OF THE STATE OF EVROPE XIIII Bookes CONTAINING THE HISTORIE AND RELATION OF THE MANY PROVINCES HEREOF Continued out of approved Authours BY GABRIEL RICHARDSON BATCHELOVR in Divinitie and FELLOW of BRASEN-NOSE College in Oxford OXFORD Printed for HENRY CRIPPS An. Dom. 1627. TO THE RIGHT REVEREND FATHER IN GOD IOHN Lord Bishop of LINCOLNE one of his Maiesties most Honourable Privie Councell and Visitour of Brasen-Nose Colledge in OXFORD Right Reverend and my Honourable good Lord THE certaine hopes that Bishop Smith our Founder of blessed memory conceaues in his Statutes of all his successours for the protection of his College giues me the meanest of that Societie some heart to present these my first and weake labours to your Honours Patronage But more bold I am vpon your imbred and vnderived pronenesse to the advancement of Scholasticall indeavours whereof both the Vniversities Colleges Schooles Libraries enriched by your magnificent hand are daily and pregnant arguments This enlarging of the bowels of compassion towards learning in these later and straighter times as it is a miracle for the rarenesse so ought we all of vs both to powre out our praiers to God for such ample dispensers of this goodnes to men as also our vtmost labours with all thankfull acknowledgment to preserue their memories And if my selfe shal cast a mite into this treasurie pardon Right Honourable a boldnesse that proceeds out of an amazed esteeme of this your owne and vnimitable quality as from a most humble devotion to your everlasting honour and happinesse Your Lordships most humble devoted GABRIEL RICHARDSON OF THE STATE OF EVROPE THE FIRST BOOKE COntayning a generall survey of EVROPE and of the Iland of Great Britaine with the present bounds situation and quality of England The Inhabitants Their description languages and affaires of religion vnto our times The Bishops and Cleargie The civill gouernment The King His title of Defendour of the Faith The Nobles Gentrie and Commons The great victories and Conquests of the English Their no lesse disgraces and losses abroad by meanes of their quarrells and dissentions The devision of the Kingdome into Shires Tithings and Hundreds The ranke and number of the Shires EVROPE THe vniversall Globe of the Earth our moderne better experienced times haue found distinguished into fiue greater devisions whervnto all the rest belong are parts the New-found Lands of America and Magellanica detected by late discoueries and those of Asia Africa and Europe lying in one Continent and onely known vnto ancient ages Of these the least but most noble part is Europe the seate of Christianity and of the Church of God and the nurse of victorious and famous nations the glorious Conquerours of the World wherein banished from all other countryes mastered by tyrannie basenes ignorance and barbarisme religion civility arts knowledge libertie and valour at this day rest confined the subiect of this discourse The Etymologie hereof is altogether vncertaine The more exact bounds are vpon the North the Frozen Seas of Lapland and Norwey vpon the West the Vergiuian and Atlantique Oceans vpon the South the Straights of Gibraltar and the Sea Mediterranean from Africa and vpon the East from Asia the Archi-pelago the Seas Maggiore and Zabache the riuer Don and a line continued from thence vnto the White Sea or Baye of S. Nicholas It is situated betwixt the 36 and 71 1 2 degrees of Northerne latitude and the 5 and 59 degrees of Longitude accompting from the Meridian by the Azores The longest day at the towne of Gibraltar in Spaine which is the most Southerne point containeth about 14 houres and a quarter At Wardhuis the point most Northerly the greatest continuance of the Sunne aboue the Horizon lasteth 2 whole moneths 22 dayes some 7 houres It containeth the distinct Provinces and names of Spaine France Germanie the Low-Countries Switzerland Denmarke Norwey Sweathland Prussen Leifland Poland Lithuania Podolia part of the Tartars and Russes Hungarie Transsylvania Walachia Moldavia Bulgaria Bosna Servia Rascia Windish-land Italy and Greece seated in the maine land and of Ilands lying in the Ocean beside some lesser those of Island Freisland Great Brittaine Ireland Cadiz Mallorca Menorca Sardinia Corsica Sicilie and Candia with those many of the Archi-pelago devided amongst 9 greater Monarchs the Emperours of the Romans or Germans Russes and Turkes and the Kings of Great Brittaine France Spaine Denmarke Sweathland Poland together with the free Common-wealths and inferiour Princes of the Netherlands Italy the Switzers and Grisons Ptolemie in his 2 Booke sorteth these into the c more Westerne and the more Easterne Provinces whose methode I haue here obserued In the more Westerne devision he comprehendeth the Brittish Ilands Iberia or Spaine Celto-galatia or Gaule Germany Rhaetia Vindelicia Noricum Pannonia Illyris and Dalmatia contayning now the Kingdomes of Great Brittaine and Ireland Spaine France Germany the Switzers Netherland Denmarke Norwey Sweathland Hungary Windischland Krabbaten Bosna Contado di Zara Dalmatia Albania with their Ilands whose descriptions state and sundry fortunes follow in order GREAT BRITAINE THE Country hath beene thus distinguished from Britaine in France in regard of the lesser extension thereof named the Lesser Britaine It is a famous Iland seated in the Ocean to the North-west of the Continent of Europe some 30 Italian miles where the passage is the narrowest from France or the next maine land the Great Iland as Aristides calleth it another world after Solinus the Worke of sporting Nature after Mercator made more gracefully to adorne the Vniverse the glory of Ilands the Queene and mistresse of the seas and the beauty of the West The bounds are vpon the West part of the Westerne Ocean with S. George his Channell from Ireland vpon the North the open and spacious Northerne seas vpon the East the German Ocean from Denmarke Germany and the Netherlands and vpon the South the English Channell from France The figure hereof is Triangular or Three-square whose Basis might be the Sea-coast towards France It lyeth in the Northern halfe-part of the temperate Zone extended from the 16⅚ vnto the 21 degree of Longitude accompted from the first Meridian by the Azores Ilands and from the 50⅙ degree vnto the 60½ of Northerne Latitude or from beyond the 18 Paralel or the beginning of the eight Clime vnto beyond the 27 Paralel or beginning of the 13 Clime The longest day at the Lizard point in Cornwall the most Southerly part contayneth about 16 houres and a quarter At Straithy head in Scotland which is the point lying farthest to the North the same containeth 18 houres and 3 quarters The length of the Iland from South to North after this accompt is some 620 Italian miles The greatest Breadth betwixt East and West according to a right line is about 250 of the same miles Camden reckoneth 320 miles bending with the crookes and turnings of the Sea-coast The whole circumference he accompteth at 1836 miles A Paralel drawne ouer the middle
Athelstan had for his share the countries of Kent and of the South East-Saxons and Ethelwolf the rest of England with the praerogatiue and title of Monarch or chiefe king of the whole At the same time likewise Burdred commaunded Mercia but substituted and vnder the right of Ethelwolf and the English Monarches Ethelbald and Ethelbert kings of England sons to Ethelwolf Hereof Ethelbert inherited Kent with the East and South-Saxons the portion of his vncle Athelstan The rest with the right of chiefe king or Monarch of the English fell to the lot of Ethelbald the elder brother This last tooke to his incestious bed his stepmother Iudith daughter to Charles surnamed the Bauld king of West-France widdow to his father Ethelwolf married after his death which hapned shortly after to Bauldwin the first Earle of Flanders He deceasing his brother Ethelbert remained sole king of the English Ethelbert sonne to Ethelwolf after the decease of Ethelbald sole Monarch of England Ethelred the first king of England brother to Ethelbald and Ethelbert During the troublesome raigne hereof through the advantage of the warres of the Danes the East-Angles shake off the yoake of the English Monarches creating holy Edmund their king martyred by Hungar Hubba two Danish Captaines and succeeded vnto by princes of this merciles Pagan Nation After stout resistance and many battails fought he was at last slaine against the Danes Alfrid king of England fourth sonne to Ethelwolf brother to the three preceding Kings Great was the valour amongst other vertues of this vnparaleld and matchles princes if not altogether vanquishing yet repressing the furie of the raging and vnconquerable Danes threatning now an vtter destruction of the English nation brought to a low ebbe through their long restles invasions frequent victories depopulations tyranny He founded or rather renewed the most auncient aud renowned Vniversity of Oxford and first parted the land into shires tithings and hundreds deceasing in the yeares 901. Edward surnamed the Elder king of England son to Alfred He made subject the East-Angles and all other parts possessed by the now languishing and droping Danes excepting Northumberland held yet by princes of that natiō Athelstan king of Englād son to Edward He twise vanquished in fight Constantine king of the Scots assisted with the Irish subdued the Britons of Cumberland with the remainder of the Danes inhabiting Northumberland made the Welsh tributary and confined the Cornish within the River Tamar their present bounds the greatest and most victorious of the English Monarches before his time deceasing in the yeare 940. Edmund the first king of England son to Edward and brother to Athelstan The Danes of Northumberland revolting he againe brought vnder annexed that province to his immediate government He also quite ouerthrew the kingdome of the Britons of Cumberland killing the two sons of Dummailus their last king whose country hee gaue vnto Malcolme the first king of Scotland with condition of homage to the English Crowne and of his defence of those Northerne parts against the Danish intruders Edred King of England son to Edward and brother to Athelstan He the third time tamed and brought vnder the ever restles rebellious Danes of Northumberland Edwy King of England son to Edmund the first Against this prince nothing gratious with his subjects Edgar his brother next successour vsurped the dominion of the still vnquiet Northumbrians Mercians Edgar King of England surnamed the peaceable in regard of his quiet raigne not molested with forraigne or domestique warres nor ordinarie in those tumultuous stirring times son to Edmund brother to Edwy He remitted the taxe of money imposed by Athelstan vpon the Welshmen for a tribute of wolues Edward the second king of England son to Edgar surnamed the Martyr from the manner of his death murthered by the treachery of his stepmother Elfrida coveting the kingdome for her son Ethelred Ethelred the second king of England son to Edgar Elfrida halfe brother to Edward In his time the Danes who had laine still during the late raigne of his victorious praedecessours subdued or beaten home through the high valour of Alfred Athelstan and other succeeding English Monarches renew their wonted outrages on all sides with furie vnresistable pillaging spoyling the countrie encouraged by the quarrells factions and bad affection of his disloyall subjects withdrawing or forslowing their aides or betraying his armies after much calamity and affliction compounded withall by Ethelred and not long after vpon Saint Brice his festivall and in the yeare 1002 massacred in one day by the commaund hereof and a joint conspiracy of the English drawing on a more sharpe revenge dreadfull warre of the nation vnder Sueno Canutus their potent much incensed kings not ending but with the English Monarchy of the West-Saxons and the finall conquest hereof by Canutus After a long but miserable raigne he deceased in the yeare 1016. Edmund the second from his hardie valour surnamed the Iron-side son to Ethelred the second succeeding his father in the kingdome of England in his vnfortunate warre with the Danes Having fought sundry stout battailes and one single combate with Canutus in the I le of Alney by Glocester comming to an agreement with the Dane he parted with him the kingdome of England contenting himselfe with the more Southern moity hereof deceasing after a seaven moneths raigne a short time for so many braue acts which in that space he atchieued in the yeare 1016 about 567 yeares after the first arrivall of the Dutch vnder Hengist some 197 yeares since the name beginning of the kingdome by Egbert Edmund Iron-side thus removed out of the way the whole kingdome of the English tyred out with long miseries of war yeelded to Canutus and the Danes whose estate and succession followeth during their rule government over the English THE KINGDOME OF ENGLAND VNDER THE DANES COncerning this Nation wee haue more fully related in the discourse of Germany They were a Dutch people for thus their Dutch dialect or language doth manifest Their name we conjecture from the bay Codanus Iland Codanonia of Mela now the Sundt Iland of Zelandt where and in the adjacent countries the Nation since their first mention hath alwayes continued When they begun we finde not Iornandes is the first of auncient authours by whom they are named living in the time of the Emperour Iustinian the first Their Countrey then he maketh to be the neighbouring Scanzia or Scandia most probably now Hallandt Schonen and Bleking or the part in that Continent of the present Denmarke We adde the Ilands of Zeland Funen with others lying in the straights of the Sundt Afterwards the exact time we know not they spread into the bordering Cimbrain Chersonese in the maine land of Germany taking vp the left roomes of the Iutes English departing into the Iland of Britaine vnder Hengist By the raigne of Charles
the Great king of the Frenchmen vnder their king Godfrey wee finde them in Aymonius extended Southwards in the Chersonesse as far as the riuer Eydore dividing them from the Saxons beyond the Elb the present bounds now of Denmark from the land of Holstein and the German Empire In the yeare 787 and raigne of Brithric king of the West-Saxons agreeing with the 20 yeare of Charles the Great we first heare of them in England with three ships landing in the South-West parts hereof not so much attempting a conquest as making a discouery of the country In the next raigne of Great Egbert they first to any purpose invaded the Iland arriuing at seuerall times in the Iland of Lindisferne in the North in Wales and in the I le of Shepeye in Kent not without much difficulty driuen out by Egbert He deceasing they fell on with greater power and rage in the raignes of his sons Ethelwolf and Athelstan and of the succeeding English Monarches sons to Ethelwolf laying waste and beating downe all before them and subduing the Provinces of the Mercians East-Angles and Northumbrians where the English Governours or Princes being either slaine or beaten out they erected petty tyrannies of their owne Nation omitting no kinde of barbarous cruelty vpon the miserable and distressed inhabitants By the wisdome patience and great valour of learned Alfred this violent torrent is somewhat asswaged and the edge of their fury abated By Edward surnamed the Elder the East-Angles are recovered and vnited againe to the English Empire By Athelstan Northumberland or the rest of England the Danes being either wholy expulsed by him or made subject to his government mixing amongst and ioyning in alliance with the English By Edmund the first and Edred the Danes rebelling in Northumberland are againe vanquished and reduced into the English obedience after whom we heere read no more of them during the more peaceable raignes of Edwy Edgar and Edward surnamed the Martyr and vntil Ethelred the second In the vnfortunate raigne of this Prince they begin afresh their intermitted pyracies war which after the treacherous massacre of the Nation by Etheldred they maintained with a more eager pursuit and bloudie revenge managed in person by Swaine and Canutus their powerfull kings In the yeare 1016 both sides wearied with their continuall fights and mutuall butcheries they come to a composition with the English and the kingdome is divided betwixt the reconciled kings Canutus son to Swaine and Edmund Ironside son to Etheldred The death of the Iron-side hapning in the same yeare put shortly an end to this division and a beginning to the Monarchie of the Danes after whom the English loath as before any more to hazard submitted voluntarily to Canutus and the Danish government The time from the first arrivall of the Danes in the raigne of Brithricus king of the West-Saxons vnto the conquest of England by Canutus was 229 yeares The male issue of Canutus fayling in his son Hardi-canute the English in the person of Edward surnamed the Confessour resume the soveraignty the Danes thrust out The kings of England follow of the Danish descent off-spring Canutus surnamed the Great king of England Denmarke Norweye and Sweden son to Swaine He tooke to wife Emme sister to Richard the third Duke of Normandy widow to king Ethelred mother to Edward the Confessour Peace his kingdome established hee vnburthened the land of the multitudes of his Danish souldiers contented with a large salary at the request of Emme sent back into their Country Hauing governed with much piety iustice moderation for the space of 19 yeares hee deceased in the yeare 1035 buried at Winchester Harold king of England naturall son to Canutus intruding in the absence of his brother Hardi-canute to whom England with Denmarke had beene allotted by the will of Canutus He deceased without issue in the yeare 1040. Hardi-canute king of England son to Canutus Emma He deceased likewise sans issue in the yeare 1042 the last prince of the Danish bloud The house of Canutus being thus extinguished the Crowne of England all Danish forraine bloud by a present Decree of the States excluded returneth againe vpon the English Edward for his Saint-like life surnamed the Coufessour son to Ethelred Emma is sent for out of France where with Richard William Dukes of Normandy he had soiourned during the Danish vsurpation by a generall consent succeedeth in the kingdome to whom besides his nearenesse in regard of his English descent the right of the Danes did seeme in a manner to appertaine being halfe brother to the late deceased king THE KINGDOME OF ENGLAND recovered by the English or VVest-Saxons EDward surnamed the Confessour king of England son to king Ethelred the second Emma Daughter to Richard the second Duke of Normandy succeeding in the yeare 1042 Edward surnamed the out-law eldest son to Edmund Ironside the right heire remaining then in Hungarie passed ouer by the practise of Queene Emma very gracious in the subjects eyes or for that liuing in too forreine remote parts He deceased in the yeare 1066 marryed but hauing neuer vsed the company of his wife reputed in those blind times amongst his many true noble vertues deserving his accompt and name of Saint the last in the line masculine of the house of the West-Saxons Edward deceased Edgar Ethelinge the true heire son to Edward surnamed the out-law neglected as too young a forreiner borne in Hungary Harold son to Goodwin Earle of Kent Duke of the West-Saxons without either choyse or dislike of the irresolute English intrudeth into the Gouernment well approved for his great valour other Princely vertues befitting a king Harold king of England son to Goodwin Duke of the West-Saxons Earle of Kent succeeding in the yeare 1066 opposed by Harold Haardread king of Denmarke challenging the Crowne in the right of his Danish succession and by William surnamed the Bastard Duke of Normandy pretending the donation of Edward the Confessour The Dane vanquished slaine at Stamfordbridge in Yorkeshire with his torne and wearied troupes adventuring shortly after his person and the fortunes of the English against the Norman at the great battaile neare Hasting in Sussex he there most vnfortunately within the first yeare of his raigne lost both his kingdome and life the last English or Saxon king succeeded vnto by William the Conquerour and the Normans whose turne now falleth in the last place THE KINGDOME OF ENGLAND vnder the Normans THe word Normans or Nortmans signified Northerne men with the Dutch of which Nation and language they were The name was common to the Danes Norvegians and Swethlanders or to whatsoeuer German people inhabiting towards the Pole Artique and the North taken vp or giuen vnto them from such their more Northerly situation An ancient Frencb Historian liuing in the raigne of the Emperour Lewis the Godly about which time we finde them
Cohort of Spaniards and Haugustald of Beda a Bishops see vnder the SaxoÌ„s Corebridge Curia of Ptolemy a city of the Otadeni Prudhow castle probably Procolitia of the Notitia the station of the 1 Cohort of the Batavi Newcastle not vnprobably Gabrosentum of the Notitia the station of the 2 Cohort of the Thracians the chiefe towne a rich empory and a noted Port whose best trade is vpon Coale distributed from hence ouer all the Seacoasts of the kingdome and into forreine and remote countreyes seated vpon the Picts wall and the side of a steepe hill vnder which runneth the Tine Walls-end Vindomara of Antoninus and Vindobala of the Notitia the station of the 1 Cohort of the Frixagori Here at the Tine endeth the Picts wall Tinmouth-Castle Tunnocellum of the Notitia the station of the 1 Cohort named Aelia Classica At the Sheales vpon both sides of the Tine betwixt this New-castle plenty of salt is boiled with coale made of Sea-waters Along the Picts wall without the Tine Thirlewall betwixt the South-Tine and the head of the river Irthing Here the Scots Picts are said to haue broke thorough into the Province in the raigne of the Emperour Valentinian the third after the departure of the Roman Legions occasioning the aides and invasion of the Saxons Beyond neere to Caer Vorran a part of the wall standeth almost entire containing 15 foote in height some 9 in breadth Short of Busye-gap Chester on the Wall Magnae of the Notitia the station of the 2 Cohort of the Dalmatians Seauenshale Hunnum of the Notitia the station of a Wing of Horse named Saviniana by my Authour Walwick conjecturally Gallana of Antoninus Beyond the North-Tine crosseth the Wall arising from mountaines in the Scottish borders and naming the large village of Tindale Stilicester not vnprobably Cilurnum of the Notitia the station of the 2 wing of the Asturians Pont-Eland vpon theriver Pont Pons-Aelii of the Notitia the station of the 1 Cohort of the Cornavij Borwick Borcovicus of the Notitia the Station of the 1 Cohort of the Tungri Winchester in the Wall Vindolana of the Notitia the station of the 4 Cohort of the Lergi Bamborrow Castle short of the Holy Iland Bebba of Beda Morpit vpon the Wents-beck Anwick vpon the â—iver Alne Vpon the Tweede and Borders of Scotland Werke-castle Norham Berwick vpon the lest banke mouth of the river a strong towne of warre opposed sometimes against the Scots the farthest boundes of the English Empire Vpon the Till a riuer falling into the Tweed aboue Norham Ford Castle To the West beyond the riuer riseth Floddon hill made famous by the death of Iames the fourth king of Scotland slaine in a memorable battle by Thomas Howard Earle of Surrey generall of the English in the raigne of Henry the Eight The ancient inhabitants were the Otadeni of Ptolemie part of the Meatae of Xiphilinus afterwards the Bernicij of Beda part of the Northumbrian English The Earledome of Northumberland after the expulsion of the Danes extended betwixt the rivers Tweed and Humber containing the whole ancient kingdome of Northumberland In the raigne of king Edgar it was parted into two Earledomes or goverments for such then were the Earledomes the Earledome of Northumberland beyond the riuer Tine and on this side revnited not long after and againe divided in the Earles Morcar and Osulfus about the raigne of the Conquerour The part or Earledome on this side of the Tine taking afterwards the name of Yorkshire from the chiefe citty the Earledome and name of Northumberland was left only to the part beyond the Tine continued here vnto our times the beginning and occasion of the present These six shires seeme more anciently to haue contained the consulary Roman Province named Maxima Caesariensis by Rufus Festus and the Notitia with part of the Province Valentia of Ammianus Marcellinus and the same Authors inhabited by the great and populous nation of the Brigantes of Ptolemie with the Otadeni or Maeatae Vnder the Saxons they comprehended the Deiri of Beda with part of the Bernicij divided asunder with the river Tees or the greatest part of the kingdome of Northumberland They make now the fourth or last division of the kingdome bounded vpon the East and West with the German Irish Ocean vpon the North with the rivers Tweed and Eske or the Sark with Solway Frith from Scotland vpon the South with Humber and the Mersee from the rest of England OF THE STATE OF EVROPE The IIII Booke COntaining the Relation and Description of Scotland and of Ireland with other the Ilands of Great Brittaine SCOTLAND THE bounds hereof are the Ocean vpon the East West and North and vpon the South the Mountaine Cheviot the Frith of Solway and the rivers Eske or Sarke Tweed from England It lyeth betwixt the 55â…“ and 60½ degrees of Northerne Latitude subject to the 11 and 12 with part of the 10 and 13 Climates The longest day at Solway Frith containeth about 17 houres and 15 minutes At Straithy head the most Northerly point it containeth 18 houres and 3 quarters The length after this computation is 310 Italian miles The greatest breadth is accompted at 190 English miles The soile is different the West and North craggy and mountainous the East and South lesse hilly and more fruitfull full of rivers and faire lakes and cut into by sundry long and spacious Creekes of the Ocean plentifull in fish and affording good harbours for shipping The Hills abound with Mineralls sea-coale marble copper Iron and lead with some silver Nothing is wanting for the necessary vse of the inhabitants frugall plaine and temperate in their diet not accoustomed to that luxurie excesse vsuall to more rich and fertill countries The ancient inhabitants were the Britons divided by Ptolemie into many lesser names by Dion and Xiphilinus into two only generall of the Caledonij and Maeatae and lastly called the Picts towards the waine of the Roman Empire from their paintings and for their better distinction from the civill and cloathed Britons distinguished by Amm Marcellinus into the The Lawes whereby the whole is gouerned are the Parliamental Municipal or Common and when these are wanting the Ciuill or Roman yet where conscience and equity doe ouer-rule both besides the Session or Supreame Court residing at Edenburg whereunto appeale may be made from the rest c. here administred in 25 Prefectureshipps or Iuridicall Resorts 1. the Countries or Sheriffdomes of Edenburg Linlithquo Selkirck Roxburgh Peblis Lanark Renfrew Dunfreis Wighton Aire Bute Argile and Tarbar Dunbriton Perth Clackmannan Kinros Fife Kincardin Forfair Aberdone Bamff Elgin Forres Narn Innernesse Cromarty and Orkney and Schetland 2. the Seneschaussees or Stewarties of Mentieth Strath-ern Kircudbricht and Annandale 3. the Bailywicks of Kile Carick and Cunningham 4. and the Constableship of Haddington whose Iudges in both causes Ciuill and Criminall are the Sheriffs Stewards or Bailiffs of each
gouernment and withdrawing their service and ayde too eager revengers of his childish and weake raigne Henry the sixt irrecoverably France through the faction of the house of Yorke abusing the people with pretenses for their private ends and lastly challenging the Kingdome and turning our conquering swords into our owne bosomes The Land is divided into Shires Hundreds which are the divisions of Shires and are in some places otherwise called Weapontakes and Lathes and Tithings the divisions of Hundreds King Alfred was the Author of these divisions as likewise of the name and office of the Vice-Comites or Sheriffs ordained for the more peaceable gouernment of the Countrey and the more easie restraint of theeues and robbers much encreasing then through the occasion of the Danish warres The word Shire signifieth with the auncient Saxons a part or division as doth the word Share with the present English What number hereof were first instituted by Alfred we finde not Malmesburiensis accompteth 32 of them in the raigne of Etheldred Monarch of the English-Saxons succeeding not long after Kent Essex Middlesex Surrey Sussex Hantshire Dorsetshire Wiltshire Somersetshire Devonshire Cornwall Hartfordshire Oxfordshire Buckinghamshire Barkeshire Glocestershire Suffolke Norfolke Northamptonshire Huntingdonshire Bedfordshire Cambridgeshire Warwickshire Leicestershire Staffordshire Worcestershire Shropshire Herefordshire Lincolneshire Nottinghamshire Darbyshire and Cheshire Doomesday Booke addeth Yorkeshire in the raigne of William the Conquerour Afterwards were added Lancashire and the Bishoprick of Durham most probably sometimes parts of Yorkeshire and Cumberland Westmoreland and Northumberland beyond the Tine the part now onely retaining the name of the ancient Kingdome thus called after their revnion to the English Crowne formerly possessed by the Scots The last were the 13 Welsh Shires added by Edward the first and Henry the eight Their whole number are at this present 52 in both Countreyes of England and Wales 1 Surrey Kent Sussex Hantshire Barkeshire Wiltshire Somersetshire Dorsetshire Devonshire and Cornewall lying vpon the South of the riuer Thames along the shore of the English Channel 2 Glocestershire Oxfordshire Buckinghamshire Middlesex Essex Hartfordshire Norfolke Suffolke Cambridgeshire Huntingdonshire Bedfordshire Northamptonshire Rutlandshire Warwickeshire Worcestershire Herefordshire Shropshire Cheshire Staffordshire Darbyshire Nottinghamshire Lei-cestershire and Lincolneshire containing the middle part of the Kingdome and included within the riuers Thames Trent Merseye Dee and Wye Humber Offaes Ditch and the German Ocean 3 Yorkeshire the Bishopricke of Durham Northumberland Cumberland Westmoreland and Lancashire the parts vpon the North of Humber Trent and Mersey 4. and Monmouthshire Glamorganshire Radnorshire Brecknockeshire Cardiganshire Caermarthenshire Penbrokshire Montgomeryshire Merionethshire Denbighshire Flintshire Caernarvonshire and the I le of Anglesey containing Wales or the westerne parts within the Dee VVye and the sea of Severne Their descriptions follow after that I haue first related the auncient estate of the Country with the many chaunges and successions of people and Kingdomes in their turnes comming vpon the stage hereof and occasioning the present names state and divisions THE SECOND BOOKE COntayning the Description of the more great and famous Mountaines and Rivers of Great Britaine The more noted Creekes and Promontories Their ancient and present names The Etymologyes and names of Britaine and Albion The ancient limits and extent of Britaine The first Inhabitants The conquest of the more Southerne part by the Romans The estate and description of Britaine during the Roman government out of Tacitus Dion Ptolemye Antoninus and the Authour of the Notitia with others The period and conclusion of the Roman Empire in Britaine The estate and kingdome of the Britons after the departure of the Romans The estate hereof after Cadwallader and the conclusion of the Brittish Monarchie The originall and history of the Cornish VVesh and Britons of Cumberland Their Conquests by the Saxons and Normans and vnion into the kingdome and name of England The history of the Scots and Picts The Conquest of the Picts by the Scots and Vnion of the Northerne part of the Iland into the name and kingdome of Scotland The invasion of the Germans or Dutch The Iutes Saxons and English The Saxon or English Heptarchye The originall and fortunes of the kingdomes of Kent the South-Saxons VVest-Saxons East-Saxons East-Angles Mercia and Northumberland The vnion of the rest into the Monarchie of the VVest-Saxons The originall of the name and kingdome of England The kingdome of England 1 vnder the VVest-Saxons 2 vnder the Danes 3 and vnder the Normans The vnion of the blood and rights of the Saxons or English Scots and Normans and of the whole Great Britaine vnder one Prince in Iames our late Soveraigne of happie memorye The present estate of the Iland occasioned through so manie mutations The kingdomes of England and Scotland The names and Etymologie of the Shires of England THE MOVNTAINES OF GREAT BRITAINE THE bounders or land-markes whereof I shall haue occasion to make vse in the discourse following are the Mountaines and Riuers hereof with the more noted Promontories and Creekes of the Ocean whereinto the Rivers are disburdened The onely Mountaine noted by ancient authours was Grampius Mons mentioned by Tacitus containing now Braid-Albin with other hilly regions beyond the Frith of Dunbriton in Scotland The woods sometimes covering this Mountainous tract were named Saltus Caledonius by Lucius Florus and Sylva Caledonia by Pliny inaccessable thorough their intricate and darke thickets bogs lakes and marishes safe shelters of the Northerne Britons invaded by Iulius Agricola the Emperour Severus and the Romans In the part subject to the Crowne of England rise the Mountaines of Wales taking vp the Westerne devision of the kingdome betwixt the Irish Ocean the Sea of Severne and the Riuers Wye and d ee strong fastnesses of the warlike Silures and Ordovices with great obstinacy for a long time resisting the Roman yoake and not fully subdued vntill Iulius Agricola and the raigne of the Emperour Domitian and afterwards the Rendez-vous of the distressed Britons shunning the rage of the Saxons or English Beyond the riuer Trent beginneth another long Mountainous ridge which continued through the North of Staffordshire then by the West of Darbye-shire afterwards betwixt Yorkeshire and Lancashire lastly by Cumberland Westmoreland and Northumberland doth end at Cheviot or the Scottish borders This is not known by any one name ancient or moderne In Staffordshire it is named Moreland in Darbieshire the Peake betwixt Lancashire and Yorkeshire Blackestone-edge Pendle Craven betwixt Richmondshire and Westmoreland Stane-more in Cumberland Copland and at the borders of Scotland Cheviot The other hills of the South Blackamore Yorkes-would the Chilterne Cots-wold Malvern those of Sussex Devonshire and Cornwall with others are rather to be accompted Downs then Mountaines Those many of Scotland seeme all branches of the Grampius THE RIVERS CREEKES AND PROMONTORIES THe Rivers issue from the Mountaines and hils The more great and famous are the Thames Severne Trent Yeure or
valour and many and great victories against the English vnpartiall graue authors haue willingly acknowledged Constantine sonne to Cador Duke of Cornwall by the appointment of King Arthur whose kinsman he was succeeding in the yeare 542. He was slaine in battaile after Fabian by Aurelius Conanus Aurelius Conanus Nephew to Constantine succeeding in the yeare 545. Vortoporius after Fabian sonne to Aurelius Conanus in the yeare 581. These foure last Princes seeme otherwise out of Gildas who liued about those times to haue ruled together and not successiuely one after another since spoken vnto and personally reprehended by him in his invectiue Epistle de excidio Britanniae Wee adde that Gildas in the same place expressely mentioneth diuerse Kings of the Britons and nameth Vortoporius the tyrant of Dimetia containing a part onely of the present Wales In the raigne of Malgo and yeare 585 after my authour or according to others in the yeare 582 vnder their king Creodda or Crida begun the kingdome of the Mercians the last and greatest of the seauen kingdomes of the Saxons the victorious English by this time ouer-spreading the whole East and Southerne part of the Iland and the Britons confined within a narrow compasse along the Irish or Westerne Ocean much weakned doubtlesse since the decease of king Arthur through the euill and licentious gouernment of the Princes here mentioned called tyrants by Gildas vehemently taxed by him for their cruelty injustice lust and other sinnes and impieties Caretius or Caereticus after others king of the Britons succeeding in the yeare 586. Set vpon after my Authour by the joint Armes of the Saxon Princes he was forced out of the plaine Country beyond the riuer Severne amongst the Welsh mountaines Since this time the Severne was the furthest bounds Eastwards of the Brittish Dominions The Author of the Welsh History maketh mention of one Gurmund an arch-pirate and Captaine of the Norvegians assisting the Saxons in this their war against Caereticus Geffrey of Munmouth more absurdly would haue this Gurmund to haue beene a king of Afrique Neither people or names were at that time extant Cadwan succeeding according to Fabian after many yeares civill dissention in the yeare 613. Cadwallin succeeding in the yeare 633. By Beda he is named Cedwallo by Malmesouriensis Cedwalla Cadwallader sonne to Cadwallin succeeding in the yeare 676. Moued with a superstitious zeale he went vnto Rome to receiue the habit of Religion where shortly after he died in the yeare 689 and Papacy of Sergius Bishop of that sea the last king of the Britons The like voyage during the Papacy of Sergius and agreeing in euery circumstance with this of Cadwallader Venerable Bede to whom more credit is to be giuen relateth of Ceadwalla king of the West-Saxons With no better certainly the Scholiast of the Welsh history attributeth this pilgrimage vnto Edwal son to Cadwallader The relations of the Brittish affaires since the Romans are very vncertaine and many times fabulous through the impudent liberty of Geffrey of Monmouth followed by the vulgar Historians and the ordinary vanity of other their Writers more zealous to maintaine and encrease the honour of their Nation then carefull to preserue the truth After this sort the kingdome of the Britons begun by Vertigern being extinguished and the weake remainders hereof shut vp within the mountaines of the West the Iland became divided amongst many different and for the most part stranger names and inhabitants the Britons Picts Scots Saxons Iutes and English whose fortunes we are in the next place to relate The Britons scattered and divided asunder by the interveening of the Saxons became after this better knowne by the names of the Cornish Welsh and Cumbri or Britons of Cumberland of whom severally THE CORNISH BRITONS THey were named Cornwealer by the auncient Saxons by the Latin authors from hence Cornwalli and their country Cornwallia by later writers Cornubia Malmeshuriensis would haue them thus called from their situation to Cornu-Galliae or Cournovaille in France The more judicious fetch their name frō the word Corn which in the British language as almost in the Latin signifieth a horne or wedge in regard of such a resemblance of their country inhabiting a long narrow promontory from the word Walsh signifying strange or forrein with the Saxons as they accounted all the Britons VVhen this name begun we finde not as neither what was the forme of their gouernement The British authours make mention of Dukes of Cornwall before Cadwallader but of whose truth we much doubt Vpon the conquest of the country where now is Somersetshire by the VVest-Saxon kings they became severed from the rest of the Britons divided afterwards from the Welsh by the Sea of Severne They contained the present Cornwall the whole or part of Devonshire or the country of the Danmonij of Ptolemy By great Egbert the first Monarch of the English in the yeare 809 after Matthew of Westminster they were subdued and made a Province of the Saxon Empire euer since continuing English although to this day in part retaining the British language By King Athelstan succeeding about the yeare 924 at that time extending Eastward as farre as Excester which Citty then they inhabited together with the English they were after Malmesburiensis remoued more VVestward confined within the river Tamar the moderne bounds of Cornwall from Devonshire and the rest of England THE BRITONS OF CVMBERLAND THE word Cumberland signifieth the country of the Kimbri or Cymbry by which appellation the auncient Britons as now are the Welshmen were called in their natiue language By the taking in of Caer-Legion or Chester the neighbouring Regions by the Northumbrian and Mercian Saxons they were excluded from the vnion commerce of the other Britons They contained then the parts where now lye Cumberland Westmorland and Fournesse Fells in Lancashire with part of Scotland beyond Solway Frith secured by their mountaines and wastes wherewith those countryes are on all sides environed Afterwards notwithstanding wee finde them subject to the Saxon kings of Northumberland About the yeare 685 and in the raigne of king Allfrid they shooke off the yoake hereof for of those onely can we interpret the Britons mentioned by Beda assuming liberty after the decease of Ecgfrid his predecessour ouerthrowne and slaine in a great battaile by the Picts VVe doe not reade notwithstanding of the name of Cumbri or Cumbria vntill the Monarchie of the West Saxons and the great warres hereof with the Danes In the Scottish Histories about the yeare 875 we heare of one Constantine king of the Britons of Cumbria invading the Scottish Dominions and slaine in fight by Gregorius king of that Nation succeeded vnto by his brother Hebert More distinctly in Malmesburiensis we finde mention of Eugenius king of the Cumbri made subject to great Atheistan Monarch of the English Vnder Dummailus their last king in the yeare 946 after Matthew of Westminster they were at
length totally subdued by Edmund Monarch of the Saxons aided by Lewelin king of Dimetia or Southwales and giuen by Edmund vnto Malcolme king of the Scots to be held vnder the sief of the kings of England with condition to defend the Northerne frontire of the English against the Danes and forraine invaders After this time Cumberland and Westmoreland or the countrey hereof for aboue the space of one hundred yeares were possessed by the Scottish Nation whose Praefects as the Scottish writers tearme them or immediate Princes were the eldest sons or next Heires of Scotland By king William surnamed the Conquerour they were taken from the Scots and with the rest of England subjected to the Normans King Stephen ingaged in a dangerous war against Maâ—de the Empresse restored Cumberland to the Scots to be held with the old conditions recouered againe not long after by king Henry the second his successour disliking this liberalitie of Stephen and so great a diminution of his kingdome and incorporated with the Crown of England in which vnion the country hath euer since continued the name language and accompt of the Britons thorough their English and Scottish subjection being long since here worne out and extinguished THE VVELSH BRITONS THese in their natiue language call themselues Câ—mro Cymero and Cymbri as their Latihe Authours Cambri and their countrey Cambria which they would haue to be deriued from Camber one of the sonnes of Brutus their progenitour vnto whose share this part of the Iland should fall in the devision hereof with his brethren a fable begunne by Geffrey or Monmouth and yet maintained by all their Historians Commentatours men otherwise learned and skilfull in antiquities but over zealous to preferre the glory of this their Troian descent The name as before we haue shewed was common to the Britons of Cumberland and to the rest of the nation the words Britons Britaine not being British originally but imposed by the Greekes and forreiners The Etymologie hereof we cannot conjecture vnlesse from Gomar the sonne of Iapheth first peopling these VVesterne parts of Europe and from whom after Iosephus and Zonaras the Gaules were aunciently called Gomarenses and Gomares of which nation the first Britons were a colonie Their name of Welsh or Walsh was Dutch and of a later imposition signifying strangers with the Saxons in which accompt the English still held the Britons They were a more great strong remainder of the vanquished Britons vnder their King Careticus before mentioned driuen ouer the Severne by the victorious Saxons and sheltering themselues amongst the Silures Ordovices and the Mountaines of the VVest The name notwithstanding of the Welsh we finde not vntill afterwards and the yeare 708 at what time we first read in Henry of Huntington of one Gerent King of the Welshmen ouercome in so attaile by Ina the VVest-Saxon some 19 yeares after the decease of Cadwallader and end of the British kingdome The more auncient bounds hereof were vpon the South the sea of Severne by which they were diuided from the Cornish Britons vpon the West the Irish Ocean and vpon the North East the rivers Dee Severne from the Mercian Saxons By the raigne of Offa King of the Mercians succeeding in the yeare 758 all the plaine Country beyond the Severne where now is Herefordshire with parts of Glocestershire Shropshire and Worcestershire being subdued and taken in by the Saxons of Mercia they were wholy shut vp within their Mountaines for their better distinction enclosed by Offa and severed from his English with a wide and deep ditch continued from Basingwerk vpon the Dee betwixt Chester Ruthland in Flintshire along the hills vnto the mouth of the river Wye neere Bristoll whose tract in many places is yet seene and named Claudh Offa in their language or Offa's ditch afterwards the common bound of both nations Others notwithstanding as a more known limit make the river Wye to be the bounds of both Their government after Cadwallader was vnder diverse Lords whom their Histories call Kings Amogst these their Chronicle maketh mention of Edwall Roderique and Conan Tindaethwy descended from Cadwallader and following in a direct line the progenitours of the succeeding Princes Afterwards Roderique surnamed the Great grandchild by his mother vnto Conan Tindaethwy attained to a Monarchy of the whole Wales which about the yeare 870 he deuided into three parts or provinces which limited and distinguished with their meeres he left vnto his three sons with the authority name of Kings Guinedh or Northwales bounded with the Dee the Ocean the riuer Dovi the part of Anarawd his eldest sonne Deheubarth or South-wales lying beyond the riuer Dovi Powys extended vpon the East toward England the portions of Codelh and Mervin his two yonger sonnes These likewise subdeviding their estates amongst their numerous issue as did continually their successours after them for such was then the bad custome of the Welsh the countrey againe became shared amongst many petty Lords each sonne hauing a part of his fathers inheritance whereof some notwithstanding the eldest sonne most commonly or who otherwise overtopped the rest in power or favour with the people still bore the titles of their generall divisions knowne in their histories by the names of Kings of North and South-Wales and Lords of Powys continuing those stiles vntill towards their subiection to the English Amongst these likewise one was still accompted soveraigne or chiefe Lord to whom the rest were to pay tribute and to doe seruice which honour by the order of Roderique the great and of Howell Dha their lawgiuer was due vnto the succession of Anarawd before mentioned the Kings of Northwales the first borne or chiefe of the house of Cadwallader These their soueraigne lords are named kings in the Welsh historie vnto Owen surnamed Guyneth succeeding about the yeare 1137 who first is called Prince which title is continued vntill the time of Edward the first King of England to Lâ—evelyn their last prince taken vp since by the heires of the house of England By Egbert the great Saxon Monarch the nation is first made subject to the tribute and homage of the English ruled neuerthelesse after their owne lawes and free from forreine yoake vntill the Kings of England of the Norman race By Bernard de Neumarck a Norman gentleman assisted by the Aubryes and other of the French English nobility in the raigne of William Rufus king of England Brechiniauc now Brecknockshire after a long and hard warre is wrested herefrom and annexed to the English Empire By Robert Fitz-hamon in the same raigne Morganwc now Glomorganshire By Arnulph of Mountgomerie and Girald of Winsore his successour in the warre in the raigne of King Henry the first the Country of Dyvet now Pembrokeshire at what time a colonie of the Flemmings whose countrie had beene drowned by the Ocean by the permission hereof were planted in Ros a part of Dyvet continuing
here euer since their succession and English language and occasioning the name of little England beyond Wales By the Earles of Chester Warren and Mortimer with others about the same times the parts of Flint Denbigh together with Caeretica and the land of Gwent now Cardigan Monmouthshire are likewise taken in and subdued The valour or fortune of King Edward the first put an end to this languishing estate of the Welsh after some yeares warre vanquishing and killing Lhewelyn ap Gruffith their last prince and annexing the whole Wales to the English subiecting the people to his English lawes King Henry the eight of later yeares descended from the Welsh by the fathers side incorporated the country with the kingdome of England investing the Welsh with all the rights and priviledges of his English subjects in which ranke and vnion they now remaine The princes hereof from more certaine cleare times follow with that truth which their Histories will afford Roderique surnamed the Great Monarch of the Welsh sonne to Meruyn Vrych a nobleman of Wales Esylht daughter to Conan Tindaethwy son to Roderique Molwynoc son to Edwal son to Cadwallader the last king of the Britons Parting Wales into the divisions before mentioned he allotted Guynedh or Northwales vnto Anarawde his eldest son and vnto Cadelh Mervyn Deheubarth or Southwales Powys with condition that the two younger brethren their successours should be leigemen acknowledge the soveraignety of Anarawd the kings of Northwales confirmed afterwards by the lawes of Howel Dha He deceased in the yeare 876 slaine by the English Anarawd prince of Guynedh or Northwales soveraigne or chiefe King of the VVelsh eldest son to Roderique the Great The order of the kings of Southwales Lords of Powys for thus were they called and of the many inferiour Lords or Princes in each devision for as before euery son after the custome of the present Germans had a share of his fathers possessions I haue omitted in regard of their number Edwal Voel prince of Guynedh chiefe King of VVales sonne to Anarawd succeeding about the yeare 913. In the raigne hereof Athelstan King of England forced a tribute vpon the Welsh of 20 pounds of gold and 300 of silver with 200 head of cattaile remitted afterwards by King Edgar for a tribute of wolues Howel Dha Prince of Deheubarth or Southwales Powys soveraigne King of VVales succeeding in the yeare 940 descended from Cadelh brother to Anarawd the sonnes of Edwal Voel the right heires excluded Hee made lawes for the VVelsh obserued by the nation vntill their subjection to the English Iames and Ievaf sonnes to King Edwal Voel joynt princes of Guynedh and chiefe Kings of VVales succeeding after the decease of Howel Dha Owen with other the sonnes of Howel Lords of Southwales and Powys contending with them for the soueraignety being overthrowne by them in battaile and their elder brother Meyric omitted as vnfit for government Vnto these princes Edgar the King of England forgaue the tribute of money imposed by Athelstan exchanged for a certaine number of wolues constantly brought in by the VVelsh after my Authour vntill they were all destroyed The relation I leaue to the censure of the reader These afterwards falling out Ievaf is taken prisoner and Iames remaineth sole king overcome not long after and chased out by Howel sonne to Ievaf Howel Prince of Guynedh chiefe King of Wales sonne to Ievaf succeeding about the yeare 973 his father freed by him and set at liberty but not restored to the soveraignty He was slaine fighting against the English without any male issue Cadwalhon Prince of Guynedh soveraigne King of Wales son to Ievaf and brother to Howel succeeding about the yeare 984. He was slaine in battaile with Meiryc his brother by Meredith son to Owen king of Southwales Meredith Prince of Guynedh and chiefe king of Wales having slaine Cadwalhon Meyric son to Owen king of Deheubarth or South-wales After the decease of his father he likewise got seized of Southwales He afterwards lost Guynedh or Northwales vnto Edwal son to Meyric the eldest son of Edwal Voel the right heire in his absence set vp by the inhabitants Edwal prince of Guynedh chiefe King of Wales son to Meyric eldest son to Edwal Voel succeeding in the yeare 992. He was slaine in fight by the Danes leaving behind him a young son named Iames. In the yeare 998 died also Meredith aforesaid King of Southwales leaving one onely daughter named Angharat marryed to Llewelin ap Sitsylht By meanes hereof for want of heires or fit to goyerne Conan ap Howel Aedan ap Blegored contended for the gouernment when comming to battail Conan is slaine and Aedan vsurpeth the kingdome Aedan ap Blegored prince of Guynedh and soveraigne king of Wales succeeding in the yeare 1003. He was slaine with his foure sons in the yeare 1015 by Llewelin ap Sitsylht husband to Angharad Llewelin ap Sitsylht descended from king Anarawd and Angharad his wife daughter to Meredith king of Southwales after the decease of Aedan the vsurper soveraigne kings of Wales Hee was slaine in the yeare 1021 by Howel Meredith sons to Edwin son to Eneon brother to king Meredith leauing a son named Gruffith ap Llewelin After the death of Llewelin ap Sitsylht Iames son to King Edwal tooke vpon him the gouernment of Northwales as right heire Iames the second prince of Guynedh chiefe king of Wales son to king Edwal He was ouerthrowne slaine in the yeare 1037 by Gruffith son to Llewelin Angharad Gruffith prince of Guynedh chiefe king of Wales son to Llewelin ap Sitsylht Angharad He also subdued Southwales slaine by treason Blethyn Rywalhon sons to Angharad aforesaid Conwyn ap Gueristan her second husband princes of Guynedh and chiefe kings of Wales after the decease of king Gruffith Rywalhon being slaine in the yeare 1068 in a battaile fought betwixt these Meredith and Idel sonnes to king Gruffith Blethyn by this meanes remaineth sole King of Northwales He was slaine in the yeare 1073 by the treason of Rees ap Owen ap Edwyn Trahern ap Caradoc prince of Guynedh or Northwales and chiefe king of Wales cosen german to king Blethyn Hee was slaine in battaile by Gruffith son to Conan son to king Iames the second Gruffith ap Conan prince of Northwales chiefe king of Wales In the yeare 1079 after my Authour and the raignes of Gruffith ap Conan Rhees ap Theodor king of Southwales William the Conquerour king of England tooke the homages of the Welsh princes Not long after vnder William Rufus by the good leaue hereof Morganwc Brechiniauc and the Countrie where now is Cardiganshire parts of Deheubarth or Southwales with some part of Northwales neighbouring vnto Chester are subdued by Robert Fitzhamon Bernard de Neumarck other valiant Norman adventurers and added to the English government In regard hereof Matthew Paris maketh William Rufus the
Egbert and through their owne intestine broyles and in the yeare 819 by the decree of Egbert at an assembly of the states at VVinchester joyned into one entire state or common name of England continued through many successions of princes vnto our times The order of the kings of the VVest-Saxons followeth vntill the Heptarchy determined and the vnion and name of England Cerdic before mentioned the first king of the West-Saxons about the yeare 502 and 43 yeares after the first arrivall of Hengist After Ella of the South-Saxons he attayned to the chiefe rule or soueraignety amongst the Saxon princes the third Monarch of the English continued in his successours for two descents Kenrik king of the West-Saxons and Monarch or chiefe king of the English son to Cerdic Cheulin king of the West-Saxons chiefe king or Monarch of the English son to Kenrik After sundry conquests and great victories against the Britons and Kentish Saxons he was lastly ouerthrowne and driuen out by a joynt warre of the Welsh and his seditious subjects discontented with his insolent government drawne on through the treason and ambition of his nephew Cealic Cealic king of the West-Saxons son to Cuthwolf brother to Cheulin and son to Kenric He lost the Monarchy or chiefe rule of the English vnto Ethelbert king of the Kentish men Chelwolf king of the VVest-Saxons son to Cuth brother to Cheulin Kingils son to Chel brother to Chelwolfe king of the VVest-Saxons succeeding in the yeare 612. He first of the VVest-Saxon princes embraced the Christian Religion won to the faith by the preaching of Berinus an Italian the first Bishop of Dorchester in Oxfordshire and through the holy zeale and endeavours of Oswald king of Northumberland He tooke for his companion in the government his son Quincheline who deceased before him Kenwald king of the VVest-Saxons son to Kengils he founded the rich abbey of Malmesburie and the great Church of VVinchester He deceasing without issue his wife Segburg a manly woman for a time mannaged the affaires of the kingdome succeeded vnto by Eskwin Eskwin king of the VVest-Saxons descended from Cerdic Kenwin king of the VVest-Saxons brother to Kenwald and son to Kingils He much enlarged the kingdome of the VVest-Saxons vpon the Bordering Britons or VVelsh Ceadwalla king of the VVest-Saxons descended from Kenric He slew in fight Edilwalch the last king of the South-Saxons After much cruelty and outrage committed against the neighbouring South and Kentish-Saxons to expiate his sinnes following the manner of those superstitious times he departed on holy pilgrimage to Rome baptized there by Sergius Bishop of that sea where shortly after he dyed Ina king of the West-Saxons descended from Cheulin He annexed to his dominions the Countrie of the South-Saxons and founded the Colledge of Wels and the great Monastery of Glastenbury Ambitious of the honour of his predecessour hee went to Rome and put on the habit of religion deceasing in a private fortune hauing first subjected his kingdome to the payment of Peter-pence to that sea Ethelard king of the West-Saxons descended from Cheulin Cuthred king of the West-Saxons brother to Ethelard About this time after Beda the dead corps of the deceased begun first to bee enterred within townes and cities formerly after the manner of the Turkes at this day buried in the fields Sigebert of vnknowne parentage king of the West-Saxons driven out by his seditious subjects pretending his tyrannie and many vices Kenwulf king of the West-Saxons descended from Cerdic He was slaine by Kineard brother to Sigebert Brithric descended from Cerdic king of the West-Saxons succeeding in the yeare 784. In the time hereof and yeare 787 the Danes first arriue and discover the Westerne coasts of the Iland followed with greater forces in the raigne of Egbert and the succeeding English Monarches He was poysoned by his Queene Ethelburga daughter to Offa the great king of the Mercians In regard of this treason the wiues of the succeeding West-Saxon Monarches were by law afterwards excluded from all state place and title of princes Egbert king of the VVest-Saxons descended from Cheulin and succeeding in the yeare 800. He subdued the Cornish Britons and the Kentish and East-Saxons with those of Mercia East-England and Northumberland Of these Kent and the East-Saxons with the Cornish Britons he immediatly incorporated with his kingdome of the West-Saxons The rest which were Northumberland with the East-Angles and Mercians he commaunded by his substitutes or Vice-royes All notwithstanding he vnited into one entire Monarchie which he named of England from the Angli or English of whom himselfe was descended or in regard of the greater extent of that people contayning after Beda the Mercians Northumbrians and Mercians or some two thirds of the whole Dutch Nation whereof he was Crowned king in the yeare 819 some 370 yeares after the arrivall of Hengist In this sort the Heptarchy extinguished the whole Southerne part of the Iland tooke the name of England Wales the Britons of Cumberland excepted whose fortunes vntill the returne hereof into the vnion of Britaine vnder Lames out late Soveraigne of happy memory remaine in the next place to bee related THE KINGDOME OF ENGLAND THis was begun by Egbert aforesaid The manner and yeare wee haue even now shewed It was bounded more aunciently with the German Ocean vpon the East vpon the South with the English channell from France vpon the West with the Welsh and Britons of Cumberland with part of the Westerne or Irish Ocean from Ireland and vpon the North with the river Tweede from the Picts or Scotland King William surnamed the Conquerour added Cumberland and VVestmoreland parts of the auncient kingdome of the Cumbri wrested from the Scots His son Rufus and the succeeding princes of the Norman bloud added VVales By the raigne of king Edward the first VVales then being totally subdued the accompt and name of England enlarged ouer all the part of the Iland lying vpon the South of the river Tweede and Solway Frith the present extent of the kingdome It hath suffered sundry changes since this its first name and erection being twise conquered by forreine power and made subject to three different successions of Monarches 1 Of the race of the VVest-Saxons 2. Of the Danes 3 and of the Normans THE KINGDOME OF ENGLAND VNDER THE VVEST-SAXONS THe Kings of England follow of the house of the West-Saxons and vntill the Danish subiection Egbert king of the West-Saxons the Heptarchy destroyed crowned king of England at a Parliament of the states held at Winchester in the yeare 819. In the raigne of this prince the Danes begin their fierce invasions of the English continued with variable successe during the whole time of Englands Monarches of the race of the West-Saxons and vntill the yeare 1016 and conquest of the whole by Canutus He deceased in the yeare 836. Ethelwolf and Athelstan sons to Egbert succeeding to their father in the kingdome of England and the Danish warres Of these
with Middlesex The countrie is fruitfull no lesse pleasant Places of more note are Roiston vnder the downs and vpon the edge of Cambridgeshire Bishop-Stortford vpon the river Stort Vpon and along the course of the Lea Hartford the Shire town Herudford of Beda the place of a Synod of the English and British Bishops in the time of Saint Austine the Apostle of the Saxons Ware a great and noted roade Hoddesdon Theobalds a royall house of the Kings More VVest-ward S t Albans occasioned by the Monasterie thus named founded by Offa king of the Mercians to the memorie of S t. Alban the first Martyr of the Britons here put to death during the tenth persecution in the raigne of the Emperour Dioclesian Close by where is Verulam stood sometimes the towne Verulamium of Tacitus and Vrolamium of Ptolemy a Municipium of the Romans and after Gildas the countrie of S t Alban the Martyr Neere vnto Redburn vpon VVatlingstreet or the Roman militarie way betwixt this Dunstable is thought to haue stood Durocobrivis of Antoninus as on the other side vpon Brockley hill neere Ellestree in the same roade towards London Sulloniacae of the same Authour Barkhamsted It contayneth 8 Hundreds 18 Market-townes and 120 Parishes The auncient inhabitants were the Cattyeuchlani of Ptolemy afterwards part of the Mercian and East-Saxons MIDLE-SEX BOunded vpon the North with Hartfordshire vpon the West with the river Cole from Buckinghamshire vpon the South with the Thames from Surrey Kent and vpon the East with the Lea from Essex The aire is healthie pleasant the countrie fruitfull graced with sundry faire villages and townes and houses of the gentrie and nobilitie Places of better note are Vxbridge vpon the Cole Along the Thames Stanes at the fall or entrance of the Cole Hampton-Court a great magnificent house of the Kings Brentford London Londinium of Ptolemy Antoninus and Tacitus Lundonium surnamed Augusta of Ammianus Marcellinus a famous Mart-towne of the Britons misplaced by Ptolemy amongst the Cantij now the royall chamber of the kings a Bishops See the chiefe citie of the kingdome with VVestminster Redcliff and Limehouse wherewith it is continuate extended vpon the river for about 4 miles in length and some mile and a halfe in breadth sumptuous in buildings mighty populous esteemed at 600 thousand of Inhabitants flourishing in trades and gainefull manufactures strong in marchants shipping the magazin of all the riches and commodities which the whole earth and world affordeth At VVestminster in the magnificent Church of S t Peter the Kings of England are vsually Crowned as likewise enterred begun by Sebert the first Christian king of the East-Saxons but raised to the state we see by Edward the Confessour and the succeeding English Monarches Blackewall a Roade for greater vessels almost continuate with Limehouse The auncient inhabitants were the Trinobantes of Caesar and Trinoantes of Ptolemy afterwards the East-Saxons Here are contayned onely 73 Parishes besides 121 accompted within the City Liberties and Suburbs ESSEX BOunded vpon the West with the riuer Stort from Hartfordshire and the Lea from Midle-sex vpon the South with the Thames from Kent vpon the East with the German Ocean and vpon the North with the Stoure from Suffolke The Countrey is large woody fruitfull rich but low flat in many places more especially vpon the Thames Sea-coasts marishy agueish and verie vnhealthfull Townes of more note are Waltham vpon the Lea naming the great forest thus called Neerer London vpon the same riuer Leiton a straggling village thought to be Durolitum of Antoninus Barking at the confluence of the Thames and the riuer Roding Rumford Brentwood conjecturally Caesaromagus of Antoninus Ralegh Not farre of at the mouth of the Thames lyeth the Iland Convey Convennos of Ptolemy low and subject to invndations Chelmesford not vnprobably Canonium of Antoninus Cogshall vpon the riuer Froshwell Pant or Blacke-water for by all these it is named Further downe vpon the same riuer Maldon Camudolun of Ptolemy and Camalodunum of Tacitus others the royall seate of Cynobellinus king of the Trinobantes afterwards a Roman Colony planted by Ostorius Scapula in the raigne of the Emperour Claudius Below vpon the Blacke-water in Dengey Hundred a flat vnhealthfull soile stood sometimes Ithancester of Beda the place where S t Cedda baptized the relapsed East-Saxons in the raigne of Sigebert their king thought to be Othona of the Notitia the station of a foote company of the Fortenses The towne hath long since beene worne into the river The shore hereabouts yeeldeth plenty of most excellent oisters Colchester Colonia of Antoninus vpon the riuer Colne the chiefe towne Harwich a noted port at the mouth of the Stoure Walden Close by is Audley-end a great sumptuous house of the Earles of Suffolke In the bordering fields as in Cambridge-shire and Norfolke groweth store of Saffron It contayneth 20 Hundreds 21 Market-townes 415 Parishes The auncient inhabitants were the Trinobantes of Caesar afterwards the East-Saxons SVFFOLKE BOunded vpon the West with Cambridgeshire vpon the South with the Stoure from Essex vpon the East with the German Ocean and vpon the North with the Lesser Ouse and the Wavency from Norfolk The soile is most fat and rich vnles towards the East the countrey large populous and well furnished with harbours and safe roades for ships Places of more note are Sudbury vpon the Stour Hadley vpon the Breton Towards the head of the riuer Bretenham Combretonium of Antoninus Wulpet Ipswich vpon the riuer Orwell the chiefe towne a populous rich noted empory Woodbridge vpon the Deben Framlingham a beautifull strong castle Vpon the Sea-coast Aldburg Dunwich Domuc of Beda sometimes a Bishops See the first of the East-Angles founded by king Sigebert in the person of Faelix the Apostle hereof extinguished by the Danish warres The towne now is ruinous and much decayed for the greatest part worne into the sea Southwold at the mouth of the riuer Blith Iland-like at everie Full-sea environed with the Ocean Beyond is Easton-nesse Extensio of Ptolemy the furthest point Eastward of the kingdome More West S t Edmundsburie Villa Faustini of Antoninus named thus from S t Edmund the last king of the East-Angles martyred by the Danes and here enshrined New-market in both counties of Suffolke and Cambridgeshire amongst greene spacious plaines The shire contayneth three greater devisions which they name the Geldable S t Edmonds Liberty and the Liberty of S t Audry distributed amongst 22 Hundreds 28 Market-townes and 575 Parishes The ancient inhabitants were part of the Iceni of Tacitus the Simeni corruptly of Ptolemy afterwards the East-Angles NORFOLKE BOunded vpon the South with the Lesser Ouse and the Wavency from Suffolke vpon the East and North with the Ocean the Washes the river Nen from Lincolneshire and vpon the West with the Greater Ouse from Cambridgeshire
surnamed the Stammerer joynt Kings created in the minority of Charles the Simple Lewis the second deceasing Carloman raigned alone who dyed not long after Lewis the third surnamed le Fay-neant sonne to Carloman His raigne was but short deposed for his slought many vices and shorne Monke of Saint Denys Charles surnamed the Fat son to Lewis the Auncient King of Germany and Emperour of the Romans called in by his faction elected King of West-France in the minority of Charles the Simple Hee was deposed not long after and deprived of all his estates dying in great misery and want nere vnto Constance in Germany in the yeare 889. Eudon guardian to Charles the Simple son to Robert Earle of Aniou son to Witichind prince of the Saxons in the raigne of the Emperour Charles the Great in the minority of his pupill after the Emperour Charles the Fat created French King After some two yeares raigne he was likewise deposed by this factious vnconstant nation succeeded vnto by Charles the Simple By meanes notwithstanding of this election there followed afterwards long quarrels and contention for the kingdome betwixt his kindred the house of Aniou and Charles the Simple and his issue during the whole Caroline line a chiefe pretence of Capets vsurpation Charles the Simple the legitimate son of the Emperour Lewis surnamed the Stammerer He had warres with Robert Earle of Aniou brother to King Eudon in regard of the election of Eudon pretending right to the kingdome and slaine by him in a battaill After a short and troublesome raigne caught imprisoned at Peronne by Hebert Earle of Vermandois and forsaken by the nobility hee resigned the kingdome to Rodulph Duke of Burgundy Transiuraine Rodulph Duke of Burgundy Transiuraine son to Conrade Earle of Burgundy Transiuraine brother to Robert the first Earle of Aniou vncle to King Eudon vpon the imprisonment and forced resignation of Charles the Simple elected French King Lewis the fourth son to Charles the Simple and Elgina daughter to Edward surnamed the Elder and sister to Athelstan Kings of England surnamed the Forreiner for that during the captivity of his father and the vsurpation of Rodulph he lived exiled with his vncle Athelstan in England after the death of the vsurper called home and restored to the kingdome Hee had wars with Hugh surnamed the Great Earle of Paris Majour of the Palace son to Robert the second jealous of the popularity greatnes and the ambition of that house Lothaire son to Lewis the fourth In the raigne hereof Hugh Capet heire of the house of Aniou son to Hugh the Great begun againe to renew the auncient quarell of his family touching the kingdome the which not long after he obtayned Lewis the fift son to Lothaire He dyed young without issue the last French King of the house of Charles the Great Hugh Capet son to Hugh the Great Earle of Paris and Majour of the Palace after much quarrell betwixt the houses of Aniou and of Charles the Great thorough a long basenes slougth and pusillanimity of the degenerate princes of that line the present dislike of Charles Duke of Lorraine the next heire the long greatnes and still growing popularity of his house his flattery and crafty insinuations with the nobility and people and religious pretences and of his right and succession to King Eudo and Rodulph in the yeare 965 elected king by this wavering nation Charles Duke of Lorraine excluded caught afterwards by him and imprisoned during life Robert son to Hugh Capet Henry the first younger son to Robert preferred by his father before Robert his elder brother succeeding in the Dukedome of Burgundy Philip the first son to Henry the first Lewis the sixt son to Philip the first Lewis the seaventh son to Lewis the sixt About the raigne of this prince dyed Iohn de Temporibus by the stiffe consent of the French and German writers reported to haue lived from the Emperour Charles the Great vnto this time for aboue the space of 300 yeares Philip the second surnamed Augustus sonne to Lewis the seaventh Lewis the eight son to Philip the second Lewis the ninth surnamed the Saint son to Lewis the eight Philip the third son to Lewis the ninth Philip the fourth surnamed the Faire son to Philip the third Lewis the tenth surnamed Hutin son to Philip the Faire Hee deceased without male issue Philip the fift surnamed the Tall brother to Lewis the tenth Hee also dyed without issue male Charles the fourth brother to Lewis Hutin and Philip the Tall. He also deceased without male issue Philip the sixt surnamed of Valois the next prince of the blood of the line masculine succeeding by the pretence of a Salique Law In the raigne hereof began those long and fierce wars betwixt the French Edward the third King of England descended of Isabel daughter to Philip the fourth pretending in this right for the kingdomes the issue whereof was the great overthrowes of the French at the battails of Crecy and Poictiers the captivity of Iohn French King and the restitution of Normandy and other parts of France taken from the English by King Philip Augustus lost notwithstanding not long after to King Charles the fift with Aquitaine Guienne vntill that time still held by the English nation Iohn French King sonne to Philip the sixt taken prisoner in the English warres by Edward Prince of Wales son to Edward the third at the battaile of Poictiers Charles the fift son to Iohn He recovered againe the countries of Normandy Aquitaine and Guienne and whatsoever else the English held in the continent of France the towne and forts about Calis onely excepted Charles the sixt son to Charles the fift In the raigne hereof fell out that fatall discord betwixt the houses of Orleans and Burgundy by the advantage whereof the weakenes of this phrenetique king and their victory at Agincourt Charles the Dolphin disinherited and Henry the fift King of England having married Catherinne his daughter made Regent of France the English again got seazed of the chiefest parts of the kingdome hereof Henry the sixt King of England being afterwards crowned king of France at Paris Charles the seaventh son to Charles the sixt After long trouble warres Philip the Good and the faction of Burgundy reconciled hee againe cleered France of the English the towne countrey of Calis excepted Lewis the eleaventh son to Charles the seaventh Charles the eight son to Lewis the eleaventh He dyed sans issue Lewis the twelth Duke of Orleans and Valois the next prince of the blood of the line masculine Hee marryed vnto Anne Dutchesse of Bretaigne and deceased without heire male Francis the first Duke of Engoulesme the next prince of the blood of the race masculine He marryed vnto Claude Dutchesse of Bretaigne daughter to Lewis the twelth Anne and incorporated Bretaigne to the crowne of France Henry the second son to Francis the first He wonne the towne countrey of
hereof hath after Ptolemy almost that proportion to a Meridian or Greater Circle as hath eleven to twenty It comprehendeth two Kingdomes of England and Scotland of late yeares vnited vnder one Prince of which seuerally with their Ilands ENGLAND The bounds hereof are vpon the South West and East the same with those of great Brittaine vpon the North frō Scotlād the Tweede and Solway Frith with the riuer of Eske running into the Solway It is situated betwixt the 50⅙ and 55 48 60 degrees of Northern Latititude and is subiect to the 8 9 and 10 Climes The longest day in the most Southerly point hereof is 16 houres and a quarter At Berwicke the point most Northerly it contayneth 17 houres and 48 minutes It hath in length after this computation 340 Italian miles The Aire is close thicke moyst and much subiect to winds and stormy weather yet very healthfull sweet and exceedingly temperate not molested with those vehement and piercing colds of Winter or scorching heats of Summer vsuall to regions of the same Clime or of more Northerly Latitudes In regard hereof the people ordinarily here liue very long if not broken with surfeits and bad diets healthie and not much encombred with diseases The Country is plaine for the most part or rising with easie downes seeming plaines a farre of Wales and the English Apennine excepted pleasant and most fruitfull flourishing with a perpetuall greenesse of meadowes corne-fields woods and grassie hills and stored with all varieties both for necessitie and ornament which the colder Clime can bring forth The cloath and wools hereof for quantity and finenesse exceed those of all other parts much desired abroad and cloying forreine markets with an ouer great abundance No Countrey yeeldeth such plenty of beeues sheepe and cattell Corne serueth here for both vses of bread and drinke yet not with that superfluity that much can be spared through the luxurie of the Nation or their neglect of tillage and the iniury of the great ones turning arable to green swarths ouermuch addicted to pasturage and feeding The hilly and more barren parts swell with profitable and rich minerals of silver copper iron sea-coale allom but more especially of tinne and lead The seas swarme with fish but not much regarded by the Natiues through their inexcusable slouth or glutted with their flesh and store of land provision The Inhabitants most commonly are tall and bigge of stature compared with Southerne Nations fayre especially the women commended for their lasting beauties proper well proportioned and surpassing others in a more apt posture and gracefull carriage of their bodies graue witty pleasant well spoken generous bountifull or rather prodigall spending aboue their ranke and meanes lavish and vnconstant in their apparrell and liberall dainty and neate feeders In war they are accompted valiant but not so hardie feirce vndaunted fearelesse of danger not accustomed to fly resolute constant and quickly disciplined No nation hath afforded more braue and expert Sea-men with stout and swiftships failing in all weathers Seas and Oceans The Learned in all ages haue beene much deseruing and no lesse esteemed Beda Alensis Scotus Occam the two Bacons Bradwardine other auncients to omit those of latter times From hence Germany and the Westerne parts were first recouered from ignorance and barbarisme overwhelmed with a deluge of the rude Northerne Natitions From hence more especially France at two severall times by the Brittish Druides vnder the Gaules and by Alcuinus vnder Charles the Great and the French the first publicke reader at Paris the occasion and Authour of that most auncient and flourishing Vniversity At this day in the iudgment of vnpartiall relaters amongst other learning they not so much equall as exceed all others in Poetry Oratory close deepe and substantiall penning and composing of those subiects which they vndertake sermons practique Devinity but whose most best writings being English are not so well knowne abroad The Vulgar languages here spoken are the Welsh and Cornish remanders as are the people of the ancient Brittish and the English originally Dutch brought hither by the Saxons although now much differing frō the present Dutch or German through a long disunion of the 2 nations the mixture hereof with the Norman or French Latine The religion of the Pagan Britons was the same with the auncient Gaules who first planted the Christian it is vncertaine The Magdeburgenses in their 1 Century and 2 booke and Chapter bring in S. Paule heare preaching the Gospel out of the 9 sermon of Theodoret ad Groecos Infideles Surius S. Peter in his 29 of Iune out of Simeon Metaphrastes The second of these their authorities I haue not yet seene The first of them in the place recited relateth no such matter An old manuscript in the Vatican remembred by Baronius maketh otherwise Ioseph of Aramathaea to haue beene the first confirmed by Malmesburiensis in his Antiquities of the monastery of Glastenbury Higher proofes in this wee haue none Of something better authority Nicephorus Callistus Dorotheus and the Menologie of the Greekes mention Simon Zelotes who here should suffer martyrdome the time they set not downe contradicted by the Roman Martyrologie and that of Beda both which affirme that he dyed in Persia. Besids these Dorotheus nameth Aristobulus remembred by S. Paule in the last Chapter of his Epistle to the Romans whom he entitleth Bishop of the Britons Eusebius Socrates and all the more approued Ecclesiasticall writers are wholy silent in this argument In the raigne of the Emperours Antoninus Verus Aurelius Commodus after Beda or more rightly of Commodus vnder king Lucius Eleutherius being then Bishop of Rome the Gospell in Britaine is first publikly receiued continuing from that time in full rest and without molestation vntill the tenth persecution vnder Dioclesian and the holy Martyrdome of S. Alban a Citizen of Verolamium amongst others put to death neare vnto that citty in the place where afterwards was built by great Offa the famous Monastery of S. Alban in time occasioning the towne thus named In what manner this Lucius was King of the Britons Nennius and Beda who first tell the story mention not Baronius in his Annalls seemeth to stand doubtfull betwixt three opinions I either that he commaunded amongst the Britons beyond the Roman pale 2 or that he was some substitute king in the Province vnder the Romans 3 or newly elected by the seditious Roman Britons rebelling then against Commodus The second opinion is the most probable the custome of the Romans being considered hauing aunciently kings for their subjects and that he ruled ouer only a part of the Roman Province That about or before this tyme the Britons had receiued the Christian faith the words of Tertullian liuing in the raigne of Commodus and Severus doe sufficiently witnesse Under the Emperour Constantine the Great borne in this
an end to these long afflictions and vnsetled state of the Church the Gospell reestblished with mature and graue aduice and confirmed by her many victories and long and prosperous raigne continued since by her glorious successour King Iames maintained by the authority of his royall pen the faiths vndoubted defender the Churches patron and the true Cleargies friend with no lesse zeale and constancie by Charles our gracious soueraigne now raigning heire of his Fathers Crowne and Prinâ—ly vertues The Religion then here publiquely allowed is the Reformed or Protestant whose briefe summe is set downe in the 39 Articles agreed vpon in a Convocation holden at London in the yeare 1562 and confirmed by the Cleargie of both Provinces The supreame head hereof is the prince by a common right and prerogatiue of Kings and by decree of Parliament enacted in the yeare 1534 26 of the raign of King Henry the eight The Cleargie are Arch-bishops Bishops and inferiour ranks all Regulars or Monks excluded The Arch-bishops or Metropolitane seas follow Canterbury whose Diocesse with that of Rochester is Kent and whose Province in a manner is the whole South-part of England on this side Trent and Humber begunne about the yeare 596 by Ethelbert the first Christian King of the Kentish Saxons in the person of Saint Austine the first Apostle of the English The Bishops hereof are named Primates and Metropolitans of all England by order of Convocation in the yeare 1534. Formerly during the Romish Hierarchy they assumed the title of Legats of the Popes and Primates of all Britaine Yorke whose Diocesse is Nottinghamshire and Yorkeshire and Province the part of England vpon the North of Humber Dee and Trent founded about the yeare 652 by Edwin King of Northumberland in the person of Paulinus Chaplaine to his Queene Ethelburga and the Apostle of these Northerne parts of the English The Bishopricks may thus be ranked vnder their seas Metropolitane vnder Canterbury London whose Diocesse is Essex Middlesex and part of Hartfordshire founded about the yeare 606 by Sebert and Ethelbert Kings of the East and Kentish Saxons in the person of Mellâ—â—us the Apostle of the East-Saxons and continued after a long apostacy by Sigebert the second Christian king hereof in the person of S. Cedde the second Apostle and Bishop brother to Saint Ceadda for thus are the names distinguished the Apostle and Bishop of Lichfield and the Mercians The Bishops hereof are otherwise in Beda named of the East-Saxons The extent of their iurisdiction hath not any thing beene altered since the time of their institution Winchester founded by Kenwald king of the VVest-Saxons in the person of VVina a Frenchman taken out of the large Diocesse of Dorcester by Oxford in the time of Agilbert the second Bishop of that sea founded by King Kingills father to Kenwald in the person of Berinus an Italian the Apostle of the West-Saxons Agilbert forsaking England discontented with this division and the promotion of VVina the voyde Bishopricke of Dorcester became vnited to VVina to the sea hereof By king Ina the South-Saxons are likewise herevnto added vpon his conquest of that Countrey The great Bishoprick of VVinchester contained then by this meanes both kingdomes of the South and West-Saxons By Ina about the yeare 704 the Bishopricke of Sherborne is taken out Not long after in the yeare 711 the Bishopricke of Selsey for the South-Saxons The Diocesse after so many loppings comprehendeth now the countries onely of Surrey and Hantshire with the Iles of VVight Iersay Garnsay and Alderney In the yeare 733 Dorcester was againe made a Bishops see but for the Province of the Mercians takeÌ„ out of the Diocesse of Lichfield Out of Sherborne by Edward surnamed the Elder were devided the Bishoprickes of VVells for Sommersetshire of Ramesbury for Wiltshire and of Kirton and Bodman for Devonshire and Cornwall Of these Ramesbury became vnited againe with Sherborne in bishop Herman and the raigne of Edward the Confessour Bodman during the Danish warres was translated to S. Germans and lastly vnited with Kirton by the authority of king Canutus Of Kirton and VVells hereafter The Bishops of Winchester were otherwise in Beda named of the West-Saxons Lincolne begunne at Dorcester by Oxford in the yeares aforesaid brought hither by Bishop Remigius in the raigne of the Conquerâ—ur according to the order of a Synod at London that the Sees of bishops in obscure and decayed townes should be remoued to the chiefe citties of each Diocesse It conteined then the middle of England betwixt the riuer of Thames and Humber By king Henry the first the bishoppricke of Elie is taken out By Henry the eight those of Oxford and Peterborough It extendeth yet over Lincolneshire Leicestershire Huntingdonshire Bedfordshire and Buckinghamshire with part of Hartfordshire the largest of all the English bishopricks Sarisburie begunne at Sherborne by Ina king of the West-Saxons in the person of Adelmus about the yeare 704 and remoued hither by bishop Hâ—man in the raigne of the Conquerour It conteineth now VViltshire and Barkshire Excester begunne at Kirton in Devonshire in the person of Adulfus by Edward surnamed the Elder Monarch of the English and remoued hither vnder bishop Leofricus in the raigne of Edward the Confessour VVells tooke out of the Diocesse of Sherborne and founded in the person of Athelmus by Edward the Elder Monarch of the English-Saxons By Iohn de Villula vnder king VVilliam Rufus the See was remoued to Bath Vnder bishop Robert in the raigne of king Stephen the two Churches of Bath and VVells after much contention are agreed and the Bishoppes are to assume the title of both places continuing euer since The Diocesse hereof is onely Somersetshire Chichester begun in Selsey by Edilwalch the first Christian king of the South-saxons in the person of S. VVilfride the exiled bishop of Yorke or of Northumberland the Apostle hereof after VVilfride and the conquest of the country by the West-Saxons vnited to Winchester about the yeare 711 in bishop Edbrith devided againe from Winchester and restored to Selsey and lastly from Selsey remoued hither the chiefe towne of the Diocesse by bishop Stigand in the time of William the Conquerour It conteineth onely Sussex Elye tooke of Lincolne and conteyning only Cambridgeshire founded by king Henry the first in the person of Harvaeus sometime Bishop of Bangor in Wales Norwich begun at Dunwich about the yeare 630 by Sigebert king of the East-Angles in the person of Faelix a Burgundian vnder Bisus the fourth bishop diuided into two Bishopricks of Dunwich and North-Elmham in the yeare 955 after a long vacancy during the Danish tyranny and vsurpation in the person of Athulfus restored and vnited in one bishoppricke of North-Elmham by Edwy king of the English-Saxons by bishop Herfast remoued from North-Elmham
Conquerour of Wales Gruffith ap Conan in a full age deceased about the yeare 1137 the last whom the Welsh history nameth king of Wales THE PRINCIPALITIE OF VVALES Owen Guyneth prince of Guynedh and Wales eldest son to king Gruffith ap Conan succeeding about the yeare 1137. At this time Rhees ap Gruffith descended from Howel Dha was chiefe Lord of Southwales named King by the English by the Welsh the Lord Rhees David prince of Guynedh and Wales younger son to Owen surnamed Guyneth succeeding in the yeare 1169 his elder brother Iorwerth in regard of some deformity excluded Hee was deposed in the yeare 1194 by Llewelin the son of Iorwerth Llewelin prince of Guynedh and Wales son to Iorwerth eldest son to Owen Guyneth He tooke the oathes and acknowledgements of the many inferiour Welsh princes which duety for some yeares had beene omitted through their civill dissentions and other defects David prince of Guynedh Wales succeeding in the yeare 1240 son to Lhewelin ap Iorwerth He did homage at Glocester for the principality of Wales to Henry the third King of England He deceased without issue Lhewelin prince of Guynedh Wales son to Gruffith son to prince Lhewelyn ap Iorwerth the last prince of VVales of the British of-spring and race of Cadwallader By this time through the daily encroachings of the English in a manner the part onely of Guynedh or Northwales contayning now Merionith and Caernarvonshire with Anglesey were left vnto the Welsh princes better defended by their inaccessable mountaines bogs Refusing or rather deferring the accustomed homage due from the Welsh he was pursued with hot war by king Edward the first and forced to a composition amongst other hard conditions concluding after his decease a surrendry to the English of the principality of Wales and the parts he now enjoyed Not long after as it seemeth repenting himselfe of his act and the more incensed through the instigation of his brother David excluded from all hope of succession by this agreement pretending the English tyranny iniustice he againe fatally tooke armes the successe whereof was his owne death hapning shortly after slaine in the prosecution of the warre nere the towne of Buelth as the Welshmen say betraied the execution of David his brother by the hand of iustice the finall abolition of the Welsh government and the conquest of the whole country by the English The Welsh line extinguished the king of England invested with this title and honour their eldest sons or who were next to succeede them in the English Monarchy Their order and names we haue inserted vnto our times Edward of Caernarvon son to Edward the first prince of Wales and afterwards king of England by the name of Edward the second Edward of VVinsore sonne of Edward the second king of England by the name of Edward the third Edward surnamed the blacke prince eldest son to Edward the third Richard of Bourdeaux son to Edward the blacke prince king of England by the name of Richard the second Henry of Monmouth son to Henry the fourth king of England by the name of Henry the fift His sonne Henry the sixt is not accompted amongst the princes of Wales his father deceasing onely some few moneths after his birth Edward son to Henry the sixt slaine by the faction of Yorke after the battaill at Tewkesbury Edward sonne to Edward the fourth king of England by the name of Edward the fift Edward son to Richard the third Arthur eldest son to Henry the seventh Henry younger sonne to Henry the seventh king of England by the name of Henry the eight Edward son to Henry the eight king of England by the name of Edward the sixt Henry eldest son to Iames king of great Britaine of happy memorie Charles son to King Iames and brother to prince Henry now King of great Britaine whom God long preserue THE PICT'S THe name hereof signifyeth painted in the Latine tongue which was first giuen vnto them by the Romans in regard of their paintings That the Picts were accustomed to paint themselues the authorities of Claudian and Isidore make manifest Pompoinus Laetus Buchanan and others would haue them to haue beene a Colonie of the opposite and neighbouring Germans But which nation wee reade not in Tacitus or in any classique authour ever to haue beene painted Beda of much better authority fetcheth their pedegree further of from the Scythians who should arriue in the Northerne parts of the Iland in the yeare 78 after Christ yet which he doth not constantly affirme but delivereth onely as receiued by tradition The errour hereof and of the like forreine derivations the generall consent of auncient Geographers and Historians doth plainely evince placing here the Caledonii and other names of the Britons but not mentioning the Picts vntill two hundred yeares afterwards The most probable assertion is that they were no other then the natiue Britons inhabiting the wilde parts of Caledonia who after Herodian vsing to paint their bodies with sundry shapes of birds and beasts and going naked to haue their braverie seene became at length thus named by the Romans from such their straunge habit and for their better distinction from the civill Britons of the Province wearing cloathes and attired after the Roman manner Some reasons inducing herevnto might be their like fashions and manner of liuing with the more auncient Britons and the many British words yet left in the townes and parts of Scotland which they sometimes inhabited arguing as the same language so the same nation of both We adde the great silence of the Romans who neighbouring close vnto them and possessing the Southerne part of the Iland long before their supposed arrivall by Beda yet make no mention of their descent hither from forreine parts We adde likewise the testimony of Eumenius in his Panegyrique vnto the Emperour Constantine the Great who maketh the Caledonij to be a part of the Picts intimating hereby as the Picts to be Britons for such were the Caledonij so this not so much then to haue beene the name of a people as some agnomination or by-name given to all the wild barbarous Britons in regard of their disfiguring or painting They are first mentioned by Eumenius in his Panegyrique aforsaid liuing in the time of Constantine the great The part of Britaine they then possessed was the whole Northerne part hereof not yet conquered or brought into a Province by the Romans for by this name all the barbarous Britons begun now to bee called neither were the Irish Scots at this time arriued had setled here their habitation The Westerne part of Caledonia being overwhelmed by a deluge of the Scots which hapned about the raigne of the Emperour Honorius they withdrew wholy into the Easterne part hereof bordering vpon the German Ocean bounding vpon the South with the Bodotria now Edenborough Frith for thus farre Northwards extended the Roman or civill Britons as did afterward the Saxons
of Northumberland vpon the West with the Scots and vpon the East and North with the German and Northerne Oceans The kingdome of the Northumbrians after their last Ethelred and the yeare 794 becomming extinct or miserably languishing through a 33 yeares ciuill dissention and the invasion of the Danes by the advantage hereof they enlarged their bounds Southwards as farre as the river Tweed gotten from the English The contayned a little before their finall ouerthrow by the Scots the Countryes now of Tividale Tweedale Merch Lauden Fife Cuningham Merne Anguish Straith-ern and Marre with others or the whole Easterne part of the present Scotland from the Tweede Northwards By the Scots vnder their King Kenneth after a fierce and bloody warre about the yeare 830 they were totally subdued and their name and memory quite rooted out their countrey hauing beene since added to the accompt and name of Scotland Their language most probably was the British Beda maketh it distinct herefrom and one of the fower generall of the Iland But whom the more iudicious interpret not of languages but of Dialects That the Dialect and many words hereof should in Beda his time be much different from those of the Cornish or Welsh Britons their long disvnion through the comming betwixt of the Northumbrian Saxons and the ancient subiection and commerce of the other with the Romans must necessarily enforce Their government was vnder Kings Their order and succession we finde not Their last was Druskenus slaine with the extirpation of the whole Nation by Kenneth and the Scots THE SCOTS THE Scots after Giraldus Cambrensis were a Colony of the neighbouring Irish. Orosius liuing in the raigne of the Emperour Honorius calleth the many people in his time inhabiting Ireland by the generall name of the Scots The like doth Beda in the first booke of his Ecclesiasticall story of the English and first Chapter Eginhartus in his life of the Emperour Charles the Great nameth Ireland an Iland of the Scots Isidore more plainly maketh Ireland and Scotland onely to be two different names of one and the same Iland distinct from Britaine Gildas more to our purpose tearmeth the Scots then inhabiting Britaine and infesting the Natiues with their dayly forragings Irish grassatores or free-booters That the Scots originally were Irish besides these authorities the present language habit and barbarous manners of the High-landers or Westerne Scots agreeing with the present Irish doe plainly demonstrate The Scots in Ireland Ptolemy and the auncient Geographers mention not The name doubtlesse was new affected vpon some accident which we know not giuen vnto or taken vp by the Irish towards the waine of the Romane Empire in that manner as were about the same times those of the Picts Almans French Sclaues with others by the Britons Germans Sarmatians leauing their former old names and vniting into these common Concerning the Etymologie hereof learned Camden after much search professeth himselfe to be ignorant Porphyrius is the first of ancient Authours in whom we finde the Scots mentioned liuing in the time of the Emperour Aurelian and as he is cited vpon an other occasion by S. Hierome in his Tract against the Pelagians ad Ctesiphontem In auncient and approued Histories we first reade of them with the Picts with whom they are still joyned in the raignes of the Emperours Constantius the second Honorius and the first and third Valentinians Their mention after this is common vnto this present The time of their first plantation in Britaine is vncertaine In the 20 26 and 27 bookes of Ammianus Marcellinus wee heare of them ransacking and spoyling the Roman Province but from what parts my Authour setteth not downe whether from Caledonia and the Northerne parts of Britaine or rather from Ireland which is more probable Claudian in his second booke de laudibus Stiliconis relateth of them attempting vpon the Continent hereof from Ireland and stopped and driuen home by Stilico where also hee accompteth them amongst the neighbouring Nations infesting Britaine which maketh it almost manifest that in the beginning of the raigne of Honorius vnder whom Stilico then serued they had not yet arriued here or set firme footing Shortly afterward notwithstanding before the intrusion of the Saxons we find them in Beda with the Picts possessing the Northerne part of Britaine invading from hence the Province and the Britons being vnable to withstand them twice ouercome and beaten off by fresh Roman supplies sent from Honorius and Valentinian the third From these proofes wee strongly conjecture their first descent hither and fixed dwelling to haue hapned towards the latter end of the raigne of the Emperour Honorius The part here they first tooke vp was the Westerne moity of Caledonia formerly inhabited by the Picts bounding vpon the East with this Nation and vpon the South with the Roman Province from the which they were diuided by the Glota now the Frith of Dunbriton which they held without any sensible addition till after the time of Beda After the yeare 794 and the decease of King Ethelred before mentioned through the advantage of a long ciuill dissention amongst the Saxons of Northumberland of the Danish wars which together hapned they got seazed of the parts lying betwixt the Friths of Solway Dunbriton belonging aunciently to the Northumbrian kingdome of Bernicia They contained by that time the present Countries of Carict Galloway Cantire Argile Braid-Albin Lorn Rosse with others or the whole Westerne part of the present Scotland from Solway Frith coasting Northwards along the Irish Ocean King Kenneth the second about the yeare 830 the Picts being subdued enlarged the Dominion hereof and the name and accompt of Scotland Eastward vnto the German Ocean extended by this meanes ouer the whole Northerne part of the Iland and seuered from England by the Frith of Solway and the River Tweede the more certaine bounds euer after betwixt the two kingdomes Malcolme the first about the yeare 946 added Cumberland and Westmoreland parts of England to the Dominion of the Scottish Kings by the gift of Edmund King of England to bee held vnder the fief of the English Monarches recouered by Henry the second and incorporated with the English Crowne Their government was Monarchicall yet where more aunciently not alwayes the next of bloud but the ripest in yeares and the most fit to rule of the kingly Race succeeded Kenneth the third succeeding about the yeare 976 by the consent of the States made the Kingdome first haereditary and to descend vnto the next ofkin confirmed by his son Malcolme the second and continued vnto our times Their first King after the Scottish Historians was Fergusius the son of Ferchard an Irish Scot chosen by the Nation shortly after their arrivall in Britaine about the yeare 330 before Christs Incarnation succeeded vnto by Ferithariâ— Mainus Dornadilla Nothatus Reutherus Reutha Thereus Iosina Finnanus Durstus Evenus the first Gillus Evenus the second Ederus Evenus the third
eldest daughter to Edward surnamed the Outlaw eldest son to Edmund Ironside King of England by which meanes the right of the house of the Saxons Edgar Atheling the only son of Edward deceasing vnmarried and without issue descended vpon the Kings of Scotland the posterity hereof and Margaret continued herein vnto our times and the vnion of the two kingdomes in Iames our late Soveraigne of happy memory He first as is thought brought into Scotland the titles of Earles Barons with others borrowed from the neighbouring English with whom vnder Edward the Confessour during the vsurpation of Macbeth he had for a long time remained He was slaine at the taking of Anwick Castle in Northumberland after some yeares warre maintained against William the Conquerour and the Normans occasioned through his protection and ayde of the banished English Donaldus the fourth son to Duncanus yonger brother to Milcolumbus the third vsurping the kingdome by the aide of Magnus king of Norwey He was driven out by Duncanus naturall son to Milcolumbus the third Duncanus the second naturall son to Milcolumbus the third slaine by the treason of Macpendirus Earle of Merne corrupted by Donaldus the fourth liuing then exiled amongst the Westerne Ilands He thus murthered Donardus the fourth resumed the kingdome vanquished and taken prisoner not long after by Edgar the right heire son to Milcolumbus the third and Margaret ayded by his vncle Edgar and the English Edgar son to Milcolumbus the third and Margaret daughter to Edward surnamed the Outlaw His sister Maude was marryed vnto Henrie the first king of England yongest son to the Conquerour vniting hereby the royall blood of the Saxons with that of the Normans Hee deceased without issue Alexander the first son to Milcolumbus and Margaret and brother to Edgar He also deceased sans issue David the first brother to Edgar and Alexander and son to Milcolumbus and Margaret succeeding in the yeare 1124. He annexed to the Crowne of Scotland the Earledomes of Northumberland and Huntingdon acruing through his marriage with Maude daughter to Earle Waldeofus He recouered likewise Cumberland and Westmoreland from the English taken from his predecessours by William the Conquerour restored vnto him by the liberality of king Stephen Milcolumbus the fourth son to Henrie prince of Scotland son to king David Vnable to withstand the ambition and greater power hereof he quitted Northumberland Westmoreland and Cumberland vnto Henry the second king of England retaining onely the Earledome of Huntingdon of all his English possessions left for a time vnto his successours He deceased without issue vnmarried VVilliam brother to Malcolme the fourth Taken prisoner at the battaill of Anwijck to procure his libertie peace with the English he did homage and sweare fealty vnto king Henry the second for the Crowne of Scotland Alexander the second son to William Alexander the third son to Alexander the second He deceased in the yeare 1285 without heires of his body or not long surviving The whole issue hereof and of king Alexander the second and William extinguished their contended for the soveraignety Iohn Balliol Lord of Galloway son to Iohn Balliol and Dornagilla daughter to Alan Lord of Galloway and Margaret eldest daughter to David Earle of Huntingdon brother to king William great vncle to Alexander the third and Robert Bruce Lord of Annandale son to Robert Bruce and Isabell second daughter to David Earle of Huntingdon and sister to Margaret both parties challenging a chiefer right and interest before the other Balliol as descended from the elder sister and Bruce as nearer by one degree to Earle David The Scots not able to determine the controversie or without armes Edward the first king of England is chosen vmpire After 6 yeares vacancy the right is adiudged on the behalfe of Balliol by king Edward with condition of his acknowledgment and homage to the English Crowne Iohn Balliol Lord of Galloway king of Scotland by the arbitration of king Edward the first He did homage to king Edward at the towne of Newcastle vpon Tine according to the agreement made betwixt them Discontenting his subjects through this his English subjection to regaine their lost loues or after my Scottish Authours provoked with some disgrace iniuries receiued from Edward he renounced not long after his homage and fealty sworne to the English warred vpon by Edward and after some ouerthrowes vnable to withstand so valiant and great a Monarcke forced to resigne into the hands hereof the whole right and interest he had or might claime to the Crowne of Scotland imprisoned afterwards in the towre of London and set at liberty by the mediation of Pope Boniface the eight and sent ouer to his inheritance and possessions in France where in a private fortune he dyed After this king Edward the first of England made a full conquest of the Scots whō he kept vnder hard subjection during his whole raigne although not without sundry defections and rebellions of this fierce stirring nation moued by William Walleys Robert Bruce and others most commonly to their losse He deceasing through their great victorie at Banocks-bourne neare Striueling obtained against Edward the second and the English and the tumults disorders hapning in England during the raigne of this weake and vnfortunate prince the Scots againe recouer their libertie Robet Bruce formerly crowned in the raigne of Edward the first is confirmed king Robert the first son to Robert Bruce lord of Anandale competitour of the kingdome with Iohn Balliol king of Scotland by right of warre his birth and the voluntary cession of Balliol the restorer of the Scottish name and liberty after a victorious and happy raigne deceasing in the yeare 1329. David the second king of Scotland son to Robert the first In the minority hereof Edward Balliol son to Iohn Balliol invadeth and by the helpe of the English obtayneth the Scottish Crowne to be held by him vnder the homage and protection of Edward the third king of England opposed by the faction of David Balliol and his Enhlish after long miserie and war being thrust out king David recovereth his almost lost kindgome taken prisoner shortly after at the battaill of Nevills crosse neere Durham invading England in favour of his auncient friends the French distressed through the many victories of Edward the third and the English He deceased without issue in the yeare 1370 the second and last king of Scotland of the house and name of Bruce Robert the second the first of the familie name of the Stewarts descended from Walter created Stewart of Scotland by Malcolme the third which name of office grew afterwards a surname to his house and ofspring king of Scotland in right from his mother eldest daughter to Robert the first and sister to Dauid the second Since this time the name and house of Stewarts haue still worne the regall Crowne of the Scottish dominions Iohn the second called Robert after his inauguration the name of Iohn as
wherein his father with the Normans had conquered the English annexing Normandy to his English Crowne his borther Robert being surprised in battaile and detayned prisoner during life He deceased in the yeare 1135 the first English-Norman king Stephen Earle of Mortaigne yonger son to Stephen Earle of Blois and Champaigne by Adcla daughter to the Conquerour king of England by the power of his faction the advantage of his sexe and the pretended will of king Henry vpon his death-bed opposed by Maude the onely legitimate daughter surviuing issue of Henry formerly wife to Henry the fourth Emperour of the Romans After long trouble warres betwixt the two sides a peace at length is concluded Stephen is continued in the possession of the Crowne to returne after his decease vpon Henry Fitz-Empresse son to Mande and to the heires of the first Henry Henry the second son to Geffrey Plantaginet Earle of Aniou in France Maude the Empresse daughter to Henry the first and Maude daughter to Malcolme king of Scotland and S t Margaret descended from king Edmund surnamed the Iron-side In this prince the surname of Plantaginet was first deriued vpon the house of England continued vnto Edward sonne to George Duke of Clarence the last Plantaginet or of the male issue hereof the rest extinguished during the ciuill warres betwixt the houses of Yorke and Lancaster put to death by king Henry the seaventh He marryed vnto Eleanor daughter and sole heire to William Duke of Aquitaine Guienne and by armes voluntary submission made first subiect the factious and devided Irish king of England Duke of Normandy Aquitaine Guienne Earle of Aniou The dominion title of Ireland he had given vnto his yongest son Iohn Maude his eldest daughter was married vnto Henrie surnamed the Lyon Duke of Saxony and Bavaria from whom are descended the present Dukes of Brunswyck and Lunenburg in Germany bearing the same armes with the more auncient kings of England Richard the first king of England Duke of Normandy Aquitaine Guienne Earle of Aniou son to Henrie the second He accompanied Philip surnamed Augusts king of France with other Latine princes towards the East for the recoverie of the Holy Land renowned for his victories against Saladine Sultan of Aegypt and the Infidels Not the least in that journey amongst his other conquest was that of the Cyprioâ—s whom occasioned by some hostile and churlish carriages of Cursar their king against his distressed and weather-beaten Fleete he in few daies subdued exchanging that Iland with Guy of Lusignan for the kingdome or title of Hierusalem remaining in the house of Guy for many descents vntill the vsurpation thereof by the Venetians He deceased without issue Iohn king of England Duke of Normandie Aquitaine and Guienne Earle of Aniou and Lord of Ireland which last title he first added yongest son to Henry the second opposed by Arthur Duke of Britaine son to Geffrey his elder brother and Constance inheretresse of that house He lost Normandy Aniou Touraine and Maine with Poictou part of the Dukedome of Aquitaine to Philip the second surnamed Augustus French king pretending their forfeiture holding of the French kings in fee vpon the decease of Arthur whom he surmised to haue beene murthered by Iohn forsaken in those troubles by his disloyall Nobility refusing their aydes and betrayed by the natiues of those countries better effected to the French Ingaged at once in three dangerous warres against the Pope Cleargie the French king and his rebellious subjects to make his peace with the Pope his more potent adversary and the chiefe authour of those evils Innocentius the third then succeeding in the Papacy he enthralled his Crowne to the tribute and vassallage of the sea of Rome Henry the third son to Iohn succeeding in the left dominions of his father and in his warres against the French and his traiterous English Barons Edward the first son to Henry the third He subdued the Scots and annexed the Welsh to his English kingdome Edward the second son to Edward the first He marryed vnto Isabel daughter to Philip the fourth French king deposed by a joint conspiracy of his disloyall Queene subjects pretending his bad government and vices Edward the third son to Edward the second Isabel of France The male issue of Philip the fourth extinguished in Charles surnamed the Faire in right from his mother daughter to Philip the next heire generall he made claime to the rich kingdome of France assuming the title hereof and quartering his English armoryes with the French Lillies continued still in his successours Hauing vanquished the French in two memorable battailes at Crecy and Poictiers taken Iohn their king prisoner he in the end nothwithstanding fortune changing lost to that enimy all Aquitaine and Guienne the remainder of the English possessions in that Continent Calais excepted yeelded vp by the treacherous inhabitants ill affecting the English government and coveting a revnion with France He deceased in the yeare 1378. Richard the second king of England France and Lord of Ireland son to Edward prince of Wales eldest son to Edward the third deposed by Henry the fourth without issue Henry the fourth king of England France Lord of Ireland son to Iohn of Gaunt Duke of Lancaster fourth son to Edward the third the first prince of the Lancastrian family whose vsurpation and vniust title gaue occasion afterwards to those long and miserable warres betwixt his house Yorke Henry the fift king of England France and Lord of Ireland eldest son to Henrie the fourth The field of Azincourt won and the vnfortunate French vnder a lunatike and weake king being devided into two great factions of Burgundie and Orleans by the aide of Burgundie hauing married Catharine the French kings daughter he is made Regent of France during the malady and indisposition hereof and declared his next successour to the Crowne Charles the Dolphin his son disinherited Henrie the sixt king of England France and Lord of Ireland son to Henry the fift Catherine of France Crowned French king at Paris in the yeare 1431. In the raigne hereof Richard Duke of Yorke layd claime to the Crowne of England in the right of the house of Clarence elder brother to Iohn of Gaunt father to king Henry the fourth ayded by Richard Nevile Earle of Warwick and other potent nobility the effect whereof was a bloody civill warre continued with variable fortune for the space of 25 yeares betwixt the two houses of Lancaster and Yorke the slaughter of the greatest part of the blood royall of both factions the deposing murder of this holy and just prince the irrecoverable losse of France by these tumults the establishing of the kingdome in Edward the fourth his succession the house of Yorke Edward the fourth son to Richard Plantaginet Duke of Yorke which Richard was son to Richard Earle of Cambridge sonne to Edmund Duke of Yorke fift son
to king Edward the third by Anna his wife daughter to Roger Mortimer Earle of March son to Edmund Mortimer Philippa daughter and sole heire of Lionel Duke of Clarence third son to king Edward king of England and France Lord of Ireland by conquest and the right of his house Edward the fift king of England and France and Lord of Ireland son to Edward the fourth deposed and afterwards murthered by his vnnaturall vncle Richard the third deceasing without issue Richard the third son to Richard Duke of Yorke and yonger brother to Edward the fourth He was slaine at Bosworth field against Henry the seaventh the last king of the name of Plantagenet Henry the seaventh king of England France and Lord of Ireland son to Edmund Earle of Richmund and Margaret his wife daughter to Iohn Duke of Somerset sonne to Iohn of Gaunt Duke of Lancaster by Catherine Swinford the next and almost onely surviuing person of the house of Lancaster butchered in the late warres The better to assure the kingdome to his posterity and to prevent all future quarrells he tooke to wife Elizabeth eldest daughter to king Edward the fourth vniting in his issue the vndoubted rights of both factions of Lancaster Yorke Henry the eight son to Henry the seaventh He made Ireland a kingdome and first assumed the title of Defendour of the faith Edward the sixt king of England France and Ireland son to Henry the eight Mary Queene of England France and Ireland daughter to Henry the eight sister to Edward Elizabeth of famous memory Queene of England France Ireland sister to Edward Mary Iames of happie memory the sixt of that name king of Scotland in the yeare 1602 the whole issue of king Henry the eight being extinguished in Elizabeth succeeding in the kingdome of England and the dominions therevnto belonging son to Henry Stuart Lord Darly and Mary Queene of the Scots daughter to Iames the fift son to Iames the fourth Margaret eldest daughter to king Henry the seaventh the first sole Monarch of Great Britaine and of the neighbouring Ilands Charles king of Great Britaine France Ireland whom God long preserue sonne to Iames of happie memorie In this sort the Iland of Great Britaine having suffered so many alterations is at length now become devided into two onely kingdomes governed by one Monarch but not any wise depending or subordinate to another the kingdome of England lying vpon the South of the river Tweede Solwey Frith and the kingdome of Scotland lying beyond The kingdome of England our present subject hath beene formerly devided into 52 Shires or Counties Kent Sussex Surrey Barkeshire Hantshire Wiltshire Somersetshire Dorsetshire Devonshire Cornwall Glocestershire Oxfordshire Buckinghamshire Bedfordshire Hartfordshire Middlesex Essex Suffolke Norfolke Cambridgeshire Huntingdonshire Northamptonshire Rutlandshire Leicestershire Lincolneshire Nottinghamshire Darbyshire Cheshire Staffordshire Warwickshire Worcestershire Shropshire Herefordshire Monmouthshire Glamorganshire Brecknockshire Radnorshire Caermardenshire Penbrokeshire Cardiganshire Merioneihshire Caernarvonshire Anglesey Denbighshire Flintshire Lancashire Yorkeshire the Bishopricke of Durham Westmoreland Cumberland Northumberland Of these Kent retayneth yet the auncient name Essex Sussex haue bin thus called from the East South-Saxons Midlesex from the situation of the English or Dutch inhabitants planted betwixt the West South East Mercian Saxons Devonshire or Denshire from the Danmonij the auncient British inhabitants Westmoreland from the more Westerne position and quality of the countrey being hilly and full of fruitles wasts named Mores by the Northerne English Northumberland from the English kingdome of Northumberland whereof it was a part Rutlandshire most probably from the ruddie colour of the soile Barkeshire from the wood Berroc after Asser Menevensis Glamorganshire from the word Mor signifying the sea with the Britons or Welsh vpon which it lyeth Wiltshire and Somersetshire from Wilton and Somerton decayed townes sometimes the chiefe of the Shires Anglesey from the English since the possession hereof by the Nation Suth-rey or Surrey signifyeth with the English the Southerne kingdome a part of the kingdome of the South-Saxons Suffolke Norfolke the more Southerne and Northerne people compared thus together the parts sometimes of the kingdome of the East-Angles The occasion of the names of Cornwall and Cumberland we euen now related Merioneth was the auncient name given by the Welsh The reason hereof we finde not The rest haue beene named from the chiefe townes of each devision Their descriptions follow L. D. THE THIRD BOOKE Contayning the Chorographicall description of England KENT BOunded vpon the South and East with the English channell and the German Ocean vpon the North with the river Thames from Essex and vpon the West with Surrey and Sussex The country is hilly shaded with hedge-rowes woods populous and fruitfull planted with a frugall and industrious inhabitant The aire is thick and in many places agueish and vnholsome for this cause or in regard of some bad vapours from a wet cold and vnhealthfull ground Places of better note are Canterbury vpon the river Stour Darvernum of Ptolemy Durovernum of Antoninus Durovernia of Beda the chiefe towne and an Archbishops sea the Primate of the kingdome founded by Ethelbert the first Christian king of Kent in the person of S. Austine the Apostle of the English Vpon the Ocean Reculver a country village Regulbium of the Notitia the Station of the 1 Cohort named of the Vetasii Sandwich a Cinque Port. In the neighbouring fields stood the towne Rhutupiae of Ptolemy and Rhitupae of Antoninus the tract of whose streets are yet discovered by a more thin growth of corne in those places named S. Augustines crosse by the vulgar people a famous port of the Romans and the Mansion of their 2 d Legion surnamed Augusta drawne hither in the waine of that Empire from Isca Silurum now Caer Leon in South-Wales to defend the coast against the pyracies and incursions of the Saxons North hereof lyeth the I le of Tenet Thanatos of Ptolemy made by the river Stour here dividing and falling into the Ocean with two branches or channels The foreland a promontory of the Iland is named Cantium by Ptolemy in some editions corruptly Nucantium and Acantium Dover vnder the cliffs and where they divide Dubris of Antoninus and Dubrae of the the Notitia the Station of a foot company of the Tungricani a noted passage into France and one of the Cinque ports defended with a spacious and strong castle mounted vpon a high and praecipitous rocke commaunding the subject Ocean The Constable hereof is Warden of the Cinque ports The straight of the sea betwixt this and the Continent named by the French Le Pas de Calais by the Latines Fretum Caletanum containeth about 30 miles in breadth At the castle of Deale a low shore in the way towards Sandwich Caesar is thought to haue landed when he first invaded Britaine Along the cliffs Folkeston Hide a cinque port
Ocean hauing vpon the South Lough-Nesse from Buquhan and Loqhuabria and vpon the North Catnesse and Straith-Navern rough mountainous and wooddie to the West in the vallies and towards the East more fruitfull In the midst and towards the Lake Nesse arise the high mountaines of Ardmanoch couered all the yeare long with snow Vpon the North-West is Assinshire indented with sundry creekes of the Westerne Ocean Chiefe places are in Ardmanoch the Castle Louet At the mouth of the Nesse Chanonry the seat of the Bishops of Rosse Cromerty a Sherifdome or place of Iudicature SVDERLAND SEated vpon the German Ocean betwixt Catnesse vpon the North and Rosse vpon the South and having Strath-Navern vpon the West mountainous yeelding tolerable pasturage but little corne The chiefe place is Dun-Robin Castle the seate sometimes of the Earles of Suderland The mountaines afford plenty of fine marble but of no vse in those cold and Northren regions CATNESSE HAving vpon the South Suderland vpon the North and East the Ocean and vpon the West Straith-Navern The inhabitants liue most vpon their profit of cattle and fish got in the Ocean The most noted places are Girnego castle the seat of the Earles and Durnock and Wik the seates of the Bishops of Catnesse More to the North lie the Promontories Berubium and Viruedrum of Ptolemy now Dunsbey or Duncans-bay and Hoia or Vrdshead with Howburne-head in Strath-Naverne the extreame points of the Iland of Great Brittaine towards the Pole Articke and the North. Camden placeth these two last in Strath-Navern Buchanan otherwise in this country STRAITH-NAVERNE NAmed thus from the river Naverne Nabeus of Ptolemy and bounded vpon the South with Rosse vpon the East with Suderland and Catnesse and vpon the West and North with the Ocean cold hilly and lesse fruitfull with Catnes the extreame parts of Great Britaine towards the North. Here lyeth the Promontory named Tarvedrum and Orcas by Ptolemy now Howburne Head LOQHVABRIA COntinued vpon the same Ocean betwixt Rosse vpon the North Logh-Aber vpon the South fruitfull in corne and pasturages and pleasantlie shaded with woods The most noted place is Innerloth vpon the lake Loth. LORNE EXtended a long the same Westerne Ocean betwixt Logh Aber vpon the North by which it is parted from Loqhuabria and Knapdale and Cantire vpon the North fruitful in corne and divided by the great Lake named Leauve by the natiues The chiefe place is Tarbar in Logh Kinkeran a Sherifdome or juridicall resort for this country and the more Southerne part of the Westerne Scottish Ilands BRAID-ALBIN SEated to the East of Lorn amongst rockie and high mountaines parts of the hill Grampius of Tacitus inhabited by the High-land-men or Irish Scots ARGILE LYing to the West of Lennox and the lake Lomond and bounding vpon the South with the Sea or Frith of Dunbriton wild rockie and mountainous with Cantire Braid-Albin and the neighbouring countries of the Highlanders the more ancient and first residence of the Scots desbourding hither from Ireland CANTIRE IT is a narrow Promontory or Chersonese of some 30 miles in length the Promontory of the Epidij of Ptolemie divided frō Argile by Logh Fin a long and spacious arme of the sea of Dunbriton ioyned to Knapdale the Continent by a small necke of land not exceeding a mile in breadth The Mul of Cantire the farthest point of the Chersonesse is distant onely 13 miles from Ireland the next part of Scotland and Great Brittaine to that Iland These last inclusiuely from Menteith were the famous Caledonij of Tacitus parted by Ptolemy into 13 lesser names or diuisions the Epidij Cerones Creones Carnonacae Carini Cornabij Logi Mertae Cantae Texali Vennicontes Vacomagi and Caledonij particularly thus called the onely part of Britaine stopping and giving bounds to the great conquests and victories of the Romans twice invaded by Iulius Agricola in the raigne of Domitian and by the Emperour Severus but without any good effect not without much losse to the Roman side secured by their mountaines lakes marishes and woods The Romane Empire declining they were all called by the names of Picts Afterwards they became divided betwixt the Picts driven vnto the Easterne shore and the Scots a colony as before of the Irish thrusting into the parts towards Ireland and the West the victorious conquerours not long after of the Picts At this day they are distinguished into the Law-land-men or the English and more civil Scots inhabiting the plainer countries along the German Ocean and vpon this side of the two Friths the Highland-men or Irish Scots retaining yet the Irish language and manners and possessing the heights of the hill Grampius Braid-albin Argile and other mountainous regions vpon the Westerne and Irish Seas THE ILANDS OF GREAT BRETAINE THe Ilands belonging to this Continent are all called in Ptolemy by the name of the British Ilands Before the time of Pliny as in his 4 booke and 16 chapter they made with Albion or the Greater Britaine the generall name of the Britaines distinguished from the ancient accounted an other world after Solinus The most famous greatest of these and after England of the Ilands of Europe and the West is Ireland IRELAND THE bounds hereof are vpon the East the Irish Ocean or S. George his Channell from England Scotland vpon the North the Northerne Ocean vpon the West the Westernesea vpon the South the Vergivian It lyeth betwixt about the 51½ and 56⅚ degrees of Northern Latitude or betwixt the 19 or middle Paralel of the 8 Clime where the longest day hath 16 houres and a halfe and the 24 Paralel or end of the 10 clime where the same hath 17 houres and 3 quarters The length of the Iland after this computation is 320 Italian miles or measured English Camden otherwise accounteth the length onely at 300 English The breadth he reckneth at 120 of the same miles The aire is temperate and healthie but moist and raw rather plentifully bringing vp and nourishing then ripening fruits The soile is firtill but better pasturage and for grasse then for fruits and corne through a wet qualitie of the ground or by the sloath of the natiues and for their want of manuring encombred with bogs lakes marishes and with thicke slutchie and vndreaned woods The first inhabitants were the Irish for more ancient we finde not distinguished by Ptolemie into sundry lesser people and names the Rhobognij Darnij Voluntij Vennicnij and Erdini now containing Vlster the Auteri Gangani and Nagnatae inhabiting Connaught the Velibori Vterni Vodiae and Coriondi now Munster and the Menapij Cauci Blanij and Brigantes now Leinster whose citties were Rhigia Rheba Macolicum Dunum Laberus Ivernis c. whose interpretatiōs we let passe as very vncertaine free for a long time and not conquered by forraine power neglected by the Romans and the succeeding Saxons or English engaged in more necessary
of the nation to the South and East are fully accomplished the Sea-coasts of Afrique Brasil Asia perfectly viewed forts colonies of the Portugalls planted in convenient places the way to the East Indies by the backe of Afrique traced out the riches of the East brought by Sea into Europe the great navies and armies of the Aegyptian Sultans of other barbarous Princes discomfited ouerthrowne and no small part of Aethiopia India Persia subdued or made tributary Iohn the third son to Emanuel Sebastian son to Iohn Prince of Portugal son to Iohn the third With more then youthfull folly adventuring his person against the Moores in Afrique yong vnmarried without any knowne successour that might continue the house he was there vnfortunately slaine at the battaile of Alcaçar in the yeare 1578. Henry the second Cardinall and Bishop of Evoâ—a son to king Emanuel In this Prince being a Priest vnmarried and leauing no heires ended the line masculine of the kings of Portugal He deceased in the yeare 1580. Philip son to the Emperour Charles the fift Isabel daughter to king Emmanuel the first Monarch of Spaine since the Gothes his Competitour Don Antonio naturall son to Lewes son to king Emmanuel driuen out Philip the third son to Philip the second Philip the fourth son to Philip the third By this meanes after so many chaunges and successions Spaine as hath beene declared is become at this day divided into three distinct kingdomes vnited vnder one Monarch but otherwise differing in Lawes in the manner of their government 1 of Castille Leon whereof Navarra Granado are parts 2 of Aragon 3 of Portugal contayning together 18 lesser divisions or Provinces 1 of Portugall betwixt the rivers Minio Duero 2 betwixt the Duero Taio 3 betwixt the Taio Guadiana 4 Castillia la Veia 5 Castillia la Nueva 6 Asturia 7 Biscaia 8 Galitia 9 Guipuscoa 10 Navarra 11 Estremadura 12 Andaluzia 13 Granado 14 Murcia 15 Aragonia 16 Valentia 17 Catalonia 18 and the Land of Russillon The occasions of the names of Portugall Castille we haue before related Galitia Asturia were called thus from the Calaeci and Astures their auncient inhabitants Guipuscoa Biscaia corruptly from the Vascones intruding hereinto Granado Murcia Valentia from their chiefe cities thus named Aragonia from the riuer Arga or Aragon where the state begun Navarra from the more euen plainer situation thereof Andaluzia from the Vandals or Silingi there sometimes inhabiting Russillon from the auncient Castle so named Estremadura from the riuer Duero beyond the which it lay the bounds sometimes of the Christians Moores the name in continuance of time being remoued further from the riuer Southward vnto the Guadiana as it hapned vpon the like occasion vnto those of Northumberland in England and Austria or Oosterriech in Germany The name of Catalonia some haue drawne from the Catti and Alani there inhabiting together Others from the Catalauni an ancient French people Both vncertainly Their descriptions follow THE SEAVENTH BOOKE Contayning the Chorographicall description of Spaine PORTVGAL BOunded vpon the South and West with the Atlantique Ocean intercepted betwixt the rivers Guadiana and Duero vpon the North with the rivers Minio and Avia dividing it from Galicia and vpon the East with a line from the towne of Ribadania standing vpon the Avia drawne by the river Duero and the towne of Miranda vnto the Guadiana a litle below Badaios then with the river Guadiana continued from thence vnto the Ocean dividing it from Andaluzia Estremadura and the two Castilles It contayneth 400 miles in length in breadth where it is widest 100 miles where it is narrowest fourescore miles The country is healthy pleasant but not so fruitfull yeelding litle corne shipped hither for the greatest part from neighbouring countries enriched chiefely by meanes of the trade of the nation in Afrique Brasil and the Indies and rather by forreine then home-bred coÌ„modities It is divided into the parts named from their situations betwixt the Taio and Guadiana betwixt the Taio and the Duero and betwixt the Duero and Minio PORTVGAL BETVVIXT THE TAIO AND GVADIANA THis is the most wilde and desert part of the kingdome dry leane asperous peopled with few townes neither those very populous The South part hereof is named Algarve divided from the rest of the countrey by a line drawne from the Guadiana betwixt the litle rivulets Vataon and Careiras Westwards vnto the litle towne of Odeseiza vpon the Moores and with that title given to Alfonsus the third by Alfonsus the tenth king of Castille continued since in his Successours stiled now Kings of Portugal Algarve Chiefe townes here are Elvis Portelegre Bishops Sees Beia supposed to be Pax Iulia of Pliny Ptolemy then a Roman colonie and one of the 3 juridicall resorts of Lusitania The towne is meane and ill inhabited Setunel Salacia of Ptolemy now a noted port situated at the mouth of the river Palma Evora Ebora of Pliny Antoninus surnamed Faelicitas Iulia and free of the rights of the auncient Latines now an Arch-bishops See and Vniversity founded of late yeares by Cardinall Henry afterwards king of Portugall seated in the middest of a spacious pleasant plaine surrounded with wooddy mountaines the chiefe towne of the countrey Olivença beyond the river Guadiana in the parts belonging sometimes vnto Baetica In the kingdome of Algarve Tavila Balsa of Ptolemy Pliny Faro supposed to be Ossonoba of Ptolemy and Antoninus Lagos all three noted parts vpon the Ocean More within the land Sylvis a Bishops See Neere to Lagos lyeth the noted Promontory de Santo Vincente named thus from the reliques of that holy Martyr brought hither from Valentia by certaine persecuted Christians flying the cruelty of Abderrahmen the first king of the Spanish Moores remoued afterwards to Lisbona by king Ferdinand Strabo Ptolemy call it Promontorium Sacrum adjudged then to be the furthest point of the world towards the West The auncient inhabitants of this part of the kingdome were the Celtici and Turdetani of Ptolemy and Strabo continuate with those other of the same names inhabiting Baetica Strabo nameth the wedge of land where lyeth the Promontory Cuneum called thus from the forme thereof PORTVGAL BETVVIXT THE TAIO AND DVERO COntayning the part of the countrie lying betwixt those two rivers Chiefer townes are Lisbona Oliosipon of Ptolemy Olisipon of Antoninus Olyssippo of Solinus Olysipo of Pliny a municipium of the Romans surnamed Faelicitas Iulia afterwards made a kingdome of the Moores then vpon the surprisall thereof by Alfonsus the first the royall seate of the Kings of Portugal now an Archbishops seate the residence of the Vice-royes and a populous and flourishing Empory the staple of all the Merchandise comming from the conquests of the Portugals situated vpon fiue rising hills vpon the right shore of the river Taio and about fiue miles from the
Aragonia The country seemeth a continuate garden the fields in regard of the mild temperature of the Heauens garnished all the yeare long with sweet-smelling flowres and miraculously euery-where abounding with Pomegranates Limons and other delicious fruite-trees Otherwise for corne it yeeldeth not that plenty which might suffice the inhabitants The sheepe heere beare the finest fleece thorough the whole Spaine being as some relate of the breed of Cottes-would in England transported into this Continent in the raigne of Ferdinand the fift The inhabitants by reason of their too great pleasure delicacy are accompted lesse warlike then the rest of the Spanish nation Of these were reckoned of late yeares no fewer then 22000 families of the Moriscos for the most part inhabiting the country and like vnto those of the Alpuxarras retaining the language as in a manner the behaviour and manner of liuing of the auncient Moores with the rest of that race in Spaine banished into Afrique by King Philip the third Chiefer townes here are Orihuela Orcelis of Ptolemy a Bishops See vpon the riuer Segura and confines of Murcia Alicante Illicias of Ptolemy Illici of Pliny Illice of Mela and Ilicis of Antoninus a free Colony of the Romans and giuing the name to the bay called by Mela Sinus Illicitanus now the bay of Alicante a noted port vpon the Mediterranean Denia Dianium of Ptolemy Strabo Pliny and Solinus a stipendiary towne of the Romans first founded by the Massillians seated vpon a hill vpon the brinke of the Mediterranean ouer which it enioyeth a faire and large prospect Hereof was entitled the Marquesse of Denia of the house of Roias and Sandoval since created Duke of Lerma Betwixt this towne and Alicante lyeth the great Promontory Ferraria named Artemus Dianium and Hemeroscopium by the auncients Gandia giving the title and name to the Dukes thus stiled of the house of Borgia a petty Vniversity lately instituted by the Dukes Valentia Valentia of Ptolemy Pliny Mela and Antoninus then a Colony of the Romans founded by Iunius Brutus by the Moores afterwards made the head city of the kingdome thus named now an Archbishops See and the chiefe city of the Province situated vpon the right shore of the riuer Guadalivar some 3 miles from the Mediterranean The towne is rich faire well traded and exceedingly pleasant Here were borne vnder contrary starres the learned Lodovicus Vives and that monster of Popes and men Alexander the sixt Bishop of Rome Xativa Setabis of Strabo and Ptolemy a Bishops See situated vpon the riuer Xucar Xelva or Chelva supposed by Florianus to be Incibilis of Livy where Hanno was ouercome by Scipio African the great Sogorve Segobriga of Ptolemy and Strabo the chiefe city of the Celtiberi now a Bishops See Morvedre vpon a river thus named Saguntum of Strabo Ptolemy and Pliny and Saguntus of Mela and Antoninus founded by the Zacynthians confederate with the Romans destroyed by Hannibal a little before the second Punique warre and reedified afterwards by the Romans and made one of their Colonies The auncient inhabitants of the country of Valentia were parts of the Bastita◠Contestani Edetani and Celtiberi of Ptolemy and other more auncient Authours ARAGONIA LYing with an equall division vpon both sides of the riuer Ebro hauing vpon the South Valentia and Aragonia vpon the West the two Castilles vpon the North the riuer of Aragon Navarra vpō the East the Pyrenaean mountaines and France The countrey is nothing so pleasant and fruitfull as are the parts immediatly before described ouerrun with the branches of Idubeda of the Pyrenaean Mountaines and commonly drie and scanted of waters where it is not refreshed with rivers and for this cause ill inhabited especially towards the Mountaines Pyrenaean where in regard of this want in some places neither towne nor house are to be seene for many dayes journeye Chiefer townes are Albarracino a Bishops See Daroca vnder Sierra Balbaniera Calataiut vpon the riuer Xalon named thus from Aiub a Saracen prince the founder thereof Some halfe a mile from hence and vpon the Xalon with whose streames it is almost round encompassed ariseth the hill Baubola the seate sometimes of the city Bilbis of Ptolemy Bilbilis of Strabo and Antoninus a municipium of the Romans and the countrey of the Poet Martial Aboue this hill the litle river Cagedo falleth into the Xalon mentioned likewise by the Epigramatist Taradona Turiaso of Ptolemy Antoninus a Bishops See situated neere to Monte Moncaio and the borders of Castille Saragoça Caesaraugusta of Ptolemy Strabo Pliny Antoninus then a Colonie and Municipium of the Romans and one of their seaven juridicall resorts of Tarraconensis named thus from the Emperour Augustus Caesar by whom it was first made a colony formerly being called Salduba from certaine neighbouring Salt-wiches yet extant in the Mountaines Vnder the Moores it became the head of a particular kingdome thus named recovered in the yeare 1118 by the Christians and afterwards made the chiefe residence of the kings of Aragon It is now an Arch-bishops See an Vniversity and the seate of the Inquisition and Vice-roye of the province situated in a goodly champian vpon the right shore of the river Ebro The city is faire large having wide open and hansome streetes and contayning 17 parishes besides 14 monasteries sundry chappels dedicated to the blessed Virgin amongst the which is that called Nuestra Senora del Pilar beleeued by this credulous people to haue beene erected by Iames surnamed the Lesser the Apostle of Spaine and patron of the Castillians Beyond the Ebro Cuera vpon the river Gallego Fraga vpon the river Senga Gallica Flava of Ptolemy and Gallicum of Antoninus Balbastro vpon the Senga Burtina of Ptolemy Bortina of Antoninus now a Bishops See Monçon Huesca Osca of Strabo Ptolemy and Antoninus the place where Sertorius in Plutarch detayned as hostages for their fathers fidelity the children of the Spanish nobility vnder the pretence of trayning them vp in learning afterwards vpon their revolt cruelly murthered by him It is now a Bishops See and a petty Vniversity Venasque amongst the Pyrenaean mountaines Iacca amongst the same mountaines a Bishops See the first seate or residence of the Kings of Aragon From hence were named the Iaccetani of Ptolemy Strabo and Lacetani of Pliny The ancient inhabitants of Aragonia were the Iaccetani Cerretani and Lacetani now mentioned with parts of the Celtiberi Illergetes and Edetani CATALONIA BOunded vpon the West with Valentia and the river Cinia vpon the North with Aragonia vpon the East with the Earledome of Russillon and the Pyrenaean Mountaines from France and vpon the South with the Sea Mediterranean betwixt the riuer Cinia Cabo de Creux The countrey is hilly full of woods yeelding small store of corne wine and fruites enriched more thorough its maritine situation then by home-bred commodities Chiefer townes are
beasts wherewith it is infested These two together are called the Pityusae by Strabo from the multitude of Pine trees there growing About them lye Moncolibre Dragonera other lesser Ilands for the most part vninhabited and not worth relation VVITHOVT THE STRAIGHTS CADIZ THe Iland is situated neere vnto the mouth of the riuer Guadalquivir distant about 700 paces from the maine Land of Andaluzia ioyned thereunto with a bridge called Puente de Suaço The Land is fruitfull enriched besides with fishing and making of Salt and by meanes of the West-Indian traffique the bay thereof serving as a roade for the fleetes and ships passing betwixt Sivilla and that Continent Cadiz is the onely towne Gades of Pliny and Strabo Gadira of Ptolemy founded by the Tyrians becomming afterwards a famous municipium of the Romans and one of their foure iuridicall resorts for the Province of Baetica divided in the time of Strabo into the old and new townes the latter of them hauing beene then lately built by Cornelius Balbus seated in the Westerne part of the Iland It is now a Bishops See and a rich and noted port Here some of the auncients haue put the Pillars of Hercules whose opinion is reiected by Strabo in his third booke who would rather haue them to haue beene placed at the mouth of the Straights either with Pliny where were the hils Calpe and Abila or otherwise in two little Ilands neighbouring to those two hills the Columnes then being worne away through antiquity and the places retaining only the accompt and names hereof Other Ilands appertaining to the Continent of Spaine and situated without the Straights in the maine Ocean are Berlinga against Portugal betwixt the falls of the riuers Taio and Mondego those of Baiona lying against that Towne and Galitia and Zaziga with others before the towne of Corunna conjectured by L. Nonius to be the Cassiterides of Strabo THE EIGHT BOOKE COntayning the present bounds situation and quality of the countrey of France The Inhabitants The victorie and great renowne of the auncient Gaules and Frenchmen A description of the moderne French manners Their Languages and Religion Their Bishops The reuenues of the Cleargie The maner of the ciuill gouernment The Courts of Parliament Bailliages and Seneschausses The King His maner of Succession The Salique Law The title of most Christian King His dominion and revenues The countreys or greater divisions of France FRANCE NAmed thus from the victorious and renowned nation of the Frenchmen It is bounded vpon the South with the Sea Mediterranean vpon the West and South-west with the Westerne or Aquitanique Ocean and the Pyrenaean Mountaines from Spaine vpon the North with the English channell vpon the East North-East first with Alpes from Italy then with a line drawn from thence on the hither side of the Rhijn vnto the town of Calis dividing it from the Low-countries and Germany The greatest length hereof is 660 Italian miles or 330 French The breadth 570 the circumference or compasse 2040 of the same miles It is situated betwixt the 20 and 38 degrees of longitude and the 41½ and 52 degrees of Northerne latitude or betwixt the 13 or middle paralel of the 5 clime where the longest day hath 15 houres the 19 or middle paralel of the 8 clime where the same contayneth 16 houres and an halfe The Ayre in regard thereof is very temperate and pleasing not so hot and scorching as Spaine before described nor so cold raw as are the more Northerne parts The countrey is no lesse pleasant then fruitfull stored with all varieties whether for necessity or ornament sporting and prodigall nature can afford plaine for the most part and numerously inhabited not encombred with so many desert and fruitles wasts of woods marishes and mountaines ordinarie to neighbouring regions not vndeservedly accompted the Garden and Paradise of Europe The chiefer commodities sent out from hence are corne wines with the former whereof the wants that way of Spaine are abundantly supplied with the other those of England and more Northerne countries It yeeldeth such plenty of salt as which might seem sufficient to store all Europe a no small part of the riches of the kingdome It likewise bringeth forth great abundance of oliues figs and other sorts of most delicious fruites proper to hotter countries in the Southerne parts where lie Provence Languedoc The more auncient inhabitants were the Gaules renowned in times past for their many great and famous victories atcheived thorough the world From these the warlike nations of the Celtiberi Lusitani and Astures in Spaine were descended These vnder their captaine Segovesus victoriously raunged over all Germany from whom haue sprung the Bohemians and Bavarians with other people of that continent from whence most probably continuing their conquests as far as Scythia they there founded the Celtoscythae These vnder Bellovesus brother to Segovesus about the same time passing ouer the Alpes conquered the next part of Italy vnto them called afterwards from hence Gaule Cisalpina After this by Brennus they tooke and sacked Rome Afterwards by Belgius and another Brennus with vnresistable might they rāsacked Illyricum Pannony Greece Thrace from whence vnder Lomnorius and Lutorius ferrying over the Hellespont they subdued the whole Asia lying on this side of the Mountaine Taurus which together with the neighbouring countrey of Syria they a long time held vnder their tribute seating about the riuer Halys and occasioning there the name of the Gallo-Greekes or Galatae The first who conquered this victorious nation and made them subject to forreine lawes to let passe their private differences with Ariovistus and the Germans were the Romans as in part by former captaines so totally by C Iulius Caesar immediately before his civill wars with Pompey In the raigne of the Emperour Gratian came first hither the Britons from the iland of great Bretaigne placed in Gaule Armorique by the Tyrant Maximus rebelling against Gratian from whom that part hath since beene named Bretaigne Not long after in the raigne of the Emperour Honorius the Burgundians were received in intruding amonst the Hedui Sequani then the Visigots to whom Gaule Narbonensis was allotted Shortly after in the raigne of the third Valentian the Franci or Frenchmen breake in who the Romans beaten out and the other barbarians subdued in a short time make themselues masters of the whole province giving the name of France therevnto Since the French conquest and monarchy the Vascones a Spanish people after Pasquier in the time of king Dagobert the first or as in Chesne in the raigne of Guntran king of Orleans breaking forth of the Pyrenaean mountaines here seazed vpon that part of Aquitania which since from thence hath bin called Gascoigne Afterwards in the raigne of Charles the Simple the Normans by force composition got possession of the countrey called Neustria named since from these Normandy The whole inhabitants by meanes of their
king of England William the first son to Iohn the third William the second son to William the first the last Duke of Cleve Gulick and Bergen and Earle of Marck continued in the line masculine and descended from Adolph the tenth He deceased in the yeare 1609 without issue After his decease the estates hereof were controversed betwixt the Emperour Rodulph the second pretending the prerogatiue and right of the Empire vpon the failing of the male issue and Wolfang Prince of Nuburg and George-William Duke of Prussen descended from the eldest daughters of Duke VVilliam the first by the favour and armes of neighbouring Princes Gulick besieged and taken established in the possession hereof George-VVilliam Duke of Prussen son to Iohn Sigismond Marquesse and Electour of Brandenburg and to Anne daughter to Albert Duke of Prussen and to Mary-Leonor eldest daughter to William the first Duke of Cleve and Wolfang prince of Nuburg son to Philip-Lewis Count Palatine of Nuburg to Anne-Magdelin second daughter to Duke William the first and sister to Duke William the second Dukes of Cleve Gulick and Bergen and Earles of Marck in the yeare 1616 and at this present THE PALATINATE OF THE RHIIN IT likewise lyeth on both sides of the Rhijn so named frō the Counte-Palatines or Princes thus stiled aunciently seated in those parts and in continuance of time by gift purchase marriage armes becomming Lords hereof How these by litle litle became seazed of the countrey reade Franc Irenicus in his 3 booke 54 55. chapters Who were these first Paltzgraues it is not agreed vpon Trithemius nameth Count Palatines before the raigne of the Emperour Charles the Great Others accompt their beginning from the time of this Emperour Irenicus more probably from the Emperours of the German race house of Saxony They were not more aunciently Princes or hereditary and but onely chiefe Iudges amongst the Dutch or Presidents in their courts of judicature thus entitl'd appointed by the Emperours and continuing during pleasure The first of these whereof there is any certaine mention was one Henry living in the raigne of the Emperour Otho the third appointed one of the six first Electours of the Empire After him the Counte Palatines Electours follow Sigifrid Counte Palatine of the Rhijn and Elector son to Adelheild by a former husband wife vnto Henry the first Electour Ezeline Conrade sons to Sigifrid Lutolphus son to Ezelin Conrade in the raigne of the Emperour Henry the fift Frederique son to Frederique with the one eye Duke of Schwaben and nephew to the Emperour Conrade the third Henry surnamed the Lion Duke of Saxony Bavaria Henry son to Henry surnamed the Lion Engerus Henry the fourth Hitherto the order was confused Otto the second Duke of Bavaria vpon his marriage with Gertrude daughter vnto Henry the fourth created Counte Palatine of the Rhijn and Electour by the Emperour Frederique the second He deceased in the yeare 1259. Lewis the second Duke of Bavaria Electour Counte Palatine of the Rhijn He dyed in the yeare 1294. After the decease hereof these two Estates of Bavaria the Palatinate became againe divided as they haue continued ever since Lewis his younger son succeeding in the part of Bavaria since called the Dukedome of Bavaria and contayned betwixt the Danow and the Alpes and Rodulph his eldest son in the Electourship and the Palatinate of the Rhijn together with Nortgow aunciently part of the Dukedome of Bavaria and then first seperated and from the possession of these princes named since the vpper Palatinate or the Palatinate of Bavaria Rodulph eldest son to Lewis the second Electour and Counte Palatine of the Rhijn His younger brother Lewis succeeded in the Dukedome of Bavaria created afterwards Roman Emperour from whom the present Dukes of Bavaria are descended Adolph surnamed the Simple Electour Coute Palatine of the Rhiin eldest son to Rodulph His younger brother Robert Rodolph were also stiled Electours a chiefe cause of his surname of Simple Rupert son to Adolph the Simple Electour Counte Palatine of the Rhijn Rupert the second son to Rupert the first Hee was afterwards created Roman Emperour Lewis the third surnamed with the beard son to the Emperour Rupert From Stephen of Bipont his younger brother descended the Dukes of Zweibruck or Bipont as also the moderne Electours the house of Lewis the third becomming afterward in Otto-Henry extinguished Lewis the fourth son to Lewis the third Philip son to Lewis the fourth Lewis the fift son to Philip. He dyed without heires Frederique the first son to Philip and brother to Lewis the fift He also dyed without heires Otto-Henry son to Rupert brother to Lewis the fift and Frederique the first the last Electour and Counte Palatine of the Rhijn of the house of Lewis the third deceasing with heires after whom succeeded in Electourship the house of Stephen of Bipont Frederique the third Duke of Zimmeren son to Iohn the secōd son to Iohn the first son to Frederique Earle of Spanheim sonne to Stephen of Bipont son to the Emperour Rupert the house of Lewis the third failing in Otto-Henry in the yeare 1559 succeeding in the Electourship Palatinate He was stiled Frederique the third in regard of Frederique surnamed the Victorious younger son to Lewis the third who although not Electour had notwithstanding vsurped this title in the minority of Philip Electour of whom he was Guardian Lewis the sixt son to Frederique the third Frederique the fourth son to Lewis the sixt governed in his minority by Iohn Casimir Count Palatine of the Rhiin and Knight of the honourable order of the Garter in England son to Frederique the third and brother to Lewis the sixt Frederique the fift son to Frederique the fourth Electour and Count Palatine of the Rhiin chosen King of Bohemia against the Emperour Ferdinand the second whose wife is the most illustrious princesse Elizabeth sister to his Maiestie Charles King of Great Britaine THE LANGRAVE-SHIP OF ELSATS THis tooke the name from the river Ill the chiefe of the country The State was begun in the raigne of the Emperour Otho the third the first Lantgraue after Irenicus being one Theodoric In the raigne of the Emperour Frederique the second the male succession of these Lantgraues failing by meanes of daughters it became divided betwixt Albert the second Earle of Habspurg Albert Earle of Hohenburg Lewis Earle of Ottingen The Earle of Hohenburg shortly after vpon the marriage of Anne his daughter vnto Rodulph afterwards Emperour son to Albert the second Earle of Habspurg surrendred his part vnto that familie By this meanes the house of Habspurg afterwards of Austria became seazed of two parts hereof contayning now the vpper Elsats the Free Cities excepted The rest comprehēding at this day the lower Elsats the Earle of Ottingen sold vnto the Bishop of Strasburg whose Successours now hold the same vsurping the title of Lant-graues of Elsats The
called from the towne of Limburg first an Earledome afterwards made a Dukedome by one of the Henry Emperours By Iohn the first Duke of Brabant pretending some title hereunto it was conquered to the house of Brabant from Reinold the first Duke of Gelderlandt husband to Ermengarde the onely daughter of Herman the last Duke possessed now in this right by the Princes of Burgundy Austria The order and succession of the Princes we finde not THE EARLEDOME OF NAMVR NAmed thus from the chiefe towne thereof Namur The time when it first begun is vncertaine By Iohn or after others by Theodore or Theodoric the last Earle it was sold to Philip the Good Duke of Burgundy whose posterity the Pâ—inces of the house of Burgundy and Austria now enjoy it by that right THE EARLEDOME OF HAINAVLT IT tooke the name from the riuer Haine watering and dividing the country The estate is very auncient being sometime a part of the great Earledome of Ardenne from the which it was divided made a distinct Earledome in the person of Alberic surnamed the Orphelin one of the yongest sons of Brunulph Count of Ardenne dispossessed slain by Dagobert French King who restored dividing that country with his other brethren had this part giuen him with the title of Earle by Sigebert king of Austrasia to be held vnder the soveraignty of the French kings After long continuance and often change by Iaqueline the last Princesse wanting heires together with Holland Zealand and VVest-Freislandt vnited in that family it was surrendred vnto Philip the Good Duke of Burgundy her next kinsman in whose house the right and possession hereof now remaineth The Princes follow Alberic before mentioned one of the yonger sons of Brunulph Earle of Ardenne the first Earle of Hainault VVaultier the first son to Alberic VVaultier the second son to Waultier the first VVaultier the third son to Waultier the second He dyed without male issue Albon the first in right of his wife eldest daughter to Waultier the third Albon the second sonne to Albon the first and of the daughter of Waultier the third Manassier sonne to Albon the second Regnier the first son to Manassier Regnier the second son to Regnier the first Regnier the third son to Regnier the second Bauldwin Earle of Flanders in right of his wife Richilde sole daughter to Regnier the third Bauldwin the second son to Bauldwin Richilde aforesaid Hee succeeded only in the Earledome of Hainault Bauldwin the third son to Bauldwin the second Bauldwin the fourth son to Bauldwin the third Bauldwin the fift sonne to Bauldwin the fourth Bauldwin the sixt sonne to Bauldwin the fift Hee marryed vnto Margeret Countesse of Flanders by which meanes these two Earledomes were the second time vnited vnder one prince Bauldwin the seaventh sonne to Bauldwin the sixt and Margaret Earle of Flanders and Hainault Ioan eldest daughter to Bauldwin the seaventh Earle of Flanders Hainault She dyed sans issue having beene twise marryed to Ferdinand son to Sancius K. of Portugal to Thomas son to Thomas Earle of Savoy Margaret the second younger sister to Ioane aforesaid and daughter to Bauldwin the seaventh Countesse of Flanders and Hainault Shee married vnto William of Burbon Lord of Dampier brother to Archembauld Duke of Bourbon and deceased in the yeare 1279. Before her marriage she had by Buscart her Tutour or Guardian Prior of the Monasterie of S. Peter in L'isle a son named Iohn d'Avesnes by agreement consent of his other brethren succeeding in the Earledome hereof Flanders descending vpon the legitimate issue the heire of Margaret and William of Bourbon Lord of Dampierre Iohn d' Avesnes naturall son to Margaret the second and Buscart Earle of Hainault He marryed vnto Aleide daughter to Florentius the fourth and sister to the Emperour William Earles of Holland Iohn the second son to Iohn d'Avesnes and Aleide aforesaid After the decease of Iohn the first Earle of Holland without children in the yeare 1300 hee succeeded in the Earledomes of Holland Zealand and in the Lordship of West-Freisland continued still afterwards vnited in his successours William the first son to Iohn the second Earle of Hainault Holland Zealandt Lord of West-Freislandt William the second son to William the first He deceased without issue slaine at Staveren by the rebellious Frisons Margaret the third sister to William the second and wife to the Emperour Lewis of Bavaria Countesse of Hainault Holland Zealand and Lord of West-Freislandt Younger sister herevnto was Philippa Queene to Edward the third king of England Betwixt this princesse and her vnnaturall son William the third arose great quarrels contention about the possession hereof the oceasions of the factions d'Houc Cabelliau a long time after afflicting Holland the first taking part with the mother the other with the son the controversie at length being composed betwixt them the Empresse the mother being contented only with Hainault deceasing in the yeare 1355 and buried at Valenciens William the third younger son to the Emperour Lewis of Bavaria of Margaret aforesaid Earle of Hainault Holland Zealandt and Lord of West-Freislandt Tainted with this vnnaturall rebellion and wickednes against his mother he fell into a frensy wherein he languished for the space of 30 yeares deceasing without islue Albert the first son to the Emperour Lewis of Bavaria Margaret yonger brother to William the third during his sicknesse malady Governour of all the provinces of the Netherlands subject to the house of Bavaria Stephen the eldest son to the Emperour Lewis of Bavaria Margaret succeeded in the Dukedome of Bavaria William the fourth son to Albert the first Iaqueline daughter vnto William the fourth After long much trouble sundry vnfortunate and ill succeeding marriages shee resigned the Estates of Hainault Holland Zealand West-Frelslandt vnto Philip the Good Duke of Burgundy her next kinsman deceasing without issue Philip surnamed the Good sonne to Iohn Duke of Burgundy of Margaret daughter to Albert the first sister to William the fourth and aunt to Iaqueline by right of bloud and the resignation of Iaqueline Earle of Hollandt Zealandt and Hainault and Lord of West-Freislandt by whom these foure provinces were all brought vnto the house of Burgundy afterwards of Austria These Estates begun for the most part by the French seated in their part of Lorraine and first held vnder their right thorough the quarrels factions and sundry imperfections raigning in that nation haue since wholy withdrawne themselues from all subjection hereof acknowledging the soveraignety of the Dutch accompted part of their Empire and reckoned in their tenth circle of Burgundy At this day notwithstanding chiefely since their possession by the house of Burgundy thorough the no lesse sicknesse and maladies of the languishing German Empire they haue likewise freed themselues in a maner from all acknowledgment hereof neither suiting their Imperiall Court nor obeying the orders of their
Then in the raigne of the Emperour Valentinian the first with the Scots and Picts sorraging Bretaigne and with the Frenchmen Gaâ—â—e It was after this in the raigne of the Emperours Valentinian the third and Marcianus that accompanyed with the Angli and Vitae they subdued Bretaigne giuing the name of England vnto the best and largest part of that great and famous Iland Their first dwelling was after Ptolemies description wholy beyond the Elb bounding according to Chytrâ—us vpon that river vpon the South on the Ocean vpon the West vpon the Cimbri on the North and on the East vpon the Tentones and Tentonoari and inhabiting where now is the Dukedome of Holstein In the time of the latter Roman Emperours passing over the Elb they spread Southwards as farre as the French whether beating out the ancient inhabitants or which is more probable communicating vnto them this their more noble and victorious name For otherwise it is altogether impossible that so small a nation as these were in Ptolemies time should of themselues possesse and fill so large and spatious a country The Westerne Empire overthrowne the French withdrawing towards the heart of Gaule they enlarged to the Rhijn vnto against Colen Their more precise bouÌ„ds in the raigne of the Emperour Charles the Great was vpon the North the riuer Eydore dividing them from the Danes vpon the West first the Ocean betwixt the riuer Eydore and the Rhijn then the Rhijn from the mouth or fall thereof vnto about Colen parting them from France vpon the East first a line from Stargard vpon the sea Balticke drawne vnto the Elb about Hamburg then the Elb from about Hamburg vnto the meeting of that riuer with the Saltza then the Saltza together seuering them from the Sclaâ—es Winithi and vpon the South the Thuringians now Duringen and Hessen They contained nowe the Dukedomes of Holstein Wagerland excepted of Brunswijck and Lâ—nenburg the Bishops of Bremen Ferden Hildesheim Halberstat and Meydburg the Earledome of Mansfeldt the old Marches of Brandenburg Westphalia the two Freislandts and Over-Ysel with parts of Gelderlanâ—t and Hollandt They were divided into 4 distinct nations or parts of the Saxons beyond the Elb comprehended betwixt that riuer the Ocean and the rivers Eydore and Trave and containing now Holstein of the Ostphali contained betwixt the Elb the Ocean and the riuers Weser and Saâ—tza and containing now the fiue Bishopricks before mentioned and the Dukedomes of Brunswijck and Lunenburg of the Angriuarij coasting along the South-west shore of the Weser now the part of Westpâ—alia where lie the townes of Wildehusen Minden Hervorden Lâ—â—gow Osenburg Diepholt Soest Waldes Arnsbâ—rg with Surland in the diocese of Colen of the Westphali now the rest of moderne Westphalia extended vnto the Rhâ—â— coÌ„preheÌ„ding now the Dukedome of Bergâ—Ì„ the Earledome of Marck Tremond Wesel Embrick Zutphen Relinghâ—seâ— Benthem Mâ—ster with others After sundry revolts from vnder the French by which nation vnder their princes Clâ—tarius Charles Mâ—â—tel Carlomâ—n Pepin they had divers timeâ— before beene vanquished and made tributarie they were at length after 35. yeares warre vtterly subdued by the Emperour Charles the Great and reâ—â—ced into a French province or Dukedome the title whereof remaineth vnto this day By the Emperour Henry the first and the succeeding princes of the house and nation of the Saxons the Winithi or Sclaves lying beyond the rivers Elb and Saltza where now are Meissen Lâ—usnitz Brandenburg Mecklenburg Lewenburg Pomeren were conquered or otherwise added vnto this name and accompt peopled with their language and colonies Henry surnamed the Lion Duke of Saxony and Bavaria being proscribed by the Emperour Fredericke Barbarossa the whole broke into sundry lesser states and goverments the chiefe whereof and which remaine vnto this day are the Dukedomes of Brunswijck Lunenburg Holstein Westphalen Clâ—ve and Bergen of whose beginnings successions and conâ—â—â—ance together with the Dukedoâ—e Electorship entitl'd of Saxony although now lying without the bounds of the ancient wee will speake inordâ—â— The ELECTORSHIP DVKEDOME of SAXONY This Dukedome was first begun by the Emperour Charles the Great after his conquest of the Saxons ordering the subdued country hereof into a province thus stiled The first Duke was Witichind king of this nation during their warres with Charles the Great appointed by this Emperour After other Bruno was the first Duke brother vnto Witichind From Bruno Fabritius deriveth the succeeding Dukes in manner following Luitulphus the first sonne to Bruno Bruno the second sonne to Luitulphus the first He dyed sans issue Otho the first brother to Bruno the second Henry the first surnamed the Fowler sonne to Otho the first The house of France and of Charles the Great being extinguished in Conrade the first he was elected Emperour of the Romanes and king of Germany continuing for a time in his posterity During the raigne of the Emperours of the house of Saxony this Dukedome or country was divided amongst sundry lesser princes whereof all did beare this title amongst whom was Berâ—ard Duke of Saxony Engern and Westphalen and Lord of Lunenburg created Electour of the Empire by the Emperour Otho the third Bernard Duke of Saxony Engern and Westphalen and Lord of Lunenburg first Electour of the Empire of the Dukes and house of Saxony From this Bernard the Duke Electours of Saxony haue beene continued as followeth Bernard the second Electour and Duke of Saxony sonne to Bernard the first Ordulphus sonne to Bernard the second Magnus sonne to Ordulphus Taking part with Rodulph Duke of Schwaben against the Emperour Henry the 4 he was taken prisoner and deprived of all his dignities the last Duke Elector of Saxonie of the house of Bernard Lotharius the first Earle of Supplinburg and Arnsperg created Electour and Duke of Saxonie by the Emperour Henry the first After the decease of the Emperour Henry the fift hee was made Roman Emperour and king of the Germans Henry the first surnamed the Proud Duke of Bavaria created Duke Electour of Saxonie by the Emperour Lotharius his father in law whose daughter Gertrude he had married proscribed by the Emperour Conrade Henry the second surnamed the Lion sonne to Henry the first He marryed vnto Maude daughter to Henry the second king of England besides the ancient Saxonie which excepting Holstein and what the Bishops possessed he almost wholy enioyed Lord of both Bavariaes and of the parts beyond the Elb where now lye the Dukedomes of Mecklenburg and Lawenburg conquered by him from the Winithi the greatest of all the German Princes before and almost since his time Forsaking the Emperour Frederick Barbarossa excommunicated by the Pope at the seige of Alexandria in the Dukedome of Milan he was proscribed by him and depriued of all his dignities and possessions Brunswijck and Lunenburg excepted restored vpon his reconciliation at the mediation of his father in law the king of England the occasion of those Dukedomes After this proscription the country of Saxonie vntill
by the river Teya The country is pleasant healthie and abundantly fruitfull in corne and very excellent Wines Here groweth likewise plenty of Saffron also Ginger at the foot of the Mountaines neere Haimburg It is divided by the Danow into the Higher and the Lower Austria Chiefer townes in the Higher Austria are Lintz Aredate of Ptolemie at the confluence of the rivers Draun and the Danow Ens at the meetings of the riuers Danow and Ens. Neere herevnto where now is Lorch stood sometimes the towne Laureacum of Antoninus and the Author of Notitia the station then of the second Roman Legion and the Metropolis of Noricum Ripense Ips Gesodunum of Ptolemie at the meetings of the Danow and the Ips. Wien vpon the Danow Iuliobona of Ptolemie Vendum of Strabo Vindibona of Antoninus and Vindomana of the Author of Notitia the station then of the Tenth Roman Legion It is now the chiefe towne of the country a Bishops sea a noted Vniuersity and a strong fortresse against the Infidells renowned for a stout resolute siege which in the yeare 1529 it sustained against Soliman and the whole power of the Turkish Empire The walls hereof were built with part of the mony obtained for the ransome of Richard the first king of England taken prisoner by Leopold the fift Duke of Austria Haimburg at the confluence of the Danow and the Marckh Nere herevnto beginneth a ridge of Mountaines continued vnto the Rab named Cognamus Mons by Ptolemie and now by the Dutch from hence Haimburger-perg Newsidl vpon a great Lake thus called Newstat Waydhoven vpon the riuer Ips. Wels vpon the Draun Gmundt vpon the lake Gemundersee and the riuer Draun where it issueth from hence Here is great truck for salt digged forth of the bordering mountaines and by the Draun and Danow carried to Wien vnto other neighbouring places In the Lower Austria Krems vpon the left shore of the Danow The ancient inhabitants of the Lower Austria were part of the Marcomanni of Tacitus Those of the Higher Austria were parts of the Norici Ripenses and of the Vpper Pannonia The whole in a manner appertaineth now to the Archdukes of Austria BOHEMIA LIyng in a round circle in the heart of Germany and encompassed with wooddie mountaines part of the Hercynian bounded vpon the South with Austria and Bavaria vpon the West with the Vpper Palatinate and Voitlandt vpon the North with Meissen Lausnitz and part of Schlesi and vpon the East with Moravia The aire here is sharp piercing The country is rough and hilly rich in mineralls and yeelding sufficient plentie of corne and all other necessary provision wines excepted which here grow not or sowre Chiefer townes are Augst nere vnto the head of the riuer Elb. Konigingretz vpon the riuer Labe or Elb. Iaromir vpon the Elb. Kuttenberg where are mines of siluer Littomissel neere vnto the borders of Moravia Czaslaw Tabor a strong towne built by Ziska Budweis Maroboduum of Ptolemie after Lazius Prage an Archbishops sea and the chiefe citty of the kingdome seated in an open pleasant valley vpon both sides of the riuer Muldaw divided into three townes the Old the New Prage lying vpon the right shore of the Muldaw sometimes seuerally walled and now only parted and distinguished with a shallow ditch and the Lesser Prage standing vpon the left shore of the riuer and ioined to the old towne by a wide and spacious stone bridge of 24 arches Here now flourisheth a noted Vniuersitie founded by the Emperour Charles the Fourth Vpon a hill adjoyning to the Lesser Prage standeth the Castle of S. Wenceslaus the ordinary seat and royall pallace of the kings of Bohemia of the last Roman Emperours of the house of Austria Pilsen Schlani Laun vpon the riuer Egra Elbogen vpon the Egra where are hot medicinable bathes Egra a faire and large citty containing some three miles in compasse and seated vpon the river Egra in the confines of Bohemia and Nortgow sometimes Imperiall now subject to the kings of Bohemia The ancient inhabitants of Bohemia were the Boij before mentioned afterwards the Marcomanni and lastly the Sclaves MORAVIA BOunded vpon the South with the Lower Austria and the river Teya vpon the West with Bohemia the Mountaines thereof intervening vpon the East with Hungary and vpon the North with Schlesi divided from either likewise by Mountaines the Asciburgius of Ptolemy branching from the Sudetae or the Bohemian Mountaines The country in regard of such its situation resembleth the Area of an halfe Theater lying open onely towards Austria and the South vpon the other sides environed with great hils and rough forests being plaine within and exceedingly populous and fruitfull for corne wines and fat and rich pasturages The aire is noted to be somewhat vnhealthy as it commonly hapneth to fatter soiles debarred from the cleansing East and Northerne windes Chiefer townes are Igla vpon the riuer thus named and the frontire of Bohemia Znaim vpon the riuer Teya Niclasburg frontiring vpon Austria Brin vpon the riuer Schwatz Olmuntz the chiefe towne of the country and an Vniversity seated vpon the river Marckh Not far from hence in the hill Oderberg part of the mountaines confining this country and Schlesi springeth the great riuer Odera Cremser vpon the Marckh Radisch vpon the Marckh The ancient and first inhabitants of Moravia were the Marcomanni of Tacitus afterwardes the Sclaves thus distinguished The naturall language of the people as also of the Bohemians is the Sclavonian The country belongeth to the kings of Bohemia an appendant of that State SCHLESI BOunded vpon the South with Moravia and Bohemia vpon the West with Laâ—snitz vpon the East with Poland and vpon the North with the Marquisate of Brandenburg It is likewise wholy encompassed with hils and mountaines the North towardes Brandenburg only excepted Within it is plaine rough and wooddy yet abounding in corne The hilly parts yeeld plenty of brasse and copper beside other mettals The aire is sharpe and piercing since lying open to the cold blustering windes of the North. Townes here of better note are Oppelen vpon the Odera Breslaw vpon the Odera a Bishops sea and the chiefe towne of the country large populous faire and orderly built with straight and open streets Glogaw vpon the Odera towardes Brandenburg Lignitz Sweinitz Neisse a Bishops sea vpon the riuer thus called The ancient inhabitants were parts of the Quadi Marsigni Gothini and Burij of Tacitus afterwards the Sclaves of Poland a part sometimes of that kingdome Their common language now is the Dutch excepting in the parts beyond the Odera towards Poland where the Sclavonian more prevaileth It is an appendant state of the kingdome of Bohemia subject to the princes thereof LAVSNITZ BOunded vpon the East with Schlesi vpon the South with Bohemia vpon the West with Meissen and vpon the North with the Marquisate of Brandenburg The country is rough and full of woods the
of was S. Willehade an Englishman the Apostle of those more Northerne parts of Saxonie The country is subiect to the Lay Bishops or Administratours of Bremen The more ancient inhabitants were the Chauci Maiores of Ptolemie afterwards part of the Saxons Ostphalians THE COVNTRY OF LVNENBVRG LYing betwixt the riuers Elb and Alre and bounded vpon the West with the Diocese of Bremen vpon the North with the Elb and the Dukedome of Lawenburg vpon the East with the Olde Marches of Brandenbrg and vpon the South with the Dukedome of Brunswijck The country is plaine the aire sharpe and healthfull and the soile fruitfull the part adjoyning to the Old Marches of Brandenburg excepted The chiefe towne is Lunenburg standing in a square forme vpon the riuer Elmenow one of the six prime Hanse-townes large populous and adorned with faire buildings containing six Parishes a mile and a halfe in length and about a mile in breadth whose chiefest truck and commoditie is falt made here in great abundance from the Salt-springs bought vp by the Hamburgers and Lubecers and from thence transported abroad The country belongeth to the Dukes of Lunenburg being of the same house with Brunswijck desended from Henry surnamed the Lion and the more ancient Dukes of Saxonie The more ancient inhabitants were parts of the Cherusci and Chauci of Tacitus THE COVNTRY OF BRVNSWIICK COntained betwixt the riuers Alre and the Weser It hath the Dukedome of Lunenburg vpon the North vpon the East the Diocese of Meydburg and the Earledome of Mansfeldt vpon the South Duringen and Hessen and vpon the West and Weser and Westphalen The South and East parts towards Hessen Duringen and Mansfeldt swell with woodie Mountaines and hills parts of the ancient Hercynian called now Hundsrucke Hartzwald Hainsette and by other names The Northern and more proper Brunswijck is more plaine exceedingly fruitfull for corne and all other commodities which the colder clime is well capable of Chiefer townes are Grubenhagen From hence the Dukes of Brunswijck of Grubenhagen were stiled Goslar a towne Imperiall vpon the riuer Gose. Halberstat Hildesheim Bishops seas Quedelburg occasioned by the rich Nunnery thus called whose Abbatesse was sometimes Princesse of the Empire The towne now is subiect to the house of Saxonie Brunswijck vpon the river Onacter the chiefe of the country and one of the six chiefe Hanse-townes The towne is large containing about seauen miles in compasse faire populous and strongly fortified encompassed with a double wall peopled with industrious and stout inhabitants iealous of their liberty and gouerned in manner of a free estate held vnder the right of the Princes The greatest part of the country is subiect to the Dukes of Brunswijck The more ancient inhabitants were the Dulgibini of Tacitus with part of the Chauci Maiores of Ptolemie afterwards part of the Saxons Ostphalians THE DIOCESE OF MEYDENBVRG EXtended vpon both sides of the riuer Elb betwixt the Marquisate of Brādenburg and the proper Saxonie The chiefe towne is Meydenburg an Archbishops sea and naming the country seated vpon the left shore of the Elb built or rather reedified by Edith wife vnto the Emperour Henry the first and daughter to Edmund King of England and named thus in honour of her sexe The Towne is of great State large faire and strongly fortified famous in the Protestants warres for a whole yeares siege which it sustained against the Emperour Charles the Fift amongst the Protestant states remaining onely vnconquerable the rest being subdued to the will of that mighty Prince The country is subject to the Lay Bishops or Administratours of Meydenburg of the house now of Brandenburg The more ancient inhabitants were the Lacobardi of Tacitus part afterwards of the Saxons Ostphalians The countries hitherto from Mecklenburg are accompted the parts of the Lower Saxony and containe the ninth circle of the Empire FREISLANDT THe name is at this day enlarged along the shore of the Germane Ocean from the Zuyder Zee parting the same from Hollandt vnto the riuer Weser It containeth the West and the East-Freislandts OOST-FREISLANDT COntinued betwixt the riuer Eems and the Weser and bounded vpon the other sides with the Ocean and the land of West-phalen The country is plaine and exceedingly populous the soile fat rich in corne and pasturages Chiefer townes are Aurich a rich and pleasant inland towne much frequented by the Frison nobility in regard of the commodity of hunting in the adioyning woods and forrests Embden vpon the Dollaert or the mouth of the Eems a noted port and Empory the chiefe towne and the seat of the prince residing here in a magnificent and strong castle seated at the entrance of the hauen environed with sea-waters Here not long since was the staple for Germany of the English Merchant-adventurers removed since to Stadt and Hamburg The country belongeth to the Earles of Oost-Freistandt The ancient inhabitants were the Chauci Minores of Ptolemy of later times through the neighbourhood of that nation lying vpon the farther side of the Eems falsely named Frisons WEST-FREISLANDT THis belongeth to the description of the Netherlandts accompted now amongst the 17 provinces thereof WESTPHALEN COntaining the parts of the ancient Saxony which were included betwixt the riuers Weser and Rhijn the two Freislandts Over-ysel and the parts hereof in Hollandt and Gelderlandt excepted It is bounded vpon the North with Oost-Freislandt and the Diocese of Bremen vpon the East with the Weser and the Dukedome of Brunswijck vpon the South with the Land of Hessen and vpon the West with the Rhijn from the Diocese of Colen and with Clevelandt Over-ysel and West-Freislandt The aire is sharpe and colde The soile generally is fruitfull rather in pasturages and in commodities seruing for the fatting of beasts then for the nourishment of man apples nuts akomes and sundry sorts of wilde fruits wherewith amongst other kindes infinite heards of Swine are fed whose bacon is much commended and desired in forraine parts The most firtill parts for corne are about the Lippe Paderborn and Soest The most desert and barren those adioining to the Weser Surlandt and the Dukedome of Bergen are hilly and full of woods The Diocese of Munster yeeldeth the best pasturages Chiefer townes are Duseldorp vpon the right shore of the Rhijn in the Dukedome of Bergen In the country of Marck Vnna Dortmund and Soest Paderborn a Bishops sea Munster a Bishops sea seated in a plaine vpon the riuer Eems The towne hath beene made very strong since the surprisall thereof by the Anabaptists It belongeth to the Bishops thus stiled Mynden a Bishops sea vpon the Weser Osenburg a Bishops sea Of these the Dukedome of Bergen and the Earledome of Marck appertaine to the Marques of Brandenburg and the Duke of Nuburg the heires generall of the house of Cleue Engern and Surland belong vnto the Bishops of Colen who are titulary Dukes of Westphalen The rest is divided amongst
held with this title vnder the soueraignty and right of the kings of Denmarke The line masculine of the Dukes extinguished it returned againe to the crowne giuen not long after by Queen Margaret vnto Gerard Count of Holstein whose male succession in the yeare 1459 failing in Adolph the last Earle it was lastly incorporated with the kingdome by Christierne the first as it now continueth Chiefer townes are Sleswijck before mentioned a Bishops sea named thus from the river Slea vpon which it is situated Close by standeth the faire Castle of Gottorp the seat of the Dukes of Sleswijck where tol is paid of the many droues of Oxen passing yearely this way out of the Chersonese into Germany From hence in imitation of the Picts wall in England hath beene drawne westward ouer land a long trench or wall called now by the inhabitants Dennewerck raised after Aymonius for the better defence of the Chersonese against the neighbouring Saxons by Godfrey king of the Danes in the raigne of the Emperour Charles the Great Husem vpon the German or westerne Ocean not far froÌ„ the mouth of the riuer Eydore Flensborch a noted empory seated amongst hills vpon a nauigable creeke or inlet of the Sundt Hadersleue a Bishops sea vpon a nauigable inlet of the sea Baltick where with it is round encompassed against the Iland Funen graced with the beautiful castle of Hansburg begun by Iohn duke of Holstein but finished by Frederick the 2 d K. of Denmarcke These lye in Suder-Iutland or the dukedome of Sleswijck Beda seemeth to place here the famous Angli the founders of the moderne English nation during the raigne of the Emperour Valentinian the 3 d departing froÌ„ hence into the Iland of Great Bretaine In Nort-Iutland Kolding vpon a creeke of the sea Balticke Arhusen a Bishops sea and a noted port vpon the Sundt Against this and the great promontory Hellenis lie the Ilands Samsoe Hielm Hilgenes with others belonging to the continent hereof Wiborch within the land a Bishops sea and the chiefe place of iudicature of the Chersonese Alborch vpon the baye Limfort which is a long creeke of the sea Baltick extending through the maine land westwards almost as farre as the German Ocean The part of the Chersonese lying vpon the North of this bay is named by the inhabitants Wendsyssel West hereof the country is called Hanhaeret where is the high rock Skarringklint a noted sea marck The German Ocean coasting Iutland especially the part neighbouring to this rock is full of sholes and quicksands for this cause carefully avoided by marriners sayling towards Norwey and the Ilands of the Sundt Tysted Nicoping Ripen a Bishops sea vpon the German Ocean The length of both the Iutlands with the neighbouring dukedome of Holstein or from the riuer Elb vnto the towne of Schagen the most Northerly point of the Chersonese Cellarius accompteth at 80 German miles the breadth at twenty of the same miles THE ILANDS OF THE SVNDT THese lye in the mouth of the Sundt betwixt Iutlandt and Schonen The more remarqueable and greater Ilands are Funen and Zelandt FVNEN LYing against the townes of Kolding and Hadersleue in Iutland containing 12 Dutch miles in length and 4 in breadth The chiefe towne is Odensee a Bishops sea ZELANDT SEated betwixt Funen and the maine land of Schonen the greatest of the Ilands and the seat of the Prince Chiefer townes here are Rotschilt a Bishops sea The Bishops hereof haue the honour to annoint the kings at the time of their inauguration Helschenor or Elsenor at the entrance of the Sundt The narrow sea betwixt this and Schonen containeth only a Dutch mile in breadth commaunded by two castles lying vpon each side of the straight that of Helsenburg in Schonen and of Cronenburg in Zealandt Here all the ships which in great numbers passe continually towards Swethen Prussen and the East-lands stop and pay custome the best part of the princes revenues In the strong and magnificent castle of Cronenburg founded by Fredericke the second the king more commonly resideth Koppen hagen farther downe vpon the Sundt a noted port the chiefe towne of the kingdome where flourisheth an Vniversity of the Danes and Norvegians begun by Eric the ninth but perfected by Christian the first and the succeeding princes endowed with liberall revenues Vpon the East hereof lyeth the Iland Amagger making a safe road for ships which ride at ancher betwixt it and the towne Other Danish Ilands are Alsen against Flensborch and Suder-Iutland vnto the which it appertaineth containing 4 Dutch miles in length and two in breadth Aar having three parishes and seated betwixt Alsen and Zelandt Langeland betwixt Aar and Zelandt in length 7 Dutch miles Falstre in length 8 Dutch miles vpon the South of Zelandt Lawland vpon the West of Falstre from the which it is divided by a narrow creeke of the sea besides almost infinite others whose names wee know not or which are not worth relating These Ilands are togither called by Meâ—a the Hemodes Zealandt he nameth the Iland Codanonia the greatest of the Hemodes HALLANDT LYing in the maine land of Scandia against North-Iutlandt The onely place of note is the strong castle of Warsberg SCHONEN COntaining the part of the same continent against the Iland of Zelandt Places of better note are Helsenburg a towne and castle opposite to Elsenor Lunden an Arch-bishops sea Malmuyen or Ellebogen a noted Empory vpon the Sundt against Koppen-hagen BLEKING PArt of the same continent and having vpon the West Schonen The chiefe place is Vsted THE KINGDOME OF NORWEY BOunded vpon the South with Denmarck vpon the West and North with the Ocean and vpon the East with the kingdome of Swethen from the which it is divided by a perpetuall ridge of asperous and high mountaines The sea here is exceeding deepe and affordeth plenty of good fishing The land is very large and spacious but rockie mountainous and barren full of thicke wild and vast woods cold and ill inhabited It yeeldeth but little corne and in the parts more neere to Lapland and the Pole Articke not any at all in regard of which want the inhabitants eat bread made of Stockfish It chiefly venteth abroad fish furres and skinnes of wild beasts masts raft pitch tarre and the like commodities issuing from wood The people are plaine honest louers of strangers hospitall for their ability haters of pilfering theeuing They are not suffered by the Danes to vse shipping or to export their owne merchandise out of the kingdome which profit these solely engrosse vnto themselues Their religion is the Lutheran or Protestant the same with the Danes belonging in matters Ecclesiasticall vnto the Archbishop of Trundtheim and the Bishops of Bergen Anslo Staffanger and Hammar They were sometimes commanded by Princes of their owne now by the kings of Denmarck diuided into 5 Prefectures or juridicall resorts of Bahuys Aggerhuys Bergerhuys Trundtheim