matters his principal care was to avoid the storm of the Danish war which he saw hanging over him and even to purchase a Peace On this occasion he made Adalbert Archbishop of Hamburg his instrument For Adam Bremensis says There was a perpetual quarrel between Sueno and the Bastard but our Arch-bishop being brib'd to it by William made it his business to strike up a peace between the two Kings And indeed 't is very probable there was one concluded for from that time England was never apprehensive of the Danes William however made it his whole business to maintain the dignity of his government and to settle the Kingdom by wholsome laws For Gervasius Tilburiensis tells us That after the famous Conqueror of England King William had subdued the furthest parts of the Island and brought down the Rebels hearts by dreadful examples lest they might be in a condition of making outrages for the future he resolved to bring his Subjects under the obedience of written laws Whereupon laying before him the Laws of England according to their threefold division that is Merchanlage Denelage and West-Sexenlage some of them he laid aside but approved others and added to them such of the foreign Norman Laws as he found most conducive to the peace of the Kingdom Next as we are assured by Ingulphus who lived at that time he made all the inhabitants of England do him homage and swear fealty to him against all â—â—hers He took a survey of the whole nation so that there was not a single Hide of land through all England but he knew both the value of it and its owner Not a lake or any other place whatsoever but it was registred in the King's Rolls with its revenue rent tenure and owner according to the relation of certain taxers who were picked out of each County to describe the places belonging to it This Roll was called the Roll of Winchester and by the English Domesday Domesday-book called by Gervasius Tilburiensis Laher Judiciarius as being an universal and exact account of every tenement in the whole nation I the rather make mention of this Book because I shall have occasion to quote it hereafter under the name of William's Tax-book The Notice of England the Cessing-book of England The publick Acts and The Survey of England But as to Polydore Virgil's assertion that William the Conqueror first brought in the Jury of Twelve Jury of 12. there is nothing can be more false For 't is plain from Ethelred's Laws that it was used many years before that Nor can I see any reason why he should call it a terrible Jury Twelve men Twelve men who are Freeholders and qualified according to Law are picked out of the Neighbourhood these are bound by oath to give in their real opinion as to matter of fact they hear the Council on both sides plead at the Bar and the evidence produced then they take along with them the depositions of both parties are close confined deny'd meat drink and fire till they can agree upon their verdict unless want of these may endanger some of their lives As soon as they have delivered it in he gives sentence according to law And this method was looked upon by our wise Forefathers to be the best for discovering truth hindering bribes and cutting off all partiality How great the Norman courage was I refer you to other writers I shall only observe The Warlike courage of the Normans that being seated in the midst of warlike Nations they never made submission their refuge but always arms By force of these they possessed themselves of the noble Kingdoms of England and Sicilie For Tancred * Nepeâ— Nephew to Richard the Second Duke of Normandy and his Successors did many glorious exploits in Italy drove out the Saracens and set up there a Kingdom of their own So that a Sicilian Historian ingenuously confesses that the Sicilians enjoying their native Soil Th. Fazâ—llus lib. 6. Decadis Posterioris their Freedom and Christianity is entirely owing to the Normans Their behaviour also in the wars of the Holy land got them great honour Which gave Roger Hoveden occasion to say That bold France after she had experienced the Norman valour drew back fierce England submitted rich Apulia was restored to her flourishing condition famous Jerusalem and renowned Antioch were both subdued Since that time England has been equal for warlike exploits and genteel Education to the most flourishing nations of the Christian world The English Guards to the Emperors of Constantinople So that the English have been peculiarly made choice of for the Emperor of Constantinople's guards For as our country man Malmsbury has told us he very much admired their fidelity and recommended them to his son as men deserving of respect and they were formerly for many years together the Emperor's guards Nicetas Choniata calls them Inglini Bipenniferi and Curopalata Barangi Barangi These attended the Emperor where-ever he went with halberts upon their shoulders as often as he stir'd abroad out of his closet and pray'd for his long life clashing their halberts one against another to make a noise As to the blot which Chalcondilas Chaâ—condilas has cast upon our nation of having wives in common truth it self wipes it off and confronts the extravagant vanity of the Grecian For as my most learned and excellent Friend Ortelius has observed upon this very subject Things related by any persons concerning others are not always true These are the People which have inhabited Britain whereof there remain unto this day the Britains the Saxons or Angles with a mixture of Normans and towards the North the Scots Whereupon the two Kingdoms of this Island England and Scotland which were long divided are now in the most potent Prince King JAMES happily united under one Imperial Diadem It is not material here to take notice of the Flemings who about four hundred years ago came over hither In the County 〈◊〉 Pembâ—â—â—â— and got leave of the King to settle in Wales since we shall mention them in another place Let us then conclude this part with that of Seneca From hence it is manifest De Conâ—latioâ—â— Albiâ—â— that nothing has continued in its primitive state There 's a continual floating in the affairs of mankind In this vast orb there are daily revolutions new foundations of cities laid new names given to nations either by the utter ruine of the former or by its change into that of a more powerful party And considering that all these nations which invaded Britain were Northern as were also others who about that time overran Europe and after it Asia Nicephorus's Nicephorus observation founded upon the authority of Scripture is very true As God very often sends terrors upon men from heaven such are thunder fire and storms and from earth as opening of the ground and earthquakes as also out of the air such as whirlwinds and immoderate
being still Justiciary as before His Wife died this year MCCLXXXI Adam Cusak younger kill'd William Barret and many others in Conaught Frier Stephen Fulborn was made Justiciary of Ireland The Lord Robert d'Ufford return'd into England MCCLXXXII This Year Moritagh and Arte Mac-Murgh his Brother were slain at Arclowe on S. Mary Magdalen Eve And Roger Lord Mortimer died MCCLXXXIII The City of Dublin was in part burnt and the Belfrey of Trinity Church upon the third day before the Nones of January MCCLXXXIV The Castle of Ley was taken and burnt by the petty Kings of Offaly the morrow after S. Barnaby's Day Alphonsus the King's Son twelve years old departed this Life MCCLXXXV The Lord Theobald le Botiller died on the 6th of the Kalends of October in the Castle of Arclowe and was buried there in the Convent of the Friers Predicants Gerald Fitz Maurice was taken Prisoner by his own Irish Subjects in Ofaly with Richard Petit and S. Deget and many others and at Rathode was a great slaughter MCCLXXXVI Le Norragh and Arstol with other Towns were successively burnt by William Stanton on the 16th of the Kalends of December About this time Eleanor Queen of England mother of King Edward took a religious habit at Ambresbury upon the day of S. Thomas's translation having her dower confirmed by the Pope and assur'd to her for ever Calwagh was taken Prisoner at Kildare The Lord Thomas Clare departed this Life MCCLXXXVII This year died Stephen Fulborn Archbishop of Tuam and was succeeded in the Office of Justiciary for a Time by John Sampford Archbishop of Dublin This year the King of Hungary renounc'd Christianity and turned Apostate and having fraudulently assembled his Nobility under pretence of a Parliament Miramomelius a potent Saracen came upon them with an Army of 20000 men and took the King and all the Christians there away prisoners on S. John Baptist's eve As the Christians were carried along the weather turn'd cloudy and a tempest of Hail fell suddenly and killed many thousands of the Infidels So the Christians return'd to their own homes and the Apostate King went alone with the Saracens The Hungarians crown'd his Son King and continued in the Catholick Faith MCCLXXXIX Tripoly a famous City was demolish'd after great effusion of Christian blood by the Sultan of Babylon Who commanded the Images of the Saints to be dragg'd at the horses tails through the ruinous City in contempt of Christ MCCXC Inclyta stirps Regis sponsis datur ordine legis The issue of the King becomes a Spouse The Lord Gilbert Clare took to Wife the Lady Joan de Acon a daughter of our Lord King Edward in the Abby of Westminster and the marriage was celebrated in May And John the Duke of Brabant's son married Margaret the said King's daughter also in the Church aforesaid in July This year the Lord William Vescie was made Justiciary of Ireland and enter'd upon the Office on S. Martin's day Item O Molaghelin King of Meth was this year slain MCCXCI Gilbert Clare the son of Gilbert and the Lady Joan de Acon was born on the 11th of May betimes in the morning Item there was an army led into Ulster against O Hanlan and other Princes that had broke the Peace by Richard Earl of Ulster and William Vescie Justiciary of Ireland Item The Lady Eleanor formerly Queen of England and mother of King Edward died this year on S. John's day after a laudable life spent four years eleven months and six days in a religious habit as she had desir'd in the Abby of Ambresbury where she was a profess'd Nun. Item the news came to our Lord Pope Martin on the eve of S. Mary Magdalen concerning the city of Acon in the Holy Land which was the only place of refuge for the Christians that it was besieg'd by Mislkadar the Sultan of Babylon with a numerous army He besieg'd it hotly for about forty days viz. from the 8th day before the Ides of April till the 15th before the Kalends of July At last the Wall was pull'd down by the Saracens and they entred the city in great numbers many Christians being slain and some drown'd in the sea for fear Among whom was the Patriarch and his Train The King of Cyprus and Oto de Grandison escap'd in a ship with their followers Item This year the Lord Pope Martin granted our Lord King Edward the tenth of all Ecclesiastical Benefices in Ireland for seven years together as a supply towards a relief for the Holy Land Item the eldest son of the Earl of Clare was born the same year MCCXCII Edward King of England again entred Scotland and was chosen King John Lord Balliol of Gallweya obtain'd the whole Kingdom of Scotland by right of inheritance and did homage to our Lord Edward King of England at Newcastle upon Tine on S. Stephen's day Florentius Earl of Holland Robert Brus Earl of Carrick John Hastings John Comin Patrick de Dunbar John Vescie Nicholas Souls and William Roos who were then at difference in the said Kingdom submitted themselves to the judgment of King Edward Item A fifteenth of all the Goods of Laymen in Ireland was granted to our Lord the King of England to be collected on the Feast of S. Michael Item Sir Peter Genevile Knight died this year Item Rice ap Meredyke was brought to York and there dragg'd at the horses tails c. MCCXCIII A general and open war was this year waged at sea with the Normans Item no small number of the Normans was cut off in a sea-engagement by the Barons of the Ports of England and others their coadjutors between Easter and Whitsuntide For this a war broke out between England and France whereupon Philip King of France directed his letters of citation to the King of England to appear in person at his Parliament to answer what the King had to say to him but finding no compliance with this order he forthwith by the counsel of his Parliament declar'd him outlaw'd and condemn'd him Item Gilbert Clare Earl of Glocester and his wife came into Ireland about the feast of S. Luke MCCXCIV William Montfort in the King's Council holden at Westminster before the King died suddenly He was Dean of S. Paul's in London The Bishops and Clergy who doubted what the King would expect from every one of them had instructed him as a person whom the King would confide in what to signifie from them to him as soon as he return'd to the King and was addressing himself to speak as he had design'd he grew speechless fell down and was carried out by the King's servants in a miserable condition Upon this sight people grew fearful and began to take him for the great procurer of the tenths of ecclesiastical benefices to the King and of the scrutiny and search after the fold of Christ as also of the contributions granted the King afterward Item The city of Bordeaux with the adjacent country of Gascoign was taken
be Bernwaled unknown to me who he was So is also that of the fifteenth only it was an eminent name amongst them as was also Aethelstan on the sixteenth That upon the seventeenth is likely to be of that valiant and noble Viceroy of Mercia married to the King's daughter Ethelfleda a woman of admirable wisdom courage and zeal in sum a daughter worthy of such a father The eighteenth is of Edward Senior that victorious and glorious son and successor of King Aelfred equal to his father in valour and military skill but inferiour to him in learning and knowledge His actions are sufficient for a volume On his head is a close or imperial crown born by few if any other besides the Kings of England The reverse is Leofwine or Lincoln The twenty third Beornwald I rather read it Deorwald i.e. Deirorum sylva York-woulds the chief Town whereof was Beverly And the rather because of the twenty fourth Diora Moneta which seems to be the money of the Deiri or Yorkshire-men The rest of the Coins of this Prince are easily understood The names upon the reverses seem to have been Noblemen or Governors The twenty fifth is remarkable for the spelling Jedword the reverse is Arnerin on Eoferwic i.e. York The twenty sixth hath the reverse Othlric on Ring which might be Ringhornan in Lancashire a large Town one of the eight built by his sister Ethelflede Of the twenty seventh I do not understand the reverse The twenty eighth is of that most famous and worthy King Aethelstan the true progeny of such a father and grandfather In his youth his grandfather King Aelfred saw such a spirit and indoles in him that he foretold if it should please God that he came to the Crown he would perform very great actions for the good of his country and he made him also I think the first that we read to have received that honour in this nation a Knight and gave him ornaments accordingly the more likely because Aelfred also order'd the robes and ceremonies of the Coronation This Prince extended his Victories Northward even into Scotland Which countreys till his time were never peaceably settled because the two nations Saxons and Danes mingled together in their habitations and yet having several Kings and Laws could never be long in quiet Upon the borders of Scotland he fought one of the most terrible battles that ever was in England against Anlaf King of Ireland Constantine King of Scotland and a very mighty and numerous Army Wherein were said to be slain five Kings seven Earls or chief Commanders besides vast numbers of inferior Officers and Soldiers Authors say that King Aethelstan's valiant Chancellor and General Turketill with wonderful courage and strength broke through the enemies ranks till he met with King Constantine and slew him with his own hand Others say that Constantine was not slain but his son Turketill after all his wars and greatness resigning his estates and wealth repaired to the Monastery of Croyland and lived in it himself till his death The reverse is Biorneard moneta Londonensis civitas or Holond ci The former reading is the true The twenty ninth is King Edmund Brother and not inferior either in valour or counsel to Aethelstan He pursued the design of reducing all his subjects to perfect unity and peace by extirpating those rebellious irreconcileable enemies the Danes In the beginning of his Reign he cleared Mercia of them For King Edward seeing the Kingdom so much depopulated by those destructive wars ever since the entrance of the Danes upon promise and oath of fealty and obedience as his father also had done amongst the East-Angles permitted these Danes to live amongst his natural Subjects and chiefly in the great Towns thinking because of their profession of arms and soldiery they would better defend them than the Saxons more industrious and skilful in labour and husbandry The Danes also having been themselves beaten and conquered by him were very ready to engage to obedience peace and loyalty But the Saxons by their labours growing rich and the Danes retaining their former tyrannical and lazy dispositions began to oppress and dominere over the natives Edmund therefore after Mercia began to reduce Northumberland where remained the greatest number of them for Edward himself had suppressed those in East-Anglia and to reduce those Northern counties into the form of Provinces and committed Cumberland as a Feud to Malcolme King of Scotland His zeal for justice cost this heroical Prince his life For celebrating the festival of St. Austin and giving thanks for the Conversion of the nation he spied amongst the Guests one Leof a notable thief whom he had before banished The King's spirit was so moved against him that rising from the Table he seized upon him threw him to the ground and was about to do some violence unto him The Thief fearing what he had deserved with a short dagger which he concealed wounded the King mortally who died in a short time to the very great grief and affliction of his people The reverse is very imperfect but it may perhaps be Edward Moneta Theodford or rather Eadmund Martyr to whose Church he gave the Town called St. Edmund's-bury The thirtieth is Eadred who degenerated not in the least from his father King Edward or his brethren the precedent Kings He compleated the reduction and settlement of the North making Osulf the first Earl of it The Scots voluntarily submitted and swore Allegiance to him An. 955. in the fifth year of his reign and flower of his youth he sickned died and was exceedingly lamented of his subjects The thirty first is Eadwig son of K. Edmund who being come to age received the Kingdom so lovely a person that he was named the fair His actions are variously reported by Historians generally they accuse him of voluptuousness and neglect of his affairs insomuch that a great part of the North applied themselves to his Brother Edgar and set him up against Edwy who as is thought with sorrow sickned and died An. 958. Heriger on the reverse seems to have been Mint-master Tabula VII Nummi saxonici Page cxlvi The thirty third Eadgar son of King Edmund peaceably enjoyed the fruits of the labours and dangers of his predecessors A man admired by all both foreigners and natives for his great piety justice prudence and industry in governing the Kingdom Sine praelio omnia gubernavit prout ipse voluit The reverse is Leofsig Moneta Hamptonensis The thirty fourth is of Eadward son of King Edgar by Ethelfleda the fair called also Eneda Daughter of Duke Ordmear He is much commended for a virtuous well-disposed and hopeful Prince and such the small remainders of his History do truly represent him But by order of his Stepmother Alfritha to whom he was too obedient he was murthered to empty the Throne for her son Aethelred Edward was accounted a Saint and Martyr because of the many miracles said to be done at his Tomb which occasioned the
upon the disordered English kill'd great numbers of them whilst they stood doubtful whether they should run or fight But the greatest part posting themselves on the higher grounds got into a body encouraged one another and opposed the Enemy with great resolution as if they had made choice of that place for an honourable death At last Harold was shot through the head with an arrow and there with his two brothers Githus and Leofwine lost his life Upon this Edwin and Morcar with some few who had saved their lives made their escape by flight giving way to the hand of providence and the present necessity after they had fought without intermission from seven a clock in the morning to the dusk of the evening The Normans lost in this battle about 6000 men and the English a far greater number William overjoyed with his victory ordered a solemn thanksgiving to Almighty God and fixed his tent in the middle of the slain where he stayed that night Next day after he had buried his men and granted leave to the English to do the like he returned to Hastings to consider of proper methods how to prosecute his victory and to refresh his soldiers So soon as the news of this victory reached London and other cities of England the whole Nation was in a surprise and in a manner struck dead Githa the King's mother was so overcome with grief that no way could be found to comfort her She humbly desired of the Conqueror to grant her the bodies of her sons which she buried in Waltham-Abby Edwin sent away Queen Algitha his sister into the more remote parts of the Kingdom The Nobility desired the people not to despair and begun to consider of methods how to settle the Nation The Arch-bishop of York with the City of London and Sea-soldiers Bâ—â—â—â—les commonly called Botescarles were for making Eadgar King and renewing the war with William Edwin and Morcar were secretly contriving how to get the government into their their own hands But the Bishops Prelats and others upon whom the Pope's Anathema made a deeper impression thought it most advisable to surrender and not to incense the Conqueror with a second battel the issue whereof was but at best doubtful nor resist God who for the crying sins of the nation seemed to have delivered up England into the hands of the Normans William leaving 〈◊〉 strong garison in Hastings resolved to march in a hostile manner directly towards London but to diffuse a greater terror through the nation and to make all sure behind him he divided his forces and marched through part of Kent Suffex Surrey Hamshire and Berkshire Where he came he burnt villages and towns plundering them passed the Thames at Wallingford and filled all places with horror The Nobility all this while were at a stand what to do nor could they be persuaded to lay aside private animosities and consult the publick interest of the nation The Clergy to avoid the curses of the Church and censures of the Pope by which he did at that time sway both the minds of men and whole kingdoms and considering that the affairs of the nation were not only decay'd but quite ruin'd stood so firm to their resolution of surrendring that many so save themselves withdrew privately out of the City But Alfred Archbishop of York Wolstan Bishop of Worcester along with some other Bishops and Edgar Etheling Edwin and Morcar met the Norman Conqueror at Berkhamsted He made them most glorious promises upon which hostages were given and they submitted themselves to his protection Forthwith he went to London where he was received with great joy and acclamations and saluted under the title of King Next he prepares all necessaries for the inauguration which he had appointed to be on Christmas-day and in the mean time employed all his care and thoughts upon the settlement of the nation This was the period of the Saxon's government in Britain which lasted six hundred and seven years The revolution that hapned in the Kingdom some imputed to the avarice of Magistrates others to the superstitious laziness of the Clergy a third sort to the Comet which then appeared and the influence of the Stars a fourth attributed it to God who for hidden but always just reasons disposes of Kingdoms But others who looked nearer into the immediate causes threw it upon the imprudence of King Edward who under the specious colour of religious chastity neglected to secure a succession and so exposed the Kingdom as a prey to ambition WHat an insolent and bloody victory this was the Monks who writ about it do fully inform us Nor can we question but in this as in all others villany had the upper hand William as a token of his conquest laid aside the greatest part of the English laws brought in Norman customs and ordered that all causes should be pleaded in French The English were dispossessed of their hereditary estates and the lands and farms divided among his Soldiers but with this reserve that he should still remain the direct Proprietor and oblige them to do homage to him and his successors that is that they should hold them in see but the King alone be chief Lord and they â—uciaâ— â—eal â—illiâ—â—he â—ucâ— Feudatory Lords and in actual possession He made a Seal on the one side whereof was engraven Hoc Normannorum Gulielmum nosce patronum By this the Norman owns great William Duke On the other side Hoc Anglis signo Regem fatearis eundem By this too England owns the same their King Further as William of Malmsbury tells us in imitation of Caesar's policy who would not have those Germans that skulk'd in the forrest of Ardenna and by their frequent excursions very much disturb'd his army suppressed by the Romans but the Gauls that whilst foreigners destroyed one another himself might triumph without blood-shed William took the same methods with the English For there were some who after the first battle of that unfortunate Harold had fled over into Denmark and Ireland where they got together a strong body of men and returned three years after To oppose them he dispatched away an English army and General and let the Normans live at their ease For which side soever got the best he found his interest would go forward And so it proved for after the English hâ—d skirmâ—shed for some time one with another the victory was presented the King without any trouble And in another place After the power of the Laity was destroyed he made a positive declaration The English thrown out of their Honours that no Monk or Clergy-man of the English nation should pretend to any place of dignity wherein he quite receded from the easiness of King Canutus who maintained the conquered party in full possession of their honours By which means it was that after his death the natives found so little difficulty in driving out the foreigners and recovering their ancient freedom After he had setled those
the Church is roof'd with lofty Arches of square work †Pari commissura the joints answering one another but on both sides it is enclos'd with a double Arch of stones firmly cemented and knit together Moreover the Cross of the Church made to encompass the middle Quire of the ‖ Canentium Domino Singers and by its double supporter on each side to bear up the lofty top of the middle tower first rises singly with a low and strong arch then mounts higher with several winding stairs artificially ascending and last of all with a single wall reaches to the wooden roof well cover'd with lead But 160 years after Henry the third demolish'd this Fabrick of Edward's and erected a new one of curious workmanship supported by several rows of marble Pillars and leaded over which was fifty years in building This the Abbots very much enlarg'd towards the west and Henry the seventh for the burial of himself and * Suorum his children added to the east part of it a Chapel of a most neat and admirable contrivance call'd by Leland the miracle of the world for you 'd say that all the Art in the world is crowded into this one work wherein is to be seen his own most splendid and magnificent Monument made of solid brass q After the expulsion of the Monks it had several revolutions first it had a Dean and Prebendaâ—ies next one single Bishop Thomas Thurlbey who after he had squander'd away the revenues of the Church gave it up and surrender'd it 42 Surrender'd it to the spoil of Courtiers to the Dean Presently after the Monks and their Abbot were restor'd by Queen Mary but they being quickly ejected by Authority of Parliament Queen Elizabeth converted it into a Collegiate Church nay I may say a Nursery of the Church For she settl'd twelve Prebendaries as many old Souldiers past service forty Scholars calld King's Scholars sent successively to the Universities and thence transplanted into Church and State c. Over all these she constituted a Dean 43 Over these she plac'd Dr. Bill Dean whose Successor was which dignity not long since was honourably bore by Dr. Gabriel Goodman a person of singular worth and integrity and a particular Patron both to me and my studies There were bury'd in this Church to run over those likewise in order Princes bury'd in Westminster-Abbey and according to their Dignity and the time when they dy'd Sebert first 44 And first Christian King of the East-Angles Harold bastard-son of Canutus the Dane King of England St. Edward King and Confessor with his Queen Editha Maud wife to King Henry the first and daughter to Malcolm King of Scots Henry the third Edward the first his son with Eleanor his wife daughter to Ferdinand third King of Castile and Leon. King Edward the third and Philippa of Hanault his wife Richard the second and Anne his wife sister of the Emperour Wenzelaus Henry the fifth with his wife Catharine daughter of Charles the sixth King of France Anne wife of Richard the third and daughter of Richard Nevil Earl of Warwick Henry the seventh with his wife Elizabeth 45 Daughter to King Edward 4. and his mother Margaret Countess of Richmond K. Edward the sixth Anne of Cleve fourth wife to K. Henry 8. Queen Mary and one not to be mention'd without the highest expressions both of respect and sorrow I mean our late most serene Lady Queen Elizabeth Queen Elizabeth of blessed memory the darling of England a Princess endow'd with heroick Vertues Wisdom and a greatness of Mind much beyond her Sex and incomparably skill'd both in Things and Languages Here she lyes bury'd in a stately Monument erected for her out of a pious veneration by King James But alas how inconsiderable is that Monument in comparison of the noble qualities of so great a Lady She her self is her own Monument and a more magnificent and sumptuous one too than any other For let those noble actions recommend her to the praise and admiration of Posterity RELIGION REFORM'D PEACE ESTABLISHT MONEY REDUC'T TO ITS TRUE VALUE A MOST COMPLEAT FLEET BUILT NAVAL GLORY RESTOR'D REBELLION SUPPRESS'D ENGLAND FOR XLIIII YEARS TOGETHER MOST PRUDENTLY GOVERN'D ENRICHT AND STRENGTHEN'D SCOTLAND FREED FROM THE FRENCH FRANCE IT SELF RELIEV'D THE NETHERLANDS SUPPORTED SPAIN AW'D IRELAND QUIETED AND THE WHOLE WORLD TWICE SAIL'D ROUND The Dukes and Lords that have been bury'd here are Edmund Earl of Lancaster younger son to King Hen. 3. Avelina de Fortibus Countess of Albemarle his wife William and Audomar de Valentia of the family of Lusignia Earls of Pembroke Alphonse John and other Children of K. Edward 1. John de Eltham Earl of Cornwall son of K. Edward 2. Thomas de Woodstock Duke of Glocester youngest son of Edw. 3. with others of his children Eleanor daughter and heir of Humfrey Bohun Earl of Hereford and Essex wife to Thomas de Woodstock the young daughters of Edw. 4. and Hen. 7. Henry young son of Hen. 8. who dy'd at 2 months old Sophia daughter of K. James 1. who dy'd ‖ Primo aetatis diluculo almost assoon as born Philippa Dutchess of York Lewis Viscount Robsert of Hanault in right of his wife Lord Bourchier Anne the young daughter and heir of John Moubray D. of Norfolk betroth'd to Rich. D. of York younger son to K. Edw. 4. 46 Sir Giles Daubeney Giles Daubeney Lord Chamberlain to K. Hen. 7. and his wife of the family of the Arundels in Cornwall Viscount Welles Frances Brandon Dutchess of Suffolk Mary her daughter Margaret Douglas Countess of Lenox grand-mother to James K. of Great Britain with Charles her son Winefrid Bruges Marchioness of Winchester Anne Stanhop Dutchess of Somerset and Jane her daughter Anne Cecil Countess of Oxford daughter of Baron Burghley Lord high Treasurer of England with her mother Mildred Burghley Elizabeth Berkley Countess of Ormond Frances Sidney Countess of Sussex 47 James Butler instead of Thomas Butler Thomas Butler Viscount Thurles son and heir of the Earl of Ormond Besides Humfrey Bourchier Lord Cromwell another 48 Sir Humfrey Bourchier Humfrey Bourchier son and heir of the Lord Berners both slain in Barnet-fight 49 Sir Nicholas Carew Baron Carew instead of Nicholas Baron Carew Nicholas Baron Carew the Baroness of Powis Thomas Baron Wentworth Thomas Baron Wharton John Lord Russel Thomas Bromley Lord Chancellour of England Douglasia 50 H. Howard Howard daughter and heir of Viscount Bindon wife of 51 Sir Arthur Gorges Arthur Gorge Elizabeth daughter and heir of Edward Earl of Rutland wife of William Cecil 52 Sir John Puckering John Puckering Keeper of the Great Seal of England Frances Howard Countess of Hertford Henry and George Cary father and son Barons of Hunsdon and Lord Chamberlains to Q. Elizabeth the heart of Anne Sophia the young daughter of Christopher Harley Count de Beaumont Embassador in England from
they hanged him upon a tree 39 For in a reverent awe of the Church they durst not bury him because he died excommunicated To him succeeded his 2 sons 40 Geoffrey his son who was restored by Hen. 2. to his father's Honours and Estate for him and his heirs William who by his wife was also Earl of Albemarle Geoffrey and William both taken off without issue Afterwards K. John in consideration of a good sum of money 〈◊〉 Pierz 〈◊〉 Fâ—â—z-â—â—â—re promoted Geoffrey Fitz-Pierz L. Ch. Justice a very prudent and grave man to this dignity He had took to wife Beatrice eldest daughter to William de Say descended from the sister of Geoffrey de Magnavil first Earl of Essex A great mony'd man saith an old Author and very rich who with a round sum of money and many entreaties made his application to the Bishop of Ely the King's Justice and laid claim to this Earldom in right of his wife daughter of William brother to Geoffry de Say eldest son by an hereditary title Who admitted him into full seizin thereof and demanded the promis'd sum which he receiv'd within a little time to put into the King's Exchequer He being thus admitted and confirm'd by the King's Letters Patents held and possess'd this honour and receiv'd the Homage of those that held of him by Knight's service 41 And so was girt with the sword of the Earldom of Essex by King John at the solemnity of his Coronation This Geoffrey Fiz-Petre was advanced to the high Estate of Justicer of England by King Richard 1. when he removed Hubert Archbishop of Canterbury from that office by the Pope's peremptory command for that Bishops ought not to intermeddle in secular affairs This place the said Geoffrey Fitz-Petre executed with great commendation preserving by his wisdom the Realm from that confusion which it after fell into by King John's unadvised carriage Geoffrey and William the two sons of this Geoffrey Fitz-Piers taking the sirname of Magnavil or Mandevil enjoy'd this honour The former of these 42 By his wife was Earl of Glocester also and c. died young Register of Walden-Abbey being unfortunately kill'd at a publick Tilting The other took part with Prince Lewis of France against King John and died without issue So that the honour now fell to 43 Their sisters son Humfrey de Bohun Earl of Hereford and Constable of England For thus writes the Chronologer of Walton-Abbey In the year 1228. the 6th of the Ides of January William de Mandevil Earl of Essex died c. In the same year Humfrey de Bohun Earl of Hereford the Constable of England espoused Maud daughter to Geoffrey Earl of Essex and so succeeded in that honour But from the Archives it is evident that Henry de Bohun father to this Humfrey married the said heiress And such a mistake might easily creep in for in the Writers of that age the Christian-names are only marked with great Letters as See the Earls of Hereford H. for Henry or Humfrey G. for Gilbert or Geoffrey c. Of this family the male heirs succeeded in the dignity of Earls of Hereford and Essex for several years whom I have already reckon'd up among the Earls of Hereford because they wrote themselves Earls of Hereford and Essex Eleanor eldest daughter to the last of the Bohuns given in marriage with the honour to Thomas de Woodstock Duke of Glocester had by him one daughter Anne first married to Edmund Earl of Stafford from whom sprang the Dukes of Buckingham and then to 44 Sir William William Bourgchier to whom K. Henry 5. gave the County of Ewe in Normandy This last had by her a son of his own name advanced to the dignity of Earl of Essex by Edw. 4. 45 In regard he had married his Aunt and was descended from Thomas of Woodstock He was succeeded by another Henry his son's son who died in his old age by a fall from his horse leaving issue only one daughter Anne who being laid aside King Henry 8. that he might make new additions to his honours and preferments created Thomas Cromwell who had been his main assistant in baffling the Pope's authority at the same time Earl of Essex High Chamberlain of England and Knight of the Garter Before this for his extraordinary prudence he had made him Master of the Rolls Secretary of State Baron Cromwell of Okeham Vicar General to the King in spiritual concerns and Lord Keeper and all this in five years time But after five months enjoyment of his Earldom he like most great favourites in the State concluded his scene of life with a most tragical end losing his head for treason The same King promoted to the Earldom of Essex 46 Sir William William Par to whom he had given in marriage Anne the only daughter and heir of Henry Bourgchier But he too at last dying without issue Walter Devreux Viscount Hereford whose great grandmother was Cicely Bourgchier sister to Henry Bourgchier of whom we spoke but now receiv'd the honour of Earl of Essex by the favour of Queen Elizabeth and left it to his son Robert who being for his excellent natural endowments highly in favour with that admirable Princess sail'd with such a smooth and prosperous gale into honours and preferments as to make it the common hope and expectation of the Kingdom that he would equal if not exceed the greatest characters of his Ancestors But at last being carried away with vain ambition and popularity and endeavouring to get the start of his own hopes he hurried himself into a sad destruction As several persons who condemn slow methods though secure choose sudden ones to their utter ruin But his young son Robert was restor'd to full possession of his father's honour by authority of Parliament through the special favour of our present most Serene Soveraign King James There are reckoned in this County 415 Parish-Churches ADDITIONS to ESSEX a THE County of Essex is so bounded with waters that by the help of the Ocean on one side and Rivers on others it makes a Peninsula As to Viscountile Jurisdiction it seems formerly to have been annext to Hertfordshire for in the 8th of Edward 3. John de Cogshall was Sheriff of them both about which time also one Escheator discharg'd the office in both b Our Author begins with Waltham-forrest Waltham-forrest which might very well be call d as he observes the Forrest of Essex reaching formerly through this County as far as the Sea * Norden's Essex MS. as appeareth by Edward the Confessor's gift to one Randolph Peperkin It still is so large as to thrust it self out into a great many Hundreds c Near the Thames is Leyton Leyton where Mr. Camden is enclin'd to settle the Durolitum Durolitum of Antoninus though he professes himself altogether at a loss for the places mention'd hereabouts by the Ancients And 't is no wonder that
a petty Convent founded by the Bigrames A little way hence stands Awkenbury given by King John to David Earl of Huntingdon and by John Scot his son to Stephen Segrave Stephen Segrâ—â—e a person I 'm the more willing to mention because he was one of the Courtiers who have taught us * Nâ—â—â—am potenâ—â—am essâ—â—â—â—â—ntâ—m That no power is powerful With a great deal of pains he rais'd himself to a high post with as much trouble kept it and as suddenly lost it In his young days from a Clerk he was made Knight Matth. Pâ—â—â— and tho' he was but of a mean family yet in his latter days by his bold industry he so enrich'd and advanc'd himself that he was rank'd among the highest of the Nobility made Lord Chief Justice and manag'd almost all the Affairs of the Nation as he pleas'd At length he wholly lost all the King's favour and ended his days in a cloyster and he who out of pride must needs remove from ecclesiastical to secular Affairs was forc'd to reassume his ecclesiastical Office and shaven crown without so much as consulting his Bishop which he had formerly laid aside Not far off stands Leighton Leightâ—n where Sir Gervase Clifton Knight began a noble building h and just by lyes Spaldwick given to the Church of Lincoln by Henry 1. to make some amends for erecting Ely-Bishoprick out of Lincoln-Diocese The river Nen enters this Shire by Elton Elton f It is now the possession of John Proby Esquire the seat of the famous ancient family of the Sapcots where is a private Chapel of singular beauty with curious painted windows built by the Lady Elizabeth Dinham Baron Fitz-Warren's widow who marry'd into this family Higher upon the Nen nigh Walmsford Walmsford stood a little city of greater antiquity than all these call'd Caer Dorm and Dormeceaster by Henry of Huntingdon who says it was utterly ruin'd before his time Undoubtedly this is the Durobrivae Dâ—â—â—briâ—ae of Antonine that is the River-passage and now for the same reason call'd Dornford nigh Chesterton which besides the finding of old Coins has the apparent marks of a ruinous City For a Roman Port-way led directly from hence to Huntingdon and a little above Stilton Stiâ—ton formerly Stichilton it appears with a high bank and in an old Saxon Charter is call'd Erminstreat Ermiâ—gstreat Here it runs through the middle of a square fort defended on the north-side with walls on the rest with ramparts of Earth nigh which they 've lately digg'd up several stone Coffins or Sepulchres in g This Estate is now the joynt Inheritance of Sir John Hewet of Warsly in this County Baronet and John Dryden Esquire descended to them from the sisters of the last Sir Robert Bevile the ground of R. Bevill of an ancient family in this County Some think this city stood upon both banks of the river and others are of opinion Caster 〈◊〉 Nâ—r â—â—â—ptoâ—shâ— e that the little village Caster on the other side was part of it and truly this opinion is well back'd by an ancient history that says there was a place call'd Durmundcaster by Nene where Kinneburga founded a little Nunnery first call'd Kinneburge-caster and afterwards for shortness Caster This Kinneburga the most Christian daughter of the Pagan King Penda and Alfred King of the Northumber's wife chang'd her Soveraign Authority for Christ's service to use the words of an old writer and govern'd her own Nunnery as a mother to those sacred Virgins Which place about 1010 was level'd to the ground by the fury of the Danes A little before this river leaves the County it runs by an ancient House call'd Bottle bridge B â—â—â—â—-bridge for shortness instead of Botolph-bridge which the Draitons and Lovets brought from R. Gimels to the family of the Shirlies by hereditary succession Adjoyning to this lies Overton corruptly called Orton forfeited by Felony and redeem'd of K. John by Neale Lovetoft whose sister and coheir was married to Hubert or Robert de Brounford and their children took upon 'em the name of Lovetoft Earls of Hâ—ntingdon This County at the declining of the English-Saxons had Siward an Earl by office for then there were no hereditary Earls in England but the Governours of Provinces according to the custom of that age were call'd Earls with addition of the title of this or that Province they govern'd as this Siward the time he govern'd here was call'd Earl of Huntingdon but soon after when he govern'd Northumberland he was call'd Earl of Northumberland See â—he Eâ—â—ls â—f Noâ—thamptonshire He had a son call'd Waldeof who under the title of Earl had the government of this County by the favour of William the Conquerour whose niece Judith by his sister on the mother's side he had married This Waldeof's eldest daughter says William Gemeticensis was married to Simon ‖ â—â—vaneâ—â—erâ—◠〈◊〉 uâ—t câ—p â—6 de Senlys or St. Liz she brought him the Earldom of Huntingdon and had a son by him call'd Simon After her husband's decease she was married to David St. Maud the Queen of England's Brother who was afterwards King of Scotland by whom she had a son nam'd Henry Afterwards as Fortune and Princes Favours alter'd this Dignity was enjoy'd sometimes by the Scots and other times by the St. Lizes first Henry the son of David J â—n â—â—rdâ—â— in Scotâ—â—â—â—n co l. 3. â— 3. 6. 〈◊〉 3â— then Simon St. Lizes Simon the first 's son after him Malcolm King of Scotland Earl Henry's brother after his decease Simon St. Liz the third who dying without heirs was succeeded by William King of Scotland and Malcolm's Brother Thus says Ralph de Diceto in the year 1185. when he flourish'd When Simon Earl Simon 's son dy'd without children the King restor'd to William K. of Scotland the County of Huntingdon with all its appurtenances Then his brother David had it Matth. Par. and his son John Scot Earl of Chester who dy'd without heirs and when Alexander the second who marry'd King Henry the third's daughter had held this title a little while and the Wars broke in the Scots lost this honour besides a fair inheritance in England A good while after Edward the third created William Clinton Earl of Huntingdon Richard the second put Guiscard de Angolesme in his place and after his death John Holland He was succeeded by John 4 Who was stil'd Duke of Excester Earl of Huntingdon and Ivory Lord of Sparre Admiral of England and Ireland Lieutenant of Aquitain and Constable of the Tower of London and Henry his sons who were each of them also Dukes of Exeter See Dukes of Exeter pag. 32. Cap. 50. The same Henry Duke of Exeter that Philip Comines as he affirms saw begging bare-foot in the Low Countries whilst he kept firm to the House of Lancaster though he had married Edward the fourth 's own sister Next to him Thomas
title of Aber Gavenni upon which the majority of voices gave it the heir-male And when he had again proposed Whether the title of Baron Le Despenser Baroness le Despenser should be conferr'd on the female and her heirs they unanimously agreed to it to which his Majesty gave his Royal Assent And Edward Nevil was soon after summon'd to Parliament by the King 's Writ under the title of Baron of Aber-Gavenni And being according to the usual ceremony introduc'd in his Parliament-Robe between two Barons he was placed above the Baron de Audeley At the same time also the King's Patent was read before the Peers whereby his Majesty restored rais'd preferred c. Mary Fane to the state degree title stile name honour and dignity of Baroness le Despenser Baroness le Despenser and that her heirs successively should be Barens le Despenser c. But the question of precedency being proposed the Peers referr'd the decision thereof to the Commissioners for the office of Earl Marshal of England who signâ—d their Verdict for the Barony of le Despenser This was read before the Peers and by their order register'd in the Parliament Diary out of which I have taken this account in short What ought not to be omitted is that John Hastings held this Castle by homage ward and marriage 6 Edw. 2. When it happens as we read in the Inquisition and if there should chance any war between the King of England and Prince of Wales he ought to defend the Country of Over-went at his own charges to the utmost of his power for the good of himself the King and Kingdom The second town call'd by Antoninus Burrium Burrium who places it 12 miles from Gobannium is seated where the river Byrdhin falls into Usk. 'T is call'd now in British by a transposition of letters Brynbiga for Burenbegi and also Kaer-ŵysk by Giraldus Castrum Oskae and in English Usk. Usk. It shews now only the ruins of a large strong Castle pleasantly seated between the river Usk and Oilwy a small brook which takes its course from the east by Ragland a stately castle-like house of the Earl of Worcester's and passes under it The third City call'd by Antoninus Isca Isca and Legio secunda seated on the other side of the river Usk and distant as he observes exactly 12 Italian miles from Burrium is câ—ll'd by the Britains Kaer Lheion and Kaer Lheion ar ŵysk Kaer Lheion ar Wysk which signifies the City of the Legion on the river Usk from the Legio Secunda Augusta called also Britannica secunda This Legion instituted by Augustus and translated out of Germany into Britain by Claudius under the conduct of Vespasian to whom upon his aspiring to the Empire it prov'd serviceable and also secur'd him the British Legions was placed here at length by Julius Frontinus as seems probable in garrison against the Silures How great a City this Isca was at that time our Giraldus informs us in his Itinerary of Wales A very ancient city this was saith he and enjoy'd honourable privileges elegantly built by the Romans with * The câ—â—cuit â—f 〈◊〉 walls aâ—â— 3 miles Enderoy brick walls There are yet remaining many footsteps of its ancient splendour stately palaces which formerly with their gilded Tiles emulated the Roman grandeur for that it was at first built by the Roman nobility and adorn'd with sumptuous edifices an exceeding high tower remarkable hot †An. 16â—â— hot baâ—â—s were dâ—â—â—ver'd 〈◊〉 S. Julâ—aâ— the brâ—â—â— equilateâ—â—ly squâ—â—â— about 〈◊〉 inch tâ—â— like thâ—â— at S. Aâ—â—â—â— Mr. Aâ—â—â— baths ruins of ancient temples theatrical places encompass'd with stately walls which are partly yet standing Subterraneous edifices are frequently met with not only within the walls but also in the suburbs aqueducts vaults and which is well worth our observation Hypocausts or stoves contriv'd with admirable artifice conveying heat insensibly through some very narrow vents on the sides Two very eminent and next to St. Alban and Amphibalus the chief Protomartyrs of Britannia major lye entombed here where they were crown'd with martyrdom viz. Julius and Aaron who had also Churches dedicated to them in this City For in ancient times there were three noble Churches here One of Julius the Martyr grac'd with a Quire of Nuns devoted to God's service another dedicated to St. Aaron his companion ennobled with an excellent order of Canons and the third honour'd with the Metropolitan See of Wales Amphibalus also teacher of St. Alban who sincerely instructed him in the Faith was born here This City is excellently well seated on the navigable river Usk and beautified with meadows and woods Here the Roman Embassadors received their audience at the illustrious court of that great King Arthur And here also the Archbishop Dubricius resign'd that honour to David of Menevia by translating the Archiepiscopal See from this City thither Thus far Giraldus But in confirmation of the antiquity of this place I have taken care to add some ancient Inscriptions lately dug up there and communicated to me by the right reverend Father in God Francis Godwin Lord Bishop of Landaff a lover of venerable antiquity and all other good literature In the year 1602. some labourers digging in a meadow adjoyning found on a checquer'd pavement a statue of a person in a short-truss'd habit with a Quiver and Arrows the head hands and feet broken off and also the fragment of an Altar with this Inscription of fair large characters about three inches long erected by Haterianus Lieutenant-General of Augustus and Propraetor of the Province of Cilicia 〈…〉 HATERIANVS LEG AVG PR PR PROVINC CILIC The next year was discover'd also this Inscription which shews the Statue before mention'd to have been of the Goddess Diana and that Titus Flavius Posthumius Varus perhaps of the fifth Cohort of the second Legion had repair'd her Temple a Id est Titus Flavius Postumius Varus quintae Cohortis Legionis Secundae Augustae Templum Dianae restituit T. FL. POSTVMIVS VARVS V. C. LEG TEMPL DIANAE RESTITVIT Also this votive Altar out of which the name of the Emperour * Geta seems to have been rased when he was deposed by his brother Antoninus Bassianus â—â—e Phil. â—â—ns 〈◊〉 1â—5 and declared an enemy yet so as there are some shadows of the Letters still remaining b Id est Pro salute Augustorum nostrorum Severi Antonini Getae Caesarum Publius Saltienus Publii filius Maecia Thalamus ex hac gente aut tribu nempe Publ. Saltienus ortus est Praefectus Legionis secundae Augustae C. Vampeiano Luciliano Consulibus PRO SALVTE In printed Copies Claudius Pompeianus and Lollianus Avitus Coss An. Chr. 210. AVGG N. N. SEVERI ET ANTONINI ET GETAE CAES. P. SALTIENVS P. F. MAECIA THALAMVS HADRI PRAEF LEG II. AVG. C. VAMPEIANO ET LVCILIAN And this fragment of a very fair Altar the Inscription whereof might perhaps be thus supplied
as his right in Parliament against Henry the sixth Rolls â— 6. as being son of Ann Mortimer sister and heir to Edmund Earl of March descended in a right line from Philippa the daughter and sole heir of Leonel Duke of Clarence third son of King Edward the third and therefore in all justice to be preferred in the succession to the Crown before the children of John of Gaunt the fourth son of the said Edward the third When it was answer'd him That the Barons of the Kingdom and the Duke himself had sworn Allegiance to the King that the Kingdom by Act of Parliament was conferr'd and entail'd upon Henry the fourth and his heirs that the Duke deriving his title from the Duke of Clarence never took the Arms of the said Duke and that Henry the fourth was possess'd of the Crown by the right he had from Henry the third All this he easily evaded by replying that the said Oath sworn to the King being barely a human Constitution was not binding because it was inconsistent with truth and justice which are of Divine appointment That there had been no need of an Act of Parliament to settle the Kingdom in the line of Lancaster neither would they have desired it if they could have rely'd upon any just title and as for the Arms of the Duke of Clarence which in right belonged to him he had in prudence declin'd the using them as he had done challenging the Kingdom till that moment and that the title derived from Henry the third was a ridiculous pretext to cloak the injustice and exploded by every body Tho' these things pleaded in favour of the Duke of York shew'd his title to be clear and evident yet by a wise foresight to prevent the dangers that might ensue upon it the matter was so adjusted That Henry the sixth should possess and enjoy the Kingdom for life and that Richard Duke of York should be appointed his heir and successor in the Kingdom 10 He and his heirs to succeed after him with this proviso that neither of them should contrive any thing to the prejudice of the other However this heady Duke was quickly so far transported with ambition that by endeavouring to anticipate his hopes he raised that pernicious war between the Houses of York and Lancaster Wars between the House of York and Lancaster or between the Red-rose and the white distinguish'd by the white and the red Roses Which in a short time prov'd fatal to himself at Wakefield King Henry the sixth was four times taken prisoner and at last deprived of his Kingdom and his Life Edward Earl of March son of Richard then obtain'd the Crown and tho' he was deposed yet he recover'd it thus Fortune inconstant and freakish made her sport with the rise and fall of Princes many of the Blood-royal and of the greatest of the Nobility being cut off those hereditary and rich Provinces of the Kings of England in France being lost Ireland neglected and relapsed to their old wildness the wealth of the Nation wasted and the harass'd people oppress'd with all sorts of misery Edward being now settled in his Throne the fourth King of that name bestow'd the title of Duke of York upon Richard his second son who with the King his brother was destroy'd very young by that Tyrant Richard their Uncle Next Henry the seventh conferr'd it upon his younger son who was afterwards by the name of Henry the eighth crown'd King of England And now very lately King James invested his second son Charles whom he had before in Scotland made Duke of Albany Marquis of Ormond Earl of Ross and Baron Ardmanoch 11 A little child not full four years of age tho' but a child Duke of York by girding him with a Sword to use the words of the form putting a Cap and Coronet of Gold upon his head and by delivering him a Verge of Gold after he had the day before according to the usual manner created both him and eleven others of noble families Knights of the Bath There are in this County 459 Parishes with very many Chapels under them which for number of Inhabitants are comparable to great Parishes RICHMONDSHIRE THE rest of this County which lyes towards the North-west and is of large extent is call'd Richmondshire or Richmountshire The name is taken from a Castle built by Alan Earl of Bretagne in Armorica to whom William the Norman Conquerour gave this shire which belong'd to Edwin an English-man by this short Charter I William sirnam'd Bastard King of England do give and grant to you my Nephew Alan Earl of Bretagne and to your heirs for ever all the villages and lands which of late belong'd to Earl Eadwin in Yorkshire with the Knights-fees and other Liberties and Customs as freely and honourably as the same Eadwin held them Dated from our Siege before York With craggy Rocks and vast Mountains this shire lyes almost all high the sides of them here and there yield pretty rank grass the bottoms and valleys are not altogether unfruitful The hills afford great store of Lead Pit-Coal and also Brass Brass Lead and Pit-coal In a Charter of Edward the fourth's there is mention'd a Mineral or Mine of Coper near the very City of Richmond But covetousness which carries men even to Hell has not induced them to sink into these Mountains diverted perhaps by the difficulties of carriage On the tops of these Mountains Stone-cockles as likewise in other places there have sometimes been found stones resembling Sea cokcles and other Water-animals which if they are not the Miracles of Nature I cannot but think with Orosius a Christian Historian tâ—at they are the certain signs of an universal deluge in the times of Noah The Sea as he says being in Noah's time spread over all the earth and a deluge pour'd forth upon it so that this whole world was overfloated and the Sea as heaven surrounded the earth all mankind was destroyed but only those few saved in the ark for their faith to propagate posterity as is evidently taught by the most faithful Writers That this was so they have also been witnesses who knowing neither past times nor the Author of them yet from the signs and import of those stones which we often find on mountains distant from the sea but overspread with cockles and oysters yea oftentimes hollow'd by the water have learn'd it by conjecture and inference k Where this Shire touches upon the County of Lancaster the prospect among the hills is so wild solitary so unsightly and all things so still that the borderers have call'd some brooks that run here Hell becks Hell beâ—ks that is to say Hell or Stygian rivulets especially that at the head of the river Ure which with a bridge over it of one entire stone falls so deep that it strikes a horror upon one to look down to it Here is safe living in this tract for goats deer and stags which
head of James that heroick Earl of Derby cut off at Bolton in this County October 15. 1651. by the prevailing power of the Parliament Near Lathom-park in the grounds of the Earl of Derby there is a mineral-water or spaw as deeply impregnated with the Iron and Vitriol minerals as any either in this County or Yorkshire The want of convenient Lodging and other accommodations make it less frequentâ—d but 't is certain it has done some notable cures one particularly which an ingenious Gentleman of this County affirms upon his own certain knowledge to have been one of the greatest and quickest that ever he knew done by any such water i In Haigh Hâ—igh near Wiggin in the grounds of Sir Roger Bradshaigh there are very plentiful and profitable mines of an extraordinary Coal Besides the clear flame it yeilds in burning it has been curiously polish'd into the appearance of black marble and fram'd into large Candlesticks Sugar-boxes Spoons with many other such sorts of vessels which have been presented as curiosities and met with very good acceptance both in London and beyond sea North from hence lyes Whittle Whittle near Chorley where in the grounds of Sir Richard Standish a mine of lead has been lately found and wrought with good success possibly the first that has been wrought in this County And near the same place is a plentiful quarry of Mill-stones no less memorable than those mention'd by our Author in the Peake of Derby Within a mile and a half of Wiggin is a Well Bâ—rning-Well which does not appear to be a spring but rather rain-water At first sight there 's nothing about it that seems extraordinary but upon emptying it there presently breaks out a sulphureous vapour which makes the water bubble up as if it boyl'd A Candle being put to it it presently takes fire and burns like brandy The flame in a calm season will continue sometimes a whole day by the heat whereof they can boyl eggs meat c tho' the water it self be cold By this bubbling the water does not encrease but is only kept in motion by the constant Halitus of the vapours breaking out The same water taken out of the Well will not burn as neither the mud upon which the Halitus has beat k Of the plant call'd Clowdesbery mention'd by our Author I have the following account from Mr. Nicollon Some of our Botanists have given it the name of Vaccinia nubis but the more common and better is Chamaemorus for 't is a dwarf-mulberry It is not peculiar to Pendle-hill but grows plentifully on the boggy tops of most of the high mountains both in England and Scotland In Norway also and other Northern Countries it is plentiful enough Instead of Gerard's mistaken name of Clowdberry the Northern peasants call it Cnout-berry and have a tradition that the Danish King Knute being God knows when distress'd for some time in these wasts was reliev'd by feeding upon these dainties I know not whether it will countenance the story to observe that this King's name is in our ancient Records †See Selden's Titles of Honour p. 501. sometimes written Knout But this berry is not the only edible that bears his name to this day for in this County 't is said they have a bird of a luscious taste ‖ Drayt. Poly olb p. 112. which in remembrance of King Cnute they call the Knot-bird l Next we come to the north side the scanty account whereof given by our Author is here supply'd mostly by the informations of the worshipful Sir Daniel Flemming of Ridal in Westmorland a great ornament to his Country and very well verst in the subject of Antiquities As the Island Foulney is so call'd from the great store of Fowl usually there so may this whole tract he nam'd Furness Furness or Fournage from the many Furnaces therein in old time as the Rents and Services paid for them do testifie For many Tenants in this County still pay a Rent call'd Bloom Smithy-Rent The 3 Sands Sands are very dangerous to Travellers both by reason of the uncertainty of the Tides which are quicker and flower according as the winds blow more or less from the Irish-sea and also of the many quick-sands caus'd principally by much rainy weather Upon which account there is a guide on horse-back appointed to each Sand for the direction of such persons as shall have occasion to pass over and each of the three has a yearly Salary paid him out of his Majesty's revenue Windermere Charr s. See the Additions to Westmorland m The greatest Lake in those parts is Winander-mere wherein the Charr mention'd by our Author is a sort of golden Alpine Trout and to be had in other of our Northern Lakes as Ulles-water Butter-meer c. as well as here They have also the same fish in some parts of North-Wales where 't is call'd Tor-goch or Red-belly Where our Author had the story of Eathred is hard to guess it is probable Roger Hovden was his Author who possibly is the only Historian that mentions it However it does not look very plausible for this Eathred or Ethelred was himself King Aelfwold's son Gleston n Within the Manour of Aldingham is Gleston-Castle which has been very large and firm having four strong towers of a great height besides many other buildings with very thick walls To observe it here once for all many persons of quality especially towards Scotland had either Castles or Towers to dwell in to defend themselves and their Tenants from the inroads of the Scots Anciently they had their houses kernell'd fortify'd or embattel'd and divers Commissions have been awarded in pursuance of the Stat. 2 and 3 P. M cap. 1. unto certain persons to enquire what and how many Castles Fortresses c. have been decay'd what are fit to be re-edify'd and how many new ones necessary to be erected This of Gleston is seated in a fertile vale amongst rich meadows and shelter'd from the Sea by fruitful hills all which render it one of the most pleasant seats in this Country o Hard by Dudden-sands is Kirkby-Ireleth Kâ—rby-Iâ—eleth the Manour-house whereof Kirkby-Cross-house so call'd from a Cross plac'd before the gates the top of which was broke off as 't is said by Archbishop Sandys's order is a stately seat giving name to the Kirkbys who have been Lords of it ever since the Conquest the present owner is Colonel Roger Kirkby Near the river Dudden lyes Broughton Broughton formerly the chief seat of a family of that name till in the reign of Henry 7. it was forfeited for Treason by Sir Thomas Broughton Knight who then took part with the counterfeit Plantagenet that landed in Fourness And here it may not be improper to observe a mistake in the History of that King's reign where 't is affirm'd that Sir Tho. Broughton was slain at Stokefield whereas in truth he escap'd from that battel to
this day call it Bulness â—ess and tho' it is but a very small village yet has it a Fort â—imenâ— and as a testimony of its antiquity besides the tracks of streets and pieces of old walls it has a harbour now choakt up and they tell you that there was a pav'd Cawsey ran all along the shore from hence as far as Elenborrow h A mile beyond this as appears by the Foundations at low water begins the Picts-wall that famous work of the Romans formerly the bound of the Province and built to keep out the Barbarians who in those parts were as one expresses it continually * Circumlatraverunt barking and snarling at the Roman Empire I was amaz'd at first why they should be so careful to fortifie this place when 't is fenc'd by a vast arm of the Sea that comes up some eight miles but now I understand how at low-water 't is so shallow that the Robbers and Plunderers made nothing of fording it That the figure of the Coast hereabouts has been alter'd appears plainly from roots of Trees cover'd over with Sand at a good distance from the shore which are commonly discover'd when the Tide is driven back by the violence of Winds I know not whether it be worth the while to observe what the Inhabitants tell you of Subterraneous Trees without boughs Trees under ground they very commonly dig up discovering them by the Dew 10 In Summer which never lyes upon the ground that covers them Upon the same Friths a little more inward is Drumbough-Castle of late times the possession of the Lords of Dacre but formerly a Station of the Romans Some will have it the Castra Exploratorum but the distances will by no means allow it There was also another Roman Station which by a change of the name is at present call'd e To distinguish it from Burgh under Stane-more in Westmoreland Burgh upon Sands Burgh upon Sands 1307. from whence the neighbouring tract is call'd the Barony of Burgh This by Meschines Lord of Cumberland was bestow'd upon Robert de Trivers from whom it came to the * The Morvils call'd de Burgh super Sabulones Lib. Inq. Morvills the last of whom Hugh left a daughter who by her second husband Thomas de Molton had Thomas Molton Lord of this place and father of that Thomas who by marriage with the heir of Hubert de †Vaulx Vallibus joyn'd Gillesland to his other possessions all which were carry'd by Mawd Molton to Ranulph de Dacre But this little Town is noted for nothing more than the untimely death of King Edward the first Edw. 1. after he had triumph'd over his enemies round about him He was a Prince exceeding famous in whose valiant breast God as it were pitcht his Tent and as by courage and wisdom so also by a gracefulness and stateliness of body rais'd him to the very highest pitch of Majesty Providence exercis'd his youth with constant wars and difficulties of State to fit him for the Government which after he came to it he so manag'd by conquering the Welsh and subduing the Scots that he deserves the Character of one of the greatest Ornaments of Britain i The Inhabitants say that under this Burgh in the very aestuary there was a Sea-fight between the Scotch and English and that ‖ Reverso aestu when the Tide was out it was manag'd by the Horse which seems no less strange than what Pliny relates not without great admiration of such another place in Caramania This aestuary is call'd by both Nations Solway-Frith Solway-Frith from Solway a Town of the Scots that stands upon it But Ptolemy names it more properly Ituna for the Eiden a very considerable river Ituna Eiden river which winds along Westmoreland and the inner parts of this County falls into it with a vast body of waters Hist Mailros still remembring what rubs and stops the carcasses of the Scots gave it in the year 1216. after it had dâ—own'd them with their loads of English spoils and swallow'd up that plundering Crew The Ituna or Eiden assoon as it enters this County receives from the west the river Eimot flowing out of the Lake call'd Ulse or Ulse-water which I mention'd before Near its bank upon the little river Dacor is f Here is a Castle standing which formerly has been a magnificent building and a seat of the family but there are no remains of a Monastery nor does it appear by any Records to have been standing since the Conquest Dacre-Castle Dacre noted in latter ages for giving name to the family of the Barons de Dacre â—arons Dacre and mention'd by Bede for having a Monastery in his time as also by Malmesbury for being the place where Constantine King of the Scots and Eugenius King of Cumberland put themselves and their Kingdoms under the protection of King Athelstan k Somewhat higher at a little distance from the confluence of Eimot and Loder at which is the round trench call'd King Arthur's Table stands Penrith which implies in British a red hill or head for the ground hereabouts and the stone of which it is built are both reddish 'T is commonly call'd Perith Perith. and is a noted little market town fortify'd on the west-side with a Royal Castle which in the reign of Henry 6. g It is now in ruins and was never repair'd out of the ruins of Maburg nor was that ever a Roman Fort but a Danish Temple This is very obvious to a curious eye and will be shewn at large in Mr. Nicolson's History of the Kingdom of Northumberland Part 6. was repair'd out of the ruins of Maburg a Roman Fort hard by It is adorn'd with a pretty handsome Church l has a large Market-place with a Town-house of wood for the convenience of the Market-people which is beautify'd with Bearâ— climbing up a ragged staff the Device of the Earls of Warwick Formerly it belong'd to the Bishops of Durham but when Anthony Becc Bishop of this See was grown haughty and insolent by his great wealth Edward the first as we read in the book of Durham took from him Werk in Tividale Perith and the Church of Simondburne For the benefit of the Town W. Strickland Bishop of Carlisle descended from a famous family in those parts did at his own proper charges draw a Chanel or water-course from h This is a Rill falling from the Peat-Mosses in the Fells about Graystock from whence it has its name Peterill or the Little-river Petre. Upon the bank of this lay Plompton-park very large Call'd oâ—â—â— Haâ—a de Plompten and formerly set apart by the Kings of England for the keeping of Deer but by King Henry 8. with greater prudence planted with houses being almost in the frontiers between England and Scotland m Near this I saw several remains of a demolish'd City which for its nearness to Perith they call Old Perith
oâ—â—e Barons of Dacre the last whereof some years ago dy'd young and his Uncle Leonard chosing rather to contend with his Prince in War than with his Nieces in Law about the estate seis'd upon the Castle and got together a company of Rebels in opposition to his Prince But the Lord Hunsdon with the garrison of Berwick easily defeated them put a great many to the sword and the rest amongst whom was Leonard himself to flight x 19 But of him more in my Annals Nearer the Wall beyond the river Irthing was lately found this fair votive Altar erected to the Goddess Nymphe of the Brigantes for the health of the Empress Plautilla Wife to M. Aurelius Antoninus Severus and the whole Imperial family by M. Cocceius Nigrinus a Treasurer to the Emperour when Laetus was second time Consul with intricate connexion of letters which I read thus DEAE NYMPHAE BRIGantum QUOD VOVERAT PRO SALUTE PAUTILIAE COnjugis INVICTAE DOMini NOSTRI INVICTI IMP. M. AURELii SEVERI ANTONINI PII. FELicis CAESaris AUGusti TOTIUSQUE DO MUS DIVINAE EJUS M. COCCEIUS NIGRINUS Questor AUGusti Numini DEVOTUS LIBENS SUSCEPTUM Solvit LAETO II. Nearer the Wall stood the Priory of Lanercost founded by R. de Vallibus Lord of Gillesland y and upon the wall is Burd-Oswald Below this where the Picts-Wall pass'd the river Irthing by an arch'd bridge at a place now call'd Willoford was the Station of the †See the Additions to Ambleside in Westmorland If we are to settle the Amboglana here the many rivulets in those parts which carry the name of Glen oâ— Glynn afford us a probable original of the name Cohors prima Aelia Dacorum as appears by the Notitia and several Altars erected by that Cohort and inscrib'd to Jupiter Optimus Maximus Some of them I think proper to give you tho' they 're much defac'd and worn with age Jovi optimo Maximo * I. O. M. COH I. AEL DAC CVI PRAE IG I. O. M. CoH. I. AEL DAC C. P. STATV LoN GINUS TRIB I. O. M. OH I. AEL DA C. C. A. GETA IRELSAVRNES PRO SALVTE D. N MAXiMIANO †Fortissimo Caesari FOR CAE VA OAED L E G. VI. V I C. P. F. F. I. O M. COH I AEL DAC TETRICIANO RO C. P. P. LVTIC V. S. DESIG NATVS TRIB I. O. M. COH I. AEL DAC GORD ANA. C. P EST. I. O. M. H. I. AEL DAC C. PRAEESI FLIUS FA S TRIB PETVO COS. The first Lord of Gillesland that I read of Lords of Gillâ—sâ—â—â— Out oâ—â— old Mâ—â— R. Câ—â— Clarenceux 〈◊〉 him Raâ—â— as also 〈◊〉 MSS. of Fountaâ—â— and Hiâ—â— Abbâ—â— was William Meschines brother of Ralph Lord of Cumberland not that William who was brother of Ranulph Earl of Chester from whom sprang Ranulph de Ruelent but the brother of Ralph but he was not able to get it out of the hands of the Scots for Gill the son of Bueth Å¿ This was but for a short time for the father was banish'd into Scotland in Earl Randolph's time and the son Gillesbueth as he was call'd was slain by Robert de Vallibus at a â—eeting for Arbitration of all differences so that that family seems never to have claim'd after The murther was barbarous and Robert to atone for it built the Abbey of Lanercost and gave to it the Lands that had caus'd the quarrel held the greatest part of it by force of Arms. After his death King Henry the second bestow'd it upon Hubert de Vallibus or Vaulx whose Coat Armour was Chequey Argent and Gules His son Robert founded and endow'd the Priory of Lanercost But the estate within a few years came by marriage to the Moltons and from them by a daughter to Ranulph Lord Dacre whose posterity flourish'd in great honour down to our time z Having thus took a Survey of the Sea-coast and inner parts of Cumberland we must pass to the East of it a lean hungry desolate sort of Country which affords nothing remarkable besides the head of South-Tine in a wet spungy ground and an ancient Roman stone Cawsey * 8 Ulnaâ— above ten yards broad 'T is call'd the Maiden-way Maiden-way leading out of Westmoreland and at the confluence of the little river Alon and the Tine we spoke of on the side of a gentle ascent there are the remains of a large old Town which to the North has been fortify'd with a fourfold Rampire and to the West †Sileâ—â— with one and a half The place is now call'd Whitley-castle and as a testimony of it's Antiquity has this imperfect Inscription ‖ Compâ—â— of a scriâ—â— ratioâ—◠〈◊〉 risimâ—leâ— compendiously written with the Letters link'd one in another from which we learn that the third Cohort of the Nervii built a * Aedemâ— Temple there to Antoninus the Emperour son of Severus IMP. CAES. Lucii Septimi Severi AraBICI ADIABENICI PARTHICI MAX. FIL. DIVI ANTONINI Pii Germanici SARMA NEP. DIVI ANTONINI PII PRON. DIVI HADRIANI ABN DIVI TRAIANI PARTH ET DIVI NERVAE ADNEPOTI M. AVRELIO ANTONINO PIO FEL AVG. GERMANICO PONT MAX. TR. POT X IMP. COS. IIII. P. p. PRO PIETATE AEDE VOTO COMMVNI CURANTE LEGATO AVG. PR COH III. NERVIO RVM G. R. POS. Now seeing the third Cohort of the Nervii was quarter'd in this place seeing also the Notitia sets them at Alione as Antoninus does at Alone and a little river running under it is call'd Alne if I should think this to be the very Alone I could not indeed deliver it for a positive truth because the injuries of time and the violence of wars have long since put these things out of the reach of human knowledge but it would at least seem probable Upon the decay of the Roman power in Britain tho' this Country was cruelly harrass'd by the Scots and Picts yet did it longest keep its original Inhabitants the Britains and fell late under the power of the Saxons But when the Danish wars had well nigh broke the Saxon government it had its petty Kings â—â—gs of â—â—mberâ—â—â—d stil'd Kings of Cumberland to the year of our Lord 946. At which time as Florilegus tells us King Edmund by the assistance of Leolin King of South-Wales spoil'd Cumberland of all its riches and having put out the eyes of the two sons of Dummail King of that County granted that Kingdom to Malcolm King of Scots to hold of him and to protect the North-parts of England both by Sea and Land against the incursions of the Enemy After which the eldest sons of the Kings of Scotland as well under the Saxons as Danes were stil'd â—mbriâ—e 〈◊〉 Governours of Cumberland But when England had yielded to the Normans this County submitted among the rest and fell to the share of Ralph de Meschines whose eldest son Ranulph was Lord of Cumberland and at the same time in right of his mother and by the favour of his Prince Earl
dedicated his Books of the Ecclesiastical History of England and who afterwards Rog. Hoveden renouncing the World took upon him the habit of a Monk in the Church of Lindisfern and listed himself a Souldier of the Kingdom of Heaven his body being afterwards translated to the Church of Northam When also the Danes had miserably wasted the Holy Issand wherein S. Cuthbert so much magnified by Bede was Bishop and lay buried some endeavour'd by a religious stealth to convey his body beyond Sea but the winds standing contrary they with all due reverence deposited the sacred Body at * The printed Books have corruptly Bulbeford Will. Malmesb de Gest Pont. lib. 1. Ubbanford whether a Bishop's See or no is uncertain near the river Twede where it lay for many years till the coming of King Ethelred This and other matters were taught me for I shall always own my Instructors by George Carlton born at this place being son to the Keeper of Norham-Castle whom for his excellent Proficiency in Divinity whereof he is Professor and other polite Learning I love and am lov'd by him and I were unworthy of that love if I should not acknowledge his Friendship The old people told us that at Killey Killay a little neighbouring Village below Norham were found within the memory of our Grandfathers the studds of a Knight's Belt A golden Hilt and the hilt of a Sword of massie Gold which were presented to T. Ruthall Bishop of Durham A little lower you have the mouth of Twede on the farther bank whereof stands Berwick Berwick the last Town in England and best fortify'd in all Britain hh Some derive the name of this Town from one Berengarius a Romantick Duke Leland fetches it from Aber the British word for the mouth of a river and so makes Aberwick to signifie a Fort built upon such a mouth But they will best understand the true etymology of it who know what is meant by the word Berwicus in the Charters of our Kings Ingulphus renders Berwicus a Mannour wherein nothing's more common than I give the Townships of C. and D. cum suis Berwicis ii For my part what it should mean I know not unless it be a Hamlet or some such dependency upon a place of better note For in the Grants of Edward the Confessor Totthill is call'd the Berwicus of Westminster Wandlesworth the Berwicus of Patricksey and a thousand of the like But why all this pains 'T is lost labour if as some maintain the Saxons call'd it anciently Beornica-ƿic that is the Town of the Bernicians for that this part of the Country was call'd Bernicia we have already noted and the thing is too well known to be here repeated But whence ever it had its name its situation carries it a good way into the sea so that that and the Twede almost incircle it Being seated betwixt two mighty Kingdoms as Pliny observes of Palmyra in Syria it has always been the first place that both Nations in their wars have had an eye on insomuch that ever since Edward the first wrung it out of the Scotch hands the English have as often retaken it as the Scots have ventur'd to seize it But if the Reader pleases we will here give him a summary abstract of its History The oldest account I find of Berwick is that William King of Scots being taken prisoner by the English pawn'd it for his ransom to our Henry the second redeemable only within such a time kk Whereupon says the Polychronicon of Durham Henry immediately fortify'd it with a Castle But Richard the first restor'd it to the Scots upon their payment of the money Afterwards King John as the History of Melross reports took the Town and Castle of Berwick at the same time that he burnt Werk Roxburgh Mitford and Morpath and with his Rutars wasted all Northumberland because the Barons of that county had done homage to Alexander King of Scots at Feltun A great many years after this when John Baliol King of Scotland had broken his Oath Edward the first reduc'd Berwick in the year of our Lord 1297. But soon after the fortune of war favouring the Scots our men quitted it and they seiz'd it but the English forthwith had it surrender'd to them again Afterwards in the loose reign of Edward the second Peter Spalding surrender'd it to Robert Brus King of Scots who warmly besieg'd it and the English vainly attempted its recovery till our Hector Edward the third bravely carry'd it in the year 1333. In the reign of Richard the second some Scottish Moss-troopers surpriz'd the Castle which within nine days was recover'd by Henry Percie Earl of Northumberland Within seven years after this the Scots regain'd it but by purchace not by their valour Whereupon the said Henry Percie being then Governour of the Town was accus'd of High-treason but he also corrupted the Scots with money and so got it again A long time after this when England was almost spent in civil wars Henry the sixth being already fled into Scotland deliver'd it up to the King of Scots the better to secure himself in that Kingdom Two and twenty years after Thomas Stanley with a great loss of men reduc'd it to the obedience of Edward the fourth Since which time the Kings of England have several times fortify'd it with new works but especially Queen Elizabeth who lately to the terrour of the enemy and security of the Burghers hath drawn it into a less compass than before and surrounded it with a high stone wall of firm Ashler work which is again strengthen'd with a deep ditch bastions and counterscarp so that its fortifications are so strong and regular that no besiegers can hope to carry it hereafter Not to mention the valour of the Garrison and the surprizing plenty of Ammunition and all warlike stores Be it also remember'd that the Governour of this place was alwaies a person of the greatest wisdom and eminence among the English Nobility and was also Warden of these eastern Marches The Mathematicians have plac'd this Town in 21 degrees and 43 minutes of longitude and in 55 and 48 of northern latitude So that the longest day in this climate consists of seventeen hours and 22 minutes and its night has only six hours and 38 minutes Brita has 〈◊〉 of Day So truly has Servius Honoratus written of this Country Britain says he has such plenty of day that she has hardly any room for night Nor is it a wonder that the Souldiers of this Garrison are able to play all night at dice without a candle if we consider their thorow twilight and the truth of Juvenal's expression Minimâ contentos nocte Britannos Britains with shortest nights content Take at parting J. Jonston's Verses upon Berwick Scotorum extremo sub limite Meta furoris Saxonidum gentis par utriusque labor Mille vices rerum quae mille est passa ruinas Mirum quî potuit tot superesse
was in times past exceeding strong Which being surprized by the English while King James 2. of Scotland was besieging it he was untimely slain in the flower of his youth by a piece of Cannon that casually burst He was a Prince much missed and lamented by his Subjects Notwithstanding this the Castle was surrender'd and being mostly demolished is now scarce to be seen But the adjacent Territory called from it the Sheriffdom of Roxborough â—â—â—â—â—ffâ—â—â—e of â—â—â—boâ—â—â—gh â—â—â—editaâ—â—â—heriffs hath an hereditary Sheriff of the family of Douglass who is usually called the Sheriff of Teviotdale And now f It is now an Earldom belonging to the same Family Roxborough by the favour of King James 6. is also a Barony in the person of Robert Kerr Kerr of the house of the Kerrs a very noble and numerous family in this tract from which are descended the Fernhersts and others who being educated in the school of Arms have render'd themselves very illustrious Twede Twedale aforesaid runs through the middle of a Valley or Dale that takes its name from it abounding in sheep whose wool is very valuable This is certainly a Noble River which having its source amongst the hills more inwardly Westward and running as it were with a streight Channel by Drimlar-Castle by Peeblis Peeblis a Market-Town * See more in the Additions which hath for its Sheriff Baron Zester as also g This town is a burgh-Royal has a weekly market and several â—airs is the head burgh of the shire and the seat of the Sheriff and Commissary-Courts Selkirk Selkirk †See more in the Additions hard by which hath one out of the family of Murray of Fallo-hill it receives the little River Lauder upon which appears h Here the late Duke of Lauderdale has built a well-contriv'd handsom Church consisting of four Isles with a large Steeple rising in the middâ—e Lauder together with Thirlestan Here Sir John Maitland not long since Chancellor of Scotland for his singular prudence created by K. James the 6. Baron of Thirlestan Baron of Thirlestan hath a very beautiful seat i The said Duke has adorned it with avenues pavillions out-Courts and other beauties requir'd to the making of a compleat Seat Then being increased by the accession of the River Teviot beneath Roxburgh it watereth the Sheriffdom of Berwick which is most of it the Estate of the Humes wherein the Head of that Family exerciseth now the Jurisdiction of a Sheriff and then running under Berwick the best fortified Town of Britain whereof I have already spoken with a prodigious plenty of Salmon it emptieth it self into the Sea b MERCHIA MERCH or MERS MErch which is next and so named because it is a March-Countrey lieth wholly upon the German Ocean Here k It was demolished by the English in the late War Hume Castle first presents it self the ancient possession of the Lords of Home or Hume who being descended from the Earls of Merch have spread themselves into a numerous and noble family Of which Alexander Hume who was before Primier Baron of Scotland and Sheriff of Berwick was lately advanced by James King of Great Britain to the Title of Earl of Hume Earl Hume Not far off under this Castle lieth l It is a burgh of Barony and a large beautiful Town Kelso Kelso formerly famous for a Monastery founded by King David the first among thirteen more for the propagation of God's glory but to the great impairing of the Crown Lands Thence we have a prospect of Coldingham Coldingham called by Bede Coldana and Coludi urbs perhaps the Colania Colania of Ptolemy consecrated many Ages since to professed Nuns whose Chastity is recorded in ancient Writings for their cutting off together with Ebba their Prioress their Noses and Lips chusing to secure their Virginity from the Danes rather than preserve their Beauty but they notwithstanding burnt them together with their Monastery Hard by is Fastcastle belonging to the Humes so called from its strength near the same St. Ebbe's Promontory who being the Daughter of Edelfrid King of Northumberland when her Father was taken Prisoner seized upon a Boat in the Humber and passing along the tempestuous Ocean landed in safety here became famous for her sanctity and left her name to the place But Merch is much more celebrated in History for its Earls Earls of Merch. than places who were highly commended for their Martial Courage They were descendants of Gospatrick Earl of Northumberland who after his being driven out of his Countrey by William the Conqueror was entertained by Malcolm Conmer that is Great-head King of Scotland and honoured by him with Dunbar-Castle and the Earldom of Merch. His Posterity besides very large possessions in Scotland held as appears by an old Inquisition the Barony of Bengeley in Northumberland that they should be Inborrow and Utborrow between England and Scotland What the meaning should be of these terms let others guess what my conjecture is I have said already But in the reign of King James the first George of Dunbar the Earl of Merch by authority of Parliament upon the account of his Father's Rebellion lost the propriety and possession of the Earldom of Merch and the Seigniory of Dunbar And when he proved by good Evidence that his Father had been pardoned that fault by the Regents of the Kingdom he was answered that it was not in the Regents power to pardon an offence against the State and that it was provided by the Laws that the Father's transgression should succeed to the Children to the end that being Heirs to their Father's Rashness as well as Estate they should not at any time out of a vain opinion of power plot against their Prince and Country The Title of Earl of Merch was afterwards amongst other Honourable Titles conferr'd on Alexander Duke of Albany And in our memory this title of honour was reviv'd in Robert the 3. Brother of Matthew Earl of Lenox who being of Bishop of Cathness made Earl of Lenox soon after resigned up that Title to his Nephew created Duke of Lenox and received of the King by way of recompence the name and stile of Earl of Merch c LAVDEN or LOTHIEN LOTHIEN also called Lauden Lauden and anciently from the Picts Pictland shoots out along from Merch as far as the Scottish Sea or the Frith having many hills and little woods but for its excellent Corn-lands and civility is commended above any County in Scotland About the Year of our Lord 873. Edgar King of England between whom and Keneth the third King of Scotland there was a strict alliance against the Danes the Common Enemy resigned up his right in this Lothian unto him as Matthew Florilegus asserts and to tie his heart the closer to him He bestowed upon him moreover many Lodges in the way wherein both he and his Successors in their coming to the Kings
of England and return homewards might be entertained which till K. Henry the second 's time remained in the hands of the King 's of Scotland In this Lothian the first place that presents it self upon the Sea Shore is Dunbar Dunbar a Castle in ancient times very strongly fortify'd the seat of the Earls of Merch before-mentioned thence commonly called Earls of Dunbar Earls of Dunbar often taken by the English and recovered by the Scots But in the Year 1567 it was demolisht by order of the States to prevent its being a retreat for Rebels But King James in the year 1515. conferr'd the Title and Honour of Earl of Dunbar upon Sir Geo. Hume for his approved Loyalty whom he had created before Baron Hume of Berwick Baron Home or Hume of Berwick to him his Heirs and Assigns m It is now a Viscounty in the person of Robert Constable Viscount Dunbar Hard by the little River Tine after a short course falleth into the Sea near the source whereof stands Zeister Zeister which hath its Baron of the Family of the Hays Earls of Arroll who is likewise hereditary Sheriff of the little Territory of Twedale or Peblis Upon the same rivulet some few miles higher in a large plain lies Hadington or Hadina fortify'd by the English with a deep and large ditch and a four square turf-wall without with four bullwarks at the Corners and as many more upon the Inner wall and as valiantly defended by Sir George Wilford an Englishman against Monsieur Dessie who fiercely attaqu'd it with 10000 French and Germans till the Plague growing hot and lessening the garison Henry Earl of Rutland came with a great Army and rais'd the siege and having levell'd the Works conducted the English home And now of late K. James 6. hath for his loyalty and valour elected into the Nobility of Scotland Sir John Ramsey whose RIGHT HAND was the DEFENDER OF THE PRINCE AND COUNTRY in that horrid Conspiracy of the Gowries under the title and honour of Viscount Hadington Viscouâ—â— Hadinâ—ton n It is now an Earldom in the famiâ—y of the Hamiltons Of this Hadington J. Johnston hath these Verses Planities praetensa jacet prope flumina Tinae Fluminis arguti clauditur ista sinu Vulcani Martis quae passa incendia fati Ingemit alterno vulnere fracta vices Nunc tandem sapit icta Dei praecepta secuta Praesidio gaudet jam potiore Poli. Near Tine's fair stream a spatious plain is shown Tine's circling arms embrace the hapless town Where Mars and fiery Vulcan reign'd by turns With fatal rage whose dire effects she mourns By sad experience now at last grown wise She slights their fury and their power defies Contemns the dangers that before she fear'd And rests secure when mighty heaven 's her guard A little way from Hadington stands Athelstanford Athelâ—â—â—â—ford so named from Athelstan a Commander of the English slain there with his men about the year 815 but that this was Athelstan that Warlike King of the West-Saxons must be utterly deny'd if we have any respect to time or the manner of his Death Above the Mouth of this Tine upon the doubling of the shore stands Tantallon Castle from whence Archibald Douglas Earl of Angus was very troublesome to James 5. King of Scotland Here by the winding of the shores on both sides room is made for a very Noble Arm of the Sea well furnished with Isllands and by the influx of many rivers and the Sea-tides dilated to a mighty breadth Ptolemy calls it Boderia Tacitus Bodotria Bodoeâ—â—â— from its depth as I conjecture the Scots the Forth and Frith we Edenborough-Frith others Mare Fresicum and Mare Scoticum and the Eulogium Morwiridh Upon this after you are past Tantallon Tantalâ—â—â— are seated first North-Berwick antiently famous for a House of Religious Virgins and then Drylton Dryltoâ— which formerly belong'd to the eminent family of the Haliburtons and now by the favour of K. James 6. gives the Title of Baron to Sir Tho. Ereskin Captain of his Guards as Felton Viscouâ—â— Felton hard by gives the Honourable Title of Viscount to the same person who was the first that had the stile and dignity of a Viscount in Scotland Over against them in the sea near the shore lies the Bass The Bass an Island which rises up as it were in one continued craggy rock on every side inaccessible yet it has a Fort a fountain and pasture-grounds but is so hollow'd and undermined by the waves that it is almost wrought through What prodigious flights of sea-fowl especially of those Geese they call Scouts â—â—outs and Soland-Geese at certain times flock hither â—â—â—andâ—â—eâ— â—â—ch â—â—â—n to be â—â—â—'s Piâ—â—â—ae for by report their number is so great as in a clear day to darken the Sun what multitudes of Fishes they bring so as that 100 Soldiers in Garison here liv'd upon no other provision but the fresh fish brought hither by them as they give out what a quantity of sticks they convey for the building of their nests so that by their means the inhabitants are abundantly provided with firing what vast profit also their feathers and oyl amount to are things so incredible that no one scarcely would believe it but he that had seen it â—â—â—on â—â—â—â—-town Then as the shore draws back Seton appears which seems to take its name from its situation upon the Sea and to have given one to the Right Honourable House of the Setons descended of an English Family and a Daughter of King Robert Bruce of which the o The Marquisate of Huntley is now in the family of Gordon who are likewise Dukes of Gordon Marquiss of Huntley Robert Earl of Wintoun 〈◊〉 of Winâ—â—â—n Alexander Earl of Dunfermling all advanced to honours by King James 6. are Branches d After this the River Esk hath its influx into the Frith having run by Borthwic â—â—â—thwic which hath its Barons so sirnamed of Hungarian extraction by Nâ—wbottle â—â—wbottle that is the new building formerly a little Monastery now a Barony in the person of Sir Mark Ker by Dalkeith â—â—â—â—â—â—th lately a pleasant seat of the Earls of Morton and Musselborough â—â—â—â—â—boâ—â—â—gh below which upon Edward Seymour Duke of Somerset's entring Scotland with a * compleat Army â—â—â—â—o to challenge the performance of Articles for the marrying Mary Queen of Scotland to Edward 6. King of England there happened a most dismal day to the youth of the noble Families in Scotland who there fell in the battle Here I must not pass by in silence this Inscription which J-Napier a learned person in his Commentaries on the Apocalyps informs us was here dug up and which the eminently ingenious Sir Peter Young Knight King James the 6th's Tutor hath thus more truly described APOLLINI GRANNO Q. LVSIVS SABINIA NVS PROC AVG. â—â—tem â—â—ptum â—â—it luâ—â— meriâ—â— V. S. S. L
Hamilton Earl of Abercorne Just by stands Blackness Castle Blackneâ—â— and beneath that southward the ancient City of Lindum which Ptolemy takes notice of by the learned call'd yet Linlithquo Linlithquâ— but commonly Lithquo adorn'd with a fine House of the Kings a noble Church and a Lake plentifully stock'd with Fish from which Lake it seems to derive its name for Lin as I hinted before in British sounds as much as Lake Eâ—rl of Linâ—â—thquo It had formerly an Hereditary Sheriff of the House of Hamilton of Peyle but its first Earl in our memory was Alexander Levingston advanc'd by K. James 6. from the dignity of a Baron which his Ancestors had long been honour'd with to that of an Earl as a little after Mark Ker Baron of Newbottle was to the title of Earl of q Lothian Earl of Lothiaâ— f * â—ee mâ—â—â— of it inâ—â— the Adâ—â—tions Additions to the GADENI a WHether the People inhabiting those four Counties mentioned by our Author were call'd Gadeni and Ladeni is a point not so universally agreed upon Indeed they seem to be no other than those call'd by Mr. Camden according to different Copies Ottadini Ottadeni and Ottalini and by that Learned Gentleman Drummond of Hawthernden Scottedeni upon a supposition that the initial letters Sc. were probably either quite gone or so obscur'd as not to be legible by which means the Transcribers might be drawn into an error However that they are to be carried farther Northward than Northumberland to which Mr. Camden has confin'd them is plain from Ptolemie's fixing that Curia the place remarkable amongst them in the 59th degree of latitude And in a village in Mid-Lothian call'd Cutrie there seem to be plain remains of the old Curia as there are of the Ottadeni Scottedeni c. in Caer Eden now call'd Carriden in West-Lothian where was found a Medal of Titus Vespasian in gold with some Roman Urns and a Stone with the Head of an Eagle engraven upon it Dun-Eden also the ancient name of Edenburgh seems to point out to us that ancient People and to prove that their bounds extended as far as the water of Eden calld yet by some Eden-water About the mouth whereof at a place called Inner-Even are yet to be seen some remains of ancient Buildings b The Shire of TEVIOTDALE Teviotdale comprehending under it Lidesdale Eusdale and Eskdale is in length from Reddinburn on the east to Anandale on the west about 30 miles and the breadth from the border to the blue Cairn in Lawdermoor about 14 or 15. It is a good soil extraordinary well mixt with Grass and Corn and water'd with several rivulets that run into Tiot and Tweed The Valley-grounds abound with Corn short of few Shires in Scotland for the goodness of the grain so that great quantities of it are frequently transported into England Free-stone and Lime they have in great abundance The high grounds are furnish'd with excellent grass and produce great store of cattel of all kinds and of the best broods in Scotland both for largeness and goodness Nor does this County want it's remains of Roman Antiquity for here are some vestigia of their encampments and a military way runs from Hownam to Tweed call'd the Roman Causey and by the vulgar the Rugged Causey The Mountains Mountains most eminent in it are Cokraw from which there runs a tract of hills westward dividing Scotland from England which are only passable at some places There is another tract of hills going from Harewell which run along to Craucross being 12 miles and in the body of the Shire are Rueburgh-Law Mynto-hill and Hadinton-hills They have the Regalities Râ—galiâ—â— of Jedburgh-forest belonging to the Marquiss of Douglas the Regality of Hawick belonging to Bacleugh and the Regality of Melross in the person of the Earl of Hadington Several ancient Families of Gentlemen inhabit this County and those of very considerable Estates The Sherifdom for 't is governed by a Sheriff is in the Family of Douglas Sir William Douglas of Kevers being hereditary Sheriff In this Shire they have 3 Presbyteries Presbyâ—â—ries Jedburgh Kelso and Melross Within this compass our Author likewise includes the Shire of Peebles Peeblâ—â— or Tweedale so call'd from the river Tweed which rising at a place called Tweed's cross runs east the whole length of the Shire and for the most part with a swift stream 'T is bounded on the east with Etrick forest on the south with part of the Forest St. Mary Lough and Anandale on the west with the overward of Clidesdale and on the north with part of Caldermoor the head of North Esk and Mid-Lothian In length it is 26 miles and where broadest does not exceed 16. In which compass are 17 Parish Churches that make up a Presbytery call'd The Presbytery of Peebles The Countrey is generally swell'd with hills many of which are green and grassy with pleasant and fertil valleys between well watered and adorned with Gentlemen's houses Their grain is generally oats and barley and as for planting they have little of it except about the houses of the Gentry The Head Burgh of the Shire is Peebles Peeblâ—â— a Burgh Royal seated in a pleasant plain on the side of the river with a stately bridge of five arches over the Tweed and a fine Church As to Antiquity the place called Randall's-trenches Randâ—â—â— trenchâ—â— seems to have been a Roman Camp and there is a Causey leads from it for half a mile together to the town of Lyne Next to Peebles our Author barely mentions Selkirk Selkâ—râ— which yet is a Sherifdom called otherwise The Sherifdom of Etrick forest because formerly it was wholly covered with woods which were well furnished with Harts Hinds and Fallow Deer but now they are in a great measure destroyed On the north 't is bounded partly by Tweedale and partly by the Regality of Stow in Mid-Lothian on the east and south by Teviot-dale and on the west partly by Teviotdale and partly by Annandale The body of the Shire is very near Quadrangular and the Diameter every way about 16 miles The Inhabitants have generally strong bodies being sober and frugal in their diet and living mostly by feeding of Cattle whereby they do not only support themselves but maintain a good Trade in England with their Wooll Sheep Cows c. c As the MERS Mers has its present name from being the boundary or march between England and Scotland so was it also call'd Berwickshire because the town of Berwick was formerly the chief burrough thereof which was afterwards given away by King James the third upon capitulation for redemption of Alexander Duke of Albany But if we may believe some Scotch Authors one more ancient than either of these was Ordolucia and that of the Inhabitants Ordolutae a branch of the Scottedeni It is the south-east Shire of all Scotland bordering upon the sea and divided from Berwick by
Falkirk but we need not here be particular in the Description of it designing a separate discourse upon that subject at the end of this Kingdom SELGOVAE BEneath the Gadeni to the South and West where now lie the small Territories of Liddesdale Eusdale Eskdale Annandale and Nidisdale q To which add Wachopdale so called from Rivulets running through them which all lose themselves in Solway-Frith were anciently seated the Selgovae the reliques of whose name seem to me whether to others too I knâ—w not to remain in the name Solway IN Liddesdale â—â—ddâ—sâ—â—â—e we have a high prospect of Armitage so called because anciently dedicated to a solitary life But now it is a very strong Castle which belonged to the Hepburnes who deduce their Original from a certain English Captive whom the Earl of March for delivering him out of a danger much enriched They were Earls of Bothwell â—â—rls of â—â—thwell and for a long time Admirals of Scotland by inheritance But by a sister of James Earl of Bothwell last of the Hepburnes â—â—pburnes married to John Prior of Coldingham a natural son of K. James 5. who had several such issue both title and estate devolved to his son Hard by is Brakensey â—â—akensey the seat of the warlike Family of Baclugh â—â—â—d â—â—clugh sirnamed Scot with many other little Forts of men of Arms up and down the Country In Eusdale Eusdale I should be apt to think from the affinity of the name that the ancient Uzellum Uzellum mentioned by Ptolemy lay upon the River Euse In Eskdale Eskdale some are of opinion that the Horesti Horesti dwelt into whose borders Julius Agricola after he had subdued the Britains that inhabited this Tract led the Roman Army especially if we read Horesci for Horesti For the British Ar-Esc signifies a place by the River Eske As for Aesica in Eskdale I have spoken of it before in England and need not repeat it here a ANNANDALE JOined to this on the west-side lies Annandale Annandale that is the Valley or Dale upon the river Annan into which the access by land is very difcult The places of greatest note are a Castle upon Lough-Maban Lough-Maban which is three parts surrounded with water and strongly walled And Annandale Town almost upon the very mouth of the river Annan divested of all its glory by the English War in the reign of Edward 6. In this Territory the Jonstons The Jonstons are men of greatest name a family born for Wars between whom and the Maxwells who by ancient right preside over the Stewartry The Stewartry of Annandale for so 't is term'd there hath been too long an open enmity and defiance even to bloodshed This Valley Edgar King of the Scots upon his restoration to his Kingdom by the Auxiliaries he had out of England gave for his good services to Robert Brus The Bruses Lord of Cleaveland in the County of York who bestowed it by the King's permission upon Robert his younger son being unwilling himself to serve the King of Scots in his Wars From him are branched the Bruses Lords of Annandale of whom Robert Bruse married Isabella the daughter of William King of Scots by the daughter of Robert Avenel his son likewise Robert the third of that name married the daughter of David Earl of Huntingdon and Garioth whose son Robert sirnamed the Noble upon the failure of the issue of Alexander the third King of Scotland challenged in his mother's right the Kingdom of Scotland before Edward I. K. of England as the direct and superior Lord of the Kingdom of Scotland as the English give out or as an Honorary Arbitrator as the Scots will have it as being more nearly related in degree and bloud to King Alexander the third and to Margaret daughter to the King of Norway although a second sister's son Who soon after resigning up his own right granted and gave over to his son Robert Brus Earl of Carrick and to his heirs I speak out of the very Original all the right and claim which he had or might have to the Kingdom of Scotland But the point was determined in favour of John Baliol who sued for his right as descended from the eldest sister though in a more remote degree in these words Because the person more remote in the second degree descending in the first line is to be preferred before a nearer in the second line in the succession of an inheritance that cannot be parted Nevertheless the said Robert son to the Earl of Carriot by his valour possess'd himself of the Kingdom and establish'd it in his posterity A Prince who as he was illustrious for his glorious Actions so did he successfully triumph over Fortune so often his Adversary with a courage and presence of mind invincible b NIDISDALE CLose to Annandale on the West lies Nidisdale abounding in arable and pasture grounds so named from the River Nid The River Nid by Ptolemy falsely written Nobius for Nodius or Nidius of which name there are other Rivers in Britain full of muddy shallows as this Nid is It springs out of the Lake Lough-Cure upon which stood anciently Corda Corda a Town of the Selgovae It takes its course first by Sanqhar a Castle of the Creightons The Creightons Barons of Sanqhar who were long honoured with the Title of Barons of Sanqhar and the authority of hereditary Sheriffs of Nidisdale next by Morton Earls of Morton which gave the Title of Earl to some of the family of Douglass of which others are seated at Drumlanrig upon the same River near the mouth whereof stands Dunfreys Dunfreys between two Hills the most flourishing Town of this Tract which still shews its ancient Castle a Town famous for its woollen Manufacture and remarkable for the murder of John Commin a man of the greatest Interest amongst the Scots whom Robert Brus lest he should oppose his coming to the Crown ran through in the Church and easily got a pardon of the Pope for a murder committed in a sacred place Nearer to its mouth Solway a Village still retains somewhat of the old name of Selgovae Upon the very mouth is situated Caer-Laverock Caer-Laverock Ptolemie's Carbantorigum a Fort looked upon as impregnable when K. Edw. I. accompanied with the flower of the English Nobility besieged and took it But now 't is a weak Mansion-House of the Barons Maxwell who being of ancient Nobility were long Wardens of these Western Marches and lately advanced by a marriage with a Daughter and Coheir of the Earl of Morton whereby John Lord Maxwell was decâ—ared Earl of Morton as also by the Daughter and Heir of Hereis Lord Toricles whom J. a second son took to wife and had by her the title of Baron Hereis Barons Hereis In this valley also upon the lake lies Glencarn Glencaâ—â— of which the Cunninghams about whom I shall speak
luxus non Infula tantum Ornavit diri quae tibi causa mali Glottiadae quantum decorant Te Glascua Musae Quae celsum attollunt clara sub astra caput Glotta decus rerum piscosis nobilis undis Finitimi recreat jugera laeta soli Ast Glottae decus vicinis gloria terris Glascua faecundat flumine cuncta suo Not haughty Prelates e'er adorn'd thee so Nor stately Mitres cause of all thy woe As Cluyd's muses grace thy blest abodes And lift thy head among the deathless gods Cluyd great flood for plenteous fish renown'd And gentle streams that cheer the fruitful ground But happy Glascow Cluyd's chiefest pride Glory of that and all the world beside Spreads round the riches of her noble tide On this side the Cluyd upon its banks lies the Barony of Reinfraw Barons of Renfraw so called from its principal Town which may seem to be Ptolemy's Randvara Randvara on the River Cathcart upon which the antient Baron of Cathcart Barons Cathcart hath his habitation Near adjoyning for this little Province is full of Nobility lies Cruikston Cruikston antiently the seat of the Lords of Darley from whom by right of marriage it came to the Earls of Lenox whence Henry the Father of King James the 6. was call'd Lord Darley Halkead the residence of the Barons of Ros Barons of Roos descended originally of English bloud as deriving their Linage from that Robert Roos of Warke who left England and came under the Allegiance of the King of Scots Paslay Paslay formerly a famous Monastery founded by Alexander the 2d High Steward of Scotland inferior to few for its noble Church and rich furniture * See the Additions But now by the favour of K. James 6. it gives a seat and the title of Baron to Claud Hamilton a younger son of the Duke of Castle-Heralt And Sempill whose Lord is Baron Sempill Barons Sempil and by antient right Sheriff of this Barony But I have read that the title of Baron of Reinfraw by a peculiar right belongs to the Prince of Scotland b LENNOX ALong the other side of the Cluyd above Glascow Levinia or Lennox runs a long way Northward amongst a continued series of hills taking its name from the River Levin Ptolemy's Lelanonius â—â—â—â—noniâ—â— which falleth into the Cluyde out of Logh-lomund â—â—gh â—â—â—â—nd a Lake that dilates it self under the mountains twenty miles long and eight miles broad excellently well stocked with fish especially one sort peculiar to it â—â—e fish they call it Pollac It hath likewise many Islands in it concerning which there use to be many Traditional stories amongst the ordinary sort of people As for the Floating-Island here I shall not call the truth of it in question for what should hinder a body from swimming that 's dry and hollow like a pinace and lighter than ordinary â—â—â—i 〈◊〉 20. Pliny tells us that certain green Islands cover'd with reeds and rushes float up and down in the lake of Vadimon But I leave it to the Neighbours that know the nature of this place to be Judges whether this old Distick of our Nechâ—m be true or no Ditatur fluviis Albania saxea ligna Dat Lomund multa frigiditate potens Scotland's enrich'd with Rivers Timber thrown Into cold Lomund's waters turns to stone There are many Fishermens Cottages round about upon the banks of the Logh but nothing worth our notice except Kilmoronock â—â—â—â—oroâ—â—â—k a fine House of the Earl of Cassil seated upon the East side which hath a delicate prospect into the Logh But at the influx of the Levin out of the Logh into the Cluyde stands Al-Cluyd â—â—cluid so called by the antients Bede observes that it signifies the Rock Cluyde but I know not in what language Ar-Cluid in the British certainly signifies upon Cluid and Cluid in old English signify'd a Rock Succeeding ages call'd it Dunbritton â—â—â—britâ—â—â— that is the Britains Town and corruptly by a transposition of letters â—â—â—â—noâ—â—m Dunbarton because the Britains held it a long time against the Scots Picts and Saxons For both by nature and situation it is the strongest Castle in all Scotland fixt upon a craggy two-headed Rock at the confluence of the Rivers in a green plain Upon one of its heads stands a high Watch-Tower on the other which is somewhat lower many strong Towers It hath but one ascent to it and that on the North-side between the two heads having scarce room enough to pass one by one by steps cut out of the rock crosswise with a world of labour Upon the West-side the Levin upon the South the Cluyde serve instead of ditches Eastward lies a Morass which every Tide is wholly under water Towards the North it is very well secur'd by the steepness of its situation Here some remains of the Britains who as Gildas writes generally retreated for shelter and entrench'd themselves upon the tops of craggy inaccessible mountains in thick Forrests and Rocks upon the Sea shore presuming upon the natural strength of the place and their own Courage defended themselves after the departure of the Romans for 300 years in the very midst of their Enemies For in Bede's time as he himself writes it was the best fortify'd City the Britains had R. Hoveden But in the year 756. Eadbert King of Northumberland and Oeng King of the Picts with their joynt Forces shut it up on every side and drove it to that extremity that it was surrender'd upon Articles Of this place the Territory round about is called the Sheriffdom of Dunbarton and hath long had the Earls of Lennox for Sheriffs by inheritance Now as for the Earls of Lennox The Earls of Lennox not to mention those more antient one Duncan was Earl of Lennox in the Reign of Robert the 2. who died and left two only Daughters behind him One of which was marry'd to Alan Stewart Stewart who was descended from Robert a younger son of Walter the 2. High Steward of Scotland and a Brother of Alexander Stewart the 2. founder of the royal line of Scotland For this illustrious Family took its name from that Honourable Office of High Steward of the Kingdom that is he that had the charge of the Revenues of the Crown This Alan had issue John Earl of Lennox and Robert made Captain of the Scotch Guard du Corps Scotâ—h Guard du Corps in France first rais'd by the French King Charles the 6. in recompence of the good services that nation had done the Crown of France as also Lord of Aubigny in Auvergne by the same King as a reward of his valour John had issue Matthew Earl of Lennox who marry'd the daughter of James Hamilton by Mariona daughter to King James the 2. by whom he had John Earl of Lennox who taking up arms to deliver King James the 5. out of the hands of the Douglasses and Hamiltons was kill'd by
from the Church as a Feudatory and Vicegerent and obliged his Successors to pay three hundred Marks to the Bishop of that See Yet the most eminent 1 Sir Thomas Hol. Thomas Moor who sacrificed his life to the Pope's Prerogative denies this to be true For he says the Romanists can shew no grant and that they have never demanded the said money nor the Kings of England acknowledged it However with submission to this great man the thing is really otherwise as most clearly appears from the Parliament-Rolls which are evidence incontestable For in a Parliament in Edward the third's Reign the Chancellor of England informs the House That the Pope intended to cite the King of England to a tryal at Rome as well for homage as for the tribute due and payable from England and Ireland and to which King John had bound both himself and his Successors and desired their opinion in it The Bishops required a day to consider of this matter apart as likewise did the Lords and Commons The next day they met again and unanimously voted and declared that forasmuch as neither King John nor any other King whatsoever could put the Kingdom under such a servitude but by the consent and agreement of a Parliament which was never had and farther that since whatsoever he had done in that kind was directly contrary to the Oath which he solemnly took before God at his Coronation if the Pope would insist upon it they were resolved to oppose him with their lives and fortunes to the very utmost of their power Such also as were learned in the law made the Charter of King John to be void and insignificant by that clause of reservation in the end saving to us and our heirs all our rights liberties and regalities But this is out of my road From King John's time the Kings of England were stiled Lords of Ireland till within the memory of our fathers Henry the eighth was declared King of Ireland by the States of that Realm assembled in Parliament the title of Lord seeming not so sacred and venerable to some seditious persons as that of King In the year 1555 when Queen Mary offered the subjection of the Kingdom of England by the hands of her Ambassadors to Pope Paul the fourth this name and title of Kingdom of Ireland was confirmed by the Pope in these word To the praise and glory of Almighty God and his most glorious mother the Virgin Mary to the honour of the whole Court of Heaven and the exaltation of the Catholick Faith We at the humble request of King Philip and Queen Mary made unto us by the advice of our brethren and by virtue of our full Apostolical authority do erect the Kingdom of Ireland and do for ever dignifie and exalt it with the title honours powers rights ensigns prerogatives preferments Royal praeeminencies and such like privileges as other Christian Realms have use and enjoy or may have use and enjoy hereafter Having accidentally found a Catalogue of those English Noble men who went in the first invasion of Ireland and with great valor subdued it to the Crown of England lest I should seem to envy them and their posterity the glory of this atchievment I will here give you them from the Chancery of Ireland for so 't is entitled The Names of such as came with Dermic Mac Morrog into Ireland Richard Strongbow Earl of Pembroke who by Eve the daughter of Morrog the Irish petty King aforesaid had an only daughter who brought to William Mareschall the title of Earl of Pembroke with a fair estate in Ireland and had issue five sons who in order succeeded one another all childless and as many daughters who enriched their husbands Hugh Bigod Earl of Norfolk Guarin Montchensey Gilbert Clare Earl of Glocester William Ferrars Earl of Derby and William Breose with children honours and possessions Robert Fitz-Stephens Harvey de Mont Marish Maurice Prendergest Robert Barr. Meiler Meilerine Maurice Fitz-Girald Redmund nephew to Stephen William Ferrand Miles de Cogan Richard de Cogan Gualter de Ridensford Gualter sons of Maurice Girald Alexander sons of Maurice Girald William Notte Robert Fitz-Bernard Hugh de Lacy. William Fitz-Aldelm William Macarell Hunfrey Bohun Hugh de Gundevill Philip de Hasting Hugh Tirell David Walsh Robert Poer Osbert de Harloter William de Bendenge Adam de Gernez Philip de Breos Griffin Nephew of Stephen Ralph Fitz-Stephen Walter de Barry Philip Walsh Adam de Hereford To whom out of Giraldus Cambrensis may be added John de Curcy Hugh Contilon Redmond Cantimore Edmond Fitz-Hugh Miles of St. Davids and others The Government of the Kingdom of IRELAND SInce Ireland has been subject to the Crown of England the Kings of this Realm have ever sent their Vice-Roys to manage the publick affairs there who at first in their Letters Patents or Commissions Loâ—d Depâ—â—ies of â—â—â—â—and were stilled Keepers of Ireland after that Justices of Ireland or at pleasure Lieutenants and Deputies Their jurisdiction and authority is really large and Royal they make war and peace have power to fill all Magistracies and other Offices except some very few to pardon all crimes but those of high treason and to confer Knighthood c. These Letters Patents when any one enters upon this honourable office are publickly read and after the new Deputy has took a solemn oath of a certain set form for that purpose before the Chancellor the sword which is to be carried before him is delivered into his hands and he is seated in a Chair of state attended by the Chancellor of the Realm the Members of the Privy-Council the Peers and Nobles of the Kingdom the King at Arms a Serjeant at Arms and other Officers of State So that whether we consider his jurisdiction and authority or his train attendance and splendor there is certainly no Vice-roy in Christendom that comes nearer the grandeur and majesty of a King His Council are the Chancellor of the Realm the Treasurer and such others of the Earls Barons and Judges as are of the Privy-Council Orders or degrees iâ— Ireland For Ireland has the same orders and degrees of honour that England has Earls Barons Knights Esquires c. The Courts or Tribunals of IRELAND THE supream Court in Ireland is the Parliament which Parliament at the pleasure of the King of England is either called or dissolved by his Deputy â—as an 〈◊〉 12. and yet in Edward the second 's time it was enacted That Parliaments should be held in Ireland every year 2 Which seemeth yet not to have been effected Here are likewise observed foure Law-terms in the year as in England and five Courts of Justice held 〈◊〉 the a The Court was called The Court of Castle-chamber because it was usually kept in the Castle of Dublin but has never been held since the Court of Star-Chamber was supprest in England Star-Chamber the Chancery King's-Bench Common Pleas and the Exchequer Here are
grew so concerned for blinding his brother that he renounced the Kingdom and with the sign of the cross went in pilgrimage to Jerusalem where he died 1089. As soon as the Nobility of the Island receiv'd the news of Lagman's death they dispatched their Ambassadors to Murecard O-Brien King of Ireland desiring that he would send them some diligent man or other of Royal extraction to rule over them during the minority of Olave the son of Godred The King readily consented and sent one Dopnald the son of Tade with orders and instructions to govern the Kingdom though it belonged not to him with modesty and tenderness But as soon as he was advanced to the throne without any farther heed to the commands his Lord had laid on him he grew grievous to the people by his tyranny and and reigned three years with great cruelty and outrage The Nobility being then no longer able to endure this oppression conspir'd rose up in arms and banish'd him Upon that he fled into Ireland and never returned 1097. One Ingemund was sent by the King of Norway to get the soveraignty of these Islands When he came to the Isle Leod he sent to all the great men of the Islands commanding them to assemble and make him King In the mean while he with his companions did nothing but spoil feast ravish women and virgins giving himself wholly up to such beastly lusts and pleasures As soon as the great men of the Islands were acquainted with these proceedings being now assembled to make him King they were so enraged that they went in all haste towards him and coming to his house in the night set it on fire so that he and his whole retinue were either destroyed by the fire or by the sword An. 1098. was founded the Abby of S. Mary at Cistercium Antioch was taken by the Christians and a Comet appeared The same year was fought a battle between the Inhabitants of the Isle of Man at Santwat those of the north-side got the victory In this engagement were slain Earl Other and Macmaras the two Leaders This same year Magnus King of Norway the son of Olave son of Harald Harfager out of curiosity to know whether the Corps of St. Olave King and Martyr remained uncorrupt commanded his tomb to be open'd This order being opposed by the Bishop and his Clergy the King himself came in person and had it open'd by force And when with the sense of his own eyes and hands he found the body sound and unputrified he fell into great fear and went away in all haste The next night the King and Martyr appear'd to him saying Take thy choice of these two offers either to lose thy life and Kingdom within 30 days or to leave Norway and be content never to see it more As soon as the King awaken'd he called his Nobles and the Elders of his people together and told them what vision he had seen Being frighted at it they gave him this Council That with all haste he should depart from Norway Upon this he prepared a fleet of an hundred and sixty ships and set sail for the Orcades which he soon conquer'd from whence he went on with success and victory through all the Islands till he came to that of Man Being landed there he went to St. Patrick's Isle to see the place where the Islanders had been engaged a little before for many of the dead bodies were as yet unburied This fine Island pleased him so well that he resolved to seat himself in it and to that end built forts and strong holds which retain his name to this day Those of Gallway were so much over-awed by him that at his order they cut down wood and brought it to the shore for him to make his Bulworks withal Next he sailed to Monia an Island of Wales where he found two Hughs both Earls one of them he slew Monia for Anglesey v. Girald Cambrensem in Itinerario Cambria the other he put to flight and conquer'd the Island The Welsh men made many Presents to him so taking his leave of them he returned to Man To Maricard King of Ireland he sent his shoes commanding him to carry them upon his shoulders thro' the middle of his house on Christmas day in sight of his Messengers to signifie his subjection to King Magnus The Irish received this news with great wrath and indignation But the King more advisedly said That he would not only carry but also eat his shoes rather than King Magnus should destroy one Province in Ireland So he complied with this order and honourably entertained his Messengers and sent them back with many presents to him and made a league with him Being returned they gave their Master an account of Ireland describing its situation and pleasantness its fruitfulness and the excellence of its air Magnus hearing this begun to turn his thoughts wholly upon the Conquest of that Count try For this end he gave orders to fit out a good fleet and went before with sixteen ships to take a view of the Country but as he unwarily left his ship he was beset by the Irish and cut off with most of those that were with him His body was buried near St. Patrick's Church in Down He reigned six years After his death the Noblemen of the Island sent for Olave the son of Godred sirnamed Crovan who lived in the Court of Henry King of England the son of King William 1102. Olave the son of Godred Crovan began his reign which continued 40 years He was a peaceable Prince and in league with all the Kings of Ireland and Scotland His wife was Africa the daughter of Fergâ—se of Gallway by whom he had Godred By his Concubines he had also Regnald Lagman and Harald besides many daughters one of whom was married to Summerled Prince of * Argiâ—e Herergaidel to whom the Kingdom of the Isles owe their ruine By her he had four sons Dungall Raignald Engus and Olave 1133. The Sun was so eclipsed on the fourth of the Nones of August that the day was as dark as the night 1134. Olave gave to Yvo Abbot of Furnes part of his lands in Man towards building an Abby in a place called Russin He enricht the estate of the Church with Islands and Revenues and endowed it with great liberties 1142. Godred the son of Olave sailed over to the King of Norway who was called Hinge and did him homage he staid there some time and was honourably received This same year the three sons of Harald the brother of Olave who were bred at Dublin came to Man with a great multitude of men and such as the King had banished demanding one half of the Kingdom of the Isles for their share The King being willing to please them answered That he would take the advice of a Council about it Having agreed upon the time and place for their meeting these base villains began to plot against the King's life At the
killed with a stone and buried in Iona. 1230. Olave came with Godred Don and the Norwegians to Man and they divided the Kingdom Olave was to have Man Godred being gone to the Isles was slain in Lodhus So Olave came to be sole King of the Isles 1237. On the twelfth of the Calends of June died Olave the son of Godred King of Man in St. Patrick's Isle and was buried in the Abbey of Russin He reigned eleven years two in the life time of his brother and nine after His son Harald then fourteen years old succeeded him and reigned twelve years In the first year of his reign he went to the Isles and made Loglen his Kinsman Keeper of Man In the autumn following Harald sent three sons of Nell viz. Dufgald Thorquel and Molmore and his friend Joseph to Man to consider of affairs Accordingly on the twenty fifth day they met at Tingala where upon a quarrel that then happened between the sons of Nell and Loglen there arose a sore fight on both sides in which Dufgald Mormor and the said Joseph lost their lives In the spring following King Harald came to the Isle of Man and Loglen who fled into Wales with Godred the son of Olave his pupil was cast away with about forty others 1238. Gospatrick and Gillescrist the son of Mac-Kerthac came from the King of Norway into Man and kept out Harald converting the tributes of the Country to the service of the King of Norway because he had refused to appear in person at the Court of that King 1240. Gospatric died and was buried in the Abbey of Russin 1239. Harald went to the King of Norway who after two years confirmed to him his heirs and successors under his Seal all the Islands that his Predecessors had enjoyed 1242. Harald returned out of Norway to Man was honourably received by the Inhabitants and made peace with the Kings of England and Scotland 1247. Harald as his father had been before him was Knighted by the King of England and returned home with many presents The same year the King of Norway sent for him and a match was made between Harald and his daughter In the year 1249 as he was on his voyage home with with her accompanied with Laurence the elect King of Man and many of the Nobility and Gentry he was cast away by a sudden storm near the coasts of Radland 1249. Reginald the son of Olave and brother to Harald began his reign the day before the Nones of May and on the thirtieth day thereof was slain by one Yvar a Knight and his accomplices in a meadow near Trinity Church on the south side His Corps were buried in the Church of S. Mary of Russin Alexander King of Scots prepared a great fleet about this time intending to conquer the Isles but a feavor seized him in the Isle of Kerwaray whereof he died Harald the son of Godred Don assumed the title of King of the Islands banished all the Noblemen that Harald King Olave's son had preferred and instead of them recalled such as were fled from him 1250. Harald the son of Godred Don upon letters mandatory from the King of Norway went to him and was imprisoned for his unjust usurpation The same year Magnus son of Olave and John the son of Dugald who named himself King arrived at Roghalwaht but the people of Man taking it ill that Magnus had not that title beat them off their coast and many of them were cast away 1252. Magnus the son of Olave came to Man and was made King The next year after he went and took a voyage to the Court of Norway and tarried there a year 1254. Haco King of Norway made Magnus the son of Olave King of the Isles confirming them to him and his heirs and expresly to his brother Harald 1256. Magnus King of Man went into England and there was Knighted by the King 1257. The Church of S. Mary of Russin was consecrated by Richard of Sodore 1260. Haco King of Norway came to Scotland and without effecting any thing died in his return to Orkneys at Kirwas and was buried at Bergh 1265. This year died Magnus the son of Olave King of Man and of the Islands at Russin castle and was buried in S. Mary's Church there 1266. The Kingdom of the Isles was translated by means of Alexander King of Scots What follows was written in a different and later Character 1270. On the seventh of October Alexander the King of Scots's navy arrived at Roghalwath and before sun-rise next morning a battle was fought between the Inhabitants of Man and the Scots who slew five hundred thirty five of the former whence that of a certain Poet L. decies X. ter penta duo cecidere Mannica gens de te damna futura cave 1313. Robert King of Scots besieged the castle of Russin which was defended by Dingawy Dowyll and at last took it 1316. Upon Ascension-day Richard de Mandevile and his brothers with others of the Irish Nobility arrived at Ramaldwath desiring a supply of money and victuals being stript of all by continual depredations When the Commonalty denied it they took the field in two bodies against those of Man advancing still till they came to the side of Warthfell-hill in a field where John Mandevile was posted Upon engaging they carried the victory spoiled the Isle and the Abbey of Russin Thus far out of that ancient Book and after a whole months ravagement they returned home full fraught with pillage The end of the Chronicle of the Kings of Man A Continuation of the foregoing History collected out of other Authors ALexander the third King of Scots having made himself master of the Western Islands partly by his sword and partly by purchase from the King of Norway at last invaded Man also as one of that number and by the valiant conduct of Alexander Steward entirely subdued it and set a King over the Isle upon this condition that he should be ready to assist him with ten ships in any of his wars by Sea when ever he demanded them However Mary the daughter of Reginald King of Man who was the Liege-man of John K. of England address'd her self to the King of England for justice in this case Answer was made That the King of Scots was then possess'd of the Island and she ought to apply her self to him Lords of Man Her grandchild by a son John Waldebeof for Mary married into this family notwithstanding this sued again for his right in Parliament held the 33d of Edw. the first urging it there before the King of England as Lord Paramount of Scotland Yet all the answer he could have was as it is in the very Record That he might prosecute his title before the Justices of the King's Bench let it be heard there and let justice be done But what he could not effect by law his kinsmanâ— 1 Sir William Hol. William Montacute for he was of the royal
into possession by the King of France upon certain conditions but was detain'd unjustly and treacherously John Archbishop of Dublin and some other great men were sent to the Kinâ— in Almain upon this account After they had receiv'd their answer in Tordran the Archbishop return'd into England and died oâ— S. Leodegarys day The bones of which John Sampford werâ— interr'd in S. Patrick's Church in Dublin on the 10th day beforâ— the Kalends of March. The same year there arose a debate between William Lord Vescy then Justiciary of Ireland and the Lord John Fitz Thomas and the said Lord William Vescy went into England and lefâ— Sir William de la Hay to officiate as Justiciary But when botâ— them were before the King for combat upon an appeel for treason William Vescy fled into France and would not fight Whereupon the King of England gave all the Seigniories that belong'd to him to Sir John Fitz Thomas viz. Kildare Rathemgan and manâ— others The same year Gilbert Clare Earl of Glocester return'd ouâ— of Ireland into England Likewise Richard Earl of Ulster sooâ— after S. Nicholas's day was taken prisoner by Sir John Fitz Thomas and kept within the castle of Ley till the feast of S. Gregory Pope but was then set at liberty by the Council of our Lord thâ— King in a Parliament at Kilkenny John Fitz Thomas gave aâ— his lands for taking him viz. Slygo with other Possessions belonging to him in Conaght Item this year the castle of Kildare was taken but Kildarâ— and the Country round it was wasted by the English and the Irish Calvagh burnt all the Rolls and Tallies of the said Earl This yeaâ— and the two next following there was much dearth and Pestilencâ— throughout Ireland Item William Lord Dooddyngzele was made Justiciary of Irelanâ— MCCXCV Edward King of England built the Castle de Beâ— Marisco i.e. Beaumaris in Venedocia which is call'd the motheâ— of Cambria but commonly Anglesey and enter'd it immediatelâ— after Easter subduing the Venedotes i.e. the able men of Anglesey and making them subject to him Soon after this viz. about thâ— Feast of S. Margaret Madock at that time Prince elect of Waleâ— submitted himself to the King's mercy and was brought to Londoâ— by John de Haverings where he was clapt in the Tower to waâ— the King's grace and favour This year died William Dooddingzeâ— Justiciary of Ireland the day after S. Mary of Egypt Sir Thomas Fitz-Maurice succeeded him Also about the same time thâ— Irish in Leinster destroy'd that Province burning the new Castâ—â— with other Villages Item Thomas de Torbevile a seducer oâ— the King and betrayer of his Country was drawn through the middle of London lying out at length and guarded with four Toâ—mentors in Vizards who revil'd him as we went along At lasâ— he was gibbeted and deny'd the privilege of Burial having nonâ— to attend his Funeral but Kites and Crows This Thomas waâ— one of them who in the Siege of the Castle of Rions was takeâ— and carry'd to Paris Whereupon he promis'd the Nobility oâ— France that he would deliver to them the King of England anâ— leaving his two Sons as Pledges came over and told the King oâ— England and his Council how narrowly he escap'd out of Prisoâ— When he had inform'd himself of the designs of the King anâ— state of the Kingdom he sent the whole in writing to the Provoâ— of Paris Of which being convicted he was executed iâ— the manner aforesaid About the same time the Scoâ— having broken the Peace which they had covenanted with oâ—â— Lord King of England made a new league with the King oâ— France and conspiring together rose up in Arms against their owâ— sovereign Lord and King John Baillol and shut him up in the midland parts of Scotland in a Castle encompass'd with Mountain This was done in pure spight and contempt to the King of England because he had set the said John over them without theâ—â— will and consent The King of England brought another Army 〈◊〉 Scotland the Lent following to chastise the Scots for their presumption and arrogance against their own Father and King Sâ— John Wogan was made Justiciary of Ireland and the Lord Thomas Fitz-Maurice give place to him This Wogan made a Trucâ— for two years between the Earl of Ulster and John Fitz-Thomas and the Geraldines About Christmas-day this year Gilbert Clarâ— Earl of Glocester departed this life Item the King of Englanâ— sent his Brother Edmund with an Army into Gascoign MCCXCVI The Lord Edward King of England on the thirâ— day before the Kalends of April viz. upon Friday that fell oâ—â— then to be Easter-week took Berwick with the slaughter of seveâ— thousand Scots and not of above one of the English Knights viâ— Sir John of Cornwall and seven Footmen more Shortly after abouâ— the 4th of May he enter'd the Castle of Dunbar and took abouâ— forty of the Enemy Prisoners who submitted themselves to thâ— King's mercy having before defeated the whole Army of the Scots that is to say slain seven hundred Horse with the loss of Footmeâ— only on the English side Item upon S. John's-day before Port-latin about 15000 Welchmeâ— were sent to invade Scotland by the King's Order At the same timâ— the Nobility of Ireland viz. John Wogan Justiciary Richard Bourâ— Earl of Ulster Theobald Butler and John Fitz-Thomas witâ— others came to assist in this Expedition to Scotland The Kinâ— of England also entertain'd them with others of the English Nobility upon the third day before the Ides of May viz. Whitsuâ—day with a great Feast in the castle of Rokesburgh Item on thâ— next Wednesday before S. Barnabas he enter'd the Town of Edinburgh and won the castle before the Feast of S. John Baptist shortly after in the same Summer all the castles in Scotland were surrender'd up to him Item John Balliol King of Scotland came tho' much against his will to the King of England upon the Sunday next after the Translation of S. Thomas the Archbishop attended with many Earls Bishops and Knights and they surrender'd all to the King but their lives and limbs and their Lord John Balliol gave up all his Right and Title in Scotland to the King of England who sent him under a safe guard towards London Item Edmund Brother to the King of England died this year in Gascoign MCCXCVII Our Lord Edward King of England sail'd into Flanders with an Army against the King of France where after much expence and altercation a form of Peace was concluded between them upon condition they should stand to the award and judgment of the Pope From the one side and the other certain Messengers were sent to the Court of Rome but while the King was in Flanders William Walleis according to a general Resolution of the Scots came with a great Army to Strivelin-bridge to engage John Earl of Warren in which Battel many were slain on both sides and many drown'd but however the English were
defeated This occasion'd a general Insurrection in Scotland of both Earls and Barons against the King of England There was also at this time a Quarrel between the King of England and Roger Bigod Earl Marshal but this was soon made up S. Lewis a Frier minor Son of the King of Sicily and Archbishop of Cologn died this year This year also the son and heir of the King of Maliager i.e. of the Islands of Majorac instituted the Order of the Friers-minors at the direction of S. Lewis who bid him go and do it Item Leghlin in Ireland with other Towns were burnt by the Irish of Slemergi Item Calwagh O Hanlen and Yneg Mac-Mahon were slain in Urgale MCCXCVIII Pope Boniface IV. on the morrow of the Feast of S. Peter â—â—d S. Paul all things being then quiet made Peace between England â—â—d France upon certain Terms Item Edward King of England â—â—d an Army again into Scotland to conquer it There were slain 〈◊〉 this Expedition about the Feast of S. Mary Magdalen many â—â—ousands of the Scots at Fawkirk The Sun appear'd that day 〈◊〉 red as Blood in Ireland while the Battel at Fawkirk continu'd â—â—em about the same time the Lord King of England gave his Knights the Earldoms and Baronies of those Scots that were slain â—n Ireland Peace was concluded between the Earl of Ulster and the Lord John Fitz-Thomas about the Feast of Simon and Jude Also â—â—e morrow after the Feast of the seven Sleepers the Sun-beams â—ere chang'd into a bloodish colour all the morning to the great â—dmiration of every one Item This year died Thomas Fitz-â—aurice Knight and Sir Robert Bigod sometime Justiciary in the â—ench Item In the City Artha as also Reath in Italy during â—â—e stay of Pope Boniface there happen'd so great an Earthquake â—â—at Towers and Palaces fell down and the Pope and his Cardiâ—als fled out of the City with great consternation Item on the Feast of Epiphany there was an Earthquake in Engâ—â—nd from Canterbury to Hampton but not so violent MCCXCIX Theobald Lord Botilter the younger died in the Mannor of Turby on the second day before the Ides of May His Corps were convey'd towards Weydeney i. e Weney in the County of Limerick on the 6th day before the Calends of June Item Edward King of England married the Lady Margaret Sister to the noble King of France in Trinity-church at Canterâ—ury about the Feast of the Holy Trinity Item the Sultan of Baâ—ylon with a great Army was defeated by Cassan King of Tarâ—â—ry MCCXCIX On the day after the Purification there was an inâ—â—â—ite number of Saracen-horse slain besides as many Foot Item There was this same year a Fight of Dogs at Genelon-castle in â—urgundy the number of the Dogs were 3000 and all kill'd but â—â—e Item This year many Irish came to the Castle of Roch â—efore the Annunciation to give some disturbance to the Lord Theâ—bald de Verdon MCCC The * Numisma Pollardorum Pollard-mony was prohibited in England and Ireland Item King Edward enter'd Scotland with an Army in Autumn but was stay'd by an order from Pope Boniface and to excuse himself sent certain Envoys to the Court of Rome Item Thomas son â—o the King of England was born at Brotherton by Margaret the King of France's Sister on the last day of May. Item Edward Earl of Cornwall dy'd this year without issue and was buried in â—he Abby of Hailes MCCCI. Edward King of England enter'd Scotland with an Army Sir John Wogan Justiciary of Ireland and Sir John Fitz-Thomas Peter Bermingham and many others set sail from Ireâ—and to assist him Item A great part of the City of Dublin was â—urnt down together with the Church of S. Warbutga on S. Caâ—â—mb's day at night Item Sir Jeffrey Genevil married the daughâ—er of Sir John Montefort and Sir John Mortimer married the daughter and heir of Sir Peter Genevil and the Lord Theobald Verdon married the daughter of the Lord Roger Mortimer The People of Leinster took up Arms in the Winter and burnt the Towns of Wyklo and Rathdon c. but they suffer'd for 't for the greater â—art of their Provisions at home was burnt up and their Cattel â—ole so that they had certainly famish'd if a sedition had not hapned among the English at that juncture Item A small company of the Brenies were defeated this year by the Tolans and 300 of those Robbers were cut off Item A great part of Mounster was wasted by Walter Power and many Farm-houses burnt MCCCII This year died the Lady Margaret Wife to Sir John Wogan Justiciary of Ireland on the 3d day before the Ides of April And in the week following Maud Lacy the Wife of Sir Geffery Genevil died also Item Edmund Botiller recoverd the Mannour de S. Bosco Holywood forte with the Appurtenances thereunto belonging from Sir Richard Feringes Archbishop of Dublin by a Fine in the King's bench after the feast of S. Hilary Item the Flemings defeated the French in Flanders at Courtenay the Wednesday after the feast of S. Thomas In this Engagement were slain the Earl of Artois the Earl of Albemarle the Earl of Hue Ralph de Neel Constable of France Guy de Nevil Marshal of France the Earl of Hennaund's son Godfrey de Brabant and his son William de Fenles and his son James de S. Paul lost his hand and fourty Baronets were kill'd that day with Knights Squires c. without number The Tenths of all Ecclesiastical Benefices in England and Ireland were exacted by Pope Boniface for three years as a Subsidy for the Church of Rome against the King of Arragon Item upon the day of the Circumcision Sir Hugh Lacy made an inroad upon Sir Hugh Vernail and drove off his Beasts This year Robert Brus Earl of Carrick married Elizabeth the daughter of Sir Richard Bourk Earl of Ulster Item Edward Botiller married the daughter of Sir John Fitz-Thomas The City of Bourdeaux with others thereabouts which Edward King of England had formerly lost by a sedition of the French were now restor'd upon S. Andrew's-eve by the means of the Lord John Hastings MCCCIII Richard Bourk Earl of Ulster and Sir Eustace Power invaded Scotland with a strong Army But after that the Earl himself had made 33 Knights in the Castle of Dublin he passed over into Scotland to assist the King of England Item Gerald the son and heir of Sir John Fitz-Thomas departed this life This year the King and Queen of France were excommunicated with all their Children by Pope Boniface who also confirm'd the privileges of the University of Paris Soon after the Pope was taken Prisoner and kept as it were in Prison three whole days Soon after the Pope dy'd The Countess of Ulster died likewise about this time Item Walran Wellesly and Sir Robert Percivall were slain this year on the 11th day before the Kalends of November MCCCIV A great part of Dublin was burnt down viz. the Bridge-street a good part of
the Key the Church of the Preaching Friers the Church of the Monks and no small part of the Monastery about the Ides of June namely on the feast of S. Medard Item This year was laid the foundation of the Quire for Friers-Predicants in Dublin by Eustace Lord Pover on the feast of the Virgin S. Agatha Item After the purification the King of France invaded Flanders in person with a brave Army He behav'd himself gallantly in this War and in one Battel had two or three Horses kill'd under him But at last he lost the Cap under his Helmet which the Flemings carried off upon a Spear in derision and in all the great Fairs in Flanders it was hung out at a high Window of some great House or other like the Sign of an Inn or Tavern as the Token of their Victory MCCCV Jordan Comyn and his Accomplices kill'd Moritagh O Conghir King of Offaley and Calwagh his * Germanum whole Brother and certain others in the Court of Sir Peter Bymgeham at Carryck in Carbery Likewise Sir Gilbert Sutton Seneschal of Weisford was slain by the Irish near the Village of Haymond Grace which Haymond fought stoutly in this Skirmish and escap'd by his great Valour Item In Scotland the Lord Robert Brus Earl of Carrick without regard to his Oath of Allegiance to the King of England kill'd Sir John Rede Comyn within the Cloister of the Friers-minors of Dunfrese and soon after got himself crown'd King of Scotland by the hands of two Bishops the one of S. Andrews and the other of Glasco in the Town of Scone to the ruin of himself and many others MCCCVI In Offaley near Geshil-castle a great defeat was given to O Conghor by O Dympcies on the Ides of April O Brene K. of * Tothomoniae Towmond died this year Donald Oge Mac-carthy Donald Ruff King of Desmond A sad overthrow was given to a Party of Piers Brymegham in the Marches of Meth on the fourth day before the Kalends of May. Balimore in Leinster was burnt by the Irish and Henry Calfe slain there at the same time whereupon a War broke out between the English and the Irish in Leinster and a great Army was drawn together from all parts against the Irish Sir Thomas Mandevil a gallant Soldier in this Expedition had a sharp conflict with the Irish near Glenfell wherein he fought bravely till his Horse was slain and won great honour for the saving the lives of several others as well as his own Item Thomas Cantok Chancellour of Ireland was consecrated Bishop of Ymelasen in Trinity-Church at Dublin with great honour the Elders of Ireland were present at this Consecration and there was such great feasting both for the rich and for the poor as had never been known before in Ireland Item Richard Feringes Archbishop of Dublin died on S. Luke's-eve and was succeeded by Master Richard Haverings who held that See almost five years by the Pope's dispensation At last he resign'd his Archbishoprick and was succeeded by John Lech The cause of this resignation as the Archdeacon of Dublin his nephew a man of note hath said was a dream which he had one night wherein he fancied That a certain monster heavier than the whole world stood upright upon his breast and that he renounc'd all the goods he had in this world to be rid of it When he waken'd he began to reflect how this was certainly the Church of Dublin the fruits whereof he had received without taking pains to deserve them Upon this he went to the Lord the Pope as soon as he could with whom he was much in favour and relinquish'd his Archbishoprick For he had as the same Archdeacon averr'd other benefices of greater value than the Archbishoprick itself Item On the feast of Pentecost at London King Edward conferr'd Knighthood upon his son Edward and four hundred more sixty of whom were made by the said Edward of Carnarvan as soon as he was knighted He held his feast in London at the new Temple and his father gave him the Dutchy of Aquitain Item On the feast of S. Potentiana the Bishops of Winchester and Worcester by an order from the Pope excommunicated Robert Brus the pretended King of Scotland and his party for the death of John Rede Comyn This year upon S. Boniface's day Aumar de Valence Earl of Pembroch and Lord Guy Earl cut off many of the Scots and the Lord Robert Brus was defeated near the town of S. Johns This year about the nativity of S. John baptist King Edward went by water from Newark to Lincoln toward Scotland Item This year the Earl of Asceles the Lord Simon Freysell the Countess of Carryck and the pretended Queen of Scotland daughter to the Earl of Ulster were taken Prisoners The Earl of Asceles and the Lord Simon Freysell were torn to peices The Countess remain'd with the King in great honour but the rest died miserably in Scotland Item About the feast of the Purification two brothers of Robert Brus that were both pyrats were taken prisoners with sixteen Scots besides as they landed to plunder the country the two brothers were torn to pieces at Carlile and the rest hanged Item Upon S. Patrick's day Mac Nochi and his two sons were taken prisoners near the New Castle in Ireland by Thomas Sueterby O boni and there Lorran Obons a great robber was beheaded MCCCVII On the third before the kalends of April Murcard Ballagh was beheaded by Sir David Caunton a valiant Knight near Marton and soon after Adam Dan was slain On Philip and Jacob's day Oscheles gave the English a bloody defeat in Connaght Item The castle of Cashill was pull'd down by the rapparies of Offaly and on the eve of the translation of S. Thomas they also burnt the town of Lye and besieg'd the castle but this was soon rais'd by John Fitz-Thomas and Edward Botiller Item This year died King Edward the first and his son Edward succeeded him who buried his father in great state at Westminster with honour and reverence Item Edward the younger married the Lady Isabell the King of France's daughter in S. Mary's church at Bologn and shortly after they were both crown'd in Westminster Abby Item The Templars in foreign parts being condemn'd for heresie as it was reported were apprehended and clapt in prison by the Pope's mandate In England likewise they were all taken the very next day after Epiphany In Ireland also they were taken into custody the day after the Purification MCCCVIII On the second of the ides of April died the Lord Peter de Bermingham a noble champion against the Irish Item On the 4th of the ides of May the castle of Kenin was burnt down and some of the guards slain by William Mac Balthor Cnygnismy Othothiles and his partisans Item On the 6th day before the ides of June the Lord John Wogan Justiciary of Ireland was defeated with his army near Glyndelory In this encounter were slain John
call'd Hogelyn John de Northon John de Breton and many others Item On the 16th before the kalends of July Dolovan Tobyr and other towns and villages bordering upon them were burnt down by the said malefactors Item Soon after this a great Parliament was held at London wherein a sad difference arose between the Barons upon the account of Pieirs Gaveston who was banish'd out of the Kingdom of England the day after the feast of S. John the baptist's nativity and went over into Ireland about the feast of the Saints Quirita and Julita together with his wife and sister the Countess of Glocester and came to Dublin in great state and there continued Item William Mac Baltor a stout robber and incendiary was condemn'd in the court of our Lord the King at Dublin by the Lord Chief Justice John Wogan on the 12th before the kalends of September and was drawn at a horse's tail to the gallows and there hang'd as he deserv'd Item This year a marble cistern was made to receive the Water from the conduit-head in Dublin such as was never before seen here by the Mayor of the City Master John Decer and all at his own proper expences This same John a little before made a bridge to be built over the river Aven-Liffie near the priory of S. Wolstan He also built the Chappel of S. Mary of the Friers minors wherein he was buried and the Chappel of S. Mary of the Hospital of S. John in Dublin Item This John Decer was bountiful to the convent of Friers Predicants in Dublin For instance he made one stone-pillar in the Church and laid the great stone upon the high altar with all its ornaments Item He entertain'd the friers at his own table on the 6th day of the week out of pure charity as the seniors have reported to their juniors Item The Lord John Wogan took ship in Autumn to be at the parliament of England and the Lord William Bourk was appointed Keeper of Ireland in his room Item This year on the eve of S. Simon and Jude the Lord Roger de Mortimer and his Lady the right heir of Meth the daughter of the Lord Peter son of Sir Gefferey Genevil arriv'd in Ireland As soon as they landed they took possession of Meth Sir Gefferey Genevil giving way to them and entring himself into the order of the Friers predicants at Trym the morrow after S. Edward the Archbishop's day Item Dermot Odympsy was slain at Tully by the servants of Sir Piers Gaveston Item Richard Bourk Earl of Ulster at Whitsontide made a great feast at Trym and conferr'd Knighthood upon Walter Lacie and Hugh Lacie In the vigil of the Assumption the Earl of Ulster came against Piers Gaveston Earl of Cornwal at Drogheda and at the same time turn'd back towards Scotland Item This year Maud the Earl of Ulster's daughter imbark'd for England in order for a marriage with the Earl of Glocester which within a month was consummated between them Item Maurice Caunton kill'd Richard Talon and the Roches afterwards kill'd him Item Sir David Caunton was hang'd at Dublin Item Odo the son of Cathol O Conghir kill'd Odo O Conghiâ— King of Connaght Item Athi was burnt by the Irish MCCCIX Peter Gaveston subdued the O Brynnes in Ireland and rebuilt the new castle of Mackingham and the castle of Kemny he also cut down and scour'd the pass between Kemny castle and Glyndelagh in spite of all the opposition the Irish could make and sâ— march'd away and offer'd in the Church of S. Kimny The same year the Lord Peter Gaveston went over into Englanâ— on the eve of S. John Baptist's Nativity Item The Earl of Ulster's son's wife daughter of the Earl oâ— Glocester came into Ireland on the 15th of October Item On Christmas-eve the Earl of Ulster returned out of England and landed at Drogheda Item On the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary Sir John Bonevil was slain near the town of Arstol by Sir Arnold Pover and his accomplices and buried at Athy in the Church of the Frierâ— predicants Item A Parliament was held at Kilkenny in the octaves of thâ— Purification of the Blessed Mary by the Earl of Ulster John Wogan Justiciary of Ireland and others of the nobility wherein a difference among certain of the great men was adjusted and many proviso's made in the nature of statutes that might havâ— been of good consequence to the Kingdom if they had been observ'd Item Shortly after Sir Edward Botiller return'd out of England where he had been knighted at London Item The Earl of Ulster Roger Mortimer and Sir John Fitz-Thomas went over into England Item This year died Sir Theobald Verdon MCCCX. King Edward and Sir Peter Gaveston took theiâ— march for Scotland against Robert Brus. Item There was this year a great scarcity of corn in Ireland * Eranca an eranc of corn sold at the rate of twenty shilling and upwards Item The Bakers of Dublin were punish'd after a new way foâ— false weights For on S. Sampson the Bishop's day they werâ— drawn upon hurdles at the horses tails along the streets of thâ— City Item In the Abby of S. Thomas the Martyr at Dublin Sir Neiâ— Bruin Knight Escheator to our Lord the King in Ireland departed this life his corps was buried at the Friers-minors in Dublin witâ— such a pomp of tapers and wax-lights as never was before seen iâ— this Kingdom This year a Parliament was held at Kildare wherin Sir Arnold Pover was acquitted of the death of the Lord Bonevil for it waâ— found Se defendendo Item On S. Patrick's day Mr. Alexander Bickenor was witâ— the unanimous consent of the Chapter made Archbishop of Dublin Item The Lord Roger Mortimer in the octaves of the nativity of the Blessed Virgin return'd into Ireland Item This year died Henry Lacy Earl of Lincoln MCCCXI In Thomond at Bonnorathie the Lord Richarâ— Clare gave the Earl of Ulster's party a very strange defeat Thâ— Lord William Bourk and John the Lord Walter Lacy's Son werâ— taken prisoners with many others This battle was fought on thâ— 13th before the kalends of June and great numbers both of thâ— English and the Irish slain in it Item Tassagard and Rathcante were invaded by the rapperies namely the O Brinnes and O Tothiles the day after S. John Baptist's nativity Whereupon in the Autumn soon after a greaâ— army was rais'd in Leinster to defeat them both in Glindelory anâ— in other woody places Item In August a Parliament was holden at London between thâ— King and the Barons to consider the state of the Kingdom and thâ— King's houshold and a committee of six Bishops six Earls and six Barons was appointed to consult the good of the Realm Item On the 2d day before the Ides of November the Lord Richard Clare cut off 600 Galegolaghes Item On All saints day last past Peter Gaveston was banished out of England by the Earls and Barons and many good statutes were
And on Sunday following being the next after the Nativity oâ— the blessed Virgin the Lord John Fitz-Thomas died at Laraghbrinâ— near Maynoth and was buried among the Friers-minors at Kildarâ— He is said to have been made Earl of Kildare a little befoâ—â— his death His son and heir Thomas Fitz-John a very prudeâ—â— Man succeeded him After this we had News that the Castle of Cragfergus was surrender'd to the Scots upon condition the lives of the Garrison-Soldiers should be saved On the day of the exaltation of the holy Cross Conghor was stain together with Mac-keley and fifty Irish by William Lord Burk and Richard Bermingham in Conaught Item On the Monday before All-Souls-day many of the Scots were slain in Ulster by John Loggan Hugh Lord Bisset namely about 100 with double Arms and 200 with single Arms. The slain in all amounted to 300 besides the foot Afterward on the Eve of the Royal S. Edmund there hapned such a Storm of Wind and Rain as threw down many Houses beat down the Bell of Trinity-church in Dublin and did much mischief both by Sea and Land Item On the Eve of S. Nicholas the Lord Alan Stewart who was taken Prisoner in Ulster by John Loggan and the Lord John Sandale was carried to Dublin-castle This same year there came News from England of a dissention between the King and the Earl of Lancaster That they were for taking one another Prisoners and that the whole Kingdom was embroil'd about it This year also about the feast of Andrew the Apostle the Lord Hugh le Despencer and the Lord Bartholomew de Baldesmere Wigorniensis the Bishop of Worcester and the Bishop of Ely were sent to Rome to negotiate some important Business of the King 's for Scotland who return'd again into England about the feast of the purification of the blessed Mary Item The Lacies came to Dublin after the same feast and shew'd by an Inquisition that the Scots were not brought into Ireland by their means whereupon they were acquitted and had the King's Charter for protection and safety upon taking their Oaths to keep â—he Peace and do their utmost to destroy the Scots Item This year after the feast of Carnis privium the Scots â—arch'd privately as far as Slain with 20000 arm'd Men and raâ—ag'd the Country though the Army of Ulster lay just before â—â—em Afterwards on the Monday before the feast of S. Matthias the â—postle the Earl of Ulster was apprehended in S. Marie's Abby â—y the Mayor of Dublin viz. Robert Notyngham and carried to â—ublin-castle where he was long imprison'd and the Chamber whereâ—â— he was kept burnt and seven of the Earl's Attendants â—ain The same week in the Vigil of S. Matthias Brus took his â—arch towards Dublin at the head of his Army and hearing of the â—arl's Imprisonment turn'd off towards Cnok-castle which he enâ—â—r'd and therein took the Lord Hugh Tirell with his Wife who â—as Baron of it and they were afterwards ransom'd That Night it was agreed by common consent among the Citiâ—ens of Dublin That S. Thomas's-street should be burnt down for â—ear of the Scots the flames whereof got hold of S. John's-church â—nd burnt it down likewise with Magdalen-chappel all the Suâ—urbs of the City and S. Mary's-monastery The Church of S. Paâ—rick was spoil'd by the said Villans Item Our Saviour's Church which belongs to the Friers-preâ—icants was destroy'd by the Mayor and his Citizens and the â—â—ones were converted to the building of a City wall which was â—ade of greater compass in the north part of the City above the â—ey for formerly the Walls ran just by the Church of S. Owen â—here we see a Tower beyond the Gate also another Gate in that â—treet where the Taverns are however the Mayor and Citizens â—ere afterwards commanded by the King of England to make anoâ—her Convent as formerly After the feast of S. Matthias Le Brus â—â—derstanding that the City was fortified to receive him he march'd â—â—wards Salmons-leap where Robert le Brus King of Scotland â—ith Edward le Brus the Earl of Morrey John Meneteth the â—ord John Stewart the Lord Philip Mountbray encamp'd themâ—elves and continued for four days during which they burnt part â—f the Village broke open the Church and rifled it and then â—arch'd towards Le Naas The Lacies notwithstanding their Oaths advis'd and conducted them and Hugh Lord Canon made â—adin White his Wife's Brother guide them through the Country â—o they came to Le Naas plunder'd the Village broke the Churches â—â—d open'd the Graves in the Church-yard for hidden Treasure â—â—d did many other Mischiefs during the two days they stay'd â—â—ere After this they took their march towards Tristildermote â—â—e second week in Lent and destroy'd the Friers-minors takâ—â—g away their Books Vestments and other Ornaments from â—ence they return'd to Baligaveran and so to Callan about the â—east of Pope Gregory without regarding the Village of Kilâ—enny At the same time Letters were brought by the Lord Edmund â—otiller Chief Justice of Ireland at that time and by the Lord Thomas Fitz-John Earl of Kildare the Lord Richard Clare the Lord Arnold le Pover and the Lord Maurice Fitz-Thomas to â—â—ffer the Earl of Ulster to be mainpriz'd and set at liberty by the King 's writ but nothing was done at present in this Business The People of Ulster came afterwards in a great Body amountâ—ng to 800 and desir'd assistance from the King against the Scots Upon which the King's Banner was deliver'd to them But as soon as they got it they did more mischief than the Scots themselves they eat Flesh all the Lent and almost wasted the whole Country for which they were accurs'd both by God and Man Edmund * Pincerna Butler gave the Irish a great defeat near Trestildermot Item The same Edmund being now Chief Justice of Ireland defeated O Morghe at Balilethan The Scots under le Brus were now got as far as Limerick But the English in Ireland being drawn together in great Bodies to receive them at Ledyn they retreated privately in the night from Conninger Castle About Palm-sunday News came to Dublin That the Scots were at Kenlys in Ossory and that the Irish Nobility were at Kilkenny and had drawn a great Army together there to engage Le Brus. On the Monday following the King sent an Order to the People of Ulster to advance against the Scots under the command and conduct of Thomas Fitz-John Earl of Kildare whereupon they march'd forward Le Brus being then at Cashell from whence he mov'd to Nanath where he stay'd some time and burnt and wasted all the Possessions of the Lord Pincern MCCCXVII On Maundy Thursday the Lord Edmund Botiller Justiciary of Ireland the Lord Thomas Fitz-John Earl of Kildare for the King had conferr'd the jurisdiction and privileges of the Earldom of Kildare upon him Richard Clare with the Ulster-Army Arnold Pover Baron of Donnoyll Maurice Rochfort Thomas Fitz-Maurice and the Cauntons and their
Followers met together to concert what measures were to be taken against the Scots this Debate continued for a whole week and at last they came to no Resolution tho' their Army amounted to 30000 armed Men or thereabouts On Thursday in Easter-week Roger Mortimer arriv'd at Yoghall with the King's Commission for he was Chief Justice at that time and on the Monday following went in great haste to the Army having sent his Letters to Edmund Botiller who as it has been said was formerly Chief Justice to enterprise nothing before his Arrival against the Scots but before Mortimer got to the Camp he admonish'd Brus to retreat so in the Night Brus march'd towards Kildare and in the week after the English return'd home to their several Countries and the Ulster-Army came to Naas At the same time two Messengers were sent from Dublin to the King of England to give him an account of the state of Ireland and the delivery of Ulster and to take his Majesty's advice upon the whole At the same time likewise Roger Lord Mortimer Justiciary of Ireland and the Irish Nobility were met together at Kilkenny to consider how they might most conveniently proceed against Brus but came to no Resolution About a month after Easter Brus came with an Army within four Leagues or thereabouts of Trym under the covert of a certain Wood and there continu'd for about a week or more to refresh his Men who were almost undone with fatigue and hunger which occasion'd a great mortality among them Afterwards on S. Philip and James's-day the said Brus began his march towards Ulster and after the said feast Roger Lord Mortimer Chief Justice of Ireland came to Dublin with John Lord Wogan Sir Fulk Warin and thirty other Knights with their Retinue who held a Parliament with all the Nobility of the Kingdom at Kylmainan but came to no conclusion but about the delivery of the Earl of Ulster On the Sunday before the Ascension they held another Parliament at Dublin and there thc Earl of Ulster was deliver'd upon Mainprise Hostages and Oath which were That he should never by himself nor any of his Friends and Followers do or procure any mischief to the Citizens of Dublin for his apprehension save only what the Law allow'd him in those Cases against such Offenders whereupon he had till the Nativity of S. John allow'd him for that benefit but he came not Item This year Corn and other Victuals were exceeding dear Wheat was sold at three and twenty Shillings the Cranock and Wine for eight pence and the whole Country was in a manner laid waste by the Scots and those of Ulster Many House-keepers and such as were formerly able to relieve others were now reduc'd to Beggary themselves and great numbers famish'd The dearth and mortality was so severe that many of the Poor died At the same time Messengers arriv d at Dublin from England with Pardons to make use of as they should see fit but the Earl was deliver'd before they came And at the feast of Pentecost Mortimer Lord Chief Justice set forward for Drogheda from whence he went to Trym sending his Letters to the Lacies to repair to him but they refus'd the Summons with contempt Afterwards Sir Hugh Crofts Knight was sent to treat of a Peace with the Lacies but was unworthily slain by them After that the Lord Mortimer drew an Army together against the Lacies by which means their Goods Cattle and Treasures were all seiz'd many of their Followers cut off and they themselves drove into Conaught and ruin'd It was reported That Sir Walter Lacy went out as far as Ulster to seek Brus. Item About the feast of Pentecost the Lord Aumar Valence and his son were taken Prisoners in S. Cinere a Town in Flanders and convey'd from thence into Almain The same year on the Monday after the Nativity of S. John the Baptist a Parliament of the Nobility was held at Dublin by which the Earl of Ulster was acquitted who found Security and took his Oath to answer the King's writs and to fight against the King's Enemies both Scots and Irish Item On the feast of S. Process and Martinian Thomas Dover a resolute Pyrate was taken in a Sea-engagement by Sir John Athy and forty of his Men or thereabouts cut off his Head was brought by him to Dublin Item On the day of S. Thomas's Translation Sir Nicholas Balscot brought word from England That two Cardinals were come from the Court of Rome to conclude a Peace and that they had a Bull for excommunicating all such as should disturb or break the King's Peace Item On the Thursday next before the feast of S. Margaret Hugh and Walter Lacy were proclaim'd Felons and Traytors to their King for breaking out into war against his Majesty Item On the Sunday following Roger Lord Mortimer Chief Justice of Ireland march'd with his whole Army towards Drogheda At the same time the Ulster-men took a good Booty near Drogheda but the Inhabitants sallied out and retook it in this action Miles Cogan and his Brother were both slain and six other great Lords of Ulster were taken Prisoners and brought to the Castle of Dublin Afterwards Mortimer the Lord Chief Justice led his Army against O Fervill and commanded the Malpass to be cut down and all his Houses to be spoil d After this O Fervill submitted and gave Hostages Item Roger Lord Mortimer Chief Justice march'd towards Clony and empannell'd a Jury upon Sir John Blunt viz. White of Rathregan by this he was found guilty and was fin'd two hundred marks On Sunday after the feast of the Nativity of the blessed Marie Mortimer march'd with a great Army against the Irish of O Mayl and came to Glinsely where in a sharp Encounter many were slain on both sides but the Irish had the worst Soon after O Brynne came and submitted Whereupon Roger Mortimer return'd with his Men to Dublin-castle On S. Simon and Jude's-day the Archeboldes were permitted to enjoy the King's Peace upon the Mainprise of the Earl of Kildare At the feast of S. Hilary following a Parliament was held at Lincoln to conclude a Peace between the King the Earl of Lancaster and the Scots The Scots continued peaceable and quiet and the Archbishop of Dublin and the Earl of Ulster stay'd in England by the King's Order to attend that Parliament About the feast of Epiphany News came to Dublin That Hugh Canon Lord Chief Justice of the King's-bench was slain between Naas and Castle-Martin by Andrew Bermingham Item At the feast of the Purification of the blessed Virgin Mary came the Pope's Bulls whereupon Alexander Bicknor was confirm'd and consecrated Archbishop of Dublin and the Bulls were read and publish'd in Trinity-church Another Bull was read at the same time for establishing a Peace for two years between the King of England and Robert Brus King of Scotland But Brus refus'd to comply with it These things were thus transacted about the feast of
S. Valentine Item The Sunday following Roger Lord Mortimer came to Dublin and knighted John Mortimer and four of his Followers The same day he kept a great feast in the castle of Dublin Item Many Irish were slain in Conaght about this time by reason of a Quarrel between two of their great Lords The number of the slain amounted to about 4000 men on both sides After this a severe Vengeance fell upon the Ulster-men who had done great mischief during the depredations of the Scots here and eat Flesh in Lent without any manner of necessity for which sins they were at last reduc'd to such want that they eat one another so that of 10000 there remain'd but about 300 By which this does plainly appear to be God's vengeance upon them Item It was reported That some of the said Profligates were so pinch'd with Famine that they dug up Graves in Church-yards and after they had boil'd the Flesh in the Skull of the dead Body eat it up nay that some Women eat up their own Children to satisfie their craving Appetites MCCCXVIII On the 15. of Easter there came News from England That the Town of Berwick was betray'd and taken by the Scots Afterwards this same year Walter Islep the King's Treasurer in Ireland arriv'd here and brought Letters to Roger Lord Mortimer to attend the King Accordingly he did so substituting the Lord William Archbishop of Cashil Keeper of Ireland so that at one and the same time he was Chief Justice of Ireland Lord Chancellor and Archbishop Three weeks after Easter news came to Dublin That Richard Lord Clare and four Knights viz. Sir Henry Capell Sir Thomas Naas Sir James Caunton and Sir John Caunton as also Adam Apilgard with 80 Men more were all slain by O Brone and Mac-Carthy on the feast of S. Gordian and Epimachus The Lord Clare's Body was reported to be hewn in pieces out of pure malice But his Relicks were interr'd among the Friers-minors in Limerick Item On Sunday in Easter-month John Lacy was remov'd from Dublin-castle to Trym for his Trial His sentence was to be pinch'd in Diet and so he died in Prison Item On the Sunday before the Ascension Roger Lord Mortimer set sail for England but paid nothing for his Provisions having taken up in the City of Dublin and elsewhere as much as amounted to 1000 l. Item This year about the feast of S. John Baptist that Wheat which before was sold for 16 s. by the great mercy of God went now for 7. Oats sold for 5 s. and there was also great plenty of Wine Salt and Fish Nay about the feast of S. James there was Bread of new Corn a thing seldom or perhaps never before known in Ireland This was an instance of God's mercy and was owing to the prayers of the Poor and other faithful People Item On the Sunday after the feast of S. Michael news came to Dublin That Alexander Lord Bykenore Chief Justice of Ireland and Archbishop of Dublin was arriv'd at Yoghill On S. Denis's day he came to Dublin and was receiv'd by the Religious and Clergy as well as the Laity who went out in Processions to meet him Item On Saturday which happen'd to be the feast of Pope Calixtus a Battle was fought between the Scots and English of Ireland two leagues from Dundalk on the Scotch-side there were Edward Lord Brus who nam'd himself King of Ireland Philip Lord Moubray Walter Lord Sules Alan Lord Stewart with his three Brethren as also Sir Walter Lacy and Sir Robert and Aumar Lacy John Kermerdyne and Walter White with about 3000 others Against whom on the English-side there were the Lord John Bermingham Sir Richard Tuit Sir Miles Verdon Sir Hugh Tripton Sir Herbert Sutton Sir John Cusak Sir Edward and Sir William Bermingham and the Primate of Armagh who gave them Absolution besides Sir Walter Larpulk and John Maupas with about twenty more choice Soldiers and well arm'd who came from Drogheda The English gave the onset and broke into the Van of the Enemy with great vigour And in this Encounter the said John Maupas kill'd Edward Lord Brus valiantly and was afterwards found slain upon the Body of his Enemy The slain on the Scots side amounted to 2000 or thereabouts so thaâ— few of them escap'd besides Philip Lord Moubray who was also mortally wounded and Sir Hugh Lacy Sir Walter Lacy and some few more with them who with much ado got off Thiâ— Engagement was fought between Dundalk and Faghird Brus'â— Head was brought by the said John Lord Bermingham to thâ— K. of England who conferred the Earldom of Louth upon him and his Heirs male and gave him the Barony of Aterith One of hiâ— Quarters together with the Hands and Heart were carried tâ— Dublin and the other Quarters sent to other places MCCCXIX Roger Lord Mortimer return'd out of England and became Chief Justice of Ireland The same year on the feaâ—â— of All Saints came the Pope's Bull for excommunicating Roberâ— Brus King of Scotland The Town of Athisell and 〈◊〉 considerable part of the Country was burnt and wasted by John Lord Fitz-Thomas whole Brother to Moris Lord Fitz-Thomas John Bermingham aforesaid was this year created Earl of Louth Item The Stone-bridge of Kit-colyn was built by Master Moriâ— Jak Canon of the Cathedral Church of Kildare MCCCXX In the time of John XXII Pope and of Edward son to King Edward who was the 25 King from the coming oâ— S. Austin into England Alexander Bicknore being then Archbishop of Dublin was founded the University of Dublin Williaâ— Hardite a Frier-predicant was the first that took the degree oâ— Master Who also commenced Doctor of Divinity under thâ— same Archbishop Henry Cogry of the order of Friers minors was the second Master the third was William Rodyarâ— Dean of S. Patrick's Cathedral in Dublin who afteâ— commenc'd Doctor of the Canon law and was made the firâ—â— Chancellor of this University The fourth Person that went ouâ— Master in Divinity was Frier Edmund Kermerdyn Item Rogeâ— Mortimer the Chief Justice of Ireland went into England leavinâ— the Lord Thomas Fitz-John then Earl of Kildare his Deputy Item Edmund Lord Botiller went into England and so camâ— to S. James's Item Leghelyn-bridge was then built by Master Moris Jaâ— Canon of the Cathedral Church of Kildare MCCCXXI The O Conghors were sadly defeated at Balibogan on the Ninth of May by the People of Leinster and Meth Item Edmund Lord Botiller died in London and was burieâ— at Balygaveran in Ireland John Bermingham Earl of Lowth waâ— made Justiciary of Ireland John Wogan died also this year MCCCXXII Andrew Bermingham and Nicholas de la Lonâ— Knight were slain with many others by O Nalan on S. Michael's day MCCCXXIII A Truce was made between the King of Englanâ— and Robert Brus King of Scots for fourteen years Item Johâ— Darcy came Lord Chief Justice into Ireland Item Johâ— eldest son of Thomas Fitz-John Earl of Kildare died in the 9tâ—
and holding there could not be three persons and one God Among other tenents he asserted that the blessed Virgin our Saviour's mother was an harlot that there was no resurection that the holy Scripture was a mere fable and that the apostolical See was an imposture and a groundless usurpation Upon these Articles Duff was convicted of heresie and blasphemy and was thereupon burnt at Hoggis green near Dublin on the Monday after the octaves of Easter in the year 1328. MCCCXXVIII On Tuesday in Easter-week Thomas Fitz John Earl of Kildare and Chief Justice of Ireland departed this life and was succeeded in the office of Justiciary by Frier Roger Outlaw Prior of Kilmaynan The same year David O Tothil a stout rapperie and an enemy to the King who had burnt Churches and destroy'd many people was brought out of the castle of Dublin to the Toll of the City before Nicholas Fastol and Elias Ashburne Judges of the King's-Bench who sentenc'd him to be dragg'd at a horse's tail through the City to the Gallows and to be hang'd upon a Gibbet which was after executed accordingly Item In the same year the Lord Moris Fitz Thomas rais'd a great army to destroy the Bourkeyns and the Poers The same year William Lord Bourk Earl of Ulster was knighted at London on Whitsunday and the King gave him his Seigniory Item This year James Botiller married the daughter of the Earl of Hereford in England and was made Earl of Ormond being before called Earl of Tiperary The same Year a Parliament was held at Northampton where many of the English Nobility met and a peace was renew'd between the Kingdoms of England Scotland and Ireland and confirm'd by marriages It was enacted also that the Earl of Ulster with several of the English Nobility should go to Berwick upon Tweed to see the marriage solemniz'd The same year after the solemnity of this match at Berwick was over Robert Brus King of Scots William Lord Burk Earl of Ulster the Earl of Meneteth and many other of the Scotch Nobility came very peaceably to Cragfergus whence they sent to the Justiciary of Ireland and the Council that they would meet them at Green Castle to treat about a Peace between Scotland and Ireland but the Justiciary and Council coming not accotding to the King's appointment he took his leave of the Earl of Ulster and return'd into his own Country after the Assumption of the blessed Virgin and the Earl of Ulster came to the Parliament at Dublin where he staid six days and made a great entertainment after which he went into Conaught The same year about the feast of S. Catharine the virgin the Bishop of Ossory certified to the King's Council that Sir Arnold Pour was upon divers Articles convicted before him of heresie Whereupon at the Bishop's suit Sir Arnold Poer by vertue of the King's Writ was arrested and clapt in the Castle of Dublin and a day was appointed for the Bishop's coming to Dublin in order to prosecute him but he excused himself because his enemies had way-laid him for his life So that the King's Council could not put an end to this business wherefore Sir Arnold was kept prisoner in the Castle of Dublin till the following Parliament which was in Midlent where all the Irish Nobility were present The same year Frier Roger Outlaw Prior of the Hospital of S. John of Jerusalem in Ireland Lord Justice and Chancellor of Ireland was scandalized by the said Bishop for favouring heresies and for advising and abetting Sir Arnold in his heretical practice Wherefore the Frier finding himself so unworthily defamed petitioned the King's Council that he might have leave to clear himself which upon consultation they granted and caused it to be proclaim'd for three days together That if there were any person who could inform against the said Frier he should come in and prosecute him but no body came Upon which Roger the Frier procured the King 's Writ to summon the Elders of Ireland viz. the Bishops Abbots Priors and the Mayors of Dublin Cork Limerick Waterford and Drogheda also the Sheriffs and Seneschals together with the Knights of the Shires and the better sort of Free-holders to repair to Dublin out of which six were chosen to examine the cause viz. M. William Rodyard Dean of the Cathedral-Church of S. Patrick in Dublin the Abbot of S. Thomas the Abbot of S. Mary's the Prior of the Church of the holy Trinity in Dublin M. Elias Lawles and Mr. Peter Willebey who convened those who were cited and examined them all apart who deposed upon their Oaths that he was a very honest faithful and zealous embracer of the Christian Faith and would if occasion serv'd lay down his Life for it And because his vindication was so solemn he made a noble entertainment for all them who would come The same year in Lent died Sir Arnold Pouer in the Castle of Dublin and lay a long time unburied in the house of the predicant Friers MCCCXXIX After the feast of the annunciation of the bless'd Virgin Mary the Irish nobility came to the Parliament at Dublin to wit the Earl of Ulster Moris Lord Fitz Thomas the Earl of Louth William Bermingham and the rest of the Peers where was a new peace made between the Earl of Ulster and my Lord Moris Fitz-Thomas and the Lords with the King's Council made an Order against riots or any other breach of the King's peace so that every Nobleman should govern within his own Seignory The Earl of Ulster made a great feast in the Castle of Dublin and the day after the Lord Moris Fitz-Thomas made another in S. Patrick's Church in Dublin as did also Frier Roger Outlaw Lord Chief Justice of Ireland on the third day at Kylmaynan and after this they went all home again The same year on S. Barnaby's eve Sir John Bermingham Earl of Louth was kill'd at Balybragan in Urgale by the inhabitants and with him his own brother Peter Bermingham besides Robert Bermingham his reputed brother and Sir John Bermingham son to his brother Richard Lord of Anry William Finne Bermingham the Lord Anry's Uncle's son Simon Bermingham the aforesaid William's son Thomas Berminghan son to Robert of Conaught Peter Bermingham son to James of Conaught Henry Bermingham of Conaught and Richard Talbot of Malaghide a man of great courage besides 200 men whose names are not known After this slaughter Simon Genevils men invaded the Country of Carbry that they might by their plunder ruin the inhabitants for the thefts and murders they had so often committed in Meth but by their rising they prevented the invasion and slew 76 of the Lord Simon 's men The same year also on the day after Trinity-sunday John Gernon and his brother Roger Gernon came to Dublin in the behalf of those of Urgale that they might be tried by the Common-law And on the Tuesday after S. John's-day John and Roger hearing the Lord William Bermingham was a coming to Dublin left
were struck out or what is new were mix'd confusedly with his Text. No that were a liberty which but few would allow and none ought to take There are not many men who can lay claim to the same authority with Mr. Camden and therefore 't is but reason the World should know when He tells the story that they may proportion their assent to the credit of their Author The want of making this distinction in the former translation of this Book has been of very ill consequence and particularly to two or three learned and curious persons who have urg'd the authority of Mr. Camden with a great deal of assurance when all the while they repeated nothing but an interpolation of Dr. Holland's To prevent this for the future our first care was to have an exact translation of Mr. Camden's text so that when one had occasion to make use of his name he might be sure he did not quote another man's words But tho' by this means the text was clear'd of Dr. Holland's Additions yet were they not to be altogether neglected because some of them are not amiss and an opinion has got abroad in the world that he consulted Mr. Camden where any thing appear'd obscure or capable of a double meaning If he had been quire laid aside these thoughts would have continually stuck by the Reader who would have been fancying at every turn that Dr. Holland might possibly have observ'd something that would solve his doubt and give him a clearer light At this rate instead of superseding that Edition we should have made it a real rarity and given it a greater value than it had at the first publication To do justice to both a middle way was thought of To put his Additions at the bottom in a smaller character and to direct by a figure to the respective places where he had inserted them After Dr. Holland had been thus treated we could not in common modesty go to insert any thing of our own or be guilty of a crime our selves for which we had arraign'd another And yet considering that many things we had to say farther had a near relation to what Mr. Camden had already observ'd we could not leave the Reader in so much confusion as oblige him to take things where he found them without any connexion and order In this case the following method appear'd most natural To make our Additions at the end of each County and by a Letter inserted in the several places they belong to in the text to admonish the Reader that he may either find Mr. Camden's opinion confirm'd or a more particular account given of the place or reasons offer'd why we dissent from him or lastly the description of something wholly omitted which in the Topographical Survey of the County falls in there And 't is hop'd the Additions may be thought of so much moment that the Reader will have no reason to complain of being stop'd for nothing or drawn aside out of his road to no purpose After the Method the Reader is to be inform'd to whose assistance he ows these Improvements And this is a piece of justice both to the Persons and to the Work For as 't is fit that each County should understand to whom it is more particularly oblig'd so all men ought to know that we have not built upon slight grounds or deliver'd things upon trifling informations The Right Reverend Father in God Sir Jonathan Trelawny Lord Bishop of Exeter procur'd us large Notices concerning Cornwall and Devonshire his own Diocese Mr. Anthony Etrick return'd what he thought most remarkable in Dorsetshire as Mr. Worsley of Lincolns-Inn sent us several things relating to Hamshire Mr. Evelyn to Surrey and Mr. Harris to Sussex The discoveries in Wiltshire depend upon the authority of Mr. Tanner who has made considerable progress in the Antiquities of that County A Survey of Kent and Middlesex was made upon this occasion by Dr. Plot. The account of the Arsenals for the Royal Navy in Kent with the Additions to Portsmouth and Harwich so far as they concern the business of the Navy were communicated by Mr. Pepys Out of Glocestershire informations were sent us by Dr. Parsons Chancellor of that Church and out of Oxfordshire by Mr. White Kennet who will shortly publish the Antiquities of some part of that County In settling the old Stations in Essex we were particularly assisted by Mr. Oosley who is writing the Antiquities of the whole County and in the description of Norfolk by a Survey of that County in Manuscript written by Sir Henry Spelman and now in the Bodleian-Library Mr. Thomas Newsham of Warwick sent us several very useful particulars out of Warwickshire and an accurate account of the Antiquities of Worcestershire was communicated by Dr. William Hopkins Prebendary of the Church of Worcester Some observations upon the Bishoprick of Durham were extracted for us by Mr. Rudd out of the posthumous Papers of Mr. Mickleton a curious Antiquary at the request of the Reverend Mr. John Smith a member of that Church and others were sent us by Dr. Kay of New-castle The West-riding of Yorkshire is indebted to Mr. Ralph Thoresby of Leeds of whose abilities and exactness the large collection of Curiosities he has made himself Master of is a sufficient argument In the East-Riding Mr. John Burnsall of Hull contributed many things very remarkable and Dr. Jonston from whom we expect the Antiquities of Yorkshire communicated several particulars over the whole County Westmorland is engag'd to Mr. Thomas Machel for so many useful discoveries as its neighbour Cumberland is to Dr. Hugh Todd Prebendary of the Church of Carlisle and lastly Northumberland to Mr. William Nicolson Archdeacon of the same Church eminent for his knowledge in the Languages and Antiquities of the Northern Nations The same worthy Gentleman was pleas'd to improve this work by observations throughout the whole Province of York the Antiquities whereof he has ready for the Press When I tell you that the whole business of Wales was committed to the care of Mr. Edward Lhwyd Keeper of the Musaeum in Oxford no one ought to dispute the justness and accuracy of the Observations His diligence and known ability both in Natural History and Antiquities as they remove all objections of that kind so might they do great honour either to his native Country or any particular County in England wherein he should meet with an Encouragement answerable to the Undertaking Nor can the additional Remarks in Scotland be question'd since they are grounded upon the authority of Sir Robert Sibbalds whose Natural History already publish'd and the model he has given us of his intended Antiquities are a sufficient evidence how much he is master of the affairs of that Kingdom The Remarks upon Ireland were also sent us by a person very well acquainted in that Kingdom Sir Richard Cox Knight The Catalogues of Plants at the end of each County were communicated by the Great Botanist of our
perswasion and a well-grounded zeal let the world judge After so many testimonies Mr. Camden might very well say Epist 19â— My Life and my Writings shall apologize for me and despise the reproaches of one Ibid. Who did not spare the most Reverend and Learned Prelates of our Church Epist 195. nor was asham'd to bely the Lords Deputies of Ireland and others of honourable rank In his Writings he was candid and modest in his conversation easie and innocent and in his whole Life eaven and exemplary He dy'd at Chesilhurst the ninth day of November 1623. in the 'T is by a mistake in his Monument 74. 73d year of his Age. Being remov'd from London on the nineteenth of the same Month he was carry'd to Westminster-Abbey in great pomp The whole College of Heralds attended in their proper habits great numbers of the Nobility and Gentry accompany'd and at their entrance into the Church the Prebends and the other Members receiv'd the Corps in their Vestments with great solemnity and conducted it into the Nave of the Church After the Funeral-Sermon preach'd by Dr. Sutton one of the Prebends they buried him in the South-Isle hard by the learned Casaubon and over against the ingenious Chaucer Over the place is a handsome Monument of white Marble with his Effigies to the middle and in his hand a Book with BRITANNIA inscrib'd on the Leaves Under this is the following Inscription QUI FIDE ANTIQUA ET OPERA ASSIDUA BRITANNICAM ANTIQUITATEM INDAGAVIT SIMPLICITATEM INNATAM HONESTIS STUDIIS EXCOLUIT ANIMI SOLERTIAM CANDORE ILLUSTRAVIT GUILIELMUS CAMDENUS A B. ELIZABETHA R. AD. REGIS ARMORUM CLARENTII TITULO DIGNITATEM EVOCATUS HIC SPE CERTA RESURGENDI IN CHRISTO S. E. Q. OBIIT AN. DNI 1623. 9 NOVEMBRIS AETATIS SUAE 74. M R CAMDEN's PREFACE I Think I may without the least scruple address the courteous Reader in the same words I made use of twenty years ago upon the first Edition of this Book with some very small additions The great Restorer of the old Geography Abraham Ortelius thirty years ago did very earnestly sollicit me to acquaint the World with Britain that ancient Island that is to restore Britain to its Antiquities and its Antiquities to Britain to renew the memory of what was old illustrate what was obscure and settle what was doubtful and to recover some certainty as much as possible in our affairs which either the carelesness of Writers or credulity of vulgar Readers had totally bereft us of A great attempt indeed not to say impossible to which undertaking as no one scarce imagines the Industry requisite so no one really believes it but he who has made the experiment himself Yet as the difficulty of the design discourag'd me on the one side so the honour of my native Country encourag'd me on the other insomuch that whilst I dreaded the task and yet could not decline doing what I was able for the Glory of my Country I found I know not how the greatest contrarieties Fear and Courage which I thought could never have met in one man in strict confederacy within my own Breast However by the blessing of God and my own Industry I set about the work full of resolution thought study and daily contrivance and at spare times devoted my self wholly to it I have made but a timorous search after the Etymology of Britain and its first Inhabitants nor have I positively asserted what admits of doubt for I very well know that the original of Countries are obscure and altogether uncertain over-run as it were with the rust of age and like objects at a great distance from the beholders scarce visible Thus the courses and mouths of great Rivers their turnings their confluence are all well known whilst their Springs for the generality lye hid and undiscover'd I have traced the ancient divisions of Britain and have made a summary Report of the States and judicial Courts of these flourishing Kingdoms of England Scotland and Ireland I have compendiously settl'd the bounds of each County but not by measure and examin'd the nature of the soil the places of greatest antiquity what Dukes what Earls what Barons there have been I have set down some of the most ancient and honourable Families for 't is impossible to mention them all Let them censure my performance who are able to make a true judgment which perhaps will require some consideration but Time that uncorrupted witness will give the best information when Envy that preys upon the living shall hold its peace Yet this I must say for my self that I have neglected nothing that could give us any considerable light towards the discovery of hidden Truth in matters of Antiquity having gotten some insight into the old British and Saxon Tongues for my assistance I have travell'd very near all over England and have consulted in each County the men of best skill and most general intelligence I have diligently perus'd our own Writers as well as the Greek and Latin ones that mention the least tittle of Britain I have examin'd the publick Records of this Kingdom Ecclesiastical Registers and Libraries Acts Monuments and Memorials of Churches and Cities I have search'd the ancient Rolls and cited them upon occasion in their own stile tho' never so barbarous that by such unquestionable evidence Truth might be restor'd and vindicated Yet possibly I may seem guilty of imprudence and immodesty who tho' but a smatterer in the business of Antiquities have appear'd a scribler upon the stage of this learned age expos'd to the various censures of wise and judicious men But to speak the truth sincerely the natural affection I have for my Country which includes the good will of all the glory of the British original and perswasion of Friends have conquer'd that shyness of mine and forc'd me whether I would or no against my own judgment to undertake a work I am so unfit to prosecute for which I expect on all sides to be attack'd with prejudice censure detraction and reproach Some there are who cry down the study of Antiquity with much contempt as too curious a search after what is past whose authority as I shall not altogether slight so I shall not much regard their judgment Nor am I wholly without reasons sufficient to gain the approbation of men of honesty and integrity who value the honour of their native Country by which I can recommend to them in these studies a great deal of pleasure and satisfaction of mind becoming men of breeding and quality But if there are such men to be found who would be strangers to Learning and their own Country and Foreigners in their own Cities let them please themselves I have not wrote for such humours There are others perhaps who will cavil at the meanness and roughness of my language and the ungentileness of my stile I frankly confess Neither is every word weigh'd in Varro's scale nor did I design to gratifie the Reader with a nosegay
the inner parts of the Island or those moles mirificae mentioned by Cicero upâ—n the Sea Coasts Albina one of the thirty daughters of Dioclesian a King of Syria who upon their wedding-night kill'd all their husbands and then coming over hither in a vessel without sails or oars were the first that took possession of this Island where a sort of carnal Spirits got them with child and thence issued that race of Giants f This is fetch'd out of the Chronicle of St. Albans But our Author seems here to confound two fabulous opinions into one making this Albina at the same time daughter of Dioclesian and one of the Danaides daughters of Danaus for they it were who aâ—e said to have kill'd their husbands and come over hither Nor need I much busie my self to enquire wherefore in that old Parodia against Ventidius Bassus it is called * Insula Caeruli Insula Caeruli considering that the Sea lies round it which the Poets style Caerulus and Caerulum So Claudian of this Britain Cujus vestigia verrit Caerulus Whose steps the azure sea Sweeps with his tide I omit that it is by Aristides call'd the Great and the farthest Island That it was also call'd Romania Romania seems to be insinuated by those passages in Gildas where he tells us that this Island was so absolutely brought under the Roman power That the name of the Roman slavery stuck to the very soil And a little after So that it might now be accounted Romania rather than Britannia And within a page or two An Island bearing the Roman name but which did not observe the laws or customs of the Romans Nay Prosper Aquitanus expresly calls it The Roman Island Hither also may be refer'd that prediction of the Aruspices or Sooth-sayers when it happen'd that the Statues of Tacitus and Florianus the Emperors were thrown down with Thunder viz. That out of their Family should arise an Emperor who amongst other great actions should send Presidents over Taprobane and should send a Proconsul into the Roman Island Vopiscus in Fâ—ortano which all the learned understand of our Britain tho' it was a Province Presidial and never Proconsular as we shall hereafter shew That it was ever call'd Samâ—thea Samothea from Samothes Japhet's sixth son I cannot help it if some will still believe I know very well whence all that is borrow'd to wit out of Annius Viterbiensis who like a cheat putting specious titles upon bad wares hath imposed upon the over-credulous his own forgeries under the name of Berosus But now as to the name and original of Britain the various opinions concerning it have made it a very dubious point for which reason I will apply my self to our Britains for leave to interpose my judgment among the rest that they would put a favourable construction upon what I do that as they desire to know the truth so they would pardon those that search into it and allow me the same liberty as Eliot Leland Llwyd and others have taken For if Humphrey Llwyd a most learned Britain was not blam'd but rather commended for producing a new Etymology of Britain different from that common one of Brutus without any prejudice to the story I hope it will be no crime in me who here meddle not with the History of Brutus to make a short inquiry after another original And where can I so properly search after it as in our British language which as it is pure and unmixt so extreamly ancient and on this double account we may promise our selves considerable assistance from it For antient languages are highly serviceable to the finding out the first original of things And Plato in his Cratylus tells us that the primitive names of things long since worn out of use are yet still preserv'd in the barbarous Tongues as the most antient Now though those matters are so very obscure by reason of their great Antiquity that we rather earnestly wish for the truth than have any reasonable hopes to discover it yet I shall do my utmost to clear it up and shall briefly propound my own judgment not magisterially imposing it upon any man but still inclin'd to admit with the higest satisfaction any more probable opinion For I love a truth of another's discovery altogether as well as my own and equally embrace it wheresoever I find it In the first place I will take it for granted with the Reader 's leave that all antient nations had their own proper names from the beginning and that the Greeks and Latins afterwards fram'd names for evety Country out of those of the People with variation enough to accommodate them to their own Dialect Or to explain my self farther that the People were known and distinguish'd by their names before the Regions and Countries which they inhabited and that the Countries were afterwards denominated from the people Who can deny but the names of the Jews the Medes the Persians Scythians Almans Gauls Gâ—tulians Saxons English Scots c. were extant before those of Judaea Media Persia Scythia Almaine Gaul Getulia Saxony England Scotland c. Nor is any thing more evident than that these last were coin'd out of the former We find that from the Samnites the Insubres and Belgae Livy and Caesar were the first that call'd the Countreys themselves Samnitium Insubrium and Belgium From the Franks in the time of Constantine the Great as appears by the Coins of that Emperor the Country where they were seated first took the name of Francia or France And Sidonius Apollinaris was the first that framed the name of Burgundy Now we have all the reason in the world to believe that just after the same manner the Inhabitants or else the Gauls their next Neighbours first gave this Island the name of Britain For several things make it probable that these Natives were called Brit Brit. or Brith in the old barbarous Language especially that Verse which passes under the name of Sibyl 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The British tribes and wealthy Gauls shall hear The purple waves come rouling from afar While tides of blood the wondring Pilots fear Next the authority of Martial Juvenal and Ausonius This Island also is by Procopius called Britia and the ancient Inscriptions set up by the Britains g See Virgil's Catalects and Scaliger upon the place For this reason it is we find in the Coins of Antoninus Pius Britain represented by a woman sometimes sitting upon a rock sometimes upon a sort of a globe in the Ocean And Prosper the Rhetorician calls the Britains Aequorâ—â— themselves in which we read Brito Britones Brittus COH BRITON ORDINIS BRITTON and at Rome in the Church of St. Maria Rotunda NATIONE BRITTO This Inscription also which is to be seen at Amerbach in Germany which I will here insert because it mentions Triputium some place in Britain but not known NYMPHISO NO BRITTON TRIPUTIENO SUB CURA MO VLPI
far in this from casting any reflection upon them that I have rather loved them the more as men of the same blood and extraction and have ever respected them even when the Kingdoms were distinct and now much more since by the favour of God we are united into one body under one sovereign head of England and Scotland which may the Almighty sanctifie to the good happy prosperous and peaceful state of both nations The f See Bishop Usher's Antiquitat Ecclâ—s Britan. cap. 15. beginning and etymology of the Scotch nation as well as its neighbours is so wrapt up in mists and darkness that even the sagacious Buchanan either did not discover it or only discovered it to himself for he has not answered the expectation of the world concerning him in this point Upon this account I have long forbore entring the lists and playing the fool with others in admiring fables For a man may as colourably refer the original of Scotland to the Gods as to Scota that sham-daughter of Pharaoh Scota Pharaâ—h's daughter King of Aegypt who was married to Gaithelus son of Cecrops the founder of Athens But as this opinion is rejected by those that are ingenuous among the Scots themselves as sprung from a gross ignorance of Antiquity so this other of a later date absurdly taken from a Greek original that the Scots are so called quasi 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is to say obscure ought likewise to be hissed out and exposed as spightfully contrived in dishonour to a most famous and warlike nation Nor is that opinion of our Florilegus namely that the Scots are so called as arising from a confused meddley of nations universally current Yet I cannot but admire upon what grounds Isidorus could say l. 9. c. 2 That the Scots in their own tongue have their name from their painted bodies because they are marked by iron needles with ink and the print of various figures Which is also cited in the same words g Dâ—â—â—â—â— out oâ—â—â—m Hoi by Rabanus Maurus in his Geography to the Emperor Lodovicus Pius now extant in Trinity College Library at Oxford But seeing Scotland has nursed up those that can trace her Original from the highest steps of Antiquity and do it both to their own honour and that of their Country if they will but employ their whole care and thoughts for a while upon it I will only give some short touches upon those things which may afford them some light into the truth of it and offer some others which I would have them weigh a little diligently for I will not pretend to determine any thing in this controversie First therefore of their original and then of the place from whence they were transplanted into Ireland Ireland the Câ—untry of the Scots For 't is plain that out of Ireland an Isle peopled formerly by the Britains as shall be said in its proper place they were transported into Britain and that they were seated in Ireland when first known to any Writers by that name So Claudian speaking of their inroads into Britain Totam cum Scotus Hibernem Movit infesto spumavit remige Thetis When Scots came thundring from the Irish shores And th' ocean trembled struck with hostile oars In another place also Scotorum cumulos flevit glacialis Hiberne And frozen Ireland moan'd the crowding heaps Of murther'd Scots Orosius likewise writes that Ireland is peopled by nations of the Scots Agreeable is also that of Isidore Scotland and Ireland are the same but it is called Scotland because it is peopled by nations of the Scots Gildas calls them Hibâ—rnos grassatores Irish robbers Bede also The Scots who inhabit Ireland an Island next to Britain And so in other places Eginhardus who lived in the age of Charles the Great expresly calls Ireland the Island of the Scots Thus also Giraldus Cambrensis That the Scotch nation is the off-spring of Ireland the resemblance of their language and dress as well as of their weapons and customs continued to this day do sufficiently prove But now for that I had to offer to be considered by the Scots Gaâ—oâ—â—â—l 〈◊〉 Gâ—â—thel and Gael Since they who are the true genuine Scots own not the name of Scots but call themselves Gaoithel Gael and Albin and many people are called by their neighbours after another name than what they give themselves by which the first rise of a nation is often traced as for instance the people of the lower Pannonia who call themselves Magier are called by the Dutch Hungari because they were originally Hunns those bordering upon the forest Hercynia go by the name of Czechi among themselves whereas they are called by others Bohaemi because they are the off-spring of the Bott in Gaul the Inhabitants of Africa who have also a name among themselves are nevertheless called by the Spaniards Alarbes because they are Arabians the Irish who call themselves Erenach are by our Britains called Gwidhill and both the Irish and Britains give us English no other name than Sasson because we are descended from the Saxons Since these things are thus I would desire it might be examined by the Scots whether they were so called by their neighbours quasi Scythae For as the low Dutch call both the Scythians and Scots by this one word Scutten so it is observed from the British writers that our Britains likewise called both of them Y-Scot Ninnius also expresly calls the British inhabitants of Ireland Scythae and Gildas names that Sea over which they passed out of Ireland into Britain Vallis Scythica Vâ—llis Scythica For so it is in the Paris Edition of him whereas others absurdly read it Styticha vallis Again King Alfred who 7 hundred years ago turned Orosius's History into Saxon translates Scots by the word Scyttan and our own borderers to Scotland do not call them Scots but Scyttes and Scetts In his Hâ—podigma For as the same people are called so Walsingham has it Getae Getici Gothi Gothici so from one and the same original come Scythae Scitici Scoti Scotici But then whether this name was given this nation by the neighbours upon account of its Scythian manners or because they came from Scythia I would have them next to consider Lib. 6. For Diodorus Siculus and Strabo expresly compare the old people of Ireland Sâ—rabo l. 4. which is the true and native country of the Scots with the Scythians in barbarity Besides they drink the blood out of the wounds of the slain they ratifie their leagues with a draught of blood on both sides and the wild Irish as also those that are true Scots think their honour less or greater in proportion to the numbers they have slain as the Scythians heretofore did Farther 't is observable that the main weapons among the Scots as well as among the Scythians were bows and arrows For Orpheus calls the Scythians 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as Aelian and Julius Pollux Sagittarii that
Aetius fell in the xxxixth year of that Theodosius and of Christ 446 and since it appears by the most authentick writers Baronius that S. German dy'd in the year of Christ 435 there is some ground to suspect that the numerals in Bede have been corrupted and that the Saxons came over hither before the year of Christ 449. For otherwise how is it possible that S. German who dyed in 435 should lead up the Britains against the Saxons who by that computation were not then come over Besides Ninnius affirms that S. German return'd out of Britain into his own country after the death of Vortigern who was the person that invited the Saxons into Britain so that their coming over must necessarily be before the year 435 r Concerning the precise time wheâ— S. German lived See Stillingfl Orig. p. 208. the last of S. German's life Farther yet the second year after Leo the Great was made Pope which falls in with that of Christ 443 Prosper Tiro who lived at the same time tells us That Britain after several engagements was at last subdu'd to the Saxons Which puts it beyond all dispute that they came over before the year I mean 449. But to remove all scruples about that matter let me add this one Chronological note which is at the end of some copies of Ninnius and satisfies me beyond all the rest From the Consulship of the two Gemini Read Fusius Rufus and Rubellius to that of Stilico 373 years From Stilico to Valentinian son of Placidia and to the reign of Vortigern 28 years From the reign of Vortigern to the difference between Gaitolinus and Ambrosius are 12 years which is Guoloppum i.e. Cathguoloph Vortigern reigned in Britain when Theodosius and Valentinian were Consuls and in the fourth year of his reign the Saxons came over and were received by Vortigern when Felix and Taurus were Consuls From the year that the Saxons came into Britain and were received by Vortigern to * Otherwise Decius Paulinus Decius Valerianus are 69 years Now by this computation the English-Saxons must have come into Britain in the 21st year of Theodosius the Younger which is nearest to Bede's account of it that is the year of Christ 428. for then Felix and Taurus were Consuls and other circumstances both of person and time agree to it I think fit to advertise the reader of one thing more not in the mean time to assume the character of a Critick Å¿ See Camden's Epistles p. 7. that in many copies of Gildas from whence Bede took that passage about Aetius 't is read Agitio III. Consuli in others the numerals are omitted and 't is writ Aegitio and in one Aequitio Cos. But I could never find in the Fasti any Consul of that name t The learned Selden seems of opinion that this Aetius was really no Consul but only a person of great note and authority at that time for says he Idustres Saepius Viros indigitant historici nostri Câ—rsales i.e. Our Historians very often call eminent men Consuls Which conjecture might hold if the numerals were out as they are indeed in some Copies but if they are supposed there 's plainly to room for it See Bishop Stillingfleet's Origines Britannica p. 300. unless we can imagine that he was some extraordinary one Well what time soever they came over 't is certain they show'd a wonderful courage which was yet temper'd with great prudence For in a very short time they became so considerable Victorie of the Saxons both for numbers good customs and large estates that they were in a most prosperous and powerful condition and their victory in a manner entire and absolute All the conquer'd setting aside some few who took refuge in the uncultivated Western parts yielded themselves and embraced their Laws name and language For besides England the English-Saxons possessed themselves of the greatest part of Scotland and the High-landers who are the true Scots call them Sassons to this day where they use the same tongue with us only varying a little in the Dialect And this language we and they have kept in a manner incorrupt along with the kingdom for 1150 years By which it appears how trivial and false that is amongst others of the same nature which the Saxon-Prophets foretold Gildas when they set sail for this Island That they should stay here only 300 years and that 150 of these should be mostly taken up in wasting the country The subject matter and place seem next to require that something be added concerning the customs of our Fore-fathers the Saxons and therefore I shall set down what I have observed upon that head The Saxons were in general a warlike nation Custom and mâ—â—ners of the Saxons and as Zosimus has told us were looked upon to be the most valiant of all the Germans both for a greatness of soul strength of body and a hardy temper Marcellinus observes That the Romans dreaded them above all others because their motions were always sudden And Orosius says for their courage and activity they were terrible Saxony is a place inaccessible by reason of the marshes and the frontiers of it are unpassable But tho' this may seem to secure them in a great measure against invasions and though the captive Saxons frequently made up a part in the Roman triumphs yet are they accounted a most stout sort of men excelling all others in piracies wherein they rely more upon their fly-boats than their own courage and make it their business not so much to fight us run Thus far Egesippus Orig. lib. â— c. 2. Who is followed by Isidorus The Saxons says he situate upon the Sea-shore and among fenns unpassable are very stout and very active From whence they took their names as being a hardy resolute sort of men and in piracy outdoing all others They were eminent for tallness symmetry of parts and exactness of features which gave Witichindus the Monk occasion to leave us this description of them The Franks were amazed to see men of such vast bodies and so great souls They wondered at their strange habit and armour at their hair dangling down upon their shoulders and above all at their courage and resolution Their cloaths were * Sâ—â—â—a close-coats their armour long spears when they stood they leaned upon little shields and they wore a sort of large knives hanging before But formerly they used to shave their heads to the very skin except a little about the crown and wore a plate round their heads as Sidonius Apollinaris plainly intimates in those verses Istic Saxona caerulum videmus Adsuetum antè salo solum timere Cujus verticis extimas per oras Non contenta suos tenere morsus Altat lamina marginem comarum Et sic crinibus ad cutem rescissis Decrescit caput additurque vultus Here 't was we saw the purple Saxon stand Us'd to rough seas yet shaking on the land The
King chose as it were out of their own body The general inclination was towards Harold Godwin's son much fam'd for his admirable conduct both in Peace and war For tho' the nobleness of his Birth lay but on one side his father having by treason and plunder render'd himself eternally infamous yet what by his courteous language and easie humour his liberal temper and warlike courage he strangely insinuated himself into the affections of the people As no one threw himself into danger with more chearfulness so in the greatest extremities no man was so ready with advice He had so signaliz'd his courage and success in the Welsh wars which he had some time before happily brought to an end that he was look'd upon as a most accomplish'd General and seem'd to be born on purpose to settle the English Government Moreover 't was hop'd the Danes who were at that time the only dread of this nation would be more favourable to him as being the son of Githa Sister to Sueno King of Denmark From what â—ther parts soever attempts whether foreign or domestick might be made upon him he seem'd sufficiently secur'd against them by the affections of the Commonalty and his relation to the Nobility He married the sister of Morcar and Edwin who at that time bore by much the greatest sway and Edric sirnam'd the Wild a man of an high spirit and great authority was his near kinsman It fell out too very luckily that at the same time Sueno the Dane should be engag'd in the Suedish wars and there was an ill understanding between William the Norman and Philip King of France For Edward the Confessor while he lived under banishment in Normandy had made this William an express promise of the Crown in case himself died without issue And Harold who was then kept prisoner in Normandy was bound under a strict oath to see it perform'd and made this one part of the conditon that he might marry the Duke's daughter For these reasons a great many thought it most advisable to make a present of the Crown to the Duke of Normandy that by discharging the promise they might prevent both the war that then threatned them and destruction the certain punishment of perjury as also that by the accession of Normandy to England the government might be established in the hands of so great a Prince and the interest of the nation very much advanc'd But Harold quickly cut off all debates that look'd that way for finding that delays would be dangerous the very day Edward was bury'd contrary to all mens expectation he possessed himself of the government and with the applause of those about him who proclaimed him King without all ceremony of inauguration put on the diadem with his own hands This action of his very much disgusted the Clergy who looked upon it as a breach of Religion But as he was sensible how difficult it was for a young Prince to establish his government without the reputation of piety and virtue to cancel that crime and to settle himself on the throne he bent all his thoughts towards promoting the interest of the Church and the dignity of Monasteries He show'd Edgar Aetheling Earl of Oxford and the rest of the Nobility all the favour imaginable he eas'd the people of a great part of their taxes he bestowed vast sums of money upon the poor and in short what by the smoothness of his discourse patience in hearing others and equity in all causes he gained himself a wonderful love and authority So soon as William Duke of Normandy had certain intelligence of those matters he pretended to be infinitely afflicted for the death of Edward when all the while the thing that lay upon his stomach was his being disappointed of England which he had so long promised himself Without more ado by advice of his Council he sends over Embassadors to remind Harold of his promise and engagement and to demand the Crown Harold after mature deliberation returned him this answer That as to Edward's promise the Crown of England could not be disposed of by promise nor was he obliged to take notice of it since he governed by right of election and not any hereditary claim And for what concerned his engagement that was plainly extorted by force treachery and the fear of perpetual imprisonment did likewise tend to the manifest damage of the Nation and infringe the privileges of the Nobility and therefore he look'd upon it as null in it self That if he could make good his promise he ought not or if he would that it was not in his power being made without the knowledge of the King or concurrence of the People That the demand seem'd highly unreasonable for him to surrender the government to a Norman Prince who was altogether a stranger when he had been invested with it by the unanimous consent of all Orders The Norman Duke did not very well relish this answer but plainly perceived that Harold was seeking out ways to avoid the perjury Upon which he sent over another Embassy on the same errand to put him in mind of the strictness of his Oath and that damnation from God and disgrace among men are the certain rewards of perjury But because William's daughter who as betroth'd to Harold was a tye upon him for the discharge of his promise was now dead they were entertained with so much the more coldness and returned with the same answer as the first In all appearance there was nothing like to ensue but open war Harold prepares a fleet levies soldiers places garisons upon the sea-coasts as he sees convenient in short omits nothing which may any way contribute towards repelling the Normans In the mean time what was never before so much as thought of the first storm of the War comes from Tosto Harold's own brother He was a man of a high spirit and cruel temper and had for some time presided over the Kingdom of Northumberland with great insolence till at last for his barbarous dealings with inferiors impudent carriage towards his Prince and a mortal hatred to his own brethren he was cashiered by Edward the Confessor and went over into France And at this juncture push'd forward in all probability by Baldwin Earl of Flanders drawn in by William Duke of Normandy for Tosto and William had married two of Earl Baldwin's daughters he declares open war against his brother whom he had for a long time mortally hated He set out from Flanders with 60 sail of Pirate-vessels wasted the Isle of Wight and very much infested the Kentish coast but being frighted at the approach of the Royal Navy he set sail and steered his course towards the more remote parts of England landed in Lincolnshire and plundered that County There he was engaged by Edgar and Morcar and defeated then made for Scotland with a design to renew the war Now were all thoughts in suspence with the expectation of a double assault one from Scotland another from
rains So those Northern terrors are as it were reserved by God to be sent out for a punishment when and upon whom the Divine Providence shall think fit The Division of BRITAIN How Countries are divided LET us now prepare our selves for the Division of Britain Countries are divided by Geographers either naturally according to the state of the rivers and mountains or nationally with respect to the people who inhabit them or * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 differently and under a †〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 political consideration according to the pleasure and jurisdiction of Princes Now seeing the first and second of these divisions are here and there treated of through the whole work the third i.e. the political seems proper to this place which yet is so much obscured by the injury of time that in this matter 't is easier to convince one of errors than to discover the truth Our Historians affirm that the most ancient division of Britain is into Loegria Cambria and Albania that is to speak more intelligibly into England Wales and Scotland But I look upon this to be of later date both because 't is threefold arising from those three People the Angles the Cambrians and the Scots who afterwards shared this Island amongst them and also because there is no such division mentioned by classick Authors no nor before our country-man Geoffrey of Monmouth For as the Criticks of our age imagine his Romance had not been all of a piece unless he had made Brute have three Sons Locrinus Camber and Albanactus to answer the three nations that were here in his time in the same manner that he had before made his Brute because this Island was then called Britain And they no way doubt but if there had been more distinct nations about that time here in Britain he would have found more of Brute's children In the opinion of many learned men the most ancient division of Britain is that of Ptolemy's in his second book of Mathematical Construction where treating of Parallels he divides it into Great and Little Britain But with due submission to so great persons I conceive they would be of opinion that in this place our Island is called Britannia Magna and Ireland Parva Greâ—â— Littleâ— â—tain if they would please to consider the distances there from the Aequator a little more accurately and compare it with his Geographical Works However some modern writers have called the hither part of this Island Southwards Great and the farther towards the North Little the inhabitants whereof were formerly distinguished into Maiatae and Caledonii that is into the Inhabitants of the Plains and the Mountaineers as now the Scots are into Hechtland-men and Lowland-men But the Romans neglecting the farther tract because as Appian says it could be of no importance or advantage to them and fixing their bounds not far from Edenburgh divided the hither part now reduced to the form of a Province into two the Lower and the Upper L. 55. Britaâ—â— infeâ—â— and srior as may be gathered from Dio. The hither part along with Wales was their Upper the farther lying northward the Lower And this is confirmed by Dio's account of the Seats of the Legions The second Legion termed Augusta at Caerleon in Wales Isâ—â— Câ— erleâ—◠〈◊〉 Viâ— and the Twentieth called Victrix at Chester or Deva are both placed by him in Upper Britain But he tells us that the Sixth Legion called Victrix whose residence was at York served in Lower Britain I should think this division to have been made by Severus the Emperor since Herodian assures us that after he had conquer'd Albinus the then General of the Britains had possessed himself of the Government and setled the affairs of Britain he divided the whole Province into two parts and assigned to each its Lieutenant Afterwards the Romans divided the Province of Britain into three parts a Usserii Anâ—â—quitat Britano p. 51 as we may learn from a Manuscript of Sextus Rufus viz. Maxima Caesariensis Britannia prima and Britannia Secunda Bâ—â—tâ—â— which I fancy I have found out by the ancient Bishops and their Dioceses Pope Lucius in Grtaian intimates Dâ—â—â— that the Ecclesiastical jurisdiction of the Christians was model'd according to the jurisdiction of the Roman Magistrates and that the Archbishops had their Sees in such Cities as had formerly been the residence of the Roman Governors The cities says he and the places where Primats are to preside are not of a late model but were fixt many years before the coming of Christ to the Governors of which cities the Gentiles also made their appeals in the more weighty matters In which very cities after the coming of Christ the Apostles and their Successors setled Patriarchs or Primates Primates who have power to judge of the affairs of Bishops and in all causes of consequence Now since Britain had formerly three Archbishops London York and Caerleon I fancy that the Province we now call Canterbury for thither the See of London was translated made up the Britannia Prima that Wales which was subject to the Bishop of Caerleon was the Secunda and that the Province of York which then reached as far as the Bound was the Maxima Caesariensis â—ritain diâ—ided into parts The next age after when the Constitution of the Roman Government was every day changed either through ambition that more might be preferred to places of honour â—otitia â—rovinciâ—am or the policy of the Emperors to curb the growing power of their Presidents they divided Britain into five parts Britannia prima Secunda Maxima Caesariensis Valentia and Flavia Caesariensis Valentia seems to have been the northern part of the Maxima Caesariensis which Theodosius General under the Emperor Valens recovered from the Picts and Scots and out of complement to his Master called it Valentia as Marcellinus fully testifies in those words â—b 28. The province which had fell into the Enemy's hands he recovered and reduced to its former state so that by his means it both enjoyed a lawful Governor and was also by appointment of the Prince afterwards called Valentia 'T is reasonable to imagine that the Son of this Theodosius who being made Emperor was call'd Flavius Theodosius and made several alterations in the Empire might add the Flavia because we never meet with Britannia Flavia before the time of this Flavius To be short then Britannia Prima â—itannia â—â—ima was all that Southern tract bounded on one hand with the British Ocean and on the other with the Thames and the Severn Sea â—â—tanâ— Seâ—â—da â—â—via â—â—arienâ—â—xima â—arienâ—â—â—entia Britannia Secunda the same with the present Wales Flavia Caesariensis reached from the Thames to Humber Maxima Caesariensis from Humber to the river Tine or Severus's wall Valentia from the Tine to the Wall near Edenburgh call'd by the Scots Gramesdike which was the farthest limit of the Roman Empire And here
leave to start a question here Whether Britain was ever joyn'd to the Continent not unworthy the search of any learned man that has a genius and leisure Whether in the place where this narrow sea parts Gaul and Britain there was ever an Isthmus or neck of land that joyn'd them and afterwards split by the general deluge or by the breaking in of the waves or some earth-quake let in the waters through it And certainly no one ought to doubt but that the face of the earth has been chang'd as well by the deluge as a long series of years and other causes and that Islands either by earth quakes or the drawing back of the waters have been joyn'd to the Continent So also that Islands by earth-quakes and the rushing in of waters have been broke off from the Continent is a point plainly evident from Authors of the best credit Upon which Pythagoras in Ovid Vidi ego quod quondam fuerat soildissima tellus Esse fretum vidi factas ex aequore terras I 've seen the ocean flow where lands once stood I 've seen firm land where once the ocean flow'd For Strabo inferring what 's to come from what 's past concludes that Isthmus's or necks of land both have been wrought thorow and will be again Nat. Quaest 6. You see says Seneca that whole countries are tore from their places and what lay hard by is now beyond sea You see a separation of cities and nations so often as part of Nature either moves of it self or the winds drive forward some vast sea or other the force whereof as drawn from the whole is wonderful For tho' it rage but in some part yet it is of the universal power that it so rages Thus has the sea rent Spain from the Continent of Africa And by that inundation so much talk'd of by the best Poets Sicily was * Resecta al. Rejecta cut off from Italy From whence that of Virgil Haec loca vi quondam vasta convulsa ruina Tantum aevi longinqua valet mutare vetustas Dissiluisse ferunt cum protinus utraque tellus Una foret venit medio vi pontus undis Hesperium Siculo latus abscidit arvaque urbes Littore diductas angusto interluit aestu These shores long since as old traditions speak Such strange disorders powerful time can make With violent sury did asunder break When battering waves collecting all their force Thro' solid land urg'd their impetuous course While towns and fields on either side gave way And left free passage for a narrow sea Pliny too has taught us that Cyprus was broke off from Syria Euboea from Boeotia Besbicus from Bythinia which before were parts of the Continent But that Britain was so rent from the Continent no one of the Ancients has told us only those verses of Virgil and Claudian which I have quoted in the very beginning of this work along with Servius's conjecture Page 1. seem to hint so much Notwithstanding there are that think so as Dominicus Marius Niger John Twine a very learned man and whoever he was that wrested these verses concerning Sicily to Britain Britannia quondam Gallorum pars una fuit sed pontus aestus Mutavere situm rupit confinia Nereus Victor abscissos interluit aequore montes Once did the British touch the Gallick shore Till furious waves the cliffs in sunder tore Thus broke they yielded to the conqu'ring main And Neptune still in triumph rides between Since therefore the Authority of Writers has left us no firm grounds in this matter learned men comparing such like narrow seas one with another in order to discover the truth propose these and such other heads to be curiously examin'd Whether the nature of the soil be the same upon both shores Which indeed holds good here for where the sea is narrowest both coasts rise with high rocks almost of the same matter and colour which should hint that they have been broken through How broad the narrow sea may be And the Straits are here not much broader than those of Gibraltar or Sicily to wit 24 miles so that at the first sight one would imagine those two tracts had been sever'd by the waves that now beat violently first on one side then on the other For that it ‖ Subsedisse was lower'd by Earth-quakes I dare not so much as in the least suspect since this our northern part of the world is but very seldom shook with Earth-quakes and those too but inconsiderable How deep such Straits may be As that of Sicily does not exceed 80 paces so this of ours is scarce 25 fathom and yet the sea on both sides of it is much deeper How the bottom is sandy hilly muddy and whether in several parts of such narrow seas there lye shelves of sand For ours I could not learn from the mariners that there are any such * Frowen Shoal◠except ſ There is no such now either to be heard of or found in the Sea-charts so that it is either since alter'd or our Author was impos'd upon one in the middle of the chanel which at low water lyes hardly three fathoms deep 80 But within half a league to the southward is 27 fathom deep and to the northward 25. Lastly Whether there be any place upon either shore has it's name in the ancient language of the place from a breach rent separation or such like as Rhegium upon the Straits of Sicily is so call'd from the Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is to break because at that place Sicily was broke off from Italy by the violence of the waters For my part I can think of none unless one could imagine that Vitsan upon the coast of France should take that name from t The Saxons called that Vitsan and Hwitsand whereof 't is possible enough that other may be a sort of contraction and if so it signifies no more than White sand Nor is it impossible that they should give it that name since it is discernable from the Coast of Kent But however that be this objection as Sammes has observ'd lies against the conjecture that the name implying a branch ought to be sought for in the lesser part of the division which is said properly to be rent from the greater and not this from that So the name Sicily was given to Trinacria and not to Italy and Wiht to that Island not to England Gwith signifying in British a divorce or separation Those who will have Britain to have made up part of the Continent along with France since that universal Deluge happen'd argue from the Wolves which were formerly common in England as they are still in Scotland and Ireland How is it possible say they that they should be in Islands since all living creatures that were not in the ark were destroy'd unless for a long time after the whole earth had been one continu'd passage without Islands St. Augustine
expresly says that the Founders did therein instituere Canonicos seculares who were of the Order of S. Augustine Roger de Iveri is there mention'd as a Co-Founder a Parish-Church dedicated to St. George to which the Parishioners not having free access when the Empress Maud was closely besieg'd in this castle by King Stephen the Chapel of St. Thomas Å¿ Westward from the Castle hard by was built for that purpose He is supposed likewise to have beautified the city with new walls which are now by age sensibly impair'd Robert his Nephew son of his brother Nigel Chamberlain to King Hen. 1. t Who design'd thereby to expiate the sins of her former unchaste life and to prevail with her husband told him a story of the chattering of birds and the interpretation of a Frier which legendary tale Leland tells us was painted near her Tomb in that Abbey by persuasion of his wife Edith daughter of Furn who had been the last Concubine of that Prince in the island meadows nigh the castle built Oseny Oseney Abby which the ruins of the walls still shew to have been very large At the same time as we read in the Register of the said Abbey of Oseney Robert Pulein began to read the holy scriptures at Oxford which were before grown almost out of use in England which person after he had much profited the English and French Churches by his good doctrine was invited to Rome by Pope Lucius 2. and promoted to the dignity of Chancellour of that See To the same purpose John Rous of Warwick writes thus By the care of Keng Henry the first the Lecture of Divinity which had been long intermitted began again to flourish and this Prince built there a new Palace which was afterward converted by King Edward 2. into a Convent for Carmelite Friers But u Richard Ceur de Lion third son of Henry and Queen Eleanor his wife was born on the Feast of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary An. 1157. 4 Hen. 1. in the King's Palace of Beaumont in a Chamber upon the ground whereof the Carmelites when this house was given them by King Edw. 2. built a Belfrey and Tower of which they us'd to boast as the place of Nativity to this Martial Prince long before this conversion was born in that Palace the truly Lion-hearted Prince King Richard 1. commonly call'd Ceur de Lion Richard ceur de Lyon a Monarch of a great and elevated Soul born for the glory of England and protection of the Christian world and for the terror and confusion of Pagans and Infidels Upon whose death a Poet of that age has these tolerable verses Viscera Carleolum corpus Fons servat Ebrardi Et cor Rothomagum magne Richarde tuum In tria dividitur unus qui plus fuit uno Nec superest uno gloria tanta viro Hic Richarde jaces sed mors si cederet armis Victa timore tui cederet ipsa tuis Great Richard's body's at Fontevrault shown His bowels at Carlisle his head at Roan He now makes three because too great for one Richard lyes dead but death had fear'd his power Could this proud Tyrant own a Conquerour The City being thus adorn'd with beautiful buildings many Students began to flock hither as to the common Mart of civility and good letters So that learning here quickly reviv'd chiefly through the care of the foresaid Robert Pulein a man born to promote the interest of the learned world who spar'd no trouble and pains to cleanse and open the fountains of the Muses which had been so miserably dried and damm'd up under the favour and protection of King Henry 1. King Henry 2. and Richard his son whom I mention'd just before And he met with such fortunate success in his endeavours that in the reign of King John there were three thousand Students in this place who went away altogether some to Reading and some to Cambridge w As also to Maidstone Salisbury and other places when they could no longer bear the x Which happen'd An. 1209. the 10th of King John upon a Clerk in Oxford accidentally killing a woman and complaint being made to the King then at Woodstock he commanded two of the Scholars who upon suspicion of that fact had been imprison'd by the Towns-men to be immediately hang'd without the City walls This so much offended and frighted the poor Scholars that they all deserted the Town But the Inhabitants being soon sensible of the desolation and poverty they had brought upon themselves did upon their knees deprecate the fault at Westminster before Nicholas the Pope's Legate and submitted to a publick Penance Upon which the dispersed Scholars after five years absence return'd to Oxford An. 1214. and obtain'd some new Privileges for their more effectual protections abuses of the rude and insolent Citizens but when these tumults were appeas'd they soon after return'd Then and in the following times as Divine Providence seem'd to set apart this City for a seat of the Muses so did the same Providence raise up a great number of excellent Princes and Prelates who exercis'd their piety and bounty in this place for the promoting and encouraging of Arts and all good Literature And when King Henry 3. came hither and visited the shrine of S. Frideswide which was before thought a dangerous crime in any Prince and so took away that superstitious scruple which had before hindred several Kings from entring within the walls of Oxford He here conven'd a Parliament to adjust the differences between him and the Barons and at that time confirm'd the privileges granted to the University by his Predecessors and added some new acts of grace and favour After which the number of learned men so far encreas'd as to afford a constant supply of persons qualified by divine and humane knowledge for the discharge of offices in Church and State So that Matthew Paris expresly calls Oxford The second School of the Church after Paris nay the very foundation of the Church r. For the Popes of Rome had before honour'd this place with the title of an University which at that time in their decretals they allow'd only to Paris Oxford Bononia and Salamanca And in the Council of Vienna it was determin'd That Schools for the Hebrew Arabic and Chaldaic tongues should be erected in the Studies of Paris Oxford Bononia and Salamanca as the most eminent that the knowledge of those Languages might be hereby propagated and encourag'd and that out of men of the Catholick Communion furnisht with sufficient abilities two should be chosen for the profession of each Tongue For the maintenance of which Professors in Oxford all the Prelates in England Scotland Ireland and Wales and all Monasteries Chapters Convents Colleges exempt and not exempt and all Rectors of Parish-Churches should make a yearly contribution In which words one may easily observe that Oxford was the chief School in England Scotland Wales and Ireland and that
lost themselves though the very name points it out and discovers it plainly to them be they never so blind Many have sought for it in the west of England as that notable man who thought he carry'd the Sun of Antiquities about with him others in Scotland others have with Leland affirm'd Colchester to be the place when all this while the name is very little alter'd and instead of Camalodunum 't is call'd at present Maldon Maldon in Saxon Maledune and Mealdune the greatest part of the word still remaining whole and entire Nor are the plain reliques of the name the only argument for this assertion but the distance too from the Mona of Pliny and the very situation in an ancient Itinerary-table are as plain proofs as any in the world I scarce dare be so bold as conjecture that this place was so call'd from the God Camulus The Gâ—d Camuâ—us yet is there some grounds for such a fancy from Mars's being worship'd under this name and from an old stone at Rome in the house of the Collotians and from altars that have been found with this inscription CAMVLO DEO SANCTO ET FORTISSIMO And upon an old Coin of Cunobeline whose chief seat this was as I have before observ'd I have seen a figure with a helmet and a spear which might probably be design'd for that of Mars with the Letters CAMV But because at present that piece is not in my hands I shall present you here with some others of the same Cunobeline which seem to relate to this Camalodunm He govern'd the Eastern part of the Island in the reign of Tiberius and is suppos'd to have had 3 sons Admimus Togodumnus and Catacratus Admimus being expell'd the kingdom by his father and receiv'd by C. Caligula accompanied him into Batavia on that ridiculous expedition to put a terrour upon Britain As for Togodumnus Aulus Plautius overcame and kill'd him in a fair battel and the same person having put Catacratus to the rout See the Romans in britain as I have mention'd in another place carried him to Rome to grace his Ovation or lesser sort of Triumph This is that Plautius who by the advice of one Caius Bericus a British exile pretences for war continually offering themselves first after Julius Caesar made an attempt on Britain under the Emperour Claudius Claudius in Britain whom Claudius himself soon follow'd with the whole force of the Empire †Dio Câ—ss l. 60. See afterwards under the title Nesse and abundance of Elephants the bones of which being casually found have given rise to several groundless stories Passing the Thames he put the Britains to flight that stood to receive him on the other side and easily possess'd himself of this Camalodunum For which atchievements his son being honour'd with the title of Britannicus and himself often saluted Emperour six months after his setting out he return'd to Rome But I have spoke of these matters more fully in another place and am not willing to trouble the Reader with a repetition of them here Camalodunum being thus reduced under the subjection of the Romans Claudius placed here a stout band of Veterans for a Colony and coined money in memory of this action with the following Inscription Colonia Camalodunum COL CAMALODVN From which it appears that this happen'd in the twelfth year of that Emperour which falls in with the year of Christ 52. In an old Inscription which you have here set down 't is call'd COLONIA VICTRICENSIS from the Veterans of the fourteenth Legion which had the name of Gemina Martia Victrix whom Tacitus calls the Conquerours of Britain CN MVNATIVS M.F. PAL AVRELIVS BASSVS PROC AVG. PRAEF FABR. PRAEF COH III. SAGITTARIORVM PRAEF COH ITERVM II. ASTVRVM CENSITOR CIVIVM ROMANORVM COLONIAE VICTRICENSIS QVAE EST IN BRITANNIA CAMALODVNI c. Now a Colony if the knowledge of this be material is a body of men brought into a fortify'd place Servius and invested with the right of possession These for the most part were Veterans both that provision might be made for them and that they might defend the place against rebels and inure the friends and allies of the Romans to the laws and customs of the Empire These Colonies were in great honour and esteem being as it were Tacitus â—f this Câ— images and representations of the city of Rome They had their Magistrates too superiour and inferiour of which since others have given us an account already 't would be unnecessary for me to spend my time in describing them In this Roman Colony the first in Britain was a temple erected to the honour of Claudius Tacitus calls it The Aâ— and Temp e to Claudâ—â—s The altar of eternal dominion Seneca too takes notice of it in his scoffing Satyr on the death and deification of that Emperour 'T is no great matter saith he that Claudius hath a temple in Britain which the barbarous people now worship and adore as a deity For there were Priests chosen to his honour namely the Sodales Augustales who under pretence of religion juggl'd the poor Britains out of their fortunes and estates But after ten years space the course of things changed and this Colony was utterly ruined For when the Veterans that were brought into this country after it had been subdued exercis'd too cruel a tyranny over their poor subjects the sparks of the war which had lay conceal'd for so long a time broke out into a more violent flame than ever The Britains under the conduct of Bunduica or Boodicia plunder'd and burnt this Colony that was secur'd with no fortifications and in two days space storm'd the temple where the Soldiers had got together to defend themselves routed the ninth Legion that was coming to their assistance â—â—â—avs â—0000 and in a word kill'd 70000 Romans and Allies This dreadful slaughter was foretold by several prodigies Prodigies The image of Victory in this city turn'd it self round and fell to the earth In the Court were heard strange cries and the Theaters sounded with howling and groans houses were seen under the water of Thames and the neighbouring bay overflow'd with blood This day we since call Blackwater though I know not for what reason as Ptolemy calls it Idumanus â—â—â—manus which seems in some manner to denote the same Ydu in British signifying black Yet the Romans rais'd it again out of its ashes for Antoninus makes mention of it a long time after this During the Saxon government we scarce find it nam'd only Marian informs us that Edward son to King Alfred restor'd Malduna which had been ruin'd by the Danish fury and fortified it with a castle William the Conquerour as we read in Domesday had in it 180 houses held by the Burgesses and 18 Mansions laid waste At present for largeness and store of inhabitants it is justly reckon'd among the chief towns of this County and is call'd by the Lawyers the
I cannot tell The Saxon Annals call it Lygeanburh except Laud's Copy which calls it Lygeanbyrig and Florence of Worcester confirms the reading when he terms it Liganburh the later writers call it Lienberig Lienberi The placing it at Loughburrow seems to draw Cuthwulf too far out of his road for the next town he took was Ailesbury and 't is strange that in such a great distance he should not make an attempt upon some other The manner of his progress seems to favour Leighton in Bedfordshire See that County That this Loughborrow was that royal Vill in the Saxon tongue calld Lieganburge which Marianus says Cuthulfus took from the Britains in the year of Christ 572 the affinity of the names does in some sort evince At present it is justly esteem'd the second town of all this County next to Leicester as well in respect of its bigness and buildings as the pleasant woods about it For near the side of this town the forest of Charnwood Charnwood Forest or Charley q The forest of Charley is 20 miles in compass Lel. Itin. p 14. See a larger description of it in Burton's Leicestersh pag. 69. spreads it self a long way Within the bounds whereof is Beaumanour Park which the Lords Beaumonts enclos'd as I have heard with a stone-wall 17 These Beaumonts descended from a younger son of John Count of Brene in France who for his high honour and true valour was preferr'd to marry the heir of the kingdom of Jerusalem and with great pomp crown'd King of Jerusalem in the year of our Lord 1248. Hence it is that we see the Arms of Jerusalem so often quarter'd with those of Beaumont in sundry places of England Sir Hâ—n Beaumont was the first that planted himself in England about the year 1308. Which Lords were descended as is commonly believ'd of a French family certain it is that they come from John de Brenne King of Jerusalem and that they first settled in England about the reign of Edw. 1. And by marriage with the daughter of Alexander Comyn Earl of Boghan in Scotland whose mother was one of the heirs of Roger de Quincy Earl of Winchester they got a very plentiful inheritance and became a great family Of which family Viscounts Beaumont in the reign of King Edward 3. Henry was for several years summoned to Parliament by the name of Earl of Boghan and in the reign of Hen. 6. John was for a time Constable of England and the first in England The first honorary Viscount in England that I know of whom the King advanc'd to the honour of a Viscount But when William the last Viscount dy'd without issue his sister became the wife of the Lord Lovel and the whole inheritance which was large was afterwards confiscated for High Treason 18 By attainder of Loved it fell into the hands of King Henry 7. In this north part nothing else occurs worth mentioning unless it be a small Nunnery founded by Roifia de Verdon and call'd Grace-dieu 19 Now belonging to a younger house of the Beaumonts that is God's grace and not far from thence by the stream of Trent Dunnington Dunnington an ancient Castle built by the first Earls of Leicester which afterwards came to John Lacy Earl of Lincoln who procur'd it the privilege of a Market and Fairs from Edw. 1. But when in the proscription of the Barons under Ed. 2. the possessions of the proscribed were sequester'd and alienated the King gave this manour to Hugh le Despenser the younger 20 The hereditaments of Thomas Earl of Lancaster and Alice Lacy his wife were seiz'd into the King's hands and alienated in divers sorts the King enforc'd her to release this manour to Hugh le Dispenser the younger h The east part of this County which is hilly and feedeth a vast number of sheep was heretofore adorned with two principal places of great note Vernometum or Verometum mention'd by Antoninus and Burton-Lazers of great account in former ages Vernometum Vernometum â—â—â—rometâ—â— the name whereof is lost at this day seems to me to have been situated in that place which is now call'd Burrow-hill and Erdburrow for between Verometum and Ratae according to Antoninus were twelve miles and there is almost so much between this place and Leicester The present name also of Burrows which signify'd among the Saxons a fortify'd place comes from Burgh 21 And under it a town call'd Burrough belonging to an old family of Gentlemen so sirnam'd But the most considerable proof is that the ground is a steep hill on all sides but the south-east on the top of which remains the manifest appearance of a town destroy'd a double trench and the track where the walls went which enclosed about 18 acres of land At this day it is * Resâ—â—â— arable ground and noted on this account chiefly that the youth of the neighbouring parts meet here yearly for wrestling and such like exercises i One may conjecture from the name that some great Temple of the Heathen Gods hath formerly stood in this place For in the ancient Language of the Gauls which was the same with that of the Britains Vernometum Vernometum what it signâ—â—â—s in the oâ—d Gâ—ulish signifies a great and spacious Temple as Venantius Fortunatus plainly tells us of Vernometum a town in France in these verses in his first book of Poems Nomine Vernometum voluit vocitare vetustas Quod quasi fanum ingens Gallica lingua sonat The Gauls when Vernomet they call'd the place Did a great Temple by the word express As for Burton call'd for distinction Lazers Burton-lazers from Lazers so they nam'd the Elephantiaci or Lepers it was a rich Hospital to the Master of which all the lesser Lazer-houses in England were in some sort subject as he himself was to the Master of the Lazers of Jerusalem r It was founded about the time of K. Hen. 1. and as Leland saith Tom. 1. p. 69. by the Lord Mowbray for a Master and 8 brethren which did profess the Order of St. Austin See Burton's Leicestersh p. 63. It is said to have been built in the beginning of the Normans by a general collection throughout England but chiefly by the assistance of the Mowbrays About which time the Leprosie Leprosie in England by some call'd Elephantiasis 22 Because the skins of Lepers are like to those of Elephants did run by infection over all England And it is believ'd that the disease did then first come into this Island out of Egypt which more than once had spread it self into Europe first in the days of Pompey the Great afterwards under Heraclius and at other times as may be seen in History 23 Whether by celestial influence or other hidden causes I leave to the learned but never so far as I read did it before that time appear in England Besides these places of greater note and fame we
mark of infamy by wickedly conspiring with those wretched Incendiaries who design'd with one single charge of Gun-powder to have destroy'd both their Prince and Country d 2 More eastward upon the river Welland I saw nothing remarkable unless it be Berohdon now Barodon which Thomas Beauchamp Earl of Warwick held with South-Luffenham and other hamlets by service to the King's Chamberlain in the Exchequer Fiâ— 14 Ed. 3. In the furthermost division beyond the river encompass'd with hills lyes the pleasant and fruitful valley now call'd The Vale of Catmose perhaps from Coet maes which in the British tongue signifies a woody field or ground In the midst of which vale stands Okeham Okeham that seems for the same reason to have taken it's name from Oaks Near the Church 3 Which is large and fair are still remaining the ruinous walls of an old castle built as is reported by a He was a younger son to William de Ferrers Earl of Derby and held Okeham by the service of one Knights fee and a half 12 Hen. 2. Wright pag. 95. Walkelin de Ferrariis in the beginning of the Normans And that it was the habitation of the Ferrars besides the authority of tradition is sufficiently evident from the Horse-shoes which that family gave for their Arms nail'd on the â—â—tes and in the hall Afterwards this town belong'd to the Lords of Tatteshall But when King Richard 2. advanced Edward son of the Duke of York to the title of Earl of Rutland he also gave him this Castle In the memory of the last age it came to Thomas Cromwell Barons Cromwell and as I have read b He was Baron Cromwell of Wimbledon but not of Okeham See the printed Stat. of 31 Hen. 8. concerning Gavelkind gave him the title of Baron Henry 8. advanc'd this person to the highest dignity but soon after when by his many projects he had expos'd himself to the storms of envy on a sudden he depriv'd him both of life and honours e Eastward from hence is Burley Burly most pleasantly situated overlooking the Vale. This is now the magnificent seat of the Harringtons who by marriage with the daughter and heir of Colepeper came to so large an inheritance in those parts that ever since they have been a flourishing family in like manner as the Colepepers were before them to whom by N. Green the great estate of the Bruses did in part descend Which Bruses being of the chief Nobility of England match'd into the Royal family of Scotland from whom by Robert the eldest brother the Royal Line of the Scots and by Bernard a younger brother the Cottons of Connington in the County of Huntingdon of whom I have already spoken and these Harringtons are descended Upon which account K. James dignify'd Sir John Harrington Barons Harringtâ—â— 4 Branch'd from the stem of the ancient Lords Harington a most famous and worthy Knight with the title of Baron Harrington of Exton 5 A town adjacent where be hath also another fair house f On the east-side of this County near the river Guash lye Brigcasterton of which more hereafter and Rihall where when superstition had so bewitched our Ancestors that it had almost remov'd the true God by the multiplicity of Gods one Tibba a Saint of the lesser rank was worship'd by Falconers The Falcoâ—ers Saint as a second Diana and reputed a kind of Patroness of Falconry g Next adjoyning is Essenden whose Lord Robert Cecil the excellent son of an excellent father who was the support of our kingdom was lately created by King James Baron Cecil of Essenden Baron Câ—â—â— of Essendâ—n This little County Edward the Confessor devised by his last Will to his wife Eadith conditionally that after her death it should go to St. Peter's at Westminster These are the words of the Testament I will that after the decease of Queen Eadgith my wife Roteland with all things thereunto belonging be given to my Monastery of the most blessed Peter and that it be surrender'd without delay to the Abbot and Monks there serving God for ever But this Testament of his was vacated by William the Norman who keeping a great part of this estate to himself divided the rest to Judith the Countess whose daughter marry'd David K. of Scots to Robert Mallet Oger Gislebert of Gaunt Earl Hugh Alberic the Clerk and others But to Westminster he left indeed at first the tithes but afterwards only the Church of Okeham with the Appendices or Chapelries thereunto belonging Oppida Mercatoria per Ichnographiam Villae Parochiales per Pagi minores per Sedes vel loca devastata Olim Villae per Denotantur COMITATUS ROTELANDIAE Tabula Nova Aucta This little County is adorn'd with 48 Parish-Churches ADDITIONS to RVTLANDSHIRE a WHat the original of this County's name was we are in a great measure in the dark for as Mr. Camden's Roet and Rud will not do because we are assur'd there is nothing in the County to justifie such a conjecture so Mr. Wright's Rotelandia quasi Rotunda-landia will hardly pass till we can give some probable account how it came by a Latin name more than other parts of England The Conquest could not bring it in because we find it call'd so in the time of Edward the Confessor and beside so much of it as belong'd to Nottinghamshire to which the name Roteland was given before the rest came to be part of it is far from making a circular figure how round soever it may be when all together b When the County of Rutland came to be distinct or upon what occasion is altogether unknown Mr. Camden says that Authors 300 years old make no mention of it as of a separate Shire but that it was distinct before is certain for in the 5th of King John Isabel his new Queen had at her Coronation assigned her in Parliament for her dowry among other lands * Wright â—g 3. Com. Roteland villam de Rokingham in Com. Northampt. c. And in 12 Johan the Custos did account for the profits of this County in the Exchequer Which Custos can relate to nothing but the Sheriff of the County who was and still is as it were a Guard and his office is imply'd in his name Scyre-gerefa from which Sheriff is contracted signifying no more than a Keeper of the County â—iâ—g 〈◊〉 c In the south part of this County lies Uppingham the site whereof will hardly bear Mr. Camden's derivation from an ascent †Wright â— 130. the ground upon which it stands being something above a level but hardly amounting to a hill Johnson who is said to have built the school was call'd Robert and beside that built two Hospitals one at Okeham and another here at Uppingham Near this place is Lydington where about the year 1602. Thomas Lord Burgley settl'd an Hospital or Alms-house for a Warden 12 poor men and 2 poor women
de Scremby At last the King gave it to 6 Sir Henry Henry de Bellomonte for nothing is more clear than that he enjoy'd it in Edward the second 's reign 〈◊〉 4. E. 2. â—ckingâ—m Near this is Skrekingham remarkable for the death of Alfric the second Earl of Leicester kill'd by Hubba the Dane Which place 't is very probable Ingulphus speaks of when he writes In Kesteven three Danish petty Kings were slain and they interr'd them in a certain village heretofore call'd Laundon but now Tre-king-ham by reason of the burial of the three Kings More to the east is Hather famous for nothing but the name of the Busseys or Busleys â—â—fy who live here and derive themselves from Roger de Busley cotemporary with the Conquerour â—â—xd And then Sleford a castle of the Bishops of Lincoln erected by Alexander the Bishop where also 7 Sir John John Hussy 〈◊〉 â—â—ly the first and last Baron of that name 8 Created by King Henry 8. built himself a house but lost his head for rashly engaging in the common insurrection in the year 1537 when the feuds and difference about Religion first broke out in England A few miles from hence stands Kime â—me from whence a noble family call'd de Kime had their name but the Umfranvils three of whom were summon'd to sit in the house of Lords by the name of Earls of Angus in Scotland â—s of â—gus became at last possessors of it The sages of the Common Law would not allow the first of these forasmuch as Angus was not within the bounds of the Kingdom of England to be an Earl before he produc'd in open Court the King 's Writ by which he was summon'd to Parliament under the title of Earl of Angus From the Umfravils this came to the Talbois one of which family nam'd Gilbert was by Henry the eighth created Baron of Talbois whose two sons died without issue so that the inheritance went by females to the family of the Dimocks Inglebies and others More to the west stands Temple Bruer â—mple â—er that is as I take it Temple in the Heath it seems to have been a Preceptory of the Templars for there are to be seen the ruinous walls of a demolish'd Church not unlike those of the New Temple in London Near it is Blankeney â—ons â—ncourt once the Barony of the Deincourts who flourish'd in a continu'd succession from the coming in of the Normans to the times of Henry 6. for then their heir male fail'd in one William whose two sisters and heirs were married the one to 9 Sir William William Lovel the other to Ralph Cromwell I have the more readily taken notice of this family because I would willingly answer the request of Edmund Baron Deincourt who was long since so very desirous to preserve the memory of his name having no issue male he petition'd K. Ed. 2. for liberty To make over his Manours and Arms to whomsoever he pleas'd â— 21 H. 6. â— 10 â—w 2. for he imagin'd that both his name and Arms would go to the grave with him and was very sollicitous they should survive and be remembred Accordingly the King complied and he had Letters Patents for that end Yet this sirname so far as my knowledge goes is now quite extinct and would have been drown'd in oblivion if books and learning had not sav'd it In the west part of Kesteven where this County borders on Leicestershire on a very steep and as it seems â—voir or â—erâ—le artificial hill stands Belvoir or Beauvoir-Castle so call'd whatever the name was formerly from its pleasant prospect which with the little Monastery adjoyning was built as 't is given out by Todeneius a Norman from whom by the Albenies Britans and by the Roos's Barons it came to be the inheritance of the Manours Earls of Rutland by the first of whom nam'd Thomas it was as I have heard rebuilt after it had laid in ruins many years For William Lord Hastings in spight to Thomas Lord Roos who sided with Henry 6. almost demolish'd it and upon the attainder of Baron Roos had it granted him by Edward 4. with very large possessions But Edmund Baron Roos the son of Thomas by the bounty of Henry 7. regain'd this his ancestors inheritance o About this castle are found the stones call'd Astroites Astroites which resemble little stars link'd one with another having five rays in every corner and in the middle of every ray a hollow This stone among the Germans had its name from Victory for they think as Georgius Agricola writes in his sixth book of Minerals That whosoever carries this stone about him shall be successful against his enemies But I have not yet had an opportunity to make the experiment whether this stone of ours when put in vinegar will move out of its place and whirl round like that in Germany The Vale beneath this castle commonly call'd from it The Vale of Belver The Vale of Belver is pretty large and exceeding pleasant by reason of the corn-fields and pastures there It lies part in Nottinghamshire part in Leicestershire and part in Lincolnshire If not in this very place yet for certain very near it †See the Additions to Rutlandshire under the title Market-Overton where 't is more conveniently plac'd stood formerly that Margidunum Margidunum which Antoninus makes mention of next to Vernometum and this may sufficiently be prov'd both by its name and distance from Vernometum and the Town Ad Pontem otherwise Paunton for Antoninus places it between them It seems to have taken this ancient name from Marga and the situation of it For Marga among the Britains is a sort of earth with which they manure their grounds and Dunum which signifies a hill is applicable only to high places But I do for all that very much question this etymology seeing there is very little Marle in this place the not searching for it being perhaps the reason except the Britains by the name of Marga understand ‖ Gypsum Plaister-stone which is as I am inform'd dug up not far from hence and was as Pliny declares in his natural history in great request among the Romans who used it in their Plaisterings and * Sigillis Cielings Thro' this part of the Shire runs Witham Riv. Witham a little river but very full of Pikes and the northern parts are bounded by it It s spring head is at a little town of the same name Bitham not far from the ruins of Bitham-Castle which as we find in an old pedigree was by William the first given to Stephen Earl of Albemarle and Holderness to enable him to feed his son as yet a little infant with fine white bread for at that time nought was eaten in Holderness but oat-bread altho' 't is now very little used there This castle nevertheless in the reign of Edward 3. was when
occasion to derive it from hay seem to lye under the same inconvenience in that the soil does not favour either of these or at least not so much as to render the place eminent for them I would not willingly go any farther than the Saxon heah deep the remains whereof our Northern parts still retain in their how which they use for deep or low and the breakings in of the sea with the banks made against it sufficiently declare how much the nature of the place contributes towards this conjecture c Upon the confines of Norfolk lyes Tydd Tydd a small village but famous for the once Rector of it Nicholas Breakspear who planted Christianity in Norway for which good service to the Church he was afterwards made Cardinal and in the year 1154 Pope under the name of Hadrian the fourth d To endeavour the discovery of any thing that looks like Roman hereabouts would be a search as fruitless as unreasonable and for its condition in the Saxon times Ingulphus fully answers that whose history no doubt is the best intelligence for those parts For which reasons we shall take leave of it and go along with our Author into the second part of this County having first observ'd that this as well as Lindsey division has had its Earls and gave title to Henry Rich Lord Kensington created Earl of Holland Apr. 3. 22 Jac. 1. He was succeeded by Robert his son who had the additional title of Earl of Warwick by the death of Charles Rich Earl of that place his Cousin-german Whereupon both titles are at present enjoy'd by the right honourable Edward Rich stil'd Earl of Warwick and Holland e Kesteven Kesteven Mr. Camden observes is call'd by Aethelwerd Ceostefne Sylva the wood Ceostefne The reason of it is this because there was really a great forest at this end of the division where now are the large fenns call'd Deeping-Fenns c. A plain argument whereof is that the trunks of trees are dugg up in several ditches thereabouts which lye cover'd some two foot with a light black mold And Mr. Neal to whom the world is indebted for this and other discoveries in this County tells me that in a ditch of his own just at the edge of the fenns there was about 12 years ago several trunks of trees lying in the bottom and in another place as many acorns turn'd out of one hole as would fill a hat very firm and hard but colour'd black and now there is no tree standing near that place by a mile except here and there a willow lately set The same Gentleman assures me he has by him the copy of the Exemplification of the Letters Patents of Jac. 1. dated at Westminster Febr. 15. in the fifth of his reign over England and over Scotland the 41. wherein he recites by way of Inspeximus the Letters Patents of Henry 3. dated at Portsmouth the 23d of April in the 14th of his reign who thereby disafforested the said forest of Kesteven in perpetuum which was also confirm'd by the Letters Patents of Edward the third in the 20th of his reign wherein the said forest is butted and bounded to extend on one side from Swafton to East-Deeping as Caresdike extends it self which is a dike running cross the top of the Fenns not only of Deeping-Fenn but also of that great fenn beyond the river Glen call'd Lindsey-level and on the other side it extends to the division call'd Holland f Having made our way into this division by a previous account why some old Authors call it a wood or forest whereas now there appearing no such thing the readers might be surpriz'd let us accompany Mr. Camden to Stanford Stanford the first remarkable place we meet with As to the Antiquity of it our English Historians afford us very large testimonies Henry Huntingdon lib. 5. pag 203. in his description of the wars between Edmund Ironside and the Danes calls it an ancient city and Ingulphus p. 515. tells us there were Terms held at Stamford and Hoveden in the book of Crowland p. 249. calls it Stamfordshire being a County-town and very commodious it is for that use this end of Lincolnshire adjoyning to it being 36 miles from Lincoln and the end of Northamtonshire next it on that side no less from Northamton which distance is a great inconvenience to the inhabitants so often as their business calls them to the Assizes Stow p. 131. tells us there was a Mint for coyning of money in Stamford-Baron in the time of King Athelstan but this probably was some privilege granted to the Abbots of Peterburrow for this is that parish that 's within Northamtonshire and is within a distinct liberty granted to the Abbots of Peterburrow g Mr. Neal before-mention'd has an old Manuscript fragment of an history that says Stamford was an University long before our Saviour's time and continued so till the year 300 when it was dissolv'd by the Pope for adhering to Arrius For the first founder of it that Author quotes Merlin a British Historian But whatever deference we pay to the authority of the History from the circumstances it seems pretty plain as the same Gentleman has observ'd that it must be of longer date than Ed. 3. For upon that quarrel mention'd by Mr. Camden which happen'd between the Southern and Northern Scholars the latter it seems came hither in Nov. 1333. and return'd to Oxford before 1334. so that their short stay could not allow them any great opportunities for building But here are still the remains of two Colleges one call'd Black-hall and the other Brazen-noze in the gate whereof is a great brazen Nose and a ring through it like that at Oxford And 't is evident that this did not take its pattern from Oxford but Oxford from it because Brazen-nose College in Oxford was not built before the reign of Henry the seventh and this is at least as old as Edw. 3. or probably older h So much for the University there The government of the town Mr. Camden tells us An Alderman and 24 Câ—â—burgâ—ers is by an Alderman and 24 Comburgenses When this begun is not so certain being much elder than the first Charter they have For there is a list of sixty upon the Court-Roll sworn there before the Incorporation viz. from 1398. to 1460. the first year of Edward the fourth So that Edward the fourth by his Charter seems rather to confirm an old custom than establish a new one 'T is very observable here that they have the Custom which Littleton the famous Common-Lawyer calls Burrough English Burroâ—g Eng â—â— viz. the younger sons inherit what Lands or Tenements their fathers dye possess'd of within this Manour i My Lord Burghley founded a Hospital here but when Mr. Camden says he is bury'd in the Parish-Church of S. George in Stamford it is a mistake for he lyes in S. Martin's Church in Stamford-Barron which is in Northamptonshire k After the death of
which is but shallow however they have communication with one another by two Causeys made over it which have each of them their respective sluces The South part or that hithermost is by much the greater divided into several streets and has in it a School and for the relief of poor people a pretty large Hospital dedicated to St. John The further is the less yet beautified with a very sightly Church which with the fine walls that castle like surround it those fair neat houses for the Prebendaries and the Bishop's Palace all about it makes an incomparable shew with those three lofty Pyramids of stone in it This was a Bishop's See many ages since For in the year of our Redemption 606. Oswy King of Northumberland having conquer'd the Pagan Mercians built a Church here for the propagation of the Christian Religion and ordain'd Duina the first Bishop whose Successors were so much in favour with their Princes that they not only had the preheminence among all the Mercian Bishops and were enrich'd with very large possessions Cankwood or Canoc a very great wood and other exceeding rich farms being given them but the See also has had an Arch-Bishop namely Eadulph to whom Pope Adrian gave the Pall and made all the Bishops of the Mercians and the East-Angles subject to him being induc'd to it by the golden arguments of Offa King of the Mercians out of envy to Jeambert or Lambert Arch-Bishop of Canterbury About 〈◊〉 year 〈◊〉 Hiâ—t Roâ—â—â—s who offer'd his assistance to Charles the Great if he would invade England But this Archiepiscopal dignity expir'd with Offa and Eadulph Among the Bishops the most eminent is * S. Câ—â—â— Chad who was canoniz'd for his sanctity and as Bede says when the Prelacy was not as yet tainted with excess and luxury made himself a house to live in not far distant from the Church wherein with a few others that is with seven or eight of his brethren he was wont privately to read and pray as often as he had leisure from his labour and administring of the word of God In that age Lichfield was but a small village and in populousness far short of a City The Country about it is woody and a little river runs near it The Church was but of small circuit according to the meanness of those ancient times When in a Synod 1075. 't was prohibited that Bishop's Sees should be in obscure villages Peter Bishop of Lichfield transferr'd his seat to Chester But Robert of Limsey his successor remov'd it to Coventry A little after Roger Clinton brought it back again to Lichfield and began a very fine Church in 1148. in honour to the Virgin Mary and St. Ceada and repair'd the castle which is quite decay'd and nothing of it to be seen at this day The town within the memory of our fathers was first incorporated under the name of Bailiffs and Burgesses by K. Edward the sixth being 52 degrees and 42 minutes in Latitude and in Longitude 21 degrees 20 minutes o * Bishop Usher had rather place this Terra Conallea at Clan-conal in the County of Down Antiquitat Brit. Eccl. p. 369. fol. This Lake at Lichfield is at first pent up into a narrow compass within its banks and then it grows wider afterwards but uniting it self at last into a chanel it presently falls into the Trent which continues its course Eastward till it meets the river Tame from the South in conjunction with which it runs through places abounding with Alabaster Alabaster to the Northward that it may sooner receive the river Dove and almost insulate Burton Burton upâ—â— Trent formerly a remarkable town for the Alabaster-works for a castle of the Ferrars 13 Built in the Conquerour's time for an ancient Monastery founded by Ulfric Spot Earl of the Mercians and for the retirement of Modwena 〈◊〉 is also 〈◊〉 Mowâ—â—â— an Irish woman Of the Abbey the Book of Abingdon speaks thus A certain servant of King Aethelred's call'd Ulfric Spot built the Abbey of Burton and endow'd it with all his paternal estate to the value of 700 l. and that this gift might stand good he gave King Aethelred 300 mancs of gold for his confirmation to it and to every Bishop five mancs besides the town of Dumbleton over and above to Alfrick Arch-Bishop of Canterbury So that we may see from hence that gold was predominant in those ages and that it sway'd and byass'd even in spiritual matters In this Monastery Modwena eminent for her sanctity in these parts lies buried and on the Tomb these Verses were inscribed for her Epitaph Ortum Modwennae dat Hibernia Scotia finem Anglia dat tumulum dat Deus astra poli Prima dedit vitam sed mortem terra secunda Et terram terrae tertia terra dedit Aufert Lanfortin quam * â— Conel terra Conallea profert Foelix Burtonium virginis ossa tenet By Ireland life by Scotland death was given A Tomb by England endless joys by Heaven One boasts her birth one mourns her hopeless fate And one does earth to earth again commit Lanfortin ravish'd what Tirconnel gave And pious Burton keeps her sacred grave Near Burton between the rivers Dove Trent and Blith which waters and gives name to Blithfield Blithfield the delicate house of an ancient and famous family of the Bagot 's p stands Needwood â—edwoodâ—â—â— a large Forest with many Parks in it wherein the Gentry hereabouts frequently exercise themselves with great labour and application in the pleasant toils of hunting So much for the inner parts The North-part of the County gently shoots into small hills which begin here and as the Appennine do in Italy run through the middle of England in one continu'd ridge rising higher and higher from one top to another as far as Scotland but under several names For here they are call'd Mooreland â—â—oreland after that Peake then again Blackston-edge anon Craven next Stanmore and last of all when they branch out apart into horns Cheviot This Mooreland which is so call'd because it rises into hills and mountains and is unfruitful which sort of places we call in our language Moors is a tract so very rugged foul and cold that snow continues long undissolv'd on it so that of a Country village here call'd Wotton seated at the bottom of Wever-hill the Neighbours have this verse among them intimating that God never was in that place Wotton under Wever Where God came never 14 Nevertheless in so hard a soil it brings forth and feeds beasts of a large size 'T is observ'd by the Inhabitants here that the West-wind always causes rain but that the East-wind and the South-wind which are wont to produce rain in other places make fair weather here unless the wind shift about from the West into the South and this they ascribe to their small distance from the Irish-sea From these mountains rise many rivers in this Shire
river or water For although it be not used at present in that sense nor yet preserv'd in any Glossary or other Books yet I find it in the termination of the names of many of our rivers ex gr Lhugwy Dowrdwy y Vyrnwy Edwy Conwy Elwy Hondhwy Mynwy Mowdhwy Tawy Towy c. Now that this final syllable wy in these names of rivers is the same with gwy seems more than probable in that we find the river Towy call'd in the Book of Landaffe Tiugui ab hostio Taratir super ripam Gui usque ad ripam Tiugui c. and also the river Elwy call'd Elgui And that gwy or wy signified water seems also confirm'd from the names of some aquatick animals as Gwyach Gîach eog alià s oiog c. This being granted we may be able to interpret the names of several rivers which have hitherto remain'd unintelligible as Lhugwy clear water from lhug which signifies light or brightness Dowrdwy Loud water from Dwradh noise Edwy a swift or rapid stream from Ehed to fly c. c As for Rhà iadr Gŵy several places in Wales are thus denominated all which have cataracts near them and the word is still used appellatively among the mountains of Snowdon in Caernarvonshire where such falls of water are very frequent Rhaiadar-castle whereof not the least ruins are now remaining was very advantageously situated in a nook of the river close by this Cataract But what seems very remarkable is a deep trench on one side of the Castle-yaâ—d cut out of an exceeding hard and solid rock About two furlongs below this place where the castle stood I observ'd a large Tumulus or Barrow call'd from a Chapel adjoyning Tommen lhan St. Frêd and on the other side at a farther distance there are two more Bâ—rrows or Lâ—ws call'd in Welsh Krigeu much less than the former call'd Krigeu Kevn Keido viz. the Barrows of Kevn Keido a place so call'd where 't is suppos'd there stood heretofore a Church for that a piece of ground adjoyning is call'd Klyttieu'r Eglwys ¶ On the top of a hill call'd Gwastèdin near Rhaiadr Gŵy there are three large heaps of stones of that kind which are common upon mountains in most if not all Counties of Wales and are call'd in South-wales Karneu Karâ— wiâ—â— it signâ—â—â—â—s and in North-wales Karnedheu They consist of any such lesser stones from a pound weight to a hundâ—ed c. as the neighbouring places afford and are confusedly piled up without any farther trouble than the bringing them thither and the throwing of them in heaps On Plin Lhimmon mountain and some other places there are of these Karnedheu so considerably big that they may be supposed to consist of no less than a hundred Cart-loads of stones but generally consider'd they are much less They are also found in the North and probably other parts of England and are frequent in Scotland and Ireland being call'd there by the same British name of Kairn whereof I can give no other account to the curious Reader than that it is a primitive word and appropriated to signifie such heaps of stones That most of these Karnedheu not to say all were intended as memorials of the dead I am induced to believe for that I have my self observed near the summit of one of them a rude stone monument which I shall have occasion to prove Sepulchral hereafter somewhat of the form of a large Coffer or Chest and have receiv'd unquestionable information of two more such monuments found of late years in the like places But what removes all scruple and puts this question beyond farther debate is that 't is still the custom in several places to cast heaps of stones on the Graves of Malefactors and Self-murderers And hence perhaps it is since we can assign no other reason that the worst of Traytors are call'd Karn-Vradwyr the most notorious Thieves Karn-Lhadron c. That this was also the custom amongst the Romans appears from that Epitaph ascrib'd to Virgil on the infamous Robber Balista Monte sub hoc lapidum tegitur Balista sepultus Nocte die tutum carpe viator iter But that it was nevertheless usual among the Britains before they were known to the Romans seems evident for that they are common also in the Highlands of Scotland and in Ireland where their Conquests never reach'd Now if it be demanded whether Malefactors only were thus serv'd in ancient times or whether other persons indifferently had not such heaps of stones erected to them as Sepulchral monuments I answer that before Christianity was introduced men of the best quality seem to have had such Funeral Piles and such I take to have been the largest of them those especially that have the monuments above mentioned within them But since the planting of Christianity they became so detestable and appropriated to Malefactors that sometimes the most passionate wishes a man can express to his enemy is that a Karn be his monument Karn 〈◊〉 Wynâ—â— and as we have already observ'd the most notorious and profligate Criminals are distinguish'd by that word BRECKNOCKSHIRE ON the South of Radnor lies Brecknockshire in British Brycheinog so call'd as the Welsh suppose Giraâ—d â—â—mo 〈◊〉 c. â— from Prince * Brechanius who is said to have had a numerous and holy Off-spring to wit twenty four daughters all Saints This is considerably a larger County than Radnorshire but more mountainous tho' in many places 't is adorn'd with fruitful and pleasant vales It is bounded on the East with Hereford on the South with Monmouth and Glamorgan and on the West with Caermardhinshire But since nothing can be added in the describing of this small Province to what the industrious Giraldus Cambrensis hath already written who was Arch-Deacon hereof four hundred years since I may do well for some time to be silent and call him to my assistance Brechiniauc saith he in his Itinerary of Wales is a Land sufficiently abounding with corn whereof if there be any defect 't is amply supply'd from the borders of England and is well stor'd with Woods Pastures wild Deer and herds of Cattel It hath also plenty of River-fish from Usk and Wy both abounding with Salmon and Trout but the Wy with a better sort call'd Umbrae It is inclosed on all parts except the North with high mountains having on the West the mountains of Cantre-bychan and towards the South the Southern-hills whereof the chiefest is call'd Kader Arthur or Arthur's Chair from two peaks on the top of it somewhat resembling a Chair Which in regard 't is a lofty seat and a place of strength is ascribed in the vulgar appellation of it to Arthur the most puissant and absolute Monarch of the Britains A fountain springs on the very top of this hill which is as deep as a draw-well and four square affording Trouts tho' no water runs out of it Being thus guarded on the South with high mountains 't is defended from the heat of the Sun with
Idris is probably one of the highest mountains in Britain and which is one certain argument of it's height it affords some variety of Alpine plants but for mountains so high and their tops notwithstanding so near that men may converse from them and yet scarce be able to meet in a whole day I presume there are none such in nature and am certain there are not any in Wales but men conversing from their tops may meet in half an hour b Dôl Gelhe or Dôl Gelhen is so call'd from it's situation in a woody vale for that 's the signification of the name the word Dôl being much the same with the English Dale so common in the North of England and Scotland and â—d est 〈◊〉 Kylh â—yleâ—um Kelhe in the southern dialect Kelhi signifying strictly a wood where much hazel grows and sometimes used for any other wood though at present there are not so many woods about this town as were formerly What antiquity this place is of or whether of any note in the time of the Romans is uncertain however some of their coyns have been of late years dug up near a well call'd Fynon Vair within a bow-shot of the town two whereof were sent me by the reverend Mr. Maurice Jones the present Rector which are fair silver pieces of Trajan and Hadrian viz. Imperaâ—i Trajaâ— Augusto â—amâ—co â—ciâ—â— â—â—â—ci 〈◊〉 â—iâ—â—â—citia â—estate â—fâ—li â—tri Paâ—a Senaâ— populusâ—â— Romaâ— optimo â—â—ipi â— Rob â—â—gh MS. 1. IMP. TRAIANO AVG. GER DAC P. M. TR. P. COS. V. P. P. S. P. Q. R. OPTIMO PRINC Trophaeum de Dacis 2. IMP. CAESAR TRAIAN HADRIANVS AVG. P. M. TR. P. COS. III. Mars Gradivus cum hasta spoliis c This place in all likelihood is denominated as our Author supposes from it's situation on a rock though it 's never call'd Arlech but Harlech ' It was once call'd Tŵr Bronwen and afterwards receiv'd the name of Kaer Kolhwyn from Kolhwyn ap Tagno who liv'd there in the time of Prince Anarawd about the year 877. and was Lord of Ardudwy and Evionydh and some part of LhÅ·n which countries are yet for the most part possess'd by his posterity His Arms were Sable a cheveron arg betwixt three flower-de-luces ' Notwithstanding that Harlech might receive this name of Kaer Kolhwyn from Kolhwyn ap Tagno yet it seems probable that this place or some other near it was call'd Kaer before his time For I am assured that in the memory of some persons yet living several Roman Coins have been found hereabouts and that the Britains prefix'd the word Kaer to most places fortified by the Romans is well known to all Antiquaries In the year 1692. an ancient golden Torques was dug up in a garden somewhere near this castle of Harlech It 's a wreath'd bar of gold or rather perhaps three or four rods joyntly twisted about four foot long flexil but bending naturally only one way in form of a hat-band hooked at both ends exactly that I may describe it intelligibly though in vulgar terms like a pair of pot-hooks but these hooks are not twisted as the rest of the rod nor are their ends sharp but plain and as it were cut even It 's of a round form about an inch in circumference weighs eight ounces and is all over so plain that it needs no farther description It seems very probable Roman Authors always intended an ornament of this kind by the word Torques seeing it 's deriv'd from Torqueo and not a chain compos'd of links or annulets as our Grammarians commonly interpret it and as Joannes Schefferus supposes who in his learned and curious dissertation de Torquibus tells us Torques erant mobiles ex annulis circuli solidi rotundi monilia paulo latiora c. Moreover the British word Torch which is doubtless of the same origin as well as signification with the Latin Torques is never used for a chain but generally for a wreath and sometimes though in a less strict sense for any collar or large ring our word for a chain being Kadwen which agrees also with the Latin Whether the Torques here describ'd was British or Roman seems a question not easily decided seeing we find that anciently most Nations we have any knowledge of use this kind of ornament And particularly that the Britains had golden Torques's we have the authority of Dio Cassius †Hist Rom. lib. 62. who in his description of Boadicea or Bunduica Queen of the Iceni in the time of Nero tells us she wore a large golden Torques 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that her garment was of divers colours c. If it be objected that though she wore such an ornament yet it might be in use amongst the Britains only since the Roman Conquest it may be answer'd that this seems not to have been the sense of the Author but that he thus describes her for the strangeness of her habit adding that her yellow hair hung loose and reach'd down to her hips c. A farther confirmation that the Britains used golden Torques's is that they were so common among their neighbour nation and probably their progenitors the Gauls For Livy ‖ Lib. 36. c. 40. tells us that Publius Cornelius when he triumph'd over the Boii produc'd amongst other spoils 1470 golden Torques's And Britomarus a commander amongst the Gauls whom Mr. Camden presumes to have been a Britain wore such an ornament as we find in * Lib. 4. Propertius Vasti parma relata ducis Virdomari Illi virgatis jaculantis ab agmine brachis Torquis ab incisa decidit unca gula If any shall urge farther notwithstanding this authority of Dio Cassius which wiâ—h me is sufficient that seeing there 's no British name for this ornament the common word Torch being deriv'd from the Latin Torquis it should follow the Britains knew no such thing I answer though we need not much insist on that objection that to me it seems very suspicious the word was Celtick before 't was Roman For though I acknowledge it deriv'd from Torqueo yet we have also the verb Torchi in the same sense and seeing that both the British words Torch and Torchi are in all appearance deriv'd from the common word Troi i.e. to turn and also that Grammarians know not well whence to derive Torqueo I know not but we may find the origin of it in the British Torch Nor ought any one to think it absurd that I thus endeavour to derive Latin words from the Welsh seeing there are hundreds of words in that Language that agree in sound and signification with the Latin which yet could not be borrowed from the Romans for that the Irish retain the same who must have been a Colony of the Britains long before the Roman Conquest and also that the Welsh or British is one Dialect of the old Celtic whence as the best Criticks allow Hib. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 loé Tir
or red Charres if we may so call them are found in some other Lakes of this County and Meirionydh besides Lhyn Peris but this Lake of St. Peris affords another kind of Alpine Fish and by the description I hear of it I suspect it to be the Gelt or Gilt Charre of Winandermear in Westmorland which Mr. Willoughby and Mr. Ray conclude to be the same with the Carpio Lacus Benaci of Rondeletius and Gesner The season here for catching both begins about the eleventh of November and continues for a month These fish as well as the Guiniad of Lhyn Tegid in Meirionydhshire are never taken by bait but in nets near Pontvawr in the river Seiont which issues out of this Lake and is call'd now corruptly Avon y Sant from St. Peris I observ'd that the Inhabitants of these Mountains call any low Country Hendrev which signifies the ancient habitation and that 't is a common tradition amongst them as also amongst those that inhabit the like places in Brecknock and Radnorshire that the Irish were the ancient Proprietors of their Country which I therefore thought remarkable because 't is impossible that either those of South-wales should receive it from these or the contrary seeing they have no communication there being a Country of about fourscore miles interpos'd b The river Conwy is probably one of the noblest streams of the length in Europe for whereas the whole course of it is but twelve miles it receives so many Brooks and Rivulets from the bordering Mountains of Snowdon that it bears Ships of burden And hence if I may be free to conjecture it receiv'd its name for supposing that Gŵy or ŵy signifies a River See Râ—dâ—râ—eâ—â—e 〈◊〉 â— KÅ·nwy or Conwy for in Etymologies we regard the pronunciation not the orthography must denote an extraordinary great or prime river the particle Kyn prefixt in compound words being generally augmentative or else signifying the first and chief As Kyn-kan extraordinary white Kyndyn very stiff or obstinate Kynvid the Antediluvian world Kyndhydh the dawning of the day Kynverthyr a Proto-martyr c. And that we may note this by the way I suspect the word Cyn to have been the same originally with the Irish Cean i.e. Head whence Kyntav signifies the first quasi pennav the chiefest and Dr. Davies supposes the word Kyndhâredh i.e. Megrim or Vertigo to be equivalent in signification with Penharedh If this may be allow'd I know not but these proper names Cuntegorix Cunobelinus Cuneglasus and Cunotamus â—ea the â—â—â—â—ons call'd in British KÅ·ntwrch Kynvèlyn KÅ·nglas and Kynèdhav Pâ—nâ—hâ—â—e â—â—em 〈◊〉 â—av 〈◊〉 might bear the interpretation of Choerocephalus Flavicomus Canus and Capito or Bucephalus since we find that persons of the greatest dignity were stiled by such sirnames not only among the Britains but the Romans also and probably most Nations in these parts of Europe The Pearls of this river are as large and well colour'd as any we find in Britain or Ireland and have probably been fish'd for here ever since the Roman Conquest if not sooner For 't is evident that Pearls were in esteem amongst the Britains before that time seeing we read in Pliny †Nâ—t Hist l. 9. c. 35. that Julius Caesar dedicated a Breast-plate to Venus genitrix placing it in her Temple at Rome all cover'd or studded over with British Pearls which must have been receiv'd from the Britains and not discover'd here by his own Souldiers for he advanced not much nearer than 100 miles of any river that affords them The British and Irish Pearls are found in a large black Muscle figur'd and describ'd by Dr. Lister under the title of Musculus niger omnium crassissimâ ponderosissimâ testâ ‖ Append. ad Tract de Animal Angl p. 11. whereby it 's sufficiently distinguish'd from all other shells They are peculiar to rapid and stony rivers and are common in Wales in the North of England and Scotland and some parts of Ireland In this Country they are call'd by the vulgar Kregin Diliw i.e. Deluge-shells as if Nature had not intended shells for the rivers but being brought thither by the Universal Deluge had continued there and so propagated their kind ever since They that fish here for Pearls know partly by the out-side of these Muscles whether they contain any for generally such as have them are a little contracted or distorted from their usual shape A curious and accomplish'd Gentleman lately of these parts * Robert Wyn of Bôd Yâ—kalhen Esq whose untimely death I have reason amongst many others to bewail shew'd me a valuable Collection of the Pearls of this river amongst which I noted a stool-pearl of the form and bigness of a lesser button-mold weighing 17 grains distinguish'd on the convex side with a fair round spot of a Cornelian colour exactly in the center c The small village mention'd here by the name of Kaer hên lies three miles above Conwy or Aber Kynwy and is now call'd Kaer Rhûn which was also the vulgar name of it in our Author's age as appears by some Writings of that time Nevertheless I incline to his conjecture that Kaer Rhûn is only a corruption of Kaer hên i.e. the old City unless we should rather suppose it call'd Y Gaer hÅ·n which signifies the elder Town or City with reference to the Town of Conway which as our Author informs us was built by King Edwarâ— the first out of the ruins of it The common tradition of this neighbourhood is that it received its name from Rhûn ap Maelgwn Gwynedh who liv'd about the end of the sixth Century for his Father whom Gildas calls Maglocunus which word I suppose some Copyist writ erroneously for Maelocunus and invectively Draco Insularis died about the year 586 * Mr. Rob. Vaughan's MS. This I suspect was at first no other than the conjecture of some Antiquary conceiv'd from the affinity of the names which being communicated to others became at length a current Tradition as we find too many more have on the like occasion but whether Rhûn ap Maelgwn gave name to this place or not 't is certain 't was a City long before his time there being no room to doubt but this was the old Conovium of the Romans mention'd in the Itinerary Not many years since there was a Roman Hypocaust discover'd at this place agreeable in all respects by the account I hear of it with those found at Kaer Lheion ar ŵysk mention'd by Giraldus and near Hope in Flintshire describ'd by Mr. Camden So that in all places in Wales where any Legions had their station such stoves or hot vaults have been discover'd those at Kaer Lheion ar ŵysk being made by the Legio Secunda Augusta that near Hope by the twentieth Legion entitl'd Britannica Valens Victrix which lay at Kaer Lheion ar Dhowrdwy or Westchester and this by the Tenth For I find in some notes of Mr. William Brickdal late Rector of Lhan Rŵst that he had seen
duties and therefore 't is not strange that a Colony should be converted into a Municipium But to what purpose is this nicety For the difference between those two words is not always precisely observ'd in the History of the Caesars but sometimes both Colonia and Municipium promiscuously apply'd to one and the same place Yet from the Coins before-mention'd I dare hardly affirm this Colony to have been planted here by Severus seeing Ptolemy 13 And Antonine himself tells us that in the time of the Antonines this was the station of the sixth Legion However we read that Severus Severus had his Palace here and that he died in this city with these words in his mouth The Common-wealth was disorder'd in all parts when I receiv'd it yet I leave it all in peace and good temper even to the Britains His Corps were also brought out after the Roman manner by the Souldiers and committed to the flames and the day solemniz'd with races by his sons and souldiers at a certain place under the town not far to the west near Ackham where stands yet a huge mount which Radulphus Niger tells us was in his time call'd Sivers from Severus His ashes were preserv'd in a golden Urn or a vessel of Porphyrite-stone and transferr'd to Rome where it was laid in the monument of the Antonines I must not forget to take notice that there stood a Temple dedicated to Bellona in this City for Spartian speaking of the City says That Severus coming into it Bellona's Temple and intending to offer sacrifice was first conducted to the Temple of Bellona by a mistake of an ignorant Augur And that it was then so happy as to have justice administred to it by that great Oracle of the Law Aemilius Paulus Papinianus Forcatulus has told us From this City the Emperours Severus and Antoninus upon a question arising about the sense of the Law dated their Rescript de Rei Vindicatione About a hundred years after the death of Severus Constantius Chlorus Fla. Val. Constantius sirnam'd Chlorus an excellent Emperour endow'd with all moral and christian virtues came to this City as the Panegyrist has it the Gods calling him hither as to the remotest part of the world Here he died likewise and was afterwards deified as appears by the old Coins And tho' Florilegus tells us that his Tomb was found in Wales as I have already observ'd yet I have been inform'd by credible persons that at the suppression of Monasteries in the last age there was found a Lamp burning in the vault of a little Chapel here and Constantius was thought to be buried there Lazius tells us that the ancients had an art of dissolving gold into a fat liquor and of preparing it so that it would continue burning in the Sepulchres for many ages Constantine the Great Constantius by his first wife Helena had issue Constantinus Maximus in Inscriptions stiled Romanae Urbis Liberator Quietis fundator and Reipublicae instaurator who here received the last gasp of his dying father and was immediately made Emperour The Souldiers as the Panegyrist says regarding rather the benefit of the State than their own private interests cast the robes upon him whilst he wept and clapt spurs to his horse to avoid the importunity of the army attempting at that instant to make him Emperour but at last his modesty gave way to the happiness of the State And therefore he exclaims at last O fortunate Britain now blessed above all Nations for having seen Constantine first Emperour Again Liberavit ille Britannias servitute tu etiam nobiles illic oriendo fecisti i.e. He rescued the Britains from slavery but thou hast enobled them by being born there For in the judgment of the learned Baronius and others this passage refers to the native Country of Constantine But I will not here repeat what I have already said From all this it may be inferr'd what figure Eboracum then made in the world seeing it was the Seat of the Roman Emperours Our own Historians tell us pp This account is not too well grounded See Fuller's Churâ—h Hist A. D. 305. that it was made an Episcopal See by Constantius But that Taurinus the Martyr Bishop of the Eburovices or Eureux presided here I am not inclin'd with others Vincentii Speculum Historiale to believe for Vincentius by whom they were tainted with this errour would confute me with his own words When the Romans withdrew themselves and left Britain a prey to barbarous Nations such a weighty share of miseries fell to this City that towards the end of the Scotch and Saxon wars it was nothing but the mere fame and Echo of what it had been For when Paulinus preached Christianity to the Saxons of this Province it was reduced so low that the whole City could not afford so much as a small Church wherein to baptize King Edwin who in the year 627. rais'd a fabrick of wood for Divine Service and after that intending to build another of stone he had hardly laid the foundation but he died leaving the work to be finisht by his successor King Oswald From this time the City began to be great in Ecclesiastical affairs Pope Honorius sent it a Pall Scotland formerly subjeâ—â— to the Arch-bishop of York See in Scotland and it was made a Metropolitan City endowed with soveraignty not only over twelve Sees here in England but over all the Bishopricks of Scotland But Scotland hath disown'd her Prerogative many years since and she her self hath swallowed up several small inconsiderable Bishopricks hereabouts so that the whole Province is now reduc'd to the four Sees of Durham Chester Carlisle and Man or Sodor in the Isle of Man Egbert an Arch-bishop of this See who lived about the year 740. founded a noble Library The Library here these are the words of Malmsbury a Treasury and Cabinet if I may so express my self enrich'd with all Arts and Sciences Of which also Alcuinus of York who was Tutor to Charles the great the first Author of an Academy at Paris as also the great glory of this City makes mention of it in his Epistle to the said Charles the great Flâ—ccus Alcuinus or Albinus flourish'd about 780. Give me such excellent and learned Books for Scholastick Divinity as I have seen in my own Country collected by the useful and pious industry of Egbert Arch-bishop And if it seem proper to your Wisdom I will send some of your own servants who may copy out of them such things as be necessary and so transport the flowers of Britain into France that this garden may no longer be confined to York but somethirg of that Paradise may be transplanted to q Here Alcuinus dy'd A. D. 780. and was buried in a s all Convent appendant to his Monastery of St. Martin's where he was Abbot Fuller's Worth p. 227. from Bale who ranks him the third English man for learning Tours
question but this was the very c Dr. Gâ—le gives us a note upon this passage in Ptolemy which must be wrong printed 'T is this Salutarem sinum male MS. Seld. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Which ought to be thus pointed Salutatem sinum male MS. c. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Gabrantovicorum Gâ—bâ—â—â—vâ— a people that liv'd in this neighbourhood n Near this is Bridlington a town famous for John de Bridlington a Monkish Poet d There is no such thing One might as well say as some do that the Caledonian woods are still plentifully stockt with Wild-bears Both these kinds are long since wholly destroy'd in that Kingdom See Sir Robert Sibbald's Nuntius Scoto-Brit part 2. p. 9. whose rhyming prophecies which are altogether ridiculous I have seen o Not far from hence for a great way towards Drifield there was a ditch drawn by the Earls of Holderness to divide the Lands which was call'd Earls-dike But why this small People were call'd Gabrantovici I dare not so much as guess unless perhaps it was deriv'd from Goats which the Britains call'd Gaffran whereof there are not greater numbers in any part of Britain than in this place Nor is this derivation to be lookt upon as absurd seeing the Aegira in Achaia has its name from Goats Nebrodes in Sicily from Deer and Boeotia in Greece from Oxen. The little Promontory that by its bending makes this Bay is commonly call'd Flamborough-head 〈◊〉 but by Saxon Authors Fleam-burg who write that Ida the Saxon who first subdu'd these parts arriv'd here Some think it took its name from a Watch-tower to set out Lights whereby Mariners might discern that Harbour For the Britains still retain the provincial word Flam and the Mariners paint this Creek with a flaming-head in their Sea-Charts Others are of opinion that this name came into England out of Angloen in Denmark the ancient Seat of the Angli for there is a town call'd Flemsburg from which they think the English gave it that name as the Gauls according to Livy nam'd Mediolanum in Italy from the town Mediolanum they had left in Gaul For the little village in this Promontory is call'd Flamborough â—â—â—boâ—â—gh which gives original to another noble family of Constables as they call them which by some are deriv'd from the Lacies â—ables â—â—amboâ—â—gh Constables of Chester p Upon my enquiries in these parts I heard nothing of those Rivers call'd Vipseis â—â—eis which Walter de Heminburgh tells us flow every other year from unknown Springs and with a great and rapid current run by this little Promontory to the Sea However take what William of Newborough who was born there has said of them These famous waters commonly call'd Vipseis spring from the earth at several sources not incessantly but every other year and having made a pretty large current through the lower grounds run into the Sea and when they are dry'd 't is a good sign For the flowing of them is truly said to forbode the misery of an approaching famine q As the Sea winds it self back from hence a thin slip of land like a small tongue when 't is thrust out shoots into the Sea such as the old English call'd File from which the little village Filey takes its name More inward stands Flixton where a Hospital was built in the time of Athelstan for defending Travellers as it is word for word in the * Regiis Archivit Publick Records from Wolves that they should not be devoured by them This shews us that in those times Wolves Wolves infested this tract which now are to be met with in no part of England not so much as in the frontiers of Scotland altho' they are very numerous in that Kingdom This small territory of Holderness was given by William the first to Drugo de Bruerer a Fleming Earls of Albemarle and Holderness Genealogiae Antiquae upon whom also he had bestow'd his niece in marriage but she being poison'd by him and he forc'd to fly for his life was succeeded by Stephen the son of Odo Lord of Albemarle in Normandy descended from the family of the Earls of Champaigne whom William the first who was his nephew by a half sister on the mother's side is said to have made Earl of Albemarle and his posterity retain'd that title in England notwithstanding Albemarle be a place in Normandy He was succeeded by his son William sirnam'd †Le Gross Crassus His only daughter Avis was married to three husbands successively to William Magnavill Earl of Essex to Baldwin de Beton and to William Forts or de Fortibus By this last husband only she had issue William who left also a son William to succeed him His only daughter Avelin being married to Edmund ‖ Gibbosus Crouchback Earl of Lancaster dy'd without children And so as it is said in Meaux-Abbey-book for want of heirs the Earldom of Albemarle and the Honour of Holderness were seized into the King's hands Yet in following ages King Richard the second created Thomas de Woodstock his Uncle and afterwards Edward Plantagenet son to the Duke of York Duke of Albemarle in the life-time of his father Henry the fourth also made his son Thomas Duke of Clarence and Earl of Albemarle which title King Henry the sixth added afterwards as a farther honour to Richard Beauchamp Earl of Warwick ADDITIONS to the East-riding of YORKSHIRE a NOW we come to the second Division the East-Riding Which Division by Ridings to observe it by the way is nothing but a corruption from the Saxon ÃriHing â—g which consisted of several Hundreds or Wapentakes Nor was it peculiar to this County but formerly common to most of the neighbouring ones as appears by the p. 33. 34 Laws of Edward the Confessor and the â—g 74 â—c Life of King Alfred b The first place we meet with is Mont-ferrant-Castle which ‖ â—â—erar Leland tells us in his time was clearly defaced so that bushes grew where it had formerly stood Of the family de Malo Lacu or as Leland calls them Mawley there were eight successively enjoy'd the estate all Peters but the last of these leaving only two daughters the one was married to Bigot and the other to Salwayne c However the name of Battle-bridge â—â—â—â—e-â—â—â—ge may be us'd for Stanford-bridge in Authors a Traveller will hardly meet with it among the Inhabitants of this Country Our Author seems to have taken it from an Instrument concerning the Translation of St. Oswin since printed in the â—â—m 1. â—4 Monasticon Anglicanum which speaking of this place adds Nunc verò Pons belli dicitur i.e. at present 't is call'd Pons Belli or Battle-bridge d Upon the Derwent lyes Howden â—â—den formerly Hovedene as is plain from several Records in the time of Edward 2. and Edward 3. as also from †â—n MS. Leland's calling the first Canon of the place John Hovedene
called Balineum as appears from this Inscription which was hence convey'd to Connington to the house of the most famous and learned Sir Robert Cotton Knight DAE .. FORTVNAE Instead of Deae Fortunae VIRIVS LVPVS LEG AVG PR PR BALINEVM VI IGNIS EXVST VM COH I. THR ACVM REST ITVIT CVRANTE VAL. FRON TONE PRAE F EQ ALAE VETTO Here I must correct an errour in those who from a false draught of this Inscription which has it Balingium corruptly for Balineum imagine the place to have been call'd Balingium whereas upon a close inspection it is plainly Balineum in the stone a word used for Balneum by the ancients as the learned know very well who are not ignorant that Baths were as much us'd by the Souldiers as any others both for the sake of health and cleanliness for daily in that age they were wont to wash before they eat and also that Baths both publick and private were built at such a lavish rate every where Seneca See Flintshire that any one thought himself poor and mean that had not the walls of his Bath adorn'd with great and costly * Orbibus Rosses In these men and women washed promiscuously together tho' that was often prohibited both by the Laws of the Emperours and Synodical Decrees In the decline of the Roman Empire a †Numerus Exploratorum Band of the Exploratores with their Praefect under the command of the * Dacis Britanniae Captain of Britain had their station here as is manifest from the Notitia where it is nam'd Lavatres Now seeing these Baths were also call'd Lavacra by the Latins perhaps some Critick or other will imagine that this place was call'd Lavatrae instead of Lavacra yet I should rather derive it from that little river running hard by which I hear is call'd Laver. This modern name Bowes seeing the old Town was burnt to the ground according to a tradition among the Inhabitants seems to me to be deriv'd from that accident For that which is burnt with fire is call'd by the Britains Boeth and so the Suburbs of Chester beyond the Dee call'd by the English Hanbridge is nam'd by the Welsh or Britains from its being burnt down in a Welsh in-road Treboth that is a little town burnt Here begins that mountainous and vast tract always expos'd to winds and rain which from its being rough and stony is call'd by the Inhabitants Stanemore Stanemore for it is quite throughout solitary but for one Inn in the middle of it for the entertainment of Travellers 5 Call'd the Spittle on Stane more Spittle on Stanemore and near this is the remainder of a Cross which we call Rere-cross Rere-cross and the Scots Rei-cross that is a Royal Cross Hector Boetius a Scotchman says this stone was set as a boundary between England and Scotland when William the first gave Cumberland to the Scots upon this condition that they should hold it of him by fealty and attempt nothing that might be to the prejudice of the Crown of England Somewhat lower just by the Roman Military way was a small Roman Fort of a square form which is now call'd Maiden-castle Maiden-castle From hence as I had it from the Borderers this Military Roman way went with many windings to Caer Vorran As the favour of Princes inclin'd there have been several Earls of Richmond Earls of Richmond and of different families of whom with as much accuracy and clearness as I can I will give this following account in their due order 6 The first Earls were out of the house of Little Britain in France whose descent is confusedly intricate amongst their own Writers for that there were two principal Earls at once one of Haulte Britain and another of Base Britain for many years and every one of their children had their part in Gavelkind and were stil'd Earls of Britain without distinction But of these the first Earl of Richmond according to our Writings and Records was Alane sirnam'd Feregaunt that is The Red son of Hoel Earl of Britain descended from Hawise great Aunt to William the Conquerour who gave this Country unto him by name of the Lands of Earl Eadwin in Yorkshire and withal bestowed his daughter upon him by whom he had no issue He built Richmond-castle as is before specified to defend himself from disinherited and out-law'd English men in those parts and dying left Britain to his son Conan le Grosse by a second wife But Alane the Black son of Eudo son of Geffrey Earl of Britain and Hawise aforesaid succeeded in Richmond and he having no child left it to Stephen his brother This Stephen begat Alane sirnam'd Le Sâ—vage his son and successour who assisted King Stephen against Maude the Empress in the battel at Lincoln and married Bertha one of the heirs of Conan le Gross Earl of Hault Britain by whom he had Conan le Perit Earl of both Britains by hereditary right as well as of Richmond He by the assistance of K. Henry the second of England dispossessed Eudo Vicount of Porhoet his father-in-law who usurp'd the title of Britain in right of the said Bertha his wife and ended his life leaving only one daughter Constance by Margaret sister to Malcolme King of the Scots Geffrey third son to King Henry the second of England was advanced by his father to the marriage of the said Constance whereby he was Earl of Britain and Richmond and begat of her Arthur who succeeded him and as the French write was made away by King John his Uncle Alan Rufus Earl of Britain in Armorica Alan Niger to whom William the Conquerour gave this shire Stephen Earl of Britain his brother Alan Earl of Britain About this time Overus de St. Martino is mention'd as Earl of Richmond the son of Stephen Conanus Earl of Britain his son who by the assistance of Henry the second King of England recover'd Britain from his Father-in-law the Sheriff of Porhoet possessed of it Geoffrey Plantagenet son of Henry the second King of England who first married Constantia only daughter of Conanus Arthur his son who is said to have been made away by King John Upon this account John was certainly impeach'd by the French as Duke of Normandy who pass'd Sentence upon him tho' he was absent unheard had made no confession and was not convict Normandâ— taken froâ— the King 〈◊〉 England so they adjudg'd him depriv'd of Normandy and his hereditary Lands in France Whereas he had publickly promis'd to stand to the judgment of Paris and answer to the death of Arthur who as his liege subject had taken an oath of Allegiance to him yet had broken the same raised a rebellion and was taken prisoner in the war In these times the question was bandied Whether the Peers of France could be Judges of a King anointed and by consequence their Superiour seeing every greater dignity as it
were drowns the lesser and the King of England and Duke of Normandy at that time was the self same person But where am I thus roving After Arthur there succeeded in the Earldom of Richmond Guy Vicount of Thovars second husband of Constantia aforesaid Ranulph the third Earl of Chester third husband to the said Constantia Peter de Dreux descended from the Blood-royal of France who married Alice the only daughter of Constantia by her husband Guy Thovars 7 Then upon dislike of the house of Britain Peter of Savoy c. Peter of Savoy Uncle of Eleanor Consort to King Henry the third who fearing the Nobility and Commons of England that grumbled at that time against foreigners voluntarily renounced this honour John Earl of Britain son of Peter de Dreux John the first Duke of Britain and his son who married Beatrice daughter to Henry the third King of England He had issue Arthur Duke of Britain who according to some Writers was also Earl of Richmond For certain Robert de Arthâ—is wâ— not Earl oâ— Richmâ—â—d as Frâ—â—sardus has â— but of â—â—lomorâ— Lib. Feâ—d Richmâ—â—diae John his younger brother presently after the death of his father enjoy'd this honour who added to the ancient Arms of Dreux with the Canton of Britain the Lions of England in bordure He was ‖ Custoâ— Governour of Scotland under Edward the second where he was kept prisoner three years and at last dy'd without children in the reign of Edward the third and John Duke of Britain his Nephew the son of Arthur succeeded in this Earldom He dying without issue at a time when this Dutchy of Britain was hotly * Between John de Montâ—foâ—â— and Jâ— Clauâ— wife of Charles of Blâ—is contended for 8 Between John Earl of Monfort of the half-blood and Joan his brother's daughter and heir of the whole blood married to Charles of Blâ—ys Edward the 3d to advance his interest in France gave to John Earl of Montford who had sworn fealty to him for the Dutchy of Britain all this Earldom till such time as he should recover his Lands in France he seeming preferable to the daughter of his brother deceas'd 9 To whom the Parliament of France had adjudg'd it both as he was a man as he was nearer ally'd and as he had a better title His lands being at length regain'd by means of the English the same King gave it to John of Gaunt his son who at last restor'd it to the King his father for other Lands in exchange The King forthwith created John Earl of Montford the second Duke of Britain sirnam'd the Valiant to whom he had married his daughter Earl of Richmond that he might oblige him by stronger ties being a warlike man and a bitter enemy to the French Yet by an Act of Parliament in the 14th of King Richard the second he was deprived of this Earldom for adhering to the French against the English However he retain'd the title and left it to his posterity The Earldom it self was given by the King to Joan of Britain his sister widow of Ralph Basset of Draiton After her death first Ralph Nevil Earl of Westmorland by the bounty of Henry the 4th had the Castle and County of Richmond for term of Life and then John Duke of Bedford Afterwards Henry the sixth conferr'd the title of Earl of Richmond upon Edmund de Hadham his brother by the mother's side with this peculiar privilege That he should take place in Parliament next the Dukes To him succeeded Henry his son afterwards King of England by the name of Henry the seventh But whilst he was in exile George Duke of Clarence and Richard Duke of Glocester had this County bestow'd upon them by King Edward the fourth their brother Last of all Henry natural son to Henry the eight was by his father invested Duke of Richmond Duke of Richmond but in the year of our Lord 1535. he dy'd without issue 10 As for Sir Thomas Grey who was made Baron of Richmond by King Henry the sixth he was not Lord of this Richmond but of a place in Bedfordshire call'd Rugemound and Richmount Greies There are reckon'd in this County 104 great Parishes besides Chapels of Ease ADDITIONS to the North-Riding and Richmondshire a IN the North-riding the first place our Author speaks of is Scarborough â—â—â—â—boâ—â—â—gh which drives a great trade with fish taken in the Sea thereabout wherewith they supply the City of York tho' thirty miles distant Besides Herings which he takes notice of they have Ling Cod-fish Haddock Hake Whiting Makrel with several other sorts in great plenty On the North-east it is fortified with a high and inaccessible rock stretcht out a good way into the Sea and containing at the top about eighteen or twenty acres of good Meadow and not near sixty as Mr. Camden has told us out of Newbrigensis Whether the difference lye in the several measures of Acres or the greater part of it be washt away by the Sea or lastly may have been caus'd through an error of that Historian I shall not dispute since the matter of fact is plain Wittie's â—â—â—ription â—carboâ—â—â—gh â— The Spaw-well is a quick Spring about a quarter of a mile South from the Town at the foot of an exceeding high cliff arising upright out of the Earth like a boyling pot near the level of the Spring-tides with which it is often overflown It is of that sort of Springs which Aristotle calls 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which in the most droughty years are never dry In an hour it affords above 24. gallons of water for the stones through which it flows contain more than 12 gallons and being empty'd every morning will be full within half an hour It 's virtue proceeds from a participation of Vitriol Iron Alum Nitre and Salt to the sight it is very transparent inclining somewhat to a sky-colour it hath a pleasant acid taste from the Vitriol and an inky smell The right honourable Richard Lumley has from this place his title of Earl of Scarborough b Upon the same coast is Whitby â—â—itby not call'd in Saxon Streanes-Heale as our Author has it but Streones HalH as it is in the Saxon Paraphrase of Bede and also the best Latin Copies And therefore Mr. Junius in his Gothick Glossary under the word Alh seems to have hit the true original when he fetches it from the Saxon hael hal or healh call'd by Caedmon alh which as our Northern word Hall still in use signifies any eminent building Hence the Pagan God Woden's Valhol or Valhaul so frequently mention'd in the Edda and other old Cimbrian Writers and Crantzius fetches the name of the City of Upsal from the same original c As for the Serpent-stones â—â—â—pent-â—â—â—â—es Mr. Nicholson who has made large observations upon the Natural Rarities of those parts affirms them to be the same with those the Modern Naturalists call Cornua Ammonis Whether
and all along the rivulet that runs by the Well for a mile or more This never degenerates into the common Roman or French Sorrel Persicaria siliquosa Ger. Noli me tangere J. B. Mercurialis sylvestris Noli me tangere dicta sive Persicaria siliquosa Park Balsamine lutea sive Noli me tangere C. B. Codded Arsmart Quick in hand Touch me not I observ'd it growing plentifully on the banks of Winander-mere near Ambleside and in many other places Rubia erecta quadrifolia J. B. Cross-wort-madder Near Orton Winander-mere and elsewhere in this County plentifully Salix folio laureo sive lato glabro odorato P. B. Bay-leav'd sweet Willow Frequent by the river-sides in the meadows among the Mountains Tormentilla argentea Park Alpina folio sericeo C. B. Pentaphyllum seu potiùs Heptaphyllum argenteum flore muscoso J. B. Pentaphyllum petrosum Heptaphyllum Clusii Ger. Vera genuina Alchymillae species est Cinquefoil Ladies-mantle On the rocks by the side of the Lake call'd Huls-water or as some write it Ulles-water To these I might add Lunaria minor ramosa Lunaria minor foliis dissectis That is branched Moon-wort and cut-leav'd Moon-wort both observ'd by Mr. Lawson at great Strickland though they be I suppose but accidental varieties Vitis Idaea magna sive Myrtillus grandis J. B. The great Billberry Bush In the forest of Whinfield Mr. Lawson CVMBERLAND BEfore Westmoreland to the West is stretched out Cumberland in Latin Cumbria the farthest County in this part of England as bounding upon Scotland to the North encompass'd by the Irish-sea on the South and West and on the East above Westmoreland bordering upon Northumberland The name it had from the Inhabitants who were the true and genuine Britains and call'd themselves in their own language Kumbri and Kambri For that the Britains in the heat of the Saxon wars posted themselves here for a long time we have the authority of our Histories and of Marianus himself who calls this County Cumbrorum terra i.e. the Land of the Cumbri Not to mention the many names of places purely British such are Caer-luel Caer-dronoc Pen-rith Pen-rodoc c. which are a plain evidence of the thing and a pregnant proof of my assertion a The Country tho' the Northern situation renders it cold and the Mountains rough and uneven has yet a variety which yields a prospect very agreeable 1 And givâ—th contenâ—ment to as many as travel it For after * Verrucosas swelling rocks and the crowding mountains big as it were with Metals between which are Lakes stor'd with all sorts of wild Fowl you come to rich hills cloath'd with flocks of sheep and below them are spread out pleasant large plains which are tolerably fruitful The Ocean also which beats upon this shore affords great plenty of the best fish and as it were upbraids the Inhabitants with their idleness in not applying themselves closer to the fishing trade The South part of this County is call'd Copeland Copeland and Coupland because it rears up its head with sharp mountains call'd by the Britains Kopa or as others will have it Copeland as if one should say Copperland from the rich veins of Copper In this part at the sandy mouth of the river Duden by which it is divided from Lancashire is Millum Millum-Castle a Castle of the ancient family of the Hodlestons b From whence the shore wheeling to the North comes to Ravenglas Ravengâ—as a harbour for ships and commodiously surrounded with two rivers where as I have been told were found Roman Inscriptions Some will have it formerly call'd Aven-glas as if one should say an †Caertâ—â—â— azure sky-colour'd river and tell you abundance of stories about one King Eveling who had his Palace here The one of these rivers Esk rises at the foot of Hard-knott Hard-kâ—â—t a steep ragged mountain on the top whereof were lately dug up huge stones and the foundation of a Castle not without great admiration considering the mountain is so steep that one can hardly get up it c Higher up the little brook Irt Irt â—â—er runs into the Sea wherein the shell-fish gaping and eagerly sucking in its dewy streams conceive and bring forth Pearls or to use the Poet's name Shell-berries d Pearls See Pliny These the Inhabitants gather up at low water and the Jewellers buy them of the poor people for a trifle but sell them at a good price Of these and such like Marbodaeus seems to speak in that verse of his Gignit insignes antiqua Britannia baccas And Britain 's ancient shores great Pearls produce CUMBERLAND By Robert Morden From hence the shore runs by little and little to the westward and makes a small Promontory commonly call'd S. Bees Bees instead of S. Bega For Bega a pious and religious Irish Virgin led a solitary life there and to her sanctity they ascribe the Miracles of taming a Bull and of a deep Snow that by her Prayers fell on Midsummer-day and cover'd the valleys and tops of mountains e Scarce a mile from hence is Egremont-Castle â—â—emont-â—â—stae upon a hill formerly the seat of William de Meschines upon whom King Henry the first bestow'd it â—rds of â—â—eland 〈…〉 to hold by one Knight's Service who should be ready upon the King's Summons to serve in the wars of Wales and Scotland He left a daughter the wife of William Fitz-Duncan of the Blood-Royal of Scotland by whose daughter also the estate came to the family of the Lucies and from them by the Moltons and Fitz-Walters the title of Egremont descended to the Radcliffs Earls of Sussex Notwithstanding 2 Sir Thomas Th. Percy by the favour of King Henry the sixth enjoy'd that title for some time and was summon'd to Parliament by the name of Thomas Percy of Egremont 〈…〉 From S. Bees the Shore draws it self in by little and little and as appears by the ruins has been fortify'd by the Romans in all such places as were convenient for landing For this was the utmost bound of the Roman Empire and the Scots when like some deluge out of Ireland they pour'd in upon our Island met with the greatest opposition upon this coast 'T is very probable that the little village Moresby 〈◊〉 where is now a harbour for ships was one of these Forts There are many remains of Antiquity about it in the Vaults and Foundations of Buildings several Caverns which they call Picts-holes several pieces of stones dug up with Inscriptions Upon one of them is LVCIVS SEVERINVS ORDINATVS Upon another COH VII And I saw this Altar lately dug up there with a horned little image of Silvanus â—e God â—â—us â—cond â—rt of â—gâ—nes â— the â—aâ—d â— Pomâ— M Saâ—â— DEO SILVAN COH I I. LING CVI PRAEES G. POMPEIVS M SATVRNIN As also this fragment which was copy'd out and sent me by Mr. J. Fletcher Lord of the Place OB PROSPE RITATEM
connexion of Letters which the Engraver has given you pretty exactly It seems to be read thus Jovi Optimo Maximo Ala Augusta ob virtutem appellata cui praeest Publius Aelius Publii filius Sergia Magnus de Mursa ex Pannonia inferiore Praefectus Aproniano fortasse Bradua Consulibus The third Altar Under Commodus in the year of our Lord 193. inscrib'd to the Local Deity Belatucadrus is thus to be read Belatucadro Julius Civilis Optio id est Excubiis Praefectus votum solvit libens merito The fourth is very fair and has nothing of difficulty in it 'T is to be read thus Diis Deabusque Publius Posthumius Acilianus Praefectus Cohortis primae Delmatarum Such Altars as these for we may make our observations upon those Rites tho' Christianity that most holy Religion have abolish'd them as also their victims and themselves too they us'd to crown with garlands to offer frankincense and wine at them to slay their sacrifices and to anoint the very Altars Gentile Altars Of the extirpation whereof upon the prevailing of Christianity thus Prudentius Exercere manum non poenitet lapis illic Si stetit antiquus quem cingere sueverat error Fasciolis aut gallinae pulmone rigare Frangitur Nor spar'd they pains if thus their zeal they show'd If in their way some ancient Altar stood Oft deckt with ribbands sprinkled oft with blood Down went the sacred stone At the same place I saw also the following Inscriptions PRO SA ANTONINI A V-PII F P. AVLVS * Publii filius P. F. PALATINA POSTHVMIVS ACILIANVS PRAEF COH I. DELMATAR * Diis Manibus D M INGENVI AN. X. IVL. SIMPLEX PATER * Faciendum curavit F C. D M. MORI REGIS FILII HEREDES EIVS SVBSTITVE RVNT VIX A. LXX HIC EXSEGERE FATA ENVS SC GERMA S REG VIX AN S VIX AN IX D M LVCA VIX ANN IS XX. D M IVLIA MARTIM A. VIX AN XII III D. XX H. i.e. Victoriae Augustorum Dominorum nostrorum After the Shore has run a little way directly from hence it bends in so with a winding and crooked aestuary or bay that it seems to be the Moricambe Moricambe which Ptolemy fixes hereabouts such an agreement is there between the nature of the place and the old name For this aestuary is crooked and Moricambe signifies in British a crooked Sea Upon this is the Abbey of Ulme or Holme-Cultrain Holme-Cultraine founded by David the first King of Scotland but Vulstey a Fortress hard by was built by the Abbots for the securing of their Books and Charters against the sudden incursions of the Scots Here they say are still preserv'd the Magick-Books of Michael Scot Michael Scot. but now mouldering to dust He was a Monk of this place about the year 1290. and apply'd himself so closely to the Mathematicks and other abstruse parts of Learning that he was generally lookt upon as a Conjurer and a vain credulous temper has handed down I know not what Miracles of his Below this Monastery the bay receives the little Waver encreas'd by the Wize a small river at the head whereof the melancholy ruins of an ancient City teach us That nothing in this world is out of the reach of Fate By the neighbouring Inhabitants it is call'd Old Carlisle but what its ancient name should be I know not unless it was the Castra Exploratorum Castra â—ploraâ—â— Of the â—an 〈◊〉 more 〈◊〉 The Pâ—â—â— Wal. The distance in Antoninus who gives us the most considerable places but does not always go to them by the shortest cut both from Bulgium and Lugu-vallum answers very well For spying of an Enemy you could not have a more convenient place for 't is seated upon a high hill which commands a free prospect all round the Country d So call'd from a small Chapel there dedicated to S. Hilda However 't is very certain that the Ala or Wing upon the account of its valour nam'd Augusta and Augusta Gordiana quarter'd here in the time of Gordianus Ala â—â—sta â—â—na as appears by those Inscriptions which I saw in the neighbourhood d At 〈…〉 * Jovi optimo maxiâ—â— I O M ALA AVG. OB RTVT APPEL CVI PRAEEST TIB. CL. TIB. F. P IN G N IVSTINVS PRAEF FVSCIANO II SILANO II COS. D M MABLI NIVS SEC VNDVS EQVIS ALE AVG STE STIP I O M PRO SALVTE IMPERATORIS M. ANTONI GORDIANI P. F. INVICTI AVG ET SABINIAE TR IAETRANQVILE CONIVGI EIVS TO TAQVE DOMV DIVIN EORVM ALA AVG. GORDIA OB VIRTVTEM APPELLATA POSVIT CVI PRAEEST AEMILIVS CRISPINVS PRAEF EQQ. NATVS IN PRO AFRICA DE TVIDRO SVB CVR NONNII PHLIPPI LEG AVG PROPRETO ATTICO ET PRAETEXTATO An. Christ 243. COSS. 8 This Votive Altar also of a rude stone was erected for the happy health of the Emperour Gordian the third and his wife Furia Sabina Tranquilla and their whole family by the troop of Horsemen sirnam'd Augusta Gordiana when Aemilius Crispinus a native of Africa govern'd the same under Nonnius Philippus Lieutenant General of Britain in the year of Christ 243. as appeareth by the Consuls thâ—rein specify'd And the Altars were brought from hence which are set up in the High-way at Wigton â—â—gton on the sides whereof one sees a Simpulum a Fusile a Malleus a Patera c. sacrificing vessels but Age has so entirely wore out the Inscriptions that there is no appearance of Letters And not far from hence upon the Military way was dug up a Pillar of rude stone now to be seen at Thoresby â—â—â—resby with this Inscription 9 To the honour of Philip the Emperour and his son who flourish'd about the year of our Lord 248. IMP CAES M. IVL. PHILIPPO PIO FELI CI AVG ET M. IVL. PHI LIPPO NOBILIS SIMO CAES TR. P. COS ... This also among others was copy'd out for me by Oswald Dykes a very learned Divine and is now at Wardal the seat of his brother T. Dykes a very worthy Gentleman DEO SANCTO BELA TVCADRO AVRELIVS DIATOVA 〈◊〉 Aram 〈◊〉 ARA E X VOTO POSVIT LL. MM. And to another Local Deity was found this Inscription DEO CEAI IO AVR M RTI. ET M S ERVRACIO PRO SE ET SVIS V. S. LL. M. Besides these an infinite number of little Images Statues on horseback Eagles Lions Ganymeds with several other evidences of Antiquity are daily dug up A little higher â—ay-â—h by Scots there juts out a small Promontory below which is a large arm of the Sea at present the boundary of England and Scotland but formerly of the Roman Province and the Picts Upon this little Promontory is that old Town Blatum-Bulgium possibly from the British Bulch â—m-â—ium signifying a partition or divorce from which as the most remote place and the limit of the Province of Britain Antoninus begins his Itinerary The Inhabitants at
Francis who dy'd at York 1643. leaving issue one only daughter so that the male line of that most ancient and noble family is now extinct At present his Royal Highness Prince George of Denmark honours this County by having the title of Duke of Cumberland which was enjoy'd before him by Prince Rupert Prince Palatine of the Rhine a person of admirable courage and bravery aa If our Author means by the Praetentura of Agricola any thing of Walls or Rampires we may justly question the truth of it since the learned â— Eâ—l p 3.6 Archbishop Usher has prov'd out of Tacitus that Agricola only garison'd the Frontiers at this place without contriving any other sence 'T is likely that according to the Roman custom he plac'd some of his troops within the limits of the Barbarians Country intra fines Horestorum for these Horesti were not the inhabitants on the river Esk near the borders of England as our Author afterwards in his description of Scotland asserts but those of Angus and Mernes as the Scotch Historians sufficiently evidence particularly the learned Sir George Mackenzie Defence of the Royal Line p. 79. â— in 〈◊〉 Not but Mr. Camden's foundation may for all that stand good and the Horesti be deriv'd from Ar-Esc considering there is a South as well as a North Esk. â—od 〈◊〉 bb Not many years ago there was found on the ruins of the Wall a little below Carlisle a small wing'd image of brass somewhat more than half a foot in length well agreeing with the description which some of the ancients have given us of the god Terminus 'T is now in the possession of the right honourable Sir John Lowther of Lowther Baronet cc Buchanan maintains that Severus's Rampier was at Grimesdike but Fordon and Major as well as Hector Boëtius are of Camden's opinion The Controversie will be best determin'd by considering the length as it is deliver'd by several authors Eutropius sets it at XXXII and if some others have XXXV 't is easie to imagine that a little inadvertency in a Transcriber might change II into V. Thus far the account seems to make for Buchanan that Severus's fortification was really between the two Friths of Edenburrow and Dumbritton And Paulus Orosius who computes its length at CXXXII miles goes so far beyond the extent of that which reach'd from Solway to Tinmouth that thence no true estimate is to be had But 't is most likely that this whole difference is to be stated by Spartianus who rightly asserts that the extent of Hadrian's ditch was LXXX miles Out of this number by the heedless change of L into C the copyers of Orosius made CXXX and by a careless dropping of the same Letter the transcribers of Eutropius turn'd it into XXX * V. Usher Antiquitat p. 316. As to the dispute betwixt the Archbishop and our Author Whether Severus's work was a wall of stone or a rampier of earth we shall only add to the authorities produc'd by Camden that the Royal Paraphrast upon †Eccl. Hist l. 1. c. 5. Bede says it was mid dice and mid eoƿþ-Æ¿ealle and ‖ Lib. 1. c. 12. afterwards speaking of a later fabrick of Stone in the same place he says it was built ðaer Severus se Casere in het dician eopð Æ¿all geÆ¿yrcan The Saxon Chronicle also affirms that it was of turfum And if that expression 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of Agathemer who is suppos'd to have liv'd in Severus's time have any relation to this work it very much countenances the opinion of Bede and Mr. Camden Vide Geogr. Agathem edit à Sam. Tennulio Amst 1671. p. 45 74 86. dd That this last Wall was built betwixt Tinmouth and Solway-Frith * Lib. 1. c. 12. Bede seems most peremptorily to assert And yet Archbishop Usher Antiquitat Eccl. p. 317. enclines rather to Buchanan's opinion that it was at Grimesdike and thinks this conjecture supported by Gildas's saying that it was built recto tramite which says he that betwixt Bowness and Tinmouth is not With the Archbishop agrees our very learned Bishop of Coventry and Lichfield then of St. Asaph in his historical account of Church-government c. p. 4. And 't is certain that along Grimesdike there are here and there as the Gordons in Bleau's Atlas have observ'd several ruins of Stone-buildings nor can we doubt but there were Forts of stone erected at due distances along that Rampier But 't is certain that in most places there appear no manner of remains of a stone-building whereas a continu'd stone-wall is easily follow'd from Carlisle to New-castle As for Nennius's story Hist Brit. cap. 19. 't is so full of contradictions that there 's no regarding it and after all the stress that 's laid upon Gildas's expression a man shall hardly travel the length of The Picts-Wall in any great road in England that goes more recto tramite in a streight line than it does ee As to the Medicinal Plants Mr. Nicolson to whom we owe these observations upon the WALL as well as several others throughout the Province of York has made very diligent search but could never meet with any sort of Plants growing along the Wall which is not as plentiful in some other part of the Country An Account of the Division of Cumberland by William the Conquerour amongst his Followers a It is call'd Distributio Cumbriae ad Conquestum Angliae inter Gentes Sir William Dugdale calls it Chronicon Cumbriae and so the Lord Willâ—am Howard has stiled it in one of the MSS. but 't is a mistake for that piece of Antiquity if it be extant was of another nature and writ by one Everardus Abbot of Holme Cultram temp H. 2. It was said to be in the Library of Sir Thomas Gower Baronet but upon search it could not be found taken out of two ancient Latin Manuscripts in the Library of the Dean and Chapter of Carlisle carefully Collated by the Reverend Dr. Hugh Todd KING William sirnam'd the Bastard Duke of Normandy Conqueror of England gave all the Lands of the County of Cumberland to Ranulphus de Meschins and to Galfridus Brother to the said Ranulphus he gave the whole County of Chestre and to William another brother he gave all the Land of Coupland between Duden and Darwent Ranulphus de Meschins infeoffed Hubbertus de b Vaux MS. B. Waux in the Barony of Gillisland and Ranulphus his brother in Sowerby Carlaton and Hubbrightby And Robert the third brother in the Barony of Dalston He infeoffed also Robert Destrivers im the Barony of Burgh and Richerus de Boyvile in the Barony of Levington and Odardus de Logis in the Barony of Stanyton He infeoffed also Waldevus son of Gospatricius Earl of Dunbar in Scotland in all the Barony of Allerdale between Wathenpole and Darwent The aforesaid William de Meschins Lord of Coupland infeoffed Waldevus son of Gospatricius in all the Land that lyes between Cocar
a seat and sirname to that ancient and honourable family which had formerly the name of Wade Here the Scots forc'd a passage betwixt Irthing and Tine into the Province of Britain And the place was wisely enough chosen as having no intercourse of rivers to obstruct their easie inroads into the very bowels of England But the Reader will the better understand this matter and the name of the place from John Fordon the Scotch Historian Scoto-Chronic J. Fordon whose words since his book is not very common it may not be amiss to repeat The Scots says he having conquer'd the Country on both sides of the Wall began to settle themselves in it and summoning in the Boors with their mattocks pickaxes rakes forks and shovels caus'd wide holes and gaps to be made in it through which they might readily pass and repass From these gaps this indented part got its present name for in the English tongue the place is now call'd Thirlwall which render'd in Latin is the same as Murus perforatus From hence southward we had a view of Blenkensop which gives name and dwelling to an eminent family was anciently part of the Barony of Nicholas of Bolteby and is situated in a Country pleasant enough Caervorran Beyond Thirlwall the wall opens a passage for the mad river of Tippall where on the descent of a hill a little within the wall may be seen the draught of a square Roman Fort each side whereof is 140 paces in length the very foundations of the houses and tracks of the streets being yet fairly discernable The Moss-Troopers report that there lay a high Street-way paved with Flint and other Stone over the tops of the mountains from hence to Maiden-Castle on Stanemoor 'T is certain it went directly to Kirkbythor already mention'd An old woman who dwelt in a neighbouring cottage shew'd us a little old consecrated Altar thus inscrib'd to Vitirineus a tutelar god as it should seem of these parts DEO VITI RINE LIMEO ROV * Posuit libens merito P. L. M. This place is now call'd Caer-vorran how 't was anciently nam'd I am not able to determine since the word hath no affinity with any of the Roman Stations that are mention'd per lineam valli along the Wall and none of the Inscriptions afford us any discoveries c Whatever it was the wall near it was built higher and firmer than elsewhere for within two furlongs of it on a pretty high hill it exceeds 15 foot in heighth and nine in breadth on both sides * Quadrato lapide Ashler tho' Bede says 't was only 12 foot high d From hence the Wall bends about by Iverton Forsten and Chester in the Wall near Busy-gapp noted for Robberies where we heard there were forts but durst not go and view them for fear of the Moss-Troopers This Chester we were told was very large insomuch as I guess it to be that station of the second Cohort of the Dalmatians which the Book of Notices calls Magna where may be read the following Inscription PRO SALVTE DESIDIENIAE .... LIANI PRAE ET SV A. S. POSVIT VOT ... AO SOLVIT LIBE NS TVSCO ET BAS SO COSS. In the yâ— of Chrâ— 259. This imperfect Altar was also brought from thence which we read at the little Hamlet of Melkrigg 1 Where now women beat their bucks on it DEAE SVRI These 〈◊〉 Inscriptâ— are no◠〈◊〉 the houâ— Sir Râ—b Câ—ton of Câ—nington AE SVB CALP VR NIO AG ICOLA LEG AVG PR PR A LICINIVS LEMENS PRAEF III. A. IOR f Others give us the last line of this Inscription more fully thus COH I. HAMMIOR See Sammes's Britan. p. 259. Joh. Speed's Chron. p. 222. And his Map of Northumberland gives it both ways as two several Inscriptions So also the Map in this new edition of Camden Which if I could I would gladly and the characters seem to allow it read thus Deae Suriae Dea Sâ—â— some wâ— have her â— be June others Veâ— sub Calphurnio Agricola Legato Augusti Propraetore Licinius Clemens Praefectus Now Calphurnius Agricola was sent against the Britains by the Emperour M. Antoninus Philosophus Capâ—toâ— upon the breaking out of the British wars about the year of our Lord 170. at which time some Cohort under his command erected this altar to the Goddess Suria who was drawn by Lions with a Turret on her head and a Taber in her hand as is shewn at large by Lucian in his Treatise de Deâ Syriâ and whom Nero Sueton. â— Nero â— as sorrily as he treated all Religion very zealously worship'd for some time and afterwards slighted her to that degree as to piss upon her From hence we had a view of g It now belongs to Sir Edward Blacket Baronet Willimotes-wicke the seat of the worshipful family of the Ridleys and close by of the river Alon Alon. emptying it self into Tine with a pompous rattle both the Alons being now met in one chanel On East-Alon stands a village which is now call'd 2 But what the old name was will not easily be found Old-Town But to return to the Wall The next station on the Wall beyond Busy-gap is now call'd Seaven-shale Seavenshâ— which name if you will allow me to derive from Saviniana or rather Sabiniana ala I would roundly affirm this place to be that Hunnum where the Notitia Provinciarum tells us the Sabinian Wing were upon duty Then beyond Carraw and Walton stands Walwick which some have fancied to be the Gallana Gallana of Antoninus in all which places there are evident remains of old fortifications Here North-Tine North-Tâ— crosses the Wall It rises in the mountains on the borders of England and Scotland and first running Eastward waters Tindale Tindale which has thence its name and afterwards embraces the river Read which falling from the steep hill of Read-squire where is frequently the True-place True-placâ— that is the place of conference where the Lords Wardens of the Eastern Marches of both Kingdoms usually determine the disputes of the borderers gives its name to a valley too thinly inhabited by reason of the robberies Rheadidaâ— Both these Dales breed most notable Bog-Trotters and both have such boggy-top'd mountains as are not to be cross'd by ordinary horsemen In these one would wonder to see so many great heaps of stones Lawes Lawes they call them which the neighbourhood believe to have been thrown together in remembrance of some persons there slain f There are also in both of 'em many ruins of old sorts In Tindale are Whitchester Delaley Tarset which formerly belong'd to the Commins In Rheades-dale are Rochester Greenchester Rutchester and some others whose ancient names old time has now unkindly swallow'd But since at Rochester which is seated near the head of Rhead on the rising of a rock that overlooks the Country below whence it may seem to have had this
Biwell which in the reign of King John was the Barony of Hugh Balliol for which he stood oblig'd to pay to the Ward of Newcastle upon Tine thirty Knights Services Below this Castle there is a most comely Weare A Weare for catching of Salmons and in the middle of the river stand two firm Pillars of stone which formerly supported a Bridge Hence Tine runs under Prudhow-Castle in old writings Prodhow Prudhow which is pleasantly seated on the ridge of a hill This till I am better inform'd I shall guess to be Protolitia Protolitia which is also written Procolitia and was the station of the first Cohort of the Batavi 'T is famous for gallantly maintaining it self in the days of Henry the second against the siege of William King of Scots who as Nubrigensis expresses it toil'd himself and his Army to no purpose Afterwards it belong'd to the l The first of this family I meet with was Gilbert of whom the Historian gives this honourable character Ipso quoque tempore i. Anno 1245. obiit quidam praeclarus Baro partium Angliae Borealium custos flos singularis scilicet Gilebertus de Humfranvilla parvulum quendam relinquâ—â— haeredem Cujus Custodiam statim concessit Rex Comiti Legrecestriae c. Sir Robert Umfravil was Sheriff of the county in the 46th and 51st years of Edw. 3. and in the 2d and 6th of Hen. 4. Another Sir Robert Umfravil a younger son I think to the said Sheriff was Vice-Admiral of England A. D. 1410. and brought such plenty of Prizes in cloth corn and other valuable commodities from Scotland that he got the by-name of Robin Mend-market J. Stow in Hen. 4. Umfranvils Umfranvils an eminent Family out of which Sir Gilbert a Knight in the reign of Edward the first was in right of his wife made Earl of Angus in Scotland The true heiress of the blood as our Lawyers express it was at length married into the family of the Talboys and after that this Castle was by the King's bounty conferr'd upon the Duke of Bedford But to return to the Wall Beyond S. Oswald's the Foundations of the two Forts which they call Castle-steeds are to be seen in the Wall and then a place call'd Portgate Portgate where as the word in both Languages fairly evinces there was formerly a Gate or Sally-port through it Beneath this and more within the Wall stands Halton-hall the present seat of the ancient and valourous family of the m This family has been a good while in this County William Carnaby Esq having been Sheriff of it in the 7th year of Hen. 6. But 't is likely it came from Carnaby near Bridlington in the East-Riding of York shire Carnabies and hard by Aidon-Castle which was part of the Barony of the fore-mention'd Hugh Balliol Now since a great many places on the Wall bear the name of Aidon Aidon and the same word in the British tongue signifies a Military Wing Ala militaris or Troop of Horse many whereof were as the Liber Notitiarum teaches us placed along the Wall let the Reader consider whether these places have not thence had their names as other Towns had that of Leon where Legions or whole Regiments were quarter'd However near this place was digg'd up a piece of an old stone wherein was drawn the pourtraiture of a Man lying on his bed leaning upon his left hand and touching his right knee with his right together with the following Inscriptions NORICI AN. XXX ESSOIRVS MAGNVS FRATER EIVS DVPL ALAE SABINIANAE M. MARI VS VELLI A LONG VS AQVI S HANC POSVIT V. S. L. M. Beyond the Wall rises the river Pont and running down by Fenwick-hall the seat of the eminent and valiant family of the Fenwicks Fenwick for some miles fronts the Wall and had its banks guarded by the first Cohort of the Cornavii at Pons Aelii Pons Aelii built by the Emperour Aelius Hadrianus and now called Pont-Eland Pont-eland Here Henry the third concluded a peace with the King of Scots in the year 1244. and near it the first Cohort of the Tungri lay at Borwick Borwick which the Notitia Provinciarum calls Borcovicus Borcovicus From Port-gate the Wall runs to Waltown which from the agreeableness of the name and its twelve miles distance from the eastern sea I take to be the same Royal Borough which Bede calls n In the Saxon at wallâ— Ad murum Ad mâ—â—â—â— where Segebert King of the East-Saxons was baptiz'd into the Christian Church by o Holland rightly observes that Sigebert was baptiz'd by Finanus who also at the same place baptiz'd Peada King of the Mercians together with his whole train of Courtiers and Attendants Bede lib. 3. cap. 21. Paulinus Near this is a Fort call'd Old Winchester Oâ—d â—â—â—chester which I readily believe to be Vindolana Vinâ—oâ—â—â—â— where as the Liber Notitiarum says the fourth Cohort of the Galli kept a Frontier-garrison Thence we went to Routchester where we met with evident remains of a square Camp joyning close to the Wall Near this is Headon which was part of the Barony of p In an original Charter dated the first year of K. Stephen conveying some Lands to the Church of Winchester subsign'd by a great many Barons we have Signum Walteri de Bolebec Bar. Seld. Tit. of Hon. par 2. c. 5. p 571. One Isabel de Bolebec Countess of Oxford first founded a Covent of Dominicans in that City for which the University had no reason to reverence her memory Hugh de Bolebec who by the mother B â—â—â—y 〈◊〉 was descended from the noble Barons of Mont-Fichet and had no other issue than daughters marry'd to Ralph Lord Greistock J. Lovell Huntercomb and Corbet And now near the meeting of the Wall and Tine Nâ—wcaâ—â—â—â— upâ—n 〈◊〉 stands Newcastle the glory of all the Towns in this Country 'T is enobled by a Haven on the Tine which is of that depth as to carry vessels of very good burthen and of that security that they are in no hazard of either storms or shallows g It s situation is climbing and very uneven on the northern bank of the river which is cross'd by a very fair bridge As you enter the town from hence you have on the left hand the Castle overtopping you and thereafter a very steep brow of a hill On the right you have the Market-place and the best built part of the Town from which to the upper and far larger part the ascent is a little troublesome 'T is beautified with four Churches r and defended by exceeding strong walls wherein are seven gates and a great many turrets What it was anciently is not yet discover'd I am very inclinable to think 't was Gabrosentum since Gateshead which is as it were its suburbs is a word of the same signification with that British name deriv'd from Goats as has been
Oxford â—â—ede Upon this shore there is nothing further worth mentioning except Holy-Island of which in its due place till we come to the mouth of Twede which for a long way divides England from Scotland and is call'd the Eastern March Whereupon thus our Country-man Necham 6 Insinuating that the hither part of Scotland was call'd Pict-land Anglos à Pictis sejungit limite certo Flumen quod Tuedam pristina lingua vocat The Picts are sever'd from the English ground By Twede so call'd of old a certain bound This river rises in a large stream out of the Mountains of Scotland and afterwards takes a great many turns among the Moss-Troopers and Drivers to give them no worse name who as one expresses it determine Titles by dint of Sword When it comes near the village of Carram â—â—â—ram being encreas'd with many other waters it begins to distinguish the Confines of the Kingdoms â—k and having pass'd Werk-Castle sometime enjoy'd by the Rosses and now by the Greys who have been long a Family of great valour and frequently assaulted by the Scots is inlarg'd by the river of Till This river has two names For at its rise which is further within the body of this County 't is call'd Bramish â—â—â—mish and on it stands Bramton â—â—â—mton a little obscure and inconsiderable Village cc Hence it runs Northward by Bengely which together with Brampton Bromdum Rodam which gave name to a Family of good note in these parts Edelingham c. was the Barony of Patrick Earl of Dunbar in the reign of Henry the third Doomsday-Book says he was Inborow and Outborow betwixt England and Scotland that is if I understand it right he was here to watch and observe the ingress and egress of all Travellers between the two Kingdoms â—â—â—row â—t For in the old English Language Inborou is an Ingress or Entry More North upon the river stands Chevelingham or Chillingham which was a Castle that belong'd to one Family of the Greys as Horton-Castle did to another dd But those two are now match'd into one Near this is the Barony of Wollover â—llover which King Henry the first gave to Robert de Musco-campo or Muschamp â—â—s of the â—â—â—champs who bare Azure three Butterflyes Argent From him descended another Robert who in the reign of Henry the third was reckon'd the mightiest Baron in all these Northern parts But the Inheritance soon after was divided and shared among women â— 35 H. 3. whereof one was marry'd to the Earl of Strathern in Scotland another to William de Huntercombe and a third to Odonel de Ford ee Soon after Till is encreas'd by the river of Glen which gives the name of Glendale â—â—â—ndale to the Valley through which it runs Of this rivulet Bede gives us the following account c The Saxon Paraphrase gives us a further direction besides what we have from the river Glen for the finding out the place there mention'd by telling us that Tha stowe sindon on Beornica magthe i.e. Those places are in the Country of the Bernicians Which is a full refutation of what Bede is made to say before That King Oswald first brought Christianity into that Kingdom â—2 c. 14. Paulinus coming with the King and Queen to the Royal Manour of Ad-gebrin 't is now call'd Yeverin stay'd there with them six and thirty days â—erin which he spent in the duties of Catechising and Baptizing For from morning till night his whole business was to instruct the Country People that flock'd to him from all places and villages round in the Principles of Christianity and after they were so instructed to baptize them in the neighbouring river of Glen This Manour-house was disus'd by the following Kings and another erected in its stead at Melmin now Melfeld Melfeld Here at Brumford near Brumridge King Athelstan fought a pitch'd Battel against Anlaf the Dane Battel of Brumford See H. Hunting d. Will. Malmesb. and Ingulphus Constantine King of Scots and Eugenius petty King of Cumberland ff wherein he had such success that the Engagement is describ'd by the Historians and Poets of that Age in extraordinary Raptures of Wit and 7 In barbarous Latin Holland It might have been in Heathen-Greek for any thing he knew The whole 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is only in good old English See the Saxon Chron. in the year 938. Bombast In this place the name of Bramish is lost in Till which first passes by Ford-Castle Ford. heretofore the property of the valiant Family of the Herons now of the Carrs and Etal Etal formerly the seat of the Family of d Mr. H. Collingwood of Brankerton has Deeds by him whereby it appears that Etal was in the possession of his Ancestors of the same name in the reign of Edward the sixth Manours or de Maneriis which was long since of a knightly rank and out of which the present Right Honourable Earls of Rutland are descended I wittingly omit many Castles in this Country for 't were endless to recount them all since 't is certain that in the days of Henry the second there were 1115 Castles in England 1115. Castles in England Over against this Ford Westward rises the high Mountain of Floddon 8 Near Bramton Battel of Floddon 1513. famous for the overthrow of James the fourth King of Scots and his Army who while King Henry the eighth lay at the siege of Tournay in France with a great deal of Courage and a greater deal of Hopes for before they began their March they had divided our Towns among them invaded England Here Thomas Howard Earl of Surrey with a good Army bravely receiv'd him The Dispute was obstinate on both sides till the night parted them unable still to determine which way Victory inclin'd But the next day discover'd both the Conquerour and the Vanquish'd and the King of Scots himself being mortally wounded in several places was found among the heaps of the slain Whence a new Addition was given to the Arms of the Howards 9 As I have formerly specified Twede encreas'd by Till runs now in a larger stream by Norham Norham or Northam which was formerly call'd Ubban-ford The Town belongs to the Bishops of Durham For Bishop Egfrid built it and his Successor Ralph erected the Castle on the top of a steep rock and moted it round In the utmost Wall and largest in Circuit are plac'd several Turrets on a Canton towards the river within which there is a second Enclosure much stronger than the former and in the middle of that again rises a high Keep But the well-establish'd Peace of our times has made these Forts to be long neglected notwithstanding that they are placed upon the very Borders gg Under the Castle on a Level Westward lyes the Town and Church wherein was buried Ceolwulph King Ceolwulph King of Northumberland to whom Venerable Bede
whereof one was rebuilt at the publick charge of the Corporation A. D. 1682. and endow'd with sixty pounds per annum whereof thirty is for the maintenance of a Catechetical Lecturer who is to expound the Catechism of the Church of England every Sunday and to preach a Sermon every first Wednesday in the month Twenty pounds are assign'd to a Schoolmaster and ten to an Usher who are to prepare the Children of the Parish for the said Lecture Besides which the Town pays yearly 580 l. towards the maintenance of their Vicar and those Lecturers and Curates that are under him s Both it s Wealth and Commerce are wonderfully encreas'd since Camden's time The Coal-trade is incredible and for other Merchandice Newcastle is the great Emporium of the northern parts of England and of a good share of Scotland The publick Revenue is also wonderfully advanc'd of late years for which the Town is in a great measure indebted to the provident care and good management of its two great Patriots Sir William Blacket Baronet and Timothy Davison Esquire Aldermen t At Fenham a little village in the parish of Newcastle there are now some Coal-pits on fire which have burn'd for several years The flames of this subterraneous fire are visible by night and in the day-time the track of it may be easily follow'd by the Brimstone which lies on the surface of the Earth Newcastle has afforded the title of Earl to Lodowick Stewart Duke of Lennox and Earl of Richmond created in May 1604. But in the year 1627. this title was conferr'd upon William Cavendish Viscount Mansfield and Baron Ogle who was afterwards in 1643. created Marquiss of Newcastle and the year following Duke of Newcastle In 1676. he was succeeded by his son Henry Cavendish But of late the right honourable John Holles Earl of Clare was created Duke of this place by his present Majesty u The Rutarii Rutarii or Ruptarii are not only mention'd by our Historians in the reign of King John but before his time in the reign of Hen. 2. and after it under Hen. 3. By all the accounts we have of 'em it appears they were mercenary German Troops Now in the High-Dutch Rott whence our English Rout is a Company of Soldiers Rotten or Rottiren to muster Rottmeister a Corporal c. That from hence we are to fetch the true original of the word we are sufficiently taught by Will. Neubrigensis who liv'd and wrote his History in the times of these Rutars Rex says he stipendiarias Brabantionum copias quas Rutas vocant accersivit lib. 2. c. 27. Dr. Wats is therefore mistaken who in his Glossary derives the name from the German Reuter a Trooper or Horseman uu The Town of Morpeth together with Gilles-land c. came by Elizabeth sister and coheir of George the last Lord Dacre to her husband the Lord William Howard of Naworth third son to the Duke of Norfolk whose grandson Charles was soon after the Restauration of Charles the second created Earl of Carlisle and Viscount Morpeth Which Honours were inherited by his son Edward and are now enjoy'd by the most accomplish'd young Nobleman his grandson Charles the third Earl of Carlisle of this Family w At the famous Synod mention'd by our Author S. Cuthbert is said to have been chosen Bishop By the account that Bede and especially his Royal Paraphrast gives of the matter it looks more like a Parliament than a Synod for the Election is reported to have been mid anmodre geê§afunge ealra ê§aera Æ¿itena Now Æ¿itena in the Language of those times signifies Senators or Parliament-men who it seems unanimously chose him Bishop Bed Eccl. Hist. l. 4. c. 28. The meeting is indeed said to have been on the river Alne And yet I very much doubt whether this Twiford Twiford be in Northumberland and whether Archbishop Theodore ever came so far north There are a great many Twifords in the south of England The Legend of S. Cuthbert p. 17. says this Synod was held at Twiford upon Slu. x There never was any Covent or Monastery founded at Alnwick Alnwicâ— or near it by John Vescie There was indeed a Monastery of the Order of the Praemonstratenses founded by Eustachius Fitz-John Father of William de Vescie who had that sirname from his Mother an Heiress But this was done in the year 1147. long before the Carmelites were heard of in England John Bale who was sometime a Carmelite himself tells us the first Covent of that Order was founded at Holm Hull they now call it near Alnwick by Ralph Fresburn a Northumberland Gentleman who dy'd A. D. 1274. and was buried in this Covent See Bale de Script Brit. Cent. 4. c. 1. and J. Pitz. ad Ann. 1274. 'T is a wonder how our Author came to mistake thus since he uses some of Bale's very words and must doubtless have read his account Eustachius's Abbey is still to be seen at half a mile's distance from the Covent of Hull down the river â—â—â—staâ—â—â—ge y Within the Circuit of the old Castle of Dunstaburge grew lately 240. Winchester Bushels of Corn besides several Cart-loads of Hay 'T is now famous for Dunstaburgh-Diamonds a sort of fine Spar which seems to rival that of St. Vincent's Rock near Bristol z I do not think Bede himself ever gave out that Etymology about Bebba No mention of it in the Saxon But 't is there call'd cynelican byrig i.e. a Royal Mansion and 't is also said that it was miserably wasted by Penda the Pagan King of the Mercians who had certainly burnt it had not the Prayers of Bishop Aidan happily interpos'd Bede lib. 3. capp 12. 16. It was afterwards totally ruin'd and plunder'd by the Danes A. D. 933. Yet as ruinous as it now is the Lord of the Manour William Forster Esq still holds here in a corner of it his Courts of Leet and Baron Florence of Worcester seems to me to have been the first contriver of the story of Queen Bebba See Sir H. Spelman's Gloss in Beria After Mowbray's flight mention'd by our Author and his being taken at Tinmouth the Castle of Bamborough was stoutly maintain'd by Morael his Steward and Kinsman till the Earl himself was by the King's order brought within view of the Fort and threatned with the having his eyes put out in case the besieged held out any longer Whereupon it was immediately surrender'd and Morael for his bravery receiv'd into the King's Court and Favour See the Saxon. Chron. ad Ann. 1095. aa The Improvements in Tillage at Rock by John Salkeld Esq and in Gardening and Fruitery at Falladon by Samuel Salkeld Gent. both in the Parish of Emildon ought here to be mention'd as Fineries hardly to be equall'd on the North-side of Tyne The latter is the more observable because an eminent Author of this Age will hardly allow any good Peaches Plumbs Pears c. to be expected beyond Northamptonshire whereas Fruit is produc'd here in
Northumberland More rare Plants growing wild in Northumberland Chamaepericlymenum Park Ger. Periclymenum humile C. B. parvum Prutenicum Clusii J. B. Dwarf Honey-suckle On the West-side of the North-end of the highest of Cheviot-hills in great plenty Echium marinum B. P. Sea-Buglosse At Scrammerston-mill between the Salt-pans and Barwick on the Seabaich about a mile and a half from Barwick Lysimachia siliquosa glabra minor latifolia The lesser smooth broad-leav'd codded Willow-herb On Cheviot-hills by the Springs and Rivulets of water Pyrola Alsines flore Europaea C.B. Park Herba trientalis J. B. Winter-green with Chick-weed flowers On the other side the Picts-wall five miles beyond Hexham Northwards And among the Heath upon the moist Mountains not far from Harbottle westward Rhaphanus rusticanus Ger. Park C. B. sylvestris sive Armoracia multis J. B. Horse-radish We observ'd it about Alnwick and elsewhere in this County in the ditches and by the water-sides growing in great plenty Eryngium vulgare J. B. vulgare Camerarii C. B. mediterraneum Ger. mediterraneum seu campestre Park Common Eryngo of the Midland On the shore call'd Friar-goose near New-castle upon Tyne SCOTLAND IRELAND AND THE BRITISH ISLANDS THE GENERAL HEADS IN Scotland Ireland and the Islands SCOTLAND 581  Its Division 885  Its Degrees 891  Its Courts of Justice ibid. Gadeni 893 Teifidale 893 Merch 893 Lauden 895 Selgovae 905 Annandale 907 Nidisdale 907 Novantes 909 Galloway 909 Carrict 911 Kyle 911 Cunningham 913 Glotta 913 Damnii 925 Cluydesdale 915 Lennox 917 Sterling 919 Caledonia 925 Fife 927 Strathern 929 Argile 931 Cantire 931 Lorn 933 Braidalbin 933 Perth-shire 935 Angus 937 Mernis 939 Marr 939 Buquhan 941 Murray 943 Loqhabre 945 Rosse 945 Sutherland 947 Cathnes 947 Strath-navern 947  The Roman Wall 957 IRELAND 961 The British Ocean 961 The Government of Ireland 973  The Courts 973  The Division 973 Munster 975 Kerry 975 Desmond 977 Voidiae 979 Cork 979 Waterford 981 Limerick 983 Tipperary 983 Leinster 985 Birgantes 985 Kilkenny 985 Caterlogh 987 Queens County 987 Kings County 989 Kildar 989 Weisford 991 Cauci 991 Dublin 993 Meth 997 East-Meth 997 West-Meth 997 Longford 999 Conaght 999 Twomond 1001 Gallway 1001 Maio 1003 Slego 1005 Letrim 1005 Roscoman 1005 Lords of Conaght 1007 Vlster 1007 Louth 1007 Cavon 1009 Fermanagh 1009 Monaghan 1011 Armagh 1011 Down 1013 Antrim 1015 Colran 1017 Tir-Oen 1019 Tir-Conel 1019 The Rebellion of the O-Neal's 1023 The Manners of the Irish 1041 The smaller Islands in the British Ocean 1049 The Annals of Ireland SCOTLAND By Rob t Morden SCOTLAND NOW I am bound for Scotland whither I go with a willing mind but shall with gentle touches lightly pass it over Not forgetting that Minus notis minus diu insistendum The less we know things the less we are to insist upon them and that advice of the Grecian 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Be not too busie where thou art not acquainted For it would certainly be impudent to treat copiously where our notices have been but little But since this too is honour'd with the name of Britain may I have liberty with due respect to the Scottish Nation in pursuance of my bold design of illustrating Britain to prosecute my undertaking with their good leave and drawing aside as it were the Curtains of obsure Antiquity to point out according to my ability some places of ancient note and memory I assure my self of a certain pardon both from the good nature of the people themselves and the extraordinary happiness of these times when by a divine providence that is fallen into our hands which we hardly ever hoped for and our Ancestors so often and so earnestly wished to see that is that Britain so mâ—ny Ages divided in it self and unsociable should all in general like one uniform City under one most August Monarch the founder of an eternal peace be conjoyned in one entire body Who being through the propitious goodness of Almighty God elected born and preserved to the good of both Nations as he is a Prince of singular wisdom and fatherly affection to all his subjects doth so cut off all occasions of fear hope revenge and complaint that the fatal Discord which hath so long engaged these Nations otherwise invincible in mutual Wars is stifled and suppressed for ever and Concord rejoyces exceedingly as it were keeps Holiday and Triumphs because as the Poet sings Jam cuncti Gens una sumus Now all one Nation we 're united fast To which we answer by way of Chorus Et simus in aevum And may that union for ever last But before I enter upon Scotland I think it not amiss to advertise the Reader thus much before-hand that I leave the first Original of the Scottish Nation and the Etymology of their Name banishing all conjectures of others which as well in former Ages as these our days owe their birth either to hasty credulity or careless negligence to be discussed by their own Historians and the Learned of that Nation And following the same method I took in England I shall premise something in short touching the division of Scotland the States of the Kingdom and the Courts of Justice and then briefly touch upon the Situation and Commodities of every several County which are the Places of most Note what Families are most eminent and have flourished with the title and honour of Earls and Barons of Parliament so far forth as by reading and enquiry I cou'd possibly procure information and that cautiously taking all imaginable care by an ingenuous and sincere regard for truth not to give the least offence to the most malicious and by so compendious a brevity as not to prevent the curious diligence of those who may possibly attempt this with a fuller stroke and finish the same with more lively and lasting colours Additions concerning SCOTLAND in general SINCE our Author has profess'd himself at a loss in the affairs of Scotland and for that reason has but touch'd very lightly upon each part of it it will be so much the more necessary to continue our method through this Kingdom and add such things as seem proper and agreeable to the design Especially being encourag'd and assisted herein by the Informations of the very learned Sir Robert Sibbald Dr. of Physick who has given sufficient testimonies to the world of his knowledge of Antiquities and particularly those of his own Country As Albion was the first and most ancient name that we meet with of Great Britain in the old Greek and Latin Authors so was Albania Albania of that northern part that lay beyond the Humber and Deva The Learned have deliver'd various reasons why it should be so call'd but the most probable of them is from the ancient Inhabitants calling themselves Albanich who likewise term'd their Country Albin and their posterity the High-landers do still retain the name in a part of their Country call'd Braid-Albin The Country which now makes the Kingdom
Gareock and Strath-Bogie-Land A small part of Buchan Strathdovern Boyn Einzie Strath Awin and Balvenie The East part of Murray The West part of Murray Badenoch Lochabir and the south part of Ross A small part of Ross lying on the south side of Cromartie-Frith The rest of Ross with the Isles of Sky Lewis and Herris Sutherland and Strathnavern Cathness Beside the Stewartries mentioned by our Author there is that of Orkney which contains all the Isles of Orkney and Zetland The Constabularie of Hadington contains East-Lothian To pursue Mr. Camden's method in his general Description of England it will be necessary to give a scheme of the bounds and extent of the several Dioceses of this kingdom Diocese of St. Andrews Glasgow Edinburgh Dunkeld Aberdeen Murray Brichin Dumblam Ross Cathness Orkney Galloway Argile The Isles Contains Part of Perthshire and part of Angus and Mernes The shires of Dunbarton Ranfrew Air Lanerick part of the shires of Roxburgh Dumfreis Peebles and Selkirk The shires of Edinburgh Linlithgow part of Strivelingshire Berwick-shire the Constabularie of Hadington and Bailery of Lauderdale The most part of Perthshire part of Angus and part of West-Lothian Most part of Bams-shire and part of Mernis The shires of Elgin Nairn and part of Inverness and Bamf-shire Part of Angus and Mernis Part of Perth and Striveling-shires The shire of Tain Cromertie and the greatest part of Inverness-shire Cathness and Sutherland All the Northern Isles of Orkney and Zetland The shire of Wigton the Stewartrie of Kircudbright the Regality of Glentrurie and part of Dumfries-shire Argile Lorn Kintyre and Lohaber with some of the West Isles Most of the west Isles Under this Constitution the Government was thus 1. In every Parish the cognizance of some scandals belong'd to the Session a Judicature compos'd of the greatest and worthiest persons in each parish where the Minister presided ex officio 2. But if the Case prov'd too intricate it was referred to the Presbyterie a superior Judicature consisting of a certain number of Ministers between 12 and 20 who met almost every fortnight The Moderator herein was nam'd by the Bishop and besides the censures they inflicted 't was by them that such as enter'd into Orders were solemnly examined The Presbyteries are these that follow Dunce Chernside Kelso Ersilton Jedburgh Melross Dumbar Hadington Dalkeith Edinburgh Peebles Linlithgow Perth Dunkeld Auchterarder Striveling Dumblane Dumfreis Penpont Lochmabane Midlebie Wigton Kircudbright Stranraver Aire Irwing Paselay Dumbarton Glasgow Hamilton Lanerick Biggar Dunnune Kinloch Inerary Kilmore Sky St. Andrews Kirkaldy Cowper Dumfermelin Meegle Dundee Arbroth Forfar Brichen Mernis Aberdeen Kinkardin Alfoord Gareoch Deir Turref Fordyce Ellon Strathbogie Abernethie Elgin Forres Aberlower Chanrie Tayn Dingwell Dornoch Week Thurso Kirkwal Scaloway Colmkill 3. Above this was the Provincial-Synod who met twice a year in every Diocese and had the examination of such cases as were referred to them by the Presbyteries here the Bishop presided ex officio 4. Above all was the Convocation when the King pleas'd to call it wherein the Archbishop of St. Andrews presided And besides these every Bishop for the cases of Testaments c. had his Official or Commissary who was judge of that Court within the Diocese Of these Edenburgh had four the rest one But since Presbyterie has been introduced the Church-government stands thus 1. They also have their Parochial Sessions but with this difference that though the Minister presides yet a Lay-man a Bailie ordinarily assists 2. In their Presbyteries they chose their own Moderator to preside 3. They have their Synod or Provincial Assembly but without a constant head for every time they meet they make choice of a new Moderator 4. Their General Assembly this consists of two members from every Presbytery and one Commissioner from each University The King too has his Commissioner there without whose consent no Act can pass and before they be in force they must be also ratify'd by the King Thus much of the several Divisions of Scotland As to the Orders and Degrees of this Kingdom there appears no alteration in them since our Author's time and if any one desires to have a more particular information in their Courts of Justice and Methods of Proceeding a separate Treatise upon this subject written by the Learned Sir George Makenzy late Lord Advocate of Scotland will give him ample satisfaction The Degrees of SCOTLAND THE Government of the Scots as that of the English consists of a King Nobility and Commonalty The King to use the words of their own Records is directus totius Dominii Dominus direct Lord of the whole Dominion or Domain and hath Royal Authority and Jurisdiction over all the States of his Kingdom as well Ecclesiastick as Laick Next to the King is his Eldest Son who is stiled Prince of Scotland and by a peculiar right is Duke of Rothsay and Steward of Scotland But the rest of the King's Children are called simply Princes Amongst the Nobles the greatest and most honorable were in old times the Thanes Thanes that is if I have any judgment those who were ennobled only by the office which they bore for the word in the antient Saxon signifies The King's Minister Of these they of the higher rank were called Ab-thanes of the lower Under-Thanes But these Names by little and little grew out of use ever since King Malcolm the 3. conferred the Titles of Earls and Barons borrow'd out of England from the Normans upon such Noblemen as had deserv'd them Since when in process of time new Titles of Honour have been much taken up and Scotland as well as England hath Dukes Marquisses Earls Viscounts and Barons Dukes Marquesses Earls Viscoun◠Barons As for the title of Duke the first that brought it into Scotland was Robert the Third about the year of our Lord 1400 as the honourable titles of Marquiss and Viscount were lately brought in by our most gracious Sovereign King James the sixth These are accounted Nobles of a higher degree and have both place and voice in Parliaments and by a special name together with the Bishops are called Lords Amongst the Nobles of a lower degree in the first place are Knights Knight◠who are certainly made with greater solemnity than any where else in Europe by taking of an Oath and being proclaim'd publickly by the Heralds In the second are those who are called Lairds Lairds and commonly without any addition Barons amongst whom none were antiently reckoned but such as held immediately from the King Lands in Capite and had the * Powe◠hang 〈◊〉 Jus Furcarum In the third place are such as being descended of Honourable Families and dignify'd with no certain title are term'd Gentlemen Gentlemen All the rest as Citizens Merchants Artificers c. are reckoned among the Commons The COURTS of JUSTICE THE supream Court as well in dignity as authority is accounted the Assembly of the States of the Kingdom which is called a
V. M. Who this Apollo Grannus was and whence he had this denomination no one Antiquary to the best of my knowledge has ever yet told us But if I that am of the lowest form may give my sentiments I should say that Apollo Grannus amongst the Romans was the same as the Grecians 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is having long locks For Isidore calleth the long hair of the Goths Granni But this may be lookt upon as foreign to my business Something lower near the Scottish Frith stands Edenborough â—â—â—â—boâ—â—â—gh called by the Irish-Scots Dun-Eaden that is Eaden Town which without doubt is the same that Ptolemy calls 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is Castrum Alatum the winged Castle for Edenborough signifies certainly the same as Winged Castle Adain in the British denoting a Wing and Edenborough from a word compounded of the British and Saxon Tongue is nothing else but the Winged Borough From Wings therefore we are to derive its name which if you think good may be done either from those Squadrons of horse which are called Wings or else from those Wings which the Greek Architects call Pteromata that is as Vitruvius tells us two walls so rising up in height that they bear a resemblance of Wings For want of these a certain City of Cyprus was antiently as we read in the Geographers called Aptera that is Wingless But if any man hath a mind to believe it took its name from Ebrauk a Britain or from Heth a Pict he may for me I shall not be against it This City in regard of its more eminent situation the goodness of the air and fertility of the soil many of the Nobilities lofty Seats lying all round it its being water'd with excellent Springs and reaching from East to West a mile in length and half as much in breadth is justly counted the Metropolis of the whole Kingdom strongly walled adorned with publick and private buildings well peopled and frequented for the advantage of the Sea which the neighbouring Port at Leith affords And as it is honoured with the King's residence so is it the sacred repository of the Laws and chief tribunal of Justice For the high Court of Parliament is generally held here for the enacting or repealing of Laws as also the Session and the Courts of the King's Justice and of the Commissariat whereof I have already spoken are here settled On the East side joyning to Holy-Rood-Monastery stands the Palace Royal built by King David the first over which within a Park stored with game hangs a double-topt mountain called Arthur's Chair from Arthur the Britain On the West side there mounts up a rock to a mighty height steep and inaccessible on all sides but that which looks towards the City upon which a Castle stands so strongly fortified with a number of Towers that it is look'd upon as impregnable This the Britains called Castle Myned Agned the Scots the Maidens Castle and the Virgins Castle because the Princesses of the Blood-Royal of the Picts were here kept and the same may really be lookt upon as the Castrum Alatum or Winged Castle abovementioned How Edenborough by the vicissitudes of war has been subject sometimes to the Scots sometimes to the Saxons who inhabited this Eastern part of Scotland until it became wholly under the Scots Dominion in the year of our Lord 960. when the English Empire under the convulsions of the Danish Wars lay as it were expiring How likewise as it is in an old Book Of the Division of Scotland in the Library of the Right Honourable my Lord Burleigh late High-Treasurer of England In the Reign of Indulph Eden Town was * Vacuatum quitted and abandonned to the Scots to this present day and what different turns of fortune it felt afterwards the Historians relate from whom you are to be informed †In the mean time you may read See a fuller description of this place in the Additions if you please the ingenious Johnston's Verses in praise of Edenborough Monte sub acclivi Zephyri procurrit in auras Hinc Arx celsa illinc Regia clara nitet Inter utramque patet sublimibus ardua tectis Urbs armis animis clara frequensque viris Nobile Scotorum caput pars maxima regni Paenè etiam gentis integra Regna suae Rarae artes opes quod mens optaverit aut hic Invenias aut non Scotia tota dabit Compositum hic populum videas sanctumque senatum Sanctaque cum puro lumine jura Dei An quisquam Arctoi extremo in limite mundi Aut haec aut paria his cernere posse putet Dic Hospes postquam externas lustraveris urbes Haec cernens oculis credis an ipse tuis Beneath a Western hill's delightful brow The Castle hence and hence the Court we view The stately town presents it self between Renown'd for arms for courage and for men The kingdom's noblest part the lofty head Or the whole kingdom of the Scottish breed Wealth arts and all that anxious minds desire Or not in Scotland or you meet with here The people sober grave the Senate show The worship pure the faith divinely true In the last borders of the Northern coast What rival land an equal sight can boast These glories Trav'ler when at last you see Say if you don't mistrust your wondring eye And think it transport all and extasy A mile from hence lieth Leith Leith an excellent Haven upon the River Leith which when Monsieur Dessie had fortified with works to secure Edenborough by the conflux of people thither from a mean Village p It has in it several Manufactures it grew to a large Town Again when the French King Francis 2. had married Queen Mary of Scotland the French who then made themselves sure of Scotland and began now to gape after England in the year 1560 strengthned it with more fortifications But Q. Elizabeth of England upon the solicitation of the Scotch Nobility of the Puritan party effected by her wisdom and authority that both they retuâ—ned into France and these their fortifications were levell'd with the ground and Scotland ever since hath had little cause to fear the French e. In the mid'st of this Frith where it begins by degrees to contract it self there stood as Bede noteth the City Caer-Guidi Caer-Guidi which seems now to be Inch-Keith-Island Whether this be the Victoria mentioned by Ptolemy I will not now dispute though a man might be easily induced to believe that the Romans turn'd this Guith into Victoria as our Isle Guith or Wight into Victesis and Vecta Certainly since both these are broken from the shore there is the same reason for the name in both languages For Ninius informs us that Guith in the British Tongue signifies a breaking off or separation Upon the same Frith more inwardly lies Abercorne a famous Monastery in Bede's time which now by the favour of King James 6. gives the Title of Earl to James
his Uncle the Earl of Arran This John had issue Matthew Earl of Lennox who after many troubles in France and Scotland found fortune more agreeable in England by the favour of K. Henry the 8. when he bestow'd upon him his sister's daughter in marriage with a large estate The issue of this happy match were Henry and Charles Henry by Mary Queen of Scots had James the 6. King of Great Britain James K. of Great Britain born by the propitious favour of heaven at a most lucky juncture to unite in one Imperial Body the British World divided before as well in it self as from the rest of mankind and as we hope and pray to lay a sure foundation of everlasting security for childrens children for ever As for Charles he had issue one only daughter Arabella a Lady that made so great progress in learning above the usual capacity of her sex as led her to true virtue with the highest praise and commendation and made her fit to be compar'd with the Ladies of antient times When Charles was dead after the Earldom of Lennox whereof he stood enfeoffed was by authority of Parliament revoked in the year 579. and his Uncle Robert Bishop of Cathness had bore this title for some time in lieu whereof he had of the King the honour of Earl of March King James conferr'd the title of Duke of Lennox upon Esme Stuart son of John Lord D'Aubigny the second Brother of Matthew Earl of Lennox aforesaid which his son 2 Lodowick Esme Hol. Lodowick or Lewis enjoys at this day For since the reign of Charles the 6. there were of this line Lords of Aubigny Lords of Aubigny in France the said Robert before-named and Bernard or Eberard under Charles the 8. and Lewis the 12. transmitted to posterity by Paulus Jovius with much commendation for his valiant performances in the War of Naples He was a most faithful companion of Henry the 7. when he came for England and used for his Device a Lion * Inter fâ—bulas between buckles with this motto Distantia Jungit because by his means the Kingdom of France and Scotland so far distant Paradinâ—â— were joyned together by a strict league of Friendship As likewise Robert Stewart Lord D'Aubigny of the same family a Marescal of France under Lewis XI who for the same reason us'd the Royal Arms of France with Buckles Or in a Bordure Gules which have been ever since born 3 Quarterly with the Arms of Steward Hol. by the Earls and Dukes of Lennox c STERLING Sheriffdom STerlingshire borders to the North-east upon Lennox so named from its principal Town for the fruitfulness of its soil and the great resort of Gentry outdone by no County in Scotland Here is that narrow neck of Land by which Glotta and Bodotria or to use the language of these times Dunbritton Frith and Edenborough Frith Arms of different seas coming a great way up are kept from joyning Which Julius Agricola who went thus far and farther first observ'd and fortified this streight with Garisons by which means all Britain on this side was then in the Romans possession and their Enemies removed as it were into another Island so that Tacitus was right in his judgment that there was no other bound of Britain to be sought for Neither indeed in after times did either the Valour of their Armies or the Glory of the Roman name which could scarce be stopped push on the limits of their Empire farther in these parts although they harrassed them ever now and then with inrodes But then after this glorious expedition Agricola was recall'd and Britain as Tacitus says lay neglected nor was possession of it kept thus far For the Caledonian Britains drove the Romans back as far as the River Tine insomuch that Hadrian that came into Britain about 40 years after and reformed many things in it made no farther progress but commanded that the God Terminus The God Terminus who was wont to give ground to none should yield to Hadrian and retire backwards out of this place as he had done in the East on this side Euphrates Whence that of St. Augustine The God Terminus Aug. de Civ Dei l. 4. c. 29. which gave not place to Jove yielded to the will of Hadrian yielded to the rashness of Julian yielded to the necessity of Jovian So that Hadrian thought it enough to make a Turf-Wall between the rivers Tine and Esk and 100 miles southward on this side Edenborough-Frith But Antoninus Pius who being adopted by Hadrian bore his name stiled Titus Aelius Hadrianus Antoninus Pius under the conduct of Lollius Urbicus whom he had sent his Lieutenant repelled again the Barbarians to beyond Edenborough Frith and built another Turf-Wall besides that of Hadrian according to Capitolinus To prove which wall to have been made in this very place we are now treating of and not by Severus as commonly believed I will produce no other Witnesses than two antient Inscriptions dug up here one of which is fixed in the wall of a house at Cadir Antoninus Pius's wall and informs us that the Legio Secunda Augusta built the wall for three miles and more the other is in the Earl Marshal's House at Dunotyr which hints that a party of the Legio Vicesima Victrix made it for three miles more But take them here as Servatius Rihelius a Silesian Gentleman who made curious observations upon these Countries copied them out for me IMP. CAESARI T. AELIO HADRI ANO ANTONINO AVG. PIO P. P. VEXILLATIO LEG XX. VAL. VIC F. PER MIL. P. III. IMP CAES. TIT. IO AELIO HADRIANO ANTON AVG. PIO P. P. LEG II. AVG. PER. M. P. III. D. CIXVIS At Cadir where this latter Inscription is extant there is another stone to be seen wherein within a Laurel Garland supported by two little Victories one reads thus LEG II. AVG. FEC And in a Village called Miniabruch this inscription was removed out of a Minister's house into a Gentleman's then in building D. M. C. JVLI MARCELLINI PRAEF COH I. HAMIOR Cohors ma Haorum But when in the Reign of Commodus the barbarous nations had pass'd over the wall and had much harrass'd the country Severus as I have already said repaired the Wall of Hadrian But afterwards the Romans again brought under their subjection all the country lying between For as Ninius has told us Carausius under Dioclesian strengthned this wall anew and fortified it with seven castles Lastly the Romans fenc'd this place in the Reign of Theodosius the younger under the conduct of Gallio of Ravenna Now saith Bede they made a Turf-wall to no purpose building it not so much with stones as with turfs as having no artificer that understood so great a work between two Friths or arms of the sea for many miles together that where the fence of water was wanting there by the help of a wall they might defend their Marches from the enemies
probable that this is the Alauna of Ptolemy 3. The third garison for the out-guard of this and for securing the tract where the river is but narrow was plac'd about eight miles to the North-east from the second * See Camden after The British Islands and is more fully described in the Account of Thule written by Sir Robert Sibbalds It bids fairest for Ptolemy's Victoria which name it might possibly get from the Victory obtained near it by Agricola over the Caledonians Roman Medals have been found at it and not far from it there runs a Roman military way 4. The fourth seems to be that which Bede calls Guidi and which he placeth about the middle of the wall call'd at present Kirkintilloch as antiently Kaerpentalloch and situate upon the tract of the wall Here are still to be seen the ruines of great fortifications and near it several Inscriptions have been found some whereof are now kept at the house of Cadir 'T is most probable that this is the Coria mentioned by Ptolemy 5. The fifth was where the town of Paisly now is which one would imagine from the situation to be the Bremenium of Ptolemy 6. The sixth was the most remote to the West call'd at this day Dumbarton conveniently situate in a point where the water of Leven runneth into Clyde But if this convenience were not testimony enough the Inscriptions that are found in the neighbourhood would put it beyond all dispute The placing of these garisons was probably the occasion of building the wall afterwards along this tract But in building they took the directest line which must be the cause why some of the garisons are at a distance from it It seems also to have been built at different times and by different men as the situation of the ground required for repelling of the enemy and covering the Provincials against their Invasions Bede tells us That they made it between the two Friths of the Sea that where the water did not secure them there the wall might defend them against the Incursions of the Enemy From which one may probably infer that first they began it where the river of Forth is narrow and so carried it along the neck of land betwixt the Firth of Clyde and Forth But afterwards they found it convenient that it should be carried farther East The Penvahel or Penueltuin where Bede says it begun is call'd Walltoun at this day where there is an artificial mount dyk'd about The manner of the wall will be more easily apprehended by this Draught of it taken from the Papers of Mr. Timothy Pont who had exactly traced it and the observations of some others who after him had taken the pains to describe it A A A. A ditch of twelve foot wide before the Wall towards the Enemies Country B B. A wall of squared and cut stone two foot broad probably higher than the wall to cover the Defendants and to keep the Earth of the wall from falling into the Ditch C C. The Wall it self of ten foot thickness but how high not known D D. A paved way close at the foot of the wall five foot broad E E. Watch-towers within a call one of another where Centinels kept watch day and night F F. The wall of square stone going through the breadth of the Wall just against the Towers G G. A Court of guard to lodge a sufficient number of soldiers against all sudden Alarms I I. The body of the Rampire with an outer-wall of cut stone higher than the Rampire to cover Soldiers K. The Void within for the Soldiers Lodgings Besides these there were along the Wall great and Royal Forts strongly entrench'd tho' within the wall able to receive a whole Army together For the wall being long and they not knowing where the Enemy would make their attacks it was necessary that lodgings should be provided against all occasions In the fixing whereof 't is observable that they did not so much look upon high grounds as places that were well-watered but where these two concurr'd they were sure to have a Fort there The Forts which remain'd in Mr. Timothy Pont's time who trac'd them all were these One at Langtown a mile east of Falkirk one just at the Rouintree-burnhead one at Wester-Cowdon above Helen's Chapel one at the Croy-hill a very great one upon the top of the Bar-hill which hath had large Entrenchings a fresh-spring and a Well within it one at Achindevy one at Kirkintilloch or Kaerpentalloch one at East-Calder one at Hiltoun of Calder one at Balmudy one at Simerstone and over Kilvin river and Carestoun one at Atermynie one at Balcastle over against Barhill one at Kaellybe over against Cry-hill one at the Roch-hill over against the Westerwood a large one at Bankyir over against Castle Cary one at Dumbass c. In the ruins of that at Bankyir there was found a large Iron-shovel or some instrument resembling it so weighty that it could hardly be lifted by any man of this age At the same fort also were discovered several sepulchres covered with large rough stones and at Dun-chroc-chyr by Mony-abroch there have been large buildings The length of the wall is 36 Scotch miles Beginning between the Queens-ferry and Abercorn it goes along west by the Grange and Kineil to Innereving So on to Falkirk two miles west of which are the tracks of Camelon from whence it goeth directly to the forest of Cumernald where hath been a great fort call'd Castle-Cary Next it runs to the great Fort at the Bamhill where have been found several stones some with pictures graven upon them and some with Inscriptions From thence it goeth to the Peel of Kirkintillo the greatest Fort of all and so Westward to Dumbarton with a great ditch upon the North side of the wall all along It had also along it many square Fortifications in form of Roman Camps As to the Inscriptions our learned Author hath given an account of some of them amongst those omitted by him one is said to have upon it these words COHORTIS HISPANORUM TIBICEN HIC JACET Others have been likewise found in these parts pointing out some of the Forces that quartered here But of these we shall hare occasion to speak at the end of Sir Robert Sibbald's Description of Thule THE KINGDOM of IRELAND by Rob t Morden IRELAND AND The British Islands The BRITISH OCEAN I Have at last survey'd or rather glanc'd over the whole Island of Britain namely those two flourishing Kingdoms England and Scotland Since I must necessarily cross the Sea The Briâ—â—sh Sea before I can come at Ireland or the other Islands I hope it will be no great digression if I premise somewhat concerning it That vast and wide Ocean that surrounds Britain on all sides but the South ebbs and flows with so strong a tide that Pithoeus Massiliensis reports it to swell at least 80 cubits higher than the land St. Basil calls it the great Sea Lib. Hexaâ—â—r c. 3.
famous in the last age for the death of Justinian a holy man who in that fruitful age of saints retired hither out of Bretagne in France and devoted himself wholly to God in a Hermit's course of life was at last slain by a servant and canoniz'd for a martyr In the history of his life this Island is often call'd Insula Lemenia which word together with the name of Limen as the Britains call it shews the greatness of their absurdity who would have the Island next above it to be Ptolemy's Limnos called at present by the Welsh Enhly and by the English Berdsey Berdsey that is an Island of Birds One would think from the signification of the word that this is that which Ptolemy calls Edri Edri and Pliny Andros or Adros as some Copies have it For Ader among the Britains signifies a bird and so the English in the same sense have afterwards call'd it Berdsey The name Enhly is more modern deriv'd from a certain Religious person that lived a Hermit here For this very Isle which on the east shoots out in a high promontory but on the west is champaign and fertile has been formerly inhabited by so many saints that without reckoning Dubritius and Merlin the Calidonian no fewer than 20000 faints are said by ancient histories to lie buried here Next to this is Mona Mona or the Isle of Anglesey Anglesey call'd by the Britains Mon Tir-Mon and Inis Dowyli that is the Dark Island and by the Saxons Monege whereof I have already spoken Near Anglesey lies these three lesser Islands Moyl Rhoniad that is the Isle of Seals to the north west This was unjustly with-held by certain usurpers from the Bishops of Bangor to whom it belong'd till Henry Deney Bishop of Bangor as we read in the history of Canterbury recover'd it by the assistance of a fleet and army in Henry the seventh's time To the east lies Ynis Ligod that is the Isle of mice and under that Prestholmé i.e. the Isle of Priests where I saw nothing but the tower steeple of S. Cyriac's Chapel visible at a great distance The neighbours report incredible things of the infinite breed and number of sea-fowls here and what 's no less strange that a causey went from hence through the very sea to the foot of that huge mountain Pen-Maen-Maur for the convenience of such as came in pilgrimage hither I take no notice of Lambey Lambey a small Island over-against this upon the Irish shore though Alum has been sought for in it at great charge by the metal-men The Isle of Man More northward lies the Mona which Caesar mentions situated as he says in the middle between Britain and Ireland Mona or Menavia Ptolemy calls it Monoeda or Moneitha that is to say if I may be allowed to conjecture the more remote Mona to distinguish it from the other Mona or Anglesey Pliny terms it Monabia Orosius Menavia Lib. 2. c. 9. In a certain copy of Ninniu◠it is call'd Manau Guotodin and Bede Menavia secunda in whom Mona or Anglesey is called Menavia prior and both British Islands yet I must note that this is falsly read Mevania in these Writers Ninius who goes also by the name of Gildas calls it Eubonia and Manaw the Britains call it Menaw the Inhabitants Maning and the English the Isle of Man lying stretch'd in the middle between the north parts of Ireland and Britain says Giraldus Cambrensis which raised no small stir among the ancients in deciding to which of the territories it most properly belong'd At last this difference was thus adjusted Forasmuch as the venemous worms would live here that were brought over for experiment's sake it was generally thought to belong to Britain Yet the Inhabitants are very like the Irish both in their speech and manners and not without something of the Norwegians in them It lies out from north to south for about thirty Italian miles in length but in the widest part of it is hardly above fifteen miles broad nor above eight in the narrowest In Bede's time it contained three hundred families and Mona nine hundred and sixty But at present it can reckon 17 parish churches Here flax and hemp grow in great plenty and here are good pastures and corn-fields which produce barley and wheat but especially oats in great abundance for this reason the people generally feed upon oat-bread Here are likewise great herds of cattle and many flocks of sheep but both the sheep and cattle are like those in their neighbour Country Ireland much less than in England and not so well headed The want of wood for fuel here is supplied by a bituminous kind of turf in digging for which they often light upon trees lying buried under-ground Towards the middle this Isle is mountainous the highest hill is Sceafell from which they can see Scotland England and Ireland in a clear day The chief town is Russin situated towards the north side of the Island which from a castle and garison in it is commonly called Castle-town where within a little Isle Pope Gregory the 4th erected an Episcopal See Episcopus Sodorensis the Bishop whereof named Sodorensis from the Island as it is believed had formerly jurisdiction over all the Hebrides But it is now limited to this Island and his Metropolitan is the Archbishop of York This Bishop has neither seat nor vote among the Lords of Parliament in England The most populous town is Duglas Duglas for it has the best harbour and the most easie entrance and is frequented by the French and other foreigners who come hither with their bay-salt and buy up leather course wooll and salt beef to export with them On the south-side of the Island stands Bala Curi where the Bishop generally resides and the Pile a fort erected in a small Island defended by a pretty good garison Before the south point there lies a little Island which they call the Calf of Man where there are great store of those sea-fowl term'd Puffins and of those Ducks and Drakes said to breed in rotten wood which the English call Bernacles Bernacles the Scots Clakes and Soland Geese What remains of the account of this Island is here added out of a letter which I received from the most learned and reverend Father in God John Meryk Bishop thereof This Island not only supplies its own wants with its own cattle fish and corn but exports great quantities into foreign countreys every year Yet this plenty is rather to be ascribed to the pains and industry of the natives than to the goodness of the soil However the happiness of this Isle is owing to nothing more than the government of the Earl of Derby who at his own proper charges hath defended it with a body of regular and standing troops against its neighbouring enemies and laid out the greatest part of his revenues upon it All causes are decided betwixt man and man without
adjacent Fort may apprehend the Delinquent and send him under a guard to Castle-town where he is brought before the Governor of the Island and being examined is either sentenced or dismissed according as his innocence or his guilt appears As for private injuries and injustices which require a suit of Law they are decided according to their customary Laws twice a year in their Sheeding-Courts The principal Forts are the Castle of Russin where the Lord of the Island keeps his Court and Peel-Castle which Mr. Camden calleth only a Block-house but it is now acknowledged to be the second Fortress of the Island and is of great importance It is strongly fortified both by nature and art by the sea round about it and by walls and ramparts within It is the common prison for all Offenders in the Island the Kings of England have frequently banished hither and confined to this prison several noble persons The Inhabitants This Island seems to have been peopled from the Hebrides or western Isles of Scotland their language being the very same with the Scots-Irish The people are stiled Manksmen and their language Manks Many of their words are derived from the Latine and Greek and some are pure English Such words for the most part signifie things foreign and which originally were not known to them or in use amongst them In their language they always put the substantive before the adjective as man good woman fair The Peasants of the Island are tall in stature but of a gross heavy spirit and surly temper imposing upon others and shewing little respect to strangers They live in little Huts made up of small stones and clay instead of walls and most commonly thatched with broom which have only one room and that without any cieling In this single room the whole family lyes and among the meaner sort they are forced to place their cows in a corner of the room They are very sparing and abstemious in their diet their constant food being salt-butter herrings and oat-cakes Their drink is either simple water or water mixed with milk or butter-milk Their bedding is generally hay or straw and they are much addicted to the musick of the Violin The inhabitants are not mutinous or rebellious but continue firm in their loyalty to the Lord of the Island and detest all our commotions and divisions both in Church and state Their Gentry are very courteous and affable and are more willing to discourse with one in English than their own language In all their carriage apparel and house keeping they imitate the English Gentry They do not live in towns or villages but in mansion-houses built upon their own lands in the Country which for the most part are high well-built houses after the English fashion There are but about six families of note in the whole Island yet some of these are of great antiquity and especially those that bear the sirname of Christian and Cannel For out of these two families they ordinarily choose their Deemsters who are their Judges In former times there were several Noblemen of this Island but at present there are none save the Lord of the Island Not only the Gentry but likewise such of the Peasants as live in the towns or frequent the town-markets do both understand and speak the English language Their Customs as to Foreigners If any who is not a native desires to live in the Island he must have the leave of the Lord or of the Governor in the Lord's absence and then he enjoys all privileges as if he had been a native When any strangers arrive in the Island the Governor is presently acquainted with it who sends the Comptroller or some other officer to the town where the strangers land to examine what they are whence they come and what their business is in the Island Before this officer the stranger is to appear immediately after his landing and after satisfying him in these questions is dismissed It is expected of all strangers of what quality soever that after their arrival the very same day if it be not too late they go and visit first the Lord and afterwards the Governor of the Island who both reside in Castle-town If they land at any of the other havens and be unprovided of a horse the Comptroller by his place is to furnish them with a horse to carry them to Castle-town and this at the charges of the Lord of the Island Upon their arrival at Castle-town they are waited on by a Gentleman of quality who conducts them first to the palace of the Lord and afterwards to the Governor's apartment where after some few general questions they are civilly dismissed Their â—anner of â—ade The method of trading and commerce which the inhabitants of this Island use with foreigners is singular and truly beneficial both to the natives and to strangers The Country at a Tinwald or their prime Court always chooses four Merchants to buy the foreign commodities for the whole Island and they are sworn by the Deemsters to deal justly and fairly for the Country's profit When any ship arrives in the Island with salt iron pitch or tar or any other foreign commodity these four Merchants together with the foreign Merchant appear before the Governor of the Island to treat about the prices of the commodities imported and to make a bargain Whatsoever bargain is made by these four the Country is to stand to and obliged to take the goods of the foreign Merchant and pay for them according to the rates agreed on The people of the Country are to bring in their native commodities of wooll hides tallow or such like and are to have for the same according to the agreement made their equal proportion of the salt iron or other commodities imported If the commodities brought in by the country people will not extend to the value of the stranger's commodities then the four Merchants are to assess the rest of the commodities upon the Country every one his equal proportion for which they are to pay ready money according to the prices agreed on by the four Merchants By this means the foreign Merchant is much encouraged to bring in things necessary for the Island and the people have by the faithfulness of their four Merchants the full benefit of the commodities imported which otherwise some private men of the Country would certainly enhance for their own profit The foreigners viz. the English Scots and Irish and none almost of any other nation drive the greatest trade in the towns the natives thereof being for the most part Mariners or Fishermen although there are not at present above three or four in a town that have small little boats of their own wherewith they trade transporting and importing petty commodities In former times this Island was better stored with shiping being able to equip a fleet of fourscore sail * Chron. of Man but at this day they have not any bark above sorty tun In
Chancellor representing the Lord's person and this Court the Governor may keep every week as occasion shall require Besides the customary Laws do so impower the Governor or any of the two Deemsters as that in effect they are Courts of Record in themselves If either of these be but riding or walking in the high-way and if any person have cause of complaint against another for debt or any extraordinary business he may procure a Token from the Governor or Deemster to bring the party before him And if the party do either confess the debt or matter or it appear by the testimony of two witnesses upon their oaths that such a debt is due either of the said officers may give their Token for execution to the Coroner or to his Lockman And this is as good and valid as if the matter had in Court received trial by verdict of the Jury or by a Decree in Chancery The Citations in the Courts of this Island are not in the form of a Writing but after this manner The Plaintiff cometh to the Comptroller and entereth his Complaint and taking a Copy thereof he sheweth it to the Governour or Deemster Either of them takes up a piece of blew slate which is common enough in any part of the Island and upon that slate scrapes what mark he pleases This stone so marked is called a Token which being given to the Plaintiff he delivereth it to the Crowner of the place where the Defendant resides and the Defendant having received it is bound to appear and answer It has been an antient custom in that Island that if the Plaintiff find his Adversary present in the Court while the Court is sitting he may take him by the arm and bring him before the Governour and set his foot upon his Adversary's foot and there plead his Cause against him without the formality of summoning him with a Token In these Courts each Party pleads his own Cause vivâ voce so that they have no occasion for any Lawyers Proctors or Attorneys which Custom obtains but in few places of Europe as in Sweden and Denmark From these Courts there lies an Appeal to the Lord of the Island and from him to the King of England but it seldom happens that they have any Appeals All Causes both in spiritual and temporal Courts are prosecuted and ended without one penny of charges They had here an old custom concerning Debts which is now abolished When the Debtor died An antrenâ— custom foâ— the recovery of Debts and was buried and there remained no Writings to prove the Debt the Creditor came to the Grave of the deceased and laid himself all along with his back upon the grave with his face towards Heaven and a Bible on his breast and there he protested before God that is above him and by the contents of the Bible on his breast that the deceased there buried under him did owe him so much money and then the Executors were bound to pay him But in the year 1609 this custom was abolished and such Controversies order'd to be tried according to the form of Law by Witnesses or otherwise In this Island there are several of those round hills The manner of uâ—ns fouâ— in this Isâ— which in the plains of Wiltshire are very frequent and by the Inhabitants termed Barrowes In the midland parts of England they are called Lowes and are commonly held to be places of Sepulture * Descr the Isle oâ— Man p 1â— Mr. James Chaloner during his abode in the Isle caused one of these to be opened in which were found 14 rotten Urns or earthen Pots placed with their mouths downwards and one more neatly than the rest in a bed of fine white sand containing nothing but a few brittle bones as having passed the fire but no ashes left discernible Some of these are environed with great stones pitched end-ways in the earth and some of the Urns found enclosed in Coffins of stone one Coffin containing divers of them The Isle of Man hath ever since its first plantation The Lorâ— of Man been reputed a Monarchical State and whoever is of right Lord of it may not only use the title of King but may cause himself to be crowned with a Crown of Gold * Walsiâ—â— Hypodigâ— Neustriâ— p. 546. though it is not improbable that in their first and original Installations they made use of a Crown of Iron as has been heretofore done by the Kings of England and as Charles the fourth Emperour of Germany was crowned at Milan An. 1334. The Kings of Man have now of a long time waved their title of King and instead thereof assumed the title of Lord but they still retain almost all the Jura Regalia they enjoyed heretofore They have still power of life and death to banish or condemn to perpetual Imprisonment to raise men and money to place or displace any officer in the Island at their own pleasure and all fines and forfeitures in cases of Treason Felony and Felo de se do belong to them The greatest difference betwixt a King and Lord of Man is That the Kings were crowned whereas the Lords now are only publickly proclaimed and installed The Kings created Barons made Knights and Esquires but the Lords never confer any titles of honour The Kings of Man in old times according to the Manks tradition claim'd the whole Island and all the Revenues thereof as belonging to the Crown The Inhabitants had no right to any Inheritance in the Island but were only Tenants at will and held their Lands of the King for the performance of certain duties and and services And this tenure they called The holding by the straw which was first changed into Leases for three Lives during the late Civil Wars thereby to augment the Lord's Revenues the Tenants being then obliged to pay yearly a quit-rent and a fine at renewing The Kings of this Island have at different times been tributaries both to the Kings of England Scotland and Norway and were obliged in token of their subjection to these States to pay a certain Homage at the Coronation of any of the Princes of these Kingdoms They have made many wars in attempts to enlarge their Dominions beyond the Confines of this little Island not only in Venedotia against the King of North-wales especially in Anglesey but also in Ireland where Godred Cron. of Man An. â—147 son to Olave King of Man was crowned King of Dublin and subdued a great part of Leinster but left it not to his successors Likewise for some years by the favour and aid of Magnus King of Norway they had under their subjection some if not all the Islands on the West part of Scotland Hollinsh â— 293. which are called Hebrides and upon this account stiled themselves Kings of Man and of the Islands But Alexander King of Scotland An. 1266. not only recovered these Islands but reduced the Isle of Man it self to his subjection and placed
so strongly inspir'd that they can raise the sea or the winds with their enchantments can transform themselves into what Animal they please cure those distempers that are beyond the skil of others and both know and foretel what is to come c. Under these there lie other Islands called Isles aux Mottons near Pen-Marc that is the Horse-head Gleran over against old Blavia now Blavet Grois and the Belle-Isle which Pliny calls Veneticae For they lie over against the Veneti in little Brittain Veneti Insulae Veneticae and might perhaps take that name as being Fishermen For so Venna seems to signifie in the language of the old Gauls Strabo takes these to have been the Forefathers of the Venetians in Italy and says also that they design'd to engage Caesar by sea when he made his expedition to Britain Some from Dionysius Afer call these Insulae Veneticae Nesides Nâ—sides Vannes Venna Caroli 1. pâ—â—catio Caroli as Helgardus says Samnitus whereas in a Greek Copy we find it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is a tract of Islands Of which Priscian writes thus out of him Nec spatio distant Nessidum littora longè In quibus uxores * Amnitum Bacchica sacra Concelebrant hederae foliis tectaeque corymbis Non sic Bistonides Absinthi ad flumina Thraces Exertis celebrant clamoribus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Here the Nessides shew their neighbouring shore Where Samnite wives at sacred Orgies roar With Ivy-leaves and berries cover'd o'er Not with such cries the wild Bistonian dames Near fair Absinthus fill the Thracian streams This is also express'd in Festus Avienus Hinc spumosus item ponti liquor explicat aestum Et brevis è pelago vortex subit hic chorus ingens Faeminei coetus pulchri colit Orgia Bacchi Producit noctem ludus sacer aera pulsant Vocibus crebris latè sola calcibus urgent Non sic Absynthi propè flumina Thraces almae Bistomdes non quà celeri ruit agmine Ganges Indorum populi stata curant festa Lyoeo Hence constant tides the foaming deep supplies And noisy whirlpools on the surface rise Here a great quire of dames by custom meet And Bacchus Orgies every year repeat And spend in sacred rites the joyful night Through all the air their tuneful voices sound Their nimble feet salute the trembling ground Not in such troops Bistonian matrons croud To the great Feast at fam'd Absinthus flood Nor so the Indians praise their drunken God Now that Belle-Isle is one of the said Nessidae Strabo's authority grounded upon the relations of others is sufficient assurance For it lies before the mouth of the river Loire and Ptolemy places the Samnites on the coast of France just over against it For thus Strabo They say there is a small Island in the Ocean that lies not very far in neither but just over against the mouth of the Loir 'T is inhabited by the wives of the Samnites that are inspir'd by Bacchus and adore him by ceremonies and sacrifices No men are suffer'd to come here but the women take boat and after they have layn with their husbands return 'T is also a custom here to take off the roof of their Temple every year and cover it again the same day before sun-set every one of the women being obliged to bring in a burden to it whoever lets her burden fall is tore in pieces by the rest They are not to give â—ver gathering the pieces dropt in carrying before their fit of madness is over It always happens that one or other is thus tore to pieces for letting their burden fall Thus the Ancients in treating of the remoter part of the world were very much given to insert such fabulous stories But he tells us farther that as for those things which are said of Ceres and Proserpine they are somewhat more probable For the report is that in an Island near Britain they sacrifice to these Goddesses after the same manner that those in Samothrace do 8 Hitherto have I extended the British sea both upon the credit of Pomponius Mela who stretcheth it to the coast of Spain and upon the authority of the Lord Great Admiral of England which extendeth so far For the Kings of England were and are rightful Lords of all the North and W st sea-coasts of France to say nothing of the whole kingdom and crown of France as who to follow the tract of the sea coast wan the counties the only heir thereof In like manner most certain heirs to the Dutchy of Normandy by King William the Conqueror and thereby superior Lords of little Britain dependant thereof undoubted heirs of the counties of Anjou Tourain and Maine from King Henry the second whose patrimony they were likewise of the county of Poictou and Dutchy of Aquitaine or Guyenne by Eleanor the true heir of them wife to the said Henry the second â—â—â—nut the counties of Tholouse March the homage of Avergne c. Of all which the French by their arrests of pretended forfeitures and confiscaâ—â—ns have a sseized the crown of England and annexed them to the Crown of France taking advantages of our most unhappy civil dissentions whâ—reas in former ages the French Kings were so fore-closed by these territoreis as they had no access at all to the Ocean Since Mela who was himself a Spaniard makes the British sea to reach as far as the Coast of Spain and the Pyrenees Lib. 2. it falls within the scope of my design to mention Normonstier L'isle de Dieu and the L'isle de Rey likewise which are famous for their store of bay salt yet the bare mention is sufficient since they are not taken notice of by the old Geographers The next Island to this Oleron Ultarus now known by the name of Oleron but called Uliarus in Pliny lies as he says in the bay of Aquitain at the mouth of the river Charonton now Charente endow'd with many privileges by the Kings of England when Dukes of Aquitain In those times it was so eminent for shipping and marine affairs that Laws were made in this Island for the regulation of these seas in the year 1266. as they were in Rhodes heretofore for the government of the Mediterranean Nothing remains now having carry'd on this discourse through so many shallows of the ocean and the rugged rocks as it were of Antiquity but that like the Mariners of old who use to dedicate their tatter'd sails or a votive plank to Neptune I also consecrate something to the Almighty and to Venerable Antiquity A Vow which I most willingly make and which by the blessing of God I hope to discharge in due time d He hints here to the History-Lecture which he afterwards settled in Oxford whereof see his Life In the mean time let me desire of the Reader to consider that through this whole work I have been strugling with devouring Time of which the Greek Poet has this admirable passage 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉
were put to flight The third was at Sketheris hard by Arstol the day after S. Paul's conversion the English fled and were routed by the Scots Whereupon Edward Brus after the feast of Philip and James got himself crown'd King of Ireland Having taken Green Castle they posted themselves in it but the citizens of Dublin soon remov'd them and recover'd it for the King and finding Sir Robert Coultagh the governour of the Castle there they brought him to Dublin where he was imprison'd and being kept to hard diet died Item Upon S. Peter and Paul's day the Scots invested Dondalk took it plunder'd it and then burnt it after they had kill'd all such as had oppos'd them A great part of Urgale was likewise burnt by them as also the Church of the blessed Virgin Mary in Atterith full of men women and children with the assistance of the Irish This same year the Lord Edmund Botiller Justiciary of Ireland about the feast of S. Mary Magdalen drew considerable forces out of Munster Leinster and other parts to joyn the Earl of Ulster at Dondalk who had drawn a mighty great army out of Connaght and those parts and was marching thither There they concerted what measures they should take to destroy the Scots What their resolutions were is not known but the Scots fled and if they had not they had as 't is hop'd been taken Prisoners After this the Earl of Ulster and the said Justiciary with the rest of the Nobility resolv'd as soon as they had cut off the Scots to bring the Lord Edmund Brus dead or alive to Dublin Accordingly the Earl pursued them as far as Branne and then retir'd towards Coyners Brus perceiving this pass'd the River privately follow'd him and put him to flight with some others of the Earl's side having wounded George Roch and slain Sir John Stanton Roger Holiwood and others Many were likewise kill'd on Brus's side and on the 10th of September the Lord William Burk was taken Prisoner and the Earl was defeated near Coyners whereupon an Insurrection of the Irish in Conaught and Meth follow'd against the King and the Earl of Ulster who burnt the Castles of Atholon Raudon and others The Baron of Donull was very eminent for his great Valour but he suffer'd very much in his Goods and the Scots drove them stoutly as far as Cragfergus where those of the Earl's party fled and they some of them enter'd the Castle and defended it with great valour Afterwards certain Seamen came suddenly from the Port-towns and Havens of England surpris'd the Scots and kill'd forty of them carrying their Tents c. off with them The day after the Exaltation of the Holy Cross the Earl of Morreff went over with four Pirate-ships laden with Irish Commodities into Scotland accompanied with the Lord William Brus intending there to pick up a supply for his Army One of the Ships was cast away All this while the aforesaid Brus was carrying on the Siege of Cragfergus-castle At the same time Cathil Roge demolish'd three Castles of the Earl of Ulster's in Connaught where he likewise burnt and plunder'd many Towns Now also the English Mariners above-mentioned went to the said Castle and the Lords there skirmish'd with one another and kill'd many of the Scots Richard Lande O-Ferivil was slain also about this time by an Irish man Item Afterwards upon S. Nicholas day Brus left Cragfergus and was join'd by the Earl of Morreff with 500 Men so they march'd together towards Dundalk Many flock'd into them and gave them their assistance From these they pass'd on to Nobee where they left many of their Men about the feast of S. Andrew Brus himself burnt Kenley's in Meth and Grenard Abby which he rifled and spoil'd He also burnt Finnagh and Newcastle and all that Country and after they had kept their Christmas at Loghsudy they burnt it likewise At last they march'd forward by Totmoy to Rathymegan and Kildare and the Country about Tristeldermot Athy and Reban in which Expedition they lost some Soldiers After this Brus advanc'd to Skethy near Arscoll in Leinster where he was engag'd by the Lord Edmund Botiller Justiciary of Ireland Sir John Fitz-Thomas Thomas Arnald Power and other Noblemen of Leinster and Munster so strong that any single Lord of them might have been an overmatch for Brus and his whole Party But a difference arising they left the Field in great disorder and confusion to him according to the truth of that Every Kingdom divided against it self shall become desolate Haymund le Grace a noble ' Squire and particularly loyal to his King and Country and Sir William Prendregest were both slain The Scots lost Sir Fergus Andrissan Sir Walter Morrey and many others who were buried at Athy in the Convent of the Friers Predicants Afterwards Brus in his return towards Meth burnt Loy-castle and so the Scots march'd from Kenlis into Meth where the Lord Mortimer took the field against them with a numerous Army amounting to near 15000 but hardly unanimous and true to one another as it was believ'd For tho' this Body was all under the said Mortimer yet they went off about three a Clock and deserted him particularly the Lacies so that the Lord Mortimer was oblig'd to retreat to Dublin with a small Party and the Lord Walter Cusake to the Castle of Trym leaving the Country and the Town of Kenlis to the mercy of the Scots Item At the same time all the South-part of the Country was burnt by the Irish of those parts viz. Arclo Newcastle Bree and all the adjacent Villages under the conduct of the Otothiles and the O Brynnes The Omorghes also burnt and wasted part of Leys in Leinster but most of them were cut off by the Lord Edmund Botiller Chief Justice of Ireland and about eight hundred of their Heads carried to Dublin-castle Item This year about the feast of the purification of the blessed Virgin some of the Irish Nobility and the Lord Fitz-Thomas Richard Lord Clare John Lord le Pover and Arnold Lord Pover came to the Lord John de Hotham who was appointed by the King for that end to establish a Peace for their after-quiet and safety so they took their Oaths to stand by the King of England with their lives and fortunes to do their best to preserve the peace and to kill the Scots For performance whereof they gave Pledges before God and so return'd All the rest of the Irish Nobility that refus'd to follow the same course were to be look'd upon as Enemies to the King Item The Lord John Bysset departed this life and the Church of the new Village of Leys with the Belfrey was burnt by the Scots The Castle of Northburg in Ulster was also taken by them Item Fidelmicus O Conghyr King of Connaught kill'd Rorick the son of Cathol O Conghyr Item This year died the Lord William Maundevil and the Bishop of Coner fled to the Castle of Cragfergus and the Bishoprick was laid under
rich man died this year This Continuation following is took from a Manuscript Chronicle in the Hands of Henry Marleburgh MCCCLXXII SIr Robert Ashton being made Chief Justice came into Ireland MCCCLXXIII A great war between the English of Meth and O-Feroll with much slaughter on both sides Item John Lord Husse Baron of Galtrim John Fitz Richard Sheriff of Meth and William Dalton were in May kill'd by the Irish in Kynaleagh MCCCLXXV Died Thomas Archbishop of Dublin the same year Robert of Wickford was consecrated Archbishop of this see MCCCLXXXI Edmund Mortimer the King's Lieutenant in Ireland Earl of March and Ulster died at Cork MCCCLXXXIII A raging pestilence in Ireland MCCCLXXXV Dublin bridge fell down MCCCXC Died Robert Wikford Archbishop of Dublin Robeâ—t Waldebey Archbishop of Dublin of the order of the Austin Friers was translated also this year MCCCXCVII Died Frier Richard Northalis Archbishop of Dublin of the order of the Carmelites This year Thomas Crauley was consecrated Archbishop of Dublin Thomas Lord Burk and Walter Lord Bermingham cut off 600 of the Irish and Mac Con their Captain * Read Roger. Edmund Earl of March Lieutenant of Ireland with the assistance of the Earl of Ormond wasted the Country of O Bryn and knighted Christopher Preston John Bedeleu Edmund Loundris John Loundry William Nugent Walter de la Hide and Rober Cadel at the storming of a strong mannor-house of the said O Bryn MCCCXCVIII Forty English among whom were John Fitz Williams Thomas Talbot and Thomas Comyn were unfortunately cut off on the Ascension day by the Tothils On S. Margaret's day this year Roger Earl of March the King's Lieutenant was slain with many others by O Bryn and other Irish of Leinster at Kenlys in that province Roger Grey was appointed to succeed him in the office of Chief Justice On the Feast of S. Mark Pope and Confessor the noble Duke of Sutherey came into Ireland being made the King's Deputy Lieutenant thereof accompanied with the Archbishop of Dublin Thomas Crawley MCCCXCIX In the 23d year of King Richard being Sunday the very morrow after S. Petronil or Pernil the Virgin 's day King Richard arriv'd at Waterford with 200 sail At Ford in Kenlys within Kildare on the 6th day of this week two hundred of the Irish were slain by Jenicho and others of the English the next day the people of Dublin made an inroad into the Country of O Bryn cut off 33 of the Irish and took to the number of 80 men and women with their children prisoners The King came to Dublin this year on the fourth before the kalends of July and embark'd in great haste for England upon a report of Henry duke of Lancaster's being arriv'd there MCCCC At Whitsontide in the first year of King Henry IV. the Constable of Dublin-castle and several others engag'd the Scots at Stranford in Ulster which prov'd unfortunate to the English many of them being cut off and drown'd in that encounter MCCCCI In the second year of this reign Sir John Stanley the King's Lieutenant went over into England in May leaving Sir William Stanley to supply his office On Bartholomew-eve this year Stephen Scrope came into Ireland as Deputy to the Lord Thomas of Lancaster the King's Lieutenant The same year on the feast of S. Brice Bishop and Confessor Thomas Lord Lancaster the King's son being Viceroy of Ireland arriv'd at Dublin MCCCCII The Church of the Friers Predicants at Dublin was consecrated on the 5th of July by the Archbishop of this City The same day 493 Irish were slain by John Drake Mayor of Dublin assisted with the Citizens and the Country people near Bree where they gain'd a considerable victory In September this year a Parliament was held at Dublin Sir Bartholomew Verdon James White Stephen Gernon and their accomplices kill'd John Dowdal Sheriff of Louith in Urgal during this session MCCCCIII In the fourth year of King Henry IV. Sir Walter Beterley a valiant Knight then steward there with thirty more was kill'd in May. About the feast of S. Martin this year the King's Son Thomas went over into Enlgand leaving Stephen Scroop to officiate as his Deputy who return'd also on the first day of Lent into England after which the Lords of the Kingdom chose the Earl of Ormond Lord Chief Justice of Ireland MCCCCIV In the 5th Year of King Henry's reign died John Cowlton Archbishop of Armagh on the 5th of May and was succeeded by Nicholas Fleming The same year on S. Vitali's day a Parliament was held at Dublin by the Earl of Ormond at that time Chief Justice of the Kingdom where the Statutes of Kilkenny and Dublin and the Charter of Ireland was confirm'd Patrick Savage was this year treacherously slain in Ulster by Mac Kilmori his brother Richard being also given in hostage was murder'd in prison after he had paid a ransom of 200 marks MCCCCV In the 6th year of King Henry three Scotch Galleys two at Green Castle and one at Dalkey were taken in May with the Captain Thomas Mac Golagh The merchants of Tredagh entred Scotland this year and took hostages and booty The same year Stephen Scroop went into England leaving the Earl of Ormond to officiate as Justice during his absence In June this year the people of Dublin invaded Scotland entering it at S. Ninians where they gallantly behav'd themselves after which they made a descent upon Wales and did great hurt among the Welsh in this expedition they carried the shrine of S. Cubie to the Church of the Holy Trinity in Dublin Item This year on the vigil of the blessed Virgin died James Botiller Earl of Ormond at Baligauran during his office he was much lamented and succeeded by Gerald Earl of Kildare MCCCCVI In the seventh year of King Richard the Dublinians on Corpus Christi day with the assistance of the country people overcame the Irish and kill'd some of them they took three ensigns and carried off several of their heads to Dublin The same year the Prior of Conal in a battle with 200 well-arm'd Irish on the Plain of Kildare vanquish'd them by his great valour killing some and putting the rest to flight The Prior and his party were not above twenty such is the regard of Providence to those that trust in it The same year after the feast of S. Michael Scroop Deputy Justice to Thomas the King's son Viceroy of Ireland arriv'd here The same year died Innocentius VII succeeded in the chair by Gregory The same year on S. Hilaries-day a Parliament was held at Dublin which broke up in Lent at Trym Meiler Bermingham slew Cathol O Conghir in the latter end of February about the same time died Sir Geffery Vaux a valiant Knight of the County of Carlagh MCCCCVII A perfidious base Irishman call'd Mac Adam Mac Gilmori never christen'd and therefore call'd Morbi nay one that had been the ruin of forty Churches took Patrick Savage prisoner forc'd him to pay 2000 marks for ransom