stately Houses and Palaces both publick and private The chief among which are First The Palaces of the King Whitehall and St. James the first being the Residence of His Sacred Majesty the other of his Royal Highness James Duke of York to which is joyned a delightful Park so called in which is a Pall-Mall said to be the best in Europe Secondly the Courts of Judicature and Houses of Parliament now known by the Name of Westminster-Hall a large Structure which was anciently the Palace of the Kings of England Thirdly Its Collegiate Church of Westminster which was the Temple of St. Peter raised out of the Ruines of a former dedicated to Apollo where the Trinobants did Sacrifice to Diana Tauropolia This Temple of St. Peter was destroyed by the Danes and re-edified by Dunstan Bishop of London in the year 960. Fourthly King Henry's Chappel being a most magnificent and curious Edifice beautified with the stately Tombs of the Kings and Queens with many of the Nobility of England renowned for the inauguration of our Kings and Queens now a Collegiate Church Fifthly Somerset-House a large and stately Structure belonging to the King situate upon the Thames Sixthly The New-Exchange a place well stored with variety of Shops and Goods to which may be added Seventhly The several Houses of the Nobility as Wallingford-House the Seat of the Earl of Arlington Northumberland-House the Residence of the Countess of Northumberland York-House belonging to the Duke of Buckingham but now turned into smaller Buildings and made new Streets of Houses Salisbury-House belonging to the Earl of Salisbury converted into a New-Exchange and a Street of smaller Houses Worcester-House to the Marquess of Worcester The Savoy formerly an Hospital now the Habitation of several Families where they have their Houses apart and here is His Majesties Wardrobe kept Arundel-House belonging to the Duke of Norfolk and Essex-House to the Duke of Somerset now also turned into small Buildings and made a Street to the Thames side Then Exeter-House Bedford-House Clarendon-House Leicester-House Southampton-House with divers others too many to be mentioned in this small Discourse The Limits of this City ends at Temple-Bar where the Liberty of London beginneth which we shall next speak of Of LONDON This City within the Walls and Freedom is divided into 26 Parts or Wards governed by a Lord Mayor so many grave Aldermen and two Sheriffs the yearly Choice of which was granted them by Patent from King John to these Henry the Third added some Aldermen these Aldermen take charge of the 26 Wards aforesaid and called from them Aldermanries The names of the Wards are thus called viz. 1. Tower-street 2. Portsoken 3. Aldgate 4. Limestreet 5. Bishopsgate 6. Broadstreet 7. Cornhil 8. Langhorn 9. Billingsgate 10. Bridgwater within 11. Candlewick 12. Walbrook 13. Dowgate 14. Vintrey 15. Cordwainer 16. Cheap 17. Coleman-street 18. Basinghall 19. Aldersgate 20. Cripplegate 21. Farringdon within 22. Faringdon without 23. Breadstreet 24. Queenhithe 25. Castle-Baynard 26. Bridgwater without viz. the Burrough of Southwark 1. Towerstreet Ward so termed from the Tower unto this Ward belongs Sydon-lane or Seething-lane part of Mark-lane Minchen-lane and Beer-lane Water-lane then Harp-lane in this Lane is the Bakers-Hall then the two Lanes called Church-Lanes and next to them Foul-lane then the Church of St. Dunstan's in the East the Custome-house and Key now bravely rebuilt and adorned 2. Portsoken Ward the East part of the Tower is in it then the Hospital of St. Katharine then East-Smithfield and Tower-hill where is the Store-house for keeping Provisions for the Navy Royal called the Slaughter-house the Merchant-Taylors have in this Ward Alms-houses for 14 Women next the Minories then the Church of St. Buttolph then is Hoglane near Goodmans-fields the Ward ending at Petticoat-lane 3. Aldgate Ward so named from the Gate the chief Street beginneth at the Gate betwixt the Gate and Limestreet in it is Bricklayers-Hall then Billeter-lane then Fenchurch-street till you come to Culver-alley then Crossed or Crouched-Friars Woodroof-lane Hart-street the North end of Mark-lane where the Ward endeth 4. Limestreet Ward here stands Leaden-Hall formerly a Storehouse for Provision for the Poor now a Market-place for Butchers Tanners Meal-men and Wool no Market in the World for variety of Provision able to stand in competition with it Tere is no Parish-Church or place for Divine Service in this Ward 5. Bishopsgate Ward part is without the Gate from St. Mary Spittle to Bishopsgate which Lanes and Alleys of note are Bethlehem East of the New Postern West by Moorfields and almost half of Houndsditch in this Ward is the Church of St. Buttolph without the Gate Fishers-folly the old Artillery-ground St. Mary-Spittle within the Gate is Bishopsgate-street so called of the Gate unto the East end of St. Martins-Outwitch where is Gresham-Colledg then by the West corner of Leaden-hall down that was called Grass-street to the Corner over against the Church great St. Hellens and little St. Hellens where is Leather-sellers-Hall 6. Broadstreet Ward so named from the Street in it is Throgmorton-street Threadneedle-street half Finch-lane and Scalding-alley in it is Alhallows in the Wall Winchester-street Carpenters-Hall Winchester-house the Hall between Winchester-street and Broad-street called the Glass-house in Broad-street are Sir Thomas Gresham's Alms-houses here standeth St. Peters the Poor of which Parish was formerly made this Rhime In the Parish of St. Peters the Poor There 's no Ale-house nor Tavern nor Sign at a door The Case is altered now quoth Ploydon The St. Augustine-Friers now the Dutch Church in this Ward is Drapers-Hall the House formerly of Cromwel Earl of Essex Bartholomew-lane and Merchant-Taylors-Hall in Threadneedle-street 7. Corn-hil Ward so called from a Corn-Market formerly kept there the chief Ornaments of this Ward are a famous Monument erected by Sir Thomas Gresham who named it the Burss afterwards by Queen Elizabeth called the Royal-Exchange it is the Place of publick meeting for Merchants whereunto they twice every day resort between twelve and one at Noon and six and seven at Night a stately Structure now said to be the best in the known World built quadrangular of Free-stone with a lofty Tower at the South entrance and Walks round the main Building over which are above 200 Shops for rich Wares and well stored with variety of all sorts The Church of St. Peter accounted the oldest Church in London the Church of St. Michael now rebuilt and bravely adorned also the South end of Finch-lane and the North end of Burching is in this Ward 8. Langborn Ward so termed of a Bourn or Brook of sweet Water that ran in it in which is Fenchurch-street Lombard-street half of Lime-street in which was Pewterers-Hall Dionys Back-church half of Birching-lane some few Houses in Philpot-lane St. Clements-lane down to St. Clements Church St. Nicholas-lane down beyond St. Nicholas Church a small portion of Abchurch-lane part of Beerbinder-lane Alhallows-Lombard-street St. Mary Wolnoth 9. Billingsgate Ward the Ornaments of this
Star appeared visible at Noon the Sun shining clear at which time the King rode to St. Paul's Church to give thanks for the Queens safe delivery of her second Son Prince Charles now our most gracious Soveraign whom God grant long to Reign over us In the 8th year of his Reign near one half of the Houses upon London Bridge were burnt to the tops of the Arches In the year 1643. The most Magnificent Cross in Cheapside London was demolished In the 17th year of K. Charles the Second Began a dreadful Pestilence in the City of London continuing from the beginning of May till the end of December where there died in London and within the Bill of Mortality of the Plague and of other Diseases 97306. besides many more not taken account of On the 2d 3d 4th 5th of September in the 18th year of his Reign in the space of three days were in London consumed by Fire Fourscore and Ten Parish-Churches and above Thirteen Thousand Dwelling-Houses Norfolk THe County of Norfolk is bounded on the East by the German Ocean On the West by Cambridgeshire and Lincolnshire On the South by Suffolk And on the North by the German Ocean It containeth in length 50 Miles In breadth 35. And in Circumference 145 Miles The Temperature of the Air in this County is very sharp especially in the Champion and near the Sea and the Spring and Harvest here are very late The Soil in many places is very good but generally of Clay or fat Chalk And although it be healthy in some places yet by composture of Sheep the Heaths are made mighty Rich for Corn so that when they are laid again from bearing of Corn they yield a more sweet and plentiful feeding for Sheep The Chief Commodities of this County are Stuff Stockings Wool Corn Coals and Conies Herrings and other Fish It is in the Diocess of Norwich and hath in it 660 Parishes Out of it are Elected 12 Members to sit in Parliament Knights 2 Norwich 2 Kings-Lynn 2 Yarmouth 2 Thetford 2 Castle-rising 2 Its Division is into 31 Hundreds viz. Smethdon Brothercross North Grenehoe Halfe North Erpingham Tunstad Happing West Flegg Blowfield Tavatham South Erpingham Eynsford Gallowe Frecbridge Laundiche Milforde Forehoce Humbleyarde Hensteade Loe Clavering Earshaw Depwarde Dysse Guiltcrosse Shorpham Wayland South Grenehoe Walsham Clackelosse Grymshooe And in these Hundreds are 28 Market-Towns viz. Lyn Tues Sat. East Harling Tues Foulsham Tues Caston Tues Norwich W. F. S. Harlston Wed. Watton Wed. Attlebury Thurs Fakingham Thu. North Walsham Th. Dis Frid. Wymondham Fr. East Deareham Fr. Snetsham Fri. Walsingham Fri. Yarmouth Sat. Thetford Sa. Hingham Sa. New Bakenham Sa. Swafham Sa. Downham Sa. Holt Sa. Burnham Market Sa. Cromer Sa. Repham Sa. Alesham Sa. Worfled Sa. Sechy every second Monday Three New Markets Attlebury Southwold Winfield The Sea-Coasts of this County are very fortunate in Fish and on these Coasts are very good Harbours of which Lyn and Yarmouth are the Chief both of them of great Traffick And Wells and Blackney are next in estimation The chief place in this County is the ancient City of Norwich lying in the Latitude of 52 deg 12 min. and bears from London N E. by N. and is distant therefrom 90 miles Thus From London to Waltham Cross 12. to Ware 20. to Puckeridge 24. to Barkway 31. to Witlecford Bridge 41. to New-Market 53. to Thetford 69. to Attleborough 79. to Windham 84. to Norwich 90. But by a more accurate admeasurement upon the Road it is distant 108 miles It is a City flourishing in Peace Plenty Wealth and Honour It is situate upon the River Hierus in a pleasant Valley but upon rising ground In the 17th year of K. Stephen it was founded and made a Corporation In Edward the First 's time inclosed with a fair Wall It was first Governed by 4 Bailiffs Then by Henry the 4th in Anno 1403. erected into a Majoralty and County The Arms of this City are Gules a Castle triple Towred Argent in Base a Lyon of England or Passant Gardant Or. Lyn also in this County having been an ancient Borough under the Government of a Bailiff was by K. John made Liber Burgus who gave them a Cup which to this day honoureth their Corporation Henry the Third enlarged their Charter and granted them to choose a Maior Loco Praeposito unto whom K. Henry the 8th added 12 Aldermen a Recorder and other Officers and the bearing of a Sword before the Maior and further he changed their Name from Major Burgensis Lyn Episcopi to Major Burgensis Lyn Regis Yarmouth being the Key of the Coast seated by the Mouth of the River Year and is an ancient Member of the Cinque Ports being very well built and fortified This Town growing populous was by K. Henry the 3d made a Corporation under 2 Bailiffs The Earls and Dukes of Norfolk since the first Constitution Richard Gaiet E. of Norfolk William of Boloign E. of Norfolk Hugb Bigod E. of Norfolk Thomas Brotherton E. of Norfolk Tho. Moubray D. of Norfolk Richard of Shrewsbury D. of Norfolk L. Howard D. of Norfolk Things Remarkable in this County This County of Norfolk hath been infested with two remarkable Rebellions The first of them was commenced by John Litister a Dyer in Norwich calling himself King of the Commons who led 50 Thousand Soldiers into the Field and forcibly carried the Lord Morley and Scales and other Knights besides and caused them to serve him at his Table but he was shortly overthrown by Henry Spencer Bishop of Norwich and deservedly Hanged Anno 1381. The other was under the leading of Robert Ket a Tanner of Windham who in a Conflict forced the Lord William Par Marquess of Northampton to flight and slew the Lord Shefield in the Field but after many Outrages done to the City of Norwich was taken by John Dudley E. of Warwick having 5000 of his followers slain and himself takee and Hanged upon the top of the Castle Anno 1543. Cambden Reports that the Inhabitants of this County are naturally very capable of the niceties and quirks of the Law and those of them that bend their Studies that way prove generally excellent Lawyers On the Shore of this County viz. by Yarmouth is every year in the Month of September the worthiest fishing for Herrings in all Europe which draweth great concourse of People thither and maketh the Town much Richer all the year after The River Bure in this County is incredibly full of Fish In the River Tore by Norwich there is great plenty of a Fish they call a Ruffe which hath a Body all prickled over it delights in Sandy places and is much like a Perch in colour brown and duskish above but of a pale yellow beneath it is marked by the Chaws with a double course of half Circles the Eye for the upper part of it is of a dark brown and the lower part somewhat yellowish and the ball of it black
There is a line goes along the back which is as it were fastned to the body by an overtwart thrid it is all spotted with black specks over the Tale and Fins 'T is a wholsom Fish and eats tender and short as a Perch This Fish is rarely taken in any other River and this is observable of it that when the Fish is angry the Fins stand up stiff and after its anger is over they fall flat again At St. Bennets in the Holm Cockles and Periwinckles are digged out of the Ground The Ground about Winterton is the Richest Fattest Rottenest and easiest to Plough of any in England Upon the Shoar of this Shire Jet and Amber are often found and sometimes Hawks are taken Northampton-Shire IS bounded on the East by Cambridge-shire On the West by Warwickshire On the South by Buckinghamshire And on the North by Lincolnshire and Leicestershire It containeth in length 55 miles In breadth 26 miles And in Circumference 125 miles The Air is Temperate good and wholsom The Soil is Champion Rich and fruitful and it is well peopled and is the seat of many Noble Families of this Kingdom The Chief Commodities of this Shire are Corn Cattel Sheep and Wood. It is in the Diocess of Peterborough and hath in it 326 Parishes Out of it are elected 9 Members which sit in Parliament Knights 2 Peterborough 2 Northampton 2 Brackley 2 Higham-Ferrers 1 Its Division is into 20 Hundreds viz. Nassaburge Willibrooke Corby Polbrook Navisford Huxloe Rothwell Guylesborrow Orlington Fansey Newbottle Grove Spelboe Hamfordshoe Higham ferryes Wymersley Towcester Warden Norton Cleley Sutton And in these Hundreds are 13 Market-Towns viz. Rothwell Mond Thrapston Tuesd Tonchester Tues Kings Cliff Tu. Wellingborough Wed. Brackley Wedn. Daventry Wed. Kettering Friday Northampton Satur. Peterborough Sat. Oundle Sat. Higham Ferrers Rockingham The principal place in this County is the Town of Northampton lying in the Latitude of 52 deg 14 min. It bears from London N. W. and is distant therefrom 54 miles Thus From London to Barnet 10. to St. Albans 20. to Dunstable 30. to Stony-stratford 34. to Northampton 54. But by more accurate admeasurement upon the Road it is found to be 65 miles This Town is seated at the meeting and confluence of two Rivers and saith Speed for Circuit Beauty and Building may be ranked with most of the Cities of this Land It hath formerly been built all of Stone and walled about with a high and strong Wall This Town is yearly Governed by a Mayor two Bailiffs 12 Magistrates a Recorder a Town-Clerk a Common Council of 48 Burgesses with 5 Sergeants to execute business The Arms of this Town of Northampton are Gules a Watch-Tower on a Hill Proper supported by 2 Lions Rampant Or. The Names of the Earls of Northampton since the Norman Conquest Siward E. of Northampton Simon Scutlis E. of Northampton William Bohun E. of Northampton Humphrey Bohun E. of Northamp Thomas Woodstock E. of Northamp Humphrey Stafford E. of Northamp William Parr M. Henry Haward E. of Northamp Will. Compton E. of N. Things Remarkable in this County Upon the 26th of July 1469. at Edgcot in this County upon Danes Moor a bloody Battel was fought by the Lords of the North their Captains being Sir John Comers and Robin of Risdale against K. Edward the 4th William Herbert E. of Pembrook was the King's General who together with his Brother Richard and Richard Woodvill Lord Rivers Brother to the Queen with his Son were all four there taken with other 10 Gentlemen and all of them carried to Banbury and there Beheaded There were also 5000 of their men slain the greatest part whereof were Welsh men After this Victory Robin of Risdale hasted to the King's Mannor House at Grafton and there surprized Earl Rivers the Queens Father and his Son John and had them Beheaded at Northampton The Town of Northampton hath three times felt the smart of Civil Dissention The first was in Anno 1106. by Robert William and Henry Brethren and Sons to the Conqueror who spoiled it and all the Countrey adjoyning The second was Anno 1263. by K. Henry the 3d. who surprized it against his Rebellious Barons and broke down the Walls thereof The third was Anno 1459. in which Town was taken K. Henry the 6th by the Earls of Warwick and March supporters of the Title of York wherein were slain Humphrey Stafford D. of Buckingham John Talbot E. of Shrewsbury and the Lords Beamount and Egremount with many more and the King was by the Lords conveyed to London From some Ascents in this County may be seen at one view 30 Parish-Churches and many more Windmils By Collyweston in this County Slate Stones are digged The River Nun runs by the South side of Peterborough in the middle of which saith William of Swaffham is a Gulf so deep and cold withal that in Summer time no Swimmer is able to Dive to the bottom of it and yet it is never frozen in Winter for there is a Spring in it whence the Water always rises and bubleth up which keeps it from freezing Northumberland THis County is bounded on the East by the German Ocean On the West by Cumberland On the South by the Bishoprick of Durham And on the North by Scotland It containeth in length 60 miles In breadth 40 miles And in Circumference 145 miles The Temperature of the Air of this Shire of it self is sharp and piercing but the German Ocean doth somewhat abate the edge of this sharpness and helps to dissolve the Snow and Ice The Soil is barren having neither fertility of Ground for Corn or Cattel it being naturally rough and hard to be manured But those parts by the Sea side and by the River Tyne good Husbanding of it hath made it reasonable fertile The principal Commodities are Sea-Coals Fish and Fowl It is in the Diocess of Durham and hath in it 460 Parishes Out of it are elected 8 Parliament Men. Knights 2 New-Castle upon Tyne 2 Morpeth 2 Berwick upon Tweed 2 Its Division is not into Hundreds but into 6 Wards In the County are 6 Market-Towns viz. 1 New-Castle Tues and Sat. 2 Hexam Tues 3 Morpeth Wednes 4 Weller Thurs 5 Alnewick Satur. 6 Barwick Sat. The Principal Town in this County is New-Castle lying in the Latitude of 55 deg 3 min. It bears from London N. by W. And is distant therefrom 212 miles Thus From London to Waltham-Cross 12 miles to Ware 20. to Royston 33. to Huntington 48. to Stamford 69. to Grantham 85. to Newark 95. to Tuxford 105. to Doncaster 123. to Ferrybridge 134. to Tadcaster 142. to York 150. to Burrough-bridge 163. to Northallerton 176. to Darlington 186. to Durham 200. to New-Castle 212. But being accurately measured upon the Road the distance is found to be 276. It hath in it 4 Churches and a strong VVall about it in which there are eight Gates It is much ennobled by the Haven which the River Tyne maketh being of that
nor too cold occasioned by the many Rivers which run through this Shire The Soil is Rich Plenteous and Delightful and yields abundance of Corn Cattle Wool and Grass and is destitute of nothing that is either Pleasant or Profitable to the Life of Man The Principal Commodities are Wheat Barley and Malt. It is in the Diocesses of London Chichester and Lincoln and hath in it 120 Parishes Out of it are Elected 6 Members which sit in Parliament Knights 2 St. Albans 2 Hertford 2 Its Division is into 8 Hundreds viz. 1. Odsey 2. Edwinstreet 3. Branging 4. Brodewater 5. Hitching 6. Dacor 7. Hertford 8. Caisho And in these Hundreds are 18 Market-Towns Barnet Mon. Barkhamsted M. Buntingford M. VVatford Tues Ware Tues Hitching Tues Sabsworth Wed. Hempsted Thurs Hatfield Th. Hodsdon Th. Bishop Stafford Th. Baldock Th. Stevenedge Frid. Tringe Frid. Stondon Fr. Hertford Sat. S. Albans Sat. Rickmanswortb Sat. Stevenedge and Redbourn 2 new Markets The Principal Town in this Shire is Hertford lying in the Latitude of 51 deg 50 min. bearing from London N. by W. and is distant therefrom 20 Miles Thus From London to Barnet 10. to Hertford 20. But the way upon the Road is 22 miles measured This Town of Hertford though the Shire-Town is not the richest the turning of the way through Ware having much hindred Travellers from going through it It hath been formerly a Baliwick but is now governed by a Mayor nine Burgesses a Recorder and Two Serjeants their Attendants The Arms of Hertford is A Hart in a Field Proper The Earls of Hertford are Roger Earl of Clare and Hertford Edward Senior Earl of Hertford In this County three remarkable Battels of Civil dissention in England have been fought viz. The First on the 23d of May 1455. in the Town of St. Albans by Richard D. of York the Earls of Warwick and Salisbury and Lords of Fow Cambridge and Cobham against K. Henry the 6. In whose defence Edw. D. of Somerset Henry E. of Northumberland and John Lord Clifford with 5000 more lost their Lives The King himself wounded in the Neck with an Arrow the D. of Buckingham and Lord Sudley in their Faces Humphrey E. of Stafford in his right Hand and the E. of Dorset almost slain There were on the Dukes part only 600 slain The King by them was brought to London and a Reconciliation made by their advancements unto Dignities and Offices The Second Battel was also fought at St. Albans on the 17th of February being Shrove-Sunday by Q. Margaret against the Dukes of Norffolk and Suffolk the Earls of Warwick and Arundel who by force kept the King her Husband with them and by constraint he held and on their side fought till the Field was lost and the Lords fled when with great joy he was received by his Queen and young Prince Edward The Third Battel was fought in Anno 1471. upon the 14th of April being Easter-Day near High Barnet by the Earls of Warwick and Oxford and Marquesso Mountaculo against K. Edw. 4. who led with him K. Henry the 6th his Prisoner unto that Field and that day obtained the Victory against his Enemies There were Slain in this Battel Richard Nevil the stout E. of Warwick with his Brother the Marquess and the E. of Oxford put to flight and the Duke of Excester sore wounded and left in the Field for Dead On the King's part were Slain the Lords Cromwell Bowcher and Barns and on both parts the number of 10000 Men. Remarques in this County Near Fishpool-Street in St. Albans saith Cambden in our remembrance have Anchors of a great weight been digged up There is near St. Albans a Brook called Womere which never breaketh out but it foretelleth dearth or scarcity of Corn or else some danger suddenly to ensue At Ashwell in this County rise so many Sourses of Springs together that they presently drive a Mill and become a pretty big River Herefordshire IS bounded on the East by Gloucestershire and Worcestershire On the West by Radnorshire On the South by Monmouthshire And on the North by Shropshire It containeth in length 63 Miles in breadth 36 Miles And in Circumference 101 Miles The Air is very healthful temperate and wholsom The Soyl of this County is exceeding Rich for Corn and Cattle and about Lemster is the finest Wool in all England The Chief Commodities of this County are Syder Corn Wood and the best Wool in any part of England It is in the Diocess of Hereford and in it are 176 Parishes Out of it are elected 8 Parliament Men. Knights 2 Hereford 2 Lemster 2 VVeobly 2 Its Division is into 11 Hundreds viz. 1 Wignore 2 Wolsey 3 Broxash 4 Stretford 5 Radlow 6 Grimsworth 7 Greytree 8 Webtree 9 Ewjaslacy 10 Wormelow 11 Huntington In these Hundreds are 8 Market-Towns viz. Branyeard Monday Pembridge Tues Lidbury Tuesd Kyneton Wedn. Webley Thurs Rosse Thurs Lemster Friday Hereford Wed. Friday and Saturday The most eminent place in this County is the City of Hereford lying in the Latitude of 52 deg 12 min. and bearing W. N. W. from London and distant therefrom 101 miles thus From London to Maidenhead 22. to Nettlebed 33. to Alington 46. to Farrington 56. to Perrors-bridge 69. to Gloucester 81. to Rosse 91. to Hereford 101. But according to a more accurate admeasurement upon the Road it is distant from London 130 miles The City of Hereford is Walled about having six Gates for entrance and 15 Watch-Towers for defence It is yearly Governed by a Mayor chosen out of one of the 30 Citizens which are called the Election whoever after is known for an Alderman and cloathed in Scarlet the four eldest Aldermen are Justices of the Peace and graced with a Sword-bearer a Recorder a Town-Clerk and 4 Sergeants with Maces The Arms of the City of Hereford are Gules three Lyons Passant Guardant Or. The Earls of Hereford since the first Constitution are William Fitz Osbourn Earl Robert Bossue Earl Miles Consta of England Henry Bohun Earl Henry Bullingbrook D. Stafford Walter D'Evreux Visc Heref. Upon the 2d of February being Candlemas-Day in the year 1461. near Ludlow a great Battel was fought between Jasper E. of Pembrook and James Butler E. of Ormond and Wiltshire against Edward E. of March in which 3800 men were Slain The two Earls fled and Owen Tenther taken and beheaded Before this Battel began there appeared visible in the Heavens 3 Suns which after a while all joyned together and became One as before This caused Edward afterwards to give the Sun in his Glory for his Badge and Cognizance Things remarkable in this County By Snodhill Castle is a Quarry of Exellent Marble By Richards Castle is a Well called Bone-Well wherein are continually found little Fishes Bones but not a Fin to be seen which Well being wholly cleansed of them yet will the like come again But saith Mr. Speed no man knows whether they be produced naturally or brought thither in Veins through
the Earth In the year 1571. Marsley Hill in the East part of this Shire with a roaring Noise removed it self from the place where it stood and for three days together travelled from its old Seat It began this Motion on Saturday the 17th of February about 6 of the Clock at Night and by 7 of the Clock the next Morning it had gone about 200 foot carrying with it Sheep in their Coats Hedge-rows and Trees whereof some were overthrown and those that stood upon the Plain are now firmly growing upon the Hill Those that were East are turned West and those in the West are turned East In this remove it overthrew Kinnaston Chappel and turned two High ways near 300 foot from their old Paths The Ground that thus removed was about 26 Acres which opening it self Rocks and all bore the Earth before it for about 1200 foot without any stay leaving Pasturage in the place of Tillage and Tillage overspread the Pasturage Thus overwhelming its lower parts it mounted to a Hill 12 Fathom high and there rested after three days Travel Huntington-Shire THis Shire is bounded on the East by Cambridgeshire On the West by Northamptonshire On the South by Lincolnshire And on the North by Northamptonshire It containeth in length 23 Miles In Breadth 18. And in Circumference 65 Miles The temperature of the Air of this County is not so good as in other parts of England in respect of the great quantity of Meers in it yet the Natives that dwell about them are healthful and live very long but Strangers are subject to much Sickness For the Soyl the Hilly part is for the Plough and the Valley for Pasture which is accounted as good as any in England The Chief Commodities are Corn and Cattle It is in the Diocess of Lincoln and hath in it 79 Parishes Out of it are elected 4 Parliament Men. Knights 2 Huntingdon 2 Its Division is into 4 Hundreds viz. Norman Cross Hurstingstone Leightenstoned Toltan And in these Hundreds are 6 Market-Towns viz. St. Ives Mond Yaxley Tuesd Ramsey Wedn. St. Neots Thurs Kimbolton Friday Huntingdon Sat. The Principal Town in this County is Huntingdon lying in the Latitude of 52 deg 21 min. It bears from London N. by W. And is distant therefrom 48 miles Thus From London to Edmonton 6. to Waltham-Cross 12. to Ware 20. to Puckeridge 24. to Royston 33. to Huntingdon 48. But by more accurate admeasurement upon the Road it is found to be 57 miles By Charter from K. John this Town hath a peculiar Coroner Profit by Toll and Custom Recorder Town-Clerk and 2 Bailiffs annually Elected The Seal of this Town is in a Ring a Huntsman with Dog Staff c. all Proper The Earls of this County since the first Constitution are Waldeof E. of Huntingdon Simon de St. Lizio E. Henry Prince of Scotland E. William Clinton E. Guyford Angolesme E. John Holland F. Thomas Gray E. William Herbert George Hastings Things remarkable in this Shire At Aleyceston in this Shire are two little Springs the one Fresh the other somewhat Brackish The latter is good for Leprosie and Scabs and the other for dim Sights Wittlesmere-Lake and other Meers near it in this Shire do sometimes in fair and calm weather suddenly rise tempestuously with Water-quakes by reason of Vapours breaking violently out of the Earth Kent KEnt is bounded on the East by the Narrow Seas On the West by Surrey On the South by Sussex And on the North by Essex It contains in length 60 miles In breadth 30. And in Circumference 170 miles The Air of this County is neither so serene nor wholsom as other parts of England are which is occasioned by the many Vapours that arise from the Sea and River of Thames which almost encompass the same making it a kind of Peninsula And as it is not so healthy and clear neither is it so cold as other parts of England especially in the lower places near the Sea for the Snow upon a Thaw in the Winter will sooner be dissolved in the Valleys than on the Hilly parts of this County For the Soil thus much in general may be said The Weald for Wood. East-Kent for Corn. Rumney for Meadow Tenham for an Orchard Sheppey and Reculver for Wheat Thannet for Barley And Hedcorn for the Brood of big fat and commended Capons The chief Commodities of this County are Corn and Fruit. It is in the Diocesses of Canterbury and Rochester and hath in it 408 Parishes Ten Members are elected out of it to sit in Parliament Knights 2 Canterbury 2 Rochester 2 Maidston 2 Queenborough 2 Its Division is into 5 Lathes 67 Hundreds viz. 1 Sutton Black Heath Bromeley Lesnes Axtane Rookesly Godsheath Westerham Somerden 2 Aylesford Hâ—o Shamele Toltingtroe Chetham Wortham Larkfield Littlefield Twyford Tunbridge Watchlingston West Bamfield Brenchley Marden Eghorne Maidstone 3 Scray Milton Tenham Feversham Becton Felbore Chart Wye Byircholt Galehill Ashford Blackborne Tenderden Barkley Cranbrooke Rolvenden Selbrightenden East Barnfield Newyndene 4 St. Augustine Ringslow Blengate Whitestable Westgate Downchamford Preston Bredge Kinghamford Seasalter Wingham Eastry Corniloe Bewksbrough Longport 5 Shepway Folkestane Lovingborne Stowting Heane Byrcholtsran Streats Worth Ham Langfoâ—t S. Martin Newchurch Alowsbridge Oxney In these Hundreds are contained 29 Market-Towns viz. Eltham M. Wrotham Tu. Lenham Tu. S. Mary Cray W. Westram W. Gouldhurst Wye Yhurs Rumney Th. Lydd Th. Fockestone Th. Bromley Th. Maidstone Th. Rochester Fr. Tunbridge Fr. Tenderden Fr. Smarden Fr. Woolwich Fr. Malinge Sa. Milton Sa. Cranbrooke Sa. Hyth Sa. Bartford Sat. Sevenoke Sat. Gravesend W. S. Feversham W. S. Canterbury W. S. Dover W. S. Sandwich W. S. Appledoor This County aboundeth with Navigable Rivers that of Medway which divideth the County being the chief In this County are also four Cinque-Ports viz. Dover Rumney Sandwich Winchelsey Of these four Dover with the Castle is the chief and by ancient Authors hath been accounted the Lock and Key to the whole Realm of England This County hath the happiness to be possessed of two Cities and Bishops Sees viz. Canterbury and Rochester strengthened with 27 Forts and Castles and graced with 8 of the Kings Palaces and beautified with many Stately Buildings The chief and principal City in this County is Canterbury the See of the Metrapolitan of England It lyeth in Latitude of 51 deg 17 min. And bears East from London being distant therefrom 44 miles Thus From London to Dartford 12. to Rochester 23. to Sittingborn 31. to Canterbury 44 miles But being measured upon the Road its distance from London is found to be 56 miles This City was as Historians record built 900 years before the Nativity of our Saviour and was the first erected School for Education in Arts and Sciences and was the motive which induced Sigibert King of the East Angles to lay his foundation for Cambridge University In this City were Married K. John and Isabella his Wife and also with the Marriages of
Kine In the year of our Lord 1348. a Plague began in London about Alhallontide and continued till the year 1357. which is 9 years where it was observed That those that were born after the beginning of this Mortality had but 28 Teeth whereas before they had 32. In Anno 1411. Guild-hall in London was built In the 4th year of Edw. the 3d. A Solemn Tournament or Jousting which lasted three days was held in Cheapside London near to Soper-lane where a Scaffold was erected for the Queen Philippa and her Ladies to sit on to see the Jousting which Scaffold fell and though there was no hurt done the King threatned to punish the Carpenters that erected it for their neglect till the Queen upon her knees intreated pardon for them In the 11th year of his Reign was so great a Plenty that in London A Quarter of Wheat was was sold for 2 s. A fat Oxe for a Noble A fat Sheep for 6 d. Five Pigeons for a Peny A fat Goose for two Pence A Pig for a Peny In the 14th year of Richard the 2d on Christmas day a Dolphin was taken up at London Bridge of a monstrous growth and 10 foot long In a Parliament time in this Kings Reign a certain Image was made of Wax by Necromancy which at an hour appointed uttered these words The Head shall be cut off The Head shall be lift up aloft The Feet shall be lift up above the Head This Parliament was called the Marvellous Parliament In the 3d year of Henry the 5th upon Candlemas Day 7 Dolphins came up the River of Thames whereof 4 were taken Upon the 8th of November in the 7th year of K. Henry the 6th the Duke of Norfolk passing through London Bridge His Barge being set upon the Piles overwhelmed so that 37 persons were Drown'd and the Duke with some others that escaped were fain to be drawn up with Ropes In the 18th year of Henry the 6th All the Lions in the Tower died And upon the 18th day of July in the same year the Postern Gate between the two Tower Hills sunk by night above 7 foot into the Ground In the 10th year of King Henry the 7th in the digging a new Foundation in the Church of St. Mary Hill in London the Body of Alice Hackney who had been Buried in that Church 175 years before was found whole of Skin and the Joynts of her Arms pliable her Corps was kept above ground 4 days without annoyance and then Buried again In the 15th year of his Reign was a great Plague of which there died in London in that year 30 Thousand persons In the 9th year of K. Henry the 8th there hapned a Sweating Sickness whereof a number of People died especially in London so thar in 3 and sometimes in 2 hours it took away mens lives It began in July and continued till the middle of December In the 20th year of his Reign in the end of May began another Sweating Sickness in London which infected all places of the Realm In the 27th year of Henry the 8th upon Tuesday in Easter VVeek William Foxley Pot-maker for the Mynt of the Tower of London fell asleep and could not be waked with pinching or burning till 14 days after and when he awaked was found in all points as if he had slept but one night and he lived 40 years after In the second year of Edward the 6th St. Anns Church by Aldersgate in London was consumed by Fire In his 5th year was a Sweating Sickness again more violent than those foregoing for in the first VVeek it began in London there died there 800 persons and it was so violent that it took men away in 24 hours sometimes in 12 and some in less In this Sickness besides divers Persons of Quality and account there died two Sons of Charles Brandon Duke of Suffolk both dying within an hour one of another and in such order that both of them died Dukes In the 2d year of Q. Mary on the 15th of February in the Sky appeared a Rainbow reversed i. e. the Bow downwards and the ends upwards Also 2 Suns shined at one time being a good distance asunder In the 4th year of her Reign Burning Agues and other-strange Diseases took away very many people so that in London between the 20th of October and the last of December there died seven Aldermen In her 5th year upon the last of September there fell such great store of Rain that Westminster Hall was full of VVater and Boats were rowed over Westminster Bridge into King-street In the 3d year of Q. Elizabeth the Spire of St. Paul's Cathedral in London being 260 foot high above the Stone-work being made of VVood and covered with Lead was with Lightning burnt down together with the Roof of the Church and Steeple and all in less than 5 hours time Also in this year of her Reign were produced many monstrous Births viz. a Mare brought forth a Foal with two Heads and a long Tail growing out between the two Heads A Sow farrowed a Pig with 2 Bodies 8 Feet and but one Head In her 6th year a great Pestilence raged in London whereof there died there in one year 21 Thousand and 5 Hundred persons In her 8th year there died in London in 10 Months space 7 Aldermen In her 15th year appeared the new Star or Comet in Cathedra Cassiopoea In her 17th year the River Thames Ebb'd and Flowed twice in one hour And upon the 9th of September the Heavens seemed to be all on fire In her 26th year was a great Plague in London of which there died besides the Lord Maior and three Aldermen 17 Thousand 8 hundred and 90. and Michaelmas Term was held at St. Albans In the first year of K. James the Plague was so violent in London that from the 23th of December to the 12th of December following there died in London and the Liberties 38 thousand 244 persons whereof of the Plague 30 thousand 568 of which in one Week 3 thousand and 90. In his 3d year a great Porpus was taken at West Ham a mile and half within the Land and a few days after a Whale was divers times seen above the Water in the River of Thames which was judged to exceed the biggest Ship upon the River but tasting the fresh Water retired into the Sea In his 6th year 1609. A Frost began in December and lasted till April following In the 12th year of his Reign the New-River Water was brought to London In the year 1623. on Friday Octob. 24. A Romish Priest Preached in the Afternoon at Hunsdon House in the Black Fryers London in an upper Chamber where 300 persons were assembled to hear him when about the middle of the Sermon a great part of the Floor brake and fell down in the fall whereof the Priest was slain and near 100 of his Auditors and as many more maimed In the 7th year of King Charles the First upon the 29th of May a
at Mace The Arms of the Town of Shrewsbury is Azure 3 Leopards heads Or. Things Remarkable in this County That the Air of this County is healthful as is aforesaid was versified in old Tho. Parre of Alderbury who was 152 years old who about two years before he died was brought up to London to K. Charles the First and dyed there in Anno 1635. At Wenlock in the time of Richard the Second was found a rich Mine of Copper At â—itchford in this Shire is a Well or Spring in a private man's Yard wherein floweth a thick skum of liquid Bitumen which being cleared and taken off one day will have the like upon it again on the morrow Upon that plot of Ground where the ancient City Wroxcester lay the Earth is more blackish than any elsewhere in the whole County and bears excellent good Barley In the third year of Q. Elizabeth the Town of Oswestre in this County 200 Houses in the space of two hours were consumed with Fire Dr. Fuller in his History of The Worthies of England quoteth a Proverb which is attributed to the Women of this County namely this He that Marries a Wife in Shropshire must carry her into Staffordshire or live in Cumberland The gingle of which Proverb and the reflexion of it upon the Women saying That this County of Shropshire affordeth as good Housewifes and as meek Women as any County in England of the like magnitude Somerset-Shire THis Shire is bounded on the East by Wiltshire On the West by Devonshire On the South by Dorsetshire And on the North by Gloucestershire It containeth in length 62 miles In breadth 32 miles And in Circumference 204 miles The Temperature of the Air is mild pleasing and delightful especially in the Summer Season The Soil is Wet Mirey and Moorish but as it is foul so it is fruitful and on every side garnished with delightful Meadows and beautified with many large Mansion-Houses and the Seven Sea beating upon it on the North side The chief Commodities of this County are Corn Cattel Lead and Bristol Stones It is in the Diocess of Bath and Wells and in it are contained 385 Parishes Out of it are elected 18 Members to sit in Parliament Knights 2 Bristol 2 Bath 2 Wells 2 Taunton 2 Bridgewater 2 Minehead 2 Ilchester 2 Milborn Port 2 Its Division is into 42 Hundreds viz. Chewe Chewton Bathforme Keynsham Bruton Cattesayshe Norton-ferry Frome Wellow Killmersdon Glaston Horethorne Wells and Melford Whitston North Curry Milverton Carhampton Wyllyton and Free-Mannor Whitleigh Canington North Petherton Anderfield Huntspill Puriton Abdicke Bulston Kingsbury S. Petherton Crewkerne Sommerton Pitney Stone Tintin hull Houndsborough Barwick Coker Martock Winterstoake Portbury Brempstone Brent Hartcliffe and Bedminster And in these Hundreds are 30 Market-Towns viz. Somerton Mond Chard Mond Glassenburrough Tu. N. Curry Tu Sat. Wivescomb Tu. Pensford Tu. Wrinton Tu. North Petherton Tu. Wincaunion W. Ilchester W. Taunton W. and S. Bristol W. and Sat. Bath W. and S. Wells W. and S. Frowmselwood Wed. Axebridge Th. South Petherton Th. Wellington Th. Bridgewater Th. Canesham Th. Shepton Mallet Fr. Evill Fr. Dunster Fr. Wruton Sa. Langport S. Crokehorn S. Ilmister S. Wattchet S. Dalverton S. Phillips Norton This County is famous for that in it are three Cities viz. Bath Wells and Bristol Bath taketh its name from the Wells or Springs which there break forth Bath taketh its name from the Hot Baths there But the principal City though not so ancient as the other two is Bristol It lies in the Latitude of 51 deg 32 min. It bears from London West and is distant therefrom 94 miles Thus From London to New Brainford 8 miles to Maidenhead 22. to Reading 32. to Newberry 47. to Marlborough 62. to Chipenham 77. to Marshfield 84. to Bristol 94. But by more accurate admeasurement upon the Road the distance from London is found to be 115 Miles This City is fair and well seated and for beauty may compare with any City in England of the bigness and may well deserve the old Saxon name Bright-stall whose pleasantness is much augmented by reason of the River Avon runs through the middle of it and the Severn running under all the Streets cleanses the City from all manner of filth It is not wholly seated in this County but one part of it is in Gloucestershire It is Governed both by a Bishop and a Maior a competent number of Aldermen and other Officers for the management of Civil affairs The Arms of the City is Gules a Castle upon a Hill by the Seaside and a helm of a Ship under Sail passing by all proper The Earls and Dukes of Somerset and Bath since the first Constitution Rheonald de Mohum Lord of Dunster and E of Somerset John Beauford Duke of Somerset Henry fits Roy Duke of Somerset Edward Somer Duke of Somerset Phllip Chamdew Earl of Bath John Boucheir Lord Fitz Warren Earl of Bath Henry Dawbney John Greenvile Earl of Bath Things Remarkable in this County Camalet a very steep Hill hard to be ascended on the top whereof are seen the Lineaments of a large and ancient Castle which is said to have been the Palace of King Arthur The Church-yard of Avelena or Glassenborough where K. Arthur's Sepulchre was searched for by Order of K. Henry the 2d and was there found under a Stone with an Inscription upon it almost 9 foot under ground The principal Rarity of this County is the Baths which are in number four viz. The Kings Bath The Queens Bath The Cross Bath And the Hot Bath The King's Bath lies in the middle of the City being about 60 foot Square and it hath about the middle of it many hot Springs rising whence it hath the greater heat The Queens Bath hath no Spring in it but only receives the Water from the King's Bath from which it is only divided by a Wall for which reason it is more Temperate than the Kings In these 2 Baths there is a Pump to Pump Water upon the Diseased where strong Embrocations are required The Croâ—â— Bath and the Hot Bath are in the West part of the City The Cross Bath is Triangular and about 25 foot long and as broad at one end It hath not so many Springs as the King's Bath and the Hot Bath have and therefore is of a more gentle heat About 100 foot from the Cross Bath is the Hot Bath so called because formerly when it was not so large as now it is it was much hotter than the rest Near the River Frome are Pit-Coals digged with which Smiths use to soften Iron By the Sea-side not far from Axbridge about the year 1625. a parcel of Land swelled up like a Hill and of a sudden clave asunder and fell down again into the Earth and in the place of it remains a great Pool At Kingsham in the Stone-Quarries there are found Stones in the form of Serpents At Bristol it Flows 13 or 14 foot in height every Tide
certain Officers under them the principal of them hath the Title of Bailiff who in Civil Causes hath the assistance of 12 Jurors to determine differences and minister Justice in this order viz. In Criminal Matters 7 In Matters of Reason and Equity 5. Their 12 are chosen out of the 12 Parishes so that no man goeth farther to complain than to his own Jurate in ordinary Controversies But matters of moment and difficulty are determined before the Bailiff in a general Meeting Things Remarkable in this Island The Inhabitants speak French but very corruptly There are 2 small Islands adjacent to this Island the one called St. Albans the other Hillary The most of the Sheep bred in this Island have 4 Horns apiece IV. Of GARNSEY Island THis Island is encompassed by the Brittish Sea as Jersey was It containeth in length 13 miles In breadth 9 miles And in Circumference 36 miles The Temperature of the Air and Climate differs nothing from that of Jersey The Soil is very fruitful yielding great plenty of Grass for their Sheep and other Cattel The chief Commodities are Sheep Fish Fowl Sider The Government of this Island is much the same with that of Jersey Their Customes and Conditions do more resemble the people of England It hath in it 10 Parishes One Market-Town being also a Haven and is called St. Peter's Port. Things Remarkable in this Island The Fields of this Island in the Summer time are so naturally garnished with Flowers of all sorts that saith Speed being in it he might conceit himself to be in a pleasant artificial Garden The Inhabitants within these 100 years have taken great delight in planting of Fruit-Trees especially Apples of which they make store of Syder Amongst the Rocks of this Island are found a hard Stone called Emerill much used by Goldsmiths and Lapidaries for their cutting of other precious Stones In this Island is neither Toad Adder Snake or other venomous Creature to be found But in Jersey though the Air and Climate be the same with this of Garnsey they have great store of such Creatures THere are 2 other Islands namely Holy Island and Farre Island in neither of which is any thing Remarkable and so I shall say nothing concerning them The Names of the several Cinque-Ports of England and in what County each of them are viz. Dover in Kent Rumney in Kent Sandwich in Kent Hastings in Sussex Rye in Sussex Seaford in Sussex Winchelsey in Sussex An Account of the several Monasteries Priories Frieries Nunneries Colledges and Hospitals in every County in England and Diocesses in Wales which were Demolished in the Reign of K. Henry the VIII and the Annual Revenue of them Counties Names Monasteries Priories Frieries Nunneries Colledges Hospitals Valuation l. s. d. Barkshire 5 2 1 3 3 2 6368 12 8 Bedfordshire 1 6 3 4 3 3 3054 10 3 Buckinghamshire 1 1 1 2 1 0 0730 01 11½ Cambridgeshire 9 14 4 7 1 4 4002 11 10 Cheshire 5 1 3 2 3 1 1447 2 0½ Cornwall 11 3 1 0 2 0 1287 0 6½ Cumberland 4 4 1 2 22 0 2549 12 9 Derbyshire 8 2 0 3 3 1 1055 12 11½ Devonshire 14 10 1 2 1 1 5394 2 6 Dorcetshire 7 2 2 3 3 1 4520 6 9 Durham 4 0 0 1 10 4 2696 15 0 Essex 13 14 3 2 2 4 7013 8 6 Gloucestershire 11 3 1 2 1 5 7302 5 10½ Hantshire 8 10 6 3 3 4 7218 17 5 Herefordshire 2 6 1 2 0 1 0522 4 5 Hertfordshire 2 12 3 5 1 3 4076 3 10 Huntingdonshire 2 4 0 2 8 1 2743 5 6½ Kent 9 13 6 9 1 13 8840 18 7½ Lancashire 5 5 0 0 6 0 2288 19 8½ Leicestershire 9 6 0 3 4 5 4833 11 9½ Lincolnshire 32 24 5 6 5 3 1 1664 12 0½ London 3 3 0 4 2 11 1 2595 8 0 Middlesex 3 3 5 2 9 5 3550 0 8 Counties Names Monasteries Priories Frieries Nunneries Colledges Hospitals Valuation l. s. d. Norfolk 12 20 16 5 9 4 6128 1 3 Northamptonshire 6 6 4 7 7 3 4731 15 6 Nottinghamshire 3 6 2 1 4 3 2763 7 7½ Northumberland 2 2 4 3 3 1 1252 15 10 Oxfordshire 7 7 5 4 1 3 3078 1 6 Rutlandshire 0 1 0 0 0 1 0043 12 4 Shropshire 8 5 6 0 3 2 2757 14 6½ Staffordshire 4 10 2 5 8 3 1902 17 3½ Somersetshire 10 8 2 3 5 6 9324 17 2 Suffolk 13 15 3 3 4 1 5390 7 9 Surrey 3 4 3 0 1 1 4883 14 0½ Sussex 8 9 3 5 3 4 3355 10 7 Warwickshire 4 10 3 6 6 4 3839 3 0 Wiltshire 3 13 4 4 4 8 4044 17 1½ Westmorland 1 0 1 0 0 0 0166 10 6 Worcestershire 7 4 2 2 2 2 4896 1 8 Yorkshire 33 10 11 23 15 10 1 4611 3 5 Asaph Diocess 4 0 0 1 0 1 0808 5 5 Bangor Diocess 5 1 3 0 2 0 0298 18 2 David Diocess 6 5 2 0 7 0 1548 3 7 Landaffe Diocess 6 6 3 1 1 0 0925 12 0  314 290 126 142 198 129 183508-1-11½ A TABLE shewing the Beginning of the Reigns the time of the Reigning the Termination or Ending of the Reigns and the number of Years since the ending of the Reigns of every of the English Saxon and Danish Monarchs from King Egbert to the Norman Conquest Kings Names Began to Reign Reigned Years Ended their Reign Since their Reign 1 Egbert 818 18 836 842 2 Ethelwolf 836 21 857 821 3 Ethelbald 857 1 858 820 4 Ethelbert 858 5 863 815 5 Etheldred 863 10 873 805 6 Alfred 873 27 900 778 7 Edward I. Saxon 900 24 924 754 8 Ethelstan 924 16 940 738 9 Edmund 940 6 946 732 10 Edred 946 9 955 723 11 Edwyn 955 4 959 719 12 Edgar 959 20 979 699 13 Edward II. Saxon. 979 27 1006 672 14 Ethelred 982 34 1016 662 15 Edmond II. 1016 1 1017 661 The Danish Line 16 Canutus 1017 20 1037 641 17 Herold I. 1037 3 1040 638 18 Hardicanutus 1040 2 1042 626 19 Edward Confessor 1042 23 1065 613 20 Herold II. 1065 2 1067 611 The Saxon Line restored A TABLE OF THE KINGS and QUEENS of ENGLAND since the Norman Conquest Kings and Queens Born anno Began to Reign Reigned Y. M. Since their Reigns Ended Buried at William 1 1023 1066 October 14. 20 11 591 September 9. Caen Norm William 2 1057 1087 September 9. 12 11 578 August 2. Winchester Henry 1 1068 1100 August 2. 35 4 543 December 1. Reading Stephen 1105 1135 December 1. 18 11 524 October 26. Feversham The Saxon Line Restored Henry 2 1132 1154 October 25. 35 9 489 July 6. Fountever Richard 1 1152 1189 July 6. 9 9 479 April 6. Fountever John 1165 1199 April 6. 17 6 462 October 19. Worcester Henry 3 1207 1216 October 19. 56 1 406 November 16. Westminster Edward 1 1239 1272 November 16. 34 8 371 July 7. Westminster Edward 2 1283 1307 July 7. 19 6
352 January 25. Gloucester Edward 3 1312 1326 January 25. 51 5 301 June 21. Westminster Richard 2 1366 1377 June 21. 22 3 279 September 29. Westminster The Line of Lancaster Henry 4 1367 1399 September 29. 13 6 265 March 20. Canterbury Henry 5 1584 1412 March 20. 9 5 256 August 31. Westminster Henry 6 1421 1422 August 31. 38 6 218 March 4. Windsor The Line of York Edward 4 1442 1460 March 4. 23 1 195 April 9. Winchester Edward 5 1433 1471 April 9. 0 2 195 June 18. Not known Richard 3 1448 1483 June 18. 2 2 193 August 22. Leicester The Families United Henry 7 1459 1485 August 22. 2 2 193 August 22. Leicester Henry 8 1491 1508 April 22. 2 2 193 August 22. Leicester Edward 6 1537 1547 January 28. 37 10 132 June 28. Windsor Q. Mary 1518 1553 July 6. 6 5 125 July 6. Westminster Q. Eliz. 1533 1558 November 17. 44 4 76 March 24. Westminster The Union of the two Kingdoms James 1566 1602 March 24. 22 0 53 March 27. Westminster Charles 1 1600 1625 March 27. 23 11 30 January 30. Windsor Charles 2 1630 1648 January 30. Whom God grant long to Reign A CATALOGUE of the Peers and Nobility of England according to their Precedence Dukes James Duke of York and Albany Earl of Vlster Lord High Admiral of England the King 's only Brother Created Jan. 27. 1643. Rupert Duke of Cumberland and Earl of Holdernesse Jan. 24. 1643. The Lord Chancellor Keeper Treasurer Privy Seal Take place of all the other Dukes Thomas Howard Duke of Norfolk Francis Seymour Duke of Somerset George Villiers Duke of Buckingham Christopher Monk Duke of Albemarle James Fitz-Roy Duke of Monmouth Henry Cavendish Duke of New-Castle Charles Lenos Duke of Richmond Charles Fitz-Roy Duke of Southampton Henry Fitz-Roy Duke of Grafton Marquesses Charles Pawlet Marq. of Winchester Henry Somerset Marq. of Worcester Henry Pierrepoint Marq. of Dorchester Earls The L. High Chamberlain of England Steward of the King's Houshold Chamberlain of the King's Houshold Take Place of all Earls in respect of their Places Aubry de Vere Earl of Oxford Charles Talbot Earl of Shrewsbury Anthony Grey Earl of Kent William Stanly Earl of Derby John Manours Earl of Rutland Theophil Hastings Earl of Huntington William Russell Earl of Bedford Philip Herbert Earl of Pembroke Edward Clinton Earl of Lincoln Charles Howard Earl of Nottingham James Howard Earl of Suffolk Charles Sackville Earl of Dorset and Middlesex James Cecill Earl of Salisbury John Cecill Earl of Excester John Egerton Earl of Bridgewater Robert Sidney Earl of Leicester James Compton Earl of Northampton Edward Rich Earl of Warwick Holland Will. Cavendish Earl of Devonshire William Fielding Earl of Denbigh John Digby Earl of Bristol Charles Sackvill Earl of Middlesex and Dorset Gilbert Holles Earl of Clare Oliver St. John Earl of Bullingbrook Charles Fane Earl of Westmorland Robert Montague Earl of Manchester Charles Howard Earl of Berkshire John Sheffield Earl of Mulgrave William Leg Earl of Marlborough Thomas Savage Earl of Rivers Robert Berty Earl of Lindsey John Cary Earl of Dover ex Charles Knollys Earl of Banbury Henry Mordant Earl of Peterborough Thomas Gray Earl of Stamford Heneage Finch Earl of Winchelsey Charles Dormer Earl of Caernarvan Mountjoy Blount Earl of Newport Philip Stanhop Earl of Chesterfield John Tufton Earl of Thanet Tho. Weston Earl of Portland Will. Wentworth Earl of Strafford Robert Spencer Earl of Sunderland Nicholas Lerke Earl of Scarsdale John Wilmot Earl of Rochester Henry Jermin Earl of St. Albans Edw. Montague Earl of Sandwich James Butler Earl of Brecknock Henry Hyde Earl of Clarendon Arthur Capel Earl of Essex Robert Brukenel Earl of Cardigan Arthur Annesley Earl of Anglesey John Greenvill Earl of Bath Charles Howard Earl of Carlisle William Craven Earl of Crave Robert Bruce Earl of Aylesbury Richard Boyle Earl of Burlington Henry Bennet Earl of Arlington Anth. Ashly Cooper Earl of Shaftsbury George Fitz-Roy Earl of Northumberland Henry Howard Earl of Norwich William Herbert Earl of Powys Edw. Henry Lee Earl of Litchfield Charles Fitz-Charles Earl of Plymouth Thomas Leonard Earl of Sussex Thomas Osborn Earl of Darby John Maitland Earl of Gilford Lewis de Duras Earl of Feversham Charles Earl of Burford Viscounts Leicester Devereux Viscount Hereford Francis Brown Viscount Montague James Fiennes Viscount Say and Seale Edward Conway Viscount Conway Baptist Noel Viscount Cambden William Howard Viscount Stafford Thomas Bellasis Viscount Faulconberg John Mordant Viscount Mordant George Savill Viscount Hallifax Robert Paston Viscount Yarmouth Francis Newport Viscount Newport of Bradford Barons George Nevill Lord Abergavenny James Touchet Lord Audly Charles West Lord De la Ware George Berkley Lord Berkley Thomas Parker Lord Morley and Montage Cogniers Darcy Lord Darcy and Meynel William Stourton Lord Stourton Henry Lord Sandys de la Vine Benj. Mildmay Lord Fitzwater Thomas Windsor Lord Windsor Wingfield Cromwell Lord Cromwell Ralph Eure Lord Eure. Philip Wharton Lord Wharton Will. Willoughby Lord Willoughby of Parham William Pagett Lord Paget Charles North Lord North and Baron Grey of Rolston William Bruges Lord Shandois James Berty Lord Norris William Petre Lord Petre. Digby Gerard Lord Gerard of Gerard Bromley Charles Stanhop Lord Stanhop Henry Arundell Lord Arundel of Wardour Christopher Roper Lord Tenham Robert Grevill Lord Brook Edw. Montague Lord Mountague of Boughton Ford Grey Lord Grey of Wark John Roberts Lord Roberts John Lovelace Lord Lovelace John Pawlet Lord Pawlet William Maynord Lord Maynard George Coventry Lord Coventry James Lord Esrick Charles Mohun Lord Mohun William Boteler Lord Boteler Edw. Herbert Lord Herbert of Cherbury Francis Seymore Lord Seymour Thomas Leigh Lord Leigh of Stoneleigh Christopher Hatton Lord Hatton Richard Byron Lord Byron Richard Vaughan Lord Vaughan Charles Smith Lord Carington Will. Widdrington Lord Widdrington Humble Ward Lord Ward Tho. Culpepper Lord Culpepper Isaac Astley Lord Astley John Lucas Lord Lucas John Bellasis Lord Bellasis Edw. VVatson Lord Rokingham Charles Gerard Lord Gerard of Brandon Gilbert Sutton Lord Lexinton Char. Kirkhaven Lord Wotton Marm. Langdale Lord Langdal Will. Croft Lord Croft dead John Berkley Lord Berkly of Stratton Denzil Holles Lord Holles Char. Cornwallis Lord Cornwallis George Booth Lord De la Mere. Horatio Townsend Lord Townsend John Crew Lord Crew John Frescheville Lord Frescheville Rich. Arundell Lord Arundel of Trerice Thomas Butler Lord Butler of Moor Park Thomas Clifford Lord Clifford of Chudley Richard Butler Lord Weston Charles North Lord Grey of Rollston and L. North of Cartlidge Heneage Finch Lord Daventry The Lords Spiritual Sancroft Arch-Bishop of Canterbury Rich. Sterne Arch-Bishop of York Isaac Barrow Bishop of St. Asaph Humphrey Lloyd Bishop of Bangor Peter Mew Bishop of Bath and Wells Guy Carleton Bishop of Bristol Edward Rainbow Bishop of Carlisle John Pierson Bishop of Chester Ralph Brideoake Bishop of Chichester Thomas Wood Bishop of Coventry Lichf William Lucie Bishop of St. Davids Nathanael Crew Bishop of Durham Peter Gunning Bishop of Ely Thomas Lamplugh Bishop of Excester John Prichard Bishop of Gloucester Herbert Crofts Bishop of Hereford VVilliam Lloyd Bishop of Landaffe Thomas Barlow Bishop of Lincoln Henry Compton Bishop of London Anthony Sparrow Bishop of Norwich John Fell Bishop of Oxford Joseph Henshaw Bishop of Peterborough John Dolben Bishop of Rochester Seth VVard Bishop of Salisbury George Morley Bishop of VVinchester James Fleetwood Bishop of VVorcester A CATALOGUE of all the Bishopricks in the two Provinces of Canterbury and York The Names of what Cities Shires or Counties are in each Diocess How many Parishes in each Diocess How many of them are Impropriations The Annual Revenue of each Bishoprick as it is in the Kings Book And how the Clergies Tenths are rated in each of them In the Province of CANTERBURY The Diocess of Canterbury Parishes Impropriations Valuation l. s. d. q. Clergies Tenths l. s. d. q. Kent part 257 000 2816-17-09-1 0651-18-02-1 St. Asaph Part of Denbigh Flint Montgomery Merioneth Shropshire 121 000 0187-11-06-0 0186-19-07-3 Bangor All Carnarvan Anglesey Part of Denbigh Montgomery Merioneth 107 036 0131-16-04-0 0151-14-03-1 Bath and Wells Somersetshire all 388 160 0533-01-03-0 0353-18-00-3 Bristol Bristol City Dorsetshire all 236 064 0338-08-04-0 0353-18-00-3 Chichester Parishes Impropriations Valuation l. s. d. q. Clergies Tenths l. s. d. q. Sussex all 250 112 0677-01-00-3 0287-02-00-3 Coventry and Lichfield All Darbyshire Staffordshire Part of VVarwickshire Shropshire 557 250 0559-18-02-3 0590-16-11-1 Eely All Cambridgeshire Eely Isle 141 075 2134-18-05-3 0384-14-09-1 St. Davids All Pembrookshire Cardiganshire Radnorshire Brecknockshire Part of Monmouth Hereford Montgomery Glamorgan 308 120 0457-01-10-3 0336-14-10-0 Excester All Devonshire Cornwall 604 239 0500-00-00-0 1200-15-02-0 Gloucester Parishes Impropriations Valuation l. s. d. q. Clergies Tenths l. s. d. q. Gloucestershire all 267 125 0315-17-02-0 0358-15-00-0 Hereford Herefordshire all Shropshire part 313 136 0768-10-06-3 340-02-02-2 Landaffe Part of Glamorgan Monmouth 107 098 0154-14-01-0 155-05-04-0 Lincoln All Lincolnshire Leicestershire Bedfordshire Buckinghamshire Huntingdonshire Hertfordshire part 1255 577 0894-10-01-2 751-14-06-0 London All Middlesex Essex Part of Hertfordshire 622 189 1119-08-40-0 821-15-01-0 Norwich All Norfolk Suffolk 1181 385 0899-18-07-2 1117-13-00-1 Oxford Parishes Impropriations Valuation l. s. d. q. Clergies Tenths l. s. d. q. Oxfordshire all 195 88 0354-16-04-2 255-08-00-0 Peterborough All Northamptonshire Rutlandshire 293 91 0414-19-11-0 520-16-08-0 Rochester Kent Part. 098 36 0358-03-02-1 222-14-06-3 Salisbury All Barkshire VViltshire 544 109 1367-11-08-0 901-08-01-0 Worcester VVorcester all VVarwickshire part 241 071 1049-17-03-3 228-00-00-0 Winchester All Surrey Southampton Isle of VVight Isle of Jersey Isle of Garnsey Sark and Ald. 362 131 2973-04-02-3 846-01-00-0 In the Province of YORK The Diocess of York  Impropriations Valuation l. s. d. q. Clergies Tenths l. s. d. q. Nottinghamshire Yorkshire part 581 336 1609-19-02-0 1113-17-09-3 Carlisse Cumberland part VVestmorland all 093 018 0530-04-11-2 0161-01-07-2 Chester All Cheshire Lancashire Part of Yorkshire Cumberland 256 101 0420-01-08-0 0435-12-00-0 Durham Durham all Northumberland part Yorkshire part 135 087 1821-01-05-1 0385-05-06-2 Man The Isle of Man 017 The Total Number of Dukes 11 Marquesses 3 Earls 73 Viscounts 11 Barons 66 Baronets 668 arch-Arch-Bishops 2 Bishops 24 Principal Secretaries of State 2 Judges 12 Judges of the Court of Kings Bench 4 Judges of the Court of Common Pleas 4 Barons of Exchequer 4 Counties in England 39 Counties in VVales 13 Islands 8 Parliament Men 509 Hundreds 768 Market-Towns 713 Parishes 9241 FINIS
depth that it beareth Ships of great burthen and is able to defend them against Storms and Tempests It s Government is by a Maior to whom K. Richard the 2d granted a Sword to be carried before And Henry the 6th made it a County consisting of a Corporation within it self The Arms of the Town is Gules 3 Castles Or. In this County is also the Town of Barwick the utmost Northerly Town in England and the strongest Hold in all Brittanie The Names of the Earls and Dukes of Northumberland since the Norman Conquest VValdeof Earl of Northumberland Robert Mowbrey E. of Northumberland Henry Son to David K. of Scotland Hugh Pudsey Bishop of Durham John Nevill E. of Northumberland Henry Percy E. of Northumberland John Dudley Duke of Northumberland Tho. Percy E. of Northumberland George Fits Roy E. of Northumber 3d Son to the Dutchess of Cleveland Things Remarkable in this County It may seem that the Inhabitants are long liv'd for one Mr. Macklane Parson of Lesbury in this County who died about the year 1658. did in the year 1656. renew his youth so that though 40 years before he could not read without Spectacles being 116 years of age he could then read the smallest Print without them His hair which before he had lost came again as a Childes There are Hills hard by North Tyne so boggy and standing with Water on the top that no Horseman is able to ride over them and yet which is to be wondered at there be many great heaps of Stones called by the Inhabitants Lews which is thought were laid up in old time in remembrance of some Victory or some that were slain there By Bywell Castle is great store of Salmons Many Memorable Antiquities are found in this County as Coyns Inscriptions pieces of broken Altars Russy-gap in this County is a place infamous for Robbing and Thieving In the year 1215. the Inhabitants of Morpeth in this County set their own Town on Fire in spite they bare to King John for that he and his Rutars had over-run these Counties Nottingham-Shire IT is bounded on the East by Lincolnshire On the West by Derbyshire and Yorkshire On the South by Leicestershire And on the North by Yorkshire It containeth in length 40 miles In breadth 24. And in Circumference 110 miles It hath a delectable healthy and sweet Air. The Soil is Rich being part sandy and part Clayie and for Corn and Grass so fruitful that it may parallel any other of its bigness in the whole Kingdom it yielding beside abundance of Wood Water and Coals The chief Commodities are Pit-Coals Wood Corn Fish Fowl and Liquorice It is in the Diocess of York and hath in it 168 Parish-Churches Out of it are elected 8 Members to sit in Parliament Knights 2 Nottingham 2 Estretford 2 Newark 2 Its Division is into 8 Hundreds viz. Bassetlaw Worthelay Southclay Newark Broxton Thurgarton Bingham Bushcliffe And in these 8 Hundreds are 9 Market-Towns viz. Tuxford Monday Newark Wednes VVorksop Wedn. Bingham Thursday Mansfield Th. Blyth Th. Southwell Saturday Redford Sat. Nottingham W. F.S. The principal Town is Nottingham lying in the Latitude of 52 deg 50 min. It bears from London N. W. And is distant therefrom 96 miles Thus From London to Newark 95 miles as in the Road to New-Castle in Northumberland Thence to Nottingham 3 miles in all 98. But being measured upon the Road it is distant from London 122 miles This Town of Nottingham is most pleasantly seated upon a Hill in it are many fair Buildings and large Streets which may compare with most Cities and the Market-place transcendeth any in any County The Town is Governed by a Mayor and 6 Aldermen clad in Scarlet 2 Sheriffs 2 Town-Clerks and 6 Sergeants with Maces their Attendants The Arms of the Town of Nottingham is Argent two Ragged Staves in Cross Vert between three Coronets two in Chief and one in Base Or the Ragged Staff in Pale passing through the Coronet in Base The Names of the Earls of Nottingham since the first Constitution Robert Ferrers John Mowbray Rich. D. of York VVill. Barkley Hen. Fitz Roy. Charles Howard Things remarkable in this County Upon the 16th of June Anno 1487. being the third year of Henry the 7th At Stoke near unto Newark in this County a great Battel was fought against K. Henry the 7th by the Erectors of Lambert a counterfeit Warwick wherein John de la Pole E. of Lincoln Francis L. Lovell Tho. Garadyne Chancellor of Ireland Martin Swart and Sir Tho. Broughton with 4000 of their naked Irish lost their Lives Lambert was there taken and made a Turn-Spit in the King's Kitchen and afterwards one of his Faulconers In this County grows a Stone softer than Alabaster which being burnt makes a Plaister harder than that of Paris With this they floor upper Rooms and when well laid and throughly dried is of great durance At Worksop grows the best Liquorice in all the Northern parts In Nottingham Town there are in good Houses many lower Rooms which the Door-Cases Fire-Hearths Stairs Windows Window-Jams and Soils have all been hewed out of the solid Rock Oxfordshire THis Shire is bounded by Buckinghamshire on the East By Gloucestershire on the West By Barkshire on the South And by Warwickshire and Northamptonshire on the North. It containeth in length 41 miles In breadth 29 miles And in Circumference 144 miles The Air is mild temperate and delicate The Soil fertile pleasant and bounteous The hilly parts being loaded with Wood and Cattel and the Valleys with Corn and Pasturage The chief Commodities of this County are Corn Cattel Fruit Wood and Malt. It is in the Diocess of Oxford And in it is contained 280 Parishes Cut of it are elected 9 Members which sit in Parliament Knights 2 University of Oxford 2 City of Oxford 2 New-VVoodstock 2 Banbury 2 Its Division is into 14 Hundreds viz. Banbury Bloxham Chadlington VVootton Floughley Bullington Bampton Tame Lewknor Pirton Dorchester Ewelme Langtree Binfield And in these Hundreds are 15 Market-Towns viz. VVoodstock Tues Tame Tues Bampton Wed. Chippingnorton Wed. Witney Thurs Banbury Thurs Henley Thurs Bunchester Friday Burford Sat. Deddington Sat. Watlington Sat. Bistow Fairford Coleford Oxford Wed. Sat. The principal place in this Shire is the famous City and University of Oxford from whence the Shire taketh its name This City lyeth in the Latitude of 51 deg 46 min. It bears from London W. N. W. And is distant therefrom 47 miles Thus From London to Uxbridge 15. to Beckonsfield 22. to High Wickham 27. to Stoken Church 32. to Wheatly Bridge 41. to Oxford 47. But by exact admeasurement upon the Road the distance is found to be almost 56 miles The Arms of Oxford is Bendy wavie Argent and Azure An Oxe Gules passing over a Ford proper The University consisteth of these Colledges and Halls viz. Colledges Founded by Anno. University King Alfrid 872 Beliol Jo. Belial Kt. Dev. his Wife 1263 Merton Walter
de Merton Clerk 1267 Exeter Walter Stapleton E. of Excester 1316 Oriel K. Edward the II. 1324 Queens Robert Eaglesfield Clerk 1340 New Colledge Will. of Wickham B. of Winton 1379 Lincoln Richard Fleming B. of London 1427 All Souls Hen. Chichley A.B. of Canterbury 1438 Magdalen Will. of Wainflet B. of Winton 1458 Brasen Nose W. Smith B. of Lincoln and Sir Richard Sutton Knight 1511 Corpus Christi Richard Fox B. of Winton 1516 Christ-Church K. Henry the VIII 1546 Trinity Sir Thomas Pope 1554 St. Johns Sir Thomas White 1555 Jesus Dr. Hugh Price 1571 Wadham Nich. Wadham Doroth. his Wife 1612 Pembrook Thomas Tesdale Esq and Ri. Whitwich Cler. 1624 Halls in Oxford Alba Hall Hart Hall S. Mary Hall Edmund Hall Colcester Hall Magdalen Hall New-Inn Hall The Earls of Oxford since the first Constitution Vere E. of Oxford Hen. Stuart D. of Gloucester E. of Oxford Things Remarkable in this County The City of Oxford is a very healthful place which Mr. Cambden thinks is because it is defended from the South and West winds but lies open to the North East and East Winds On the Descent of Hoddenton Hill near Oxford rises a Spring which runs down towards Kings Mill lying over against Magdalen Colledge This Spring hath a petrifying quality and will in some short time if a stick be laid in it either turn it into Stone or have a strong crust about it Near unto Enisham in the South of this Shire is a Monument of huge Stones set round in Compass in manner of those of Stonehinge which as some saith were Metamorphosed from Men. But more probable they were there erected upon some great Victory obtained by Rollo the Dane This Shire is famous for that in it were born for K. Edward the Confessor was born in Islip Edward the Black Prince in Woodstock The Warlike Caw de Lyon in Oxford all in this County In the year 1552. at Middleton 7 miles from Oxford a Woman brought forth a Child which had two perfect Bodies from the Navel upwards which were so conjoyned together at the Navel that when they were laid out at length if one Head and Body were laid East the other would be West or in any other position And the Legs of both the Bodies were joyned together in the midst They were female Children and lived 18 days and they had but one issue for the Excrement of them both Rutlandshire THe least Shire in England It is bounded on the East by Lincolnshire On the West by Leicestershire On the South by Nottinghamshire And on the North by Leicestershire It containeth in length 14 miles In breadth 12 miles And in Circumference 42 miles The Air is Temperate wholsom and not subject to Foggs The Soil is Rich but of a Reddish colour insomuch that it changeth the colour of the Wool of the Sheep that feed upon it into a reddish colour The chief Commodities of this County are Corn Cattel Wool and Wood. It is in the Diocess of Peterborough And hath in it 48 Parishes Out of it are elected only 2 Parliament Men. Knights 2 Its Division is into Five Hundreds viz. Allstoe East Hundred Martinsley Wrange Dye Oukhamsook And in these Hundreds are 2 Market-Towns viz. Vppingham Wedn. Okenham Saturday The Principal Town in this Shire is Oakham lying in the Latitude of 52 deg 45 min. It bears from London N. N. W. And is distant therefrom 72 miles Thus From London to Barnet 10 miles to St. Albans 20. to Luton 28. to Bedford 40. to Wellingbury 52. to Kettering 57. to Uppingham 69. to Oakham 74. Oakham is a fair Market-Town and a Horshooe is the Badge thereof taken from a Royalty enjoyed by the Baron of the Lordship which is this If any Noble by Birth come within the Precinct of the same Lordship he shall forfeit as a Homage a Shooe from the Horse whereon he rideth unless he redeem it by Money In testimony whereof there are many Horshooes nailed upon the Shire-Hall Door and many of them of our English Nobilities whose names are stamped upon them as Hen. Hastings c. And in the Shire-Hall over the seat of the Judg is a Horshooe of Iron curiously wrought containing 5 foot and an half in length and the breadth thereof proportionable This Shire being small much Variety or many Curiosities cannot be expected to be found in it But Adjoyning to this County is the Town of Stamford an ancient University long before Oxford the Arms whereof is Party per Pale Gules 3 Lions passant guardant Or. And Checkey Or and Azure Shropshire THis Shire is bounded on the East by Staffordshire On the West by Denbyshire and Montgomeryshire On the South by Worcestershire and Herefordshire And on the North by Cheshire It containeth in length 38 miles In breadth 30 miles And in Circumference 135 miles The Air of this Shire is Wholsom Delectable and Good affording health to the Inhabitants in all the Seasons of the year The Soil is rich and it standeth upon a reddish Clay the Rivers make fruitful the Land and Severn supplies them with store of fresh Fish The chief Commodities this Countrey affords are Cloath Wheat Barley Wood Cattel Iron and Pit-Coal It is in the Diocess of Hereford and Lichfield and hath in it 170 Parishes Out of it are elected 12 Members to sit in Parliament Knights 2 Salop 2 Bruges alias Bridgnorth 2 Ludlow 2 Great Wenlock 2 Bishops Castle 2 Its Division is into 15 Hundreds viz. Bradford Pimhill Bradford Brymstery Wenlock Condover Oswestrey Forde Chirbury Clunne Purslowe Munslowe Overs Stottesden Shrewsbury And in these Hundreds are 15 Market-Towns viz. Oswestree Mon. Great Wenlock Mon. Ludlow Mon. Elsmeere Tu. Shipton Tu. Braiton Wed. Stretton Thu. Wem Th. Wellington Th. Bishops Castle Fri. Whitchurch Fri. Bridgenorth Sat. Newport Sat. Clebury Shrewsbury W. Th. Sat. The chief Town is Shrewsbury lying in the Latitude of 52 deg 47 min. It bears from London N. W. by W. And is distant therefrom 124 Miles Thus From London to Barnet 10. to St. Albans 20. to Dunstable 30. to Stony Stratford 44. to Toceter 50. to Daventry 60. to Coventry 74. to Meriden 78. to Bermingham 88. to Dudley 96. to Bridgenorth 108. to menlock 114. to Shrewsbury 124. But by admeasurement upon the Road it is found to be distant from London 155 miles This Town of Shrewsbury may be compared with most Cities and doth exceed many for fair Buildings large Streets and those many The Inhabitants Rich the principal Trade being in Staple Commodities as Cloath Frieze c. The Walls hereof are strong and of a large compass and by one side of it runneth the River Severn through the Wall are three entrances into the Town at the East and West over two fair Stone Bridges with Towers Gates and Bars the third entrance is at the North over which is a large Castle The Town is annually Governed by 2 Bailiffs elected out of 24 Burgesses a Recorder Town-Clerk and Chamberlain and 3 Sergeants