fixeth his mark upon it and so delivereth it unto the Party Plaintiff by vertue of which he both calls his Adversary to appearance and to produce his Witnesses If the Case fall out to be more litigious and of greater consequence than can easily be ended it is then referred to twelve Men whom they term The Keys of the Island Another happiness enricheth this Island namely the Security and Government thereof as being defended from neighbour Enemies by Souldiers that are pâ—est and ready for on the South side-of the Isle stands Bala-Curi the Bishops chief place of residence and the Pylâ— and a Block-house staâ—ding in a little Island where there is a continual Garrison of Souldiers And it is so well managed for matter of rule and civil Discipline that every man there possesseth his own in peace and safety No man lives in dread or danger of what he hath Men are not there inclined to Robbing or Thieving or Licentious living 6 The Inhabitants of this Island are for the most part religious and loving to their Pastors to whom they do much reverence and respect frequenting daily to Divine Service without division in the Church or innovation in the Commonwealth The wealthier sort and such as hold the fairest possessions do imitate the people of Laca-shire both in their honest carriage and good house-keeping Howbeit the common sort of People both in their language and manners come nighest unto the Irish although they somewhat relish and favour of the qualities of the Norwâ—gians 7 Things not worthy to be buried in the grave of oblivion are that this Island in the midst thereof riseth up with hills standing very thick amongst which the highest is called Sceafull from whence upon a clear and fair day a man may easily see three Kingdoms at once that is Scotland and Ireland This Isle prohibits the customary manner of begging from dore to dore detesting the disorders as well Civil as Ecclesiastical of Neighbour Nations And the last not least that deserves to be committed to memory is that the women of this Country wheresoever they go out of their dores gird themselves about with the Winding-sheet that they purpose to be buried in to shew themselves mindful of their mortality and such of them as are at any time condemned to die are sowed within a Sack and flung from a Rock into the Sea 8 The whole Isle is divided into two parts South and North whereof the one resembleth the Scottish in Speech the other the Irish. It is defended by two Castles and hath seventeen Parishes five Market-Towns and many Villages A Chronicle of the Kings of MAN CHAPTER XLIV IT is here very pertinent to the purpose to insert a small History of this Island that the atchievements heretofore had may not be utterly buried although they are waxen very old and almost torn from remembrance by the teeth of â—ime I is confessed by all that the Britains held this Island as they did all Britain But when the Nations from the North overflowed these South parts like violent tempests it became subject to the the Scots Afterwards the Norwegians who did most hurt from the Northern Sea by their manifold robberies made this Island and the Hebrides to be their haunt and erected Lords and peâ—â—y Kings in the same as is expressed in this Chronicle written as is reported by the Monks of the Abbey of Russin A Chronicle of the Kings of MAN ANno Dom. 1065 Edward of blessed memory King of England departed this life and Harald the Son of Godwin succeeded him in the Kingdom against whom Harold Harfager King of Norway came into the Field and fought a Battel at Stainford-bridge but the English obtaining the Victory put them all to flight Out of which chase Godred sirnamed Crovan the Son of Harald the black of Iseland came unto Godred the
his right hand cut off by the Kings Officers The fourth place for account is Raihader Gowy who besides the great fall of Wye with a continual noyse hath her Markets there kept upon the Sabbath which I there observed and here note for an offence 7 Many Rivers arise and run thorow this Shire which were it not that the Hills so cluster together might make the Soyl both fertile and fat Such are Teme Lug Ithon Clowdok Dulas Comatton Somegill Guithel Arro Machaway Edway Hawye Eland Clarwen and Wye besides other Loâ—ghs that stand betwixt the Hills This Shire is divided into six Hundreds wherein are seated three Forrests four Market-Towns siâ— Castles and fifty two Parish-Churches BRECKNOCK-SHIRE CHAPTER IV. BRECKNOCK-SHIRE in the British language Brethinâ—aâ— so called as the Welshmen relate of a Prince named Brechaâ—ius the Father of an holy off-spring whose twenty four Daughters were all of them Saints is a County neither very large nor greatly to be praised or disliked of whose bounds upon the North is parted from Radnâ—r with the Rivers Clarwen and Wye the West lyeth butted upon by Cardigan and Caermarden-shires the South is confined by Glamorgan and the East with Monmouth and Radnor-shires is wholly bound 2 The length of this Shire from North to South betwixt Lâ—anuthel and Iâ—tradgunles are twenty eight English miles and her breadth from East to West extended betwixt Frentisso and Elywell are twenty miles the whole circumference about one hundred and two miles 3 This County is full of Hills and uneven for travel which on the South part mount in such height that as Giraldus hath written They make the Air much colder and defend the Country from the excessive heat of the Sun where by a certain natural wholsomness of Air maketh it most temperate and on the East side the Mountains of Tolgar and Ewias do as it were fore fence the same Among which there arise and run so many fruitful Springs that their Vallies are thereby made most fertile yielding in plenty both Corn and Grass 4 The ancient Inhabitants and possessors of this Shire with the rest in this South Tract were the Silures much spoken of and great opposers to the Romans whose Countries were first made subject by Iulius Frontinus who besides the valour of the enemy had to struggle with the Mountains and Straits as Tacitus tells us neither any more hard we may well say than them of this Shire whereof one in the South and three miles from Brecknock is of such height and operation as is uncredible and were it not that I have witness to affirm what I shall speak I should blush to let the report thereof pass from my Pen In my Perambulation in these parts remaining in Brâ—cknock to observe the site of that Town the Aldermen or chief Seniors thereof regarding my pains with friendly and courteous entertainments at my departure no less than eight of them that had been Bailiffs of the Town came to visite me where they reported upon their Credit and Trials that from the top of that Hill in the Welsh called Mounch-denny or Cadier Arthur they had oftentimes cast from them and down the North-East Rock their Cloaks Hats and Staves which notwithstanding would never fall but were with the Air and Wind still returned back and blown up neither said they will any thing descend from that Cliffe being so cast unless it be stone or some Metalline substance affirming the cause to be the Clouds which are seen to rack much lower than the top of that Hill As strange Tales are told of the Mear Llynsavathan two miles by East from Brecknock which at the breaking of her frozen Ice maketh a fearful sound like unto Thunder In which place as is reported sometimes stood a fair City which was swallowed up in an Earthquake and resigned her Stone-Walls unto this deep and broad Water whither unto this day leadeth all the waies in this Shire which as learned Camdâ—n conjectureth might be that Loventrium which Ptolomy in this Tract placeth and the more confirmed by the Rivers name adjoyning being also called Lovenny which River also passeth thorow this Mear without any mixture of her waters as by the colour thereof is well perceived which glideth through it with the same stream and no greater than wherewith she first entred in 5 The Towns for Commerce are Hay Bealt and Brecknock two of them unfortunate of their former greatness whom Wars and sedition have defaced and cast down Hay upon Wye and Dulas pleasant for situation in the Rebellion of Owen Glendowerdy was diswalled depopulated and burnt in whose foundations for new repairs many Roman Coyns have been found and thereby thought to be the Seat of their Legions and Buelth now Bealt though of good frequency yet not so great as when Ptolomy observed her position for graduation who calleth it Buleum Silurum neither when it with the Country was possessed by Aurelius Ambrosius by whose permission Pascentius the Son of Vortiger ruled all as Ninius writeth nor yet as of later times when Leolin the last Prince of the Britains was therein betrayed and slain 6 Brecknock the Shire-Town for Buildings and Beauty retaineth a better regard whose Walls in Oval-wise are both strong and of good repair having three Gates for Entrance with ten Towers for defence and is in circuit six hundred and forty paces about upon whose West part a most sumptuous and stately Castle is seated the like whereof is not commonly seen whose decayes approaching do increase her ruins daily and in the end is feared will be her fall This Town is seated upon the meeting of two Rivers Houthy and Vske whose yearly Government is committed to two Bailiffs fifteen Aldermen two Chamberlains two Constables a Town-Clerk and two Sergeants their Attendants having the Poles Elevation in 52 21 minutes of Latitude and for Longitude is placed in the 16 and 32 minutes as the Mathematicians do measure them 7 This Shire is strengthened with nine Castles divided into six Hundreds wherein are seated three Market-Towns and sixty one Parish-Churches CARDIGAN-SHIRE CHAPTER V. CARDIGAN-SHIRE in the Welsh called Sire Aber-Tivi is parted on the North from Merioneth-shire with the River Dovi by the Plinillimon Hills from Montgomery-shire in part of her East and the rest from Brecknock shire with the water Towy and with Tyvy altogether on the South from Caermarden-shire The West is wholly washed with the Irish-Sea 2 The Form thereof is Horn-like bowing compass long and narrow and growing wider stll towards the North so that from Cardigan the Shire-Town and uttermost point in the South unto the River Dovi her farthest North-bounder are thirty two miles and from the head of Clarwan in the East to Abersthwyth on her West the broadest part in the Shire are only fifteen the whole in circumference is one hundred and three miles 3 The Air is open and somewhat piercing The Soil is hilly and Wales like uneven yet more plain and champion towards the Sea than
the Receits of other Rivolets into her Stream and with many Wings doth sport her self thorow all the East-part of this Shire 3 That this River took her name from Abren the beautiful base daughter of Locrinus begotten out of Wedlock upon Estrildis the daughter of Humber the Scythian King that invaded this Land and both of them drowned in this River by Guendolena King Locrinus surviving Widow let Geoffrey relate and Poets enlarge whereof one among them in good account thus writeth In flumen praaecipitatur Abren Nomen Abren fluvio de Virgine nomen eidem Nomine corrupto deinde Sabrina datur Into this stream fair Abren headlong-cast Gave name of Abren to those waters vast Corruptly call'd Sabrina now at last 4 The River maketh the East part of this Shire for fruitfulness to be compared with most of the Land and to exceed any other Shire in Wales the West-side is more hilly and less inhabited yet surely those mountains breed innumerable of Cattel especially of Horses whose Portraiture for making and incomparable swiftness Giraldus Cambrensis Arch-Deacon of Brecknock doth greatly commend 5 The ancient Inhabitants that were seated in Gwineth and Powisland whereof this Shire was a part were to the Romans known by the name of ORDOVICES a puissant and couragious Nation whose Hearts and Hills held them the longest free from the Yoke of Subjection either of the Romans or English for unto the daies of Domitian they kept plea with the Romans and were not brought to the will of the English before the Reign of King Edward the first Those ORDOVICES inhabited the Counties of Mountgomery Merioneth Caernarvan Denbigh and Flint which are of us called now North-Wales a people generous and of affable conditions goodly for feature fair of complexion couragious of mind courteous to strangers and that which is most commendable most true and loyal to the English Crown Towns for Trades and Commerce in this County are six the chiefest thereof and Shire-Town is Mountgomery very wholsome for Air and pleasant for situation upon an easie ascent of an Hill and upon another far higher mounted stands a fair and well-repaired Castle from the East-Rock whereof the Town hath been walled as by some part yet standing and the Tract and Trench of the rest even unto the North-side of the said Castle may evidently be seen whose graduation for Latitude is placed in the degree 53 and for Longitude 17 the lines cutting each other in the site of this Town This Town hath lately received the Honour and Title of an Earldome whereof Philip Herbere the second Son of Henry Earl Pembroke was created the first in Anno 1605. And the Shire divided into seven Hundreds wherein are seated six Market-Towns and forty seven Parish-Churches MERIONETH-SHIRE CHAPTER X. MERIONETH-SHIRE which the Britains call Sire Verioneth and in Latine Mervia is bordered upon the North by Carâ—arvon and Denbigh-shires upon the East with Mountgomery upon the South by the River Dowy is parted from Cardigan-shire and the West side altogether washed with the Irish-Seas whose rage with such vehemency beateth against her Banks that it is thought and said some quantity of the Land hath been swallowed up by those Seas 2 In form this Shire somewhat resembleth a Welsh-Harp though small is the Musick that to her Inhabitants she makes being the roughest and most unpleasant to see to as Giraldus their own Historian writeth in all Wales The Air for great pleasure nor Soil for great profit I cannot greatly commend unless it be for the many and mighty great winds that for the most part therein do rage and the spired Hills clustred together so near and so high as the same Author affirmeth that Shepherds upon their tops falling at odds in the morning and challenging the Field for fight before they can come together to try out the quarrel the day will be spent and the heat of their fury shut up with their sleep 3 These mountains formerly did abound with Wolves for whose avoidance Edgar the peaceable did impose as Malmesbury writeth a yearly Tribute of three hundred Wolves upon Ludwall Prince of that Country whereby in three years space they were quite destroyed and now their faces are covered with fruitful Flocks of Sheep besides Neat and other Cattel that therein abundantly do grase wâ—erein the only riches of this Shire doth consist for by reason of this unevenness of the Soil and Rocks so near the face of the Earth the Plough cannot be drawn nor the Corn prosper which some have imputed to the idleness of the Inhabitants wherein they have been greatly wronged 4 These People are a part of the Ordovices of whom we have spoken who by the advantage of these Mountains held out with the longest against the Romans and their Necks not brought under the yoke of Bondage before the daies of King Edward the first since when they have attempted to cast off their subjection to the English upon those stirs raised by Owen Glendover who having been a Favorite of King Richard the second and discontented by King Henry the fourth in a quarrel with the Lord Grey of Rutâ—in that intruded upon his demains quarrelled with the King and entred into open Rebellion and Confederacy with all other his Rebels drawing the Welsh-men wholly to his side in hope to have had Princes restored of their own blood and he maintained the same with wonderful pride policy and obstinacy for a long time until his Confederates Followers and Favorites and his own courage credit and maintenance were brought so low by that powerful King that in the end he perished for very want of Food 5 Their Towns are not many neither those that they have of any stately Buildings whereof Bala Dolgelhe and Harlech are the Markets By Bala in the North-East of this County in the Welsh Lâ—integid in English Pimble-mear a great Pool of Water doth drown at least threescore Acres of ground whose nature is as the report doth pass that the High-land Floods though never so great cannot make her swell bigger by their receits but if the Air be troubled with over great blasts and tempests of Winds she in as great a rage riseth and passeth her Banks as if she would encounter that enemy in fight Into the South whereof the two headed Dee with a pretty sharp stream entreth and through the same glideth without any mixture of the same water as the Inhabitants believe more strongly conceited in their opinion for that the Salmon usually taken in Dee is never found in that Pool and the Fish called Guiniad bread in that Mear never is seen in the River Dâ—â— South thence near Dolgelhe in a lower Hill a great Rampire of Stone and compass is seen and hath been some fortification or defence in War which whilst we were curious to find out some instructions thereof by report this only we learned that it was called Caddoryrita Drâ—n according to the name of her neighbour and far higher Hill 6 Upon the West
and large promises could not by any means obtain his desires he therefore in a place of advantage suddenly surprised and ravished her weak yet resisting body After the deed done the cruel Tyrant to stop her cries and acclamations slew her and cut off her head out of which place did suddenly arise a Spring that continueth to this day carrying from the Fountain such a forcible stream and Current as the like is not found in Christendom Over the Head of the Spring there is built a Chappel of Free-stone with Pillars curiously wrought and engraved in the Chancel whereof and Glass-Window the Picture of the Virgin is drawn together with the memorial of her Life and Death To this Fountain Pilgrims are accustomed to repair in their zealous but blind devotion and divers others resort to Bath in holding firmly that the water is of much vertue There be many red Stones in the bottom of this Well and much green Moss growing upon the sides the superstition of the People holding that those red spots in the Stones were drops of the Ladies Blood which all the Water in the Spring can never wash away and that the Moss about the Wall was her Hair which though some of it be given to every Stranger that comes yet it never wasteth But howsoever this be carried for truth by the Tradition of time the Moss it self smells exceeding sweet There is also hard by Kilken a small Village within this County a little Well of no great note that at certain times riseth and falleth after the manner of Sea-tydes 9 In the South-part of this Country divided from the rest is a place in some written Copies of Antonine called Bovium which we now term Banchor first a City and afterwards a Monastery of famous memory and the first that is read of in the World wherein as Beda saith were a great number of Monks and them divided into seven Companies every one having his several Ruler assigned None of these Companies had less than three hundred Persons devoted to Prayer and to get living by their own labour for themselves and the poor although it hath long since been utterly ruinate so as now there is scarce seen the face and outward shew of a dead City or Monastery It hath only the names of two Gates remaining one standing a mile diâ—tant from another and betwixt which the River Dee now runneth where are often-times found many pieces of Roman Coyn and other tokens of antiquity But of these shall be more mention made in the following History Another like Monastery but of lesser account stood in the Vale beneath Varish a little City placed by the Romans in the consines of this Shire and Denbigh-shire and upon the Bank of Elwy and Cluyd This the Britains call Llan-Elwy of the River the Englishmen Asaph of the Founder and the Historiographers Asaphensis It is more famoused for antiquity than for building or bravery for about the year 560 Kentigern Bishop of Glasco being fled hither out of Scotland placed here a Bishops See and erected a Monastery gathering together 663. in a Religious Brotherhood whereof 300 that were unlearned gave themselves to husbandry and to work within the Monastery the rest to Prayer and Meditations When he returned into Scotland he ordained Asaph a godly and upright man to be Governour over this Monastery of whom it took the name and is called Saint Asaphs Another Monastery of great account was at Basingwarke in this County near unto which began that admirable Ditch drawn thence into the Month of Severne by King Offa the Tract whereof I have expressed thorow this Shire and will further speak thereof in the following History 10 This Shire is divided into five Hundreds fortified with seven Castles hath only one Market-Town and twenty eight Parishes in which there is a continual celebration of Divine Service ANGLESEY and CARNARVAN ANGLESEY CHAPTER XIII ANGLESEY was in the time of the Romans called Mona by the Britains Mon and Ver-Mon that is the Land of Mon of the ancient England-Saxons Moneg And at last after the Englishmen had by their sharp and several assaults brought it under their rule and became Lords thereof it was termed Anglesey as one would say The Englishmens Island 2 For an Island it is albeit it be severed from the Continent of Britain but with a small and narrow straight of the River Menai and on all other parts beaten upon with the surging and troublous Irish Sea in which it lyeth somewhat square-wise not much different in length and breadth being where it reacheth out in length from Beau-marish Eastward to the utmost Promontory Westward which we call Holy-head twenty miles and in breadth from Llambederick Northward to the point of Menai Southward seventeen miles the whole circuit or circumference amounting towards seventy miles 3 The Air is reasonable grateful and healthful and not generally subject to Diseases excepting certain Agues at sometimes which are occasioned by the Fogs and misty Exhalations which arise from the Sea called Mare Virginium with the which this Isle is encompassed 4 The Commodities that commend or rather beautifie this Country are in Corn and Cattel wherewith it not only enricheth it self exceedingly but sendeth out great Provision thereof to others to supply their defects and although the ground may seem dry and stony or unpleasant and nothing sightly wherein for the outward quality it resembleth some other parts of Wales that are not so fruitful yet for the inward bounties of nature it is far unlike for above all the Coasts of Wales it is most plentiful of Wheat insomuch as by Giraldus Cambreâ—sis report they are wont to say in Welsh by way of a Proverb Mon Mam Cambry which is to say Mon is the Mother of Wales for that when other Countries Harvest fails round about or their Provision is exhaust and drawn dry this alone like a provident and full breasted Mother is able to sustain the rest Whereunto Nature most providently hath added another benefit serviceable and necessary to the former in that the Country produceth also those kind of Stones which are called Molares as of all other fittest to make Millstones or Grindstones In some places also it yieldeth an Earth of Aluminous quality out of which some not long since began to make Alâ—m and Copperose who like unflesht Souldiers gave over their enterprise without further hope because at first they saw it not answer their over-hasty expectations 5 The ancient Inhabitants of this Country were the Ordovines mentioned before in the precedent Provinces of Denbigh-shire Flint-shire and Carnarvon-shire And this very Island was that ancient and so much ennobled Seat of the British Drâ—yds who so amated the Army of Roman Invaders as Tacitus reports and as else-where we have related in the sixth Book and seventh Chapter of our ensuing History 6 This Nation was attempted first by Paulinus Suetonius in the Reign of Nero but brought under the Roman Empire by Iulius Agricola When the
of Britain the next and this of Ireland the third and for that cause doth Ptolomy call it the Little-Britain But howsoever Strabo hath extended the breadth as broad as the length and others have formed it in shape like an Egg yet later dimensions have found it far otherwise twice longer than broad and may be compared to the fore-leg of a Bear if the Siâ—ile breed no offence Whose East-side hath on it that tempesâ—uous Sea that cutteth her Channel betwixt England and this Ireland the West is washed with the Western-Ocean the North with the Dâ—ucaledonian and the South with the Virginian-Sea 5 The Air of this Island is delectable and wholsom though neither so clear nor subtil as is ours of England which as Mela saith is nothing favourable for the ripening of Corn but so grateful to the ground that it causeth grass to grow abundantly not only fresh and long but withal very sweet for all Cattel and in Winter is more subject to Wind than Snow and that I may use the words of Giraldus It is of all Countriâ—s most temperate neither forcing the Iâ—habitants to seek shade from the frying heat of Cancer nor the chilling cold of Capricorn to drive tâ—em to the fire but at all seasons most mild betwixt a sufferable cold and gentle warm heat 6 The Soil saith Cambrensis is uneven woody wild waterish and boggy so full of Loughs and Mears that great Ponds of Water are found upon the high Mountains These indeed make the places somewhat dangerous unto all new Commers by breeding of Rheums Dysenteries and Fluxes whose usual remedy is Vskebah a wholsome Aqua vitae that drieth more and enflameth less than many other hot Confections 7 The Commodities of this Kingdom chiefly consist in Cattel whose seed is so sweet and so rank that they will soon graze to a surfeit if they may be suffered to feed as they will Their Sheep are many but bear not the best Wooll which twice are shorn within one year Of these they make Mantles Caddowes and Coverlets vented from thence into forrain Countries Their Hobbies likewise are of great esteem and are answerable to the Ienners of Spain Bees are there in such abundance that honey is found in holes of Trees and in rests of the Rocks No annoyance of hurtful Snake or venomous Creatures and to speak all in a word nothing wanting for profit or pleasure for so much doth Giraldus affirm in saying that Nature had cast into this Western Kingdom of Zephyrus a mâ—re gracious eye â—han was ordinary 3 Touching the original peopling of this fair Island if we will believe their Records they make antiquity it self but young unto themselves affirming the Daâ—sel Caesarea and Niâ—ce unto Noah to have found it out before the Flood and that three hundred years after when Iaphets posterity took into these Wests-parts of the World one Bartholarus of his Progeny a Scythian by birth encouraged by the late success of Nimrod who now had intruded upon the Monarchy of Syria wandred so far West that Fortune at last cast him and his people upon the coast of Ireland There he setled with his three sons Languinna Salanus and Ruthurgus who searching through every creek and corner of the Land left their own names by three notable places Languini Stragrus and Mount Salanga which the revolution of times hath since called by other names as S. Dominickhill Ruthurgi and Stagnum Under the government of these three sons and their off-spring this Land was kept about three hundred years at which time there arrived also in Ireland a Giant-like kind of People of Nimrods race who in bodily shape exceeded the proportion of usual men using their strengths to win soveraignties and to oppress with rapine and violence These growing to numbers accounted it necessary to prevent dominion lest the curse of slavery prophecied by Noah should light upon them to prevent the which they set up a King of their own then quarrels bred daily either parties purposing to hold their interest by their Swords against whom lastly a Battel was fought and an infinite company of Giants slain when also died most of those of the posterity of Iapheth leaving them of Cham Lords of the Island 9 Whereupon Nemethus a Scythian with his four Sons arrived in Ireland and by strong hand seated themselves among these Giants where for two hundred and sixty years they kept but then no longer able to hold out against them they left their â—tandings and departed the Land 10 Soon after the five Sons of Dela descended from the said Nemetheus came into these coasts and with manly prowess drove these miscreants out of Ireland whereby the Seed of Cham was utterly expelled and these of Iapheth divided the Land into five parts whereof they became themselves Kings but falling at variance gave advantage unto others among whom the BRITAINS set in a foot 11 But to make this Island more famous certain Historians have fetched their Kings from most uncertain Records as namely from Gaothel the Grecian and Scotia the daughter of King Pharaoh and nourisher of Moses his Wife who at that time when Israel were in Egypt with a Colony came into Spain and after into Ireland where he was made King and in honour of his Queen the Land named Scotia from whom also the Inhabitants took name his posterity increasing in the parts of Spain where first they had seated in process of time sought further adventures under the four Sons of Milesius King of Spain whose names were Hibernus Hermion Euer and Erimon 12 These by the direction sufferance and assistance of Gurguntius King of the Britains after that Ireland had been very much dispeopled by a contagious pestilence seated themselves and from the eldest Hibernus called the Island Hibernia as some are of opinion these divided the whole into five Provinces famously known by the names of Mounster Leinster Connaught Vlster and Meath in their midst and from these the present Irish repute themselves to come Yet surely as I make no question but that this Island became inhabited even of old time when mankind again over-spread the face of the earth so doubt I not but that our Britains passed thereinto themselves such infinite number of words in the Irish language yet in use such ancient names of Waters Isles Mountains and Places meerly British words yet remaining and the testimony of Tacitus who saith that their manners were fashioned to the Britains inforceth so much and Ptolomy before him calleth that Island by the name of Little-Britain all which shew a former interest for Ireland than that which by conquest under Henry the second was made 13 That it ever was subject to the Romans is doubtful though Agricola did wish it and Tacitus held most necessary yea and in the division of their Empire Ireland with Britain and Thule fell unto Constantine the Son of Constantine the Great yet their Manners unreclaimed and barbarism retained long after those days do witness no
such as think their censures worthy to pass for currant and credible yet let us suppose that haply they be possessed with the disease and malady that the Physicians call Lycanthropy which begetteth and endangeâ—eth such like phantasies through the malicious humours of Melancholly and so oftentimes men imagine themselves to be turned and transformed into forms which they are not Some again embrace another ridiculous opinion and perswade themselves that he who in the barbarous acclamation and out-cry of the Souldiers which they use with great forcing and straining of their voices when they joyn battel doth not showre and make a noise as â—he rest do is suddenly caught from the ground and carryed as it were flâ—ing in the Air out of any Country of Ireland into some desert vallies where he feedeth upon grass drinketh water hath some use of reason but not of speech is ignorant of the present condition he stands in whether good or bad yet at length shall be brought to his own home being câ—ught with the help of Hounds and Hunters Great pity that the foul fiâ—nd and father of darkness should so grievously seduce this people with misbelief and that these errours be not chased away with the truth of Christian Religion whereby as they carry much grace in their countenances they may also not be void of the inward grace of their souls and understanding 9 This Province hath been sore wasted in the rebellions of Desmond to whose aid Pope Gregory the thirteenth and Philip King of Spain sent câ—rtain companies of Italians and Spaniards who arrived not far from Dingle fortified themselves and gave it the name of Fort de Ore sounding loud threats against the whole Country But Arthur Baron Grey Lord Deputy of Ireland at the first onset decided their quarrel by sheathing his Sword in their bowels and Desmond fearfully flying into the woods was by a Souldier cut shorter by the head And again when the Kingdom of Ireland lay bleeding and put almost to the hazard of the last cast Don Iohn D'Aquila with eight thousand Spaniards upon confidence of the excommunications of Piuâ— the fift Gregory the thirteenth and Clemenâ— the eight Popes all of them discharging their curses like unto thunderbolts against Queen Elizabeth of blessed memory landed near unto Kinsale presuming that the rebellions of Tyrone had turned the hearts of the Irish for Rome Sir Charles Blunt Lord Mountjoy in the depth of Winter and with his tired Souldiers so daunted their Spanish hearts that with one victory he repressed their bragging â—oldness and recovered the Irish that were ready to revolt 10 God hath oftentimes shewed his tender love and affection to this people in laying his fatherly chastisements and afflictions upon them sometimes by winds sometimes by famine and dearth and sometimes again by opening his hand of plenty into their laps to convert them to himself and to divert their hearts from superstitions In the year 1330 about the feast of Saint Iohn Baptist there began such a dearth of Corn in this Country by the abundance of rain and the inundation of waters which continued until Michaelmas following that a Cranoc of Wheat was sold for twenty shillings a Cranoc of Oats for eight shillings a Cranoc of Pease Beans and Barley for as much The winds the same year were so mighty that many were hurt and many slain out-right by the fall of houses that was forced by the violence of the same The like whereof were never seen in Ireland In the year 1317 there was such a dearth of Corn and other Victuals that a Cranoc of Wheat was sold for twenty three shillings And many Housholders that before time had sustained and relieved a great number were this year driven to beg and many famished In the time of which famine the mercy of God so disposed that upon the 27 th day of Iune in the year 1331 there came to land such a mighty multitude of great Sea-fishes that is Thursheds such as in many ages pâ—st had never been seen that the people were much comforted in this distress and received great relief and sustenance by the same 11 Places of Religion in this Country were the two Abbies at Toghall calleth the North-â—bbey and South-Abbey The two Abbeys at Limerick S. Francis Abbey and S. Dominick Abbey The two Abbeys at Cork the Abbey of the Isle and S. Frances Abbey and the famous Abbey in times past for the holy Cross which hath had many priviledges and liberties granted unto it in honour of a piece of Christs Cross that was as they say sometimes preserved there Thus were Christians perswaded in ancient times And it is a wonder in what Troops and Assemblies people do even yet conâ—low thither upon devotion as unto a place of holiness and sanctity so firmly are they setled in the Religion of their Fore-fathers which hath been increased beyond all measure by the negligent care of their Teachers who should instruct their ignorance and labour to reduce them from the errors they persevere in This Province is governed by a Lord President who hath one assistant twelve learned Lawyers and a Secretary to keep it in duty and obedience It was in times past divided into many parts as Towoun that is North Mounster Deswoun that is South Mounster Hierwoun that is West Mounster Mean woun that is Middle Mounster and Vrwoun that is the Front of Mounster But at this day it is distinguished into these Counties Kerry Desmond Limerick Tiperary Holycross Waterford and Cork which County in times past had been a Kingdom containing with it Desmond also for so in the Grant given by King Henry the second unto Robert Fitz-Stephen and to Miles de Cogan it is called in these words Know ye that I have granted the whole Kingdom of Cork excepting the City and Cantred of the Oustmans to hold for them and their heirs of me and Iohn my son by the service of sixty Knights The County of Waterford King Henry the sixth gave unto Iohn Talbot Earl of Shrewsbury with the name stile and the title of Earl of Waterford which was afterward again assumed to the Crown Touching the County of Holy Cross as the opinion of that much frequented Abbey is much lessened so that County is swallowed up altogether in the County Tipperary It is fortified with five strong Castles traded with six Market-Towns and divided as followeth MOVNSTER Limerick Kerry Cork Waterford Desâ—ond Holy-Cross in Tipperary LINSTER LEINSTER CHAPTER III. THis Country the Natives call Leighnigh the Britains Lein in Latine Lagenia in the ancient lives of the Saints Lagen and in English Leinster It lieth Eastward along Hibernicum Sea on Connaught side Westward it is bounded with the River Shaenon the North with the Territory of Louth and the South with part of the Province of Mounster This Country butteth upon England as Mounster and Connâ—ught do upon Spain 2 The form thereof is triangle and sides not much unequal from her South East unto the
concealed it ever since Yet to satisfie in some measure such as are more inquisitive I will touch at the several conjectures which hath passed upon the place of this earthly Paradise Rog. Higdâ—n Monk of Chester and with him Iohn Trevisa set it in the field of Damascus and many others probably enough have thought it was in the Land of Canaan for that in divers places it is noted with attributes proper to the garden of Eden She was seated in the midst of Nations Ezek. 5. It was a Land of Wheat Barley and Vines Fig-trees and Pomgranates a Land of Olives and Honey a Land whose stones were Iron and out of whose hills might be digged brass Deut. 8. She was pleasant above all Lands Ezek. 20. Yet Franciscus Iunius D. Willet Sir Walter Raleigh and others make it a part of Mesopotamia North-west from Babylon about the degrees of 78 in Longitude and of Latitude 35 where still the Rivers meet mentioned in Genesis and where Ptolemy hath his Audanites a corrupt name as is supposed from Edâ—n Certainly it was about the middle of the Earth and abounded by a peculiar blessing of God with all kinds serviceable for the use of man 8 But Adam soon lost this possession by his disobedience and was cast out on the East-side of the garden where he placed himself Moses makes no more particular relation Cain is specified to have gone out of the presence of the Lord into the Land of Nod and there built him a City and named it after his sons name Henoch this was the first City and was seated some thing about Mount Libanus As the place so the time when it was found is uncertain but the common conjecture gives it to be about 2 or 3 hundred years after the Creation when the world was replenished as well it might be within that compass if we compare it to our known stories Abraham in 215 years had 600 thousand of his own stock in the blessed line besides women and children And in this number we omit his other seed of whom came twelve Princes Questionless after this proportion the people multiplied in the beginning and so for 1656 years forward and that must needs 〈◊〉 a large portion of the earth most likely those parts of Asia that lay nearest to their first seat For they wandred no farther than necessity of room compelled them 9 But now as man so the sin of man was grown to a height For this the wrath of God fell upon them in a flood that destroyed the whole earth saving eight persons Noah and his family who were commanded into an Ark built by Gods own direction and is held to have been the pattern for all Ships to all posterity 10 When the anger of the Lord was ceased and the waters abated after 150 days float the Ark rested upon the Mountains of Arrarat in Armenia They are supposed by most to be the same which Ptolomy calleth Montes Cordios about the degree in 75 Longitude and in Latitude 39. Master Cartwright a Traveller of our own Nation reports himself an eye-witness of many ancient and ruinous foundations there which the inhabitants have believed through all ages to be the work of those first people that for a long time durst not adventure into the lower Countries for fear of another flood 11 But God blessed the remnant which he had preserved and when he had given them the Rainbow for a sign of his mercy that he would no more break up the fountains of the great deep nor open the windows of heaven upon them to root out all flesh by degrees they descended from the hills Eastward and seated themselves upon a plain in the Land of Shinar This was the lower part of Mesopotamia which compassed Chaldea and Babylonia lying under the Mount Singara a hill neer the degrees of 77 in Longitude and of Latitude 36 and stands in the direct way from Arrarat or the Moutes Cordios towards Babyâ—on 12 There when their number increased and they forced still to seek new Colonies they were ambitious to leave a name behind them for posterity and therefore adventured upon a building whose top should reach Heaven and so indeed in did for it fetcht from thence Gods second vengeance He confounded their speech that they no longer understood one the other Thus they were broke off from their impious attempt and scattered upon all the earth about an hundred years after the Floud into seventy two several Nations as some have punctually numbred â—hem 13 Whether Noah himself were present or to what place he removed is uncertain He had yet two hundred and fifty years to live and is thought to have had his habitation in Phenicia North-ward from Palestine about the degree of 66 and 33. 14 His Sons Sem Ham and Iapheth possest their several Provinces of the World From Iapheth came the Isles of the Gentiles of which we are a part to him Europe is by most allotted Sem not guilty questionless of that proud enterprise rested himself in the land of Canaaâ— which he knew as it was revealed to Abraham should be given to his posterity Yet part of his issue the Sons of Iocktan were divided and lived remote toward the East To him was Asia But Cham by his fathers curse for discovering his nakedness roved to the utmost parts of the earth and peopled with his Progeny especially those Countries which are most toucht in Histories for Barbarism and Idolatry As indeed how could it otherwise be since himself had lost his father that should instruct him and therefore could deliver no precepts to his children but left every one to his own inventions And those that at the confusion spread where ever they came this diversity of Customs and Religions that possess the world at this day To him was Africa 15 America too doubtless had her portion in the division though not so soon or so immediate but seemed rather of later times to have received her people from the bordering parts of Asia and those are thought by most to have been first inhabited by Iocktan and his thirteen Sons the issue of Sem. It is â—aid in the Text they possest the East-part from Mesha to Sephar Iosophus takes the first for a Countrey and the second for a Mountain in India insomuch as that he strictly bounds out their possession from the River Cephew to Ieria which is now called the East or Portugal Indies Indeed many of those Eastern Regions are noted to bear the name as yet of Iocktans sons The Shabeans found as if they had Sheba to their Father And from Havilah is a Country in Ieria From Shaphira Iosephus derives Ophir both of especial fame for their plenty of Gold But it is Doctor Willets opinion that Ophir was rather the same Region in the West Indies which is now called Peru. To say truth we have little certainity of the first Inhabitants which were seated in America or the Parts of Asia near about her whether
from the report of 〈…〉 and other ancient Writers But the reason I hold not good for â—owsoâ—ver it might be true in 〈◊〉 times of some and the most part perhaps of 〈◊〉 as it was then 〈◊〉 that it wâ—s 〈…〉 yet now she hath changed her 〈…〉 6 By her first Geographers she was 〈…〉 tongue and Empire exercised over the Region of Prussia South-ward she reacheth beyond Danubius to the very Alpes which border upon Italy Northâ— ward she hath ever kept her own but hath been curb'd indeed from seeking new Kingdoms in that tract by the main Ocean which divides her in part from Swevia Norway c. And to these limits we apply our Description No marvelâ— if it give her more honour than she had in former times For her compass now is reckoned to be 2600 English miles Her ground fertile enough of it self and yet besides enjoyes the benefit of many Navigable Rivers which enrich her with traffique from other Kingdoms 7 Those of greatest fame are 1 Danubius the largest of Europe called by Pliny and others Ister It takes in sixty Navigable Rivers and is at last discharged by many passages into the Pontus Euxinus 2 Rhene which hath its rising from the Alpes and runs into the German Ocean From thence have we our best Rhenâ—sh Wines and upon his banks sâ—ands the City Strasburge 3 Amaâ—us Fms which glides by Wâ—stphalia into the German Sea 4 Maemu Megu whose head is in the Mountains of Boâ—emia and from thence passeth by Francfort into the German sea 5 Albis Elve which riseth from the eleven Fountains meeting into one about the Sylva Hircinian 6 Odeca which hath not his passage immediately into the Sea but inâ—o the River Albis The middle mark of this Country is the Kingdom of â—ohemia encompassed with the Sylva Hircinia 8 The chief commodities of Germany are Corn Wine Salt Metals of all sorts Fruits good store Safron c. The Aire wholsome her Bathes healthful her Gardens pleasurable her Cities fair her Castles strong and her Villages very many and well peopled 9 The Inhabitants have put off their ancient rudeness as the Country her barrenness They are as goodly of person as ever as stout as ever and far more civill than in the time of the Romans It seems they were then esteemed but an ignorant and simple people more able to fight than to mâ—nage a battle They were ever hardy enough but wanted Commanders of their own of skill and â—udgement Since they had commerce with other Nations and have suffered the upbraid asit were of their Predecessors dulness they have been in a manner shamed out of it and are now become rather by industry than wit a most ingenious people and skilful in the Latine Greek and Hebrew learning famous beyond any others in Europe unless Belgia for the invention of many notable and â—seful Engines The Gun and Gun-powder was first brought to light by one Bertholdus Swart a Franciscan which hath almost put by the use of any other warlike Instrument in those parts of the world where the practice is perfectly understood Generally the poorer sort are excellent Mechanicks and the rest for the most part Scholars 10 It bred Albertâ—s Mâ—gnus Appean Geâ—ner Munster Luther Vrsin Zuinglius Scultetus Iunius Keckerman and many others in their several kinds and Religions some Papists some Lutherans some Calvinists and among the rest many Iews 11 The Government of this Germany is Imperial as once that of Rome was though it flourish not in so full glory The right descends not by succession nor is the election continued by the like suffrage as in old Rome The power of choice was conferred by Pope Gregory the tenth upon seven German Princes three Spiritual and four Temporal These are the Arch-bishop of Mentâ— Chancellour of the Empire through Germany Archbishop of Cullen Chancellour of the Empire through Italy Arch-bishop of Triers Chancellour of the Empire through France The Temporal are the King of Bohemea who hath the casting voice only in case of equality among the other six his office is to be chief Cupâ— bearer at the great solemnity Next him the Count Palatine of the Rhene Arch-sewer to the Emperour Duke of Saxony Lord Marshal and Marquess of Brandenburge chief Chamberlain Each of these perform his own Office in person upon the day of Inauguration The Duke of Saxoâ—y bears the sword The Count Palatine placeth his meat on the Table The King of Bohemia bears his Cup and delivers it him to drink Marquess of Brandenbâ—rg serveth him water to wash And the three Bishops bless his meat He receiveth three Crowns before he is fully setled into the Majesty of the Empire The first is of Silver for Germaâ—y The second of Iron for Lombardy And the third of Gold for the Empire the last is set on at Rome For to this day it pretends to the name of the Roman Empire and gives the title oâ— Caesar or Roâ—ani imperii Imperator 12 The first which enjoyed the institution of Pope Gregory was Radulphus Nabs Purgensis 1273. after twelve years interregnum The last before him was our Richard Earl oâ—â— Cornwall and brother to Henry the third King of England Since it hath continued firm in this course of Election howsoever not with that liberty as was intended For commonly the Emperour in being while he hath his power about him and can at least intreat if not command the subjects of the Empire promise a choice of the Rex Roâ—aâ—orum who is no other than a Successour designed to rule after his death or resignation And by this means it hath a long time continued in the house of Austria without any intermission 13 Thus we â—â—e much plotting great state many ceremonies to the making up of an Emperour and yet when it is well weighed it is little better then a bare title For howsoever these outward obâ—ervances of the Gâ—rman Princes make show of an humble subjection to the Emperour yet when it comes to trâ—all it hath very little to do in their Governments But each of them takes upon â—im as a â—ree and absolute Commander in his own Country permitteth or suppresseth the Beligion which he â—ither likes or dislâ—kes makes and abrogates Laws at pleasure stamps Coyn raiseth souldiers and sometimes against their great Master as the Duke of Saxony against Charles the fiâ—th and at this day divers others in defence of the Princâ— Pâ—latine For of this qâ—ality and power there are many Dukes Marquesses Counts c. besides 64 Franc Cities which make only some slight acknowledgment to the Emperour appear perhaps at his â—arliaments and they say are bound to â—urnish him at need with 3842 horse amonge them and 16200 foot 14 The cheiâ—est Regions of Germany best known to us and noted by our Geographers with a more eminent Character than the rest are these 1 East Frizeland 2 Westphalia 3 Cullen 4 Munster 5 Triers 6 Cleve 7 Gulick 8 Hassis 9 Alsatia 10 Helvetia 11 Turingia
hour and caused them to cast off the Spanish clog which they did in the year 1581. and declared by their Writings that Philip the second King of Spain had forfeited his Government of the Low-Countries by breach of his faith And withall they bound their people by a new oath never to return to their obedience which they yet make good against the Arch-Dutchess who by kindred to the Spanish King and marriage to the Arch-Duke is at this time interested in the Government and therefore in the quarrel 11 To her there belongs of the 17 Provinces 1 The Dukedoms of Lutzenburg 2 Limburg and 3 Brabant 4 The Earldoms of Flanders 5 Artoyse 6 Hannault 7 Namurcia 8 The Barony of Mechlin 9 The Marquisate of the holy Empire To the States are reckoned 10 Dutchy of Geldria 11 The Earldoms of Zutphen 12 Zealand and 13 Holland 14 The Baronies of Vtrech 15 Overissell 16 Frizeland 17 And Groyning 12 We begin with the Dukedomes entailed to the Spanish Faction and for the easier finding their situation we will take them as they lie from West to East And in this order is 1 Lutzenburg It stands betwixt the River Mosa on the West and the Forrest of Ardenna East on the South it joyns upon a part of France Her chief City is Lucenburg called by Ptolomy Angusta Romanduorum In circuit this Dukedome is 240 miles and contains in it many other Towns which have been much battered in the Wars betwixt the French and Spanish Kings before the States were at difference among themselves Thâ—onville among others is of note for the stronger Bostâ—nachum for the chief Merchandise It is called the Paris of Ardenna for by some that Forrest is reckoned into this Dukedom It stands on the East-side was in Caesars time 500 miles in compass now about 90. Near to Ardenna is the Spaw Baths of great fame for the cure of sundry diseases And hath oftentimes given our false English a pretence to leave their Countrey forsooth for Physick when they have no other excuse to get free and joyn themselves with the Romish Catholicks Maginus reckons into this Region 1168 Villages besides Castles with several Earldoms many other petty Governments In the South is the Dutchy of Bovillon belonging to a Peer of France 2 Limburg on the North East of Lutzenburg divides the Government between her own Duke and the Bishop of Luick who commands the Western Tract as much as contains 24 walled Towns and 1800 Villages and hath under him 52 Baronies Luick the chief City of the Bishoprick is an University memorable for this one story above any other in Christendom That at one time there studied 9 Kings sons 24 Dukes sons 29 Earls sons c. The Dukes part in the East is not of that fame either for multitude of Towns and Villages or command of under territories In the year 1293 the heirs male were extinct and by that means it fell to the Duke of Brabant The whole Region is exceeding fertile and affords almost all necessaries except Wine Among other commodities it abounds with a kind of stone of excellent use in Physick called Lapis Calaminani The principal City Limburg stands upon the River Wesa 3 Brabant on the North of Limburg which commonly is supposed to have the name from Brachlant as if a barren soil but it is otherwise reported unless towards the North. The people are very jolly ut veri gravem senectutem sentire videantur And that methinks should argue plenty Her chief Cities are Loraign an University which contains 20 Colledges and among the rest a Seminary for English Iesuits Bruxels and this is the Dukes seat strengthened with a double wall and is adorned with very elegant buildings Bergen ap Some which is yet fresh in the memory and mouths since the siege 1622. Bolduc whose people are noted to have preserved the antique valour of their Predecessors more than any other of the Provinces Breda was the place of the Prince of Orange got from the Spaniard by a desperate policy of a small number of Gentlemen which ventured themselves into the Castle being conveyed in a Boat covered with turves when they were past recoil they were forced to set their best strength forward as well for their lives as the Victory and were blest with a success beyond hope They mastered the Castle and the rest soon followed It was of late recovered by the Spaniards after a long siege where our English got honour though not conquest under the conduct of our noble and valiant Earl of Oxford And lastly within the compass of this D. is contained 13 The Marquisate of the holy Empire whose chief City is Antwerp a Town heretofore of infinite Trading had two Marts every year qualified with an extraordinary priviledge that during the time no man might be arrested nor his goods seized and questionless this invited many which were in debt and could not have the freedom of traâ—tique elsewhere 14 The Earldoms are 1 Flanders First indeed as well in esteem as situation For it gives name to the whole Region of the Netherlands and the Prince writes himself Comes Dei gratiâ it is the very North west tract of this Belgia and is divided in Teutonican Imperatoriam and Gallicam The first is the Flandria Flandricans properly Flanders The principal Cities are Gandadâ—m Gaut the birth place of our Iohn Duke of Lancâ—ster She is severed by the River Shead and lets into 26 Islands and hath passage from one to another by 98 Bridges Her walls are seven miles in compass Her other Towns are Burgies and Graveling Her Ports Dunkirk Scluse Newport Ostend c. The two last notable one for a pitcht field the other for a long siege In both the English honourably maintained the right of the States against the Archâ—Duke Flandria Imperatoria is but a small parcel and borders upon Brabant is called the Earldom of Hulit which is the chief City within her Territoties Gallica Flandria is not of any large extent but very fertile and pleasant Her chief Towns are Lilla or Lilse Duacum Doway an University Orchais Tornai taken by King Henry the Eighth and ransomed by the Inhabitants for 100000 Duckets 2 Artesia Artoyse the seat of the Atrebates in Caesars time Their chief City was then called Atrebatum now Arras whence we have our rich hangings and their name It lieth most on the South of Flanders Maginus reckons to her 12 Cities and 852 Villages The chief of name beside their Mother Town Arras are Ayre Pernes S. Omer S. Paul 3 Hannonia Hanolt on the East of Flanders 60 miles long broad 48 contains 950 Villages and 24 Towns besides Castles The chief are Banais supposed to stand in the same place where the ancient Belgium was built Mons Conde Valenciennes c. 4 Namurce on the East of Hanolt a fruitful Countrey and full of Mines especially of Iron It hath but four Cities 182 Villages The Metropolis is Namurce and the rest Charlemont
Inhabitants there of Spain after the Syrians and indeed the first which affords us any Story worth observing were the Carthaginians and the first cause of their entrance was to defend the Islanders of Cales but when they had once got firm footing and sucked the sweetness they were not to be removed by the easie term of friendship but there kept hold till a people stronger than themselves dispossessed them The attempt was made by Scipio and the Roman forces but they withstood their assault with so resolved a courage and so strong a hand that it might oft times be questioned Vter populus alteri esset pariturus and so held play almost 200 years and could not be fully subdued into the form of a Province till the Reign of Augustus Caesar yet after they were held to it till Honorius 3 About his sixth year was there a second Invasion made by the Vandales and soon after by the Gothes which bare sway for above 300 years The last King was Rodericus who lost both himself and Kingdom for a rape committed upon the Daughter of Iulian a Noble Gentlemen and at that time Embassadour with the Moors in Africa When the Father had understood of his Daughters unworthy injury he brought back his revenge with him 30000 Horse any 180000 Foot of Moors and Sarazens which discomfited the King overthrew all the ressistance which he could make and bespread the Countrey with their Forces where they and their posterity stood firm till within the memory of some which yet live 4 This change of State was before prophesied and concealed in a large Chest within a part of the Palace which both the last King and his Predecessors were forewarned not to discover But the hope of an inestimable treasure made him transgress and when he had entred there appeared nothing but the Portraictures of armed Moors with a presage annexed that when the part of the Palace should be forced open such enemies should ruine Spain It is now at last but one people but yet retains the mixtures of those many Nations which have heretofore possest it Goths Sarazens and Iews who were partly banisht hither by Hadrian the Emperour and partly sent hither by Vlider Vbit the Caliph after the Moors conquest 5 In all this discourse touching the beginning and setling of the State of Spain it appears not from whence she derives her several names of Iberia Hesperia and Hispania It seems they are more ancient than the entrance of the Carthaginians and therefore they allow us no certain Story nor other reason indeed more than likely conjecture and in some scarce that Her first name of Iâ—eria was given by her ancients from a River that runs almost through the middle of the Countrey So saith Maginus and relies upon Pliny and Iustin for his Authors Others give it rather to the Iberi the ancient people of Asia thas came in under Panus from toward Syria and possest it before the Carthaginians Her second name admits as much question Some fetch it from Hesperus the brother of Atlas and their twelfth King from Tubal Others beyond the Moon from the Evening star because it is situate upon the West of Europe The last Hispania is supposed from one Hispanus or Hispalus who reigned in those parts and was the third in the account of some from Tubal or else from Hispalis now Seril rather we may take it from the fore-mentioned Panus Captain of the Iberians by the prefiction of an S. for so the Greeks give it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and since by their own addition and corruption it is made Espania Hispania 6 Her whole compass is reckoned to be 1893 English miles and her bounds are Seas on every side unless on the East towards France from which she is severed by the Pyrenaean Mountains On the West the Atlantick Ocean on the North the Cantabrick and on the South the Fretum Herculeum and other of the Mediterraneum which divide her from Africa Her Rivers of note are specially 1 Minius of Mingo 2 Dorio now Duerus 3 Tagus now Taio famous for her golden sands 4 Botis or Guadilquiver 5 Iberius now Ebro and 6 Ana or Guadiana which in one place glides under ground for fifteen miles together and gives the Spaniard an occasion as he will catch at any to brag that they have ten thousand Cattel daily feeding upon one bridge Yet give them their own sense the truth may be questioned For they have not such plenty of meat as they have of sawce 7 It yields indeed abundance of Oranges Lemmons Capers Dates Sugar Oyl Honey Licorish Horses It hath been heretofore noted for rich Mines insomuch that Hannibal received daily 3000 from one Mine in Spain The number is not answerable in proportion to other Regions of Europe Their Cities not so great nor so many The reason may be because indeed their Women are not so fertile to multiply among themselves and their usage of strangers so uncivil that very few of other Countries seat themselves there as in France England and Germany And yet they have of late times sent many Colonies abroad into both Indies 8 They are extreamly proud and the â—illiest of them pretend to a great portion of wisdom which they would seem to express in a kind of reserved state and silent gravity when perhaps their wit will scarce serve them to speak sense But if once their mouths be got too open they esteem their breath too precious to be spent upon any other subject than their own glorious actions They are most unjust neglecters of other Nations and impudent vain flatterers of themselves Superstitious beyond any other people which indeed commonly attends those which affected to be accounted religious rather than to be so For how can hearty devotion stand with cruelty lechery pride Idolatry and those other Gothish Moorish Iewish Heathenish conditions of which they still savour 9 Yet it hath yielded heretofore men very famous for their excellent endowments both of wit and Religion The Apostle himself expresseth a great desire to see Spain as hoping to do much good among those which had entertained the name of Christ. Osius a learned Bishop in the time of Constantine the Great And Pacianus mentioned by S. Hierome Isidore â—ulgentiuâ— Arius Montanus Tostatus and 〈◊〉 were all Spaniards Sâ—neca Quintilian the Orator Lumen Romanae elâ—quentiae as Valla stiles him Martialis Lucan Silius and Pomponius Mela were Spaniards Trajan the Emperour Theodosius Ferdinand the Catholick and Charles the Emperour were Spaniards To this day it breeds good Souldiers â—low but sure and successful in their Conquests Yet such as prevail more by art than valour Their continual scarcity of victuals inureth them to hunger and other hardness which oft times wearieth out their enemy and makes him yield at least to their patience if not to their strength 10 She hath been subject to many divisions according to the humour of those that have been her Lords The first of note was made by
several noted Rivers the chief whereof are Iames River formerly called Powhatan the denomination of a very potent King of this Countrey at the time of the English first adventuring thither this River is found navigable 50 leagues or thereabout 2. York River otherwise Pamaunke in the language of the natives which lies about 14 miles Northward from the other and is navigable 26 Leagues 3. Rapaâ—anock or Topahanock the last River of Virginia Northward and navigable 40 leagues 4. Patowmec River mentioned in the Description of Mary-Land to which part of the Countrey this River also belongs Besides these greater Rivers there are some others of lesser note which fall into them as into Poâ—hatan or Iames River Southward Apameâ—uck Eastward Quiyonycohanuc Nansamund and Chesopeac Northward Chickamahania into Pamaunkee Payankatank The English Plantation here is divided into 22 Counties on the Eastern shore Northampton County in Acomac on the Western shore Carotuc Iames Henrico Charles York Glocester Surry Hartford Warwick Lancaster New Kent Surrey Middlesex Nansemund Lower Norfolk Northumberland Westmorland Northampton Warwick Isle of Wight and Rappahanoc in each of which are monthly held those inferior County Courts where matters not of highest concernment or relating to life are tried and from whence appeals are made to the Quarter Court at Iames-Town where all criminal and Civil Causes are determined and where the Governor and Counsel sit as Iudges The Metropolis or chief Seat of the English here is Iames-Town or rather Iames-City so denominated in honour of King Iames where the Quarter Courts General Assemblies and Secretaries Office are kept This Town adorned with many fair Brick-houses and other handsome Edifices is situated in a Peninsula on the North-side of Iames River The other Towns and Places of chief note are Elizabeth City seated nearer the mouth of the same River on the same side near which at a place nam'd Green-spring Sir William Berkley the present Governor hath a very pleasant Mansion-house built of brick Henricopolis or Henry's Town so denominated from Prince Henry living when it was first built seated in a commodious place about 80 miles from Iames City Dale's gift so named from Sir Thomas Dale Deputy Governor of the Place in the year 1610 at whose charge it was built and a Colony here planted besides others of less note some whereof still retain the Indian names as Wicocomoco c. which doubtless are by this time increased to a very considerable number in regard of the amplitude and grandeur to which by the continual access of people this Plantation is of late arrived VIRGINIA and MARYLAND The Description of Mary-Land IT was in the year 1631 that his late Majesty gave a grant to George Lord Baltimore for the possessing and planting the Southern part of New-Netherland now New-Yorkshire lying toward Virginia when upon his Embassy to the States of Holland they declared by publick writing their dissent to what-ever had been acted by any of their subjects in prejudice of his Majesties Right and Title in those parts as hath been already mentioned Crescentia was the name first in designation for this Countrey but it being left to his Majesty at the time of his signing of the Bill to give it what denomination he judged fittest he was pleased in honour of his Royal Consort Queen Mary to erect it into a Province by the name of Mary-Land which Patent upon the death of his Lordship before the final ratification thereof was not long after confirmed under the Broad-Seal of England bearing date Iune 20 Ann. 1632 to his Son and Heir Coecilius the now Lord Baltimore investing him his heirs and successors with the Sovereignty attended with all Royal Prerogatives both Military and Civil as absolute Lords and Proprietors of the said Province saving only the Allegiance and Sovereign homage due to his Majesty his Heirs and Successors of whom they were to hold it as of his Majesties honour of Windsor for the yearly payment at the Castle of the said honour of Windsor on every Easter Tuesday of two Indian Arrows of those parts and the fifth part of all the Gold and Silver Oar which should happen to be found there The next year after this Patent had past viz. in the year 1633 a Colony of about 200 in all Servants and Planters whereof some persons of quality was sent over by the Lord Proprietor under the Conduct of his Lordships two Brothers Mr. Leonard and Mr. George Calvert the first of whom was made Governor of the Province for his Lordship and from thence forward this Plantation hath prospered and by the several supplies since sent very much increased to which good success the good Government of the said Mr. Leonard and his strict observance of his Lordship's prudent instructions very much conduced The first place they pitch'd upon to plant themselves in was Yaocomaco now St. Maries which the Governor purchased of the Natives for never hath any forcible or violent invasion of any mans right been made here by any of his Lordships Ministers with such commodities as they brought from England though at so much the more easie rate in regard of their pre-intentions to leave this place as thinking it their safest course to remove farther off from their too potent and valiant Neighbours the Sesquehanocks After the happy restauration of his present Mâ—jesty viz. in the year 1661 the Lord Proprietors only Soâ— Mr. Charles Calvert went over into these parts his Fathers Lieutenant in which charge he hath continued ever since in great tranquility and prosperity and with general contentment and satisfaction by his obliging carriage to all that live under his Government or have any interests or concerns in the Province This Province according as it is bounded and set out by the forementioned Patent extends one way from the most Northernly part which bounds it to the South and from which it is parted by the Southernly bank of the River Patowmeck to New-York or the most Southernly part of New-England which bounds it Northward and from the Atlantick Ocean and Delaware-Bay Eastward to the true Meridian of the first Fountain of the River Patowmeck Westward The Climate here in Summer time inclines to an extraordinary heat and in Winter is very cold but both the heat of the Summer is very much allayed by cool Breeses and the cold of the Winter is of short continuance so that the Country is accounted sufficiently healthful and of late agrees well enough with English bodies since the abatement and almost extinction through the regulation of diet felling of the woods c. of that distemper called the Seasoning which used to be very fatal to the English at their first landing This Countrey is for the most part champain the Soil fruitful and abounding with many sorts of fruits and other commodities which are common in our parts of the World and for those that are peculiar it cannot be imagined that in so small a distance and even in the same Country as
and principal are the Wild Bee as they call it which building habitacles like Cobwebs among the Vine leaves guards the Grapes The Gurnipper which no bigger than a flea bites also like a flea though somewhat more rancorously and lives but three weeks The Musqueto which lives chiefly in thick woods or swamps scarcely induring wind or excess of cold or heat but in thick close weather and against rain it raiseth where it bites a venomous kind of itching The ancient Inhabitants of this part of the Country were formerly divided into several Tribes or petty Nations the chief whereof were East and North-East the Churchers and Tarentines Southward the Pequods and Naragansetts Westward the Canectacuts and Mawhacks North-West the Aberginians all which people how different from each other in nature and disposition in so small a compass of ground is wonderfull to imagine the Mawhacks most bloudy savage and man-eaters The Tarentines little less cruel but not Canibals The Aberginians more mild innocent and harmless c. But in religious Ceremonies Habit Civil manner of Government Marriages Burials Ingenuity in Arts and Manufactures Games and Exercises not materially differing Among the rest which it would be too tedious here to insist upon it is observable that the figures of Beasts and other things described upon their bodies are not described by superficial painting but by incision and impunction of colours between the skin and the flesh What Provinces this Country was anciently divided into I find not otherwise than accoâ—ding to the several Tribes or people already mentioned Only there is peculiar mention made of the Province of Laconia now inalrged into a greater called the Province of Main and much about the same either more or less with the Country of the Troquois anciently so called The name of Laconia seems derived from those Lakes which are the most noted if not only ones of New-England but since is one grand one named the Lake of Trequois made by the River Sagadahoc and said to contain 60 Leagues in length and 40 in breadth in which Connent there are about four or five pretty large Islands The Rivers of this Country are Tamescot Agomentico Nansic Conecticut Sagadahoc Apanawapesk Merimec Pascatâ—way Newishwavoc Mistic Neraganset Pemnaquid Ashamahaga Tachobacco the most of which have English denominations and among the rest Chirâ—s River The number of well built Towns is far greater here than in any of the rest of his Maâ—esties American Plantations by reason it was so numerously peopled from the very first time of its settlement The first is Boston by the Indians called Accomonticus the principal Town or City and chief seat of Government secured with three hills whereon strong Fo â—â—s are raised 2. St. Georges Fort the first place where any Plantation was setled being at the mouth of the River Sagadahoc 3. New Plymouth the first Rendezvous of our Nonconformists sâ—ated on the Bay of Pawtuxed 4. Mahumbec or Salem delightfully seated on a neck of Land between two Rivers 5. Mashawnut or Charles Town seated on an Isthmus or neck of Land on the North of a River called Charles River and through a part of which the River Mestic runs it is adorned with a handsome Church and a fair Market place near the River side 6. Roxbury a pleasant place for fruitful Gardens and fresh Springs between Boston and 7. Dorchester no less pleasant for Gardens and Orchards and watered with two small Rivers though standing near the Sea-side 8. Pigsgusset or Water Town upon one of the branches of the River Charles 9. Linne by the Indians named Saugus between Salem and Charles Town 10. Amoncangen or New-Town now Cambridge built in the year 1633 between Charles-Town and Water-Town on the River Merimec it is the only University of New-England having two Colledges and was once the seat of Government 11. Sawacatus or Ipswich seated on a pleasant River in the Sagamoreship of Aggawan now called Esâ—x 12. Newbury 12 miles from Ipswich near Merimec River 13. Hartford built by the people of Cambridge 14. Concord seated upon a branch of the River Merimec 15. Hingham a Sea-coast Town South-East of Charles River 16. Dukesbury alias Sandwich situate also upon the Sea-coast in Plymouth Government 17. Newhaven built in the year 1637 by a new supply near the shalles of Capecod 18. Dedham in the County of Suffolk 12 miles from Boston 19. Wâ—ymouth a Sea-Town 20. Rowâ—y 6 miles North-East from Ipswich 21. Hamptou built in the year 1639 in the County of Norfolk near the Sea-coast 22. Salisbury overagainst Newbury on the other side the River Merimec 23. Aguwon or Southampton built in the year 1640 by a supply that settled in long Island 24. Sudbury built in the same year 25 Braintre buâ—lt at Mount Wollaston by some old Planters of Boston 26. Glocester built in the year 1641 by Mr. Riâ—hard Blindman at Cape Anne 27. Dover situate upon Pascatoway 〈◊〉 North-East of Bâ—ston 28. Wâ—burn built in the year 1642. 29. Reading built in the year 1644. 30. Wenham in the Matachusetts Government between Salem and Ipswich 31. Springfield built in the year 1645 by Mr. Pinchin conveniently for a brave trade with the Indians upon the River Canectico 32. Haverhill founded in the year 1648 and not long after 33. Malden by some that came out of Charles Town which lies over against it on the other side the River Mistic 34. Oxford alias Sagoquas 35. Falmouth alias Totum 36. Bristol 37. Hull alias Passataquac 38. Dartmouth alias Bohanna 39. Exeter 40. Greens Harbour 41. Taunton alias Cohannet 42. Norwich alias Segocket 43. Northam alias Pascataqua 44. Yarmouth 45. Berwick NEW ENGLAND and NEW YORK The Description of New-Neatherlands now called New-York NOvum Belgium or New-Netherland now called New-York was first discovered by Henry Hudson Aun 1609 at the charge of the East-India Company but in regard he return'd without leaving any men upon the place the Dutch in the year 1614 under Adrian Block and Godyn began to plant themselves there and doubtless had soon setled themselves upon a double pretence first as finding the place not pre-possest and therefore free for any that would enter next as having contracted with Hadson for his interest and bought all his Charts and Instruments had not Sir Samuel Argal then Governor of Virginia disputed the business with them And upon a serious debate and conference with them about it wherein he alledged that Hudson being a Subject of the King of England and acting solely by his commission had not power to alienate any Countrey he discovered for the King his Master without his Majesties consent but that this Countrey more especially belonged to him as his own Dominion being accounted part of the Province of Virginia he brought them to acknowledge the King of England's Title and to submit to the holding of the Countrey as feodatory of the Crown of England and under the Government of Virginia Yet this compliance was not of a very long
Novogardia and whose primary City of the same name was besieged in vain by Steven King of Poland with an Army of 10000 men One remarkable thing is reported of this Countrey namely that the Cattel of what coloured hair soever that are brought into it after a short while turn perfectly white The Volsks or people of this Countrey have a Language peculiar to themselves 21 Corelia a Province separated toward the East with a long tract of Hills from Finland its chief Towns are Corelâ—burgh according to the name of the Province and Nordenburg seated at the entrance of the River Warfuga into St. Nicholas-Bay besides Hexholm in possession of the Swedish King to whom therefore as Lord of Finland this Province is tributary 22 Biarmia or West-Lapland for it is accounted a part of Lapland though subject to the Great Duke since the people of this Countrey called Dikilâ—ppâ— are a sort of wild Laplanders Tude and barbarous without setled habitations in Towns or Cities but living most in Caves some in scattered sheds toward the Sea-side withal bruitish Idolaters but performing strange things by sorcery 23 Bieleiezioro a Dukedom increasing the Titles of the Czar or Great Duke It is named from the Lake Biolisero or the White Lake on which it is situated extending 36 German miles in length and as many in bredth This Countrey is almost all over fenny and full of woods 24 25 26 and 27 Four Provinces comprehended in a vast Promontory which lying on the other side of the Bay of Granvick or St. Nicholas over against Biarmia shoots Northward into the Arctick Region all won from the Tartars of late years to the Russian Empire namely Petzora with its chief Town so nam'd from the River on which it is situate near its influx into the Sea and girdled with a parcel ridge of those Hills called Hâ—perborei Condora more Northward whose chief Town is Pustozera so calâ—ed from the Lake Ozera near which it stands Obdora lying on each side of the River ob from whence it is so nam'd Iugria between the Provinces of Petzora and Duina the original habitation as some Writers affirm of the Pannonians or Hungarjans as is conjectured from the resemblance of the Language or as others say of the ancient Iaâ—yges often mentionâ—d in History 28 wiathca a barren Countrey and much taken up with large woods lying beyond tâ—e River Cammâ— Eastward taken from the Tartar by the Great Duke Basilius yet still inhabited according to the Tartarian manner of Hoords and movable Habitations excepting one City built by the Moscovites since their taking of this Countrey whereof it bears the name serving as a Fortress being garrison'd to deâ—end it against those from whom they took it but that which hath given greatest advantage to the Russian over the Tartar hath been the taking of 29 Casan and 30 Astracan heretofore two Potent Kingdoms of Tartaria Deserta from the Nothacensian Tartars They were first conquered by Bâ—silius but revolting totally subdued about the year 1553 by Iohn Vasilovich annex'd to the Russian Empire and give Royal addition to the Style of the Czar Homonymous with these two Kingdoms are their Capital Cities besides which there are most taken notice of in Casan the Cities Sâ—iatski 20 versts from the City that is within a fourth part so many Italian miles Tetus 120 versts distant Samara 350. Soratof as many from Samara In the Kingdom of Astacan Zarisa 350 versts beyond Saratof towards Astracan Tzornogar 200 versts from Sariza Before the first Conquest of these two Kingdoms by Basilius Casan and the total subduing of them by Ioannes Bâ—sâ—â—ides and the winning of those Provinces before mentioned The Tartarian yoke was shâ—ken off by Iohn the third before whose time the Russians were so slavishly tributary to the Tartars that the Czar was obliged once a year to feed an Horse of the Cham's which was kept at Mosco for the purpose with Oats out of his own Cap. On the Northern or frozen Ocean there lie two Islands towards the Coast of Russia and therefore supposed to belong to the Russian Empire viz. Nova Zembla and Willoughby's Island so called as being first discovered in the year 1553 by Sir Hugh Willoughby who in a second Voyage the next year his Ship being fix'd in the ice was in these Seas frozen to death with all his Company FINIS