stilleth it self so that the Inhabitants dare row out on Fishing There is nevertheless an extraordinary great motion every where at Sea so that sometimes they are as it were lifted up to the Heaven and presently come down as it were to the Abyssm as David saith Psal 127. which motion of the Sea they call Alda and certifie that when they are sunk in it they can see no land though it be above 300 Fathoms high As for the motion of Tides themselves they perfect their course according to the Moon here as well as in other places where there are ordinary tides by an ebb of six hours and a Flood of the like space of time Yet their course is different according as they beat against the Rocks and points of Land and as the ground is under them whence it comes that the particular streams alter their course and run directly against the general Tides such streams being called here Ider Concerning the general Currents here the Seaman that is not much acquainted with the Land may have this for information In the first place where the streams run even between the land there is a principal Current as between Suderoefiord Staapenfiord Kalsoefierd Skuofiord and Fugloefiord When the Current runneth here to the West it is called West-fall and when it runneth to the East East-fall but in Kalsoefiord the East-fall runneth Northward and the West-fall Southward because of the points of Land Secondly it doth not run with equall rapidity during the six hours but its course can be divided into three parts In the first third part it runneth prerty fast changing and augmenting its force more and more In the second third part it is very rapid and is here called Braaddew In the last third part it loseth its force by little and little till it comes to turn and then the stream is as it were half dead In the third place the Tide is not allways equally strong but it is strongest in the new and full Moon three days before and three days after losing after of its force till the first and last quarter and it renews its strength again from the first and last quarter till the new and full Moon though according to the Moons vertue it be neither always equally strong but in the Spring and Summer when the Sun acteth most on the earth so that the warmth reflecteth thence and in the Dog days when the air is hottest by reason of the heat of the Canicule it is stronger in every change of the Moon then it useth to be in Autum or Winter from which effect may doubtless be concluded that the Sun together with the Moon and the inward warmth of the Earth doth produce the motion of the Tides For the 4 th when the stream runneth in the Inlets at E. or when it is East-fall it is then West-fall by the land and in the Iders and so quite contrary so that when the Master of a Ship cannot advance his voyage in the middle of the Inlets he must seek his advantage by the Iders for they stretch themselves in some places a mile from the Land Fifthly the Tide beginneth that is the water riseth at West fall and when that is out and it is Braaddew it is Floud or highest water that is West-fall in all the principal streams of every Inlet but afterwards cometh the East-fall from the Land beginning thereby by little and little to grow low water but how high or low the water riseth or falleth in Feroe cannot be exactly described there being a great inequallity in it both by reason of the changes of the seasons of the year and of the Moon wherein the streams are strongest Notwithstanding the stream ariseth much higher at west of the Land then at East usually seven Fathoms at West and but three at East In the sixth place it is very needful for a Pilot to know when it is high water or West-fall in Feroe not that he might thereby run securely over Rocks and grounds for he hath no great need of that in Feroe but that he may know how the stream runneth and advance his voyage accordingly all Marriners having erred therein till this day even the Sea expert Hollanders who in their Sea Mirrour write that a South and North Moon maketh highest water in Feroe Those that have traded in this Country and in their Voyage have taken notice of the Tides have found it otherwise and believe quite contrary that an East and West Moon giveth highest water wherein they doe not much erre but I have enquired about this business of old understanding men who nevertheless take little notice of highest water nor know wherefore it is so observable but only note their West and East fall which they nevertheless only mark by Flood and low water not understanding what an East or West Moon signifieth and they say altogether that the second day after New or Full Moon it is perfect West-fall that is highest water at six of the Clock in the morning and East-fall or Low-water at twelve of the Clock at Noon whence an expert man can conclude that a North East Moon and a South West make highest water the first day the Moon beginneth to fill that is at five a Clock and fifteen minutes in the morning and then they have highest water or West fall in new or full Moon in Feroe a North East and a South West Moon making highest water in all the principal Streams above mentioned In the other particular Streams it is high water at different hours in some before and in some after the ordinary time for in Leerviigs-fiord an East North East and West South West Moon maketh highest water that is when it is four a Clock and a half in the Morning In Nolsoe fiord an North East and South West Moon that is at three a Clock and in Westmans haven and Myggenessfiorda North West and South East Moon that is at nine a Clock in the forenoon so that here is a strange difference in the rising of the water between these many Islands which cometh altogether by reason of the points of Land I dare not undertake to explicate the several Streams with their Iders there being often in one Inlet five different Currents that run against one another so that I verily believe if the Learned Philosopher Aristotle were here himself to undertake that work he would find no less difficulty therein then in his Euripe Nevertheless I cannot forbear writing something of the little stream between Stromoe and Osteroe which seemeth very strange Though that stream on both sides of the water be wholly still and dead and there be a very short way over the grounds between both Lands it runneth nevertheless forward and backward according to the ordinary Changes of the Moon so swiftly that it is impossible to row against it but one must expect till it returneth Whereof the cause is this There goeth neither Ebb nor Tide at South of the stream but at
is related by a part of the Inhabitants that North of the Land there hath at several times appeared a Floating Island not only by the relation of our Predecessours but also by that of those that yet live who verily relate that they have seen it during some hours discerning hills and dales on it and running Rivers flowing through the Valleys and could perspicuously fee that it was green in the Valleys below Last year the 28 of April 1671 came to Feroe a Skipper Paul Badsted with his Ship and both he and two young Priests which he brought over with him to Feroe namely Mr. Gregory Peterson and Mr. Peter Clementson relate that they on their voyage to Feroe being by storm driven out of their course to the south thereof perceived an Island and being come neer to it saw it perfectly with the Hills Promontories and Rivers thereof running down the Island green with Grass towards the sea side with Rocks and Clifts neer the Land not unlike in all Circumstances to the Islands of Feroe but perceiving no other Islands by it they found themselves to be deceived and therefore made to the North and after some sailing found the Islands of Feroe and the Master related that according to his conjecture they had found that Land eleven Leagues from Feroe at south east If there had been any steady Island in that place it would have been found longago those that sail to this Island often sailing by that place and all Ships that come from the South and will go to the North of Heâ—land directing always their Course to Feroe and therefore do necessarily pass by it so that if that Island had been fast it would long since have been discovered The Island of Enckhupson found and so named by the Hollanders which lay under the 65 degree of Northern Latitude 45 Leagues North VVest of Feroe seems to confirm that opinion since it is no more to be found I leave herein every one in his own opinion whether such a mass of hard Rocks could Float and now again sink If it were of the nature of a Pumill Stone it might very well do so but then it would ever Float as Floating Islands in fresh water that are grown together with roots and covered with a little loose Eearth deckt with grass The Inhabitants besides rehearse a Fable of Suinoe that it was at first a Floating Island and believe that if one could come to the Island so often seen and cast Steel thereon it would remain fast which agreeth with the superstition of Duckers or Divers that lay Steel upon what they find at the bottom of the Sea that Spirits may not remove it when they are hoysed up which otherwise they find to be removed Many also tell much of these Floating Islands and believe there are such in Nature but I cannot give faith to any of them nor to any ones superstition If this were not described by the proprieties of many Islands I would say it were a Mountain of see that came Floating from Greenland which if it be not I believe stedfastly it is some deception or illusion of the Devil who is in himself a thousand fold Artisicer for he hath often before deluded them in many other manners it being almost every mans talk in the Land how formerly Satan in the dark when they were risen early in the morning in Winter as they yet always do to go a Fishing did appear to them in the Figure of a Boat with Fishermen and all instruments belonging to Fishing did speak with them gave them Fish baits and told them where there was good Fishing to be found and many can yet relate Satans words when he discover'd them where there was good ground for Fishing If Satan could then in the Figure of a Boat delude the Inhabitants he may also do it now in the Figure of an Island possibly to allure the Children of the unbelievers to him and bring them into mischief This Province of Feroe with the Islands belonging to it above named stretcheth it self in its greatest length from North to South 60 miles and in breadth 40 miles or a little above having at East Stat in Norway at South East Orkeney and Scotland at South Ireland at West the South end of Greenland at North West Island The height of the Pole or Latitude of Feroe according to the supputation of all is at the South end 61 degrees 15 m. and at the North end 62 degrees 10 m. though I have found the Land according to the height of Thors Haven at 62 degrees 2 m. which I have several times taken to lye something more Northwards I have as much as possible sought the Longitude and have found the length from the Meridian of Euraniburgh 20 degrees 20 min. which makes one hour 21 min. so that the Longitude of Thors Haven is 16 degrees 20 min. reckoning from the Pico of Teneriffe in the Canary Islands if I can discover it better in time I shall notifie it where it will be convenient And since the Land lyeth under 62 degrees there is but little night in Summer not fully 5 hours When the Sun is in the Sign of Cancer there is no night perceived for a whole month because the Sun doth not go 18 degrees under the Horizon whence it comes that in the middest of VVinter they have but little day though the Crepusculum and Diluculum are something more longer here then elsewhere especially when the Sun is in the South or Northerly Signs for when it is at highest and makes the longest day after 62 degrees Latitude it riseth at 2 of the Clock and 7 minutes and goeth down at 9 of the clock and 53 m. and then the day is 19 hours and 46 min. long and the night from Sun-setting untill it riseth 4 hours and 14 minutes during which time there is no difference to be perceived between day and night the Sun being then but 4 degrees 29 min. under the Horizon and cannot therefore make any difference for a whole month there being then also but little difference in the Suns declination whence it comes that we have no considerable might untill the 17th of August when the Sun first comes 18 degrees under the Horizon which is its right depth so that one can perceive nothing of its splendour Now the Sun rising in the mid'st of VVinter at 9 of the Clock 53 min. and setting at 2 a Clock and 7 m. and there being therefore but 4 hours and 14 minutes of day The Crepusculum and Diluculum add much to its length since one can perceive something of the day in the mid'st of VVinter at 8 a clock in the morning and at 4 a clock at night whence it comes that they have not in Feroe such tedious long nights as one might well imagine These Islands of Feroe consisting of a hard Stone there is found here and there a Loadstone therein on which if one setteth a Compass it will vary very much in
before and at the same time that huge floud which striketh up high in the Air against the Land We might also discern that by the Suns effect on the Earth for it shineth hotter in the afternoon then before Mid-day not that its heat is then in it self greater then before but because the Sun must in the forenoon drive away the cold from the Horizon but in the afternoon produceth its heat without any hinderance This explication doth very well agree with the name which Seamen give to that time of the Tide calling it Spring as if it sprung by its own force and would not be directed by the Moon Secondly it is plainly proved that the Moon governeth the Sea by the Quadruple motion of it twice to the West and twice to the East in 24 hours and 48. min. according to the course of the Moon though our Master Herbinius will not grant that not thinking there is such a thing in nature as that the Moon by Antipathy could now in 6 hours and 12 min. drive the Sea from it self and afterwards by a Sympathy in six other hours attract that again whilest nothing of all this happeneth by Antipathy in the opinion of Herbinius For according to these principles the Sea is in a perpetual motion to and fro as water in a Vessel between its limits against which if it beats it cannot get over but must appease its proud waves and fall back again which will last as long as the world continues But the God of order that has created and ordained all things according to weight measure and number hath made the Moon to govern thereover not only as a moving cause with the rest in the manner aforesaid but also regulateth its motion according to its own seasons and the Moon having two Motions the one from East to West together with the Sun and other Planets and Stars the other from West to East by which it moveth every day usually 12 degrees from and to the Sun which maketh 48 min. of time so there can be no Antipathy between the Moon and the Motion of the Sea to what side soever it turneth it self And God having made the distance so broad between the Continents that it can be six hours falling back from one Land to another which it would perhaps perform a great deal sooner if it might follow its own propension nay it might well in its fury and rapidity overwhelm the whole Globe of the Earth by reason of the aforesaid causes therefore the Moon is made to hold back by its course that of the Sea that it may not perfect its motion from one Coast to another in six hours or less but in six hours 12 m. which maketh in the four Tides of a day 48. m. so that the Moon governeth the Sea as a man doth a running Horse sometimes putting him forwards sometimes making him go slowly at other times giving him the Bitt and sometimes keeping him back and notwithstanding maketh him so run that it cometh to his Stage at the appointed time This is my poor opinion concerning Ebb and Floud grounded upon my own experience and dilligent enquiry whereby having written it in our Danish Tongue I would specially give Seamen occasion to enquire into nature wheresoever they come after this manuduction which if they do I doubt not but they shall make such observations that this explication will thereby be so confirmed that it will not be easily refuted We will here transport us from the salt Sea to the fresh Water on Land God can never be sufficiently praised that hath so wonderfully and abundantly blessed that Country with well tasting and wholesome Fountain Water Springing some Fathoms high on the top of the highest Mountains which in the greatest drought runneth constantly almost every where so that there is scarce a Cottage but there runneth along a little Spring water or a great Brook gathered of many such Rivelets whose water is generally colder in Summer then in Winter though they have there no healing Fountain for many diseases as in other Countreys except one in Osteroe near Gote which yet is not much made use of this water is of that nature that it is much warmer in Winter then other Water and if one will keep it a whole year it continueth without corruption One might it seems reasonably conclude that since Brimstone is hot and keepeth Wine from corruption that there may be Brimstone in the rock through which the water floweth whereby it is tinged with this quality and therefore there is doubtless a great vertue hidden in that water for the use of man if it were as convenient to come to as it is discomodious Since all what seemeth strange in the beings that God hath created when reason cannot comprehend it is presently taken for a miracle though it be an effect of nature one may also justly hold this for admirable that God by his wonderful wisdome and power hath so ordained it that the mortal body aggravates the soul and the earthly Tabernacle oppresseth the wandering senses so that they scarce reach the things which are on earth and hardly perceive what it hath under hand as the wise man speaketh in the ninth Chapter of his Book of Wisdome whence cometh that many of the Sons of Men that will not trouble their Brains with such deep thoughts do meerly consider such effects of nature as wonders others give themselves no thoughts at all about them making use of them as unreasonable creatures others to whom God and nature hath given more light of understanding do not persist in searching the secrets of nature so as to tire themselves therewith Amongst these secrets of nature there are not the least but the most in water namely its course and its ascent to the top of hills and its flowing down from thence The strange stream between Boetia and the Island of Negropont called Euripe which runneth in and out 7 times in a day troubled so much that accute Philosopher Aristotle in his deep Speculations to comprehend the cause thereof that he as Historians believe took his Death thereupon The said Aristotle hath also taken great pains to understand the natural cause of the Springing of Fountains but he hath been deceived in the invention of his reasoning Scaliger having long since refuted him But the Wise King Solomon in Eccles 1. 7. teacheth us whence the water Springs come and what is their natural cause all waters saith he flow to the Sea from whence they flow again but he teacheth us not the manner how it happeneth nor the cause whereby the water can Ascend from the Sea some hundreds of Fathoms high through the Mountains as it doth generally here on Feroe Magirus in his Physilogia lib. 4 c. 6. bringeth in the opinion of Scaliger in this manner although we know not the cause of this natural thing yet we judge that the water doth not mount up in a direct line but through many turnings and there
even Polished that they serve to put in Rings whereunto they are used by some It is found that they grow in the Clifts and are washed off by the Sea-waves no body could yet know whether they be of any worth for some of them have by curiosity been carried to Jewelers but they have not been esteemed any thing My late private precept or the Learned and Famous Olaus Normins at my departure for Feroe shewed me amongst other Rarities in his Cabinet that sort of Stones sent him from Feroe and conceived they were Jaspis stones telling me also that they had lost their colour since he had them and desired me that I would send him some more of them which I did accordingly perform The Pearles whereof Mr. Peter Clauson writes in his Description of Norway that they are found in Muscles here are no other then those that are found in the Muscles of Denmark concerning the Stone which he also writes is found here by the sea side shaped like a Heart o Kidney called by the Inhabitants a Fairies Kidney that as Mr. Peter writeth according to the received opinion of the Inhabitants doth bring forth another Stone when it is kept long it is very certain that Fairies Kidneys ore found here but the Inhabitants have not that superstitious opinion of them neither is it any Stone but a West India Bean as hath been told me by a very knowing man for it hath a hard outward shell of a Chestnut brown colour and within a sweet Kernell This doubtless falls in other places off from its stalk into the Sea and is brought hither by the Stream They are carryed to Forreign Countreys and there carved to make Boxes for Sunff Tobacco here is also found but in small quantities some brittle Chrystal which cannot be wroâ—â—ht Though God hath denyed this land the riches aforesaid it hath nevertheless pleased him to enrich it with what can hardlyer be wanted in nature if the Land could be till'd every where as in other places it would in Fertility of Corn go beyond other Countreys equally large but here a Countryman cannot sow above one or two Tuns of Corn but in many places they Reap again 20 or 30 Tuns for one Tun of Seed specially in the Southerly Islands where they reap so much Corn that it need none to be imported from forreign Countryes Here is nothing sowed but Barley for other Seeds will not come to maturity and there being here but little sowed there is the more ground for Pastures In several places Grass is found so abundant and juicy that Oxen feed thereon both Winter and Summer growing sometimes so Fat that one can get in an Ox that is not big of growth 100 pound of Tallow and such places they call Feidelands It is very remarkable that where there are such Feidelands they ever turn to the North East and North wherefore would not think that the North or North East Wind could cause any Fertillity they being cold but rather the South West or West these being warm and moist and having more the Suns assistance to operate with them whence it comes that the old Grecians called the West Wind Zephirus as that which caused life in Plants Nevertheless the contrary is found in these pastures It is also observed that in Island the North part is more Fertile with Grass and Cattell then the South Greenland is also found to be given with Grass on the North East side whence it hath also received its name but on the West side there is found little or no grass If you will inquire the natural cause of this we must consult the Chymists who write much of their great Monarch or Lyon of the North especially mentioned by Theophrastus Paracelsus whereby they mean nothing but Nitre a special Agent in Chymical Operations The cause wherefore they call Nitre a Monarch and Lyon of the North is that in the Snow coming from the North or North East there is naturally found Salt Peter Wherefore when one cannot have other more convenient liquors to make Salt Peter of or sor other Chymical Operations they make use of North or North East Rain and Snow Besides there is found in their writings that Salt peter is not only used in the particular transmutation of Mettals but also that being dissolved and Corn dipt in it it may be sowed without dunging in the very leanest ground giving it an extraordinary production all dunging whereby the Earth is made Feftile having its inward vertue and essence consisting in Nitre or the Salt thereof which is clearly proved by an example known almost every where for those that make Salt Peter dig up old Floors from under Cattel or Sheep whereof they extract the Nitre that is ingendred there of the Beasts virtue whence it comes that Dunghills where Cattels Urine remains and rots are better for Dâ—ngning then dry dung it self For a further example it is seen here in Feroe that they take Sea weeds from the Shoare and lay them on heaps to â—ot wherewith afterwards they lung their ground which then bearâ—th abundance of Corn that effect proceeding doubtless of the Salt in â—he Sea weeds since Salt Peter can naturally be prepared of Salt from the premises North East Snow and Rain having Salt Peter in it self and all lunging consisting in Nitre The Reader may easily conclude that such plaâ—es as are exposed to North East Winds must consequently be more fruitful then others But here is also â—o be observed that the said places are Valleys arising usually with a high Promontory against the Sun which also helps to their Fertility the Scorching Beams of the Sun being hindred thereby One might here well imagine that since it Snoweth and Raineth from the North East or North over the whole Island and the Sun draweth Plants out of the Earth it might be most fruitful where the Sun doth shine the whole day with its beams it is found in nature that the Sun it self doth not produce the Plants from the Earth but warmeth nature and the night cooleth and moistneth what the Sun hath dryed and scorch'd whence principally Plants are produc'd In the Lands which lye under the torrid Zone nothing at all could grow because of the heat of the Sun if the night was not as long as the day and by its cooling and dew did not temperate the Plants It is observed here in Feroe that in the midst of Summer when in two months time there is almost no night Corn groweth but very little though it rainethâ— nor herbs though they be watered in dry weather and when the night beginneth to be longer Corn and Herbs grow more in a night and day then otherwise in fourteen from whence it is seen that the Sun at certain times doth indamage Plants and where it striketh directly down with its gathered Beams consumeth the moisture and fatness of the ground but where by a moderate reflexion it warmeth the Earth which happeneth in the Valleys aforesaid where
desiring never theless the courteous Reader to take all in the best meaning and not judge or condemn before he understands it perfectly It happened for a good while since when the Burgers of Bergen had the commerce of Feroe that there was a man in this Country in Servaag called Jonas Soideman who was kept by spirits in a mountain during the space of seven years and at last came out but lived afterwards in great distress and fear lest they should again take him away wherefore people were obliged to watch over him in the night and at last for fear of that he returned from hence to Bergen in Norway Whilest Mr. Taalle was Priest in Osteroe it happened that one of his Hearers was carried away and though returned again at last the said young man being to be married and every thing prepared and the Priest being arrived the Saturday before at the Parish the Bridegroom was carried away wherefore they sent folks to look after him but he could not be found the Priest desired his friends to have good courage and that he would come again which he did at last and related that the spirit that led him away was in the shape of a most beautiful woman and very richly cloathed who desired him to forsake her whom he was now to marry and consider how ugly his Mistress was in comparison of her and what fine apparel she had he said also that he saw the men that sought after him and that they went close by him but could not see him and that he heard their calling and yet could not answer them but that when he would not be perswaded he was again left at liberty Mr. Erasmus Ganting Parish-Priest in Waagoe whose Son Mr. John Erasmussan was my Predecessor in Thors-haven his daughter called Christine being young went once in Summer in the absence of her Father to play in the fields with her other young Brothers and Sisters and as they were playing there came to them a Duck running in the grass fluttering with her wings and the Children running after the Duck this Girl ran before them and coming behind a house after the Duck they saw her no more and knew not what became of her Whereupon her father being come home and hearing this was very much troubled and seeking after the child but could find her no where At last he sought the assistance of God by prayers and invocation and going once into the field did seek as far as he could and it being eight days after her loss he found her unhurt and warm sleeping and wrapt with her head-cloth about her head lying on a high rock above a hundred fathoms high just at the brink of it He took her so home along with him but the child could relate nothing of the business saying that a great man carried her away whom she thought had been her Father When she came to years she was of a weak understanding and was nevertheless married in the Country having many children she died a few years since her Mother and three sisters being yet living For thirty years since it happened that a woman of Westmans-haven in Stremoe was carried away and by common prayers in the congregation was found again on the eighth day but dead and yet warm lying in the midd'st of a high way In the year 1668 the second of August Domin 2. Trinit the daughter of Olluff Hanson of Velberstat was mist on the way as she was returning from Church having the same day received the Sacrament of me whereupon in the evening as well as two days after they sought for her every where but could not find her at last her father complained unto me and the next Sunday being the 9th of August in the Congregation of Kalbach which I then visited I earnestly admonish'd them to fall down with me before God for the deliverance of that poor creature The Lord also heard our prayers and intercession for the next day at three a clock in the afternoon she was found by some Milk-maids in the next Hamlet to Volberstat namely â—uderdal lying between two stones at the higher part of the close having her cloth wrapt abaut her head she would speak to no body that went by neither durst the Milk-maids speak to her but went and discovered it to the man of the house who went and spoke to her desiring her to rise which she did then first speaking to him and the man asking her how she was come thither she shewed him beyond them a pretty high clift whence she had glided down though the man assures it was impossible for any man to come down from thence without hurt besides her linnen and clothes were as clean and her shoes as new as the day she was miss'd though there had been during some days and nights great storms and rainy weather neither did she according to her own confession eat any thing during these nine days and yet being come home was well disposed to receive and digest whatsoever meat they gave her I have endeavoured by all means to make her confess 〈◊〉 whole business unto me but in vain for she said always that she lost her self in the mountain which cannot be the ground lying high and being but a League broad from the top whereof one may see the Sea on both sides whereby one may easily find the r ght way and from Kirkeboe to Velberstat the way is along the Sea-side and over the high mountain so that a Beast cannot lose it self much less a reasonable creature except one does it put posely and yet it would be great labour to climb up that great mountain but I have found also by other Examples that would be too prolix to insert that most of such people are not only seduced in their bodies but also in their minds so that they will by no means discover that business and there are others that do not know well themselves how it was nevertheless if there has been a natural wandering by the fancie of that simple Creature as the Reader will possibly imagine I doubt whether the party could live nine days without the least hurt or damage of nature Hippocrates telling us 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 That is a man cannot live above seven days without meat whereunto all Physitians and Naturalists do agree it being dayly confirmed by experience Levinus Lemnius writes that a man can live seven or nine days without meat but then nature is already indammaged and the forces of the body weakned Arild Heuitfield writes upon the relation of others in the History of King Erick Menveds that Duke Woldemur who with Duke Erick his Brother was east in the Tower of New Kiobing by their Brother King Byrge of Sueden that they might dye of hunger lived 11 days without meat or drink and his Brother but 3 days But this seems to be guess'd by the discourse of the common people and giveth no certainty for the History sayes that the Tower was well