foreign Countries to that Countries great benefit and Englands great praise 9 The Trade thereof with other provisions for the whole are vented through eighteen Market-Towns in this Shire whereof Winchester the Britains Caer Gwent the Romans Venta Belgarum in chief ancient enough by our British Historians as built by King Budhudthras nine hundred years before the Nativity of Christ and famous in the Romans times for the weavings and embroderies therein wrought to the peculiar uses of their Emperours own persons In the Saxons time after two Calamities of consuming fire her walls was raised and the City made the Royal Seat of their West Saxons Kings and the Metropolitan of their Bishops See wherein Egbert and Elfred their most famous Monarchs were Crowned and Henry the third the Normans longest Reigner first took breath And here King Aethelstane erected six Houses for his Mint but the Danish desolation over running all this City felt their fury in the days of King Ethelbright and in the Normans time twice was defaced by the mis-fortune of fire which they again repaired and graced with the trust of keeping the publick Records of the Realm In the civil wars of Maud and Stephen this City was sore sacked but again received breath was by King Edward the third appointed the place for Mart of Wool and Cloth The Caehedral Church built by Kenwolf King of the West-Saxons that had been Amphibalus S. Peters Swethins and now holy Trinitie is the Sanctuary for the ashes of many English Kings for herein great Egbert anno 836. with his son King Ethelwolf 857. Here Elfred Oxfords founder 901. with his Queen Elswith 904. Here the first Edmund before the Conquest 924. with his sons Elfred and Elsward Here Edred 955. and Edwy 956. both Kings of England Here Emme 1052. with her Danish Lord Canute 1035. and his son Hardicanute 1042. And here lastly the Normaus Richard and Rufus 1100. were interred their bones by Bishop Fox were gathered and shrined in little gilt coffers fixed upon a wall in the Quire where still they remain carefully preserved This Cities situation is fruitful and pleasant in a valley under hills having her River on the East and Castle on the West the circuit of whose walls are well near two English miles containing one thousand eight hundred and eighty paces through which openeth six gates for entrance and therein are seven Churches for divine Service besides the Minister and those decayed such as Callender Ruell Chappell S. Maries Abbey and the Friers without the Suburbs and Sooke in the East is S. Peteâ—s and in the North Hyde Church and Monastery whose ruins remaining shew the beauâ—y that formerly it bare The graduation of this City by the Mathematicks is placed for Latitude in the Degree 51 10 minutes and for Longitude 19 3 minutes 10 More South is South-hampton a Town populous rich and beautiful from whom the whole Shire deriveth her name most strongly walled about with square stone containing in circuit one thousand and two hundred paces having seven Gates for entrance and twenty nine Towers for defence two very stately Keys for Ships arrivage and five fair Churches for Gods divine Service besides an Hospital called Gods-house wherein the unfortunate Richard Earle of Cambridge beheaded for treason lieth interred On the West of this Town is mounted a most beautifull Castle in form Circular and wall within wall the foundation upon a hill so topped that it cannot be ascended but by stairs carrying a goodly prospect both by Land and Sea and in the East without the walls a goodly Church sometimes stood called S. Maries which was pulled down for that it gave the French direction of course who with fire had greatly endangered the Town instead thereof is newly erected a small and unfinished Chappel In this place saith learned Cambden stood the ancient Clausentium or Fort of the Romans whose circuit on that side extended it self to the Sea this suffered many depredations by the Saxon Pirates and in Anno 980. was by the Danes almost quite overthrown In King Edward the thirds time it was fired by the French under the Conduct of the King of Sicils son whom a Countrey man encountred and struck down with his Club he crying Rancon that is Ransome but he neither understandiog his language nor the Law that Arms doth allow laid on more soundly saying I know thee a Frankon and therefore shalt thou die And in Richard the seconds time it was somewhat removed and built in the place where now it standeth In this Clausentium Canute to evict his flatterers made trial of his Deity commanding the Seas to keep back from his seat But being not obeyed he acknowledged God to be the onely supreme Governour and in a religious devotion gave up his Crown to the Rood at Winchester More ancient was Silcester built by Constantius great Constantines son whose Monument they say was seen in in that City and where another Constantine put on the purple robe against Honorius ' as both Ninius and Gervase of Canterbury do withess Herein by our Historians record the warlike Arthur was Crowned Whose greatness for circuit contained no less than fourscore Acres of ground and the walls of great height yet standing two miles in compass about This City by the Danish Rovers suffered such wrack that her mounted tops were never since seen and her Hulke the walls immured to the middle of the earth which the rubbish of her own desolations hath filled 11 Chief Religious houses within this County erected and again suppressed were these Christ's-Church Beaulieu Whâ—rwall Rumsey Redbridge Winchester Hyde South-hampton and Tichfield The honour of this Shire is dignified with the high Titles of Marquess and them Earls of VVinchester and South-hampton whose Arms of Families are as thou seest and her division into thirty seven Hundreds and those again into two Hundred fifty three Parishes WIGHT ISLAND VVIGHT ILAND CHAPTER VII WIGHT ILAND was in times past named by the Romans Vecta Vectis and Vectâ—sis by the Britains Guyth and in these days usually called by us The Lsle of Wight it belongeth to the County of South-hampton and lieth out in length over against the midst of it South-ward It is encompassed round with the British Seas and severed from the Main-land that it may seem to have been conjoyned to it and thereof it is thought the British name Guyth hath been given unto it which betokeneth separation even as Sicily being broken off and cut from Italy got the name from Secando which signifieth cutting 2 The form of this Isle is long and at the midst far more wide than at either end From Binbridge Isle in the East to Hurst Castle in the West it stretcheth out in length 20 miles and in breadth from Newport haven Northward to Chale-bay Southward 12 miles The whole in circumference is about sixty miles 3 The Air is commended both for health and delight whereof the first is witnessed by the long continuance of the Inhabitants in
lieth about five leagues North-West from Iersey and is compaâ—â—ed like to her neighbour with the British Sea It lieth in length from Plymouth-Bay South-West to Lancroâ—se de Anckers North-East thirteen miles in breadth from S. Martins-point South-East to the Howe North-West nine miles and is in circuit thirty six miles The Emperour Antonine having the rule and dominion of France at that time called Gaul from whence the word Gallia is derived did name this Island Sarnia which afterwards by the change of Times and corruption of Languages was long since and is at this day called Garnsey 2 This Isle in form and fashion standeth in the Sea much like to a Park that is encompassed â—ound about with a Pale of Rocks being very defensible unto the Island from the attempting invasion of Enemies 3 The Air and Climate of this Isle hath little or no difference in temper or quality from that of Iersey And this deserves to be remembred of it that in this Isle is neither Toad Snake Adder or any other venemous creature and the other hath great plenty 4 It standeth for the most part upon a Rock very high in many places from the Sea Nevertheless the Soil is very fruitful yielding forth great plenty of Grass for their Sheep and other Cattel which they have to serve all uses Their Fields in the Summer time are so naturally gaâ—nished with Flowers of all sorts that a man being there might conceit himself to be in a pleasant artificial Garden 5 The Inhabitants are not so much given to Tillage as they of Iersey though the Soil be as fruitful They have of late takeâ— great delight in Planting and Setting of Trees of all sorts and especially of Apples by reason whereof they make much Sider Their Commodities are alike and their helps from the Sea no less or rather more 6 In this Isle are many great â—teep Rocks among which is found a hard stone called by the â—reâ—ch-Men Smyris which we term Emerill The Stone is serviceable for many purposes and many Trades as Glasiers c. but especially for the Goldsmiths and Lapidaries to cut their precious Stones 7 It hath a head of Land upon the North part thereof the passage into which is so narrow that a man would think that at every Tyde the Sea beating strongly on both sides it were in a continual danger to be fundred from the other part of the Isle This place is called S. Micâ—â—â—l in the Vale where in former times stood a Priory or a Covent of Religious Persons the ruines whereof are at this day to be seen 8 The government of this Isle in nature and forâ— reseâ—bles the other of Iâ—rsâ—y of whom shall be said The People in their Original and Language alike also but in their Customs nnd Conditions they come neerer the civil fashions of the English Other matters of moâ—ent I find not worthy to be recorded It hath ten Parishes and one Market-Town being also a Haven aâ—d is called S. 〈…〉 â—lose by the Peer and Castâ—-Cornâ—t IERSEY THe two Islands Iersey and Garnsey being the only remains of the Dukedom of Normandy that in former times many years together was in the possession and under the command of the Kings of England annexing thereunto a large Territory and glorious Title to the Crown are both seated in the Sea called Mare Britannicum the Ocean parting them a good distance asunder and are now both adjuncts and within the circuit of Hampshire For the first being the Isle of Iersey it lieth upon the British-Sea having on the North parts the Coasts of Hampshire and on the South the Country of Normandy 2 This Island is long not much unlike the fashion of an Egg. It contains in length from Sentwâ—n-Poole upon the West to Mount-Orguil Castle on the East ten miles and in breadth from Dubon-point to Plymounâ—-bay six miles the whole circuit of the Island being thirty eight miles It is distant from a little Island caâ—â—ed Alderney about four leagues It was in old time called Caesaria whether from Iulius Octavius or any the other Caesars that followed is unknown But the Freâ—chmen have by corruption of speech long time called it Iersey 3 It is a very pleasant and delightful Island and giveth a pleasant aspect unto the Seas It lyeth Southward not far from a craggy ridge of Rocks which is much feared of the Mariners and makes the passage that way very dangerous howbeit it serves for a forcible defence against Pirats or any stranger that attempts invasion and they are termed Casquets 4 The Soil is very fertile bringing forth store of Corn and Cattel but especially of Sheep that are of reasonable bigness the most of them bearing four horns apiece Their Wooll very fine and white of which the Inhabitants make their Iersey Stockings which are ordinarily to be had in most parts of England and yield a great commodity unto the Island 5 The first original of the Inhabitants sprung either from the Normans or Britains or both They speak French though after a corrupt manner and have continued their Names Language Customs and Country without any or little intermixâ—ure these many hundred years having been under the jurisdiction of the English ever since the untimely and unnatural death of Robert Duke of Normandy eldest son to William the Conquerour 6 The People of this Country live very pleasantly as well by the profits of the Land as the helps and furtherances of the Sea that yields unto them and especially in Summer season great store of Fish but principally for Conger and Lobsters the greatest and fatâ—est upon the Coaâ—t of England Wood is very scant for their best Fuel is Turff some Coal they have brought unto them but it is very dear Straw Furrs's and Fern serving their ordinary uses The middle part of the Island hath many pretty Hills rising in it yielding a delightful object unto the Vallies that receive from one another a mutual pleasure 7 The Governour of this Iâ—le is the Captain thereof who appointeth certain Officers under him the principal of whom carrieth the name and title of a Bailif that in civil causes hath the assistance of twelve Iurats to determine of differences and minister Iustice in criminal matters seveâ— in matters of reason and conscience five Their Twelve are chosen out of the twelve Parishes so that no man goeth further to complain than to his own Iurate in ordinary Controversies but matters of moment and difficulty are determined before the Bailiâ—â— in a General Meeting 8 This Isle hath two little Islands adjacent the one S. Albous the other Hillary Island It hath twelve Parishes and four Castles No other Monuments of Name or Note WALES The Description of WALES CHAPTER I. ANtiquity hath avouched that the whole Isle of Britain was divided into three Parts The first and fairest lay contained within the French-Seas the Rivers of Sevâ—rnâ— Dâ—â— and Humber called then Lâ—oyger which name it yet retaineth in Welsh in English called England
Kenulph King of the West-Saxons came to his untimely end and at Lambeth the hardy Canute and last of the Danish Kings died among his Cups But as these places were fatal for the last breath of these Princes so other in this County have been graced with the body and beginning of other worthy Monarchs for in Cherâ—sey Abby King Henry the Sixth who was deposed and made away in the Tower of London was first interred without all â—uneral pomp but for his holy life was imputed a Saint and lastly translated and intombed at Winsor At Kingstone likewise stood the Chair of Majesty wherein Athelstan Edwin and Etheldred sate at their Coronation and first received their Sâ—epter of Imperial power Guildford likewise hath been far greater than now it is when the Palace of our English-Saxon Kings was therein set And seeing it is the midst of the Shire the graduation from thence shall be observed where for Latitude the Pole is raised from the degree 51 22 sâ—ruples and her Longitude from the West in the degree 20 and 2 scruples 7 Neither can we account Okam and Ripley two small Villages the least in this Shire which have brought forth the well known men William de Okam that deep Philosopher and admirable Scholar and George de Ripley the ring-leader of our Alchymists and mystical impostors both of them born in this County and very near together But why speak I of these sith a place nearer to sight and greater for â—ame even Lambeth is the High Seat of Ecclesiastical Government Piety and Learning and Palace of Canterburies Arch-bishops the Metropolitaâ—s of England First erected by Archbishop Baldwin and ever since hath been the residing of all those worthy Prelates of our Church who in a long succession even from Anno 596 have continued to him that now most worthily sits at the Churches stern Richard by Gods providence Lord Archbishop of that See a most faithfull and prudent Councellour unto King Iames and a most learned and provident Guide of our most flourishing Church whose gracious favour undeservedly conferred upon me hath been a great encouragement to these my poor endeavours 8 Memorable places of Battles fought before the Conquest were Wembledon where when the fulness of prosperity burst forth into Civil Dissentions among the Saxons a bloudy Battle was fought betwixt Cheaulin the West Saxon and young Ethelbert of Kent wherein he was discomfited and two of his principal Leaders slain about the year of Christ 560. and three hundred thirty three years after King Elfred with a small power overcame the Danes with a great slaughter at Farnham in this County which somewhat quelled the courage of his savage enemy 9 Religious Houses erected in this shire by the devotion of Princes and set apart from publick uses to Gods Divine Service and their own salvation as then was taught the best in account were Shene Chertsey Merton Newarke Rygats Waverly Horsleg and in Southwarke Bermundsey and S. Maries These all flourished with increase till the ripeness of their fruit was so pleasing in sight and taste unto King Henry the Eighth that in beating the boughs he brake down body and all ruinating those houses and seizing their rich possessions into his own hands So jealous is God of his honour and so great vengeance followeth the sin of Idolatry 10 In this Shire have stood eight fair and strong Castles such weâ—e Addington Darking Starburgh Rygate Gilford Farnham Goseford and Brenchingley but of greater State are Oking Otlands None-such and Richmond his Majesties Royal Mannors And for service to the Crown or Common-wealths imployments this Counties division is into thirteen Hundreds wherein are seated eight Market-Towns and one hundred and forty Parish-Churches SOUTHAMPTON HANT-SHIRE CHAPTER VI. HANT-SHIRE lying upon the West of England is bordered upon the North by Barkshire upon the East with Surrey and Sussex upon the South with the British Seas and Isle of Wight and upon the West with Dorset and Wilt-shire 2 The length thereof from Blackwater in the North upon Surrey unto Bascomb in the South upon the Sea extended in a right line is fifty four English miles and the breadth drawn from Petersfield in the East unto Tidworth in the West and confines of Wilt-shire is little less than thirty miles the whole circumference about one hundred fifty and five miles 3 The Air is temperate though somewhat thick by reason of the Seas and the many Rivers that through the Shire do fall whose plenty of Fish and fruitfull increase do manifoldly redeem the harmes which they make 4 The Soyl is rich sor Corn and Cattel pleasant for Pasturage and as plenteous for Woods in a word in all Commodities either for Sea or Land blessed and happy 5 Havens it hath and those Commodities both to let in and to lose out Ships of great burden in trade of Merchandise or other imployments whereof Portsmouth Tichfield Hamble and South-hampton are chief Besides many other creeks that open their bosoms into those Seas and the Coast strengthened with many strong Castles such as Hurst Calshot South-hampton S. Andrews Worth Porchester and the South Castle besides other Bulwarkes or Block-houses that secure the Countrey and further in the Land as Malwood Winchester and Odiam so strong that in the time of King Iohn thirteen Englishmen only defended the Fort for fifteen days against Lewis of Franca that with a great Host assaulted it most hotly 6 Anciently it was possest upon the North by the Segontians who yielded themselves to Iulius Caesar and whose chief City was Vindonum Caer Segonte now Silcester and upon the South by the Belgae and Regni who were subdued by Plausius and Vespasian the Romans where Titus rescuing his Father straightly besieged by the Britains as Dio and Forcatulus do report was grasped about with an Adder but no hurt to his person and therefore taken for a sign of good luck Their chief Town was Rincewood as yet sounding the name and more within Land inhabited the Manures as Beda calls them whose Hundreds also to this day gave a relish of their names 7 Near Ringwood and the place once YTENE from God and peoples Service to Feast and luxury thirty six Parish Churches were converted and pulled down by the Conquerour and thirty miles of circuit enforrested for his game of Hunting wherein his sons Richard and Rufus with Henry the second son to Duke Robert his first felt by hasty death the hand of Iustice and Revenge for in the same Forrest Richard by blasting of a Pestilent Air Rufus by shot taken for a Beast and Henry as Absalom hanged by a bough came to their untimely ends At so dear a rate the pleasures of Dogs and harbour for beasts were bought in the bloud of these Princes 8 The general Commodities gotten in this Shire are Wools Cloaths and Iron whereof great store is therein wrought from the Mines and thence transported into all parts of this Realm and their Cloaths and Karsies carried into many
with great efficacy 4 As Cornwall so this hath the same Commodities that arise from the Seas and being more inlaâ—ded hath more commodious Havens for Shippings entercourse among whom Totnes is famous for Brutes first entrance if Geffry say true or if Havillan the Poet took not a Poetical liberty when speaking of Brute he wrote thus The Gods did guide his sail and course the winds were at command And Totnes was the happy shour where first he came on land But with more credit and lamentable event the Danes at Teigne-mouth first entred for the invasion of this Land about the year of Christ 787 unto whom Britrik King of the West-Saxons sent the Steward of his house to know their intents whom râ—sistantly they slew yet were they forced back to their Ships by the Inhabitants though long they stayed not but eagerly pursued their begun enterprises With more happy success hath Plimouth set forth the purchasers of same and stopped the entrance of Englands Invaders as in the reign of that eternized Queen the â—irrour of Princes Elizabeth of everlasting memory for from this Port Sir Francis Drake that potent man at Sea setting forth Anno 1577 in the space of two years and ten months did compass the circle of the earth by Sea And the Lord Charles Howard Englands high Admiral did not only from hence impeach the entrance of the proud invincible Spanish Navy intending invasion and subversion of State but with his Bullets so signed their passage that their sides did well shew in whose hands they had been as seals of their own shame and his high honour 5 The Commodities of this Shire consist much in Wools and Clothings where the best and finest Kersies are made in the Land Corn is most plenteous in the fruitful Vallies and Cattle spreading upon the topped Hills Sea-Fish and Fowl exceedingly abundant Veins of Lead yea and some of Silver in this Shire are found and the Load-stone not the least for use and esteem from the Rocks upon Dart-more hath been taken Many fresh Spâ—ings bubble from the Hills in this Province which with a longing desire of Society search out their passage till they meet and conjoyn in the Vallies and gathering still strength with more branches lastly grow bodies able to bear Ships into the Land and to lodge them of great burthen in their bosoms or Falls whereof Tamer Tave and Ex are the fairest and most commodious 6 Upon which last the chief City and shire Town of this County is seated and from that River hath her name Excester this City by Ptolomy is called Isca by the Itinerary of Antonius Emperour Isca Danmonioram and by the Welsh Pencaer It is pleasantly seated upon the gentle ascent of an hill so stately for building so rich with inhabitants so frequent for commeree and concourse of strangers that a man can desire nothing but there it is to be had saith VVilliam of Malmesbury The walls of this City first built by King Athelstane are in a manner circular or round but towards the Ex rangeth almost in a straight line having six Gates for entrance and many Watch-Towers interposed betwixt whose compass containeth about fifteen hundred paces upon the East part of this City standeth a Castle of Rugemont sometimes the Palace of the VVest-Saxon Kings and after them of the Earls of Cornwall whose Prospect is pleasant unto the Sea and over against it a most magnificent Cathedral Church founded by King Athelstane also in the honour of S. Peter and by Edward the Confessor made the Bishops See which he removed from Crediton or Kirton in this County unto the City of Excester as saith the private History of that place whose dilapidations the reverend Father in God VVilliam now Bishop of the Diocess with great cost hath repaired whom I may not name without a most thankful remembrance for the great benefits received by his carefull providence towards me and mine This City was so strong and so well stored of Britains that they held out against the Saxons for 465 years after their first entrance and was not absolutely won until Athelstane became Monarch of the whole who then peopled it with his Saxons and enriched the beauty thereof with many fair buildings but in the times of the Danish desolation this City with the rest felt their destroying hands for in the year 875 it was by them sore afflicted spoiled and shaken and that most grievously by Swane in the year of Christ Iesus 1003. who razed it down from East to West so that scarcely had it gotten breath before VVilliam the bastard of Normandy besieged it against whom the Citizens with great manhood served till a part of the wall fell down of it self and that by the hand of Gods providence saith mine Author Since when it hath been three times besieged and with valiant resistance ever defended The first was by Hugh Courtney Earl of Devonshire in the civil broiles betwixt Lancaster and York Then by Perkin VVarbeck that counterfeited Richard Duke of York And lastly by the Cornish Rebels wherein although the Citizens were grievously pinched with scarcity yet continued they their faithful allegiance unto King Edward the sixth and at this day flourisheth in tranquility and wealth being governed by a Major twenty four Brethren with a Recorder Town-Clerk and other Officers their Attendants This Cities graduation is set in the degree of Latitude from the North Pole 50 and 45 scruples And for Longitude from the West to the degree 16 and 25 scruples Neither is Ioseph that excellent Poet whose birth was in this City the least of her Ornaments whose Writings bear so great credit that they were divulged in the German Language under the name of Cornelius Nepos The like credit got Crediton in her birth child VVinifred the Apostle of the Hassians Thuringers and Frisians of Germany which were converted by him unto Gospel and knowledge of Christ. 7 Places memorable in this County remaining for signs of Battles or other antiquities are these Upon Exmore certain Monuments of Antick-work are erected which are stones pitched in order some Triangle-wise and some in round compass These no doubt were trophies of Victories there obtained either by the Romans Saxons or Danes and with Danish Letters one of them is inscribed giving direction to such as should travel that way Hublestowe likewise near unto the mouth of â—awe was the burial place of Huba the Dane who with his Brother Hungar had harried the English in divers parts of the Land But lastly was there encountred with and slain by this Shires Inhabitants and under a heap of copped stones interred and the Banner Reasen there and then taken that had so often been spread in the Danes quarrel and wherein they reposed no small confidence for success 8 A double dignity remaineth in this County where Princes of State have born the Titles both of Devon-shire and Excester of which City there have been entituled Dukes the last of whom namely Henry Holland
followers so that most of the Mannors and Lands in the parts aforesaid were in those days either mediately or immediately holden of one of them And as Northfolk and Suffolk were first united in a Kingdom then in an Earldom so they continued united in the Sheriff-wick till about the fifteenth year of Queen Elizabeth 5 The Towns here are commonly well built and populous three of them being of that worth and quality as no one Shire of England hath the like Norwich Lynn and Yarmouth to which for ancient reputation as having been a seat of the Kings of East-Angles I may add Thetford known to Antoninus Ptolomy and elder ages by the name of Sitomagus when the other three were yet in their infancy and of no esteem For I accept not the Relations of the Antiquity and State of Norwich in the time of the Britains and Saxons though Alexander Nevil hath well graced them Her very name abridgeth her Antiquity as having no other in Histories but Norwich which is meer Saxon or Danish and signifieth the North-Town or Castle It seemeth to have risen out of the decay of her neighbour Venta now called Castor and as M. Cambden noteth not to have been of mark before the entry of the Danes who in the year 1004 under Swane their Captain first sackt and then burnt it even in her infancy Yet in the days of Edward the Confessor it recovered 1320 Burgesses But maintaining the cause of Earl Radulph aforesaid against the Conquerour they were by famine and sword wasted to 560 at which time the Earl escaping by Ship his wife upon composition yielded the Castle and followed In William Rufus time it was grown famous for Merchandise and concourse of people so that Herbert then translated the Bishoprick from Thetford thither made each of them an ornament to other In variety of times it felt much variety of Fortune By fire in Anno 1508. By extreme plagues whereof one in Anno 1348 was so outragious as 57104 are reported to have died thereof between the Calends of Ianuary and of Iuly By misery of war was sacked and spoiled by the Earl of Flanders and Hugh Bigod Anno 1174. In yielding to Lewis the French against their natural Lord King Iohn Anno 1216. By the disinherited Barons Anno 1266. By tumult and insurrection between the Citizens and Church-men once about the year 1255. which if Henry the third had not come in person to appease the City was in hazard to be ruined the second time in Anno 1446 for which the Mayor was deposed and their Liberties for a while seised In Edward the sixths time by Ketts rebellion whose fury chiefly raged against this City Since this it hath flourished with the blessings of Peace Plenty Wealth and Honour so that Alexander Nevil doubteth not to prefer it above all the Cities of England except London It is situate upon the River Hierus in a pleasant valley but on rising ground having on the East the Hills and Heath called Mussold for Musswould as I take it In the 17 year of King Stephen it was new founded and made a Corporation In Edward the firsts time closed with a fair Wall saving on a part that the River defendeth First governed by four Bayliffs then by Henry the fourth in Anno 1403 erected into a Majoralty and County the limits whereof now extend to Eatonbridge At this present it hath about thirty Parishes but in ancient time had many more 6 Lynn having been an ancient Borough under the government of a Bayliff or Reve called Praepositus was by King Iohn in the sixth year of his Reign made Liber Burgus and besides the gift of his memorable Cup which to this day honoureth his Corporation endowed with divers fair Liberties King Henry the third in the Seventeenth year of his Reign in recompence of their serviâ—â— against the out-lawed Barons in the Isle of Ely enlarged their Charter and granted them further to choose a Major Loco Praepositi unto whom King Henry the eighth in the sixteenth year of his Reign added twelve Aldermen a Recorder and other Officers and the bearing of a Sword before the Mayor But the Town coming after to the same King he in the ewenty ninth of his Reign changed their name from Maior Burgensis Lynn Episcopi to Maior Burgenses Lynn Regis 7 â—â—rmouth is the Key of the Coast named and seated by the mouth of the River â—ere Begun in the time of the Danes and by small accessions growing populous made a Corporation under two Bayliffs by King Henry the thrid and by his Charter about the fifteenth year of his Reign walled It is an ancient member of the Cinque Ports very well built and fortified having only one Church but fair and large founded by Bishop Herbert in William Rufus days It maintaineth a Peer against the Sea at the yearly charge of five hundred pound or thereabout yet hath it no possessions as other Corporations but like the Children of Aeolus and Thetis maria 4 ventos as an Inquisitor findeth Anno 10. H 3. There is yearly in September the worthiest Herring fishing in Europe which draweth great concourse of people and maketh the Town much the richer all the year but very unsavory for the time The Inhabitants are so courteous as they have long held a custom to feast all persons of worth repairing to their Town 8 The Bishoprick of Norwich had first her seat at Dunwich in Suffolk and was there begun by Faelix who converted this County and the East-Angles to the Faith Being brought out of Burgundy by Sigebert the first Christian King of the East-Angles he landed at Babingley by Lynn and there builded the first Church of these Countries which in his memory is at this day called by his Name The second he built at Sharneburn then of wood and therefore called Stock Chappel After Faelix and three of his Successors this Bishoprick was divided into two Sees the one with eleven Bishops in succession continuing at Dunwich the other with twelve at Elmham in Northfolk Then united again in the time of King Edwin the entire See for twelve other Bishops remained at Elmham and in the Conquerours time was by his Chaplain Arfastus being the thirtieth translated to Thetford from thence by Herbert his next Successour save one bought of W. Rufus for 1900 pounds and brought to Norwich This Herbert sirnamed Losinga a Norman builded the Cathedral Church there and endowed it with large possessions Not far from thence he also builded another Church to S. Leonard a third at Elmham a â—ourth at â—ynn S. Margarets a very fair one and the fifth at Yarmouth before mentioned By the Cathedral Church he builded a Palace for the Bishops and founded the Priory there now converted to Dean and Chapter and another Priory at Thâ—tford Since his time the Bishops See hath immoveably remained at Norwich but the ancient Possessions are severed from it and in lieu thereof the Abbey and Lands of
S. Benedict of Holme annexed to it The Commodities of this County I have contained in these four Verses Ingenio populi cultu Norfolcia clara est Hinc fluviis illinc Insula clausa mari Qua ratis vellus frumenta cuniculus agnus Lac scatet pisces pabula mella crocus This Description of Norfolk I received from the Right Worshipful Sir HENRY SPELMAN Knight CAMBRIDGE SHIRE CAMBRIDGE-SHIRE CHAPTER XVIII CAMBRIDGE-SHIRE lyeth bounded upon the North with Lincoln shire and Northfolk upon the East with Northfolk and Suffolk upon the South with Harâ—fordâ—shire and Essex and upon the West with Bedford and Huntington-shires 2 This Province is not large nor for air greatly to be liked having the Fens so spread upon her North that they infect the Air far into the rest from whose furthest point unto Royston in the South are thirty five miles but in the broadest is not fully twenty the whole in Circumference traced by the compass of her many indents one hundred twenty and eight miles 3 The Soil doth differ both in Air and Commodities the Fenny surcharged with waters the South is Champion and yieldeth Corâ— in abundance with Meadowing Pastures upon both the sides of the River Câ—me which divides that part of the Shire in the midst upon whose East-bank the Muses have built their most sacred Seat where with plenteous increase they have continued for these many hundred years 4 For from ancient Grantcester Camboritum by Antonine now famous Cambridge the other brest and Nurse-mother of all pious literature have flowed full streams of the learned Sciences into all other parts of this Land and else where ancient indeed if their story be rightly writ that will have it built by Cantaber a Spaniard three hundred seventy five years before the birth of our Saviour who thither first brought and planted the Muses This City Grantcester by the tyranny of time lost both her own beauty and her professed Athenian Students so that in Beda's days seven hundred years after the word became flesh it is described to lie a little desolate City and as yet retaineth the name without any memory of circuit by walls Of this City in the year of Christ 〈◊〉 as the Monk of Button doth report nine Scholars received their Baptism and became Preachâ—â—â— of the Gospel among the Britains which as he saith happened in the Reign of Hadrian the Emperour But when the Picts Scots Hunnes and Saxons had laid all things waste and with their savage swords cut ouâ— the leaves of all civil learning this as the rest yielded to destruction and so lay forlorn till the Saxons themselves became likewise civil when Sigebert the first Christian King of the East-Anglâ—s from the example of France whither he had been banished built Shools in his Kingdom and here at Grancester the chief recalling thither the Profâ—ssors of Arts and Sciences as the Story recordeth and Traditions do hold But afterwards as it seemeth their increase being straightned the Students complained as thâ— Prophets did to Elisha that the place was too little for them to dwell in therefore enlarging more North-ward seated themselves near unto the Bridge whereupon the place began to be called Grantbridge though others from the crooked River Came will have it named Cambridge This place though sacred and exempted from Mars as Sylla once spake when he spared Athens the Danes in their destructions regarded no whit wherein they often wintered after their spoyls and left the scars of their savage sores ever behind them And in the year 1010 when Suen in his fierceness bare down all before him this place was no place for Scholars to be in Warres loud Alarum ill consorting the Muses mild Harmonies Yet when the Normans had got the Garland on their heads and these Danish storms turned into Sun-shine days Gislebert the Monk with Odo Terricus and William all three of the like Monastical Profession in the Reign of King Henry the first resorted unto this place and in a publick Barn read the Lectures of Grammar Logick and Rhetorick and Gislebert Divinity upon the Sabbath and festival days From this little Fountain saith Peter Blessensis grow a great River which made all England fruitful by the many Masters and Teachers proceeding out of Cambridge as on t of a holy Paradise of God The first Colledge therein endowed with Professions was Peter-house built by Hugh Balsham Bishop of Ely in the year of Grace 1284 whose godly example many others followed so that at this day there are sixteen most stately Colledges and Halls for building beauty endowments and store of Students so replenished that unless it be in her other â—ister Oxford the like are not found in all Europe But at what time it was made an Vniversity let Robert de Remyngton tell you for me In the Reign saith hâ— of King Edward the first Granâ—bridge of a School by the Court of Rome was made an Vniversity such as Oxford is Lastly the â—eridian Line Cutâ—ing the Zenith over this City is distant from the furthest West Point according to Mercator 20 degrees 50 scruples and the Arch of the same Mâ—ridian lying between the Aequator and Vertical point is 52 degrees 20 scruples 5 Another City formerly in great fame is Ely had in account for the repute and holiness of Votary Nuns there residing built first by Audry wife to one Tombrot a Prince in this Province who had this place as a part of her Dowry she having departed from her second Husband â— Egbert King of Northumberland devoted her self to the service of God and built here a Monastery whereof she became the first Abbess This in the Danish desolations was destroyed but soon after re-edified by Ethelwood Bishop of Winchester who stored it with Monks unto whom King Edgar granted the jurisdiction over four hundreds and a half within these Fenns and the East Angles limits which to this day are called The liberties of S. Audrey after whose example many Nobles so enriched it with large Revenues that as Malmesbury saith The Abbot thereof laid up yearly in his own Coffers a thousand and four hundred pounds And of later times the Monks thereof became so wealthy that their old decayed Church they renewed with new and most stately buildings which is now the Cathedral of the Diocess and for beauty giveth place to no other in the Land Eight other foundations set apart from secular use in this Province were at Thorney Charteres Denny Elsey Beach Barnwell Swasey and Shengey all which in the days of King Henry the Eighth came to the period of their surpassing wealth and left their Lands to the dispose of his Will 6 The general Commodity of this Shire is Corn which in the South and Champion part doth abundantly grow as also Saffron a very rich Spice Some Woods there are and Pasture both pleasant and profitable The North part thereof is Fenny but withal fruitful whereof Henry of Huntington and William of Malinesbury thus do write
Son of Syrric who raigned then in Man and honourably received him 2 The same year William the Bastard conquered England and Godred the Son of Syrric died his Son Fingal succeeding him 3 An. 1066. Godred Crovan assembled a great Fleet and came to Maâ— and fought with the people of the Land but received the worst and was overcome The second time renewing his Forces and his Fleet he sailed into Man and joyned Battel with the Manksmen but was vanquished as before and driven out of the Field Howbeit what he could not at first bring to pass with power in those two several onsets he afterward effected by policy For the third time gathering a great multitude together he arrived by night in the haven called Ramsey and hid three hundred men in a Wood which stood upon the hanging hollow brow of an Hill called Sceafull The Sun being risen the Manksmen put their People in order of Battel and with a violent charge encountred with Godred The fight was hot for a time and stood in a doubtful suspence till those three hundred Men starting out of the Ambush behind their backs began to foil the Manksmen put them to the worst and forced them to flie Who seeing themselves thus discomfited and finding no place of refuge leâ—t them to escape with pitiful lamentation submitted themselves unto Godred and besought him not to put the Sword such poor remainder of them as was left alive Godred having compassion on their calamities for he had been pursed for a time and brought up among them sounded a Retreat and prohibited his Host any longer pursuit He being thus possessed of the Isle of Man died in the Island that is called Isle when he had raigned sixteen years he left behind him three sons Lagman Harald and Olave 4 Lagman the eldest taking upon him the Kingdom raigned seven year His brother Harald rebelled against him a great while but at length was taken Prisoner by Lagman who caused his members of generation to be cut off and his eyes to be put out of his head which curelty this Lagman afterwards repenting gave over the Kingdom of his own accord and wearing the Badge of the Lords Cross took a journey to Ierusalem in which he died 5 An. 1075. All the Lords and Nobles of the Islands hearing of the death of Lagman dispatched Ambassadors to Murccard Oâ—brien King of Irelaâ—d and requested that he would send some worthy and industrious man of the Blood-Royal to be their King till Olave the son of Godred came to full age The King yielding to their request sent one Dopnald the son of Tade and charged him to govern the Kingdom which by right belonged to another with lenity and gentleness But after he was come to the Crown forgetting or not weighing the charge that his Lord and Master had given him swayed his place with great Tyranny committing many outrages and cruelties and so raigned three years till all the Princes of the Islands agreeing together rose up against him and made him flie into Ireland 6 An. Dom. 1111. Olave the son of Godred Craven aforesaid began his Raign and raigned forty years a peaceable Prince He took to wife Affrica the daughter of Fergus of Galway of whom he begat Godred By his Concubines he had Raignald Lagman and Harald besides many daughters whereof one was married to Summerled Prince of Herergaidel who caused the ruine of the Kings of the Islands On her he begat four sons Dulgal Raignald Engus and Olave 7 An. Dom. 1144. Godred the son of Olave was created King of Man and raigned thirty years In the third year of his Raign the People of Dublin sent for him and made him their King Which Murecard King of Ireland maligning raised War and sent Osibeley his half brother by the Mothers side with 3000 Men at Arms to Dublin who by Godred and the Dublinians was slain and the rest all put to flight These Atchievements made Godred returned to Man and began to use Tyranny turning the Noblemen out of their Inheritances Whereupon one called Thâ—rsin Otters son being mightier than the rest came to Summerled and made Dulgal Summerleds son King of the Islands whereof Godred having intelligence prepared a Navy of 80 Ships to meet Summerled And in the year 1156 there was a Battle fought at Sea on Twelfth day at night and many slain on both sides But the next day they grew to a pacification and divided the Kingdom of the Islands among themselves This was the cause of the overthrow of the Kingdom of the Isles 8 An. 1158. Summerled came to Man with a Fleet of fifty three Sail put Godred to flight and wasted the Island Godred upon this crossed over to Norway for aid against Summerled But Summerled in the mean time arriving at Rhinfrin and having gathered together a Fleet of 160 Ships coveting to subdue all Scotland by the just Iudgment of God was vanquished by a few and both himself and his son slain with an infinite number of people 9 The fourth day after Raignald began to raign but Godred coming upon him out of Norway with a great number of Armed Men took his Brother Raignald and bereft him both of his Eyes and Genital Members On the fourth Ides of November An. Dom. 1187. Godred King of the Islands died and his body was translated to the Isle of Ely He left behind him three sons Raignald Olave and Tvar He ordained in his life time that Olave should succeed him because he only was born legitimate But the people of Man seeing him to be scarce ten years old sent for Raignald and made him their King This caused great division and many turbulent attempts between the two Brethren for the space of thirty eight years which had no end till at a place called Tingualla there was a Battel struck between them wherein Olave had the Victory and Raignald was slain The Monks of Russin translated his Body unto the Abbey of S. Mary de Fournes and there interred it in a place which himself had chosen for that purpose 10 An. 1230. Olave and Godred Don who was Raignalds son with the Norwegiaus came to Man and divided the Kingdom among themselves Olave held Man and Godred being gone unto the Islands was slain in the Isle Lodaus So Olave obtained the Kingdom of the Isles He died the twelfth Calends of Iune Anno 1237. in Saint Patricks-Islands and was buried in the Abbey of Russin 11 Harold his Son succeeded him being fourteen years of Age and raigned 12 years In the year 1239 he went unto the King of Norway who after two years confirmed unto him his Heirs and Successors under his Seal all the Islands which his Predecessors had possessed 12 An. 1242. Harald returned out of Norway and being by the Inhabitants honourably received had peace with the Kings of England and of Scotland The same year he was sent for by the King of Norway and married his Daughter In the year 1249 as he returned
homeward with his Wife he was drowned in a Tempest neer unto the Coasts of Radland 13 An. Dom. 1249. Raignald the Son of Olave and brother to Harold began his raign and on the thirtieth day thereof was slain by one Tvar a Knight in a Meadow neer unto the holy Trinity-Church and lieth buried in the Church of S. Mary of Russin 14 In the year 1252. Magnus the son of Olave came to Man and was made King The next year following he went to the King of Norway and stayed there a year 15 In the year 1265. Magnus Olaves son King of Man and of the Islands departed this life at the Castle of Russin and was buried in the Church of S. Mary of Russin 16 In the year 1266 the Kingdom of the Islands was translated by reason of Alexander King of Scots who had gotten into his hands the Western Islands and brought the Isle of Man under his dominion as one of that number 17 An. 1340. William Montacute Earl of Salisbury wrested it from the Scottish by strong hand and force of Arms and in year the 1393 as Thomas Walsingham saith he sold Man and the Crown thereof unto William Scroope for a great summe of money But he being beheaded for high Treason and his Goods confiscate it came into the hands of Henry the Fourth King of England who granted this Island unto Henry Piercy Earl of Northumberland But Henry Piercy entring into open Rebellion the fifth year following the King sent Sir Iohn Stanley and William Stanley to seize the Isle and Castle of Man the inheritance whereof he granted afterwards to Sir Iohn Stanley and his Heirs by Letters Patents â—with the Patronage of the Bishoprick c. So that his Heirs and Successors who were honoured with the Title of Earls of Darby were commonly called Kings of Man HOLY ISLAND GARNSEY FARNE IARSEY HOLY-ISLAND CHAPTER XLV THis Island is called Lindisfarne by the River Lied that is opposite unto it on the Coast of Northumberland Beda termed it a Demâ—-Island The Britains name it Iuis Medicante for that it twice every day suffereth an exordinary inundation and over-flowing of the Ocean in manner of an Island which twice likewise makes it continent to the Land and returning unto her watry habitation lays the Shore bare again as before It is called in English Holy-Island for that in ancient times many Monks have been accustomed to retired themselves thither and to make it their receptacle for solitude having on the West and South Northumberland and more South Eastward the Island Farne 2 The form of it is long and narrow the West-side narrower than the East and are both conjoyned by a very small spang of Land that is left unto Conies The South is much broader than the rest It is from East to West about two thousand two hundred and fifty paces and from North to South twelve hundred and fifty paces so that the circumference cannot be great 3 The Air is not very good either for health or delight as being seated on those parts that are subject to extremity of cold and greatly troubled with vapouâ—s and foggy mists that arise from the Seas 4 The Soil cannot be rich being rocky and full of Stones and unfit for Corn and Tillage It is neither commended for Hills to feed Sheep nor Pastures to fat Cattel neither hath it Vallies replenished with sweet Springs or running Rivolets only one excepted descending from a standing Pond The only thing this Island yieldeth is a fit and accommodate aptitude for Fishing and Fowling 5 Notwithstanding this is very worthy of note concerning the same which Alcun wrote in an Epistle to Egelred King of Northumberland namely that it was a place more venerable than all the places of Britain and that after the departure of S. Paulinus from York there Christian Religion began in their Nation though afterwards it there felt the first beginning of misery and calamity being left to the spoil of Pagans and Miscreants 6 It is also remembred of this Island that sometime there hath been in it an Episcopal See which Aidan the Scot instituted being called thither to Preach the Christian Faith to the People of Northumberland being thus delighted with the solitary situation thereof as a most fit place for retirement But afterwards when the Danes rifled all the Sea-Coasts the Episcopal See was translated to Durham 7 This Island so small in account either for compass or commodity and so unpeopled and unprofitable cannot be numerous in Towns and Villages It hath in it only one Town with a Church and a Castle under which there is a commodious Haven defended with a Block-house situate upon an Hill towards the South-East FARNE-ISLE THis Isle South-Eastward seven miles from Holy-Island sheweth it self distant almost two miles from Brambrough Castle On the West and South it beareth upon Northumberland and on the North-east-side it hath other smaller Islands adjoyning to it as Widopons and Staple-Island which lie two miles off Bronsinan and two lesser than these which are called the Wambes 2 The Form of this Iâ—le is round and no longer in compass than may easily be ridden in one half of a day The breadth of it is but five miles and the length no more The whole circumference extends it self no further than to fifteen miles 3 The Air is very unwholsom and subject both to many Dysenteries and other Diseases by reason of the miâ—ty Fogs and Exhalations that are thereunto drawn up from the Ocean It is many times troubled with unusual Tempests of Winds with boisterous â—ury of stormy Rains and with several and uncouth rages of the Sea 4 The Soil cannot be fertile being incircled about with craggy Clifts â—either hath it in it much matter either of pleasure or profit It can neither defend it self from Cold lacking Fuel as Wood Coal Turffs c. Nor from Famine wanting Food as Corn Pastures Cattel c. The best Commodity it yields is Fish and Fowl 5 This thing nevertheless is worthy to be remembred of it which Beda writing of the Life of Cuthbert Bishop of Lindisfarne that Tutelar Patron of the Northern Eâ—glishmen reporteth namely that in this Isle he built a City fitting his Government and erected certain Houses in the same the whole building standing almost round in compass and reaching the space of four or five Pearches The Wall about it he made higher than a Mans height to with-hold and keep in the wanton lasciviousness both of his thoughts and eyes and to elevate the whole intention of his mind up to heavenly desires that he might wholly give himself to the service of God But these are all made the ruins of time as sithence many other Monuments have been of worthy Antiquity 6 I cannot report that there are now many Houses standing in it much less Towns or Villages Only this that it hath a Tower or Place of Fortification belonging unto it placed well-neer in the middle part of the Isle GARNSEY THis Island
West-point about 80 miles from thence to her North-west about 70 miles and her East Coast along the Irish Sea-shore eighty miles the circumference upon two hundred and seventy miles 3 The air is clear and gentle mixt with a temperate disposition yielding neither extremity of heat or cold according to the seasonable times of the year and the natural condition of the Continent The soil is generally fruitful plentiful both in fish and flesh and in other victuals as butter cheese and milk It is fertil in Corn Cattle and pasture grounds and would be much more if the husbandman did but apply his industry to which he is invited by the commodiousness of the Country It is well watered with Rivers and for the most part well wooded except the County of Divelin which complains much of that want being so destitute of wood that they are compelled to use a clammy kind of fat turff for their fuel or Sea-coal brought out of England 4 The Inhabitants of these parts in Ptolomies days were the Brigantes Menapii Cauci and â—lani from which Blani may seem to be derived and contracted the latter and modern names of this Country Lâ—in Leighnigh and Leinster The Menapii as the name doth after a sort imply came from the Menapians a Nation in Low Germany that dwelt by the Sea-Coasts These Brigantes called also Brigants Florianus del Campo a â—paniard labours to fetch from the Brigants of his own Countrey of whom an ancient City in Spain called Brigantia took the name But they may seem rather to derive their denomination from the River Birgus about which they inhabited for to this the very name is almost sufficient to perswade us 5 The commodities of this Country do chiefly consist in Cattle Sea-fowl and Fish It breeds many excellent good horses called Irish Hobbies which have not the same pace that other horses have in their course but a soft and round amble setting very easily 6 This Country hath in it three Rivers of note termed in old time the three sisters Shour Neor and Batraeo which issue out of the huge Mountain called by Giraldus Bladinae Montes as out of their mothers womb and from their rising tops descending with a downfal into several Channels before they empty themselves into the Ocean joyn hand in hand altogether in a mutual league and combination 7 Places very dangerous for shipping are certain flats and shallows in the Sea that lie over against Holy-point which the Mariners call the Grounds Also the shelves of sand that lie a great way in length opposite to Newcastlâ— which over looketh them into the Sea from the top of an high hill adjoyning 8 In this Province are placed many fair and wealthy Towns as Kilkenny which for a Burrough-Town excels all the midland Burroughs in this Island Kildare which is adorned with an Episcopal See and much graced in the first infancy of the Irish Church by reason of Saint Brigid a venerable Virgin had in great account and estimation for her virginity and devotion as who was the Disciple of S. Patrick of so great fame renown and antiquity also Weisford a name given unto it by these Germans whom the Irish term Oustmans a Town though inferiour to some yet as memorable as any so that it became the first Colony of the English and did first submit it self unto their protection being assaulted by Fitz Stephen a Captain worthily made famous for his valour and magnanimity 9 But the City which fame may justly celebrate alone beyond all the Cities or Towns in Ireland is that which we call Divelin Ptolomy Eblana the Latinists Dublinium and Dubliniâ— the West-Britaines Dinas Dublin the English-Saxons in times past Duplin and the Irish Balacleigh that is the Town upon hurdles for it is reported that the place being fennish and moorish when it first began to be builded the foundation was laid upon hurdles 10 That it is ancient is perswaded by the authority of Ptolomy That it was grievously rent and dismembred in the tumultuous wars of the Danes and brought afterwards under the subjection of Edgar King of England which his Charter also confirmeth wherein he calleth it the noble City of Ireland is written by Saxo Grammaticus That it was built by Harold of Norway which may seem to be Harold Harsager when he had brought the greatest part of Ireland into an awful obedience unto him we read in the life of Griffith ap Sinan Prince of Wales At length it yielded unto the valour and protection of the English at their first arrival into Ireland by whom it was manfully defended from the fierce assaults as well of Auscoulph Prince of the Dublinians as afterwards of Gotard King of the Isles since which time it hath still augmented her flourishing estate and given approved testimony of her faith and loyalty to the Crown of England in the times of any tumultuous straights and commotions 11 This is the Royal Seat of Ireland strong in her munition beautiful in her buildings and for the quantity matchable to many other Cities frequent for traffick and intercourse of Merchantâ— In the East Suburbs Henry the second King of England as Hoveden reporteth caused a royal Palace to be erected and Henry Loundres Archbishop of Divelin built a Store house about the year of Christ 1220. Not far from it is the beautiful Colledge consecrated unto the name of the holy Trinity which Queen Elizabeth of famous memory dignified with the priviledges of an University The Church of S. Patrick being much enlarged by King Iohn was by Iohn Comin Archbishop of Dublin born at Evesham in England first ordained to be a Church of Prebends in the year 1191 It doth at this day maintain a Dean a Chanter a Chancellor a Treasurer two Archdeacons and twenty two Prebendaries This City in times past for the due administration of Civil Government had a Provost for the chief Magistrate But in the year of mans redemption 1409 King Henry the fourth granted them liberty to chuse every year a Major and two Bailiffes and that the Major should have a gilt sword carried before him for ever And King Edward the sixth to heap more honour upon this place changed the two Bailiffs afterwards into Sherifâ—s so that there is not any thing here wanting that may serve to make the estate of a City most flourishing 12 As the people of this Country do about the neighbouring parts of Divelin come nearest unto the civil conditions and orderly subjection of the English so in places farther off they are more tumultuous being at deadly feuds amongst themselves committing oft-times Man slaughter one upon another and working their own mischiefs by mutual wrongs for so the Irish of Leinster wasted Leinster with many Towns in the same Province in the year 1294. And in the year 1301 the men of Leinster in like manner raised a war in the winter season setting on fire the Town of Wykinlo Rathdoâ— and others working their own plague and punishment by burning
apparitions or rather some religious horror which as some ridiculously dream was digg'd by Vlysses when he went down to parely with those in hell This is the Cave which the Inhabitants in these dayes call Ellan 〈◊〉 â—rugadory that is The Isle of Purgatory and S. Patricks Purgatory for some persons less devout than credulous affirm that S. Patrick or rather Patricius Secundus an holy Abbot of that name labouring the conversion of the people of this Province and much inforcing the life to come they replyed contemptuously unto him that unless they saw proofs of those joyes and pains he preached they would not lose the possession of their present pleasures in hope or fear of things to come they 〈◊〉 not when Whereupon as they say he obtained at Gods hands by earnest prayer â—hat the punishments and torments which the godles are to suffer after this life might be there presented to the eye that so he might more easily root out the sins and Heathenish Errours that stuck so fast in the hearts of the Irish. But touching the credit hereof although common fame and some records do utter it I neither will urge the beliefe nor regard seeing it is no Article of our Creed 8 Matters memorable within this Province are these first that the Bishops of Ireland were wont to be consecrated by the Archbishop of Canterbury in regard of the Primacy which they had in this Country until such time as Iohn Papirio a Cardinal was sent thither from Pope Eugenius the fourth to reform Ecclesiastical Discipline in this Island which was then grown so loose that there were Translations and Pluralities of Bishops according to the will and pleasure of the Metropolitan Also that the Irish men were accustomed to leave and forsake their wedded Wives at their own free-wills whereof Lanfranck Archbishop of Canterbury complained unto Therdeluac a King of Ireland And had not this Nation been corrupted with this vice even unto these our days both the right of lineal succession had been more certain among them and the Gentry and Commonalty had not in such cruelties imbrued themselves with such effusion of their own kindreds blood about their Inheritances and legitimation 9 The principal Town in this Tract is Armagh near unto the River Kalin which albeit it maketh a poor shew is the Archiepiscopal See and Metropolitane of the whole Island Before Saint Patrick had built there a fair City for site form quantity and compass modelled out as he saith by the appointment and direction of Angels this place was named Drumsalrich the Irish tell much that it received the name of Queen Armacha but the better opinions are that it is the same which Beda calleth Dearmach and out of the Scottish and Irish Language interpreteth it The Field of Oaks Here as S. Bernard writeth S. Patrick the Apostle of Ireland ruled in his life time and rested after death in honour of whom it was of such venerable estimation in old time that not only Bishops and Priests but Kings also and Princes were in general subject to the Metropolitan thereof in all obedience and to his government alone Among the Archbishops of this Province S. Malachy is famoused who first prohibited Priests marriage in Ireland and as S. Bernard saith who wrote his life at large borrowed no more of the native barbarousnes of that County than Sea-fishes do saltness of the Seas Also Richard Fitz-Ralph commonly called Armachanus is of famous memory who turned the edge of his style about the year 1355 began to oppose his opinion against the order of Mendicant â—ryers as detesting in Christians such voluntary begging The chief Fort in this Tract is Eâ—is Kâ—lling defended by the Rebels in the year 1593 and won by Dowdal a most valiant Captain near unto which is a great downfall of water termed The Salmon Leap of which there is a common Speech currant among the Inhabitants that it was once firm ground very populous and well husbanded with tillage till it was suddenly over-flown with water and turned into a Lake for some filthy abominable acts of the people against Nature committed with Beasts 10 The places of Religion sequestred from other worldly services and consecrated to holy purposes erected in this province were The Abbey which sheweth it self at Donegal The Monastery of Deryo where the Irish Rebel Shan O Neal received such an overthrow by Edward Randolph renowned for his service in the behalf of his Coâ—ntry that he could never after recover the loss he sustained at that time The Monastery near unto the River Liffer The famous Monastery at the Bay of Knockfergus of the same institution name and order as was that ancient Abbey in England near unto Chester called Banchor also Mellifont Abbey founded by Donald a King of Vriel and much commended by S. Bernard And lastly the most renowned Monastery built at Armagh in the year of our Salvation 610 out of which very many Monasteries were afterwards propagated both in Britain and Ireland These places were far and near frequented and sought unto by great confluences of Pilgrims till Time proved their devotions to be erronious and the pure light of the word revealed opening the eyes of their understanding hath taught them to shake off the shame of such Superstitions 11 That the people of this County might be kept within the bounds of their duty this Province hath been secured with fifty six Castles and Forts and for trade of commerce nine Narket-Towns appointed being divided into these Counties ensuing Counties Dunghall or Tyr connel Vpper Tyrone Nether Tyrone Fermanagh Cavan Monaghan Colrane Antrim Downe Armagh Lough FINIS The Table to find the Maps as appeareth by Folio ENgland Scotland and Ireland 1 England 2 Kent 3 Sussex 4 Surrey 5 Southampton 6 The Isle of Wight 7 Dorcetshire 8 Devonshire 9 Cornwall 10 Sommersetshire 11 Wiltshire 12 Barkshire 13 Middlesex 14 Essex County 15 Suffolke 16 Norfolke 17 Cambridgeshire 18 Hartfordshire 19 Bedfordshire 20 Buckinghamshire 21 Oxfordshire 22 Gloucestershire 23 Herefordshire 24 Woâ—cestershire 25 Warwickshire 26 Northamptonshire 27 Huntingtonshire 28 Rutlandshire 29 Leicestershire 30 Lincolnshire 31 Nottinghamshire 32 Darbyshire 33 Staffordshire 34 Shroâ—shire 35 Chester 36 Lancashiâ—e 37 Yorkshire 38 The Bishoprick of Durham 39 Westmorland and Cumberland 40 Northumberland 41 The Isle of Man 42 Holy Island c. 43 Wales 44 Pembrokeshire 45 Radnor Breknock Cardigan and Caermarden described 46 Glamorganshire 47 Monmouthshire 48 Montgomery c. 49 Denbigh and Flint described 50 Anglesey and Carnarvan 51 The Kingdom of Scotland 52 The South part of Scotland 53 The Southern part of Scotland 54 The Eastern part of Scotland 55 Part of Scotland Stranavern 56 The Isles of Hebrides 57 Cathanes and Orknay 58 Ireland described 59 Mounster 60 Leinster 61 Connaught 62 Vlster 63 MIDIA 64 A PROSPECT OF THE MOST FAMOUS PARTS of the VVORLD VIZ. ASIA 13 AFRICA 24 EUROPE 35 AMERICA 46 With these Kingdoms therein contained Graecia 57 Roman Empire 67 Germany 78 Bohemia
he was heir in general by marriage of a daughter But the truth is we have been ever easie to part with our hold there or at least forced to forgo it by our civil dissentions at home else after all those glorious Victories of our Predecessors we might have had some Power more to shew there as well as Title 11 There are very many Provinces belonging to this Kingdom more than will find room here for their full Descriptions in several and therefore we will reduce as well this new France as the old Gallia to the four parts of Ptolomies division 1 Aquitania 2 Lugdunensis 3 Narbonensis and 4 Galâ—ia Ielgica To these we will add 5 the Isles adjoyning Their principal underâ—Territories shall be mentioned as Maginus ranks them 12 Aquitania lieth on the West of France close upon the Pyrenean Mountains and Countries 1 Another part of Biscay mentioned in the Map of Spain and indeed differeth from that but very little 2 Gascoign and Guien The first to this day keeps its name with a very little change from the Spanish Vascones The chief City is Burdigala or Burdiaux a Parliamentary and Archiepiscopal Seat and University of good esteem was honoured with the birth of our Richard the Second Another City of note is Thoâ—ouse a seat Parliamentary and supposed to be as ancient as the rule of Deborah in Israel This Gascogin contains in it the Earldomes of Fory Comminges Armeniaci and the Dutch Albert. 3 Pictavia Poictou on the north of Guien a pleasant Region and a plentiful It contains three Bishopricks Poâ—tiers Lucon and Mailazai Her chief Cities are Poictiers an ancient and the largest next Paris in all France Castrum Heraldi once the title of the Scotch Earls of Hamildon In this Province was fought the great Battel betwixt our black Prince and Iohn of France where with eight thousand he vanquished forty thousand took the King Prisoner and his Son Philip 70 Earls 50 Barons and 12000 Gentlemen 4 Sonictonia severed from Poictiers but by the River Canentell and so differs but little from her fertility Her Metropolis Saints Her other chief Bourg Blay Marennes S. Iohn D'angely and Anglosme Betwixt this Country and Poictiers stands â—ochel a place the best fortified both by nature and art of any in Europe And is at this tiâ—â—e possest by those of the reformed Religion where they stand upon their guard and defend their freedom of conscience against the Roman Catholicks of France 5 Limosin in Limo sita say some Maginus takes 〈◊〉 from Limoges her chief City toward the North which revolted and was recovered by our black Prince Her other Towns of note are Tulles and Vxerca and Chalaz where our Richard the first was shot It hath been by turns possest of French and English till Charies the Seventh since we have had little hold there 6 Berry regio Biturigum from her chief City Bituris now Burges an Archiepiscopal See and University It is exceedingly stored with sheep and sufficiently well with other Merchandise of value 7 Burbone from her chief City Burbone heretofore Boya a Dukedom aâ—d much frequented by Princes and the Nobility of France by reason of her healthful air and commodious Baths 8 Turiene the Garden of France Her chief Cities â—loys Amboyse Taurs and a little higher upon the Layre stands Orleance 13 Lugdunensis or Celtica lieth betwixt the Rivers Loyre and Seyne and takes the name from Lugdunum or Lions her chief City This Province comprehends 1 Brittany heretofore Armoâ—ica till subdued by Maximinus King of England about the year 367 since it hath had the name of Britanny and for distinction from this of ours it is commonly stiled Minor Britannia There is yet remaining a smack of the Wâ—lch tongue which it seems the Invaders had so great a desire to settle in those parts as a trophy of their Conquests that when they first mingled in marriage with the Inhabitants they cut out their wives tongues as many as were Natives that no sound of French might be heard among their children It hath few Rivers but that defect is in some measure made up by the neighbourhood of the Sea insomuch that the Countrey is reckoned one of the most fertile in all France for Corn Wine and Wood. It breeds good Horses and special Dogs Iron Lead c. Her chief Cities are Nants Rhenes S. Breny and Rohan It is divided into Britanniam inferiorem the base or lower Britanny West-ward and nearest England and Superiorem toward the Loire East-ward Her chief parts are S. Malo and Breste 2 Normandy a part of the Region which was heretofore called Newstria and took the name it hath from the Norwegians Their first Duke was Rollo and the â—ixth from him our William the Conquerour It was lost from his Successors in the time of King Iohn Her chief Cities are Rhothomagus or Rhoan the Metropolis Constance and Cane memorable for the siege of our English Henry the fifth And Verveile besieged by Philip the second of France in the time of our Richard the first which when the King heard as he sate in his Palace at Westminster it is said he sware he would never turn his back to France till he had his revenge and to make good his oath brake through the walls and justly performed his threat upon the besieger Her principal parts are Harflew the first which King Henry the fifth of England assaulted and New Haven given up by the Prince of Conde to Queen Elizabeth as a Pledge for such Forces as she would supply him with to maintain wars with the King in defence of Religion And Diep c. 3 Anjove regio Audegarensis a fertile Country and yields the best Wine of France excellent Marble and other fair stone for buildings Her chief City is Anjours which Ortelius takes to be Ptolomy's Iuliomagum It is now an University To this Dukedome there are four Earldomes which owe a kind of homage Manie Vandosm Beauford and Laval 4 Francia which gives name to the whole Kingdom and received it her self from the German Francones which before inhabited the great Forrest called Sylva Hircinia Her chief City and the glory of France is Paris or Luteâ—ia quasi in luto sita in compass twelve miles is reckoned the first Academy of Europe consists of 55 Colledges And here was Henry the sixth crowned King of France and England In this Province stands S. Vincent where Henry the fifth died and Saisons and the Dukedome of Valoys c. 5 Campaigne and Bye partners in the title of Earldom it is severed from Picardy only with the River A fertile Country and hath many eminent Cities The principal is Rheimes where the Kings most commonly are crowned and anointed with an Oyl sent they say from Heaven which as oft as it hath been used never decreaseth It is the seat of an Arch-Bishop and University of note especially with our English Roman Catholiques who have a Colledge there appointed for their Fugitives And others of
several noted Rivers the chief whereof are Iames River formerly called Powhatan the denomination of a very potent King of this Countrey at the time of the English first adventuring thither this River is found navigable 50 leagues or thereabout 2. York River otherwise Pamaunke in the language of the natives which lies about 14 miles Northward from the other and is navigable 26 Leagues 3. Rapaâ—anock or Topahanock the last River of Virginia Northward and navigable 40 leagues 4. Patowmec River mentioned in the Description of Mary-Land to which part of the Countrey this River also belongs Besides these greater Rivers there are some others of lesser note which fall into them as into Poâ—hatan or Iames River Southward Apameâ—uck Eastward Quiyonycohanuc Nansamund and Chesopeac Northward Chickamahania into Pamaunkee Payankatank The English Plantation here is divided into 22 Counties on the Eastern shore Northampton County in Acomac on the Western shore Carotuc Iames Henrico Charles York Glocester Surry Hartford Warwick Lancaster New Kent Surrey Middlesex Nansemund Lower Norfolk Northumberland Westmorland Northampton Warwick Isle of Wight and Rappahanoc in each of which are monthly held those inferior County Courts where matters not of highest concernment or relating to life are tried and from whence appeals are made to the Quarter Court at Iames-Town where all criminal and Civil Causes are determined and where the Governor and Counsel sit as Iudges The Metropolis or chief Seat of the English here is Iames-Town or rather Iames-City so denominated in honour of King Iames where the Quarter Courts General Assemblies and Secretaries Office are kept This Town adorned with many fair Brick-houses and other handsome Edifices is situated in a Peninsula on the North-side of Iames River The other Towns and Places of chief note are Elizabeth City seated nearer the mouth of the same River on the same side near which at a place nam'd Green-spring Sir William Berkley the present Governor hath a very pleasant Mansion-house built of brick Henricopolis or Henry's Town so denominated from Prince Henry living when it was first built seated in a commodious place about 80 miles from Iames City Dale's gift so named from Sir Thomas Dale Deputy Governor of the Place in the year 1610 at whose charge it was built and a Colony here planted besides others of less note some whereof still retain the Indian names as Wicocomoco c. which doubtless are by this time increased to a very considerable number in regard of the amplitude and grandeur to which by the continual access of people this Plantation is of late arrived VIRGINIA and MARYLAND The Description of Mary-Land IT was in the year 1631 that his late Majesty gave a grant to George Lord Baltimore for the possessing and planting the Southern part of New-Netherland now New-Yorkshire lying toward Virginia when upon his Embassy to the States of Holland they declared by publick writing their dissent to what-ever had been acted by any of their subjects in prejudice of his Majesties Right and Title in those parts as hath been already mentioned Crescentia was the name first in designation for this Countrey but it being left to his Majesty at the time of his signing of the Bill to give it what denomination he judged fittest he was pleased in honour of his Royal Consort Queen Mary to erect it into a Province by the name of Mary-Land which Patent upon the death of his Lordship before the final ratification thereof was not long after confirmed under the Broad-Seal of England bearing date Iune 20 Ann. 1632 to his Son and Heir Coecilius the now Lord Baltimore investing him his heirs and successors with the Sovereignty attended with all Royal Prerogatives both Military and Civil as absolute Lords and Proprietors of the said Province saving only the Allegiance and Sovereign homage due to his Majesty his Heirs and Successors of whom they were to hold it as of his Majesties honour of Windsor for the yearly payment at the Castle of the said honour of Windsor on every Easter Tuesday of two Indian Arrows of those parts and the fifth part of all the Gold and Silver Oar which should happen to be found there The next year after this Patent had past viz. in the year 1633 a Colony of about 200 in all Servants and Planters whereof some persons of quality was sent over by the Lord Proprietor under the Conduct of his Lordships two Brothers Mr. Leonard and Mr. George Calvert the first of whom was made Governor of the Province for his Lordship and from thence forward this Plantation hath prospered and by the several supplies since sent very much increased to which good success the good Government of the said Mr. Leonard and his strict observance of his Lordship's prudent instructions very much conduced The first place they pitch'd upon to plant themselves in was Yaocomaco now St. Maries which the Governor purchased of the Natives for never hath any forcible or violent invasion of any mans right been made here by any of his Lordships Ministers with such commodities as they brought from England though at so much the more easie rate in regard of their pre-intentions to leave this place as thinking it their safest course to remove farther off from their too potent and valiant Neighbours the Sesquehanocks After the happy restauration of his present Mâ—jesty viz. in the year 1661 the Lord Proprietors only Soâ— Mr. Charles Calvert went over into these parts his Fathers Lieutenant in which charge he hath continued ever since in great tranquility and prosperity and with general contentment and satisfaction by his obliging carriage to all that live under his Government or have any interests or concerns in the Province This Province according as it is bounded and set out by the forementioned Patent extends one way from the most Northernly part which bounds it to the South and from which it is parted by the Southernly bank of the River Patowmeck to New-York or the most Southernly part of New-England which bounds it Northward and from the Atlantick Ocean and Delaware-Bay Eastward to the true Meridian of the first Fountain of the River Patowmeck Westward The Climate here in Summer time inclines to an extraordinary heat and in Winter is very cold but both the heat of the Summer is very much allayed by cool Breeses and the cold of the Winter is of short continuance so that the Country is accounted sufficiently healthful and of late agrees well enough with English bodies since the abatement and almost extinction through the regulation of diet felling of the woods c. of that distemper called the Seasoning which used to be very fatal to the English at their first landing This Countrey is for the most part champain the Soil fruitful and abounding with many sorts of fruits and other commodities which are common in our parts of the World and for those that are peculiar it cannot be imagined that in so small a distance and even in the same Country as
it hath been formerly accounted they should differ much from those of Virginia Yet there is a sort of fruit called a Persimon mentioned as most especially belonging to Mary-Land and among Birds one named the Mock-bird from its imitation of all other Singing-birds which differing among themselves in the mixture of their colours that which is black and yellow is called Baltemore-bird from the colour of his Lordships Coat of Arms which are Or and Sable excelling in beauty all the other sorts The same is to be said of the complections customs dispositions government c. of the Natives of this Province as of those of Virginiâ— and other adjacent parts that is in brief thaâ— they are somewhat tawny their hair long black and uncurl'd but cut into fantastical forms more ingenious and docile than industrious each Town a distinct Nation and govern'd by iâ—s several Weroance or King only the Sesquaâ—anocks are a Republick As the Province is now inhabited by the English it is divided into ten Districts or Counties five on the Eastern-shore of the Bay of Chespeack namely Dorchester Somerset Kent Caecil and Talbot and five on the West side of the Bay St. Maries where the Provincial Court or chief Court of Iudicature consisting of Governor and Consiliar Iudges is held every quarter of a year Anne Arundel Baltemore Charles and Calvert The chief Rivers of this Country are Patowmec Patuxent Ann Arundel alias Severn Sasquesahanough Choptank Nantecoke Pocomoke besides others of less note of those mentioned the first four on the West side the other three to the East fall into Cheâ—apeack Bay which is navigable for 200 miles and which between two Capes Cape Charles to the North and Cape Henry to the South being seven or eight leagues distant receives all the Ships that come for Virginia or Mary-Land and passeth Northernly through the midst of Mary-Land On the Eastern shore of this Bay are divers convenient Harbours Creeks and Islands and Northward thereof is the entrance of Delaware Bay The original Seat and Principal City of this Province where the Provincial Courts the general Assembly the Secretaries office and other publick offices are held and where the seat of Trade is fixt is St. Maries situate in St. Maries County on the East-side of St. Georges River Here formerly at the Palace of St. Iohns the Governor Mr. Charles Calvert used to reside but he hath now a very pleasant and commodious habitation at a place called Mattapany upon the River Patuxent about eight miles from St. Maries here is also another fair house where the Chancellor usually resides There were also some years since in all the rest of the Counties the foundations of Towns laid which no doubt by this time are very near if not altogether compleated particularly in Calvert County near the River Patuxent 1. Calverton in Battle-creek 2. Harvy Town over against Point Patience 3. Herington upon the Cliffs As for the present Government of Mary-Land by the English the Lord Proprietor in the first place is invested as hath been mentioned with an absolute power and dominion by whose sole command all things relating to peace or War are ordered and in whose name issue forth all publick Instruments Patents Warrants Writs c. In the enacting of Laws he hath the consent and advice of the general Assembly which is made up of two Estates the first consisting of his Lorships Privy Council of which the Chancellor and Secretary alwaies are and such Lords of Manors as are called by his special Writ the other of the Deputies of each Province elected by the free voice of the Free-holders of the respective Province for which each Deputy is chosen The names of the present Governor the prime Officers of State and the rest of his Lordships Privy Council are as followeth the Governor Mr. Charles Calvert his Lordships Son and Heir the Chancellor Mr. Philip Calvert his Lordships Brother the Secretary Sr. William Talbot the Muster-Master General Mr. William Calvert Mr. Baker Brook all three his Lordships Nephews the Surveyor General Mr. Ierome White Mr. Edw. Lloyd Mr. Henry Coursy Mr. Thomas Trueman Major Edward Fitz-Herbert Mr. Samuel Chew Vast quantities of Tobacco the grand Trade of this Province of Mary-Land are yearly vended from hence not only in England but likewise in several of the other English Plantations besides the importation also of some other commodities to the great improvement of his Majesties Revenue by Custom and Excise The common way of traffick here is by barter or trucking of commodities one for anotherr though money is not altogether wanting as well of the coin of England and other parts as of his Lordships own Coin being stampt on the one side with his Lordships Coat of Arms with this circumscription Crescite Multiplicamini and on the other side with his Effigies and this circumscription Caecilius Dominus Terrae Mariae c. The Description of new-New-England WHat hath been said in General of the discovery of Virginia largely so called may in consequence be applyed to this Country of new-New-England being as above mentioned one of the three principal Colonies comprehended therein but in the year 1602 it began to be more particularly known a part from the rest from the discovery as some think of Captain Gosnold and in the year 1606 it was granted by Patent by King Iames to divers Lords and Gentlemen under the denomination of the Plymouth Company yet after that several that set out for this Plantation successively either miscarried or returned re infecta as first Captain Henry Chaloung who meeting with the Spanish Fleet that came from the Havana was with all his Company carried Prisoner into Spain Not long after Thomas â— Haman sent to the succour of Chaloung by Sr. Iohn Popham Lord cheif Iustice of England Next Captain Prinne set out by the Bristol Company whose Voyage though it had not its wisht success yet he returned with a farther discovery of the Coast than had been made before Not long after George Popham and Raleigh Gilbert were fitted out at the charge of Sir Iohn Popham with one hundred men who though they had seated themselves not uncommodiously in a Peninsula at the mouth of the River Sagadahoc and were upon making farther discoveries yet in the year 1608 upon the death of George Popham their Commander and soon after of the Lord Chief Iustice they returned into England notwithstanding supplies had but lately been sent them to the very great distaste of the chief promoters of the design and whereupon the French had taken occasion to plant themselves in these parts had they not been timely expelled by Sr. Samuel Argal from Virginia The next that attempted a settlement here was Captain Hobson who by reason of the opposition raised against him by two Natives whom having been detained some while in England he took back along with him upon an affront offered them by some of the English was forc't to return without effecting of any thing
of his Counsel which are in stead of our House of Peers and the Burgesses elected by the Free-men two out of each Parish For the execution of Iustice here are held five Sessions yearly The present Governor is the Right Honourable William Lord Willoughby of Parham The Description of Florida FLorida a pleasant and spacious Countrey was so called by the Spaniards whereas the ancient name was Irquassa because to Iuan Ponce de Leon the first of that Nation that steered his course toward this Coast it gave landing in 1512 on Palm-Sunday which they call Pascha de Flores or Florida Pascha though it had been formerly discovered viz. Ann. 1497. by Sâ—bastion Cabot by the encouragement of K. Henry the 7th of England Ponce by reason of the resistance of the Natives being soon forc'd to quit the place and dying not long after of a wound he received in one of his encounters not many years after Lucas Vasques de Aylon arriving with two Ships was courteously entertained by a King of the Countrey and well he requited him for at his departure he treacherously hoisted Sail with divers of the Indians whom he carried with him captives to work in the Mines at Hispaniola but it thrived with him accordingly when having obtained the Government of Florida he was beaten out with the loss of one Ship and about 200 of his men this notwithstanding discouraged not Pamphilus Nervaes from making another attempt who after many strange adventures losses and hazards at length lost himself it being never known what became of him and of 80 that accompanied him but 4 escap'd to return home alive Much more remarkable and puissant and more destructive to the poor Indians of whom many thousands were slaughtered was the expedition of Ferdinando Soto Ann. 1534. who nevertheless after many losses died therein and his successor Ludovico de Alvarado was forc'd to an hasty retreat in which he lost half his Army upon hopes therefore of better success in the two following expeditions of the Spaniards Religion was thought fit to be joyned with political interest and first with Pietro Albumada were sent five Dominicans who from the jealous Indians not understanding they were design'd Converts to the Christian Faith meeting only with such usage as made them pass for Marâ—yrs three Iesuits next Petrus Martinius Ioannes Rogerus and Franciscus Villaregius went with Pietro Menendez whom such a storm encountred in the very landing that the Ship being driven to Cuba those that were left on Shore perish'd with hunger However of so many landings as had at several times been made by the Spaniards some footing notwithstanding all misfortunes could not but be made in the place Enough it seems to disturb the following approaches of the French of whom Iean Riâ—ald and Rene Laudoniere being the first that discovered those Coasts had at several efforts their men totally cut off by the Spaniards yet at last they were met with by Dominic de Gourgues a Gascoigner who in the year 1567 in revenge of his Countrey-men of whom divers were hang'd and especially of the death of Ribaut who is said to have been flead alive ventur'd of his own accord to make thither with three Ships well mann'd with Souldiers and Sea-men and with the help of divers Casicks of the Countrey ingaged to his Party by Pierre du Bre the only French-man that escaping the Massacre of the Spaniards in Laudonieres attempt was left alive in the place took from them Fort Carolina and two other Forts hanged divers Spaniards on the same trees whereon they had hung the French and return'd with honour though not without sufficient trouble to clear himself of the boldness of such an uncommissioned exploit After this we hear not of any other adventures of the French in this part of America however there fell not long after a terrible storm upon the Spaniards here from the English under Captain Drake who An. 1585. returning from the sacking of Domingo and Carthagena and as he sail'd along that Coast having intelligence of the state of the Spaniards and firing his great Guns against the Fort St. Iohn forc'd them to quit both that and the City St. Augustine which finding totally deserted he entred and seizing on a Chest of 2000 l. and 14 Brass-Guns he return'd to his Ships and contented with his prize hoisted Sail. Since which they have met with little or no disturbance but remained quiet in those Colonies they possess besides which there hath been found space enough of the Countrey for the parcelling out into a peculiar Province which hath been done of late years by his present Majesty and granted by Patent to several Noble and Honourable persons of his Subjects by the name of Carolina as is mentioned more at large in the peculiar description thereof This Countrey of Florida lying South-west of of Virginia extends from the 30 some say the 25 to the 50 degree of Northern Latitude if we consider the extent as it was before 〈◊〉 was taken out of it and is bounded South and South-west with the Gulph of Mâ—xico and Mâ—â— Virginium full West with part of New Gallicia and other Countreys not yet thoroughly discovered North-East with Virginia or rather with Carolina which being now separated 〈◊〉 a Province by it self lies between Florida and Virginia The temperature of the Air of this Countrey is such that Carolina which having been accounted a part of it cannot be thought to differ much in constitution of Climate is generally reputed not only one of the best Colonies the English possess but for health pleasure and profit comparable to if not transcending any part of America beside The richness of the 〈◊〉 meeting with such a temperature of Air as hath been observ'd must needs produce very delicious fruits as well of those kinds that are frequent with us as Apples Pears Plums Cherriâ—s Apricocks Peaches Grapes c. as those peculiar to the Countrey of which I find the 〈◊〉 most especially taken notice of The ancient Inhabitants of Florida are of an Olive colour of a full stature and well proportioned with long black hair reaching down below their wasts which are tied about with the skins of hunted Beasts adorn'd with divers coloured feathers hanging down to their knees else naked only having their bare arms back brest and legs exquisitely painted their women most especially are esteemed very handsome and of an excellent shape which by their going so naked appears to the greater advantage They are crafty ingenâ—ous exquisite dissemblers revengeful and frequent in warlike consultations held in the Kings Palace where he himself sits Arbiter and directer Their warlike Arms are chiefly Bow and Arrows which pointed with fish-bones they carry in quivers by their side They have a gross belief of the souls immortality but the Ceremonies of their Religion are bruitishly barbarous and bloody their victories horrid cruelty to prisoners and burial of their dead attended with many strange and extravagant fancies and conceits There
of Snake and the Alligator which seems to be a kind of American Crocodile The most noted River of Iamaica runs by Los Angelos and St. Iago and falls into Cagway-Bay The Bays Roads and Harbours of this Island are both many and very convenient of which the most considerable are 1 Cagway now chiefly known by the name of Port-Royal abundantly commodious for Shipping as being in most places two or three leagues over and so deep that a Ship of 1000 Tun may load and unload close to the shore secured by a Castle one of the strongest and best provided of any in his Majesties American Domâ—nions and land-lock'd by a point of land which runs 12 miles Souâ—h-east from the main land by reason of which advantages and conveniences it is become the chief place of â—rade in the whole Isle and much frequented both with Men of War and Merchant-men there being built upon the said point no less than 800 houses for Merchants Warehouse keepers Vinâ—ners and other Trades yet in other respects it is ill enough provided having neither accommodation of wood or fresh-water It is seated about 12 miles from St. Iago de la Vâ—ga the chief Town of the Island 2 Port-Morant a capacious Harbour sufficiently convenient for wooding and watering and where Ships may ride secure from the winds it lies on the Eastern Point where the English have a good substantial Colony 3 Port Antonio a very secure land-lock'd Harbour in the North-part of the Isle not otherwise incommodious except in the entrance which is somewhat impeded by a small Island that lies before it this place belongs to the Earl of Carlâ—sle 4 Point-Negril a good Harbour for the secure riding of Sâ—ips North-east of which lies the old Town of Melilla this Bay lies on the utmost Western-point of the Island 5 Old Harbour a commodious Bay lying Westward from St. Iago Besides these which are the most noted there lie along the Coast of this Island many other not inconvenient Bays viz. in the North-part Porto-Maria Ora-Cabessa Cold-Harbour Rio-Novo Montego-Bay Orange-Bay in the South-part Cabarita's Bay Blewfields Bay Lewana Bay Pallate Bay Point Pedro Allegator Point Micary Bay Michaels Hole This Island is divided into 14 Precincts or Parishes those on the North-side are St. Georges St. Maries St. Annes St. Iames's and St. Elizabeths besides two more unnam'd those on the South-side Port-Royal St. Katharines St. Iohns St. Thomas St. Andrews St. Davids and Clarendon The Towns are only these following 1 Sevilla the first Town of any note built by the Spaniards situate in the North-part of the Island and formerly grac'd with a stately both Monastery and Collegiate Church in one whereof Peter Martyâ— the fam'd Author of the Historical Decads of the West-Indies had been Abbot invested with Episcopal Iurisdiction 2 Melilla the first place of settlement of the Spaniards in this Island in the North-west part whereof it lies landing under the condu of Columbus who in his return from Veraguâ— where he had like to have been Shipwrack'd put in here to mend his Ships 3 Orista a Town lying upon the South-Sea whither the Spaniards disliking the situation of Melilla removed Before this place lie several little Rocks and Islands as Serrana so called from Augustin Pedro Serrana who saving himself with much ado from Shipwrack lived here a solitary life for some years Quitosvâ—na and Servavilla 4 St. Iago de la Vega lying six miles from the Sea-side North-west the fixt Seat of the Spaniards upon their abandoning of Oristam also as a place unhealthfully and incommodiously situated and at last accounted the Metropolis or principal Town of the Island having two Churches two Chappels an Abby and about 2000 Houses When the English made themselves Master of the Countrey by whom although at their first arrival it was very much demolished and defac'd yet since their settlement here it hath begun to grow up to its former splendor and continues still the predominant Town and the principal place of Iudicaâ—ure and all affairs relating to the Government and where the Governor keeps his most constant residence 5 Port-â—oyal a Port-Town about 12 miles distant from St. Iago next to which it is at this time the most important place and for Trade rather exceeding it as being the principal of all the Ports among which it hath been already more particularly mentioned 6 Passage a small Town in the mid-way between St. Iago and Port-Royal whence it hath its denomination being just six miles from each and built chiefly for the conveniency of travelling from one to the other It lies upon the mouth of the River and hath a Fort raised for its security The present Governor of this Island for his Majesty of Great-Britain is Sir Thomas Linch BARBADOS The Description of Barbadoes AMong those Islands generally called the Caribes by others less properly the Antilles which name Sanson attributes to those greater Islands of Hispaniola Cuba c. Barbadoes is certainly the most flourishing and best peopled of all of them that are possest by the English if not all the Caribes in general first discovered by Christopher Columbus The first Colony planted in this Island was in the year 1627 and that by the English who have all along kept continual and undisturb'd possession This Island being of an oval form about eight leagues in length and five in bredth is seated in the latitude of 13 degrees and 20 seconds on the North-east of St. Vincent very strong both by Nature and Art as being guarded with Rocks and Shoals and a well-grown wood which invirons the whole Island and also fortified with Rampiers Trenches Palisadoes and Counterscarfs three Forts and a standing Militia consisting of two Regiments of Horse and five of Foot well disciplin'd and ready at a short warning The weather here is so hot for eight months that it would be very intollerable to travellers but for the cool breezes which rising and mounting with the Sun blow generally from the North-east and by East except in the time of the Tornado when for a few hours they change into the South Yet notwithstanding this great heat of the Air it is also so moist that all iron-tools without continual use are wonderfully apt to contract rust This heat and moisture of â—he Air besides the natural fertility of the Soil causeth here no less increase than delight insomuch that the fields and woods are continually green and bring forth their Crops all the year long However the two most proper times of the year for planting are May and November The Sun riseth and sets here at six all the year long and makes the days and nights of an equal length except in October and then the difference is but small The principal productions of this Island are Logwood Fustick Indico Cotton Ginger and Sugars with which four last Commodities it drives a very vast Trade and supplies not only England and Ireland but also several of his Majesties other Dominions in
America The Sugar-canes are planted all the year loâ—g and yield better Sugar when refin'd though not altogether so white than that of Brasile Nor is there wanting here store of Tobacco in which also a considerable Trade is driven The chief Fruits besides what are familiar here with us are Pomegranats Citrons Dates Oranges Limes Macows Iâ—niper-apples Papayers Custard-apples Momins Acaâ—ous Monbains Indian-figs Prickled-apples Prickled-pears Icacos Cocos Plantinâ— Bonanos Guavers and Pine-apples accounted the most delicious of Indian-fruits The other most peculiar trees are the Locust-tree the Mastick-tree Redwood the Prickled yellow-wood the Iron-wood-tree the Cassia Fistula Coloquintida Tamarinds Cassaâ—y the Poison-tree the Phystick-nut the Calibash a sort of Gourd the Mangrass-tree of a large compass the Roucon of whose bark ropes are made the Lignum vitae before-mentioned and the Palmâ—to The other Plants are but the same with what are common here so likewise the Beasts except Asinegos and Birds Some sorts of Fish there are peculiarly belonging to this and the rest of the Caâ—ibbess as Snappers Terbums Cavallos Parrat-fish Coney-fish and Green Turtles esteemed by many a very great delicacy Likewise some kinds of Insects as Musketoes Cockroches Merrywings which sting much in the night but the most remarkable is a very little Fly term'd Cayonyoâ— whose wings cast such a sparkling light that the Indians catching them have been observed to make use of them in stead of candels by tying them to their hands or feet As small as this Island is it is said to have been divided in former times into several petty Nations who with their puny Kings used to go to War each against the other selling the Prisoners they took to the Europeans that came thither to traffick Their habitation is thought to have been chiefly in Caves of which there are several in this Island both very deep and large enough to hold each of them 500 men they are now become the refuges and sculking-places of the Negro-slaves that run away The most usual drinks of the Countrey are Mobby which is an infusion of Potatoes in water as Plantiâ— of Plantins in water Perino of Casaru-root Beveridhe a drink made of Spring-water juice of Oranges and Sugar also Crippo Kill-devil and Punch but above all Wine of Pines a most delicious drink doubtless as made of so delicious a fruit The whole Island is so taken up in Plantations that there are no more vacancies of building than what the ground imployed requires is divided into eleven Precincts or Parishes containing in all 14 Churches and Chappels four of these Parishes are very well built and have the name and repute of noted Towns as 1 St. Michael heretofore called Bridge-Town or Indian-Bridge having several fair Streets of handsome well-built Houses though seated in a place somewhat low and moorish and by consequence unhealthful namely in the bottom of Caerlisle-Bay in the Southern part of the Island a very large Bay and capable of giving harbour to no less than 500 Ship at a time secured with two strong Forts opposite to each other with a Platform in the midst well mounted with great Guns and commanding the Road. The chief of these â—orts called Charles-Fort is seated on Nedhams Point this Town being the principal Emporium of this Isle is grac'd with the Courts of Iudicature the residence of the Governor or his Deputy the Store-houâ—es of Merchants and Factors whence the Inhabitants are furnished with forreign Commodities for those which are the product of the Isle which they bring in exchange 2 Sprights-Bay now Little Bristol about four leagues from St. Michaels Southward it is a place of good Trade and concourse well guarded by two strong Forts 3 St. Iames's not far from Bristol it is a place of good Trade fortified with a large Platform and Brestworks and affording a safe Harbour â—ot Ships here are kept the monthly Courts for this Precinct 4 Charles Town seated on Oyster-Bay two leagues from St. Michâ—el Northward and guarded by two strong Foâ—ts the one on the North-side the other on the South-side of the Town with a Platform in the midst In this Town are kept weekly Markets and the monthly Courts for the Precinct also along the Sea-coast are these places of note viz. Maxwels-Bay Austins-Bay Fowl-Bay the Hole Spikes-Bay Black-Rock Balises-Bay Long-Bay Clarkes-Bay and Constance-Bay The water which supplies this place is chiefly in Pools and Ponds besides Wells and Cisterns belonging to most houses for the receâ—t of rain-water but of Rivers there are only reckoned two if the first be not rather to be accounted a Lake since it runs but a very little way into the Land the other they call the River Tuigh on the surface of whose waters there swims an Oil which being gathered thence is usually burnt in Lamps The Estate of a Master Planter here consists chiefly in servants and Negro-slaves and of these three Classes or Orders the whole Islands consists the Masters live not only in all manner of plenty and delight for besides Beef Mutton Pork Kid Pease Beans and excellent Roots they have all variety of Fish and Fowl and plenty of Wine Strong-waters and English Beer and Ale but also in full stretching ease having their Overseers to manage their business for them who calls the Servants and Slaves to their work by ringing of a Bell at six a clock in the morning and one after dinner and dismisses them at eleven at noon and six at night orders them their several tasks and corrects them for all misorders and neglect of their duties The Servants have this advantage of the Slaves that their servitude lasts but for five years which time being expir'd they either acquire Plantations of their own or have good allowances for working under the chief Planters The Negroes on the other side who are bought like beasts in a Fair are kept in perpetual bondage they and their children and therefore though the Christian Servants are also bought yet double the price is given for the Negroes viz. twenty pound a piece for the men fifteen for the women The diet clothing and lodging is very hard both for servants and slaves but the servants have a double allowance of clothes and their accommodation of lodging much better Sunday which is allowed as a day of respit from the Masters labour the most ingenious spend in some kind of manufacture for their own benefit others in wrestling dancing and such like recreations For the better administration of Government and putting in execution the Laws of this Countrey which if not the same have a very near correspondence with ours in England excepting some that are peculiar to the place The Island is divided into four circuits in each of which there is a Court of Iudicature for civil Causes from whence appeals may be made to the Supreme Court which Supreme Court is in the nature of our Parliament both as having a Legislative Power and consisting of three Estates namely the Governor or his Deputy ten