Ptolomey 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Strabo Munster and others Munst Cosm will haue it ALBION ab albis rupibus of the white sea clifes which are in the south coast of the lande Some others will haue it come of the Greeke worde Olbion Olbion Cowp in Dict. which signifieth felix happie in regarde of their happines belike that first atchiued it So doth Strabo call Albania Strabo lib. 4. wherein he placeth the people Caucasiae felicem habitatu regionem a happie countrie to dwell in So is Gothia in the countrey language ierra bona a good countrey Some will haue it ALBION of Albina Dioclesians daughter which hath no próbabilitie Caxton It continued in the name of ALBION 608. yeeres vntill Brytus or Brutus Iulius arriuall who conquered the same about the yeere of the worldes creation 2828. 2734. Brutes arriuall Galf. Monum Bale Cent. 1. This Brute changed the name of ALBION into BRYTANE and the people Albionds into Britans or after some BRVTAYNE of the same Brute â—y being turned into v. Some will haue it BRITANNIA of Brytona a nymph of Greece Britanniae others rather holde that it shoulde take that name of a seperation as M. Twinus in Com. Twine in his Commentaries who saith Britannia is so called for that it is Locus diuorsio separatus ab eo cui adhaeserat a place seuered from another whereunto it was annexed and the more to fortifie his reason he coniectureth that this Britannia nowe an apparant Island was somtime Peninsula annexed vnto the maine of Fraunce which no doubt is true but not since the generall inundation by probabilitie whereby infinite chanels were eaten in the earth with the rage of so violent a floud and consequently many Islands dispersed as we see in the main Ocean and middle earth seas for surely if it had beene Peninsula or Istmus since the floud Plinie Plinie who liued neere 1500. yeeres before M. Twyne woulde haue as well mentioned such a conjunction as that part of the sea which runneth betweene England and Calleys which he calleth Mare Gessoriacum Mare GessoriacuÌ„ and which Ptolomey calleth Oceanus Britannicus But it seemeth that M. Twyne standeth vpon the opinion of Antonius Volscus a Poet who dreameth of a passage fiue miles in bredth betweene England and Fraunce from whom also Seruius Honoratus seemeth to say Seruius Honoratus that BRITANNIA was Olim iuncta continenti our Brytaine was ioined to the maine continent which secrets passe our apprehension Sir Thomas Eliot will haue Britannia to be Pritania Humfrey Lloyd also seemeth to say it should be Prid-caine which signifieth beautifull or white of colour S. Th. Eliot Humf. Lloyde though the c be omitted for more easier pronunciation which maketh it Pridaine Againe some will haue it come of Brith a british worde which signifieth painted which coÌ„iecture I take to come of Caesars words where he saith Caesar Com. lib. 4. Omnes Britanni glasto se inficiunt all the Brytons besmere themselues and staine their bodies with oade of which worde Brith and tania a Greeke worde which signifieth Regnum a kingdome it is supposed to be aptly called Brithtania the countrey or kingdome of the Brithtons or depainted people Goropius Becanus seemeth to hold another opinion that it should be Bridania Goropius Becanus M. Camden wherof M. Camden maketh construction that Bri in Bridania should be free and so to make it Fredania or Free-denmarke Thus is our Britannia forced to sustaine sundry titles vnder one truth The seuerall titles of Brytaine as Brytannia Pritania Prid-caine or Pridayne Brithtania Brutania Bridania and such like according to as manie sundrie mens conceits But were not Brute so generally reiected in these our daies I could verie easely be drawne to assure me that it might be most truely Brutania of Brute the supposed conquerour and that Greeke worde tania a kingdome though Brute were no Greeke yet might he fitly conioyne this worde tania vnto his name Brute and so conclude it Brutania Brutania Bruti regnum the kingdome of Brute u being nowe turned into i as in other wordes Pessumus is nowe written Pessimus so are manie other Latine words Manie of late yeeres reiect the hystorie of Brute among others an Abbot sometime of S. Albons Iohn of Wheathamsted Io. de Wheathampst who wrote about the yere of Christ 1443. who saith plainly that Totus processus de Bruto illo est Poeticus potius quam historicus The whole matter of that Brute is Poeticall fabulous rather than a true hystorie This author liuing of late daies affoordeth reproofe of the most auncient But what antiquitie hath left and wee by tradition haue receiued Ipse sciolus dare not absolutelie denie vppon anie mans bare coniecture It is at this day called ENGLAND Anglorum terra England the land of Angles or Englishmen the Latins call it Anglia and the French Angle terre The Angli or Englishmen inhabited part of Germanie whom as I take it Ptolomey calleth Angili Angili Ptolomey and placeth them betweene the Casuari the Chemae neer the riuer Visurgis now Weser in that countrey which is now Westphalia Caes Com. who as Caesar saith Praedae ac belli inferendi causa ex Belgis transierunt came out of Belgia the lowe Countries to seeke releefe and to war with the Britons inuading most especially that part of the lande which borders vppon the south east or Germaine sea as Kent Sussex Essex Beda The Angles or Englishmen inhabited Cambridgeshire Isle of Elie Norffolke and Suffolke all which was called Eastanglia and the people East Angles The Saxons which came also with the Angles were dispersed and seated in other quarters of the lande as by the deuision and Heptarchie it will appeere The Saxons and Angles draue the Britons into Wales Aun dom 620. and Cornewall and other places of refuge And Egbert king of the west Saxons became sole Monarch of the whole land and called the same England of that part of Germany wherof he was wherin the Angili or Angles inhabited Some other will haue it England of Anglia Anglia the name of a Queene sometime of this Countrey But what whence or when she was they seeme not to report Others will haue it Anglia scytuate as it were in Angulo in a corner or newke by it selfe Which opinion is not altogither to be reiected for that Iulius Solinus saith Iulius Solinus that the sea coast of Gallia had beene the ende of the worlde but that the Isle of Britaine which standeth alone as it were in an angle for the largenes thereof deserueth the name of another worlde being seperated from the rest of the earth as Virgil saith Penitus toto diuisos orbe Britannos Iosephus in the oration of king Agrippa saith Ios lib. 2. cap. 26 bel Iud. The Romaines sought another world beyond the great Ocean sending their hostes into
that he or any other should seeke Trinobantum in that part of Britaine Master Camden M. Camden a singuler scrutator of antiquities seemeth to hold but not absolutely that the Trinobantes should be so called of the brytish word Trenant which signifieth townes scytuate in the valley Caesar But Caesar saith they inhabited Prope firmissimam earum regionum ciuitatem neere the most strongest Citie in those countries which as I take was London The lymites and principall bounds of MYDDLESEX MYDDELSEX is scituate in the south east parte of this lande bordering vpon the north vpon Hertfordshire On the east vpon Essex Lea riuer devided thence by the riuer Lea and the Meere ditch on the south vpon Surrey hauing the most famous riuer Thamise the bound and lymite betweene them and on the West vpon Buckingham shire Colne riuer and the Shire ditch being the deuision betweene them That famous riuer which is commonly of vs called Temes is of Ptolemey called Iamesa aestuarium Ptolemey Plin. lib. 2. cap. 3. Iamesa aestuariū of Plinie Iamesais of Caesar Tamesis It seemeth to be compact of two names of riuers Tame and Ise which two riuers meete neere Wallingford in Barkeshire where after a familier manner they louingly conioyne and vnite them selues and after a kinde of Matrimoniall order of two they become one Tame Thamise of Tame and Ise and I se becommeth Thamise holding that name growing more and more famous vntill with great pride it saluteth the maine sea The like coniunction of names is in Palestina or the holy land Iordan of Ior and Dan. where that famous riuer Iardan is compact of Iar which riseth neere Mara towardes Damascus and Dan which riseth neere and taketh name of the Citie of Dan both rising out of the mountaines Lybanon and meete at Caesaria Philippi where these two Iar and Dan become Iardan as the Poet saith Hunt Cosm Iordannisque sacer geminis è fontibus ortus The riuer of Thamise ebbeth and floweth as farre as Richmond sometime farther some time not so farre neere sixtie miles from the maine sea It hath beene obserued and affirmed by some that this riuer doth not easely increase with land waters Sit experientia Iudex The riuer Lea of the Saxons lig a is a proper riuer heretofore Lea riuer nauigable in time past as some affirme nauigable and that shipping passed through the same from the Thamise to Hartford Barges haue of late passed that way to Ware which was granted by Acte of Parliament about the eighteene yeer of the raigne of Queene ELIZABETH but for some causes of late discontinued This riuer for the most part deuideth MIDDLESEX and Eastsex But there is a ditch called the Meere ditch about two miles and a halfe in length Meere ditch betweene Waltham abbey and Higham hill bridge which is cut into the mershes and passeth through the same for a distinction of the boundes betweene the two shires Colne riuer is the deuision between MIDDLESEX and Buckingham shire But that a ditch called the Shire ditch Colne riuer Shire ditch which seemeth to haue been forced into MIDDLESEX about two miles in length north of Colnebroke Through this riuer as some affirme haue passed shipping to Saint Albans Minime credendum The nature of the soyle and fertilitie of MYDDLESEX MYDDLESEX is a small Shire The length and circuit of Middlesex in length not twentie myles in circuite as it were by the ring not about 70. myles yet for the fertilitie thereof it may compare with any other shire for the soyle is excellent fat and fertile and full of profite it yeeldeth corne and graine not onelie in aboundance Middlesex sertile but most excellent good wheate especiallie about Heston which place may be called Granarium tritici regalis Heston for the singularitie of the corne The vaine of this especiall corne seemeth to extend from Heston to Harrow on the hill betweene which as in the mid way is Periuale more truely Pureuale Piriuale or pureuale In which vale is also Northold Southold Norcote Gerneford Hayes c. And it seemeth to extend to Pynner though with some alteratiō of the soile It may be noted also how nature hath exalted Harrow on the hill Harrow on the hill which seemeth to make ostentation of it scituation in the Pureuale from whence towardes the time of Haruest a man may beholde the fields round about so sweetely to addresse themselues to the siocle and sith with such comfortable aboundaunce of all kinde of graine that the husbandman which waiteth for the fruits of his labours cannot but clap his hands for ioy to see this vale so to laugh and sing Yet doth not this so fruitefull soyle yeeld comfort to the wayfairing man in the wintertime by reason of the claiesh nature of soyle which after it hath rasted the Autume showers waxeth both dyrtie and deepe But vnto the countrie swaine it is as a sweete and pleasant garden in regard of his hope of future profite for The deepe and dirtie loathsome soyle Yeelds golden gaine to painefull toyle The industrious and painefull husbandman will refuse a pallace to droyle in these golden puddles This part of MYDDDLESEX may for fertilitie compare with Tandeane Tandeane in the west part of Somersetshire But that Tandeane farre surpasseth it for sundrie fruites and commodities which this countrie might also yeelde were it to the like imployed but it seemeth they onely couet to maintaine their auncient course of life and obserue the husbandrie of their fathers without adding any thing to their greater profite This shire is plentifullie stored Middlesex bewtified with faire buildinges and as it seemeth beautified with manie faire and comely buildinges especially of the Merchants of London who haue planted their houses of recreation not in the meanest places which also they haue cunningly contriued curiously beautified with diuers deuises neatly decked with rare invencions inuironed with Orchards of sundrie delicate fruites gardens with delectable walks arbers allees and great varietie of pleasing dainties all which seeme to be beautifull ornaments vnto this countrie But who so turneth his eies vnto the stately most princely pallaces of Queene ELIZABETH in many parts of this shire most sweetely scituate garnished with most princelie delights beholding also the houses of Nobilitie may saie as Vadian of a fruitefull and pleasant place in Egypt Facies istius terre pulcherima est Vad Cosns c. The face or superficies of this countrey is most beautifull the fields fresh and greene the valleyes delightfull to behold the townes villages and stately buildings enterlaced with the pleasant woodes are glorious to be seene Of the Ecclesiasticall and Ciuill gouernment of this Shire FOr matter concerning Church gouernment and order this shire is vnder the iurisdiction of the bishop of London which See sometime did belong to the Archbishop vntill S. Augustines time who was called the Apostle of Englande he turned the
or corporation of ten men Teothongs the officer of this Tithing the Saxons called teoþungmon of vs especiallie in the West a Tythingman in some places as in Northamptonshire a Therdbarrow Therdbarrowes so that ten of these Tithings yeelded a 100. men whereof the English call it at this day a Hundred though the number of the men be now vncertaine the Latines call it Centuria In steede of Tithings especially beyonde Trent they haue Wapētaches Centuriae Wapentaches which the Saxons called ƿeƿontacs which tooke that name of the view of weapons and where the Tenaunts deliuered vp their weapons vnto their Lords Boresealdor The officers of these petite deuisions or Tythings are in Kent called BorHesealdors the chiefest or eldest pledges as M. M. Lamberde Lamberde most expert in the Saxon toung affirmeth The word Shire commeth of the Saxon Verbe Scyran Shire why so called which signifieth to cut or to deuide Euerie of these Shires in time past was gouerned per Comitem whom we now call Earle who was quasi praefectus regius the kings Lieuetenant who of the Saxons was called Eorle of whom euery Shire is called a Countie a Comite Counties why so called of the Earle But of later time there haue been and are yeerely chosen in euery shire an officer by the Prince which in Latine is called Vicecomes as one appointed vice Comitis in the Earles steed The Sherife what and whence so called we call him the Sherife the Saxons called him Scyregerefa the Reeue of the Shire for gerefa is an officer to collect rents and other reuenues and to execute things vnder for another the Germaines at this daie haue Burgreeue of the Saxons ƿortgerefa Manie sortes of Reeues the Mayor of a Towne Margreeues whom we cal Waterbaylifes a Landsgreue whom we call the Reeue of a Mannor Pliny Gildas Solinus and Martianus do agree that this our BRITANNIA MAIOR is 800. The length of Brytaine and the bredth miles in length including also Scotland and Martianus saith it is in bredth 300. miles in which dimensuration they seeme to account after the Italian measure which is lesse then our myles The supposed breadth length of Englande by statute measure yet were England measured according to the true and exact mensuration prouided and allowed by statute it woulde appeere to be of greater length breadth then these authors account An Italian mile containeth mille passus maiores or Geometricos a 1000. A myle A furlong A pearch paces of fiue foote to the pace which is also a fadome And our English mile is eight furlongs euery furlong 40. pearches euery pearch 16. foote and halfe which maketh 5280. foote which is more then the Italian mile by 56. paces But our ordinary mile exceedeth both the Italiā true English mile The forme of this land is Trianguler The fertilitie of England much like Cicilia an Island in the middle earth sea The center of this land which I take to be about Titburie castle hath latitude about 52. degrees 50. minuts and longitude 21. degrees 28. minuts This our BRITANNIA for the fertility fruitfulnes therof matcheth the best yeelding such generall commodities in such abundance that it may be said Albion emporiis tellus opulenta marinis fertilis omnigenum rerum Another saith Anglia non segetes effundit diuite vena Pascua non pingui fertilitate tument In gremio fluuiis riui miscentur amaenis Gurgitibus rapidis vada pura meant Nobilis antiquo nutat cum robore quercus Et nemorum grato spirat odore viror Visceribus mediis errant pretiosa metalla Diuitiae crescunt intus opesque foris It were too long to recite the particuler fruites and rare commodities it yeeldeth all which are knowne to the worlde as the Cosmographicall Poet saith Omnia sunt famatotū vulgata per orbem And aboue all other blessings it hath greatest cause to reioyce in the free vse of the true knowledge of Christ England most happie in the vse of the Gospell wherein it triumpheth aboue all other kingdomes or Countries of the world most happely therin maintained vnder the mightie king of kings celestiall lehouah by the sacred hand of the most imperial Queene ELIZABETH the fruits of whose happie raigne who can enioy not vnfeinedly commend hir safetie and happie continuance vnto that all sufficient God who beyond expectation in fauour commended hir to vs in regarde whereof our Englande may be truely called OLBION a happie Countrie SPECVLVM BRITANIAE The first part conteining a briefe Historicall and Chorographicall discription of MYDDLESEX HAuing thus briefely touched the generall I purpose to proceede to the particular descriptions of this out BRITANIA wherein imitating the artificial Painter who beginneth alwaies at the head the principall part of the bodie I thought it not vnfit to begin my Speculum Britaniae with MYDDLESEX The causes why Myddlesex is the first part of Speculum Britaniae which aboue all other Shyres is graced with that chiefe and head Citie LONDON which as an adamant draweth vnto it all the other parts of the land and aboue the rest is most vsuallie ferquented with hir Maiesties most regall presence Of MIDDLESEX and of the Trinobantes IT is called MIDDLESEX of the middle Saxons Myddlesex why socalled for that they inhabited that part betweene the East Saxons West Saxons and South Saxons MIDDLESEX was a percel of that countrey wherin as Caesar saith dwelled the Trinobantes whom Ptolomy calleth Trinoantes omitting the b. Myddlesex parte of the Trinobantes Caesar Com. Ptolomey Galfr. Moun. some call them Trinouantes putting u. for b. The chiefe Citie of these Trinobantes was then called Trinobantum Colchester London the Citie of the East Saxons and Trinobantes Corn. Tacitus of some held to be Colchester of some London Beede saith that London was the chiefe Citie of the East Saxons If so then of necessitie of the Middle saxons and consequently of the Trinobantes yet Tacitus saith that London was not Trinobantum nor the people Trinobantes neere London and his reason is that if the Trinobantes had beene neere London they would not haue suffered Suetonius to haue passed thither which argument Humfrey Lloyde seemeth to confute in this manner Humf. Lloyd The Trinobantes saith he being Suetonius enemies would haue as well preuented him in the inner part of the countrey as neere London considering that Suetonius came from the Isle of Anglesey marching through the whole countrey So that in what place soeuer the Trinobantes were resident they could not be ignorant of his passage Polydore Virgile Pollidore a man of no great credite as touching his historie affirmeth from some other that Trinobantum was Northampton and the Northamptonshire men Trinobantes Northampton Tranton and his reason is for that the countrey men in their language called that place Tranton which hath no such semblable consonance with Trinobantum
Archbishops See from London to Caunterburie where it continueth And whereas all other shires within this land for the most part haue a perticular officer yeerely elected by hir Maiestie called a Sheryfe Shere-Reeue Sherife of Middlesex or Reeue of the shire this shire by charter made by King IOHN Quinto Iulii anno regni sui 1. is in that point vnder the high officer of the Citic of London the MAIOR who by force of the same charter yeerely constituteth a Sherife within the same who also is accountable vnto the saide Citie for all matters appertaining to his said office Euerie Alderman that hath beene Maior of London is Iustice of peace in MYDDLESEX Hundreds within MYDDLESEX distinguished with these letters in the MAPPE A Edmondton or Edelmeton Hundreds B Goare C Oselston D Istlewoorth E Elthorne F Spelthorne Market Townes in MYDDLESEX Westminster Market towes Brentforde Stanes Vxbridge Harrow on the hill was a market towne in the time of Doct. Bordes perigrination as appeereth by a little Treatise of his in writing It is to be noted that this shire hath in it manie Chappels of ease that haue the name of parish Churches as Vxbridge a market towne belongeth to great Hellingdon Brentford a market town belongeth to great Eling manie mo there are within this shire which to expresse would be too tedious Houses of Lawe THere are two houses of Iudges and Searieants called Seriantes Innes the one in Fleestreere the other in Chauncerie Lane Innes of Courte are fower Inner Temple Middle Temple Lyncolnes Inne Greyes Inne Innes of the Chauncery 8. Clyffords Inne Dauydes or Thauyes Inne Furniuals Inne Barnards Inne Staple Inne Clements Inne Newe Inne Lyons Inne Battles in MYDLESEX noted thus ✚ NEere Barnet in Enfielde Chace Polid vir Tho. Wals was a battle fought between EDWARD the fourth and the fauourites of HENRIE the sixt Neere Brentforde was a conflict betweene Edmond Ironside and the Danes Tho. Wals Parkes of hir Maiesties within MYDDLESEX THis Shire is plentifully furnished with hir MAIESTIES Parkes for prinecly delights exceeding all the kingdome of Fraunce wherein are not so manie if the discourse be true which is made of a debate betweene an Heraulde of England and a Herauld of Fraunce where it is affirmed that there are in all that Region but two Parkes In MYDDLESEX are ten of hir MAIESTIES S. Iames Parke Hyde Parke Marybone Parke Hanwoorth Parke Kenton Parke Hampton Courte Parkes two Enfielde Parkes two Twickenham Parke disperked Hilles of name Harrow hill Hamsted hill Highgate hill MYDDLESEX Caracters distinguishing the difference of places Market townes Parishes Hamletes or villages Howses Palaces of Quen Eli Howses of Nobilitie ⊙ Howses of Knightes Gent. c. Castles fortes Monasteries or religious howses Bushops Seas Hospitales ✚ Places where battells have bene Decayde places Lodges in forestes chases c. Mylles Ioannes Norden Angl. descripsit 1593 Olde and auncient highwaies now vnaccustomed THe old and auncient high waie to high Bernet Port Poole from Porte-Poole now Grayes Inne as also from Clerkenwell was through a lane on the east of Pancras Church called Longwich lane frō thence leauing Highgate on the west it passed through Tallingdone lane and so to Crouch ende Tallingdon lane and thence through a Parke called Harnsey great parke to Muswell hill to Coanie hatch Fryarne Barnet and so to Whetstone which is now the common high way to high Bernet This auncient high way was refused of wayfaring men and carriers by reason of the deepenes and dirtie passage in the winter season In regard whereof it was agreed betweene the Bishop of London and the Countrie that a newe waie shoulde bee layde forth through the said Bishops parks beginning at Highgate hill to leade as nowe is accustomed directly to Whestone for which newe waie all cartes carriers packmen and such like trauellers yeelde a certaine tole vnto the Bishop of London Highgate tole which is fermed as is said at this daie at 40. li. per annum and for that purpose was the gate erected on the hill that through the same all traueilers shoulde passe and be the more aptlie staide for the same tole Another auncient high waie which did leade to Edgworth and so to Saint Albons was ouer Hampsted heath and thence to and through an old lane called Hendon wante neere Hendon Hendon want through which it passed to Edgwoorth whence it passed ouer Brokeley hilles through part of Hertfordshire by Radnet Colnestreete Saint Stephens and Saint Mychaels leauing Saint Albons halfe a mile in the east This way of some is helde to be Watlingstreete one of the fower high waies which Bellinus caused to be made leadeth as some affirme through Watlingstreete in London An Alphabet of the Cities Townes Hamlets Villages and howses of name within MIDDELSEX conteined in the Map of the Shire with necessarie annotations vpon sundrie of them The vse of which Alphabet is set down before to the Reader A. Ascot E. 8. Augustines lodge H. 18. a lodge in Enfield chace Acton east F. 14. Acton west G. 14. Baron of Burford buried The Barron of Burford died there as he passed from London and is couered with a Marble stone in the yeere of Christ 1527. Ashford I. 8. So called of the brooke or ford through which men passe at that place Astleham I. 8. B. Breakespeare E. 4. The house of George Ashby Esquire * Brockenborrowes E. 6. There dwelleth Gomersale Gentleman Brownswell E. 4. a Well in the high way from Highgate to Bernet the water whereof is a sweete refreshment often times to weried and thirstie poore trauellers of late reedified by some well disposed Burye streete B. 20. a Hamlet of Enfield Buls lodge A. 18. a lodge of Enfield chace Belsise E. 16. the house of William Wade Esquire one of the clerkes of hir Maiesties preuy Counsell Brentstreete E. 14. So called of the riuer or brooke called Brent through which it runneth Brent riuer It is to be noted that at this 〈◊〉 streete many yeers since dwelled the Brents among whō 〈…〉 Iohn Brent who died Anno Christi 1467. whose auncestors before him had there their residence This Iohn lieth buried at Hendon vnder a marble stone with his picture and the time of his discease whereby it seemeth that the streete tooke name of the Brentes and the brooke of the streete and heereof also doth Brentforde H. 12. commonly called new Brentford or Brayneforde or Market Brentforde take name for that Brent brooke passeth through the towne This Brentford is a market towne yet no parish but belongeth vnto great Elinge It is called new Brentford as I take it of the late purchase of the market which was in the time of king Edward the sixt Brentford why so called for the chappel argueth it of greater antiquity then the other which hath the name of old Brentford of the river Brent which runneth on the west part of the towne and
betweene it and Syon entreth into the Thames This worde Brent among the countrey people of those partes signifieth Brent the word how the people take the signification and is taken for all brookes riuers and currants of water therefore is euerie small brooke called the Brent among them Neere vnto this place Edmond Ironside Edm. Ironsides conflict with the Danes assaulted the Danes which he had driuen from the siedge of London and there put manie of them to the sword and put the residue to flight about anno Christi 1016. the place appeereth by this carracter ✚ Brentford old H. 14. a little thorowfare * Bushoppes hall F. 22. the house of the Lord Wentwoorth Blackwall G. 22. neere which is a harbor in the Thamis for shipping Blackwall why so called the place taketh name of the blackenes or darkenes of the water bankes or wall at that place Brompton G. 16. ** Boston G. 12. where dwelleth Iherome Halley Esquire Bedfont west H. 6. Bedfont east H. 8. * Brumfielde C. 20. the house of Skeuington Esquire C. Cannons D. 10. Crowch ende D. 18. * Coanie Hatch D. 18. there dwelleth Trot Gentleman Clapton E. 22. ** Canburie or Cannonburie E. 20. a house in the hands of Atee Gentleman It was builded by prior Bolton prior of Saint Bartholmewes in Smithfield in the time of H. 8. Childes hill E. 16. Chalcot or Chalkhill E. 16. Cowley F. 6. Chelsey G. 18. Chelsey why so called So called of the nature of the place whose strond is like the chesel which the sea casteth vp of sand pebble stones Therof called Cheselsey breefely Chelsey as is Chelsey in Sussex north of Chychester which standeth vpon the very edge of the sea as this * Chelsey on the Thamise Queene ELIZABETH hath there a faire house The Lord Dacres hath there a faire house Cheswicke H. 14. belonging to a prebend of Paules now in the handes of Doctor Goodman Deane of Westminster where he hath a faire house whereunto in the time of any common plague or sicknes as also to take the aire he withdraweth the schollers of the colledge of Westminster * Colham Collumbe or Colneham G. 6. a house of the Earle of Darbies which taketh name Colneham of the scytuation thereof so neere a branch of Colne streame Colbrooke or Colnebroke G. 6. one little part wherof is in MIDDLESEX as farre as the bridge the rest is Buckingham shire Craneford H. 8. It is so called of the forde or brooke called by the name of Crane Carleton or Charleton K. 8. D. Dalis D. 14. Dryuers hill D. 14. * Durance B. 20. the house of Robert Wroth Esquire ** Durhams B. 14. Lacye Gentleman a house in the hands of Daleson hill E. 14. Dormans well F. 10. the house of the Lo. Dacres * Drayton G. 6. a house late the Lord Pagets E. Edgeworth D. 12. consisting of one maine streete the west side whereof belongeth to little Stanmer called also Whitchurch the other part hath a church in it selfe ƿorþ ƿorþ in the Saxon toong signifieth a place fruitefull and fit in regarde of the apt scytuation thereof to be inhabited this ƿorþ standing on the very edge of the shire may be called Edgeworth of some but corruptly Edgeware East end D. 16. a member of Finchley Edmondton or Edelmeton C. 20. In the Church whereof are sundry ancient monuments the most of them defaced among which is a tombe of gray Marble circumscribed thus Hic iacent corpora Thomae Carleton cuiusdā dni Thomas Careleton buried istius villae qui obiit 21. die Februar Anno Do. 1447. Elizabethae vxo ris eius filiae Adae Francis militis per quam habuit dominium whose arms are these There is also one Iohn Kirketon Esquire Iohn Kirketen buried whose monument is of white free stone erected in the south wall of the Church and seemeth as auncient as the Church it selfe but there is no record of the time of his decease his armes are these There is a fable of one Peter Fabell that lyeth in the same Church also Peter Fabell buried who is saide to haue beguiled the Deuell by pollicie for money But the Deuell is deceite it selfe and hardly deceiued Edmonton streete C. 20. Enfield B. 20. sometime parcell of the land of the Duke of Lancaster now Queene Elizabeths The chace called Enfield chace taketh name of this place It is called of some Enfen and so recorded Enfen in regarde of the Fenny scytuation of some part thereof vpon the marshes or meerish ground which though now brought to be good meadow and profitable pasture it hath beene in time past fenney thereof taking the name Enfen or Infen now Enfielde But these fenney grounds are now on the east as the chace in the west profitable neighbors not onely vnto Enfield but to many other poore inhabitants neere Elinge called great Elinge G. 12. Thomas frowike buried In the Church whereof lyeth buried Thomas Frowike sometime owner of Gunnersbury or Gunwelsbury an auncient seat within the same parish Eueney H. 6. a ferme house belonging vnto the Deane and chapter of Westminster Enfielde house A. 20. Queene ELIZABETHS builded by an Earle of Worcester F. Frith called also New hall D. 14. sometime the Therlebyes now Richard Weekes Gentleman Lord Frowike by purchace Finchley D. 16. In the Church whereof lyeth the Lord Frowyke Lord chiefe Iustice of England in the time of H. 6. vnder a Marble toombe where hath beene his picture and armes in brasse with circumscription about the toombe but now defaced his armes onely remayning in the chauncell window in this manner There is also another Marble stone hauing the picture of a woman whereon is inscribed thus Ioan la feme Thomas de Frowicke gist icy le dit Thomas Pense de giser aueque luy There lyeth also buried vnder a Marble stone in the Chauncell of the Church one Thomas Aldenham Esquire sometime Chirurgion to King Henrie the sixt who died in Anno 1431. Thomas Aldeuham his armes Fryarne Barnet C. 18. ** Fryarne Mannor C. 18. Sir Iohn Popham knight Lord chiefe Iustice of England sometime maketh there his abode ** The Folde B. 16. the house of Fulham H. 16. of the Saxons called fullonham which as Master Camden taketh it signifieth Volucrum domus the habitacle of birdes or the place of fowles fullon and fuglas in the Saxon toong doe signifie fowles and Ham or Hame as much as home in our toong So that fullon Ham or fuglasHame is as much to saie as the home house or habitacle of fowle It may be also taken for Volucrum amnis the riuer of fowle for Ham also in many places signifieth Amnis a riuer But it is most probable it should be of lande fowle which vsually haunt groues and clusters of trees whereof in this place it see-meth hath beene plentie * There is an auncient house belonging to the sea of London moated aboute Henry the
Strand Inne which stood within the compasse of Somerset house neere the Strand The Stilliarde called of the Gothes the Haunse signifieth a place of meeting of the people Stilliarde why so called and especially the Marchants of many Countries and Cities as of England France Denmarke Muscouie Brabant Flaunders and many other where they enterchanged Marchandize by the sundry priueleges and freedomes of many Kings Dukes and Princes which of late yeeres hath by little and little discontinued It is not against reason to thinke that these auncient Temples were erected by the Pagans wherein they offered sacrifices to their countrey gods Galfr. Mon. For it appeareth by the historie of Ieffery of Monmoth that while C. Alectus Captaine of the Romaine host was thus busied in his Pagan sacrifice M. Aur. Asclepiodotus duke of Cornewall whom the Britons had elected to be their King came to London and besieged and entred it betweene whom was a hard conflict and Asclepiodotus vanquished the Romanes and after beset Gallus another Captaine of the Romanes who remained in the citie and ouercame him who with his Romanes being put to the sworde the chiefe Captaine Gallus was cast into a brooke which then and long since ran through the Citie whereof it is supposed to be called of the auncient Britons Walbrooke Nantgall of the Saxons galenbourne and of vs at this day Wallbrooke which runneth neere London stone which stone is neere in the mid way betweene Ludd gate and the Tower posterne gate There are about this Citie 11. Gates of name whereof foure are towardes the north as Aldersgate supposed to be so called of the Alders which grew there and some holde it to take name of Aldricius the Saxon it may be so called of the antiquitie thereof Aldestgate in the comparatiue degree as Aldgate Newgate in the positiue Creplegat So called for that it was the house for halt and lame a hospitall for creeples and impotent people it hath beene of late reedified by Edmond Thaa in the yeere of Christ 1490. Moregate so called for that it was the passage into a moorish merish or watrie ground which is called Moore fielde though now brought to be more firme by the industry and charge of a Mayor of London about 180. yeeres past Bushopes gate builded by certaine Marchantes which traueled into Germaine belonging to the olde Haunce But it seemeth by the adiunct that it should be builded by a Bushop There are vpon the Thamis three gates though two of them seeme rather portes or hauens for shipes and boates then gates for passage onely the Bridge gate is a thorough fare or passage by horse and foote but Billingsgate is a harbor or kaye for shipping yet hath the name of a gate for that it was erected first like a gate Galfr. Mon. by Bellinus and of him called Bellines gate in the top whereof he caused to be erected a Pyramis and on the top of it a vessell of stone wherein he appointed the ashes of his brent body to be put after his death There is also Dowgate or Dourgate that is Watergate On the east is one gate called Aldegate so called of the antiquitie thereof as M. Camden and others suppose On the west are two gates Luddgate or Luddesgate of LVDD the supposed founder who is saide to lie interredin the Church of S. Martins within the gate Anno ante Christum 66. This gate was of late yeeres newly builded and made a most stately gate about the yeere of Christ 1586. to the great charge of the Citie Galfr. Mon. Ieffrey of Monmouth reporteth that the image of CADWALLO was in brasse artificially fixed on a brasen horse set on the toppe of this gate Cadwallo buried in token of a victorie had against the Saxom whose body was also buried in S. Martynes church within the gate There was betweene London and Southwarke long time passage by ferrie vntill the Citizens caused a bridge of woode to be erected Lonlon bridge after that in the time of R 1 c. 2. anno 1176. they beganne to build a bridge of stone which in the time of king IOHN they most artificially finished anno 1209. contriuing it of 20. at ches and in the midst a drawe bridge and vppon the same bridge on either side the houses so artificially combined that the whole bridge seemeth not onely a mayne and faire streete but men seeme to passe vnder a continuall roofe the bridge is in height 60. foote in bredth 30. foote the arches are in sunder 20. foote there are vnder the north arch of this bridge most artificially erected certain wheeles or tide myles which rise and fall according to the ebs flouds and they raise the water by pypes and counductes so high that it serueth such citizens houses in all places of London as will bestow charge towarde the conducting thereof The buildings vppon this bridge on either side were consumed with fire Anno 1208. Pollid Virg. There is neere the three Cranes a Church called now S. Michaels sometime Whittingdon Colledge founded by sir Whittingdon sometime Mayor of London There was in that place which is nowe knowne by the name of Blacke-fryers an auncient and strong castle which was called Palatyne burned in the time of WILLIAM the Conquerour in the place of which castle are at this day erected many faire beautifull buildings and here and there the auncient wals and buildings as yet appeare On the east part of the Citie is a most famous and strong Castle called the Tower of London the maine tower whereof some suppose to be builded by IVLIVS CAESAR It is strong and ample well walled and trenched about beautified with sundrie builddings semblable to a little towne There is in Cornehill a most famous monument stately erected by sir thomas Gresham knight who named it the Burse The Royall Exchange whereunto afterwarde Queene ELIZABETH gaue the name of Royall exchange It is the place of the place of the publike meeting of Marchaunts aswell English as foraine wherunto twice euery day they dulie resort the form of the building is quadrate with walks round the mayne building supported with pillers of marble ouer which walkes is a place for the sale of all kinde of wares richly stored with varietie of all sorts It was builded about the yeere 1568. Leadenhall neere Cornhill was builded by one Sunken Eyre Leaden hall about anno 1444. a place of prouision or store house for releefe for the poore in time of dearth Manie things might be spoken of this famous Citie which would too far exceede my purpose The Longitude and Latitude of London It hath latitude 52. degrees longitude 19. degrees 15. minuts It is most sweetely seituate vpon the Thamis serued with all kinde of necessaries most commodioussie The aire healthfull it is populous rich and beautifull be it also faithfull louing and thankfull Lodghill D. 16. a hill or fort in Harnesey or Hornesey parke and
Lambeth or Lomehith and had ouer against the schoole that nowe is a stately house Lelande yet Lelande affirmeth the contrary who saith that the Bishops of Caunterburie haue continued at Lambeth since the Normanes comming into this land There is an auncient monument within the libertie of Westminster Charing crosse called Charing crosse erected about the yeere of Christ Tho. Wals 1290. by EDW. 1. in memoriall of the death of Elineor his Queene who died at Hardlie neere Lincolne was buried in Westminster The libertie of Westminster extendeth to Temple bar Temple bar so cal-called of the Temple within the same bar and is called the bar for that it stoppeth and barreth the Mayor of London as also the Magistrates of Westminster that neither intrude vpon other This bar or gate was throwne downe by the Kentish rebels in the time of RIC. 2. Within the libertie of Westminster are fower parish Churches Parish Churches in the libertie of Westminster besides S. Peters namelie S. Margarets S. Martynes neere Charing crosse The Sauoy Church S. Clements called Saint Clements Dacorum or Saint Clements Danes In the time of superstition there was in Westminster a place called the Sanctuary The Sanctuary of an old Mosaical ryte vsed among the Israelites among whom euery tribe had certaine cities and places of refuge to which malefactors might repaire and for a time be protected from the rigor of the law There was at Westminster kept a staple of wooll The Woulstaple and is at this daie called the Woolstaple established in the time of EDWARD the 3. The Sauoye was first built as M. Stowe hath recorde by Peter Earle of Sauoy The Sauoy who was after made Earle of Richmonde by HENRIE the 3. who called it the Sauoy after his Countrie But Poll. Virg. Pollid Virg. alloweth him not Earle of Sauoy but calleth him Petrus sebaudiensis Peter a Sauoyan or of the countrie of Sauoy who as the same Poll. affirmeth buylt the same and called it the Sauoy of his natiue Countrey Sauoye It was belonging vnto the Duke of Lancaster in the time of RIC. the 2. in whose time it was wasted burned and spoyled by the Kentish rebels about the yere 1381. It was reedefied by HEN. 7. by whose last will it was intended to be finished and made an Hospitall for the reliefe of a 100. poore people which was perfourmed by the most famous HEN. the 8. his sonne and sufficiently furnished with lande and reuenues for the maintenance thereof Queene ELIZABETH hath within the precincts of this Citie three faire and pleasant pallaces Howses of Queene Elizabeths within Westminster namely White hall begun by Cardinall Woolsey and finished with manie most princely delights by HEN. 8. S. Ieames erected by the same king HEN. 8. and Somerset house builded by the Duke of Somerset about the yeere of Christ 1549. There are other houses worthy to be remembred within this libertie of Westminster as Burghley house Burgley house founded and erected by the right honorable S. William Cycell knight Lord Burghley Lord high treasoror of England Durham or Dunelme house sometime belonging to the Bishop of Durham Durham house builded it was builded by one Anthony Becke in the time of RICHARD the third Other famous houses of nobility are in this precinct which to mention I omit for breuitie Places distinguished in the Map of Westminster by these letters and figures following A. The Abbey B. Westminster hall D. Long ditche E. Theuing lane F. The Amnerie G. The way to Toothill fielde H. The Lord Dacres I. Lord Grayes K. Kings streete L. Round Woulstaple M. The Parke lodgings N. The Tilt-yard O. S. Martynes in the field P. Clements Inne Q. New Inne R. S. Clements Danes S. Temple barre V. Drurie lane Y. The Gatehouse 2. S. Margarets 3. S. Stephens alley 5. Petite Fraunce 6. H. 7. Chappell 7. Deanes yarde 8. Tennies Courtes 9. Way to Hounslow 10. The Powder house 11. White hall Orchard 12. The Queenes Garden 13. Staple Inne This Citie of Westminster is knowne to haue no generall trade whereby releefe might be administred vnto the common sort as by Marchandize clothing or such like whereby the common wealth of a Citie is maineteined and the inferiour people set to worke had they not therefore some other meanes the common sort could nor be susteined The chiefe meane whereby Westminster is releeued The first and principall meane whereby they are releeued is hir Maiesties residence at White hall or S. Ieames whence if hir grace be long absent the poore people forthwith complaine of penury and want of a hard and miserable world And therefore doe the people in manner generally seeme to power forth dayly petitions that it might please God to draw hir Maiestie to be resident at one of these places whereat they reioyce and fare long the better The like desire of hir Royall presence haue other places where hir Maiesties Pallaces are placed And hir Maiestie in gracious consideration of their estates doth visit them as it were Alternis vicebus by turne at hir highnes pleasure more for the comfort and releefe of the poore people then for hir owne priuate delight Therefore yee Citizens of Westminster and other whatsoeuer forget not to be thankefull to the the Almightie for hir Royall presence hartely praying the King of Kings to maintaine hir a prospering Queene long and many yeeres and euery faithfull hart will ioyne with you hauing also the benefite of hir blessed inclination The seconde meane whereby this poore Citie is maintained The second meane the Tearmes and the people releeued is by the fower Termes in the yeere for it hath pleased God to establish there the place where Iustice lawe and euerie mans right is God graunt it with equall ballance indifferently administred whereunto great multitudes of people vsually flocke whose resort although the Citie enioie but in the forenoone yet yeeldeth their presence manie pence to the poore towne There was in the time of EDW. 1. a discontinuance of the lawe The hearing of causes remooued to Yorke in this Citie and was thence remooued to Yorke where it continued seauen yeeres after reduced to the former place It hath beene often discontinued by the disfauour of Princes and their conceiued displeasure against the inhabitants of the place for disobedience as a generall punishment Receiue this ye inhabitants of Westminster as a necessarie premonition that ye rest carefull and vigilant least the king of kings mooue her Maiestie to place the determination of causes else where which now is vnto you no small support The third and last meane though it come seldome is that great and generall convencion of all the estates of this lande The third mean the Parliament the high Court of Parleament which draweth vnto it a great accesse of noble persons and others to the place of assemblie which is also set most gratiously within this Citie which