Prime the the Batchelors Beadle who was present at the opening of the Fish was carried to the Vice-Chancellor who took special notice of it examining the particulars before mentioned the leaves of the Book were carefully opened and cleansed the Treatises contained in it were A Preparation for the Cross a Preparation for Death the Treasure of Knowledge a Mirrour or Looking-glass to know themselves by a brief Instruction to teach one willingly to die and not to fear death they were all re-printed and how useful the reviving of these Treatises by such a special Providence hath been may be easily discerned by such as have lived since these times In the Year 1640. a Pond in Cambridge became red as Blood the water whereof being taken up in Basons remained still of the same colour and many strange sights were seen in the Air as Armies fighting against each other which were lookt on as sad Presages of our ensuing Troubles Ely another City in this County was formerly a place very famous for a Nunnery there founded by Audrey Wife to one Tombret a Prince in this Province who had this place as a part of her Dowry and she after his death Marrying with a King of Northumberland in a short time left her Husband and the Rights of Marriage and according to the Superstition of those dark times built this Monastery and became her self first Abbess thereof this in the Danish Desolations was destroyed but soon after re-built by Ethelwold Bishop of Winchester who stored it with Monks to whom K. Edgar granted the Jurisdiction over four Hundreds and an half within these Fenns which to this day are called The Liberties of St. Audrey after whose example many Nobles so inriched it with Revenues that the Abbot thereof laid up yearly in his own Coffers 1400 pounds and soon after the Monks thereof repaired their old Church with new and stately buildings which now is the Cathedral of the Diocess and for beauty gives place to no other in the Land Ely Minster presenteth itself afar off to the Eye of the Traveller and on all sides at a great distance not only promiseth but giveth earnest of the magnificence thereof the Lanthorn therein built by Bishop Hotham wherein the labour of Twenty Years and Five Thousand ninety four pounds eighteen Shillings ten pence half penny farthing was expended is a Master-piece of Architecture when the Bells ring the Wood-work thereof shaketh and gapeth which is no defect but the perfection of Architecture and exactly falleth into the joints again rare also is the Art in the Chappel of St. Maries and the other of Bishop West wherein the Master Masons in King James his time on serious inspection sound finer Stonework than in K. Henry 7. Chappel at Westminster In 1190. K. Richard 1. went into the Holy Land and at his going left in chief place of Authority at home William Longshamp Bishop of Ely who carried himself so that though the things he did were justifiable yet the pride wherewith they were done was unsufferable seldom riding abroad without 500 or a 1000 Men in his Train not for safety but for State and though others were left in power besides yet he made but Ciphers of them ruling all as he pleased this insolency was insufferable so that some holding for and others against him the Kingdom was in danger to be rent in sunder till at last the Bishop finding himself too weak for his Enemies thought it best to fly out of the Kingdom whereupon for his greater safety disguising himself in Womens Apparel and carrying a piece of Linnen Cloath under his Arm he designed in this manner to take Shipping and go beyond Sea but being discovered and known the Women in revenge of the abuse done to their Cloths in making them the instruments of his deceit fell upon him and beat him so that it might have beaten Humility into him for ever after this disgrace made him glad to get into France his Native Country where to little purpose he woed the King and Queen for Reparation Edward Norgate Son of Dr. Robert Norgate was born in Cambridge and being very judicious in Pictures was imployed into Italy to buy some for the E of Arundel returning by Marseilles he missed the money he expected and being unknown neither knowing any man there he was observed by a French Gentleman deservedly so stiled to walk in the Exchange as we may call it of that City many hours every morning and evening with swift Feet and sad face forward and backward to him the civil Monsieur addressed himself desiring to know the cause of his discontent promised if it were in his power to help him with his best advice and assistance Norgate communicated his condition to whom the other answered Pray Sir take my Counsel I have taken notice that you have walked at least twenty miles a day upwards and downwards which if it had been spent in going forward would in a few days have brought you into your own Countrey I will if you please furnish you with a light habit and a competent sum of Mony for a Footman to enable you to walk home Norgate very chearfully consented being accommodated accordingly footed it through the body of France being more than 500 English miles and so leisurely with ease safety and health returned into England he became after the best Limner in our Age was an excellent Herald and which was the Crown of all a right honest man he died in 1649. I may here insert saith Dr. Fuller an artificial wonder of what is commonly called Devils Ditch Country People conceiting that it was made by the Devil the lie to be sure was whereas it was the work of some King or Kings of the East Angles see the laziness of posterity who are so far from imitating the industry of their Ancestors that they even libel the pure effects of their pains as Hellish Atchievements probably it was made to divide and defend their Dominions from the King of Mercia or possibly to keep the People in imployment and for diverting mutinous thoughts Laziness being the Mother of disloyalty industry of obedience this County by reason of the Fens hath but a sickly air the soil yeilds good Barly and store of Saffron the Herb called Scordium or Water Germander groweth very plentifully in this County of which Diascordium is made in the Country about the Fenns saith Speed Water-Fowl is so plentiful and cheap that five men may be well satisfied with that kind of Fare for less then an half penny when they have mowen their grass in the Fenns as much as will serve they set fire on the rest in November that it may come up again in abundance This County is divided into 17 Hundreds wherein are eight Market Towns and 163 Parishes and elects 6 Parliament Men that is for the County 2 University 2 Town of Cambridge 2 and has given the Title of Duke to four Sons of the Duke of York successively who
Hell whom they devoutly worshipped as the preserver of their health Shaftsbury likewise wherein one Aquila either Man or Eagle is reported to have prophecied of future times In this City Edward son of Edgar who was murdered at Corf-Castle by his Step-Mother to make way for her own Son was buried In the Reign of K. Edward 2 the great Earl of Lancaster married a Lady from Camford in this County who was taken out of his house by one Richard Martin a deformed lame Dwarf who challenged her for his Wife alledging he had lain with her before the Earl married her whereupon the Lady was examined who voluntarily confessed it was all true and thereupon the ugly Fellow in her right claimed the Two Earldoms of Lincoln and Salisbury In the Fourth of this Kings Reign the Church of Middleton with all the Monuments were consumed with Lightning the Monks being at Mattens In the 22d of Edward 3. a Plague was brought from beyond Sea into the Towns and Villages of England on the Seacosts of Dorsetshire which raged so both there and in other parts of England that scarce the Tenth man was left alive in the Kingdom In 1506. King Philip sailing out of Germany to take possession of the Kingdom of Spain was driven by Tempest upon the Coasts of England and landed at Weymouth to refresh himself and was invited by Sir Tho. Trenchard a worthy Knight of that County to his House who immediately sent word to King Henry 7. of his Arrival who glad to have his Court honoured by so great a Prince sent the Earl of Arundel at present to wait upon him till himself should follow the Earl attended him with a gallant Troop of about 300 Horse and for more state came to him by Torch light upon this Message though K. Philip had many reasons to hasten his Journy yet not to distaste K. Henry he came Post to Windsor where after great and magnificent Entertainment K. Henry taking an opportunity when they were both in a private room laying his Hand civilly upon K. Philip's Arm said Sir you have been saved upon my Coast I hope you will not suffer me to wreck upon yours The King of Castile asking him what he meant I mean saith the King that hair-brain'd Fellow the Earl of Suffolk who being my Subject is protected in your Country and begins to play the Fool when all others are weary of it The King of Castile answered I had thought Sir your felicity had been above these thoughts but if it trouble you I will banish him K. Henry answered That his desire was to have him delivered to him with this the King of Castile a little confused said That can I not do with my honour Well then said the King the matter is at an end at last the King of Castile who much esteemed K. Henry composing his Countenance said Sir you shall have him but upon your honour you shall not take his Life I promise it upon my honour said K. Henry and he kept his promise for he was not put to death during all his Reign but yet he took such order that in the Reign of his Son K. Hen. 8. he had his Head cut off This Earl of Suffolk had lately gone over to Flanders to the Lady Margret K. Henry's sworn Enemy which made the King doubt of his Intentions The Earl was accordingly brought over and sent to the Tower and after K. Philip had received the Order of the Garter and Prince Henry that of the Golden Fleece the King of Castile departed home In the 26. of Q. Elizabeth 1558. at a place called Blackmore in the Parish of Armitage in this County a piece of ground containing 3 Acres removed from its place and went quite over another Close with the Trees and Fences thereon a great way off stopping up an High-way which led to Cerne the same Hedges inclosing it as before and the Trees standing very upright thereon onely one Oak of almost 20 Load fell down in the place from whence it removed there remained a great deep Pit In 1613. Aug. 7. The Town of Dorchester was utterly consumed with Fire which began in the house of a Tallow-Chandler and destroyed the whole Town save a few Houses near the Church and all their Wares and Goods to the value of Two Hundred Thousand Pounds yet no man perished therein In June 1653. a black Cloud was seen over the Town of Pool and soon after dissolved into a shower of Blood which fell warm upon mens hands some green leaves with those drops upon them were sent to London and seen by many The Forrest of the White Hart is in this County so called because in the Reign of Henry 3. the King came hither to hunt and having taken other Deer he spared a most beautiful and goodly white Heart which afterward Thomas de Lynd a Gentleman of this Country with others in his Company took and killed for which the King put a mulct or Fine upon him and the whole County and the very lands which they held pay even to this day every year by way of amercement a sum of Mony into the Exchequer which is called White Hart Silver My self saith Dr. Fuller have paid a share for the sauce who never tasted any of the meat so that it seems Kings Venison is sooner eaten than digested Mr. Ignatius Jordan was born at Lime Regis in this County and when he was young was sent to Exeter to be brought up a Merchant in this City having passed through the several inferiour Offices he at last came to be Mayor and was a Justice of Peace 24 years together yet his beginning was but very mean which he was always ready to acknowledg for when some threatned him with Law-suits and that they would not give over while he was worth a groat he cheerfully told them That he should be then but two pence poorer than when he came first to Exeter for said he I brought but six pence with me hither He would often say He wondred what rich men meant that they gave so little to the Poor and yet raked so much together for their Children do you not see said he what becomes of it and would reckon up divers examples of such as heaped up much for their Children and they in a short time consumed it all on the other side he spoke of such as had small beginnings and afterward became rich or of a competent Estate giving a particular instance of himself I came said he but with a groat or sixpence in my purse to this City had I had a shilling in my purse I had never been Mayor of Exeter In his Troubles in the Star Chamber when one told him he was sorry that the Lord Keeper was against him He answered I have a greater Lord Keeper than him the Lord is my Keeper I will not be afraid He was famous for Justice and Charity in his life and at his death left very large Legacies to the poor
Stone to be seen at this day for the horrid crimes of the Inhabitants also the wonderful discovery of several Murders c. 6. Admirable Deliverances from imminent Dangers and Deplorable Distresses at Sea and Land Lastly Divine Goodness to Penitents with the Dying Thoughts of several famous Men concerning a future state after this life as St. Austin The Emp. Charles 5. Philip 3. K. of Spain Prince Henry The E. of Northampton Galleacius H. Grotius Salmasius Sir F. Walsingham Sir P. Sydney Sir H. Wotton A. B. Vsher E. of Rochester L. Ch. Justice Hales and others Faithfully Collected from Ancient and Modern Authors of undoubted Authority and Credit and imbellished with divers Pictures of several remarkable passages therein Price One Shilling II. HIstorical Remarques and Observations of the Antient and Present State of London and Westminster shewing the Foundation Walls Gates Towers Bridges Churches Rivers Wards Halls Companies Government Courts Hospitals Schools Inns of Court Charters Franchises and Priviledges thereof with an Account of the most Remarkable Accidents as to Wars Fires Plagues and other occurrences for above 900 years past in and about these Cities and among other particulars the Poisoning of K. John by a Monk The Resolution of K. Henry 3. utterly to destroy and consume the City of London with Fire for joyning with the Barons against him and his seizing their Charters Liberties and Customs into his hands The Rebellion of Wat Tyler who was slain by the Lord Mayor in Smithfield and the Speech of Jack Straw at his Execution the deposing of K. Rich. 2. and his mournful Speech at his resigning the Crown with the manner of his being Murdered The D. of York's coming into the Parliament and claiming the Crown in K. Henry 6. time The Murder of K. Henry 6. and likewise of Edw. 5 and his Brother by Rich. 3. call Crook-back The Execution of Empson and Dudley the Insurrection in London in K. Henry 8. time and how 411 Men and Women went through the City in their Shifts and Ropes about their necks to Westm Hall where they were pardoned by the King The Speeches of Q. Ann Bullen the Lord Protector and Q. Jane Gray at their several Deaths upon Tower hill With several other Remarques in all the Kings and Queens Reigns to this Year 1681. And a description of the manner of the Tryal of the late L. Stafford in West Hall Illustrated with Pictures of the most considerable matters curiously Ingraven on Copper Plates with the Arms of the 65 Companies of London and the time of their Incorporating by Rich. Burton Author of the History of the Wars of England c. Price One Shilling III. The Wars in England Scotland and Ireland Or AN Impartial Account of all the Battels Sieges and other remarkable Transactions Revolutions and Accidents which have happened from the beginning of the Reign of King Charles the First in 1625. to His Majesties happy Restauration 1660. And among other particulars The Debates and Proceedings in the Four First Parliaments of King Charles the First with their Dissolutions The Siege of Rochel The Petition of Right The Murther of the D. of Buckingham by Felton The Tumults at Edinbrough in Scotland upon Reading the Common-Prayer The Et caetera Oath The Cursed Plots and Designs of the Jesuits and other Papists for imbroiling these Three Kingdoms The Insurrection of the Apprentices and Seamen and their Assaulting of Archbishop Lauds House at Lambeth Remarks on the Tryal of the E. of Stafford and his last Speech The horrid and Bloody Rebellion of the Papists in Ireland and their Murthering above Two Hundred Thousand Protestants in 1641. The Remonstrance of the State of the Kingdom with the King's Answer thereunto The Proceedings about the Five Impeached Members An Account of the Parliament at Oxford January 22. 1643. with their proceedings and Dissolution An Abstract of the Fights between the King and Parliament The Death of A. B. Laud Mr. Chaloner and Tomkins Sir John Hetham Sir Alexander Carew Duke Hamilton Earl of Holland Lord Capel and others The Illegal Tryal of King Charles the First at large with his last Speech at his Suffering Jan. 30. 1648. Together with the most considerable matters which happened till the Year 1660 Illustrated with Pictures of several Remarkable Accidents curiously engraven on Coper Plates Price One Shilling 〈◊〉 FINIS
John Heyward saith Dun was a famous Thief among others and Commander over the rest and of him the place was called Dunstable This County is divided into 9 Hundreds wherein are 10 Market Towns and 116 Parish Churches and is in the Diocess of London it Elects only 4 Parliament Men two for the County and two for the Town of Bedford and gives the Title of Earl to the Right Honourable William L. Russel BVCKING HAMSHIRE hath on the East Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire on the West Oxfordshire on the North Northamptonshire and Huntingdonshire and on the South Hertfordshire it hath its name from the â—lenty of Beech-Trees which the Saxons called Bucken with which the Country was formerly so over-run that it was altogether impassable and became a refuge for Thieves and Robbers and occasioned that Proverb in this Country Here a Bush and there a Thief for which cause they were cut down In 1665. Jan. 20. about six a clock at night there was an Earthquake in some parts of Buckinghamshire which was attended with an unusual kind of noise in the Air but was quickly over it much frighted some People on the sudden to feel their Chairs and Stools quake under them and to hear Tables and such things to clatter in the rooms and the whole House to shake this Information saith Mr. Clark in his Examp. p. 2. I had from an honest Minister in that County K. William the Conqueror gave a Mannor and certain Yardlands in Buckinghamshire to a Person upon this Condition That the Possessor or Owner thereof should find Straw or Litter for the Kings Bed whensoever he came that way which shews what an alteration there is as to matter of Grandeur since that time The best and biggest bodied Sheep in England are in the Vale of Aylsbury in this County where it is nothing to give Ten pound or more for a Breed-Ram so that should a Forreigner hear the price thereof he would guess that Ram to be rather some Roman Engine of Battery than the Creature commonly so called I know not saith Dr. Fuller whether his Observation with the reason thereof be worth the inserting who first took notice that our Cattle for food are English when feeding in the Field but French when fed on in a Family as for example English 1. Sheep 2. Ox. 3. Calf 4. Hog 5. Pig French 1. Mutton 2. Beef 3. Veal 4. Bacon 5. Pork Whereof the Author assigns this Reason that after the Norman Conquest the French so Tyrannized over the English Tenants that they forced them to keep and feed their Cattel but the Mounsieurs eat all the good meat after it was killed and drest to their hands Forreigners much admire at our English Sheep because they do not as those in other Countries follow their Shepheards like a pack of Dogs but wander all abroad and the Popish Priests tell their ignorant Flocks That this disobedience of our Sheep happened to us because we have left their great Sheperd the Pope a very profound reason whereas our Sheep did the same long before our Separation from Rome because being freed from the fear of Wolves which infest their Flocks beyond Sea they feed safely in the Fields wanting neither Guide to direct them nor Guard to defend them Roger Wendover was born at a Market Town of that name in this County and was bred a Benedictine in St. Albans where he became the Kings Historian and it is observable that our English Kings had alwaies a Monk generally of St. Albans as being near London the Staple of News and Books to write the most remarkable Passages of their Reign and some add that their Chronicles were locked up in the Kings Library and were never suffered to be opened in that Kings nor his Sons life if so they had a great incouragement to be impartial not fearing a blow on their Teeth though coming near to the heels of Truth as being hereby in some kind tyed up from doing them any hurt this Roger began his Chronicle at the Conquest and continued it to 1235. which Matthew Paris and others carried down further after his death The Lady Hester Temple Wife to Sir Thomas Temple was born at Latimers in this County she had 4 Sons and 9 Daughters who lived to be Married and so exceedingly multiplied that this Lady saw Seven hundred extracted from her own Body Vives tells of a Village in Spain of about an 100 Houses whereof all the Inhabitants issued out of one certain old Man who then lived and says the Spanish Language did not afford â— name whereby the youngest should call the Elder â—â—nce they could not go above the Great Grandfathers â—ather but had the Off-spring of this Lady been conâ—racted into one place they were enough to have peopâ—ed a City of a competent proportion though her issue â—as not so long in Succession as broad in extent this â—ady died in 1656. Sir Edward Cook that famous comâ—entator of the Law was born in this Shire One time a Parliament was called and the Court Party being jeaâ—ous of Sir Edwards Activity against them as not having â—igested the discontent he had received from thence â—ereupon to prevent his Election as a Member and conâ—ine him to this County he was pricked Sheriff thereof he â—hereupon scrupled to take the Oath alledging many â—hings against it and particularly that the Sheriff is bound â—hereby to prosecute Lollards wherein the best Christiâ—ns may be included but no excuses would serve his â—urn he must serve the Office however his Friends beâ—eld it as an injurious degradation of him who had been â—ord Chief Justice to attend on the Judges at the Assizes Buckingham is the Shire Town of this County fruitâ—ully seated upon the River Ouse and was fortified formerly with Rampires and a strong Castle mounted on a â—igh Hill whereof nothing now remains but some small â—igns of such a place It is divided into 8 Hundreds wherein are 15 Market Towns 185 Parish Churches â—nd is in the Diocess of London out of it are Elected 14 Parliament Men For the County 2. Buckingham 2. Chipâ—in-Wiccomb 2. Alisbury 2. Agmondisham 2. Wendover 2. and Marlow 2. It gives Titles to George Villiers Duke of Buckingham and Robert Bruce Earl of Alisbury Lord When shall I be cleered Q. Emma goes blindfold barefoot over 9 Burning plowshares at Winchester Pa. 87. Upon Midsummer Eve 1626. a Codfish was brought to the Market in Cambridge and there cut up for Sale and in the Maw thereof there was found a Book in Twelves bound up in Canvas containing several Treatises of Mr. John Friths this Fish was caught upon the Coasts of Lin called Lindeeps by one William Skinner the Fish bei g cut open the Garbidge was thrown by which a Woman looking upon espied the Canvas and taking it out found the Book wrapped up in it which was much soiled and covered over with a kind of slime and congealed matter this was looked upon with great admiration and by Benjamin
times and especially that God would abolish the Idolatrous Mass to which almost all the multitude and amongst them the Sheriff himself cried Amen theâ— taking a Cup of Beer she said I drink unfeignedly to all those that love the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ and that wish the abolishment of Popery her Friends pledged her and several of them did pennance for it afterward when the fire was put to her she neither strived nor struggled but with her hands lift up to Heaven she quickly gave up the Ghost Sir Hugh Willoughby was born of a worthy and ancient Family at Risely in this County In the Reign of K. Edward 6. he was imployed by the King and the Merchants of London to find out the North East passage to the East Indies having three Ships provided for that purpose with a large Commission which did not bear date from the Year of our Lord but from the Year of the World 5515 because in their long Voyage they might have occasion to present it to foreign Princes They departed from Deptford May 10. 1553 and after much fouâ— weather steered North-North-West but Aug. 2. â— Tempest arose whereby one of the Ships was divided from the rest and they never saw it again Sir Hugh holding on his Course discovered a Land which for Ice he could not come near in the Latitude of 72 Degrees This was then called Willoughby's Land as well it might since it had neither then nor since any Owner or Inhabitant pretending to the propriety thereof It appeareth by a Will found in that Ship which was the Admiral in the Pocket of a Person of Quality that in January 1554. Sir Hugh and most of his company were then in health though all soon after frozen to death in a River or Haven called Arzina in Lapland The next Summer some other English Ships coming to the same place found the Ship intire and all the men frozen to death with a particular account of all the passages of their Voyage Lapland hath several times since been surrounded by the English the West part whereof belongeth to the K. of Sweden and the East to the Muscovite they are generally Heathens as poor in Knowledge as Estate paying their Tribute in Furs whose little houses are but great holes wherein they generally live in the Ignorance of Money Here let me insert a passage to refresh the Reader after this sad story There is a custom in this barbarous Country as credible Merchants who have been Eye-witnesses report that it is death to marry a maid without her Parents and Friends consent therefore if any man have an affection for a Maid a day is appointed for both of their Friends to meet and see the young couple run a Race the Maid hath the advantage of starting and a third part of the Race so that it is impossible except she be willing her self she should ever be overtaken if the Maid outrun her Sweet-heart the business is ended he must never have her nor make any further motion to her under a great penalty but if the Virgin have any affection for him though she at first may run hard to try the truth of his Love yet she will pretend to stumble or make a voluntary halt before she comes to the end of the Race so that he may overtake her Thus none are compelled to marry against their Wills which is the cause that in this poor Country the married People are richer in their own content than in other Lands where so many forced matches make feigned Love and cause real unhappiness In April 1660 about Chesterfield it rained white Ashes which fell in such quantities that several Fields lookt white as if Snow had covered them The same Year Nov. 20. the River Derwent was at Derby and 5 Miles above and 5 Miles below that Town for 3 or 4 hours totally dried up so that no water during that time came to any of the Mills upon the River the Boats were all on ground and the Fishes upon the Sand so that the Children took them up in their hands and in several places the people went over the Channel dryshod which is more remarkable because Derwent is an inland River and never ebbs or flows and it is at Derby generally an 100 Foot broad and 7 or 8 Foot deep and is an extraordinary quick fierce stream On Nov. 11. 1662 there happened a dreadful Whirlwind at Derby whereby tâ—at Town was in 4 Minutes time damnified above 500 Pounds It blew the Tiles off the Houses threw down several Barns Apple-Trees and other Fruit-Trees were torn up by the Roots it overturned great Stone-walls and broke some Gates though fastened with Iron Bars into pieces this strange Wind was accompanied with great flashes of Fire and some affirmed that it rained Blood also The Ale of Derbyshire is very famous as being counted the best and strongest in the Nation it is the old Drink of England though a French Poet in King Henry the Third's lays merrily jested on it in these verses Nescio quid Stygiae monstrum conforme paludi c. Of this strange drink so like the Stygian Lake They fall in Ale I know not what to make Men drink oâ—â—hiâ—â— and vent it passing thin Much dregs therefore must needs remain within This County is divided into six Hundreds wherein are 10 Market Towns 106 Parish Churches and out of it are elected 4 Parliament Men for the County 2. for the Town of Derby 2. It is in the Diocess of Exeter DEVONSHIRE hath the narrow Sea on the South the Severn on the North Cornwal on the West and Dorset and Somerset shires on the East the Natives thereof are generally very ingenious in any imployment and Q. Elizabeth used to say of their Gentry They were all born Courtiers with a becoming Confidence There was Silver formerly found in great Plenty in the Parish of Comb-Martin and in the Reign of K. Edw the 1. Miners were fetcht out of Derbyshire for digging thereof which turned to considerable profit as appeareth by a Record in the Tower of Lond. For Will. Wymondham accounted for 270 pounds weight of Silver in his 22. Year and in his 23. Year he was fined 521 pounds 10 shillings weight in his 24. Year there was brought to London in fined Silver in Wedges 704 Pounds 3 shillings and 1 penny weight in his 25. Year though 360 Miners were pressed out of the Peak and Wales to dig it yet great was that Years clear profit in Silver and Lead In the Reign of Edw. 3 it appeareth by the Record of particular Accountants that the profits of the Silver were very considerable toward the maintenance of that Kings great Expences in the French Wars These Mines having been long neglected it may be by reason of the Civil Wars between Lancaster and York were again re-entred on by one Bulmer an Artist in the Reign of Q. Elizabeth who presented a Silver Cup made thereof to the Earl of Bath with this
not be accessary to her own injury but decked her self in her richest Ornaments which so improved her beauty that the King was struck with astonishment and admiration at first sight and was fully resolved to be quit with his perfidious Favourite yet dissembling his passion he went to hunting where taking Ethelwold at an advantage he ran him through with a Javelin and having thereby made fair Elfrid a Widdow he took her to be his Wife We read that Ordulphus Son of Ordgarus Earl of Devonshire but whether this or no is uncertain was a Giantlike Man and could break open the bars of Gates with his hands and stride 10 foot at once but of what credit it is I know not Agnes Preist was burnt for the Protestant Faith without the Walls of Exeter her own Husband and her Children were her greatest Persecutors from whom she fled because they would force her to be present at Mass she was Indicted at the Assizes and afterward presented to James Troublefield Bishop of Exeter and by him condemned for denying the Sacrament of the Altar after her condemnation she refused to receive any mony from well affected People saying She was going to a City where Mony had no Mastery she was a simple Woman to behold little of stature and about 50 years old she was burnt in a place called Sothenhay in November 1558. One Child whose Christian name is unknown was a Gentleman the last of his Family being of an ancient extraction at Plimstock in this County and had great possessions it happened that hunting in Dartmore he lost both his Company and way in a deep Snow having therefore killed his Horse he crept into his hot bowels for warmth and writ this with his blood Whoever finds and brings me to my Tomb The Land of Plimstock that shall be his doom The night after it seems he was frozen to death and being first found by the Monks of Tavistock they with all possible hast provided to inter him in their own Abby his own Parishioners at Plimstock hearing thereof stood at the ford of the River to take the body from them but they must rise early yea not sleep at all who over-reach Monks in matter of profit for they cast a slight Bridge over the River whereby they carried over the Corps and interred it in remembrance whereof the Bridge since better built is called Guile-Bridge to this day Nicholas and Andrew Tremain were Twins and younger Sons to Thomas Tremain of Colacomb in this County Esq such was their likeness in all the parts of Face and Body that they could not be distinguished but by their different habits which they would sometimes exchange to make sport which occasioned very merry mistakes they felt like pain though at a distance without any notice given they equally desired to walk travel sit sleep eat drink together at the same time as many credible Gentry of the Neighbourhood by relation from their Father will attest in this they differed at Newhaven in France the one was a Captain of a Troop the other but a private Soldier here they were both slain 1564. death being pitiful to kill them together to prevent the lingring languishing of the Surviver John de Beigny Lord of Ege-Lifford in this County having been a great Traveller and Soldier in his youth retired home married and had 3 Sons in his staid Age of these the youngest went to fight against the Saracens in Spin of whose valor his Father to his great content heard very high Commendations which made him the more patiently endure his absence but when death had bereft him of his two elder Sons he was often heard to say Oh that I might but once imbrace my Son I would be contented to die presently His Son soon after returning unexpectedly the old man instantly expired with an extasy of Joy thus if Heaven should always take us at our word in all our wishes and random desires we should be drowned in the deluge of our own passions This Knight lived in the time of K. Edward 3. Thomas Stuckly was a younger Brother of an Ancient wealthy Family near Ilfra-Comb in this County a man of good parts which himself knew too well having prodigally mispent his Patrimony he entered on several projects the first was peopling of Florida then newly found out in the West Indies so confident was his ambition that he blushed not to tell Q. Elizabeth That he would rather chuse to be Soveraign of a Molehill than the highest Subject to the greatest Prince in Christendome adding withal That he was sure he should be a Prince before his death I hope said the Queen I shall hear from you when you are setled in your Principality I will write unto you quoth Stuckly In what Language said the Queen He replyed In the stile of Princes To Our Dear Sister But his project in Florida being blasted he resolved treacherously to attempt what he could not Loyally atchieve and went over into Ireland and from thence into Italy where he got into the intimate favour of Pope Pius 5. boasting that with 3000 Soldiers he would beat all the English out of Ireland the Pope gave him many Titles in Ireland as Earl of Wexford Marquess of Lemster c. and furnished him with 800 men paid by the King of Spain for this Irish expedition in passing to which Stuckly lands in Portugal just when Sebastian the King thereof with two Moorish Kings were undertaking a Voyage into Africa Stuckly scorning to attend is persuaded to accompany them landing in Africa Stuckly gave this seasonable and necessary Counsel That they should refresh their land Souldiers for two or three days some of whom were sick and weak by reason of the tempestuous Passage But this would not be heard K. Sebastian was so furious to engage and so in the Battle of Alcaser their Army was wholly defeated where Stuckly lost his Life A fatal Fight where in one day was slain Three Kings that were and one that would be fain This Battle was fought in 1578. where Stuckly with his 800 Men behaved himself most valiantly till over-powered with multitude and so ended this Buble of Emptiness and Meteor of Ostentation In the troubles between K. Edward 2. and the Barons one John Powdras a Tanners Son of Exeter gave out that he himself was the true Edward eldest son of the late King Edward 1. and by a false Nurse was changed in his Craddle and that the now K. Edward was a Carters Son and laid in his place for which forgery being taken and hanged drawn and quartered he confessed at his death That he had a familiar Spirit in his House in the likeness of a Cat that assured him he should be King of England and that he had served this spirit 3 years before to bring his design about K. Richard 3. called Crookback lay some few days in Exeter Castle and demanding the name of it they told him Rugemont whereat the Usurper was much startled having
Emperor Augustus who Pliny says was but two foot and an hand-breadth high but whether he were at his full growth or proportionable he doth not tell us The County of Rutland is divided into five Hundreds wherein are 2 Market Towns 48 Parish Churches and is in the Diocess of Peterborough It elects only 2 Parliament Man for the County and gives the Title of Earl to John L. Mannours SHROPSHIRE hath Cheshire on the North Worcester Hereford and Radnorshires on the South Montgomery and Den bigh shires on the West It produceth Iron Pitcoal Barley Wheat Cattle Wood and Cloth The Shire Town is Shrewsbury which for Circuit Trade and Wealth doth surpass Ludâ—ow and is inferior to few of our Cities her buildings are fair her Streets many and large her Inhabitants rich her Trade chiefly in our Staple Commodities of Cloth and Freezes In the reign of King John 1197. Robert of Shrewsbury was Bishop of Bangor whom this King afterward in War with Leoline Prince of Wales took Prisoner in his own Cathedral Church and enjoyned him to pay 300 Hawks for his ransome which seemed not so proper that a man of Peace should be ransomed with Birds of Prey yet we read that in the Reign of K. Charles 1. a Nobleman was ransomed at the Isle of Rhee for a brace of Greyhounds neither may it be wondred how the Bishop procured them of a sudden since many were brought from Norway and he might also furnish himself out of Pembrokeshire This Bishop seemed somewhat humorous by a passage in his Will wherein he ordered his Body should be buried in the midst of the Market place of Shrewsbury which may be imputed either to his humility or his foresight that the fury of the Wars then between the English and Welch would fall fiercest on Churches as the fairest Market that men preferring their profit before their Piety would preserve their Market Places though their Churches were destroyed He died 1215. In 1402. K. Henry 4. was made sensible that a Crown can hardly sit easy upon the head if it be not set right on at first for now a new conspiracy was hatched against him the Piercies Earls of Northumberland and Worcester with Henry Hotspur began at this time to fall off from K. Henry because at their request he denied to redeem their Kinsman Mortimer from Glendours slavery that he denied them the benefit of such Prisoners as they had taken of the Scots at Hamilden whereupon they themselves procured Mortimers delivery and then entred into a League Offensive and Defensive with Glendour whereby they agreed to divide the Kingdom into three parts between them wherein Glendour persuaded them they should fulfill a Prophecy as though K. Henry were the Mouldwarp cursed of Gods own mouth and they were the Lyon the Dragon and the Wolf who should divide the Land among them all England from the Severn to Trent South and Eastward was to be the portion of the Earl of March all Wales and the Lands beyond Severn Westward to be Owen Glendours and all the remainder of the Land from the Trent Northward to be the L. Piercies â—n the mean time K. Henry not unacquainted with the Conspiracy published by Proclamation that Mortimer Carl of March had voluntarily caused himself to be taken Prisoner that the Rebels having him in their Custody might pretend some colour for their Conspiracy â—nd therefore he had little reason to take care for his â—eliverance Hereupon the Piercies assisted with a Company of Scots with the E. of Stafford Richard Scroop Archbishop of York and many others resolved to join with Glendour but first they framed certain Articles against the King and sent them to him in writing That King Henry had falsified his Oath given at his landing swearing that he came only to recover his Inheritance and would not meddle with the King or Crown That most Traitorously he had taken Arms against his Soveraign Lord King Richard 2. had Imprisoned him and then most barbarously caused him to be murdered and without any Title or Right had procured himself to be made and crowned King That ever since the Murder of King Richard he had unjustly kept the Kingdom and Crown from his Cousen Edmund Mortimer Earl of March to whom of night it belonged That when no want compelled him he had imposed divers subsidies and Taxes upon the People to their great grief of which they would willingly but durst not complain That no Justice could be expected from him since contrary to his Coronation Oath he had by Letters sent into divers Counties procured such Parliament Men to be chosen as upon occasion might serve his turn And lastly that whereas for Affinities sake he ought to have ransomed his Cosen the Earl of March from his strait and loathsome Imprisonment he not only denied it but falsely and untruly published that he became a voluntary Prisoner for all which and many other causes they utterly defied Henry as a Traytor and Vsurper and as an Enemy vowed his destruction and the restoring the said Earl to his Right K. Henry could not but know that all these Articles against him were true yet since this knowledge did not hinder him from seeking the Crown when he had it not it would less hinder him from seeking to keep it now he he had it and if he were able being a private man to get it from a King he was likely to be more able being now a King to keep it from private Men and as for any objections of Conscience he could answer them all by this That if his Title were good against King Richard by his resignation it was good against Mortimer by his swearing Allegiance and upon these grounds with a mind as confident as if all Circumstances were on his side he raised an Army and marched toward the Lords taking care they might by no means join with the Welch and in Battlefield near Shrewsbury he encountred them in which Fight though the Scots and Henry Hotspur shewed muâ—â— valour yet the Victory rested on the Kings side Hotspâ—â—r being slain the Earl of Worcester taken Prisoner with several others On the Kings part the L. Stafford who that day revolted to him and nine who were that morning Knighted were slain and 1600 common Soldiers but of the Conspirators above 6000 The King was once unhorsed by Dowgâ—â—ss who in his presence slew Sir Walter Blunt who was that day attired in all things like the King Dowglas being afterward taken Prisoner by the fall of his Horse was by the Kings Command for his valour set at liberty without ransom In this Battel the young Prince Henry though wounded in the face with an Arrow lost not his Courage but continued fighting still After this Victory the King caused publick thanks to be given and then ordered the Earl of Worcester to be beheaded and many others to be hanged drawn and quartered after which he sent Prince Henry into Wales with his whole Army but before
his coming all Owen Glendours Army forsook him so that lurking in the Woods for fear of being taken he was there miserably famished Many of his Associates were taken and put to death and thus in the fourth year of his Reign all the great troubles of this K. Henry ended The Groaning Tree in Lincolnshire Pa. 137. The Lady riding naked through Coventry Pa. 207. From head to heel his Body had all over A quickset thickset natural hairy cover Change of Air Diet or the trouble of many Visitants are thought to hasten his end He died Nov. 15. 1634. and was buried in the Abby Church Shropshire is divided into 15 Hundreds wherein are 15 Market Towns 170 Parish Churches and is in the Diocess of Hereford and Litchfield it elects 12 Parliament Men and Shrewsbury gives the Title of Earl to Charles L. Talbot the 12 of that Family SOMERSETSHIRE hath the Severn Sea on the North Glocester on the North-East Wiltshire on the East Devonshire on the West and Dorsetshire on the South It abounds in Cattle Chease Lead and Corn of which it is so very fruitful that the Inhabitants tell you several single Acres of Land in this shire will serve a good round Family with Bread for the Year as affording a Bushel of Wheat for every week therein which is not easily to be parallel'd in other places This Country is famous for three Cities Bath Wells and Bristoll the first takes its name from the hot Baths which some call The Waters of the Sun It is recorded that Bladud the Son of Lud King of the Brittains in the year of the world 3100 built this City and conveyed the admirable virtues into these Waters by Magick Art and that he was so much addicted to Necromancy as he wrought Wonders thereby insomuch that he made himself Wings and attempted to fly like Dedalus but the Devil ever a deceiver forsook him in his Journey so that he fell down and broke his Neck This City is seated in a plain invironed round about with Hills almost of one height out of which certain Rills of fresh water flow continually to the great benefit of the Citizens within the City there bubble or boyl up in three several places hot springs of Water of a Sea-coal colour sending up from them thin vapours and a kind of strong scent withal by reason it is strained through veins of Brimstone and a clammy kind of Earth called Bitumen These Springs are very Medicinal and of great virtue to cure Bodies overcharged and benummed with corrupt Humors by their heat causing much sweat They are much frequented by Persons of all Qualities and almost for all diseases of aâ—l these the Cross Bath is of a most mild and temperate Nature having 12 seats of Stone in the sides of it and is inclosed within a wall The second distant about 200 paces is much hotter whence called the Hot Bath adjoyning to which is the Spittle or Lazar House for the relief of poor diseased Persons The third and greatest is called the Kings Bath walled also round about with 32 Seats of Arched Work therein This City is fortified with Walls wherein are set Antique Images and Roman Inscriptions and hath in it a fair large Cathedral Church The City of Wells so called from the Springs or Wells that boil up there hath a very beautiful Cathedral near which there is a Spring called St. Andrews Well from whence comes such a confluence of Water that it soon makes a swift brook The Church is throughout very beautiful but the Frontispiece of the West end is very excellent for it riseth up from the foot to the top all of Imagery carved in Srone of a curious and antique fashion very artificially embowed Bristow hath the River Avon passing through it and was incompassed with a double wall it is beautiful with Buildings publick and private and hath common Sewers or Sinks made to run under ground for the conveyance of all filthiness There are within the City and Suburbs 26 fair Churches whereof 18 are Parish Churches There is no Dunghill in all the City nor Sink all being conveyed under ground they carry all upon fleds without Carts the water at the Key sometimes ebbs and flows 40 foot in height This City is Populous Rich and well Inhabited and next to London and York may justly challenge the Superiority having a very commodious Haven which admits Ships under Sail into the very bosom thereof In this County K. Arthur was buried for being murdered by Mordred at Cambula near Tintagel Castle in Cornwall as is aforementioned he was carried from thence to Glastenbury in Somersetshire and was there buried in 542. and 600 years after was found and taken up on this occasion King Henry 2. in the last year of his Reign being at Pembroke chanced to hear certain Songs in praise of the worthy Acts of King Arthur sung by a Welch Bard or Poet to his Harp wherein it is mentioned that he was buried in Glastenbury Church-yard between two Pillars there standing whereupon King Henry caused the ground to be digged and at seven foot deep was found a huge broad Stone whereon was fastened a leaden Cross on the lower side of the Lead in rude and barbarous Characters was written Hic jacet c. Here lies King Arthur buried in the Vale of Avelona And digging nine foot deeper his Body was found in the Trunk of a Tree the bones very large and in his skull were perceived ten wounds one very great and plain His Queen Guenever a Lady of excellent beauty lay by him whose Hair curiously plaited and of a golden colour shewed perfect and whole till touched but then it fell to ashes The Cross of Lead with the Inscription was taken off and kept in Glastenbury Church and the bones of King Arthur were put into a fair Tomb of Marble and his Queen laid at his feet in the same Church but were all raced at the general suppression of Abbies by Henry 8th In the 22. of Queen Elizabeth 1580. a strange Apparition happened in Somersetshire 60 Parsonages all clothed in black a furlongs distance from those that beheld them who continued some time and then vanished and immediately another strange company in like manner number and colour appeared in the same place and encountred each other and then vanished and the 3d time appeared that number again all in bright Armour and encountred one another and so vanished away This was examined before Sir George Norton and swore by four honest men that saw it to be true In Her 38th year Dec. 5 being Sunday a great number of People being Assembled in the Cathedral Church of Wells in Somersetshire in the fore-noon during Sermon a sudden darkness fell among them and a great Tempest with Thunder and Lightning followed which threw the People on the ground and all the Church seemed to be in a flame and there was a lothsome stink some Stones were stricken out of the Bell Tower and the