a Fight so that the Conqueror who just before thought he had the whole Kingdom absolutely at Command began now to despair of his own Life of which Consternation the two valiant Prelates taking advantage presented themselves to the Duke and thus addressed him in behalf of their followers Most noble Duke behold here the Commons of Kent are come forth to meet and receive you as their Soveraign in peace upon condition they may for ever enjoy their ancient Liberties Freedoms and Estates which they received from their Forefathers If these be denied they are here ready to give you battle immediately being fully resolved rather to die than to part with our ancient Laws or to live in slavery and bondage the name and nature whereof as it hath been hitherto unknown to us so we will rather every man lose his Life than ever endure it The Conqueror driven to a strait and loth to hazard all upon so nice a point their demands being not unreasonable rather wisely than willingly granted their desires and Pledges on both sides are given for performance Kent yielding her Earldom and Castle of Dover to her new King William Among other Customs they retain one called Gavelkind that is Give all kin whereby Lands are divided among the Male-Children or if there be no Sons among the Daughters by which every man is a Freeholder and hath some part of his own to live upon By vertue of this also they are at full age and enter upon their Inheritance at 15 Years old and it is lawful for them to alienate or make it over to any either by Gift or sale without the Lords Consent By this likewise the Son though his Parents be hanged for Felony or Murder succeedeth them nevertheless in such kind of Lands according to that Rhime The Father to the Bough And the Son to the Plough K. William after this to secure Kent to himself placed a Constable in Dover Castle and according to the manner of the Romans made him also Lord of the Cinqueports which are Hastings Dover Hith Rumney and Sandwich unto which are joined Winchelsey and Rye as principal Ports and other small Towns as Members which because they are bound to serve in the Wars by Sea enjoy many great Priviledges being free from the payment of Subsidies and from Wardship of their Children and are not sued in any Court but within their own Towns and of the Inhabitants therein such as they call Barons at the Coronation of Kings and Queens support the Canopies over them and have a Table by themselves on the Kings Right hand and the L. Warden who is always of the Nobility hath the Authority of Chancellor and Admiralty within his Jurisdiction in very many cases and hath many other Rights Canterbury is the chief City of this County ancient and famous no doubt in the time of the Romans The Archbishop of Canterbury was called Totius Angliae Primas Primate of all England the Archbishop of York only Primas Angliae Primate of England he is the first Peer of the Realm and hath the Precedency of all Dukes not of the Royal Blood or great Officers of State Anselm in recompence of his service in opposing the Marriage of Priests and resisting the King about investing Bishops had this accession of honour given him by Pope Vrbane That he and his Successors should have place at the Popes right foot in all General Councils the Pope adding these words We include him in our Orb as Pope of another world This City hath had a rare Cathedral it is in the midst of the Town the body within being near as large as St. Pauls in London was between the body and the Quire there hangeth a Bell called by the name of Bell Harry being one of those which Henry 8. brought out of France there are also four Spires like St. Sepulchres London on each side of the great West Gate are 2 other Steeples the one called Dunstan and the other Arnold Steeples in each of which are a very pleasant ring of Bells in the same Cathedral there was the famousest window in England for which they say the Spanish Ambassador offered Ten Thousand pound being the whole History of Christ from his Nativity to his Passion but it was afterward battered to pieces In the Quire of the Cathedral Edward called the Black Prince is buried in a Monument of Brass underneath this Cathedral there is a great Congregation of French Protestants the Dutch also have a Church in that Place which is called the Bishops Pallace there are many other Churches in the City and Suburbs The Rebellion under Kett the Tanner in the Oak of Reformation neer Norwich Pa. 149. Tu per Thomae sanguinem quem pro te impendit Fac nos Christe scandere quo Thomas ascendit For the blood of Thomas which he for thee did spend Grant us Christ that we may climb where Thomas did ascend The Pope likewise writ to the English Clergy to make a new Holyday for St. Thomas as they expected pardon through his Intercession to God for them At Halbaldown in Kent there was an Hospital erected by Archbishop Lanfrank wherein was reserved the upper leather of an old shoe which they said had been worn by St. Thomas Becket and being set fair in Copper and Christal was offered to be kissed by all Passengers In the Reign of Edward 3. there was great variance between the A. Bishops of Canterbury and York and the Londoners were cursed by the A. B. of Canterbury because they suffered he of York to carry his Cross in that City but the King ended the difference ordering they should both freely carry the Cross in each others Province but that in sign of subjection the A. B. of York should send the Image of an Archbishop bearing a Cross or some other Jewel wrought in fine gold to the value of 40 pounds to Canterbury and offer it publickly there upon St. Thomas Beckets Shrine They likewise report that Thomas lying in an old House at Otford and finding it want a Spring he struck his Staff into the dry ground from whence issued Water and is called to this day St. Thomas Well and that a Nightingale disturbing his Devotions one time in that place he commanded that from thenceforth no bird of that kind should dare sing there many other such ridiculous miracles are reported which were invented by Popish Knaves and believed by none but Popish Idiots In 1386. William Courtney Archbishop of Canterbury summoned certain of his Tenants to answer an heinous and horrible Trespass as he called it which was That they brought Straw to litter his Horses not in Carts as formerly but in Bags for which wicked Offence having confessed their fault and asked him forgiveness he enjoined them this Pennance That going leisurely before the Procession barefoot and bare leg'd each of them should carry upon his Shoulder a Bag stuffed with Strow hanging out whereupon these Rhimes were made This Bag full of straw
you may make a Devil of it At which answer they laughed and departed In the Reign of Queen Elizabeth a certain Jesuit in Lancashire as he was walking by the way lost his Glove and one that came after him finding it followed him apace with an intention to restore it but he fearing the worst being inwardly pursued with a guilty conscience ran away and hastily leaping over an Hedge fell into a Marle-pit which was on the other side in which he was drowned In 1613. April 17. in the Parish of Standish in Lancashire a Maiden Child was born having four legs four Arms two Bellies joined to one back one head with two faces the one before the other behind like the Picture of Janus In 1662. July 4. At Litham about two miles from Preston in this County a very strange Fish was cast upon the Shoar it was about four yards in length and as big as an ordinary Horse the forefeet were as long as a mans Arm the hinder feet much shorter but broad like the Finns of a Fish it roared most dreadfully like a Bear it continued alive for some time and multitudes of People came to view it Also much about the same time and nine miles from this place many credible Persons often saw a very dreadful Serpent come forth out of a Wood the length thereof being about five or six yards and they judged it to be bigger than the biggest Cart Axel Tree it was so great that some who viewed the place where it sometimes lay near a Well at Dunkin Hall affirm that it made such an impression on the ground as if an Ox or some more large and pounderous Beast had lain there The Thirtieth of the same month at Ormskirk there happened such a storm of Hail as was hardly ever seen it beat down the Apples spoil'd the Corn broke the glass Windows on that side of the Houses the wind was of and cut the lead in pieces some Hailstones were taken up 8 Inches about and some as big as Pullets Eggs all the French Wheat was utterly spoyl'd and the other Wheat and Barley in the three adjacent Parishes much damaged This County is divided into 6 Hundreds wherein are 26 Market Towns and 61 Churches and is in the Diocess of Chester it elects 14 Parliament men Manchester gives the Title of Earl to Robert L. Montague LEICESTERSHIRE hath Lincoln and Rutland Shires on the East Derby and Nottingham Shires on the North Warwickshire on the West and Northamptonshire on the South It is a Champion Country and abounds with Corn Cattle and Coals the chief City Leicester stands almost in the heart of the County which by Etheldred the Mercian King was made an Episcopal See but being removed the Beauty of the Town decayed yet the renouned Lady Ethelfleda casting an Eye of compassion upon it re-edified the Buildings and compassed it about with a strong Wall whereby the Trade of the City was much increased But in the Reign of Hen. 2. Robert Earl of Leicester rebelling against him the King beseiged took and plundered it throwing down the Walls which seemed hard to be done some parcels of them remaining like hard Rocks by reason of the excellent Mortar The King then commanded the City to be set on fire and burnt the Castle to be razed and an heavy Imposition was laid upon the Citizens who with great Sums of Money bought their own Banishments In the ninth Year of K. Henry 5. a Parliament was called at Leicester wherein an 110 Priories were suppressed because they spoke ill of his Conquests in France and their Possessions given to the King In 1485. King Richard called Crookback set out of this City in the morning to meet the Earl of Richmond afterward K. Henry 7. and chose Bosworth Field to try his fortune with him for the Crown of England that day the Van of his Army was led by the Duke of Norfolk consisting of 1200 Bowmen flanked with 200 Curiassers under the E. of Surrey the main Battle K. Richard led himself being 1000 Billmen empaled with 2000 Pikes the King expected the L. Stanly's 2000 Horse to come for his assistance of whose Fidelity to him the King having some doubt he had before got his Son the Lord Strange as a pledge of his Loyalty with him Stanly not appearing K. Richard sent a Letter to him to come presently into his presence or else he swore by Christs Passion he would strike off his Sons head before he dined to which the L. Stanly returned answer That if he did so he had more Sons alive and he might do his pleasure but to come to him he was not determined Which Answer when K. Richard heard he commanded the L. Strange to be immediately beheaded but it being at the very time when both Armies were in sight of each other his Lords persuaded him it was now time to fight and not to put to Execution and so the L. Strange escaped The Earl of Richmond likewise sent to the L. Stanly to repair presently to him but he sent word he must expect no aid from him till the Battles were joined and therefore advised him with all possible speed to give the onset which Answer somewhat staggered the Earl because his number did but a little exceed one half of the Kings yet to make the best shew he could by the advice of his Council of War he made the Front of his Army thin and broad of which the Earl of Oxford had the leading the Earl himself leading the Battle soon after the Fight begun and the Arrows being spent on both sides they came to handstroaks and just then came in the Lord Stanly to the Earls assistance while they were thus contending K. Richard was informed that the Earl of Richmond with a small number was not far off and thereupon being of an invincible courage whereof he was now to give the last proof he made toward him and gave such a furious assault that first with his own hands he slew Sir William Brandon who bore the Earls Standard next he unhorst and overthrew Sir John Chyney a stout man at Arms and then assaulted the Earl of Richmond himself who unexpectedly for all the Kings fury held him off at the Lances point till Sir Wm. Stanly came in with 3000 fresh men and then opprest with multitude K. Richard was there slain It is said that when the Battle was near lost a swift Horse was brought him with which he might have saved himself by flight but Richard out of his undaunted courage refused it saying He would that day make an end of all Battles or else lose his Life In this Battle Henry E. of Northumberland who led King Richards Rear never struck stroke as likewise many others who followed K. Richard more for fear than love and so he who had deceived many was at this time deceived by many which was not unforeseen by some who caused a Rhime to be set upon the Duke of Norfolk's Tent the
Vpstarts and Aliens and had procured laudable Statutes Yea these turbulent Nobles went farther and it was contrived by the Bishops saith M. VVestminst That 24 persons should be chosen to have the whole Administration of the Kingdom and to appoint yearly all Officers reserving only to the King the highest places in publick Meetings and salutations of honour in publick Places And to inforce these Articles they were strongly armed and provided with Forces so that the King and Prince Edward were compelled to swear to these Oxford Provisions as they were called for fear of perpetual Imprisonment the Lords having published a Proclamation That whosoever resisted them should be put to death Then the Peers and Prelates rook their Corporal Oaths to be true to the King and that they would all stand to the Trial of their Peers the Lords soon after required VVilliam de Valence the Kings half-Brother to deliver up a Castle to them which he swearing he would not do the E. of Leicester and the rest answered That they would either have his Castle or his Head The People seemed wholly theirs which so heightened the Barons that when Henry Son to the King of â—lmain refused the confederacy or to take the Oath without his Fathers consent they boldly told him That if his Father himself did not hold with the Baronage of England he should not have a furrow of Earth among them These hot proceedings made all the Frenchmen about the King run from Oxford into France yea Richard King of the Romans the Kings Brother coming to see the King and his Countrey the Barons grew suspicious of him and therefore required him to take the following Oath Hear all men I Richard E. of Cornwall swear upon the holy Gospels to be faithful and forward to reform with you the Kingdom of England hitherto by the counsel of wicked men too much deformed and I will be an effectual coadjutor to expel the Rebels and Troublers of the Realm from out of the same This Oath will I observe upon pain to forfeit all the Lands I have in England These proceedings were too hot to hold for a while after the Earls of Leicester and Glocester two of the chiefest Confederates falling at debate among themselves the King took the advantage thereof and in a little time recovered his former Power and Authority But from hence we may observe that the Popish Nobility Clergy nor Laity have not at all times been so very Loyal to their Princes as they would now make the ignorant believe In the 20. Year of his Reign a Scholar of Oxford endeavouring to kill the King in his Camber at Woodstoock was taken and afterward pulled to pieces with wild Horses In 1400. a Conspiracy was contrived against K. Hen. 4. in the first Year of his Reign in the house of the Abbot of Westminster who was a kind of a Book-Statesman but better read in the Politicks of Aristotle than Solomon who remembring some words of K. Henry when he was only Earl of Derby That Princes had too little and Religious men too much and fearing lest now being King he should put his words into Act he thought it better to use preventing Physick before hand than to stand to the hazard of curing it afterward and thereupon invited to his House several discontented Lords as the Duke of Exeter the Duke of Surrey the Duke of Aumerle E. of Salisbury E. of Glocester Bishop of Carlile Maudlin one of K. Richard 2. Chaplains and several other Knights and Gentlemen who after Dinner conferring together and communicating their disaffections to each other against K. Henry they resolved at last to take away his Life and contrived this way to do it They would publish a solemn Justs or Turnament to be held at Oxford at a day appointed to which the King was to be invited to honour it with his presence and there while all men were intent upon the sport they would have him murthered This Plot was resolved on Oaths of secrecy were taken and solemn Indentures for performing the agreed conditions were signed sealed and delivered The Justs are proclaimed the King is invited and promiseth to come secrecy on all hands is kept most firmly to the very day But though all other kept Counsel yet Providence would not for it happened that as the Duke of Aumerle was riding to the Lords at Oxford against the day appointed he took it in his way to go visit his Father the Duke of York and having in his bosom the Indenture of Conspiracy his Father as they sate at dinner chanced to spy it and asked what it was to whom his Son answering It was nothing that any way concerned him By St. George saith the Father but I will see it and therewithal snatching it from him read it and then with great fierceness spake thus to him I see Traitor that idleness hath made thee so wanton and mutinous that thou playest with thy Faith and Allegiance as Children do with sticks thou hast been once already faithless to K. Richard 2. now again art false to K. Henry and art never quiet thou knowest that in open Parliament I became Surety and Pledge for thy Allegiance both in Body and Goods and can neither thy Duty nor my Desert restrain thee from seeking my destruction In faith but I will rather help forward thine And commanding his Horses to be made ready he with all speed rid to the King to Windsor but his Son knowing his danger rid instantly another way and came to the Court before him where locking the Gates and taking the Keys from the Porter pretending some special reason he went up to the King and falling on his Knees asked his Pardon the King demanding for what Offence he then discovered the whole Plot which he had scarce done when his Father came rapping at the Court Gates and coming to the King shewed him the Indenture of Confederacy which he had taken from his Son This amazed the King and thereupon laying aside the seeing of the Justing of others in jest takes care that he be not justled out of the Throne in earnest In the mean time the confederate Lords being ready at Oxford and hearing nothing of the Duke of Aumerle nor seeing any preparation for the Kings coming they were certainly persuaded their Treason was discovered upon which considering their case was desperate they apparel Magdalen who was like K. Richard 2. in Royal Robes and published that he was escaped out of Prison next they dispatch Messengers to require assistance from the King of France and then set forward against K. Henry at Windsor but he being gone to London they could not agree what measures to take and coming to Cicester the Bailiff of the Town couragiously set upon them and with the assistance of the Townsmen beat their forces killing the Duke of Surrey and the E. of Salisbury and taking divers Prisoners above 30 Lords Knights and Gentlemen with Magdalen the Counterfeit being sent to Oxford to
Admirable CURIOSITIES Rarities Wonders in England Scotland Irland K Canutus Commanding The Sea pa. 86 K. Henry 3. Preaching to the Monks pa. 88 ADMIRABLE CURIOSITIES Rarities Wonders IN England Scotland and Ireland OR An Account of many Remarkable Persons and Places and likewise of the Battels Seiges Prodigious Earthquakes Tempests Inundations Thunders Lightnings Fires Murders and other considerable Occurrences and Accidents for several Hundred Years past Together with the Natural and Artificial Rarities in every County and many other observable matters As they are recorded by the most Authentick and Credible Historians of former and latter Ages Adorned with the Lively Description of several Memorable things therein contained Ingraven on Copper Plates By R.B. Author of the History of the Wars of England c. and Remarks of London c. London Printed by Tho. Snowden for Nath. Crouch at the Bell next to Kemp's Coffee-house in Exchang-Alley over against the Royal Exchange in Cornhill 1682. TO THE READER HAving already published a brief Treatise called Historical Remarks of London and Westminster which hath found general acceptation I was encouraged to prosecute the same design upon every County in England as also in Wales Scotland and Ireland wherein the Reader cannot be so unreasonable to expect an exact description of every Town or considerable place that having been already performed at large by divers others this being only a Collection of the Natural and Artificial Curiosities Rarities and Wonders likewise of several Remarkable Places and Persons with the Prodigious Accidents in each County as I find them in Mr. Fox Dr. Heylin Dr. Fuller Sir Rich. Baker Mr. Speed Mr. Clark and several other Authors of credit which I have not particularly named to every Relation because it would have taken up too much room most of the particulars herein being very well known to the Learned and for others it will not signify much since this is published for the sake of those that are desirous of knowledge but are not in a capacity to buy a multitude of Books now though the Title speaks of Battels and Seiges yet I have purposely omitted all of that kind which have happened in our late Civil Wars as having already published a book of the same price with this wherein is a succinct Account of all the Transactions during the Reign of K. Charles the 1. till His Majesties Happy Restoration I desire it may please all since I intend to offend none but only to serve the Publick and my self wherein if I find success I shall be very well satisfied neither can the Reader be much displeased to have so much variety for so little money and to find that notwithstanding some think there are no wonders but in other Countries he may yet observe there are it may be as strange things at home as in other places R. B. Of BRITTAIN THE Island of Brittain is of all others the most famous and has been accounted the greatest in the World it comprehendeth all those Islands both great and less which lie in compass about it the length thereof from South to North that is from Lysard Point in Cornwall to the North of Scotland is 624 miles and the breadth thereof from the Lands end in Cornwall to the Isle of Thanet in Kent about 300 English miles It is a Country always very temperate and was highly esteemed by the Romans as appears by what hath been said concerning it by one of their Orators who calls it the happy and most fortunate Island endued by nature with all the blessings of Heaven and Earth in that therein is neither extream cold in Winter nor scorching heats in Summer and that which is most comfortable long daies and very lightsome nights wherein there is such an abundance of Grain as may suffice both for Bread and Wine the Woods thereof are without wild Beasts the Fields without noysom Serpents but therein are vast numbers of Milch Beasts and Sheep weighed down with their own Fleeces To which may be added what Alfred the Poet of Beverly writ long since of Brittain Insula praediveâ— quae toto vix eget orbe c. A wealthy Island which no help desires Yet all the world supply from her requires Able to glut King Solomon with pleasures And surfeit Great Augustus with her Treasures As to the name Brittain there is no great certainty of its Original that which hath passed for currant in former times when almost all Nations did pretend to be of Trojan Race was that it took this name from Brutus affirmed to be the Son of Silvius Grand-Child of Aeneas and third King of the Latines of the Trojan Blood which Brutus having unfortunately killed his Father and thereupon flying from Italy with his Friends and followers after a long Voyage and many wandrings is said to have fallen upon this Island and to have conquered here a race of Giants and having given unto it the name of Brittain to leave the Soveraignty thereof to his posterity who quietly enjoyed the same till subdued by the Romans but this Tradition has been since laid aside as altogether fabulous since the Roman Historians never mention either Brutus or the Giants Caesar telling us that he found the Brittains under many Kings and never under the command of one sole Prince but in times of Danger it is therefore more probable that it was derived from Britt which in the Brittish Language signifies Painted and the word Tain a Nation agreeable to the custom of the Ancient Brittains who used to discolour and paint their Bodies that they might seem more terrible in the Eyes of their Enemies such as the Romans called afterwards Picts or Painted Men other particulars may be observed in the description of those parts into which it is now divided that is 1. England 2. Wales 3. Scotland ENGLAND is bounded on the East with the German on the West with the Irish on the South with the Brittish Oceans and on the North with the Rivers of Tweed and Solway and thereby parted from Scotland invironed with Turbulent Seas guarded by inaccessible Rocks and where these are wanting preserved against all Forreign Invasions by strong Forts and a puissant Navy The whole Island was first called Albion either from the story of one of the Giants so called or Ab albis Rupibus the white Rocks toward France which name continued till the time of Egbert the first Saxon Monarch who called the Southern parts thereof England from the Angles who with the Juits and Saxons conquered it Pelagius being Bishop of Rome Gregory seeing some beautiful Children in the Market place of Rome to be sold he inquireth what Country they were of who answered Angli Englishmen and were Heathens what pity is it said he that the Inhabitants being so fair and Angelical of Countenance should yet be subject to the Prince of Darkness asking further of what Province they were they answered Deira a Province in England then so called These People saith he
out of the path of Truth gaping only after their own advantage But the King saith M. Paris remained uncorrigible and the Lady lost both her charges hopes and Travel In the Year 1257. K. Henry 3. kept his Christmas at Winchester where new grievances arose the Merchants of Gascoign having their Wines taken from them by the Kings Officers without satisfaction complain to their Lord the Prince he to his Father who having been informed that their clamour was unjust as relying upon the Prince's favour he falls into a great rage with the Prince and breaks out into these words See now my Blood and my own Bowels oppose me The Prince's Servants likewise relying on their Master commit many outrages abusing men at their pleasure neither was the Prince altogether free for it is said that he caused the Ears of a young Man to be cut off and his Eyes to be pluckt out as he travelled by the way which was the occasion of very great disturbances In this Kings Reign a Child was born in the Isle of Wight who at 18 Years old was scarce 3 Foot high and therefore brought to the Queen who carried him about with her as a Monster in Nature In King Edward 3. time Southampton was fired by the French under the conduct of the King of Sicily's Son whom a Countryman encountred and knocked him â—own with his Club the Prince cried out Rancon Ranâ—on that is he would pay him a Ransom but he neither â—nderstanding his Language nor the Law that Arms â—oth allow laid on him more severely still saying I â—now thee to be a Francon or Frenchman and therefore â—hou shalt die and thereupon knocked him at Head In 1554. the conditions of the Marriage between Q. Mary and K. Philip of Spain were agreed to in Parliament upon these Articles 1. That K. Philip should admit of no stranger in any Office but only Natives 2. That â—e should alter nothing of the Laws and customs of the Kingdom 3. That he should not carry the Queen out of the Realm without her own consent nor any of her Children without consent of the Council 4. That if he outlived the Queen â—e should challenge no right in the Kingdom but it should descend to the next Heir 5. That he should carry none of the Crown Jewels out of the Kingdom nor any Ships or Ordinance Lastly That neither directly nor indirectly he should â—ntangle England in the Wars between Spain and France It was also proposed in this Parliament that the Supremacy of the Pope should be restored which was not assented to without great difficulty for the 6 Years Reign of K. Edward 6. had spread a Plantation of the Protestant Religion in the hearts of many The Marriage being thus agreed several Lords and Gentlemen were sent to fetch over the Prince from Spain who arrived at Southampton July 20. 1554. and was met by the Queen at Winchester where they were openly married the disparity of Years in Princes being not much regarded though he were but 27 and she 38 Years old Then the Emperors Ambassadour being present declared that in Consideration of the Marriage the Emperour had given to King Philip his Son the Kingdoms of Naples and Jerusalem and thereupon Garter King at Arms openly in the Church in the presence of the King Queen and Nobles both of Spain and England solemnly proclaimed the Title and Stile of these two Princes as followeth Philip and Mary by the Grace of God King and Queen of England France Naples Jerusalem and Ireland Defenders of the Faith Princes of Spain and Sicily Archdukes of Austria Dukes of Millain Burgundy and Brabant Counts of Habspurg Flanders and Tyrol In 1608. June 26. In the Parish of Christs Church in Hampshire one John Hitchel a Carpenter lying in bed with his Wife and a young Child by them was himself and the Child both burnt to death with a sudden Lightning no fire appearing outwardly upon him and yeâ— lay burning for the space almost of three days till he was quite consumed to ashes In 1619. there was one Bernard Calvert of Andover in this County that rid from St. Georges Church in Southwark to Dover and from thence passed by Barge to Calice in France and from thence returned back to St. Georges Church the same day setting out about three a clock in the morning and returning about 8 a clock at night fresh and lusty I was at London the same time saith Mr. Clark and saw the man Portsmouth is a very convenient Port The Isle of Wight belongs to this Shire the whole County is divided into 39 Hundreds wherein are 253 Parishes and is in the Diocess of Winchester Out of it are elected 26 Parliament Men Southampton gives the Title of Duke to Charles Fitz-Roy eldest Son to the Dutchess of Cleaveland Winchester the Title of Marquess to Charles L. Pawlet and Portsmouth that of Dutchess to Lovise de Queronalle a French Lady HARTFORDSHIRE so called from Hartford the chief Town therein as Hartford is termed from the Ford of Harts a Hart Couchant in the waters being the Arms thereof It hath Essex on the East Middlesex on the South Buckinghamshire on the West Bedford and Cambridgeshire on the North it is a rich County in Corn Fields Pastures Meadows Woods Groves and clear Rivers and is indeed the Garden of England for Delight and it 's usually said That such as buy a House in Hartfordshire pay two years purchase for the Air thereof no County in all England can shew so many good Towns in so little compass their Teams of Horses are oft-times deservedly advanced from the Cart to the Coach being kept in excellent equipage much alike in colour and stature fat and fair such is their care in dressing and well feeding them and to make an innocent digression I could name the place and Person saith Dr. Fuller who brought his Servant before a Justice of Peace for stealing his Oats and Barley the Man brought his five Horses tailed together along with him alledging for himself That if he were the Thief these were the Receivers and so escaped The most famous place in this County for Antiquity is Verolamium now utterly ruined and subverted and the footsteps thereof hardly to be seen though in very great account by the Romans and one of their Free Cities It was plundered by Boadicia that ever eternized Queen of the Icenians when Seventy Thousand of the Romans and their Confederates perished by her Revenging Sword The magnificence thereof for stately Architecture and Grandeur was discovered by the large and arched Vaults found in the days of King Edgar which were filled up by Eldred and Edmer Abbots of St. Albans because they were the Receptacles and lurking holes of Whores and Thieves hear what our famous Spencer saies of this once renowned City of Verulam I was that City which the Garland wore Of Brittains pride delivered unto me By Roman Victors this I was of yore Though nought at all but ruines now I
I bear on my Back Because my Lords Horse his Litter did lack If you be not the better to my Lord Graces Horse You are like to go barefoot before the Cross In the Reign of K. James Dr. George Abbot Archbishop of Canterbury being hunting in a Park and shooting at a Deer his Arrow by mischance glanced and killed a man upon which Fact it was much debated whether by it he were not become irregular and ought to be deprived of his Archbishoprick as having imbrued his hands though unwillingly in Blood but Bishop Andrews of Winchester and Sir Hen. Martin Advocate defended him giving such reasons for mitigation of the Fact that he was cleared from all imputation of crime and thereupon judged regular and in state to continue in his Archiepiscopal Charge yet out of a religious tenderness of mind he kept that day in which the mischance happened as a solemn fast all his life after In the Year 1553. Nicholas Wotton Dean of Canterbury being then Ambassadour in France dreamed that his Nephew Thomas Wotton was inclined to be a Party in such a Project as if he were not suddenly prevented would turn to the loss of his Life and ruine of his Family the night following he dreamed the same again and knowing that it had no influence upon his waking thoughts and much less the desires of his heart he did then more seriously consider it and resolved to use so prudent a Remedy by way of prevention as might be no great inconvenience to either party and thereupon writ a Letter to Queen Mary that she would cause his Nephew to be sent for out of Kent and that the Council might interrogate him in such feigned Questions as might colour his Commitment into a favourable Prison of which he would hereafter give Her Majesty the true Reason this was done accordingly and soon after the Queen being married to K. Philip divers persons declared and raised forces against it among whom Sir Thomas Wiat of Kent with whom the Family of the Wottons had an entire Friendship was the Principal who being defeated suffered death with many others for the same and of this number Mr. Wotton in all probability had been for he afterward confessed to his Uncle that he had some strong intimation of Wiat's design and believed he should have been engaged in it if his Uncle had not so happily dreamed him into a Prison Thus much for Canterbury Rochester is another City and Bishops See in this County the Cathedral is low and little saith Dr. Fuller proportional to the Revennues thereof yet hath it though no Magnificence a venerable aspect of antiquity therein There was a Castle built in K. William's time but now all in ruines In the woful Wars of the Barons when K. John was viewing this Castle held against him by the E. of Arundel he was espied by a very good Archer who told the Earl thereof adding That if he would but say the word he would quickly dispatch the cruel Tyrant God forbid vile Varlet said the Earl that we should procure the death of the Holy One of God Why said the Souldier he would not spare you if he had you at the like advantage No matter for that said the Earl let Gods Will be done he will dispose thereof but let us not hurt the King Chatham joins to this City and is now one of the Royal Docks for building Ships of which this story is recorded It happened the dead Corps of a man was cost ashore in this Town and being taken up was buried decently in the Church-Yard now there was an Image or Rood in the Church called our Lady of Chatham this Lady say the Monks went next night and roused up the Clerk telling him that a sinful person was buried near the place where she was worshipped who offended her Eyes with his ghastly grinning and unless he were removed to the great grief of good People she must remove from thence and could work no more miracles therefore desired him to go with her to take him up and throw him into the River again which being done soon after the Body floated again and was again taken up and buried in the Church-Yard but from that time all miracles ceased and the place where he was buried did continually sink downward this Tale is still remembred by some aged People receiving it by tradition from the Popish times of darkness and Idolatry In the Reign of K. Will. Rufus all the Lands in Kent sometime belonging to Earl Godwin were by breaking in of the Sea covered with sands and are called Godwins Sands to this day It is said that Thira a Dane Godwins Wife used to make Merchandise of the beautiful Virgins of England by selling them to Denmark at a dear rate seeking thereby to satisfie her own Covetousness and the Danes Lusts which practice she continued till Divine Vengeance fell upon her by a Thunderbolt from Heaven whereby she was slain In 1199. The Town of Malling in Kent with the Nunnery were consumed with Fire In 1216. about Maidstone a certain Monster was found struck with Lightning which had an head like an Ass a belly like a Man and all other parts far differing from any other Creature 〈◊〉 the first of Q. Mary the bravest Ship then in England called the Great Harry being of Burden a Thousand Tun was burnt by negligence at Woolwich About the same time the Parson of Crondall near Canterbury preaching upon a Shrove Sunday went besides his Text into an impertinent discourse in commendation of the Popes Articles lately set forth and in disgracing the Protestant Religion speaking thus to the People My Masters and Neighbours rejoyce and be merry for the Prodigal Son is come home for I know your hearts well enough that the most of you are like my self and I shall tell you what happened to me this Week I have been with my Lord Cardinal Pool and he hath made me as clean from my Sins as I was at the Font-stone and he hath also appointed me to publish unto you the Bull of the Popes Pardon reading it to them and adding he thanked God that ever he lived to see that day and he believed by vertue of that Bull he was clean from sin as the Night he was born which words he had no sooner uttered but he was struck with sudden death and never stirred more to the astonishment of the Spectators In 1575. a vast mighty Whale was cast upon the Isle of Thanet in Kent Twenty Ells long and 13 Foot broad from the belly to the backbone and his Tail as broad the nether Jaw was 12 Foot and as much between the Eyes some of his Ribs were 15 Foot long and so was his Tongue one of his Eyes being taken out of his Head was more than a Cart with 6 Horses could draw the Oyl being boiled out of the Head was Parmacitte In 1548. one Mr. Mr. Arden of Kent by procurement of his Wife was murdered in his own
That her being a Widdow might be sufficient to restrain him to whom the King replied Whereas you say Madam that she is a Widdow and hath already Children by Gods blessed Lady I am a Batchellor and have some too and so each of us have a proof that none of us is like to be barren and he accordingly married her being the first of our Kings since the Conquest that married his own Subject yet was his love divided among three other of his Mistresses of whom he was wont to say The one was the fairest the other the merriest and the third the Holiest Harlot in England as being alwaies at her Beads in the Chappel when he sent for her to his Bed His Queen lived to see the death of her Husband murther of her two Sons restraint of her self and the rest of her Children so that she had more greatness than joy height than happiness by Marriage she finished Queens Colledge in Cambridge and died not long after At Fotheringay Castle in this County was acted the Tragedy of Mary Q. of Scots Mother to K. James in the 29 year of Q. Elizabeth 1587. This Mary was the Daughter and only lawfully begotten Child of James 5. and succeeded in her Cradle to the Throne she was promised in Marriage to King Edw. 6. of England but by the power of the Hamiltons carried into France and there married to Francis 2. King of France about which time Reformation in Religion began to be practised in Scotland as well as England for at the Preaching of John Knox and some other Ministers Images Altars and such things were defaced and it was further put into the heads of the Nobility That it pertained to them of their own Authority to take away Idolatry and by force reduce the Prince to the prescript of Laws whereupon there was presently bandying of the Lords of Scotland against the Queen Dowager and each of them sent for Aid she from France and the Lords from England but this was matter for Consultation it seemed a bad example for a Prince to give Aid to the Rebellious Subjects of another Prince on the other side it seemed no less than Impiety not to give Aid to Protestants of the same Religion but most of all it seemed meer madness to suffer enemies to be so near Neighbours and let the French nestle in Scotland who pretend Title to England upon such considerations it was resolved Queen Elizabeth should send them Aid and thereupon an Army of 6000 Foot and 1200 Horse were sent under the Duke of Norfolk and others who going into Scotland joined with the Lords where passed many light Skirmishes many Batteries and sometimes Assaults which growing tedious soon after ended in a Peace between France and England upon condition That neither the King of France nor the Queen of Scotland should thence forth use the Arms or Titles of England or Ireland and that both the English and French should depart out of Scotland and a general pardon should pass in Parliament for all that had been Actors in those Stirs The Peace was scarce concluded when Francis the young K. of France died and left Mary Qu. of Scots a Widdow soon after the House of Commons in Parliament humbly moved Queen Elizabeth to Marry who answered That she was already Married to the Kingdom of England and behold saith she the pledge of the Covenant with my Husband and therewith held out her Finger and shewed the Ring wherewith at her Coronation she gave her self in Wedlock to the Kingdom and if said she I keep my self to this Husband and take no other yet I doubt not but God will send you as good Kings as if they were born of me for as much as we see by dayly experience that the issue of the best Princes do often degenerate and for my self it will be sufficient that a Marble Stone declare that a Queen having reigned such a time lived and dyed a Virgin She had indeed many matches propounded to her to whom she gave Testimonies of her Princely favour but never pledges of nuptial Love about this time the Earl of Feria who had Married the Daughter of Sir William Dormer being denied leave of Queen Elizabeth for some of his Wives Friends to live in England he grew so inraged that he persuaded Pope Pius 4. to Excommunicate her as an Heretick and Usurper but the Pope pretending to great gentleness writ to her lovingly To return to the Vnity of the Catholick Church and made great offers if she would hearken to his Counsel particularly That he would recall the Sentence against her Mothers Marriage confirm the Book of Common-Prayer in English and permit the use of the Sacrament in both kinds but the Queen neither terrified with Feria's practices nor allured with the Popes great offers according to her Motto Semper eadem always the same persisted constant in her resolution to maintain that Religion which in her Conscience she was persuaded to be most agreeable to the Word of God and the practice of the Primitive Church Queen Mary after the death of her Husband went from France to Scotland and then sent Letters to Q. Elizabeth offering readily to enter into a League with her so she might by Authority of Parliament be declared her Successor which was but her Right to which Q. Elizabeth answered That though she would no way derogate from her Right yet she should be loth to endanger her own security and as it were to cover her own eyes with a grave cloth while she was alive The two Queens were indeed both of great Spirits Mary doubting Queen Elizabeth meant to frustrate her Succession and Elizabeth lest the Queen of Scots meant to hinder her Succession which created Jealousies and many unkind passages between them as by the sequel appears The Queen of Scots having a desire to Marry again Queen Elizabeth proposed the Earl of Leicester to her but she Married the Lord Darnly Son to the Earl of Lenox and thereupon the next Parliament again move Queen Elizabeth to marry to declare her Successor to the Crown some of them boldly arguing That Princes were bound to design a Successor and that in not doing it the Queen would shew her self no better than a Parricide and destroyer of her Country The Queen was contented to bear with words spoken in Parliament which out of it she would never have endured and commanded 30 of each House to appear before her to whom she said That she knew what danger hangeth over a Princes head when a Successor is once declared she knew that even Children themselves out of a hasty desire of bearing Rule had taken up Arms against their own Father and how could better be expected from Kindred And therefore though she had given them leave to debate the matter of Succession she bid them beware not to be injurious to their Princes patience After which they never made any further motion to her but now the love between the Queen of
Scots and the Lord Darnly began to cool and their unkindness was fomented by one David Risio an Italian Musician and afterward the Queens Secretary who had often secret conference with her when the King might not be admitted this indignity the Lords about the King made him sensible of and thereupon his death was contrived and he was killed in an outer Chamber next the Queen she being then with Child and like by the affright to have miscarried the Earl of Murray base Son to K. James 5. and base Brother to the Queen was the chief instigator of this murther of the foulness of which Fact when the King was sensible he resolved to be revenged upon Murray who having notice thereof prevented it with causing the like to be done to him for soon after the King in a stormy tempestuous night was strangled in his Bed and then cast forth into the Garden and the House immediately blown up with Gunpowder the rumor of this murther being spread abroad common fame laid it upon Morton and Murray and their Confederates Morton and Murray lay it upon the Queen the King thus murthered the Queen was advised by them to Marry James Earl of Bothwell though he was the man that had acted the Murther but upon condition that above all things respect might be had to her young Son and that Bothwell might be legally quitted both from the bonds of his former Marriage and also of the Kings Murther hereupon it is plotted that Bothwell should be brought to the Bar and Morton being his advocate by the sentence of the Judges he is clearly acquitted and then by consent of some of the Nobility he is Married to the Queen being first made Duke of Orkney which bred a suspition in many that the Queen was conscious of the Murther which was the thing the Confederates aimed at by this Marriage for they by all means increased the suspition that they might have the better colour against her and so the very same men who absolved Bothwell and consented to the Marriage now take arms against her as a Delinquent in both forcing her Husband to flee and then seize upon the Queen whom clad in a very homely garment they thrust into Prison in Lochlevyn Queen Elizabeth hearing of it sends Sir Nicholas Throgmorton to expostulate the matter with them who alledged The Queen was subject to no Tribunal under Heaven That no Judge on Earth might call her in question c. They again opposed the peculiar right of that Kingdom and used Buchanans argument in his Treasonable Dialogue That in extraordinary Cases the People have power both to create and to depose their King They then persuaded her to resign the Kingdom which if she refused to do fairly they threatned to question her openly for her incontinent living for the Kings Murther for Tyranny so that through fear She resigned her Kingdom to her young Son James at that time scarce thirteen months old who was five days after anointed and Crowned King and she constituted Murray Vice-Roy during his Minority soon after some of Bothwells Servants were executed for the Kings Murther who cleared the Queen from being concerned in it The Queen having been 11 Months Prisoner afterward made her escape and raised Forces which being unexperienced were soon defeated by Murray whereupon she endeavoured to save her self by flight and travelled 60 Miles in one day and contrary to the advice of her Friends went with a few of her Attendants in a small Bark and landed at Wickington in Cumberland sending Letters to Q. Elizabeth that having made an escape from her insolent and rebellious Subjects she was now come into England upon certain hope of her approved Clemency and therefore humbly desiring that she might be forthwith admitted to her presence Q. Elizabeth sent her Letters of comfort and promised her aid defence according to the equity of her cause but denied her access since she was held guilty of many crimes giving command to have her brought to Carlile as a place of more safety Q. Mary then desired she might depart to some other Country but upon consultation most were of Opinion to have her detained as one taken by right of War and not to be dismissed till she had made satisfaction for assuming the Title of England and for the death of Darnly her Husband who was born one of the Queens Subjects After this many Conspiracies were made to set the Queen of Scots at Liberty The Pope sends out his Bull against Q. Elizabeth freeing her Subjects from all Allegiance to her and the Duke of Norfolk is beheaded upon her account These and many other contrivances and conspiracies seemed very much to indanger the Life of Q. Elizabeth and tended to the Invasion of England whereupon the better to provide for her safety a number of her Subjects the Earl of Leicester being the chief and others of all ranks and conditions enter into an Association wherein they declare That since by Her Majesties Life they and all other Her Majesties Subjects do enjoy inestimable benefit they do by this Writing make manifest their duty for the safety of their Sovereign Lady They then proceed And to that end we and every of us first calling to Witness the name of Almighty God do voluntarily and most willingly hind our selves every one of us to the other jointly and severally in the Band of one firm and Loyal Society and do hereby vow and promise by the Majesty of Almighty God that with our whole Powers Bodies Lives and Goods and with our Children and Servants we and every of us will faithfully serve and humbly obey our said Sovereign L.Q. Elizabeth against all States Dignities and Earthly Powers whatsoever and will as well with our joint and particular Forces during our Lives withstand offend and persue as well by force of Arms as by all other means of revenge all manner of Persons of what state soever they shall be who shall attempt against Her Royal Person c. to the utter extermination of them their Counsellours Aiders and Abettors And if any such wicked attempt against her most Royal Person shall be taken in hand and procured whereby any that have may or shall pretend Title to come to this Crown by the untimely death of Her Majesty so wickedly procured which God for his mercies sake forbid may be avenged we do not only bind our selves jointly and severally never to allow accept or favour any such pretended Successor by whom or for whom any such detestible Act shall be attempted or committed as unworthy of all Government in any Christian Realm or Common-Wealth And do also further vow and protest as we are most bound and that in the presence of the Eternal and Everlasting God to prosecute such Person and Persons to death with our joint or particular forces and to take the utmost revenge upon them that by any means we or any of us can devise and do or cause to be devised and
Emperor Augustus who Pliny says was but two foot and an hand-breadth high but whether he were at his full growth or proportionable he doth not tell us The County of Rutland is divided into five Hundreds wherein are 2 Market Towns 48 Parish Churches and is in the Diocess of Peterborough It elects only 2 Parliament Man for the County and gives the Title of Earl to John L. Mannours SHROPSHIRE hath Cheshire on the North Worcester Hereford and Radnorshires on the South Montgomery and Den bigh shires on the West It produceth Iron Pitcoal Barley Wheat Cattle Wood and Cloth The Shire Town is Shrewsbury which for Circuit Trade and Wealth doth surpass Ludâ—ow and is inferior to few of our Cities her buildings are fair her Streets many and large her Inhabitants rich her Trade chiefly in our Staple Commodities of Cloth and Freezes In the reign of King John 1197. Robert of Shrewsbury was Bishop of Bangor whom this King afterward in War with Leoline Prince of Wales took Prisoner in his own Cathedral Church and enjoyned him to pay 300 Hawks for his ransome which seemed not so proper that a man of Peace should be ransomed with Birds of Prey yet we read that in the Reign of K. Charles 1. a Nobleman was ransomed at the Isle of Rhee for a brace of Greyhounds neither may it be wondred how the Bishop procured them of a sudden since many were brought from Norway and he might also furnish himself out of Pembrokeshire This Bishop seemed somewhat humorous by a passage in his Will wherein he ordered his Body should be buried in the midst of the Market place of Shrewsbury which may be imputed either to his humility or his foresight that the fury of the Wars then between the English and Welch would fall fiercest on Churches as the fairest Market that men preferring their profit before their Piety would preserve their Market Places though their Churches were destroyed He died 1215. In 1402. K. Henry 4. was made sensible that a Crown can hardly sit easy upon the head if it be not set right on at first for now a new conspiracy was hatched against him the Piercies Earls of Northumberland and Worcester with Henry Hotspur began at this time to fall off from K. Henry because at their request he denied to redeem their Kinsman Mortimer from Glendours slavery that he denied them the benefit of such Prisoners as they had taken of the Scots at Hamilden whereupon they themselves procured Mortimers delivery and then entred into a League Offensive and Defensive with Glendour whereby they agreed to divide the Kingdom into three parts between them wherein Glendour persuaded them they should fulfill a Prophecy as though K. Henry were the Mouldwarp cursed of Gods own mouth and they were the Lyon the Dragon and the Wolf who should divide the Land among them all England from the Severn to Trent South and Eastward was to be the portion of the Earl of March all Wales and the Lands beyond Severn Westward to be Owen Glendours and all the remainder of the Land from the Trent Northward to be the L. Piercies â—n the mean time K. Henry not unacquainted with the Conspiracy published by Proclamation that Mortimer Carl of March had voluntarily caused himself to be taken Prisoner that the Rebels having him in their Custody might pretend some colour for their Conspiracy â—nd therefore he had little reason to take care for his â—eliverance Hereupon the Piercies assisted with a Company of Scots with the E. of Stafford Richard Scroop Archbishop of York and many others resolved to join with Glendour but first they framed certain Articles against the King and sent them to him in writing That King Henry had falsified his Oath given at his landing swearing that he came only to recover his Inheritance and would not meddle with the King or Crown That most Traitorously he had taken Arms against his Soveraign Lord King Richard 2. had Imprisoned him and then most barbarously caused him to be murdered and without any Title or Right had procured himself to be made and crowned King That ever since the Murder of King Richard he had unjustly kept the Kingdom and Crown from his Cousen Edmund Mortimer Earl of March to whom of night it belonged That when no want compelled him he had imposed divers subsidies and Taxes upon the People to their great grief of which they would willingly but durst not complain That no Justice could be expected from him since contrary to his Coronation Oath he had by Letters sent into divers Counties procured such Parliament Men to be chosen as upon occasion might serve his turn And lastly that whereas for Affinities sake he ought to have ransomed his Cosen the Earl of March from his strait and loathsome Imprisonment he not only denied it but falsely and untruly published that he became a voluntary Prisoner for all which and many other causes they utterly defied Henry as a Traytor and Vsurper and as an Enemy vowed his destruction and the restoring the said Earl to his Right K. Henry could not but know that all these Articles against him were true yet since this knowledge did not hinder him from seeking the Crown when he had it not it would less hinder him from seeking to keep it now he he had it and if he were able being a private man to get it from a King he was likely to be more able being now a King to keep it from private Men and as for any objections of Conscience he could answer them all by this That if his Title were good against King Richard by his resignation it was good against Mortimer by his swearing Allegiance and upon these grounds with a mind as confident as if all Circumstances were on his side he raised an Army and marched toward the Lords taking care they might by no means join with the Welch and in Battlefield near Shrewsbury he encountred them in which Fight though the Scots and Henry Hotspur shewed muâ—â— valour yet the Victory rested on the Kings side Hotspâ—â—r being slain the Earl of Worcester taken Prisoner with several others On the Kings part the L. Stafford who that day revolted to him and nine who were that morning Knighted were slain and 1600 common Soldiers but of the Conspirators above 6000 The King was once unhorsed by Dowgâ—â—ss who in his presence slew Sir Walter Blunt who was that day attired in all things like the King Dowglas being afterward taken Prisoner by the fall of his Horse was by the Kings Command for his valour set at liberty without ransom In this Battel the young Prince Henry though wounded in the face with an Arrow lost not his Courage but continued fighting still After this Victory the King caused publick thanks to be given and then ordered the Earl of Worcester to be beheaded and many others to be hanged drawn and quartered after which he sent Prince Henry into Wales with his whole Army but before
about the Walls through which 7 Gates give entrance with 5 Watch Towers for defence there are in it divers Churches beside the Cathedral which is seated on the Southside of the City and is an excellent fair building adorned with the Tombs and Monuments of K. John Pr. Arthur and divers of the Beauchamps This City was set on Fire and almost every one of the Citizens slain by K. Hardicknute 1041 for killing the Collectors of this Danish Tribute yet was presently repaired but in 1113. a sudden Fire happened no body knew how which burnt down the Castle and the Cathedral Church likewise in the troubles of K. Stephen it was twice defaced by the Flames and made hopeless of Recovery yet out of these a new Phoenix arose and her Buildings were raised more stately than before especially the Cathedral At Droitwitch are three Fountains of Salt water divided by a little Brook of fresh water passing between them by the boiling of which salt water they make pure white saltt Edmund Bonner alias Savage was born in this County his Father was John Savage a rich Priest in Cheshire his Mother was this Priests Concubine a dainty Wench in her Youth and a jolly Woman in her Age she was sent out of Cheshire to cover her shame and laid down her burden at Elmly in this County where this bonny bouncing Babe Bonner was born in the Reign of K. Hen. 7. He was bred a Batchelor of the Laws in Oxford and in K. Hen 8. time he was made Doctor of the Laws Archdeacon of Leicester Master of Arts Master of the Faculties under Archbishop Cranmer and imployed in several Embassies beyond Sea All this time Bonner was not Bonner being as yet meek merciful and a great man for the L. Cromwell as appeared by some tart printed Repartees betwixt him and Stephen Gardiner Indeed he had a Body and an half but corpulency without cruelty is no sin and toward his old Age he was overgrown with fat as Mr. Fox who is charged to have persecuted Persecutors with ugly Pictures doth represent him not long after he was consecrated Bp. of London and under K. Edward 6. being ordered to preach publickly concerning the Reformation his faint and cold expressions thereof manifested that he had a mind rather to betray it for which he was deprived of his Benefice being restored to his Bishoprick under Q. Mary he caused the death of twice as many Martyrs as all the Bishops of England beside justly occasioning the Verses made upon him If one for shedding Blood for Bliss may hope Heavens widest gate for Bonner doth stand ope No body speaking to Bonner All call thee cruel and the spunge of Blood But Bonner I say thou art mild and good Under Queen Elizabeth he was deprived and secured in the Marshalsea where he lived 10 Years in soft durance and full plenty his Face deposing for his whole Body that he was not famished enjoying a great Temporal Estate by his Father wherein as he was kept from doing hurt to others so it kept others from doing hurt to him who was so universally odious that he had been stoned in the Streets if at Liberty He died 1569. and was buried in Barking Church-Yard among Thieves and Murderers but enough if not too much of this Herostratus who burnt so many living Temples of the Holy Ghost and who had he not been remembred by other Writers had found no place here In the 18th of Queen Elizabeth 1576. June 20. William Lumnley a poor man in the Parish of Emely being kept in Prison by a rich Widdow and having a Mare of 22 years old saith Mr. Stow with Foal within three days after she Foaled a Female Colt which immediately had an Udder out of which was milked the same day a pint of Milk and every day after it gave above three pints to the great relief of his Wife and Children and continued to do so a long time as was seen by many Thousands In her 35th year in the month of March were many great storms of wind which overturned Trees Houses Steeples and Barns and in Bewdly Forrest in Worcestershire many Oaks were overthrown in Horton Wood in this County above a 1000 Oaks were blown down in one day Worcestershire is divided into seven Hundreds wherein are 11 Market Towns 152 Parish Churches and is in the Diocess of Worcester It elects 9 Parliament Men and gives the Title of Earl and Marquess to Henry L. Somerset L. President of Wales YORKSHIRE hath Westmoreland and Durham on the North Lancashire on the West Derby Nottingham and Lincoln shires on the South and the German Ocean on the East It is the greatest of any County in England placed under a temperate Climate and so is indifferently fruitful so that if one part of it be stony sandy barren ground another part is fruitful and richly adorned with Cornfields if it be here bare of Woods you shall see it there shadowed with Forrests full of Trees If in one place it be Moorish miery and unpleasant another presents itself to the Eye full of beauty and delightful variety This County being so spacious is divided into three parts called the West Riding the East-Riding and the North-Riding It produceth Corn Cattel Cloth Knives and Stockins The City of York is very ancient and formerly of so great estimation that the Roman Emperours kept their Courts there it is at this day the second City of Eng. the fairest in all the Country a singular safeguard ornament to all the Northern Parts it is a large stately pleasant place well fortified and beautifully adorned both with publick and private Buildings Rich Populous and an Archbishops See The River Ouse flowing with a gentle stream from the North part Southward cutteth it in twain and maketh as it were two Cities which are joined with a strong Bridge whereon is a very great Arch The West part is incompassed with a very fair Wall and the River together foursquare having an entrance only at one Gate from which a long and broad street reacheth to the very Bridge which is beautified with handsome Houses with Gardens and Orchards on the back and pleasant Fields behind On the East side the Houses stand very thick and the streets are narrower being fortified with a strong wall and is divided on the South-East with the deep Channel of the muddy River Fosse which entring into the heart of the City by a blind way hath a Bridge over it with Houses built upon it and so close ranged one by another that it seems rather a street than a Bridge and soon after runs into the Ouse where a stately Castle formerly stood which commanded the whole City but it is now gone to decay toward the North stands the Cathedral Church an excellent fair and stately Fabrick We read that William the Conqueror after he had setled himself in this Kingdom did much a bridge the power of the prelates in Temporals ordaining that they should exercise
hill where they had another full view of them and could distinguish their Horses to be of several Colours as white grey black c. and that they marched in 3 Companies and betwixt every Division they had 2 Horse colours flying but as they drew toward them they still marched from them so that they could not come nearer than 100 Yards they asked a man who was thatching a House all that day which they judged the Horsemen went by whether he saw all those Souldiers which marched by who said that he saw none neither was there any Tract of the Horses to be seen that night nor the next morning so that they concluded it to be a wonderful Apparition and deposed the Truth of these particulars before the Lord Herbert and several other Justices of the Peace of this County at the same time a Woman coming from Bishops Castle over the same Common fell off her Horse being much terrified with the sight of a blazing Star which she and 6 men with her saw sometimes white and sometimes red with a Tail like an Arrow which seemed to hang just over their heads from Bishops Mount to this common being 3 miles and the People of the house where the Woman fell when they came out saw the Star also The Moor or March near Chepstow in Monmouthshire suffered great loss in 1606. by the River Severn overflowing its banks and drowning many Cattle and some People and overthrowing divers Houses Merlin Prophecied That when a stout Prince with a freckled Face should pass over a Ford called Rydpencarn in a River called Nantpencarn the Welch should be conquered and therfore when K. Hen. 2. who was freckle faced passed over it the Welchmen remembring this Prophecy through too much credulity submitted themselves and it may be the King thinking their hearts might fail them chose to go over this Ford to facilitate his Conquests In the Reign of K. Henry 1. by the breaking in of the Sea a great part of Flanders was drowned whereupon a great number of Flemings petitioned the King for some place to inhabit in who accordingly assigned them Pembrokeshire in Wales where their posterity continue to this day when King Hen. 2 was at St. Davids in this County and from thence in a clear day discovered the Coasts of Ireland in a huffing Bravado he said I with my Ships am able to make a Bridg thither if it be no farther Which Speech of his being related to Murchard K. of Lemster in Ireland he asked whether he did not say He would do with the help of God and when it was answered that he made no mention of God he chearfully said Then I fear him the less since he trusted more to himself than to the help of God The same K. Henry returning out of Ireland arrived at St. Davids where being told That the Conqueror of Ireland returning that way should die upon a stone called Lech-laver near the Church-Yard he thereupon before a multitude of People passed over it and reproving the Welchmen said Now who will hereafter credit that Lyar Merlin Radnor hath a sharp and cold Air because of the Snow lying long unmelted under the shady Hills and hanging Rocks whereof there are many In the Reign of K. William the Conqueror upon the Sea shore in Wales was found the Body of Gawen Sisters Son to Arthur the great King of the Brittains reported to be 14 Foot in length In 1662. July 2. were seen above 100 Porpusses together near Newport which seemed very strange and prodigious to the Inhabitants In these 13 Shires which I have cursorily run over there are reckoned 1 Chase 13 Forrests 36 Parks 230 Rivers 100 Bridges 4 Cities 55 Market Towns and 41 Castles of old Erection 4 Bishopricks St. Asaph Bangor St. Davids and Llandaff and 1016 Parish Churches it elects 30 Parliament Men Anglesey gives the Title of Earl to Arthur L. Annesly Brecknock to James L. Butler who is also D. of Ormond Cardigan to Thomas L. Brudenel Caernarvon to Charles L. Dormer Denby to William L. Feilding Glamorgan to Henry L. Somerset who is Marquess of Worcester Pembroke to Philip L. Herbert who is likewise Earl of Montgomery Monmouth the Title of Duke to James Fitz-Roy and Radnor the Title of Earl to John L. Roberâ—s SCOTLAND THis Kingdom is separated from England by the Rivers Tweed and Solway and the Cheviot Hills reaching from one River to the other on the South It hath on the East the German Ocean on the North the Isles of Orkney and the Deucalidonian Sea and Ireland on the West It is a fair and spacious Country 480 miles in length but in breadth much less no place being 60 miles from the Sea It is divided into Highland and Lowland the People of the Highland living on the Western parts of Scotland have some Civility but those In the out Isles are very barbarous The Lowlanders are in disposition and language much like the English Scotland is far more barren than England the chief Commodities are course Cloths Freezes Fish Hides Lead Oar c. The principal Rivers are Forth Cluyde and Tay all Navigable There are two Universities St. Andrews and Aberdeen and 2 Archbishops and 12 Bishops The Nobility and Gentry are great Affecters of Learning and therefore do not only frequent their own Universities but travel into Forreign parts for improvement It is divided into 34 Shires or Counties the Regal City thereof is Edenburgh seated in Lothian where is the Royal Pallace it consists principally of one Street about a mile long into which run many Lanes so that the whole compass may be about three miles It is strengthned by a Castle that Commands the Town Scot. was once Inhabited by 2 Populous Nations the Scots and Picts till after long Wars the Scots prevailing they utterly extinguished not only the Kingdom but the name of Picts Most memorable was that Fortification drawn from Abercorn upon the Frith of Edenburgh to the Frith of Dumbritton opening upon the West Sea where Julius Agricola set the limits of the Roman Empire at this place began the great Wood Calidonia famous for the wild white Bulls bred therein with Manes like Lyons thick and curled so fierce and cruel by Nature and so hateful to Mankind that they abhorred whatever was handlâ—d or breathed on by them The Cattle in Scotland are small but many Fish so plentiful that in some place men on Horseback hunt Salmons with Spears The Islands belonging to it are the Western the Orkney and the Shetlands in number above 300 They have infinite numbers of Barnacles or Soland Geese so that they even darken the light of the Sun these Geese are most plentiful about the Bass near Edenburgh and hither they bring an incredible number of Fishes and withal such abundance of sticks and little twigs to build their Nests that the People are very plentifully provided of Fewel who also make great gain of their Feathers and Oyl There have been great disputes among