into the Thames on the West 't is bounded by Wiltshire and on the East by Surrey On the West part it hath plenty of Command Fruit but on the East part where it consineth with Surrey the Soil is very barren and unfruitful 1. Farendon a Town seated on a rising ground famous for a Market kept there but in times past for a certain Fort which Robert Earl of Glocester Built and defended against King Stephen who having won it by many bloody Assaults levelled it to the ground so that now it is not to be seen 2. Abington a Populous Town pleasantly seated on the plain of an Hill since the Year 1416. in which King Henry the Vth Built a Bridge over the River and turned the Kings high-way hither to make a shorter passage it began to be so frequented that it is now the chief Town of the whole Shire it is famous for its great Trade in Malt. 3. Wallingford in old time it was compass'd about with Walls it had a very large Castle situate upon the River which was thought to be invincible it was oftentimes Besieged by King Stephen but all in vain This Town was so dispeopled by reason of a grievous Pestilence which happened in the Year 1348 that whereas before it was well Inhabited and had Twelve Churches it can shew now no more than One or Two 4. Newbury a famous Town raised out of the Ruins of Spine which was formerly a place of great repute it is situated in a champion plain being watered throughout with the River Kenet 't is well Inhabited and is very remarkable for its Trade in Clothing 5. Reading a Town famous for fair Streets well built Houses as also for the Riches of the Townsmen and for their Name in making Cloth it hath lost the greatest Ornaments it had viz. a beautiful Church and a most ancient Castle which was razed by King Henry the IId because it was a Refuge for King Stephen's followers 6. Maidenhead a large spacious Town fill'd with good Inns for the reception of Strangers it is well frequented 7. Windsor-Castle 't is situated on an Hill that riseth with a gentle Ascent and enjoyeth a most delightful Prospect round about on the front it overlooketh a spacious Vale behind it arise Hills every where neither rough nor high so that 't is dedicated as one would say to Hunting-Game it was Built by King Henry the Ist An. 1100. and enlarg'd by King Edward the IIId who was Born here 't is in bigness equal to a pretty City Fortified with Ditches and Bulwarks made of Stone in this place King Edward the IIId Instituted the Noble Order of the Garter to increase Virtue and Valour in the Hearts of his Nobility or as some report in honour of the Countess of Salisbury of which Lady the King had formerly been Enamour'd The Garter was given to it in Testimony of that Love and affection wherewith the Knights of it were bound one to another and all of them jointly to the King as Sovereign there are of it Twenty six Knights of which the King of England is always Chief the Ensign is a Blew Garter Buckled on the Left Leg on which these words are Embroider'd Honi Soit qui mal y Pense about their Necks they wear a Blew Ribbond at the end of which hangeth the Image of St. George upon whose Day the Installations of the new Knights are commonly Celebrated THese Regions which I have hitherto Describ'd viz. of the Danmonii Durotriges Belgae Attrebatii when the Saxons Rul'd in Brittain fell to the Kingdom of the West-Saxons who under the Command of their King Egbert United the English Heptarchy into a Monarchy which afterwards through the Cowardise of their Kings soon vanished For after this the Danes brake in upon the Northumbers and though often Vanquished yet being as often Victorious they at last seiz'd on the Monarchy of England which was sometime held by the Danes sometimes by the Saxons till William Duke of Normandy took it from Harold and established the Monarchy which hath ever since continued in a Succession of Twenty eight Princes down to our Gracious Sovereign King William REGNI NEXT unto the Attrebatii Eastward those Regions which we commonly term Surrey Sussex with the Sea-Coast of Hampshire were Inhabited by the Regni Surrey IN Latin Surria is bounded on the West by Barkshire and Hampshire on the South by Sussex on the East by Kent on the North 't is Water'd by the River Thames and by it divided from Middlesex It is a plain and Champion Country yielding Corn and Forage in abundance especially towards the South The Principal Towns are these 1. Farnham a Market-Town so named from the great quantity of Fern growing near it near this place Hâ—nry of 〈◊〉 erected a noble Castle which being afterwards demolished by Henry the IIId was again rebuilt by the Bishops of Winchester 2. Guildford a Market-Town well frequented full of fair Inns in old time it was a Royal Mansion of the English Saxon Kings 3. Kingston a Market-Town well Inhabited famous in old time by reason of a Castle therein belonging to the Clares Earls of Glocester it took its name from a little Town which stood near it in which when England was almost ruined by the Danish Wars Athelstan Edwin and Etheldred were Crowned Kings in the Market-place 4. Richmond a Town very beautiful and glorious in respect of its Buildings famous for the Death of several Kings but in particular of that most Mighty Prince King Edward the IIId Here also Died Ann Wife to King Richard the IId Daughter to the Emperor Charles the IVth who first taught English Women the manner of sitting on Horseback which is now in use whereas before they rode very unseemly astride as Men do Memorable it is likewise for that King Henry the VIIth and Queen Elizabeth of glorious Memory yielded unto Nature in this place 5. Croidon a Market-Town well frequented whose Inhabitants gain to themselves great advantages by selling of Char-Coal 6. Lambeth a Town famous in former times for the Death of Canutus the Hardy King of England who there Revelling with his Lords amidst his Cups yielded up his Breath but at this time 't is much frequented by reason of the Archbishop of Canterbury's Palace which is in this place 7. Southwark the most famous Market-Town and place of Trade in all this Shire 't is so large and populous that it gives place to few Cities in England in the Reign of King Edward the VIth it was annexed to the City of London and is at this day reckoned as a part of it Sussex IN Latin Sussexia is bounded on the West by Hampshire on the North by Surrey and part of Kent on the East by Kent on the South it lieth upon the Brittish Ocean on the Sea-Coast it hath many green Hills of an exceeding heighth called the Downs which standing on a Chalky sort of Mould yield great plenty of Corn the middle part of it is
sinibus illis Agricola incurvo terram molitus aratro Exesa inveniet Scabrâ rubigine pila Aut gravibus rassris galeas pulsabit manes Grandiaque essossis mirabitus ossa Sepulchris 4. Colchester a proper fair Town pleasantly seated it is Wall'd about and Beautified with 15 Churches the ancient Coins daily dug out here do shew that it flourished in the time of the Romans The Trade of the Inhabitants consists chiefly in making of Cloth and Bays with other sort of Stuff 5. Harwich a Port-Town not very great but well Peopled Fortified both by Art and Nature 't is Memorable for a Battle at Sea fought between the English and Danes An. Christ 884. 6. Saffron-Walden a fair Market-Town famous for the great Quantity of Saffron which grows there which Commodity was at first brought into England in the Reign of Edward the IIId Suffolk Iceni SUffolcia hath on the West Cambridge on the South the Stour divideth it from Essex on the East it hath the German Sea and on the North Norfolk The Air of this place is thought by some Physicians to be the very best in the whole Island the Soil is fruitful and replenished with all things The Principal Towns are these 1. Bury a very fair beautiful Town remarkable for an Abbey Built by Canutus to Expiate the Sacrilegious Impiety of his Father Suenus against this Church it appears still beautiful even in its very Ruins Near this place was fought a great Battel between Robert Bossu Earl of Leicester and King Henry the IId the Victory falling to the King's Party A. C. 1173. 2. Sudbury formerly the chief Town of this Shire 't is Populous and Wealthy the Inhabitants making great advantages by Clothing 3. Ipswich the principal Town of this Shire well Peopled beautiful in its Buildings has 14 Churches and a very commodious Haven 't is fenc'd with a Rampier it was Sack'd by the Danes An. 991. and again in the Year 1000 yet it perfectly recovered its former Beauty and was the finest Town in England had a very noble Harbour which was most convenient for the Northern and Eastern parts of the World in this state it continued till through the severe Injunctions of Bishop Laud in the Reign of King Charles the First concerning matters in Religion several Thousands of Families were frighted out of Norfolk and Suffolk into new-New-England Norfolk NOrfolcia it is bounded on the East and North by the German Ocean on the West the Ouse divideth it from Cambridge on the South it confineth upon Suffolk The Air is sharp and piercing especially in the Champion and near the Sea upon which account the Spring and Harvest is not so soon here as in other Countries 't is a Champion Country large and spacious abounding with Rivers pleasant Springs good Corn and Pasture The Principal Towns are these 1. Thetford a large Market-Town but thinly Inhabited in times past it was very Populous and besides other tokens of Antiquity it hath still to be seen a great Mount fenc'd with a double Rampier and Fortified in ancient times with Walls it was formerly the Seat of the Kings of the East-Angles and known to the Romans by the Name of Sitomagus 2. Norwich a famous City pleasantly situated on the River Yare which runs thence to Yarmouth lying out in length from South to North a Mile and an half and in breadth about half so much it drawing in it self by little and little at the South end in manner of a Cone in that Circuit it comprehendeth about Thirty Parishes well Walled about with many Turrets and Twelve Gates but it hath in it much waste ground the City suffering great loss both in Wealth and Buildings by Ket's Rebellion in the time of King Edward the Sixth it hath recovered its first blow by the Dutch Manufactures but of the last it still languisheth though at this present it glories in the Beauties of a fair Cathedral the Three Palaces of the Bishops the Dukes of Norfolk and the Earls of Surrey and the ruins of an ancient Castle of the Saxons Building 3. Yarmouth a Port-Town having a very convenient Haven 't is beautifully Built and strongly fenc'd both by Art and Nature 't is almost encompassed with Water on the West side with a River that hath a Draw-bridge over it on the other parts with the Ocean unless Northward where it is firm Land it is defended by a strong Wall which together with the River make a square Form of Four sides somewhat long upon the Wall towards the East a great Mount is cast up on which are planted several pieces of Ordinance 4. Lynn a large Town encompass'd with a deep Trench and Walls for the most part 't is divided by Two small Rivers which have Fifteen Bridges over them 't is of no great Antiquity yet by reason of its Havens Buildings and Merchants 't is the Second Principal Town of this Shire Cambridgeshire CAntabrigia on the East it lieth on Norfolk and Suffolk on the South on Essex and Hertfordshire on the West on Bedford and Huntingtonshire 't is divided into two parts by the River Ouse or Cam. This Province is not so large as some others nor the Air so temperate and pleasant it being infected by the Fens the North part is for the most part Fenny and surcharg'd with Waters but the South is Champion yielding Corn in abundance The Principal Towns are these 1. Cambridge a Town particularly famous for its University which as it is reported was first begun and Founded by Cantaber a Spaniard 375 Years ante Christum as also that Sigebert or Sebert King of the East-Angles restor'd it again An. Dom. 630. Being drstroyed afterwards by the Danes it was for a long time of no account until it reviv'd under the Normans Government at this day it hath Sixteen stately Colleges and Halls which for Buildings Beauty Endowments and Number of Students are so replenished that Oxford excepted the like is hardly to be found in Europe 2. Ely a City not so great as ancient situate in the Isle so nam'd occasioned by the divided Streams of Ner and Ouse with the overflowings of other Rivers turning a great part of this Tract into Fenns and Marshes remarkable for little else but its Cathedral which was erected An. Dom. 1110. in the 10th Year of King Henry the First Huntingtonshire IN Latin Huntingtonia is bounded on the South by Bedfordshire on the West and North by Northamptonshire and on the East by Cambridgeshire The Soil is fruitful yielding Corn in great abundance towards the East where it is Fenny it is very rich and plentiful for the Feeding of Cattel in all the other parts 't is extreamly pleasant on the account of the Woods and Groves with which it aboundeth The Principal Towns are these 1. St. Neets a Market Town so named of one Neutus a Learned and Holy Man who Travelled all his Life-time in Propagating Christianity his Body was translated from Neotstock in Cornwall to this place 2.
Huntington the principal Town of all this Country 't is seated on the River Ouse somewhat high stretching its self out in length Northward it is adorn'd with Four Churches and by the River near unto the Bridge the Mount and Plot of an ancient Castle is yet to be seen 3. Godmanchester a very great ancient Country Town situate in an open ground of a light Mould and bending to the Sun 't is reported in former times that the Inhabitants received King James the First in his Progress this way with a Hundred and eighty Plows brought forth in a Rustical kind of Triumph 4. St. Ives a fair Town so named from Ivo a Persian Bishop who about the Year 600 Travelled through England Preach'd diligently the Word of God especially to this Town wherein he Died. 5. Kimbolton a fair beautiful Castle formerly the seat of the Mandevils but now in Possession of the Staffords Northamptonshire Coritani IN Latin Northamptonia 't is situated in the very midst of England on the East 't is bounded by Bedford and Huntingtonshire on the South by Buckingham and Oxfordshire on the West it hath Warwickshire and on the North Rutland and Lincolnshire The Air is temperate and healthful the Soil rich and fruitful and so plenteously Peopled that from some ascents you may see 30 Churches at the same time The Prinicipal Towns are these 1. Northampton a fair beautiful Town Built for the most part of Stone 't is Wall'd about except on the West where it is defended with a River from the Walls you have a goodly prospect every way to a wide and spacious plain Country it was Fortified heretofore with a very strong Castle and seated in so excellent an Air that once the Students of Cambridge purposed to remove the University to this place famous it is for a Battel fought between the House of York and Lancaster in which the House of York prevailing King Henry the VIth was taken Prisoner and conveyed to London 2. Peterborough a City seated in the very Angle of this Shire famous in old time for a Monastery which is since converted into a Cathedral the Building of which is truly Magnificent the Forefront carrieth a majesty with it and the Cloysters are exceeding large in the Glass Windows is represented the History of Wolpher the Founder who being most averse from Christianity Murther'd Wolphald and Rufin his own Sons because they had Devoted themselves to Christ In the Cathedral lieth Buried Catherine the Repudiated Queen of King Henry the VIIIth Mary Queen of Scots was also at first Buried here but was afterwards removed to Westminster by the Command of King James the Ist 3. Rockingham Castle it was Built by William the Conqueror Fortified with a Rampier and Bulwarks and a double range of Battlements 't is situate on the side of an Hill within a Forest Leicestershire IN Latin Leicestria is bounded on the East by Lincolnshire and Rutlandshire on the North by Nottinghamshire and Darbyshire it hath Warwickshire on the West and on the South Northamptonshire The Air is gentle mild and temperate giving Appetite both to Rest and Labour the Commodities of the Soil are Corn Cattel and Coals of which the Inhabitants have great plenty The Principal Towns are these 1. Bosworth an ancient Market-Town memorable for the Victory which Henry Earl of Richmond who was afterwards Henry the VIIth obtained over the Usurper Richard the IIId the Tyrant and most of his Commanders being there slain 2. Leicester a fair Town beautiful in its Buildings and of great Antiquity 't was fenc'd with a very strong Wall which was raz'd in the Reign of Henry the IId it has in it a stately Church and Hospital Built by Henry the First Duke of Lancaster 3. Loughborough a fair beautiful Town which for its Buildings and pleasant Woods challengeth the second place in all this Shire 4. Dunnington a fair ancient Castle Built by the Earls of Leicester it belongs now to the King Rutlandshire IN Latin Rutlandia 't is environ'd with Leicestershire unless it be on the South where it lieth on the River Welland and on the East where it toucheth on Lincolnshire the Air is both healthful and delightful subject neither to extremity of Heat or Cold the Soil is so rich that for Corn and Tillage this small County giveth place to none The Principal Town is Okcham a Town remarkable only for the Ruins of an old decayed Castle Built in the Normans time formerly the Seat of the Ferrers but afterwards it was given by Henry the VIIIth to Thomas Cromwell whom he advanced to the highest Dignities Lincolnshire IN Latin Lincolnia is bounded on the West by Rutlandshire and Nottinghamshire on the North it reacheth to Humber an arm of the Sea on the East it hath the German Ocean and on the South it is divided from Northamptonshire by the River Wellâ—nd The Air upon the East and South part is thick and foggy by reason of the Fenns but in other places very moderate and pleasing the Soil upon the West and North is very Fertile but towards the East and South Fenny Brakish and Barren yet for Fowl and Fish it exceeds any other in the Realm The Principal Towns are these 1. Crowland a Town of good Note it stands amidst most deep Fenns and muddy Waters it is so shut up and divided round about from all entrance that there is no access unto it unless it be on the North-East side and that by narrow Cawseys 't is seated altogether like Venice it hath three Streets divided from each other by Water-courses between planted thick with Willows and raised upon Posts pitch'd and driven down into the standing Waters having over them a Triangular Bridge of admirable Workmanship about the Town the ground is so rotten and moorish that a Man may thrust a Pole directly down Thirty Foot deep however the Town is well Inhabited the Inhabitants making great advantages by taking Fish and catching of Water-Fowl which is so great in the Month of August that they will spread a Net and at once draw Three thousand Wild Ducks together 2. Spalding a Town situate upon the same River being enclosed round with Riverets and Drains yet is infinitely a fairer Town than a Man could possibly expect to find among such Slabs and Water-plashes 3. Boston a famous Town standing on both sides the River Witham 't is well frequented upon the account of its commodious Haven the Market-place is fair and large the Church great and beautiful the Steeple of it rising up to a mighty heighth doth as it were salute all Travellers and give direction to the Sailors a Staple of Wool is settled here which enriches it very much 4. Stanford a Town well Peopled of good resort Endowed with several immunities it was formerly Wall'd about but is at this day beautified with Seven Churches and a very fair Hospital 5. Grantham a Town well frequented adorn'd with a very fair Church and a Free School Built by Richard Fox Bishop
Clare 5. St. Davids a small City memorable for little else than that it is adorn'd with a Bishop's See and a fair Church Dedicated to St. Andrew and St. David from this place in a clear day you may see Ireland 6. Newport a Town situate on a steep Cliff where there is a very commodious Harbour and Road for Ships 't is endow'd with several Immunities and Privileges and defended with a Castle Cardiganshire IN Latin Ceretia is bounded on the West by the Sea and on the South by the River Tovy which Separateth it from Caermardhenshire the East and North sides are limited by Brecknockshire and Montgomeryshire The Air is open and somewhat piercing the Soil is Hilly and uneven but more plain towards the Sea than in the East and North parts it hath very little Corn few Woods but Cattel Fish and Fowl in abundance The Principal Towns are these 1. Cardigan the Shire Town situated on a steep Bank strongly Fortified with a Wall and Castle by the Earls of Clare 2. Aberistwith a most populous and plenteous Town near which are found several Veins of Lead We have now describ'd the Counties of the Silures and Dimetae pass we now to the Ordovices the ancient Inhabitants of North-Wales which is now divided into the Counties of Montgomeryshire Merionethshire Caernarvonshire Denbighshire and Flintshire North-Wales Montgomeryshire Ordovices IN Latin Mons Gomericus is bounded on the South with Cardiganshire and Radnorshire on the East with Shropshire on the North with Denbighshire and on the West with Merionethshire The Air is cold and piercing the Soil fruitful especially in the East parts they being watered by the Severn The Principal Towns are these 1. Montgomery a Town seated on the rising of a Rock having a pleasant Plain under it it is defended by a very strong Castle both which were Built by Roger de Montgomery Earl of Shrewsbury 2. Plinlimmon-Hill is particularly famous for its wonderful Heighth and that on the part where it boundeth one side of this Shire it poureth forth the Severn which next to the Thames is the greatest River in all Brrittain Merionethshire IN Latin Mervinia on the West the Sea beateth upon it on the South it is divided by the River Dovy from Cardiganshire on the North it is bounded by Caernarvon and Denbighshires and on the East by part of Denbighshire The Air of this place is neither pleasant nor the Soil profitable The Principal Towns are these 1. Bala a little Town endowed with several Immunities Peopled with few Inhabitants and very rudely Built nevertheless it is the chief Market-Town of these Mountainers 2. Harlech a Market-Town situated in a bleak and barren place it has few Houses and those not curiously Built nor is it famous for any thing unless we make mention of a strong Castle that stands near it commanding the Sea and passage of such as might seek to invade the Coast Caernarvonshire IN Latin Arvonia the North and West sides lie upon the Irish Sea the South is enclos'd with Merionethshire and the East with Denbighshire from which it is severed by the River Conony The Air is sharp and piercing nor is the Soil to be commended much for its fertility The Principal Towns are these 1. Caernarvon a Town so called from its standing over-against the Island Mona 't is encompass'd with a small Circuit of Walls about it but the same is exceeding strong 't is also defended by a stately Castle which takes up the whole West side of it the Buildings are beautiful and the Inhabitants much commended for their courtesy who think it a point of their glory that King Edward the First Founded their Town and that King Edward the Second the first Prince of Wales was Born there it was formerly much resorted to for the Chancery and Exchequer of the Princes of North-Wales 2. Bangor a City seated on the Menai a branch of the Irish Sea remarkable for little else than that it is adorn'd with a Bishop's See and a fair Cathedral Consecrated to Daniel who was sometime Bishop of the place it was defaced by Owen Glendower and afterwards re-edified by Henry Dean An. Dom. 1496. Isle of Anglesey or Mona 'T IS sever'd from Brittain with the small narrow strait of Menai and on all parts besides it is beaten upon by the Irish Sea 't is in length 20 Miles and in breadth 17. It s Principal Town is Beaumarish Built by Edward the First on the East side of the Isle on a Marish ground it was so named from the pleasantness of its situation other Towns there are such as Newburg Aberfraw which have nothing in them remarkable The Druids formerly Inhabited this place 't was attempted by Suetonius and brought under the Power of the Romans by Agricola Denbighshire IN Latin Denbiga on the North-North-West it has first the Sea for a small space and then Flintshire on the West the Sea on the South Merionethshire and Montgomeryshire and on the East Cheshire and Shropshire The Air is pleasant and wholsome the Soil is barren towards the West part yet in the middle where it lieth flat with a Valley it is very fruitful The Principal Towns are these 1. Denbigh the Shire Town Fortified with a strong Wall and Castle and strengthned with high Towers by Henry Lacy Earl of Lincoln 't is well frequented and is deservedly reputed the most beautiful place in all North-Wales especially since it was made by King Henry the Eighth the Head Town of a County before which time it was also of great resort as being the Head Town of the Barony of Denbigh conceiv'd to be one of the goodliest Territories in England having more Gentlemen holding of it than any other 2. Ruthin a very great Market-Town full of Inhabitants and well replenished with Buildings particularly famous not long since for a stately Castle Built by Roger Grey in the Reign of King Edward the First Flintshire IN Latin Flintum is bounded on the North with an Arm of the Irish Sea on the East with Cheshire and on the other parts with Denbighshire The Air is healthful and temperate without any Foggy Clouds and Fenny Vapours the Soil bringeth forth plenty of Coâ—â— and Pasture The Principal Town is St. Asaph a very ancient City but at present it is neither remarkable for its Buildings nor the Church for its Beauty 't is honoured with a Bishop's See it took its name from Asaph a very devout pious Man and was Founded in the Year of our Redemption 560 by Kentigern Bishop of Glascow who fled hither out of Scotland Yorkshire Brigantes IN Latin Eboracum on the North side it hath the Bishoprick of Durham which the River Tees with a continued course separateth from it on the East it is bounded by the German Ocean on the South it is enclos'd first with Cheshire and Darbyshire afterwards with Nottinghamshire and then with Lincolnshire on the West it hath Lancashire and Westmorland the whole Shire is divided into Three parts which are
Castle of the Kings which in the Reign of King Henry the Sixth was repaired out of the Ruins of a Roman Fort 't is adorn'd with a fair Church and a beautiful Market-place 6. Carlisle a City commodiously and pleasantly seated 't is guarded on the North with the Channel of Eden on the East with Deterill on the West with Caud besides these natural Fences 't is Fortified with strong Walls of Stone with a Castle and Cittadel in fashion it lieth out somewhat long running out from West to East on the West side standeth the Castle repair'd by King Richard the Third in the midst of the City standeth the Cathedral Church the upper-part of which being the newer is very artificially and curiously wrought but the nether part is much more ancient That this City flourished in the times of the Romans divers tokens of Antiquity now and then digged up there and the famous mention of it in those days do sufficiently prove The Picts Wall THrough the higher part of Cumberland shooteth that famous Wall which was the limit of the Roman Province for when the Romans had enlarg'd their Empire even so far beyond their Wishes that the unwieldiness thereof began to be of its self fearfully suspected the Emperors thought it the safest way to limit the same with certain bounds In this Islaâ—d therefore the Romans when they perceived that the further parts of Brittain lying Northward were Cold of a rough and barren Soil and Inhabited by the Caledonians Britons and barbarous Nations in subduing which they were sure to take much pains and reap very small Profit built at several times divers Fences as well to bound as to defend the Province the first Wall or Fence is thought to have been raised by Julius Agricola it being made of Turfs between Edenborough and Dunbritton Frith the second Fence was by the River Tine where a Stone Wall Fight Foot broad and Twelve Foot high was Built being an Hundred Miles long reaching from the German Sea to the Irish Ocean It was begun by the command of Adrian the Emperor and was finished by Severus who hereupon was stiled Britannicus Some report that this Wall was only of Turfs and that the Stone Wall was erected afterwards by the Romans when they left Brittain Lollius Urbicus Lieutenant of Brittain under the Emperor Antoninus Pius enlarged the bounds again as far as to the first Frontier Fence that was raised by Agricola The first that was ever blamed for neglecting these limits was Constantine the Great for he it was that was the first and principal cause that the state of the Empire ran to ruin however this admirable work could not divert the tempestuous storms of Foregin Enemies for when the Romans retired out of Brittain the Picts and Scots aâ—â—â—ulting the Wall broke down the Fences with their Engines and over-ran Brittain being then disarm'd and shaken with Civil Broils and most miserably afflicted with extream Famine Northumberland Ottadini IN Latin Northumbria it lieth enclosed in fashion of a Triangle but not with equal sides the South side is shut in with Darwent running into Tine and with the River Tine its self where it confineth on the Bishoprick of Durham the German Sea beateth on the East side on the West it hath Cumberland on the North it fronteth Scotland with the River Tweed which was the ancient limit of both Kingdoms The Air must needs be subtle and piercing these Northern parts being very much exposed to extremity of Weather The Soil is neither rich nor fruitful it having neither fertility of ground for Corn or Cattel the most part of it being rough and in every place hard to be Manured The Principal Towns are these 1. Newcastle the Principal Town in all these parts ennobled by a notable Haven which the River Tine makes it being of that depth that it beareth very Tall Ships and so defendeth them that they can neither be easily toss'd with Tempestâ— nor driven upon the Shelves and Rocks 't is situate on the rising of an 〈◊〉 very uneven on the North bank of the River which hath a fair Bridge over it on the left hand standeth the Castle and on the right the Market-place and the better part of the Town it was Built by Robert the Son of William the Conqueror and named by him Newcastle the Buildings are beautiful it is adorn'd with Five Churches the Inhabitants are extream Wealthy partly by intercourse of Traffick with the Germans and partly by carrying out Seacoals both into Foreign Countries and also into other parts of England it was Fortified with very strong 〈◊〉 having Eight Gates in the Reign of King Edward the First Before the Conquest it was called Monkchester it having been in possession of the Monks and Chester being added which signifying a Bulwark or place of defence Shews that in ancient time it had been a place of Fortification It was taken by the Scots An. 1642. who enter'd England in an Hostile manner under pretence of delivering a Petition to King Charles the First 2. Tinmouth a very ancient and strong Castle on the East and Northside 't is impossible to be enter'd by reason of a mighty high Rock hanging over the Sea and in other places such is the heighth of it that it needs but small defence 3. Morpeth a famous little Town situate on the North bank of the River Wentsbeck on the South bank standeth the Church and the Castle by it all beset with Trees this Town An. Dom. 1215. was set on Fire by its own Inhabitants out of spite and malice to King John Near this place was Born John Duns called Scotus because he was descended of Scottish Blood who being brought up in Merton College in Oxford became wonderfully Learned in Logick and in the intricate Divinity of those times yet as one still doubtful and unresolv'd he overcast the truth of Religion with mists of obscurity and with so profound and admirable Subtilty he wrote many Books in a dark and rude Stile that he deserved the title of the Subtle Doctor and after his own Name he erected a new Sect of Scolists but he Died pitifully for being taken with an Apoplexy and over-hastily Buried for Dead whilst upon the return of Life Nature was about to discuss the violence of the Disease he endeavouring in vain by a lamentable noise to call for help after he had a long time knock'd his Head against the Gravestone he dash'd out his own Brains and at last yielded up his vital Breath 4. Barwick the utmost Town in England and the strongest Hold in all Brittain 't is situated between two most mighty Kingdoms as Pliny has reported of Palmyra in Syria it was the first thing always that both Nations took care of whenever they were at discord it having had different fortunes being one time under the power of the Scots and another time of the English Our Kings have oftentimes Fortified and Fenc'd it with new Works but especially Queen Elizabeth who enclos'd
the third Dynasty when the Succession seems so clear and so certain an Epocha as the Building of Rome to deduce their accounts from their Chronology be yet uncertain for several of their best Historians make no scruple to confess That no certain account can be given of Rome which was 25 Years after the Olympiads and but 752 Ante Christum till the Regisugium which was 268 Years Ante Christum 384. A fair account then we are like to expect concerning the first rise of our own Nation after so many revolutions of Ages wherein Truth seems as it were more and more to have withdrawn her self from us which to trace out we must again return to the Romans who are the best able to satisfy us in this case This is most certain that the account of Times before the Romans either in Italy Germany Old Gallia or Brittain is scarce sit to be discoursed of under any other Head than that of Impostures not that I think that these Nations had lain in a perpetual sleep till the Romans rous'd them with their Swords and waken'd them as I may say into some kind of Civility but that they had no certain uniform way of conveying the Transactions of their own and former times to the view of Posterity On which account we may very justly reject all those pretended Successions of Gomer and Brute as Fabulous as also that this Island was Inhabited by Giants with a great many other I know not what pretty Stories adapted to the Ignorance of those times However all Historians agree in this That it is highly probable that the first Inhabitants of this Island were Originally descended from the ancient Gauls that part of the World being long Inhabited before this which is sufficiently apparent from the resemblance of their Government Manners Conditions Buildings Habits and the Community of their Language which is the surest proof a Nations Original As for its Name the most probable Conjecture is That it was termed Brittain from Brit which in the ancient Brittish Language signifies Painted and the word Tain which denotes a Nation agreeable to the Custom of the ancient Brittains who used to discolour and paint their Bodies that in their Wars they might seem more Terrible to their Enemies We are inform'd by Julius Caesar in his Commentaries That it was Governed at first by several petty Rulers and Princes of different Interests and Counsels He Landed in Brittain A. M. 3095. or thereabouts but was repuls'd by Câ—ssibelan a Bold and Warlike Prince who was Chosen King or rather Generalissimo by the Unanimous Consent of the other Roytelets to repel the common Enemy He afterwards made several Inroads into it but without any great Success he in the end being forc'd to leave it to the Government of its own Kings Augustus Tiberius and Caligula seemed with good Advice to have neglected it but in the Reign of the Emperor Claudius Plautius the Praetor and after him Ostorius subdued a great part of it Nero being Emperor Suetonius his Lieutenant gained a memorable Victory over Bonduce the Wife of Prasutagus King of the Iceni After which time the Romans still gaining ground the Island was at last totally Conquered in the Reign of the Emperor Domitian and by his Command first made a Province under Agricola who much about that time subdu'd Scotland and Ireland The Romans after they had kept it in Subjection several Hundred Years were upon the Northern Nations sacking Rome under the Command of Alaricus King of the Goths and Vandals recalled by the Emperor Honorius at which time Brittain being left in a manner naked and destitute of help the Picts and Scots presently invade it The Brittains after they had repelled them for several Years being at length much weakned they Counsel their King Vortigern to call the Saxons to their Assistance by whose Aid under the Commands of their Captains Hengist and Horsa they overcame their Enemies in a pitch'd Battel near Stamford in Lincolnshire They rewarded the Saxons for this Victory first with the Isle of Thanet and afterwards with the whole County of Kent who growing daily more Powerful dispossessed at length their Benefactors of their Native Habitations so that in the Reign of Cadwallader the last of the Brittish Kings they were compleat Masters of the whole Island parcelling it out into seven Kingdoms generally called the Saxons Heptarchy The Saxon Kings striving amongst themselves for Sovereignty were at last after they had Ruled separately 129 Years reduced under subjection by Egbert King of the West-Saxons A. C. 818. who caused this Land to be called England by a Parliament held at Winchester From Egbert England continued under the Government of its own Kings till the Year 1017 which was 199 Years about which time Edmund surnamed Ironside being Murther'd the Danes having for a long time infessed our Coasts hoping to succeed as the Saxons before them had done Canutus King of Denmark seiz'd into his hands the Regal Government The Danish Kings having Rul'd England 29 Years Edward the Confessor the Brother of Edmund Ironside succeeded in the Kingdom A. C. 1046. who out of the Saxon Mercian and Danish Laws Compil'd one Universal Body of the Law from whence our Common Law is thought to have its Original He Reigned 20 Years and died A. C. 1066. to whom succeeded Harold who having Reigned near a Year was slain in a pitch'd Battel near Hastings in Sussex A. C. 1067. by William the Conqueror from whom begins the most exact Computation of the Kings of England Thus much I thought necessary to give the Reader some insight into the first Ages of our Nation which I have endeavoured to perform in as concise a manner as the Subject could possibly admit of I shall now proceed in the Description of England as it stands divided by King Alfred into Shires or Counties which I have placed in that order as they are afterwards Treated of beginning with the Learned Cambden First in the furthest Western Parts and so from thence pass over the other Countries in order imitating herein as he judiciously Observes Strabo Ptolomy and others the most ancient Geographers who always begin their Descriptions in the Western Countries as being first from the first Meridian The Shires of England are generally computed to be 39 to which if we add 13 more in Wales reckoning the Isle of Anglesey to be one the whole makes 52. 6 of which were first Ordained in the Reign of Edward the First A. C. 1280. the rest were constituted in the Reign of Henry the VIIIth by a Parliamentary Authority An. Dom. 1510. The Names of the Shires in England Cornwall Devonshire Dorsetshire Somersetshire Wiltshire Hampshire Barkshire Surrey Sussex Kent Glocestershire Oxfordshire Buckinghamshire Bedfordshire Hartfordshire Middlesex Essex Suffolk Norfolk Cambridgeshire Huntingtonshire Northamptonshire Leicestershire Rutlandshire Lincolnshire Nottinghamshire Darbyshire Warwickshire Worcestershire Staffordshire Shropshire Cheshire Herefordshire Radnorshire Brecknockshire Monmouthshire Glamorganshire Caermarthenshire
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