sea-coast entire More inward upon the west-side of the County there are also several towns but because they are but of late standing I will just only touch upon them Near Linne is Rising-Castle Rising seated on a high hill and vying with that at Norwich It was formerly the seat of the Albinies afterwards of Robert de Mont-hault by marriage with the sister and coheir of Hugh de Albiney Earl of Arundel and lastly of the Mowbrays descended as I have been told from the same stock with the Albinies But now it is ruinated and as it were expiring for age z Below is Castle-acre Castle-acre where formerly the Earls of Warren dwelt in a Castle now ruinous that stood upon a little river aa The river is anonymous rising not far from Godwicke Godwick a lucky name where is a small seat but made great by the ornament it receives from the famous Sir Edward Cooke Knight a person of admirable parts than whom as no one ever apply'd himself closer to the study of the Common-Law so never any understood it better Whereof he convinc'd England by his discreet management for many years together whilst Attorney-General and still does by executing the office of Lord Chief Justice of the Common-Pleas with the greatest prudence Nor has he given less proof of his abilities in his Commentaries upon our Laws whereby he has highly oblig'd both his own Age and Posterity This little river glides on gently westward to Linne by Neirford Neirford which gave name to the famous family of Neirfords and by Neirborrough where near the seat of the Spilmans Knights there is a strong and ancient military entrenchment upon a high hill very conveniently seated for the defence of the neighbouring field bb Next Penteney is plac'd upon the same rivulet which was formerly a common burying-place for the Nobility of those parts Neighbour to this is Wormegay Wormegay commonly Wrongey which Reginald de Warren brother of William de Warren second Earl of Surrey had with his wife of whom as I have read the said Earl had the donation or Maritage as they worded it in that age By his grand-daughter by a son it presently went to the Bardolphs â—arâ—ns â—â—â—dâ—â—ph noble and honourable Barons who flourish'd for a long time and bore three Cinque-foils Or in a field azure A great part of their estate along with the title came to 19 Sir William William Phellips and by his daughter to the Viscount Beaumont More to the east we see Swaffham â—â—affham a famous market-town formerly the possession of the Earl of Richmond Ashele-manour â—â—heâ—e in right whereof the Hastings and the Greys Lords of Ruthun â—â—n prâ—câ—â—â—â—◠‖ had formerly the oversight of the Table cloaths and Napkins made use of at the Coronation of the Kings of England â—â—â—â—e de â—â—â—â—aâ—yre North-Elmham where the Bishops had their seat for some time when this Diocese was divided into two cc Dereham Dâ—â—eham where was bury'd Withburga daughter of King Anna who divorcing her self entirely from all luxury and levity and being a Virgin of great sanctity was by our Ancestors canoniz'd a Saint dd Next to this is Gressenhall â—reâ—â—enhall with its neighbour Elsing both the possessions formerly of the Folliots â—oâ—â—ot persons of great honour in their time By the daughter of Richard Folliot they came to 20 Sir Hugh Hugh de Hastings of the family of Abergeuenny and at length by the daughters and heirs of Hugh Hasting the last Gressenhal came to 21 Sir Hamon Hamon le Strange of Hunstanston and Elsing â—â—â—ing to William Brown brother of 22 Sir Anthony Anthony Brown first Viscount Montacute In this Quarter also is Iâ—-borough â—â—hborough which Talbot takes to be the Iciani mention'd by Antoninus 〈◊〉 Nor need I say any more about these matters I have now nothing to do but to reckon up the Earls and Dukes of Norfolk and so go on to Cambridgeshire ee â—â—â—â—s and â—â—kes of â—â—rfâ—â—k William the Conquerour set one Ralph over the Country of the East-Angles that is the Counties of Norfolk Suffolk and Cambridgeshire But he was quickly depriv'd as I observ'd before for endeavouring innovations in the State Some years after in the reign of K. Stephen Hugh Bigod was Earl of Norfolk For when a Peace was concluded between Stephen and Henry of Anjou afterwards Henry 2. it was expresly provided that William son of Stephen â—â—â—eement â—â—â—ween K. â—â—â—pâ—en and â—â—â—y D. of â—â—pe should have the whole County of Norfolk except among other things the third penny of which Hugo Bigod was Earl Whom notwithstanding King Hen. 2. afterwards made Earl of the third penny of Norfolk and Norwic. A Monâ—â—s In the 27th of Henry 2. upon his death his son Roger succeeded him who for I know not what reason procur'd a new Creation-Charter of Rich. 1. Roger was succeeded by his son Hugh who marry'd Mawd eldest daughter and coheir of William Marshal Earl of Pembroke By her he had Roger Earl of Norfolk and Marshal of England Luxatis â—â—poris arâ—â—lis who * wresting and straining his joynts in a Tournament dy'd without issue and Hugh Bigod Lord Chief Justice of England slain in the battel of Lewes whose son Roger succeeded his Uncle in the dignity of Earl of Norfolk and Marshal of England But when his insolent and stubborn behaviour had thrown him under the displeasure of Edw. 1. he was forc'd to pass over his honours and almost his whole estate to the King for the use of Thomas de Brotherton the King's son by Margaret sister to Philip the Fair King of France For so a History has told us out of the Library of St. Augustin's in Canterbury In the year 1301. Roger Bigod Earl of Norfolk made King Edward his heir and deliver'd up to him the Marshal's rod upon this condition That if his wife bore him any children all should be return'd and he should hold it peaceably without any contradiction on the King's part And the King gave him a thousand pound in money and a thousand †Librataâ— pound in lands for life along with the Titles of Marshal and Earl But he dying without issue King Edw. 2. by virtue of the surrender above-mention'd honour'd his brother Thomas Brotherton with the titles of Marshal and Earl of Norfolk But his daughter Margaret Parl. 21. Rich. 2. call'd Lady Marshal and Countess of Norfolk and marry'd to John Lord Segrave was created Dutchess of Norfolk for life by K. Rich. 2. who at the same time created Thomas Mowbray Earl of Nottingham and grandchild to Margaret by a daughter first Duke of Norfolk to him and his heirs males having before granted him the dignity and stile of Earl Marshal of England 23 This is he that before the King was challeng'd and accus'd by Henry of Lancaster Duke of Hereford This is he who accus'd Henry of
S. Valentine Item The Sunday following Roger Lord Mortimer came to Dublin and knighted John Mortimer and four of his Followers The same day he kept a great feast in the castle of Dublin Item Many Irish were slain in Conaght about this time by reason of a Quarrel between two of their great Lords The number of the slain amounted to about 4000 men on both sides After this a severe Vengeance fell upon the Ulster-men who had done great mischief during the depredations of the Scots here and eat Flesh in Lent without any manner of necessity for which sins they were at last reduc'd to such want that they eat one another so that of 10000 there remain'd but about 300 By which this does plainly appear to be God's vengeance upon them Item It was reported That some of the said Profligates were so pinch'd with Famine that they dug up Graves in Church-yards and after they had boil'd the Flesh in the Skull of the dead Body eat it up nay that some Women eat up their own Children to satisfie their craving Appetites MCCCXVIII On the 15. of Easter there came News from England That the Town of Berwick was betray'd and taken by the Scots Afterwards this same year Walter Islep the King's Treasurer in Ireland arriv'd here and brought Letters to Roger Lord Mortimer to attend the King Accordingly he did so substituting the Lord William Archbishop of Cashil Keeper of Ireland so that at one and the same time he was Chief Justice of Ireland Lord Chancellor and Archbishop Three weeks after Easter news came to Dublin That Richard Lord Clare and four Knights viz. Sir Henry Capell Sir Thomas Naas Sir James Caunton and Sir John Caunton as also Adam Apilgard with 80 Men more were all slain by O Brone and Mac-Carthy on the feast of S. Gordian and Epimachus The Lord Clare's Body was reported to be hewn in pieces out of pure malice But his Relicks were interr'd among the Friers-minors in Limerick Item On Sunday in Easter-month John Lacy was remov'd from Dublin-castle to Trym for his Trial His sentence was to be pinch'd in Diet and so he died in Prison Item On the Sunday before the Ascension Roger Lord Mortimer set sail for England but paid nothing for his Provisions having taken up in the City of Dublin and elsewhere as much as amounted to 1000 l. Item This year about the feast of S. John Baptist that Wheat which before was sold for 16 s. by the great mercy of God went now for 7. Oats sold for 5 s. and there was also great plenty of Wine Salt and Fish Nay about the feast of S. James there was Bread of new Corn a thing seldom or perhaps never before known in Ireland This was an instance of God's mercy and was owing to the prayers of the Poor and other faithful People Item On the Sunday after the feast of S. Michael news came to Dublin That Alexander Lord Bykenore Chief Justice of Ireland and Archbishop of Dublin was arriv'd at Yoghill On S. Denis's day he came to Dublin and was receiv'd by the Religious and Clergy as well as the Laity who went out in Processions to meet him Item On Saturday which happen'd to be the feast of Pope Calixtus a Battle was fought between the Scots and English of Ireland two leagues from Dundalk on the Scotch-side there were Edward Lord Brus who nam'd himself King of Ireland Philip Lord Moubray Walter Lord Sules Alan Lord Stewart with his three Brethren as also Sir Walter Lacy and Sir Robert and Aumar Lacy John Kermerdyne and Walter White with about 3000 others Against whom on the English-side there were the Lord John Bermingham Sir Richard Tuit Sir Miles Verdon Sir Hugh Tripton Sir Herbert Sutton Sir John Cusak Sir Edward and Sir William Bermingham and the Primate of Armagh who gave them Absolution besides Sir Walter Larpulk and John Maupas with about twenty more choice Soldiers and well arm'd who came from Drogheda The English gave the onset and broke into the Van of the Enemy with great vigour And in this Encounter the said John Maupas kill'd Edward Lord Brus valiantly and was afterwards found slain upon the Body of his Enemy The slain on the Scots side amounted to 2000 or thereabouts so thaâ— few of them escap'd besides Philip Lord Moubray who was also mortally wounded and Sir Hugh Lacy Sir Walter Lacy and some few more with them who with much ado got off Thiâ— Engagement was fought between Dundalk and Faghird Brus'â— Head was brought by the said John Lord Bermingham to thâ— K. of England who conferred the Earldom of Louth upon him and his Heirs male and gave him the Barony of Aterith One of hiâ— Quarters together with the Hands and Heart were carried tâ— Dublin and the other Quarters sent to other places MCCCXIX Roger Lord Mortimer return'd out of England and became Chief Justice of Ireland The same year on the feaâ—â— of All Saints came the Pope's Bull for excommunicating Roberâ— Brus King of Scotland The Town of Athisell and 〈◊〉 considerable part of the Country was burnt and wasted by John Lord fitz-Fitz-Thomas whole Brother to Moris Lord Fitz-Thomas John Bermingham aforesaid was this year created Earl of Louth Item The Stone-bridge of Kit-colyn was built by Master Moriâ— Jak Canon of the Cathedral Church of Kildare MCCCXX In the time of John XXII Pope and of Edward son to King Edward who was the 25 King from the coming oâ— S. Austin into England Alexander Bicknore being then Archbishop of Dublin was founded the University of Dublin Williaâ— Hardite a Frier-predicant was the first that took the degree oâ— Master Who also commenced Doctor of Divinity under thâ— same Archbishop Henry Cogry of the order of Friers minors was the second Master the third was William Rodyarâ— Dean of S. Patrick's Cathedral in Dublin who afteâ— commenc'd Doctor of the Canon law and was made the firâ—â— Chancellor of this University The fourth Person that went ouâ— Master in Divinity was Frier Edmund Kermerdyn Item Rogeâ— Mortimer the Chief Justice of Ireland went into England leavinâ— the Lord Thomas Fitz-John then Earl of Kildare his Deputy Item Edmund Lord Botiller went into England and so camâ— to S. James's Item Leghelyn-bridge was then built by Master Moris Jaâ— Canon of the Cathedral Church of Kildare MCCCXXI The O Conghors were sadly defeated at Balibogan on the Ninth of May by the People of Leinster and Meth Item Edmund Lord Botiller died in London and was burieâ— at Balygaveran in Ireland John Bermingham Earl of Lowth waâ— made Justiciary of Ireland John Wogan died also this year MCCCXXII Andrew Bermingham and Nicholas de la Lonâ— Knight were slain with many others by O Nalan on S. Michael's day MCCCXXIII A Truce was made between the King of Englanâ— and Robert Brus King of Scots for fourteen years Item Johâ— Darcy came Lord Chief Justice into Ireland Item Johâ— eldest son of Thomas Fitz-John Earl of Kildare died in the 9tâ—
and holding there could not be three persons and one God Among other tenents he asserted that the blessed Virgin our Saviour's mother was an harlot that there was no resurection that the holy Scripture was a mere fable and that the apostolical See was an imposture and a groundless usurpation Upon these Articles Duff was convicted of heresie and blasphemy and was thereupon burnt at Hoggis green near Dublin on the Monday after the octaves of Easter in the year 1328. MCCCXXVIII On Tuesday in Easter-week Thomas Fitz John Earl of Kildare and Chief Justice of Ireland departed this life and was succeeded in the office of Justiciary by Frier Roger Outlaw Prior of Kilmaynan The same year David O Tothil a stout rapperie and an enemy to the King who had burnt Churches and destroy'd many people was brought out of the castle of Dublin to the Toll of the City before Nicholas Fastol and Elias Ashburne Judges of the King's-Bench who sentenc'd him to be dragg'd at a horse's tail through the City to the Gallows and to be hang'd upon a Gibbet which was after executed accordingly Item In the same year the Lord Moris Fitz Thomas rais'd a great army to destroy the Bourkeyns and the Poers The same year William Lord Bourk Earl of Ulster was knighted at London on Whitsunday and the King gave him his Seigniory Item This year James Botiller married the daughter of the Earl of Hereford in England and was made Earl of Ormond being before called Earl of Tiperary The same Year a Parliament was held at Northampton where many of the English Nobility met and a peace was renew'd between the Kingdoms of England Scotland and Ireland and confirm'd by marriages It was enacted also that the Earl of Ulster with several of the English Nobility should go to Berwick upon Tweed to see the marriage solemniz'd The same year after the solemnity of this match at Berwick was over Robert Brus King of Scots William Lord Burk Earl of Ulster the Earl of Meneteth and many other of the Scotch Nobility came very peaceably to Cragfergus whence they sent to the Justiciary of Ireland and the Council that they would meet them at Green Castle to treat about a Peace between Scotland and Ireland but the Justiciary and Council coming not accotding to the King's appointment he took his leave of the Earl of Ulster and return'd into his own Country after the Assumption of the blessed Virgin and the Earl of Ulster came to the Parliament at Dublin where he staid six days and made a great entertainment after which he went into Conaught The same year about the feast of S. Catharine the virgin the Bishop of Ossory certified to the King's Council that Sir Arnold Pour was upon divers Articles convicted before him of heresie Whereupon at the Bishop's suit Sir Arnold Poer by vertue of the King's Writ was arrested and clapt in the Castle of Dublin and a day was appointed for the Bishop's coming to Dublin in order to prosecute him but he excused himself because his enemies had way-laid him for his life So that the King's Council could not put an end to this business wherefore Sir Arnold was kept prisoner in the Castle of Dublin till the following Parliament which was in Midlent where all the Irish Nobility were present The same year Frier Roger Outlaw Prior of the Hospital of S. John of Jerusalem in Ireland Lord Justice and Chancellor of Ireland was scandalized by the said Bishop for favouring heresies and for advising and abetting Sir Arnold in his heretical practice Wherefore the Frier finding himself so unworthily defamed petitioned the King's Council that he might have leave to clear himself which upon consultation they granted and caused it to be proclaim'd for three days together That if there were any person who could inform against the said Frier he should come in and prosecute him but no body came Upon which Roger the Frier procured the King 's Writ to summon the Elders of Ireland viz. the Bishops Abbots Priors and the Mayors of Dublin Cork Limerick Waterford and Drogheda also the Sheriffs and Seneschals together with the Knights of the Shires and the better sort of Free-holders to repair to Dublin out of which six were chosen to examine the cause viz. M. William Rodyard Dean of the Cathedral-Church of S. Patrick in Dublin the Abbot of S. Thomas the Abbot of S. Mary's the Prior of the Church of the holy Trinity in Dublin M. Elias Lawles and Mr. Peter Willebey who convened those who were cited and examined them all apart who deposed upon their Oaths that he was a very honest faithful and zealous embracer of the Christian Faith and would if occasion serv'd lay down his Life for it And because his vindication was so solemn he made a noble entertainment for all them who would come The same year in Lent died Sir Arnold Pouer in the Castle of Dublin and lay a long time unburied in the house of the predicant Friers MCCCXXIX After the feast of the annunciation of the bless'd Virgin Mary the Irish nobility came to the Parliament at Dublin to wit the Earl of Ulster Moris Lord Fitz Thomas the Earl of Louth William Bermingham and the rest of the Peers where was a new peace made between the Earl of Ulster and my Lord Moris Fitz-Thomas and the Lords with the King's Council made an Order against riots or any other breach of the King's peace so that every Nobleman should govern within his own Seignory The Earl of Ulster made a great feast in the Castle of Dublin and the day after the Lord Moris fitz-Fitz-Thomas made another in S. Patrick's Church in Dublin as did also Frier Roger Outlaw Lord Chief Justice of Ireland on the third day at Kylmaynan and after this they went all home again The same year on S. Barnaby's eve Sir John Bermingham Earl of Louth was kill'd at Balybragan in Urgale by the inhabitants and with him his own brother Peter Bermingham besides Robert Bermingham his reputed brother and Sir John Bermingham son to his brother Richard Lord of Anry William Finne Bermingham the Lord Anry's Uncle's son Simon Bermingham the aforesaid William's son Thomas Berminghan son to Robert of Conaught Peter Bermingham son to James of Conaught Henry Bermingham of Conaught and Richard Talbot of Malaghide a man of great courage besides 200 men whose names are not known After this slaughter Simon Genevils men invaded the Country of Carbry that they might by their plunder ruin the inhabitants for the thefts and murders they had so often committed in Meth but by their rising they prevented the invasion and slew 76 of the Lord Simon 's men The same year also on the day after Trinity-sunday John Gernon and his brother Roger Gernon came to Dublin in the behalf of those of Urgale that they might be tried by the Common-law And on the Tuesday after S. John's-day John and Roger hearing the Lord William Bermingham was a coming to Dublin left
it The same year on S. Laurence's-eve Thomas Lord Botiller marched with a great army into the Country of Ardnorwith where he fought with the Lord Thomas William Macgoghgan and was there kill'd to the great loss of Ireland and with him John Lord Ledewich Roger and Thomas Ledewich John Nangle Meiler and Simon Petitt David Nangle Sir John Waringer James Terel Nicholas White William Freynes Peter Kent and John White besides 140. whose names we know not The Tuesday before the feast of S. Bartholomew the said Lord Thomas's body was convey'd to Dublin and laid in the house of the predicant Friers unburied till the sunday after the feast of the beheading of S. John Baptist when he was very honourably carried through the City and interr'd in the Church of the predicant Friers which very day his wife gave a great entertainment The same year John Lord Darcy came a second time Justice of Ireland who at Maynoth on the third of July espoused the Lady Joan Burg Countess of Kildare Item Philip Staunton was slain and Henry Lord Traharn was treacherously taken in his own house at Kilbego by Richard son to Philip Onolan James Lord Botiller Earl of Ormond burnt Foghird in revenge to Onolan for his brother Henry's sake The same year the Wednesday after the feast of the Ascension of the blessed Virgin John Lord Darcy Justice of Ireland went towards the Country of New-castle of Mackingham and of Wikelow against the O Brynns and the Monday following some of the Lawles were killed and more wounded and Robert Locam was wounded and of the Irish the better sort were slain many wounded and the rest ran away But Murkad O Brynne with his son uncle and uncle's son yielded themselves hostages and were carried to the Castle of Dublin But were afterwards in exchange of Hostages who were of the best of their Kindred set at liberty The same year John Lord Darcy Chief Justice and the King's Council in Ireland about the feast of our Lord's Circumcision commanded Moris Lord Fitz Thomas of Desmond to march with his Army against his Majesties enemies for to subdue them And that the King would take care to defray the Charge he should be at both for himself and his Army so the Lord Fitz-Thomas accompanied by Briene O-Brene came with an Army of ten thousand Men with which he march'd against the O-nolanes and conquer'd them having got a considerable Booty and wasted their Country by fire the O-nolanes fled but afterwards deliver'd Hostages who were sent to the Castle of Dublin Hence he march'd against the O-Morches who gave Hostages with a promise of living quietly The same time the Castle of Ley which O-Dympcy had taken and kept was surrender'd to him This year after the Epiphany Donald arte Mac-Murgh made his escape out of the Castle of Dublin by a Cord which one Adam Nangle had bought him who for his pains was drawn and hang'd MCCCXXX About the feast of S. Catherine S. Nicholas and the Nativity of our Lord the winds were in several places very high so that on S. Nicholas-eve they blew down part of the wall of a certain House which in the falling kill'd Sir Miles Verdon's wife and daughter there was never yet known such winds in Ireland There was such an overflowing of the River Boyn this year as was never seen before which flung down all the Bridges upon this River both Wood and Stone except Babe-bridge The violence also of the water carried away several Mills and did very much damage to the Friers-minors of Trym and Drogheda by breaking down their Houses The same year about S. John Baptist's-day there was a great dearth of Corn in Ireland which lasted till Michaelmas A cranoc of Wheat was sold for 20 Shillings a cranoc of Oats Pease Beans and Barly for 8 Shillings This dearth was occasion'd by the great Rains so that a great deal of the standing Corn could not be cut before Michaelmas The same year about Lent the English in Meth killed some of the Irish viz. the Mac-goghiganes near Loghynerthy which did so incense Mac-goghigan that he burnt and sack'd in those Parts 15 small Villages which the English seeing gathered together in a Body against him and kill'd 110 of his men among whom were three Irish Kings sons Item The Lord William Burgh Earl of Ulster march'd with his Army out of Ulster against Briene O Brene in Munster Also the Lady Joan Countess of Kildare was at Maynoth brought to Bed of William her first Son which the Lord John Darcy had by her who was then in England Item Reymund Lawles was treacherously kill'd at Wickelow This year Frier Roger Utlaw Prior of Kylmainan then Deputy to the Lord Chief Justice of Ireland held a Parliament at Kilkenny where were present Alexander Archbishop of Dublin William Earl of Ulster James Earl of Ormond William Lord Bermingham Walter Burg of Conaught who all went with a considerable force to drive Briene O-Brene out of Urkyst near Cashill Item Walter Burg with the Forces he rais'd in Conaught plunder'd the Lord Moris fitz-Fitz-Thomas's lands and brought away with him the Booty to Urkyff Also the Earl of Ulster and the Earl of Desmond viz. the Lord Moris fitz-Fitz-Thomas for I never yet call'd him Earl by Frier Roger Utlaws order then Justice of Ireland were committed to the custody of the Marshal at Limerick But the Earl of Desmond very cunningly made his escape MCCCXXXI The Lord Hugh Lacy having got the King's Pardon came into Ireland And the Earl of Ulster came into England The 19th of April the English beat the Irish in O-Kenseley and the one and twentieth of April the Irish perfidiously took the Castle of Arclo The same day on S. Mark the Evangelist's-eve the O-Totheles came to Tanelagh and forced away from Alexander Archbishop of Dublin 300 Sheep and killed Richard White with many other Gentlemen of his Company There were divers Reports at Dublin about this Plunder and Slaughter and Sir Philip Bryt Frier Moris Fitz-Gerald Knight of the Order of the Hospitalers Hammund Lord Archdekyn John Chamberlaine Robert Tyrell and Reginald Bernewall's two Sons besides many others but especially of the Archbishop of Dublin's Retinue were kill'd by David O-Tothill in an Ambuscade in Culiagh The Lord William Bermingham march'd with a great Army against the foresaid Irish to whom he did much harm and had not the Irish made some false Promises would have done them much more The Third of June the Lord Anthony Lucy came Chief Justice of Ireland This year also the English who inhabit about Thurles in the month of May gave the Irish under the command of Briene O-Brene a great overthrow and upon the 11th of June gave them another at Finnagh in Meth. The 27th of June when there was so great a Famine in Ireland through God's mercy there came a-shoar such a vast number of great Sea-fish called Thurlhedis as had not been seen in many Ages for according to the common estimate there
vincula there was bread made of new wheat and wheat was sold in Dublin for 6 pence a peck Item D. Reimund Archedekin Kt. with many others of his family were kill'd in Leinster MCCCXXXVII On the eve of S. Kalixtus the Pope seven partridges leaving the fields God knows why came directly to Dublin where flying very swiftly over the Market-Place they settled on the â—op of a brew-house which belonged to the Canons of S. Trinity in Dublin Some of the Citizens came running to this sight wondring very much at so strange a thing the Town-boyes caught two of them alive a third they kill'd at which the rest being frightned-mounted in the air by a swift flight and escap'd into the opposite Fields Now what this should portend a thing unheard of before I shall leave to the judgment of the more skilful Item Sir John Charleton Knight and Baron came with his wife children and family Lord Chief Justice of Ireland at the feast of S. Kalixtus the Pope and some of his sons and family died Item The same day came into Dublin haven D. Thomas Charleton Bishop of Hereford Justice of Ireland with the Chief Justice his Brother Chancellor of Ireland and with them M. John Rees Treasurer of Ireland Mr. in the Decretals besides 200 Welshmen Item Whilst D. John Charleton was Lord Chief Justice and held a Parliament at Dublin Mr. David O Hirraghcy Archbishop of Armagh being called to the Parliament laid in his provisions in the Monastry of S. Mary near Dublin but the Archbishop and his Clerks would not let him keep house there because he would have had his Crosier carried before him Item The same year died David Archbishop of Armagh to whom succeeded an ingenious man M. Richard Fitz-Ralph Dean of Litchfield who was born in Dundalk Item James Botiller the first Earl of Ormond died the 6th of January and was buried at Balygaveran MCCCXXXVIII The Lord John Charleton at the instigation of his Brother the Bishop of Hereford was by the King turn'd out of his place upon which he came back with his whole family into England and the Bishop of Hereford was made Lord Keeper and Chief Justice of Ireland Item Sir Eustace Pover and Sir John Pover his Uncle were by the Justice's order brought up from Munster to Dublin where the third of February they were imprison'd in the Castle Item In some parts of Ireland they had so great a frost that the river Aven-liffie on which the City of Dublin stands was frozen hard enough for them to dance run or play at foot-ball upon and they made wood and turfe fires upon it to broil Herrings The Ice lasted a great while I shall say nothing of the great snow which fell during this frost since the greatness of the depth has made it so remarkable This Frost continued from the second of December till the 10th of February such a season as was never known in Ireland MCCCXXXIX All Ireland was up in Arms. The Lord Moris Fitz-Thomas Earl of Desmond with the Geraldines who live about Kernige made a great slaughter of the Irish besides 1200 of them who were drown'd in the retreat Item The Lord Moris Fitz-Nicholas Lord of Kernige was by the Lord Moris Fitz-Thomas Earl of Desmond apprehended and put in prison where he died for want of meat and drink for his allowance was but very little because he had rebell'd with the Irish against the King and the Earl Item A great number of the O Dympcies and other Irish were by the English and the vigorous pursuit of the Earl of Kildare kill'd and drowned in the Barrow Item the latter end of February Thomas Bishop of Hereford and Chief Justice of Ireland with the help of the English of that Country took from the Irish about Odrone such a great booty of all sorts of cattle as has not been seen in Leinster MCCCXL The Bishop of Hereford Justice of Ireland being commanded home by his Majesty return'd into England the 10th of April leaving Frier Roger Outlaw Prior of Kilmainan in his place who died the 13th of February Item The King of England made John Darcy Lord Chief Justice of Ireland for life MCCCXLI In May Sir John Moris came Lord Chief Justice of Ireland as Deputy to John Darcy Item In the County of Leinster there happen'd such a strange prodigy as has not been heard of A person travelling along the road found a pair of gloves fit for his hands as he thought but when he put them on he he lost his speech immediately and could do nothing but bark like a dog nay from that moment the men and women throughout the whole County fell into the same condition and the children waughed up and down like whelps This plague continued with some 18 days with others a month and with some for two years and like a contagious distemper at last infected the neighbouring Counties and set them a barking too Item The King of England revok'd all those grants that either he or his Ancestors had made to any in Ireland whether of liberties lands or goods which occasion a general murmur and discontent insomuch that the whole Kingdom grew inclin'd to a revolt Item A Parliament was called by the King's Council to sit in October Fitz-Thomas Earl of Desmond absented Before this there never was seen so much rancor and division between the English of both Kingdoms at last without asking Counsel of the Lord Chief Justice or any other of the King's Ministers the Mayors of the King's Cities together with the Nobility and Gentry of the Kingdom resolv d among other things to hold another Parliament at Kilkenny in November in order to treat of such matters as concern'd the King and Kingdom Neither the Lord Chief Justice nor any other of the King's Ministers durst repair thither It was concluded in this Parliament by the Nobility and the Mayors aforesaid to dispatch away an ambassadour to the King of England to intercede for Relief and represent the unjust administration of the great Officers in Ireland and declare they could no longer endure their oppression They were particularly instructed in their complaints of the said Ministers to ask How a Land so full of wars and trouble could be govern'd by a Person that was wholly a Stranger to warlike Affairs Secondly How a Minister of the Kings could be imagin'd to grow so rich in a short time And thirdly What was the reason that the King of England was never the richer for Ireland MCCCXLII On the 11th of October and the 11th of the Moon two several Moons were seen by many about Dublin in the morning before day Theone was bright and according to its natural course in the West the other of the bigness of a round loaf stood in the East but not so bright as the former MCCCXLIII S. Thomas's-street in Dublin was accidentally burnt on S. Valentine the Martyr's-day Item The 13th of July D. Ralph Ufford with his Wife the Countess of
humane frailty promises them money fixing a time against which he would procure it that if within that no acceptable ransom offer'd it self whereby he might escape a momentary death he might however purge himself by frequent groans to be offer'd a lively sacrifice to the Lord. When the time appointed was come this greedy gulf of Pirates calls forth the servant of the Lord and with many threatnings presently demands the tribute he had promis'd His answer was Here am I like a meek lamb ready to undergo all things for the love of Christ which you presume to inflict upon me that I may be thought worthy of being an example to his servants This day I am no way disturb'd As to my seeming a lier to you it was not my own will but the extremity of want that brought me to it This body of mine which in this exile I have lov'd but too much I surrender to you as criminal and I know it is in your power to do with it what you please but my sinful soul over which you have no power I humbly commit to the Creator of all things While he spake thus a troop of profane villains encompass'd him and got together several sorts of weapons to dispatch him Which when their Captain Thurkil perceiv'd at some distance he ran to them in all haste crying I desire you would not by any means do so I freely divide among you my gold silver and whatever I have or can procure except the ship only on condition you do not offend against the Lord 's ‖ Ciâ—â—â— Anointed But this fair language did not soften the unbridled anger of his fellows harder than iron and rocks nor could it be appeas'd but by the effusion of innocent blood which they presently and unanimously spilt by pouring upon him Ox-heads and showres of stones 8 And to the memory of this S. Eâ—lpheg is the Parish-Church here consecrated and sticks Now the place is famous for being a Royal seat built by Humfrey Duke of Glocester and call'd by him Placentia K. Hen. 7. very much enlarg'd it added to it a small house of Friers Mendicants and finish'd that tower 9 Famous in Spanish fables which Duke Humfrey had begun on the top of a high hill from which there is a most pleasant prospect down to the winding river and the green meadows that lie below 10 To the City of London and the country round about It is now much enlarg'd and beautify'd for which it is indebted to it 's new inhabitant Henry Howard Earl of Northampton 11 Lord Privy-Seal c. But the greatest ornament by far that Greenwich has is our Elizabeth who being born here by a happy providence did so enlighten Britain nay and even the whole world with the rays of her royal virtues that no praise can equal her merit But as to what concerns Greenwich take the verses of our Antiquary Leland Ecce ut jam niteat locus petitus Tanquam sydereae domus cathedrae Quae fastigia picta quae fenestrae Quae turres vel ad astra se efferentes Quae porro viridaria ac perennes Fontes Flora sinum occupat venusta Fundens delicias nitentis horti Rerum commodus aestimator ille Ripae qui variis modis amoenae Nomen contulit eleganter aptum How bright the lofty seat appears Like Jove's great palace pav'd with stars What roofs what windows charm the eye What turrets rivals of the sky What constant springs what smiling meads Here Flora's self in state resides And all around her does dispence Her gifts and pleasing influence Happy the man who'ere he was Whose lucky wit so nam'd the place As all it's beauties to express I have nothing else to observe in this place unless it be not to let the memory of deserving and worthy persons perish that William Lambard a person of great learning and singular piety built a hospital here for relief of the poor which he call'd Queen Elizabeth's College for the poor 12 And as the prying Adversaries of our Religion then observ'd was the first Protestant that built an Hospital â—m Behind this at scarce three miles distance lies Eltham a retiring place also of the Kings 13 But unwholsomly by reason of the moate built by Anthony Bec Bishop of Durham and Patriarch of Jerusalem and bestow'd upon Eleanor wife to K. Edward 1. after he had craftily got the estate of the Vescies to whom it formerly belong'd For 't is said that this Bishop whom the last Baron of Vescy made his Feoffee in trust 〈◊〉 of â—am that he might keep the estate for William de Vescy his young son but illegitimate scarce dealt so fair with this Orphan as he should have done 14 But despoil'd him of Alnwick Castle this and other fair lands breach Below Greenwich the Thames throwing down it's banks has laid several acres of ground under water and some for many years endeavouring to keep it out at vast expence scarce find their works and walls able to defend the neighbouring fields against the incursions of the Tide 15 Which the Canons of Liesnes adjoyning kept sweet and found land in their times This Abbey was founded 1179. by Lord Richard Lucy Chief Justice of England and by him dedicated to God and the memory of Thomas of Canterbury whom he so admired for his piety while others condemned him for pervicacy against his Prince as he became here a devoted Canon to him There is great plenty of Cochlearia or Scurvygrass â—â—ygrass growing here which some Physicians will have to be Pliny's Britannica and upon that account I mention it in this place f But take Pliny's own words In Germany when Germanicus Caesar remov'd his Camp forward beyond the Rhine in the maritime tract there was one fountain and no more of fresh water which if one drank of his teeth would drop out in two years time and the joynts of his knees become loose and feeble Those evils the Physicians term'd Stomacace and Sceletyâ—be The herb Britannica For remedy hereof the herb call'd Britannica was found out not only good for the sinews and mouth but also against the Squinsie and stinging of serpents c. The Frisians where our Camp was show'd it to our soldiers and I wonder what should be the reason of that name unless the Inhabitants of the sea-coasts dedicated it to the name of Britain as lying so near it But the learned Hadrianus Junius in his Nomenclator brings another See in the British liles concerning the Armamentarium Britaâ—nâ—â—cum and indeed more probable reason of the name whom for your satisfaction please to consult for this word Britannica has drawn me out of my road The Thames afterwards growing narrower is met by the river Darent which coming out of Surrey flows with a gentle chanel not far from Seven-oke Seven-oke so call'd as they say from seven Oaks of an exceeding height
Earl of Strafford Lord Lieutenant of Ireland erected a large and magnificent Pile and designed to make it the seat of his Family principal and head town of this County is Kildar Kildar eminent in the first ages of the Irish Church for Brigid â— Brigid a virgin of great esteem for her devotion and chastity not she who about 240 years since instituted the Order of the Nuns of S. Brigid namely that within one Monastery both Men and Women should live together in their several apartments without seeing one another but one more ancient who lived about a thousand years ago was a disciple of S. Patrick and very famous both in Ireland Scotland and England Her miracles and the fire which never goes out being preserved and cherished in the * Adytis â—â—â—traliâ—â—â— inner sanctuary like that of Vesta by the sacred Virgins and still burns without any addition or increase of ashes are related by some Authors This town has the honour of being a Bishops See formerly stil'd in the Pope's Letters Episcopatus Darensis 14 And after the entrance of the English into Ireland was c. and was first the habitation of Richard Earl of Pembrook afterwards of William Marshall Earl of Pembrook his son in law by whose fourth daughter Sibill it came to William Ferrars Earl of Derby and by a daughter of his by her likewise to William Vescy whose son 15 William Lord Vescy William Vescy Lord Chief Justice of Ireland being out of favour with King Edward the first upon a quarrel between him and John the son of Thomas Fitz-Girald and having lost his only legitimate son gave Kildare and other lands of his in Ireland Aâ—chivâ—â—â—geta to the King upon condition he should infeoff his natural son sirnamed de Kildare with all his other lands in England A little after that the said John son to Thomas Fitz-Girald whose ancestors descended from Girald Windesor Castellan of Pembrook by their great valour did much service in the conquest of Ireland had the castle and town of Kildare together with the title and name of Earl of Kildare Earls of Kildar bestow'd upon him by King Edward the second These Fitz-Giralds or Geraldins as they now call them were very great men and particularly eminent for their brave actions who of themselves as one says preserved the sea-coasts of Wales and conquered Ireland And this family of Kildare flourished with their honour and reputation unsullied for a long time having never any hand in rebellions till Thomas Fitz-Girald son of Girald-Fitz-Girald Earl of Kildare and Lord Lieutenant of Ireland in Henry the eighth's time upon the news that his father who was sent for into England and charg'd with male-administration was executed was so far transported by the heat of youth upon this false rumour that he rashly took up arms against his King and Country invited Charles the 5th to take possession of Ireland wasted the Country with fire and sword besieged Dublin and put the Archbishop thereof to death for which outrage he was soon after hang'd with five of his uncles his father being dead before of grief and trouble at these proceedings However this family was restored by Queen Mary to its ancient grandeur who promoted Girald brother of the said Thomas to the Earldom of Kildare and the Barony of Offaly 16 He ended this life about the year 1558. His eldest Son Girald died before his father leaving only one daughter married to Sir Robert Digby Henry his second son succeeded who when he had by his wife Lady Frances daughter to Charles Earl of Nottingham only two daughters William the third son succeeded to the Earldom who was drowned in passing into Ireland in the year 1599 having no issue And then the title of Earl of Kildare came to Girald Fiâ—z Girald son to Edward their uncle who wan restored to his blood in lineage to make title by descent lineal or collateral from his father and brother and all his ancestors any attainder or corruption of blood to the contrary notwithstanding his two sons Henry and William having both succeeded him without issue male the title of Earl fell to Girald Fitz-Girald their Cousin-german 17 With a fair patrimony seduced by the Religious pretext into Rebellion Other eminent towns in this county are Naas a market town Athie situate upon the river Barrow Mainoth a castle of the Earls of Kildare and endowed with the priviledge of a market and a fair by King Edw. the first in favour of Girald Fitz-Moris Castle-Martin the chief seat of the family of the Fitz-Eustaces descended from the Poers in the County of Waterford of whom Rowland Fitz-Eustace Barons Fitz Eustace for his great worth was made a Baron of Parliament by Edward the fourth and had the manour of Portlester bestow'd upon him as also the title of Vicount Baltinglas by Henry the eighth Pat. 2. Ed. 4. Viscounts Baltinglas all which dignities Rowland Fitz-Eustace lost 7 being banish'd in Q. Elizabeth's time for his treachery The more considerable families here besides the Fitz-Giralds are all likewise English the Ougans De-la-Hides Ailmers Walshes Boisels Whites Suttons c. As for the Gyant 's dance which Merlin by art magick transferred as they say out of this territory to Salisbury-plain as also the bloody battle to be fought hereafter between the English and the Irish at Molleaghmast I leave them for the credulous and such as doat upon the fabulous part of antiquity and vainly admire prophesies For it is not answerable to my design to dilate upon stories of this nature These are the midland Counties of Leinster now for those upon the sea coast The County of WEISFORD BElow that mouth from which the three sister-rivers the Barrow the Neore and the Swire empty themselves into the sea upon a Promontory eastward where the shore is rounding lies the County of Weisford or Wexford in Irish County a Which signifies Coarse or rough Reogh where the Menapii Menapii are placed by Ptolemy That these Menapii were the off-spring of the Menapii that peopled the sea-coast in the Lower Germany the name it self seems to intimate But whether that Carausius Carausius who put up for Emperor and held Britain against Dioclesian were of this or that nation Published by Sâ—hottus I leave to the discovery of others For * Aurelius Victor calls him a citizen of Menapia and the city Menapia is in Ireland and not in the Low-Countreys of Germany according to Geographers Upon the river Barrow in this County formerly flourished Ross a large b Now a burrough city of good trade and well inhabited fortified with a wall of great compass by Isabel the daughter of Earl Richard Strongbow which is the only remains of it at this day For the dissention between the citizens and the religious here has long since ruined the town and reduced it to little or nothing More eastward Duncanon Duncanon
were put to flight The third was at Sketheris hard by Arstol the day after S. Paul's conversion the English fled and were routed by the Scots Whereupon Edward Brus after the feast of Philip and James got himself crown'd King of Ireland Having taken Green Castle they posted themselves in it but the citizens of Dublin soon remov'd them and recover'd it for the King and finding Sir Robert Coultagh the governour of the Castle there they brought him to Dublin where he was imprison'd and being kept to hard diet died Item Upon S. Peter and Paul's day the Scots invested Dondalk took it plunder'd it and then burnt it after they had kill'd all such as had oppos'd them A great part of Urgale was likewise burnt by them as also the Church of the blessed Virgin Mary in Atterith full of men women and children with the assistance of the Irish This same year the Lord Edmund Botiller Justiciary of Ireland about the feast of S. Mary Magdalen drew considerable forces out of Munster Leinster and other parts to joyn the Earl of Ulster at Dondalk who had drawn a mighty great army out of Connaght and those parts and was marching thither There they concerted what measures they should take to destroy the Scots What their resolutions were is not known but the Scots fled and if they had not they had as 't is hop'd been taken Prisoners After this the Earl of Ulster and the said Justiciary with the rest of the Nobility resolv'd as soon as they had cut off the Scots to bring the Lord Edmund Brus dead or alive to Dublin Accordingly the Earl pursued them as far as Branne and then retir'd towards Coyners Brus perceiving this pass'd the River privately follow'd him and put him to flight with some others of the Earl's side having wounded George Roch and slain Sir John Stanton Roger Holiwood and others Many were likewise kill'd on Brus's side and on the 10th of September the Lord William Burk was taken Prisoner and the Earl was defeated near Coyners whereupon an Insurrection of the Irish in Conaught and Meth follow'd against the King and the Earl of Ulster who burnt the Castles of Atholon Raudon and others The Baron of Donull was very eminent for his great Valour but he suffer'd very much in his Goods and the Scots drove them stoutly as far as Cragfergus where those of the Earl's party fled and they some of them enter'd the Castle and defended it with great valour Afterwards certain Seamen came suddenly from the Port-towns and Havens of England surpris'd the Scots and kill'd forty of them carrying their Tents c. off with them The day after the Exaltation of the Holy Cross the Earl of Morreff went over with four Pirate-ships laden with Irish Commodities into Scotland accompanied with the Lord William Brus intending there to pick up a supply for his Army One of the Ships was cast away All this while the aforesaid Brus was carrying on the Siege of Cragfergus-castle At the same time Cathil Roge demolish'd three Castles of the Earl of Ulster's in Connaught where he likewise burnt and plunder'd many Towns Now also the English Mariners above-mentioned went to the said Castle and the Lords there skirmish'd with one another and kill'd many of the Scots Richard Lande O-Ferivil was slain also about this time by an Irish man Item Afterwards upon S. Nicholas day Brus left Cragfergus and was join'd by the Earl of Morreff with 500 Men so they march'd together towards Dundalk Many flock'd into them and gave them their assistance From these they pass'd on to Nobee where they left many of their Men about the feast of S. Andrew Brus himself burnt Kenley's in Meth and Grenard Abby which he rifled and spoil'd He also burnt Finnagh and Newcastle and all that Country and after they had kept their Christmas at Loghsudy they burnt it likewise At last they march'd forward by Totmoy to Rathymegan and Kildare and the Country about Tristeldermot Athy and Reban in which Expedition they lost some Soldiers After this Brus advanc'd to Skethy near Arscoll in Leinster where he was engag'd by the Lord Edmund Botiller Justiciary of Ireland Sir John Fitz-Thomas Thomas Arnald Power and other Noblemen of Leinster and Munster so strong that any single Lord of them might have been an overmatch for Brus and his whole Party But a difference arising they left the Field in great disorder and confusion to him according to the truth of that Every Kingdom divided against it self shall become desolate Haymund le Grace a noble ' Squire and particularly loyal to his King and Country and Sir William Prendregest were both slain The Scots lost Sir Fergus Andrissan Sir Walter Morrey and many others who were buried at Athy in the Convent of the Friers Predicants Afterwards Brus in his return towards Meth burnt Loy-castle and so the Scots march'd from Kenlis into Meth where the Lord Mortimer took the field against them with a numerous Army amounting to near 15000 but hardly unanimous and true to one another as it was believ'd For tho' this Body was all under the said Mortimer yet they went off about three a Clock and deserted him particularly the Lacies so that the Lord Mortimer was oblig'd to retreat to Dublin with a small Party and the Lord Walter Cusake to the Castle of Trym leaving the Country and the Town of Kenlis to the mercy of the Scots Item At the same time all the South-part of the Country was burnt by the Irish of those parts viz. Arclo Newcastle Bree and all the adjacent Villages under the conduct of the Otothiles and the O Brynnes The Omorghes also burnt and wasted part of Leys in Leinster but most of them were cut off by the Lord Edmund Botiller Chief Justice of Ireland and about eight hundred of their Heads carried to Dublin-castle Item This year about the feast of the purification of the blessed Virgin some of the Irish Nobility and the Lord fitz-Fitz-Thomas Richard Lord Clare John Lord le Pover and Arnold Lord Pover came to the Lord John de Hotham who was appointed by the King for that end to establish a Peace for their after-quiet and safety so they took their Oaths to stand by the King of England with their lives and fortunes to do their best to preserve the peace and to kill the Scots For performance whereof they gave Pledges before God and so return'd All the rest of the Irish Nobility that refus'd to follow the same course were to be look'd upon as Enemies to the King Item The Lord John Bysset departed this life and the Church of the new Village of Leys with the Belfrey was burnt by the Scots The Castle of Northburg in Ulster was also taken by them Item Fidelmicus O Conghyr King of Connaught kill'd Rorick the son of Cathol O Conghyr Item This year died the Lord William Maundevil and the Bishop of Coner fled to the Castle of Cragfergus and the Bishoprick was laid under
And on Sunday following being the next after the Nativity oâ— the blessed Virgin the Lord John Fitz-Thomas died at Laraghbrinâ— near Maynoth and was buried among the Friers-minors at Kildarâ— He is said to have been made Earl of Kildare a little befoâ—â— his death His son and heir Thomas Fitz-John a very prudeâ—â— Man succeeded him After this we had News that the Castle of Cragfergus was surrender'd to the Scots upon condition the lives of the Garrison-Soldiers should be saved On the day of the exaltation of the holy Cross Conghor was stain together with Mac-keley and fifty Irish by William Lord Burk and Richard Bermingham in Conaught Item On the Monday before All-Souls-day many of the Scots were slain in Ulster by John Loggan Hugh Lord Bisset namely about 100 with double Arms and 200 with single Arms. The slain in all amounted to 300 besides the foot Afterward on the Eve of the Royal S. Edmund there hapned such a Storm of Wind and Rain as threw down many Houses beat down the Bell of Trinity-church in Dublin and did much mischief both by Sea and Land Item On the Eve of S. Nicholas the Lord Alan Stewart who was taken Prisoner in Ulster by John Loggan and the Lord John Sandale was carried to Dublin-castle This same year there came News from England of a dissention between the King and the Earl of Lancaster That they were for taking one another Prisoners and that the whole Kingdom was embroil'd about it This year also about the feast of Andrew the Apostle the Lord Hugh le Despencer and the Lord Bartholomew de Baldesmere Wigorniensis the Bishop of Worcester and the Bishop of Ely were sent to Rome to negotiate some important Business of the King 's for Scotland who return'd again into England about the feast of the purification of the blessed Mary Item The Lacies came to Dublin after the same feast and shew'd by an Inquisition that the Scots were not brought into Ireland by their means whereupon they were acquitted and had the King's Charter for protection and safety upon taking their Oaths to keep â—he Peace and do their utmost to destroy the Scots Item This year after the feast of Carnis privium the Scots â—arch'd privately as far as Slain with 20000 arm'd Men and raâ—ag'd the Country though the Army of Ulster lay just before â—â—em Afterwards on the Monday before the feast of S. Matthias the â—postle the Earl of Ulster was apprehended in S. Marie's Abby â—y the Mayor of Dublin viz. Robert Notyngham and carried to â—ublin-castle where he was long imprison'd and the Chamber whereâ—â— he was kept burnt and seven of the Earl's Attendants â—ain The same week in the Vigil of S. Matthias Brus took his â—arch towards Dublin at the head of his Army and hearing of the â—arl's Imprisonment turn'd off towards Cnok-castle which he enâ—â—r'd and therein took the Lord Hugh Tirell with his Wife who â—as Baron of it and they were afterwards ransom'd That Night it was agreed by common consent among the Citiâ—ens of Dublin That S. Thomas's-street should be burnt down for â—ear of the Scots the flames whereof got hold of S. John's-church â—nd burnt it down likewise with Magdalen-chappel all the Suâ—urbs of the City and S. Mary's-monastery The Church of S. Paâ—rick was spoil'd by the said Villans Item Our Saviour's Church which belongs to the Friers-preâ—icants was destroy'd by the Mayor and his Citizens and the â—â—ones were converted to the building of a City wall which was â—ade of greater compass in the north part of the City above the â—ey for formerly the Walls ran just by the Church of S. Owen â—here we see a Tower beyond the Gate also another Gate in that â—treet where the Taverns are however the Mayor and Citizens â—ere afterwards commanded by the King of England to make anoâ—her Convent as formerly After the feast of S. Matthias Le Brus â—â—derstanding that the City was fortified to receive him he march'd â—â—wards Salmons-leap where Robert le Brus King of Scotland â—ith Edward le Brus the Earl of Morrey John Meneteth the â—ord John Stewart the Lord Philip Mountbray encamp'd themâ—elves and continued for four days during which they burnt part â—f the Village broke open the Church and rifled it and then â—arch'd towards Le Naas The Lacies notwithstanding their Oaths advis'd and conducted them and Hugh Lord Canon made â—adin White his Wife's Brother guide them through the Country â—o they came to Le Naas plunder'd the Village broke the Churches â—â—d open'd the Graves in the Church-yard for hidden Treasure â—â—d did many other Mischiefs during the two days they stay'd â—â—ere After this they took their march towards Tristildermote â—â—e second week in Lent and destroy'd the Friers-minors takâ—â—g away their Books Vestments and other Ornaments from â—ence they return'd to Baligaveran and so to Callan about the â—east of Pope Gregory without regarding the Village of Kilâ—enny At the same time Letters were brought by the Lord Edmund â—otiller Chief Justice of Ireland at that time and by the Lord Thomas Fitz-John Earl of Kildare the Lord Richard Clare the Lord Arnold le Pover and the Lord Maurice Fitz-Thomas to â—â—ffer the Earl of Ulster to be mainpriz'd and set at liberty by the King 's writ but nothing was done at present in this Business The People of Ulster came afterwards in a great Body amountâ—ng to 800 and desir'd assistance from the King against the Scots Upon which the King's Banner was deliver'd to them But as soon as they got it they did more mischief than the Scots themselves they eat Flesh all the Lent and almost wasted the whole Country for which they were accurs'd both by God and Man Edmund * Pincerna Butler gave the Irish a great defeat near Trestildermot Item The same Edmund being now Chief Justice of Ireland defeated O Morghe at Balilethan The Scots under le Brus were now got as far as Limerick But the English in Ireland being drawn together in great Bodies to receive them at Ledyn they retreated privately in the night from Conninger Castle About Palm-sunday News came to Dublin That the Scots were at Kenlys in Ossory and that the Irish Nobility were at Kilkenny and had drawn a great Army together there to engage Le Brus. On the Monday following the King sent an Order to the People of Ulster to advance against the Scots under the command and conduct of Thomas Fitz-John Earl of Kildare whereupon they march'd forward Le Brus being then at Cashell from whence he mov'd to Nanath where he stay'd some time and burnt and wasted all the Possessions of the Lord Pincern MCCCXVII On Maundy Thursday the Lord Edmund Botiller Justiciary of Ireland the Lord Thomas Fitz-John Earl of Kildare for the King had conferr'd the jurisdiction and privileges of the Earldom of Kildare upon him Richard Clare with the Ulster-Army Arnold Pover Baron of Donnoyll Maurice Rochfort Thomas Fitz-Maurice and the Cauntons and their
Followers met together to concert what measures were to be taken against the Scots this Debate continued for a whole week and at last they came to no Resolution tho' their Army amounted to 30000 armed Men or thereabouts On Thursday in Easter-week Roger Mortimer arriv'd at Yoghall with the King's Commission for he was Chief Justice at that time and on the Monday following went in great haste to the Army having sent his Letters to Edmund Botiller who as it has been said was formerly Chief Justice to enterprise nothing before his Arrival against the Scots but before Mortimer got to the Camp he admonish'd Brus to retreat so in the Night Brus march'd towards Kildare and in the week after the English return'd home to their several Countries and the Ulster-Army came to Naas At the same time two Messengers were sent from Dublin to the King of England to give him an account of the state of Ireland and the delivery of Ulster and to take his Majesty's advice upon the whole At the same time likewise Roger Lord Mortimer Justiciary of Ireland and the Irish Nobility were met together at Kilkenny to consider how they might most conveniently proceed against Brus but came to no Resolution About a month after Easter Brus came with an Army within four Leagues or thereabouts of Trym under the covert of a certain Wood and there continu'd for about a week or more to refresh his Men who were almost undone with fatigue and hunger which occasion'd a great mortality among them Afterwards on S. Philip and James's-day the said Brus began his march towards Ulster and after the said feast Roger Lord Mortimer Chief Justice of Ireland came to Dublin with John Lord Wogan Sir Fulk Warin and thirty other Knights with their Retinue who held a Parliament with all the Nobility of the Kingdom at Kylmainan but came to no conclusion but about the delivery of the Earl of Ulster On the Sunday before the Ascension they held another Parliament at Dublin and there thc Earl of Ulster was deliver'd upon Mainprise Hostages and Oath which were That he should never by himself nor any of his Friends and Followers do or procure any mischief to the Citizens of Dublin for his apprehension save only what the Law allow'd him in those Cases against such Offenders whereupon he had till the Nativity of S. John allow'd him for that benefit but he came not Item This year Corn and other Victuals were exceeding dear Wheat was sold at three and twenty Shillings the Cranock and Wine for eight pence and the whole Country was in a manner laid waste by the Scots and those of Ulster Many House-keepers and such as were formerly able to relieve others were now reduc'd to Beggary themselves and great numbers famish'd The dearth and mortality was so severe that many of the Poor died At the same time Messengers arriv d at Dublin from England with Pardons to make use of as they should see fit but the Earl was deliver'd before they came And at the feast of Pentecost Mortimer Lord Chief Justice set forward for Drogheda from whence he went to Trym sending his Letters to the Lacies to repair to him but they refus'd the Summons with contempt Afterwards Sir Hugh Crofts Knight was sent to treat of a Peace with the Lacies but was unworthily slain by them After that the Lord Mortimer drew an Army together against the Lacies by which means their Goods Cattle and Treasures were all seiz'd many of their Followers cut off and they themselves drove into Conaught and ruin'd It was reported That Sir Walter Lacy went out as far as Ulster to seek Brus. Item About the feast of Pentecost the Lord Aumar Valence and his son were taken Prisoners in S. Cinere a Town in Flanders and convey'd from thence into Almain The same year on the Monday after the Nativity of S. John the Baptist a Parliament of the Nobility was held at Dublin by which the Earl of Ulster was acquitted who found Security and took his Oath to answer the King's writs and to fight against the King's Enemies both Scots and Irish Item On the feast of S. Process and Martinian Thomas Dover a resolute Pyrate was taken in a Sea-engagement by Sir John Athy and forty of his Men or thereabouts cut off his Head was brought by him to Dublin Item On the day of S. Thomas's Translation Sir Nicholas Balscot brought word from England That two Cardinals were come from the Court of Rome to conclude a Peace and that they had a Bull for excommunicating all such as should disturb or break the King's Peace Item On the Thursday next before the feast of S. Margaret Hugh and Walter Lacy were proclaim'd Felons and Traytors to their King for breaking out into war against his Majesty Item On the Sunday following Roger Lord Mortimer Chief Justice of Ireland march'd with his whole Army towards Drogheda At the same time the Ulster-men took a good Booty near Drogheda but the Inhabitants sallied out and retook it in this action Miles Cogan and his Brother were both slain and six other great Lords of Ulster were taken Prisoners and brought to the Castle of Dublin Afterwards Mortimer the Lord Chief Justice led his Army against O Fervill and commanded the Malpass to be cut down and all his Houses to be spoil d After this O Fervill submitted and gave Hostages Item Roger Lord Mortimer Chief Justice march'd towards Clony and empannell'd a Jury upon Sir John Blunt viz. White of Rathregan by this he was found guilty and was fin'd two hundred marks On Sunday after the feast of the Nativity of the blessed Marie Mortimer march'd with a great Army against the Irish of O Mayl and came to Glinsely where in a sharp Encounter many were slain on both sides but the Irish had the worst Soon after O Brynne came and submitted Whereupon Roger Mortimer return'd with his Men to Dublin-castle On S. Simon and Jude's-day the Archeboldes were permitted to enjoy the King's Peace upon the Mainprise of the Earl of Kildare At the feast of S. Hilary following a Parliament was held at Lincoln to conclude a Peace between the King the Earl of Lancaster and the Scots The Scots continued peaceable and quiet and the Archbishop of Dublin and the Earl of Ulster stay'd in England by the King's Order to attend that Parliament About the feast of Epiphany News came to Dublin That Hugh Canon Lord Chief Justice of the King's-bench was slain between Naas and Castle-Martin by Andrew Bermingham Item At the feast of the Purification of the blessed Virgin Mary came the Pope's Bulls whereupon Alexander Bicknor was confirm'd and consecrated Archbishop of Dublin and the Bulls were read and publish'd in Trinity-church Another Bull was read at the same time for establishing a Peace for two years between the King of England and Robert Brus King of Scotland But Brus refus'd to comply with it These things were thus transacted about the feast of
were above 500 this happened about the evening near Connyng and the water call'd Dodyz in Dublin-haven The Lord Anthony Lucy with his own Servants and some of the Citizens of Dublin among whom was Philip Cradoc kill'd above 200 of them and gave leave to any body to fetch away what they would The Lord Anthony Lucy Chief Justice of Ireland appointed a common Parliament to be held at Dublin on the Octaves of S. John Baptist whither some of the best of the Irish Nobility came not However he remov'd to Kilkenny and prorogued the Parliament to S. Peter's feast Ad vincula hither came the Lord Moris Fitz-Thomas and many more Noblemen who were not there before and submitted to the King's mercy And the King for his part very graciously forgave them whatever they had done against him under a certain form In August the Irish by treachery took the Castle of Firnis which they burnt The Lord Moris Fitz-Thomas of Desmond by an order of Council was taken the day after the Assumption of our blessed Virgin at Limerick by the Chief Justice and by him brought to the Castle of Dublin the 7th of October In September Henry Mandevill by vertue of a Warrant from Simon Fitz-Richard Justice in the King's-bench was taken and brought to the Castle of Dublin In November Walter Burck and his two Brothers were taken in Connaught by the Earl of Ulster and in February were by him brought to the Castle of Northburg In February the Lord William Bermingham and his son Lord Bermingham were taken at Clomel by the said Justice notwithstanding he had before granted them his Majesty's Pardon and the 19th of April were conducted to Dublin-castle The Irish of Leinster plunder'd the English and burnt their Churches and in the Church of Freineston burnt about eighty Men and Women and a certain Chaplain of that Church whom with their Javelins they hinder'd from coming out tho' in his holy Vestments and with the Lord's body in his hand burning him with the rest in the Church The news of it came to the Pope who sert his Bull to the Archbishop of Dublin commanding him to excommunicate those Irish and all their adherents and retinue and to interdict their Lands Now the Archbishop fulfill'd the Pope's commands but the Irish despised the bull excommunication interdiction and the Church's chastisement and continuing in their wickedness did again make a body and invaded the county of Weisford as far as Carcarn and plundred the whole country Richard White and Richard Fitz-Henry with the Burghers of Weisford and other English made head against them and kill'd about 400 of the Irish besides a great many more were in the pursuit drown d in the river Slane MCCCXXXII The eleventh of July William Bermingham by my Lord Chief Justice's order was put to death and hanged at Dublin but his son Walter was set at liberty Sir William was a noble Knight and very much renown'd for his warlike exploits alas what pity it was for who can commemorate his death without tears He was afterwards buried at Dublin among the Predicant Friers The Castle of Bonraty was taken and in July was rased to the ground by the Irish of Totomon Also the Castle of Arclo was taken from the Irish by the Lord Chief Justice and the citizens of Dublin with the help of the English of that Country and was the 8th of August a rebuilding in the King's Hands The Lord Anthony Lucy Chief Justice of Ireland was put out of his place and in November returned into England with his wife and children The Lord John Darcy succeeded him and came into Ireland the 13th of February There was about this time a great slaughter of the Irish in Munster made by the English inhabitants of that Country and Briens O-Brene with Mac-Karthy was beaten Item John Decer a citizen of Dublin died and was buried in the Church of the Minor Friers he was a man who did a great deal of good Also a disease called Mauses reigned very much all over Ireland and infected all sorts of People as well old as young The hostages who were kept in the Castle of Limeric kill'd the Constable and took the Castle but upon the citizens regaining of 〈◊〉 they were put to the sword The Hostages also took the Castle â—f Nenagh but part of it being burnt it was again recover'd â—nd the Hostages restored A of wheat about Christmas â—as sold for 22 shillings and soon after Easter very common for 〈◊〉 pence The Town of New-Castle of Lions was burnt and plunâ—ered by the O-Tothiles MCCCXXXIII John Lord Darcy the new Chief Justice of â—reland arrived at Dublin The Berminghams of Carbery got a great booty of above 2000 Cows from the O-Conghirs The Lord John Darcy ordered the â—ass at Ethrgovil in Offaly to be cut down that he might stop O-Conghir The Lord Moris fitz-Fitz-Thomas Earl of Desmond after he had â—een imprison'd a year and an half in Dublin was let out having â—ot some of the best of the Irish Nobility as mainprizes to be bound â—or him under penalty of their lives and estates if the said Lord â—hould attempt any thing against the King or did not appear and â—â—and trial Item William Burk Earl of Ulster on the 6th of June between New-Town and Cragfergus in Ulster was most treacherously kill'd â—y his own company in the twentieth year of his age Robert son â—o Mauriton Maundevile gave him the first blow As soon as his â—ife heard of it who was then in that part of Ulster she prudently â—mbark'd with her son and daughter and went for England The Lord John Darcy to revenge his murder by the advice of the Parliament then assembled shipp'd his Army with which the first of â—uly he arriv'd at Cragfergus The people of that Country were â—o glad at his arrival that they took courage and unanimously reâ—olv'd to revenge the Earl's death and in a pitch'd battle got a â—ictory some of them they took others they put to the sword When this was over the Lord Chief Justice went with his Army â—nto Scotland leaving M. Thomas Burgh then Treasurer to supply â—is place Item Many of the Irish Nobility and the Earl of Ormond with â—heir retinue assembled on the 11th of June at the house of the Carmelite Friers in Dublin during this Parliament as they were going out of the Court-yard of the Friers House Murcardus or Moris Nicholas O-Tothil's son was in the croud suddenly murder'd â—pon which the Nobility supposing there was treason in it were very much affrighted but the Murtherer made his escape without being known so much as by name Item The Lord John Darcy return'd Chief Justice of Ireâ—and Item In February the Lord Walter Bermingham son to the Lord William was let out of Dublin Castle Item The Lord Moris Son of Thomas Earl of Desmond by a â—all off his horse broke his leg Item It happen'd to be so dry a Summer that at the feast of S. Peter ad
Ulster came Lord Chief Justice of Ireland upon whose coming the fair Weather suddenly turned foul and there was nothing but rainy and tempestuous Weather whilst he liv'd None of his Predecessors were comparable to him for he oppress'd the Irish and robbed both Clergy and Laity of their Goods neither did he spare the Poor more than the Rich under a colour of doing good he defrauded many He observed neither the Ecclesiastical nor Civil Laws He was injurious to the natural Irish and did Justice to few if any wholly distrusting all the Inhabitants except some few And being mis-led by his Wife's Counsel these things were his daily Attempts and Practices Item In March as he was going into Ulster through a Pass call'd Emerdullan he was there set upon by one Maccartan who robb'd him of his Mony Cloaths Goods Plate and Horses and kill'd some of his men But at last the chief Justice with the Ergalians got the Victory and made his way into Ulster MCCCXLV The seventh of June there was a Parliament held at Dublin where the Lord Moris fitz-Fitz-Thomas Earl of Desmond was not present Item D. Ralph Ufford the Chief Justice of Ireland after S. John Baptist's day without the consent of the Irish Nobility set up the King's Standard against D. Moris fitz-Fitz-Thomas Earl of Desmond and marched into Munster where he seized on the Earl's Estate and farmed it out to others for a certain yearly Rent to be paid the King Item Whilst he was in Munster he gave Sir William Burton two Writs who was to give one of them to D. Moris Fitz-Thomas Earl of Kildare The Contents of which were That under the forfeiture of his whole Estate he forthwith repair unto him with a considerable force to assist the King and him The other was an Order to Sir William Burton to apprehend the Earl of Kildare and imprison him which he finding impracticable persuaded the Earl who was preparing himself with his Army and levying forces to assist the Chief Justice that he should first go to the King's Council at Dublin and act in concert with them that in his Absence his Land might be kept safe and if any harm should come it shou'd be through the default of the Kings Council and not in him Upon this the Earl not distrusting Sir William nor any Plot that was against him prepar'd to go for Dublin where when he came altogether ignorant of the Treachery as he was consulting with the K.'s Council in the Exchequer on a sudden Sir William arrested him and he was taken and carried to the Castle Item The Chief Justice marched with his Army to O-Comill in Munster and to Kering where by treachery he took two Castles of the Earl of Desmond viz. the Castle of Ynyskysty and the Island-castle in which were Sir Eustace Poer Sir William Graunt and Sir John Cottrell who were first drawn and then in October hang'd Item The Chief Justice banished the Earl of Desmond with some other of his Knights After that in November he return'd with his Forces out of Munster to see his Wife then big with Child at Kylmainan near Dublin Besides what he had done to the Laity in indicting imprisoning and in robbing them of their Goods he had also plagued the Ecclesiastical Men as well Priests as Clerks by Arrests and Imprisonment to the end he might fleece them Item He revoked the Grants and Demises of their Lands bestowing them upon other Tenants as also the Writings concerning those Grants notwithstanding they were signed by him and sealed with the King's Seal Item The Earl of Desmond's 26 Mainprisers as well Earls as Barons Knights and others viz. William Lord Burke Earl of Ulster James Lord Botiller Earl of Ormond Sir Richard Tuit Sir Eustace Poer Sir Gerald de Rochfort Sir John Fitz Robert Poer Sir Robert Barry Sir Moris Fitz-Gerald Sir John Wellesly Sir Walter Lenfaunt Sir Roger de la Rokell Sir Henry Traharn Sir Roger Poer Sir John Lenfaunt Sir Roger Poer Sir Matthew Fitz-Henry Sir Richard Wallis Sir Edward Burk son to the Earl of Ulster David Barry William Fitz-Gerald Fulk Ash Robert Fitz-Moris Henry Barkley John Fitz-George Roch and Thomas de Lees de Burgh who notwithstanding some of them had been at great Expences in the War with the Chief Justice and in pursuing of the Earls of Desmond yet he depriv'd them of their Estates and disinherited them and sent them all to Prison during the King's pleasure except four viz. William Burg Earl of Ulster James Botiller Earl of Ormond c. MCCCXLVI On Palm-sunday which was on the 9th of April D. Ralph Ufford the Lord Chief Justice died whose death was very much lamented by his Wife and Family but the loyal Subjects of Ireland rejoyced at it and both the Clergy and Laity out of joy did on purpose celebrate a solemn Feast at Easter Upon his death the Floods ceased and the Air again grew wholesome and the common sort of People thanked God for it Being laid in a strong sheet of Lead his Countess very sorrowfully conveyed his bowels with his Treasure not worthy to be bestowed among such holy Relicks into England where he was Interr d. And at last on the second of May a Prodigy which without doubt was the effect of divine Providence this fine Lady who came so gloriously into Dublin with the King's Ensigns and a great number of Soldiers attending her through the Streets where she lived a short time like a Queen of Ireland went out privily at a back Gate in the Castle to avoid the Peoples Clamors for their just Debts and in her disgraceful return home was attended with the Symptoms of death sorrow and heaviness Item After the death of the said Chief Justice Robert Lord Darcy by the consent of the King's Ministers and others was chosen to supply the office of Chief Justice for the time being Item The Castles of Ley and Kylmehede were taken and burnt by the Irish in April Item John Lord Moris being made Chief Justice of Ireland arrived here the 15th of May. The Irish of Ulster gave a great defeat to the English of Urgale in June three hundred at least of them were cut off Item Moris Chief Justice of Ireland was turn'd out of that office by the King and Walter Lord Bermingham put in who came into Ireland with his commission in June sometime after the great slaughter but now mention'd Item The care and preservation of the peace was committed by the King for some time to Moris Fitz-Thomas Earl of Desmond Having receiv'd this order on the eve of the exaltation of the holy Cross he embark'd immediately thereupon with his Wife and two Sons at Yoghil and arriv'd in England where he pressed hard in a suiâ— at law to have justice against Ralph Ufford the late Lord Chief Justice for the wrongs he had done him Item by the King's order the Earl was to be allow'd twenty shillings a day from the time of his first arrival during
his abodâ— there Item In November Walter L. Bermingham Chief Justice of Ireland and Moris Lord fitz-Fitz-Thomas Earl of Kildare took up arms againsâ— O Morda and his Accomplices who had burnt the castle of Ley and Kilmehed and invaded them so fiercely with fire sword and rapin that altho' their number amounted to many thousands and they made a resolute defence yet at last after much blood and many wounds they were forc'd to yield and so they submitted to the King's mercy and the discretion of the Earl MCCCXLVII The Earl of Kildare with his Knights and Barons set out in May to join the King of England who was then at thâ— siege of Caleys which the Inhabitants surrendred to the King oâ— England the 4th of June Item Walter Bonevile William Calf William Welesly and many other brave English Welch aad Irish Gentlemen died of thâ— Distemper which then rag'd at Caleys Item Mac-Murgh viz. Donald Mac-Murgh son to Donald Artâ— Mac-Murgh King of Leinster was most perfidiously killed by hiâ— own men on the 5th of June Item The King knighted Moris Fitz-Thomas Earl of Kildare who married the daughter of Barth de Burgwashe Item On S. Stephen the Martyr's day the Irish burnt Monaghan and ruined the Country about it Item D. Joan Fitz-Leones formerly wife to Simon Lord Genevilâ— died and on the second of April was buried in the Convent-churcâ— of the Friers-Predicants at Trym MCCCXLVIII The 22d year of Edward III. a great Pestilence which had been before in other Countries got into Ireland and rag'd exceedingly Item This year Walter Lord Bermingham Chief Justice of Ireland went into England and left John Archer Prior of Kylmainan to officiate for him The same year he return'd again and had the Barony of Kenlys which lies in Ossory conferr'd upon him by the King to requite his great service in leading an Army againsâ— the Earl of Desmond with Raulf Ufford as before 't was said this Barony belong'd formerly to Eustace Lord Poer who was convicted and hang'd at the castle of the Isle MCCCXLIX Walter Lord Bermingham the best accomplish'd Justiciary that ever was in Ireland surrender'd his office and was succeeded in the same by Carew Knight and Baron MCCCL. In the 25th year of his Reign Sir Thomas Rokesby Knight was made Lord Chief Justice of Ireland Item This year on S. Margaret the Virgin 's Eve Sir Walteâ— Bermingham Knight for some time an excellent and worthy Justiciary of this Kingdom died in England MCCCLI Died Kenwrick Sherman sometimes Mayor of the City of Dublin and was buried under the Belfrey of the Friers-Predicants which he himself had built as he had likewise glaz'd the great window at the head of the Quire and roof'd the Church among many other pious Works He died in the same convenâ— on the 6th of March and leaving an Estate to the value of three thousand marks he bequeath'd great Legacies to all the Clergy both religious and secular for within twenty miles round MCCCLII Sir Robert Savage Knight began to build several Castles in many places of Ulster and particularly in his own Mannors telling his son and heir apparent Sir Henry Savage That they would thus fortifie themselves lest the Irish should hereafter break in upon them to the utter ruin of their estate and family and to the dishonour of their name among other Nations His son answer'd That where-ever there were valiant men there were forts and castles according to that saying Filii castrametati sunt the sons are encamp'd i.e. brave men are design'd for War and that for this reason he would take care to be among such which would prove the same in effect as if he liv'd in a castle adding That he took a castle of Bones to be much better than a castle of Stones Upon this Reply his Father gave over in great vexation and swore he would never more build with stone and mortar but keep a good house and great retinue about him foretelling however That his Posterity would repent it as indeed they did for the Irish destroy'd the whole Country for want of castles to defend it MCCCLV In the 30th of the same Reign Sir Thomas Rokesby Knight gave up his office of Chief Justice on the 26th of July the succession whereof was given to Moris fitz-Fitz-Thomas Earl of Desmond in which he continued till his death Item On the conversion of S. Paul the said Moris Lord Fitz-Thomas departed this life in the castle of Dublin to the great grief of his Friends and Kindred and all others that were peaceably inclin'd First he was buried in the Quire of the Friers-Predicants of Dublin and afterward in the Covent of the Friers-Predicants of Traly As to his character he was certainly a just Judge and stuck not at condemning even those of his own blood or family more than perfect Strangers for Theft Rapin and other Misdemeanors the Irish stood in great awe of him MCCCLVI In the 31st year of this Reign Sir Thomas Rokesby was the second time made Chief Justice of Ireland who kept the Irish in good order and paid well for the Provisions of his House saying I will eat and drink out of Wood-Vessels and yet pay both gold and silver for my food and cloths nay and for my Pensioners about me This same year the said Sir Thomas Lord Chief Justice of Ireland died in the castle of Kylka MCCCLVII In the 32d of this King's reign Sir Almarick de Saint Armund was made Chief Justice of Ireland and enter'd upon his office About this time arose a great dispute between the Lord Archbishop of Armagh Richard Fitz-Ralfe and the four orders of Friers-mendicants in conclusion the Archbishop was worsted and quieted by the Pope's authority MCCCLVIII In the 33d year of the same reign Sir Almarick Saint Amuad Chief Justice of the Kingdom went over into England MCCCLIX In the 34th year of this King's reign James Botiller Earl of Ormond was made Chief Justice of Ireland Item On S. Gregory's day this year died Joan Burk Countess of Kildare and was buried in the church of the Friers-minors in Kildare by her Husband Thomas Lord Fitz-John Earl of Kildare MCCCLX In the 35th year of this same reign died Richard Fitz-Raulf Archbishop in Hanault on the 16th of December His bones were convey'd into Ireland by the reverend Father in God Stephen Bishop of Meth and buried in S. Nicholas's church at Dundalk where he was born yet it is a question whether these were his very bones or the reliques of some one else Item This year died Sir Robert Savage of Ulster a valiant Knight who near Antrim slew in one day 3000 Irish with a small Party of English but it ought to be observ'd that before the Engagement he took care to give his men a good dose of Ale or Wine whereof it seems he had good store and reserv'd some for his Friends likewise Besides this he order'd That Sheep Oxen Venison and Fowl both wild and tame should be kill'd
and made ready to entertain the Conquerors whosoever they should be usually saying upon this occasion That it would be a shame if such Guests should come and find him unprovided It pleasing God to bless them with the Victory he invited them all to Supper to rejoice with him giving God the thanks for his success telling them He thought the things look'd as well upon his Table as running in his Fields notwithstanding some advis'd him to be saving He was buried in the Convent-church of the Friers-predicants of Coulrath near the river Banne Item The Earl of Ormond Chief Justice of Ireland went into England and Moris fitz-Fitz-Thomas Earl of Kildare was made Chief Justice of Ireland by a charter or commission after this manner Omnibus c. To all whom these Presents shall come greeting Know ye that we have committed to our faithful and loving Subject Moris Earl of Kildare the office of Chief Justice of our Kingdom of Ireland together with the Nation it self and the Castles and other Appurtenances thereunto belonging to keep and govern during our will and pleasure commanding that while he remains in the said office he shall receive the sum of five hundred pounds yearly cut of our Exchequer at Dublin Vpon which consideration he shall perform the said office and take care of the Kingdom and maintain twenty Men and Horse in arms constantly whereof himself shall be one during the enjoyment of the said commission In witness whereof c. Given at Dublin by the hands of our beloved in Christ Frier Thomas Burgey Prior of the Hospital of S. John of Jerusalem in Ireland our Chancellor of that Kingdom on the 30th of March being the 35th year of our reign Item James Botiller Earl of Ormond return'd to Ireland being made Lord Chief Justice as before whereupon the Earl of Kildare resign'd to him MCCCLXI Leonel son to the King of England and Earl of Ulster in right of his Wife came as the King's Lieutenant into Ireland and on the 8th of September being the Nativity of the blessed Virgin arriv'd at Dublin with his Wife Elizabeth the Daughter and Heir of William Lord Burk Earl of Ulster Another Pestilence happen'd this year There died in England Henry Duke of Lancaster the Earl of March and the Earl of Northampton Item On the 6th of January Moris Doncref a Citizen of Dublin was buried in the Church-yard of the Friers-predicants in this City having contributed 40 l. towards glazing the Church of that Convent Item There died this year Joan Fleming wife to Geffery Lord Trevers and Margaret Bermingham wife to Robert Lord Preston on S. Margaret's eve and were buried in the Church of the Friers-predicants of Tredagh Item Walter Lord Bermingham the younger died on S. Lawrence-day who left his Estate to be divided among his Sisters one of whose Shares came to the aforesaid Preston Item Leonel having arriv'd in Ireland and refresh'd himself for some few days enter'd into a War with O Brynne and made Proclamation in his Army That no Irish should be suffer'd to come near his Army One hundred of his own Pensioners were slain Leonel hereupon drew up both the English and the Irish into one body went on successfully and by God's mercy and this means grew victorious in all places against the Irish Among many both English and Irish whom he knighted were these Robert Preston Robert Holiwood Thomas Talbot Walter Cusacke James de la Hide John Ash and Patrick and Robert Ash Item He remov'd the Exchequer from Dublin to Carlagh and gave 500 l. towards walling the Town Item On the feast of S. Maur Abbot there happen'd a violent Wind that shook or blew down the Pinnacles Battlements Chimnies and such other Buildings as overtop'd the rest to be particular it blew down very many Trees and some Steeples for instance the Steeple of the Friers-predicants MCCCLXII In the 36th year of this King's reign and on the 8th of April S. Patrick's church in Dublin was burnt down through negligence MCCCLXIV In the 38th year of this reign Leonel Earl of Ulster arriv'd on the 22d of April in England leaving the Earl of Ormond to administer as his Deputy On the 8th of December following he return'd again MCCCLXV In the 39th of this reign Leonel Duke of Clarence went again into England leaving Sir Thomas Dale Knight Deputy-keeper and Chief Justice in his absencc MCCCLXVII A great feud arose between the Berminghams of Carbry and the People of Meth occasion'd by the depredations they had made in that Country Sir Robert Preston Knight Chief Baron of the Exchequer put a good Garrison into Carbry-castle and laid out a great deal of mony against the King's Enemies that he might be able to defend what he held in his Wife 's right Item Gerald Fitz-Moris Earl of Desmond was made Chief Justice of Ireland MCCCLXVIII In the 42d year of the same reign after a Parliament of the English and Irish Frier Thomas Burley Prior of Kylmaynon the King's Chancellor in Ireland John Fitz-Reicher Sheriff of Meth Sir Robert Tirill Baron of Castle-knoke and many more were taken Prisoners at Carbry by the Berminghams and others of that Town James Bermingham who was then kept in Irons as a Traytor in the castle of Trim was set at liberty in exchange for the Chancellor the rest were forc'd to ransom themselves Item The Church of S. Maries in Trim was burnt down by the negligent keeping of the fire in the monastery Item On the vigil of S. Luke the Evangelist Leonel Duke of Clarence died at Albe in Pyemont He was first buried in the city Papy near S. Augustin and afterwards in the Convent-church of the Austin Fryers at Clare in England MCCCLXIX In the 43d year cf this reign Sir Willium Windefore Knight a Person of great valour and courage being made the King's Deputy came into Ireland on the 12th of July to whom Gerald Fitz-Moris Earl of Desmond resign'd the office of Chief Justice MCCCLXX In the 44th year of this reign a Pestilence rag'd in Ireland more violent than either of the former two many of the Nobility and Gentry as also Citizens and Children innumerable died of it The same year Gerald Fitz-Maurice Earl of Desmond John Lord Nicholas Thomas Lord Fitz-John and many others of the Nobility were taken Prisoners on the 6th of July near the Monastery of Magie in the County of Limerick by O-Breen and Mac Comar of Thomond many were slain in the Fray Whereupon the Lieutenant went over to Limerick in order to defend Mounster leaving the War against the O-Tothiles and the rest in Leinster till some other opportunity This year died Robert Lord Terell Baron of Castle Knock together with his son and heir and his Wife Scolastica Houth so that the Inheritance was shared between Joan and Maud the sisters of the said Robert Terell Item Simon Lord Fleming Baron of Slane John Lord Cusak Baron of Colmolyn and John Taylor late mayor of Dublin a very
rich man died this year This Continuation following is took from a Manuscript Chronicle in the Hands of Henry Marleburgh MCCCLXXII SIr Robert Ashton being made Chief Justice came into Ireland MCCCLXXIII A great war between the English of Meth and O-Feroll with much slaughter on both sides Item John Lord Husse Baron of Galtrim John Fitz Richard Sheriff of Meth and William Dalton were in May kill'd by the Irish in Kynaleagh MCCCLXXV Died Thomas Archbishop of Dublin the same year Robert of Wickford was consecrated Archbishop of this see MCCCLXXXI Edmund Mortimer the King's Lieutenant in Ireland Earl of March and Ulster died at Cork MCCCLXXXIII A raging pestilence in Ireland MCCCLXXXV Dublin bridge fell down MCCCXC Died Robert Wikford Archbishop of Dublin Robeâ—t Waldebey Archbishop of Dublin of the order of the Austin Friers was translated also this year MCCCXCVII Died Frier Richard Northalis Archbishop of Dublin of the order of the Carmelites This year Thomas Crauley was consecrated Archbishop of Dublin Thomas Lord Burk and Walter Lord Bermingham cut off 600 of the Irish and Mac Con their Captain * Read Roger. Edmund Earl of March Lieutenant of Ireland with the assistance of the Earl of Ormond wasted the Country of O Bryn and knighted Christopher Preston John Bedeleu Edmund Loundris John Loundry William Nugent Walter de la Hide and Rober Cadel at the storming of a strong mannor-house of the said O Bryn MCCCXCVIII Forty English among whom were John Fitz Williams Thomas Talbot and Thomas Comyn were unfortunately cut off on the Ascension day by the Tothils On S. Margaret's day this year Roger Earl of March the King's Lieutenant was slain with many others by O Bryn and other Irish of Leinster at Kenlys in that province Roger Grey was appointed to succeed him in the office of Chief Justice On the Feast of S. Mark Pope and Confessor the noble Duke of Sutherey came into Ireland being made the King's Deputy Lieutenant thereof accompanied with the Archbishop of Dublin Thomas Crawley MCCCXCIX In the 23d year of King Richard being Sunday the very morrow after S. Petronil or Pernil the Virgin 's day King Richard arriv'd at Waterford with 200 sail At Ford in Kenlys within Kildare on the 6th day of this week two hundred of the Irish were slain by Jenicho and others of the English the next day the people of Dublin made an inroad into the Country of O Bryn cut off 33 of the Irish and took to the number of 80 men and women with their children prisoners The King came to Dublin this year on the fourth before the kalends of July and embark'd in great haste for England upon a report of Henry duke of Lancaster's being arriv'd there MCCCC At Whitsontide in the first year of King Henry IV. the Constable of Dublin-castle and several others engag'd the Scots at Stranford in Ulster which prov'd unfortunate to the English many of them being cut off and drown'd in that encounter MCCCCI In the second year of this reign Sir John Stanley the King's Lieutenant went over into England in May leaving Sir William Stanley to supply his office On Bartholomew-eve this year Stephen Scrope came into Ireland as Deputy to the Lord Thomas of Lancaster the King's Lieutenant The same year on the feast of S. Brice Bishop and Confessor Thomas Lord Lancaster the King's son being Viceroy of Ireland arriv'd at Dublin MCCCCII The Church of the Friers Predicants at Dublin was consecrated on the 5th of July by the Archbishop of this City The same day 493 Irish were slain by John Drake Mayor of Dublin assisted with the Citizens and the Country people near Bree where they gain'd a considerable victory In September this year a Parliament was held at Dublin Sir Bartholomew Verdon James White Stephen Gernon and their accomplices kill'd John Dowdal Sheriff of Louith in Urgal during this session MCCCCIII In the fourth year of King Henry IV. Sir Walter Beterley a valiant Knight then steward there with thirty more was kill'd in May. About the feast of S. Martin this year the King's Son Thomas went over into Enlgand leaving Stephen Scroop to officiate as his Deputy who return'd also on the first day of Lent into England after which the Lords of the Kingdom chose the Earl of Ormond Lord Chief Justice of Ireland MCCCCIV In the 5th Year of King Henry's reign died John Cowlton Archbishop of Armagh on the 5th of May and was succeeded by Nicholas Fleming The same year on S. Vitali's day a Parliament was held at Dublin by the Earl of Ormond at that time Chief Justice of the Kingdom where the Statutes of Kilkenny and Dublin and the Charter of Ireland was confirm'd Patrick Savage was this year treacherously slain in Ulster by Mac Kilmori his brother Richard being also given in hostage was murder'd in prison after he had paid a ransom of 200 marks MCCCCV In the 6th year of King Henry three Scotch Galleys two at Green Castle and one at Dalkey were taken in May with the Captain Thomas Mac Golagh The merchants of Tredagh entred Scotland this year and took hostages and booty The same year Stephen Scroop went into England leaving the Earl of Ormond to officiate as Justice during his absence In June this year the people of Dublin invaded Scotland entering it at S. Ninians where they gallantly behav'd themselves after which they made a descent upon Wales and did great hurt among the Welsh in this expedition they carried the shrine of S. Cubie to the Church of the Holy Trinity in Dublin Item This year on the vigil of the blessed Virgin died James Botiller Earl of Ormond at Baligauran during his office he was much lamented and succeeded by Gerald Earl of Kildare MCCCCVI In the seventh year of King Richard the Dublinians on Corpus Christi day with the assistance of the country people overcame the Irish and kill'd some of them they took three ensigns and carried off several of their heads to Dublin The same year the Prior of Conal in a battle with 200 well-arm'd Irish on the Plain of Kildare vanquish'd them by his great valour killing some and putting the rest to flight The Prior and his party were not above twenty such is the regard of Providence to those that trust in it The same year after the feast of S. Michael Scroop Deputy Justice to Thomas the King's son Viceroy of Ireland arriv'd here The same year died Innocentius VII succeeded in the chair by Gregory The same year on S. Hilaries-day a Parliament was held at Dublin which broke up in Lent at Trym Meiler Bermingham slew Cathol O Conghir in the latter end of February about the same time died Sir Geffery Vaux a valiant Knight of the County of Carlagh MCCCCVII A perfidious base Irishman call'd Mac Adam Mac Gilmori never christen'd and therefore call'd Morbi nay one that had been the ruin of forty Churches took Patrick Savage prisoner forc'd him to pay 2000 marks for ransom
and after all kill'd both him and his brother Richard The same year on the feast of the exaltation of the Holy Cross Stephen Scroop deputy Lieutenant to the King's son Thomas accompanied with the Earls of Ormond and Desmond the Prior of Kilmainan and many others out of Meth march'd out of Dublin and invaded the territories of Mac Murgh upon engaging the Irish had at first the better but they were at last beat back by the bravery of these commanders O Nolam with his son and others were taken prisoners But upon the sudden news that the Bourkeins and O Kerol had continued for two days together doing mischief in the County of Kilkenny they went immediately in all haste to the village of Callan surpriz'd them and put them to flight O Kerol and 800 more were cut off in this action Stephen Scroop went into England this year and James Botiller Earl of Ormond was by the Country elected Chief Justice MCCCCVIII The said Chief Justice held a Parliament at Dublin which confirm'd the Statutes of Kilkenny and Dublin and a Charter was granted under the great seal of England against Purveyors The very day after the feast of S. Peter ad vincula this year Thomas Lord of Lancaster the King's son arriv'd as Lieutenant Deputy at Carlingford in Ireland from whence he came next week to Dublin As the Earl of Kildare went to welcom him he was arrested with three more of his retinue His Goods were all sharped away by the Lord Deputy's servants and he himself imprison'd till he paid a fine of 300 marks On S. Marcellus's day the same year died Stephen Lord Scroop at Tristeldermot Thomas of Lancaster was this year wounded at Kilmainan and that so very ill that he almost died After his recovery he made Proclamation That all that were inbebted to the King upon the account of Tenure should make their appearance at Rosse After S. Hilary he call'd a Parliament at Kilkenny for having Tallage granted him On the third before the Ides of March he went into England leaving the Prior of Kilmainon to officiate in his absence This year Hugh Mac-Gilmory was slain at Cragfergus in the church of the Friers-minors which he had formerly destroyd and broke the Windows thereof for the sake purely of the Iron-bars which happen'd to give his Enemies viz. the Savages admittance MCCCCIX In the 10th year of the reign of King Henry 80 of the Irish were in June cut off by the English under the conduct of Janico of Artoys in Ulster MCCCCX On the 13th of June a Parliament was held at Dublin which continued sitting for three Weeks the Prior of Kilmainan being Deputy for the Chief Justice The same year on the 10th of July the said Justice began to build Mibrackly-castle de O Feroll and built De la Mare also There was great scarcity of corn this year The same year the Chief Justice invaded the Territory of O-Brin at the head of fifteen hundred Kerns of whom eight hundred deserted and went over to the Irish so that if the People of Dublin had not been there there would have been much more woe and misery however John Derpatrick lost his life MCCCCXII About the feast of Tiburce and Valerian O-Conghir did much harm to the Irish in Meth and took above 160 Prisoners The same year O-Doles a Knight and Thomas son of Moris Sheriff of Limerick kill'd each other On the 9th of June this year died Robert Monteyn Bishop of Meth succeeded by Edward Dandisey formerly Arch-deacon of Cornwall MCCCCXIII On the 7th of October John Stanley the King's Lieutenant in Ireland arriv'd at Cloucarfe and on the 6th of January died at Aterith The same year after the death of John Stanley Lord Lieutenant Thomas Cranley Archbishop of Dublin was elected Chief Justice of Ireland on the 11th of February Another Parliament was held at Dublin on the morrow of S. Matthias the Apostle which continued sitting for 15 days during which time the Irish set many Towns on fire as they us'd to do in Parliament-times upon which a Tallage was demanded but not granted MCCCCXIV The O-Mordries and O-Dempsies Irish were cut off by the English near Kilda as the Chief Justice Archbishop of Dublin went in Procession at Tristildermot praying with his Clerks at which time 100 Irish were likewise routed by his Servants and others their Country-men Upon the feast of S. Gordian and Epimachus the English of Meth were defeated Thomas Maurevard Baron of Scrin and many others were slain and Christopher Fleming and John Dardis were taken Prisoners by O-Conghir and the Irish On S. Martin's-eve John Talbot Lord Furnival being made Lieutenant of Ireland arriv'd at Dalkay MCCCCXV Robert Talbot a Nobleman who wall'd the Suburbs of Kilkenny died in November this year Item After All Saints died Frier Patrick Baret Bishop of Ferne and Canon of Kenly where he was buried MCCCCXVI On the Feast-day of Gervasius and Prothasius the L. Furnival had a son born at Finglas About this time the reverend Stephen Fleming Archbishop of Armagh departed this life and was succeeded by John Suanig At the same time the Bishop of Ardachad died likewise viz. Frier Adam Lyns of the order of Friers-predicants Item On S. Laurence-day died Thomas Talbot son of the Lord Furnival lately born at Finglas and was buried in the Quire of the Friers-Predicants at Dublin within the Convent A Parliament was held at Dublin during which the Irish fell upon the English and slew many of them and among the rest Thomas Balimore of Baliquelan This Session continued here for six Weeks and then adjourned till the 11th of May at Trym where it sate for eleven days and granted a Subsidy of four hundred Marks to the Lieutenant MCCCCXVII On the eve of Philip and Jacob Thomas Cranley Archbishop of Dublin went over into England and died at Farindon and was buried in New-colledge in Oxford a Person very liberal and charitable a great Clerk Doctor of Divinity an excellent Preacher a great Builder Beautiful and of a fair Complexion but withal sanguine and tall so that it might be well said of him Fair art thou and good-like above the sons of Men Grace and Eloquence are seated in thy Lips He was eighty years old and govern'd the See of Dublin peaceably for almost 20 years together MCCCCXVIII The feast of the Annunciation happen'd this year on Good Friday immediately after Easter the Tenants of Henry Crus and Henry Bethat were plunder'd by the Lord Deputy Item On S. John and S. Paul's day the Earl of Kildare Sir Christopher Preston and Sir John Bedleu were taken at Slane and committed to Trym-castle who had a mind to talk with the Prior of Kilmainan On the 4th of August died Sir Matthew Husee Baron of Galtrim and was buried in the Convent of the Friers-predicants at Trym MCCCCXIX On the 11th of May died Edmund Brel formerly Mayor of Dublin and was buried in the Convent of the Friers-predicants in the same
Sollicitor Mr. Camden then Clarentieux my self and some others Of these the Lord Treasurer Sir Robert Cotton Mr. Camden and my self had been of the original Foundation and to my knowledge were all then living of that sort saving Sir John Doderidge Knight Justice of the King 's Bench. We held it sufficient for that time to revive the Meeting and only conceiv'd some Rules of Government and Limitation to be observ'd amongst us whereof this was one That for avoiding offence we should neither meddle with matters of State nor of Religion And agreeing of two Questions for the next Meeting we chose Mr. Hackwell to be our Register and the Convocator of our Assemblies for the present and supping together so departed One of the Questions was touching the Original of the Terms about which as being obscure and generally mistaken I bestow'd some extraordinary pains that coming short of others in understanding I might equal them if I could in diligence But before our next meeting we had notice that his Majesty took a little mislike of our Society not being enform'd that we had resolv'd to decline all matters of State Yet hereupon we forbare to meet again and so all our labours lost But mine lying by me and having been often desir'd of me by some of my Friends I thought good upon a review and augmentation to let it creep abroad in the form you see it wishing it might be rectified by some better judgment The Manuscript is now in the Bodleian Library and any one who has leisure to compare the printed Copy with it will find the Additions under Sir Henry's own hand to be so considerable that he will have no occasion to repent of his labour Thus much for his Education his Works his Friends Let us now view him in his Retirement He found the noise and hurry of business extremely injurious to a broken Constitution that was every day less able to bear it and thought it was time to contract his thoughts and make himself more Master of his hours when he had so few before him Thus when he was towards sixty years of Age he took a House at Chesilhurst some ten miles from London where he liv'd till his dying day and compil'd the greatest part of the Annals of Queen Elizabeth About two years before his death when the pains and aches of old Age had made him in a great measure uncapable of study he enter'd upon another method of serving the Publick by encouraging others in the same search He was not content to have reviv'd Antiquity to have nurs'd and train'd her up with the utmost care and tenderness unless like an indulgent Father he provided her a Fortune and laid a firm Foundation for her future Happiness It was a design he had many years before resolv'd upon witness the Conclusion of his Britannia Nihil aliud nunc restat c. quà m ut Deo Opt. Max. Venerandae Antiquitati Anathema consecrarem quod libens merito nunc voveo c. This was his pious Vow and he was willing to see it discharg'd e're he dy'd Where to bestow this Charity was a point that did not cost him much thought his own Education and other Circumstances gave the University of Oxford a sort of title So after he had settl'd every thing in due form of Law he sent down his Gift by the hands of his intimate Friend Mr. Heather On the seventeenth day of May in the year 1622. Dr. Piers Dean of Peterburrow and then Vice-Chancellor declar'd in Convocation how Mr. Camden had sounded a History-Lecture and for the Maintenance of a Professor had transferr'd over all his right in the Manour of Bexley in Kent to the Chancellor Masters and Scholars of the said University With this Proviso That the Profits of the said Manour valu'd at about 400 l. per Annum should be enjoy'd by William Heather his Heirs and Executors for the term of 99 years to begin from the death of Mr. Camden and that during this time the said William Heather should pay to the Professor of History in Oxford the sum of 140 l. yearly Hereupon the University sent him a publick Letter of Thanks and because they understood Mr. Heather was a person for whom he had a singular respect they voluntarily conferr'd upon him the Degree of Doctor of Musick along with Mr. Orland Gibbons another of Mr. Camden's intimate Acquaintance This Civility procur'd them a new Benefactor and a new Lecture For afterwards Mr. Heather as an acknowledgment for this favour founded a Musick Lecture and endow'd it with the Annual Revenue of 16 l. 6 s. 8 d. The first History-Professor was Mr. Degory Whear nominated by Mr. Camden upon the recommendation of the Chancellor Vice Chancellor and other Learned men His first Essay was a General Direction for the Reading of Histories which he dedicated to his Patron Mr. Brian Twine a person admirably well verst in the Antiquities of England procur'd a Grant from the Founder to succeed but he dying before him the right of Election devolv'd upon the University for ever Thus by the same act he discharg'd his Vow and eas'd himself of the cares and troubles of the World The little he had left May 2. 1623. he dispos'd of by Will which he drew up with his own hands about six Months before his death in Charities to the Poor Legacies to his Relations and some small Memorials to his particular Acquaintance All his Books of Heraldry he gave to the Office the rest both Printed and Manuscript to the Library of Sir Robert Cotton But the printed part upon the erection of a new Library in the Church of Westminster was remov'd thither by the procurement of Dr. John Williams Lord Keeper of England Bishop of Lincoln and Dean of this Church who laid hold of an expression in the Will that was capable of a double meaning He was never out of England tho' no one could have promis'd himself a more kind reception among Foreigners He chose a single life apprehending that the incumbrances of a married state was like to prove a prejudice to his Studies He liv'd and and dy'd a Member of the Church of England and gave such clear proofs of his entire affections towards it that 't is a wonder how a certain Romish-Author could have the face to insinuate Analect d◠Rebus Catholic in Hibernia That he only dissembled his Religion and was allur'd with the prospect of Honours and Preferments His zeal against Popery See above lost him a Fellowship in Oxford brought most of his Works under the censure of the Church of Rome and Epist 19◠expos'd him to the lash of Parsons Possevinus and others Many of his Scholars became eminent members of our Church and he converted several Irish Gentlemen from Popery as the Walshes Nugents O-Raily Shee s the eldest son of the Archbishop of Cassiles c. Whether these look more like the actions of an Hypocrite in Religion or the effects of a firm
that dominion by Christ crucified but who was now made Lord of Lords and Prince over the Kings of the earth This Prince was son to King Aethelred so that in him to the great joy of the English the Danish Government being extinguished the noble antient Saxon Line was restored He was a Prince of very great justice devotion mildness bounty and many other excellent virtues And indeed several things reported to his prejudice seem capable of a rational Apology as the hard usage of his mother Emma and his wife Edith Neither wanted he courage or diligence but the factions of the great nobility and ambition of Earl Godwin required a more severe if not austerer Government The reverse Othgrim on Efrwic I conceive to be York The fifteenth is of the same Edward but with an unusual ornament upon his head in his hand a scepter ending in a lily The reverse perhaps is Ailmer on Scrobe coined at Shrowesbury The sixteenth is of the same with an Imperial or close crown his scepter hath three pearls cross-wise On the reverse is a cross between four martlets I suppose which was the original or first of those Arms they call of the West-Saxons though Arms and Scutcheons c. are of a later invention and are now of the City of London and divers other places but they are in several particulars altered from what they were in his time perhaps for the greater beauty The reverse of the sixteenth is imperfect That of the seventeenth I cannot read perhaps it is the same with that of the nineteenth Of the eighteenth the reverse is Walter on Eoferwick The nineteenth is Edward with a crown Imperial and scepter on it a cross like that of an Archbishop The Reverse is Drintmer on Wal. perhaps Wallingford The twentieth is Edward with a crown pearled the reverse may be .... dinnit on Leicester The twenty first hath another unusual ornament on his head the reverse is Sietmait on Sutho perhaps some place in Suthfolk The twenty second is of Harold a younger son of Earl Godwin How he gain'd the Kingdom whilst the rightful Heir Edgar was alive except by force and power I know not Some say King Edward bequeath'd it to him conceiving Edgar not so able to govern others that he was chosen by the consent of the Nobility but this is not probable But his father as long as he lived had used all means just and unjust to get the great offices of command into his hands of which coming after his death to Harold the best and worthiest of his children he made use accordingly Before his reign he had shewed himself very valiant diligent and loyal also at least more than his brethren and as soon as crown'd he endeavoured by all prudent and fitting means to obtain the favour of the people But his reign lasted not long and was taken up with wars and troubles At last fighting rashly and indiscreetly with William Duke of Normandy he was slain with two of his brethren the third being killed before in a battle near York And so ended the great power and ambition of Earl Godwin and his family as also of the Kingdom of the Saxons From the twenty third to the twenty eighth is Sancti Petri moneta most of them coined at York yet with several stamps I am in great doubt whether these were coined for Peter-pence or Romescot which was an annual tax of a penny each houshold given for the West-Saxon Kingdom by King Ina about anno 720 for Mercia by King Offa and paid at the festival of S. Petri ad vincula At first some say for the education of Saxon Scholars at Rome but afterwards as all grant for the use of the Pope himself not then so well provided as afterwards The like tax of three half pence and a sieve of oats for each family was about the same time given also by the Polonians upon the same reasons Or whether it was the ordinary money coined by the Archbishop whose famous Cathedral was of St. Peter For amongst the great number of such coins I have seen very few one is that of the 20th in this table stamped other where Besides there is such great variety in the stamps that very many more than methinks necessary for that payment must needs have been coined nor is the sword a proper symbol for S. Peter The twenty sixth What the word in the reverse signifies whether the name of a person or place I know not The twenty eighth and twenty ninth St. Neglino I do not understand as neither the thirtieth These coins of St. Peter with the three following and divers others scattered in the other plates were found at Harkirk in the parish of Sephton in Lancashire as they were digging for a burying-place and were all afterwards engraved and printed in one large sheet but having seen many of the same it was not fitting to omit them The thirty one is of Berengarius King of Italy in Charles the Great 's time The reverse shews the building of some church what we know not the words Christiana Religio shew also so much The thirty second is Ludovicus Pius the reveâ—se much the same The thirty third is of Carlus Magnus and informs us of his true name which was not Carolus from Charus or Carus but Carlus in the Northern languages signifying a man vir or a strong man Metullo was one of the coining places in France in his time The thirty fourth is Anlaf Cyning a name very troublesome about the times of Aethelstan and aâ—ter There seem to have been two of them one King of Ireland another of some part of Northumberland V. Tab. 6. c. 28. What that not-unelegant figure in the midst implies as also that in the reverse except it be the front of some church I cannot conceive as neither who that Farhin or Farning was I much doubted how Anlaf a Pagan should stamp a church with crosses upon his coin till Mr. Charleton shewed me on a coin of Sihtric Anlaf's father a Christian the very same figures the Mint-master for haste or some other reason making use of the same stamp The thirty fifth is of the unfortunate Aethelred mentioned here because coined by Earl Godwin in Kent Whence appears what I hinted before that the Nobility and Governors put their names upon the coins and not only the Mint-masters as was more frequent in France The thirty sixth is of Harold the son of Godwin the reverse is Brunstan on Lot fecit Brunstan seems to have been only a Mint-master where Lot is I know not The thirty seventh is of Harold son of Cnut The reverse is Leofwine on Brightstoll The thirty eighth hath the reverse Brintanmere on Wallingford as I conceive These 3 by misfortune were misplaced yet fit to be known because of the places of their stamping Saxon Coins TAB VIII IN this plate are collected divers unknown coins yet such as I conceive to have belonged to these Nations some also of former Kings repeated
this name of Esquire which in ancient times was a name of charge and office only crept first in among the titles of honour as far as I can find in the reign of Richard the second Gentlemen Gentlemen are either the common sort of nobility who are descended of good families or those who by their virtue and fortune have made themselves eminent Citizens Citizens or Burgesses are such as are in publick offices in any City or elected to sit in Parliament The common people or Yeomen are such as some call ingenui the Law homines legales i.e. freeholders Yeomâ— Gemâ—◠〈◊〉 Saxo◠〈◊〉 common people those who can spend at least forty shillings of their own yearly Labourers are such as labour for wages sit to their work are Mechanicks Artizans Smiths Carpenters c. term'd capite censi and Proletarii by the Romans The Law-Courts of ENGLAND AS for the Tribunals or Courts of Justice in England there are three several sorts of them some Spiritual others Temporal and one mixt or complicate of both which is the greatest and by far the most honourable call'd the Parliament Parliament a French word of no great antiquity The Saxons our fore-fathers nam'd it a Witenâ— gemot â—s the true Saxon word Ç·ittenagemot that is an assembly of wise-men and Geraedniss or Council and Micil Synod from the greek word Synod signifying a great meeting The Latin writers of that and the next age call it Commune Concilium Curia altissima Generale Placitum Curia Magna Magnatum Conventus Praesentia Rogis Praelatorum Procerumque collectorum Commune totius regni concilium c. And as Livy calls the general Council of Aetolia Panetolium so this of ours may be term'd very properly Pananglium For it consists of the King the Clergy the Barons and those Knights and Burgesses elected or to express my self more plainly in Law-language the King the Lords Spiritual and Temporal and the Commons who there represent the body of the Nation This Court is not held at certain set times but is call'd at the King's pleasure when things of great difficulty and importance are to be consider'd in order to prevent any danger that may happen to the State and then again is dissolv'd when-ever he alone pleases Now this Court has the sovereign power and an inviolable authority in making confirming repealing and explaining laws reversing Attainders determining causes of more than ordinary difficulty between private persons and to be short in all things which concern the State in general or any particular Subject â—he Kings â—â—urt The next Court to this immediately after the coming in of the Normans and for some time before was the King's Court which was held in the King's Palace and follow'd the King where-ever he went For in the King's Palace there was a peculiar place for the Chancellor and Clerks who had the issuing out of Writs and the management of the great Seal and likewise for Judges who had not only power to hear pleas of the Crown but any cause whatsoever between private persons There was also an Exchequer for the Treasurer and his Receivers who had charge of the King's revenues These each of them were counted members of the King's family and had their meat and cloaths of the King Hence Gotzelin in the life of S. Edward calls them Palatii Causidici and Joannes Sarisburiensis Curiales But besides these and above them likewise â—â—e Chief â—â—â—tice was the Justitia Angliae and Justitiarius Angliae Capitalis i.e. the Lord Chief Justice who was constituted with a yearly stipend of 1000 marks by a Patent after this form The King to all the Archbishops Bishops Abbots Priors Counts Barons Viscounts Foresters and all other his faithful subjects of England greeting Whereas for our own preservation and the tranquillity of our Kingdom and for the administration of justice to all and singular of this our Realm we have ordain'd our beloved and trusty Philip Basset Chief Justice of England during our will and pleasure we do require you by the faith and allegiance due to us strictly enjoyning that in all things relating to the said office and the preservation of our peace and Kingdom you shall be fully obedient to him so long as he shall continue in the said Office Witness the King c. But in the reign of Henry the third it was enacted that the Common Pleas should not follow the King's Court but be held in some certain place and awhile after the Chancery the Pleas of the Crown and the Exchequer also were remov'd from the King's Court and establisht apart in certain set places as some how truly I know not have told us Having premis'd thus much I will now add somewhat concerning these Courts and others that sprung from them as they are at this day And seeing some of them have cognizance of â—uris Law namely the King's Bench Common Pleas Exchequer Assizes Star-Chamber Court of Wards and the Court of Admiralty others of Equity as the Chancery the Court of Requests the Councils in the Marches of Wales and in the North I will here insert what I have learnt from others of each of them in their proper places The King's Bench â—â—e Kings â—â—â—ch so call'd because the Kings themselves were wont to preside in that Court takes cognizance of all pleas of the Crown and many other matters relating to the King and the well-being of the publick it has power to examine and correct the errors of the Common-pleas The Judges there besides the King himself when he is pleas'd to be present are the Lord Chief Justice of England and four others or more as the King pleases â—â—mmon â—â—â—as The Common-Pleas has this name because the common pleas between subject and subject is by our law which is call'd the Common law there triable The Judges here are the Chief Justice of the Common Pleas and four others or more to assist him Officers belonging to this Court are the Custos Brevium three Prothonotaries and many others of inferior rank â—â—â—hequer The Exchequer deriv'd that name from a table at which they sat For so Gervasius Tilburiensis writes who liv'd in the year 1160. The Exchequer is a squarâ— table about ten foot long and five broad contriv'd likâ— a table to sit round On every side it has a ledge of four fingers breadth Upon it is spread a cloath of black colour with stripes distant about a foot or spanâ— it bought in Easter term A little after This Court 〈◊〉 report has been from the very Conquest of the Realm by King William the design and model of it being taken â—â—m the Exchequer beyond Sea Here all matters belongiâ—â—â— to the King's revenues are decided The Judges of it are the Lord Treasurer of England the Chancellor of the Exchequer the Chief Baron and three or four other Barons The Officers of this Court are the King's Remembrancer the Treasurer's Remembrancer the Clerk
of the Pipe the Comptroler of the Pipe the five Auditors of the old Revenues the Foreign Opposer Clerk of the Estreats Clerk of the Pleas the Marshal the Clerk of the Summons the Deputy-Chamberlains two Secondaries in the office of the King's Remembrancer two Deputies in the office of the Treasurer's Remembrancer two Secondaries of the Pipe four the other Clerks in several Offices c. In the other part of the Exchequer call'd * Recepta the Receiving-Office two Chamberlains a Vice-treasurer Clerk of the Tallies Clerk of the Pells four Tellers two Joyners of the Tallies two Deputy-Chamberlains the Clerk for Tallies the Keeper of the Treasury four Pursevants ordinary two Scribes c. The Officers likewise of the Tenths and First-fruits belong to this Court. For when the Pope's authority was rejected and an Act pass'd that all Tithes and First-fruits should be paid to the King these Officers were Instituted Besides these three Royal Courts of Judicature Justices Itinerant for the speedy execution of Justice and to ease the subject of much labour and expence Henry the second sent some of these Judges and others every year into each County who were call'd Justices Itinerant or Justices in Eyre These had jurisdiction as well in Pleas of the Crown as in common causes within the Counties to which they were sent For that King as Matthew Paris says by the advice of his son and the Bishops appointed Justices over six parts of the Kingdom to every part three who took an oath to do every man right and justice This institution expir'd at length in Edward the third's time but was in some measure reviv'd by an Act of Parliament soon after For the Counties being divided into so many Circuits two of the King's Justices are to go those Circuits twice every year for the trial of prisoners and Gaol-delivery Hence in Law-latin they are call'd Justiciarii Gaolae deliberandae They are likewise to take cognizance of all Assizes of novel disseisin and some others from which they are call'd Justices of Assize and also to try all issues between party and party in any of the King 's three great Courts by Recognitors of the same Peerage as the custom is Hence they are call'd Justices of Nisi prius from the Writs directed to the Sheriff for these tryals which have the words Nisi prius in them The b This Court is since Mr. Camden's time taken away Star-Chamber The Star-Chamber or rather the Court of the King's Council takes cognizance of all matters criminal perjuries Impostures Cheats Excesses c. This Court if we consider it in respect of standing and dignity is ancient and honourable above all others For it seems to be as early as Appeals from the Subjects to their Sovereign and the very birth and rise of the King's Council The Judges of it are men of the greatest honour and eminence being those of the King 's Privy Council It has had the name of the Star-Chamber ever since this Court was held in the Star-Chamber in Westminster which has now been a long time set a part to that use For in an Act of Parliament in Edward the third's time we find Conseil en le Chambre des Estoielles pres de la receipte al Westminster i.e. The Council in the Star-Chamber near the Receipt at Westminster The authority and jurisdiction of this Court was enlarg'd and confirm'd by an Act of Parliament procur'd by that wise Prince Henry the 7th so that some have falsly ascribed the institution of it to him The Judges of this Court are the Lord Chancellor of England the Lord Treasurer of England the Lord President of the King's Council the Lord Keeper of the Privy Seal and all those of the King's Council whether persons spiritual or temporal also sâ—n of the Barons of the Realm as the King will â—ppoint with the two Chief Justices or two othâ—â— Judges in their absence The Officers are tâ—â— Clerk of the Council the Clerk of the Writs and â—f the process in the Star-Chamber c. Causes of tâ—â—s Court are not try'd per Pares according to the Common-Law but after the method of the Civil-Law Thâ—â—â—urt oâ— Wards The Court of c The Court of Wards is now taken away Wards and Liveries which is so call'd from Minors whose causes are here try'd was instituted by Henry the 8. whereas before all business of this nature was determined in the Courts of Chancery and Exchequer For by an old Custom derived from Normandy and not as some write instituted by Henry the third when any one dies holding lands of the King in capite by Knight's service both the heir and the whole estate with the revenues of it are in Ward to the King till he has compleated the age of one and twenty and then he may sue out his livery The judge in this Court is the Master-General under him a Supervisor of the Liveries an Attorney-General a Receiver-General an Auditor a Clerk of the Liveries a Clerk of the Court forty Feudaries and a Messenger In after-ages were institued two other Courts for correcting of errors the one for those of the Excheqeur the other for those of the King's Bench. The Judges of the first were the Chancellor and the Treasurer of England taking such of the Judges to their assistance as they should think fit those of the latter were the Judges of the Common Pleas and the Barons of the Exchequer The Court of Admiralty has jurisdiction in marine affairs The Court of Admiralty and is administred by the Admiral of England his * Locum-tenens Lieutenant a Judge two Clerks a Serjeant of the Court and the Vice-Admirals Now for the Courts of Equity The Court of Chancery The Chancery takes its name from the Chancellor a title of no great honour under the old Roman Emperors as may be learnt from Vopiscus At present it is a name of the greatest dignity and the Chancellors are raised to the highest honours in the State Cassiodorus derives the word it self a cancellis i.e. rails or Balisters because they examine matters †Intra sâ—creta Cancellorum Epist 6. Lib. 11. in a private apartment enclos'd with rails such as the Latins call'd Cancelli Consider says he by what name you are call'd What you do within the rails cannot be a secret your doors are transparent your cloysters lye open and your gates are all windows Hence it plainly appears that the Chancellor sat expos'd to every one 's within the rails or cancels so that his name seems to be deriv'd from them Now it being the business of that Minister who is as it were the mouth the eyes and ears of the Prince to strike or dash out with cross lines * Cancellation lattice-like such writs or judgments as are against law or prejudicial to the state not improperly call'd Cancelling some think the word Chancellor to be deduc'd from it And thus we find it in a
Richard Earl of Cornwall 7 This Richard began to make Ordinances for these tinn-works and afterwards c. Afterwards a Charter was granted them by Edmund Earl Richard's Brother with several immunities by whom also the Stannary-Laws were fram'd and confirm'd with his own Seal laying a certain impost upon the tinn payable to the Earls of Cornwall The Polity of the Tinners These Liberties Privileges and d They are recited in Plowden's Commentaries p. 327. Laws were afterwards confirm'd and enlarg'd by Edward 3. who divided the whole society of Tinners that were as it were one body into four parts or quarters call'd from the places Foy-more Black-more Trewarnaile and Penwith He constituted one general Warden or Overseer over all the rest 8 Called Lord Warden of the Stannaries of Stannum that is tinn who is to do justice both in causes of Law and Equity and to set over every company each their Sub-warden who should 9 Every three weeks every month within their respective jurisdiction determine controversies 10 In causes personal between tinner and tinner and between tinner and foreigner except in causes of Land Life or Member and such Sentences from the Stannum or tinn are call'd Stannary-Judgments but from these an Appeal is sometimes made to the Lord Warden himself 11 From him to the Duke from the Duke to the King In matters of moment there are by the Warden general Parliaments or several Assemblies summon'd whereunto Jurats are sent out of every Stannary whose Constitutions do bind them As for those that deal with tinn they are of four sorts the owners of the Soil the Adventurers the Merchants or Regraters and the Labourers call'd the Spadiards of their Spade who poor men are pitifully out-eaten by usurious Contracts But the Kings of England and Dukes of Cornwall in their times have reserv'd to themselves a Praeemption of tinn by the opinion of the learned in the Law as well in regard of the Propriety as being chief Lords and Proprietaries as of their Royal Prerogative And lest the tribute should not be duly paid to the prejudice of the Dukes of Cornwall who according to ancient custom for every thousand pound of tinn are to have 40 shillings it is provided that whatever tinn is made shall be carried to one of the four towns appointed for that purpose where twice every year it shall be weigh'd stamp'd 12 They call it Coynage and the impost paid and before that no man may sell it or convey it away 13 Under forfeiture of their tinn without being liable to a severe fine Nor is Tinn the only Mineral found here but there is likewise gold Cornish Diamonds silver and diamonds naturally cut into angles and polish'd some whereof are altogether as big as a walnut and only inferior to those in the East in blackness and hardness c Sea-holme Sea-holme is found in great plenty upon the coasts and all manner of grain tho' not without great industry in the husbandman is produced in such plenty that it does not only supply their own necessary uses but Spain also yearly with vast quantities of corn They make likewise a gainful trade of those little fishes they call Pylchards Pylchards which are seen upon the sea-coast as it were in great swarms from July to November these they catch garbage salt smoak barrel press and so send them in great numbers to France Spain and Italy where they are a welcome commodity Fumados perhaps Pliny's Gerres and are named Fumados Upon which Michael a Cornish-man by much the most eminent Poët of his age writing against Henry of Auranches Poet-Laureat to King Henry 3. who had play'd upon the Cornish-men as the fagg-end of the world in defence of his country has these verses which I shall here set down for your diversion Non opus est ut opes numerem quibus est opulenta Et per quas inopes sustentat non ope lenta Piscibus stano nusquam tam fertilis ora 'T were needless to recount their wondrous store Vast wealth and fair provisions for the poor In fish and tinn they know no rival shore Nor is Cornwall more happy in the soil than it's inhabitants who as they are extremely well bred and ever have been so even in those more ancient times for as Diodorus Siculus observes by conversation with merchants trading thither for tinn they became more courteous to strangers so are they lusty stout and tall their limbs are well set 〈…〉 and at wrastling not to mention that manly exercise of hurling the Ball they are so eminent that they go beyond other parts both in art and a firmness of body requir'd to it And the foremention'd Poet e Michael Blaunpinus Cornubiensis look'd upon as a most excellent Poët in his time and flourish'd in the year 1250. Bal. Cent. 4. N. 10. Wood Antiq. Oxon. pag. 85. Michael after a long harangue made upon his country-men telling us in his jingling verse how Arthur always set them in the front of the battel at last boldly concludes Quid nos deterret si firmiter in pede stemus Fraus ni nos superet nihil est quod non superemus What can e'er fright us if we stand our ground If fraud confound us not we 'll all confound And this perhaps may have given occasion to that tradition of Giants formerly inhabiting those parts For Hauvillan a Poët who liv'd four hundred years ago describing certain British Giants has these verses concerning Britain Titanibus illa 〈…〉 Sed paucis famulosa domus quibus uda ferarum Terga dabant vestes cruor haustus pocula trunci Antra Lares Dumeta thoros coenacula rupes Praeda cibes raptus Venerem spectacula caedes Imperium vires animos furor impetus arma Mortem pugna sepulchra rubus monstrisque gemebat Monticolis tellus sed eorum plurima tractus Pars erat occidui terror majórque premebat Te furor extremum Zephyri Cornubia limen Of Titan's monstrous race Only some few disturb'd that happy place Raw hides they wore for cloaths their drink was blood Rocks were their dining-rooms their prey their food Their cup some hollow trunk their be a grove Murder their sport and rapes their only love Their courage frenzy strength their sole command Their arms what fury offer'd to their hand And when at last in brutish fight they dy'd Some spatious thicket a vast grave supply'd With such vile monsters was the land opprest But most the farther regions of the West Of them thou Cornwall too wast plagu'd above the rest But whether this firmness of constitution which consists of a due temperature of heat and moisture be caused in the Danmonii by those fruitful breezes of the West-wind and their westerly situation 〈…〉 as we see in Germany the Batavi in France the Aquitani and Rutheni which lye farthest toward the West are most lusty or rather to some peculiar
Montacute in Domesday Montagud it salutes Montacute so call'd by the Earl of Moriton brother by the mother's side to William 1. †If Leland be Mr. Camden's authority for this he freely declares he had it only by hear-say who built a castle at the very top of the hill and a Religious house at the bottom of it because it rises by degrees into a sharp point whereas before that it was nam'd * In the Copy of Leland which I had it is Logaresburch and 't is probable Mr. Camden had it from him Logoresburg and Bischopeston Annals of Glassenbury But the castle has been quite destroy'd these many years and the stones carry'd off to build the Religious house and other things Afterwards on the very top of the hill was a Chappel made and consecrated to S. Michael the arch and roof curiously built of hard stone and the ascent to it is round the mountain up stone-stairs for near half a mile Now the Monastery and Chappel are both demolish'd and the greatest ornament it has is a delicate house which the worthy c His grandson Sir Edward Philips is still living Sir Edward Philips Knight Serjeant at Law lately built at the foot of the mountain Lords of Montacute This place gave name to the honourable family of the Montacutes descended from Drogo * Juvene the Young Of this family there were four Earls of Salisbury the last left issue one only daughter which had by Richard Nevil the famous Richard Earl of Warwick that * turbâ—â—â—â— Whirlwind of England and John Marquess of Montacute both kill'd in the battle of Barnet in the year 1472. But the title of Baron Montacute was conferr'd upon Henry Poole Son of Margaret daughter of George Duke of Clarence descended from a daughter of that Richard Nevil Earl of Warwick by King Henry 8. who presently after beheaded him Queen Mary bestow'd the title and honour of Viscount Montacute upon Anthony Brown whose grandmother was daughter of John Nevil Marquess of Montacute d It still continues in the same family and the honour is at present enjoy'd by Francis Viscount Mountague and his grandchild by a son now enjoys it 9 And here I must not forget Preston sometime the seat of John Sturton younger son to the first Lord Struton one of whose heirs was marry'd to Sidenham of Brimston thereby Next to this is Odcombe Odcomâ—â— which tho' but a very small town must not yet be omitted because it has had it's Baron Barons William de Briewer Bâ—iewâ—r for so his father was call'd as being born * In eâ—â—â— in a heath who 10 Who being taken up in the New-Forest by K. Henry the sâ—cond in a hunting journey prov'd 〈◊〉 great man having great interest at Court being also an entire Favourite of Richard 1. was respected and caressed by all and so got a very large estate 11 Marry'd Beatrix of Vannes Widow to Reginald Earl of Cornwall with which by the marriage of his daughters for his son dy'd without issue he made a great accession to the estates of the Brees Wakes Mohuns La-ferts and Pereys Below this at a little distance is Stoke under Hamden where the Gornays had their castle and built a College This family surnam'd de Gornaico and commonly Gornay was very ancient and illustrious descended from the same stock with the Warrens Earls of Surrey and the Mortimers But in the last age it was extinct and part of that estate came by the Hamptons to the Knightly family of the Newtons Newtoâ—â— who freely own themselves to be of Welsh extraction and not long ago to have been call'd Caradocks Nor must we forget to mention that Matthew Gornay was bury'd here a stout souldier in the time of Edward 3. and dy'd in the 96th year of his age after he had been dd The Inscription was in French and is set down at large by Leland where 't is express'd that he dy'd Sept. 26. An. 1406. as the Inscription witnesseth at the siege of D'algizer against the Saracens at the battles of Benamazin Sclusa Cressia Ingines Poictiers and Nazaran in Spain Next the Parret waters Martock a little market-town which formerly William of Bologne son to king Stephen gave to Faramusius of Bologne Farâ—moâ—â— of Bâ—loâ— Fieâ—es whose only daughter and heir Sibill was marry'd to Ingelram de Fienes and from them are descended the Fienes Barons of Dacre and the Barons of Say and Zele From hence the Parret cuts it's way into the north through a muddy plain by Langport a market-town pretty well frequented and by Aulre Aulre a little village of a few small hurts which yet seems once to have been a town of better note For when Alfred had so shatter'd the Danes and by a siege forc'd them to surrender that they took an Oath to depart out of his dominions with all expedition and e I think most of our Historians call it Godrun the Saxon Annals constantly mention it under that name Godrus their King as Asser tells us promis'd to embrace Christianity then Alfred in this place took him out of the sacred font of Regeneration with great pomp The Parret running from hence receives the river Thone which rising at a great distance in the western part of the County next Devonshire passes through delicate fields 12 Near Wivelscomb assign'd anciently to the Bishop of Bath to Wellington Wellinâ— which in the time of Edward the Elder was the ground of six Mansion-houses at what time he gave this along with Lediard Lediaâ—â— which was of twelve Mansion-houses to the Bishop of Shirbourn It is now a little market-town receiving it's greatest glory from an honourable Inhabitant for persons eminent for virtue and their good services to their country deserve always to be mention'd 13 Sir John Popham John Popham J. Pophâ— memorable as for the antiquity of his noble descent so for his strict justice and singular industry This man now Lord Chief Justice of the King's Bench administers Justice with so much evenness and such a temper'd severity that England has for this long time been mostly indebted to him for it's domestick peace and security Going from hence with a gentle and easie course the Thone washes Thonton or Taunton 〈…〉 and gives it that name It is a neat town delicately seated and in short one of the eyes of this County Here Ina King of the West-Saxons built a castle which Desburgia his wife levell'd with the ground after she had driven Eadbricth King of the East-Saxons out of it who had got possession and us'd it as a curb to a conquer'd nation In the reign of Edward the Confessor it gelded so it is in Domesday-book for 54 hides had 63 Burgers and was held by the Bishop of Winchester whose Pleadings were here kept thrice a year Those Customs belong to Taunton Burgheriste robbers breach of the
Shirburn by Herman the eighth Bishop Wil. Malmesb of Bishops was at last as I have said before translated to Salisbury and carried with it all the reputation from this place because at Ramesbery there was neither a Chapter of the Clergy nor any thing for their maintenance On the other side the river more toward the East is 30 Not long since the seat of the Darels Littlecot Littlecot which is to be mention'd upon the account of John Popham Lord of it who being Lord Chief Justice of the King's Bench discharges his Office with great applause as I have said before 31 And hereby runneth the limit between this shire and Berkshire Hitherto I have surveyed the County of Wilts which as it is in Domesday-book for I do not think it improper to be taken notice of paid the King 10 l. for an Hawk 20 s. for a Sumpter-horse one hundred shillings and five Ores for Hay I am wholly ignorant what sort of Money these Ores were Ore what only thus much I have noted out of the register of Burton-Abbey that 20 Ores p Of these Ores see Mr. Walker's Dissertation prefix'd to the Life of K. Alfred were worth 2 marks of silver Earls of Wiltshire The Earls of this Shire have been but few tho' of divers Families besides those of Salisbury which I have mention'd before For excepting Weolsthan before the Norman Conquest q There was also in the Saxon times one Ethelhelm that was Earl of this County sc about 886. it had none that I know of till Richard 2.'s time who preferred William le Scrope to that honour but this man's grandeur continu'd and fell with his Prince for when that King was dethron'd this Earl was beheaded Not many years after he was succeeded by James Butler Earl of Ormond who was raised to this dignity by King Henry 6. But when the House of Lancaster was in a declining condition he was attainted and King Edward 4. conferred this title on John Stafford younger son of Humphrey Duke of Buckingham to whom succeeded his son Edward who died without issue King Henry 8. afterward dignified with this honour Henry Stafford descended from the Buckingham-family who not long enjoying his title dyed without issue At last it came to the family of the Bollens by the favour of the same King who made Thomas Bollen Viscount Rochford descended from an Heiress of Th. Butler Earl of Ormond Earl of Wiltshire whose daughter Ann the King married which match was unfortunate to her self her Brother and her Parents but lucky for England because she it was that gave birth to that excellent Princess Queen Elizabeth Queen Eâ—â—zabeth who doth merit eternal honour for her excellent management of the Kingdom and is highly to be admired for many great virtues much above her sex But when this Thomas Bollen died without issue male of grief occasion'd by the unhappy fate of his Children this title lay dormant until King Edward 6. qualified therewith William Powlet Lord S. John of Basing See Biâ— in Hâ—â—shire whom afterwards he raised to be Marquess of Winchester and Lord High Treasurer of England in whose posterity it yet remaineth There are in this County 304 Parishes ADDITIONS to WILTSHIRE a WILTSHIRE in Saxon Wiltunscyre and by the Historians of succeeding ages melted by degrees into our Wiltshire call'd also Provincia Semerana and Severnia or Provincia Severorum is the largest mid-land County of any in England as may be easily observed by the * Appendix to the 2. Tome of â—he English â—torians ancient computation of it's Hides For we find that in Wiltysire as 't is there term'd were 4800 hides which is more by 2000 than any Shire mention'd by that Author The 39 miles in length and 29 in breadth which Spede assigns to it will be found too little both ways upon an accurate survey a Our Author observes among other advantages that this County is watered with the Isis which afterwards takes the name of Thamisis Thamisis not from a conjunction of Thame and Isis An error with which the world is so possess'd that 't will be a hard matter to make them part with it notwithstanding it plainly appears that this river was always call'd Thames or Tems before ever it came near Thame For instance in an ancient Charter granted to Abbot Aldhelm there is particular mention made of certain lands upon the east part of the river cujus vocabulum Temis juxta vadum qui appellatur Summerford and this ford is in Wiltshire The same thing appears from several other Charters granted to the Abby of Malmsbury as well as that of Enesham and from the old Deeds relating to Cricklade And perhaps it may safely be affirmed that in any Charter or authentick History it does not ever occur under the name of Isis which indeed is not so much as ever heard of but among scholars the common people all along from the head of it down to Oxford calling it by no other name but that of Thames So also the Saxon Temese from whence our Tems immediately comes is a plain evidence that that people never dreamt of any such conjunction But farther all our Historians that mention the Incursions of Aethelwold into Wiltshire A. D. 905. or of Canute A. D. 1016. tell us that they pass'd over the Thames at Cricklade For the original of the word it plainly seems to be British because one may observe several rivers in several parts of England of almost the same name with it as Tame in Staffordshire Teme in Herefordshire Tamar in Cornwall c. And the learned Mr. Llwyd affirms it to be the same with their Tâf which is the name of many rivers in Wales the Romans changing the pronunciation of the British f into m as the Latin word Demetia is in Welsh Dyfed b As for Wansditch Wansâ—â— the course whereof is trac'd in the Map it seems to be so far from having been drawn for a boundary between the West-Saxons and Mercians as our Author would have it that it was probably made long before the settlement of the Mercian Kingdom viz. by Cerdick the first King of the West-Saxons or by Kenric his son against the incursions of the Britains who even in K. Ceaulin's time as Malmsbury tells us made frequent inroads into this County from their garrisons at Bath Glocester and Cirencester And the same Historian informs us that Ceaulin was routed by the Britains not as other writers at Wodensburgh but at Wodenesdic which seems to intimate that it was made before that time and was then a boundary between the two people The rampire and graff of this Wansditch are very large the rampire on the south-side And besides this ditch there are several others of less note still visible upon the plains especially about Stone-henge and in the †Moâ— Angâ—â—â— Saxon-Charter of lands belonging to Wilton-Abbey there is mention made of no less than 13 distinct
houses eight were destroy'd for the Castle It was formerly walled about and as may be seen by the tract was a c The ditch of the town says Leland and the creast whereon the wall stood are yet manifestly perceiv'd and begin from the Castle going in compass a good mile or more mile in compass it hath a castle seated upon the river very large and so well fortify'd in former times that the hopes of it's being impregnable hath made some persons over-resolute For when the flames of Civil War had as it were set all England on fire we read that King Stephen ever now and then attempted it by siege but still in vain We much wonder'd at it's greatness and magnificence when we were boys and retir'd thither from Oxford for it is now a retiring place for the Students of Christ-Church at Oxford it being double wall'd and surrounded with d Leland says it has 3 dikes large and deep and well water'd two ditches In the middle stands a tower rais'd upon a very high mount in the steep ascent whereof which you climb by stairs I saw a well of an exceeding depth The Inhabitants believe it was built by the Danes but I should rather judge that something was here erected by the Romans and afterwards demolish'd by the Saxons and Danes when Sueno the Dane harrass'd the Country up and down in these parts At length it recover'd it self under William 1. as plainly appears by Domesday Book where it makes mention of eight ‖ Hagaâ— Houses being pull'd down for the Castle as I observ'd but now Yet William Gemeticensis takes no notice of this Castle when he writes that William the Norman after Harold's defeat immediately led his army to this city for so he terms it and passing the Thames at the ford encamp'd here before he march'd to London Lords of Wallingford At which time Wigod an Englishman was Lord of Wallingford who had one only daughter given in marriage to Robert D'Oily by whom he had Maud his sole heir married first to Miles Crispin and after his death by the favour of K. Henry 1. to Brient †Fillo Comitis Fitz-Count and he being bred a soldier and taking part with Maud the Empress stoutly defended the Castle against King Stephen who had rais'd a Fort over against it at Craumesh till the peace so much wish'd for by England in general was concluded in this place and that terrible quarrel between King Stephen and K. Henry 2. was ended And then the love of God did so prevail upon Brient and his wife that quitting the transitory vanities of this world they wholly devoted themselves to Christ by which means this Honour of Wallingford fell to the Crown Which appears by these words taken out of an old Inquisition in the Exchequer To his well beloved Lords Of the Honour of Wallingford in Tâ—â—â— de Nâ—â—◠〈◊〉 the Exchequer our Lord the King's Justices and the Barons of the Exchequer the Constable of Wallingford Greeting Know ye that I have made diligent Inquisition by the Knights of my Bailywick in pursuance of my Lord the King's precept directed to me by the Sheriff and this is the summe of the inquisition thus taken Wigod of Wallingford held the honour of Wallingford in K. Harold's time and afterwards in the reign of K. William 1. and had by his Wife a certain Daughter whom he gave in marriage to Robert D'Oily This Robert had by her a Daughter named Maud which was his heir Miles Crispin espous'd her and had with her the aforesaid honour of Wallingford After Miles ' s decease our Lord K. Henry 1. bestow'd the aforesaid Maud upon Brient Fitz-Count c. Yet afterwards in the reign of Henry 3. it belong'd to the Earls of Chester and then to Richard King of the Romans and Earl of Cornwall who repaired it and to his son Edmond who founded a Collegiate Chapel within the inner Court but he dying issueless it fell again to the Crown and was annexed to the Dukedom of Cornwall since when it hath fallen much to decay More especially about the time when that plague and mortality which follow'd the conjunction of Saturn and Mars in Capricorn A terrible â—â—ague reign'd so hotly through all Europe in the year of our Lord 1343. Then this Wallingford by that great mortality was so exhausted that whereas before it was very well inhabited and had 12 Churches in it now it can shew but one or two But the inhabitants rather lay the cause of this their town's decay upon the bridges built at Abingdon and Dorchester e Just so Wilton the once chief town of Wiltshire began to decay when the road was turn'd through Salisbury and the bridge was built there by which means the High-road is turn'd from thence g From hence Southward the Thames gently glides between very fruitful fields on both sides of it by Moulesford Moulesford which K. Henry 1. gave to Girald Fitz-Walter from whom the noble Family of the Carews are descended A family that hath receiv'd the addition of much honour by it's matches with the noble families of Mohun and Dinham and others in Ireland as well as England Not far from hence is Aldworth where there are certain tombs and statues upon them larger than ordinary much wonder'd at by the common people as if they were the pourtraictures of Giants when indeed they are only those of certain Knights of the family of De la Beche which had a Castle here and is suppos'd to have been extinct for want of male-issue in the reign of Edward 3. And now at length the Thames meets with the Kenet The river â—enet which as I said before watering the south-side of this County at it's first entry after it has left Wiltshire runs beneath Hungerford â—ungerâ—â—rd call'd in ancient times Ingleford Charnam-street a mean town and seated in a moist place which yet gives both name and title to the honourable family of the Barons of Hungerford first advanc'd to it's greatness by f He was son of that Sir Thomas Hungerford who was Speaker to the House of Commons 51 Edw. 3. which was the first Parliament wherein that House had a Speaker Walter Hungerford who was Steward of the King's Houshold under King Henry 5. and had conferr'd upon by that Prince's bounty in consideration of his eminent services in the wars the Castle and Barony of Homet in Normandy to hold to him and his heirs males by homage and service to find the King and his heirs at the Castle of Roan one Lance with a Fox's tail hanging to it â—â—ima pars â—pl Paâ—â— Norâ—n 6 H. 5. which pleasant tenure I thought not amiss to insert here among serious matters The same Walter in the reign of Henry 6. was Lord High Treasurer of England â—rons â—ngerford and created Baron Hungerford and what by his prudent management and his matching with Catherine Peverell descended from the
shut the gates against King Charles 1. when he laid siege to the place in the year 1643. Before that siege the City was adorn'd with eleven Parish-Churches but five of them were then demolish'd There is great provision for the poor by Hospitals particularly Bartholomew's Hospital maintains 54 poor men and women to whom there belongs a Minister Physician and Chirurgeon And Sir Thomas Rich Baronet a native of this place gave 6000 l. by Will for a Blewe-coat-Hospital wherein are educated 20 Boys 10 poor Men and as many Women maintain'd all cloath'd annually Besides these and three more there are many other Benefactions to encourage young Tradesmen and to place out boys Apprentices m As to this place being the seat of a British Bishop there is this farther confirmation that in the Hall of the Bishop's Palace is written Eldadus Episcopus Glocestrensis and Bishop Godwin says that Theonus was translated from Glocester to London in the year 553. n Just beyond Glocester the Severn passeth by Lanthony Lanthony a ruinated Priory built in the year 1136. as a Cell to that of St. John Baptist in Wales Above this on a little hill stood Newark-house which belong'd to the Prior and has been lately rebuilt by my Lord Scudamore the owner thereof o Below this the river Stroud Stroud runneth into the Severn upon which standeth a town of the same name famous for cloathing the water whereof is said to have a peculiar quality in dying Reds It is a market-town standing on the ascent of a hill snd is the chief residence of the Clothiers in these parts whose trade in this County amounts to 500000 l. per annum some making a thousand Cloaths a year for their own share Between this and Glocester standeth Paynswick Paynswick a market-town said to have the best and wholsomest air in the whole County and near it on the hill was Kembsborow-Castle Kembsborow Castle the fortifications and trenches whereof are still visible Beyond which lyeth Prinknersh once the mansion of the Abbot of Glocester a pleasant seat on the side of the hill 't is now the inheritance of John Bridgman Esq a descendant of Sir John Bridgman Lord chief Justice of Chester South of the river Stroud and not far from Minchin hampton a pretty market-town once belonging to the Nuns of Sion is Wood-chester Wood-chester famous for it's tesseraick work of painted beasts and flowers which appears in the Churchyard two or three foot deep in making the graves If we may believe tradition Earl Godwin's wife to make restitution for her husband's fraud at Barkley built a Religious-house here with those pretty ornaments that are yet to be seen p But now to return to our Author Barkley Barkley is the largest parish in the County and gives name to the greatest division The place is honour'd by giving title to George Earl of Barkley who hath a fair Castle here tho' not so large as formerly The little room where the unhappy King Edward was murder'd is still to be seen The Mayor here is only titular The manour of Kings-Weston tho' at 12 miles distance from Barkley is yet in the same Hundred and was as it appears by Domesday at and before the Conquest a parcel of the said manour of Barkley In the year 1678. it was purchas'd by Sir Robert Southwell who has there between the Avon and the Severn a very pleasant seat It hath a prospect into several Counties and the ships in Kings-road are at an easie distance The Southwells were formerly considerable in Nottinghamshire at the town of the same name from whence they removed into Norfolk In King James 1.'s time the eldest branch went into Ireland where the said Sir Robert enjoys a fair estate on the opposite shore to King-weston at King-sale and thereabouts q Alderly Alderly is now only famous for being the birth-place of Sir Matthew Hale Lord chief Justice of England who dying in the year 1676. lyeth buried in this Churchyard under a tomb of black marble r As Oldbury Oldbury in both parts of it's name carries something of antiquity so has it that title confirm'd to it by a large Campus major of the Roman Fortifications and where the Church now stands was the Campus minor there are in this County several more such s At a little distance from the Severn is Thornbury Thornbury only a titular Mayor-town The Castle design'd to be rebuilt had this Inscription This gate was begun 1511. 2 Hen. 8. by me Edward Duke of Buckingham Earl of Hereford Stafford and Northampton He was beheaded before he perfected his design for he had intended to make the Church at Thornbury Collegiate with Dean and Prebends They have here four small Alms-houses a Free-school and weekly market The most considerable Gentry heretofore paid an annual attendance at Thornbury-Court where the Abbot of Tewksbury was oblig d personally to say Mass t Puckle-Church Puckle-Church is now only a small village the seat of the Dennis's whose family have been 18 times High-Sheriff of this County Beyond this near Bristol lyeth Kingswood-forest Kingswoo◠formerly of a much larger extent but now drawn within the bounds of 5000 acres It consists chiefly of Coal-mines several Gentry being possessors of it by Patent from the Crown 'T is a controverted point whether it be a Forest or Chase for 't is said to have been dependant upon Micklewood that is now destroy'd Within it are two fine seats Barrs-Court in Bitton-parish belonging to Sir John Newton Baronet and Siston-house to Samuel Trotman Esquire Not far from Bristol lyeth Westbury Westbury upon Trin which river now is dwindled into a little brook Here was a famous College encompass'd with a strong wall built by John Carpenter Bishop of Worcester about the year 1443. who design'd to have been stil'd Bishop of Worcester and Westbury This with the adjacent Parishes in Glocestershire that lye round Bristol are under the Jurisdiction of the Bishop of Bristol On the top of St. Vincent's Rocks S. Vincen◠Rocks near Bristol * Aubr M is a roundish fortification or Camp the rampire and graffe thereof not great for by reason of the nearness of the rock which is as hard as marble the ground is not easily digg'd Whether those rocks towards the top consist mostly of petrify'd pieces of wood as some are inclin'd to think let the Naturalists examine The precipice of the Rock over the river Avon has made all Works on the west-side needless About two miles from St. Vincent's rocks is Henbury Henbury †Ibid. where is a Camp with three rampires and trenches from which one may conclude it to have been done rather by the Britains than any other people u The Fortifications mention'd by our Author to be at Derham Derham are I suppose the same with that ‖ Mon. Ba◠MS. Mr. Aubrey has taken notice of upon Henton-hill in that parish It is call'd
Chronicon Saxonic from whence also we learn that in 921. the Danes leaving the siege of Tocester and coming upon the unarm'd people took a great booty of men and cattel between Bernwood and Aâ—lsbury 572. As for its old British name that through the injury of time is quite lost This town was heretofore chiefly famous for St. Aedith St. Aedith a native of it who when she had prevail'd with her father Frewald to give her this for her portion presently upon perswasion of some Religious persons left the world and her husband and taking on her the habit of a Nun grew so celebrated for her sanctity that in that fruitful age of Saints she is reported to have done several miracles together with her sister Edburg Edburg from whom Edburton a little village among the hills takes its name * Now commonly Middleton-cheney In the time of the Conquerour this was a Manour-royal and several yard-lands were here given by the King upon condition that the holders of them should find Litter i.e. straw for the King's bed I hope the nice part of the world will observe this whenever he should come thither h In the reign of Edw. 1. certain Knights surnam'd de Ailsbury who bore for arms a Cross argent in a field azure are reported but how truly I know not to have been Lords of this place Yet so much is certain that these Knights were eminent in those times and that by marriage with an heiress of the Cahaignes formerly Lords of Middleton Cahaignes they came to a plentiful estate which fell afterwards by marriage to the Chaworths or de Cadurcis and Staffords 10 Of Grafton c. The greatest repute it now hath is for Cattel It owes much to the munificence of Lord chief Justice Baldwin who not only adorn'd it with several publick edifices but rais'd an excellent Causey for about three miles where the road is deep and troublesome All round about are fed a vast number of well-fleec'd sheep to the great profit and advantage of their owners especially at Querendon Querendâ—â— a Lordship belonging to the very eminent Sir Henry Lee Knight of the Garter Eythorp Eythorp once to the Dinhams now to the Dormers Knights and Winchindon Winchindon to the Godwins Knights c. i By the Thames down lower we meet with nothing memorable unless Cherdsley Cherdâ—â—ey be as many think it is the g The true reading is Gerdices-leag Cerdic-slega of the Saxons so call'd from Cerdicius who had here a sharp engagement with the Britains Nigh to this place is Credendon now Crendon which was the seat of the Honour of Giffard by which name that vast estate was call'd that fell to Walter Gifford at the Conquest 11 Whose son the second Earl of Buckingham and Ermingard his wife built the Abbey of Noteley thereby in the year 1112. So Holland who being made Earl of Buckingham founded as 't is thought the Monastery of Notesley Noteâ—â—ey and his Cousin h See in Northumberland under the title Barony of Bolebec Hugh de Bolebec from whom by a female the Earls of Oxford are descended held here several manours of him The ruins of Bolebec-castle Bolebec-â—â—â—â—â—e appear hard by in the Parish of Whitchurch 12 Near unto which is Ascot the principal mansion-house of the Dormers from whence descended the Dutchess of Fesia in Spain and others of noble note Usa or Ouse formerly Isa and the second Isis which flows gently through the northern part of this Shire rising in Northamptonshire and presently entring this County with but a small current passeth by Bitlesden Bâ—â—â—esden which Robert de Mapertshal Lord of the place gave to Osbert de Clinton Chamberlain to Hen. 1. k a powerful man at Court to save him from being punish'd as a Felon for stealing one of the King's hounds But he receiv'd it back again from the Chamberlain with a Kinswoman of his in marriage Yet in the Civil Wars in K. Stephen's time he lost it again and Ernald de Bosco by the favour of Robert Earl of Leicester got it who in the year 1127. founded there a little Monastery for Cistertian Monks l The next place that the Ouse visits is Buckingham Buckingham the chief town of the County which Edward the Elder in the year 1915. as Marianus hath it foâ—tified with a rampire and turrets on both sides of the bank against the incursions of the Danes Yet it seems to have been no considerable place in the first times of the Normans since in the reign of the Confessor as Domesday book informs us it paid only for one hide and had twenty six Burgesses The town is seated on a low ground the Ouse very commodious for the mills surrounds it on all sides but the north The Castle seated in the middle of the town upon a great mount of whose very ruins scarce any thing now remains as it were divideth the town into two parts the greater of these is to the north where stands the Town-hall i 918. Chron. Sax. the lesser to the west in which there is a Church though not very ancient where was the Coffin of St. Rumbald S Rumbald 13 A child born k Yet our Author in Northamptonshire says this Saint was born at Brackley in that County at King's Sutton a neighbouring village and by our ancestors esteem'd a 14 Child-Saint and much fam'd with many miracles Saint m Hence the Ouse moves with a gentle current to the north-east More easterly from the river toward the woods is Whaddon Whaddon formerly the seat of the Giffards who were hereditary Keepers of Whaddon-Chase under the Earl of Ulster from whom that office descended to the Pigots who sold it into another family Here is now the residence of the warlike family of the Barons Grey of Wilton Barons Grey of Wilton who held the adjoyning manour of Eaton by the service of keeping one Gerfalcon of the King 's whence that family bears for their crest a falcon sitting on a glove Not far hence lies Saulden Saulden where there is a neat house built by the honourable and learned Knight Sir John Fortescue who for his prudence and integrity was made Chancellour of the Exchequer 15 And of the Dutchy of Lancaster and privy Counsellor to Queen Elizabeth and King James 1. for him and his family On the other side of the river not far from the bank are 16 Stow of the family of the Temples Leckhamsted Leâ—khamsted the seat 17 Of the Greenwaies of the Tirrils Lillingstone L l ingston of the ancient family of the De-hairel commonly Dairell and Luffeld Lâ—â—feld where there was formerly a Monastery founded by Robert Earl of Leicester but the Monks dying all of the plague caus'd it to be deserted Higher on the south-bank of the river the most considerable place is Stony-Stratford
those days for making of brick and divers other Romans coins and vessels were found as Mr. Stow tells us belonging to their Sacrifices and Burials beside what he mentions Such as the Coins of Trajan and Antoninus Pius Lamps Lachrymatories Patinae and vessels of white earth with long necks and handles which I suppose must be the Gutti used in their Sacrifices †Survey p. 177. There were many Roman Coins also discover'd in the foundations of Aldgate when it was rebuilt in the year 1607. which were formerly kept in the Guild-hall ‖ Ibid. p. 121 But many more of all kinds since the late fire in the foundations of St. Paul's Church now rebuilding and in the making of Fleet-ditch which were carefully collected by Mr. John Coniers Citizen and Apothecary of London and are now many of them in the possession of the ingenious Mr. Woodward the present Professor of Physick in Gresham-College London Many Urns and Coins have been also met with in digging the foundations of the new buildings in Goodmans-fields as there daily are in many other places upon the like occasions especially in the Suburbs of the City w Southwark was 't is true Apr. 23. 1549. 4 Edw. 6. purchased of the King by the Lord Mayor Commonalty and Citizens of London for the sum of Six hundred forty seven pounds two shillings and a penny and annext to their City and erected immediately into a new Ward call'd the Bridg-ward without and was thenceforth to be esteemed within the government and correction of the Lord Mayors and other Officers of London and their Deputies The inhabitants were licensed to enjoy and use all such Laws and Privileges whatsoever within their Borough and Precincts as the Citizens of London did within their City * Stow's Survey p 442 443. Which possibly might move our Author to place its history here But it was not thereby remov'd out of Surrey as appears by the provisions of the King's Grant whereby care is taken that the Lord Mayor should do and execute all such things within the Borough as other Justices might within the County of Surrey and that he as Escheator within the Borough and Precincts should have power to direct Precepts to the Sheriff of Surrey for the time being †See more of this in Surrey x The Hospital of Christ-Church founded Anno 1552. by King Edward the sixth as it stood in our Author's time maintain'd but 600 Orphans whereof part Boys and part Girls and both the children of Freemen of this City Since the Fund being uncertain depending as well upon the casual charity both of living and dying persons as upon its real Estate the number has been augmented and diminisht in proportion to the increase and decrease of that sort of Charity However it seldom now maintains less than 1000 annually nor is there reason to fear they will ever have fewer Here having run through the several Schools at 15 years they are put forth to a seven years Apprenticeship except some Boys of the best parts who are sent to the Universities and there also maintain'd for seven years which is the present state of King Edward's foundation Mathematical School To this there has been added another of late years stiled the New Royal Foundation of King Charles the second consisting of 40 Boys all wearing Badges appropriate to their Institution to be fill'd up successively out of such of the above-mention'd Children as have attain'd to a competency in fair writing and Latin learning Thence-forward they are instructed in the Mathematicks and Art of Navigation till they are 16 years of age at which time they are disposed of in a seven years Apprenticeship to the practice of Navigation Which Institution most highly charitable in it self and tending to the honour and safety of the Kingdom as well as the security and advancement of our Trade was founded the 19th of August Anno 25 Car. 2. Earls of MIDDLESEX Sir Lionel Cranfield Kt. Merchant of London having for his great abilities been first made Master of the Requests then of the great Wardrobe and after of the Wards and at last privy Counsellor upon the 19. of July 19 Jac. 1. was advanced to the degree of a Baron of this Realm by the title of Lord Cranfield of Cranfield in Bedfordshire and to the office and dignity of Lord high Treasure of England and by Letters Patents bearing date Sept. 2. 1622. 20 Jac. 1. to the Earldom of Middlesex Who by his second wife Anne daughter to James Bret of Howbey in the County of Leicester Esquire had issue four sons James Edward Lionel and William whereof James and Lionel succeeded him in the Honour but both dying without issue this Title descended to his eldest daughter Frances married to Richard Earl of Dorset and her issue and is accordingly now enjoyed by the Right Honourable Charles Earl of Dorset and Middlesex Lord Chamberlain of the Houshold and Knight of the Garter More rare Plants growing wild in Middlesex communicated by Mr. James Petiver Filicula saxatilis ramosa maritima nostras Raii Synops Hist Plant. Small-branch'd Stone-fern On many old walls in and about London as the Savoy Westminster Royal Garden c. Fungus spongiosus niger reticulatus doliolis vinosis adnascens Raii synops Mr. Doody's spung-like Mushrome In most vaults sticking to the wine casks Eruca sylvestris Ger. sylv vulgatior Park major lutea caule aspero C. B. tenuifolia perennis fl luteo J. B. Wild Rocket On old walls about this City frequently as on London-wall between Cripplegate and Bishopsgate the Charter-house c. plentifully Viscum Ger. vulgare Park baccis albis C. B. Quercus aliarum arborum J. B. Misseltoe On some trees at Clarendon house St. James's Nasturtium aquaticum amarum Park majus amarum C. B. Nasturtium aq fl majore elatius Raii syn Bitter Cresses On the Thames-bank between Peterborough-house and Chelsey Conserva reticulata Raii Hist Plant. append 1852. synops 15. Mr. Doody's netted Crow-silk In some ditches about Westminster and Hounslow-heath Bardana major Rosea Park 1222. lappa Rosea C. B. prodr 102. Rose Burdock This variety which Caspar Bauhine averrs to be found frequently about Leipsick I have observed near the Thames between Westminster and Chelsey Juncus caule triangulari Merr. Pin. 67. The three-corner'd Bulrush In the Thames between Peterborough-house and the Horse-ferry Westminster Cyperus rotundus litoreus inodorus J. B. rotundus inodorus Anglicus C. B. rotundus litoâ—eos Ger. rotundus litoreus inodorus Anglicus Park Round-rooted Bastard Cyperus Sagitta aquatica omnium minima Raii synops append 242. The least Arrow-head Observed by that most curious Botanist Dr. Plukenet to grow with the two last Salix minima fragilis foliis longissimis untrinqueviridibus non serratis Raii synops append 238. Dr. Sherard's Green Osier Amongst the Willows on the Thames side between Westminster and Chelsey Salix folio Amygdalino utrinque aurito corticem abjiciens Raii synops 216. Almond-leav'd
pastures exceeding good for fatting cattel they make also vast numbers of Cheese Cheese which to the great advantage of the inhabitants are bought up through all England nay in Germany also with France and Spain as Pantaleon Medicus has told us who scruples not to set them against those of Placentia both in colour and taste But he was not one of Apicius's nice-palated scholars Nor do they want woods and parks of the latter several are joyn'd to Noblemen's houses and well-stock'd with Deer The County according to it 's political Division is branch'd into three parts the first is call'd the Geldable because it pays geld or tribute the second the Liberty of S. Edmund because it belong'd to his Monastery the third the Liberty of S. Etheldred because it belong'd to Ely-Monastery to which our Kings formerly granted several parcels of ground with Sach and Soch as the Ely-book expresses it without any reserve either of ecclesiastical or secular jurisdiction b But now let us take a survey of the particulars and beginning at the west give an account of it's more noted places On the west where it joyns Cambridgeshire and in the very limit lies Ixning a place formerly of more note than 't is at present For it was made eminent by the death of Etheldred the Virgin daughter of K. Anna who was canoniz'd then by the conspiracy of Ralph Earl of the East-Angles against William the Conquerour and by the way which Harvey first Bishop of Ely made between this place and Ely But now it goes to decay by the nearness of Newmarket Newmarket whither all commodities are carried in great abundance That this town is of late date the name it self witnesses it is so situated that the south part of it belongs to Cambridgeshire and the north to Suffolk each whereof has a small Church of it's own the latter belonging to Ixning and the former to Ditton or Dichton as the Mother-Churches I have met with nothing about it in my reading but that under Hen. 3. Robert de Insula or L'isle gave one half of it to Richard de Argenton from whom the Alingtons are descended in Frank-marriage with his daughter Cassandra c All round hereabouts is a large plain call'd from the town Newmarket-heath Newmarket heath the soil whereof is sandy and barren but the surface green Along this runs that wonderful Ditch which the vulgar as if it had been drawn by the Devil call Devil's-dike Devil's-dike whereas 't is plain it was one of those wherewith as Abbo informs us the inhabitants fenc'd themselves against the incursions of the enemy But of this we will speak more at large when we come to Cambridgeshire Only here let the Reader take notice of thus much that the least of all these Fosses or Ditches is to be seen within two miles of this place between Snail-well and Moulton SUFâ—OLK Roâ—â—en Near this S. Edmundsbury we see Rushbrok the seat of the famous and Knightly family of the Jermins and at a little distance from thence Ikesworth Ikesworth where was an old Priory founded by Gilbert Blund Bâ—und a person of great Nobility and Lord of Ikesworth his issue-male in a right line fail'd in William slain in Hen. 3.'s time at the battel of Lewes who left his two sisters Agnes wife of William de Creketot and Roisia of Robert de Valoniis his heirs d 5 Afterward both here at Haulsted near Rougham and elsewhere the family of Drury which signifies in old English a precious jewel hath been of great reputation more especially since they were marry'd with the heiress of Frelil of Saxham More to the north is Fernham Fernham S. Genovefae memorable upon this account that Richard Lucy Lord Chief Justice of England did here engage Robert Earl of Leicester in a pitch'd battel and slew above ten thousand Flemings whom he had invited over for the destruction of his Country In this neighbourhood I observ'd two very neat seats the one built by the Kitsons Knights at Hengrave Hengrave formerly the possession of Edmund de Hengrave a famous Lawyer under Edward 1. and the other of late at Culfurth Câ—lfurth by Sir Nicholas Bacon N Bacon Kt. son of that Nicholas Bacon Keeper of the Great Seal of England who for his singular prudence and solid judgment was whilst he liv'd deservedly accounted †Altera è cestinis one of the two Supporters of this Kingdom Not far from hence is Lidgate Lidgate a small village but not to be omitted because it gave birth to John Lidgate John Lidgate the Monk whose Wit seems to have been form'd and modell'd by the very Muses all the beauties and elegancies are so lively express'd in his English Poetry And these are the places of note on the west-side of Suffolk On the south I saw the river Stour immediately after it's rise enlarge it's self into a great Fen call d Stourmere but presently gathering it's waters within the banks it runs first by Clare a noble village which beside it's demolish'd Castle has given the name of Clare Stoke Clare to a very honourable family descended from Gislebert a Norman Earl and the title of Duke to Leonel son of Edward 3. who having marry'd into this family had the title of Duke of Clarence bestow'd upon him by his father For from this place he was call'd Duke of Clarence 6 With a fuller sound than that of Clare as formerly the posterity of Gislebert were stil'd Earls of Clare and dying at ‖ Alba Pompeia Longuevill in Italy after he had took for his second wife the daughter of Galeacius Viscount of Milan lies bury'd here in the Collegiate Church as does also Joanna de Acres daughter of Edw. 1. wife to Gilbert the second de Clare that was Earl of Glocester 'T is possible the Reader may expect that I should here give an account of the Earls of Clare Earls of Clare and Dukes of Clarence considering they have always made an honourable figure in this kingdom and I will do it in short for fear any one should seek it in vain Richard son of Gislebert Earl of * Aucensiâ— Ewe in Normandy Augy was a soldier under William the Conquerour when he came over into England by whom he had the villages of Clare and Tunbridge bestow'd upon him He had four sons Gislebert Roger Walter and Robert from whom the Fitz-Walters are descended Gislebert Guil. Gemeric l. 7. c. 37. by the daughter of the Earl of Clermont had Richard who succeeded him Gislebert from whom was descended the famous Richard Earl of Pembroke and Conquerour of Ireland and Walter Richard the eldest being slain by the Welsh left two sons Rob. Montensis Gilbert and Roger. Gilbert under King Stephen was Earl of Hertford notwithstanding which both he and his successors from this their chief seat were commonly stil'd and wrote themselves de Clare He dying
Ruffe A Râ—ffâ— and because the English by that word express the Latin Asperum De Râ—â—orum â—â—malium 〈◊〉 stâ—â—â— John Caius term'd it Aspredo For the body of it is all over rough 't is full of sharp finns loves sandy places and in shape and bigness is much like a Perch The colour of †Pâ—â—â—â—â—ma the back is a dark brown the * Pe◠〈◊〉 belly a palish yellow Along the jaws it is markt with a double semicircular line the upper half of the eye is a dark brown the under is yellowish like gold and the ball black 'T is particularly remarkable for a line drawn along the back like a cross thread ty'd to the body The tail and finns are all over spotted with black When 't is provok'd the sinns bristle up when quieted they lay flat and close It eats like a Perch and is particularly valu'd for its ‖ Fâ—â—â—â—â—tate tender shortness and wholesomness So soon as the Yare has pass'd Claxton where is a round Castle lately built by Sir Thomas Gawdy Kt. Lord Chief Justice of the Common Pleas 13 It receiveth a brook which passeth by nothing memorable but Halles-hall and that only memorable for its ancient owner Sir James Hobart Attorney-General and of the Privy Council to King Henry the seventh by him dubb'd Knight at such time as he created Henry his son Prince of Wales who by building from the ground the fair Church at London being his Parish-Church St. Olave's bridge over Waveney that divideth Norfolk and Suffolk the Cawsey thereby and other works of piety deserv'd well of the Church his Country and the Common-weal and planted three houses out of his own issue out of the second whereof Sir Henry Hobart his great grandchild now likewise Attorney-General to King James is lineally descended and is now come just to the Sea it takes a turn to the South that it may descend more gently into the Sea by which means it makes a sort of little tongue or slip of Land washt on one side by it self on the other by the Sea In this slip upon an open shore I saw Yarmouth Yaâ—â—â—â—â— in Saxon Gar-muð and Jier-muð i.e. the mouth of the Garienis Gâ—râ—â—â—◠〈◊〉 a very neat harbour and town fortify'd both by the nature of the place and the contrivance of Art For though it be almost surrounded with water on the west with the river over which is a Draw-bridge and on other sides with the Sea except to the North where 't is joyn'd to the Continent yet is it fenc'd with strong stately walls which with the river figure it into an oblong quadrangle Besides the towers upon these there is a mole or mount to the East from whence the great Guns command the Sea scarce half a mile distant all round It has but one Church though very large and with a stately high spire built near the North-gate by Herbert Bishop of Norwich Below which the foundations of a noble Work design'd as an enlargement to this are rais'd above ground I dare not affirm that this was the old Gariononum where formerly the Stablesian Horse lay in garison against the Barbarians Nor yet the neighbouring little village Castor formerly the seat of Sir John Falstoff an eminent Knight 14 And now appertaining to the Pastans famous among the Inhabitants upon account of its antiquity though there is a report that the river Y are had another mouth just under it But as I am throughly convinc'd that the Garianonum Gâ—â—â—anâ—nâ—m was at Burgh-castle in Suffolk which is scarce two miles distant from the other side of the river so am I apt to think that Yarmouth rose out of its ruins and that that Castor was one of the Roman Castles plac'd also at a mouth of the river Y are now shut up For as the * Câ—â—â— North-west-wind plays the tyrant upon the coast of Holland over against this place e Of the nature of this wind Caurus and the injury it does all harbours that are expos'd to it see Somner's Pontus Iccius p. 53. and has stopt up the middle-mouth of the Rhine by heaping in Sands just so has the †Aquilo North-east plagu'd this coast and by sweeping up heaps of Sand seems to have stopt this Mouth Nor will it be any injury if I call this our Yarmouth so nearly joyn'd to the old Garianonum Garâ—anonum it self since the Garienis from whence it had the name has not chang'd its chanel and enters the Ocean below this town to which it hath also given its name For I cannot but own that this our Yarmouth is of later date For when that old Garianonum was gone to decay and there was none left to defend the shore Cerdick the warlike Saxon Câ—rdick the Sâ—â—on landed here from whence the place is call'd by the inhabitants at this day Cerdick-sand Cerdick-sand and by other Historians Cerdick-shore and when he had pester'd the Iceni with a troublesome war set sail from hence for the west where he settl'd the kingdom of the West-Saxons And not long after the Saxons instead of Garianonum built a new town in that moist watery field upon the west side of the river which they call'd Yarmouth But the situation of that proving unwholesom they march'd over to the other side of the river call'd then from the same Cerdick Cerdick-sand and there they built this new town wherein as Domesday-book has it there flourisht in the time of Edward the Confessor 70 Burgesses Afterwards about the year of our Lord 1340. the Citizens wall'd it round Gâ—â— Worceâ—ter and in a short time became so rich and powerful that they often engag'd their neighbours the Lestoffenses and the Portuenses so they call'd the inhabitants of the Cinque Ports in Sea-fights with great slaughter on both sides For they had a particular spight against them possibly upon this account because they were excluded out of the number and depriv'd of the Privileges of the Cinque-Ports which both the old Garianonum and their Ancestors under the Count of the Saxon-shore formerly enjoy'd But a stop was put to these extravagancies by the Royal Authority or as others think by the damp which that grievous plague brought upon them that in one year took 7000 Souls out of this little town as appears by an old Chronographical Table hung up in the Church which also gives an account of their wars with the Portuenses and the Lestoffenses From that time they grew low nor had they wealth sufficient to carry on their merchandise upon which they have betaken themselves mostly to the herring-trade for so they generally call them though the learned think them to be the Chalcides and the Leucomaenides a sort of fish that 's more plentiful upon this coast than any other part of the world Haleces For it seems incredible what a great and throng Fair is here at Michaelmas and what quantities of herring and other
house but Hugh Hare brother to Nicholas was he who so much improv'd the estate and dying without marriage left above 40000 pound between 2 nephews Not far from hence lies West-Dereham West-Dâ—â—eham famous for the birth of Hubert Walter who being bred up under the famous Lord Chief Justice Glanville became Archbishop of Canterbury Lord Chancellour under K. Rich. 1. Legate to Pope Celestine 4. and Lord Chief Justice of all England The respect he had for the place oblig'd him to build a Religious-house there wherein as a piece of gratitude for the many favours he had receiv'd he order'd that they should constantly pray for the soul of his great patron Ralph de Glanvilla CAMBRIDGE SHIRE At a little more distance from the sea is Congham Congham honour'd with the birth of Sir Henry Spelman that great Oracle of Law Patron of the Church and glory of England More inwards is Rougham Rougham the seat of the Yelvertons of whom William under Hen. 6. Christopher under Qu. Elizabeth and Henry under K. Charles 1. were Lord Chief Justices of England Next is Babbingley Babbingley whither Felix the Apostle of the East-Angles coming about the year 630. converted the inhabitants to Christianity and built the first Church in those parts whereof succeeding ages made S. Felix the patron Some remains of this passage are still found in the adjoyning mountains call'd Christian-hills and in Flitcham Fâ—itâ—ham a neighbouring place which imports as much as the village or dwelling-place of Felix bb Removing from the sea-coast towards the south-east Narburgh Narburgh lies in our way the termination whereof seems to suggest something of Antiquity and the place it self answers the name For there is an old Fortification and from hence to Oxburgh has been a military foss tho' it be now levell'd in some places But what puts it beyond dispute is that Sir Clement Spelman contriving an Orchard at the foot of the hill digg'd up the bones of men in great abundance and likewise old pieces of armour cc Upon the north-side of the Hier stands Elmham Eâ—â—ham which till within these two ages was never under the jurisdiction of any secular Lord. For under the Heathens 't is said to have been the habitation of a Flamin and after their conversion to Christianity by Felix it came into the possession of the Bishops The See was first at Dunwich but when it was thought too great for the management of one it was divided into two Dioceses the one to reside at Dunwich for Suffolk and the other at Elmham for Norfolk dd Directly south is East-Dereham East Dereham call'd also Market-Dereham which having been almost all burnt to the ground is now rebuilt into a fair town and Hingham another market town not far from it hath had both the same disease and cure ee About 4 miles from Ic-burrough lies Weeting Weeting near Brandon-ferry wherein is an old wasted castle moated about and at a mile's distance eastward is a hill with certain small trenches or ancient fortifications call'd Gimes-graves of which name the inhabitants can give no account On the west-side of this place from the edge of the Fen arises a bank and ditch which running on for some miles parts that bound of Weeting from Wilton and Feltwell and is call'd the Foss In the fields of Weeting is a fine green way call'd Walsingham-way being the road for the pilgrims to the Lady of Walsingham And about a mile from the town north is another like it from Hockwold and Wilton upon which are two stump crosses of stone supposed to be set there for direction to the pilgrims Continuation of the EARLS and DUKES By the Attainder of the last Thomas the title of Duke of Norfolk being taken away Philip his eldest son was call'd only Earl of Arundel by descent from his mother and he being attainted of High-Treason for favouring the Popish party had the sentence of death pass'd upon him but his execution being forborn he dy'd in the Tower An. 1595. His son and only child Thomas was created Earl of Norfolk Jun. 6. 20 Car. 1. and dy'd at Padua An. 1646. leaving two sons Henry and Thomas whereof Henry succeeded his father and he likewise was succeeded by Thomas his eldest son in his Titles of Earls of Arundel Surrey and Norfolk who at the humble petition of several of the Nobility was May 8. 13 Car. 2. restor'd to the title of Duke of Norfolk Which is now among others enjoy'd by Henry Howard Earl Marshal of England More rare Plants growing wild in Norfokl Atriplex maritima nostras Ocimi minoris folio Sea-Orrache with small Basil leaves Found by Dr. Plukenet near Kings-Lynne Acorus verus sive Calamus Officinarum Park The sweet-smelling Flag or Calamus Observed by Sir Thomas Brown in the river Y are near Norwich See the Synonymes in Surrey Lychnis viscosa flore muscoso C. B. Sesamoides Salamanticum magnum Ger. Muscipula Salamantica major Park Muscipula muscoso flore seu Ocymoides Belliforme J. B. Spanish Catchfly By the way-sides all along as you travel from Barton mills to Thetford plentifully Spongia ramosa fluviatilis Branched river-sponge In the river Y are near Norwich Turritis Ger. vulgatior J. B. Park Brassica sylvestris foliis integris hispidis C. B. Tower-mustard In the hedges about the mid-way between Norwich and Yarmouth Verbascum pulverulentum flore luteo parvo J. B. an mas foliis angustioribus floribus pallidis C. B. Hoary Mullein About the walls of Norwich Vermicularis frutex minor Ger. Shrub Stonecrop This was shew'd us by Sir Thomas Brown of Norwich who had it from the sea-coast of Norfolk See the Synonymes in Glocestershire Urtica Romana Ger. Park Roman Nettle At Yarmouth by the lanes sides not far from the Key N. Travelling from Lynne to Norwich I observed by the way side not far from Norwich the Medica sylvestris J. B. which is usually with a yellow flower and therefore called by Clusius Medica frutescens flavo flore to vary in the colour of the flower and to become purplish like the Burgundy Trefoil or Sainct-foin CAMBRIDGESHIRE MORE into the Country lies the County of Cambridge by the Saxons call'd a Grantâ—bryegscyr Grentbrigg-scyre and by the common people Cambridge-shire stretch'd lengthways to the north It borders upon Norfolk and Suffolk on the east Essex and Hertfordshire on the south Bedford and Huntingdon Shires on the west and Lincolnshire on the north the river Ouse running from west to east crosses and divides it into two parts The south and lower part is more improv'd better planted and consequently more rich and fertil sufficiently plain but not quite level chiefly or indeed wholly setting aside that part which plentifully produces Saffron consisting of Corn-fields abundantly stor'd with the best Barley of which they make great quantities of Byne or Malt Byne Malt. by steeping it till it sprout again then drying it over a Kiln
our Children let us briefly out of the Cambridge History make mention of themselves and their Colleges Colleges consecrated to good literature and their own lasting fame The story goes that Cantaber a Spaniard 375 years before Christ first founded this University and that Sebert K. of the East-Angles restor'd it in the year of our Lord 630. Afterwards it was a long time neglected and lay bury'd in the Danish troubles till all things reviv'd under the Norman Government Soon after d See a List of them in Fuller's Antiquities of this University p. 26. Inns Hostels and Halls were built for Students John Caiâ—â— tho' still without any Endowments But Hugh Balsham Bishop of Ely founded the first College call'd Peter-house in the year 1284. and endow'd it b Whose example was imitated by these following persons Richard Badew with the help of the Lady Elizabeth Clare Countess of Ulster founded Clare-hall in the year 1340 c The Lady Mary St. Paul Countess of Pembroke Pembroke-hall in the year 1347 d the Society of Friers in Corpus-Christi Corpus-Christi call'd also St. Benet's-College in the year 1346 e William Bateman Bishop of Norwich Trinity-hall about the year 1353 f Edmund Gonevil in the year 1348 and John Caius Dr. of Physick in our time Gonevil and Caius-College g Henry the seventh King of England King's College with a Chapel deservedly reckon'd one of the finest buildings in the world in the year 1441 h the Lady Margaret of Anjou his wife Queen's College in the year 1448 i Robert Woodlark Katherine-hall in the year 1459 k John Alcocke Bishop of Ely Jesus-College in the year 1497 l The Lady Margaret 1 Above Caxton before-mention'd is Eltesley where was in elder Ages a Religious House of holy Virgins among whom was celebrated the incertain memory of Saint Pandionia the daughter of a Scottish King as the tradition is â—ut long since they were translatâ—d to Hinchinbroke And again above Eltesley was the Priory of Swasey founded for black â—ents by Alan la Zouch brother to the Vicâ—unt of Rohan in the Lesser Britain and was the common sepulture a long time for the family of Zâ—uch Countess of Richmond and mother to Henry the seventh Christ-College m and St. John's about the year 1506 now fairly enlarg'd with new buildings n Thomas Awdley Lord Chancellor of England Magdalen-College in the year 1542 since enlarg'd and endow'd by Sir Christopher Wrey Lord Chief Justice of England o the high and mighty Prince Henry the eighth Trinity-College in the year 1546 out of three others St. Michael's College built by Hervie of Stanton in Edward the second 's days King's-hall founded by Edward the third and Fishwick's-Hostel That the Students might have a more delightful habitation this College is now repair'd or rather new-built with that splendour and magnificence by the great care of T. Nevill its worthy Master and Dean of Canterbury that it is now for spaciousness for uniformity and beauty in the buildings scarce inferiour to any in Christendom and he himself may be counted truly 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in the judgment even of the greatest Philosopher for neglecting private Interests and laying out such large sums on the publick p I cannot but congratulate our present age and our selves too in respect of ingenuous Learning and in that worthy and prudent man Sir Walter Mildmay one of the Queen 's honourable Privy-Council who has founded a new College dedicated to Emanuel q and in the Lady Frances Sidney Countess of Sussex r who by her last Will gave a Legacy of five thousand pound to the founding of a College to be call'd Sidney-Sussex which is now quite finish'd s I shall say nothing of the Monasteries and Religious Houses since they were but of small note except it be Barnwell-Abby Barnwell which Sir Payne Peverell a famous Soldier and Standard bearer to Robert Duke of Normandy in the holy-war in Henry the first 's reign remov'd from St. Giles's Church the place of Picot the Sheriff's Institution of Secular Priests to this place and brought in 30 Monks according to the years of his age at that time If you please you may find the reason of its name in the private History of this place Paâ—well Hâ—â—â—ry Payne Peverell obtain'd a grant of Henry 1. for a spot of ground without the Burrough of Cambridge in the midst of it were extraordinary clear fountains or wells in English call'd Barnwell that is the Wells of Children or Barns as they were then call'd for young men and boys met once a year upon St. John's Eve for wrestling and the like youthful exercises according to the customs of the land and also to make merry together with singing and other musick Now by this means the concourse of boys and girls that met here for sport it grew a custom for a great many buyers and sellers to repair hither at the same time e Now it is commonly call'd Midsummer-Fair Tho' Cambridge was consecrated to the Muses yet it has not always escap'd the furies of Mars for when the Danes ravag'd up and down they often took Winter-quarters here and in the year 1010 when Sueno the Dane had with a desperate rage born down all before him neither it 's Fame nor the Muses could protect it tho' we read that Athens met with a better fate from Sylla but it was all barbarously laid in Ashes However at the first coming in of the Normans it was reasonably well peopl'd for we find in William the Conquerour's Domesday-book that the Burough of Grentbridge is divided into ten Wards and contains 387 dwelling-houses but 18 of 'em were pull'd down to build the Castle t when William 1. determin'd to erect Castles in all parts to be a curb to his new-conquer'd English u It likewise suffer'd very much afterwards in the Barons wars by those Out-laws from the Isle of Ely therefore Henry 3. to put a stop to their incursions order'd a deep ditch to be thrown up on the East-side of the town which still goes by the name of f Now there are but very little remains of this Ditch houses being built on both sides of it and the name it self seems clean forgotten among the Inhabitants King's-ditch Here possibly some may secretly expect to hear my opinion concerning the antiquity of this University but I 'll not meddle in the case nor am I willing to make any comparisons between our two flourishing Universities which have none to rival them that I know of I 'm afraid those have built castles in the air that have made Cantaber the founder of this University immediately after the building of Rome and long before Christ's time straining the antiquity beyond all probability This is undeniable let its original be when it will that it began at last to be a Nursery for Learning about the reign of Henry 1. which appears by an old Appendix of Peter Blesensis to Ingulph Joffred made Abbot
a petty Convent founded by the Bigrames A little way hence stands Awkenbury given by King John to David Earl of Huntingdon and by John Scot his son to Stephen Segrave Stephen Segrâ—â—e a person I 'm the more willing to mention because he was one of the Courtiers who have taught us * Nâ—â—â—am potenâ—â—am essâ—â—â—â—â—ntâ—m That no power is powerful With a great deal of pains he rais'd himself to a high post with as much trouble kept it and as suddenly lost it In his young days from a Clerk he was made Knight Matth. Pâ—â—â— and tho' he was but of a mean family yet in his latter days by his bold industry he so enrich'd and advanc'd himself that he was rank'd among the highest of the Nobility made Lord Chief Justice and manag'd almost all the Affairs of the Nation as he pleas'd At length he wholly lost all the King's favour and ended his days in a cloyster and he who out of pride must needs remove from ecclesiastical to secular Affairs was forc'd to reassume his ecclesiastical Office and shaven crown without so much as consulting his Bishop which he had formerly laid aside Not far off stands Leighton Leightâ—n where Sir Gervase Clifton Knight began a noble building h and just by lyes Spaldwick given to the Church of Lincoln by Henry 1. to make some amends for erecting Ely-Bishoprick out of Lincoln-Diocese The river Nen enters this Shire by Elton Elton f It is now the possession of John Proby Esquire the seat of the famous ancient family of the Sapcots where is a private Chapel of singular beauty with curious painted windows built by the Lady Elizabeth Dinham Baron Fitz-Warren's widow who marry'd into this family Higher upon the Nen nigh Walmsford Walmsford stood a little city of greater antiquity than all these call'd Caer Dorm and Dormeceaster by Henry of Huntingdon who says it was utterly ruin'd before his time Undoubtedly this is the Durobrivae Dâ—â—â—briâ—ae of Antonine that is the River-passage and now for the same reason call'd Dornford nigh Chesterton which besides the finding of old Coins has the apparent marks of a ruinous City For a Roman Port-way led directly from hence to Huntingdon and a little above Stilton Stiâ—ton formerly Stichilton it appears with a high bank and in an old Saxon Charter is call'd Erminstreat Ermiâ—gstreat Here it runs through the middle of a square fort defended on the north-side with walls on the rest with ramparts of Earth nigh which they 've lately digg'd up several stone Coffins or Sepulchres in g This Estate is now the joynt Inheritance of Sir John Hewet of Warsly in this County Baronet and John Dryden Esquire descended to them from the sisters of the last Sir Robert Bevile the ground of R. Bevill of an ancient family in this County Some think this city stood upon both banks of the river and others are of opinion Caster 〈◊〉 Nâ—r â—â—â—ptoâ—shâ— e that the little village Caster on the other side was part of it and truly this opinion is well back'd by an ancient history that says there was a place call'd Durmundcaster by Nene where Kinneburga founded a little Nunnery first call'd Kinneburge-caster and afterwards for shortness Caster This Kinneburga the most Christian daughter of the Pagan King Penda and Alfred King of the Northumber's wife chang'd her Soveraign Authority for Christ's service to use the words of an old writer and govern'd her own Nunnery as a mother to those sacred Virgins Which place about 1010 was level'd to the ground by the fury of the Danes A little before this river leaves the County it runs by an ancient House call'd Bottle bridge B â—â—â—â—-bridge for shortness instead of Botolph-bridge which the Draitons and Lovets brought from R. Gimels to the family of the Shirlies by hereditary succession Adjoyning to this lies Overton corruptly called Orton forfeited by Felony and redeem'd of K. John by Neale Lovetoft whose sister and coheir was married to Hubert or Robert de Brounford and their children took upon 'em the name of Lovetoft Earls of Hâ—ntingdon This County at the declining of the English-Saxons had Siward an Earl by office for then there were no hereditary Earls in England but the Governours of Provinces according to the custom of that age were call'd Earls with addition of the title of this or that Province they govern'd as this Siward the time he govern'd here was call'd Earl of Huntingdon but soon after when he govern'd Northumberland he was call'd Earl of Northumberland See â—he Eâ—â—ls â—f Noâ—thamptonshire He had a son call'd Waldeof who under the title of Earl had the government of this County by the favour of William the Conquerour whose niece Judith by his sister on the mother's side he had married This Waldeof's eldest daughter says William Gemeticensis was married to Simon ‖ â—â—vaneâ—â—erâ—◠〈◊〉 uâ—t câ—p â—6 de Senlys or St. Liz she brought him the Earldom of Huntingdon and had a son by him call'd Simon After her husband's decease she was married to David St. Maud the Queen of England's Brother who was afterwards King of Scotland by whom she had a son nam'd Henry Afterwards as Fortune and Princes Favours alter'd this Dignity was enjoy'd sometimes by the Scots and other times by the St. Lizes first Henry the son of David J â—n â—â—rdâ—â— in Scotâ—â—â—â—n co l. 3. â— 3. 6. 〈◊〉 3â— then Simon St. Lizes Simon the first 's son after him Malcolm King of Scotland Earl Henry's brother after his decease Simon St. Liz the third who dying without heirs was succeeded by William King of Scotland and Malcolm's Brother Thus says Ralph de Diceto in the year 1185. when he flourish'd When Simon Earl Simon 's son dy'd without children the King restor'd to William K. of Scotland the County of Huntingdon with all its appurtenances Then his brother David had it Matth. Par. and his son John Scot Earl of Chester who dy'd without heirs and when Alexander the second who marry'd King Henry the third's daughter had held this title a little while and the Wars broke in the Scots lost this honour besides a fair inheritance in England A good while after Edward the third created William Clinton Earl of Huntingdon Richard the second put Guiscard de Angolesme in his place and after his death John Holland He was succeeded by John 4 Who was stil'd Duke of Excester Earl of Huntingdon and Ivory Lord of Sparre Admiral of England and Ireland Lieutenant of Aquitain and Constable of the Tower of London and Henry his sons who were each of them also Dukes of Exeter See Dukes of Exeter pag. 32. Cap. 50. The same Henry Duke of Exeter that Philip Comines as he affirms saw begging bare-foot in the Low Countries whilst he kept firm to the House of Lancaster though he had married Edward the fourth 's own sister Next to him Thomas
Morden CORITANI WE are now to visit the Coritani a People living inward from the Iceni and taking up a very large Tract of Ground in the Mediterranean parts of this Isle as far as the German Ocean viz. the Counties now commonly call'd Northamptonshire Leicestershire Rutlandshire Lincolnshire Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire I shall forbear medling with the Etymology of their name for fear I should pretend to know what 's a downright mystery For notwithstanding they are a People scattered far and wide which the Britains express by Gur-tani yet should I assert that these Coritani took their name from thence would you not think this mere trifling Let those who are better skill'd in that sort of Learning more safely give their conjectures whilst I according to my design survey each of the Counties I now mentioned in their respective order NORTHAMPTONSHIRE THE County of Northampton in Saxon Norþ-afendon-scyre and a See the Additions to Hamshire under the title Southampton Northantonshire commonly Northamptonshire is situate in the very middle and heart as it were of England and from the South-west-side where it is broadest contracting it self by degrees runs out in length to the North-east On the East lye the Counties of Bedford and Huntingdon on the South those of Buckingham and Oxford Westward Warwick and Northward those of Leicester Rutland and Lincoln separated by the rivers Avon the less and the Welland Watling-street one of the Roman high-ways runs along the East-side from the Ouse to Dowbridge the Nen call'd also by Historians Aufona gently cuts through the middle and east parts It is a Champain Country very populous and every where adorn'd with Noblemen and Gentlemen's houses very full of Towns and Churches insomuch that in some places there are 20 in others 30 Spires or Steeples more or less in view at a time It s soil both for tillage and pasturage exceeding fertile but not well stock'd with wood unless at the hither and further end But every where as in other Provinces of England full and as it were over-run with sheep Shâ—ep which as that Hythodaeus said us'd to be so gentle â—iâ— Tâ—â— M. â—s Uâ—â—â—â— and fed with so little but now as 't is reported begin to be so ravenous and wild that they devour men waste and depopulate fields houses and towns a On the South border where the river Ouse so often mention'd has its spring on a gently rising ground full of bubbling fountains stands Brackley â—â—â—â—klâ—y that is a place full of brake or fern anciently a famous staple for Wooll but which now only boasts how great and wealthy it once was by its ruins and by a Mayor it retains for its chief Magistrate The Zouches Lords of the place founded a College there from them it came successively by right of marriage to the Hollands and the Lovels But upon the attainder of Lovel in King Henry the seventh's time the Stanleys by the King's grant became Lords of it But the College ruinous now belongs to Magdalen College in Oxford who keep it for a retiring place Nor was this town a little famous in former ages for the memory of Rumbald a young infant who as we read in his life was a King's son and as soon as he was born after he had spoken I know not what holy words had profess'd himself a Christian and had been immediately baptiz'd expir'd 1 And being canoniz'd by the people amongst the Saints had his commemoration kept both here and at Buckingham From hence northward after I had gone six miles through woods and groves first I saw Astwell where T. Billing formerly Lord Chief Justice of the King's Bench dwelt in great repute from whom it descended hereditarily to the ancient family of the Lovels Then Wedon and Wapiham which the family of the Pinkneys held by Barony The Barony 〈◊〉 â—he Pinkâ—â—ys till such time as H. de Pinkney made King Edward the first his heir Who being an excellent Prince many ill men made him their heirs whereas according to Tacitus a good father makes no Prince but a bad one his heir From hence I presently came to Tripontium Tripontium which Antonine takes notice of but not in its right place For I am of opinion this was that very place we now call Torcester nor are there good Arguments wanting to prove this If Trimontium in Thrace had that name of three Hills Triturrita in Tuscany of three Towers and Tripolis of three Cities there is no room to doubt but that this Tripontium of ours was so nam'd of three Bridges And here at this Torcester the Roman Praetorian or Military-way which very plainly appears in several places between this and Stony-Stratford is cut in two by three principal chanels that the little river divides it self into which as well anciently as now must have had of necessity three several Bridges over them Now if you ask a Britain how he calls Three Bridges in British he will presently answer you Tair ponte and certain persons of good credit from whom I receiv'd some Roman coins here positively affirm that Torcester is its true name Some will have the River's name Toue that runs by it and think it was so call'd of Towers Nevertheless Marianus calls it Touecester if the Book be not faulty in whom we read that this town was so fortified in the year of our Lord 917. that the Danes were by no means able to take it and that King Edward the Elder afterwards encompass'd it with a Stone-wall yet with all my search I could find no signs of any such Wall Only there is a Mount still remaining cast up in ancient times they call it Berihill now taken up in private Gardens and planted on every side with Cherry Trees And time it self has so ruin'd the town that it is beholden to the situation the name and the ancient Coins ever now and then found here for its reputation of antiquity For it has nothing worth taking notice of but one only Church large and fair in which D. Sponte formerly Rector thereof by report a good Benefactor both to Church and Town lies enterr'd in a Tomb of excellent workmanship But at Elton hard by you have a prospect of a fine house belonging to the family of the Farmers Knights The river that waters Torcester in its course from hence towards the Ouse runs by Grafton Grafton now an Honour of the King 's but formerly a seat of the family of Widdevil Widdevil or Wodâ—il out of which came Richard a person much renowned for his virtue and valour who was fined 1000 l. of our money by King Henry the sixth for marrying Jaquet Dowager of John Duke of Bedford and daughter of Peter of Luxenburgh Earl of St. Paul without leave of the King Yet afterwards he advanced the same person to the Honour of Baron Widdevil of Rivers Parl. 27 H. 6. With Elizabeth this Lord's daughter King Edward the fourth privately
with its Fairs Richard Harecourt obtain'd from King Edward 1. e The battel was fought at three miles distance from this town but because this was the most remarkable it was therefore said to be at Bosworth-field Mr. Burton Hist of Leicestershire p. 47. has given us several remains of that engagement as pieces of armour arrow-heads c. digg'd up there Near this town within the memory of our grandfathers the right of the Crown of England happen'd to be finally determin'd by a battel For there Henry Earl of Richmond with a small body of men gave battel to Richard the third who in a most wicked manner had usurp'd the Crown and whilst for the liberty of his Country Henry with his party valiantly expos'd himself to death he happily overcame and slew the Tyrant and in the midst of blood and slaughter was with joyful acclamations saluted King having by his valour deliver'd England from the dominion of a tyrant and by his prudence eas'd the nation from the disquiet of civil dissentions d Hereupon Bernardus Andreas a Poet of Tholouse who liv'd in those days in an Ode to Henry 7. alludes thus to the Roses which were the †Insignia Device of that King Ecce nunc omnes posuere venti Murmura praeter Zephyrum tepentem Hic Rosas nutrit nitidósque flores Veris amoeni Now the rough tempests all have breath'd their last All winds are hush't except the gentle west By whose kind gales are blushing Roses blown And happy spring with all its joys comes on Other things worthy our mention near this way we do not meet with unless it be at a greater distance f This place is largely desrib'd by Mr. Burton in his History of Leicestershire p. 16. Ashby de la Zouch Ashby Barons Zouch of Ashby a most pleasant town now belonging to the Earls of Huntingdon formerly to Alan de la Zouch 7 Who descended from Alan Viscount of Rohan in Little-Britain and Constantia his wife daughter to Conan le Grosse Earl of Britain and Maud his wife the natural daughter of Henry the first a Baron who bore for his arms on a Shield Gules 10 Bezants This man having marry'd one of the heiresses of Roger de Quincy Earl of Winchester in her right came to a great estate in this County but having commenced a suit against John Earl of Warren who chose rather to determine the matter by Sword than by Law he was kill'd by him in the King's-hall at Westminster An. 1279. And some few years after the daughters and heirs of his Nephew convey'd this estate by their marriages into the families of Seymour 8 Of Castle Cary. and Holland Hollands 9 Yet their father first bestow'd this Ashby upon Sir Richard Mortimer of Richards-castle his Cousin whose youger issue thereupon took the surname of Zouch and were Lords of Ashby But from Eudo a younger son of Alane who was slain in Westminster-hall the Lords Zouch of Haringworth branch'd out and have been for many descents Barons of the Realm But this town came afterwards to the family of Hastings who have here a very magnificent seat of which family William procured from Henry the sixth the privilege of certain Fairs Nor ought I to pass over in silence Cole-Overton â—â—â—ton the seat of H. de Bellomont or Beaumont 10 Descended from Sir Thomas Beaumont Lord of Bachevill in Normandy brother to the first Viscount Which Sir Thomas as some write was he who was slain manfully fighting at such time as the French recover'd Paris from the English in the time of King Henry the sixth branch'd from that famous family of the Viscounts de Bellomont It hath a name of distinction from Pit-Coles 〈◊〉 Coles being a bituminous earth harden'd by nature and here to the Lord of the Manour's great profit digg'd up in such plenty as to supply the neighbouring Country all about with firing The river Soar as I have already observ'd cuts through the middle of this County which rising not far from the Street-way and encreasing with the addition of many running waters flows gently Northward and in its course passes by the West and North-sides of the principal town of the Shire call'd by Author's g In the Saxon it has several names according to the several Copies Legerceaster Ligoraceaster Lygraceaster Legraceaster Legoraceaster In reading our ancient Histories it ought to be carefully distinguish'd from the British Caerlegion or Caerleon West-Chester which is nam'd Legeceaster Legaceaster and by middle ag'd writers Legacestre See a large description of this place in Mr. Burton's Antiquities of Leicestershire p. 160 c. Lege-cestria Leogora Legeo-cester and Leicester Leicester It is a place that shows great antiquity and no less beauty in its buildings In the year 680 when Sexwulph by King Ethelred's order divided the kingdom of the Mercians into Dioceses he plac'd here a Bishop's seat and became himself the first Bishop of this See But after few years the See being translated to another place that dignity determin'd and the reputation of the town by little and little decay'd till Edelfleda a noble Lady in the year after our Saviour's nativity 914 repair'd and fortify'd the place with new walls so that Matthew Paris in his Lesser History writes thus Legecestria is a most wealthy city and encompast with an indissoluble wall of which if the foundation were strong and good the place would be inferiour to no city whatsoever At the coming in of the Normans it was well peopled and frequented and had many Burgesses Twelve of whom as we find recorded in William the first 's Book were by ancient Tenure to go with the King as often as he went to war But in case he made an expedition by sea then they sent four horses as far as London for the carriage of arms or other necessaries This town paid to the King yearly thirty pounds by tale and twenty in Ore 11 That is by weight and five and twenty h A measure containing our pint and a half or in weight 24 ounces Sextaries of Honey i This as Mr. Burton observes was done by Richard Lucie Lord Chief Justice of England to whom the government of this nation was committed the King then being absent in Ireland A. D. 1173. But in the time of Henry the second it was oppress'd with great miseries and the walls demolisht when Robert sirnam'd Bossu that is Crook-back Earl of Leicester endeavour'd an insurrection against his Prince Which Matthew Paris delivers in these words For the contumacy of Earl Robert in opposing the King the noble city of Leicester was besieged and ruin'd by King Henry and the wall which seem'd indissoluble thrown down to the very foundation quite round Let me add out of the said Lesser History That the walls being faulty in the foundations when they were undermin'd and the props burnt that supported them fell in great pieces which remain
of the Graves of the great family of Mansfield in Germany who assert the Antiquity of the family of Mansfeld in Germany and that the first Earl of Mansfeld was at the Celebration of the round Table with our Arthur and that he was born here Our Kings were formerly wont to retire hither for the sake of hunting and that you may have it in the very words of an old Inquisition Henry Fauconberge held the manour of Cukeney in this County by Serjeanty for shooing the King's horse when he came to Mansfeld 9 And the hereditary Foresters or Keepers of this Forest of Shirewood were men in their times of high estimation viz. Sir Gerard de Normanvile in the time of the Conquest the Cauzes and Birkins by whose heir it came to the Everinghams Of which family Sir Adam Everingham was summon'd to Parliaments in the reigns of King Edw. 2. and King Edw. 3. At which time they were seated at Laxton anciently call'd Lexinton where also fleurish'd a great family so sirnam'd whose heirs were marry'd into the houses of Sutton of Averham and Markham Many small rivers spring out of this wood and run towards the Trent the chief of them is Idle â—dle upon which near Idleton in the year 616 the great success and fortune of Ethered a most potent King of the Northumbrians stopp'd and fail'd him For whereas he had formerly always fought with great success here his fortune vary'd and he was cut off being defeated by Redwald King of the East Angles who set Edwin excluded then and depriv'd of the throne of his Ancestors over Northumberland The course of this little river lyes at no great distance from Markham â—â—rkham a small village but yet it has given name to the Markhams a family very famous heretofore both for antiquity and virtue 10 Being descended from one of the heirs of Cressy and formerly from an heir of Lexinton as I lately shew'd the greatest ornament of which was J. Markham who was Lord Chief Justice of England and temper'd his Judgments with so much equity as you may read in the Histories of England that the glory of him will never perish in after ages i He dy'd as appears from an inscription in Markham-Church of S. Silvester's day An. D. 1409. Six miles from hence to the westward stands Workensop â—â— kensop known for its great produce of liquorice â—â—qâ—orice and famous for the Earl of Shrewsbury's house there built in this age by George Talbot Earl of Shrewsbury with magnificence becoming the state of so great an Earl and yet not to contract envy To the Talbots it came with a great inheritance from the Lovetofts first Lords of it in the Norman times by the Furnivals and Nevils Of these Lovetofts G. Lovetoft in Henry the first 's time built a Monastery here the ruins of which are still to be seen among very pleasant meadows on the East-side of the town but the West-part of the Church is yet remaining with two towers very fair and beautiful i A little higher upon the same river I saw Blithe â—â—â—the a noted market-town which was fortify'd with a castle as I was inform'd by Bulley or Busly a Nobleman of Norman extract but at this day hardly the ruins of it are visible so destructive is age to every thing But the little Monastery there was built by Roger Busly and Foulk de Lisieurs and this is almost the last town of Nottinghamshire to the Northward unless it be Scroby â—â—roby a little town belonging to the Arch-Bishop of York seated in the very edge of it William sirnam'd the Conquerour Lords and Earls of Nottingham Lib. M. Linton Matth. Paris p. 126. See the Earls of Derby Matth. Paris p. 204. Hoveden p. 373. b. Inq. 6 Ric. 2. made his natural son William Peverell ruler of this County not by the title of Earl but Lord of Nottingham who had a son that dy'd during the life of his father and he likewise a son of the same name depriv'd of his estate by Henry the second for preparing a dose of poyson for Ranulph Earl of Chester About the same time Robert de Ferrariis who plunder'd Nottingham us'd this title in the gift he made to the Church of Tuttesbury Robert the younger Earl of Nottingham But afterwards King Richard the first gave and confirm'd to his brother John the County and Castle of Nottingham with the whole Honour of Peverell Long after that Richard the second honour'd John de Mowbray with this title who dying young and without issue his brother Thomas succeeded him who by Richard the second was created Earl Marshal and Duke of Norfolk and being banish't immediately after he begat Thomas Earl Marshal beheaded by Henry the fourth and John Mowbray who as also his son and grandson was Duke of Norfolk and Earl of Nottingham But the issue male of this family failing and Richard the infant-son of Edward the fourth Duke of York having enjoy'd this title among others 11 By his wife the heir of the Mowbraies for a small time Richard the third honour'd William Marquess of Barkley and Henry the eighth grac'd Henry Fitz-Roy his natural son 12 When he created him Duke of Richmond who both dy'd without issue with this title of Earl of Nottingham And lately in 1597. Queen Elizabeth solemnly invested Charles Howard High Admiral of England who is descended from the Mowbrays with this honour for his service as the Charter of his creation has it so stoutly and faithfully perform'd by Sea against the Spaniard in the year 1588. and his taking of Cadiz in the year 1596. he then commanding by Sea as the Earl of Essex did by Land There are 168 Parish-Churches in this County ADDITIONS to NOTTINGHAMSHIRE THE Antiquities of this County were publish'd An. 1677. by Robert Thoroton Doctor of Physick a native of it with great accuracy and exactness But keeping close to the descent of families and possessions of estates in which he has shown a great curiosity Mr. Camden and he have carry'd on two very different designs Had he given himself the liberty of making digressions upon British Roman and Saxon Antiquities as Mr. Burton in his history of Leicestershire has done his curiosity must needs have discover'd a great many things of that nature which might have been of considerable use towards the improvement of Camden Since then he has confin'd himself to the business of possessions for those matters I refer the Reader thither where he may have ample satisfaction and will go along with our Author in that part of Antiquity which he has principally touch'd upon a Going out of Leicestershire the Foss-way Foss-way which is the best if not the only direction for what we principally look after leads us into the South-part of this County and carrys us along the East of it into Lincolnshire And because Mr. Camden has taken no notice of it the best service that
Canutus founded for Nuns who being expell'd within a little time in the year 1040. Leofrick Earl of Mercia enlarg'd it and in a manner built it a-new with so great a show of gold and silver to use Malmesbury's words that the walls of the Church seem'd too strait to contain the treasures of it It was very prodigious to behold for from one beam were scrap'd w Five hundred marks Malmesb. See Dugdale's Warwickshire 50 marks of silver And he endow'd it with so great revenues that Robert de Limsey Bishop of Lichfield and Chester remov'd his See hither as to the golden sands of Lydia that as the same Malmesbury hath it he might steal from the treasures of the Church wherewithall to fill the King's Coffers to cheat the Pope of his provisions and gratifie the Roman avarice However this See after a few years return'd back to Lichfield but upon these terms that one and the same Bishop should be stil'd Bishop of Coventry and Lichfield The first Lord of this City that I know of 〈◊〉 of â—â—â—try was Leofrick who being incens'd against the Citizens laid upon them very heavy taxes these he would by no means remit notwithstanding the great intercession of his Lady Godiva unless she would consent to â—ide naked thro' the most frequented parts of the city â—â—50 which if credit may be given to tradition she perform'd â—egus having cover'd her body with her long dangling hair without being seen by any one and so freed her Citizens from many heavy impositions From Leofrick this City by Lucia his son Algar's daughter came into the possession of the Earls of Chester for she had marry'd Ranulph the first Earl of that name and the third of the family who granted the same Liberties to Coventry that Lincoln enjoy'd and gave a great part of the City to the Monks the residue of it and Chilmore their manour-house near the City he reserv'd to him and his heirs who dying and the inheritance for want of issue-male coming to be divided amongst the sisters Coventry by the death of the Earls of Arundel fell to Roger de Monte alto De monte Alto. or Monthault whose grandson Robert granted all his right for want of issue-male to Queen Isabel Mother of King Edw. 3. to hold during her life after her decease the remainder to John de Eltham brother of the King and to the heirs of his body begotten In default of such the remainder to Edward King of England and his heirs for ever For so you have it in a Fine the second year of Edward 3. But John of Eltham was afterwards created Earl of Cornwall and this place became annex'd to the Earldom of Cornwall from which time it hath flourish'd very much Several Kings gave it divers immunities and privileges especially Edward 3. who granted them the electing of a Mayor and two Bayliffs 11 And to build and embattle a wall about it and Henry 6. who having laid to it some of the neighbouring villages granted by his Charter For so are the very words of it That it should be an entire County incorporate by it self in deed and name distinct from the County of Warwick At which time in lieu of two Bayliffs he constituted two Sheriffs and the Citizens began to enclose it with very strong walls In these are very noble and beautiful gates at that which goes by the name of Gofford is to be seen a vast shield-bone of a Boar which you may believe that Guy of Warwick or Diana of the Groves which you please kill'd in hunting after he had with his shout turn'd up the pit or pond that is now called Swansewell-pool but in ancient Charters Swineswell As to the Longitude of this City it lies in 25 degrees and 52 scruples the Latitude in 52 degrees and 25 scruples Thus much of Coventry which yet that I may ingenuously acknowledge the person who furnish'd me with it you must know you have not from me but from Henry Ferrars of Badsley a person to be respected as for his birth so for his great knowledge in Antiquity and my very good friend who in this and other places courteously directed me and as it were gave me leave to light my candle at his s Near Coventry to the North are situated Ausley Ausley a castle heretofore of the Hastings Lords of Abergavenny and ww Brandon Brand Brand. of old a seat of the Verdons To the East is placed Caloughdon vulgarly call'd Caledon Caledon an ancient seat of the Barons Segrave Barons Segrave from whom it descended to the Barons de Berkley by one of the daughters of Thomas Mowbray Duke of Norfolk These Segraves from the time that Stephen de Segrave was Lord Chief Justice of England were Barons of this Realm and enjoy'd the inheritance of the Chaucumbs whose Arms from that time they assumed viz. Arms of the Segraves A Lion rampant Argent crowned Or in a shield Sable John the last of this family marry'd Margaret Dutchess of Norfolk daughter of Thomas de Brotherton and had issue Elizabeth who carry'd the honour of Marshal of England and title of Duke of Norfolk into the family of the Mowbrays Not far from hence is Brinkle Brinkle-castle where was an ancient castle of the Mowbrays to which belong'd many fair possessions lying round it but time hath swept away the very ruins of it t as also of the Monastery of Combe Combe-Abbey which the Camvils and the Mowbrays endow'd Out of whose ashes the fair structure of the Harringtons arose in this place As you go Eastward x Anciently writ Thester Over as being seated castward of Monks-kirby and call'd but lately Cester-over by the inhabitants Dugd. Warwicksh p. 60. Cester-over presents it self the possession of the Grevils of whom I have before made mention Near which Watling street a Military way of the Romans dividing this County to the North from Leicestershire passes by High-cross of which we have already spoken near Nonn-eaton which of old was call'd Eaton but Amicia the wise of Robert Bossu Earl of Leicester as Henry Knighton writes having founded a Monastery of Nuns here in which she her self was profess'd of that number from those Nuns it got the name of Non-Eaton And formerly it was of great fame for the piety of its holy virgins who being constant in their devotions gave a good example of holy living to all about them Near this stood heretofore Asteley-castle Asteley the chief seat of the family of the Asteleys 12 Out of which flourish'd Barons in the time of King Edward the first second and third Baron Asteâ—ey the heiress of which was the second wife of Reginald Grey Lord of Ruthin From him sprang the Greys Marquisses of Dorset some of whom lye interr'd 13 In a most fine and fair Collegiate Church which Thomas Lord Astley founded with a Dean and Secular Canons in the neat
by mediation of Enion ap Kadîvor a Nobleman who had married his daughter Robert Fitz-Haimon 〈…〉 a Norman son of Haimon Dentatus Earl of Corboil Who forthwith levied an Army of choice Souldiers and taking to his assistance twelve Knights as Adventurers in this Enterprize â— Eâ—â—gâ—â—t first gave RhÅ·s battel and slew him and afterwards being allur'd with the fertility of the Country which he had before conceiv'd sure hopes to be Lord of turning his Forces against Jestin himself for that he had not kept his Articles with Enion he soon deprived him of the Inheritance of his Ancestors and divided the Country amongst his Partners The barren Mountains he granted to Enion but the fertile Plains he divided amongst these twelve Associates whom he had called Peers and himself on that condition that they should hold their Land in Fee and Vassalage of him as their chief Lord to assist each other in common and that each of them should defend his station in his Castle of Caèrdiffe eâ—d ffe and attend him in his Court at the administration of Justice It may not perhaps be foreign to our purpose if we add their names out of a Book written on this subject either by Sir Edward Stradling or Sir Edward Maunsel for 't is ascribed to both of them both being very well skill'd in Genealogy and Antiquities William of London or de Londres Richard Granvil Pain Turbervil Oliver St. John Robert de St. Quintin Roger Bekeroul William Easterling so call'd for that he was descended from Germany whose Posterity were call'd Stradlings Gilbert Humfranvil Richard Siward John Flemming Peter Soore Reginald Sully The river Rhymny gliding from the Mountains makes the Eastern limit of this County whereby it is divided from Monmouthshire and in the British * Rhanna Remny signifies to divide In a Moorish bottom not far from this river where it runs through places scarce passable among the hills are seen the ruinous walls of Caer-phily-castle Caerphily-castle which has been of that vast magnitude and such an admirable structure that most affirm it to have been a Roman Garrison nor shall I deny it tho' I cannot yet discover by what name they call'd it However it should seem to have been re-edified in regard it has a Chapel built after the Christian manner as I was inform'd by the learned and judicious Mr. J. Sanford who took an accurate survey of it It was once the possession of the Clares Earls of Glocester but we find no mention of it in our Annals till the reign of Edward the second For at that time the Spensers having by underhand practices set the King and Queen and the Barons at difference we read that Hugolin Spenser was a long time besieged in this Castle but without success a Upon this river also but the place is uncertain Ninnius informs us that Faustus a pious godly son of Vortigern a most wicked father erected a stately Edifice Where with other devout men he daily pray'd unto God that he would not punish him for the sins of his father who committing most abominable Incest had begotten him on his own daughter and that his father might at last seriously repent and the Country be freed from the Saxon war A little lower Ptolemy places the mouth of Rhatostabius The mouth of Rhatostabius or Rhatostibius a maim'd word for the British Traeth Tâv which signifies the sandy Frith of the river Taf. For there the river Taf gliding from the Mountains falls into the Sea at Lan-daf Landaffe that is the Church on the river Taf a small place seated in a bottom but dignified with a Bishop's See in the Diocese whereof are 154 Parishes and adorn'd with a Cathedral consecrated to St. Teiliau Bishop thereof Hist Landavensis Which Church was then erected by the two Gallick Bishops Germanus and Lupus when they had suppress'd the Pelagian Heresie that prevail'd so much in Britain and Dubricius a most devout man they first preferr'd to the Bishoprick to whom Meurick a British Prince granted all the Lands between Taf and Eli. From hence Taf continues its course to Caerdiffe Caerdiffe in British Kaer DÅ·dh * Câ—rruptly I suppose for Caer DÅ·v a neat Town considering the Country and a commodius Haven fortified with Walls and a Castle by the Conquerour Fitz Haimon who made it both the Seat of War and a Court of Justice Where besides a standing Army of choice Souldiers the twelve Knights or Peers were obliged each of them to defend their several stations Notwithstanding which a few years after one Ivor Bâch a Britain who dwelt in the Mountains a man of small stature but of resolute courage marched hither with a band of Souldiers privately by night and seiz'd the Castle carrying away William Earl of Glocester Fitz-Haimon's grandson by the daughter together with his wife and son whom he detain d prisoners till he had receiv'd satisfaction for all injuries But how Robert Curthose Rob. Curthâ—se D of Normâ—ndy eldest son of William the Conquerour a man in Martial Prowess but too adventurous and fool-hardy was depâ—ived by his younger brothers of all hopes of succession to the Crown and bereft of both his eyes lived in this Castle till he became an old man may be seen in our English Historians Whereby we may also learn That to be born of the Blood-royal does not ensure us of either Liberty or Safety Scarce three miles from the mouth of the river Taf in the very winding of the shore there are two small but very pleasant Islands divided from each other and also from the main Land by a narrow Frith The hithermost is call'd Sully Sully so call'd perhaps from the Silures from a town opposite to it to which Robert de Sully whose share it was in the Division is thought to have given name tho' we might as well suppose he took his name from it The farthermost is call'd Barry from St. Baruch who lyes buried there who as he gave name to the place so the place afterwards gave sirname to its Proprietors For that noble family of Viscount Barry in Ireland is thence denominated In a maritim Rock of this Island saith Giraldus there is a narrow chink or chest A remarkable Cave to which if you put your ear you shall perceive such a noise as if Smiths were at work there For sometimes you hear the blowing of the bellows at other times the stroaks of the hammers also the grinding of tools the hissing noise of steel-gads of fire burning in furnaces c. These sounds I should suppose might be occasion'd by the repercussion of the Sea-waters into these chinks but that they are continued at low ebb when there 's no water at all as well as at the full tide b Nor was that place unlike to this which Clemens Alexandrinus mentions in the seventh Book of his Stromata Historians inform us that in the Isle of Britain there is a certain
Monuments of this kind in Wales some of which we shall take notice of in other Counties In Anglesey where there are many of them as also in some other places they are call'd Krom-lecheu a name deriv'd from Krwm which signifies crooked or inclining and lhech a flat stone but of the name more hereafter 'T is generally supposed they were places of burial but I have not yet learn'd that ever any Bones or Urns were found by digging under any of them Edward Somerset Lord Herbert of Chepstow Ragland and Gower obtain'd of K. Charles 1. the title of Earl of Glamorgan Earls of Glamogan his father the Lord Marquiss of Worcester being then alive the Succession of which Family may be seen in the Additions to Worcestershire DIMETAE a _THE remainder of this Region which is extended Westward and call'd by the English West-Wales West-Wales comprehending Caer-mardhin-shire Pembrokeshire and Cardiganshire was thought by Pliny to have been inhabited by the Silures But Ptolemy to whom Britain was better known placed another Nation here whom he call'd Dimetae and Demetae Moreover both Gildas and Ninnius used the word Demetia to signifie this Country whence the Britains call it at this day Dyved changing the M into V according to the propriety of that Language If it would not be thought a strain'd piece of curiosity I should be apt to derive this appellation of the Demetae from the words Deheu-meath which signifie the Southern plain as all this South-Wales has been call'd Deheu-barth i.e. the Southern Part. And I find that elsewhere the Inhabitants of a champain Country in Britain were call'd by the Britains themselves Meatae Nor does the situation of this Country contradict that signification for when you take a prospect of it the Hills decline gently and it dilates it self gradually to a Plain a Seing it was the custom amongst the Romans to retain such names of the places they conquer'd as the ancient Natives made use of adding only a Latin termination it may seem more probable that Dimetia was mâ—de out of the British name Dyved than the contrary But whatever the original name of this County might be I cannot subscribe to our Author's conjecture of the etymon of it for we find no such word in the British Language either in Manuscripts or common use as Meath for a plain champain Country Tho indeed if there were such a word they that are well acquainted with those Counties would scarce allow it applicable to them CAER-MARDHIN-SHIRE THE County of Kaer-Vyrdhin call'd by the English Caer-Mardhin-shire is a Country sufficiently supply'd with Corn very well stock'd with Cattel and in divers places affords plenty of Coal It is bounded on the East with Glamorgan and Brecknock shires on the West with Pembroke on the North divided from Cardiganshire by the river Teivi and on the South with the main Ocean which encroaches on the Land here with such a vast Bay 〈◊〉 that this Country might seem out of fear to have withdrawn it self In this Bay Kydweli first offers it self the territory whereof was possessed for some time by the sons of Keianus a Scot until they were driven out by Kynèdhav a British Prince But now it is esteem'd part of the Inheritance of Lancaster by the heirs of Maurice of London or de Londres who removing from Glamorganshire after a tedious war made himself Master of it and fortified old Kydweli with Walls and a Castle now decay'd with age For the Inhabitants passing over the river of Gwen-draeth vechan built new Kydweli invited thither by the conveniency of a Haven which yet at present is of no great use being choak'd with shelves â—â—hâ—an â—â—an of â—y conâ—â— When Maurice of London invaded these Territories Gwenlhîan the wife of Prince Gryffydh a woman of invincible courage endeavouring to restore her husband's declining state enter'd the field with display'd banner and encounter'd him But the success not being answerable to her courage she with her son Morgan and divers other Noblemen as Giraldus informs us were slain in the field 〈◊〉 of â—or and â—â—eli By Hawis the daughter and heiress of 1 Sir Thomas of London Thomas de Londres this fair Inheritance with the Title of Lord of Ogmor and Kydweli descended to Patrick Chaworth and by a daughter of his son Patrick to Henry Earl of Lancaster The heirs of Maurice de Londres as we read in an old Inquisition were obliged by this Tenure in case the King or his Chief Justice should lead an Army into these parts of Kydweli to conduct the said Army with their Banners and all their Forces through the midst of the Country of Neath to Lochor â—â—iver 〈◊〉 or â—â—s A little below Kydweli the river Towy which Ptolemy calls Tobius is received into the Ocean having passed the length of this County from North to South First by Lhan ym Dhyvri so call'd as is supposed from the confluence of rivers which out of malice to the English was long since demolish'd by Howel ap RhÅ·s â—â—r Afterwards by Dinevor-castle the Royal Seat of the Princes of South-Wales whilst they flourish'd situated aloft on the top of a Hill And at last by Caer-mardhin which the Britains themselves call Kaer-Vyrdhin Ptolemy Maridunum Maridunum and Antoninus Muridunum who continues not his journeys any farther than this place Caer-Mardhin and is here by negligence of the Copyists ill handled For they have carelesly confounded two Journeys the one from Galena to Isca the other from Maridunum to Viroconovium This is the chief town of the County pleasantly seated for Meadows and Woods and a place of venerable Antiquity fortified neatly saith Giraldus with brick-walls partly yet standing on the noble river of Towy navigable with ships of small burden tho' the mouth of it be now almost stopp'd with a bed of Sand. Here our Merlin Merlin or Myrdhin Emris the British Tages was born for as Tages was reported to have been the son of a Genius and to have taught the Tuscans South-saying so our Merlin who was said to have been the son of an Incubus devised Prophecies or rather mere Phantastical Dreams for our Britains Insomuch that in this Island he has the reputation of an eminent Prophet amongst the ignorant common people a Soon after the Normans enter'd Wales this town fell into their possession but by whose means I know not and a long time it encounter'd many difficulties having been often besieged and twice burnt first by Gryffydh ap RhÅ·s and afterwards by RhÅ·s the said Gryffydh's brother At which time Henry Turbervil an Englishman reliev'd the castle and cut down the bridge But the walls and castle being afterwards repair'd by Gilbert de Clare it was freed from these miseries so that being thus secured it bore the tempests of war much easier afterwards The Princes of Wales eldest sons of the Kings of England settl'd here their Chancery and Exchequer for South-Wales Opposite to this city
Karneu with the addition of the English termination don signifying Mountain or Hill as in Snowdon Huntingdon c. which conjecture is much confirm'd when we consider there are many hills in Wales denominated from such heaps of stones as Karn Lhechart in Glamorganshire Karnedh Dhavidh Karnedh Higin and Karnedh Lhewelyn in Caernarvonshire with many more in other Counties d Tralhwn from Tre'r Lhyn is an Etymology â—â—ymology 〈◊〉 the word â—â—alhwn agreeable enough with the situation of this place otherwise I should be apt to suspect the word Tralhwn might be the name of a place near this pool before the town was built and that the town afterwards took its name from it For in some parts of Wales 't is a common appellative for such soft places on the Roads or elsewhere as travellers may be apt to sink into as I have observ'd particularly in the Mountains of Glamorganshire And that a great deal of the ground near this place is such is also very well known As for the Etymon of the appellative Tralhwn I suppose it only an abbreviation of Traeth lyn i.e. a Quagmire e Concerning the situation of the old Mediolanum â—edâ—olaâ—â—m our Author seems to discourse with that judgment and modesty as becomes the character he justly bears in the world and since his time I cannot learn that any Roman Monuments have been discover'd at either of the places he mentions that might remove his scruples and fully determine the position of that City His arguments for the agreeableness of the names of Mediolanum and Mylhin though he writes it Methlin are so valid that I know not what can be objected to them However it seems observable that we do not find it was customary among the Britains to prefix the word Lhan i.e. Church to the name of Roman Cities but if any word was prefixt 't was generally Kaer i.e. a Fort or Fence as Caer Lheion Kaer Went Kaer Vyrdhin c. And tho' we should allow the invalidity of this objection and suppose the word Lhan might be introduced in latter times yet considering that a learned and inquisitive Gentleman of this Town who amongst his other studies has always had a particular regard to the Antiquities of his Country has not in the space of forty years met with any Coyns here or other tokens of a place inhabited by the Romans nor yet discover'd the least signs that this town was anciently of any considerable note I think we cannot safely barely on account of its name and vicinity to the situation requir'd conclude it the old Mediolanum Therefore it seems convenient to have recourse to the situation assign'd this City by Dr. Powel before our Author writ his Britannia who in his learned Annotations on Giraldus's Itinerary * ‖ L 2. c. 4. assures us 't was not only the opinion of some Antiquaries that the ancient Mediolanum was seated where the village of Meivod stands at present but also that the same village and places adjoyning afforded in his time several such remarkable Monuments as made it evident there had been formerly a considerable town at that place This Meivod is seated about a mile below Mathraval on the North-side of the river Myrnwy and three miles Southward of Lhan Vylhin at the situation our Author requires At present there remains only a Church and a small village but several yet living have seen there the ruins of two other Churches I am inform'd that about a mile from the Church there 's a place call'd Erw'r Porth i.e. the Gate-acre which is supposed to have taken its name from one of the Gates of the old City and that in the grounds adjoyning to this village Cawsways Foundations of Buildings Floors and Harths are often discover'd by Labourers but whether any such Monuments as we may safely conclude Roman as Coyns Urns Inscriptions c. are found at this place I must leave to farther enquiry Meivod as Bishop Usher supposes is call'd by Nennius Cair Meguid and in other copies Cair Metguod but what the word Meguid or Metguod or yet Meivod or Mediolanum might signifie is hardly intelligible at present at leastwise I cannot discern that the modern British affords us any information concerning the origin of these names Mathraval mention'd here as formerly the seat of the Princes of Powys shews at present no remains of its ancient splendour there being only a small Farm-house where the Castle stood Lhan Vylhin is a market-town of considerable note first incorporated by Lhewelyn ap Grufydh Lord of Mechain and Mochnant in the time of Edward the second It 's govern'd by two Bailiffs chosen annually who besides other Privileges granted to the town by King Charles the second bearing date March 28. Anno Reg. 25. were made Justices of the Peace within the Corporation during the time of their being Bailiffs f The Lordship of Powys was afterwards purchased by Sir Edward Herbert second son of William Earl of Penbroke to whom succeeded his eldest son Sir William Herbert created Lord Powys by King James the first whom his son Percy succeeded in the same title But his son William was first made Earl of Powys by King Charles the second and afterwards Marquiss of Powys by King James Since Philip Herbert second son of Henry Earl of Penbroke was created Earl of Montgomery Earls of Montgomery 3 Jac. 1. May 4 the same persons have enjoy'd the titles of Penbroke and Montgomery and at present both are joyn'd in the right honourable Thomas Baron Herbert of Cardiff c. MEIRIONYDHSHIRE BEyond the County of Montgomery lies Meirionydhshire which the Britains call Sîr Veirionydh in Latin Mervinia and by Giraldus Terra filiorum Conani It reaches to the crooked bay I mention'd and is wash'd by the main Ocean on the west-side with such violence that it may be thought to have carried off some part of it On the south for some miles 't is divided from Cardiganshire by the river Dyvy and on the north borders on Caernarvon and Denbighshire Mountains exâ—eeding high This County hath such heaps of mountains that as Giraldus observes 't is the roughest and most unpleasant County of all Wales 1 And Wales For the hills are extraordinary high and yet very narrow and terminating in sharp peaks nor are they thin scatter'd but placed very close and so eaven in height that the shepherds frequently converse from the tops of them who yet in case they should wrangle and appoint a meeting can scarce come together from morning till night a Innumerable flocks of sheep graze on these mountains nor are they in any danger of Wolves Wolves in England destroy'd which are thought to have been then destroy'd throughout all England when King Edgar impos'd a yearly tribute of three hundred wolves skins on †No Prince of this name in Wales An leg Idwal See Derbyshire and Yorkshire Ludwal Prince of these Countries For as we find in William of Malmesbury When he had
which they still keep of which leader they are to this day called Dalreudini Dalreudini for in their language Dal Dal. signifies a part And a little after Ireland says he is the proper Country of the Scots for being departed out of it they added unto the Britons and Picts a 3d Nation in Britain And there is a very good Arm of the sea or a bay that antiently divided the Nation of the Britons from the Picts which from the West breaketh a great way into the Land and there to this day standeth the strongest City of the Britons call'd Alcluith In the Northern part of which bay the Scots whom I now mentioned when they came got themselves room to settle in Of that name Dalreudin there are now extant no remains that I know of nor any mention of it in Writers unless it be the same with Dalrieta Dalrieâ—â— For in an old little book of the Division of Albany we read of one Kinnadius who 't is certain was a King of Scotland and subdu'd the Picts in these very words Kinnadius two years before he came into Pictavia so it calls the country of the Picts enter'd upon the government of Dalrieta Also there is mention made in a more modern History of Dalrea Dalrea hereabouts where King Robert Brus fought a battle with ill success K. James the 4. with consent of the States of the Kingdom enacted that Justice should be administred to this province by the Justices Itinerant at Perth whensoever the King should think convenient But the Earls themselves have in some cases their Jura Regalia who are persons of very great authority and of a mighty interest deriving their pedigree from the antient petty Kings of Argile through an infinite series of Ancestors and taking their sirname from their Castle Cambel But they are oblig'd to King James the 2. for the honour and title of Earl who as it is recorded created Colin Lord Cambel Earl of Argile Earls oâ— Argile in regard to his own virtue and the dignity of his Family Whose Posterity by the favour of their Kings have been a good while General Justices of the Kingdom of Scotland or according to their way of expressing it Justices generally constitute and Great Masters of the King's Houshold e CANTIRE LOgh-Finn Logh-Finn a Lake that in the season produces incredible sholes of herrings divides Argile from a Promontory which for about 30 miles together growing by little and little into a sharp point thrusts it self with such a seeming earnestness towards Ireland separated from it by a narrow streight of scarce 13 miles as if it would call it over to it Ptolemy names this the Promontory of the Epidii Epidium between which name and the Islands Ebudae opposite to it methinks there is some affinity It is now called in Irish which language they use in all this Tract Can-tyre that is the Land's head 'T is inhabited by the family of Mac-Conell very powerful here but yet at the command of the Earl of Argile they sometimes in their Vessels make excursions for booty into Ireland and have possessed themselves of those little Provinces they call Glines and Rowte This Promontory lieth close to Knapdale by so small a neck of land being scarce a mile over and sandy too that the Sea-men by a short cut as it were transport their vessels over land from the Ocean to Logh-Finn Which a man would sooner beelieve than that the Argonautes laid their Argos upon their shoulders and carried it along with them 500 miles 10 From Aemonia to the shores of Thessalia f LORN SOmewhat higher lies Lorn towards the North a Country producing the best Barley divided by Logh-Leave a vast Lake upon which stands Berogomum Beâ—ogoâ—um a Castle wherein the Courts of Justice were antiently kept and not far from it Dunstafag that is Stephen's Mount antiently a seat of the Kings above which is Logh-Aber â—â—gh-â—â—â—r a Lake insinuating it self so far into the land out of the Western sea that it would meet the Lake of Ness which empties it self into the Eastern Ocean did not the hills which lie between separate them by a very narrow neck The chiefest place in this tract is Tarbar in Logh-Kinkeran where K. James 4. by authority of Parliament constituted a Justice and Sheriff to administer justice to the inhabitants of the Southern Isles These Countrys and these beyond them were in the year of Our Lord 605. held by those Picts which Bede calls the Northern Picts where he tells us that in the said Year Columbanus a Priest and Abbot Lib. 3. ca. 4. famous for the profession of Monkery came out of Ireland into Britain to instruct those in the Christian Religion that by the high and fearful ridges of mountains were sequester'd from the Southern Countrys of the Picts and that they in requital granted him m It does not appear that the Western-Isles belong'd to the Picts at that time so that they could not dispose of any part of them 'T is more probable that it was Hoia one of the Orkney-Isles the Island Hii lying over against them now call'd I-comb-kill of which in its proper place Its Stewards in the last Age were the Lords of Lorn but now by a female heir it is come to the Earls of Argile who always use this among their other titles of honour BRAID ALBIN MORE inwardly amongst the high and craggy ridges of the mountain Grampius where they begin a little to slope and settle downwards lies Braid-Albin n Now an Earldom in the family of the Campbels that is the highest part of Scotland For they that are the true and genuine Scots call Scotland in their Mother-Tongue Albin as that part where it rises up highest Drum-Albin that is the Ridge of Scotland But in a certain old Book it is read Brun-Albin where we find it thus written Fergus the son of Eric was the first of the seed of Chonare that enter'd upon the Kingdom of Albany from Brun-Albain to the Irish-sea and Inch-Gall And after him the Kings of the race of Fergus reigned in Brun-Albain or Brunhere unto Alpinus the son of Eochal But this Albany is better known for its Dukes than the fruits of its ground The first Duke of Albany that I read of 〈◊〉 of â—â—â—â—ny was Robert Earl of Fife advanced to that honour by his Brother K. Robert the 3. of that name yet he spurr'd on by ambition most ungratefully starved to death David this very brother's son and next heir to the Crown But the punishment due to this wicked fact which himself by the forbearance of God felt not came heavy upon his son Mordac or Murdo second Duke of Albany who was condemned for treason and beheaded after he had seen his two sons executed in like manner the day before The third Duke of Albany was Alexander 2. son of King James 2. who being Regent of the Kingdom Earl of
and although some of the Churches are defaced yet wants it not its beauties so divided too that almost every street is inhabited by a several trade apart and is furnished by the Tay every tide with commodities from sea in their light Vessels b. It gives the Title of Earl to the Family of Perth chief of the name of Drommonâ— Upon it J. Johnston so often mentioned PERTHUM Propter aquas Tai liquidas amoena vireta Obtinet in medio regna superba solo Nobilium quondam Regum clarissima sedes Pulchra situ pinguis germine dives agri Finitimis dat jura locis morémque modúmque Huic dare laus illis haec meruisse dari Sola inter patrias incincta est moenibus urbes Hostibus assiduis ne vaga praeda foret Quanta virum virtus dextrae quae praemia nôrunt Cimber Saxo ferox genus Hectoridum Felix laude novâ felix quoque laude vetustâ Perge recens priscum perpetuare decus Near Tay's great stream amongst delightful plains Majestick Perth in royal splendour reigns For lofty Courts of antient Kings renown'd Fair is the site and ever rich the ground Hence laws and manners neighb'ring parts receive Their praise 't is to deserve and hers to give No walls like her her sister towns can show Which guard her riches from the bord'ring foe How stout her Knights what noble spoils they won The Britains Saxons and the Danes have known Renown'd in eldest and in latest days Oh! may her glories with her years encrease And new deserts advance her antient praise And now lately King James 6. hath advanced Perth to an Earldom upon his creating James Baron Dromond Earl of Perth Earl of Perth Near Perth is Methven Barâ—â— Methven which Margaret of England Dowager to King James 4. purchased with ready money for her third husband Henry Stewart of the Blood Royal and his Heirs and withal obtained of her son James 5. the dignity of a Baron for him A little lower is Rethven a Castle of the Rethvens Râ—â—hven on Râ—eâ—erâ— a name to be accursed and raz'd out of all memorials since the States of the Kingdom past a decree that all of that name should lay it down and take a new one after that the Rethvens Brothers in an execrable and horrid conspiracy had plotted the murther of the best of Princes James 6. who had created their father William Earl of Gowry but afterwards upon his going insolently to prescribe Laws to his Sovereign and being convicted of High Treason beheaded him But I may seem to have said too much of persons condemned to eternal oblivion and yet the mentioning such wicked generations may be of use to caution posterity As for Gowry Gowry so much celebrated for its Corn-fields and the excellency of its soil it lyes along the other side of the Tay being a more level country In this Tract over against Perth on the farther side of Tay stands Scone Sâ—â—ne a famous Monastery in times past and honoured with the Coronation of the Kings of Scotland ever since King Keneth having hard by made a general slaughter of the Picts placed a stone here enclosed in a wooden chair for the Inauguration of the Kings of Scotland It had been transported out of Ireland into Argile and King Edw. 1. of England caused it to be convey'd to Westminster Concerning which I have inserted this Prophecy so common in every man's mouth since it hath now proved true as few of that sort do Ni fallat fatum Scoti quocunque locatum Inveniunt lapidem regnare tenentur ibidem Or Fate 's deceiv'd and heaven decrees in vain Or where they find this stone the Scots shall reign Now by the special favour of King James Scone gives the title of Baron to c He erected here stately buildings which are possessed by his heirs under the title of Vicounts of Stormont Theatr. Scotiae p. 46. David Murray Where the Tay now grown larger dilates it self Arrol Arrol hangs over it the seat of the noble Earls of Arrol Earls of Arrol they have been hereditary High Constables of Scotland ever since the Bruses times and deduce their original which is certainly very antient from one Hay a man of prodigious strength and courage who together with his sons in a dangerous battle against the Danes at Longcarty catching up an Ox-yoke by fighting valiantly and encouraging others rallied the retreating Scots so as they got the day Which victory and deliverance both the King and the States ascrib'd to his singular valour Whereupon several excellent lands were assign'd hereto him and his posterity who in testimony of this action have set a Yoke for their Crest over their Coat of Arms 13 Three Escutcheons gules in Argent As for Huntley-Castle Huntley-Castle hard by I have nothing to write of it but that it has given name to a very great and honourable family of which hereafter g ANGVS UPon the aestuary of the Tay and up a little way within it along the North-Eske lyes Angus called by the genuine Scots Aeneia extending it self into fields bearing wheat and all other sorts of grain large hills lakes forests pastures and meadows and beautified with several sorts and castles In the first entrance into it from Gowry stands Glamis â—â—o Glaâ—â—â— a Castle and the Barony of a Family sirnamed Lyons which have been famous ever since J. Lyon a great favourite of King Robert 2. received this and the dignity of a Baron with the King's daughter in Marriage and therewith as I find written the sirname of Lyon with a Lyon in his Arms within a Treassure Floury â—e shield 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 and â—reassure â—â—ry B. as the Kings themselves bear but in different colours Patrick now Lord Glamis very lately obtained the honour of Earl of Kinghorn from King James 6. At a little distance is Forfar â—isdom 〈◊〉 â—orfâ—r where for the administration of Justice the Barons Greies are hereditary Sheriffs 〈◊〉 â—ry who are descended from the Greies of Chillingham in Northumberland and came into Scotland with King James 1. when he returned out of England Upon the first of whom nam'd Andrew the King bountifully conferr'd the Lordship of Foulis with Helena Mortimer for his Wife â—â—ndee 〈◊〉 â—tene 〈◊〉 verb. â—â—if Near the Tay's mouth is Dundee d This Town has a good Trade fine buildings and an Hospital for the poor At present it gives the Title of Marquiss to the chief Family of the Grahams which the antients called Alectum others Taodunum a town well frequented and whose Constable by a peculiar privilege is Standard-bearer to the Kings of Scotland Hector Boetius â—â—â—tor â—â—â—tius who was here born expounds the name Dundee Donum Dei by allusion This person in that age when learning began again to flourish wrote an elegant history of Scotland out of such hidden monuments of Antiquity that Paulus Jovius wonder'd there should be
also Justices of Assize Nisi prius and Oyer and Terminer as in England Justices of Peace in every County to preserve the Peace and the King has his Serjeant at Law his Attorney and his Sollicitor General There are also other Governors besides these to administer justice in the remoter Provinces and that is in Conaugh stilled chief Commissioner is call'd b Since the Country has been well inhabited with English and much more civiliz'd than heretofore the Presidencies of Munster and Conaught were superseded by King Charles II. about the year 1671. President in Munster who have certain of the Gentry and Lawyers to assist them and are all directed by the Lord Deputy As for their Law the Common-law used there is the same with this of ours in England For thus it is in the Records of the Kingdom King Henry the third in the twelfth of his reign sent an order to his Justice in Ireland that he should assemble the Archbishops Bishops Barons and Knights of that Kingdom and make the Charter of King John be read unto them which he did accordingly giving them an oath to observe the laws and customs of England and that they should hold and keep the same 3 Nevertheless the meer Irish did not admit them but retain'd their own Brehon-Laws and lâ—ud Customs And the Kings of England used a connivance therein upon some deep consideration not vouchsafing to communicate the benefit of the English Laws but upon especial grace to especial families or sects namely the O Neales O Conors O Brien O Maloghlins and Mac Murough which were reputed of the blood royal among them So that even the Parliamentary Laws or Statutes of England were of force in Ireland till King Henry the seventh's time For in the tenth year of his reign they were established and confirmed by Act of Parliament in Ireland 4 In the time of Sir Edward Poinings government But since that time they have lived by Acts and Statutes of their own making Besides these civil Magistrates they have also one Military officer named the c There being no War in the Kingdom there is no such Officer Marshal Marshal of Ireland who is serviceable to the State not only in restraining the insolence of soldiers but also in checking the outrage of rebels who are now and then troublesome This office formerly belonged hereditarily to the Lords Morley of England 9 of King John For King John gave them this Office to hold in see of him in these words We have given and granted to John Marshall for his homage and service our Marshalship of Ireland with all appurtenances We have given him likewise for his homage and service the Cantred wherein standeth the town of Kilbunny to have and to hold to him and his heirs of us and our heirs From him it descended in a right line to the Barons of Morley This Marshal has under him * Submaresâ—allum a Provost-Marshal and sometimes more according to the difficulties and exigencies of affairs who exercise their authority by Commission and Instructions under the Great Seal of Ireland But these and all other curiosities of this nature I leave to the diligence of others As for the methods of Justice and Government among the wild Irish I shall take care to insert something in a more proper place when I come to treat of their Mannors and Customs The d See Ware 's Antiquitat Hibern Cap. 3. pag. 11. Division of IRELAND â—â—â—on â—â—â—land IReland from the manners and customs of the Inhabitants is divided into two parts e At present there is no such Div sion or distiâ—ction but the King 's Writ runs through the whole Kingdom and every part of it is now answerable to Law they who reject all Laws and live after a barbarous manner are called the Irishry or wild Irish but those civilized who submit themselves with respect and obedience to the laws are termed the English-Irish and their Country the English Pale for the first English men that came hither set their boundaries in the east and richest part of the Island as taken in for themselves within which compass even at this day some remain uncivilized and pay no deference to the laws whereas some without are as courteous and genteel as one would desire But if we consider it as it was more early this Country from its situation or rather number of its Governors heretofore must be divided into five parts for it was formerly a Pentarchy namely Munster southward Leinster eastward Connaught westward Ulster northward and Meath almost in the middle Which as to civil administration are thus divided into Counties In Munster are the Counties of Kerry f At this day there is no such County as Desmond part of that Territory lying in the County of Kerry and the rest in the County of Cork Desmond Cork Waterford Limerick Tiperary g The County of the Holy-Cross is swallowed up in that of Tiperary with the County of S. Cross in Tiperary In Leinster are the Counties of Kilkenny Caterlough Queen's County King's County Kildare Weishford Dublin In Meath are the Counties of East-Meath West-Meath Longford In Connaught are the Counties of h Instead of this Dr. Holland has put Clare which yet is in the Province of Muâ—ster Twomund Galloway Maio. Slego Letrim Rofcomon In Ulster are the Counties of Louth Cavon Farmanagh Monaghan Armagh Doun Antrim Colran Tir-Oën Tir-Conell or Donegall Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction The Ecclesiastical state of Ireland was antiently managed by the Bishops either consecrated by the Archbishop of Canterbury or by one another But in the year 1152 as we find it in Philip of Flattesbury Christianus Bishop of Lismore Legat of all Ireland held a very full and honourable Council at Meath where were present the Bishops Abbots Kings Dukes and Elders of Ireland and there by the Apostolical authority with the advice of the Cardinals and the consent of the Bishops Abbots and others met together four Archbishopricks were constituted in Ireland Armagh Dublin Cassil and Tuam The Bishopricks which were under these formerly for some of them have been abolished to feed the greedy humor of ill times others have been confounded or annexed to one another while others again have been translated I do desire to subjoyn here in their true and ancient order from an old Roman Provincial faithfully copied from the Original Under the Archbp. of Armagh Primate of all Ireland are the Bishops of Meath or i Cluanard The Bishop is stiled of Meath Elnamirand Down otherwise Dundalethglass k Clogher Cloghor otherwise Lugundun l Connor is united to Down Conner m Ardagh Ardachad n Rapho Rathbot Rathluc Daln-liguir o Derry or London-Derry Dearrih 4 Holland has added Cloemacniso which ought to be writ Clonmacnois and is now united to Meath as also Dromor and Brefem now Kilmore Under the Archbp. of Dublin are the Bishops of
in a winding chanel sometimes broad and sometimes narrow runs through many Counties as we have already observed The chief families are the O Rorcks O Murreies Mac Lochleims Mac Glanchies and Mac Granells all pure Irish John de Burgo the son of Richard Earl of Clan-Ricard who was made Baron Letrim Baron Letrim by Queen Elizabeth and soon after slain by some malicious rivals took his title as some say from another place and not from this Letrim and I have not certainly discovered the truth of that matter The County of ROSCOMAN BElow Letrim to the south lyes the County of Roscoman first made by Henry Sidney Lord Deputy of great length but very narrow bounded on the west by the river Suc on the east by the Shanon and on the north by the Curlew mountains Curlew-â—ountains This is for the most part a Champian country fertile well stock'd with cattle and ever plentiful in its corn-harvests if assisted with a little good husbandry and tillage Towards the north are the Curlew-mountains steep and unpassable till with much pains and difficulty a way was cut through them by George Bingham and famous for the slaughter of 35 Sir Coniers Clifford Coniers Clifford Governor of Conaught and other brave old soldiers cut off there not very long since by his negligence There are four Baronies in this County first the Barony of Boile Barony of Boile under the Curlew-mountains upon the Shanon where formerly stood a famous monastery founded in the year 1152 together with the Abbey of Beatitude * Mac-Dermot quasi rerum potitur Balin Tober This is the Seigniory of Mac Dermot Next the Barony of Balin Tobar upon the Suc where O Conor Dun has the chief power and interest neighbouring upon the Bishoprick of Elphin Lower down lyes Roscoman Roscoman the Barony of O Conor Roo that is Conor the red wherein stands the head town of this County fortified with a castle built by Robert Ufford Lord Chief Justice of Ireland the houses of the town are all thatch'd More southward lyes Athlone Athlone the Barony of the O-Kellies so called from the principal town in it which has a castle a garison and a fair stone bridge built within the memory of this age by Henry Sidney Lord Deputy at the command of Queen Elizabeth who designed to make this the seat of the Lord Deputy as most convenient to suppress insurrections The Lords of CONAGHT IT appears by the Irish Histories that Turlogh O Mor O Conor formerly reigned over this Country and divided it between his two sons Cahel and Brien But when the English invaded Ireland it was governed by Rotheric under the title of Monarch of Ireland who was so apprehensive of the English power that he submitted himself to King Henry the second without the hazard of a battle Soon after he revolted and thereupon Conaght was first invaded by Milo-Cogan an English man but without success However the King of Conaght was reduced to such straits that he was fain to acknowledge himself a liege-man of the King of England's Rog. Hove ac 1175. p. 312. Claus 7. Joâ—nnis so as to serve him faithfully as his man and pay him yearly for every ten head of cattle one hide vendible c. Yet by the grant of King John he was to have and to hold the third part of Conaght to him and his heirs for 100 marks However this County was first subdued and civilized by William Fitz-Adelme whose posterity is the De Burgo's in Latin or as the Irish call them the Burks and Bourks Robert Muscogros Gilbert Clare Earl of Glocester and William de Bermingham William de Burgo or Bourks and his posterity under the title of Lords of Conaght governed this and the County of Ulster for a long time in great peace and enjoyed considerable revenues from them But at last it went out of the family by the only daughter of William de Burgo sole heir to Conaght and Ulster who was married to Leonel Duke of Clarence son to King Edward the third He generally residing in England as well as his successors the Mortimers this estate in Ireland was neglected so that the Bourks The Bourks their relations and stewards here finding their Lords absent and England embroiled at that time confederated with the Irish by leagues and marriages seized upon almost all Conaght as their own and by little and little degenerated into the Irish barbarity Those of them descended from Richard de Burgo are called Clan Ricard others Mac William Oughter i.e. Higher others Mac William Eughter i.e. Lower So those of greatest interest in the County of Maio were simply called Mac William assumed as a title of much honour and authority as descended from William de Burgo already mentiond 36 Under countenance of which name they for a long time tyranniz'd over the poor Inhabitants with most grievous exactions ULSTER ALL that part of the Country beyond the mouth of the river Boyn the County of Meath and Longford and the mouth of the river Ravie on the North make up the fifth part of Ireland called in Latin Ultonia and Ulidia in English Ulster in Irish Cui Guilly i.e. Province of Guilly and in Welsh Ultw In Ptolemy's time it was wholly peopl'd by the Voluntii Darni Robogdii and the Erdini This is a large Province water'd with many considerable loughs shelter'd with huge woods fruitful in some places and barren in others yet very green and sightly in all parts and well stock'd with Cattle But as the soil for want of culture is rough and barren so the Inhabitants for want of education and discipline a This is to be understood of the Irish Inhabitants who are now so routed out and destroyed by their many Rebellions and by the accession of Scots who for the most part inhabit this Province that there are not supposed to be left 10000 Irish able and sit to bear Arms in all Ulster are very wild and barbarous Yet to keep them in subjection and order for neither the bonds of justice modesty nor other duty could restrain them this hither part was formerly divided into three Counties Louth Down and Antrimme and now the rest is divided into these seven Counties Cavon Fermanagh Monaghan Armagh Colran Tir Oen and Donegall or Tirconell by the provident care of 37 Sir John John Perott Lord Deputy Jo. Perot Lord Deputy 1585. a man truly great and famous and thoroughly acquanted with the temper of this Province For being sensible that nothing would more effectually appease the tumults of Ireland than a regulation and settlement of these parts of Ulster he went himself in person thither in that troublesome and dangerous time when the Spanish descent was so much expected there and in England and by his gravity and authority while he took care to punish injurious actions which are ever the great causes of dissention and War gain'd so much respect among
river Liffer and divided from Conaght by the lake Erne The Liffer not far from the very head and rise of it diffuses it self into a broad lake which contains an Island Therein stands a little Monastery near which there is a narrow vault famous for I know not what terrible sprights and apparitions or rather some Religious horror digged by Ulysses when he made his descent into hell as some ridiculously imagine The natives at this day call it Ellan u ' frugadory that is the Isle of Purgatory and Patrick's Purgatory Patrick's Pu gatory For some are so piously credulous as to believe and affirm that Patrick the Irish Apostle or else some other Abbot of the same name obtained of God by their fervent prayers to make them eye-witnesses of those punishments and that torture which the wicked endure after this life to the end he might recover the Irish from their sinful state and the errors they lay under Seeing this place is called Reglis Regl's Regiâ— in the life of Patrick I am apt to think it the other Regia in Ptolemy for the situation is agreeable with the account he gives of it Besides this of St. Patrick there is also another Purgatory of Brendan in this Island I could not find out the very place and therefore take all I could learn of it in this tetrastick of Necham Asserit esse locum solennis fama dicatum Brendano quo lux lucida saepe micat Purgandas animas datur hîc transire per ignes Ut dignae facie judicis esse queant From Bredan nam'd a wondrous lake is shown Where trembling lights along dark caverns run Here mortal dregs the purging flames consume And cleanse foul souls against their final doom As the Liffer enlarged with the supplies it receives from other rivers draws near the sea it spreads it self into another lake which Ptolemy calls Logia now Logh Foyle and Logh Der. Hence Necham Lough Der aquis dives lacus est Ultonia novit Commodus indigenis utilitate placet Of thee great Logh-Der spacious Ulster 's proud And neighbo'ring lands commend thy useful flood Upon this formerly stood a It is now called London-derry and annexed to a County of that name famous for resisting two mâ—morable sieges in the year 1649 and 1689. Derry Derry a Monastery and Bishops See where in the year 1566 Edward Randolph eminent for his great service in the wars and for losing his life in behalf of his Country so entirely defeated Shan O-Neal 55 Who had thâ—n ass mbled and â—â—med all the power he could possibly against the Englâ—sh that he was never after able to make head But now of late Sir Henry Docwra Knight who shewed his great valour and conduct in the wars of Ireland with much glory planted there a garison and afterwards a colony to bridle the insolence of the Earl of Tir-Oen which he settled in such good order and method that it is both a ready detachement against rebels and a great means to settle those barbarous people in their duty The Robogdii seated above Logia kept all this northern shore of Ireland where O-Dogherty a petty King of little note has great interest Here Robogh a small Episcopal town still preserves the old name of the Robogdii As for the promontory Robogdium The pâ—omâ—â—tâ—â—y Robogdium I cannot tell where to find it unless it be Faire Foreland From this rocky place the shore winds back by Swilly the mouth of a lake which Ptolemy seems to call b Now the port or lake called Leghfoil in the County of London derry Wâ—re Antiquit. Hibern Argita Beyond this more westward lived the Vennicnii which tract is now enjoyed by a Mac Swiny Fanid Mac Swiny-na-dee and Mac Swiny Bane are the true names Mac Swyny Faid Mac Swyny Netoeth and Mac Swyny Bannigh Here Ptolemy places the river Vidua now called Crodagh and the Promontory Vennicnium now Rame's-head and Boraeum now S. Helens-head As the shore windeth back from hence we come to a fine haven and road for ships at Calebeg â—â—gah where the remains of Sligah-castle are still visible It was built in the year 1242 by Maurice Fitz Girald Lord Chief Justice of Ireland after he had reduced this part of the Country John Fitz-Girald the first Earl of Kildare was deprived of this castle and of a great estate in these parts as also deeply fined for raising a dangerous civil war against the Earl of Ulster Lower down not far from the mouth of the lake Earne stands Donegall â—onegall 56 That is the town of the Gallicians in Spain a Monastery and Town which gave name to this County when it was made one b South from Donegall is Belishannon near which not many years ago were dug up two pieces of Gold discovered by a method very remarkable The late Lord Bishop of Derry Dr. Hopkins hapning to be at dinner with Mr. Edward Whiteway a Gentleman whom he preferr'd in his former Diocâ—se of Raphoe there came in an Irish Harper and sung an old song to his Harp Neither his Lordship nor Mr. Whiteway understanding any thing of Irish they were at a lâ—ss to know what the song meant But the Herdsman being called in they found by him the substance of it to be this That in such a place naming the very spot a man of a gygantick stature lay buried and that over his breast and back there were plates of pure gold and on his fingers rings of gold so large that an ordinary man might creep through them The place was so exactly described that Mr. Foliot brother in law to Mr. Whiteway and one Mr. Nevill his Lordship's Steward were tempted to go in quest of the golden prize the Irish man's song had pointed out to them After they had dug for some time they found two thin pieces of gold exactly of the form and bigness of this Cut. This discovery encouraged them next morning to seek for the remainder but they could meet with nothing more The passage is the more remarkable because it comes pretty near the manner of discovering King Arthur's body by the directions of a British Bard. See Camden in Somersetshire p. 64 65. The two holes in the middle seem to have been fâ—r the more convenient tying of it to the arm or some part of the body This territory has been governed for these many ages by those of the family of O-Donel O-Donell who are of the same extraction with the O-Neals without any other title than O-Donell and Lords of Tir-Conell For obtaining of which and that after election they might be inaugurated with the usual ceremonies at a certain stone near Kilmacrenar they used to be very ambitious and to contend with great heat and slaughter till King James not long ago by his Letters Patents conferr'd the honour title and stile of Earl of Tir-Conell upon Roderick O-Donell brother to Hugh the Rebel who fled into Spain and there died
killed with a stone and buried in Iona. 1230. Olave came with Godred Don and the Norwegians to Man and they divided the Kingdom Olave was to have Man Godred being gone to the Isles was slain in Lodhus So Olave came to be sole King of the Isles 1237. On the twelfth of the Calends of June died Olave the son of Godred King of Man in St. Patrick's Isle and was buried in the Abbey of Russin He reigned eleven years two in the life time of his brother and nine after His son Harald then fourteen years old succeeded him and reigned twelve years In the first year of his reign he went to the Isles and made Loglen his Kinsman Keeper of Man In the autumn following Harald sent three sons of Nell viz. Dufgald Thorquel and Molmore and his friend Joseph to Man to consider of affairs Accordingly on the twenty fifth day they met at Tingala where upon a quarrel that then happened between the sons of Nell and Loglen there arose a sore fight on both sides in which Dufgald Mormor and the said Joseph lost their lives In the spring following King Harald came to the Isle of Man and Loglen who fled into Wales with Godred the son of Olave his pupil was cast away with about forty others 1238. Gospatrick and Gillescrist the son of Mac-Kerthac came from the King of Norway into Man and kept out Harald converting the tributes of the Country to the service of the King of Norway because he had refused to appear in person at the Court of that King 1240. Gospatric died and was buried in the Abbey of Russin 1239. Harald went to the King of Norway who after two years confirmed to him his heirs and successors under his Seal all the Islands that his Predecessors had enjoyed 1242. Harald returned out of Norway to Man was honourably received by the Inhabitants and made peace with the Kings of England and Scotland 1247. Harald as his father had been before him was Knighted by the King of England and returned home with many presents The same year the King of Norway sent for him and a match was made between Harald and his daughter In the year 1249 as he was on his voyage home with with her accompanied with Laurence the elect King of Man and many of the Nobility and Gentry he was cast away by a sudden storm near the coasts of Radland 1249. Reginald the son of Olave and brother to Harald began his reign the day before the Nones of May and on the thirtieth day thereof was slain by one Yvar a Knight and his accomplices in a meadow near Trinity Church on the south side His Corps were buried in the Church of S. Mary of Russin Alexander King of Scots prepared a great fleet about this time intending to conquer the Isles but a feavor seized him in the Isle of Kerwaray whereof he died Harald the son of Godred Don assumed the title of King of the Islands banished all the Noblemen that Harald King Olave's son had preferred and instead of them recalled such as were fled from him 1250. Harald the son of Godred Don upon letters mandatory from the King of Norway went to him and was imprisoned for his unjust usurpation The same year Magnus son of Olave and John the son of Dugald who named himself King arrived at Roghalwaht but the people of Man taking it ill that Magnus had not that title beat them off their coast and many of them were cast away 1252. Magnus the son of Olave came to Man and was made King The next year after he went and took a voyage to the Court of Norway and tarried there a year 1254. Haco King of Norway made Magnus the son of Olave King of the Isles confirming them to him and his heirs and expresly to his brother Harald 1256. Magnus King of Man went into England and there was Knighted by the King 1257. The Church of S. Mary of Russin was consecrated by Richard of Sodore 1260. Haco King of Norway came to Scotland and without effecting any thing died in his return to Orkneys at Kirwas and was buried at Bergh 1265. This year died Magnus the son of Olave King of Man and of the Islands at Russin castle and was buried in S. Mary's Church there 1266. The Kingdom of the Isles was translated by means of Alexander King of Scots What follows was written in a different and later Character 1270. On the seventh of October Alexander the King of Scots's navy arrived at Roghalwath and before sun-rise next morning a battle was fought between the Inhabitants of Man and the Scots who slew five hundred thirty five of the former whence that of a certain Poet L. decies X. ter penta duo cecidere Mannica gens de te damna futura cave 1313. Robert King of Scots besieged the castle of Russin which was defended by Dingawy Dowyll and at last took it 1316. Upon Ascension-day Richard de Mandevile and his brothers with others of the Irish Nobility arrived at Ramaldwath desiring a supply of money and victuals being stript of all by continual depredations When the Commonalty denied it they took the field in two bodies against those of Man advancing still till they came to the side of Warthfell-hill in a field where John Mandevile was posted Upon engaging they carried the victory spoiled the Isle and the Abbey of Russin Thus far out of that ancient Book and after a whole months ravagement they returned home full fraught with pillage The end of the Chronicle of the Kings of Man A Continuation of the foregoing History collected out of other Authors ALexander the third King of Scots having made himself master of the Western Islands partly by his sword and partly by purchase from the King of Norway at last invaded Man also as one of that number and by the valiant conduct of Alexander Steward entirely subdued it and set a King over the Isle upon this condition that he should be ready to assist him with ten ships in any of his wars by Sea when ever he demanded them However Mary the daughter of Reginald King of Man who was the Liege-man of John K. of England address'd her self to the King of England for justice in this case Answer was made That the King of Scots was then possess'd of the Island and she ought to apply her self to him Lords of Man Her grandchild by a son John Waldebeof for Mary married into this family notwithstanding this sued again for his right in Parliament held the 33d of Edw. the first urging it there before the King of England as Lord Paramount of Scotland Yet all the answer he could have was as it is in the very Record That he might prosecute his title before the Justices of the King's Bench let it be heard there and let justice be done But what he could not effect by law his kinsmanâ— 1 Sir William Hol. William Montacute for he was of the royal
Trinity appear'd to him saying Why hast thou cast me out of my own Seat and out of the Church of Doun and plac'd there my S. Patrick the Patron of Ireland For John Curcy had expell'd the Secular Canons out of the Cathedral Church of Doun and introduc'd the black Monks of Chester in their room And the Holy Trinity stood there upon a stately Shrine and John himself took it down out of the Church and order'd a Chappel to be built for it setting up the Image of S. Patrick in the great Church which displeas'd the most-high God Wherefore he bid him assure himself he should never set foot in his Seignory again However in regard of other good Deeds he should be deliver'd out of Prison with Honour which happen'd accordingly For a Controversy arising between John King of England and the King of France about a Lordship and certain Castles the King of France offer'd by a Champion to try his Right Upon this the King call'd to mind his valiant Knight John Curcy whom he cast in Prison upon the information of others so he sent for him and ask'd him if he were able to serve him in this Combat John answer'd He would not fight for him but for the Right of the Kingdom with all his Heart which he undertook to do afterwards And so refresh'd himself with Meat Drink and Bathing in the mean while and recover'd his Strength Whereupon a day was appointed for the Engagement of those Champions namely John Curcy and the other But as soon as the Champion of France heard of his great Stomach and mighty Valour he refus'd the Combat and the said Seignory was given to the King of England The King of France then desired to see a Blow of the said Curcy Whereupon he set a strong Helmet * Plenan loricis full of Mail upon a large Block and with his Sword after he had look'd about him in a grim manner struck the Helmet through from the very Crest into the Block so very fast that no one therâ— was able to pull it out till he himself at the request of the twâ— Kings did it easily Then they ask'd him Why he look'd so gruâ— behind him before he struck So he told them If he had fail'd iâ— giving it he would have certainly cut them all off as well Kingâ— as others The Kings made him large Presents and the King of Englanâ— restor'd him also to his Seigniory viz. Ulster John Curcy attempteâ— 15 several times to sail over into Ireland but was always in danger and the Wind cross'd him so he waited awhile among the Monk of Chester and at last sail'd into France and there died MCCV. The Abby of Wetheny in the County of Limerick was founded by Theobald the Son of Walter Butler Lord oâ— Carryk MCCVI. The Order of Friars Minors was begun near the Ciâ—â— Assisa by S. Francis MCCVIII William de Brewes was banish'd out of England anâ— came into Ireland England was interdicted for the Tyranny 〈◊〉 King John A great defeat and slaughter was given at Thurles iâ— Munster by Sir Geffery Mareys to the Lord Chief Justice of Inland's Men. MCCX John King of England came to Ireland with a greâ—â— Fleet and a strong Army and the Sons of Hugh Lacy viz. thâ— Lord Walter Lord of Meth and Hugh his Brother for their Tâ—ranny but particularly for the Murder of Sir John Courson Loâ—â— of Rathenny and Kilbarrock for they had heard that the saâ—â— John accus'd them to the King were driven out of the Nation So they fled into France and serv'd in the Monasteries of S. Taurâ—â— unknown being employ'd in Clay or Brick-work and sometimâ—â— in Gardens as Gardeners But at length they were discover'd bâ— the Abbot who intreated the King on their behalf for he haâ— baptiz'd their Sons and had been as a Father to them in manâ— things So Walter Lacy paid two thousand fâ—ve hundred Markâ— and Hugh Lacy a great Sum of Mony likewise for their Ransom and they were restor'd again to their former Degree and Lordshiâ— by the Abbot's Intercession Walter Lacy brought with him Johâ— the son of Alured i.e. Fitz-Acory Son to the aforesaid Abboâ— whole Brother and Knighted him giving him the Seignory 〈◊〉 Dengle and many others Moreover he brought Monks with hiâ— out of the said Monastery and bestow'd many Farms upon theâ— with the Cell call'd Foury for their Charity Liberality and gooâ— Counsel Hugh Lacy Earl of Ulster built a Cell also for tâ—â— Monks in Ulster and endow'd it in a place call'd John King 〈◊〉 England having taken many Hostages as well of the English as 〈◊〉 the Irish and hang'd a number of Malefactors upon Gibbets aâ—â— setled Affairs return'd into England the same Year MCCXI. Sir Richard Tuyt was crush'd to death by the fall of Tower at Alone He founded the Monastery de Grenard MCCXII The Abby of Grenard was founded This saâ—â— year died John Comyn Archbishop of Dublin and was burieâ— within the Quire of Trinity Church he built S. Patrick's Churâ—â— at Dublin Henry Londres succeeded him sirnam'd Scorch-Villeyâ— from an Action of his For having call'd in his Tenants one daâ— to know by what Tenure they held of him they show'd him the Deeds and Charters to satisfie him whereupon he order'd them to be burnt and hence got the name of Scorch-Villeyn given him by his Tenants This Henry Archbishop of Dublin was Justiciary of Ireland and built Dublin-castle MCCXIII William Petit and Peter Messet departed this life Peter Messet was Baron of Luyn hard by Trim but dying without Heir-male the Inheritance fell to the three Daughters of whom the Lord Vernail married the eldest Talbot the second and Loundres the third who by this means shar'd the Inheritance among them MCCXIX The City of Damieta was miraculously won on the Nones of September about Midnight without the loss of one Christian The same year died William Marshall the Elder Earl Marshal and Earl of Pembrock * The Genealogy â—f the Earl Marshall who by his Wife the Daughter of Richard Strongbow Earl of Strogul had five Sons The eldest was call'd William the second Walter the third Gilbert the fourth Anselm and the fifth Richard who lost his Life in â—he War of Kildare every one of them successively enjoy'd the â—nheritance of their Father and died all without Issue So the Inâ—eritance devolv'd upon the Sisters namely the Daughters of their Father who were Maud Marshall the Eldest Isabel Clare the seâ—ond Eva Breous the third Joan Mount Chensey the fourth and Sibill Countess of Firrars the fifth Maud Marshall was married to Hugh Bigod Earl of Norfolk who was Earl Marshal of England â—n right of his Wife By whom he had Ralph Bigod Father of John Bigod the Son of the Lady Bertha Furnival and * The Widow of Gilbert Lacy. Isabel Lacy Wife to John Lord Fitz-Geffery by whom after the death of Hugh de Bigod Earl of Norfolk she had John de Guaren Earl of Surry
call'd Hogelyn John de Northon John de Breton and many others Item On the 16th before the kalends of July Dolovan Tobyr and other towns and villages bordering upon them were burnt down by the said malefactors Item Soon after this a great Parliament was held at London wherein a sad difference arose between the Barons upon the account of Pieirs Gaveston who was banish'd out of the Kingdom of England the day after the feast of S. John the baptist's nativity and went over into Ireland about the feast of the Saints Quirita and Julita together with his wife and sister the Countess of Glocester and came to Dublin in great state and there continued Item William Mac Baltor a stout robber and incendiary was condemn'd in the court of our Lord the King at Dublin by the Lord Chief Justice John Wogan on the 12th before the kalends of September and was drawn at a horse's tail to the gallows and there hang'd as he deserv'd Item This year a marble cistern was made to receive the Water from the conduit-head in Dublin such as was never before seen here by the Mayor of the City Master John Decer and all at his own proper expences This same John a little before made a bridge to be built over the river Aven-Liffie near the priory of S. Wolstan He also built the Chappel of S. Mary of the Friers minors wherein he was buried and the Chappel of S. Mary of the Hospital of S. John in Dublin Item This John Decer was bountiful to the convent of Friers Predicants in Dublin For instance he made one stone-pillar in the Church and laid the great stone upon the high altar with all its ornaments Item He entertain'd the friers at his own table on the 6th day of the week out of pure charity as the seniors have reported to their juniors Item The Lord John Wogan took ship in Autumn to be at the parliament of England and the Lord William Bourk was appointed Keeper of Ireland in his room Item This year on the eve of S. Simon and Jude the Lord Roger de Mortimer and his Lady the right heir of Meth the daughter of the Lord Peter son of Sir Gefferey Genevil arriv'd in Ireland As soon as they landed they took possession of Meth Sir Gefferey Genevil giving way to them and entring himself into the order of the Friers predicants at Trym the morrow after S. Edward the Archbishop's day Item Dermot Odympsy was slain at Tully by the servants of Sir Piers Gaveston Item Richard Bourk Earl of Ulster at Whitsontide made a great feast at Trym and conferr'd Knighthood upon Walter Lacie and Hugh Lacie In the vigil of the Assumption the Earl of Ulster came against Piers Gaveston Earl of Cornwal at Drogheda and at the same time turn'd back towards Scotland Item This year Maud the Earl of Ulster's daughter imbark'd for England in order for a marriage with the Earl of Glocester which within a month was consummated between them Item Maurice Caunton kill'd Richard Talon and the Roches afterwards kill'd him Item Sir David Caunton was hang'd at Dublin Item Odo the son of Cathol O Conghir kill'd Odo O Conghiâ— King of Connaght Item Athi was burnt by the Irish MCCCIX Peter Gaveston subdued the O Brynnes in Ireland and rebuilt the new castle of Mackingham and the castle of Kemny he also cut down and scour'd the pass between Kemny castle and Glyndelagh in spite of all the opposition the Irish could make and sâ— march'd away and offer'd in the Church of S. Kimny The same year the Lord Peter Gaveston went over into Englanâ— on the eve of S. John Baptist's Nativity Item The Earl of Ulster's son's wife daughter of the Earl oâ— Glocester came into Ireland on the 15th of October Item On Christmas-eve the Earl of Ulster returned out of England and landed at Drogheda Item On the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary Sir John Bonevil was slain near the town of Arstol by Sir Arnold Pover and his accomplices and buried at Athy in the Church of the Frierâ— predicants Item A Parliament was held at Kilkenny in the octaves of thâ— Purification of the Blessed Mary by the Earl of Ulster John Wogan Justiciary of Ireland and others of the nobility wherein a difference among certain of the great men was adjusted and many proviso's made in the nature of statutes that might havâ— been of good consequence to the Kingdom if they had been observ'd Item Shortly after Sir Edward Botiller return'd out of England where he had been knighted at London Item The Earl of Ulster Roger Mortimer and Sir John Fitz-Thomas went over into England Item This year died Sir Theobald Verdon MCCCX. King Edward and Sir Peter Gaveston took theiâ— march for Scotland against Robert Brus. Item There was this year a great scarcity of corn in Ireland * Eranca an eranc of corn sold at the rate of twenty shilling and upwards Item The Bakers of Dublin were punish'd after a new way foâ— false weights For on S. Sampson the Bishop's day they werâ— drawn upon hurdles at the horses tails along the streets of thâ— City Item In the Abby of S. Thomas the Martyr at Dublin Sir Neiâ— Bruin Knight Escheator to our Lord the King in Ireland departed this life his corps was buried at the Friers-minors in Dublin witâ— such a pomp of tapers and wax-lights as never was before seen iâ— this Kingdom This year a Parliament was held at Kildare wherin Sir Arnold Pover was acquitted of the death of the Lord Bonevil for it waâ— found Se defendendo Item On S. Patrick's day Mr. Alexander Bickenor was witâ— the unanimous consent of the Chapter made Archbishop of Dublin Item The Lord Roger Mortimer in the octaves of the nativity of the Blessed Virgin return'd into Ireland Item This year died Henry Lacy Earl of Lincoln MCCCXI In Thomond at Bonnorathie the Lord Richarâ— Clare gave the Earl of Ulster's party a very strange defeat Thâ— Lord William Bourk and John the Lord Walter Lacy's Son werâ— taken prisoners with many others This battle was fought on thâ— 13th before the kalends of June and great numbers both of thâ— English and the Irish slain in it Item Tassagard and Rathcante were invaded by the rapperies namely the O Brinnes and O Tothiles the day after S. John Baptist's nativity Whereupon in the Autumn soon after a greaâ— army was rais'd in Leinster to defeat them both in Glindelory anâ— in other woody places Item In August a Parliament was holden at London between thâ— King and the Barons to consider the state of the Kingdom and thâ— King's houshold and a committee of six Bishops six Earls and six Barons was appointed to consult the good of the Realm Item On the 2d day before the Ides of November the Lord Richard Clare cut off 600 Galegolaghes Item On All saints day last past Peter Gaveston was banished out of England by the Earls and Barons and many good statutes were
year of his Age. MCCCXXIV Nicholas Genevile son and heir to the Lorâ— Simon Genevile died this year and was buried in the Church oâ— the Friers-predicants at Trym Item there happen'd a very higâ— wind on the 12th day at night Item There was a general murrain of Oxen and Kine in Irâ—land MCCCXXV Richard Lederede Bishop of Ossory cited Damâ— Alice Ketyll to answer for her heretical and perverse Opinions and forc'd her to appear in Person before him And being examâ—ned for Sorcery it was found that she had us'd it among others this was discover'd That a certain Spirit call'd Robin Artyssoâ— lay with her and that she offer'd him nine red Cocks at 〈◊〉 Stone-bridge where the High-way branches out into four severaâ— Parts Item That she swept the streets of Kilkenny with Beesoms between Complin and Courefew and in sweeping the Filth towards the house of William Utlaw her son by way of conjuring wish'd that all the wealth of Kilkenny might flow thither The accomplices of this Alice in these devilish practices were Pernil of Meth and Basilia the daughter of this Pernil Alice being found guilty was fined by the Bishop and forc'd to abjure her sorcery and witchcraft But being again convicted of the same practice she made her escape with Basilia and was never found But Pernil was burnt at Kilkenny and before her death declar'd That William above-said deserv'd punishment as well as she and that for a year and a day he wore the Devil's girdle about his bare body Hereupon the Bishop order'd the said William to be apprehended and imprison'd in the castle of Kilkenny for eight or nine weeks and gave orders that two men should attend him but that they should not eat or drink with him and that they should not speak to him above once a day At length he was set at large by the help of Arnold Lord Poer Seneschal of the County of Kilkenny whereupon he gave a great sum of mony to the said Arnold to imprison the Bishop likewise Accordingly he kept the Bishop himself in Prison for three months Among the goods of Alice they found a holy wafer with the Devil's name upon it and a Box with Ointment with which she us'd to daub a certain piece of wood call'd a Cowltre after which she and her accomplices could ride and gallop it wheresoever they pleas'd let the roads be good or bad without either hurt or hindrance These things being so notorious and crying Alice was cited again to appear at Dublin before the Dean of S. Patrick's Church having some hopes of greater favor given her She made her appearance and crav'd a day to answer having given sufficient bail as it was thought However she was not to be found for by the counsel of her son and others unknown she hid her self in a certain village till the wind would serve for England and then she sail'd over but it could never be known where she went William Utlaw being found by the trial and confession of Pernel who was condemn'd to be burnt to have been consenting to his mother in her sorcery and witchcraft the Bishop caus'd him to be arrested by the King 's writ and put in prison yet he was set at liberty again by the intercession of some great Lords upon condition that he should cover S. Mary's Church in Kilkenny with lead and do other acts of charity within a certain day and that if he did not perform them punctually he should be in the same state as he was when first taken by the King 's writ MCCCXXVI At Whitsontide a Parliament was held in Kilkenny where was present Richard Lord Burk Earl of Ulster though somewhat weak and out of order and all the Lords and great men of Ireland who with the people were all nobly feasted by the Earl Afterwards the Earl taking his leave of the Lords and Nobles went to Athisel and there died A little before the feast of John the Baptist he was there interr'd William Lord Burk was his heir MCCCXXVII There happen'd an out-fal between Moris Lord Fitz Thomas and Arnold Lord Pouer. The Lord Moris was seconded by the Lord Botiller and William Lord Bermingham and the Lord Arnold with the Bourkeyns many of whom were â—ain in this fray by the Lord Moris Fitz Thomas and some driven iâ—to Conaught The same year after Michaelmas the Lord Arnold came to assist the Bourkeins and upon the Lord Arnold's calling him Rymour and affronting him with some uncivil terms the Lord Maurice raised an Army and together with Botiller and the said William Bermingham burnt and wasted the lands and territories of the Lord Arnold in Ofath Bermingham burnt also the lands and mannor-houses which belong'd to him in Mounster and burnt Kenlys in Ossory So that the Lord Arnold was forc'd to fly with the Baron of Donnoyl to Waterford where they remain'd a month and then the Earl of Kildare Chief Justice of Ireland and others of the King's Counsel order'd them to parlee However the Lord Arnold would not observe it but came to Dublin and about the feast of the Purification embark'd for England Upon this Moris Botiller and William Lord Bermingham came with a great army and burnt and wasted his lands the King's Counsel began to dread this powerful army and the mischiefs they had done so much that they strengthned their city-guards lest they themselves might be surpriz'd The Lord Moris Lord Botiller and Bermingham hearing of this provision against them sent to the King's Counsel that they would come to Kilkenny and there clear themselves to satisfie them they had no design upon the lands of their Sovereign Lord the King but only intended to be reveng'd of their enemies The Earl of Kildare Chief Justice of Ireland the Prior of Kilmaynon namely Roger Outlaw Chancellour of Ireland Nicholas Fastal Justiciary in Banco and others of the King's Council came accordingly to this Parliament the Lord Moris and Bermingham demanded the King's Charter of peace in the first-place But they of the King's Counsel warily desir'd that they might have till a month after Easter to consider of it Before Lent this year the Irish of Leinster assembled and set up Donald the son of Arte Mac Murgh for their King Whereupon he took a resolution to set up his Banner within two miles of Dublin and march from thence into all parts of Ireland But God seeing his pride and malicious designs suffer'd him to fall into the hands of Henry Lord Traharn who brought him to the Salmon's-leap and had 200 l. of him to save his life from thence he carried him to Dublin to stay in the castle till the King's Council should give farther Orders After this the Irish in Leinster underwent many misfortunes David O Thohil was taken prisoner by John Lord Wellesley and many of them were cut off The same year Adam Duff the son of Walter Duff of Leinster who was related to the O Tothiles was convicted for denying the incarnation of Christ
City A Council was held at Naas and a Subsidy of three hundred Marks therein granted to the Lord Deputy At the same time died Sir John Loundres in the fifth day of this Week which fell out to be in Coena Domini O-Thoil took four hundred Head of Cattle that belong'd to Balimer by which Action he broke his own Oath and the publick Peace On the fourth of May Mac Morthe the chief Captain of that Sept and of all the Irish in Leinster was taken Prisoner Hugh Cokesey was knighted on the same day On the last of May the Lieutenant the Archbishop of Dublin and the Mayor made the Castle of Kenini be demolish'd The day after Processus and Martinian William Lord Burgh with others of the English slew five hundred Irish and took O-Kelly prisoner On the feast of S. Mary Magdalen the Lieutenant John Talbot went into England leaving the Archbishop of Dublin to administer in his absence carrying the Curses of his Creditors along with him for he paid little or nothing for his Victuals and was indebted to many About the feast of S. Laurence several died in Normandy viz. Frier Thomas Botiller Prior of Kilmainan with many others Frier John Fitz-Henry succeeded him in the Priory The Archbishop being left Deputy fell upon the Scohies and cut off 30 Irish near the River Rodiston Item On the Ides of February died Frier John Fitz-Henry Prior of Kilmainan and was afterwards succeeded by Frier William Fitz-Thomas elected and confirm'd the morrow after S. Valentin's day Item The day after the feast of S. Peter in Cathedra John Talbot Lord Furnival surrender'd his place to Richard Lord Talbot Archbishop of Dublin who was after chosen Chief Justice of Ireland MCCCCXX On the fourth of April James Lord Botiller Earl of Ormond arriv'd at Waterford being made Lieutenant of Ireland and soon after permitted a Combat between his two Cousins of whom the one died in the Field and the other was carry'd off sore wounded to Kilkenny On S. George's day the said Lieutenant held a Council at Dublin and gave order for a Parliament therein In the mean time he took good Booty from O-Raly Mac-Mahon and Mac-Guyer On the 8th of June the Parliament met at Dublin and seven hundred Marks were therein granted to the Lord Deputy This Parliament continued sixteen days and at last was prorogued till the Monday after S. Andrews The Debts of the late Lord Talbot were computed in this Parliament which amounted to a great sum Item On the morrow after S. Michael's day Michael Bodley departed this life Item On S. Francis's eve died Frier Nicholas Talbot Abbot of S. Thomas the Martyr in Dublin succeeded by Frier John Whiting The morrow after S. Simon and Jude's day the castle of Colmolin was taken by Thomas Fitz-Geffery On S. Katherin the Virgin 's eve was born Botiller son and heir to the Earl of Ormond Item On monday after the feast of S. Andrew the foresaid Parliament met at Dublin and sate 13 days The Lieutenant had three hundred Marks granted him herein and it was at last adjourn'd till the monday after S. Ambrose A general Report was at this time That Thomas Fitz-John Earl of Desmond died on S. Laurence-day at Paris and was buried in the Convent of the Friers-predicants there the King being present at his Funeral James Fitz-Gerald his Uncle by the Father's side succeeded to the Seigniory who had thrice dispossess'd him of his Estate and accus'd him of prodigality and waste both in Ireland and England and that he had already given or intended to give Lands to the Abbey of S. James at Keynisham MCCCCXXI The Parliament sat the third time at Dublin the monday after S. Ambrose and therein it was resolv'd That the Archbishop of Armagh and Sir Christopher Preston should be sent to the King for redress of Grievances At the same time Richard O-Hedian Bishop of Cassel was accused by John Gese Bishop of Lismore and Waterford upon 30 distinct Articles and after all That he favour'd the Irish and was averse to the English That he presented none of the English to any Benefices and had given order to other Bishops that they should not preferr them to any Living That he counterfeited the King's Seal and the King's Letters-patents and that he had attempted to make himself King of Mounster That he took a Ring away from the Image of S. Patrick which the Earl of Desmond had offer'd and given it to a Whore of his with several other Crimes all exhibited in Writing against him which created a great deal of vexatious trouble to the Lords and Commons In this Parliament there was also a Debate between Adam Pay Bishop of Clon and another Prelate for the Bishop of Clon was for annexing the other's Church to his See and the other oppos'd it so they were sent to Rome and their difference referr'd to the Pope This Session continued for 18 days In the nones of May a great Slaughter was made among the retinue of the Earl of Ormond Lord Deputy near the Monastery of Leys by O-Mordris 27 of the English were cut off The Principals were Purcel and Grant Ten Persons of Quality were taken Prisoners and 200 fled and were sav'd in the said Monastery On the Ides of May died Sir John Bedley Knight and Jeffery Galon formerly Mayor of Dublin who was buried in the Convent of the Friers-predicants of that City About this time Mac Mahon did great mischief in Urgal burning and wasting where-ever he came On the 7th of June the Lieutenant went into Leys against O-Moodris with a mighty Army which kill'd all they met with for four days together till the Irish at length promised peace and submission On S. Michael's day Thomas Stanley with all the Knights and ' Squires of Meth and Irel took Moyl O-Downyl prisoner and kill'd several in the 14th year of King Henry VI. No farther go any of the Annals of Ireland which I could meet with These I have inserted here to gratify such as delight in Antiquity As for those nice delicate Readers that would try all by the Writings of Augustus 's Age I am very sensible they will not relish them upon the score of a rough insipid dry Stile such as was common in the Age wherein these were writ However let them take this Consideration along with them That History bears and requires Authors of all sorts and that they must look for bare Matter in some Writers as well as fine Words in others FINIS INDEX A. AAron see Julius and Aaron Ab-Adams 68 238. ABALLABA 806. Abberbury-castle 544. Sir Rich. de 142. Abbot Geo. A. B. of Cant. 161. Rob. B. of Salisb. ibid. Sir Maurice L. Mayor of London ib. Abbots 132. Parliamentary Barons clxxxvii Abbotston 132. Aber what 662 739 939. Aber-Aaron 613. Aberbroth 613. Aber-Chienaug Castle 675. Aber-Conwy 666 671. Abercorn-castle 906. Aber-dau-Gledhau 630. Aberdeen New and Old 940. Aberford 712. Aber-Fraw 676. Abergavenni 598. Abergavenny Lords of 193