into the Thames on the West 't is bounded by Wiltshire and on the East by Surrey On the West part it hath plenty of Command Fruit but on the East part where it consineth with Surrey the Soil is very barren and unfruitful 1. Farendon a Town seated on a rising ground famous for a Market kept there but in times past for a certain Fort which Robert Earl of Glocester Built and defended against King Stephen who having won it by many bloody Assaults levelled it to the ground so that now it is not to be seen 2. Abington a Populous Town pleasantly seated on the plain of an Hill since the Year 1416. in which King Henry the Vth Built a Bridge over the River and turned the Kings high-way hither to make a shorter passage it began to be so frequented that it is now the chief Town of the whole Shire it is famous for its great Trade in Malt. 3. Wallingford in old time it was compass'd about with Walls it had a very large Castle situate upon the River which was thought to be invincible it was oftentimes Besieged by King Stephen but all in vain This Town was so dispeopled by reason of a grievous Pestilence which happened in the Year 1348 that whereas before it was well Inhabited and had Twelve Churches it can shew now no more than One or Two 4. Newbury a famous Town raised out of the Ruins of Spine which was formerly a place of great repute it is situated in a champion plain being watered throughout with the River Kenet 't is well Inhabited and is very remarkable for its Trade in Clothing 5. Reading a Town famous for fair Streets well built Houses as also for the Riches of the Townsmen and for their Name in making Cloth it hath lost the greatest Ornaments it had viz. a beautiful Church and a most ancient Castle which was razed by King Henry the IId because it was a Refuge for King Stephen's followers 6. Maidenhead a large spacious Town fill'd with good Inns for the reception of Strangers it is well frequented 7. Windsor-Castle 't is situated on an Hill that riseth with a gentle Ascent and enjoyeth a most delightful Prospect round about on the front it overlooketh a spacious Vale behind it arise Hills every where neither rough nor high so that 't is dedicated as one would say to Hunting-Game it was Built by King Henry the Ist An. 1100. and enlarg'd by King Edward the IIId who was Born here 't is in bigness equal to a pretty City Fortified with Ditches and Bulwarks made of Stone in this place King Edward the IIId Instituted the Noble Order of the Garter to increase Virtue and Valour in the Hearts of his Nobility or as some report in honour of the Countess of Salisbury of which Lady the King had formerly been Enamour'd The Garter was given to it in Testimony of that Love and affection wherewith the Knights of it were bound one to another and all of them jointly to the King as Sovereign there are of it Twenty six Knights of which the King of England is always Chief the Ensign is a Blew Garter Buckled on the Left Leg on which these words are Embroider'd Honi Soit qui mal y Pense about their Necks they wear a Blew Ribbond at the end of which hangeth the Image of St. George upon whose Day the Installations of the new Knights are commonly Celebrated THese Regions which I have hitherto Describ'd viz. of the Danmonii Durotriges Belgae Attrebatii when the Saxons Rul'd in Brittain fell to the Kingdom of the West-Saxons who under the Command of their King Egbert United the English Heptarchy into a Monarchy which afterwards through the Cowardise of their Kings soon vanished For after this the Danes brake in upon the Northumbers and though often Vanquished yet being as often Victorious they at last seiz'd on the Monarchy of England which was sometime held by the Danes sometimes by the Saxons till William Duke of Normandy took it from Harold and established the Monarchy which hath ever since continued in a Succession of Twenty eight Princes down to our Gracious Sovereign King William REGNI NEXT unto the Attrebatii Eastward those Regions which we commonly term Surrey Sussex with the Sea-Coast of Hampshire were Inhabited by the Regni Surrey IN Latin Surria is bounded on the West by Barkshire and Hampshire on the South by Sussex on the East by Kent on the North 't is Water'd by the River Thames and by it divided from Middlesex It is a plain and Champion Country yielding Corn and Forage in abundance especially towards the South The Principal Towns are these 1. Farnham a Market-Town so named from the great quantity of Fern growing near it near this place Hâ—nry of 〈◊〉 erected a noble Castle which being afterwards demolished by Henry the IIId was again rebuilt by the Bishops of Winchester 2. Guildford a Market-Town well frequented full of fair Inns in old time it was a Royal Mansion of the English Saxon Kings 3. Kingston a Market-Town well Inhabited famous in old time by reason of a Castle therein belonging to the Clares Earls of Glocester it took its name from a little Town which stood near it in which when England was almost ruined by the Danish Wars Athelstan Edwin and Etheldred were Crowned Kings in the Market-place 4. Richmond a Town very beautiful and glorious in respect of its Buildings famous for the Death of several Kings but in particular of that most Mighty Prince King Edward the IIId Here also Died Ann Wife to King Richard the IId Daughter to the Emperor Charles the IVth who first taught English Women the manner of sitting on Horseback which is now in use whereas before they rode very unseemly astride as Men do Memorable it is likewise for that King Henry the VIIth and Queen Elizabeth of glorious Memory yielded unto Nature in this place 5. Croidon a Market-Town well frequented whose Inhabitants gain to themselves great advantages by selling of Char-Coal 6. Lambeth a Town famous in former times for the Death of Canutus the Hardy King of England who there Revelling with his Lords amidst his Cups yielded up his Breath but at this time 't is much frequented by reason of the Archbishop of Canterbury's Palace which is in this place 7. Southwark the most famous Market-Town and place of Trade in all this Shire 't is so large and populous that it gives place to few Cities in England in the Reign of King Edward the VIth it was annexed to the City of London and is at this day reckoned as a part of it Sussex IN Latin Sussexia is bounded on the West by Hampshire on the North by Surrey and part of Kent on the East by Kent on the South it lieth upon the Brittish Ocean on the Sea-Coast it hath many green Hills of an exceeding heighth called the Downs which standing on a Chalky sort of Mould yield great plenty of Corn the middle part of it is
being despoil'd by Sueno King of Danemark about the Year of our Lord 1013. 4. Shirburn 't is pleasantly seated on an hanging Hill and is the most remarkable and best frequented Town in all this Country it gaineth exceedingly by Clothing Anno Dom. 704. an Episcopal Seat was Erected in this place by Aldeme the First Bishop there Consecrated it was afterwards remov'd to Sarisburg Shirburn being kept in reserve for a retiring place 5. Winburn a fair Town seated on a piece of an Hill between Two Rivers 't is large in Compass replenished with Inhabitants but few fair Buildings except that its Church claims our observation upon the account of the Sepulchre of Ethelred King of the West Saxons who lieth there Interr'd however it retaineth even to this day divers tokens of the Majesty of the Romans Somersetshire Belgae COmitatus Somersettensis is bounded on the North with the Severn Sea on the West it confineth on Devonshire on the South it bordereth first upon Devonshire and then upon Dorsetshire on the East it hath Wiltshire and North-East a part of Glocestershire It is a large and wealthy Region the Soil of which is very rich yielding exceeding plenty of Corn and Pasture 't is very Populous and sufficiently furnished with commodious Ports and Havens The Principal Towns are these 1. Taunton a proper Town pleasantly situated 't is reputed to be one of the Eyes of the Shire 2. Bridgewater a great and populous Market-Town agreeably situated near the Banks of the Severn Sea and is by some thought to have been so called from the Bridge and Water which is near it 3. Bruiton a Town memorable for little else than that the Noble Family of the Mohuns is here Entomb'd unless we mention the late extraordinary Processions which the Women of the Town made on the Conclusion of the late Peace Near this place was Founded the Abbey of Glastenbury fetching its original even from Joseph of Arimathea who Enterr'd the Body of our Saviour In the first Age of the Primitive Church very Holy Men applied themselves diligently to the Service of God in this place who were maintained by an Allowance from Kings they Instructing Youth in Religion and in the Liberal Sciences these Men embrac'd a Solitary Life that they might the more quietly study the Scriptures till at length Dunstan a Man of a subtle Wit when he had once by an Opinion of his Holiness and Learning wound himself into an Acquaintance with Princes he brought in the Benedictine Monks he being made Abbot of the Convent after that he had obtain'd from the hands of many good Princes a Royal Revenue When they had flourished 600 Years they were dispossessed by King Henry the VIIIth the Monastry being raz'd even to the ground nothing now but the Ruines appearing of it Arthur the Brittish Worthy is thought to have been Buried in this place 4. St. Philips Norton a large great Market-Town so nam'd from a Church Consecrated to St. Philip. 5. Welles a Town so nam'd from the Springs found in it like as Susa in Persia Croia in Dalmatia and 〈◊〉 in Macedonia for multitude of Inhabitants and for stately Buildings it justly challengeth the Preheminence of this Province It hath a noble Market-place sustain'd with Columns as also a stately Church and Colledge Endowed with many rich Livings and Revenues the Church throughout is very beautiful but especially the Frontespiece thereof at the West end is a Master-piece the Cloysters adjoining to it are likewise very fair and spacious 6. Bath an ancient City so called from the Baths in it beautified throughout with very fair and noble Buildings for the receipt of Strangers 't is seated in a low plain environ'd about with Hills of an equal height out of which certain pleasant Streams of fresh River Water continually descend into the City to the advantage and comfort of the Citizens within the City Three Springs of Hot Water boil up of a Blewish or Sea Colour sending up from them thin Vapours and a kind of strong Scent by reason that the Water is drill'd and strain'd through Veins of Brimstone and a clammy kind of Earth called Bitumen which Springs are very Medicinable and of great Virtue to Cure Bodies overcharg'd with Corrupt Humours for they open the Pores resolve attenuate digest consume and draw forth Superfluities and at the same time strongly heal and dry the whole Habit of the Body In the Reign of Henry the Ist A. D. 1110. Johannes de Villula being Elected Bishop of this place translated his See to Bath since which time the Two Sees growing into one the Bishop beareth the Title of both and is called the Bishop of Bath and Wells 7. Bristol this City standeth partly in Somersetshire and partly in Glocestershire it is sufficiently defended both by Art and Nature being situated on the meeting of the Frome and Avon not far from the influx of the Severn into the Ocean a City exceeding Populous and exceeding Cleanly there being Sinks made under ground for the conveyance of all the filth and nastiness into the Rivers It hath Twenty Churches reckoning the Cathedral and that of Ratliff into the Number the Cathedral was first Built by Robert Fitz-Harding Son to one of the Kings of Danemark An. Dom. 1248. and honoured with a Bishops See by King Henry the VIIIth Anno Dom. 1542. The principal Building next the Church is an ancient Castle of such great strength that Maud the Emperess having taken King Stephen Prisoner thought this the safest place to secure him in 't is furnished with all things necessary for Man's Life that next after London and York of all the Cities of England it may justly challenge the chief place 't is so commodiously seated for Trade and Traffick that the Haven admitteth Ships with full Sail into the very bosome of the City which hath drawn People of many Countries thither the Citizens are for the most part rich Merchants who Traffick all over Europe and make Voyages even to the remotest known parts of America Wiltshire Belgae IN Latin Wintonia is enclos'd with Somersetshire on the West Barkshire and Hampshire on the East on the North with Glocestershire and on the South with Dorsetshire and a part of Hampshire 'T is a Midland Region plentiful in all things and for its variety pleasant and delightful The Principal Towns are these 1. Malmsbury a fair Town famous for Clothing not far from hence dwelt Aldeme a very Learned Man he was the first of the English Nation that wrote in Latin and the first that taught Englishmen the measures of a Latin Verse Primus ego in patriam mecum modo vita supersit Aonio rediens deducam vertice Musas Geer Lib. 3. 2. Chipenham a large Town of great note for a Market kept there 't is pleasantly seated on the River Avon 3. Edindon a small Town remarkable for Clothing here King Alfred in a memorable Battel most fortunately Vanquished the Danes reducing them to such Extremities that they all
Swore in a set form of Oath made for that purpose immediately to depart from England 4. Trubridge a fair Market-Town of great repute for the great number of Clothiers which Inhabit it it sheweth the remains of a Castle belonging to the Dutchy of Lancashire 5. Werminster a Town very remarkable for a great Corn Market which is kept Weekly here and exceedingly much frequented it being almost incredible to relate what great numbers of people resort to it 6. Wilton formerly the head Town of the whole Shire 't is a place well watered but is now fallen to decay through the Bishop of Salisbury's turning away the passage that lay through it into the West Country 7. Salisbury Sorbiodunum or Sarum a City well Inhabited seated on the River Avon which watereth every Street of it 't is plentiful in all things but especially in Fish 't is adorned with a very stately Market-place wherein standeth their Common-Hall made of Timber a very Beautiful Building It is particularly famous for its Minster which has Three hundred sixty five Windows Twelve Gates and as many great and small Pillars as there are Hours in a Year nor is its Cloyster for largeness or Workmanship inferior to any in England 8. Marlborough a fair large Town pleasantly situated and well frequented in this Town King Henry the IIId held a Parliament N. B. Toward the North about 6 Miles from Salisbury is to be seen an huge and monstrous piece of work Insana Substructio for in the circuit of a Ditch there are erected in form of a Crown in three ranks one within another certain large mighty unwrought Stones whereof some are Twenty eight foot high and Seven broad which are so artificially or rather wonderfully plac'd one upon another that the whole frame seemeth to hang 't is much wonder'd at both from whence they were brought the Country affording none such as also by what means they were set up Some have thought them to be no Natural Stones but Artificially made of pure Sand and of some unctious matter incorporated together Pliny tells us that the Sand of Putcoli covered over with Water becometh forthwith a very Stone which if true our Conjecture is the more probable it seeming to confirm what Historians tell us That they were erected by the Britans in Memory of Ambrosius Aurelianus who was Slain here by the Saxons as he was Fighting manfully for the Defence of his Country Hampshire IN Latin Hamptonia is bounded on the West with Dorsetshire and Wiltshire on the South with the Brittish Channel on the East it hath Sussex and Surrey and on the North Barkshire 'T is a small Province fruitful in Corn furnished with well grown Woods abounding with Pasture and for Sea Commodities rich and happy The Principal Towns are these 1. Ringwood a Town in ancient times of great Fame but now little better than other good frequented Market-Towns 2. Christ-Church a Town so named from a Church therein Dedicated to Christ 't is seated between two Rivers it was Fortified in old time with a Castle and Beautified with an ancient Church and Twelve Prebendaries endowed with considerable Rents and Revenues which continued in great repute till the time of King Henry the VIIIth 3. Southampton a Town so named from its situation 't is situated in a very commodious place between two Rivers for a great number of fair Built Houses much renown'd for Inhabitants and concourse of Merchants Wealthy fenced round with a double Ditch strong Walls and Turrets standing thick between for the defence of the Haven it hath a strong Castle of square Stone cast up upon a Mount of great heighth several of the Roman Emperors Coins are now and then digged up here which sufficiently shew the Antiiquity of this place Memorable it is for that Canutus the Puissant King of England and of Denmark rebuked a Sycophant in this Town who flattered him That all things in the Realm were at his Command He ordered his Chair to be set upon the Shore when the Sea began to flow and then in the presence of many he said unto the Sea as it flowed Thou are part of my Dominions and the ground on which I sit is mine neither was there ever any that durst Disobey my Commands and escape Unpunished wherefore I charge thee that thou come not upon my Land neither wet the Cloaths and Body of thy Lord but the Sea flowing on still without any Reverence of his Person wet his Feet then he retiring back said Let all the Inhabitants of the World know That vain and frivolous is the Power of Kings and that none is worthy of so sacred a Name but He to whose Command the Heaven Earth and Sea by bond of an everlasting Law are Subject and Obedient after which he never put his Crown upon his head 4. Alrefford a fair Town standing on the bank of the River Alre it hath a very spacious Market-place built by Lucy Bishop of Winchester An. Dom. 1220. 5. Winchester Wintonia formerly the Seat-Royal of the Kings of the West-Saxons a City adorn'd with several Magnificent Churches as also with a Bishop's See it hath been oftentimes defaced both by Fire and other Misfortunes but it seems now perfectly to have recovered its self Edward the IIId appointed in this place a Mart for Wool and Cloth which was generally called the Staple it is well Peopled hath plenty of Water and containeth about a Mile and an half in Circuit within the Walls as concerning the round Table in the Hall of this City vainly fancied by some to have been King Arthur's any man that vieweth it well may easily perceive that it is not so ancient This City slourished in the time of the Romans in which the Emperors of Rome seem to have had their Houses of Weaving and Embroidering peculiar to their own Persons and Uses 6. Portsmouth a Port Town strongly Fortified both with a Wall and Block-Houses a Garison being continually kept in Pay for the defence of it 't is situated on the very mouth of the Haven and is always but especially in time of War well frequented as being more favourable and better affected to Mars and Neptune than to Mercury 7. Basingstoak a Market-Town well frequented situated on the descent of an Hill on the North side of which standeth a very fair Chappel Consecrated to the Holy Ghost by William the first Lord Sands who was Buried there Isle of Wight VEcta Insula it belongeth to and is opposite to Southampton from East to West it stretcheth out near 20 Miles in length and spreadeth in the midst where it is broadest 12 Miles the place of greatest repute is 1. Newport the chief Market-Town of the whole Isle it hath several Castles and Block-houses for its defence Barkshire Attrebates IN Latin Barcheria on the North part 't is sever'd from Oxfordshire and afterwards from Buckinghamshire by the River Isis on the South it beareth towards Hampshire where the River Kenet cutteth through it till it runs
adorn'd with Meadows Corn-Fields and Groves which afford a delightful Prospect The Principal Towns are these 1. Chichester a City well Inhabited having very fair and regular Buildings the Streets crossing one another exactly in the middle in which is erected a fair Stone Market-place supported with Pillars round about it hath a very stately Cathedral the Bishop's See is kept here 't is encompass'd almost round with the Lavant which falls not far off into the Sea it was Built by Cissa King of the South-Saxons A. C. 514. 2. Arundel a good frequented Market-Town memorable for a magnificent strong Castle Built near it belonging to the Earl of Arundel 3. Lewis a fair Town seated upon a rising Ground which for its greatness and multitude of Inhabitants is reputed one of the Chiefest Towns in all this County famous it is for the bloody Battel between King Henry the IIId and his unruly Barons An. 1263. in which the King lost the day upon Prince Edward his Son 's pursuing a Troop of the Enemy too far which he had first routed by his Valour 4. Hastings one of the Cinque-Ports the Landing-place of the Normans famous for the overthrow of King Harold in the Fields adjoining 't is Inhabited by a War-like People who are Skilful Sailors 't is well stor'd with Barks it serving both the Country and London in Fish which they have here in great Plenty 5. Winchelsey 't is situated on an high Hill very steep on that side which looketh towards the Sea it was enclos'd with a Rampier and afterwards with very strong Walls but it no sooner began to flourish but it was unfortunately Sack'd by the French and Spaniards it beareth now only the countenance of a fair Town it having lost its chiefest Beauty upon the Seas leaving it 6. Rhye it lay for a good while unknown in former Ages but upon the decay of Winchelsey it began to flourish it was Wall'd about by King Edward the IIId and had then a very commodious Haven it being an usual passage from hence to Normandy it is now in a manner deserted by the Sea yet notwithstanding it hath very many Fishing Vessels so that it serveth London with variety of Fish Thus far Sussex which together with Surrey was the Habitation of the Regni in the time of the Brittains and was afterwards the Kingdom of the South-Saxons but in the 306th Year after the beginning of it it came under the Dominion of the West-Saxons Kent Cangi IN Latin Cantium 't is bounded on the North by Essex on the East by the Channel it hath Sussex on the South and Surrey on the West to confine upon it 't is every where full of Meadows Pastures and Corn-Fields abounding wonderfully in Apple-Trees and Cherry-Trees which being brought out of Corasus a City of Tontus by Lucullus into Italy in the 608th Year after the Building of Rome and the 120th Year after that translated from thence into Brittain which was 24 Years ante Christum The Principal Towns are these 1. Deptford a Town where the King's Ships are usually Built and such as are decay'd Repair'd there is also a Storehouse and College erected here for the use of the Navy 't is remarkable for the Monument of Sir Francis Drake's Ship which by the Command of Queen Elizabeth was drawn on shore in this place the Carkass of it is yet to be seen 2. Greenwich a very beautiful Town but especially in respect of the King's House which Humphrey Duke of Glocester Built and nam'd Placence 't is likewise particularly famous for the Birth of Queen Elizabeth 3. Eltham a fair well Built Town formerly the retiring place of the Kings of Kent 4. Sevenoke in this place Sir William Sevenoke an Alderman of London being a Foundling and brought up here and therefore so namâ—d built in grateful remembrance an Hospital and School he liv'd in the Reign of King Henry the Vth. 5. Dartford a large great Market-Town well frequented and well Watered here King Edward the IIId Built a Nunnery which King Henry the VIIIth converted into a House for himself and his Successors 6. Gravesend a Town as well known as any in England for the usual passage by Water between it and London King Henry the VIIIth when he Fortified the Sea-Coast rais'd two Platforms here and two other on the side of Essex opposite to it 7. Tunbridge a Town well Inhabited famous in old time for a fair large Castle fenc'd with a River and deep Ditches which Richard Lord of Briony Built there the very Ruins of it at this time manifestly declare the greatness of it 8. Maidstone the largest and most beautiful Town in all this Shire most commodiously seated for publick Business one of the two common Prisons of all this County is appointed here its Inhabitants are particularly noted for their Manufacture in Thread 9. Rochester a City seated on the River Medway but of no greatness in former times called Durobrivis but afterwards Roffa 't is honoured with a Bishop's See and is the Second City for Antiquity in all this Island 10. Chetham the Station of the Royal Navy where our Kings have always one ready for any Service whatever it was Built with exceeding great Cost by the Command of Queen Elizabeth who for the defence thereof raised a Castelet by the River side Our Ships in this place to the dishonour of our Nation were burnt by the Dutch A. C. 1667. 11. Queensborough a Port-Town well Inhabited it hath Westward in the Front a very fine strong Castle Built by Edward the IIId 12. Feversham a Town very commodiously situated the most plentiful part of all this Country lying round about it it hath a little Creek sit for bringing in and exporting Commodities so that at this day it flourisheth among the neighbouring Towns 13. Canterbury an ancient City famous in the time of the Romans 't is neither very great nor very small it has little or nothing in it worth Observation besides the Cathedral famous it is in regard of St. Augustine its first Archbishop who is here Interr'd 14. Isle of Tanet a very pleasant fruitful place its Inhabitants are very Industrious getting their Living both by Sea and Land they being both Fishermen and Plowmen Husbandmen and Mariners they are always ready appointed for both Elements they in a manner going round and keeping a circle in these their Labours 15. Sandwich one of the Cinque-Ports 't is on the North and West sides Fortified with walls and on the other parts fenc'd with a Rampier River and Ditch The Haven upon the account of the Sands choaking it and a Ship of Burthen's being accidentally sunk in the Channel is not deep enough for any Tall Vessels 16. Sandon Deal Walmer Three neighbouring Castles Built by King Henry VIII 't is generally reported that Julius Caesar Landed first at this place 17. Dover 't is seated on the Sea-shore where the passage is shortest into France for that cause Fortified with a strong and impregnable Castle
Clare 5. St. Davids a small City memorable for little else than that it is adorn'd with a Bishop's See and a fair Church Dedicated to St. Andrew and St. David from this place in a clear day you may see Ireland 6. Newport a Town situate on a steep Cliff where there is a very commodious Harbour and Road for Ships 't is endow'd with several Immunities and Privileges and defended with a Castle Cardiganshire IN Latin Ceretia is bounded on the West by the Sea and on the South by the River Tovy which Separateth it from Caermardhenshire the East and North sides are limited by Brecknockshire and Montgomeryshire The Air is open and somewhat piercing the Soil is Hilly and uneven but more plain towards the Sea than in the East and North parts it hath very little Corn few Woods but Cattel Fish and Fowl in abundance The Principal Towns are these 1. Cardigan the Shire Town situated on a steep Bank strongly Fortified with a Wall and Castle by the Earls of Clare 2. Aberistwith a most populous and plenteous Town near which are found several Veins of Lead We have now describ'd the Counties of the Silures and Dimetae pass we now to the Ordovices the ancient Inhabitants of North-Wales which is now divided into the Counties of Montgomeryshire Merionethshire Caernarvonshire Denbighshire and Flintshire North-Wales Montgomeryshire Ordovices IN Latin Mons Gomericus is bounded on the South with Cardiganshire and Radnorshire on the East with Shropshire on the North with Denbighshire and on the West with Merionethshire The Air is cold and piercing the Soil fruitful especially in the East parts they being watered by the Severn The Principal Towns are these 1. Montgomery a Town seated on the rising of a Rock having a pleasant Plain under it it is defended by a very strong Castle both which were Built by Roger de Montgomery Earl of Shrewsbury 2. Plinlimmon-Hill is particularly famous for its wonderful Heighth and that on the part where it boundeth one side of this Shire it poureth forth the Severn which next to the Thames is the greatest River in all Brrittain Merionethshire IN Latin Mervinia on the West the Sea beateth upon it on the South it is divided by the River Dovy from Cardiganshire on the North it is bounded by Caernarvon and Denbighshires and on the East by part of Denbighshire The Air of this place is neither pleasant nor the Soil profitable The Principal Towns are these 1. Bala a little Town endowed with several Immunities Peopled with few Inhabitants and very rudely Built nevertheless it is the chief Market-Town of these Mountainers 2. Harlech a Market-Town situated in a bleak and barren place it has few Houses and those not curiously Built nor is it famous for any thing unless we make mention of a strong Castle that stands near it commanding the Sea and passage of such as might seek to invade the Coast Caernarvonshire IN Latin Arvonia the North and West sides lie upon the Irish Sea the South is enclos'd with Merionethshire and the East with Denbighshire from which it is severed by the River Conony The Air is sharp and piercing nor is the Soil to be commended much for its fertility The Principal Towns are these 1. Caernarvon a Town so called from its standing over-against the Island Mona 't is encompass'd with a small Circuit of Walls about it but the same is exceeding strong 't is also defended by a stately Castle which takes up the whole West side of it the Buildings are beautiful and the Inhabitants much commended for their courtesy who think it a point of their glory that King Edward the First Founded their Town and that King Edward the Second the first Prince of Wales was Born there it was formerly much resorted to for the Chancery and Exchequer of the Princes of North-Wales 2. Bangor a City seated on the Menai a branch of the Irish Sea remarkable for little else than that it is adorn'd with a Bishop's See and a fair Cathedral Consecrated to Daniel who was sometime Bishop of the place it was defaced by Owen Glendower and afterwards re-edified by Henry Dean An. Dom. 1496. Isle of Anglesey or Mona 'T IS sever'd from Brittain with the small narrow strait of Menai and on all parts besides it is beaten upon by the Irish Sea 't is in length 20 Miles and in breadth 17. It s Principal Town is Beaumarish Built by Edward the First on the East side of the Isle on a Marish ground it was so named from the pleasantness of its situation other Towns there are such as Newburg Aberfraw which have nothing in them remarkable The Druids formerly Inhabited this place 't was attempted by Suetonius and brought under the Power of the Romans by Agricola Denbighshire IN Latin Denbiga on the North-North-West it has first the Sea for a small space and then Flintshire on the West the Sea on the South Merionethshire and Montgomeryshire and on the East Cheshire and Shropshire The Air is pleasant and wholsome the Soil is barren towards the West part yet in the middle where it lieth flat with a Valley it is very fruitful The Principal Towns are these 1. Denbigh the Shire Town Fortified with a strong Wall and Castle and strengthned with high Towers by Henry Lacy Earl of Lincoln 't is well frequented and is deservedly reputed the most beautiful place in all North-Wales especially since it was made by King Henry the Eighth the Head Town of a County before which time it was also of great resort as being the Head Town of the Barony of Denbigh conceiv'd to be one of the goodliest Territories in England having more Gentlemen holding of it than any other 2. Ruthin a very great Market-Town full of Inhabitants and well replenished with Buildings particularly famous not long since for a stately Castle Built by Roger Grey in the Reign of King Edward the First Flintshire IN Latin Flintum is bounded on the North with an Arm of the Irish Sea on the East with Cheshire and on the other parts with Denbighshire The Air is healthful and temperate without any Foggy Clouds and Fenny Vapours the Soil bringeth forth plenty of Coâ—â— and Pasture The Principal Town is St. Asaph a very ancient City but at present it is neither remarkable for its Buildings nor the Church for its Beauty 't is honoured with a Bishop's See it took its name from Asaph a very devout pious Man and was Founded in the Year of our Redemption 560 by Kentigern Bishop of Glascow who fled hither out of Scotland Yorkshire Brigantes IN Latin Eboracum on the North side it hath the Bishoprick of Durham which the River Tees with a continued course separateth from it on the East it is bounded by the German Ocean on the South it is enclos'd first with Cheshire and Darbyshire afterwards with Nottinghamshire and then with Lincolnshire on the West it hath Lancashire and Westmorland the whole Shire is divided into Three parts which are
sinibus illis Agricola incurvo terram molitus aratro Exesa inveniet Scabrâ rubigine pila Aut gravibus rassris galeas pulsabit manes Grandiaque essossis mirabitus ossa Sepulchris 4. Colchester a proper fair Town pleasantly seated it is Wall'd about and Beautified with 15 Churches the ancient Coins daily dug out here do shew that it flourished in the time of the Romans The Trade of the Inhabitants consists chiefly in making of Cloth and Bays with other sort of Stuff 5. Harwich a Port-Town not very great but well Peopled Fortified both by Art and Nature 't is Memorable for a Battle at Sea fought between the English and Danes An. Christ 884. 6. Saffron-Walden a fair Market-Town famous for the great Quantity of Saffron which grows there which Commodity was at first brought into England in the Reign of Edward the IIId Suffolk Iceni SUffolcia hath on the West Cambridge on the South the Stour divideth it from Essex on the East it hath the German Sea and on the North Norfolk The Air of this place is thought by some Physicians to be the very best in the whole Island the Soil is fruitful and replenished with all things The Principal Towns are these 1. Bury a very fair beautiful Town remarkable for an Abbey Built by Canutus to Expiate the Sacrilegious Impiety of his Father Suenus against this Church it appears still beautiful even in its very Ruins Near this place was fought a great Battel between Robert Bossu Earl of Leicester and King Henry the IId the Victory falling to the King's Party A. C. 1173. 2. Sudbury formerly the chief Town of this Shire 't is Populous and Wealthy the Inhabitants making great advantages by Clothing 3. Ipswich the principal Town of this Shire well Peopled beautiful in its Buildings has 14 Churches and a very commodious Haven 't is fenc'd with a Rampier it was Sack'd by the Danes An. 991. and again in the Year 1000 yet it perfectly recovered its former Beauty and was the finest Town in England had a very noble Harbour which was most convenient for the Northern and Eastern parts of the World in this state it continued till through the severe Injunctions of Bishop Laud in the Reign of King Charles the First concerning matters in Religion several Thousands of Families were frighted out of Norfolk and Suffolk into New-England Norfolk NOrfolcia it is bounded on the East and North by the German Ocean on the West the Ouse divideth it from Cambridge on the South it confineth upon Suffolk The Air is sharp and piercing especially in the Champion and near the Sea upon which account the Spring and Harvest is not so soon here as in other Countries 't is a Champion Country large and spacious abounding with Rivers pleasant Springs good Corn and Pasture The Principal Towns are these 1. Thetford a large Market-Town but thinly Inhabited in times past it was very Populous and besides other tokens of Antiquity it hath still to be seen a great Mount fenc'd with a double Rampier and Fortified in ancient times with Walls it was formerly the Seat of the Kings of the East-Angles and known to the Romans by the Name of Sitomagus 2. Norwich a famous City pleasantly situated on the River Yare which runs thence to Yarmouth lying out in length from South to North a Mile and an half and in breadth about half so much it drawing in it self by little and little at the South end in manner of a Cone in that Circuit it comprehendeth about Thirty Parishes well Walled about with many Turrets and Twelve Gates but it hath in it much waste ground the City suffering great loss both in Wealth and Buildings by Ket's Rebellion in the time of King Edward the Sixth it hath recovered its first blow by the Dutch Manufactures but of the last it still languisheth though at this present it glories in the Beauties of a fair Cathedral the Three Palaces of the Bishops the Dukes of Norfolk and the Earls of Surrey and the ruins of an ancient Castle of the Saxons Building 3. Yarmouth a Port-Town having a very convenient Haven 't is beautifully Built and strongly fenc'd both by Art and Nature 't is almost encompassed with Water on the West side with a River that hath a Draw-bridge over it on the other parts with the Ocean unless Northward where it is firm Land it is defended by a strong Wall which together with the River make a square Form of Four sides somewhat long upon the Wall towards the East a great Mount is cast up on which are planted several pieces of Ordinance 4. Lynn a large Town encompass'd with a deep Trench and Walls for the most part 't is divided by Two small Rivers which have Fifteen Bridges over them 't is of no great Antiquity yet by reason of its Havens Buildings and Merchants 't is the Second Principal Town of this Shire Cambridgeshire CAntabrigia on the East it lieth on Norfolk and Suffolk on the South on Essex and Hertfordshire on the West on Bedford and Huntingtonshire 't is divided into two parts by the River Ouse or Cam. This Province is not so large as some others nor the Air so temperate and pleasant it being infected by the Fens the North part is for the most part Fenny and surcharg'd with Waters but the South is Champion yielding Corn in abundance The Principal Towns are these 1. Cambridge a Town particularly famous for its University which as it is reported was first begun and Founded by Cantaber a Spaniard 375 Years ante Christum as also that Sigebert or Sebert King of the East-Angles restor'd it again An. Dom. 630. Being drstroyed afterwards by the Danes it was for a long time of no account until it reviv'd under the Normans Government at this day it hath Sixteen stately Colleges and Halls which for Buildings Beauty Endowments and Number of Students are so replenished that Oxford excepted the like is hardly to be found in Europe 2. Ely a City not so great as ancient situate in the Isle so nam'd occasioned by the divided Streams of Ner and Ouse with the overflowings of other Rivers turning a great part of this Tract into Fenns and Marshes remarkable for little else but its Cathedral which was erected An. Dom. 1110. in the 10th Year of King Henry the First Huntingtonshire IN Latin Huntingtonia is bounded on the South by Bedfordshire on the West and North by Northamptonshire and on the East by Cambridgeshire The Soil is fruitful yielding Corn in great abundance towards the East where it is Fenny it is very rich and plentiful for the Feeding of Cattel in all the other parts 't is extreamly pleasant on the account of the Woods and Groves with which it aboundeth The Principal Towns are these 1. St. Neets a Market Town so named of one Neutus a Learned and Holy Man who Travelled all his Life-time in Propagating Christianity his Body was translated from Neotstock in Cornwall to this place 2.
term'd The West Riding The East Riding The North Riding West-Riding IS compass'd by the River Ouse with the bound of Lancashire and South limits of the Shire and beareth towards the West and South The Principal Towns are these 1. Sheffield a Town of great repute both for its Inhabitants who are generally Smiths as well as for the many Iron Mines which are found thereabouts 't is Fortified with a strong and ancient Castle 2. Halyfax a famous Town lying from West to East upon the steep descent of an Hill it is not many Years since it took this Name it being formerly called Horton is is so very populous that it is thought to have 12000 Inhabitants 3. Wakefield a great Market-Town well frequented its Buildings are very beautiful famous it is for its Inhabitants getting great store of Wealth by making Cloth nor is it less remarkable for its Bridge upon which King Edward the Fourth erected a beautiful Chappel in memory of those who lost their Lives in Battel his own Father being slain in the Field by those that sided with the House of Lancaster 4. Leeds formerly a House of the Kings but now grown to be a populous rich Town by reason of Clothing 5. Towton a little Country Village which may not be unfitly termed England's Pharsalia famous it is for the Battel between the Houses of York and Lancaster where the Lancastrians received so terrible an overthrow that they left more than 30000 dead upon the place 6. York the second City of England the fairest in all this County it being a singular safeguard and Ornament to all the Northern parts a pleasant place large and stately well fortified and beautifully adorn'd as well with private as publick Buildings rich populous and to its greater dignity it hath a stately Cathedral consecrated to St. Peter and an Archiepiscopal See which beside Twelve Bishopricks in England exercised formerly the Power of a Primate over all the Bishops of Scotland but it hath now but Four within its Diocese viz. the Bishoprick of Durham of Carlisle of Chester and of the Isle of Man Memorable it is for the Death of Severus the Emperor and of Constantine the Father of Constantine the Great East-Riding ON the North and West side 't is bounded with the River Darwent on the South with the Salt Water of Humber and on the East with the German Ocean The Principal Towns are these 1. Beverly a great Town very populous and full of Trade so named from John de Beverly Archbishop of York a Godly and Learned Man who after he had given over his Bishoprick as weary of this World came hither and ended his Life in Contemplation An. Dom. 721. 2. Hull a Town Founded by King Edward the First which by little and little hath rose to that Dignity that for stately and sumptuous Buildings for strong Blockhouses for well-furnished Ships for store of Merchants and abundance of all things it is become now the most famous Town in all these parts the Inhabitants make a great Trade of Island Fish dried and hardened which they term Stock-Fish whereby they gather a mass of Riches 3. Patrington a Town pleasantly seated having a most delightful Prospect on one side lieth the main Sea on the other the Humber and over-against it the fresh and green Borders of Lincolnshire The Inhabitants glory much on the account of their Antiquity and the commodiousness of their Haven North-Riding OR the North part of this County stretcheth it self Westward 60 Miles together even as far as to Westmorland 't is limited on the one side with Darwent and for a while with the River Ure on the other side with the River Tees running all along by it which on the North Coast separateth it from the Bishoprick of Durham The Principal Towns are these 1. Pickering a large Town belonging to the Dutchy of Lancaster situate upon an Hill and defended by an old Castle to which a great number of small Villages lying round about do appertain 2. Scarborough-Castle is seâ—â—ed on a Rock of a wonderful heighth and bigness which by reason of steep Cliffs is almost inaccessible on every side it was at first Built by William le Grosse Earl of Albermarle which being in process of time fallen down it was afterwards Rebuilt by King Henry the Second here the Hollanders Fish for Herrings demanding first License of the Lord of the Castle 3. Rhidal a pleasant beautiful Market-Town adorn'd with Twenty three Parish-Churches through the midst whereof runneth the River Rhy 4. Malton a large Market-Town well frequented for Corn Horses Fish and Implements of Husbandry here are to be seen the Foundations of an old Castle belonging to the Family of the Vescys 5. Richmond a fair beautiful Town seated on the River Swall it seems to have been formerly Fortified with a Wall whose Gates yet stand in the midst of the Town so that the Suburbs are extended far without the same it is indifferently populous and well frequented the People are most employed in Knitting of Stockings wherewith even the Decrepit and Children get their own Livings Durham IN Latin Dunelmus is bounded on the North by Northumberland on the West where it is more narrow by Westmorland and Cumberland on the South it hath Yorkshire and on the East the German Ocean The Air is sharp and piercing and would be more violent were it not for the Vapours of the German Sea which dissolving the Ice and Snow make the Air more mild and temperate As for the Soil the East part is by far the richest The Principal Towns are these 1. Hartlepool a very large Town of good resort it has a very safe and convenient Harbour for Shipping 2. Durham a noble City seated on high and shap'd in form of an Egg environ'd on all sides but on the North with the River Were 't is Fortified with a Wall its Buildings are beautiful but especially its Cathedral which standing on the South side where the River windeth its self about maketh a solemn and gallant show having an high Tower in the midst anâ— two Spires at the West end Famous it is likewise for its Castle which standeth between two stone Bridges over the River as also for its spacious Market-place and for St. Nicholas's Church which is a beautiful Fabrick Near unto this City at Nevils Cross a sore Battel was Fought between the English and Scots wherein David Bruce King of Scotland with many of his Nobility were taken Prisoners by Queen Philippa Wife to that glorious Prince King Edward the Third who in Person was present in the Field Lancashire IN Latin Lancastria is enclos'd between Yorkshire on the East side and the Irish Sea on the West on the South side where it boundeth on Cheshire it is broader and by degrees the more Northward it goeth where it confineth on Westmorland it is narrower The Air is subtle and piercing not troubled with gross Vapours but the Soil for the most part is lean and barren yet it
produceth such numbers of Cattel of such large proportion that even Spain can scarce afford the like The Principal Towns are these 1. Manchester a very beautiful Town far excelling all others round about it 't is of good resort and is famous for Clothing the Market-place is large and spacious 't is also adorn'd with a very fair Church and College Founded by Thomas Lord Delaware it was in former times called Mancunium and was made a Fort and Station of the Romans 2. Riblechester though it be at present but a small Town yet by Tradition it hath had the repute of the richest Town in Christendom and is reported to have been the Seat of the Romans which the many Monuments of their Antiquities Statues Pieces of Coin and other several Inscriptions digged up from time to time by the Inhabitants may give us sufficient persuasion to believe 3. Warrington a fair Market-Town known by reason of the Lords thereof sirnam'd the Butlers who obtain'd of Edward the First the liberty of a Market for it 4. 〈◊〉 a good well frequented Town famous for it Antiquity but more famous for a convenient passage from this place to Ireland 5. Ormeskirk a Market-Town remarkable for the Sepulchres of the Stanleys the Earls of Darby 6. Preston a Town of good resort so named from the Religious Men dwelling in it 7. Lancaster it was formerly the chief Town of this Shire but at this day it is neither well peopled nor much frequented most of its Inhabitants are given to Husbandry the Territory round about being well Manur'd lying open fresh and fair and not void of Woods Roman Coins are often digged up here and here they say was the plot of ground in which the ancient Town was planted which was destroyed by the Scots An. Dom. 1â—â—2 't is sufficiently famous in our English Annals for those Noble Persons who have successively born the Title of Earls and Dukes of it the greatest Princes for Revenues of any Subjects in Christendom Westmorland IN Latin Westmoria is bounded on the West and North with Cumberland on the East with Yorkshire and the Bishoprick of Durham and on the South with Lancashire The Air is sharp and piercing purging its self from Mists and Vapours but the Soil for the generality is so unfertile that it can hardly be brought to any fruitfulness by the industry and painful labour of the Husbandman The Principal Towns are these 1. Appleby a Town pleasantly seated encompass'd for the most part with the River Eden but it is at present so slenderly Inhabited and the Buildings so rude and simple that were it not for its Antiquity it deserveth not to be accounted the Shire-Town and to have the Assizes kept in the Castle which is the common Goal for Malefactors in short all the beauty lies in one broad Street which from North to South riseth with an easy ascent of an Hill in the upper part standeth the Castle in the lower the Church and by that a very good School Founded by Robert Langton and Miles Spenser Doctors of Law 2. Kirkby Lonsdale a Town situate on the East side of this Shire the tract of Land lying about it being called Lonsdale it hath a very good frequented Market all the People round about repair hither on Sundays to Church 3. Kirkby Stephen a fair Market-Town of good resort 4. Kendall situate in a Dale on the River Can from whence it had its Name it is the chief Town in Westmorland having two long fair broad Streets crossing one another it is of great Trade and Resort and for the diligent and industrious practice of the Inhabitants so excels the rest that in regard thereof it carrieth a super-eminent Name above them and hath great Vent and Traffick for her Woollen Cloaths through all the parts of England Famous it is for giving the Title of Earl to John Duke of Bedford Regent of France in the time of King Henry the Sixth Cumberland IN Latin Cumbria on the North boundeth on Scotland on the South and West the Irish Sea beateth upon it and Eastward above Westmorlanâ— it confineth on Northumberland It s ancient Inhabitants though known to the Romans by the name of Brigantes were the natural Britons who called themselves 〈◊〉 The Air is piercing and of a sharp temperature and would be more biting were it not that the high Hills oppose and break off the Northern Storms and dissolve the falling Snows The Province is very rich the Vales smile with Corn and the Hills with Pasture the Sea affords plenty of Fish and the Land is overspread with variety of Fowls The Principal Towns are these 1. Keswick a little Town seated in a very pleasant Soil being compass'd about with Hills King Edward the Third ordained a Market in this place by the procurement of Sir Thomas Darwentwater the Lord of it Famous it was in times past for its Copper-Mines it being at this day much Inhabited by Mineral Men who have here their Smelting house by Darwent-side which with its foâ—ible Stream and their ingenious Inventions serveth them in stead for easy Bellows-works Hammer-works Forge-works and Sawing of Boards not without admiration of such as behold it 2. Cokermouth a rich frequented Market-Town seated in a Valley between two Hills its Buildings are fair and beautiful upon one of the Hills standeth the Church on the other a very strong Castle the Gate whereof carrieth in the Front the Arms of the Percus 3. Papcastle an ancient Castle but at this present almost ruinated however memorable it is in that for a great number of Monuments it layeth claim to a Roman Antiquity among which was found a large Vessel of Greenish Stone engraven with little Images which serveth now for a Sacrarium Regenerationis in St. Brigids Church hard by Several Authors tell us that Fonts were adorn'd with Pictures of Holy Men to the end that such as were Baptized might have before their Eyes the Pictures of those Men whose deeds they were to imitate so saith Pontius Paulinus for in the first Plantation of Christianity among the Gentiles such only as were of full Age after they had been Instructed in the Principles of the Christian Religion were admitted to Baptism and that but twice in the year viz. at Easter and Whitsontide except on urgent occasions at which times they which were to be Baptized were attired in White Garments Exorcised and Exsuffled with sundry Ceremonies which I leave to the Learned in Christian Antiquities 4. Solway-Frith within this very Frith where the Salt-waters ebb and flow the English and Scots by report of the Inhabitants fought with their Fleets at full Sea and with their Horse and Footmen at the ebb which seems no less marvellous than that which Pliny reported not without wonder of the like place in Caramania this Arm of the Sea is called Solway-Frith from Solway a Town of Scotland bordering upon it 5. Penrith a little Town of an indifferent Trade Fortified on the West side with a