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
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 esteemed one of the Keys of England and
of Winchester 6. Lincoln a place in former days of great Strength and Note being one of the best Peopled Cities in all the Saxon Heptarchy and of great Merchandise and Trassick both by Sea and Land it had formerly Fifty Churches but is now much decay'd it having suffered much damage in the Wars of King Stephen and of Henry the IIId with his Barons as also both by Fire and Earthquakes the chief Fame it now hath is for its Minster one of the stateliest Piles in England and perhaps in Christendom high seated on an Hill and from thence discern'd over all the Country The City is seated on the side of an Hill where the River Witham bendeth his course Eastward famous it is in respect that Vortimer the Warlike Briton who often discomfited the Saxon Armies ended his days and was here contrary to his Commandment Buried 7. Wainfleet a Town deservedly remarkable in that it Bred William Wainfleet Bishop of Winchester the Founder of Maudlin College in Oxford Nottinghamshire IN Latin Nottingamia hath on the East Lincolnshire on the North Yorkshire on the West Derbyshire and on the South side Leicestershire The Air is pleasant and healthful the Soil rich and clayey and for Corn and Grass so fruitful that it claims the second place before any other in the Realm The Principal Towns are these 1. Stoke a little Village famous for the Victory obtain'd by King Henry the VIIth against Sir John de la Pool Earl of Lincoln who being by King Richard the IIId declared Heir apparent to the Crown Rebelliously opposed himself against his Sovereign and in this place sighting Manfully both he and most of his Followers lost their lives 2. Nottingham a fair Town seated on the Trent but very high upon an Hill which overlooks it for Buildings fair Streets and a spacious Market-place not giving way to many Cities but of most fame for a Royal and magnificent Castle which for Strength Stateliness and Prospect may justly challenge the Precedency of most in England it is mounted upon an huge steep work on the West side of the City it was Built by William the Conqueror to bridle the English David the IId King of Scots and Roger Mortimer Earl of March were detain'd a long time Prisoners in this Castle Memorable it is for that King Charles the I st first set up his Standard in this place occasion'd on the unhappy Differences between him and his Parliament August 22. 1642. 3. Southwell it is adorn'd with a very beautiful Church Consecrated to the Virgin Mary 't is a Town not very fair to outward view but strong ancient and of great fame the Archbishop of York has a stately Palace in this place Derbyshire IN Latin Darbia hath on the East Nottinghamshire on the South Leicestershire on the West Steffordshire and on the North-side Yorkshire it resembles the Form of a Triangle but not with equal sides The Air is good and healthful and the Soil rich and fertile especially in the South and East Parts The Principal Towns are these 1. Derby a fair Town well traded and resorted situated on the River Darwent which on the East side of it affords to the Eye a pleasant and delightful Prospect running down and carrying a full and chearful Stream under a beautiful Stone-Bridge upon which formerly a fair Chappel was Erected which is now gone to decay it is adorn'd with Five Churches the greatest of which named Alhallows and Dedicated to the Memory of All Saints is peculiarly remarkable for its lofty Spire and the Tomb of the Countess of Shrewsbury 2. Peak so called from its Hills and Mountains from this place we have our Lead and Milstones and the Apothecaries their Antimony 3. Buxton a Town memorable for Nine Water-springs which arise out of a Rock within the compass of Eight Yards Eight of them are Warm but the Ninth is very Cold these run under a very fair square Building of Free-stone and about Sixty Paces off receive another Hot Spring from a Well inclos'd with Four flat Stones called St. Anns near unto which another very Cold Spring bubbles up The Inhabitants report that great Cures have been effected by these Waters and daily experience sheweth that they are good for the Stomach and Sinews and very pleasant to Bathe the Body in The Town is lately adorn'd with very beautiful Buildings Having now Describ'd the Regions of the Coritani we will next survey the Provinces of the Cornavii who if we may believe Ptolomy seem to have Possessed Warwickshire Worcestershire Staffordshire Shropshire and Cheshire Warwickshire Cornavii IN Latin Warwicus hath on the East Northamptonshire and Leicestershire on the South Oxfordshire and Glocestershire on the West Worcestershire and on the North Staffordshire It s Air and Soil are equally desirable the Air is extreamly healthful and the Soil in the South part yieldeth such a plentiful Harvest that the Husbandman smiles to behold his pains so well rewarded The Principal Towns are these 1. Warwick this Town was the ancient Praeciduum of the Romans it standeth on the River Avon upon a steep and high Rock and all the Passages to it are wrought out of the very stone it is yet apparent that it was formerly Fortified with a Wall and Ditches towards the South-West it sheweth a Castle strongly Fortified both by Art and Nature 't was in a good state upon the entrance of the Normans but hath lately suffered much by Fire 2. Henly a pretty Market-Town which had formerly a Castle adjoining to it belonging to the Family of the Montforts 3. Killingworth a beautiful strong Castle encompassed with Parks given by Queen Elizabeth to Robert Dudley Earl of Leicester 4. Bremicham a Town full of Inhabitants resounding always with Hammers and Anvils they being most of them Smiths 5. Coventry a City so called from an old Convent and Religious House which gave Name to it beautified it is with a well-Built Wall large Streets handsome Houses and two fair Churches Dedicated to the Holy Trinity and St. Michael it was formerly the only Mart and City of Trade in all these Parts notwithstanding that it is destitute of all the advantages which a Navigable River might afford it 6. Edgehill a small Village famous for the Battel fought between the Forces of King Charles the I st and those of the Parliament in which both sides claim'd the Victory Worcestershire IN Latin Wigornia hath on the East Warwickshire on the South Glocestershire on the West Herefordshire and Shropshire and on the North Staffordshire The Air of this Shire is temperate and the Soil fertile abounding with Corn Woods Pasture and every thing that is necessary for the Life of Man The Principal Towns are these 1. Kidderminster a fair Town hath a great Market it is well frequented divided into two parts by the River Stour it is adorn'd with a very beautiful Church 2. Worcester the principal City of this Shire it being truly admirable both in respect of its Antiquity and Beauty
Shires of Wales but those Two also beyond the Severn viz. Herefordshire and Monmouthshire which are now reckoned among the Counties of England according to Ptolomy the Silures inhabited the South part called by one Name Dehubarth but now Herefordshire Radnorshire Brecknockshire Monmouthshire and Glamorganshire The Inhabitants are generally impatient of Servitude very Valiant and given to War Herefordia is bounded on the East with Worcestershire and Glocestershire on the South with Monmouthshire on the West with Radnor and Brecknockshires and on the North with Shropshire This Counties Climate is healthful and temperate and the Soil so fertile for Corn and Cattel that no place in England yieldeth more The Principal Towns are these 1. Hereford the principal City of this Shire seated on the Banks of the River Wye in the middle of most flourishing Meadows and no less plentiful Corn-Fields it was raised out of the ruins of the ancient Ariconium 't is encompass'd almost round with Rivers it was Walled about in the Reign of Henry the First who Founded in this place a most beautiful Cathedral Church 2. Lemster a Town famous for exceeding fine Wool Radnorshire IN Latin Radnora hath on the North Montgomeryshire on the East Herefordshire on the South Brecknockshire on the West where 〈◊〉 groweth very narrow Cardiganshire The Air of this Province is very sharp and Cold and the Soil lean and barren its riches consists chiefly in the brood of Cattel The Principal Towns are these 1. Radnor the principal Town of this Shire fair Built after the manner of the Country with thatch'd Houses in times past it was fenc'd with a Wall and Castle which are now grown to decay 2. Prestan a Market-Town so fair and beautiful that it in a manner putteth down Radnor it is of late Years wonderfully frequented 3. Knighton a Town scarce inferior to Prestian near this place is King Offa's admirable Ditch reaching from Dee Mouth up to Wy Mouth by this Town for the space of Fourscore and ten Miles made by him to separate the Brittons from his Englishmen Brecknockshire IN Latin Brechinia is bounded on the East with Herefordshire on the South with Monmouth and Glamorganshires on the West with Caermardhenshire and on the North with Radnorshire The Air is very Temperate the whole County is full of Hills and uneven for Travelling but the Soil is very fertile yielding in the Vallies both plenty of Corn and Pasture The Principal Town is 1. Brecknock the Shire-Town seated in the very heart of the Country its Walls are strong and of good repair it hath Three Gates for entrance with Ten Towers for its defence on the West side it hath a stately Castle that it was Inhabited in the Romans time is evident from the Coins of the Roman Emperors oftentimes digged up here Monmouthshire IN Latin Monumethia is bounded on the North by the River Munow that separateth it from Herefordshire on the East the River Wye divideth it from Glocestershire on the West the River Remney severeth it from Glamorganshire on the South 't is bounded by the Severn Sea The Air is healthful and clear the Soil is Hilly Woody Rich and in all places very Fruitful The Principal Towns are these 1. Monmouth the chief Town of this Province 't is encompassed almost round with the Rivers Munow and Wye on the North side where it is not defended with Rivers it was formerly Fortified with a Wall and Ditch 2. Chepstow a Town situate on the side of an Hill rising from the very River Fortified round about with a Wall of a large Circuit it hath a very fair Castle situate over the River Wye the Town generally speaking is of good resort 3. Abergevenny a Town well frequented Fortified with Walls and a Castle which of all the Castles in Wales as Giraldus says has been most defam'd on the account of Treason 4. Newport a Town lately Built not unknown upon the account of its Castle and the Commodiousness of its Harbour Glamorganshire IN Latin Glamorgania on the South it has the Severn Sea on the East Monmouthshire on the North Brecknockshire and on the West Caermardhenshire The Air is temperate and giveth more content to the Mind than the Soil doth fruit or ease to Travellers The Principal Towns are these 1. Cardiffe a proper fair Town having a commodious Haven Fortified by a strong Wall and Castle by Fitz-Haimon memorable it is for that Robert Curthouse William the Conqueror's Eldest Son being quite put by his hopes of the Crown of England and depriv'd of both his Eyes by his Brother King Henry the First lived until he was an Old Man in this Castle 2. Cowbridge a fair Market-Town well frequented 3. Landaffe a small City and of as small reputation situate somewhat low but adorn'd with a Bishops's See and a Cathedral Consecrated to St. Gelean Bishop of the place West-Wales Caermardhenshire Dimetae IN Latin Maredunum is limited on the East with Glamorganshire and Brecknockshire on the West with Pembrokeshire on the North 't is severed from Cardiganshire by the River Tovy and on the South it hath the Ocean The Air is pleasant and delightful the Soil being not so full of Hills as its neighbouring Counties is therefore much better for Corn and Pasturage The Principal Town is Caermardhen the chief Town of this County compass'd about with Brick Walls part of which is yet standing upon the River Tovy which is able to bear small Ships although there be now a Bar of Sand cast up against the mouth of it 't is pleasant for its Woods and Meadows and venerable for its Antiquity memorable it is for the Birth of the Sage Merlin Pembrokeshire IN Latin Pembrocia the Sea presseth upon every side of this County unless it be on the East where Caermardhenshire and on the North where a part of Cardiganshire boundeth upon it The Air is passing temperate and the Soil very fruitful The Principal Towns are these 1. Tenby a fair Town strongly Walled towards the Land it looketh into the Sea from a dry Cliff famous it is for its commodious Roads for Ships and for an abundance of Fish taken there 2. Milford-Haven than which there is not another in all Europe either nobler or safer there are reckoned within it Sixteen Creeks Five Bays and Thirteen Roads known every one by its several name 't is particularly famous for the arrival of King Henry the Seventh who released England from the Domestick Calamities and Civil Miseries it then groan'd under 3. Pembroke the principal Town of this Shire it standeth on the East Creek of Milford-Haven it was formerly Fortified with Walls and a Castle which are now decayed 4. Haverford situate in the Demy Island of this County by the Welsh called Ross by the English Little England beyond Wales by reason of the English Tongue there spoken it is a Town the best Traded and frequented of all South-Wales it was Fortified with a Rampier and Wall on the North side by the Earls of
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
the third Dynasty when the Succession seems so clear and so certain an Epocha as the Building of Rome to deduce their accounts from their Chronology be yet uncertain for several of their best Historians make no scruple to confess That no certain account can be given of Rome which was 25 Years after the Olympiads and but 752 Ante Christum till the Regisugium which was 268 Years Ante Christum 384. A fair account then we are like to expect concerning the first rise of our own Nation after so many revolutions of Ages wherein Truth seems as it were more and more to have withdrawn her self from us which to trace out we must again return to the Romans who are the best able to satisfy us in this case This is most certain that the account of Times before the Romans either in Italy Germany Old Gallia or Brittain is scarce sit to be discoursed of under any other Head than that of Impostures not that I think that these Nations had lain in a perpetual sleep till the Romans rous'd them with their Swords and waken'd them as I may say into some kind of Civility but that they had no certain uniform way of conveying the Transactions of their own and former times to the view of Posterity On which account we may very justly reject all those pretended Successions of Gomer and Brute as Fabulous as also that this Island was Inhabited by Giants with a great many other I know not what pretty Stories adapted to the Ignorance of those times However all Historians agree in this That it is highly probable that the first Inhabitants of this Island were Originally descended from the ancient Gauls that part of the World being long Inhabited before this which is sufficiently apparent from the resemblance of their Government Manners Conditions Buildings Habits and the Community of their Language which is the surest proof a Nations Original As for its Name the most probable Conjecture is That it was termed Brittain from Brit which in the ancient Brittish Language signifies Painted and the word Tain which denotes a Nation agreeable to the Custom of the ancient Brittains who used to discolour and paint their Bodies that in their Wars they might seem more Terrible to their Enemies We are inform'd by Julius Caesar in his Commentaries That it was Governed at first by several petty Rulers and Princes of different Interests and Counsels He Landed in Brittain A. M. 3095. or thereabouts but was repuls'd by Câ—ssibelan a Bold and Warlike Prince who was Chosen King or rather Generalissimo by the Unanimous Consent of the other Roytelets to repel the common Enemy He afterwards made several Inroads into it but without any great Success he in the end being forc'd to leave it to the Government of its own Kings Augustus Tiberius and Caligula seemed with good Advice to have neglected it but in the Reign of the Emperor Claudius Plautius the Praetor and after him Ostorius subdued a great part of it Nero being Emperor Suetonius his Lieutenant gained a memorable Victory over Bonduce the Wife of Prasutagus King of the Iceni After which time the Romans still gaining ground the Island was at last totally Conquered in the Reign of the Emperor Domitian and by his Command first made a Province under Agricola who much about that time subdu'd Scotland and Ireland The Romans after they had kept it in Subjection several Hundred Years were upon the Northern Nations sacking Rome under the Command of Alaricus King of the Goths and Vandals recalled by the Emperor Honorius at which time Brittain being left in a manner naked and destitute of help the Picts and Scots presently invade it The Brittains after they had repelled them for several Years being at length much weakned they Counsel their King Vortigern to call the Saxons to their Assistance by whose Aid under the Commands of their Captains Hengist and Horsa they overcame their Enemies in a pitch'd Battel near Stamford in Lincolnshire They rewarded the Saxons for this Victory first with the Isle of Thanet and afterwards with the whole County of Kent who growing daily more Powerful dispossessed at length their Benefactors of their Native Habitations so that in the Reign of Cadwallader the last of the Brittish Kings they were compleat Masters of the whole Island parcelling it out into seven Kingdoms generally called the Saxons Heptarchy The Saxon Kings striving amongst themselves for Sovereignty were at last after they had Ruled separately 129 Years reduced under subjection by Egbert King of the West-Saxons A. C. 818. who caused this Land to be called England by a Parliament held at Winchester From Egbert England continued under the Government of its own Kings till the Year 1017 which was 199 Years about which time Edmund surnamed Ironside being Murther'd the Danes having for a long time infessed our Coasts hoping to succeed as the Saxons before them had done Canutus King of Denmark seiz'd into his hands the Regal Government The Danish Kings having Rul'd England 29 Years Edward the Confessor the Brother of Edmund Ironside succeeded in the Kingdom A. C. 1046. who out of the Saxon Mercian and Danish Laws Compil'd one Universal Body of the Law from whence our Common Law is thought to have its Original He Reigned 20 Years and died A. C. 1066. to whom succeeded Harold who having Reigned near a Year was slain in a pitch'd Battel near Hastings in Sussex A. C. 1067. by William the Conqueror from whom begins the most exact Computation of the Kings of England Thus much I thought necessary to give the Reader some insight into the first Ages of our Nation which I have endeavoured to perform in as concise a manner as the Subject could possibly admit of I shall now proceed in the Description of England as it stands divided by King Alfred into Shires or Counties which I have placed in that order as they are afterwards Treated of beginning with the Learned Cambden First in the furthest Western Parts and so from thence pass over the other Countries in order imitating herein as he judiciously Observes Strabo Ptolomy and others the most ancient Geographers who always begin their Descriptions in the Western Countries as being first from the first Meridian The Shires of England are generally computed to be 39 to which if we add 13 more in Wales reckoning the Isle of Anglesey to be one the whole makes 52. 6 of which were first Ordained in the Reign of Edward the First A. C. 1280. the rest were constituted in the Reign of Henry the VIIIth by a Parliamentary Authority An. Dom. 1510. The Names of the Shires in England Cornwall Devonshire Dorsetshire Somersetshire Wiltshire Hampshire Barkshire Surrey Sussex Kent Glocestershire Oxfordshire Buckinghamshire Bedfordshire Hartfordshire Middlesex Essex Suffolk Norfolk Cambridgeshire Huntingtonshire Northamptonshire Leicestershire Rutlandshire Lincolnshire Nottinghamshire Darbyshire Warwickshire Worcestershire Staffordshire Shropshire Cheshire Herefordshire Radnorshire Brecknockshire Monmouthshire Glamorganshire Caermarthenshire
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