Country as it is thus on the one side freed by the natural resistance of the Sea from the force of Invasions so is it strengthened on the other by many Castles and fortified places that take away the opportunity of making Roads and Incursions in the Country And as it was with the first that felt the fury of the Saxons cruelty so was it the last and longest that was subdued under the Wâ—st-Saxons Monarchy 9 In this Province our noble Arthur who died laden with many Trophies of honour is reported by Ninius to have put the Saxons to flight in a memorable Battel near Duglasse a little Brook not far from the Town of Wiggin But the attemps of War as they are several so they are uncertain for they made not Duke Wade happy in his success but returned him an unfortunate enterpriser in the Battel which he gave to Ardulph King of Northumberland at Billango in the year 798. So were the events uncertain in the Civil Wars of York and Lancaster for by them was bred and brought forth that bloody division and fatal strife of the Noble Hoâ—ses that with variable success to both Parties for many years together molested the peace and quiet of the Land and defiled the earth with blood in such violent manner that it exceeded the horror of those Civil Wars in Rome that were betwixt Marius and Scylla Pompey and Caesar Octavius and Antony or that of the two renowned Houses Valoys and Burbon that a long time troubled the State of France for in the division of these two Princely Families there were thirteen Fields fought and three Kings of England one Prince of Wales twelve Dukes one Marquess eighteen Earls one Vicount and three and twenty Barons besides Knights and Gentlemen lost their lives in the same Yet at last by the happy Marriage of Henry the Seventh King of England next Heir to the House of Lancaster with Elizabeth daughter and Heir to Edward the Fourth of the House of York the white and red Roses were conjoyned in the happy uniting of those two divided Families from whence our thrice renowned Soveraign Lord King Iames by fair sequence and succession doth worthily enjoy the Dâ—adem by the benefit of whose happy government this County Palatine of Lancaster is prosperouâ— in her Name and Greatness 10 I find the remembrance of four Religious Houses that have been founded within this County and since suppressed both fair for Structure and Building and rich for seat and Situation namely Burstogh VVhalleia Holland and Penwortham It is divided into six Hundreds besides Fourness Felles and Lancasters Liberties that lie in the North part It is beautified with fifteen Market-Towns both fair for situation and building and famous for the concourse of people for buying and selling It hath twenty six Parishes besides Chappels in which they duly frequent to Divine Service and those populous as in no part of the Land more York SHIRE YORK-SHIRE CHAPTER XXXVIII AS the courses and confluents of great Rivers are for the most part fresh in memory though their heads and fountains lie commonly unknown so the latter knowledg of great Regions are not traduced to oblivion though perhaps their first originals be obscure by reason of Antiquity and the many revolutions of times and ages In the delineation therefore of this great Province of York-shire I will not insist upon the narration of matters near unto us but succinctly run over such as are more remote yet neither so sparingly as I may seem to diminish from the dignity of so worthy a Country nor so prodigally as to spend time in superfluous praising of that which never any as yet dispraised And although perhaps it may seem a labour unnecessary to make relation of ancient remembrances either of the Name or Nature of this Nation especially looking into the difference of Time it self which in every age bringeth forth divers effects and the dispositions of men that for the most part take less pleasure in them than in divulging the occurrents of their own times yet I hold it not unfit to begin there from whence the first certain direction is given to proceed for even of these ancient things there may be good use made either by imitation or way of comparison as neither the reperition nor the repetition thereof shall be accounted impertinent 2 You shall therefore understand That the County of York was in the Saxon-tongue called Ebona ycyne and now commonly York-shire far greater and more numerous in the Circuit of her miles than any Shire of England She is much bound to the singular love and motherly care of Nature in placing her under so temperate a clime that in every measure she is indifferently fruitful If one part of her be stone and a sandy barren ground another is fertile and richly adorned with Corn-fields If you here find it naked and destitute of Woods you shall see it there shadowed with Forrests full of Trees that have very thick bodies sending forth many fruitful and profitable branches If one place of it be Moorish miry and unpleasant another makes a free tender of delight and presents it self to the Eye full of beauty and contentive variety 3 The Bishoprick of Durham fronts her on the North-side and is separated by a continued course of the River Tees The German-Sea lyeth sore upon her East-side beating the shores with her boisterous Waves and Billows The West part is bounded with Lancashire and Westmerland The South-side hath Cheshire and Darby-shire friendly Neighbours unto her with the which she is first inclosed then with Nottingham and with Lincoln-shires after divided with that famous Arm of the Sea Humber Into which all the Rivers that water this Country empty themselves and pay their ordinary Tributes as into the common receptacle and store-house of Neptune for all the watry Pensions of this Province 4 This whole Shire being of it self so spacious for the more easie and better ordering of her Civil Government is divided into three parts which according to three quarters of the World are called The West-Riding The East-Riding and The North-Riding West-Riding is for a good space compassed with the River Ouse with the bounds of Lancashire and with the South limits of the Shire and beareth towards the West and South East-Riding bends it self to the Ocean with the which and with the River Derwent she is inclosed and looks into that part where the Sun rising and shewing forth his Beams makes the World both glad and glorious in his brightness North-Riding extends it self Northward hemmed in as it were with the River Tees and Derwent and a long race of the River Ouse The length of this Shire extended from Horthill in the South to the mouth of Tees in the North are neer unto seventy miles the breadth from Flambrough-head to Horn-Castle upon the River Luâ— is fourscore miles the whole Circumference is three hundred and eight miles 5 The Soil of this County for the generality is reasonable fertile
in time to the Normans iâ— became a Province under the Conquerours power who gave to his followers much Land in these parts 6 The place of most account in this Shire is Chichester by the Britains called Câ—ercei a City beautifull and large and very well walled about first built by Cissa the second King of the â—outh Saxons wherein his Royal Palace was kept And when King VVilliam the First had enacted that Bishops Sees should be transâ—â—ted out of small Towns unto places of greater resort the Reâ—idence of the Bishop until then held at Selsey was removed to this City where Bishop Raulfe began a most goodly Cathedral Church but before it was fuâ—ly finished by a sudden mischance of fire was quite consumed Yet the same Bishop with the helping liberality of King Henry the First began it again and saw it wholly finished whose beauty and greatness her fatal enemy still envying again cast down in the dayes of King Richard the First and by her raging flames consumed the buildings both of it and the Bishops Palace adjoyning which Seffrid the second Bishop of that Name re-edified and built anew And now to augment the honour of this place the City hath born the Title of an Earldome whereof they of Arundel were sometimes so styled Whose Graduation for Latitude which is removed from the Aequator unto the degree fifty five minutes and for Longitude observing the same point in the West whence Mercator hath measured are twenty degrees 7 With whom for frequency bigness and building the Town Lewes seemeth to contend where King Athelstane appointed the mintage of his Moneys and VVilliam de VVarron built a strong Castle whereunto the disloyal Barons of King Henry the Third in warlike manner resorted and fought a great Battle against their own Soveraign and his son wherein the King had his Horse flain under him Richard King of the Romans surprised and taken in a Wind-mill and Prince Edward delivered unto them upon equal conditions of peace But a greater Battel was fought at Battle when the hazard of England was tried in one days fight and Harold the King gave place to his Conquerour by losing of his life among sixty seven thousand nine hundred seventy four Englishmen besides whose bloud so spilt gave name to the place in French Sangue lac And the soyl naturally after rain becoming of a reddish colour caused William Newbery untruly to write That if there fall any small sweet showers in the place where so great a slaughter of the English-men was made presently sweateth forth very fresh bloud out of the earth as if the evidence thereof did plainly declare the voice of bloud there shed and cried still from the earth unto the Lord. 8 But places of other note in this Shire are these from Basham Earl Harold taking the Sea for his delight in a small Boat was driven upon the Coast of Normandy where by Duke William he was retained 'till he had sworn to make him King after Edward the Confessors death which oath being broken the Bastard arrived at Pensey and with his sword revenged that Perjury At VVest-VVittering also Ellâ— the Saxon before him had landed for the conquering of those parts and gave name to the shore from Cimen his son But with greater glory doth Gromebridge raise up her head where Charles Duke of Orleance father to Lewes the twelfth King of France taken prisoner at Agincourt was there a long time detained 9 The commodities of this Province are many and divers both in Corn Cattle VVood Iron and Glass which two last as they bring great gain to their possessors so do they impoverish the County of Woods whose want will be found in ages to come if not at this present in some sort felt 10 Great have been the devotions of religious Persons in building and consecrating many houses unto the use and only service of Christ whose Beadmen abusing the intents of their Founders hath caused those Foundations to lament their own ruins For in the tempestuous time of King Henry the Eighth eighteen of them in this County were blown down whose fruit fell into the Laps of some that never meant to restore them again to the like use This County is principally divided into six Rapes every of them containing a River a Castle and Forrest in themselves besides the several Hundreds whereunto they are parted that is the Rape of Chichester into seven of Arundel into five of Bramber into ten of Lewes into thirteen of Pevensey into seventeen and of Hastings into thirteen in all fifty six wherein are seated ten Castles eighteen Market-Towns and three hundred and twelve Parish-Churches SURREY SURREY CHAPTER V. SURREY by Beda called Sutbri lieth seperated upon the North from the counties of Buckingham and Middlesex by the great River Thamisis upon the East Kent doth inbound it upon the South is held in with Sussex and Hamp-shire and her West part is bordered upon by Hamp-shire and Bark-shire 2 The form thereof is somewhat square and lieth by North and by East whereof Redrith and Frensham are the opposites betwixt whom are extended thirty four miles The broadest part is from Awfold Southward to Thamisis by Stanes and them asunder twenty two the whole in circumference is one hundred and twelve miles 3 The heavens breathing Air in this Shire is most sweet and delectable so that for the same cause many Royal Palaces of our Princes are therein seated and the Countrey better stored with game than with grain insomuch that this County is by some men compared unto a home-spun freeze-cloth with a costly fair list for that the out-verge doth exceed the middle it self And yet it is wealthy enough both in Corn and Pasturage especially in Holmesdale and towards the River of Thamisis 4 In this shire the Regni an ancient people mentioned by Ptolomy were seated whom he brancheth further through Sussex and some part of Hamp-shire And in the wane of the Romans Government when the Land was left to the will of invaders the South-Saxons under Ella here erected their Kingdome which with the first was raised and soonest found end From them no doubt the Countrey was named Suth-rey as seated upon the South of the River and now by contraction is called Surâ—ey 5 And albeit the County is barren of Cities or Towns of great estate yet is she stored with many Priâ—cely Houses yea and five of his Majesties so magnificently built that of some she may well say no shire hath none such as is None such indeed And were not Richmond a fatal place of Englands best Princes it might in estem be ranked with the richest For therein died the great Conquerour of France King Edward the Third the beautiful Ann daughter to Charles the Fourth Emperour and intirely beloved wife to King Richard the Second the most wise Prince King Henry the Seventh and the rarest of her Sex the Mirrour of Princes Queen Elizabeth the worlds love and Subjects joy 6 At Mâ—rton likewise
the state of their bodies before they be decayed and the other for quantity gives place to no neighbouring Countrey 4 The ground to say nothing of the Sea which is exceeding full of Fish consisteth of soil very fruiful yet the husbandmans labour deserves to be thankfully remembred by whose pains and industry it doth not only supply is self but affords Corn to be carried forth to others The Land is plentifully stored with Cattle and Grain and breeds every where store of Conies Hares Partridges and Phesants pleasant for meadows pasturage and Parks so that nothing is wanting that may suffice man The middle yields plenty of pasture and forrage for Sheep whose wooll the Clothiers esteem the best next unto that of Leinster and Cotteswold If you cast your eyes towards the North it is all over garnished with Meadows Pastures and Woods If towards the South side it lieth in a manner wholly bedecked with Corn fields enclosed where at each end the Sea doth so incroach it self that it maketh almost two Islands besides namely Freshwater Isle which looketh to the West and Binbridge Isle answering it to the East 5 The Commodities of the whole chiefly consist of Cattle Sea fowl Fish and Corn whereof it hath sufficient Woods are not here very plentiful for that it is only stored with one little Forrest yet the Countrey of Hant-shire for vicinity of Site is a friendly neighhour in that behalf so as it were being tyed together in affinity they are always ready and propense to add to each others wants and defects by a mutual supply 6 The ancient Inhabitants of this Island were the Belgae spoken of in the several Provinces of Sommerset-shire Wilt-shire and Hant-shire Such as did then possess it were called Lords of the Isle of Wight till it fell into the Kings hands by Roger Son to William Fits Osburne slain in the war of Flanders that was driven into exile And Henry the first King of England gave it unto Richard Ridvers with the Fee or Inheritance of the Town of Christs-Church where as in all other places he built certain Fortresses 7 The Principal Market-Town in the Isle of Newport called in times past Medena and Novus Burgus de Meden that is The new Burgh of Meden whereof the whole Countrey is divided into East Meden and West Meden A Town well seated and much frequented unto whose Burgesses his Majesty hath lately granted the choice of a Major who with his brethren do govern accordingly It is populous with Inhabitants having an entrance into the Isle from the Haven and a Passage for Vessels of small burden unto the Key Not far from it is the Castle Caresbrook whose founder is said to have been Whitgar the Saxon and from him called VVhite-Garesburgh but now made shorter for easier pronunciation the graduation whereof for Latitude is in the degree 50 36 minutes and her Longitude in 19 4 minutes where formerly hath stood a Priory and at Quarre a Nunnery a necessary neighbour to those Penitentiaries And yet in their merry mood the Inhabitants of this Island do boast that they were happier then their neighbour Countries for that they never had Monk that ever wore hood Lawyer that cavelled nor Foxes that were craftâ— 8 It is reported that in the year of mans Salvation 1176. and twenty three of King Henry the second that in this Island it rained a showre of bloud which continued for the space of 2 hours together to the great wonder and amazement of the people that beheld it with fear 9 This Isle of Wight is fortified both by Art and Nature for besides the strength of Artificial Forts and Block houses wherewith it is well furnished it wants not the Assistants of natural Fences as being enriched with a continual ridge and range of craggy Cliffs and Rocks and Banks very dangerous for Saylers as the Needles so called by reason of their sharpness The Shinglâ—s Mixon Brambles c. 10 Vespasian was the first that brought it to the subjection of the Romans whilest he served as a private person under Claudius Caesar. And Cerdic was the first English Saxon that subdued it who granting it unto Scuffe and VVhitgar they joyntly together slew almost all the British Inhabitants being but few of them there remaining in the Town aforesaid called of his name VVhitgaresburgh VVolpher King of the Mercians reduced this Island afterwards under his obedience and at that â—ime when he became God-father to Edelwalch King of the South Saxons and answered foâ—â—im at his Baptisme he assigned it over unto him with the Province also of the Menuari But when Edelwalch was slain and Arvandus the petty King of the Island was made away Caedwalla King of the West-Saxons annexed it to his Dominion and in a tragical and lamentable Massacre put to the sword almost every mothers child of the in-born Inhabitants The thing that is best worthy note and observation is this That Bishop Wilfrid was the first that instructed the Inhabitants of this Island in Christian Religion and brought them from Idolatrous Superstition with the which unto that time they were obscurely blinded For Ecclesiastical Iurisdiction this Countrey belongeth to the Bishop of Winchester and for Civil government to the County of South-hampton It is fortified with the strength of six Castles traded with three Market-Towns and hath 36 Parish-Churches planted in it Dorcet Shire DORCESTER-SHIRE CHAPTER VIII DORCESTER from her ancient people DUROTRIGES is most likely to have received that name By the Britains called DWRGWEIR lieth bounded upon the North side with Sommerset and Wilt-shire upon the West with Devon-shire and some part with Sommerset upon the East altogether with Hamp-shire and her South part is wholly bounded with the British Seas 2 The form grows wider from the West and spreads her self the broadest in the midst where it extends to twenty four miles but in length is no less than forty four The whole in Circumference about is one hundred and fifty miles 3 The Air is good and of an healthful constitution the soyl is fat affording many commodities and the Countrey most pleasant in her situation for the In-land is watered with many sweet and fresh running-Springs which taking passage through the plain Vallies do lastly in a loving manner unite themselves together and of their many branches make many big bodied streams neither doth the Sea deny them entrance but helpeth rather to fill up their Banks whereby Vâ—ssels of Burthen discharge their rich Treasures and her self with open hand distributeth her gifts all along the South of the Shore 4 Antiently it was possest by the Durotriges whom Ptolomy placeth along in this Tract who being subdued by the Romans yielded them room and unwilling subjection After them the Saxons set foot in these parts whereof Portland seemeth from that Port to take name who in this place arrived in Anno 703. and did sorely infect and annoy all the South Tract And at Bindon before him Kinegillus King of the
not so ancient as it is fair and well seated The beauty of it being such as for the bigness thereof it scarce gives place to any City of England and doth worthily deserve the Saxons name Bright-stad whose pleasantness is the more by reason that the River Avon scowres through the midst of it which together with the benefit of Sewers under all the streets clears the City of all noysome filth and uncleanness It is not wholly seated in this County of Sommerset but one part thereof in Gloucestershire but because it is an entire County of it self it denies subjection unto either having for its own government both a Bishop with a well furnished Colledge and a Mayor with a competent assistance of Aldermen and other Officers for civil affairs 8 This Province hath been the Theater of many Tragical events and bloudy battels the Danes did grievously afflict Porlock by cruel Piracies in the year eight hundred eighty six Yet neer unto Pen a little Village neigbouring upon North Cadbury Edmund sirnamed Iron-side gave them a notable foyle as he was pursuing Canutus from place to place for usurping the Crown of England And Keniwach a West-Saxon in the same place had such a day against the Britains that they ever after stood in awe of the English-Saxons prowess Marianus relateth that not far from Bridge-water as the Danes were stragling abroad Ealstane Bishop of Sherbourne did so soyl their Forces in the year 845 as their minds were much discomfited and their powers utterly disabled Ninius also writeth that King Arthur did so defeat the English-Saxons in a battel at Cadbury that it deserved to be made perpetuously memorable Neither is Mons Badonicus now Banesdown less famous for Arthurs victories And King Elfred in another battel not far from hence gave the Danes such an overthrow as he forced them to submission and induced Godrus their King to become a Christian himself being Godfather to him at the Font. So happy is this Region and so beholding to Nature and Art for her strengths and fortifications as she hath aâ—ways been able to defend her self and offend her enemies 9 Neither hath it been less honoured with beauteous houses consecrated to Religion such was that of Black Ohanons at Barelinch in the first limit of his Shire Westward and King Athelstaâ— built a Monastery in an Island called Muchelney that is to say the great Island which is between the Rivers Iuel and Pedred running together where the defaced wallâ— and runs thereof are yet to be seen King Henry the third also erected a Nunnery at Witham which was afterwards the first house of the Carthusians Monks in England as Hinton not far off was the second But above all other foâ— antiquity glory and beauty was the Abby of Glostenbury whose beginning is fetcht even from Ioseph of Arimathea which Davi Bishop of S. Davids repaired being fallen to ruine and King Inas lastly builded a fair and stately Church in this Monastery though it be now made even with the ground the ruins only shewing how great and magnificent a Seat it hath anciently been which several houses were thus beautified by bounteous Princes for religious purposes and to retire the mind from worldly services though blinded times and guides diverted them to superstitious and lewd abuses 10 Other memorable places are these Camalet a very steep hill hard to be ascended which appears to have been a work of the Romans by divers Coins dig'd up there on the top whereof are seen the lineaments of a large and ancient Castle which the Inhabitants report to have been the Palace of King Arthur Ilchester which at the coming of the Normans was so populous that it had in it an hundred and seven Burgesses and it appears to be of great antiquity by the Roman Caesars Coyns oftentimes found there The Church-yard of Avalenia or Glastonbury where King Arthurs Sepulchre was searcht for by the command of King Henry the second which was found under a stone with an Inscription upon it faftned almost nine foot in the ground Also Duâ—stere where as is reported a great Lady obtained of her husband so much Pasture ground in a Common by the Town side for the good and benefit of the Inhabitants as she was able in a whole day to go about bare-foot This County is divided into 42 Hundreds for the disposing of business needful for the State thereof wherein are placed 33 Market-Towns fit for buying and selling and other affairs of Commerce It is fortified with four Castles and planted with 385 Parishes for concourse of Divine Service WILT SHIRE VVILT-SHIRE CHAPTER XII WILT-SHIRE is enclosed upon the North with Gloucester-Shire upon the East is bounded with Bâ—rk-shire upon the South with Dorset and Hamp-shire and upon the West is confronted against partly by Gloucester and the rest by Somerset-shire 2 The form thereof is both long and broad for from Inglesham upon Thamisis in the North to Burgat Damarum in the South are thirty miles the broadest part is from Buttermer Eastward to the Shire-stones in the West being tweuty nine the whole in Circumference is one hundred thirty nine miles 3 For Air it is feated in a temperate Climate both sweet pleasant and wholesome and for soil saith Iohn of Sarisbury is exceeding fortile and plentiful yea and that with variety 4 The Northern part which they call North-Wilt shire riseth up into delectable hills attired with large Woods and watered with clear Rivers whereof Isis is one which soon becometh the most famous in the Land The South part is more even yielding abundantly Grass and Corn and is made the more fruitful by the Rivers Wily Adder and Avon The midst of this County is most plain and thereby is known and commonly called Salesbnry Plaines and lie so level indeed that it doth limit the Horizon for hardly can a man see from the one side to the other These Plaines grase an infinite number of sheep whose fleeces and flesh bring in a yearly revenue to their owners 5 Anciently this County was possessed by the Belgae who are seated by Ptolomy in Hamp-shire Sommerset shire and in this Tract and they as it seemeth by Caesar were of the Belgae in Gaul These as some hold were subdued by Vespatian Lieutenant of the second Legion under Claudiâ— when the foundation of his future greatness was in these parts first laid by his many Victories over the Britains And herein surely the Romans seated for besides Taâ—esbury Trench by Tradition held to be his in many other Forts in this Shire the Tract of their Footing hath been left and the stamped Coins of their Emperours found and apparent testimony of their abode 6 After them the West-Saxons made it a part of their Kingdom whose border was Avon as witnesseth Athelward though the Marcians many times encroched upon them whereby many great Battles as Malmesbury tells us betwixt them were fought when in the young years of their Heptarchie each sought to enlarge his by the
name Bibrotes yielded him subjection which proved the ruine of all former liberty But when the Romans had rent their own Empire and retired their Legion into a narrower circuit the Saxons set foot where their forces had been and made this County a parcel of their Western Kingdom The Danes then setting their desire upon spoils from their roaving Pinnaces pierced into these parts and at Redding fortified themselves betwixt the Rivers Kennet aâ—d Thamisis whether after their great overthrow received at Inglefield by the hand of King Ethelwolfe they retired for their further safety 6 This Town King Henry the first most stately beautified with a rich Monastery and strong Castle where in the Collegiate Chuch of the Abbey himself and Queen who lay both vailed and crowned with the daughter Maud the Empress called the Lady of England were interred as the private History of the place avoucheth though others bestow the bodies of these two Queens elsewhere The Castle King Henry the second razed to the ground because it was the refuge for the followers of King Stephen From whence the North pole is raised in Latitude 51 degrees and 40 minutes and in Longitude from the first West-point observed by Mercator 19 degrees and 35 minutes 7 A Castle and Town of greater strength and antiquity was Wallingford by Autonie and Ptolomy called Gellena the chiefest City of the Attrebatians whose large circuit and strong fortifications shew plainly that it was a place of the Romans abode and since in a conceived safety hath made many very bold especially when the sparks of Englands civil dissentions were forced to flame in case of the Crown betwixt Maud the Empress and King Stephen whether her self and associates resorted as their surest defence 8 But of far greater magnificence and state is the Castle of Windsor a most Princely Palace and Mansion of His Majesty I will not with Ieffery affirm it to be built by King Arthur but with better authority say it was so thirsted after-by the Conquerour that by a composition with the Abbot of Westminster whose then it was he made it to be the Kings possesson as a place besides the pleasures very commodious to entertain the King In this Castle that victorious Prince King Edward the third was born and herein after he had subdued the French and Scots held he at one and the same time as his Prisoners Iohn King of France and David King of Scotland Neither was it ever graced with greater Majesty than by the institution of the most honourable Order of the Garter a signal Ornament of Martial Prowesse the invention thereof some ascribe to be from a Garter falling from his Queen or rather from Ioan Countess of Salisbury a Lady of an incomperable beauty as she danced before him whereat the by-standers smiling he gave the impress to check all evil conceits and in golden Letters imbellished the Garter with this French Posie HONI SOâ—â— QUâ— MALY PENSE And yet that worthy Clarenceaux alledging the Book of the first institution finds the invention to be more ancient as when King Richard the first warred against the Turks Saracens Cypres and Acon he girt the legs of certain choise Knights with a tack of leather which promised a future glory to the wearers The most Princely Chappel thereof is graced with the bodies of those two great Kings Henry the sixth and Edward the fourth whom the whole Kingdom was too little to contain the one of Lancaster the other of York where the rest now united in one mould with a branch of both those Houses even King Henry the eighth who there lieth also interred and rests in the Lord. 9 Other places of note in this Shire are Sinodum in the North and Watham in the East both of them places of the Romans residence as by their moneys there oftentimes found appeareth Neither was Sunning the least in this Tract that had been the seat of eight Bishops before the See was translated thence unto Shirburne or that to Salisbury Wantage also is not wanting of honour in bringing to life that learned and most valiant King Ealfred the scourge of the Danes and great Monarch of the English And Finchhamstead for wonder inferiour to none where as our Writers do witness that in the year a thousand and hundred a Well boyled up with streams of bloud and fiftoen days together continued that Spring whose waters made red all others where they came to the great amazement of the beholders 10 The riches and sweet Seats that this County affordeth made many devout persons to shew their devotions unto true piety in erecting places for Gods divine Service and their exemptions from all worldly business such were Abington Redding Bysham Bromehall Hendley Hamme and Wallingford whose Votaries abusing the intents of their Founders overthrew both their own Orders and places of professions all which were dissolved by Act of Parliament and given the King to dispose at his will This Shires division is into twenty Hundreds and hath been strengthened with six strong Castles is yet graced with three of His Majesties most Princely Houses and traded with twelve Market-Towns and is replenished with one hundred and forty Parishes MIDLE-SEX MIDDLESEX CHAPTER XIV MIDDLESEX so called in regard of the situation as â—eated betwixt the West-Saxons and East-Angles was sometimes together with Essex and Hartford-Shire that part and portion which the East-Saxons enjoyed for their Kingdom it lyeth bordered upon the North with Hartford-Shire upon the West by Colâ—â— is severed from Buckingham the South by Thamesis from Surrey and Kent and on the East from Essex by the River Lea. 2 The length thereof extended from Stratford in the East to Morehall upon Colne in the West is by measure nineteen English miles and from South-mines in the North to his Majesties Mannour of Hampton Court in the South are little above sixteen miles the whole Circumference extending to ninety miles 3 In Form it is almost square for Air passing temperate for Soyl abundantly fertile and for Pasturage and Grain of all kinds yielding the best so that the Wheat of this County hath served a long time for the Manchet to our Princes Table 4 It lyeth seated in a vale most wholesome and rich having some hills also and them of good ascent from whose tops the prospect of the whole is seen like unto Zâ—ar in Egypt or rather like a Paradise and Garden of God 5 The ancient Inhabitants known to Caesar were the Trinobants whom he nameth to be the most puisiant in the Land whose chief City and â—eat yieldeth him subjection made the whole with less loss to the Romans to bear the yoke of their own bondage and to come in under terms of truce But when their Forces in these parts were spent and the Empire shaken by intestine wars the Saxons setting their eyes upon so fair a soyl made their footing as sure herein which lastly with Hartford and Essex was the portion of the East-Saxons Kingdom 6 Five
S. Benedict of Holme annexed to it The Commodities of this County I have contained in these four Verses Ingenio populi cultu Norfolcia clara est Hinc fluviis illinc Insula clausa mari Qua ratis vellus frumenta cuniculus agnus Lac scatet pisces pabula mella crocus This Description of Norfolk I received from the Right Worshipful Sir HENRY SPELMAN Knight CAMBRIDGE SHIRE CAMBRIDGE-SHIRE CHAPTER XVIII CAMBRIDGE-SHIRE lyeth bounded upon the North with Lincoln shire and Northfolk upon the East with Northfolk and Suffolk upon the South with Harâ—fordâ—shire and Essex and upon the West with Bedford and Huntington-shires 2 This Province is not large nor for air greatly to be liked having the Fens so spread upon her North that they infect the Air far into the rest from whose furthest point unto Royston in the South are thirty five miles but in the broadest is not fully twenty the whole in Circumference traced by the compass of her many indents one hundred twenty and eight miles 3 The Soil doth differ both in Air and Commodities the Fenny surcharged with waters the South is Champion and yieldeth Corâ— in abundance with Meadowing Pastures upon both the sides of the River Câ—me which divides that part of the Shire in the midst upon whose East-bank the Muses have built their most sacred Seat where with plenteous increase they have continued for these many hundred years 4 For from ancient Grantcester Camboritum by Antonine now famous Cambridge the other brest and Nurse-mother of all pious literature have flowed full streams of the learned Sciences into all other parts of this Land and else where ancient indeed if their story be rightly writ that will have it built by Cantaber a Spaniard three hundred seventy five years before the birth of our Saviour who thither first brought and planted the Muses This City Grantcester by the tyranny of time lost both her own beauty and her professed Athenian Students so that in Beda's days seven hundred years after the word became flesh it is described to lie a little desolate City and as yet retaineth the name without any memory of circuit by walls Of this City in the year of Christ 〈◊〉 as the Monk of Button doth report nine Scholars received their Baptism and became Preachâ—â—â— of the Gospel among the Britains which as he saith happened in the Reign of Hadrian the Emperour But when the Picts Scots Hunnes and Saxons had laid all things waste and with their savage swords cut ouâ— the leaves of all civil learning this as the rest yielded to destruction and so lay forlorn till the Saxons themselves became likewise civil when Sigebert the first Christian King of the East-Anglâ—s from the example of France whither he had been banished built Shools in his Kingdom and here at Grancester the chief recalling thither the Profâ—ssors of Arts and Sciences as the Story recordeth and Traditions do hold But afterwards as it seemeth their increase being straightned the Students complained as thâ— Prophets did to Elisha that the place was too little for them to dwell in therefore enlarging more North-ward seated themselves near unto the Bridge whereupon the place began to be called Grantbridge though others from the crooked River Came will have it named Cambridge This place though sacred and exempted from Mars as Sylla once spake when he spared Athens the Danes in their destructions regarded no whit wherein they often wintered after their spoyls and left the scars of their savage sores ever behind them And in the year 1010 when Suen in his fierceness bare down all before him this place was no place for Scholars to be in Warres loud Alarum ill consorting the Muses mild Harmonies Yet when the Normans had got the Garland on their heads and these Danish storms turned into Sun-shine days Gislebert the Monk with Odo Terricus and William all three of the like Monastical Profession in the Reign of King Henry the first resorted unto this place and in a publick Barn read the Lectures of Grammar Logick and Rhetorick and Gislebert Divinity upon the Sabbath and festival days From this little Fountain saith Peter Blessensis grow a great River which made all England fruitful by the many Masters and Teachers proceeding out of Cambridge as on t of a holy Paradise of God The first Colledge therein endowed with Professions was Peter-house built by Hugh Balsham Bishop of Ely in the year of Grace 1284 whose godly example many others followed so that at this day there are sixteen most stately Colledges and Halls for building beauty endowments and store of Students so replenished that unless it be in her other â—ister Oxford the like are not found in all Europe But at what time it was made an Vniversity let Robert de Remyngton tell you for me In the Reign saith hâ— of King Edward the first Granâ—bridge of a School by the Court of Rome was made an Vniversity such as Oxford is Lastly the â—eridian Line Cutâ—ing the Zenith over this City is distant from the furthest West Point according to Mercator 20 degrees 50 scruples and the Arch of the same Mâ—ridian lying between the Aequator and Vertical point is 52 degrees 20 scruples 5 Another City formerly in great fame is Ely had in account for the repute and holiness of Votary Nuns there residing built first by Audry wife to one Tombrot a Prince in this Province who had this place as a part of her Dowry she having departed from her second Husband â— Egbert King of Northumberland devoted her self to the service of God and built here a Monastery whereof she became the first Abbess This in the Danish desolations was destroyed but soon after re-edified by Ethelwood Bishop of Winchester who stored it with Monks unto whom King Edgar granted the jurisdiction over four hundreds and a half within these Fenns and the East Angles limits which to this day are called The liberties of S. Audrey after whose example many Nobles so enriched it with large Revenues that as Malmesbury saith The Abbot thereof laid up yearly in his own Coffers a thousand and four hundred pounds And of later times the Monks thereof became so wealthy that their old decayed Church they renewed with new and most stately buildings which is now the Cathedral of the Diocess and for beauty giveth place to no other in the Land Eight other foundations set apart from secular use in this Province were at Thorney Charteres Denny Elsey Beach Barnwell Swasey and Shengey all which in the days of King Henry the Eighth came to the period of their surpassing wealth and left their Lands to the dispose of his Will 6 The general Commodity of this Shire is Corn which in the South and Champion part doth abundantly grow as also Saffron a very rich Spice Some Woods there are and Pasture both pleasant and profitable The North part thereof is Fenny but withal fruitful whereof Henry of Huntington and William of Malinesbury thus do write
Morda in the West twenty and five miles the whole in circuit about extending to one hundred thirty four miles 3 Wholesome is the Air delectable and good yielding the Spring and the Autumn Seed-time and Harvest in a temperate condition and affordeth health to the Inhabitants in all seasons of the year 4 The Soil is rich and standeth most upon a reddish Clay abounding in Wheat and Barley Pit-coals Iron and Woods which two last continue not long in league together It hath Rivers that make fruitful the Land and in their Waters contain great store of fresh-fish whereof Severn is the chief and second in the Realm whose stream cutteth this County in the midst and with many winding sporteth her self forward leaving both Pastures and Meadows bedecked with flowers and green colours which every where she bestoweth upon such her attendants 5 This River was once the bounds of the North-Britains and divided their possession from the Land of the Saxons until of latter times their began to decay and the Welsh to increase who enlarged their lists to the River Dee So formerly had it separated the Ordovices from the Cornavâ—â— those ancient Inhabitants mentioned by Ptolomy The Ordovices under Caractacus purchased great honour whilst he a Prince of the Silures removed his Wars thence among them where a while he maintained the Britains liberty with valour and courage in despite of the Romans His Fort is yet witness of his unfortunate Fight seated near Clune-Castle at the confluence of that River with Temd where in remembrance of him the place is yet called Caer-Caradoc a Fort of his won by P. Ostorius Lieutenant of the Romans about the year of Grace 53. The Cornavii were seated upon the North of Severn and branched into other Counties of whom we have said 6 But when the strength of the Romans was too weak to support their own Empire and Britain emptied of her Souldiers to resist the Saxons set foot in this most fair Soil and made it a part of their Mercian Kingdom their line likewise issued to the last period and the Normans beginning where these Saxons left the VVelshmen took advantage of all present occasions and brake over Severn unto the River Dee to recover which the Normans first Kings often assayed and Henry the Second with such danger of Life that at the Siege of Bridge-North he had been slain had not Sir Hubert Syncler received the Arrow aimed at him in stepping betwixt that Shaft and his Soveraign and therewith was shot thorow unto death In the like danger stood Henry Prince of Scotland who in the strait Siege of Ludlow begirt by King Stephen had been plucked from his Saddle with an Iron-hook from the Wall had not Stephen presently rescued him Anno 1139. 7 This then being the Marches of England and VVales was sore afflicted by bloody broils which caused many of their Towns to be strongly walled and thirty two Castles to be strongly built Lastly into this County the most wise King Henry the Seventh sent his eldest Son Prince Arthur to be resident at Ludlow where that fair Castle became a most famous Princes Court And here King Henry the Eight ordained the Council of the Marches consisting of a Lord President as many Counsellors as the Prince shall please a Secretary an Attorney a Soliciter and four Iustices of the Counties in Wales in whose Court were pleaded the Causes depending and termly tried for the most part in presence of that honourable President 8 But the Shire-Town Shrewsbury for circuit trade and wealth doth far exceed this and is inferiour to few of our Cities her buildings fair her streets many and large her Citizens rich her trade for the most part in the Staple Commodities of Cloth and Freeses her Walls strong and of a large compass extending to seventeen hundred paâ—es about besides another Bulwark ranging from the Castle down unto and in part along the side of Severn thorow which there are three entrances into the Town East and West over by two fair Stone-Bridges with Towers Gates and Bars and the third into the North no less strong than them over which is mounted a large Castle whose gaping chinks do doubtless threaten her fall This Town is governed by two Bailiffs yearly elected out or twenty four Burgesses a Recorder Town-Clerk and Chamberlain with three Sergeants at Mace the Pole being raised hence from the degrees of Latitude 53 16 minutes and from West in Longitude 17 degrees 27 minutes 9 Yea and ancienter Cities have been set in this Shire such was Râ—xalter or Wroxcester lower upon Severn that had been Vriconium the chiefest City of the Cornavii Vfocâ—nia now Okenyateâ— near unto the Wrekin and under Red-Castle the Ruins of a City whom the Vulgar report to have been famous in Arthurs daies but the pieces of Romish Coins in these three do well assure us that therein their Legions lodged as many other Trenches are signs of War and of Blood But as Swords have been stirring in most parts of this Province so Beads have been hid for the preservation of the whole and places erected for the maintenance of Votaries in whom at that time was imputed great holiness in Shrewsbury many at Coulmere Stow Dudley Bromfield Wigmore Hamond Lyleshill Bildas Bishops-Castle and Wâ—nloke where in the Reign of Richard the Second was likewise a rich Mine of Copper But the same blasts that blew down the Buds of such Plants scattered also the Fruits from these fair Trees which never since bare the like nor is likely any more to do That only which is rare in this Province is a Well at Pitchford in a private mans yard whereupon floateth a thick Skum of liquid Bitumen which being clear off to day will gather the like again on the Morrow not much unlike to the Lake in the Land of Iewry This Shire is divided into fifteen Hundreds wherein are seated fourteen Market-Towns and hath in it one hundred and seventy Churches for Gods sacred and divine Service CHESTER Petrus Kaerius caeelavit The County Palatine of CHESTER CHAPTER XXXVI CHESSE-SHIRE the County Palatine of Chester is parted upon the North from Lancashire with the River Mercey upon the East by Mercey Goit and the Dane is separated from Darâ—y and Stafford-shires upon the South toucheth the Counties of Shrop-shire and Flint and upon the West with Dee is parted from Denbigh-shire 2 The form of this County doth much resemble the right Wing of an Eagle spreading it self from Wirall and as it were with her Pinion or first Feather toucheth York-shire betwixt which extreams in following the windings of the Shires divider from East to West are 47 miles and from North to South twenty six miles The whole Circumference about one hundred forty two miles 3 If the affection to my natural producer blind not the judgment of this my Survey for Air and Soyl it equals the best and far exceeds her Neighbours the next Counties for although the Climate be cold and toucheth
by Succession and Right of Inheritance the Earldâ—m of Chester annexed to his most happy Stiles Upon whose Person I pray that the Angels of Iacobs God may ever attend to his great glory and Great Britains happiness 9 If I should urge credit unto the report of certain Trees floating in Bagmere only against the deaths of the Heirs of the Breretons thereby seated and after to sink until the next like occasion or inforce for truth the Prophesie which Leyland in a Poetical fury forespake of Beeston-Castle highly mounted upon a steep Hill I should forget my self and wonted opinion that can hardly believe any such vain Predictions though they be told from the mouths of Credit as Bagmere-Trees are or learned Leyland for Beesson who thus writeth The day will come when it again shall mount his head aloft If I a Prophet may be heard from Seers that say so oft With eight other Castles this Shire hath been strengthened which were Ould-Castle Shocloch Shoâ—witch Chester Pouldford Dunham Frodesham and Haulten and by the Prayers as then was taught of eight Religious Houses therein seated preserved which by King Henry the Eight were suppressed â—â—amely Stanlow Ilbree Maxfeld Norton Bunbery Combermere Rud-neath and Vale-Royal besides the VVhite and black Friâ—rs and the Nunnery in Chester This Counties division is into seven Hundreds wherein are seated thirteen Market-Towns eighty five Parish-Churches and thirty-eight Chappels of Ease Lancaster LANCA-SHIRE CHAPTER XXXVII THE County Palatine of Lancaster famous for the four Henries the fourth fifth sixth and seventh Kings of England derived from Iohn of Gaunt Duke of Lancaster is upon the South confined and parted by the River Mersey from the County Palatine of Chester the fair County of Darby-shire bordering upon the East the large County of York-shire together with Westmerland and Cumberland being her kind neighbours upon the North and the Sea called Mare Hibernicum embracing her upon the West 2 The form thereof is long for it is so inclosed between York-shire on the East side and the Irish-Sea on the West that where it boundeth upon Cheshire on the South-side it is broader and by little and little more Northward it goeth confining upon Westmerland the more narrow it groweth It containeth in length from Brathey Northward to Halwood Southward fifty seven miles from Denton in the East to Formby by Altmouth in the West thirty one and the whole circumference in compass one hundred threescore and ten miles 3 The Air is subtile and piercing not troubled with gross vapours or foggy mists by reason whereof the People of that Country live long and healthfully and are not subject to strange and unknown diseases 4 The Soil for the generality is not very fruitful yet it produceth such numbers of Cattel of such large proportion and such goodly heads and horns as the whole Kingdom of Spain doth scarce the like It is a Country replenished with all necessaries for the use of Man yielding without any great labour the commodity of Corn Flax Grass Coals and such like The Sea also addeth her blessing to the Land that the People of that Province want nothing that serveth either for the sustenance of Nature or the satiety of appetite They are plentifully furnished with all sorts of Fish Flesh and Fowls Their principal Fuell is Coal and Turff which they have in great abundance the Gentlemen reserving their Woods very carefully as a beauty and principal ornament to their Mannors and Houses And though it be far from â—ondon the Capital City of this Kingdom yet doth it every year furnish her and many other parts of the Land besides with many thousands of Cattel bred in this Country giving thereby and other ways a firm testimony to the World of the blessed abundance that it hath pleased God to enrich this noble Dukedom withall 5 This Counties ancient Inhabitants were the Brigantes of whom there is more mention in the description of York-shire who by Claudius the Emperour were brought under the Roman subjection that so held aud made it their Seat secured by their Garrisons as hath been gathered as well by many Inscriptions found in Walls and ancient Monuments fixed in Stones as by certain Altars erected in favour of their Emperours After the Romans the Saxons brought it under their protection and held it for a part of their Northumbrian Kingdom till it was first made subjugate to the Invasion of the Danes and then conquered by the victorious Normans whose Posterities from thence are branched further into England 6 Places of antiquity or memorable note are these the Town of Manchester so famous as well for the Market-Place Church and Colledge as for the resort unto it for Clothing was called Manâ—unium by Antonine the Emperour and was made a Fort and Station of the Romans Riblechester which taketh the name from Râ—ibell a little River near Clithâ—râ— though it be a small Town yet by Tradition hath been called the richest Town in Christendom and reported to have been the Seat of the Romans which the many Monuments of their Antiquities Statues Pieces of Coin and other several Inscriptions digg'd up from time to time by the Inhabitants may give us sufficient perswasion to believe But the Shire Town is Lancaster more pleasant in situation than rich of Inhabitants built on the South of the River Lon and is the same Longovicum where as we find in the Notiâ—e Provinces a company of the Longovicarians under the Lieutenant General of Britain lay The beauty of this Town is in the Church Castle and Bridge her Streets many and stretched fair in length Unto this Town King Edward the Third granted a Mayor and two Bailiffs which to this day are elected out of twelve Brethren assisted by twenty four Burgesses by whom it is yearly governed with the supply of two Chamberlains a Recorder Town-Clerk and two Sergeants at Mace The elevation of whose Pole is in the degree of Latitude 54 and 58 scruples and her Longitude removed from the West point unto the degree 17 and 40 scruples 7 This Country in divers places suffereth the force of many flowing Tides of the Sea by which after a sort it doth violently rent asunder one part of the Shire from the other as in Fourness where the Ocean being displeased that the shore should from thence shoot a main way into the West hath not obstinately ceased from time to time to slash and mangle it and with his Fell irruptions and boysterous Tides to devour it Another thing there is not unworthy to be recommended to memory that in this Shire not far from Foâ—rness-Felles the greatest standing water in all England called Winander Mere lieth stretched out for the space of ten miles of wonderful depth and all paved with stone in the bottom and along the Sea-side in many places may be seen heaps of sand upon which the People pour water until it recover a saltish humour which they afterwards boil with Turffs till it become white Salt 8 This
in it for the celebration of Divine Service CUMBERLAND CHAPTER XLI CUMBERLAND the furthest North-West Province in this Realm of England confronteth upon the South of Scotland and is divided from that Kingdom partly by the River Kirsop then crossing Eske by a tract thorow Solomâ—-Moss until it come to the Solwaye-Frith by Ptolomy called the Itune-Bay The North-West part is neighboured by Northumberland more East-ward with Westmerland the South with Lancashire and the West is wholly washed with the Irish-Seas 2 The form whereof is long and narrow pointing wedg-like into the South which part is altogether pestred with copped hills and therefore hath the name of Cop-land The middle is more level and better inhabited yielding sufficient for the sustenance of man but the North is wild and solitary cumbred with Hills as Copland is 3 The Air is piercing and of a sharp temperature and would be more biting were it not that those high Hills break off the Northern storms and cold falling Snows 4 Notwithstanding rich is this Province and with great varieties thereof is replenished the Hills though rough yet smile upon their beholders spread with Sheep and Cattel the Vallies stored with Grass and Corn sufficient the Sea affordeth great store of Fish the Land overspread with variety of Fowls and the Rivers feed a kind of Muskle that bringeth forth Pearl where in the mouth of the Irt as they lie gaping and sucking in Dew the Country people gather and sell to the Lapidaries to their own little and the buyers great gain But the Mines Royal of Copper whereof this Country yieldeth much is for use the richest of all the place is at Keswick and Newland where likewise the Black-Lead is gotten whose plenty maketh it of no great esteem otherwise a commodity that could hardly be missed 5 The ancient Inhabitants known to the Romans were the Brigantes whom Ptolomy disperseth into Westmorland Richmond Durham York-shire and Lancashire But when the Saxons had overborn the Britains and forced them out of the best to seek their resting among the vast Mountains these by them were entred into where they held play with their enemies maugre their force and from them as Marianus doth witness the Land was called Cumber of those Kumbri the Britains But when the State of the Saxons was sore shaken by the Danes this Cumberland was accounted a Kingdom of it self for so the Flower-gatherer of Westminster recordeth King Edmund saith he with the help of Leoline Prince of South-Wales wasted all Cumberland and having put out the eyes of the 〈◊〉 soâ—s of Dunmail King of that Province granted that Kingdom unto Malcolm King of Scots whereof their eldest sons became Prefects This Province King Stephen to purchâ—se favour with the Scots what time he stood in most need of aid confirmed by gift under their Crown which Henry the Second notwithstanding made claim unto and got as Nubrigensis writeth and laid it again in the Marches of England since when many bickerings betwixt these Nations herein have hapned but none so bitter against the Scottish-side as was that at Salome Moss where their Nobility disdaining their General Oliver Sinclere gave over the Battel and yielded themselves to the English which dishonour pierced so deeply into to the heart of King Iames the fifth that for grief thereof he shortly after died 6 Many memorable Antiquities remain and have been found in this County for it being the Confines of the Romans Possessions was continually secured by their Garrisons where remains at this day part of that admirable Wall built by Severus also another Fortification from 〈◊〉 to Elâ—â—-Moâ—th upon the Sea-shore toward Ireland by Stillicâ— raised when under 〈◊〉 he suppressed the rage of the Picts and Irish and freed the Seas of the Saxon Pirates Upon Hard-knot hill Moresby Old-Carleil Pap-Castle along the Wall and in many other places their ruines remain with Altars and Iâ—scriptions of their Captains and Colonies whereof many have been found and more as yet lie hid 7 The chiefest City in this Shire is Careile pleasantly seated betwixt the Rivers Eden Petterelâ— and Caud by the Romans called Luguvallum by Beda Luell by Ptolomy Leucopibia by Ninius Caer-Lualid and by us Carlile This City flourishing under the Romans at their departure by the furious outrages of the Scots and Picts was dejected yet in the daies of Egfrid King of Northumberland was walled about but again defaced by the over-running Danes lay buried in her own ashes the space of two hundred years upon whose ruines at length Rufus set his compassionate eye and built there the Castle planting a Colony of Flemings to secure the Coasts from the Scots but upon better advisement removed them into Wales After him Henry his Brother and Successor ordained this City for an Episcopal See whose site is placed in the degree of Longitude from the first West part 17 and 2 scruples and the Pole thence elevated from the degree of Latitude 55 and 56 scruples 8 West from hence at Burgh upon the Sand was the fatal end of our famous Monarch King Edward the First who there leaving his Wars unfinished against Scotland left his troubles and soon missed life to his untimely and soon lamented death 9 And at Salkelds upon the River Eden a Monument of seventy seven Stones each of them ten foot high above ground and one of them at the entrance fifteen as a Trophy of Victory was erected These are by the By-dwellers called Long-Meg and her Daughters 10 This Country as it stood in the Fronts of Assaults so was it strengthened with twenty-five Castles and preserved with the Prayers as then was thought of the Vâ—taries in the Houses erected at Carlilâ— Lâ—ncroft Wether all Holme Daker and Saint Bees These with others were dissolved by King Henry the Eight and their revenues shadowed under his Crown but the Province being freed from the charge of Subsidie is not therefore divided into Hundreds in the Parliament Roles whence we have taken the divisions of the rest only this is observed that therein are seated nine Market-Towns fifty eight Parish-Churches besides many other Chappels of Ease NORTHUMBERLAND NORTHUMBERLAND CHAPTER XLII THE County of Northumberlaâ—d hath on the South the Bishoprick of Durham being shut in with the River Derwent and with Tyne the North is confined upon Scotland the West upon part of Scotland and part of Cumberland the East-side lyeth altogether upon the Sea called Mare Germanicum 2 The form thereof is Triangular and differs not much in the sidings for from her South-East unto the South-West point are near unto 40 miles from thence to her North-point are sixty miles and her base along the Sea-shore 45 miles The whole in circumference is about one hundred forty five miles 3 The Air must needs be subtile and piercing for that the Northernly parts are most exposed to extremity of weathers as great winds hard froâ—ts and long lying of snows c. Yet would it be far more sharp than it is were
not the German-Sâ—as a ready means to further the dissolution of her Ice and Snow and the plenty of Coals there gotten a great help to comfort the Body with marmth and defend it from the bitter coldness 4 The soil cannot be rich having neither fertility of ground for Corn or Cattel the most part of it being rough and in every place hard to be manâ—red save only towards the Sea and the River Tyne where by the great diligence and industrious pains of good husbandry that part is become very fruitful 5 The ancient Inhabitants of this Country mentioned by Ptolomy were called OTTALINI OTTADENI and OTTADINI which by an eaâ—ie alteration as M. Câ—mbden saith if it had been called OTTATINI signifying about the River Tyne or on the further side of Tyâ—e for so this People were planted there would have been much consonance both with the name of the Inhabitants and the Position and Site of the Province 6 The chiefest commodity that enricheth this County are those Stones Linthancrates which we call Sea-coals whereof there is such plenty and abundance digged up as they do not only return a great gain to the Inhabitants but procure also much pleasure and profit to others 7 No place of â—his Province vents forth so many of these Sea-coals into other Regions as New-Castle doth being the very Eye of all the Towns in this County for it doth not only minister relief by such provision to all other parts of England but doth also furnish the wants of forrain Countries with her plenty By means of this and the intercouse of Traffique which it hath the place is grown exceeding rich and populous Before the Conquest it was called Monk-chester having been as it seemed in the possession of â—onks and Chester being added which signifies a Bulwark or place of defence and shews that in ancient time it had been a place of Fortification 8 After the Conquest it got the name of Newcastle by the New Castle which Robert the Son of William the Conquerour built there out of the ground What it was called in old time is not known yet some are of opinion that it may be thought to have been Gatrosentum for that Gatesâ—ead the suburb as it were of the same expresseth in their own proper signification that British name Gatrosentum It is now most ennobled both by the Haven which Tyne maketh of that not able depth that it beareth very tall Ships and is able to defend them against Storms and Tempests As also by many favours and honours wherewith it hath been dignified by Princes for Richard the Second granted that a Sword should be carried before the Mayor and Henry the Sixt made it a County consisting of a Corporation within it self It is adorned with four Churches and fortified with strong Walls that have eight gates It is distant from the first West line 21 degrees and 30 minutes and from the Equinoctial-line towards the North-Pole thirty four degrees and fifâ—y-seven minutes 9 The utmost Town in England and the strongest Hold in all Britain is Barwick From whence it had the name is not certainly made known Some fetch it from Berengarius a Duke never read of Howsoever this is better to be said than trusted and whencesoever it hath the name it is seated between two mighty Kingdoms shooting far into the Sea with the which and the River Tweed it is almost encompassed and whensoever any discord fell between the two Nations this place was the first thing they took care of It hath endured the brunts of divers inroads and incursions and been oftentimes possessed and repossessed of the Sâ—ots and English But since it was reduced under the command of Edward the Fourth our Kings have from time to time so strengthned it with new Works and Fortifications as they cut off all hopes of winning it The Governour of this Town is also Warden of the East-Marches against Scotland The Longitude of it according to Mathematical observation is 21 degrees and 43 minutes the Latitude 55 degrees and 48 minutes 10 The Inhabitants of this Country are a warlike People and excellent Horsemen and arâ— made fierce and hard by the several encounters of the Scots and not much unlike them in neither betwixt whom in this County many Battels have been fought and the successes oftentimes waved through very doubtfully the Victory sometimes falling to the Scots sometimes to the English At Otterburne was one in which three or four times it stood doubtfully indifferent till in the end the Scots got the upperhand of the English Howbeit their glory was not made so illustrious by this Conquest but that it was as much darkned by the foil they received at Anwicke where William King of Scots was taken and presented Prisoner to Henry the Second As also by that Battel at Brumridge Where King Athelstan fought a pitcht field against Anlafe the Danâ— Constantine King of 〈◊〉 and Eâ—genius King of Cumberland and that with such fortunaâ—e success as it hath left matter sufficient to fill the pens of Historians Flodden-Field also memorable in the death of Iames the fourth King of Scots who was there slain and his Army overthrown in a sharp Fight as he displayed his Banner in great hope against England when King Henry the Eight lay at the siege of Turnay in France 11 Other Battels in this County have been as that at Hexam called by Beda Hangustâ—ld wherein Iohn Nevil Marquess Mâ—ntacute encountred the Leaders of the Lancastrian Faction with much courage and with greater success put them to flight for which he was made Earl of Northumberland by Edward the Fourth As also that of Dilston by Beda called Devilshurne where Oswald having the Faith of Christ for his Defence and Armour slew Cedwall the Britain in a set Battel himself straightwaies becoming a professed Christian and causing his people to be instructed in Christain Religion 12 Many memorable Antiquities are found in this Country along the Wall and in other places As pieces of Coin Inscriptions broken and unperfect Altars c. the ruines of the Wall yet to be seen but none that deserves more to be remembred than Wall-Town by Beda called Ad Murum for that Segebert King of the East-Saxons was in it baptized in the Christian Faith by the hands of Paulinus and Halyston where the said Paulinus is said to have baptized many thousands into the Faith of Christ in the Primitive Church of the English Nation 13 Busy-gap is a place infamous for robbing and thieving and is therefore rather remembred as a cautionary note for such as have cause to travel that way than for any proper matter of worth it hath that merits place with other parts of this Province Other matters of observation are only these that North-Tyne running thorow the Wall waters two Dales which breed notable light-horse-men and both of them have their hillsâ— hard by â—o boggy and standing with water on the top that no horse-men are able to ride through them and
homeward with his Wife he was drowned in a Tempest neer unto the Coasts of Radland 13 An. Dom. 1249. Raignald the Son of Olave and brother to Harold began his raign and on the thirtieth day thereof was slain by one Tvar a Knight in a Meadow neer unto the holy Trinity-Church and lieth buried in the Church of S. Mary of Russin 14 In the year 1252. Magnus the son of Olave came to Man and was made King The next year following he went to the King of Norway and stayed there a year 15 In the year 1265. Magnus Olaves son King of Man and of the Islands departed this life at the Castle of Russin and was buried in the Church of S. Mary of Russin 16 In the year 1266 the Kingdom of the Islands was translated by reason of Alexander King of Scots who had gotten into his hands the Western Islands and brought the Isle of Man under his dominion as one of that number 17 An. 1340. William Montacute Earl of Salisbury wrested it from the Scottish by strong hand and force of Arms and in year the 1393 as Thomas Walsingham saith he sold Man and the Crown thereof unto William Scroope for a great summe of money But he being beheaded for high Treason and his Goods confiscate it came into the hands of Henry the Fourth King of England who granted this Island unto Henry Piercy Earl of Northumberland But Henry Piercy entring into open Rebellion the fifth year following the King sent Sir Iohn Stanley and William Stanley to seize the Isle and Castle of Man the inheritance whereof he granted afterwards to Sir Iohn Stanley and his Heirs by Letters Patents â—with the Patronage of the Bishoprick c. So that his Heirs and Successors who were honoured with the Title of Earls of Darby were commonly called Kings of Man HOLY ISLAND GARNSEY FARNE IARSEY HOLY-ISLAND CHAPTER XLV THis Island is called Lindisfarne by the River Lied that is opposite unto it on the Coast of Northumberland Beda termed it a Demâ—-Island The Britains name it Iuis Medicante for that it twice every day suffereth an exordinary inundation and over-flowing of the Ocean in manner of an Island which twice likewise makes it continent to the Land and returning unto her watry habitation lays the Shore bare again as before It is called in English Holy-Island for that in ancient times many Monks have been accustomed to retired themselves thither and to make it their receptacle for solitude having on the West and South Northumberland and more South Eastward the Island Farne 2 The form of it is long and narrow the West-side narrower than the East and are both conjoyned by a very small spang of Land that is left unto Conies The South is much broader than the rest It is from East to West about two thousand two hundred and fifty paces and from North to South twelve hundred and fifty paces so that the circumference cannot be great 3 The Air is not very good either for health or delight as being seated on those parts that are subject to extremity of cold and greatly troubled with vapouâ—s and foggy mists that arise from the Seas 4 The Soil cannot be rich being rocky and full of Stones and unfit for Corn and Tillage It is neither commended for Hills to feed Sheep nor Pastures to fat Cattel neither hath it Vallies replenished with sweet Springs or running Rivolets only one excepted descending from a standing Pond The only thing this Island yieldeth is a fit and accommodate aptitude for Fishing and Fowling 5 Notwithstanding this is very worthy of note concerning the same which Alcun wrote in an Epistle to Egelred King of Northumberland namely that it was a place more venerable than all the places of Britain and that after the departure of S. Paulinus from York there Christian Religion began in their Nation though afterwards it there felt the first beginning of misery and calamity being left to the spoil of Pagans and Miscreants 6 It is also remembred of this Island that sometime there hath been in it an Episcopal See which Aidan the Scot instituted being called thither to Preach the Christian Faith to the People of Northumberland being thus delighted with the solitary situation thereof as a most fit place for retirement But afterwards when the Danes rifled all the Sea-Coasts the Episcopal See was translated to Durham 7 This Island so small in account either for compass or commodity and so unpeopled and unprofitable cannot be numerous in Towns and Villages It hath in it only one Town with a Church and a Castle under which there is a commodious Haven defended with a Block-house situate upon an Hill towards the South-East FARNE-ISLE THis Isle South-Eastward seven miles from Holy-Island sheweth it self distant almost two miles from Brambrough Castle On the West and South it beareth upon Northumberland and on the North-east-side it hath other smaller Islands adjoyning to it as Widopons and Staple-Island which lie two miles off Bronsinan and two lesser than these which are called the Wambes 2 The Form of this Iâ—le is round and no longer in compass than may easily be ridden in one half of a day The breadth of it is but five miles and the length no more The whole circumference extends it self no further than to fifteen miles 3 The Air is very unwholsom and subject both to many Dysenteries and other Diseases by reason of the miâ—ty Fogs and Exhalations that are thereunto drawn up from the Ocean It is many times troubled with unusual Tempests of Winds with boisterous â—ury of stormy Rains and with several and uncouth rages of the Sea 4 The Soil cannot be fertile being incircled about with craggy Clifts â—either hath it in it much matter either of pleasure or profit It can neither defend it self from Cold lacking Fuel as Wood Coal Turffs c. Nor from Famine wanting Food as Corn Pastures Cattel c. The best Commodity it yields is Fish and Fowl 5 This thing nevertheless is worthy to be remembred of it which Beda writing of the Life of Cuthbert Bishop of Lindisfarne that Tutelar Patron of the Northern Eâ—glishmen reporteth namely that in this Isle he built a City fitting his Government and erected certain Houses in the same the whole building standing almost round in compass and reaching the space of four or five Pearches The Wall about it he made higher than a Mans height to with-hold and keep in the wanton lasciviousness both of his thoughts and eyes and to elevate the whole intention of his mind up to heavenly desires that he might wholly give himself to the service of God But these are all made the ruins of time as sithence many other Monuments have been of worthy Antiquity 6 I cannot report that there are now many Houses standing in it much less Towns or Villages Only this that it hath a Tower or Place of Fortification belonging unto it placed well-neer in the middle part of the Isle GARNSEY THis Island
Town is managed by two Aldermen and two Bailiffs who are yearly elected out of twenty five Burgesses that are their assistants It hath no Recorder one Town-Clerk and two Sergeants at Mace and by observation of the Mathematicks the Pole is elevated in the degree of Latiâ—ude 53 and 49 sâ—ruples and from she first point in Longitude 16 and 45. 8 This County with them of Flint and Carnarven-shires are not divided by pricks into their several hundreds according to the rest of this work the want of their particulars in the Parliament Roles so causing it which for the good of these three Shires I earnestly sought to have supplied from the Nomina Villarum in their Sheriffs Books and had promise of them that might easily have procured the same But whether a fearless jealousie possessed their spirits lest the riches of these Shires by revealing such particulars should be further sought into I cannot say yet this I have observed in all my Survey that where least is to be had the greatest fears are possâ—ssed Take these Shires therefore to be done as I could and not as I would that wish both the wealth of them all and their esteem to be of better regard by those that may do them good 6 This Shire then is divided into twelve Hundreds for the readier ordering of businesses necessary to the State of the Country wherein are placed three Market-Towns â—it for buying and selling and other negotiations It hath five Castles to defend her self and to offend her enemies and fifty seven Parishes for Gods Divine Service and Worship FLINT-SHIRE CHAPTER XII FLINT-SHIRE stretching out in length broad at one end and narrow at another is not much unlike in fashion to a Wedge a piece of which is cut off by the meetiâ—g of Cheshire and Denbighshire South-East in distance some four miles It borders East-ward with part of Cheshire from whence it is guarded in length with the River Dee unto the North which parteth Worrall and Flint-shire till you come to a little Island called Hellebree Northward it is bounded with the Virginian-Sea on the West a little River called Cluyd parteth her and Denbighshire asunder and on the South altogether by Shrop-shire 2 This Country is nothing mountainous as other parts of Wales are but rising gently all along the River Dee makes a fair shew and prospect of her self to every eye that beholds her as well upon the River being in most places thereabouts four or five miles broad as upon the other side thereof being a part of Cheshire 3 The Air is healthful and temperate without any foggy clouds or fenny vapours saving that sometimes there ariseth from the Sea and the River Dee certain thick and smoaky seeming Misâ—â— which nevertheless are not found hurtful to the Inhabitants who in this part live long and healthfully 4 The Clime is somewhat colder there than in Cheshire by reason of the Sea and the River that engiâ—ts the better part of her by which the Northern-winds being long carried upon the Waters blow the more cold and that side of the Country upward that lieth shoring unto the top having neiâ—her shelter nor defence receiveth them in their still power and is naturally a Bulwark from their violence unto her bordering Neighbours that maketh the Snow to lie much longer there than on the other side of the River 5 The Soil bringeth forth plenty both of Corn and Grass as also great store of Cattel but they be little To supply which defect they have more by much in their numbers than in other places where they be bigger Great store of Fish they take in the River of Dee but little from the Sea by reason they have no Havens or Creeks for Boats No great store of Woods either there or in any other part of Wales are found it having been a general plague unto all the Country ever since the head-strong Rebellions of their Princes and great Men against the Kings of England that in time took away the principal helps of their Innovations by cutting down their Woods whereof in this Shire there hath heretofore been great plenty Fruits are scarce but Milk Butter and Cheese plenty as also store of Honey of the which they make a pleasant Wine in colour like in taste not much unlike unto Muskadine which they call Metheglin Yea and in the days of Giraldus Cambrensis near the place now called Holy-Well was a rich Mine of Silver in seeking after which men pierced and pried into the very bowels of the earth 6 The ancient Inhabitants of this Country were the Ordovices a sturdy People against the Romans but now most kind and gentle towards the English and indeed make much of all Srangers except they be crossed and then they are the contrary 7 Places of defence are the Castles of Flint Hawarden vulgarly Harden Treer Rudland Mold Yowley and Hope of which Flint and Harden are the two principal The Castle of Flint famous for the benefit it received from two Kings and for the refuge and relief it gave unto the third It was founded by Henry the Second finished by Edward the First and long after gave harbour and entertainment to that noble but unfortunate Prince Richard the Second coming out of Ireland being within her Walls a free and absolute King but no sooner without but taken Prisoner by Henry Bullingbroke Duke of Lancaster losing at that time his liberty and not long after his life This standeth in the graduation of Latitude 53 55 minutes in Longitude 17. For the Castle of Hawarden no Record remains of the first Founder but that it was held a long time by the Stewards of the Earls of Chester Howbeit their resistances did not so genearally consist in the strength of their Castles and Fortifications as in their Mountains and Hills which in times of danger served as natural Bulwarks and Defences unto them against the force of Enemies As was that which standeth in a certain strait set about with Woods near unto the River Alen called Coles-hull that is Coles-hill where the English by reason of their disordered multitude not ranged in good array lost the Field and were defeated when King Henry the Second had made as great preparation as might be to give Battel unto the Welsh and the very Kings Standard was forsaken by Henry of Essex who was Standard-Bearer to the Kings of England in right of inheritance 8 This Country hath many shallow Rivers in it but none of fame and note but d ee and Cluyde Howbeit there is a Spring not far from Rudland Castle of great report and antiquity which is termed Fons Sacer in English Holy-Well and is also commonly called S. Winefrids-Well of whom antiquity thus reporteth That Winefrid a Christian Virgin very fair and vertuous was doated upon by a young lustful Prince or Lord of the Country who not long able to rule his head-strong affections having many times in vain attempted and tried her chastity both by rich gifts
West-point about 80 miles from thence to her North-west about 70 miles and her East Coast along the Irish Sea-shore eighty miles the circumference upon two hundred and seventy miles 3 The air is clear and gentle mixt with a temperate disposition yielding neither extremity of heat or cold according to the seasonable times of the year and the natural condition of the Continent The soil is generally fruitful plentiful both in fish and flesh and in other victuals as butter cheese and milk It is fertil in Corn Cattle and pasture grounds and would be much more if the husbandman did but apply his industry to which he is invited by the commodiousness of the Country It is well watered with Rivers and for the most part well wooded except the County of Divelin which complains much of that want being so destitute of wood that they are compelled to use a clammy kind of fat turff for their fuel or Sea-coal brought out of England 4 The Inhabitants of these parts in Ptolomies days were the Brigantes Menapii Cauci and â—lani from which Blani may seem to be derived and contracted the latter and modern names of this Country Lâ—in Leighnigh and Leinster The Menapii as the name doth after a sort imply came from the Menapians a Nation in Low Germany that dwelt by the Sea-Coasts These Brigantes called also Brigants Florianus del Campo a â—paniard labours to fetch from the Brigants of his own Countrey of whom an ancient City in Spain called Brigantia took the name But they may seem rather to derive their denomination from the River Birgus about which they inhabited for to this the very name is almost sufficient to perswade us 5 The commodities of this Country do chiefly consist in Cattle Sea-fowl and Fish It breeds many excellent good horses called Irish Hobbies which have not the same pace that other horses have in their course but a soft and round amble setting very easily 6 This Country hath in it three Rivers of note termed in old time the three sisters Shour Neor and Batraeo which issue out of the huge Mountain called by Giraldus Bladinae Montes as out of their mothers womb and from their rising tops descending with a downfal into several Channels before they empty themselves into the Ocean joyn hand in hand altogether in a mutual league and combination 7 Places very dangerous for shipping are certain flats and shallows in the Sea that lie over against Holy-point which the Mariners call the Grounds Also the shelves of sand that lie a great way in length opposite to Newcastlâ— which over looketh them into the Sea from the top of an high hill adjoyning 8 In this Province are placed many fair and wealthy Towns as Kilkenny which for a Burrough-Town excels all the midland Burroughs in this Island Kildare which is adorned with an Episcopal See and much graced in the first infancy of the Irish Church by reason of Saint Brigid a venerable Virgin had in great account and estimation for her virginity and devotion as who was the Disciple of S. Patrick of so great fame renown and antiquity also Weisford a name given unto it by these Germans whom the Irish term Oustmans a Town though inferiour to some yet as memorable as any so that it became the first Colony of the English and did first submit it self unto their protection being assaulted by Fitz Stephen a Captain worthily made famous for his valour and magnanimity 9 But the City which fame may justly celebrate alone beyond all the Cities or Towns in Ireland is that which we call Divelin Ptolomy Eblana the Latinists Dublinium and Dubliniâ— the West-Britaines Dinas Dublin the English-Saxons in times past Duplin and the Irish Balacleigh that is the Town upon hurdles for it is reported that the place being fennish and moorish when it first began to be builded the foundation was laid upon hurdles 10 That it is ancient is perswaded by the authority of Ptolomy That it was grievously rent and dismembred in the tumultuous wars of the Danes and brought afterwards under the subjection of Edgar King of England which his Charter also confirmeth wherein he calleth it the noble City of Ireland is written by Saxo Grammaticus That it was built by Harold of Norway which may seem to be Harold Harsager when he had brought the greatest part of Ireland into an awful obedience unto him we read in the life of Griffith ap Sinan Prince of Wales At length it yielded unto the valour and protection of the English at their first arrival into Ireland by whom it was manfully defended from the fierce assaults as well of Auscoulph Prince of the Dublinians as afterwards of Gotard King of the Isles since which time it hath still augmented her flourishing estate and given approved testimony of her faith and loyalty to the Crown of England in the times of any tumultuous straights and commotions 11 This is the Royal Seat of Ireland strong in her munition beautiful in her buildings and for the quantity matchable to many other Cities frequent for traffick and intercourse of Merchantâ— In the East Suburbs Henry the second King of England as Hoveden reporteth caused a royal Palace to be erected and Henry Loundres Archbishop of Divelin built a Store house about the year of Christ 1220. Not far from it is the beautiful Colledge consecrated unto the name of the holy Trinity which Queen Elizabeth of famous memory dignified with the priviledges of an University The Church of S. Patrick being much enlarged by King Iohn was by Iohn Comin Archbishop of Dublin born at Evesham in England first ordained to be a Church of Prebends in the year 1191 It doth at this day maintain a Dean a Chanter a Chancellor a Treasurer two Archdeacons and twenty two Prebendaries This City in times past for the due administration of Civil Government had a Provost for the chief Magistrate But in the year of mans redemption 1409 King Henry the fourth granted them liberty to chuse every year a Major and two Bailiffes and that the Major should have a gilt sword carried before him for ever And King Edward the sixth to heap more honour upon this place changed the two Bailiffs afterwards into Sherifâ—s so that there is not any thing here wanting that may serve to make the estate of a City most flourishing 12 As the people of this Country do about the neighbouring parts of Divelin come nearest unto the civil conditions and orderly subjection of the English so in places farther off they are more tumultuous being at deadly feuds amongst themselves committing oft-times Man slaughter one upon another and working their own mischiefs by mutual wrongs for so the Irish of Leinster wasted Leinster with many Towns in the same Province in the year 1294. And in the year 1301 the men of Leinster in like manner raised a war in the winter season setting on fire the Town of Wykinlo Rathdoâ— and others working their own plague and punishment by burning
from the report of 〈…〉 and other ancient Writers But the reason I hold not good for â—owsoâ—ver it might be true in 〈◊〉 times of some and the most part perhaps of 〈◊〉 as it was then 〈◊〉 that it wâ—s 〈…〉 yet now she hath changed her 〈…〉 6 By her first Geographers she was 〈…〉 tongue and Empire exercised over the Region of Prussia South-ward she reacheth beyond Danubius to the very Alpes which border upon Italy Northâ— ward she hath ever kept her own but hath been curb'd indeed from seeking new Kingdoms in that tract by the main Ocean which divides her in part from Swevia Norway c. And to these limits we apply our Description No marvelâ— if it give her more honour than she had in former times For her compass now is reckoned to be 2600 English miles Her ground fertile enough of it self and yet besides enjoyes the benefit of many Navigable Rivers which enrich her with traffique from other Kingdoms 7 Those of greatest fame are 1 Danubius the largest of Europe called by Pliny and others Ister It takes in sixty Navigable Rivers and is at last discharged by many passages into the Pontus Euxinus 2 Rhene which hath its rising from the Alpes and runs into the German Ocean From thence have we our best Rhenâ—sh Wines and upon his banks sâ—ands the City Strasburge 3 Amaâ—us Fms which glides by Wâ—stphalia into the German Sea 4 Maemu Megu whose head is in the Mountains of Boâ—emia and from thence passeth by Francfort into the German sea 5 Albis Elve which riseth from the eleven Fountains meeting into one about the Sylva Hircinian 6 Odeca which hath not his passage immediately into the Sea but inâ—o the River Albis The middle mark of this Country is the Kingdom of â—ohemia encompassed with the Sylva Hircinia 8 The chief commodities of Germany are Corn Wine Salt Metals of all sorts Fruits good store Safron c. The Aire wholsome her Bathes healthful her Gardens pleasurable her Cities fair her Castles strong and her Villages very many and well peopled 9 The Inhabitants have put off their ancient rudeness as the Country her barrenness They are as goodly of person as ever as stout as ever and far more civill than in the time of the Romans It seems they were then esteemed but an ignorant and simple people more able to fight than to mâ—nage a battle They were ever hardy enough but wanted Commanders of their own of skill and â—udgement Since they had commerce with other Nations and have suffered the upbraid asit were of their Predecessors dulness they have been in a manner shamed out of it and are now become rather by industry than wit a most ingenious people and skilful in the Latine Greek and Hebrew learning famous beyond any others in Europe unless Belgia for the invention of many notable and â—seful Engines The Gun and Gun-powder was first brought to light by one Bertholdus Swart a Franciscan which hath almost put by the use of any other warlike Instrument in those parts of the world where the practice is perfectly understood Generally the poorer sort are excellent Mechanicks and the rest for the most part Scholars 10 It bred Albertâ—s Mâ—gnus Appean Geâ—ner Munster Luther Vrsin Zuinglius Scultetus Iunius Keckerman and many others in their several kinds and Religions some Papists some Lutherans some Calvinists and among the rest many Iews 11 The Government of this Germany is Imperial as once that of Rome was though it flourish not in so full glory The right descends not by succession nor is the election continued by the like suffrage as in old Rome The power of choice was conferred by Pope Gregory the tenth upon seven German Princes three Spiritual and four Temporal These are the Arch-bishop of Mentâ— Chancellour of the Empire through Germany Archbishop of Cullen Chancellour of the Empire through Italy Arch-bishop of Triers Chancellour of the Empire through France The Temporal are the King of Bohemea who hath the casting voice only in case of equality among the other six his office is to be chief Cupâ— bearer at the great solemnity Next him the Count Palatine of the Rhene Arch-sewer to the Emperour Duke of Saxony Lord Marshal and Marquess of Brandenburge chief Chamberlain Each of these perform his own Office in person upon the day of Inauguration The Duke of Saxoâ—y bears the sword The Count Palatine placeth his meat on the Table The King of Bohemia bears his Cup and delivers it him to drink Marquess of Brandenbâ—rg serveth him water to wash And the three Bishops bless his meat He receiveth three Crowns before he is fully setled into the Majesty of the Empire The first is of Silver for Germaâ—y The second of Iron for Lombardy And the third of Gold for the Empire the last is set on at Rome For to this day it pretends to the name of the Roman Empire and gives the title oâ— Caesar or Roâ—ani imperii Imperator 12 The first which enjoyed the institution of Pope Gregory was Radulphus Nabs Purgensis 1273. after twelve years interregnum The last before him was our Richard Earl oâ—â— Cornwall and brother to Henry the third King of England Since it hath continued firm in this course of Election howsoever not with that liberty as was intended For commonly the Emperour in being while he hath his power about him and can at least intreat if not command the subjects of the Empire promise a choice of the Rex Roâ—aâ—orum who is no other than a Successour designed to rule after his death or resignation And by this means it hath a long time continued in the house of Austria without any intermission 13 Thus we â—â—e much plotting great state many ceremonies to the making up of an Emperour and yet when it is well weighed it is little better then a bare title For howsoever these outward obâ—ervances of the Gâ—rman Princes make show of an humble subjection to the Emperour yet when it comes to trâ—all it hath very little to do in their Governments But each of them takes upon â—im as a â—ree and absolute Commander in his own Country permitteth or suppresseth the Beligion which he â—ither likes or dislâ—kes makes and abrogates Laws at pleasure stamps Coyn raiseth souldiers and sometimes against their great Master as the Duke of Saxony against Charles the fiâ—th and at this day divers others in defence of the Princâ— Pâ—latine For of this qâ—ality and power there are many Dukes Marquesses Counts c. besides 64 Franc Cities which make only some slight acknowledgment to the Emperour appear perhaps at his â—arliaments and they say are bound to â—urnish him at need with 3842 horse amonge them and 16200 foot 14 The cheiâ—est Regions of Germany best known to us and noted by our Geographers with a more eminent Character than the rest are these 1 East Frizeland 2 Westphalia 3 Cullen 4 Munster 5 Triers 6 Cleve 7 Gulick 8 Hassis 9 Alsatia 10 Helvetia 11 Turingia
he was heir in general by marriage of a daughter But the truth is we have been ever easie to part with our hold there or at least forced to forgo it by our civil dissentions at home else after all those glorious Victories of our Predecessors we might have had some Power more to shew there as well as Title 11 There are very many Provinces belonging to this Kingdom more than will find room here for their full Descriptions in several and therefore we will reduce as well this new France as the old Gallia to the four parts of Ptolomies division 1 Aquitania 2 Lugdunensis 3 Narbonensis and 4 Galâ—ia Ielgica To these we will add 5 the Isles adjoyning Their principal underâ—Territories shall be mentioned as Maginus ranks them 12 Aquitania lieth on the West of France close upon the Pyrenean Mountains and Countries 1 Another part of Biscay mentioned in the Map of Spain and indeed differeth from that but very little 2 Gascoign and Guien The first to this day keeps its name with a very little change from the Spanish Vascones The chief City is Burdigala or Burdiaux a Parliamentary and Archiepiscopal Seat and University of good esteem was honoured with the birth of our Richard the Second Another City of note is Thoâ—ouse a seat Parliamentary and supposed to be as ancient as the rule of Deborah in Israel This Gascogin contains in it the Earldomes of Fory Comminges Armeniaci and the Dutch Albert. 3 Pictavia Poictou on the north of Guien a pleasant Region and a plentiful It contains three Bishopricks Poâ—tiers Lucon and Mailazai Her chief Cities are Poictiers an ancient and the largest next Paris in all France Castrum Heraldi once the title of the Scotch Earls of Hamildon In this Province was fought the great Battel betwixt our black Prince and Iohn of France where with eight thousand he vanquished forty thousand took the King Prisoner and his Son Philip 70 Earls 50 Barons and 12000 Gentlemen 4 Sonictonia severed from Poictiers but by the River Canentell and so differs but little from her fertility Her Metropolis Saints Her other chief Bourg Blay Marennes S. Iohn D'angely and Anglosme Betwixt this Country and Poictiers stands â—ochel a place the best fortified both by nature and art of any in Europe And is at this tiâ—â—e possest by those of the reformed Religion where they stand upon their guard and defend their freedom of conscience against the Roman Catholicks of France 5 Limosin in Limo sita say some Maginus takes 〈◊〉 from Limoges her chief City toward the North which revolted and was recovered by our black Prince Her other Towns of note are Tulles and Vxerca and Chalaz where our Richard the first was shot It hath been by turns possest of French and English till Charies the Seventh since we have had little hold there 6 Berry regio Biturigum from her chief City Bituris now Burges an Archiepiscopal See and University It is exceedingly stored with sheep and sufficiently well with other Merchandise of value 7 Burbone from her chief City Burbone heretofore Boya a Dukedom aâ—d much frequented by Princes and the Nobility of France by reason of her healthful air and commodious Baths 8 Turiene the Garden of France Her chief Cities â—loys Amboyse Taurs and a little higher upon the Layre stands Orleance 13 Lugdunensis or Celtica lieth betwixt the Rivers Loyre and Seyne and takes the name from Lugdunum or Lions her chief City This Province comprehends 1 Brittany heretofore Armoâ—ica till subdued by Maximinus King of England about the year 367 since it hath had the name of Britanny and for distinction from this of ours it is commonly stiled Minor Britannia There is yet remaining a smack of the Wâ—lch tongue which it seems the Invaders had so great a desire to settle in those parts as a trophy of their Conquests that when they first mingled in marriage with the Inhabitants they cut out their wives tongues as many as were Natives that no sound of French might be heard among their children It hath few Rivers but that defect is in some measure made up by the neighbourhood of the Sea insomuch that the Countrey is reckoned one of the most fertile in all France for Corn Wine and Wood. It breeds good Horses and special Dogs Iron Lead c. Her chief Cities are Nants Rhenes S. Breny and Rohan It is divided into Britanniam inferiorem the base or lower Britanny West-ward and nearest England and Superiorem toward the Loire East-ward Her chief parts are S. Malo and Breste 2 Normandy a part of the Region which was heretofore called Newstria and took the name it hath from the Norwegians Their first Duke was Rollo and the â—ixth from him our William the Conquerour It was lost from his Successors in the time of King Iohn Her chief Cities are Rhothomagus or Rhoan the Metropolis Constance and Cane memorable for the siege of our English Henry the fifth And Verveile besieged by Philip the second of France in the time of our Richard the first which when the King heard as he sate in his Palace at Westminster it is said he sware he would never turn his back to France till he had his revenge and to make good his oath brake through the walls and justly performed his threat upon the besieger Her principal parts are Harflew the first which King Henry the fifth of England assaulted and New Haven given up by the Prince of Conde to Queen Elizabeth as a Pledge for such Forces as she would supply him with to maintain wars with the King in defence of Religion And Diep c. 3 Anjove regio Audegarensis a fertile Country and yields the best Wine of France excellent Marble and other fair stone for buildings Her chief City is Anjours which Ortelius takes to be Ptolomy's Iuliomagum It is now an University To this Dukedome there are four Earldomes which owe a kind of homage Manie Vandosm Beauford and Laval 4 Francia which gives name to the whole Kingdom and received it her self from the German Francones which before inhabited the great Forrest called Sylva Hircinia Her chief City and the glory of France is Paris or Luteâ—ia quasi in luto sita in compass twelve miles is reckoned the first Academy of Europe consists of 55 Colledges And here was Henry the sixth crowned King of France and England In this Province stands S. Vincent where Henry the fifth died and Saisons and the Dukedome of Valoys c. 5 Campaigne and Bye partners in the title of Earldom it is severed from Picardy only with the River A fertile Country and hath many eminent Cities The principal is Rheimes where the Kings most commonly are crowned and anointed with an Oyl sent they say from Heaven which as oft as it hath been used never decreaseth It is the seat of an Arch-Bishop and University of note especially with our English Roman Catholiques who have a Colledge there appointed for their Fugitives And others of
are by some named several Provinces into which this Countrey hath been formerly divided viz. Panuca bordering upon New Spain Aranaris Albardaosia whose Natives are peculiarly noted for their subâ—ilty Irquasia inhabited by a people exceeding all others in swiftness of foot and Alpachia Authia and Someria remarkable for expert swimmers even to the very women who make nothing to cross over wide Rivers with children in their arms it is said to abound also with Hermophradites who are made use of as drudges to follow the Camp and carry the luggage of the Army Colas bordering upon Cape Florida Tegista or Florida properly so called which stretcheth our North and South 100 leagues in length into a long Peninsula toward the Isle Cuba by the Cape Los Martyres Acuera Vitacuâ—â—us c. But the more common division of the Floridans is into their several Tribes as the Quitones the Susolas the Maticones the Avavares the Camoni the Canagadi the Marianes and the Quevenes of each of which the supreme Head or Prince is called the Paraousti This Countrey of Florida is well watered with many large and convenient Rivers of which the only mentioned in any noted Writer of these parts are these 1 Rio Grande 2 Rio Secco 3 Rio de Nieves 4 Rio de Spiritu Santo 5 Serravahi 6 Garuna 7 Ligeriâ— 8 Sequana 9 Axona 10 Charente all which fall into the great Lake of Mexico 11 Maio so called by Ribault from the Month in which he discovered it if it be not one of those already mentioned under another name The principal Towns of Florida whereof some built by the Spaniards and one by the French others by the ancient Inhabitants are 1 St. Helens situate on or near a Promontory or point so called on the utmost Frontier of the Country toward Virginia 2 Arx Carolina or Fort Charles built by Laudonier on the banks of the River Majo and by him so called in honour of King Charles the 9th of France in whose time the Conquest of Florida was undertaken by the French but this place was not long after taken from them by the Spaniard and very much ruinated 3 Port Royal a place inhabited for the sake of the Haven only which for the commodiousness of it is very much frequented 4 St. Matthews one of the principal sortifications of the Spaniards lying on the Eastern Coast of Tergesta of Florida properly so called 5 St. Augustines another of their ancient sortified places on the same Shore only somewhat more Southernly This Town as above mentioned was in the year 1585 taken and sack'd by Sir Francis Drake 6 Vitacuche once the chief Seat of the Province or petty Kingdom of Vitacuche though nâ— better indeed than an indifferent Village consisting but of 200 houses or rather cottages however thought worthy to be taken by the Natives from the Spaniards As also 7 Ocalis the Metropolitan Village of Acuera of so much the more note by how much the larger than the other 8 Osachite another Provincial Town of the Floridans 9 Apatache an ancient Native-built Town probably once of some note and resort at least taken by the Spaniards for such which made them the more eager to take it under the conduct of Pamphilus Narvaes in hopes of finding there great riches Doubtless it was then a place much larger and more considerable than to consist but of 40 or 50 houses or cottages as hath been by some delivered since it was capable of making so smart a resistance as it did when it was attack'd and of repelling them after the departure of Nervaes 10 Ante another ancient Town or Village of the Floridans chiefly remarkable for a sharp Ingagement between them and the Spaniards whom at this place though said to be nine days march from Apatache they overtook and forc'd to retreat not without the loss of very many of their men some of note 11 St. Philip. 12 St Iago both heretofore fortified by the Spaniards if not still possessed by them CAROLINA The Description of Carolina CAROLINA having been formerly accounted a part of Florida though of late separated into a peculiar Province little or nothing is to be said more of the discovery situation climate temperature soil commodities nature and customs of the natives than what hath been already mentioned in Florida it self of which we have been the more particular in regard this part of it which is called Carolina from his present Majesty King Charles the Second and which makes up a considerable Province belongs now to the English it being not so proper to attribute those things to a part only which are applicable to the whole it remains only therefore to speak of the present interest and propriety when upon what occasion and to whom the Patent was granted and if there be any thing else peculiar to this Province above the rest of Florida It was by the care charge and industrious endeavours of divers noble persons as Edward Earl of Clarendon â—ord Chancellor of England George Duke of Albemarl William Earl of Craven Iohn Lord Berkly Anthony Lord Ashly now Earl of Shaftsbury Sir George Carteret Vice-Chamberlain of his Majesties Houshold Sir William Berkly Knight and Baronet Sir Iohn Colleton Knight and Baronet that this Province of Carolinâ— as the best part of all Florida was impropriated into the interest and possession of the English to whom indeed of right the whole Countrey may be accounted properly to belong both in regard it was discovered by Sir Sebastian Cabott by the encouragement and for the use of King Henry the seventh of England and for its neighbouring situation to our other Plantations besides several other conveniences by setling therein two considerable Plantations the one at Albemarl-Point which lying to the North borders upon Virginia and whither very many Families have transplanted themselves from New-England and other of our American Plantations the other at Charles-Town or Ashly River almost in the center of the Countrey which being the better Plantation of the two may in all likelihood invite a far greater as well from New-England and other parts that way as from Barbadoes and Bermudas many have already removed their effects hither The most apparent boundary between Carolina and Virginia appears plainly by Mr. Ledderers Map who hath written a very exact description of his travels into these parts to be the Râ—ver Rorenock alias Shawan that is to say the main River for above half the way and afterwards a smaller branch running on Northward towards the Hills as far as Sapon in the Countrey of the Nabissans the rest of the main stream running farther into the heart of the Countrey which from this boundary stretcheth a long way North-west This Sapon is the first Town within the limits of Carolina and situate as it were upon the utmost point of the said branch of the River Rorenock whereby though it stand dry upon an high ground yet it is environed with a fruitful and productive Soil Nor far from it is a place
A DANE A NORMAN England Wales Scotland and Ireland Described 〈◊〉 and Abridged With y e Historie Relation of things worthy memory from a farr larger Voulume Done by Iohn Spied Anno Cum priuilegio 1676 AN EPITOME OF Mr. IOHN SPEED's THEATRE of the EMPIRE OF GREAT BRITAIN And of His PROSPECT Of the Most Famous Parts of the WORLD In this New Edition are added The Descriptions of His Majesties Dominions abroad viz. New England 226 New York Carolina 251 Florida Virginia 212 Maryland Iamaica 232 Barbados 239 AS ALSO The Empire of the Great Mogol 255 with the rest of the East-Indies The Empire of Russia 266 With their respective Descriptions London Printed for Tho. Basset at the George in Fleet-street and Ric. Chiswel at the Rose and Crown in St. Paul's Church-yard 1676. England Scotland and Ireland A Catalogue of all the Shires Citties Bishoprickes Market Townes Castles Parishes Rivers Bridges Chases Forrests and Parkes conteyned in every particuler shire of the Kingdom of England Shires Cities Bishopckes Mark Townes Castles Parish 〈◊〉 Rivers Bridgs Chases Forrests Parkes Kente 02 02 17 08 398 06 14 00 00 23 Sussex 01 01 18 01 312 02 10 00 04 33 Surrie 00 00 06 00 140 01 07 00 0¼ 17 Middlesex 02 02 03 00 073 01 03 01 00 04 Hant-shire 01 01 18 05 248 04 31 00 04 22 Dorcet shire 00 00 18 06 248 04 29 01 02 12 Wilt shire 01 01 21 01 304 05 31 01 09 29 Somerset shire 03 02 29 01 385 09 4â— 00 02 18 Devon shire 01 01 40 03 394 23 106 00 00 23 Corrnuall 00 00 23 00 161 07 31 00 00 09 Essex 01 00 21 01 415 07 28 00 01 46 Hartford shire 00 00 18 00 120 01 24 00 00 23 Oxford-shire 01 01 10 00 208 03 26 00 04 09 Buckinghamsh 00 00 11 00 185 02 14 00 00 15 Berck shire 00 00 11 01 140 03 07 00 0â— 13 Glocester shire 01 01 20 01 280 12 22 01 02 19 Suffolk 00 00 28 01 464 02 32 00 00 27 Norfolk 01 01 26 00 625 03 15 00 00 00 Rutlande 00 00 02 00 047 00 01 00 00 04 Northampton-sh 01 01 11 02 326 05 24 00 03 23 Huntinton-shire 00 00 05 00 078 01 05 00 00 07 Bedford-shire 00 00 10 00 116 01 06 00 00 12 Cambridg-shire 00 01 06 00 163 01 07 00 00 05 Warwick shire 01 01 12 01 15â— 07 21 01 00 16 Lecester shire 00 00 11 02 200 01 10 00 02 13 Stafford-shire 01 00 12 05 130 13 19 01 01 38 Worcester shire 01 01 07 03 152 05 17 01 02 16 Shrop shire 00 00 13 13 170 18 13 00 07 27 Hereford shire 01 01 08 07 176 13 11 01 02 08 Lincolne shire 01 01 26 02 630 09 15 00 00 13 Nottingham sh. 00 00 11 00 168 05 17 00 01 18 Darby shire 00 00 08 04 106 1â— 2â— 00 01 34 Cheshire 01 01 09 03 068 09 19 00 02 18 Yorke-shire 01 01 46 14 563 36 62 04 08 72 Lancasshire 00 00 08 06 036 33 24 00 01 30 Durham 01 01 05 04 062 11 20 00 00 21 Westmoreland 00 00 04 06 026 08 15 00 02 19 Cumberland 01 01 08 15 058 20 33 00 03 08 Northumbrland 00 00 11 â—2 040 21 16 00 01 08 Monmouth 00 00 06 07 14â— 15 14 01 00 08 Glamorgan 00 01 07 â—2 151 16 06 00 00 05 Radnor 00 00 04 05 043 13 05 00 03 00 Brecknok 00 00 03 04 070 27 13 00 00 02 Cardigan 00 00 04 00 077 26 09 00 0â— 00 Carmarthin 00 00 06 04 08â— 20 16 00 0â— 0â— Pembrok 00 01 06 05 142 06 07 00 02 03 Montgomery 00 00 06 03 042 28 06 00 00 00 Merionidth 00 00 03 02 034 26 07 00 00 00 Denbigh 00 00 03 03 05â— 24 06 00 00 06 Flint shire 00 01 03 04 024 04 0â— 00 00 02 Anglesey 00 00 03 00 08â— 08 02 00 00 00 Caernarvon 00 0â— 05 03 073 17 06 00 00 00 * The totall Summe of this Catalogue is           5 â— Shires 25 Cities 26 Bish 645 Market 156 Castles â—725 Pa. Ch 555 Rivers 956 Bridg 93 Chas. 62 For. 783 Parks The General of Great BRITAIN CHAPTER I. THE State of every Kingdome well managed by prudent government seems to me to represent a humane Body guided by the soveraignty of the Reasonable Soul the Countrey and Land it self representing the one the Actions and State-Affairs the other Sith therefore the excellencies of the whole are but imperfectly laid open where either of these Parts is defective our intendment is to take a view as well out of the outward Body and Lineaments of the now flourishing British Monarchy the Islands Kingdomes and Provinces thereof in actual possession for with others no less justly claimed in the continent we meddle not which shall be the continent of our first or Chorographical Tome containing the four first Books of this our Theatre as also of its successive government and vital actions of State which shall be our second or Historical Tome containing the five last Books And here first we will by example of the best Anatomists propose to view the whole Body and Monarchy entire as far as conveniently we could comprise it and after will dissect and lay open the particular Members Veins and Ioynts I mean the Shires Rivâ—â—s Cities and Towns with such things as shall occur most worthy our regard and most behoveful for our use 2 The Islâ—nd of Great Britain which with her adjoyning Isles is here first presented containâ—th the Kingdomes of England and Scotland and is of many accounted the greatest Island in the World though Iustus Lypsius gives that praise to Cuba in America as the Oriental Navigators do unto Sumatra taken for Pâ—olomy's Taproâ—aria or to Madagascar the Island of S. Laurence both which are near unto or under the Equiâ—octial Line in which we will not contend as pleasing our selves with her other praises greater than her Greatness yet with this honour also that it was without question the greatest Island of the Roman World and for any thing yet certainly known of all the rest Concerning whose positure in respect of Heaven Lucretius the first of the Latin Writers that names Britain seemeth to place it in the same Parallel with Pontus where he saith Nam quid Britannum coelum differre putamus c. What differs Britains Heaven from that of Nile Or Pontus welkin from Gades warmer Ile In which by a certain cross comparison he opposeth two likes against two unlikes Britain and Pontus against Egypt and Gades But to seek into profound Antiquity rather than present practice for matters in which Vse makes perfectness were to affect the giving light by shadows rather than by Sun-shine 3 It is by experience found to lie included form the degree fifty and thirty scruples of Latitude and for
be ministred but whereas the ancient Kings of England acâ—ording to Moses his example sate in pâ—rson in the seat of Iustice to right the greater affairs of their Subjects as William Lambeâ—â— sheweth in King Alfred Edgar Canutus c. and proves out of the Kings Oath out of Bractoâ— Britain â—axon Laws c. King William not only continued this but besideâ— erâ—cted some other Câ—urtâ— of â—ustice as the Exchequer and certain Courts and Sessions to be held four times every year â—appointing both Iudges some to hear causes others to whom appeals should be made but none from them and also Praefects to look to good orders Those last Polydor calleth Iustices of Peace but their instruction seems to be far later and no less is his errour on the other side in saying the Conquerour first instituted Sheriffs and the trial by twelve men which were both ancienter 4 And because the Conquerour for honour of Bishops caused them to remove from small obssure places to Cities of more renown we have therefore reserved to this last â—lace that division of this Kingdome which is according to Iurisdiction Episcopal Formerly in the year of Salvation 636. Honorius the first Archbishop of Canterbury first divided England into Parishes which at this day are contained under their several Diocesans and these again under their two Metropolitanes Canâ—erbury and York in manner following CANTERBVRY Bishopricks Counties Parishes Canterbury Kent 257. Rochester 98. London Essex 623. Middlesex Hertford-shire part Lincoln Lincoln-shire 1255. Leicester-shire Huntington Bedford-shire Buckingham-shire Hertford-shire part Chichester Hertford-shire 250. Sussex Winchester Hant-shire 362. Surrey Wight Isle Gernesey Isle Iersey Isle Salisbury Wilt-shire 248. Bark-shire Exeter Devon-shire 604. Corne-wall Bath and Wells Sommerset-shire 388. Gloucester Gloucester-shire 267. Worcester Worcester-shire 241. Warwick-shire Litchfield and Coventry Warwick shire part 557. Stafford-shire Derby-shire Shrop-shire part Hereford Shrop shire part 313. Hereford-shire Ely Cambridge-shire 141. Ely Isle Norwich Norfolke 1641. Suffolk Oxford Oxford-shire 195. Peterborow Northampton 293. Rutland-shire Bristow Dorset-shire 236. Glamorgan Landaffe Monmouth-shire 177. Brecknock-shire Radnor-shire S. David Pembroke-shire 308. Caermarden Bangor Caernarvon-shire 107. Anglesey Isle Merioneth-shire Denbigh-shire S. Asaph Devon-shire part 121. Flint-shire part  YORK  York York-shire 581. Nottingham-shire Chester Cheshire 256. Richmond-shire Cumberland part Lanca-shire Flint part Carlile Cumberland part 93. Westmorland Durham â—urham 135. Northumberland Sodor Man Island 17. Total Bishopricks 27. Parishes 9285. 9 To speak nothing of these twenty eight Flamins the Priests of Idolatry and the three Arch-Flamins whose seats were at London Caerlion and York all of them converted by King Lucius into Christian Bishops Sees let us only insist upon the three last by the same King appointed to be Metropolitanes over the rest among whom London is said to be chief whose first Christian Archbishop was Thean the builder of S. Peters Church in Cornhill for his Cathedral as by an ancient Table there hanging was affirmed and tradition to this day doth hold Our British Historians do bring a succession of fifteen Arch-bishops to have sate from his time unto the coming of the Saxons whose last was Vodius slain by King Vortiger for reprehending his heathenish marriage with Rowen the Daughter of Hengist At what time began the misery of the Land and of holy Religion both which they laid waste under their prophane feet until Ethelbert of Kent the first Christian Saxon King advanced Christianity and Augustine to the Archbishoprick of Caâ—terbury when London under Melitus became subject to that See 6 At Caerlion upon Vske in the time of the great Arthur sate Dubritius a man excellently learned and of an holâ— conversation he had sate Bishop of Landaffe a long time and with Germanus and Lupus two French Bishops greatly impugned the Pelagian Heresie infecting at that time the Island very far whose fame and integrity was such that he was made Archbishop of all Wales but grown very old he resigned the same unto Daviâ— his Disciple a man of greater birth and greater austerity of life who by consent of King Arthur removed his Archbishops See unto Menevia a place very solitary and meet for meditation the miracles of the man which are said to be many changed both the name of the place into his own and robbed Caerlion of her Archiepiscopal seat This See of S. Davids as in an ancient Register belonging to that Church is recorded had seven Bishops Suffragans subject unto it which were Exeter Bath Hereford Landaffe Bangor S. Asapâ— and â—ernes in Ireland notwithstanding either for want of Pall carried into Britany by Archbishop Sampson in a dangerous infection of sickness or by poverty or negligence it lost that jurisdiction and in the days of King Henry the first became subject to the See of Canterbury 7 York hath had better succesâ— than either of the former in retaining her original honour though much impaired in her circuit challenging to have been sometime Metropolitane over all the Bishops in Scotland and although it was made equal in honour and power with Canterbury by Pope Gregory as Beda relateth and had twelve suffragan Bishopricks that owed obedience onely four now acknowledge York their Metropolitane but Canterbury the Superiour for William the Conquerour thinking it dangerous to have two in like authority lest the one should set on his Crown and the other 〈◊〉 it off left York to be a primate but Canterbury only the primate of all England 8 That Lichfield was made an Archiepiscopal See by Pope Hadrian the first at the suit of Offa the great King of Mercia is manifested by Matthew of Westminster unto whose Iurisdiction were assigned the Bishopricks of Winchester Hereford Leicester Sidnacester Helmham and Dunwich and whose first and last Archbishop was Aldwin That Winchester also had intended an Archiepiscopal Pall the same Author recordeth when Henry Bloys of the Bloud Royal greatly contended with the Archbishop of Canterbury for superiority under the pretence of being Cardinal de latere to him an Archiepiscopal Pallâ— was sent with power and authority over seven Churches but he dying before that the design was done the See of Winchester remained in subjection to Canterbury And that long before the See of Dorchester by Oxford had the Iurisdiction of an Archbishop is apparent by those provinces that were under his Diocess which were Winchester Oxford Lincoln Salisbury Bristow Wells Litchfield Chester and Exeter and the first Bishop of this great circuit Derinus was called the Apostle and Bishop of the West Saxons which in his next successor was divided into two parts Winchester and Dorchester and not long after into Lichfield Sidnacester and Legecister and lastly the See removed from Dorchester to Lincoln as now it is And thus far for the division of this Realm both Politick and Ecclesiastick as it hath stood and stands at this day 9 But the whole Islands division by most certain Record was anciently made when Iulius Agricola drew a trench or fortification
this name whether from Vignina an ancient King thereof or from our Virgin Queen Elizabeth the other parts being since distinguished by the names of new-New-England new-New-York and Mary-Land After the more perfect discovery of these parts which is said to have been first encouraged and promoted by Sir Walter Raleigh by several worthy Adventurers as first Captain Philip Amidas and Captain Arthur Barlow Anno 1584. Sir Richard Greenvil 1585. Mr. Iohn White 1587 and 1589. Captain Gosnol 1602 Captain Martin Pring 1603 set out by the City of Bristol Captain George Weymouth 1605 set out by the Lord Arundel of Warder at last iâ— the year 1606 some footing being got for all the forementioned voyages had prov'd succesless those that went over with Captain Newport carrying with them a commission from King Iames for the establishing a Counsel to direct those new discoveries landed on the 19th of December at a place afterwards called Cape Henry at the mouth of Chesapeac-Bay and immediately opened their Orders by which eight of the Counsel were declared with power to choose a President to govern for a year together with the Counsel The next year Letters Patents bearing date April the 10th were granted by the King to Sir Thomas Gates Sir George Summers and the rest of the Undertakers who were divers Knights Gentlemen and Merchants of London Bristol Exeter Plymouth anâ— other parts to make a double Colony for the more speedy Planting of the place the first Colony to be undertaken by those of London the other by those of Bristol Exeter Plymouth c. However it was not till in some years after that this Plantation came to be considerably peopled and that principally by the great care industry and activity in this affair of the Valiant Capt. Iohn Smith who in the year 1615 in the 12th of King Iames his Reign procured by his interest at Court his Majesties recommendatory Letters for the encouragement of a standing Lottery for the benefit of the Plantation which accordingly succeeded and in two or three years time turn'd to no bad account And perhaps the cancelling and making void of the Patent granted to the Corporation of the first Colony of Virginia and all other Patents by which the said Corporation or Company of Adventurers of Virginia held any interest there which was done in Trinity Term 1623 by reason of several misdemeanors and miscarriages objected against the said Corporation was an inlet of a far greater conflux into these parts than otherwise would have been by reason that this Corporation been dissolved and the Plantation governed be persons immediately appointed by commission from the King a greater freedom of Trade was opened to all his Majesties Subjects that would adventure into those parts The greatest disturbance the English received from the Natives was in the year 1622 when by a general insurrection of the Barbarians 300 of our men were massacred In the year 1631 being the 7th of the Reign of King Charles the First the most Nothernly part of this Countrey was parcell'd out into a particular Province and by Patent granted to the Lord Baltâ—more by the name of Maryland And in like manner in the 15th year of his present Majesty being the year of our Lord 1663 that part of Florida which lies South of Virginia to Edw. Earl of Clarendon then Lord High Chancellor of England George Duke of Albermarl William Earl of Craven Iohn Lord Berkley Anthony Lord Ashly now Earl of Shaftsbury Sir George Carteret Sir William Berkley and Sir Iohn Colleton by the name of Carolina as is specified more at large in the particular discourses of these two Countreys So that Virginia as it now stands with these two Provinces lopt from it for in Carolina also is included some part of the Land which belonged formerly to the dissolved Company of Virgina extends it self only between 36 and 37 degrees and 50 minutes of Northern latitude being bounded to the East by the Ocean to the North by Mary-land to the West by the South-Seas and to the South by Carolina The Air of Virginia is accounted of a temperature very wholsome and agreeable to English constitutions especially since by the cutâ—ng down of the Woods and the regulation of diet the seasonings have been abated only within the present limits of Virginia it is somewhat hotter in Summer than that part called Mary-Land and the seasoning was formerly more violent and dangerous here to the English at their first landing The Soil which is generally plain but sometimes diversified with variety of hill and dale is capable being very fertile of producing all things that naturally grow in these parts besides which there are of the proper growth of this Countrey a sort of Plant called Silk-grass of which is made a very fine Stuff of a silky gloss and cordage more strong and lasting than any of hemp or flax For fruits the Mettaquâ—sunanks something resembling the Indian Fig the Chechinquamins which come nearest to the Chesnut the Putchcamines a fruit somewhat like a Damsin Messamines a sort of Grape in shew Rawcomens the resemblance of a Gooseberry Morocoks not much unlike a Strawberry Macoquer a kind of Apple Ocoughtanamnis a berry much like Câ—pers For Roots Musquaspen with the juice whereof being a rich sort of paint they colour their Mars and Targets Wichsacan yielding a most excellent healing jâ—ice for wounds Pocones an emulgent of much efficacy for swellings and aches Tockawaugh frequently â—aten there is also a Plant called Matonna of which they make bread and Assament a sort of Pulse a great delicacy among the natives The Beasts peculiar to this Countrey are the Opassum a certain beast which carrieth and suckleth her young in a bag which she hath under her belly the Assapanic or flying Squirrel the Mussascus a musk-sented beast having the shape of a Water-rat the Aroughena a sort of Badger the Utchuâ—quâ—is somewhat like a wild Cat also a sort of beast called Roscones Of Fish the most peculiar is the Sâ—ringraise which is also common to this Countrey with New-England So many several Towns as were anciently among the natives so many distinct Nations there were all Monarchical except that of the Sesquahanocks all something differing in disposition customs and religious Ceremonies and most of all in language but all of them in general valiant well-set of a tawny complexion with black flaggy and long hair crafty and treacherous sufficiently laborious in the art of War which they used frequently to exercise among each other and wonderful lovers of hunting in other things most scandalously lazy and indulgent to their ease mean in their apparel homely in their diet and sluttish in their houses All Ships that come to Virginia and Mary-Land enter through the Bay of Chesapeac at whose opening to the South Virginia begins between those famous Capes Cape Henry and Cape Charles Into this Bay which runs up 75 Leagues Northward into the Coâ—ntrey and is in some places seven leagues broad there fall
it hath been formerly accounted they should differ much from those of Virginia Yet there is a sort of fruit called a Persimon mentioned as most especially belonging to Mary-Land and among Birds one named the Mock-bird from its imitation of all other Singing-birds which differing among themselves in the mixture of their colours that which is black and yellow is called Baltemore-bird from the colour of his Lordships Coat of Arms which are Or and Sable excelling in beauty all the other sorts The same is to be said of the complections customs dispositions government c. of the Natives of this Province as of those of Virginiâ— and other adjacent parts that is in brief thaâ— they are somewhat tawny their hair long black and uncurl'd but cut into fantastical forms more ingenious and docile than industrious each Town a distinct Nation and govern'd by iâ—s several Weroance or King only the Sesquaâ—anocks are a Republick As the Province is now inhabited by the English it is divided into ten Districts or Counties five on the Eastern-shore of the Bay of Chespeack namely Dorchester Somerset Kent Caecil and Talbot and five on the West side of the Bay St. Maries where the Provincial Court or chief Court of Iudicature consisting of Governor and Consiliar Iudges is held every quarter of a year Anne Arundel Baltemore Charles and Calvert The chief Rivers of this Country are Patowmec Patuxent Ann Arundel alias Severn Sasquesahanough Choptank Nantecoke Pocomoke besides others of less note of those mentioned the first four on the West side the other three to the East fall into Cheâ—apeack Bay which is navigable for 200 miles and which between two Capes Cape Charles to the North and Cape Henry to the South being seven or eight leagues distant receives all the Ships that come for Virginia or Mary-Land and passeth Northernly through the midst of Mary-Land On the Eastern shore of this Bay are divers convenient Harbours Creeks and Islands and Northward thereof is the entrance of Delaware Bay The original Seat and Principal City of this Province where the Provincial Courts the general Assembly the Secretaries office and other publick offices are held and where the seat of Trade is fixt is St. Maries situate in St. Maries County on the East-side of St. Georges River Here formerly at the Palace of St. Iohns the Governor Mr. Charles Calvert used to reside but he hath now a very pleasant and commodious habitation at a place called Mattapany upon the River Patuxent about eight miles from St. Maries here is also another fair house where the Chancellor usually resides There were also some years since in all the rest of the Counties the foundations of Towns laid which no doubt by this time are very near if not altogether compleated particularly in Calvert County near the River Patuxent 1. Calverton in Battle-creek 2. Harvy Town over against Point Patience 3. Herington upon the Cliffs As for the present Government of Mary-Land by the English the Lord Proprietor in the first place is invested as hath been mentioned with an absolute power and dominion by whose sole command all things relating to peace or War are ordered and in whose name issue forth all publick Instruments Patents Warrants Writs c. In the enacting of Laws he hath the consent and advice of the general Assembly which is made up of two Estates the first consisting of his Lorships Privy Council of which the Chancellor and Secretary alwaies are and such Lords of Manors as are called by his special Writ the other of the Deputies of each Province elected by the free voice of the Free-holders of the respective Province for which each Deputy is chosen The names of the present Governor the prime Officers of State and the rest of his Lordships Privy Council are as followeth the Governor Mr. Charles Calvert his Lordships Son and Heir the Chancellor Mr. Philip Calvert his Lordships Brother the Secretary Sr. William Talbot the Muster-Master General Mr. William Calvert Mr. Baker Brook all three his Lordships Nephews the Surveyor General Mr. Ierome White Mr. Edw. Lloyd Mr. Henry Coursy Mr. Thomas Trueman Major Edward Fitz-Herbert Mr. Samuel Chew Vast quantities of Tobacco the grand Trade of this Province of Mary-Land are yearly vended from hence not only in England but likewise in several of the other English Plantations besides the importation also of some other commodities to the great improvement of his Majesties Revenue by Custom and Excise The common way of traffick here is by barter or trucking of commodities one for anotherr though money is not altogether wanting as well of the coin of England and other parts as of his Lordships own Coin being stampt on the one side with his Lordships Coat of Arms with this circumscription Crescite Multiplicamini and on the other side with his Effigies and this circumscription Caecilius Dominus Terrae Mariae c. The Description of New-England WHat hath been said in General of the discovery of Virginia largely so called may in consequence be applyed to this Country of New-England being as above mentioned one of the three principal Colonies comprehended therein but in the year 1602 it began to be more particularly known a part from the rest from the discovery as some think of Captain Gosnold and in the year 1606 it was granted by Patent by King Iames to divers Lords and Gentlemen under the denomination of the Plymouth Company yet after that several that set out for this Plantation successively either miscarried or returned re infecta as first Captain Henry Chaloung who meeting with the Spanish Fleet that came from the Havana was with all his Company carried Prisoner into Spain Not long after Thomas â— Haman sent to the succour of Chaloung by Sr. Iohn Popham Lord cheif Iustice of England Next Captain Prinne set out by the Bristol Company whose Voyage though it had not its wisht success yet he returned with a farther discovery of the Coast than had been made before Not long after George Popham and Raleigh Gilbert were fitted out at the charge of Sir Iohn Popham with one hundred men who though they had seated themselves not uncommodiously in a Peninsula at the mouth of the River Sagadahoc and were upon making farther discoveries yet in the year 1608 upon the death of George Popham their Commander and soon after of the Lord Chief Iustice they returned into England notwithstanding supplies had but lately been sent them to the very great distaste of the chief promoters of the design and whereupon the French had taken occasion to plant themselves in these parts had they not been timely expelled by Sr. Samuel Argal from Virginia The next that attempted a settlement here was Captain Hobson who by reason of the opposition raised against him by two Natives whom having been detained some while in England he took back along with him upon an affront offered them by some of the English was forc't to return without effecting of any thing
and principal are the Wild Bee as they call it which building habitacles like Cobwebs among the Vine leaves guards the Grapes The Gurnipper which no bigger than a flea bites also like a flea though somewhat more rancorously and lives but three weeks The Musqueto which lives chiefly in thick woods or swamps scarcely induring wind or excess of cold or heat but in thick close weather and against rain it raiseth where it bites a venomous kind of itching The ancient Inhabitants of this part of the Country were formerly divided into several Tribes or petty Nations the chief whereof were East and North-East the Churchers and Tarentines Southward the Pequods and Naragansetts Westward the Canectacuts and Mawhacks North-West the Aberginians all which people how different from each other in nature and disposition in so small a compass of ground is wonderfull to imagine the Mawhacks most bloudy savage and man-eaters The Tarentines little less cruel but not Canibals The Aberginians more mild innocent and harmless c. But in religious Ceremonies Habit Civil manner of Government Marriages Burials Ingenuity in Arts and Manufactures Games and Exercises not materially differing Among the rest which it would be too tedious here to insist upon it is observable that the figures of Beasts and other things described upon their bodies are not described by superficial painting but by incision and impunction of colours between the skin and the flesh What Provinces this Country was anciently divided into I find not otherwise than accoâ—ding to the several Tribes or people already mentioned Only there is peculiar mention made of the Province of Laconia now inalrged into a greater called the Province of Main and much about the same either more or less with the Country of the Troquois anciently so called The name of Laconia seems derived from those Lakes which are the most noted if not only ones of New-England but since is one grand one named the Lake of Trequois made by the River Sagadahoc and said to contain 60 Leagues in length and 40 in breadth in which Connent there are about four or five pretty large Islands The Rivers of this Country are Tamescot Agomentico Nansic Conecticut Sagadahoc Apanawapesk Merimec Pascatâ—way Newishwavoc Mistic Neraganset Pemnaquid Ashamahaga Tachobacco the most of which have English denominations and among the rest Chirâ—s River The number of well built Towns is far greater here than in any of the rest of his Maâ—esties American Plantations by reason it was so numerously peopled from the very first time of its settlement The first is Boston by the Indians called Accomonticus the principal Town or City and chief seat of Government secured with three hills whereon strong Fo â—â—s are raised 2. St. Georges Fort the first place where any Plantation was setled being at the mouth of the River Sagadahoc 3. New Plymouth the first Rendezvous of our Nonconformists sâ—ated on the Bay of Pawtuxed 4. Mahumbec or Salem delightfully seated on a neck of Land between two Rivers 5. Mashawnut or Charles Town seated on an Isthmus or neck of Land on the North of a River called Charles River and through a part of which the River Mestic runs it is adorned with a handsome Church and a fair Market place near the River side 6. Roxbury a pleasant place for fruitful Gardens and fresh Springs between Boston and 7. Dorchester no less pleasant for Gardens and Orchards and watered with two small Rivers though standing near the Sea-side 8. Pigsgusset or Water Town upon one of the branches of the River Charles 9. Linne by the Indians named Saugus between Salem and Charles Town 10. Amoncangen or New-Town now Cambridge built in the year 1633 between Charles-Town and Water-Town on the River Merimec it is the only University of New-England having two Colledges and was once the seat of Government 11. Sawacatus or Ipswich seated on a pleasant River in the Sagamoreship of Aggawan now called Esâ—x 12. Newbury 12 miles from Ipswich near Merimec River 13. Hartford built by the people of Cambridge 14. Concord seated upon a branch of the River Merimec 15. Hingham a Sea-coast Town South-East of Charles River 16. Dukesbury alias Sandwich situate also upon the Sea-coast in Plymouth Government 17. Newhaven built in the year 1637 by a new supply near the shalles of Capecod 18. Dedham in the County of Suffolk 12 miles from Boston 19. Wâ—ymouth a Sea-Town 20. Rowâ—y 6 miles North-East from Ipswich 21. Hamptou built in the year 1639 in the County of Norfolk near the Sea-coast 22. Salisbury overagainst Newbury on the other side the River Merimec 23. Aguwon or Southampton built in the year 1640 by a supply that settled in long Island 24. Sudbury built in the same year 25 Braintre buâ—lt at Mount Wollaston by some old Planters of Boston 26. Glocester built in the year 1641 by Mr. Riâ—hard Blindman at Cape Anne 27. Dover situate upon Pascatoway 〈◊〉 North-East of Bâ—ston 28. Wâ—burn built in the year 1642. 29. Reading built in the year 1644. 30. Wenham in the Matachusetts Government between Salem and Ipswich 31. Springfield built in the year 1645 by Mr. Pinchin conveniently for a brave trade with the Indians upon the River Canectico 32. Haverhill founded in the year 1648 and not long after 33. Malden by some that came out of Charles Town which lies over against it on the other side the River Mistic 34. Oxford alias Sagoquas 35. Falmouth alias Totum 36. Bristol 37. Hull alias Passataquac 38. Dartmouth alias Bohanna 39. Exeter 40. Greens Harbour 41. Taunton alias Cohannet 42. Norwich alias Segocket 43. Northam alias Pascataqua 44. Yarmouth 45. Berwick NEW ENGLAND and NEW YORK The Description of New-Neatherlands now called new-New-York NOvum Belgium or New-Netherland now called New-York was first discovered by Henry Hudson Aun 1609 at the charge of the East-India Company but in regard he return'd without leaving any men upon the place the Dutch in the year 1614 under Adrian Block and Godyn began to plant themselves there and doubtless had soon setled themselves upon a double pretence first as finding the place not pre-possest and therefore free for any that would enter next as having contracted with Hadson for his interest and bought all his Charts and Instruments had not Sir Samuel Argal then Governor of Virginia disputed the business with them And upon a serious debate and conference with them about it wherein he alledged that Hudson being a Subject of the King of England and acting solely by his commission had not power to alienate any Countrey he discovered for the King his Master without his Majesties consent but that this Countrey more especially belonged to him as his own Dominion being accounted part of the Province of Virginia he brought them to acknowledge the King of England's Title and to submit to the holding of the Countrey as feodatory of the Crown of England and under the Government of Virginia Yet this compliance was not of a very long
continuance for upon the expectation of a new Governor they fell back into their first principles and made no scruple to usurp the whole Soveraignty and to denominate it their own called it by the name of Novum Belgium or the New Neatherlands and moreover they fell to building of Towns and Forts the Town they erected they called New Amsterdam their first Fort Fort-Orange after which they raised another by the name of Fort-Amsâ—el However these proceedings upon complaints made to his late Majesty and by him represented to the States of Holland were absolutely disowned by them and wholly laid upon the East-India Company of Amsterdam upon which the most Northernly part toward New-England was by his Majesty granted by Patent to Sir Edmund Loiden by the name of Nova Albion the most Southernly toward Virginia to Sir George Calvert now Lord Baltimore by the name of Mary-Land and the Dutch upon some consideration agreed on were forthwith to have quitted the place yet for all this as the custom of this people is never to let go any opportunity that serves their turn whether by right or wrong taking advantage of the unhappy dissentions and civil wars that soon after hapned in this Nation they not only stood upon higher demands than were at first agreed on but also endeavoured to stir up the Natives against the English that they might have the better opportunity to fix themselves In this state things remained till his present Majesty after his restauration resolving to make a full determination of his right to these parts sent three Men of War by whom New Amsterdam being easily reduc'd the Countrey came thenceforth into the sole possession of the English and was immediately together with Long Island conferr'd by his Majesty upon the Duke of York by the tâ—tle of York-shire which hath now quite swallowed up that of New Neatherland the name of New Amsterdam being chang'd into that of New York of Fort-Orange into Fort-Albany of Fort-Amscel into Fort-Iames Moreover the Patent of Mary-Land hath been by his present Majesty renewed and confirmed to Cecil Lord Baltemore by whose extraordinary care and promotion it hath been of late advanc'd to a very populous well regulated and thriving Pianâ—ation as is observed more at large in the description of the Province of Mary-Land This Countrey of New York-shire contains all that tract of Land lying between New England which bounds it to the North-east and Virginia or rather Mary-Land which bounds it to the South-west extending from the 38 th degree and an half of Northern latitude to the 41 st and 15 min. The bredth of it about 200 miles Within this tract of Land are three Island Muâ—â— hatans Island in which stands the Town of New-York Long Island and Staten Island The temperature of the Climate fertility of the Soil and productions of the Earth differ not materially from New England and other adjacent parts The principal Rivers are three Hudson's River formerly nam'd Manhattes by the Dutch Nassorius or Noordt River one branch whereof called Hell-gate empties it self over against the Isle of Manhetâ—n or Isle of Nuts near new-New-York another at May-Port or the Port of Cornelius May. 2. Zuid River the same as I take it which is also by some term'd Raritan 3. Delaware-Bay River 4. Afterskull The only noted Town of New York-shire was built by the Dutch by the title of New Amsterdam though now wholly changed into that of New-York in the neck of the Island of Manhatans with very fair Streets and well-built Houses For the security of this Town on one side thereof is a Fort which was at first term'd Fort-Amscel now Iames Fort. This Town is govern'd by a Mayor Aldermen a Sheriff and Iustices of the Peace The nature and complexion of the native Inhabitants differ not much from those of the Flâ—ridans but their customs habits and ceremonies in Religion are not altogether the same They observe no set-meals but eat as oft as their appetite serves their Sappaen which is Indian Wheat stampt and boyled to pap is a great dish with them Men turn away their Wives upon the least occasion imaginable and marry again nor scruples any one to marry a woman that hath been lain wâ—th befoâ—e when a single woman Both men and women wear a girdle of Whale-sins and Sea-shells the men putting half an ell of cloath three quarters broad between their legs so as that a square piece hangs before over his belly another below behind his back The women wear a coat that reaches half way down their legs curiously wrought with Sea-shells and for an upper garment they have a large Dear-skin the lappets whereof hang full of points button'd on the right shoulder and tied about the middle The men go bare-headed the women tying their hair behind in a tuft wear over it a square-cap wrought with Sea-shells of which they also wear chains and bracelets about their middle neck and arms the men paint their faces with several colours the women use only here and there a black spot their usual painting colours are either the Iuices prest out of several Plants or the fine ground powders of certain curious coloured Stones the chief of these plants hath a great resemblance to a myrtle especially in its leaves out of the red berry of this plant a juice is squeezed and dried in the Sun and preserved for ordinary use in bags when they have occasion to use it they temper it with water producing the richest purple colour that can be imagined they use pleated hair which being coloured red hath a fine gloss in stead of feathers It is observable in their religious worship that in the midst of their sorceries and diabolical ceremonies the Devil whom alone they worship as the regent of mischief and sitting president in every bodily pain and therefore most proper to be sought and oblig'd is said to appear in the shape of a wild or tame beast informing them obscurely of things to come and portending if the first bad if the last good fortune Yet they acknowledge a God who living in profound bliss not troubling himself with humane affairs solaceth himself with a Goddess of most surpassing beauty and the Mother of all terrestrial creatures Moreover they believe that the souls of those that have lived well here are translated after their decease to some Southern Clime where they live in utmost pleasure and delight whereas the souls of the wicked are hurried up and down in a miserable vagrancy Remarkable also is the manner of their proceeding against Criminals condemned to death which is to hunt them like wild beasts into the woods whither in stead of being committed to Prison they are forced or rather suffered to fly as soon as he is discovered the King having first shot if he miss the rest follow and happy is he who hath the fortune to give the Malefactor his deaths-shot for he is sure to be made a Captain or some eminent Commander in the Wars
of his Counsel which are in stead of our House of Peers and the Burgesses elected by the Free-men two out of each Parish For the execution of Iustice here are held five Sessions yearly The present Governor is the Right Honourable William Lord Willoughby of Parham The Description of Florida FLorida a pleasant and spacious Countrey was so called by the Spaniards whereas the ancient name was Irquassa because to Iuan Ponce de Leon the first of that Nation that steered his course toward this Coast it gave landing in 1512 on Palm-Sunday which they call Pascha de Flores or Florida Pascha though it had been formerly discovered viz. Ann. 1497. by Sâ—bastion Cabot by the encouragement of K. Henry the 7th of England Ponce by reason of the resistance of the Natives being soon forc'd to quit the place and dying not long after of a wound he received in one of his encounters not many years after Lucas Vasques de Aylon arriving with two Ships was courteously entertained by a King of the Countrey and well he requited him for at his departure he treacherously hoisted Sail with divers of the Indians whom he carried with him captives to work in the Mines at Hispaniola but it thrived with him accordingly when having obtained the Government of Florida he was beaten out with the loss of one Ship and about 200 of his men this notwithstanding discouraged not Pamphilus Nervaes from making another attempt who after many strange adventures losses and hazards at length lost himself it being never known what became of him and of 80 that accompanied him but 4 escap'd to return home alive Much more remarkable and puissant and more destructive to the poor Indians of whom many thousands were slaughtered was the expedition of Ferdinando Soto Ann. 1534. who nevertheless after many losses died therein and his successor Ludovico de Alvarado was forc'd to an hasty retreat in which he lost half his Army upon hopes therefore of better success in the two following expeditions of the Spaniards Religion was thought fit to be joyned with political interest and first with Pietro Albumada were sent five Dominicans who from the jealous Indians not understanding they were design'd Converts to the Christian Faith meeting only with such usage as made them pass for Marâ—yrs three Iesuits next Petrus Martinius Ioannes Rogerus and Franciscus Villaregius went with Pietro Menendez whom such a storm encountred in the very landing that the Ship being driven to Cuba those that were left on Shore perish'd with hunger However of so many landings as had at several times been made by the Spaniards some footing notwithstanding all misfortunes could not but be made in the place Enough it seems to disturb the following approaches of the French of whom Iean Riâ—ald and Rene Laudoniere being the first that discovered those Coasts had at several efforts their men totally cut off by the Spaniards yet at last they were met with by Dominic de Gourgues a Gascoigner who in the year 1567 in revenge of his Countrey-men of whom divers were hang'd and especially of the death of Ribaut who is said to have been flead alive ventur'd of his own accord to make thither with three Ships well mann'd with Souldiers and Sea-men and with the help of divers Casicks of the Countrey ingaged to his Party by Pierre du Bre the only French-man that escaping the Massacre of the Spaniards in Laudonieres attempt was left alive in the place took from them Fort Carolina and two other Forts hanged divers Spaniards on the same trees whereon they had hung the French and return'd with honour though not without sufficient trouble to clear himself of the boldness of such an uncommissioned exploit After this we hear not of any other adventures of the French in this part of America however there fell not long after a terrible storm upon the Spaniards here from the English under Captain Drake who An. 1585. returning from the sacking of Domingo and Carthagena and as he sail'd along that Coast having intelligence of the state of the Spaniards and firing his great Guns against the Fort St. Iohn forc'd them to quit both that and the City St. Augustine which finding totally deserted he entred and seizing on a Chest of 2000 l. and 14 Brass-Guns he return'd to his Ships and contented with his prize hoisted Sail. Since which they have met with little or no disturbance but remained quiet in those Colonies they possess besides which there hath been found space enough of the Countrey for the parcelling out into a peculiar Province which hath been done of late years by his present Majesty and granted by Patent to several Noble and Honourable persons of his Subjects by the name of Carolina as is mentioned more at large in the peculiar description thereof This Countrey of Florida lying South-west of of Virginia extends from the 30 some say the 25 to the 50 degree of Northern Latitude if we consider the extent as it was before 〈◊〉 was taken out of it and is bounded South and South-west with the Gulph of Mâ—xico and Mâ—â— Virginium full West with part of New Gallicia and other Countreys not yet thoroughly discovered North-East with Virginia or rather with Carolina which being now separated 〈◊〉 a Province by it self lies between Florida and Virginia The temperature of the Air of this Countrey is such that Carolina which having been accounted a part of it cannot be thought to differ much in constitution of Climate is generally reputed not only one of the best Colonies the English possess but for health pleasure and profit comparable to if not transcending any part of America beside The richness of the 〈◊〉 meeting with such a temperature of Air as hath been observ'd must needs produce very delicious fruits as well of those kinds that are frequent with us as Apples Pears Plums Cherriâ—s Apricocks Peaches Grapes c. as those peculiar to the Countrey of which I find the 〈◊〉 most especially taken notice of The ancient Inhabitants of Florida are of an Olive colour of a full stature and well proportioned with long black hair reaching down below their wasts which are tied about with the skins of hunted Beasts adorn'd with divers coloured feathers hanging down to their knees else naked only having their bare arms back brest and legs exquisitely painted their women most especially are esteemed very handsome and of an excellent shape which by their going so naked appears to the greater advantage They are crafty ingenâ—ous exquisite dissemblers revengeful and frequent in warlike consultations held in the Kings Palace where he himself sits Arbiter and directer Their warlike Arms are chiefly Bow and Arrows which pointed with fish-bones they carry in quivers by their side They have a gross belief of the souls immortality but the Ceremonies of their Religion are bruitishly barbarous and bloody their victories horrid cruelty to prisoners and burial of their dead attended with many strange and extravagant fancies and conceits There