the Helm of State have precedency as the Lord Chancellor or Lord Keeper Lord President of his Majesties Council Lord Privy Seal Lord high Chamberlain the Earl Marshal the Lord Chamberlain the Master of the Horse c. Precedency may be thus observed the King who is the fountain of Honour the Prince of England who is eldest Son to the King and is born Duke of Cornwal and about the age of 17 years is usually created Prince of Wales Princes of the Blood Royal who are the Sons Brothers Uncles and Nephews of the King The Archbishop of Canterbury the Lord Chancellor or Lord Keeper the Archbishop of York Lord Treasurer of England Lord President of the Privy Council Lord Privy Seal Dukes Marquesses Dukes eldest Sons Earls Marquesses eldest Sons Dukes younger Sons Viscounts Earls eldest Sons Marquesses younger Sons Bishops Barons Viscounts eldest Sons Earls younger Sons Barons eldest Sons Privy Counsellors that are not Noblemen Judges Viscounts younger Sons Barons younger Sons Knights of the Garter if not otherwise dignified as is rarely found Knights Bannerets Baronets Knights of the Bath Knights Batchelors Colonels Sergeants at Law Masters of Chancery and Doctors and Esquires and those may be comprehended under five several heads 1. Esquires unto the Kings Body 2. the descendants by the Male-line from a Peer of the Realm 3. the eldest Sons of Knights of the Garter Baronets Knights of the Bath and Knights Batchelors 4. the two Esquires attending on the Knights of the Bath at their Knighting and 5. Officiary Esquires as Justices of the Peace Barresters at Law Lieutenant Colonels Majors and Captains and lastly Gentlemen At a Marshal Court held at White-Hall the 18th of March An. Dom. 1615. it was declared and concluded on that there are two degrees that establish and settle the Title of an Esquire by birth the one the younger Sons of Peers of the Realm which do invest into the Heirs-males descended from them the Name and Title of Esquires the other the lineal Heir-male of a Knights House and these may justly assume and challenge the Title of Esquire by birth so that in all reason the younger Sons of Peers are more worthy than Knights so the setling of a Title proceeding from them is more worthy and eminent than that derived from Knights The Dominions of England The Dominions of the King of England are very large for besides that of England Scotland and Ireland there are divers small Isles scituate nigh unto them and do belong to one or the other as the Isles of ORKNEY or ORCADES in number 32 seated against the North-cape of Scotland The Isles of SHETLAND also under the Scotish Dominions the HEBRIDES in number 44 seated Westwards of Scotland the SORLINGS seated in the Westrn-cape of Cornwall the SPORADES being several Isles dispersed about the British Seas amongst which these following are the chief MAN scituate between England Scotland and Ireland JERSEY and GARNSEY on the French Coast WIGHT part of Hantshire PORTLAND part of Dorsetshire STEEPHOLMS and FLATHOM in Somerfetshire AIBBRE in Cheshire DENNY in Monmouthshire CODLEY in Pembrokeshire ANGLESEY which is one of the Welsh Counties SHEPPEY in Kent NORTHEY OSEY and HORSEY in Essex FERNE COCKET and HOLY Isle in Northumberland with several other small Isles not worth the naming as indeed many of these are Then in Africa as TANGIER GVINEY c. In the East Indies several places though belonging to the East India Company of London and in America large Dominions as NEW ENGLAND NEW YORK MARYLAND VIRGINIA CAROLINA all which are on the Continent also divers Isles some of which are very considerable as JAMAICA BARBADOS BERMVDOS ANTEGO NEW FOVNDLAND c. all which shall be treated of as they come in order but first of the English Counties County of Barkshire described BARKSHIRE well clothed with Wood and watered with Rivers is blest with a sweet Air hath a rich Soil fit both for Corn and Pasturage especially in the Vale of Whitehorse and generally the whole County for profit and pleasure yieldeth to few Shires in England The principal Commodity that this Shire produceth is Cloth which finds great vent and amongst the Rivers that water the County the Isis the Oke and the Kenet which affords excellent Trouts are the chief It is severed into 20 Hundreds in which are 140 Parishes and hath 12 Market Towns Reading Reading pleasantly seated near the Thames and on the Kenet which is navigable for Barges to London which adds much to its Trade which is considerable especially for Cloth and Mault 't is a large Town containing three Parish Churches is beautified with well built Houses hath fair Streets is well inhabited and hath a very considerable Market for Grains Malt Hops and most Country commodities on Saturdays 'T is a Town Corporate governed by a Major 12 Aldermen and as many Burgesses with sub-Officers enjoyeth several Immunities and sendeth Burgesses to Parliament 'T was formerly beautified with a fair and rich Monastery and a strong Castle built by King Henry the First where in the Collegiate Church of the Abby himself and Queen with Maud their Daughter were interr'd both which now lie in their ruins New Windsor Windsor pleasantly seated near the banks of the Thames and adjoyning to a Park and Forest well stored with Game 't is a fair large well frequented and inhabited Town Corporate governed by a Major and other sub-Officers sendeth Burgesses to Parliament and hath a very good Market for Provisions on Saturdays This Town is of great note for its stately Castle and Royal Palace of his Majesty seated on a great eminency wherein is a Chappel for Devotion a Colledge for Learning and an Alms-house for decayed Gentlemen called the poor Knights of Windsor and famous is this Castle not only for giving birth to so many of our Kings and Princes but for being the place where the ceremony of the Knights of the Garter is solemnized on St. Georges day Nigh unto New Windsor is Old Windsor a Town of greater antiquity though not of so much splendor Newbury Newbury well seated on the Kennet and in a Champain Plain a large well inhabited and frequented Town Corporate governed by a Major Aldermen and Burgesses beautified with a spacious Market-place and well built Market-house sufficiently served with Corn Flesh Fish and Fowl on Thursdays This Town had its rise out of the ancient Spinae now a small Village near adjoyning and called Speenhamland and is of note for its Jack of Newbury who got so great an estate by Clothing which this Town at present is very considerable for Wallingford Wallingford a Town of great antiquity and in times past very strong and large containing four Parish Churches within its Walls which took up a mile in circuit 'T is at present a large Town Corporate governed by a Major Aldermen and sub-Officers enjoyeth large Immunities and sendeth Burgesses to Parliament 'T is commodiously seated on the banks of the Thames over which
Kexholm or Barelogorod INGRIA which is not subdivided into Provinces Notteburg or Orescu Juanogorod Caporia Jamagorod LIVONIA in part as The rest belongeth to the Crown of POLAND ESTEN or ESTONIE where are the parts of Esten Febin Vickeland Pernajo Habsel Harneland Revel Wireland Wiesenburg Tolsburg Alantack Nerva Nyslot Jervenland Wittenstein Kikeland Derpt LETTEN with its parts and places as they lie Towards the West Riga Segenwold Wenden Walmer Towards the South Koekenhaus Creutzburg Dunburg Towards the East Maryenburg SCANDINAVIA Wherein are the ESTATES of DENMARK AND SWEDEN The extent bounds c. of Scandinavia SCANDIA or SCANDINAVIA is only a Peninsula which extends it self from the 56th degree of Latitude unto or beyond the 71 which are near 400 Leagues from North to South and from the 26th degree of Longitude unto the 45th on the Baltick Sea and on the Ocean unto the 53 but this Mass of Land cannot have in its greatest breath above 150 Leagues finishing in two points towards South and North. It s scituation c. It is bounded on the North and West by the Northern Ocean and on the South and East by the Baltick Sea a continual Chain of Mountains dividing it into two almost equal parts of which one is on the Baltick Sea and the other on the Ocean this possessed by the King of Denmark the other by the King of Sweden DENMARK Its Commodities THe Estates of DENMARK contain two Kingdoms to wit DENMARK and NORWAY Denmark is between the Ocean and the Baltick Sea composed of a Peninsula contiguous to Germany and of a Coast contiguous to Sweden and of divers Isles which are between the Peninsula and Coast some likewise in the middle of the Baltick Sea and near Livonia It is scituate partly in the Northern Temperate Zone and partly within the Artick Circle extending from the 55th degree of Longitude or the middle Parallel of the 10th Clime where it joyneth to Germany as far as 71 degrees where it is bounded by the Frozen Ocean the longest day in the most Southern parts being 17 ¼ hours but in the most Northern parts they have no Night for almost three Months whereas on the other side when the Sun is in the other Tropick and most remote from them they have no Day for the like time This Country is very cold and consequently not over fertil nor affording good Fruits The Commodities that this Kingdom affords are Fish Hides Tallow Furniture for Shipping as Pitch Tar Cordage Masts c. also Firr Boards Wainscot several sorts of Armour c. VIRTUTE NON VI To the Rt. honble 〈…〉 Lord 〈…〉 〈…〉 of 〈…〉 Dâ—â—â—â—â— Earl of 〈◊〉 and L d of his Maitys most Honourable privy Councell c 1678 of 〈…〉 younger son of one of the Danish Kings that came into England with William the Conquerour This Mapp is Humbly dedicated by R B â—â—PP OF THE KINGDOME OF DENNMARKE WITH ITS SEVERALL DIOECESES OR PROVINCES DESIGNED BY MONSIEUR SANSON GEO Its Inhabitants The Inhabitants for the most part are of a good statute and complexion very healthful ingenious and of a ready wit very punctual in performing their Promises proud and high conceited of their own worth lovers of Learning as may appear by those Famous men it hath bred viz. Tycho Brahe the great Mathematician John Cluverus the renowned Philosopher and Physitian Godfrey Gottricus that stout Warriour who not only setled the Government of this Kingdom but also shook the Realm of France likewise Waldemare Christiern the Second and Fourth Canutus and Sueno which two last were the Conquerors of England They are great punishers of Offenders especially Theft and Piracy their Women are of a comly grace very fair and as fruitful in Children discreet and sober The Peninsula called JVITLAND once Cimbrica Chersonesus Juitland from the Cimbrians its ancient Inhabitants it is divided into North and South Juitland North JVITLAND is severed into the Bishopricks of Ripen Arthusen Albourg and Wibourg Diocess of Ripen RIPEN contains 30 Prefectures or Herets as they term them 7 Cities or walled Towns and 10 Castles It s chief places are 1. Ripen seated near the German Ocean the chief place of the Diocess and dignified with an Episcopal See 2. Kolding seated on a Creek of the Baltick Sea 3. Wee l 4. Warde c. Diocess of Arthusen ARTHVSEN containeth 31 Prefecture 7 Cities or walled Towns and 5 Castles It s chief places are 1. Arthusen seated on the Baltick Sea having a commodious and well frequented Port and dignified with an Episcopal See 2. Kalla a strong place seated in a large Bay reaching two Dutch miles to the high Hill of Elemanberg opposite to which lie the Isles of Hilgones Tuen Samsoe Hiarneo and Hiolm c. 3. Horsens 4. Randersen 5. Ebelto and 6. Hobro Diocess of Albourg ALBOVRG which is divided into four parts viz. Thyland whose chief Town is Albourg seated on the Bay of Limford which opening into the Baltick Sea extendeth it self through the main Land almost to the German Ocean 2. Hanebert on the North-west of Limford Bay containeth 4 Prefectures and hath for its chief place Thystad 3. Morsee lying on the Ocean contains 3 Prefectures the Isle of Ageroe the Town of Nicopin and the Castle of Lunstead and 4. Vensyssel according to Mercator Vandalorum sedes or the Seat of the Vandals contains 6 Prefectures 3 Towns and 1 Castle viz. Selby Cagen and Hirring Diocess of Wibourg WIBOVRG contains 16 Prefectures the Isles of Egholm Hansholm Bodum Idgen Cisland and Ostholm also it hath 3 Castles and as many Cities or walled Towns viz. 1. Wibourg dignified with an Episcopal See and the Courts of Judicature for both the Juitlands The point of Scagen or Scean ends this Peninsula towards the North. 2. Lemwick and 3. Holcker South JVITLAND is divided into the Dukedoms of Sleswick and Holstein SLESWICK a Country for the most part level Sleswick enriched with fertil Fields both for Corn and Pasturage it is very well provided with good Bays on the Baltick which are found commodious for Merchants The chief places in this Dukedom are 1. Sleswick seated on the Slea which falls into the Baltick where it hath a commodious and well frequented Haven it is a fair Town the chief of the Dukedom and honoured with an Episcopal See 2. Hussen seated on the German Ocean 3. Sternberg the ordinary residence of the Governour for the King of Denmark 4. Hadersleben seated on a navigable In-let of the Baltick and fortified with a strong and fair Castle 5. Flensborg seated on the Baltick amongst high Mountains having a Port so commodious and deep that Ships do lade and unlade close to their Houses and 6. Gottrop where there is a strong Fort belonging to the Duke of Sleswick seated at the end of a large Bay of the Baltick of note for the Custom-house or Tole-booth there erected for Cattle sent out of these parts into Germany
Fowl called the Soland-Geese which in many places are taken in very great plenty and are sound very profitable to the Inhabitants not only for their Flesh to eat but for their Feathers and Oil. Their chief Commodities are Course Cloths Freezes Lead-Oar Feathers Sea-Coal Alum Iron Salt Salt-Peter Linnen-Cloth Train-Oil Hops Wood Alablaster some Hides and Tallow c. To the R t Noble Iames Duke of Monmouth Buckleuch Earle of Doncaster Dalkeith Baron of Kendale Miâ—ekeâ—â— Ashdale Kt. of the Garter one of his Majs most honble prvy Councell This Mapp is most humbly dedicatâ—â— by Ric Blome A MAPP of the Kingdome of SCOTLAND By Ric Blome by His Majys comand Its Inhabitants The Inhabitants especially those Southernly are of a good feature strong of body very hardy couragious and fit for Martial affairs and their Nobility and Gentry which are of several degrees as Dukes Marquesses Earls Viscounts Barons Knights Esquires and Gentlemen are generally very ingenuous and accomplished men in all civil knowledge Nobility and Gentry of Scotland Their Sessions of Parliament This Kingdom like unto England consisteth of a King Nobility Gentry and Commons and these with the Lords Spiritual assemble together in Parliament as often as they are called together by Writ from the King And by reason of his Majesties residence in England so that he is not here at their Sessions of Parliament he constituteth and sendeth one to act as his Vice-Roy who is commonly called Lord Commissioner and such at present is the Right Noble John Duke of Lotherdale c. Things worthy of note Amongst the things worthy of note in this Kingdom for Antiquity famous was that Fortification drawn from Abercorne upon Edenborough Frith unto Alcluyd now called Dunbritton opening upon the West Sea where as Speed noteth Julius Agricola set the limits of the Roman Empire past which according to Tacitus there were no other bounds of Britain to be sought for And here the second Legion of Augusta and the twentieth of Victrix built a part of the Wall as also an ancient coped Monument of an high and round compass which according to the opinions of some was a Temple consecrated to the God Terminus but others there be that will have it to be a Trophy raised by Carausius who fortified this Wall with seven Castles Caledonian Wood. Here began that Wood Caledonia which name Tacitus attributeth to all that Tract of ground which lieth Northward beyond Grahames Dike or the Wall of Antonius Pius which Ptolomy divideth into several Nations as the Caledonii Vacomagi Epidii c. who are all known to the Romans by the general name of the Picts from their painting themselves This Wood or Forrest was very spacious and over-shadowed with Thickets and tall over-spreading Trees which rendred it impassable and was divided by Grampe-Hill now calâ—ed Grantzbain that is the crooked bending Mountain Solinus is of opinion that Vlysses was in Caledonia and to confirm his belief therein he saith there was a Votive Altar with an Inscription in Greek Letters Plutarch â—aith that Bears were brought out of Britain to Rome but for more truth 〈◊〉 may be said that here were bred the wild white Bulls a Beast of nature â—erce and cruel whose thick and curled manes resembled the Lions In the â—ays of Severus Argetecox a petty Prince reigned over this Tract of Ground â—hose Wife being reproachfully called by Julia the Empress an Adulteress â—oldly made this Answer We British Dames have to do with the best of men Cámbden p. 32. â—â—t you Roman Ladies secretly commit the same with every base and lewd Companion Two famous Loughs In this Kingdom are two famous Loughs Nessa and Lomund the former never Friezeth though in the extreamest cold weather and the waters of the â—atter most raging in the calmest and fairest weather and herein is an Island that the Wind forceth or moveth to and fro In the Rivers Dee and Done besides the great abundance of Salmons is taken a Shell-fish called the Horse-muskle wherein Pearls are engendred which are very good in many Physical Medicines and some of them not much inferiour to the Oriental Pearl Courts of Judicature Court of Parliament As to their Courts of Judicature they are peculiar to themselves and are several The chief amongst which is the High Court of Parliament consisting of Lords and Commons hath the same Authority as that of England and is also summoned by Writ from his Majesty at his pleasure as occasion requireth Colledge of Justice The second Court is the Sessions or Colledge of Justice consisting of a President 14 Senators 7 of the Clergy and as many of the Laity unto whom was afterwards adjoyned the Chancellor who is the chief and 5 other Senators besides 3 principal Scribes or Clerks and as many Advocates as the Senators see convenient And this was thus constituted by King James the Fifth in Anno 1532 after the form of the Parliament at Paris These sit and administer Justice with equity and reason and not according to the rigour of the Law every day except Sundays and Mondays from the first of Novemb. to the 15 of March and from Trinity Sunday to the first Calends of August and all the time between as being either Seed-time or Harvest is vacation They give judgment according to the Parliament Statutes and Municipal Laws and where they are defective they have recourse to the Imperial Civil Law Other Courts There are likewise in every Shire or County inferiour Civil Judicatories or Courts kept wherein the Sheriff of the Shire or his Deputy decideth the Controversies and Law-suits of the Inhabitants from which there are oft-times Appeals to the Sessions or Colledge of Justice And these Sheriffs are for the most part Hereditary Besides these Courts there are other Judicatories which they call Commissariots the highest whereof is kept at Edenburgh and these have to do with Ecclesiastical affairs as Wills and Testaments Divorcements Tithes c. In criminal Causes the Kings Chief Justice holdeth his Court at Edenburgh Likewise the Sheriffs in their Territories and the Magistrates in some Boroughs may sit in Judgment of Manslaughter in case the Manslayer be taken within 24 hours after the fact committed and being found guilty by a Jury may be put to death but if the said limited time is past the matter is referred and put over to the Kings Justice or his Deputies There are also Civil Courts in every Regality holden by their Bailiffs Ecclesiastical Government This Kingdom as to Ecclesiastical Government is divided into two Archbishopricks viz. of St. Andrews the Primate of Scotland and of Glasco and under these are several Suffragan-Bishops viz. under him of St. Andrews those of Dunkeld Aberdon Murray Dunblan Berohiu Ross Cathanes and Orkney And under him of Glasco those of Galloway Argile or Lismore and the Isles Ancient Inhabitants of Scotland The ancient People of this Kingdom were 1.
themselves in the Sea which serveth for its Eastern bounds It is interlaced with Hills and Forests and garnished with divers Forts and Castles It s chief places are Dundee Dundee seated on the Mouth of the River Tay a noted and well resorted Town for Trade by reason of its commodious Port for Ships Brechin Brechin scituate on the River South-Eske near its fall into the Sea and dignified by King David the First with an Episcopal See Nigh unto this Town is Red-head a place not unknown to Seamen Montross Montross of old Celurca of some account for being honoured with the Title of an Earldom Arbroth seated near the Sea a Town endowed with large Revenues Arbroth and by King William dedicated to a Religious use in honour of Thomas of Canterbury MERNIS Very fertil or MERNIA a small but plain and fertil Champaâ—â—â— Country which shooteth it self forth on the German Ocean It s chief placâ— are Dunnotyr Dunnotyr defended by a strong Castle seated on an high and inaccessibâ—â— Rock near the Sea Fordon Fordon seated also not far from the Sea BVQVIHAN washed with the Sea whose Waves did here cast up mighty Mass of Amber of an inestimable value it hath good Pastures most to feed Sheep whose Wool is excellent and its Rivers breed store of Salmon which are had at such easie rates that it is scarce worth the trouble of takiâ— them It s chief places are Rotheniay and Stanes Adjoyning to this Country lieth Boena and Bamff a small Sheriffdom alâ— Ajuza a little Territory of no great note MARR Marr. a long and narrow County somewhat inclined to Mountains bâ— well watered with the Done or Dee well stored with Salmons and other Fisâ— Its chief places are Aberdene Aberdene feated on the Sea-shoar at the Mouth of the Done dignified wiâ—â— an Episcopal See hath an Hospital also a Free-Grammar-School and is of no for taking of Salmons Kildrumy and Kildrumy MVRRAY Murray a pleasant and fertil County and the rather as watered wiâ—â— the Spey Findorne and the River and Lake Nessa which reacheth aboâ—â—â— 23 miles in length the water whereof is observed to be so warm that it nevâ— is sound to freez and this Lake is its Northern limits as the Spey is its Easterr all which empty themselves in the Sea where it formeth a Bay Its chiâ—â— places are Innernes Innernes Bean-Castle which Ptolomy thinks to be Banatia and here Anno 1460. a Marble-Vessel artificially engraven full of Roman Coins wâ— found Narden Narden or Narne an hereditary Sheriffdom and here stood within a bâ— land a strong Fortress of a great height which was kept by the Danes agaiâ— the Scots Innernes Innerlothea and Innerlothea in former times two eminent Fortifications Alâ— Elgin and Rothes Elgin Rothes places honoured with the Titles of Earldoms LOQVABREA a County well stored with Rivers and Lakes whicâ— empty themselves into the Sea it hath also good Pastures yet is it very Mouâ—â—tainous and well clothed with Wood and in the bowels of the Earth are Minâ— of Iron Iron-Mines It s chief place is Innerlothey Innerlothey once of good account being well frequented and traded unto but through the Pyracies and Wars of the Danes and Norwegians who razâ— it it hath now scarce any Remain left ROSS It s sertility a large Mountainous and Woody County which reacheth froâ— one Sea to the other hath great plenty of Stags Deer Wild-fowl and Fisâ— Its chief places are Cromarty Cromarty or the Haven of Safety as having so secure and capacious an Haâ—â— bour for Ships Ness-mouth Lovet Ness-mouth and Lovet In this County is the Territory of Ardmanoch Ardmanoch very Mountainous froâ— which the second Sons of the Kings of Scotland bear their Title SVTHERLAND regarding the Sea is well watered with Rivers bâ— sides the large Lough or Lake Shyn almost in the midst of the Country Weâ—â—â— wards of which are great store of Hills from which is dug excellent whiâ—â— Marble very good for curious Works It is a Country more fit for breediâ— of Cattle Dunrobin Dorne than for Tillage and hath for its chief places Dunrobin anâ— Dorno Very cold and barren STRATHNAVERNE a County far engaged Northwards whicâ— with Cathanes have the utmost Northern Coast of all Britain which must oâ— casion it to be of a very cold temperature it is very much inclined to sterility Strabubaster Tounge is Mountainous and but ill inhabited It s chief places are Strabubaster anâ— Tounge A MAPP of the Kingdome of IRELAND by Ric Blome by his Matys Com To the R t honble Ric Boyle Earle of Burlington â—â—ron Cliford of Lansborro in England Earle of Corke Viscount Dungaruen 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Lord High Treasurer of Ireland c. And to the Rt. honble Roger Boyle Earle of Orrery Baron 〈◊〉 Broghill in Ireland and of his Ma js most honble privy Councell c This Mapp is humbly Dediâ—â—â—â—◠〈◊〉 the R t honble Sr. Rob Kilrâ—â—ray of Terry Bâ—â—on in England Kt. Bart 〈◊〉 of Londonderry Baron of Crallon 〈◊〉 in 〈◊〉 County in 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c. his estate in Ireland being called Medinshill This Mapp 〈…〉 of 〈…〉 is DD by Ric Bloâ—◠〈◊〉 the R t honble Earle of Arran Viscâ—â—llough Baron Butler of Clougrenan 〈◊〉 of his Maie s most honble privy Councell 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 This Mapp of the Province of 〈◊〉 is humble DD by Ric Blom◠〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 honble 〈◊〉 Baron of 〈…〉 Mai s Army of 〈…〉 his 〈◊〉 most honble 〈…〉 This Mapp of the Provence of 〈…〉 Humbly DD by Ric Blome CATHANES a County washed with the Eastern Ocean where it formeth several Creeks and is well watered with Rivers which afford good store of Fish from which and by the grasing and feeding of Cattle the Inhabitants get the greatest part of their livelyhood It s chief places are Dornock a mean place yet the See of a Bishop Dornock Catnes a Maritim Town dignified with an Earldom Catnes Nigh unto this Town Southwards is Ness-head and Northwards Dunesbe-head both Maritim places and Girnego Girnego Three Mountains In this Tract are three Promontories to wit Vrdehead of old Berubium Dunsby or Dunscanby of old Virvedrum and Howbum of old Orcas There are several Isles dispersed about this Kingdom of Scotland as the Orcades Shetland and Hebrides which may properly be said to belong thereunto but as to the description thereof they shall be treated of amongst the other small Isles belonging in general to great Britain after we have treated of the Kingdom of Ireland IRELAND It s scituation IRELAND environed on all sides by the Sea and next to Great Britain may claim priority of all others in Europe It is a Country generally of a fertil Soil and plentifully stored with Cattle Fowl and Fish Fertility but is Mountainous Woody Waterish and full of unprofitable Loughs or
landed his Army there and obtained the Regal Dominion thereof which being passed over unto him by their Nobles and Commonalty their Charter so signed was transmitted to Rome and was confirmed by a Patent of Pope Hadrian by a Ring delivered unto him in token of his investure and was farther confirmed by the Authority of certain Provincial Synods and ever since that time it hath remained in the possessions of the Kings of England The Temporal Government of Ireland The Temporal Government since the English became Masters thereof hath most commonly been by one Supream Officer sent over by the Kings of England and called Lord Deputy or Lord Lieutenant who for Majesty State and Power is not inferiour to any Vice-Roy in Christendom living in great grandure and having ample and Royal Power and Authority granted unto him and as Assistant unto him in so weighty a concern he hath his Privy Council being a select number of honourable and prudent persons chosen out of the Nobility Clergy and Capital Officers of State for their Degrees of Honour and Offices of State they are the same with those of England already treated of The present Lord Lieutenant is the Right Noble his Excellency Arthur Capell Earl of Essex Viscount Maldon Baron Capell of Hadham c. Its Laws and Courts of Judicature The Laws of this Kingdom have correspondency with those of England and have likewise there several Courts of Judicature as the Chancery Common-Pleas Kings-Bench Exchequer c. but above all the High Court of Parliament There are likewise in each County Justices of the Peace for the quiet governing and well ordering the Inhabitants as in England The Archbishops and Bishops As to the Ecclesiastical Government of this Kingdom it is committed to the care of four Archbishops under whom are divers Suffragan Bishops whose names are as followeth Under the Archbishop of Armagh who is Primate of Ireland are the Bishops of Meath or Elnamirand Conuer Rathluc Dune or Dundalethglas Ardachad Derry Dal-Liquir Chlocor or Lugundum and Rathbot Under the Archbishop of Dublin those of Ferne Lechlin Glendalach Ossery and Kildare Under the Archbishop of Cassile those of Limrick Waterford Corke Laonie or Kendalnan Gellumabrath Lismore Ardefret the Isle of Gathay Clon De Rosalither Melite or Emilech and Ross or Roscree And under the Archbishop of Tuam those of Elphin Gonany Clonfred Enachdun Achad Duac or Killmacduoc Mage Killmundâ—ach Cellaiar Roscomon and Lade or Killaleth According to the Temporal Government of this Kingdom it is severed into four Provinces to wit Leimster Vlster Connaugh and Mounster which are again subdivided into several Counties which comprehend several Baronies in which are seated several Towns And of these Provinces in order LEIMSTER It s fertility THis Part of Ireland for the generality is of a fertil Soil affording great plenty of Corn Cattle Fowl and Fish enjoyeth a wholsom and temperate Air is well watered with Rivers the chief amongst which are the Shour Neor and Barraeo It s Bivers which have their rise out of that great Mountain called by Giraldus Bladinae Montes It is very well inhabited as well by the Gentry as the Commonalty and the rather by reason of Dublin the Metropolitan City of this Kingdom therein seated It s form may be said to be triangular for from South-east to the West-point is above 80 miles from thence to the North-west about 70 and her East-Coast about 18 the circumference making about 270 miles And for its bounds it hath on the West the Province of Connough on the North that of Leimster and on the East and South the Sea which regards England from which that is from Holy-head in the Isle of Anglesey it is distant about 50 miles a Sea very dangerous for Saylers by reason of the Flats and Shallows that lie over against Holy-point which are called the Grounds And as to its division it is severed into ten Counties to wit Dublin East-Meath West-Meath Longford Kildare Kings County Queens County Caterlough Weixford and Kilkenny all which are again subdivided into several Baronies and of these Counties in order County of Dublin described DVBLIN or Divelin a fertil County for Corn and Cattle but ill provided with Wood which defect is supplied by Peat or Turff dug up in the clammy places as also by Sea-Coal brought from England It is severed into seven Baronies viz. New-Castle Vpper-Cross Rath-down Castle-knock Coolock Balrudery and Nether-Cross and by reason of its City Dublin the Metropolis of Ireland is very well furnished with Towns and inhabited by Gentry It s chief places are Dublin Dublin the capital City in the Island by Ptolomy called Eblana by the Latinists Dublinium and Dublinia by the West Britains Dinas Dulin and by the Irish Balacleigh that is the Town upon Hurdles by reason that when it began to be first built the ground being wet and moorish the Foundation of its Houses were laid upon Hurdles It is a City of great Antiquity and said to be built by Harold the first King of Norway who brought most of the Kingdom under his obedience though not without great Spoils and after the Conquest of the English was Peopled by a Colony of Bristol-men It is no less pleasantly than commodiously seated on the River Liffie which after a small course emptieth it self into a capacious Bay of the Sea where it hath a good Haven and a fair prospect and on the South it hath delightful Hills which with the several Parks here adjacent afford great Recreation to the Gentry It is a City dignified and enriched with the residence of the Lord Lieutenant as also with the See of an Archbishop with an Vniversity and the Courts of Judicature by reason of which it is a place of good Traffick being well inhabited and frequented by Nobility and Gentry as also by abundance of wealthy Merchants and Shop-keepers It is beautified with many fair Buildings both publik and private the principal amongst which are the Lord Lieutenants Palace a stately Structure built by order of King Henry the Second in the East-Suburbs then the Cathedral Church dedicated to St. Patrick consisting of a Dean Chanter Chancellor Treasurer two Arch-Deacons and twenty Prebendaries Nigh unto which is the Archbishops Palace both which are without the City in the Suburbs called St. Patricks Then the Collegiate Church consecrated to the Holy Trinity commonly called Christ-Church seated in the midst of the City which Queen Elizabeth dignified with the Priviledges of an Vniversity and not far from this is the Town-Hall called Toles-tale a fair Stone-building of a quadrangular form and here the Lord Major Sheriffs Aldermen and other the Magistrates of the City assemble together for the management and consulting on the publick Concerns of the City as to hear Causes hold Sessions c. Then a beautiful Colledge with several other fair Edifices It is at present a City of a large Extent to what it formerly was and doth daily increase in
nor costly in their Apparels or Habitations they are very Religious and neglect not the Church yet as all People they are inclined to Venery Contentions and Strifes they are not much addicted unto living in Amity together and for Recreation they are so much addicted to the musick of the Violin that there is scarce any Family but is provided therewith The Government As to the Government for Spiritual Affairs it hath a Bishop who at present is the Right Reverend Dr. Henry Bridgman and is called Lord Bishop of Sodore and for Temporal Affairs a Lieutenant or Governour with two Deemsters or Judges a Controller a Clerk of the Rolls a Receiver a Water-Bailiff an Attorney-General and other Officers And to their further assistance as occasion requireth for the deciding of Controversies c. are usually called the 24 Keys of the Isle especially once every year to wit upon Midsomer-day at St. Johns Chapel to the Tinewild-Court where upon a Hill adjoyning to the said Chapel the Inhabitants of the Isle being there assembled hear the Laws and Ordinances agreed upon before in the Chapel which is performed with no small ceremony and pomp especially if the Lord of the Isle be present who is seated on a Chair of State with a Canopy over his head and attended by his Barons viz. the Bishop the Deemsters the Gentry and the Yeomanry The present Lord of the Isle who is called King in Man is the Right Honourable Charles Stanley Earl of Darby Baron Strange of Knocking and Mohan c. a Dignity hereditary to him and his Heirs Good Orders observed in their Law The Inhabitants have a great happiness above those of England in that they are freed from necessary and chargeable Suits and heavy Fees of the Lawyers for here no Judge or Clerks take any thing for drawing up Orders or making up Processes all Controversies being ended by the Deemsters without Writings or matter of Charge and for the deciding the same they have their several Courts kept at certain times of the year for the Inhabitants of such a sheading or division of the Isle where they have particular Officers which do observe good Rules and Orders The People do here observe two very good Customs the one in not permitting the Poor to get their living by Begging and the other that when the Women go abroad they begirt themselves with their Winding-sheet to put them in mind of their Mortality This Isle is severed into two parts viz. South and North whereof the Inhabitants of the one have affinity with the Scots and the other with the Irish And in these parts are numbred 17 Parishes and many Villages is desended by two Castles and for intercourse of Traffick hath five Market-Towns It s chief places are It s chief places Douglas Douglas the best Peopled Town and of the greatest resort by reason of its commodious Haven unto which the French and others come to Traffick with them for their Commodities as aforesaid and for the security of the Harbour here is a Block-house Russin Russin or Castle-Town where within a small Isle Pope Gregory the Fourteenth instituted an Episcopal See It is fortified with a strong Castle but of no great importance as to the security of the place by reason of its distance from the rocky and shallow Harbour Laxi-Town Laxi-Town seated on a Bay so called Ramsey Ramsey scituate on the Sea where it hath a Haven which for defence hath some Guns mounted thereon Peel Peel or Peel-Castle seated in St. Patricks-Isle a place of great strength towards the Sea and defended by a Castle being a Market-Town as are the former Amongst its other places are these following Balacuri honoured with the Palace of the Bishop Kirh-Androw Kirk-Patriark Kirk-Balalough Kirk-Mighill Kirk-Lennon Kirk-Brodon Kirk-Santon and Kirk-Christ The Isle of Jersey described JERSEY seated near the Coast of Normandy in France and opposite to Hantshire in England of which it is a part it is a place of good strength as well by Nature as Art as being fenced about with Shelves and Rocks and defended by several Castlos It is an Isle of a fertil Soil and the more by reason of their rich manuring it bearing good crops of Corn and other Grain and breeding store of Cattle especially good Flocks of Sheep whose Wool is fine of which they make Jersey-Stockings in great plenty It is ill clothed with Wood instead of which they use for Fuel a kind of Sea-weed which they call Vraic which plentifully groweth on the Rocks and in the craggy Islands and this being dried they burn and with the Ashes they manure the Land Nor are they permitted to gather it but in the Spring and Summer-season and then upon certain days according to the appointment of the Magistrates It s extent This Isle containeth in length from Mount-Orguil-Castle in the East to Sentwon-pool in the West about 10 miles and in breadth from Dubon-point in the South to Plymouth-Bay in the North about 6 and in circumference about 38 miles It s Air and temperature It is blest with a sweet temperate and wholsom Air not being subject to any disease except Agues in September It is well watered with fresh Streams and hath great plenty of Fruit and the Inhabitants who are much of the nature of the French in their Language Manners c. live very happily enjoy the fruits of their labour addicting themselves to Fishing but principally to the Manufacture of Stockings which finds good vent in England and elsewhere The Government of this Isle is as followeth Government viz. a Governour or Captain is sent over by the King of England who appointed Sub-Officers as a Bailiff who together with twelve Jurates or sworn Assistants which are elected our of the 12 Parishes by the choice of the Inhabitants sit and administer Justice in Civil Causes but in Criminal matters he sitteth with seven of them and in Causes of Conscience which are to be decided by reason and equity with only three This Isle is every where furnished with commodious Creeks and Havens and is garnished with twelve Parishes besides several Villages It s chief places It s chief places are St. Hillares so called from St. Hillary Bishop of Poictiers St. Hillares who was hither banished and here interr'd a Town seated on the Sea-shoar nigh unto which is a small Isle so called which is fortified with a Garrison and this Town is the principal in the Isle for its Market Commerce plenty of Inhabitants and for being the place where the Courts of Judicature are kept St. Albans seated not far from the Sea where it hath a a Haven St. Albans as also a small Isle so called St. Clement seated on an Arm of the Sea St. Clements not far from which is the Castle of Mount-Orguil seated on a steep Rock on the Eastern-shoar Mount-Orguil nigh unto which is a place called the Rock and
unto a certain quarter or the Billows are rould unto a certain quarter If therefore the Ship be directed into the same quarter the way made will be greater than the conjecture maketh it but if into a contrary it will be lesser 2. Because the Ship is carried by other Causes into other quarters and so by windings arriveth at another place 3. The winds are variously changed 4. By how much a Ship hath the greater Altitude by so much its Motion seemeth more slow though it be not so Proposition V. To observe the Latitude of a place unto which a Ship is arrived The Seamen observe it by the Sun in the day time and by the Stars in the night as we have shewed in the XXIII Chapter they use Three Instruments See Chap. 23. the Astrolabe the Radius and the Triangle Proposition VI. From whence it is manifest that the Methods used by Seamen to find the places on the Maps unto which they have arrived are fallacious because that they can neither be certain of the Rhombe or quarter of the way or of the quantity of the way made or of the observed Latitude of the place yet the observation of the Latitude of the place unto which they are arrived because that it is not less subject to error especially the Air and Sea being tranquillous may be exempted from this fallacy But from that alone the place it self is not found on the Map or Earth but a second is required viz. either a distance from another place given or a Rhombe by which they Sail from the given place to that or lasty the Longitude of that place from this We have said that the observation of the way made or distance is uncertain as also that of the Rhombs Therefore they return back to find out the Longitude of the place For the Latitude and Longitude of the place being known the place it self is found on the Maps and determined on the Globe of the Earth Whence it is evident that the Art of Navigation requireth the solution of this Problem to the making up of its perfection viz. to find out the Longitude of the place where we are at any time and on any day The prize is propounded let him win who can A MAPP or GENERALL CARTE of the WORLD Designed in two Plaine Hemisphers By Monsieur Sanson Geograph r to the French King and Rendered into English and Illustrated with Figures by Richard Blome By the Kings Especiall Command To the High and Mighty Monarch Charles the Secâ—â—â— by the Grace of God King of England Scotland France and Ireland Defendor of the Faith c. This Mapp in all Humility is Dedicated by your Majesties obedient subiect and sarvant Richard Blome A GEOGRAPHICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE WORLD Taken from the WORKS Of the Famous Monsieur SANSON Late Geographer to the present French King To which are Added About an hundred GEOGRAPHICAL and HYDROGRAPHICAL TABLES of the Kingdoms Countreys and Isles in the World with their Chief Cities and Sea-Ports drawn from the MAPS of the said Monsieur Sanson and according to the Method of the said Description Illustrated with MAPS The Second Part. By RICHARD BLOME Printed in the Year 1680. Geographical TABLES On or above the Surface of the Terrestrial Globe and Maps of the World ought to be understood and noted Ten Points of which Four are called Cardinal Points as the North or the Pole Artick the South or the Pole Antartick the East the West Four are called Collateral Points as the East of the Summer the East of the Winter the West of the Summer the West of the Winter And two as Above and Under us as the Zenith the Nadir Ten Circles or Lines of which Five are Parallels the one to the other as the Aequinoctial or the Aequator the two Tropicks as the Tropick of Cancer the Tropick of Capricorn The two Polar Circles as the circle of the Pole Artick the circle of the Pole Antartick Five others are different the one from the others as in the middle of the Zodiack as the Ecliptick the Horizon as the Horizon rational the Horizon sensible or visible the Parallels or the degrees of Latitude the Meridians or the degrees of Longitude Two Colures in which are 4 Points which note our four Seasons of the year to wit above the colures of the Aequinoxes as the Spring the Autumn the colures of the Solstices as the Summer the Winter Three sorts of Zones in which are five to wit one Torrid or the Parching two Temperate as the temperate Artick or Northernly the temperate Antartick or Southernly two Frozen or Cold as the frozen Artick or Northernly the frozen Antartick or Southernly Three sorts of Shadows which diversly receive the Inhabitants of the five Zones for they are in the Torrid Zone Amphisciens in the Temperate Zones Northernly Northern Heterosciens Southernly Southern Heterosciens in the Frozen Zones Northernly Northern Perisciens Southernly Southern Perisciens Three sorts of Positions as the Inhabitants about the same Parallel opposite in Meridian are Perioeciens the Inhabitants about one Meridian opposed in their Parallels are Antoeciens the Inhabitants opposed both in Meridians and in Parallels are Antipodes The Climates of which the Ancients first made seven which they call by the most famous Places Seas and Rivers by which they passed as dia that is through Meroes dia Sienes dia Alexandrias dia Rhodou dia Pontou dia Boristenon then mâ—e in adding dia Ripheon dia Danias the Moderns made 30 to wit between the Aequator and the Polar circle 24 by half hours between the Polar circle and the Pole 6 by Months The Parallels which are following the Ancients 14 between the Aequator and Polar circle 48 by quarters of hours following the Moderns 60 between the Polar circle and the Pole 12 by fourteen days The Winds whereof the 4 Firsts and whereof the names are Monosyllables shall be called Cardinal Winds as North South East West 4 Seconds and whereof the names are of two syllables and composed of two of the four Firsts shall be called Collateral Winds as North-east North-west South-east South-west 8 Thirds and have their names of three syllables composed of one of the four Firsts and of one of the four Seconds as North North-east North North-west South South-east South South-west East North-east East South-west West North-west West South-west North and a quarter by North-east North and a quarter by North-west North-east and a quarter by North North-west and a quarter by North. 16 Fourths taking their names from four Firsts or four Seconds in saying of one fourth part by the other and that without having regard to the eight Third winds c. as it were South and a quarter by South-east South and a quarter by South-west South-east and a quarter by South South-west and a quarter by South East and a quarter by North-east East and a quarter by South-east North-east and a quarter by East South-east and a quarter by East West and a
FRANCE viz. In the Estates of the CATHO LICK KING to wit In SPAIN as The County of Rousillon where are Perpignan Elne Collioure Salces c. The County of Cerdagne Puy Cerda c. The Principality of Catalogne and County of Barcelone where are Barcelona Girona Vich Solsona Urgel Manressa Cardona Cadegues c. In the LOW COUNTRY as Part of the County of Flanders Gravelines Wasten Part of the County of Artois Arras Hesdin Bappaumes Part of the County of Haynaut Landrochy Part of the Dutchy of Luxenbourg Thionville Damvillers In the FRENCH COUNTY as Part of the Balliages of Gray Vesoul Lure c. Part of the Balliages of Salins Arbois Poligny Bletterans St. Amour Joux c. In divers Lands and Principalities the most part of which are esteemed in the Empire of GERMANY to wit In the Estate of LORRAIN as The Dutchy of Barrois Barle Duc Ligny St. Michael Pont a Moosson The Dutchy of Lorrain Nancy Mirecourt Newchasted on the Meuse Dieuze Sirke c. The Bishoprick of Metz Vic Moyen-Vic Marsal St. Avold Alberstrof Espernay About LORRAIN as The Principality of Sedan The Principality of Arches or Charleville Clermont Stenay Jametz The County of Biche In and about the PALATINATE of the RHINE as Part of the Palatinate of the Rhine Bacharach Creutznach Altzheim Oppenheim Neustat Landau Cermosheim c. Part of the Archbishoprick of Mayence Mayence Bingen c. Part of the Bishoprick of Wormes Wormes Part of the Bishoprick of Spire Spire Udenheim or Philipsbourâ— Part of the Estate of Bade Baden Durlach Pfortzheim c. In ALSACE or ALSATIA as Low Alsace Haguenau Saverne c. Higher Alsace Colmar Schlestat Brisach Newbourg c. County of Pfirt or Ferrette and Country of Sungou Ferrette Tannes Befo rt Blome Landseror c. About ALSACE as The County of Monbeliard c. The Bishoprick of Basle Porentru St. Uâ—sand Dalsperg or Delmont c. The County of Reinfield Reinfield Lanffenbourg Waldshout In the Dutchy of Wirtenberg Hohen-Wiel In Piedmont Pignerol c. In ITALY In the Estates of the Duke of SAVOY to wit In the Principality of Piedmont Turin Suze Avigliane Chivas Santja Ast Quierascq Coni Caours c. In the Marquisate of Saluces Carmagnole Demont In the Estates of MONFERRAT viz. In the Dukedom of Savoy Trin c. In the Dukedom of Mantoua Casal Aqui. On the River of GENES The Principality of Monaco or Morgues Rt. Worshipfull Sr. Iustinian 〈◊〉 of Lamport in Northamptoâ—shire Baronet 〈◊〉 Mapp is Humbly DD. by R. Blome GENERALL MAPP of the KINGDOM of FRANCE Designed by Monsieur Sanson Geographer to the French King FRANCE FRANCE is esteemed the most fertil and powerful Kingdom in Europe and the best next to England that can subsist without the help of others It is seated about the 45th degrees of Latitude It s Scituation which is in the midst of the Temperate Zone It is washed on the East with the Rhine together with an imaginary line drawn from Strasburgh to Calais on the South by the Mediterranean Seas and opens a passage to the Northern Ocean on the West by the Aquitain Sea and on the North by the British Ocean Its Bounds It extends it self from the 42 degrees of Latitude unto the 51 and from the 15th of Longitude to the 29th which makes its length and breadth to be above 200 French Leagues It is contiguous to the Low Countries on the North to Germany and Italy on the East and to Spain on the South It s Soil and Commodities It is of an extraordinary fertil Soil affording three excellent and useful Commodities in great plenty viz. Corn Wine and Salt also Oil Almonds Paper Canvass Linnen both fine and course Oade Corral Skins Nuts Stuffs and several Manufactures Toies and Curiosities It is very plentiful in all Provisions It s People It is exceeding populous and crouded with Towns and Cities once numbring 100000 Parishes which are now reduced to a less number The People are well proportionate and indifferent handsom especially the Men they are of a ready and Mercurial wit of a courteous Behaviour of a hot Brain and soon moved to Broils they are very active and given to Exercises in weighty Affairs both Civil and Martial they are not over subtle their first attempt being like thunder and their end like smoak In matters of Religion they generally follow the Church of Rome in which they are not over strict It would be too tedious to observe all the different Orders and Governments in this Kingdom we will content our selves to say that in the Assemblies of the General Estates where the Nobility Clergy and third Estate have their Seats it is divided into twelve several Government of which four are on this side or if you please Northwards of the Loire four upon and about the Loire and four beyond the South of the Loire The four on this side are Picardy Normandy the Isle of France and Champaigne the four about the Loire are Bretaigne Orleance or Orlenois Bourgogne or Burgundy and Lionois and the four beyond the Loire are Guienne and Gascoigne Languedoc Dauphin and Provence In each Government are several Parts or Countries which are taken notice of in the Geographical Tables of the Kingdom of which in order Goverment of Picardy PICARDY is divided into the Higher and Lower in both of which are divers good Towns in the Lower are 1. Calais called by Coesar Portus Iccius held by the English near 200 years and was then esteemed the Key of the Kingdom it is esteemed one of the best Ports in Picardy seated opposite to Dover in England from which it is distant about eight Leagues once a place of great Trade as being the Staple of English Wools now only of note for its being the receipt of Passengers from this Kingdom to England to and fro 2. Bulloigne a strong Frontier Town towards the Sea 3. Abbeville also a strong Frontier Town In the higher Picardy are 1. Amiens a Frontier City towards Flanaers well fortified and famous for the sudden loss and as sudden and brave regaining it by Henry the Fourth 2. St. Quintin a strong Frontier Town Dukedom of Normandy NORMANDY well watered with Rivers amongst which are the Seine Anon and Orne It is well garnished with Cities and Towns many of which are commodiously seated for Trade by reason of their vicinity to the British Ocean the chief of which are 1. Roan its Metropolis seated in the higher Normandy on the banks of the Seine over which there is a famous Bridge of Boats Here is held one of the Parliaments of France and it is a place of as great Trade as any in France being one of the three principal Towns where Exchanges are used Here the English have a publick Hall allowed them for the sale of English Woolen cloth to which place at certain days they are constrained to expose them to sale 2. Havre de Grace or Now Haven the strongest
place in all Normandy 3. Dieppe also a City of some Trade being a common Landing-place for the English in their passage into France 4. Caen famous for its long resistance of Henry the Fifth of England 5. Fabais once a strong Town here it was that Duke Robert passing through saw some Maids a dancing amongst which was one Arlet a Skinners Daughter who so nimbly footed it that his desires were to enjoy her thinking she would be as active in the Bed whereupon he sent for her and obtained his desires in which she so plensed him that he begat on her William the Bastard King of England in spight to whom and disgrace to his Mother the English call Whores Harlots 6. Charenton famous for the Preaching of that eminent Divine Peter du Moulin and 7. Constance Isle of France The Isle of FRANCE made so by the circlings and confluences of the Seine and other little Brooks It lieth in the heart of all France where we shall find not only its particular glory but that of all the Kingdom to wit Paris City of Paris which for its Riches Power and number of Inhabitants may justly contend with any in Europe It is about 12 miles in circuit if all the Suburbs are reckoned and in form rather round than oval seated on the Seine and in a Soil so fertil that not many Cities know so great plenty It is of no great strength nor of much consequence in matter of Trade only contenting themselves with enough to serve the Inhabitants and Court yet in matter of Coin it giveth rule to all Cities in France and is another of the three Cities where Exchanges are placed a convenience for the Nobility Gentry and Courtiers as also for Strangers The chief ornaments of it are the Palace of the Louvre so much famoused abroad besides so many Palaces of the Nobility amongst the rest that of Luxembourgh its Palace-Royal its Church of Nostre Dame its Vniversity formed by Charlemain in Anno 800 esteemed the first in Europe containing 55 Colledges and particularly the Colledge of the Sorbona also the Halls of Justice or Courts of Parliament being as our Courts of Judicature are all remarkable Next to this City may be reckoned 1. St. Dennis about three miles from Paris famous for the Sepulchres of the French Kings 2. Pont-oyse 3. Meaux 4. Beauvais and 5. Soissons In this Province is the beautiful House and Forest of Fontaine Bleau built by Henry the Fourth esteemed not only one of the fairest Palaces in all France but of Christendom here is also seated the Royal Mansion of St. Germains and Boys de Vincennes where the puissant Henry the Fifth finished his days In this Province is the Dukedom of Valois whose chief places are Luzarch and Sen-lis This Country abounds in Vineyards which yields the sharp Wine called Vin de Paris Province of Champaigne CHAMPAIGNE so called from being a Champain Country its chief places are 1. Rheims famous for being the place where the Kings of France are usually Crowned and anointed with an Oil here kept which they say came down from Heaven and never decreaseth and here is a Colledge for English Jesuits 2. Chaaloons 3. Langres 4. Sens and 5. Troyes all places of some account Province of Britany BRETAIGNE or Britanny whose chief Port-Towns are Brest Blavet and St. Malos and within Land the Cities of 1. Nantes seated on the Loire 2. Rennes where the Parliament for this Province is held 3. Vennes seated on the South-Sea 4. Breine and 5. Morlaix of note for its great store of Paper so called Under the Government of ORLEANS or ORLEANOIS we comprehend divers Provinces on this side upon and beyond the Loire viz. Province of Maine MAINE whose chief places are 1. Maine seated on the River Magenue which dischargeth it self into the Loire 2. Mayenne 3. Laval and 4. Domfront Province of Perche PERCHE on the borders of Normandy hath for its chief places Nogent le Retrou Mortaigne and Vernevil which by some are esteemed in Normandy Province of la Beauce LA BEAVCE hath for its principal places 1. Chartes seated on the Loire a fair and pleasant City dignified with an Vniversity for the study of the Civil Laws 2. Estampes 3. Chà steau Dun and 4. Vendosme Province of Gastenois GASTENOIS hath for its principal place Montargis Province of Nivernois NIVERNOIS or BVRBON well watered by the Loire and Allier its chief places are 1. Nerves of some account for its pretty Glass-works and is dignified with an ancient Dukedom 2. La Charite 3. Clamecy and 4. Donzy Province of Orleanois ORLEANOIS whose chief City is Orleans from whence the Government or Province took its name a City if Paris excepted may contend with any in France having once been the Seat of a King of its own It s pleasant scituation on the Loire makes it extream delightful and although of no considerable Trade yet is a great Thorough-fair for such Commodities as pass to Lions and other places in the heart of the Kingdom Province of Blasois BLASOIS hath for its chief place Blois where by the command of Henry the Third the Duke of Guise the first stirrer up of the Civil Wars in France as also the great contriver and promoter of the grievous Massacre at Paris was slain in the Senate-house Province of Touraine TOVRAINE hath for its chief places 1. Tours where the Protestants first began and from one of whose Gates called Hugo's-Gate they were called Hugonots Nigh to this place it was that Charles Martel Father of King Pepin discomfited an Army of about 400000 Saracens and slew of them about 370000. 2. Amboise 3. Loches and 4. Chinon Province of Anjou ANJOV adjoyning to Maine a small Province but exceeding fertil and affords the best Wines in France It s chief places are 1. Angiers dignified with an Vniversity 2. Saumur a Town delightfully seated on the Loire and dignified with the only Protestant Vniversity in France and 3. la Fleche Province of Poictou POICTOV a large and populous Province numbring about 1200 Parishes and dignified with three Bishopricks its principal places are 1. Poictiers seated on the River Clavius famous for the study of the Civil Laws and in greatness esteemed next to Paris but of small account as to matter of Trade 2. Maillezais 3. Luson 4. Chastelleroud 5. Niort 6. Lusignan and 7. Touars This Country is very fertil especially in good Vineyards and in these Fields were sought that memorable Battle between John of France and Edward the Black Prince who contrary to all expectation gained the day Province of Aunis AVNIS South of Poictou hath for its chief City Rochel commodiously seated on the Aquitain Ocean by reason of which it enjoyeth a great Trade it is a place of great strength as may appear by the resistance the Protestants there inhabiting made against the powerful Army of the French King
Pulhely and Krekyth Bardesey Island ISLE of ANGLESEY with its Hundreds of Tallibollion Holyhead Llyfon Llandrogarn Tyndaythwy Bewmatis Twrkelyn Llandourodok Meney Newburgh Maltracth Aberfraw MERIONETHSHIRE where are the Hundreds of Ardydwy Harlech Talibout Dolgelhe Ystymanale Abeâ—dowyâ— Mowthy Maynloyd Penlyn Bala Ydeirmon Corwen MONTGOMERYSHIRE in which are the Hundreds of Mechavy Llanvilling Ystrondmarchel Montgomery Welshpoole Kery Kery Kidriorn Newtown Kare Eynion Llandaguan Kyfy Log. Machenlet Yriostly Llanidios SOUTH WALES in which are the Counties of RADNORSHIRE where are the Hundreds of Rayadergowy Rayadergowy Knighton Knighton Kevenlice Llanbadern Radnor New Radnor Prestaine Painscastle Llanhedder Collowini Dyssart BRECKNOCKSHIRE with its Hundreds of Bealt Bealt Talgarth Hay Merthye Merterkynok Dyvynnock Divynock Penkelly Brecknock Crickhole Crecowell CARDIGANSHIRE with its Hundreds of Tredvoir Cardigan Cardigan Island Moythen Llanbeder Pennarth Tregaron Llanylar Llanrusted Llanbadarn Aberysthwyth PEMBROOKSHIRE which is divided into the Hundreds of Kemes Newport Kilgarvan Kilgarvan Dewysland St. Davids Ramsey Island the Bishop and his Clerks Dungledy Lauhaden Wiston Rowse Haverford west Rosemarket Scaline Island Stockholme Isle Nerberth Tenby and Narberth Castle Martin Pembroke Caldey Island CAERMARDENSHIRE where are the Hundreds of Derllys Kancharne Elluet Caermarden and Newcastle Kidwellye Kidwyly Llannelthye Perue Llanymdofry Llangadok Cayo Llandilouawre Cathinok Abergerlech GLAMORGANSHIRE in which are the Hundreds of West Gowre Swansey and Penrise Mumbles point Pennarth point Oxwich point Wormshead point Llangevelach Llansamled Neath Aberavon and Neeth Newcastle Bridgend Ogmore Ogmore Castle Nash point Cowbridge Cowbridge Denispowis Porkerry Castle Barry Island Sylye Isle Cardiff Cardiff Landaff Caerfily Caerphilly Lantrissent Lantrissent MONMOUTHSHIRE now an English County where are the Hundreds of Bergaveny Abergavenney Skenfrith Mounmoth Ragland Ragland Caldicot Chepston Goldeclyffe Uske Uske Carlion Wealooge Newport ENGLAND Small Isles belonging to Great Britain THE Kingdom of England with that of Scotland forms an Island which bears the name of Great Britain unto which belongeth a vast number of lesser Isles which may be considered under four heads or forts viz. the Orcades the Hebrides the Sorlings and the Isles of Scilly with those of the Sporades All which said Isles with that of Ireland are scitâ—ate between the 9th and the 23th degrees of Longitude and the 50th and 59th of Latitude England is divided from Scotland by the River Tweed and Solway a line being drawn from the one to the other and on all other sides it is begirt with the Sea It s extent and division The extent and form of these Isles with their scituation to each other doth appear in the Map to which I refer the Reader But 't is probable that some may judge the Maps false for that the true Geographical distances of places are lesser than the Itinerary But these Reasons are sufficient to satisfie any to the contrary 1. The unpassable Woods which 〈◊〉 between places 2. the high Mountains and low Vallies 3. the Marishes or Boggs 4. the Rivers or Ponds and 5. the Parks or other enclosures which cause the Traveller to leave his direct line and go about It may be divided into two though unequal parts to wit England and Wales separated each from other by the Severn and a line drawn to the Wye but the more certain division was by a huge Ditch which beginning at the Influx of the Wye into the Severn reached to Chester where the Dee disâ— burthens its self into the Sea 80 miles in length made by Offa King of the Mercians and called Claudh Offa. This Kingdom of England is severed into 52 Shires or Counties of which 12 make the Principality of Wales and these Counties are subdivided into Hundreds Wapentakes or Wards and those again into Parishes which comprehend Boroughs Villages Hamlets Endships or Trthings It s division according to the Circuits of the Judges England is also divided into six parts for the Circuits of the 12 Itinerary Judges two of which twice every year are alotted for each Circuit iâ— the chief Town or Towns of each County in the said Circuit to sit and hear Causes and to administer Justice for the ease of the Subject and according to this division one Circuit doth contain the Counties of Wilts Somerset Devon Cornwall Dorset and Hantshire Another those of Berks Oxford Gloucester Monmouth Hereford Worcester Salop and Stafford Another those of Kent Surry Sussex and Hartford Another those of Bedford Bucks Cambridge Huntington Norfolk and Suffolk Another those of Northampton Rutland Lincoln Derby Nottingham Leicester and Warwick And another those of York Durham Northumberland Cumberland Westmoreland and Lancaster The two remaining Counties viz. Middlesex and Cheshire being exempted the one for its vicinity to London and the other as having its peculiar Judges for the administration of Justice It s division according to the Spiritual Jurisdiction For Spiritual or Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction this Kingdom is divided into two Archbishopricks viz. Canterbury and York under which are 25 Bishops of which 22 belong to that of Canterbury who is Primate and Metropolitan of all England and but 3 to that of York Now what these Bishopricks are this following Table will declare unto you A GENERALE MAPP OF THE ISLES OF GREAT BRITTAINE DESIGNED BY MONSIEUR SANSON GEOGRAPHER TO THE FRENCH KING RENDERED INTO ENGLISH ILLUSTRATED BY RIC BLOME BY HIS MAIESTIS ESPECIALL COMMAND London Printed for Ric Blome The most August Charles the 2d by the grace of God â—ing of England Scotland France and Ireland defendor of the Faith c 〈◊〉 this Mapp with all humility is Concecrated by your Majestes Obedient subiect Servant Ric Blome A Catalogue of the Archbishopricks and Bishopricks of England and Wales together with what Counties are under their Jurisdictions and what Parishes and Impropriations are in each Diocess Archbishopricks and Bishopricks Counties under each of their Jurisdictions Parishes in each Diocess Impropriations in each Diocess Canterbury hath Canterbury and part of Kent 257 140 York hath Yorkshire and Nottinghamshire 581 336 London hath Essex Middlesex and part of Hartfordshire 623 189 Durham hath Durham and Northumberland 135 87 Worcester hath Worcestershire and part of Warwickshire 241 76 Winchester hath Hantshire Surrey Isles of Wight Garnsey and Jersey 362 131 Bath Wells hath Somersetshire 388 160 Oxford hath Oxfordshire 195 88 Bangor hath Carnarvanshire Anglesey Merionethshire and part of Denbighshire 107 36 Rochester hath part of Kent 98 36 Ely hath Cambridgshire 141 75 Chichester hath Sussex and part of Hartfordshire 250 112 Salisbury hath Wiltshire and Berkshire 248 109 Lincoln hath Lincolnshire Leicestershire Bedfordshire Huntingtonshire Buckinghamshire and part of Hartfordshire 1255 577 St. Asaph hath part of Flintshire and part of Denbighshire 121 19 St. Davids hath Pembrookshire and Carmarthenshire 308 120 Peterborough hath Northamptonshire and Rutlandshire 293 91 Landaff hath Glamorganshire Monmouthshire Brecknockshire and part of Radnorshire 177 98 Carlisle hath part of Cumberland and part of Westmerland 92 18 Exeter hath Devonshire Exeter
of Provisions Tunbridge Tunbridge seated on a branch of the Medway over which it hath a Bridge and is said to take its name from its many Bridges It is a well frequented Market Town which is on Fridays for Corn and Provisions and is of chief note for its healthful and Medicinal Waters near adjoyning which are much visited by the Gentry in the Summer season Lath of Scray described The Lath of Scray taketh up the mid-part of the County is divided into 16 Hundreds hath two divisions of Justices of the Peace and hath for its chief places Feversham Feversham not far from the Isle of Shippey so made by the Medway which with the Sea encircleth it out of which said River there cometh a Creek up to the Town by reason of which it is well frequented by Hoyes and such like small Vessels which here drive a good Trade it being the principal Port-Town for all this part of Kent The Town is large well built and inhabited by Tradesmen Inn-keepers and Victualers and its Markets on Wednesdays and Saturdays are well served with Provisions Near this Town are very deep Pits which are narrow at the mouth and broad below with Chalk Pillars as it were to support them and have partitions or rooms within them Queenborough Queenborough seated in the Isle of Shippey which is about 21 miles in circuit and of an exceeding fertil Soil feeding great flocks of Sheep from whence 't is said to take its name a Borough Town of great antiquity but is very small and mean For the defence of the passage up the River of Thames here was a very strong Castle now reduced to ruin but of late his present Majesty hath caused a powerful Fort to be raised at Shyreness the better to secure the passage up the Medway to Gellingham and Chetham where the Navy Royal rideth In the Isle of Shippey there are no Moles and if any be carried thither they are said to die Ashford Ashford not far from the Stower hath a well frequented Market on Saturdays and in this Town is kept a Court of Record upon every Tuesday three weeks for Actions wherein the debt or damages do not exceed 20 Marks Lath of Shepway The Lath of SHEPWAY is severed into 13 Hundreds hath one division of Justices of the Peace and for its chief places hath Hyth Hyth once a place of good note and largeness as being one of the Cinque-Ports but now not much frequented by reason of the Seas forsaking it and its Haven being choaked up yet doth it still retain its priviledges as other Cinque-port Towns and hath a Market on Saturdays which is indifferently well furnished with Provisions and here are yet two Hospitals which are both under the government of the Major and Jurats of the Town Rumney another of the Cinque-Port Towns seated in a Marsh so called Rumney of about 14 miles in length and 8 in breadth now more famous for the fertility of the Marsh in grasing of Cattle than for the goodness of the place by reason of the Seas leaving it and for its unwholsom Air the Town being not large nor the Buildings good yet is it the chiefest Market Town in the Marsh which every Thursday is indifferently well served with Provisions yet doth it still enjoy the priviledges of other Cinque-port Towns Lath of St. Augustine The Lath of St. AVGVSTINE is washed on the North and East with the Sen it is severed into 12 Hundreds hath one division of Justices of the Peace and for its chief places hath Canterbury a City of great antiquity Canterbury being said to be built 900 years before the birth of Christ and in former time was held in great fame and much resorted unto and the more for being the Burial-place of St. Thomas Becket there slain a person so greatly reverenced by the Romanists This City is encompassed with a Mote and Wall on which are or were several Cittadels or Watch-Towers without which are its Suburbs in which and within the City are numbred 14 Parish Churches besides its Cathedral a large and superb structure not inferiour to St. Pauls at London when in its pristine grandure and splendour having two lofty Towers which much add to the prospect of the City and within its bounds or limits are several fair Edifices belonging to the Dean and Prebends as also a Free School called the Kings School It is a City graced with divers good Buildings and a fair Market-house over which are Rooms made use of by the Major and Aldermen for the publick concerns of the City It is dignified with an Episcopal See who is Primate of all England is governed by a Major and Court of Aldermen and hath a Recorder and other sub-Officers It enjoyeth several Immunities electeth Parliament men is well inhabited and traded unto for its Stuffs made by Walloons there inhabiting and is well provided with Provisions for besides its Shambles it hath weekly two Markets on Wednesdays and Saturdays which it the most considerable Dover commodiously seated on the Sea-shoar Dover which together with its strength as well by Nature as Art being loftily scituated between high Cliffs commanding both Sea and Country adjacent and defended by a strong Castle and other Fortifications as also the commodiousness of its Haven for being one of the Cinque-port Towns and for its short and ready passage into France being about 21 miles makes it a place of considerable note It also enjoyeth a good Trade and its Markets on Wednesdays and Saturdays are well frequented and furnished with Provisions It is a Town Corporate governed by a Major and other Officers enjoyeth ample Immunities and was of a larger extent than now it is having formerly 7 Parish Churches which are reduced to 2. It s Castle built by Julius Coesar is esteemed a place of great importance to the Nation and is strongly guarded At the west part of the Peer is a Fort called Archliff-Fort and in the Cliff under the Castle is a Fort called Motes Bulwark and at the other side of the Castle-hill is a Tower or Light-house made use of for direction of Ships called Breden-stone and by some the Devils drop of Mortar Along the Shoar going towards Sandwich are St. Margarets-bay Kingsdown Walmer Castle Deal Castle and Sandown Castle Sandwich another of the Cinque-port Towns being incorporated Sandwich and amongst its Immunities electeth Burgesses It is a place of good strength both by Nature and Art but by reason of the ill-commodiousness of the Harbour is not well frequented yet hath it weekly 2 Markets on Wednesdays and Saturdays Isle of Thanet The Isle of THANET doth here present it self which is about 9 miles long and about the same breadth where broadest It is very populous and plentifully stored with Provisions especially Corn and hath in it several Towns whose names appear in the Map County of Lancaster described The County Palatine of LANCASTER for
inhabited by Gentry and Persons of Honour as are Hampsted Highgate Hornsey Tottenham-Highcross Muswel-Hill Edmonton c. Towns near adjacent to London London London the epitomy and glory of the Kingdom was the Seat of the British Empire as now the Royal-Chamber of our Kings a City of great antiquity said to be built by Brute the Trojan but all agree it was re-edified by King Lud in Anno Mundi 5131 who called it Luddestown It is seated in a healthful Air and no less pleasantly than commodiously on the banks of the Thames which severeth it into two but unequal parts which are joyned together by a stately Stone-bridge so covered with Houses that it seemeth rather a Street than a Bridge This City is begirt with a Wall first built by Constantine the Great at the suit of his Mother Helena and hath for entrance 7 principal Gates but now as contemning bondage it hath enlarged it self on all sides with spacious Suburbs insomuch that she hath joyned her self to the City of Westminster which name is now swallowed up all passing under the general name of London The City of Westminster according to Mr. Norden in his description of Middlesex was in time past called Thorney or Dorney and was an Isle encompassed with the Thames which divided it self and one branch passed between Chairin-Cross and Kingstreet through St. James's including Tut-hill which said Isle was so called as being overgrown with Briars and Thorns but in the time of King Lucius it is said to be cleansed and the foundation of the great Temple of St. Peters was laid which was raised out of the ruins of a former delicated to Apollo where the Trinobantes or Troinovantes did sacrifice Bulls Bullocks Stags and such like Beasts to Diana Tauropolia whom the Gentiles called the Queen of Heaven This City or part of London is the noblest though not the longest being taken up by the King the Nobility Gentry and such as have their dependancy on the Court or Law being sufficiently graced with fair and beautiful Edifices as 1. The Palaces of his Majesty Whitehall and St. James's to which is joyned a small but delightful Park wherein is a Pall-Mall said to be the best in Christendom 2. The Courts of Judicature and Houses of Parliament now all known by the general name of Westminster-hall and was anciently the Palace of the Kings of England 3. It s Collegiate-Church of Westminster which was formerly the Temple of St. Peter and now renowned for its Chapel built by King Henry the Seventh being beautified with the Tombs of the Kings and Queens and many of the Nobility of England nor is it less famous for the Inauguration of our Kings and Queens 4. The Palace of her Majesty Somerset-house and 5. The Houses of the Nobility And thus much for the City of Westminster The Eastern part or Suburbs of London beyond the Tower is taken up by those that have relation to the Sea and the whole City thus taken is now of a great extent being in length from Black-wall in the East to Tuttle-fields in the West about six miles in breadth 1 2 and in some places 3 miles and is said to make in circuit about 14 or 15 miles in which extent are numbred about 500 Streets and Lanes and contains according to computation about 75000 Houses and by the great number of Houses the Inhabitants may be guest at which without doubt are very numerous and if we consider its great Trade and Commerce with other Nations its Riches Jurisdiction bounds and populousness its good Government the ingenuity of its Inhabitants in Letters Arts and Manufactures c. it may deservedly be numbred with any City of the highest rank in the World The Buildings of note belonging to this City are its Inns of Court and Chancery Guildhall a stately Structure where the Courts of Judicature are held and where the Lord Major Aldermen and Common Council meet for the negotiating the Affairs of the City The Royal Exchange built quadrangular now said to be the best in the known World The Tower a place or large extent well furnished with a Magazin or Arsenal of warlike Munition both for Sea and Land-service and doth contain according to observation a Kings Palace a Prison an Armory a Mint a Wardrobe and an Artillery each having their peculiar Officers and for Buildings resembleth a Town having a Parochial Church exempted from the Jurisdiction of the Archbishop Gresham Colledge given to the City by Sir Tho. Gresham with the allowance of liberal Salaries to professors of several Arts and Sciences to read Lectures for the advancement of Learning amongst the Citizens The Colledge of Heralds called the Heralds Office where the Records for the Arms Descents and Pedigrees of the Nobility and Gentry are kept Doctors Commons which is taken up by the Civilians The Colledge of Physitians The Halls of the several Incorporated Companies The Houses of Correction amongst which that of most note is Bridewell a large Building The Hospitals viz. St. Bartholomews Christ-Church and the Charter-house or Suttons Hospital being the noblest Hospital in the Kingdom in which are well maintained 80 Old men and 40 Boys The Sessions House for the trial of Malefactors and lastly its Churches and Free Schools This City within the Walls and Freedom is divided into 26 Wards and the Government thereof committed to the care of so many Aldermen each having the overseeing of his several Ward and besides these Aldermen there are 2 Shoriffs which are yearly chosen as also a Lord Major who is the principal Magistrate To the making a compleat City there are several principal parts or helps required for the supportation thereof and without which it cannot well stand to wit Husbandry and Artificers for the providing Food and Rayment for its Inhabitants Arms and Ammunition for its defence the Priesthood for Divine worship Judges Councellors c. for the administration of Justice and Traffick for the bringing in of Riches In all which this City in a liberal measure is blest with County of Monmouth MONMOVTHSHIRE This County formerly part of Wales is blest with a healthful Air and although very hilly and woody yet is exceeding fertil especially the Eastern parts which are not so hilly as the Western the Hills feeding abundance of Cattle and Sheep and the Valleys bearing great crops of Corn and Grass and the rather for its being watered with so many fresh Streams the chief of which are the Vske Wye Munow Ebunith Scoway and the Rumney which fall into the Severn Sea It is divided into Hundreds in which Tract are seated 127 Parish Churches and is traded unto by 7 Market Towns Monmouth Monmouth no less pleasantly than commodiously seated on the banks of the Wye and Munow which doth almost encircle it over each of which is a Bridge In the midst of the Town near the Market-place standeth a once stately but now ruinous Castle It is a fair large well built and inhabited
hath a stately Market-house enjoyeth a good Trade chiefly for Mault and is the place where the Assizes and general Sessions for the County are kept It is governed by a Major 12 Brethren 24 Burgesses a Recorder with sub-Officers Amongst its Immunities electeth Parliament men and its Market which is on Saturdays is very great for Corn and Provisions Near unto this Town is Guy-Cliff most pleasantly seated amongst Groves and fresh Streams where Guy of Warwick is said to have built a Chapel and after he had left off his exploits here led an Hermetical life and was here interr'd Stratford Stratford seated on the Avon over which it hath a fair Stone-bridge sustained by 14 Arches It is a good large Town having for Divine worship two Churches is well inhabited enjoyeth a considerable Trade for Mault here made and hath a Market on Thursdays which is very well served with Corn and Provisions Bromicham Bromicham seated very dry on the side of a Hill it is a large and well built Town very populous much resorted unto and enjoyeth a very great trade for Iron and Steel Wares and Tools here made also for Saddles and Bridles which find good vent at London Ireland and other parts and its Market is on Thursdays which is very considerable for living Cattle Corn Mault and Provisions besides the Manufactures of the Town At Newenham-Regis is a Spring whose Water if drunk with Salt loosneth and if with Sugar bindeth the Body and is said to be very Sovereign against Vlcers Imposthumes and the Gout County of Westmoreland described The County of WESTMORELAND so called as lying amongst Moors and high Hills or Fells generally of a barren Soil and very Mountainous but not without many fruitful Valleys both for Tillage and Pasturage and is well watered with fresh Streams Here are several Meers and Lakes as Winder-Meer which is the greatest standing water in England Rydale-water Ester-water Gresmere-water Kent-Meer Vlles-water Brother-water Hawse-water and others This County is divided or severed into two Baronies viz. Kendale Barony which is divided into the Wards of Kendale and Lonsdale and the other Barony called the Barony of Westmoreland is divided into East-Ward and West-Ward and of these in order Kirby-Lonsdale Kirby-Lonsdale or the Church-Town in Lonsdale seated on the Lon over which it hath a large Stone-bridge and in a rich Vale. It is a large and well built Town beautified with a fair Church a well inhabited and frequented Town both to Church and Market esteemed the greatest in the County next to Kendale and its Market on Thursdays is well served with Provisions and traded unto for Cloth Kendale Kendale or Kirby-Kendale a very fair large well-built inhabited and frequented Borough and Market Town which for good Buildings largeness neatness and good Manufactures is the chief in the County It is a place of a considerable Trade the people much addicting themselves to Traffick not only in their old Manufacture of Cotton and course Woollen Cloth but of late in Druggets Serges Hats Worsted-Stockings c. to the much enriching the Town and adjacent parts It is most pleasantly seated in a Valley so called amongst Hills and on the River Can or Kent over which it hath two fair Stone-bridges besides one of Wood which leadeth to the Castle now ruinoâ—â— The Town is built in form of a Cross and is beautified with a fair and large Church sustained by five rows of Pillars with several Apartments near unto which is a Free-School well endowed and to this Church belongeth 12 Chapels of Ease As to the Government of this Town it is committed to the care of a Major 12 Aldermen 20 Common Council-men a Recorder Town Clerk and two Attorneys who attend their Sessions and Courts of Record Here are belonging to this Town 7 Companies viz. Mercers Shear-men Cordwainers Tanners Glovers Taylors and Pewterers each having their Hall or place of meeting and for the accommodation of its Inhabitants hath a very great Market for Corn living Cattle and Provisions on Saturdays Apleby Apleby of note for its scituation and antiquity being for the most part encircled with the River Eden but so slenderly peopled with idle Inhabitants and the Buildings so mean although of late much amended that were it not for the Assizes and Sessions here held it would be little better than a Village It is a very ancient Town Corporate governed by a Major and 12 Aldermen with sub-Officers enjoys large Immunities sends Burgesses to Parliament and is discharged from paying Toll in all places except London and York Here is an Hospital or Alms-house erected and liberally endowed by the Lady Clifford for the relief of 13 decaied Widows who are called the Mother and her 12 Sisters The Market is here kept on Saturdays which is well served with Corn and Provisions Kirby-Stevens Kirby-Stephens beautified with a fair Church seated near the Hills towards Yorkshire It is a good and well known Town which of late is much improved by the trade of making Stockings and hath a good Market on Fridays At Stainmore a great Hill is a Cross said to be erected upon a Peace concluded between William the Conquerour and Malcolme King of the Scots and that by the said Place each Kingdom should know their limits and on this Stone-Cross which is called Ree-Cross that is the Cross of Kings was engraven the Arms of the Kings on the South-side those of England Ree-Cross and on the North those of Scotland County of Wilts WILT-SHIRE an Inland County no less fertil than delightful It s Northern parts hath delectable Hills well clothed with Woods and watered with fresh Streams amongst which is the Isis which soon becometh the chief of the Kingdom It s Southern parts are more even and exceeding fertil in Corn and Grass feeding great flocks of Sheep and are also well watered with the Avon Willy and Alder and the midst of the County is plain and level bearing the name of Salisbury-Plain which is a large tract of ground which feedeth good flocks of Sheep In the midst of this County is a Dike called Wansdike which runneth many miles in length and is a place of some wonder being said to be made for the dividing the Kingdom of the Mercians from that of the West-Saxons this being the place where they fought for the enlargement of their Dominions And here it was that Ina the West-Saxon joyned Battle with Geolred the Mercian whence both of them quitted the Field with equal loss This County is divided into 29 Hundreds in which are seated 304 Parish Churches and hath for the accommodation of the Inhabitants 20 Market Towns Salisbury Salisbury a City of great antiquity being the Seat of the Romans It is commonly called New-Sarum as raised out of the Old which was seated on a great Eminence being designed for Strength and War yet honoured with an Episcopal See and a fair Cathedral This City of New Sarum is
pleasantly seated on a River whose Streams commodiously water its Streets which are large and spacious It is beautified with fair Buildings and its Minster or Cathedral is a stately Structure having as many Doors for entrance as Months in the year as many Windows as Weeks and as many Pillars great and small as Days in the year and its Spire proudly sheweth it self from a great distance near unto which is the Bishops Palace then its Town-Hall seated in a spacious Market-place is a fair Building This City amongst its Immunities sends Burgesses to Parliament is a place well inhabited and frequented enjoyeth a good Trade and its Markets which are on Tuesdays and Saturdays are very considerable for Corn and Provisions and for living Cattle on Tuesdays This City is encompassed with open Fields and Plains where at about 6 miles distance is that wonderful piece of work called Stone-Henge composed of great and unwrought Stones some being 28 foot high and 7 broad and so laid thwart one another that it is wonderful to behold And these Stones are said to be thus raised by the Britains as a Monumental Sepulchre of the Vertue and Manhood of Ambrosius Aurelianus who took upon him the Imperial Purple-Robe of Britain in the declension of the Roman Empire succoured his languishing Country and by the aid of that warlike Arthur repressed the furious rage of the Enemy vanquishing powerful Armies and in the end in the last Battel sought on this Plain lost his life Wilton Wilton well watered with the Willey and another River a Town in former time of such great note that it was the chief in the County and was dignified with an Episcopal See had a Monastery and enjoyed great Immunities but at present it is become a small mean Borough Town electing Parliament men is the place where she Knights of the Shire are chosen where the Sheriff keeps his Monthly County-Courts yet hath but a small Market on Fridays Divizes Devizes seated near Blackmere-Forest a Town of greater note and strength in former times than at present being defended by a powerful Castle yet is it a large Town being well inhabited and traded unto for divers Commodities especially for Mault It hath the election of Parliament men and its Market which is on Thursdays is very considerable for Horses Cattle of all sorts Corn Provisions and divers other Country-commodities Chipnam Chipnam seated on the Avon a Borough Town electing Parliament men and hath a noted Market for Corn and Provisions on Saturdays Marlborough Marlborough seated on the Kenet near Savernake-Forest and Aldburn-Chase and in a Chalky Soil a Town of great note in former times where there was a Parliament held and a Law made for the suppressing of all Tumults called the Statute of Marlborough And here was once a strong Castle belonging to John Sirnamed Sans Terre who was after King of England It is at present a good large and well built Borough Town electing Parliament men is governed by a Major and Burgesses and hath a very considerable Market for Corn Mault Provisions Butter and especially Cheese on Saturdays Not far from this place are divers Stones some of a vast bigness pitched up an end Swindon Swindon seated near a rich Vale and on the Summit of a Hill a Town of no largeness but its Houses are generally well built of Stone and hath a considerable Market for fat Cattle on Mondays Malmesbury Malmesbury pleasantly seated on the Banks of the Avon which almost encircleth it over which it hath 6 Bridges It is a Town of great antiquity where Maidulph an Irish-Scot a man of great Holiness and Learning under a Hill in a solitary Grove built a Cell or little Monastery and lived an Hermetical life and where his Successor Adelma built a fair Monastery It as it present a good Borough Town governed by a Major and Aldermen enjoyeth several Immunities sends Burgesses to Parliament and hath a good Market for Corn and Provisions on Saturdays County of Worcester The County of WORCESTER is of a fertil Soil both for Tillage and Pasturage bearing good Crops of Corn and feeding store of Cattle It is inter laced with aspiring Hills well clothed with Wood as the Malvern Bredon Woodbery Aberleg c. and through its Valleys run those many Rivers which so plentifully water the County as the Severn Avon Salwarp c. This Shire hath such great abundance of Fruits that even the Hedgerows and High-ways are beset therewith whose Fruits are free to all Passengers and here Sider and Perry is had in as great plenty as Beer at London Here are many Salt-Pits or Wiches which afford a most excellent high prized Salt for the Gentries Table which for fineness whiteness and hardness imitateth Loaf-Sugar This County is severed into 5 Hundreds in which are seated 152 Parishes and is traded unto by 11 Market Towns Worcester Worcester no less pleasantly than commodiously seated on the Severn over which it hath a fair Stone-Bridge with a Tower upon it It is a City of great antiquity said to be built by the Romans the better to secure themselves from the Britains who were Masters of all beyond the Severn and was held in good repute in the time of the Danes and Saxons and although it hath received so many shocks of ill fortune by Fire and Sword yet is it a place of good largeness numbring 9 Parish Churches besides St. Michaels and its Cathedral a stately Structure in whose Quire are several graceful Tombs This City enjoyeth ample Immunities electeth Parliament men is dignified with the See of a Bishop is governed by a Major Sheriff 6 Aldermen 24 principal Citizens with 48 less called Common-Council-men 2 Chamberlains a Recorder Town Clerk with sub-Officers is graced with good Buildings and well ordered Streets is well inhabited enjoyeth a good Trade especially for Clothings here made in great quantities and its Markets on Wednesdays Fridays and Saturdays are very considerable especially that on Saturdays for living Cattle Corn Flesh Fish and all Provisions which are here had at easie rates Evesholme Evesholme seated on a Hill arising from the River Avon which almost encompasseth it where it hath a Stone-bridge This Town was of note for its Abby founded by Edwin by the helping-hand of King Kenred Son of Wolpher King of the Mercians It is at present a large and well-built Major-Town esteemed the best in the County next to Worcester containing two or three Parishes sends Burgesses to Parliament is well inhabited and frequented enjoyeth a good Trade principally for Stockings and its Market which is on Mondays is very considerable for Corn Cattle Provisions and Stockings This Town gives name to a Vale near adjoyning which for fertility of Soil may deservedly be called the Granary of these parts Droitwich Droitwich seated on the River Salwarp a pretty good Bailiwick-Town but its Market which is on Fridays is but small This Town is of great note
of the Dutchy of Lancaster and hath a Market on Saturdays Doncaster seated on the Done and on the great Road to London Doncaster an ancient Town of good Antiquity once defended by a Castle now reduced to ruins and in Anno 759 this Town suffered much great part with its Cittadel being consumed with Fire but was rebuilt with a fair Church erected in the place where the Cittadel stood It is a large well-built and inhabited Town Corporate governed by a Major and Aldermen enjoyeth a good Trade especially for Stockings Knit-Waistcoats Petticoats and Gloves and hath a very good Market for Corn Cattle and Provisions on Saturdays Selby honoured in giving birth to King Henry the First seated on the Owse Selby which gives passage for small Vessels to York which doth occasion it to be a Town of some Trade and hath a good Market for Provisions and Merchandize on Mondays Ponfract very delightfully seated in a dry tract of ground Pontfract a neat Town Corporate beautified with good Buildings was once strengthned with a strong and stately Castle which was demolished in the late Wars It is governed by a Major and Aldermen sends Burgesses to Parliament and hath a very great Market for Corn Cattle Provisions and divers Country-commodities on Saturdays Wakefield seated in a large Lordship so called having its Steward Wakefield It is a large Town of good antiquity beautified with well built Stone-houses it is a place well known for its Clothing here made and hath a great Market on Thursdays and Fridays for Cloth Corn Provisions and divers Country-commodities Leeds seated on the Are an ancient Town Leeds where the Kings had formerly their Royal Palace and here Oswy King of the Northumbers put to flight Penda the Mercian It is a large and well built Town Corporate governed by a Major and Aldermen with sub-Officers electeth Parliament men is very well inhabited especially by wealthy Clothiers who drive a great Trade for their Cloth and hath two considerable Markets on Tuesdays and Saturdays which are well traded unto for Corn Provisions Woollen-Cloth and divers good Commodities Knaresbrough Knaresbrough delightfully seated on the Nid and on a ragged rough Rock on which is seated a Castle It is a well-built Town Corporate electing Parliament men and hath a good Market for Corn and Provisions on Wednesdays Nigh unto this place in a Moorish boggy-ground ariseth a Spring of Vitrioline tast and odour and not far off is also a Sulphur-Well which is good for several Diseases here is also a droping petrefying-Well which turns Wood Moss c. into Stone Rippon Rippon feated between the Yore and a Branch thereof over which are two Bridges It is a place of good antiquity and of much same for its Religious Houses but especially for its stately Monastery built by Wilfrid Archbishop of York It is at present a large and well-built Town Corporate governed by a Major and Aldermen hath the election of Parliament men the Town is well inhabited by Gentry and its Market which is on Thursdays is very great for Cattle Corn Provisions and chiefly for Wool which is much bought up by the Cloathiers of Leeds This Town is beautified with a very fine Cathedral Church with a lofty Spire-Steeple and in this Church was St. Winfrids Needle a place famous in our Fore-fathers days being a narrow Hole in the close Vaulted-room under ground in which place as 't is reported but not Recorded for Truth Womens Honesty was used to be tried for according to the story those that were Chast could easily pass through but the kind-hearted Souls were by an unknown means held fast and could not pass through WALES THE Island of great Britain in ancient time was severed into three Parts the first fairest and greatest contained all within the French Seas the Rivers of Severn Dee and Humber and was called Lhoyger which name in Welsh it still retaineth and in English England The second took up all the Land Northwards from the Humber to the Orkney Isles and was called Mare Caledonium or Deucaledonium and now Scotland And the third lying between the Irish Seas the Rivers of Severn and Dee was anciently called Cambria and now Wales to which the Britains being outed of their Country were forced to retire and there fortified themselves The Bounds This Country of Wales is bounded on all sides by the Sea except towards England from which it is severed by the River Dee and a Line drawn to the River Wye but anciently it was extended to the River Severn Eastward for Offa King of the Mercians forced them to quit the Plain Countries beyond that River which now is called the Marches of Wales and to betake themselves to the Mountains which he caused to be separated from England by a great Ditch called Offa's Dike in Welsh Claudh Offa in many places yet to be seen which Dike beginneth at the influx of the Wye into the Severn and reacheth unto Chester which is about 84 miles where the Dee disburthens it self into the Sea And over this Dike by a Law made by Harald no Welshman was permitted to pass with a Weapon upon pain of losing his Right hand Very Mountainous and Barren The whole Country is Mountainous and Barren yet affordeth several good Commodities and is not without many fertil Valleys which bear good Corn and breed great abundance of small Cattle with which they furnish England as also with Butter Cheese Woollen-Cloths called Welsh-Frizes Cottons Bays Herrings both White and Red Calve-skins Hides Hony Wax c. and the Country is well stored with Quarries of Free-stone for building and Mill-stones as also hath Mines of Lead Lead-Oar Coals and some of Silver and Tin And these Commodities are generally brought to Shrewsbury Oswestre Bristol Worcester and other adjacent parts and thence dispersed into England It s Ancient division About the year of Christ 870 Rodericus Magnus King of Wales divided this Country into three Regions Territories or Talaiths which were so many Kingdoms to wit Gwineth Venedotia or North-Wales and this part he gave to Anarawd his eldest Son Deheubarth or South-Wales which he gave to Cadelh his second Son and Powis or Powis-Land which he gave to Mervin his third Son and in each of these three Kingdoms he appointed a Royal Palace as at Aberffraw in the Isle of Anglesey for North-Wales at Dynefar or Dynevowr-Castle not far from Carmarthen for South-Wales and at Matravan in Montgomery-shire for Powis-Land Present division But at present according to Act of Parliament made in the Reign of King Henry the Eighth it is severed into two Parts to wit North-Wales and South-Wales both which have as it were devoured all Powis-Land and in each of these parts there are 6 Counties in the North those of Anglesey Caernarvon Denbigh Flint Merioneth and Montgomery and in the South those of Brecknock Cardigan Carmarden Glamorgan Pembroke and Radnor Again Wales like unto
on Tuesdays but now disused Prestaine seated on the Lug and in a pleasant and rich Vale which from a small Village in former days is now become a fair large and well built Town Prestaine with paved Streets is well inhabited and frequented where the Assizes are held and the County Gaol kept and its Market which is on Saturdays is very good for Provisions and Grain especially Barly of which they make good store of Mault Knighton seated in a Valley and on the Teme over which it hath a Bridge Knighton a very fair and well built Borough Town of a good resort whose Inhabitants enjoy a good Trade and its Market on Tuesdays is very well served with Cattle Corn Provisions Iron-ware Hops Salt Linnen and Woollen and other Commodities The Kingdom of SCOTLAND as it is divided in Firm Land where are thirty fiâ—e Provinces to wit Thirteen beyond the TAY which with the Province of LORNE made the ancient Kingdom of the SCOTS whereof Five are towards the NORTH and WEST as Strath-Navarn â—trabubaster Tounge Gathanes Giâ—â—ego Wick Sutherland Dornok Dunrobiâ— Rosse Skyrassin Cromarty Canonry Lovet Loquabrea Kyntaile Innerlethey Eight towards the EAST and SOUTH as Murray Elgin Invernes Forres Rothes Bean Narden Badgenoth Bucquhan Rothemay Stanes Marria Aberdean New Aberdone Kildrumy Mernis Fordon Dumnotyr Brechin Anguis Monross Dunde Glammes Forfar Perth Perth Scone Dunkeldon Athole Blaire Braidalbin Encerlothea Twenty two on this side the TAY which except the County of LORNE made the ancient Kingdom of the PICTS whereof Nine are towards the Gulph of DUNBRITTON as Lorne Dunstafâ—ge Tarbart Bergonum Cantyr Swin Sandell Arran c. Arran Rothsay Argile Duwwin Lennox Dunbriton Cuningham Yrwin Androssan Largis Kilwein Kyle Ayre Uchiltre Carrickt Bargeny Blaquhan Galloway Witherne Wighton Kiâ—koubrick Cardines Six towards the Gulph of EDINBURGH as Fife St. Andrews Cupre Disert Kinghorne Strathnaverne Abergeny Menteith Dumblain Clackmannan Striveling Sterling Linlithquo Linlithquo Falkirck Lothien Edinburgh Dunbar Leith Haddington Dalkith Seven in the Valleys towards ENGLAND as Cluydesdale Glasquo Lanrick Hamiltown Reynfraw Douglasdale Nithesdale Dumfreis Solway Anandale Anan Lochmabain Liddesdale Harlay Eskdale Aefica Teifedale Peblis Seltkirck Drimlar Roxburgh Yedburg Merch Hum. Coldingham ISLES which make three Bodies viz. those of ORCADES to the North of SCOTLAND Mainland Kirkewall SCHETLAND to the N. North-east of ORCADES Mainland Burgh INCH GALLES or Western Isles To the West of SCOTLAND among the which are Lewis Sterwaye Skye Tranternes Eust St. Maria. Ila Dunweg Sura Sodore Mulla Arrois Colm-kill Colm-kill Rawghlin Dowaneny The Kingdom and Isle of IRELAND hath formerly been divided into four Kingdoms which are at this day as many Provinces which are subdivided into Counties and thus scituated viz. Towards the NORTH the Province of ULSTER where are the Counties of Dunagall or Tyrconnell Donegal Derry or London Derry Calebeâ—k Tirconnel Upper Tyroen Strebane Lower Tyroen Dungannon Colrane Colrane Antrim Knoekfergus Antrim Downe Downe Newry Sâ—rangford Arglass Louth Trodaugh Dundalke Carlingford Ardeth Armagh Armagh Mountnorris Monaghan Clogher Churchland Cavan Cavan Kilmore Fermanagh Baltarbet Towards the SOUTH the Province of MOUNSTER where are the Counties of Tipperary or Holy-Cross Cassile Holy-Cross Clomel Caryck Emeley Lymerick Lymerick Kilmalock Kerry Dingle Ardart Trayley Desmond Donekyran Downbay Corke Corke Kinsale Ross Voghall Cloney Watersord Watersord Dungarvan Ardmor Lismore Towards the WEST the Province of CONNAUGHT where are the Counties of Majo Killaloy Refraine Slego Slego Dundroes Dunbroyle Galloway Galloway Kilmaculo Clonford Kingstown Clare or Twomond Clare Kylaloe Kilfenerog Toam Rosecoman Rosecoman Atlon Omacoghlan Elphin Letrym Letrym Mewkerke Achonry Towards the EAST the Province of LEINSTER where are the Counties of Dublin Dublin Newcastle Houth Malcheal Wicklo Glandelour Malehid East Meath Trim Aboy Slane Galtre West Meath Molingar Delvin Kelskery Longford Longford Ardragh Kildare Kildare Mainoth Athie Carbre Kings County Philipstown Lee. Queens County Queenstown Rheban Caterlough Caterlaugh Carickbrak Areklo Wexford Wexford Ross Ternes Eniscort Kilkenny Kilkenny Thomas Town Callan SCOTLAND It s scituation THE Kingdom of SCOTLAND maketh the Northern part of Great Britain and is divided from England by the Rivers Tweed and Solway Ancient Inhabitants together with the Cheviot-Hills A Country formerly inhabited by the Picts who were divided into two Nations viz. the Dicalidonii and the Vecturiones but when the Scots became the chief Rulers as Mr. Cambden noteth it was shared into seven Partâ— Ancient division and amongst as many Princes The first contained Enegus and and Maern the second Atheold and Goverin the third Stradeern with Meneted the fourth Forthever the fifth Mar with Bucken the sixth Muref and Ross and the seventh Cathanes which Mound a Mountain in the midst divideth running on forward from the West Sea to the East It was also according to the relation of Andrew Bishop of Cathanes severed into seven Territories which Mr. Cambden also taketh notice of as followeth The first from Frith or Scotwade to the River Tae the second to Hilef according as the Sea fetcheth a compass to the Mountain Athran in the North-east part of Strivelin the third from Hilef to d ee the fourth from Dee to the River Spe the fifth from the Spe to the Mountain Brunalban the sixth Mures and Ross and the Seventh the Kingdom of Argathel which is the Border of the Scots Modern division and its Inhabitants But the Kingdom at present according to the habitation of the People may be divided into Highland-men and Lowland-men or into the Northern and Southern parts The People of the former live either on the Western Coast and are very rude having much of the nature disposition speech and habit of the Tories or wild Irish or in the out Isles and are utterly Barbarous The Lowlanders as bordering on England have much of the disposition civility language and habit of the English and are supposed to be descended from the Saxons which is confirmed by the Highlanders who are the true Scoti and are supposed to descend from the Scythians who with the Getes infesting Ireland left their Issue behind them It s extent This Kingdom is very spacious extending it self from North to South about 250 miles in length and in breadth where broadest about 150 but contracting it self narrower and narrower as it approaches its extream Northern limits as doth appear by the Map It s name It is said to have been called Scotia from Scoti Scitti or Scythi a People of Germany over whose Northern limits the name Scythia did extend although there be many that will have it to be so called from Scota Daughter to an Egyptian Pharaoh It s fertility and commodities Although this Kingdom is less fertil than England and its Fruits not so plentiful nor so pleasing to the palate occasioned through the coldness of the Clime yet is it found to have great plenty of Cattle though but small and for Fish and Fowl an innumerable quantity amongst which is a
thrusteth it self forth into a Promontory called St. Abbs-head Kelso Kelso formerly famous for its Monastery which with thirteen others King David the First raised from the ground for the advancement of Gods glory It s chief places TEIFIDALE that is the Vale by the River Teifie or Teviat adjoyning to England a craggy hilly Country It s chief places are Roxburg Roxburg which gives name to a Territory adjoyning seated between the Rivers Tweed and Teifie once a place of great strength being defended by a Castle and towred Fortifications and here it was that King James the Second of Scotland was unfortunately slain by the breaking of a Cannon at the Siege Jedburgh Jedburgh a well frequented and inhabited Borough-Town seated near the confluence of the Rivers Teviat and Yed Peblis Peblis seated on the Tweed and a branch thereof a Market-Town of some account Merlos Merlos seated also on the Tweed formerly of note for its ancient Monastery of cloistered Monks that gave themselves to Prayer and to get their livings by their handy labour and this place holy King David restored and replenished with Cistertian Monks ESKDALE Eskdale a small Territory so called from a River which passeth through it its chief place was Aesica Aesica that ancient City wherein the Tribune of the first Band of the Astures kept Watch and Ward against the Northern Enemies EVSKDALE Euskdale another small Territory which takes its name from the River that watereth it LIDDISDALE Liddisdale also another small Territory which receiveth its name from the River that passeth through it It s chief places are Brankensey Brankensey c. Harlay and Armetage ANNADALE that is the Vale by the River Annan It s chief places are Annadale Annadale seated at the Mouth of the River Annan And Lough-Mahun Lough-Mahun a Town of good strength as well by Nature as Art nigh unto which is a strong Castle Of a fertil Soil NITHESDALE or NIDDESDALE a County so named from the River Nid which watereth it a County of a fertil Soil which beareth good Corn hath rich Meadows and Pastures and in the Solway which watereth its Southern part are taken great store of excellent Salmons which the Inhabitants for their Recreation oft-times hunt on Horse-back with Spears It s chief places are Dunfreys Dunfreys seated between two Hills and on the River Nid near its influx into the Solway once strengthned with a Castle a Town of good account for making of Woollen-Cloths out more remarkable for the Murther of John Cummin a man of great eminency amongst the Scotch who was slain by Robert Brus in the Church out of fear lest he should fore-close his way to the Kingdom Nigh unto this Town is Solway Solway a small place which seemeth to retain something of the old name of Selgovae Caer-Laverock seated at the Mouth of the Nid Caer-Laverock in former time of so great strength that for a good while it stoutly resisted the power of King Edward the First who besieged it Corda also a flourishing Town in former Ages Corda GALLOWAY a County so called of the Irish who once here inhabited in former times had Princes and Lords over it It is a Country much inclined to Hills which renders it more fit for Grasing than Tillage breeding abundance of small and well limbed Nags which for their nimbleness and hardiness are esteemed excellent for a Traveller And the Sea by which it is washed together with its Bays Creeks Meers and Loughs affords the Inhabitants store of excellent Fish It s chief places are Kircoubright the most commodious Port-Town on this Coast Kircoubright and the second Stewarty of Scotland Cardines a place or Fort of great strength as well by Nature as Art Cardines being seated on a craggy high Rock by the River Fleet and fenced about with strong Walls Wigton seated on a Bay of the Sea between the Rivers Cre and Bladno Wigton a good Haven-Town Not far from this Town and on the Sea-shoar Ptolomy placed the ancient City Leucopibia which is now called Wytherne and here it is said Ninia Leucopibia or Ninian a holy Britain who first instructed the South-Picts in the Christian Faith in the Reign of the Emperour Theodosius the younger had his Seat and built a Church to the honour of St. Martin CARRICT a County that hath rich Pastures and is well furnished with all necessaries both by Land and Sea where it beareth the name of Dunbritain-Frith a large and capacious Bay which with its Rivers and Loughs affords its Inhabitants plenty of Fish It s chief places are Barganie a place of great antiquity Arduntoun and Cosregall Barganie KYLE a fertil County and well inhabited and hath for its chief places Arduntoun Aire seated on a River so called where it looseth it self into the Frith Cosregal a place of some account being a Sheriffdom And Vchiltre Aire Uchiltre CVNNINGHAM also washed with Dunbritain-Frith a County no less commodious and fertil than pleasant being plentifully watered It s chief places are Irwin a Borough-Town seated on a River so called Irwin at its influx into the Frith where it hath a Haven though now choaked up Largis Largis where Alexander the Third destroyed abundance of the Norwegians And Androsan Androsan CLVDESDALE a County so called from the River Cluid that watereth it It s chief places are Glasco pleasantly scituate on the River Cluyd Glasco over which it hath a fair Bridge sustained by eight Arches It is a City of good account well frequented and inhabited enjoyeth a good Trade and is dignified with the See of an Archbishop as also with an Vniversity Douglass seated on a River and in a Vale so called Douglass Lanrick the Hereditary Sheriffdom of the Hamiltons Lanrick who take their name from Hamilton-Castle seated on the fruitful Bank of the Cluid Hamilton Reinfraw which gives name to a Barony Reinfraw Paslay in former times a famous Monastery Paslay founded by Alexander the Second High Steward of Scotland which for a stately Church with rich Furniture was inferiour to few LENNOX a County very Hilly and well watered with Rivers amongst which is the Cluid and the large Lough Lomond about 20 miles in length Lomond Lough and in breadth where broadest about 8 in which are many small Isles amongst which some are said to float about a place noted for great plenty of Fish especially for a Fish called a Polloc found no where else This County is honoured in giving Title to the Right Noble the Duke of Richmond and Lennox c. It s chief places are Dunbritton Dunbritton that is the Britains Town for that the Britains held it longest against the Scots Picts and Saxons being the strongest place in all the Kingdom as well by Nature as Art being loftily seated on a rough craggy and
two-headed Rock at the meeting of the Rivers near the large Lough Lomond and in a green Plain in one of the tops is or was placed a Watch-Tower and on the other several Fortifications or Bulwarks on the East-side it hath a boggy Flat which at every Tide is covered with water and on the South it hath the River Cluid Alcluyd Alcluyd an ancient City by some said to be the same Dunbritton Of a fertil Soil STRIVELING or STIRLING a County of a fertil Soil and well inhabited and here is that narrow Land or Streight by which Edenburgh-Frith and Dunbrith-Frith thrusting themselves far into the Land out of the East and West Seas are separated from meeting together which space was fortified with Garrisons between by Julius Agricola so that all the part on this side was in the possession of the Romans and their Enemies were forced to retire themselves into the more Northern and Hilly part of the Kingdom but this lasted not long for Agricola being called home the Caledonian Britains forced the Romans back as far as the River Tine and when Hadrian arrived in Britain about 40 years after instead of going farther he gave command that the God Terminus which used not to give ground to any should be withdrawn back and that a Wall of Turffs commonly now called Grahams-Dike should be made between the Rivers Tine and Eske Southward on this side Edenburgh-Frith for about 100 miles which proved successful unto them And along this Wall hath been oft-times found several Inscriptions and pieces of Romish Antiquities And of remark was that ancient round building 24 Cubits high and 13 broad open at the top and framed of rough and unpolished Stones without any Cement Lime and Morâ—ar some call this the Temple of the God Terminus others Arthur's Oven and others Julius Hoff as supposing it to be raised by Julius Caesar but Cambden would rather believe it to be built by Julius Agricola who fortified these parts had not Ninius said it was built by Garausius as a Triumphal Arch in memory of some Victory The chief places in this County are Stirling Stirling Striveling or Stirling-Borough a place of good strength and fortified with a powerful Castle high mounted on the brow of a steep Rock a place dignified with the birth of King James the Sixth of Scotland and First of England who afterwards caused it to be beautified with new Buildings Falkirke Falkirke c. Cumirnald and Torwood MENTEITH a County so called from the River Teith It s chief places are Dunblain Clackmannan Dunblain seated on the River Teith being the See of a Bishop and Clackmannan Of a very fertil Soil FIFE a fertil County in Corn and Pasturage hath Pit-Coal and the Sea with its two Arms Forth and Tau which almost encompass it affordeth store of Oysters and other Fish It s chief places are St. Andrews St. Andrews of old Regimund that is St. Regulus Mount which Vng or Oeng King of the Picts gave to God and St. Andrew that it should be the chief and Mother Church of the Picts Kingdom It is a City pleasantly seated on the Sea-shoar near Fif-ness is fortified with a fair and strong Castle is dignified with an Archiepiscopal See which is Primate of all Scotland and is also honoured by being the Seat of the Muses Disert Disert seated on the rising of a Hill and in an open Heath so called where there is a large place called the Cole-plot that affordeth good store of Bitumen Dunfirmling Dunfirmling a famous Monastery in old time and of note as well for its Building and being the Burial-place of King Malcomb the Third as for giving Title to the Earl of Dunfirmling Falkland Falkland well and pleasantly seated for Hunting for which purpose the Kings have had here their Retiring-house Cupre Cupre a Borough-Town of some note STRATHERNE that is the Vale along the River Ern hath for its chief places Abergenny Abergenny once a City of good account being the Royal Seat of the Picts Kings which as 't is said Nectane their King dedicated to God and St. Bridget with a Tract of ground thereto belonging Drimein Drimein-Castle well seated on the River Ern. Tulibardin Tulibardin-Castle scituate also on the same River ARGILE a County well furnished with Pools in which together with the Sea and its many Arms which it sendeth forth are taken great plenty of good Fish and in its Mountains are bred a kind of wild Deer Places of good account are none in this County LORNE a Country of an apt Soil for bearing of Barley is well watered being divided by the large Lough or Lake called Leane It s chief places are Dunstafage Dunstafage seated near the said Lake once dignified with a House of the Kings Tarbar Tarbar where King James the Fourth ordained a Justice and a Sheriff to administer Justice to the Inhabitants of the out-Isles Bergonum and Bergonum CANTTRE that is the Lands-head as thrusting it self forth with a long and tapered Promontory which Ptolomy called the Promontory Epidiorum This County seated near Ireland Kiltan Sandell between the extream point of which and Marlock or Tor-Bay in Ireland there are scarce 13 miles It s chief places are Killtan and Sandell Isle of Arran ARRAN a small County and Isle near unto Cantire hath for its chief places Arran and Rothsay The Highlanders ALBAINE or BRAID-ALBIN whose Inhabitants are called the Highlanders a kind of rude and warlike People and much of the nature of the Irish in habit and disposition It s chief places are Enrer Lothea and Foyre PERCH a large and fertil County hath for its chief places Perch Perch or St. John's Town a place of good account and once larger than now it is being built by King William it is pleasantly seated between two Greens and on the River Tau which is navigable for Barges Dunkelden Dunkelden dignified by King David with an Episcopal See supposed to be a Town of the Caledonians Berch Also on the Tau stood the little City of Berch which was washed away by the overflowings of the said River together with many of its Inhabitants amongst which was an Infant-Child of the Kings in its Cradle Scone Scone seated on the farther side of the Tau dignified with an Inauguration of the Scotch Kings before their Union to England Westminster now being the place and where the Chair in which the Kings were then Crowned is which is at present made use of upon the like occasion Caladonia Wood. ATHOL an indifferent fertil County and well clothed with Wood where is that large and overshadowed Wood Caladonia already treated of a Country said to be infamous for Witches It s chief place is Blaire Very fertil and well watered ANGVIS a fertil County both for Corn and rich Pastures is well watered with several Rivers which lose
its Buildings especially in its Suburbs which is severed from the City by a Wall which gives entrance by six Gates As touching the Trade of this Kingdom I shall include it under this City as being the chief place of Traffick The Commodities exported are the product of the Country already treated of and those imported are all sorts of English Commodities especially Apparel Silks Stuffs c. also Wines Oils and several other Commodities Their Coins as being under the Jurisdiction of England have correspondency therewith and are here currant as also those of Spain and an Irish Pound which consisteth of 20 s. is but 15 s. sterling which makes their Shilling but 9 d. sterling And as to their Weights and Measures they are the same with those of England where see further Wickle seated on the Sea Wickle where over the narrow Haven there standeth a Rock enclosed with a strong Wall instead of a Castle and serveth for a place of defence New-Castle a Town which regardeth the Sea Newcastle where there are Shelves of Sand which they call the Grounds reaching a great length between which and the Shoar is said to be about seven Fathom water Houth seated on the River Liffy at its fall into the Sea Houth which almost encloseth it Malcheal also seated on the Sea Malcheal nigh unto which is a small Isle called Lambey County of East-Meath described EAST-MEATH a County watered with the noble River Boyn which cutteth the Country into two parts and after it hath received the Waters of Lough-Ranmore dischargeth it self into the Sea It is severed into twelve Baronies viz. Moyfenragh Dunboyne Ratoth Duleeke Kells Morgallon Skreen Navan Lune Slane Foore and Decce And hath for its chief place Trim seated on the River Boyne a Town of good account and Trade Trim. Aboy a well inhabited and frequented Town Aboy Navan Drodagh Slane Navan Drodagh and Slane which also hath a Barony County of West-Meath described WEST-MEATH so called as lying Westwards as the other is for lying Eastwards It is divided into twelve Baronies viz. Farbill Moyeashell Clunlonan Brawney Moygoish Delvin Corkery Demyfoore Maheredernon Rathconrath Kilkenny-west and Fartullagh And hath for its chief places Molingar the chief Shire-Town Molingar as being commodiously seated in the midst of the County Delvin seated on the Summit of a Hill a Town dignified with a Barony Delvin and Kelskery Kelskery County of Longford described LONGFORD a County almost encompassed with Lakes and Rivers amongst which is the Shannon the noblest River in the Kingdom It is severed into six Baronies viz. Ardagh Granard Moydow Longford Rathline and Abbyshrewle And hath for its chief places Longford which gives name to the County seated on the Lake Eske Longford or rather on the Shannon Ardragh another good Town Ardragh County of Kildare described KILDARE a rich and fertil County severed into ten Baronies viz. Salt Nass Ikeathy or Oughtereney Claine Connel Magna Carbury Ophaly Noragh and Rabane Kilkullen half Kilcah and Moon Whose chief places are Kildare a fair Inland Town being well frequented defended by a Castle Kildare and dignified with the See of a Bishop A place much celebrated in the Infancy of the Irish Church for its St. Brigid an holy Virgin who was the Disciple of St. Patrick Mainoth defended by a Castle and is a place of good account Mainoth and well frequented Naas Athie Naas and Athie seated on the River Barrow both Towns of some account Kings County described KINGS COVNTY so called in honour to Philip King of Spain Husband to Mary Queen of England It is divided into ten Baronies viz. Cooles-Town Philips-Town Marrius-Town Ballicowen Kilcoursey Balliboy Clonliske Garricastle Ballibritt and Fercale And hath for its chief places Philips-Town or Kings-Town Philips-Town Queens-Town described QVEENS COVNTY full of Boggs and Woods is divided into eight Baronies viz. Balliadams Vpper-Ossery Portnehinch Tenehinch Cullinagh Mary-burrough Slewmargigh and Stradbally And hath for its chief places Queens-Town a place of good account and is the chief in the County Queens-Town Rheban once a City but at present of small note Rheban County of Caterlough described CATERLOVGH a fertil County and well clothed with Wood. It is severed into five Baronies viz. Ravilly Caterlough Forth Idronye and St. Mullin in part And hath for its chief places Caterlough Caterlough seated on the River Barrow of good account and strength Leighlin Leighlin also seated on the Barrow once dignified with an Episcopal See Tullo Tullo seated on the River Slane Carickbrak Areklo Carickbrak and Areklo which two last are seated on the Sea County of Wexford described WEXFORD or WEISFORD washed by the Sea a County in former time according to Ptolomy possessed by the Menapians a sort of People which came out of Low-Germany It is divided into eight Baronies viz. Gory Scarwalsh Ballagheene Bantry Shellmaleere Forth Bargy and Sheelburne And hath for its chief places Wexford Wexford supposed to be the ancient City Menapa scituate at the Mouth of the River Slane where it hath a good Haven a fair Town and of note for being the first Town that imbraced a Colony of English as also for its Herring-fishing which makes it to be well inhabited and frequented Ross Ross seated on the River Barrow which after a small course falleth into a Bay or Arm of the Sea Ternes Ternes scituate on the Slane dignified with the See of a Bishop and was in former time fortified with a Castle Eniscort Eniscort a Borough and Town Corporate County of Kilkenny described KILKENNY a very fertil County well graced with Towns is divided into ten Baronies viz. Gowran Fassaghdining Kilkenny Cranagh Galmey Callen Iverke Sheelelogher Kells Knocktopher Ida-Igrin and Ibercon And hath for its chief places Kilkenny Kilkenny seated on the River Nur which traverseth the County a fair and wealthy Borough-Town far exceeding all other Mid-land Borough-Towns in the Kingdom It is divided into the English and the Irish Town that part belonging to the English being fenced on the West-side by a Wall and defended by a Castle and that part which belongeth to the Irish being as it were the Suburbs is of the greatest Antiquity having in it the Canicks Church and is honoured with the See of the Bishop of Ossery Thomas Town Thomas Town seated beneath the River Nur a small walled Town Callan Callan seated on a River so called a Borough and Town Corporate Religious Houses Amongst the places in this Province set apart for Divine Worship these following were of great note viz. the stately Abbey called Thomas Court at Dublin built by King Henry the Second in expiation of the Murther of Thomas Archbishop of Canterbury the Monasteries of St. Maries of Oustmanby and Tintern and the Abbey founded by William Marshall Earl
great plenty of Wheat A place so surfeiting of Delights that the vile Impostor Mahomet would never enter into it lest by the ravishing Pleasures of this place he should forget the business he was sent about and make this his Paradise This City is famous first for her Founders who were Abrahams Servants next for the Temple of Zacharias which was garnished with 40 stately Porches and adorned with about 9000 Lanthorns of Gold and Silver and last of all for the Conversion of St. Paul who here first preached the Gospel for which he was forced to make his escape out of the House being let down the Walls in a Basket Josephus believeth that it was built by Vs the Son of Abraham Grandchild to Noah However it were after Type and Sidon began to decay this began to be in some repute and hath been esteemed the chief City of Phoenicia and sometimes of all Syria It is beyond Mount Libanus in respect to Tyre and Sidon seated in a Soll so fertil and delightful by reason of the Rivers and Fountains that in Holy Scripture it is called a famous City a City of Joy a House of Delight and Pleasure and some Authors call it the Paradise of the World Yet hath it felt very great changes as well as Tyre and Sidon It hath been taken retaken ruined and re-established divers times by the Assyrians Babylonians Persians Macedonians Romans Parthians Saracens Tartars by the Soldans of Egypt and in fine by the Turks in whose hands it is at present very flourishing and rich The Houses of private persons are not so fair without as within the publick Buildings are very beautiful the Castle is in the middle of the City built by a Florentine 4. Serepta seated on the Sea Coast betwixt Tyre and Sidon memorable in Holy Scripture for the Prophet Elijah in raising from death the poor Widows Son Here is found excellent Wines accounted as good as those of Grece 5. Acre of old Acon and Ptolemais is bounded with the Sea on two sides the third is joyned to a Plain of the Continent The City is very strong being walled with a double Wall fortified throughout on the out-side with Towers and Bulwarks and in the middle of the City a strong Castle on the top of which there was every Night set Lights which served to direct Ships at Sea to their Port. The Plain is fertil and well watered with Streams which descend from the Neighbouring Mountains The Christians took lost and retook this place divers times when they made War into the Holy Land in which none more famous than Richard the First and Edward the First both Kings of England The same did likewise the Saracens the Soldans of Egypt ruined it and after re-built it and at present it remains in the hands of the Turks 6. Tripoli of Syria for distinction from Tripoli of Barbary seated in a rich Plain is at this day by some esteemed the Metropolis of Phoenicia thought it hath three times more Ruins than whole Houses and seated about two miles from the Sea but not above half a mile from its Haven which formerly served for a Port to Aleppo but since removed to Alexandretta or Scanderone But yet a place of some small Trade affording Corn Cotton-Wool Yarn Silk some Drugs Pot-Ashes and other Commodities The Buildings are generally low and the Streets narrow excepting those which lead towards Aleppo which are fair and broad having many pleasant Gardens which are watered with delightful Streams in which Gardens they keep great quantities of Silk-Worms The Soil is excellent good if it were well tilled but the Air is unhealthful 7. Biblus now Gibbeleth was the habitation of Ciniras the Father of Myrrha Mother to the fair Adonis from whence the neighbouring River took its name remarkable in the infancy of Christianity for being the See of a Bishop but now by the Turks made desolate And 8. Barutt or Beryte a place formerly of great Trade but now of great concourse and much frequented by Merchants and others it being the Road for all those Caravans that travel from Aleppo Damascus and Jerusalem to Cairo and Mecca It is subject to the Grand Signior Near to this Town is that noted Valley where as some Authors say St. George by killing the Dragon which had his abode in a Cave here redeemed the Kings Daughter which was to be delivered to his fury PALESTINE Palestine bounded PALESTINE formerly called Judaea Canaan or the Holy Land is bounded on the East with Mount Hermon so much spoken of in Holy Scripture on the South with part of Arabia Petraea on the West with the Mediterranean Sea and part of Phoenicia and on the North with the Anti-Libanus which separates it from Syria and the rest of Phoenicia It s scituation is between the Third and Fourth Climates which makes the longest day to be 14 hours and a quarter So populous that before the coming in of the Israelites they had 30 Kings and afterwards David numbred 1300000 Fighting men besides those of the Tribe of Benjamin and Levi. This last and most Meridional part of Syria which we call Palestine first received the name of the Land of Canaan because the Children of Canaan first seised it and parted it amongst them when God had promised it to Abraham and his Posterity it was called the Land of Promise but when it fell into the hands of the Hebrews after their return from Egypt and that they had divided it by Tribes it took the name of the Land of the Hebrews under which it was governed by Prophets Judges and Kings but under these Kings it was soon divided into two Realms which they called Judah and Israel Under the Romans it was only known by the name of Judea or Palestine of Judea because that the Tribe of Judah was always the most powerful of the Twelve and the Kingdom of Judah the most noble and preserved it self longer than that of Israel of Palestina because the Philistines which possessed a part of the Maritim Coast of Judea were powerful and very well known to Strangers After the death of our Saviour Jesus Christ all this Country was called the Holy Land A description of the Jews and their Religion The People which anciently possest this Country were the Jews being of a middle stature strong of body of a black complexion goggle-ey'd a subtle and ingenious people and such as will live in any place much given to Traffick Usury and Brokage not lending without Pledges and taking the forfeitures of them Their Law or Religion was given them by God the Father which with the several Ceremonies and Rites c. prescribed to them may be found in the five first Books of Moses their Synagogues are neither fair within nor without save only adorned with a Curtain at the upper end together with several Lamps and in the midst is placed a Scaffold in form of a Reading-Desk for their Priest which readeth their Law and sings their Liturgy
the Castle of St. Elmo doth merit fame not only for its buildings which are curious but for the entertainment there given to those that fall sick where the Knights themselves lodge when sick or wounded to receive cure where they are exceeding well attended have excellent good dyet served by the Junior Knights in silver and every friday visited by the Grand Master accompanied with the great Crosses a service which was from the first institution commanded and thereupon called Knights Hospitallers Here are as Sandys saith three Nunneries one for Virgins another for Bastards and the third for penitent Whores Castle of St. Elmo The Castle of St. Elmo is at the end of the City of Valetta towards the Sea and at the opening of two Ports During the siege of Malta it was taken and sackt by the Turks after having wasted 18000 Cannonshot given divers assaults and lost 4000 men of their best Militia among others Dragut one of their most famous Coursaiers The Christians lost 1300 men among whom many Knights But this Fort was restored to a far better Estate than before and is separated from the City only by a ditch cut likewise in the Rock on the other side and on the point of the Borgo is the Fort of St. Angelo and likewise above the Borgo and the Isle of Sengle have been made new works to hinder the Turks from lodging there Besides these three Cities and the Forts about them the ancient City of Malta Medina is in the middle of the Island on an easie ascending hill and in an advantagious scituation The Turks assaulted it in 1551 but soon retired The Bishop of the Isle hath here his residence and near the City is yet the Grotte and Chapel of St. Paul where they believe he preached and where he lay when he suffered shipwrack and this place is of great account among them All these Cities and Forts have 250 or 300 pieces of Cannon on their Rampart The Isle very strong and well provided for War and their Magazins are so well provided with Powder Shot Wood Bisket Salt-meats and all Provisions and Ammunition that they call it Malta Flor del Mondo Malta the Flower of the World being provided alwaies with Ammunitions and Provisions for a three years siege yet this is to be understood not only because of its Fortifications and Ammunitions but likewise because of its force and the resolution of its Knights The Order of Knighthood first instituted This order of Knighthood according to Sandys received their denomination from John the charitable Patriarch of Alexandria though vowed to St. John Baptist as their Patron Their first seat was the Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem built by one Gerrard at the same time when the Europeans had something to do in the Holy-Land where they received such good success and became so famous that they drew divers worthy persons into this society which by Pope Gelasius the second was much approved of He saith that one Raymond was the first Master of this Order who did amplifie their Canons and entituled himself The poor servant of Christ and Guardian of the Hospital in Jerusalem and at the allowance of one Honorius the second were apparelled in black garments signed with a White-Cross this Order we have said began at Jerusalem and at first meddled not but with the Government of the Hospital of St. John and were called Fryers Hospitallers or simply Hospitallers as those of the Temple Templers but when these Hospitallers were constrained to make profession both of Hospitality and Arms they were called Knights Hospitallers or Knights of the Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem These Knights oft forced to remove their habitations after the loss of Jerusalem they held their Convent in the City and Fortress of Margatt then in Aicre or Ptolomaido and all the Latine Christians being driven from the Holy Land and from Souria they retired into Cyprus But during their stay in Cyprus they gained Rhodes and established themselves there so powerfully that they were called Knights of Rhodes Margaret was taken from them in 1285. Aicre in 1291 little less than 200 years after Godfrey of Bulloin had Conquered the Holy Land and this order began before after the loss of Aicre they lived in Cyprus from 1291 to 1309. in which year they took and settled in Rhodes and maintained it more than 100 years sustaining four sieges till in 1522 Sultan Solyman became Master of Rhodes they then retired into Europe now into one place and then into another and in fine to Malta which Charles the fifth gave them in 1530. with some little neighbouring Isles as likewise the City of Tripoly in Barbary which they could keep no longer then 1551. that place being too far engaged in the Enemies Country These Knights are of divers Nations and are divided into eight Tongues to wit of Province of Auvergne of France of Italy of Arragon of England of Germany and of Castile so that the three first are in France and the last in Castile each Tongue contains many Priories and each Priory many Commanderies these three Tongues which are in France have near 300 Commanderies The other five Tongues which are in Italy Arragon England Germany and Castile made near 400. but there are no more in England England the Kings of England when they confiscated the goods of the Church having likewise seized the goods and Commanderies of the Knights of Malta and in Germany a part of these Commanderies being fallen into the hands of Lutherans and Calvinists serve no longer so that at present France alone furnishes little less than half the Commanderies of Malta And it hath been observed that from the first establishment of this Order unto this very present of 57 great Masters there hath been 37 French only 4 or 5 Italians 7 or 8 Spaniards and 11 whose Nation and Tongue the History could not observe but apparently the most part were French since this Order began by the French of these 34 known 12 were in the Holy-Land and in Souria 13 in Rhodes and 〈◊〉 in Malta unto Father Paul of Lascaris of every one there is a Grand Prior who lives in great reputation in his Country who orders the affairs of their Order and for England St. Johns by Clarken-well in times past was a mansion of the Grand-Prior There are several Councels among these Knights Their Government as that for deciding of differences which may happen among them the Councel of War the General Chapter which may augment or moderate the Authority of the great Master renew the Ordinances and Government of the Religion or their Order and which is held every five years The Ceremonies performed in making these Knights The Ceremonies used in Knighting are these which follow first being cloathed in a long loose garment he goeth to the Altar with a Taper in his hand of White Wax where he kneeleth down and desires the Order of the Ordinary then
four Seasons by any remarkable thing hapning in them They are of a middle stature The People of Canada well proportioned disposed to running and swimming of an olive or tawny colour because they go for the most part naked often anointing themselves with a certain Oyl to hinder the Flies from tickling them they wear few Ornaments on their bodies though their Women do making themselves Necklaces Bracelets and Scarfs formerly of Fishes Shells Porcelain c. now of Glass Chrystal and Toys carried hence Customs observed among them They make Feasts at their Marriages at their Victories at the reception of their friends and take much Tobacco They eat sometimes the flesh of their enemies which they have taken in the War and fed well before whom they kill with excessive cruelties They use Bows and Arrows in which they are very expert FLORIDA FLORIDA may be esteemed a part of New France since the French were the first that established there any Colony by the consent of the people of the Country It may likewise be esteemed part of New Spain since at present the Castilians have two Colonies under the Jurisdiction of the Audience of S. Domingo one of the four Audiences of New Spain but these two Colonies are so weak and so near the one to the other and the Country is so that that is not considerable We may say that Florida is between new France and new Spain and that it extends it self from the River of Palmas which bounds it from the Province of Panuco in new Spain unto the River Jordan which divides it from Virginia which I have esteemed in Canada or New France It s Coast The greatest part of its Coast is on the Gulph of Mexico which flows on its South Another part on Mer del Nort which washes it on the East Between this Gulph and the Sea Florida stretches out a Peninsula towards the South where the Cape of Florida is not distant from the Port of Matnasas in the Isle of Cuba above 35 or 40 Leagues The more Western Coast of Florida reaches 450 Leagues the Eastern 150 the Peninsula between both advancing 150 Leagues from the Coast and not being above 60 or 75 Leagues broad makes yet another Coast of 350 Leagues so that all Florida hath not much less than 1000 Leagues of Coast on the Sea The Castilians have no Colony on the Gulph of Mexico nor on the Coast where the French have formerly been Those two Colonies they have here are St. Augustine and St. Mathew 15 or 16 Leagues one from the other on the Eastern Coast of the Peninsula and there where it approaches the Coast where the French had settled the North and West of Florida is enclosed with Mountains which divides it from New France and New Mexico St. Augustine which is the best and strongest of the two Colonies was taken and pillaged by Sir Francis Drake in Anno 1585. Florida first discovered by the English FLORIDA was first discovered in 1496 by the English under the Conduct of Sebastian Gabott whom Henry the Seventh King of England sent to seek by the West a passage to fall into the East he contented himself to have seen the Country yet unknown and to make report thereof to his Master afterwards better searched into by John de Ponce of Leon Also by John de Ponce and others who in 1512 would have established a Colony for his Master the King of Castile were it not for the resistance of the Country made against him who oftentimes made him retreat and at last forced him to return to Puerto Ricco of which place he was Governour where on a desperate wound in his last encounter which he there received he ended his life In 1524 Lucas Vasques of Aillon and some other Spaniards landed divers times at Florida with no other design than to take away its Inhabitants whom they transported to Hispaniola and Cuba to work in their Mines wherein they had already consumed the greatest part of its Inhabitants Pamphilus Narvaes was likewise there in 1528 who traversed it as far as the Mountains of Apalachi where he hoped to find Gold The most famous landing that the Spaniards have ever made in Florida was in 1534 Ferdinand Soto his landing here under the conduct of Ferdinando Soto who being rich with the spoils he had gained in his Conquest of Peru led hither 350 Horse and 900 Foot with which force he traversed Florida almost on all sides without endeavouring to bind a Colony much molesting those of the Country by whom he was in like manner turmoyled during the many years he coasted it till in the end not finding those riches he expected he died with grief and was buried at the bottom of a River for fear lest his body should fall into the hands of his Enemies His people returned in 1543 there remaining about 30 Horse and 300 Foot All the advantage Soto received by his travel was the giving the name of Florida to the Country either because he arrived there the day of Pasquae Floriae or because that landing he found the herbs and flowers in their prime and verdure In 1549 the Emperor Charles the Fifth and the Council of the Indies thought it not good to send any more Armed men but rather some Religious persons to sweeten the fierce humours of these barbarous people Lewis of Barbastre Lewis of Barbastre a Benedict massacred here of the Order of St. Benedict went with some other Fathers but presently those of the Country seized and massacred him with his two Companions fleaing them and hanging their skins at the doors of the Cabanes the rest saved themselves by retiring into those Ships that brought them The French were not in Florida save under the Reign of Charles the Ninth Francis Ribaut was sent in 1562. He made alliance with those of the Country and built the Fort Caroline on the River May. Ribaut being returned to France with promise to bring thither more people but too long delaying his return his men grew diffident and mutinous and built a strange kind of Vessel and with the small stock of provisions they could stow in her put to Sea where they endured so great want that they were forced to cast lots to eat one another which fell first to him who had been the cause of their discord An Exploit of the Spaniards Rene Laudoniere returned in 1564 restored the Fort Caroline but the Castilians jealous to see this establishment near their New Spain resolved to drive them thence they landed with show of no design against the French but their intentions were otherwise for in the end they surprized the Fort out of which Laudionere could scarce save himself took Ribaut on the Sea who had before been Shipwrack'd hanged the Souldiers and flead Ribaut as Lescarbott saith Another by the French In 1567 Dominic de Gourgues a Gascon and of Mont de Marsan made an attempt of his own head
weather they make their Webs so strong that ofttimes Birds are entangled and catched in them Cocheneil and Tobacco with some Pearls and Amber It s chief Commodities are their principal Riches for which they have a good trade Their Governour is sent them by the King of England who governs them by our English Laws whom they also own as their Supream and it is observed that scarce any are found to die but with Old age MEXICANE with its several Audiences of MEXICO whose Provinces with their chief Places are those of FLORIDA St. Hellens Port Royal St. Matthews St. Augustin St. Jago Naguater MEXICO particularly so called Mexico Chulula Tezcuco Quitlavaca Queretaro Mestitlan Cuyocan Acapulco PANUCO St. Jago de los Valles Pabuco St. Lewis de Tempue MECHOACAN Mechoacan Colima St. Philip. THASCALA Thascala los Angelos GUAXACA Antequera Spiritu Sancto TABASCO Nos Sen. de la Victoria JUCATAN Merida Campeche GUADALAJABA whose Provinces with their chief Places are those of GUADALAJARA Guadalajara St. Maria de las lagos XALISCO Compostella la Purification Xalisco CHIAMETLAN St. Sebastian CULLACAN St. Michael Pâ—astâ—â— CINALOA St. John LOS ZACATECAS Zacatecas Nombre de Dios. NEW BISCAY St. John St. Barbara QUIVIRA St. Fee ANIAN CIBOLA Cibola CALIFORNIA Port de Montere Port de Roque GUATEMALA whose Provinces with their chief Places are those of GUATEMALA St. Jago the Guatemala St. Salvador la Trinidad St. Michael Xeres VERA PAX Vera Pax. SOCONUSCO Guevetlan CHIAPA Cuidad Real HONDURAS Valadolid Gratias di Dios Truxillo St. George de Olancho NICARAGUA Leon Granada Jaen COSTARICA Cartago Nicoya Castro de Austrio VERAGUA la Conception Trinadad Sancta Feo Parita St. DOMINGO In which are the Isles of ANTILLES or CAMERCANES otherwise called the Isles of LUCAYES and the CARIBE Isles the chief among which are those of CUBA St. Jago St. Spiritus Porto del Principe St. Christophoro JAMAICA St. Jago Port Royal Passage Melilla HISPANIOLA St. Domingo Porto del la Platâ— St. Jago Monto Christo SAONA St. Juan del puerto Rico St. Germain BOREQUEM St. Juan del Puerto Rico. St. CRUX St. CHRISTOPHERS Sandy point Basse terre NIEVES ANTEGO MONT SERRAT GUADELOUPE MARIGALANTE MARTINIQUE St. OLOUZIA BARBADOS St. Michaels Little Bristol St. James Charles Town St. VINCENT GRENADO BARBADA ANGUILLA DOMINICA MEXICO OR New Spain MEXICO or NEW SPAIN is the fairest and most famous part of America Septentrionalis and sometimes the Spaniards comprehended under this name all that America We may esteem that which belongs to the Catholick King for the greatest part in which we shall have several Provinces and all comprised under four Audiences or Courts of Parliament viz. that of St. Domingo of Mexico which bears the particular name of New Spain of Guadalajara or Nova Gallicia and of Guatimala The Audience of St. Domingo The Audience of St. DOMINGO hath under it all those Islands which are before the Gulph of Mexico then Florida which is North-West of them and in America Septentrionalis and Venezuela New Andalousia and Rio del Hacha which are towards the South of them and in America Meridionalis The Audience of Mexico and its Provinces The Audience of MEXICO hath the Provinces of Mexico Panuco Mechoacan Tlascala Guaxaca Tavasco and Jucatan That of Panuco is North of Mexico Meochan West Tlascala East Guaxaca Tavasco and Jucatan continuing likewise towards the East The two last lie wholly upon Mer del Nort Guaxaca and Tlascala on the two Seas of North and South Mexico and Mechoacan only on that of the South and Panuco on that of the North. The Audience of Guadalajara and its Provinces The Audience of GVADALAJARA contains the Provinces of Guadalajara Xalasco Los Zacatecas Chiametlan Cinaloa some add New Biscany and others likewise Cibola Quivira Anian California c. New Biscany and Los Zacatecas touch not the Sea Guadalajara little to wit between Xalisco and Chiametlan and these begin on Mer del Sud Others advance themselves far into that which they call Mer Vermejo or the Red Sea the Isle of California being on the other side The Audience of Guatimala and its Provinces The Audience of GVATIMALA South-East of that of Mexico continues between the Seas del Nort and del Sud advancing towards America Meridionalis There are under it the Provinces of Guatimala Soconusco Chiapia Vera Pax Honduras Nicaragua and Castorica and these two last lie on both Seas Honduras and Vera Pax on the Gulph of Honduras towards the Mer del North Chiapa within Land Guatimala and Soconusco on the Mer del Sud The Audience of MEXICO so called from its principal City now known by the name of Nova Hispania and by this City of Mexico the Spaniards began to make themselves absolute Lords of all these Quarters Which before their arrival was very populous but in the space of 16 or 17 years destroyed above six Millions of its Inhabitants by cruel and unchristian-like deaths as roasting some cutting off the Members of others putting out the Eyes of others casting others alive to be torn in pieces and devoured by wild Beasts and the like horrid deaths and only to act their Tyranny over them rather than to reduce them to obedience which might have been otherwise obtained without shedding so much Blood The City of Mexico described This City was called by its ancient Inhabitants Tonoxtitlan and was the residence of their Kings and is at present the fairest of all America seated in the midst of a Lake in some places 10 Leagues long and 7 or 8 broad having 25 or 30 Leagues circuit It is not joyned to the Main Land but by 3 Caus-waies of which that towards the West is but 3 quarters of a League long that towards the North a League and an a half and the last 3 Leagues It was by this last that Cortez and the Spaniards made their approaches and took the City All this Lake is salt but there falls into it another almost of the same bigness which is fresh and good to drink both together are 45 or 50 Leagues circuit in which are said to be about 50000 Wherries continually seen to row and carry Passengers they have about 50 Burgs or Towns on their Banks whereof some have once been esteemed great Cities The salt Lake yields quantity of Salt the other so much Fish that its Fishing hath been farmed for 100000 Crowns yearly In this City may be found 4000 Natural Spaniards 30000 Indians or Americans there having heen formerly 200000 20000 Negroes and its Jurisdiction contains 250 Towns of which some have their Schools more than 3000 some say 6000 Estancia's that is Farms and in all 500000 Americans Tributaries The residence of a Vice-Roy c. It is the residence of the Vice-Roy of America Septentrionalis as also of an Archbishop and many other Officers of Justice of the Mint and of the Inquisition It hath a famous Academy 150 Monasteries for the one and the