concealed it ever since Yet to satisfie in some measure such as are more inquisitive I will touch at the several conjectures which hath passed upon the place of this earthly Paradise Rog. Higdâ—n Monk of Chester and with him Iohn Trevisa set it in the field of Damascus and many others probably enough have thought it was in the Land of Canaan for that in divers places it is noted with attributes proper to the garden of Eden She was seated in the midst of Nations Ezek. 5. It was a Land of Wheat Barley and Vines Fig-trees and Pomgranates a Land of Olives and Honey a Land whose stones were Iron and out of whose hills might be digged brass Deut. 8. She was pleasant above all Lands Ezek. 20. Yet Franciscus Iunius D. Willet Sir Walter Raleigh and others make it a part of Mesopotamia North-west from Babylon about the degrees of 78 in Longitude and of Latitude 35 where still the Rivers meet mentioned in Genesis and where Ptolemy hath his Audanites a corrupt name as is supposed from Edâ—n Certainly it was about the middle of the Earth and abounded by a peculiar blessing of God with all kinds serviceable for the use of man 8 But Adam soon lost this possession by his disobedience and was cast out on the East-side of the garden where he placed himself Moses makes no more particular relation Cain is specified to have gone out of the presence of the Lord into the Land of Nod and there built him a City and named it after his sons name Henoch this was the first City and was seated some thing about Mount Libanus As the place so the time when it was found is uncertain but the common conjecture gives it to be about 2 or 3 hundred years after the Creation when the world was replenished as well it might be within that compass if we compare it to our known stories Abraham in 215 years had 600 thousand of his own stock in the blessed line besides women and children And in this number we omit his other seed of whom came twelve Princes Questionless after this proportion the people multiplied in the beginning and so for 1656 years forward and that must needs 〈◊〉 a large portion of the earth most likely those parts of Asia that lay nearest to their first seat For they wandred no farther than necessity of room compelled them 9 But now as man so the sin of man was grown to a height For this the wrath of God fell upon them in a flood that destroyed the whole earth saving eight persons Noah and his family who were commanded into an Ark built by Gods own direction and is held to have been the pattern for all Ships to all posterity 10 When the anger of the Lord was ceased and the waters abated after 150 days float the Ark rested upon the Mountains of Arrarat in Armenia They are supposed by most to be the same which Ptolomy calleth Montes Cordios about the degree in 75 Longitude and in Latitude 39. Master Cartwright a Traveller of our own Nation reports himself an eye-witness of many ancient and ruinous foundations there which the inhabitants have believed through all ages to be the work of those first people that for a long time durst not adventure into the lower Countries for fear of another flood 11 But God blessed the remnant which he had preserved and when he had given them the Rainbow for a sign of his mercy that he would no more break up the fountains of the great deep nor open the windows of heaven upon them to root out all flesh by degrees they descended from the hills Eastward and seated themselves upon a plain in the Land of Shinar This was the lower part of Mesopotamia which compassed Chaldea and Babylonia lying under the Mount Singara a hill neer the degrees of 77 in Longitude and of Latitude 36 and stands in the direct way from Arrarat or the Moutes Cordios towards Babyâ—on 12 There when their number increased and they forced still to seek new Colonies they were ambitious to leave a name behind them for posterity and therefore adventured upon a building whose top should reach Heaven and so indeed in did for it fetcht from thence Gods second vengeance He confounded their speech that they no longer understood one the other Thus they were broke off from their impious attempt and scattered upon all the earth about an hundred years after the Floud into seventy two several Nations as some have punctually numbred â—hem 13 Whether Noah himself were present or to what place he removed is uncertain He had yet two hundred and fifty years to live and is thought to have had his habitation in Phenicia North-ward from Palestine about the degree of 66 and 33. 14 His Sons Sem Ham and Iapheth possest their several Provinces of the World From Iapheth came the Isles of the Gentiles of which we are a part to him Europe is by most allotted Sem not guilty questionless of that proud enterprise rested himself in the land of Canaaâ— which he knew as it was revealed to Abraham should be given to his posterity Yet part of his issue the Sons of Iocktan were divided and lived remote toward the East To him was Asia But Cham by his fathers curse for discovering his nakedness roved to the utmost parts of the earth and peopled with his Progeny especially those Countries which are most toucht in Histories for Barbarism and Idolatry As indeed how could it otherwise be since himself had lost his father that should instruct him and therefore could deliver no precepts to his children but left every one to his own inventions And those that at the confusion spread where ever they came this diversity of Customs and Religions that possess the world at this day To him was Africa 15 America too doubtless had her portion in the division though not so soon or so immediate but seemed rather of later times to have received her people from the bordering parts of Asia and those are thought by most to have been first inhabited by Iocktan and his thirteen Sons the issue of Sem. It is â—aid in the Text they possest the East-part from Mesha to Sephar Iosophus takes the first for a Countrey and the second for a Mountain in India insomuch as that he strictly bounds out their possession from the River Cephew to Ieria which is now called the East or Portugal Indies Indeed many of those Eastern Regions are noted to bear the name as yet of Iocktans sons The Shabeans found as if they had Sheba to their Father And from Havilah is a Country in Ieria From Shaphira Iosephus derives Ophir both of especial fame for their plenty of Gold But it is Doctor Willets opinion that Ophir was rather the same Region in the West Indies which is now called Peru. To say truth we have little certainity of the first Inhabitants which were seated in America or the Parts of Asia near about her whether
upon that narrow space of ground betwixt Edenborough Frith and Dunbetton Bay maketh the Southern part a province unto the Roman Empire Afterwards Hadrian the Emperour seeing perhaps the Province too spacious to be well governed without great expence drew back these limits almost sourscore miles shorter even to the mouth of the River Tyne which he fortified with a wall of admirable work unto Carlâ—le where stood the Lands border while it was a Roman Province yet the conquering Saxons did spread again over those bounds and as seemeth enlarged their government to that first Tract as by this inscription in a Stone Cross standing upon a Bridge over the water of Frith appeareth I am a free Mark as Passengers may ken To Scots to Britains and to English men 10 But afterward William the Conquerour and Malcolm King of Scotland falling to an agreement for their limits arreared a Cross upon Stanemore where on the one side the portraiture and Armes of the King of England was sculptured and of the King of Scots on the other a piece whereof is yet remaining there near to the Spittle thence called the Rey-Cross there erected to be a Meare-stone to either Kingdome His successors also abolished the two partitions in the West whereby the Welsh became one Nation and Kingdome with the English It is also said that King Stephen to purchase friendship with the Scottish Nation gave unto their King the County of Cumberland who with it held both Westmorland and Northumberland but as Newbrigensis writeth he restored them to King Henry the second wisely considering his great power and right to those parts 11 The last known borders were from the Sulway in the West bay along the Cheviot hills unto the water of Tweed by Barwick in the East to maintain which on each part many Laws have been made and many inrodes robberies and fewdes practised all which by the hand of God is cut off and by the rightfull succession of King Iames our Soveraigne who hath broken down the partition of this great Island and made the extreames of two Kingdomes the very midst of his great united Empire KENT KENT CHAPTER III. KENT the first province appearing in the South of this Kingdom is bounded upon the North with the famous River Thamisis on the East with the German Ocean on the South with Sussex and the narrow Seas and upon the West with Sussex and Surrey The length thereof extending from Langley in the West unto Ramsgate Eastward in the Isle of Thanet is about 53 English miles From Rother in the South unto the Isle of Graine Northward the breadth is not much above 26 and the whole circumference about 160 miles 2 In form it somewhat resembleth the head of a Hammer or Battle-axe and lieth corner-wise into the Sea by Strabo Caesar Diodorus and Pâ—olomy called Cantium of Cant or Canton an Angle or Corner or of Caine a British word which signifieth Bushes or VVoods whereof that County in those former times was plentifully stored 3 The Air though not very clear because of the vapours arising from the Sea and Rivers that environ the same is both wholesome and temperate as seated nearest to the Equinoctial and the furthest from the North Pole not touched with cold as the other parts of the Land are 4 The soil towards the East is uneven rising into little hills the West more level and Woody in all places fruitful and in plenty equals any other of the Realm yea and in some things hath the best esteem as in broad cloths Fruits and feeding for Cattel Onely Mines except Iron are wanting all things else delivered with a prodigal heart and liberal hand 5 Sundry navigable Rivers are in Kent whereof Medway that divideth the shire in the midst is chief in whose bosome securely rideth his Majesties Navy Royal the walls of the Land and terrours of the Sea besides ten other of name and account that open with twenty Creeks and Havens for Ships arrivage into this Land four of them bearing the name of Cinque Ports are places oâ— great strength and priviledges which are Dover Sandwich Rumney and Winchelsey among which Dover with the Castle is accounted by Matthew Paris the Monk the lock and key to the whole Realm of England and by Iohn Rosse and Lidgate is said to be built by Iulius Caesar fatal only for the death of King Stephen and surrender of King Iohn therein happening 6 A conceit is that Goodwin Sands were sunk for the sins of himself and his sons Shelves indeed that dangerously lie on the North-east of this County and are much feared of all Navigators These formerly had been firm ground but by a sudden inundation of the Sea were swallowed up as at the same time a great part of Flanders and the Low Countries were and the like also at the same time befel in Scotland as Hector Boetius their Historiographer writeth A like accident hapned in the year 1586 the fourth day of August in this County at Mottingham a Town eight miles from London suddenly the ground began to sink and three great Elmes thereon growing were carried so deep into the bowels of the earth that no part of them could any more be seen the hole left in compass fourscore yards about and a line of fifty fathoms plummed into it doth find no bottom 7 The Kentish people in Caesars time were accounted the civillest among the Britains and as yet esteem themselves the freest Subjects of the English not conquered but compounded with by the Normans and herein glory that their King and Commons of all the Saxons were the first Christians converted in Anno 596 yea and long before that time also Kent received the Faith for it is recorded that Lucius the first Christian British King in this Island built a Church to the name and service of Christ within the Castle of Dover endowing it with the Toll of the same Haven 8 This County is enriched with two Cities and Bishops Sees strengthened with 27 Castles graced with 8 of His Majesties most Princely Houses traded with 24 Market-Towns and beautified with many stately and gorgeous buildings The chiefest Ciâ—y thereof the Motropolitane and Arch-bishops See is Canterbury buiâ—t as our British Historians report 900 years before the birth of â—hrist by Henry of Huntington called Caier-Kent wherein as M. Lambard saith was erected the first School of professed Arts and Sciences and the same a pattern unto Sigibert King of the East Angles for hiâ— foundation at Cambridge notwithstanding by the computation of time this Sigibert was slain by Penda King of Mercia thirty years before that Theodore the Grecian was Bishop of Canterbury who is said to be the erector of that Academy But certain it is that Austin the Monk had made this City famous before that time by the conversion of these Saxons unto Christianiâ—y and in building a most magnificent Church to Gods service wherein eight of their Kings have been interred but all their Monuments
which last was built with great cost by Richaâ—d Earl of Cornwall King of the Romans wherein himself and his Dutchesse was interred Their Son Earl Edmund brought out of Germany the bloud of Hales supposed and said to be part of that whicâ— Christ shed upon his Cross. In this place with great confluence and devotions of Pilgrimage it was sought and worshiped till time proved it a meer counterfeit when the glorious light of the Gospel revealed to eye-sight such gross Idolatries and the skirts of Superstition were were turned up to the shew of her ownâ—shame 12 Dukes and Earls that have born the title of Glocester the first of every Family are by their Arms and Names expressed ever fatal to their Dukes though the greatest in bloud and birth The first was Thomas VVoodstock son to King Edward the third who in Callis was â—mothered in a Feather-bed to death The second was Humfrey brother to King Henry the fifth by the fraudulent practice of the malignant Cardinal and Queen made away at S. Edmundsbury And the last was Richard brother to King Edward the fourth who by the just hand of God was cut off in battle by King Henry the Second 13 This Shires division is principally into four parts subdivided into thirty Hundreds and thâ—m again into two hundred and eight Parish-Churcâ—es Hereford SHIRE HEREFORD-SHIRE CHAPTER XXIV HEREFORD-SHIRE formerly accounted within the limits of Wales lyeth circulated upon the North with Worcester and Shrop-shires upon the East with Malvern Hills is parted from Glocester-shire upon the South is kept in with Monmouth-shire and upon the West in part with the Haiterall Hills is divided from Brecknock and the rest confined with Radnor-shire 2 This Counties climate is most healthful and temperate and Soyl so fertile for Corn and Cattle that no place in England yieldeth more or better conditioned sweet Rivers ruâ—ning as veins in the body do make the Corn-bearing grounds in some of her parts rightly to be termed the Golden Vale and for Waters Wool and Wheat doth contend with Nilus Colchos and Egypt such are Leâ—ster Irchenfield the banks of Wye Luge and Frome 3 The ancient people known to the Romans whose power they well felt before they could subdue them were the Silures placed by Ptolomy in this Tract and branched further into Radnor Breckâ—ock Monmouth and Glamorgan shires at this day by us called Southâ—wales and by the Welsh Deheubarth Their Original as Tacitus conjectureth by their site coloured countenances and curled hair was out of Spain and both as he and Pliny describes them were fierce valiant and impatient of servitude which well they shewed under Caratacus their Captain and nine years scourge to the Roman assaulters for whose only conquest and that made by treachery the Victor in Rome triumphed with more than a usual Aspect and with so equal an hand bare the Scoale of Resistance that their own Writers evermore term it a dangeâ—ous War For the Legion of Marius Valence they put to â—light and that with such havock of the Associates that Asterius the Lievtenant of Britain for very grief gave up the ghost and Veranius under Nero assaulted them in vain But when Vâ—spasian was Emperour and expert Souldiers imployed in every Province Iulius Frontinus subdued these Silures unto the Romans where continually some of their Legions afterward kept till all was abandoned in Valentinians â—ime 4 The Saxons then made themselves Lords of this Land and this Province a part of their Mercians Kingdom yea and Sutton the Court of great Offa their King 5 But Hereford after raised of the ruines of the old Ariconium now Kencâ—ester shaken in pieces by a violent earthquake grew to great fame thorow a conceived sanctity by the burial of Etâ—elbert King of the East-Angles slain at Sutton by Offa at what time he came thither to have espoused his Daughter whose grave was first made at Merden but afterwards câ—nonized and removed to this City when in honour of him was built the Cathedral Church by Milfrid a petty King of that County which Gruffith Prince of South-Wales and Algar an Englishâ—â—an rebelling against Edward Confessor consumed with fire but by Bishop Remelâ—n was restored as now it is at what time the Town was walled and iâ— so remaining in good repair having six gates for entrance and fifteen Watch-Towers for defence extending in compass to fifteen hundred paces and whence the North Pole is observed to be raised 52 degrees 27 minutes in Latitude and is set from the first point of the West in Longitude 17 degrees and 30 minutes being yearly governed by a Mayor chosen out of one and thirty Citizens which are commonly called the Election and he ever after is known for an Alderman and clothed in Scarlet whereof four of the eldest are Iustices of Peace graced with a Sword-bearer a Recorder a Town-Clerk and four Sergeants with Mace The greatest glory that this City received was in King Athelstans days where as Malmesbury doth report he caused the Lords of â—ales by way of Tribute to pay yearly besides Hawkes and Hounds twenty pound of Gold and three hundred pound of Silver by weight but how that was performed and continued I find not 6 Things of rare note in this Shire are said to be Bone-well a Spring not faâ— from Richards Castle wherein are continually found little Fishes bones but not a â—in seen and being wholly cleansed thereof will notwithstanding have again the like whether naturally produced or in veins thither brought no man knoweth 7 But more admirable was the work of the Omnipotent even in our own remembrances and year of Christ â—esus 1571 when the Marcley Hill in the East of this Shire rouzed it self out of a dead sleep with a roaring noise removed from the place where it stood and for three days together travelled from her first â—ite to the great amazement and fear of the beholders It began to journey upon the seventh day of February being sunday at six of the Clock at night and by seven in the next morning had gone forty paces carrying with it Sheep in their coats hedge-rows and trees whereof some were overturned and some that stood upon the plain are firmly growing upon the hill those that were East were turned West and those in the West were set in the East in which remove it overthrew â—â—â—â—aston-Chappel and turned two high-ways near an hundred yards from their usual paths formerly trod The ground thus travelling was about twenty six Acres which opening it self with Rocks and all bare the earth before it for four hundred yards space without any stay leaving that which was Pasturage in place of the Tillage and the Tillage overspread with Paâ—turage Lastly overwhelming her lower parts mounted to an hill of twelve fathoms high and there rested her self after three days travel remaining his mark that so laid hand upon this Rock whose power â—ath poysed the Hills in his Ballance 8 Religious Houses built by the devotions of Princes and
supposed to have been buried might beget much wondeâ— and admiration but that Lazius confirmeth that in ancient times they had custom to preserve light in Sepulâ—hres by an artificial resolving of Gold into a liquid and fatty substance which should continue burning a long time and for many ages together 12 This York-shire Picture I will draw to no more length lest I be condemned with the Sophister for insisting in the praise of Hercules when no man opposed himself in his discommendation This Country of it self is so beautiful in her own natural colours that without much help she presents delightful varieties both to the sight and other senses The Bishipprick oF DURHAM The BISHOPRICK of DURHAM CHAPTER XXXIX THe Bishoprick of Durham containeth those parts and Town-ships that lie betwixt the River Tees and Derwent and all along the German Seas It is neighboured on the North with Northumberland and their Iurisdictions parted by the River Derwent her West is touched by Cumberland Westmorland and from Stain-More divided by the River Tees and by the same water on her South from York-shire even unto the Sea and the East is altogether coasted by the German-Seas 2 The form thereof is triangular and sides not much differing for from her South-East unto the West-point are about thirty miles from thence to her North-east and Tyne-mouth are likewise as many and her base along the Sea shore are twenty-three miles the whole in circumference about one hundred and three miles 3 The Air is sharp and very piercing and would be more were it not that the vapours from the German-Seas did help much to dissolve her Ice and Snow and the store of Coals therein growing and gotten do warm the body and keep back the cold which fewel besides their own use doth yield great commodities unto this Province by trade thereof into other parts 4 For Soil it consisteth much alike of Pastures Arable and barren grounds the East is the richest and most champion the South more moorish but well inhabited her West all rocky without either Grass or Grain notwithstanding recompenceth her possessâ—rs with as great gain both in rearing up Cattel and bringing forth Coal whereof all this County is plentifully stored and groweth so near to the upper face of the earth that in the trod-ways the Cart-wheels do turn up the same Some hold their substance to be a clammy kind of clay hardned with heat abounding in the earth and so becoming concocted is nothing else but Bitumen for proof whereof these Coals have both the like smell and operation of Bitumen for being sprinkled with water they burn more vehemently buâ— with oyl are quite extinguished and put out 5 The ancient Inhabitants known unto Ptolomy were the Brigantes of whom we have spoken in the General of York-shire they being subdued by the Romans after whom the Saxons made it a part of their Northumberland Kingdom at first a Province belonging to the Deirians and enjoyed by Ella their first King afterwards invaded by the Danes and lastly possessed by the Normans whose site being so near unto Scotland hath many times felt their fury and hath been as a Buckler betwixt them and the English for which cause the Inhabitants have certain freedoms and are not charged with service as other Counties are so that this with Westmorland Cumberland and Northumberland are not divided into hundreds in those Parliament Rolls whence I had the rest which want I must leave for others to supply 6 Over this County the Bishops thereof have had the Royalties of Princes and the Inhabitants have pleaded priviledge not to pass in service of War over the River of Tees or Tyne whose charge as they have alledged was to keep and defend the Corps of S. Cuthbert their great adored Saint and therefore they termed themselves The holy work folks And the repute of this Cuthbert and his supposed defence against the Scots was such that our English Kings in great devotion have gone in Pilgrimage to visite his Tomb and have given many large possessions to his Church such were King Egfred Aelfred and Guthrun the Dane Edward and Athelstane Monarch of England and zealous Canuâ—e the greatest of all who came thither bare-footed and at Cuthberts Tomb both augmented and confirmed their Liberties This Saint then of nothing made Durham become great and William the Conquerour of a Bishoprick made it a County Palatine at that time William Cereceph Bishop of the Diocess pulled down the old Church which Aldwin had built and with sumptuous cost laid the foundation of a new wherein S. Cuthberts Shrine in the vacancy of the Bishops was the Keepâ—er of the Castle-Keys In the West of this Church and place called Gallile the Marble-Tomb of venerable Beda remaineth who was born at Iarrâ— in this County and became a Monk at Weremouth whose painful industrie and light of learning in those times of darkness are wonderful as the Volums which he wrote do well declare And had the idle Monks of England imployed their time after his example their Founders expectations had not been frustrate nor those Foundations so easily overturned But the revenge of sin ever following the actions of sins dissolved first the largeness of this Counties liberties under the Raign of King Edward the First and since hath shaken to pieces those places herein erected under the Raign of King Henry â—he Eight such were Durham Sherborne Stayndrop Iarro Weremouth and Egleton all which felt the reward of their idleness and wrath of him that is jealous of his own honour 7 Things of rare note observed in this Shire are three pits of a wonderful depth commonly called the Hell-Kettles which are adjoyning neer unto Darlington whose waters are somewhat warm These are thought to come of an Earth-quake which happened in the year of Grace 1179 whereof the 〈◊〉 of Tiâ—-mouth maketh mention whose record is this On Christmass-day at Oxenhall in the Territory of Darlington within the Bishoprick of Durham the ground heaved up aloft like unto an high Tower and so continued all that day as it were unmoveable until the evening and then fell with so horrible a noise that it made all the neighbour dwellers sore afraid and the earth swallowed it up and made in the same place a deep pit which is there to be seen for a testimony unto this day 8 Of no less admiration are certain Stones lying within the River Were at Butterbee 〈◊〉 Durham from whose sides at the Ebb and low Water in the Summer issueth a certain salt 〈◊〉 water which with the Sun waxeth white and growing into a thick substance becometh a necessary Salt to the use of the by-dwellers 9 And places of elder times had in account by the Romans were Benovium now Biâ—chester and Condercum Chester in the street where their monies have been digged up and at Condercum so much that Egelrick Bishop of Durham was therewith made exceeding rich This County hath been strengthened with seven strong Castles is yet traded
Town is managed by two Aldermen and two Bailiffs who are yearly elected out of twenty five Burgesses that are their assistants It hath no Recorder one Town-Clerk and two Sergeants at Mace and by observation of the Mathematicks the Pole is elevated in the degree of Latiâ—ude 53 and 49 sâ—ruples and from she first point in Longitude 16 and 45. 8 This County with them of Flint and Carnarven-shires are not divided by pricks into their several hundreds according to the rest of this work the want of their particulars in the Parliament Roles so causing it which for the good of these three Shires I earnestly sought to have supplied from the Nomina Villarum in their Sheriffs Books and had promise of them that might easily have procured the same But whether a fearless jealousie possessed their spirits lest the riches of these Shires by revealing such particulars should be further sought into I cannot say yet this I have observed in all my Survey that where least is to be had the greatest fears are possâ—ssed Take these Shires therefore to be done as I could and not as I would that wish both the wealth of them all and their esteem to be of better regard by those that may do them good 6 This Shire then is divided into twelve Hundreds for the readier ordering of businesses necessary to the State of the Country wherein are placed three Market-Towns â—it for buying and selling and other negotiations It hath five Castles to defend her self and to offend her enemies and fifty seven Parishes for Gods Divine Service and Worship FLINT-SHIRE CHAPTER XII FLINT-SHIRE stretching out in length broad at one end and narrow at another is not much unlike in fashion to a Wedge a piece of which is cut off by the meetiâ—g of Cheshire and Denbighshire South-East in distance some four miles It borders East-ward with part of Cheshire from whence it is guarded in length with the River Dee unto the North which parteth Worrall and Flint-shire till you come to a little Island called Hellebree Northward it is bounded with the Virginian-Sea on the West a little River called Cluyd parteth her and Denbighshire asunder and on the South altogether by Shrop-shire 2 This Country is nothing mountainous as other parts of Wales are but rising gently all along the River Dee makes a fair shew and prospect of her self to every eye that beholds her as well upon the River being in most places thereabouts four or five miles broad as upon the other side thereof being a part of Cheshire 3 The Air is healthful and temperate without any foggy clouds or fenny vapours saving that sometimes there ariseth from the Sea and the River Dee certain thick and smoaky seeming Misâ—â— which nevertheless are not found hurtful to the Inhabitants who in this part live long and healthfully 4 The Clime is somewhat colder there than in Cheshire by reason of the Sea and the River that engiâ—ts the better part of her by which the Northern-winds being long carried upon the Waters blow the more cold and that side of the Country upward that lieth shoring unto the top having neiâ—her shelter nor defence receiveth them in their still power and is naturally a Bulwark from their violence unto her bordering Neighbours that maketh the Snow to lie much longer there than on the other side of the River 5 The Soil bringeth forth plenty both of Corn and Grass as also great store of Cattel but they be little To supply which defect they have more by much in their numbers than in other places where they be bigger Great store of Fish they take in the River of Dee but little from the Sea by reason they have no Havens or Creeks for Boats No great store of Woods either there or in any other part of Wales are found it having been a general plague unto all the Country ever since the head-strong Rebellions of their Princes and great Men against the Kings of England that in time took away the principal helps of their Innovations by cutting down their Woods whereof in this Shire there hath heretofore been great plenty Fruits are scarce but Milk Butter and Cheese plenty as also store of Honey of the which they make a pleasant Wine in colour like in taste not much unlike unto Muskadine which they call Metheglin Yea and in the days of Giraldus Cambrensis near the place now called Holy-Well was a rich Mine of Silver in seeking after which men pierced and pried into the very bowels of the earth 6 The ancient Inhabitants of this Country were the Ordovices a sturdy People against the Romans but now most kind and gentle towards the English and indeed make much of all Srangers except they be crossed and then they are the contrary 7 Places of defence are the Castles of Flint Hawarden vulgarly Harden Treer Rudland Mold Yowley and Hope of which Flint and Harden are the two principal The Castle of Flint famous for the benefit it received from two Kings and for the refuge and relief it gave unto the third It was founded by Henry the Second finished by Edward the First and long after gave harbour and entertainment to that noble but unfortunate Prince Richard the Second coming out of Ireland being within her Walls a free and absolute King but no sooner without but taken Prisoner by Henry Bullingbroke Duke of Lancaster losing at that time his liberty and not long after his life This standeth in the graduation of Latitude 53 55 minutes in Longitude 17. For the Castle of Hawarden no Record remains of the first Founder but that it was held a long time by the Stewards of the Earls of Chester Howbeit their resistances did not so genearally consist in the strength of their Castles and Fortifications as in their Mountains and Hills which in times of danger served as natural Bulwarks and Defences unto them against the force of Enemies As was that which standeth in a certain strait set about with Woods near unto the River Alen called Coles-hull that is Coles-hill where the English by reason of their disordered multitude not ranged in good array lost the Field and were defeated when King Henry the Second had made as great preparation as might be to give Battel unto the Welsh and the very Kings Standard was forsaken by Henry of Essex who was Standard-Bearer to the Kings of England in right of inheritance 8 This Country hath many shallow Rivers in it but none of fame and note but d ee and Cluyde Howbeit there is a Spring not far from Rudland Castle of great report and antiquity which is termed Fons Sacer in English Holy-Well and is also commonly called S. Winefrids-Well of whom antiquity thus reporteth That Winefrid a Christian Virgin very fair and vertuous was doated upon by a young lustful Prince or Lord of the Country who not long able to rule his head-strong affections having many times in vain attempted and tried her chastity both by rich gifts
88 France 98 Belgia 109 Spain 120 Italy 131 Hungary 142 Denmark 151 Poland 161 Persia 175 Turkish Empire 180 Kingdom of China 189 Tartaria 198 LONDON Printed by W. G. 1675. A NEW AND ACCVRAT MAP OF THE WORLD Drawne according to y e truest Descriptions latest Discoveries Pe. Kaerius Caelavit 1646. The General Description of the WORLD HEaven was too long a reach for Man to recover at one step And therefore God first placed him upon the earth that he might for a time contemplate upon his inferiour works magnifie in them his Creator and receive here a hope of a fuller bliss which by degrees he should at last enjoy in his place of rest For this end was the lower World created in the beginning out of a rude Mass which before had no Form And that it might be made habitable the Lord separated the dry Land from the Waters upon the third day Yet so as still they make but one Globe whose center is the same with the middle World and is the Point and Rest as it were of all heavy Bodies which naturally apply themselves to it and there are supported by their own weight and equal poise 2 It hath seemed incredible to such as measure the Wonders of God by Mans Wisdom that this mâ—ssie part of the World should subsist by it self not boâ—n up by any outward Prop encompast only with 〈◊〉 and fleetingAir such as can neither help to sustain nor râ—sist the fall couâ—d the earth be moved from her duce place But the wonder will ceâ—â—e if we remember that the Lord sitteth upon the circle of the earth Isa. 40. He set it upon her foundations so that it shall never move He covered it with the Deep as much a Garment The Waters would stand above the Mountains but at his rebuke they fled Yet he set them a bound which they should not pass 3 Thus ordered by Divine Providence the Earth and Sea composed themselves into a Spherical Figure as is here described And is caused by the proper inclination of each part which being heavy falls from everâ— point of the Circumference and claps about the center there settles as near as it may towards his place of rest We may illustrate both the figure and situation by a familiar similitude to an ingenious apprehension Suppose we a knot to be knit in the midst of a cord that hath many ends and those to be delivered to sundry men of equal strength to be drawn several ways round from every part above and below and on each side questionless whilest every man draws in the boes of the knot it must needs become round and whilest they continue to pluck with equal strength it must rest immoveable in the middle betwixt them since every strength that would destory hath a strength equal to resist it So it is in the bosom of the earth where every part meets upon equal priviledge of naâ—ure nor can any press farther than the center to destroy this compacted figure for it must meet there with a body that will oppose it Or if not yet could it not pass since every motion from the middle were to ascend which Nature will not permit in a body of weight as the earth is 4 Now though in a Sphere every cross line which way soever drawn if it run through the middle must needs be of equal quantity and therefore admits no difference of length or bredth yet the Geographers for their purpose have conceived and but conceived a Longitude and Latitude upon the earth The Longitude they reckon from the first Meridian in the Azores and so Eastward round number the degrees upon the Aequator The Latitude from the Aequator to each Pole and number the degrees upon the outward Meridional circle This inkling may suffice to instruct the ignorant in the search of any place that shall be hereafter mentioned in my Discourse 5 The compass of the whole is cast by our latest and most learned to be 21600 English miles which though none ever yet so paced as to measure them by the foot yet let not the ignorant reject this account since the rule by which they are led cannot fail For we see by continual experience that the Sun for every degree in the Heavens gains 60 miles upon the earth towards his circuit round and after 360 degrees returneth to the same point in respect of us as before it was Repeat the number of sixty so oft and you will find the account just And so by proportion of the circumference to the Diameter which is triplâ— sâ—squi septimâ— the same which 22 hath to 7 we may judge likewise of the earths thickness to the Center The whole Diameter must by rule be somewhat lesser than a third part of the circuit that in proportion to 21600 will be 6872 half the number will reachâ— the middle of the world and that is 3436. In this report both of the quantity and form of the earth we must not require such exactness as cannot vary a hairs bredth for we see the mountains of the earth and oftentimes the waves of the Sea make the superficies unequal It will be sufficient if there be no difference sensible to be reckoned in so great a bulk for let us rudely hew a ball out of rough stone still it is a ball though not so smooth as one of Crystal Or suffer a mote to fall upon a Sphere of glass it changeth not its figure far less are the mountains which we see in respect of the whole lump For other rules or terms Geographical I refer them to a peculiar tract that will afford me more room and time 6 When the Earth and Sea were thus prepared with a due figure a just quantity and convenient â—eat both in respect of the Heavens and themselves Nature began at command of the most High to use her Art and to make it a fit dwelling place for the Image of God for so was man created and so indeed was the Earth no other than the picture of Heaven The ground brought forth her plants and fruits the Skies were filled with the Fowl of the Air the waters yielded their fish and the fields their Cattel No sooner his house was thus finish't but man enters upon his possession the sixth day And that shall be our tract to find out the worlds first Inhabitants where it was peopled in the beginning and how it was over-spread with Countries and Nations as now it is 7 In the first Age there was little need of skill to measure the whole Earth A garden plot might suffice and so for a time it did It was planted in Edâ—n But where that was I may not peremptorily determine nor indeed dare I be so curious in the search The hidden things belong to thâ— Lord the revealed to us Deut. 29. God himself in the beginning set a Cherubion and the blade of a sword shaken to keep the re-entry from our first parents and we may affirm hath
first Indostand this other Tame Tangis Mangi or Macys and lasâ—ly Sinarum regio China 2 This Kingdom then is the utmost bounds East ward of the whole Continent and therefore lies farthest remote from Christendome the Mistress of Arts and example of civility to all the other parts of the world yet do the Chinoisâ— much exceed us for ample Cities ingenious artificers and multitude of Inhabitants which methinks pleads fairly for her antiquity though I give not â—ull credit to those which settle here the sons of Iocktan much less to their own records which reckon two hundred threescore and two Kings in almost a continued succâ—sâ—â—on to this day and number from their first above four thousand years For to make this good they must either vary from us in their measure of times as we from the Germans in length of miles else we must commit a foul errour to look beyond the Floud for their original since that time it is not yet above three thousand nâ—ne hundred and twenty and surely I think they were not exempted from the general deluge no more than from the sins of the whole earth 3 But if this conjecture of different account be not approved the solecisme must rest for me upon their own ignorant vain-glory which in their stories transport them beyond probability upon hope perhaps that no other Nation could controul them for in those first ages they had liâ—â—le converse unless with men more barbarous than themselves such as could not deliver their acts to posterity and therefore being left wholly to their own relations good reason they thought they had to do themselves what honour they might though ignorance of the main truth makes them oft times to trespass upon Chronology and forge stories so unlikely that the whole may be justly suspected 4 Their first King they name Vitei and report him to have reigned an hundred years his successors went on without breach or conquest to their two hundred forty second Prince but were then for a while cut off by the Tartarians This change was fore-told to Fairfar the last China King of the first race and the Prophecy laid it upon one which should have an hundred eyes and so had Chisanbaan the Invader if you will allow his name to make up the miracle For the very word in their language signifies no other than an hundred eyes A poor cousenage of the Devil but served the turn first to dazle them with a strange Prophecy and then to keep up the credit in the performance with the simple Idolaters After nine Tartarian Princes it was again recovered to the state in which it now stands by the prowess of one Gombne their 250 King 5 This brief account of their beginning and progress is more than I can warrant for undoubted truth The most part was past e're they were a people known to the Europaeans for Ptolomy himself scarce reached so far toward the East or if it be the same with his Sinarum Regio which yet some doubt yet it seems he knew little more of it than the bare name we must be content to pass over many ages untoucht and break abruptly into our own times and stories which do afford us more certainty by the relation of later travellers some of our own Nation 6 It is now a vast Empire which contains in latitude almost forty degrees from the Tropick of Cancer to the fifty three towards the Pole Artick and thirty in longitude from the degree one hundred thirty to one hundred sixty the bounds on the West is Industan India intra Gangem on the East Mare Cin on the North the Empire of the great Chane severed from the Chinoyâ—e by high mountains continued with a wall of a thousand miles in length built by Tzanitzan their 117 King on the South the Kingdom of Chauchinchinae part of the other India intra Gangem 17 The Air here is temperate and the ground fruitful the mountains and wild fields breed incredible numbers of Cattel and the Woods wild Boars Foxes Hares Conies and other useful beasts which gives us flesh for our food and skins for our cloathing The tilled ground returns again plenty of Corn Wheat and Barley their higher Poulse and their lower Rice in great abundâ—nce their Gardens pleasant set with all sorts of Flowers whâ—ch may delight either the eye or scent no clod almost of earth there but hath its wealth for what yields not fruit is inrichâ— with Mines of Gold and Silver The chief River is Polysango both it and the rest give fish in great abundance and water fowl enough almost to feed a whole Nation Maginus reports it that ten or twelve thousand wâ—ld Ducks have been commonly spent in one day in the City Canton besides their own profit they advantage them much in their course of traffique to convey their Merchandise into several parts of the Empire to meet with their Chapmen from all quarters Their principal commodities are Silks and Sugars yet besides these they send forth Wooll Cotton Olives Metals Rhubarb Honey Pursâ—â—â—n dâ—shes Camphire Ginger Pepper c. Musk Salt great store whose Custome in only one Town of Canton amounts to the yearly value of 18000 Crowns To this happiness of soyl may be added the thrift and great industry of the Inhabitants who hold it a soul disgrace to be accounted idle and therefore make the most of what they have so that without doubt as they are infinitely populous so they are proportionably rich beyond any other Nation of the world 18 The Chinoyse is described with a broad face of a dusky colour crooked nose small and black eyes and very thin beard but long hair on the head if any be deformed for so they take it with a better feature they are as like to break a jest upon his handsome comely visage as a scoffer would upon their ill-fashioned countenance The better sort are clothed in long silk garments the ordinary people in linnen for they have not yet the Art well to weave woollen their women deck their heads with gold and precious Iewels seldome shew themselves abroad without great attendance of servants 9 The men in their several employments are infinitely laborious and ingenious it is very rare to see any of them in a strange Country nor will they easily admit a Stranger far into theirs unless he be first well tried for his honesty and good meaning toward their State they are addicted much to manual arts for they have excellent practick wits and indeed for that go beyond any other Nations Much quarrel hath been about the invention of Guns and Printing which several people have been ambitious to take to themselves as the master-piece of mans wit but without doubt they were both used here long before any of Europe pretended to the knowledge of either In their writings they make not their lines from the right hand to the leâ—t as the Hebrews nor from the left to the right as we do but from
Not to mention the several beasts birds and other animals that are common to this Countrey with the European Countreys in general or with other parts of America there is seen on the borders of New-York towards Canada a sort of beast which in its cloven feet and shaggy main resembles an Horse in its neck a Dear in its tail a wild-Hog having black eyes and an horn in the midst of the forehead Of this animal the males never keep company with the females except at time of copulation Toward the South are many Buffalo's a beast in shape between an Horse and a Stag like the last of which it hath branchy horns also a skin for thickness not easily penetrable the tail is short the hair varying colour each succeeding season the lips hanging the teeth small this beast though strong is subject to the Falling-sickness and dies of a small wound When hunted by the dogs it defends it self by vomiting out an hot scalding liquor upon them The chief Trade of this Countrey at present consists of Corn and Cattel though great plenty of Flax is also sowed at least sufficient for so much wearing cloath as serves for the use of the Inhabitants themselves who live in very happy plenty and quiet and very good amity and correspondence with the Indians especially ever since the arrival of Collonel Nichols who about eight years since upon the Patent granted of this Countrey by his Majesty to his Highness the Duke of York was sent over his Highness's Deputy Governor IAMAICA The Description of Iamaica THis is one of those Islands which by some are called the Antilles or Camercanâ—s the rest being Hispaniola Cuba Porto-rico and several others though there are by whom the Antilles are accounted the same with the Caribes But setting aside that dispute this is agreed on that it was one of the first discovered places of America by Christopher Columbus under whose conduct the Spaniards first planted themselves in the North-west part of the Isle and built Melila but soon removed to Oâ—istana and from thence afterwards to another more healthful place where they built a fair City by the name of St. Iago de la Vega and here they setled till the year 1655. In which the English failing of that grand exploit in which they were employed by Oliver Cromwel for the taking of St. Domingo in Hispaniola made their retreat hither and though but the remnants of a broken Army were yet strong enough to force their entrance Nor was this the first time for in the year 1596 the English under Sir Anthony Shirly took the Island putting the Spaniards to flight though either not able or not thinking it worth the while to keep it they soon quitted the place But this second seizure hath taken faster hold insomuch that what with the natural feâ—tility of the place and the great improvements that have been mâ—de of late it is become one of the richest of his Majesties Plantations and scarce inferior to any Colony in the West-Indies bâ—ing also become so well peopled so increased in Shipping and other advantages by the câ—ntnual supplies that have been sent from time to time as not to fear invasion from any Naval power that can be made either by the Spaniard or any other Prince Whereas the Spaniard not regarding the place equal to its valew and rather affecting Hispaniola especially in regard of the absolute Lordship and Proprietorship which the Dukes of Veragua Columbus the descendants of Christopher had over Iamaica had so slenderly peopled it that no wonder they were so easily dispossest as they were for though at first flying to the mountains they stood upon terms of treaty depending upon effectual Succours to be sent them yet those Succours not coming equal to expectation and those that came from Cuba and other parts 500 at one time and 30 small Companies at another being defeated by L. General Edw. Doyly the Negroes also abandoning their Masters in their declining condition and revolting to the prevailing Party they were forced at last to quit the Island and leave the English absolute Masters thereof And it is but just they should be for ever ejected out of a Possession which they had gained with so much cruelty for it is received for a general truth that at their first arrival here and in Poâ—to-Rico no less than 60000 of the native Inhabitants were in a few years destroyed by their inhumane tyranny whereby such an universal aversion was conceived against them that women oft-times chose rather to strangle children in the birth than bring them forth to that servitude and misery they were like to undergo under such a tyrannical Nation This Island of Iamaica being in form very near oval in length from East to West above 160 miles in bredth where broadest 170 in compass 450 lies almost eqâ—ally between the Equatâ—r and the Tropick of Cancer in the 17 and 18 degrees of Northern Latitude bearing South from Hispanigoa about 25 leagues South-east from Poâ—to-Rico about 160 leagues The Air of this Islana is much more temperate than in any of the Caribes and though more Southernly than Hispaniola and the rest of the Antilles yet not less mild by reason of the breezes or cool winds which blow Easternly from 9 in the morning till noon and Westernly from 8 a clock at night till the next morning as also the frequent showers and nightly dews the length of the day and night is pretty near an equality all the year long and Winter being only distinguished by somewhat more than usual rain and thunder and that chiefly in May and November The Soil is generally rich and fat consisting of a blackish earth mixt with clay in the North-parts and in the South-west parts more red and loose but generally in all parts so productive that the Woods and Havanas or Pasture-Meadows discover a continual verdure The Cocao is so principal a commodity here that the culture and management thereof is one of the great employments of the Countrey and sets a great number of people on work there being already above 60 Cocao-walk's brought to perfection besides what in some places are growing up and in others newly planted It abounds also with many other rich Plants precious Drugs aromatick Spices and delicious Fruits as Fustick Redwood Loggwood Mothogeny Bâ—asilletto Guaiacum Ebony Granadilla Ginger Cod-Pepper Piement or Iamaica Pepper China Sarsaparilla Tamarinds Vinillos Achiots or Anetto Contrayerva Cyperas Assole Pie Adjuntum Nigrâ—m Cucumis Agrestis Sumach and Acacia Pomegranats Oranges Limes Gâ—avars Mammes Alumeâ—-Supotas Avocatas Suppotillias Caâ—hues Prickle-apples Dildows Sower-sops besides several others whose names are not known Of the Beasts Birds and Fishes of this Countrey there are only mentioned such as are frequent and familiarly known among us only some noxious creatures there are which are common to this place with some of the Caribbe Isles and other places of America as the Manchonele in form somewhat like a Crab the Guiana a kind