The Commodities that this Shire principally affords besides many others are Cloath Stockins Corn Cattle Knives Spurs c. It is in the Diocess of York and hath in it 563 Parishes Out of it are elected 29 Members to fit in Parliament Knights 2 York 2 Kingston upon Hull 2 Knaresborough 2 Skaredborough 2 Rippon 2 Richmond 2 Hidon 2 Burrowbrigg 2 Malton 2 Thirske 2 Aldeborough 2 Beverly 2 North-Allerton 2 Pomfret 2 Its Division is into Hundreds as are most of the Counties in England of which this is divided into 26. But because of the largeness thereof it is first divided into three Parts called Ridings viz. The East Riding The West Riding The North Riding And each of these Ridings have their several Hundreds and those Hundreds their respective Market Towns as followeth viz. The East Riding is divided into 4 Hundreds viz. Buccrosse Dickering Holdernesse Ouse and Derwent And in this Riding are these 8 Market-Towns viz. Hull Tu. and Sat. Beverly Wed. and Sa. Wighton Wednes Kilham Th. Headon Sat. Bridlington Sat. Howder Sat. Packlington Sat. The West Riding is divided into 10 Hundreds viz. Stancliffe Claro Ansty Barkston Skirink Motley Aggerage Osgoderosse Strasforth Staincrosse And in this Riding are 24 Market-Towns viz. Rotheram Monday Selby Mon. Leedes Tuesday and Saturday Otley Tues Settle Tues Sheffield Tues Barnesby Wednes Knaresborow Wed. Hallifax Thursday Wakefield Thursday and Friday Bradforth Thurs Wetherly Thurs Tadcaster Thurs Rippon Thurs Snathe Friday Ripley Friday Tickhill Saturday Bantrey Sat. Doncaster Sat. Sherborn Sat. Pontefract Sat. Borough Bridge Sat. Skipton Sat. Thorne The North Riding is divided into 12 Hundreds viz. Gilling West Gilling East Allerton Langborgh Whitbystand Pickering Ridall Bulmar Burford Hallikeld Hang East Hang West And in this Riding are 17 Market-Towns viz. Pickering Mond Gisborough Mond Thruske Mond Beda Tues Masham Tues Kirby moreside Wed North Allerton Wed. Abberforth Wedn. Scarborough Th. Yarum Thurs York Thursday and Saturday Malton Sat. Helmley Sat. Whitby Sat. Stokesly Sat. Richmond Sat. Askrigg The principal place in this large County is York the second City in England It lies in the Latitude of 53 deg 58 min. It bears from London N. by W. And is distant therefrom 150 miles Thus From London to Waltham-Crosse 12 miles to Ware 20. to Royston 33. to Caxton 42. to Huntingden 48. to Stamford 69. to Grantham 85. to Newark 95. to Tuxford 104. to Doncaster 122. to Wentbridge 129. to Tadcaster 141. to York 150. But being measured upon the Road the distance is found to be 192 miles from London This City saith Speed is a pleasant place large and full of Magnificence rich and populous in all which it over-masters all the other places of this County and it is not only strengthned with Fortifications but adorned with Magnificent Buildings both Private and Publick It is an Episcopal See a Metropolitan City and in it is a most famous Library It is Governed by a Lord Maior 12 Aldermen many Chamberlains a Recorder a Town-Clerk 6 Sergeants at Mace and 2 Esquires which are a Sword-bearer and a Common Sergeant who with a large Mace goeth on the left hand of the Sword The Arms of the City of York is Argent on a Cross Gules 5 Lyons Passant Guardant Or. Besides this City of York there are two other Places of note not to be forgotten viz. Richmond and Hull The Arms of Richmond is Gules an inner border Argent over all a Bend Dexter Ermine The Arms of Hull is Azure 3 Corronets in Pale Or. The Arms of such Families as have born the Dignity of Earls of Richmond and Holdernesse since the Conquest Allen E. of Brittain and Richmond Earl of Richmond John of Gaunt Duke of Lancaster Earl of Richmond Geffery 4th Son to K. Henry the 2d Earl of Richmond John D. of Brittain Earl of Richmond Gray Viscount Tours Earl of Richmond Ralph E. of Westmoreland Earl of Richmond Ralph E. of Chester Earl of Richmond John D. of Bedford Earl of Richmond Peter de Dreux Earl of Richmond Humphrey Duke of Gloucester Earl of Richmond Peter de Savoy Earl of Richmond Edmond Haddam Earl of Richmond John D. of Brittain Earl of Richmond Henry fits Roy D. Earl of Richmond Earls of Holdernesse Drugo de Buerer Earl of Holdernesse Stephen de Bloys Earl of Holdernesse William de Mendevile Earl of Holdernesse Baldwin de Beton Earl of Holdernesse William de Fortibus Earl of Holdernesse Edward E. of Rutland Earl of Holdernesse There are lately added by His Majesty K. Charles II. these following viz. Lodowick Stuart D. of Richmond John Ramsey E. of Richmond Rupert Count Palatine of the Rhyne E. of Holdernesse Things Remarkable in this County Upon Palm-Sunday in the year 1461. was a Battel fought in the Quarrel between Lancaster and York in which England never saw more Nobility and Gentry nor a more puissant Army in the Field for there were there at one time on both sides 100 Thousand fighting men When the Fight had continued doubtful a great part of the day the Lancasterians not being able longer to continue the force of their Enemies turned back and fled away and such as took part with York pursued them so hotly that they killed many of their Nobility and Gentry and that day were slain on both sides 30 thousand English-men About Pontefract and Knaresborough grows great quantities of Liquorice In some parts of this Shire near Sherbourn are Quarries whose Stones when first taken out of the Quarries are very soft but seasoned with Wind and Weather they become very hard and durable Other parts of this Shire produce a Lime-stone which being burnt serves to enrich and manure those Lands that are cold and hilly At the suppression of the Abbies in the days of K. Henry the 8th in a certain Chappel in York a Lamp was found burning in a Vault or Sepulchre under ground wherein Constantine the Emperour was supposed to have been Buried About Sheffield in this Shire are many Iron-Mines About the year of Christ 759. the Town of Doncaster was burnt by Fire from Heaven The Inhabitants about Dichmarsh and Marshland are of opinion that the Land there is hollow or hanging and that as the Waters rise the Land is also heaved up Near unto Bratherton is a yellow kind of Marle found which being cast upon the Fields causeth them to bear good Corn for many years together Not far from the Abby of Fountains there are Lead-Mines Near unto Burrough Bridge are certain Pyramids standing which are supposed to have been made of a factitious Stone compounded of pure Sand Lime Vitrials and other unctious matter Under Knaresborough is a Well called Dripa Well in which the Water springs not out of the Veins of the Earth but distills from the Rocks which hang over it The Water of this VVell saith Speed turns VVood into Stone for VVood put into it will shortly after be covered over with a Stony Bark and at length become Stone At Giggleswick in
Shafton Dorchester Blanford And in these 5 Divisions are 29 Hundreds viz. White-Church H. Bemister Redohave Tollerford Lowsbarrow Eggardon Vgscomb Sherbourn Yeatminster Buckland Redlane Brownsell Whitway H. Puddletown Winfrith Beere Rushmore Cogdeane Badbury Knowlton Vpwinborn Newton George Rowbarrow Hasler H. Craneborne Culliford Totcomb H. Pimpern And in these Hundreds are 19 Market-Towns Middleton Mon. Pool Mond Thur. Weymouth Melcom Reg. Tu. F. Cerne Abbas Wed. Cranborn Wed. Abbots Bury Thurs Sherbourn Th. Sat. Corse Castle Th. Sturminster Th. Frampton Th. Wimborn Minster Fr. Dorchester Sat. Shaftsbury Sat. Blandford Sat. VVorham Sat. Lime Bird Port Bemyster Everstwit The Chief and most remarkable place in this Shire is Dorchester lying in 50 deg and 35 min. of North Latitude It bears from London S. W. by W. and is distant therefrom 85 miles thus To Basing-stoke 39. to Stockbridge 55. to Dunkton 67. to Cranburn 76. to Blandford 85. to Dorchester 97. but by measure on the Road 112 miles This City is situate on the South-side of Frome and hath formerly been Walled about part of which Wall upon the West and South side yet remaineth Not far from which there remaineth the Tract and Trench almost meeting the River a Fortification of Earth trenched about and mounted above the ordinary plain 150 foot and contains about five Acres of Ground wherein plenty of Corn grows This City is Governed by 2 Bailiffs elected out of 8 Magistrates or Aldermen a Recorder Town-Clerk and 2 Sergeants attending them The Earls and Marquesses of Dorchester since the first constitution are Osmond Earl of Dorset John Beaufort Marquess of Dorchester Thomas Grey Marquess of Dor. Thomas Sackvile Earl of Dor. Things remarkable in this Shire At Pool in this County upon the 20th of June 1653. it is reported that it rained warm Blood In the Haven of Pool the Sea contrary to all other Ports in England Ebbs and Flows four times in 24 hours viz. First at a S. E. and N. W. Moon and the Second time at a S. by E. and a N. by W. Moon In Anno 1582. and 1583. upon the 13th of January at Hermitage in the Vale of White Hart a piece of Ground of 3 Acres removed from its old place and was carried over another Close where Alders and VVillows grew the distance of 40 Rod or Perches stopping up the VVay to Cerne Abbas and yet the Hedges and Trees that enclosed it before enclose it still the Trees growing upright and the place where this Ground was before is left as a great Pit The Portland Men are Excellent good Slingers In the Isles of Purbeck are Veins of Marble running under the Earth The Arms of the City of Dorchester is Gules a Castle Argent in its Front the Arms of England and France Quartered Durham THE BISHOPRICK and CITY THis Bishoprick and City is bounded on the East by the German Ocean On the VVest by Westmorland and Cumberland On the South by Yorkshire And on the North by Northumberland It containeth in length 35 miles In breadth 30 miles And in Circumference 105 miles The Air of this Countrey is sharp and piercing The Soil on the Eastern part of it is Richest the South is Moorish but most inhabited the VVest all Rocky affording neither Grass nor Grain but only it feeds Cattle and is well stored with Coal as the whole Countrey is The Eastern part which I said before was the Richest yieldeth great plenty of Coal and where it hath plenty of Coal it is notwithstanding very fruitful and good Land The Commodities of this Countrey are Coles Lead and Iron It is in the Diocess of Durham and hath in it 118 Parishes Out of it are elected 4 Members for Parliament men Knights 2 Durham 2 The Division of it is not into Hundreds but VVakes which are Four In this Bishoprick are 6 Market-Towns Darlington Monday Barnard Castel Wed. Bishop Ankland Th. Sunderland Friday Durham Saturday Stainthorp The Principal place in the County is the City of Durham lying in the Latitude of 54 deg and 50 min. It bears from London N. by W. and is distant therefrom 200 Miles Thus From London to Waltam Cross 12. to Hodsdon 17. to Ware 20. to Buntingford 27. to Royston 33. to Caxton 42. to Huntington 48. to Stamford 69. to Grantham 85. to Newark 95. to Tuxford 105. to Doncaster 123. to Wentbridge 130. to Tadcaster 142. to York 150. to Borrowbridge 163. to Northallerton 176. to Dorlington 186. to Durham 200. But the same way being measured upon the Road it will be found to contain 262 miles Of this County the Bishops have had the Royalty of Princes and the Inhabitants have pleaded Priviledges in time of War not to pass over the River Tyne The Arms of Durham are Azure a Cross Flooree Or between four Lyons Rampant Argent Remarques in this County In the upper part of the City of Durham William the Conqueror erected a Castle upon a high Hill for her defence which is almost encompassed about with the River Were In the year of our Lord 1346. and in the 20th of Edward the 3d. upon the 20th of October at Nevel's Cross near Durham a Battel was fought betwixt the English and the Scots wherein David Brush K. of Scotland with many of his Nobility were taken Prisoners by Queen Phillip Wife to K. Edw. 3. who was in person present in the Field The Battel was managed by the Lords Moubray Percy and Nevil At Oxenhall near unto Dorlington in this County are three Pits wonderful deep called Hell Kettles They are thought to come of an Earthquake that hapned Anno 1179. For our Chronicles make mention that on Christmas-Day at Oxenhall the ground heaved up aloft like a Tower and so continued all that day till evening and then fell in making a very horrid noise and the Earth swallowed it up and made in the place three great holes Bishop Tunstall of this Diocess took a Goose and marked it and put it into one of these Pits and the same Goose was found afterwards in the River Tees At Batterby near Durham within the River Weer in the Summer time there issues a salt reddish water from the sides of certain Stones at the Ebb and Low water which the Sun calcines to whiteness and growing thick becomes Salt and the Inhabitants thereabouts do use it for Salt Essex THis County is bounded on the East by the German Ocean On the West by Hartfordshire and Middlesex On the South by Kent And on the North by Suffolk It contains in Length 45 miles In Breadth 38 miles And in Circumference 148 miles The Air of this Shire is temperate but down in the Hundreds towards the Sea-side it is very Aguish The Soil for the most part is good and in some parts so fruitful that after 3 years Glebe oâ— Saffron the Land for 18 years more will yield plenty of Barly without any manuring with dung or the like and then bear Saffron again One Acre of this Ground
stately Houses and Palaces both publick and private The chief among which are First The Palaces of the King Whitehall and St. James the first being the Residence of His Sacred Majesty the other of his Royal Highness James Duke of York to which is joyned a delightful Park so called in which is a Pall-Mall said to be the best in Europe Secondly the Courts of Judicature and Houses of Parliament now known by the Name of Westminster-Hall a large Structure which was anciently the Palace of the Kings of England Thirdly Its Collegiate Church of Westminster which was the Temple of St. Peter raised out of the Ruines of a former dedicated to Apollo where the Trinobants did Sacrifice to Diana Tauropolia This Temple of St. Peter was destroyed by the Danes and re-edified by Dunstan Bishop of London in the year 960. Fourthly King Henry's Chappel being a most magnificent and curious Edifice beautified with the stately Tombs of the Kings and Queens with many of the Nobility of England renowned for the inauguration of our Kings and Queens now a Collegiate Church Fifthly Somerset-House a large and stately Structure belonging to the King situate upon the Thames Sixthly The New-Exchange a place well stored with variety of Shops and Goods to which may be added Seventhly The several Houses of the Nobility as Wallingford-House the Seat of the Earl of Arlington Northumberland-House the Residence of the Countess of Northumberland York-House belonging to the Duke of Buckingham but now turned into smaller Buildings and made new Streets of Houses Salisbury-House belonging to the Earl of Salisbury converted into a New-Exchange and a Street of smaller Houses Worcester-House to the Marquess of Worcester The Savoy formerly an Hospital now the Habitation of several Families where they have their Houses apart and here is His Majesties Wardrobe kept Arundel-House belonging to the Duke of Norfolk and Essex-House to the Duke of Somerset now also turned into small Buildings and made a Street to the Thames side Then Exeter-House Bedford-House Clarendon-House Leicester-House Southampton-House with divers others too many to be mentioned in this small Discourse The Limits of this City ends at Temple-Bar where the Liberty of London beginneth which we shall next speak of Of LONDON This City within the Walls and Freedom is divided into 26 Parts or Wards governed by a Lord Mayor so many grave Aldermen and two Sheriffs the yearly Choice of which was granted them by Patent from King John to these Henry the Third added some Aldermen these Aldermen take charge of the 26 Wards aforesaid and called from them Aldermanries The names of the Wards are thus called viz. 1. Tower-street 2. Portsoken 3. Aldgate 4. Limestreet 5. Bishopsgate 6. Broadstreet 7. Cornhil 8. Langhorn 9. Billingsgate 10. Bridgwater within 11. Candlewick 12. Walbrook 13. Dowgate 14. Vintrey 15. Cordwainer 16. Cheap 17. Coleman-street 18. Basinghall 19. Aldersgate 20. Cripplegate 21. Farringdon within 22. Faringdon without 23. Breadstreet 24. Queenhithe 25. Castle-Baynard 26. Bridgwater without viz. the Burrough of Southwark 1. Towerstreet Ward so termed from the Tower unto this Ward belongs Sydon-lane or Seething-lane part of Mark-lane Minchen-lane and Beer-lane Water-lane then Harp-lane in this Lane is the Bakers-Hall then the two Lanes called Church-Lanes and next to them Foul-lane then the Church of St. Dunstan's in the East the Custome-house and Key now bravely rebuilt and adorned 2. Portsoken Ward the East part of the Tower is in it then the Hospital of St. Katharine then East-Smithfield and Tower-hill where is the Store-house for keeping Provisions for the Navy Royal called the Slaughter-house the Merchant-Taylors have in this Ward Alms-houses for 14 Women next the Minories then the Church of St. Buttolph then is Hoglane near Goodmans-fields the Ward ending at Petticoat-lane 3. Aldgate Ward so named from the Gate the chief Street beginneth at the Gate betwixt the Gate and Limestreet in it is Bricklayers-Hall then Billeter-lane then Fenchurch-street till you come to Culver-alley then Crossed or Crouched-Friars Woodroof-lane Hart-street the North end of Mark-lane where the Ward endeth 4. Limestreet Ward here stands Leaden-Hall formerly a Storehouse for Provision for the Poor now a Market-place for Butchers Tanners Meal-men and Wool no Market in the World for variety of Provision able to stand in competition with it Tere is no Parish-Church or place for Divine Service in this Ward 5. Bishopsgate Ward part is without the Gate from St. Mary Spittle to Bishopsgate which Lanes and Alleys of note are Bethlehem East of the New Postern West by Moorfields and almost half of Houndsditch in this Ward is the Church of St. Buttolph without the Gate Fishers-folly the old Artillery-ground St. Mary-Spittle within the Gate is Bishopsgate-street so called of the Gate unto the East end of St. Martins-Outwitch where is Gresham-Colledg then by the West corner of Leaden-hall down that was called Grass-street to the Corner over against the Church great St. Hellens and little St. Hellens where is Leather-sellers-Hall 6. Broadstreet Ward so named from the Street in it is Throgmorton-street Threadneedle-street half Finch-lane and Scalding-alley in it is Alhallows in the Wall Winchester-street Carpenters-Hall Winchester-house the Hall between Winchester-street and Broad-street called the Glass-house in Broad-street are Sir Thomas Gresham's Alms-houses here standeth St. Peters the Poor of which Parish was formerly made this Rhime In the Parish of St. Peters the Poor There 's no Ale-house nor Tavern nor Sign at a door The Case is altered now quoth Ploydon The St. Augustine-Friers now the Dutch Church in this Ward is Drapers-Hall the House formerly of Cromwel Earl of Essex Bartholomew-lane and Merchant-Taylors-Hall in Threadneedle-street 7. Corn-hil Ward so called from a Corn-Market formerly kept there the chief Ornaments of this Ward are a famous Monument erected by Sir Thomas Gresham who named it the Burss afterwards by Queen Elizabeth called the Royal-Exchange it is the Place of publick meeting for Merchants whereunto they twice every day resort between twelve and one at Noon and six and seven at Night a stately Structure now said to be the best in the known World built quadrangular of Free-stone with a lofty Tower at the South entrance and Walks round the main Building over which are above 200 Shops for rich Wares and well stored with variety of all sorts The Church of St. Peter accounted the oldest Church in London the Church of St. Michael now rebuilt and bravely adorned also the South end of Finch-lane and the North end of Burching is in this Ward 8. Langborn Ward so termed of a Bourn or Brook of sweet Water that ran in it in which is Fenchurch-street Lombard-street half of Lime-street in which was Pewterers-Hall Dionys Back-church half of Birching-lane some few Houses in Philpot-lane St. Clements-lane down to St. Clements Church St. Nicholas-lane down beyond St. Nicholas Church a small portion of Abchurch-lane part of Beerbinder-lane Alhallows-Lombard-street St. Mary Wolnoth 9. Billingsgate Ward the Ornaments of this
at Mace The Arms of the Town of Shrewsbury is Azure 3 Leopards heads Or. Things Remarkable in this County That the Air of this County is healthful as is aforesaid was versified in old Tho. Parre of Alderbury who was 152 years old who about two years before he died was brought up to London to K. Charles the First and dyed there in Anno 1635. At Wenlock in the time of Richard the Second was found a rich Mine of Copper At â—itchford in this Shire is a Well or Spring in a private man's Yard wherein floweth a thick skum of liquid Bitumen which being cleared and taken off one day will have the like upon it again on the morrow Upon that plot of Ground where the ancient City Wroxcester lay the Earth is more blackish than any elsewhere in the whole County and bears excellent good Barley In the third year of Q. Elizabeth the Town of Oswestre in this County 200 Houses in the space of two hours were consumed with Fire Dr. Fuller in his History of The Worthies of England quoteth a Proverb which is attributed to the Women of this County namely this He that Marries a Wife in Shropshire must carry her into Staffordshire or live in Cumberland The gingle of which Proverb and the reflexion of it upon the Women saying That this County of Shropshire affordeth as good Housewifes and as meek Women as any County in England of the like magnitude Somerset-Shire THis Shire is bounded on the East by Wiltshire On the West by Devonshire On the South by Dorsetshire And on the North by Gloucestershire It containeth in length 62 miles In breadth 32 miles And in Circumference 204 miles The Temperature of the Air is mild pleasing and delightful especially in the Summer Season The Soil is Wet Mirey and Moorish but as it is foul so it is fruitful and on every side garnished with delightful Meadows and beautified with many large Mansion-Houses and the Seven Sea beating upon it on the North side The chief Commodities of this County are Corn Cattel Lead and Bristol Stones It is in the Diocess of Bath and Wells and in it are contained 385 Parishes Out of it are elected 18 Members to sit in Parliament Knights 2 Bristol 2 Bath 2 Wells 2 Taunton 2 Bridgewater 2 Minehead 2 Ilchester 2 Milborn Port 2 Its Division is into 42 Hundreds viz. Chewe Chewton Bathforme Keynsham Bruton Cattesayshe Norton-ferry Frome Wellow Killmersdon Glaston Horethorne Wells and Melford Whitston North Curry Milverton Carhampton Wyllyton and Free-Mannor Whitleigh Canington North Petherton Anderfield Huntspill Puriton Abdicke Bulston Kingsbury S. Petherton Crewkerne Sommerton Pitney Stone Tintin hull Houndsborough Barwick Coker Martock Winterstoake Portbury Brempstone Brent Hartcliffe and Bedminster And in these Hundreds are 30 Market-Towns viz. Somerton Mond Chard Mond Glassenburrough Tu. N. Curry Tu Sat. Wivescomb Tu. Pensford Tu. Wrinton Tu. North Petherton Tu. Wincaunion W. Ilchester W. Taunton W. and S. Bristol W. and Sat. Bath W. and S. Wells W. and S. Frowmselwood Wed. Axebridge Th. South Petherton Th. Wellington Th. Bridgewater Th. Canesham Th. Shepton Mallet Fr. Evill Fr. Dunster Fr. Wruton Sa. Langport S. Crokehorn S. Ilmister S. Wattchet S. Dalverton S. Phillips Norton This County is famous for that in it are three Cities viz. Bath Wells and Bristol Bath taketh its name from the Wells or Springs which there break forth Bath taketh its name from the Hot Baths there But the principal City though not so ancient as the other two is Bristol It lies in the Latitude of 51 deg 32 min. It bears from London West and is distant therefrom 94 miles Thus From London to New Brainford 8 miles to Maidenhead 22. to Reading 32. to Newberry 47. to Marlborough 62. to Chipenham 77. to Marshfield 84. to Bristol 94. But by more accurate admeasurement upon the Road the distance from London is found to be 115 Miles This City is fair and well seated and for beauty may compare with any City in England of the bigness and may well deserve the old Saxon name Bright-stall whose pleasantness is much augmented by reason of the River Avon runs through the middle of it and the Severn running under all the Streets cleanses the City from all manner of filth It is not wholly seated in this County but one part of it is in Gloucestershire It is Governed both by a Bishop and a Maior a competent number of Aldermen and other Officers for the management of Civil affairs The Arms of the City is Gules a Castle upon a Hill by the Seaside and a helm of a Ship under Sail passing by all proper The Earls and Dukes of Somerset and Bath since the first Constitution Rheonald de Mohum Lord of Dunster and E of Somerset John Beauford Duke of Somerset Henry fits Roy Duke of Somerset Edward Somer Duke of Somerset Phllip Chamdew Earl of Bath John Boucheir Lord Fitz Warren Earl of Bath Henry Dawbney John Greenvile Earl of Bath Things Remarkable in this County Camalet a very steep Hill hard to be ascended on the top whereof are seen the Lineaments of a large and ancient Castle which is said to have been the Palace of King Arthur The Church-yard of Avelena or Glassenborough where K. Arthur's Sepulchre was searched for by Order of K. Henry the 2d and was there found under a Stone with an Inscription upon it almost 9 foot under ground The principal Rarity of this County is the Baths which are in number four viz. The Kings Bath The Queens Bath The Cross Bath And the Hot Bath The King's Bath lies in the middle of the City being about 60 foot Square and it hath about the middle of it many hot Springs rising whence it hath the greater heat The Queens Bath hath no Spring in it but only receives the Water from the King's Bath from which it is only divided by a Wall for which reason it is more Temperate than the Kings In these 2 Baths there is a Pump to Pump Water upon the Diseased where strong Embrocations are required The Croâ—â— Bath and the Hot Bath are in the West part of the City The Cross Bath is Triangular and about 25 foot long and as broad at one end It hath not so many Springs as the King's Bath and the Hot Bath have and therefore is of a more gentle heat About 100 foot from the Cross Bath is the Hot Bath so called because formerly when it was not so large as now it is it was much hotter than the rest Near the River Frome are Pit-Coals digged with which Smiths use to soften Iron By the Sea-side not far from Axbridge about the year 1625. a parcel of Land swelled up like a Hill and of a sudden clave asunder and fell down again into the Earth and in the place of it remains a great Pool At Kingsham in the Stone-Quarries there are found Stones in the form of Serpents At Bristol it Flows 13 or 14 foot in height every Tide
magnificently Built that of some she may well say that no Shire hath none such as is Nonesuch it self The Dukes and Earls of Surrey since the first Constitution William Warren created Earl of Surrey by Will. Rufus William Earl of Eagle Son to K. Stephen E. of Surrey Hamlin Base Son to Geffery Plantaginet E. of Surrey Thomas Mowbray E. of Surrey in right of his Wife Thomas Holland Duke of Surrey created by K. Richard the 2d Thomas Beaufort E. of Surrey created by K. Henry the 4th Thomas Howard E. of Surrey created by K. Richard the 3d. Things Remarkable in this County At Richmond in this County died Edward the 3d. Conqueror of France The beautiful Ann Daughter to Charles the 4th Emperour and Wife to K. Richard the 2d The most wise Prince K. Henry the 7th And the rarest of her Sex Q. Elizabeth Under Holm Castle standing upon a Hill of Gritty Stone is a great Vault of Arched Work The River Mole runs above a mile under ground and in the place where it falls into the ground there groweth abundance of Box naturally Near unto Nonesuch is a Vein of Potters Earth much commended for that it is excellent good for the making of Crucibles for the melting of Gold and other Metals The rising of a Bourn or stream near Croydon as the common people hold presageth Death as the Plague or the like and it hath been observed to fall out so The VVaters of Ebsham in this County are very famous and much frequented for their Medicinal Virtues and purging by Siege In the year 1389. in the Month of July K. Richard the 2d being at his Court at Sheene there swarmed in his Court such multitude of Flies and Gnats skirmishing with one another that in the end they were swept away with Brooms by heaps and Bushels were filled with them Sussex THis County is bounded on the East by Kent On the West by Hantshire On the South by the Brittish Sea And on the North by Surrey It containeth in length 53 miles In breadth 16 miles And in Circumference 172 miles The Air is good but subject to Fogs and Mists arising from the Sea The Soil is Rich and yeildeth plenty of all things necessary but very ill for Travellers in the Winter time for the Land lying low the ways are very Mirey but on the other side of them you have the prospect of Meadows Pastures and Corn Fields The chief Commodities this County affords are Corn VVood Iron and Malt. It is in the Diocess of Chichester and hath in it 312 Parishes Out of it are elected 20 Parliament Men. Knights 2 Chichester 2 Horsham 2 Midhurst 2 Lewes 2 New-Shoreham 2 Bramber 2 Steyning 2 East-Grimstead 2 Arundel 2 Its Division is into 6 Rapes and each of them contains a several number of Hundreds in all 65 Hundreds viz. Chichester Rape In which is contained Hundreds 07 Arundale Rape 05 Bramber Rape 10 Lewes Rape 13 Pevensa Rape 17 Hastings Rape 13 Hundreds in all 65 And in these Hundreds are 16 Market-Towns viz. Chichester Wednes and Sat. Petworth Wed. Stevington Wed. Arundel Wed. and Satur. Steneinge Wed. Rhye Wed. and Sat. Hastings Wed. and Sat. Midhurst Th. Bright Helmiston Th. East Grinstead Th. Sattell Th. Coxfield Friday Horsham Sat. Lewes Sat. Tarringe Winchelsey now disused The Principal place in this County is the City of Chichester lying in the Latitude of 50 deg 48 min. It bears from London S. VV. by S. And is distant therefrom 50 Miles Thus From London to Kingston 10 miles to Guilford 25. to Godalmin 28. to Lechford Bridge 39. to Chichester 50. But by measure it is found to be distant from London 63 miles This City is beautiful and large and well VValled about This City hath born the Title of an Earldom whereof those of Arundel were sometimes so stiled The Arms of this City are Guttee Argent and Sable On a Chief Engrailed Gules a Lyon Passant Guardant Or. The Earls of Sussex and Arundel since the first Constitution William de Albania Earl of Chichester and Arundel John Fitz Allan Earl of Sussex and Arundel Philip Howard Earl of Arundel Robert Radcliffe Earl of Sussex Leonard Lord Dacres Earl of Sussex Things Remarkable in this County Upon the 28th of September 1066. William the Bastard D. of Normandy making his claim to the Crown of England by Affinity Adoption and Promise arrived at a Port in Sussex called Pensey with 896 Ships furnished for VVar And on the 14th of October following near Hastings Joyned Battel with Harold K. of England where in the Field valiantly fighting was there slain by the shot of an Arrow into his Brains and with him died Gorob and Leofwine his Brethren and almost 68 Thousand of his Men. The place where this Battel was fought doth ever since bear the name of Battayl where the Heptarchy of the Saxons was brought to the last Period Then were all their Laws altered their Nobles displaced and all men disherited and all seated into the Normans hands who made himself Lord of all and on the day of his Nativity was Crowned King of England in Westminster-Hall Upon the place where this Battel was fought namely at Battayl aforesaid William of Newberry fabulously thus writeth That if there any small showers of Rain do fall upon this place where so great a Slaughter of English men was made presently sweateth forth very fresh blood out of the Earth In this County are many Iron Mines In this County also is made Glass but it is neither good nor clear This County hath been formerly all a VVood being part of the great wood Andradswald which was 120 miles long and 30 miles broad At Selsey in this County are great store of Cockles and Lobsters and those the best In the year 1250. The Town of Winchelsey in this County was wholly swallowed up of the Sea In the 35th year of K. Henry the 8th the first Cast Pieces of Iron that ever were made in England were made at Bucksted in this County by Ralph Hage and Peter Bawde In the 3d year of Q. Elizabeth a Man-child was born in Chichester having Arms and Legs like to an Anatomy the Breast and Belly monstrous big about the Neck a great Coller of Flesh and Skin growing like the Ruff of a Shirt In the 22th year of Q. Elizabeth in the Town of Walsham in Sussex a Child of Eleven years old whose name was Will. Withars lay in a Trance for the space of 10 days without any sustenance and at the last coming to himself he uttered to the standers by many strange Speeches inveighing against Pride Covetousness coldness of Charity and other erroneous Sins Warwick-Shire IT is bounded on the East by Leicestershire and Northamptonshire On the West by Worcestershire On the South by Orfordshire and Gloucestershire And on the North by Staffordshire It contains in length 40 miles In breadth 30 miles And in Circumference 122 miles This Shire is commended much for the wholsomness
ranks round like a Crown and overthwart them are laid others with Mortises and Tenants Now the great question among the Learned is how these Stones came hither for say they it is not likely that they were ab initio placed here by the God of Nature because the whole Countrey round for some miles hardly affords a Stone either great or small and they seem too vast to be brought hither either by Wagon Cart or other Artifice The Learned Mr. Cambden therefore thinks that they were made there by Art of pure Sand and some unctuous Cement even as those also in Yorkshire because anciently there was such an Art of making Stone And Pliny saith that the dust of Puteoli Puzzole being laid in Water becometh Stone presently and that there were Cisterns at Rome made of digged Sand and Lime which were so firm and hard that they seemed Stone But notwithstanding the Authority of this great Scholar saith my Author I am clearly of opinion that they are natural Stones and placed there ab initio than which I think nothing is plainer For saith he upon the Downs between Marlbury and Anbury not above 20 miles from Stonehinge which Downs are but a Continuation or part of Salisbury Plain differing nothing from it but in the un-evenness are some abundance of great Stones called by the Country thereabouts the Gray Weathers and at Anbury in an Orchard there are half a dozen or half a score Stones little inferiour to the Stonehinge for bigness and some of them standing upright and others lying flat on the ground And the Country here like that about Stonehinge affords not a Stone besides So that saith my Author unless we will have all these Stones to be Artificial we must grant the Stonehinge to be natural Now whereas this unstoniness of the Country about which we speak of seems to some a strong Objection against the naturalness of the Stones but it is on the contrary if duly considered a great Argument for it For saith he What can be more probable than that Nature could not provide her self otherwise of Lapidifick matter enough to make those huge Stones of but by robbing of the circumjacent places The More of that matter Here The Less hereabouts because nature wanting Timber would fetch it nearest hand To say no more of Stonehinge but that near it mens bones are digged up many times which may very well be because it was the Burial place of old for the Kings of the Brittains In the Parish of Luckington is a Well called Handcock's Well the Water whereof is said to be very cold in Summer and warm in Winter and is commended as a singular Water for the Eyes About Sayworth are found abundance of Stones somewhat like Cockles yet so apparently differing from their shape that by the very sight of them one may plainly see that they never were true Cockles as some there do believe Worcester-Shire IT is bounded by Warwickshire on the East By Herefordshire and Shropshire on the West By Gloucestershire on the South And by Staffordshire on the North. It containeth in length 38 miles In breadth 31 miles And in Circumference 137 miles The Air of this Shire is of a favourable temperature it gets an appetite for Labour Diet and Rest The Soil is fertile and inferiour to none in the Lande for besides abundance of Corn in every place the Hills are stored with plenty of Woods and Pasturage and the Hedge-Rows in the High-ways are filled with Fruit-Trees The chief Commodities are Corn Salt Sider and Perry It is in the Diocess of Worcester and hath in it 152 Parishes Out of it are elected 9 Parliament Men. Knights 2 Worcester 2 Droitwich 2 Evesham 2 Bewdley 1 Its Division is into 7 Hundreds viz. Halfeshire Doddington Worcester Parshor Blakenhurst Oswalderstow Vpton And in these Hundreds are 11 Market-Towns viz. Evesholme Mond Parshore Tues Bromesgrove Tues Tenbury Tues Vpton Thurs Kedderminster Th. Shipton Friday Droitwich Fr. Sturbridge Fr. Bewdley Sat. Worcester Wednes Frid. and Sat. The principal place in this Shire is the City of Worcester It lies in the Latitude of 52 deg 14 min. It bears from London W. N. W. And is distant therefrom 92 miles Thus From London to Uxbridge 15 miles to High Wickham 27. to Oxford 47. to Glimpton 60. to Marton on the Marsh 74. to Pershore 86. to Worcester 92. But measured upon the Road it is found to be 112 miles distant from London This City is most pleasantly seated very much frequented and very richly inhabited It is seated upon the East Bank of the Severn and that which the Severn doth not defend is Walled about through which Wall are 7 Gates for Entrance and 5 Watch-Towers for Defence This City is Governed by 2 Bailiffs 2 Aldermen 2 Chamberlains and 2 Constables annually elected out of 24 Burgesses cloathed in Scarlet assisted with 48 other Citizens whom they call their Common Council clad in Purple a Recorder Town-Clerk and 5 Sergeants with Maces their Attendants The Arms of this City is Argent a Fesse between 3 Pears Sable The Earls of Worcester since the Norman Conquest Waleram E. of Mellent Earl of Worcester Thomas Piercy Earl of Worcester Richard Beauchamp Earl of Worcester John Tiptost Earl of Worcester Edward Somerset Earl of Worcester Things Remarkable in this County In the year 1265. upon the 5th of August at Eversham in this County a great Battel was fought betwixt K. Henry the 3d. and his Barons through whose Dissentions most of them were slain as Simon Montfort E. of Leicester and 17 Lords and Knights besides and Humphrey Bohun taken Prisoner In many parts of this County are Salt Pits and Salt Springs The Hedge-Rows and High-ways are beset with Pear-Trees of which they make Perry The Severn here affords great store of fresh-water Lampreys At Droitwich are 3 Fountains of Salt Water divided by a little Brook of Fresh Water passing by them by the boiling of which Salt water they make the purest white Salt in England There is lately found out about Eckington Bride 7 miles from Worcester a Medicinal Water Yorkshire YOrkshire the greatest County in England is bounded on the East by the German Ocean On the West by Lancashire and Westmoreland On the South by the River Humber And on the North by Durham It containeth in length 85 miles In breadth 75 miles And in Circumference 318 miles As this County is large and spacious so the Air is of several Temperatures in several parts thereof It is placed in such a Temperature of Climate that in all parts of it she is indifferently fruitful yet hath she her barren places too But saith Speed If one part of her be a Stony and Barren ground another is fertile and richly adorned with Corn Fields If she be here naked and destitute of Wood in another place she is shadowed with Forrests full of Trees If one place be Moorish Mirey or unpleasant another yeilds as much delight and content to the Eye
my Author that the Sea hath overflowed much Land on this Coast About Kilgarran are abundance of Salmons taken And there also is a place called Salmons-Leap for this Reason The Salmon coveteth to get into fresh-water Rivers to Spawn and when they come to places where the water falls down suddenly from some higher place as many such there be they use this piece of natural Policy They bend themselves backward and take their Tails in their Mouths and with all their force unloosing their Circle on a suddain he mounteth up before the fall of the Stream And therefore these downright Falls or rather Cataracts of water are called Salmon-Leaps In the Island of Scalmey on the West side of this Shire there grows abundance of wild Thyme Radnorshire THis Shire is bounded on the East by Herefordshire On the West and South by Brecknockshire And on the North by Montgomeryshire It containeth in length 27 miles In breadth 20 miles And in Circumference 8 miles This Shire hath cold Air and sharp because of the Snow lying long unmelted under the shady Hills and hanging Rocks of which there are many The Soil saith Speed is hungry though not barren but that on the East and South parts is the best The North and West are rough and churlish and hardly bettered by painful Labour so that they serve chiefly for the reering of Cattel and Horses Their Commodities are Cattel Cheese and Horses It is in the Diocess of Hereford And hath in it 52 Parishes Out of it are elected 2 Members to sit in Parliament Knight 1 Radnor 1 Its Division is into 6 Hundreds viz. Knighton Rayadergowy Kevenllice Radnor Poinscastle Collowyni And in these Hundreds are 3 Market-Towns viz. New Radnor Thurs Knighton Thurs Prestaine Saturday The Shire-Town is Radnor It lies in the Latitude of 52 deg 22 min. It bears from London W. N. W. And is distant therefrom 115 miles Thus From London to Worcester 85 miles as in Worcestershire to Radnor 115. But by more accurate admeasurement the distance is found to be 148 miles from London The Town of Radnor is pleasantly seated under a Hill whereon formerly stood a large and strong Castle Although Radnor be the Shire-Town yet Prestayn for beauteous Building is the best in this Shire a Town of good Commerce and Trade and of late years much frequented There is no Remarque of note in all this Shire OF THE ISLANDS ABOUT England I. Of MAN Island THis Island lyeth open on the East against Lancashire On the West against Ireland On the South against Anglesey And on the North against Scotland It containeth in length 35 miles In breadth in the broadest place 10 miles And in Circumference 82 miles The Air is cold and sharp and needs must having for a shelter nothing but a Wall of Water The Soil is reasonable fruitful both for Corn and Cattel and by the industry of the Inhabitants yieldeth sufficient of every thing for its self and a moderate supply for other Countries The chief Commodities are Corn Cattel Fish Hemp and Flax. The People of this Island are happy in this That all Controversies are there determined by certain Judges whom they call Deemsters chosen among themselves without Writings or other charges If any complaint be made to the Magistrate of wrong done or received he presently takes up a Stone and fixeth his mark upon it and delivereth it to the Plaintiff by vertue of which he both calls his Adversary to appearance and also Summons his Witnesses If the Cause be more difficult or litigious and cannot be ended by the Magistrate it is then referred to 12 men whom they term The Keys of the Island This Island is so well managed for Civil Rule and Government that every man there possesseth his own in peace and safety No man liveth in fear of losing what he hath And the men there are not inclinable to Robbing Pilfering or Licentious living The Inhabitants are generally Religiously given and do much Reverence to their Pastors daily frequenting the Church and avoiding all Controversies either Ecclesiastical or Civil The Gentrey do much imitate the people of Lancashire both for their honest Carriage and good House-keeping Things Remarkable in this Island The middle part of this Island riseth up with high Hills the highest of which is called Sceafull from the top whereof upon a cleer day a man may easily behold three Kingdoms at once viz. England Scotland and Ireland The Women of this Countrey whensoever they go out of their doors gird themselves about with their Winding-sheet that they purpose to be Buried in to shew themselves mindful of their Mortality If a Woman at any time be condemned to die she is sowed up in a Sack and flung from a Rock into the Sea In the South part of the Island the Speech of the Inhabitants doth much incline to the Irish Tone as the Northern Inhabitants Speech doth to the Scotch The Island is defended by 2 Castles in it are 14 Parishes and 5 Market-Towns II. Of WIGHT Island THis Island is encompassed round with the Brittish Sea It containeth in length 20 miles In breadth 12 miles and in Circumference 60 miles The Air is delightful and very wholsom The Soil is very fruitful produceing Corn not enough only to supply the Inhabitants of the Island but to supply other neighbouring people The Sea about this Island is exceeding full of Fish And the Land is well stored with Grain and Cattel and almost all places are stored with Conies Hares Partridges and Pheasants The chief Commodities are Cattel Sea-Fowl Corn and Fish It is in the Diocess of Worcester And hath in it 36 Parishes It s Division is into two Medens viz. East-Meden West-Meden In it are 3 Market-Towns The Principal Town in this Island is Newport lying in the Latitude of 50 deg 35 min. This Town of Newport is well seated and much frequented It is very populous It hath an entrance into the Island from the Haven and a passage for Vessels of small Burthen unto the Key It is Governed by a Maior and Burgesses Things Remarkable in this Island In the year of Christ 1176. in this Island it raigned a Shower of Blood which continued the space of 2 hours III. Of JERSEY Island THis Island lyeth upon the Brittish Sea and hath upon the North parts the Coasts of Hampshire and on the South the Countrey of Normandy It containeth in length 10 miles In breadth 6 miles And in Circumference 38 miles It is a very delightful and pleasant Island The Soil is very fertile and produceth great store of Corn and Cattel but especially Sheep in abundance whose Wool is very fine and white of which they make Stockings The chief Commodities are Fish Cattel Sheep Lobsters Wool and in Summer the best Lobsters England affords Firing as Wood is very scarce and their chief firing is Turff Furze c. In the Island are 12 Parishes and 4 Castles The Captain is the Governour of the Island who appointeth
ENGLAND'S Remarques Giving an Exact Account of the Several Shires Counties and Islands in ENGLAND and WALES In every of which you have I. How the County is bounded II. The Length Breadth and Circumference III. The Temperature of the Air and Fertility or Barrenness of the Soil IV. What Commodities each Shire or County affordeth V. In what Diocess and how many Parishes in it VI. The Number of Parliament-Men Hundreds and Market-Towns VII In every Shire you have the Name of the City or Shire-Town with the Latitude thereof and how it bears with the reputed and measured distance of the same from London the Road to the same how Governed and the Coat of Arms and what other things are therein Remarkable VIII You have the Names of such Noble Families as have been Dukes or Earls of each County since their first Constitution IX Whatsoever is Eminent or Remarkable thorowout the whole Kingdom To which is added a Travelling Map describing the Principal Roads thorow-out England London Printed for Langley Curtis in Goat-Court upon Ludgate-Hill and sold by Tho. Mercer at the Half Moon under the South-east Corner of the Royal Exchange in Cornhill 1682. TO THE READER THE Apophthegme of Chilo One of the Seven Wise-Men of Greece Nosce teipsum was not unworthily Consecrated to Apollo at Delphos None being a competent Judge of others who doth not first know himself and no person can judge of another Countrey unless he knows his Own Therefore Nosce Patriam is as necessary an Adage especially to those whose Ample Fortunes and Natural Inclinations call them into Foreign Countreys As Chilo's APOPHTHEGME is to all Persons whatsoever Many in this Age travel into France and other Adjacent Countreys and perhaps at their Return are able to give you an Account how many Provinces c are contained in the Countrey they have Travelled when at the same time they scarce know any more Land in England than their Fathers or their own Inheritance But here as in a Map you may at first View give an Account of any thing Remarkable in England be the Question asked either in England or Foreign Parts Which by perusing this Little Manual you will soon find The Names of the several Counties in England BArkshire Pag. 1 Bedfordshire Pag. 5 Buckinghamshire Pag. 8 Cambridgeshire Pag. 11 Cheshire Pag. 15 Cornwall Pag. 20 Cumberland Pag. 27 Derbyshire Pag. 31 Devonshire Pag. 33 Dorsetshire Pag. 40 Durham the Bishoprick and City Pag. 45 Essex Pag. 48 Gloucestershire Pag. 52 Hantshire Pag. 58 Hertfordshire Pag. 63 Herefordshire Pag. 67 Huntingtonshire Pag. 72 Kent Pag. 75 Lancashire Pag. 84 Leicestershire Pag. 90 Lincolnshire Pag. 94 Middlesex Pag. 99 Norfolk Pag. 133 Northamptonshire Pag. 140 Northumberland Pag. 145 Nottinghamshire Pag. 149 Oxfordshire Pag. 153 Rutlandshire Pag. 159 Shropshire Pag. 162 Somersetshire Pag. 166 Staffordshire Pag. 174 Suffolk Pag. 179 Surrey Pag. 185 Sussex Pag. 189 Warwickshire Pag. 194 Westmoreland Pag. 200 Wiltshire Pag. 204 Worcestershire Pag. 211 Yorkshire Pag. 215 The Names of the Counties in Wales ANglesey Pag. 226 Brecknockshire Pag. 229 Cardiganshire Pag. 232 Caernarvanshire Pag. 235 Caermardenshire Pag. 238 Denbyshire Pag. 241 Flintshire Pag. 244 Glamorganshire Pag. 248 Merionethshire Pag. 251 Monmouthshire Pag. 254 Montgomeryshire Pag. 258 Pembrokeshire Pag. 261 Radnorshire Pag. 266 Of the Islands about England THe Isle of Man Pag. 268 The Isle of Wight Pag. 271 The Isle of Jersey Pag. 273 The Isle of Garnsey Pag. 275 An Exact Map of England with the Roads from London to all the other parts of this Kingdome T. Cross Sculpsit N Counties Names 1 Bark sh 2 Bedford sh 3 Buckingham sh 4 Cambridge sh 5 Cheshire 6 Cornwall 7 Cumberland 8 Derby sh 9 Devon sh 10 Dorset sh 11 Durham 12 Essex 13 Glocester sh 14 Hant. sh 15 Hertford sh 16 Hereford sh 17 Huntington sh 18 Kent 19 Lancashire 20 Leicester sh 21 Lincoln sh 22 Middlesex 23 Norfolk 24 Northampton sh 25 Northumberland 26 Nottingham sh 27 Oxford sh 28 Rutland sh 29 Shrop. sh 30 Somerset sh 31 Stafford sh 32 Suffoll 33 Surrey 34 Sussex 35 Warwick sh 36 Westmorland 37 Wilt. sh 38 Worcester sh 39 York sh 40 Anglesey Ish 41 Brecknock sh 42 Cardigan sh 43 Carnarvan sh 44 Carmarden sh 45 Denbigh sh 46 Flint sh 47 Glamorgan sh 48 Merioneth sh 49 Monmouth sh 50 Montgomery sh 51 Pembroke sh 52 Radnor sh It is divided into Twenty Hundreds viz. Farington Ganfield Hormer Oake Wanting Shrivenham Lainborn Kentbury Westisle Morton Faircrosse Braye Reading Charlton Sonning Cookham Wargrove Bernersh Riplessmore Theale And in these Hundreds are Twelve Market-Towns viz. Abbington M. and Fr. Wallingford Tu. and F. Faringdon Tu. Ockingham Tu. Maiden-Head W. Hungerford W. East-Isley W. Newberry Th. New-Windsor Sa. Wanting Sa. Reading Sa. Lainborne This Shire hath formerly had in it six Castles of which there now remains only that magnificent one of Windsor one of his Majesties Palaces In this Castle the Victorious Prince Edward the third was born In it is instituted the most honourable Order of the Garter of St. George a signal of Martial Prowess And in the Chappel of this Castle there lye interred the Bodies of Henry the 6. Edward the 4th Henry the 8th and as is supposed of King Charles the First The first Institution whereof was in Anno Dom. 1350. And those that first received the order were Edward the 3d. Edward Prince Henry Duke of Lancaster Tho. Earl of Warwick Captain de Bonch Ralph Earl of Stafford W. Mountecut E. of Sal. Roger Mert ' Earl of March John de Lisle Knight Tho. Burwash K. Jo. Beauchamp K. John de Mohun K. Hugh Courtney K. Tho. Holland K. John Grey K. Ri. Fitz-Simon K. Miles Stapleton K. Tho. Wall K. Hugh Wrothsley K. Nele Loring K. John Chandos K. James de Andley K. Otho Holland K. Henry Eme King Zanchet Dabridg Will. Paganell K. The Chief Town is Reading lying in the Latitude of 51 degrees 28 min. And West from London and is distant therefrom 32 Miles viz. To Cole-Brooke 15 to Maiden-head 22 to Reading 32 but by more accurate and late Admeasurement it is found to be 44 Miles distant from London The Town of Reading is Governed by a Mayor and Aldermen The Arms of the County The Field is Argent three Castles Gules over the middlemost a Bucks Face erect of the second Horned Or On a chief Vert between the Bucks Horns the Arms of England and France Quartered Remarkable things in this Shire In the year of our Lord 1387. And in the 11 year of Richard the 2d At Radcot-bridge The Duke of Glocester the Earls of Arundel Warwick Derby and Nottingham Encountered with Robert Vere Duke of Ireland maintained against them by King Richard the 2d Where the said Duke was put to flight who with swimming over the Thames hardly escaped drowning In this Encounter in the Dukes behalf Sir Tho. Molineux Constable of Chester with many others lost their lives In the year 1100. At Enchamsteed
in this shire a Well boyled up with streams of Blood for 1â— days together the Water of this Spring making red all other Water where it came In this Shire is the Vale of White-Horse one of the Fruitfullest Vales of England Bedford-shire THis Shire is bounded on the East by Hertford-shire and Cambridge-shire On the West by Buckingham-shire On the South by Hertford-shire On the North by Northampton-shire and Huntington-shire It containeth in length 24 miles in breadth 12 miles in Circumference 72 miles The Air in this Shire is very Temperate and hath very plenteous Soyl in the North part thereof occasioned by the watering of the River Ouse which often overfloweth it the Southern part is not so fertile but is made to be so by industry and it yieldeth the best Barley in England The Country is generally Champion but in many places intermixed with Meadow and Pasture-grounds The Chief Commodities are Corn Cattle Butter Cheese and Poultry It is in the Diocess of London and hath in it 116 Parishes and out of this Shire are elected 4 Members to sit in Parliament Knights 2 Bedford 2 It is divided into Nine Hundreds viz. Stodden Willy Barford Redbornspike Wixamtree Biggleswad Clifton Flitt Manshead And in these Hundreds are 10 Market-Towns viz. Luton Monday Bedford Tu. and Sa. Leighton Tu. Biggleworth Tu. Dunstable Wed. Ampthil Th. Woburn Fr. Shefford Fr. Tuddington Sa. Patton Sa. In this Shire were some Castles viz. Woodhill Eaton Temsford and Ampthil an Honour now belonging to the Crown The Chief Town in this Shire is Bedford lying in the Latitude of 52 degrees 10 m. and bears N. W. by N. from London and is distant therefrom 40 Miles viz. Thus From London to Barnet 10. To St. Albans 20. To Luton 28. To Barton Clay 33. To Bedford 40. but by a more accurate Admeasurement it is found to be 48 miles distant from London Through the Town of Bedford runneth the River Ouse having a Stone-bridge over it This Town is governed by a Major Two Bayliffs two Chamberlains a Recorder a Town-Clerk and 3 Serjeants with Maces The Arms of the Town of Bedford is a Demy-Eagle the Wings displayed over a Castle upon a Hill all Proper The Names of those honourable Families which have the Titles of Dukes and Earls of Bedford Dukes John Plantaginet George Nevell Earls Ingelram Covey John Russell On New-years day 1399 just before the War between the two Houses of York and Lancaster began the above mentioned River Ouse sudainly ceased its Course and stood still so that men did pass three Miles together on foot in the depth of the Channel and backwards the Waters swelled up to a very great height It is storied that once in Bedford Town K. Offa's Leaden Tomb hath often appeared to such that look not after it but to them that seek for it it never appears At Aspel Gowiz in this Shire near Woburn is a certain Earth which turneth Wood into Stone and that a Wooden Ladder was to be seen in a Monastery neer adjoyning which having lain a good while covered with this Earth was digged out again all stone Dunstable a Town in this Shire standing upon a Chalkey-Hill hath 4 streets in it and in each of them a Pond which are fed only with Rain for they have not a Well in the Town less than 24 Cubits deep and yet these Ponds are never dry Buckingham-Shire THis Shire is bounded on the East by Bedford-shire and Hertford-shire On the West by Oxford-shire On the South by Bark-shire And on the North by Northampton-shire and Bedford-shire It containeth in Length 39 Miles In breadth 18 and in Circumference 138. The Air in this Shire is very pleasant wholesome and temperate yielding good content both to mind and body The soyl is Rich Fat and Fruitful yielding abundance of Grass Corn and Cattle for it maintains an infinite number of Sheep whose Fleeces are much admired for their fineness through the whole Turkish Empire The Shire is chiefly divided into two parts by the Chiltren Hills which run through the Middle thereof The Vale below is Plain and Champion a Clay stiff and rough Soyl naked of Wood but abounding in Meadow Pasture and Tillage It is in the Diocess of London and hath in it 185 Parishes and out of this Shire are Elected Fourteen Members to sit in Parliament Knights 2 Buckingham 2 Cheping-Wiccomb 2 Aylesbury 2 Agmondesham 2 Wendover 2 Merlow 2 It is divided into Eight Hundreds viz. Newport Buckingham Cotstowe Ashenden Aylesbury Burnham Disborough Stocke And in these Hundreds are 15 Market-Towns viz. Oulney Mond Amersham Tu. Cole-brooke W. Chesham W. Winslow Th. Wendover Th. Baconfield Th. Stony Stratford Fr. Ivingoe Fr. High Wickham F. Buckingham S. Newport Sat. Alisbury Sa. Risborough Sa. Great Marlow Sa. This Shire hath been strengthened with 4 Castles now all demolished The Chief Town in this Shire is Buckingham lying in the Latitude of 52 degrees 2 minutes and bearing from London N. W. by W. and is distant therefrom 44 Miles viz. From London to Acton 6. To Uxbridge 15. To Amersham 24. To Wendover 30. To Aylesbury 34. To Buckingham 44. but by more accurate Admeasurement 60 Miles This Town is pleasantly seated upon the River Ouse which circuites the Town on every side saving the North and over it are 3 Stone-Bridges The names of these Honourable Families who have born the Titles of Earls of Bedford Walter Gifford Earl Richard Stanbow Earl Thomas of Woodstoke Earl Humphry Stafford Earl The Town of Buckingham is governed by a Bailiff and 12 Principal Burgesses The Arms of the Town of Buckingham is Party per Pale Gules and Sable over all a Swan Argent Crowned and chained Or. Remarques in this County There is little remarkable in this Shire only in it grows abundance of Beech in the Chalky part of it The Sheep bred in the Vales have exceeding fine Fleeces and where their Land is worn out as about Marlow they inrich it again by Chalking of it so that it bears Corn abundantly Cambridge-Shire IS bounded on the East by Suffolk and Norfolk On the West by Bedford-shire and Huntington-shire On the South by Essex and Hertford-shire And on the North by Lincoln-shire This Shire containeth in Length 35 Miles In Breadth 20 Miles And in Circumference 130 Miles Cambridge-shire cannot be commended for a serene or wholesome Air especially the Northern parts thereof for that the Fens do so infect the Air thereabout Their chief Commodities are Cattle Malt and Saffron It is in the Diocess of Ely and hath in it 163 Parishes And out of this Shire are elected to sit in Parliament Knights 2 Vniversity of Cambridge 2 Town of Cambridge 2 It is divided into Seventeen Hundreds viz. Wisbich Girvij or Wichford Ely Staplehow Cheveley Raddesley Stane Chelford Flendish Northstowe Chesterton Papworth Stow. Wetherlee Arningford Tripelow Witlesford And in these Hundreds are Eight Market-Towns viz. New-Market Tues Caxton Tues Royston Wed. Linton Thurs March Frid. Cambidge