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
which last was built with great cost by Richaâ—d Earl of Cornwall King of the Romans wherein himself and his Dutchesse was interred Their Son Earl Edmund brought out of Germany the bloud of Hales supposed and said to be part of that whicâ— Christ shed upon his Cross. In this place with great confluence and devotions of Pilgrimage it was sought and worshiped till time proved it a meer counterfeit when the glorious light of the Gospel revealed to eye-sight such gross Idolatries and the skirts of Superstition were were turned up to the shew of her ownâ—shame 12 Dukes and Earls that have born the title of Glocester the first of every Family are by their Arms and Names expressed ever fatal to their Dukes though the greatest in bloud and birth The first was Thomas VVoodstock son to King Edward the third who in Callis was â—mothered in a Feather-bed to death The second was Humfrey brother to King Henry the fifth by the fraudulent practice of the malignant Cardinal and Queen made away at S. Edmundsbury And the last was Richard brother to King Edward the fourth who by the just hand of God was cut off in battle by King Henry the Second 13 This Shires division is principally into four parts subdivided into thirty Hundreds and thâ—m again into two hundred and eight Parish-Churcâ—es Hereford SHIRE HEREFORD-SHIRE CHAPTER XXIV HEREFORD-SHIRE formerly accounted within the limits of Wales lyeth circulated upon the North with Worcester and Shrop-shires upon the East with Malvern Hills is parted from Glocester-shire upon the South is kept in with Monmouth-shire and upon the West in part with the Haiterall Hills is divided from Brecknock and the rest confined with Radnor-shire 2 This Counties climate is most healthful and temperate and Soyl so fertile for Corn and Cattle that no place in England yieldeth more or better conditioned sweet Rivers ruâ—ning as veins in the body do make the Corn-bearing grounds in some of her parts rightly to be termed the Golden Vale and for Waters Wool and Wheat doth contend with Nilus Colchos and Egypt such are Leâ—ster Irchenfield the banks of Wye Luge and Frome 3 The ancient people known to the Romans whose power they well felt before they could subdue them were the Silures placed by Ptolomy in this Tract and branched further into Radnor Breckâ—ock Monmouth and Glamorgan shires at this day by us called Southâ—wales and by the Welsh Deheubarth Their Original as Tacitus conjectureth by their site coloured countenances and curled hair was out of Spain and both as he and Pliny describes them were fierce valiant and impatient of servitude which well they shewed under Caratacus their Captain and nine years scourge to the Roman assaulters for whose only conquest and that made by treachery the Victor in Rome triumphed with more than a usual Aspect and with so equal an hand bare the Scoale of Resistance that their own Writers evermore term it a dangeâ—ous War For the Legion of Marius Valence they put to â—light and that with such havock of the Associates that Asterius the Lievtenant of Britain for very grief gave up the ghost and Veranius under Nero assaulted them in vain But when Vâ—spasian was Emperour and expert Souldiers imployed in every Province Iulius Frontinus subdued these Silures unto the Romans where continually some of their Legions afterward kept till all was abandoned in Valentinians â—ime 4 The Saxons then made themselves Lords of this Land and this Province a part of their Mercians Kingdom yea and Sutton the Court of great Offa their King 5 But Hereford after raised of the ruines of the old Ariconium now Kencâ—ester shaken in pieces by a violent earthquake grew to great fame thorow a conceived sanctity by the burial of Etâ—elbert King of the East-Angles slain at Sutton by Offa at what time he came thither to have espoused his Daughter whose grave was first made at Merden but afterwards câ—nonized and removed to this City when in honour of him was built the Cathedral Church by Milfrid a petty King of that County which Gruffith Prince of South-Wales and Algar an Englishâ—â—an rebelling against Edward Confessor consumed with fire but by Bishop Remelâ—n was restored as now it is at what time the Town was walled and iâ— so remaining in good repair having six gates for entrance and fifteen Watch-Towers for defence extending in compass to fifteen hundred paces and whence the North Pole is observed to be raised 52 degrees 27 minutes in Latitude and is set from the first point of the West in Longitude 17 degrees and 30 minutes being yearly governed by a Mayor chosen out of one and thirty Citizens which are commonly called the Election and he ever after is known for an Alderman and clothed in Scarlet whereof four of the eldest are Iustices of Peace graced with a Sword-bearer a Recorder a Town-Clerk and four Sergeants with Mace The greatest glory that this City received was in King Athelstans days where as Malmesbury doth report he caused the Lords of â—ales by way of Tribute to pay yearly besides Hawkes and Hounds twenty pound of Gold and three hundred pound of Silver by weight but how that was performed and continued I find not 6 Things of rare note in this Shire are said to be Bone-well a Spring not faâ— from Richards Castle wherein are continually found little Fishes bones but not a â—in seen and being wholly cleansed thereof will notwithstanding have again the like whether naturally produced or in veins thither brought no man knoweth 7 But more admirable was the work of the Omnipotent even in our own remembrances and year of Christ â—esus 1571 when the Marcley Hill in the East of this Shire rouzed it self out of a dead sleep with a roaring noise removed from the place where it stood and for three days together travelled from her first â—ite to the great amazement and fear of the beholders It began to journey upon the seventh day of February being sunday at six of the Clock at night and by seven in the next morning had gone forty paces carrying with it Sheep in their coats hedge-rows and trees whereof some were overturned and some that stood upon the plain are firmly growing upon the hill those that were East were turned West and those in the West were set in the East in which remove it overthrew â—â—â—â—aston-Chappel and turned two high-ways near an hundred yards from their usual paths formerly trod The ground thus travelling was about twenty six Acres which opening it self with Rocks and all bare the earth before it for four hundred yards space without any stay leaving that which was Pasturage in place of the Tillage and the Tillage overspread with Paâ—turage Lastly overwhelming her lower parts mounted to an hill of twelve fathoms high and there rested her self after three days travel remaining his mark that so laid hand upon this Rock whose power â—ath poysed the Hills in his Ballance 8 Religious Houses built by the devotions of Princes and
shiâ—e Dudley in Stafford-shire and Rochford in Herâ—ford-shire whither I must refer the Reader to find out these and the like in these Western Tracts 8 Religious places erected in this Shire and devoted unto God by devout persons were Breden Brodlege Evesholme Alâ—ecester Cochel Eladbury Malverin Pershore Stodlâ—ge Westwoods and Worcester plenteously provided for and further secured by many priviledges both which they abused as were the Inditements of all such in the days of King Henry the eight at whose Bar himself being Iudge they were found guilty and received sentence of their ends and destâ—uction 9 Castles for defence built in this County â—uinate or in strength were Hartlebâ—ry Holt Haâ—dley Norton Elmely and Worcester besides his Majesties Mannour of Tichnel 10 This Shires diviâ—ion is into seven Hundreds wherein are seated ten Market-Towns and one hundred fifty two Parish-Churches WARWICKE SHIRE VVARVVICK-SHIRE CHAPTER XXVI WARWICK-SHIRE so called from her Shire-Town is bounded upon the North with the County of Stafford upon the East with Watling-street-way is parted from Leicester-shire and the rest bordered upon by Nortâ—ampton-â—hire the South part is butted by Oxford and Glocester-shires and all her West with the County of Worcesâ—er 2 The Form thereof is not much unlike to a Scallop-shell growing from her Western-head and sprâ—ading her body wider with many indents The length thereof from Newton in the North to Long-Compton in the South are miles thirty and three and the broadest part of this Shire is from Hâ—wellgrange in the West unto Hill-morton in the East distant assunder twenty five miles the whole in circumference aboâ—t one hundred thiâ—ty and five miles 3 This Shire is seated near unto the heart of all England and therefore participates with her in the best both for Air and soyl wanting nothing for profit or pleasure for man The South part from Avon that runneth thorow the midst of this County is called the Feldon as more champion and tractable to be stirred for Corn which yearly yieldeth such plenty of harvest that the Husbâ—ndman smileth in beholding his pains and the meadowing pastures with their green mantles so imbroydred with â—lowers that from Edg-hill we may behold another Eden as Lot did the Plain of Ioâ—dan before that Sodom fell The Woodland lyeth upon the North of Avon so called in regard of the plenty of Woods which now are much thinner by the making of Iron and the soyl more churlish to yield to the Plough 4 The ancient people that poâ—sessed this Province are by Ptolomies description called the Cornavii wherein after were seated the Mercian Saxons a part of whose Kingdom it was and greatâ—y sought after by the West Saxons whose King Cutâ—red about the year of Châ—ist Iesus 749 in Battel â—ew Ethelbald at Sekington neer unto Tamworth And not far from thence King Edward the 4 aâ— unfortunatelâ— fought agaiâ—st that â—tout make-King Richard Nevil Earl of Warwiâ—k near unto which upon Blacklow hill Pierce Gaveston that proud and new-raised Earl of Cornwall was beheaded by Guy Earl of VVarwick assisted with the Earls of Lancaster and Hereford And surely by the testimony of Iohn Rosse and others this County hath been better replenished with people who maketh complâ—int of whole Town-ships depopulations altogether laid waste by a puissant Army of feeding sheep 5 Notwithstanding many fair Towns it hath and some of them matchable to the most of England The chief thereof is Coventree a City both stately for building and walled for defence whose Citizens having highly offended their â—irst Lord Leofrikâ— had their priviledges infringed and themselves oppressed with many heavy Tributes whose wife Lady Godiva pitying their estates uncessantly sâ—ed for their peace and that with such importunacy as hardly could be said whether was greater his hatred or her love at last overcome with her continual intercessions he granted her suit upon an uneivil and as he thought an unacceptable condition which was that she should ride naked thorow the face of the City and that openly at high noon day This notwithstanding she thankfully accepted and performed the Act accordingly enjoyned for this Lady Godiva stripping her self of all rich attire let loose the tresses of her fair hair which on every side so covered â—er nakedness that no part of her body was uncivil to sight whereby she redeemed her former freedoms and remissions of such heavy Tributes Whose memory I wish may remain honourable in that City for â—ver and her pity followed by sâ—ch posâ—essing Ladies This City had grant to choose their yearly Magistrates a Mayor and two Bayliffs and to build about and â—mbattle a wall by King Edward the 3 whom Heâ—ry the 6 corporated a County of it self and changed the names of their Bayliffs into Sheriffs and the walls then were built as they now stand thorow which open 13 gates for entrance besides 18 other Towers thereon for defence At Gofford-gate in the East hangeth the shield-bonâ— of a wild-Boare far bigger than the greatest Oxe-bone with whose sâ—out the great Pit called Swanswell was turned up and was â—â—ain by the famous Guy if we will believe report 6 Next unto this City in account and commerce is VVarwick upon the North west bank of Avon built by Gurgunstus the son of Beline as Iohn Rosse Monk of the place saith 375 years before the birth of Christ by Ninus called Caer-Guarvic and Caer Leon and by learned Cambden judged to be PRAESIDIUM the Roman Garrisons Town The situation of this place is most pleasant upon a hill riâ—ing from the River over which is a strong and fair Stone-bridge and her sharp stream upon the Town-side checked with a most sumptuous and stately Castle the decays whereof with great cost and curious buildings the right worthy Knight Sir Foulke Grevil in whose person shineth all true vertue and high Nobility hath repaired whose merits to me-ward I do acknowledge in setting this hand free from the daily imployments of a manual trade and giving it full liberty thus to express the inclination of my mind himself being the Procurer of my prâ—sent estate It seemeth this Town hath been walled about as appeareth by the Trench in some places seen and two very fair Gates whose passages are hewed out of the Rock as all other into the Town are over whom two beautiful Chappels are built that towards the East called S. Peters and that on the South-west S. Iames. Two fair Churches arâ— therein seated called S. Marries and S. Nicholas but these in and about the Town suppressed S. Lawrence S. Michaels Iohn Baptist and Iohn of Ierusaleâ— beside the Nâ—nnery in the North of the Town whose North Polâ— is elevated in Latitude 52 degrees 45 minutes and is seated from the first point in the West of Longitude 18 degrees and 45 minutes being yearly governed by a Bayliff twelve Brethren twenty four Burgesses for Common-Counsell a Recorder a Townclâ—rk and one Sergâ—ant their Attendant 7 Places of most memorable note observed in this Shire are Shugbury where the
in it for the celebration of Divine Service CUMBERLAND CHAPTER XLI CUMBERLAND the furthest North-West Province in this Realm of England confronteth upon the South of Scotland and is divided from that Kingdom partly by the River Kirsop then crossing Eske by a tract thorow Solomâ—-Moss until it come to the Solwaye-Frith by Ptolomy called the Itune-Bay The North-West part is neighboured by Northumberland more East-ward with Westmerland the South with Lancashire and the West is wholly washed with the Irish-Seas 2 The form whereof is long and narrow pointing wedg-like into the South which part is altogether pestred with copped hills and therefore hath the name of Cop-land The middle is more level and better inhabited yielding sufficient for the sustenance of man but the North is wild and solitary cumbred with Hills as Copland is 3 The Air is piercing and of a sharp temperature and would be more biting were it not that those high Hills break off the Northern storms and cold falling Snows 4 Notwithstanding rich is this Province and with great varieties thereof is replenished the Hills though rough yet smile upon their beholders spread with Sheep and Cattel the Vallies stored with Grass and Corn sufficient the Sea affordeth great store of Fish the Land overspread with variety of Fowls and the Rivers feed a kind of Muskle that bringeth forth Pearl where in the mouth of the Irt as they lie gaping and sucking in Dew the Country people gather and sell to the Lapidaries to their own little and the buyers great gain But the Mines Royal of Copper whereof this Country yieldeth much is for use the richest of all the place is at Keswick and Newland where likewise the Black-Lead is gotten whose plenty maketh it of no great esteem otherwise a commodity that could hardly be missed 5 The ancient Inhabitants known to the Romans were the Brigantes whom Ptolomy disperseth into Westmorland Richmond Durham York-shire and Lancashire But when the Saxons had overborn the Britains and forced them out of the best to seek their resting among the vast Mountains these by them were entred into where they held play with their enemies maugre their force and from them as Marianus doth witness the Land was called Cumber of those Kumbri the Britains But when the State of the Saxons was sore shaken by the Danes this Cumberland was accounted a Kingdom of it self for so the Flower-gatherer of Westminster recordeth King Edmund saith he with the help of Leoline Prince of South-Wales wasted all Cumberland and having put out the eyes of the 〈◊〉 soâ—s of Dunmail King of that Province granted that Kingdom unto Malcolm King of Scots whereof their eldest sons became Prefects This Province King Stephen to purchâ—se favour with the Scots what time he stood in most need of aid confirmed by gift under their Crown which Henry the Second notwithstanding made claim unto and got as Nubrigensis writeth and laid it again in the Marches of England since when many bickerings betwixt these Nations herein have hapned but none so bitter against the Scottish-side as was that at Salome Moss where their Nobility disdaining their General Oliver Sinclere gave over the Battel and yielded themselves to the English which dishonour pierced so deeply into to the heart of King Iames the fifth that for grief thereof he shortly after died 6 Many memorable Antiquities remain and have been found in this County for it being the Confines of the Romans Possessions was continually secured by their Garrisons where remains at this day part of that admirable Wall built by Severus also another Fortification from 〈◊〉 to Elâ—â—-Moâ—th upon the Sea-shore toward Ireland by Stillicâ— raised when under 〈◊〉 he suppressed the rage of the Picts and Irish and freed the Seas of the Saxon Pirates Upon Hard-knot hill Moresby Old-Carleil Pap-Castle along the Wall and in many other places their ruines remain with Altars and Iâ—scriptions of their Captains and Colonies whereof many have been found and more as yet lie hid 7 The chiefest City in this Shire is Careile pleasantly seated betwixt the Rivers Eden Petterelâ— and Caud by the Romans called Luguvallum by Beda Luell by Ptolomy Leucopibia by Ninius Caer-Lualid and by us Carlile This City flourishing under the Romans at their departure by the furious outrages of the Scots and Picts was dejected yet in the daies of Egfrid King of Northumberland was walled about but again defaced by the over-running Danes lay buried in her own ashes the space of two hundred years upon whose ruines at length Rufus set his compassionate eye and built there the Castle planting a Colony of Flemings to secure the Coasts from the Scots but upon better advisement removed them into Wales After him Henry his Brother and Successor ordained this City for an Episcopal See whose site is placed in the degree of Longitude from the first West part 17 and 2 scruples and the Pole thence elevated from the degree of Latitude 55 and 56 scruples 8 West from hence at Burgh upon the Sand was the fatal end of our famous Monarch King Edward the First who there leaving his Wars unfinished against Scotland left his troubles and soon missed life to his untimely and soon lamented death 9 And at Salkelds upon the River Eden a Monument of seventy seven Stones each of them ten foot high above ground and one of them at the entrance fifteen as a Trophy of Victory was erected These are by the By-dwellers called Long-Meg and her Daughters 10 This Country as it stood in the Fronts of Assaults so was it strengthened with twenty-five Castles and preserved with the Prayers as then was thought of the Vâ—taries in the Houses erected at Carlilâ— Lâ—ncroft Wether all Holme Daker and Saint Bees These with others were dissolved by King Henry the Eight and their revenues shadowed under his Crown but the Province being freed from the charge of Subsidie is not therefore divided into Hundreds in the Parliament Roles whence we have taken the divisions of the rest only this is observed that therein are seated nine Market-Towns fifty eight Parish-Churches besides many other Chappels of Ease NORTHUMBERLAND NORTHUMBERLAND CHAPTER XLII THE County of Northumberlaâ—d hath on the South the Bishoprick of Durham being shut in with the River Derwent and with Tyne the North is confined upon Scotland the West upon part of Scotland and part of Cumberland the East-side lyeth altogether upon the Sea called Mare Germanicum 2 The form thereof is Triangular and differs not much in the sidings for from her South-East unto the South-West point are near unto 40 miles from thence to her North-point are sixty miles and her base along the Sea-shore 45 miles The whole in circumference is about one hundred forty five miles 3 The Air must needs be subtile and piercing for that the Northernly parts are most exposed to extremity of weathers as great winds hard froâ—ts and long lying of snows c. Yet would it be far more sharp than it is were
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
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
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
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