whose situation on a steep hill standeth for Longitude in the degree 20. 10. scruples the Pole elevated for Latitude from the degree 53. and 50. scruples 9 Much hath been the devotion of Princes in building religious houses in this County as at Crowland Lincolne Markeby Leyborne Grenfield Alvingham Newnersby Grymmysby Newsted Elsham Staynsfeld Syxhill Torkesey Bryggerd Thorneholme Nuncotton Fosse Hevings Axholme Isle Goykewell Saint Michaels neere Stanford Swyneshead Spalding Kirkâ—sted c. 10 Commotions in this Shire were raysed the eight and twentieth of King Henry the Eight where twenty thousand making insurrection violently sware certaine Lords and Gentlemen to their Articles But no sooner they heard of the Kings power coming but that they dispersed themselves and sued for pardon And againe in the third yeer of King Edward the Sixt in case of Inclosures Lincolne rose in seditious manner as did they of Cornwall Devon-shire Yorke-shire and Norfolke but after some slaughters of their chiefest men were reduced to former obedience This Shires division is into three principall parts viz. Lindsey Kesteven and Holland Lindsey is subdivided into seventeene Hundreds Kesteven into eleven and Holland into three containing in all thirtie one wherein are situated thirtie Market-Townes and sixe hundred thirty Parish-Churches as in the Table following are Alphabetically expressed THE COUNTIE AND CITIE OF LYNCOLNE DESCRIBED WITH THE ARMES OF THEM THAT HAVE BENE EARLES THEREOF since the Conquest HVNDREDS and Wapentakes in Lincolne-shire Lindsey 1. Manlie Wap 2. Yâ—borough â—â—a 3. Brodley Wap 4. Ludbrough Wa. 5. Walshcroft Wa. 6. Asâ—â—â—oe Wap 7. Coâ—ringham W. 8. Well Wap 9. Lawris Wap 10. Wraggot Wa. 11. Gorine Wa. 12. Louâ—heask Hun 13. Caâ—â—eworth Hu. 14. Candleshy Wa. 15. Hill Hund. 16. Bullingbrook W 17. Horncostle W. Kesteven 18. Laâ—go Wap 19. â—oothby Wap 20. Loveden Wap 21. Flaâ—well Wa. 22. Aswaâ—dburn W 23. Wâ—â—ebridge W 24. Grantham W. 25. Aveland W. 26. â—elâ—â—she Wap 27. Nesse Wap Holland 28. Shirbeck Wa. 29. Kirton Wap 30. Ellowe Wap A Abye Cal. Agle Boul. Alesbie Brod. Alesbie Cal. ALFORD Cal. Algeâ—kiâ—ke Kâ—â—â— Alhallowes Cand. Allington Wiâ— Althorpe Man Alvingham Louth Amcotes Man Amwâ—cke Flax. Ankam Flu. Ancaster Lou. Anderby Cal. Anthorpe Lou. Appley Wrag Appleby Man Aâ—metree Horn. Asbie Man Asgarbye Bul. Asgarby Asw. Ashbye Cand. Ashby Hoâ—â— Ashby Flax. Ashbye Brod. Ashbye childes Hil. Askby Hil. Aslackby Avâ— Aspye Brâ—d Asterby Gart. Astrope Law Aswarby Hil. Auburgh Booth Aveland Avel Aukley Man Aukeburgh Man Auklam Flu. Avousbye Asw. Auâ—â—rope Asw. Aust north Louth B Bagenderby hill Ballin Lincoln lâ—ber Bamburghe Gart. Bane Flu. Bareby Wiv Bradney Wrag Bartholme Nos Barkeston Grant Barkworth west Wrag Barkworth east Wrag Barnalby Brod. Bameâ—by Y ar Barrow Y ar Barroughbye Wive BARTON Y ar Baston dike Nâ—s Baston drane Nâ—s Baston Nâ—s Bassingham Booth Bassingthorpe Bol. BUCKINGHAM Lovâ— Beckring Wrag Bekbye Y ar Belchworth Gart. Beleâ—by Brod. Bellew Cal. Belton Grant Belroste Man Belton Man Long Benington Love Benington Skir. Beningworth Wrag Berling Law Benby Y ar Beseby Cal. Beseby Brod. Bever Castle â—oant Bewthorpe Bol. Bicker Kirt Billingay Lâ—ng Billingborrow Avel Billsby Cal. Binbrooke Walsh Bishops norton Asla Biskthorpe Wrag Bitchfield Bol. Bitham little Bol. Blankney Lang. Bliburgh Asla Bliton Corring Bloxham Flax. Bolyston Ellow BOSTON Skir. S. Bottolph Skir. Boothby pannell Wive Boothbye Booth Botiford Man Boâ—bie Y ar Boultham Booth BOVRNE Avel Bracebye Grant Bradney VVrag Braesbridge Lang. Braisborough Nos Brakenburgh Lud. Brambey VVoll Brampton VVoll Brandon Love Branswell Flax. Branston Lin. Brant broughton Love Bratleby Law Brawston Lin. Bratost Cand. Bridge end Avel Briggesley Brod. Brinckle hill Brocklesbey Y ar Brodley Brod. Brombye Man Brotherhouse Ellow Brothertost Asw. Brothertost Kirt Broughton Man Broâ—holme Law Brunthorp Cal. Bucknall Gart. Bulby Bel. BVLLINGBROOK Bu. Bullington VVrag Burgh upon bane Wrag Bâ—ne Flu. Burgh in the marsh Can. Burham Noss Buringham Man Burnham Man Burton Boll Burton Law Burton Asw. BVRTON Man Burthorpe Avel Burwell Louth Buslingthorp Law Butterwicke Skir. Butterwicke west Man Butterwicke east Man C Caburne Brod. Cadney Y ar Cadeby Brod. Caester Y ar Calsebye Cal. Calverthorp Asw. Cameringham Asla Candlesbye Cand. Caneâ—bye Man Canwick Lâ—n Careby Bell. Carltons Louth Carlton little Louth Carlton great Louth Carton castle Louth Carlton north Law Carlton south Law Carlton Love Carlton Booth Carleby Noss Casthorpe Man Castill Louth Castle bitham Bell. Cathorpe Love Catley Flax. Caukwell Gart. Cawthorp Avel Cawthorp Lud. Cainebie Asla Marsh Chappell Brod. Cherry Law Claipoole Love Claithorp Cal. Clawes crosse Ello Claxbye Cal. Claxbie Hil. Claxbie Walsh Clee Brod. Cleethorp Brod. Cleytham Cor. Clixbie Y ar Clowthouse Ellow Clum Lin. Coats north Brod. Coats little Brod. Coats great Brod. Cockrington north Louth Cockrington south Louth Cokeswould Brod. Colsterworth Grant Coâ—sholme Louth Comethorpe Bell. Connesbye Horn. Coâ—bye Bell. Coringham Cor. Cotham Abbey Y ar Coâ—tlehall Man Cott. Asla Covenham Lud. Coulbye Booth Coulbye Man Cowbet Ellow Cowthorpe Cal. Craâ—well Flax. Cretew Bell. Croste Cand. Crosby Man Croule Man CROWLAND Ellow Croxby Walsh Croxton Y ar Cumberworth Cal. Cunningholme Louth Cunesby Horn. D Dalby Candle DAVDERBY Gart. Dembleby Avel Deeping west Nosse Deeping east Nosse MARKET DEEPING Nosse Deeping Fenne Ellow Denton Grant Digby Flax. Baston Dike Ellow Dockdyke Lang. Doddington Booth Dodington Love Dogdike Ferye Horn. Doveburne Ellow Dewesby Avel Donesby Avel Dowesdale Ellow Dribie Candle Dun Flu. Dun holm Law DVNINGTON Kirt Dunnington upon â—ane Gart. Dunsby Flax. Dunsby Avel Dunston Lang. Durrinton Flax. Dyke Avel E Ealand Man Eagle Booth Earebie Brod. Easton Grant Eastoste Man Edenham Bell. Edlington Edlington Gar. Eglethorp Avel Elkington Louth Elsham Y ar Enderby mauis Bull. Wood Enderby Horn. Bagge Enderbye Hill Epworth Man Eveden Asw. F Faldingworth Law Fanthorp Louth Farforth Louth Fareby Y ar Faresby Bull. Farlesthorp Cal. Faston Love Faston Grant Fenn west Horn. Fenn east Horn. Fenton Lovâ— Fenton Well Fereby north Y ar Ferye east Cu. Fesdike Flu. Fesdike Kirt Fillingham Asla Finnyâ—gley Man Fishtost Skir. Fiskerton Law Fleet Ellow Fleet Penn Ellow Flixborough Man Folethorp Cal. FOLKINGHAM Avel Foldingworth Lin. Fossdik Kirt Fotherby Lud. Fotherington Candle Frampton Kirt Frekingham Avel Freston Skir. Friskney Cand. Friston Love Fordingham Man Fulbecke Lâ—ve Fulbrooke Wivt Fulletbye Hill Fullnetbye Wrag Fullstowe Brod. Furby Asla Fusworth Cor. Fueby Cand. G Gaiton in the marsh Cal. Gaiton in the wowld L. GANESBROVGH Cor. Garthorpe Man Gateburton Wâ—ll Gaudbie Gart. Gedney Ellow Gedney Fenn Ellow Gellstone Love Geringham Cur. GLANFORD BRIDGE Y ar Glentham Asla Glentworth Asla Gokewell Man Gobesbye Gart. Gonnaâ—by Grant Gosberthy Kirt Goulthro Wrag Goxhill Y ar Grawesby Brod. Grabye Avel Graie land Maâ—l The Grange Law GRANTHAM Grant Granthorp Louth Greenfield Cal. Gresby Y ar Greeâ—ham Hill Greâ—ford Nosse Greetewell Law Grinbleby Louth Grimsby â—ird Grimsthorpe Bell. GRIMSBY GREAT Brod. Gundbye Bell. Gundbye Cand. Gunthorpe Man Gunnyet Man Gunwarby Grant H Harbrough Y ar Hackthorne
with the River Ouse with the bounds of Lancashire and with the South limits of the Shire and beareth towards the West and South East-Riding bends it selfe to the Ocean with the which and with the River Derwent shee is inclosed and looks into that part where the Sunne rising and shewing forth his beames makes the world both glad and glorious in his brightnesse North-Riding extends it self Northward hem'd in as it were with the River Tees and Derwent and a long race of the River Ouse The length of this Shire extended from Harthill in the South to the mouth of Tees in the North are neere unto 70. miles the bredth from Flambrough-head to Horncastle upon the River Lun is 80. the whole Circumference 308. miles 5 The Soile of this County for the generalitie is reasonable fertile and yeelds sufficiency of Corne and Cattle within it selfe One part whereof is particularly made famous by a Quarry of Stone out of which the stones newly hewen be very soft but seasoned with winde and weather of themselves doe naturally become exceeding hard and solide Another by a kinde of Limestone whereof it consisteth which being burnt and conveyed into the other parts of the countrey which are hilly and somewhat cold serve to manure and enrich their Corn-fields 6 That the Romans flourishing in Military prowesse made their severall stations in this Countrey is made manifest by their Monuments by many Inscriptions fastned in the walles of Churches by many Columnes engraven with Roman-worke found lying in Churchyards by many votive Altars digd up that were erected as it should seeme to their Tutelar Gods for they had locall and peculiar Topick Gods whom they honoured as Keepers and Guardians of some particular places of the Countrey as also by a kinde of Bricks which they used for the Romans in time of Peace to avoyd and withstand idlenesse as an enemie to vertuous and valorous enterprises still exercised their Legions and Cohorts in casting of Ditches making of High-wayes building of Bridges and making of Bricks which having sithence been found and from time to time digd out of the ground prove the antiquitie of the place by the Romane Inscriptions upon them 7 No lesse argument of the pietie hereof are the many Monasteries Abbeys and Religious houses that have been placed in this Countrey which whilest they retained their owne state and magnificence were great ornaments unto it but since their dissolution and that the teeth of time which devoures all things have eaten into them they are become like dead carkasses leaving onely some poore ruines and remaines alive as reliques to posteritie to shew of what beautie and magnificence they have beene Such was the Abbey of Whitby founded by Lady Hilda daughter of the grand childe unto King Edwine Such was the Abbey built by Bolton which is now so razed and laid levell with the earth as that at this time it affords no appearance of the former dignitie Such was Kirkstall Abbey of no small account in time past founded in the yeere of Christ 1147. Such was the renowned Abbey called S. Maries in Yorke built and endowed with rich livings by Alan the third Earle of little Britaine in Armerica but since converted into the Princes House and is called The Mannour Such the wealthy Abbey of Fountaines built by Thurstin Arch-bishop of Yorke Such the famous Monastery founded in the Primitive Church of the East-Saxons by Wilfrid Arch-bishop of Yorke and enlarged being fallen down and decayed by Odo Arch-bishop of Canterbury Such was Drax a Religious House of Chanons Such that faire Abbey built by King William the Conquerour at Selby where his son Henry the first was born in memory of Saint German who happily confuted that contagious Pelagian Heresie which oftentimes grew to Serpentine head in Britaine These places for Religion erected with many more within this Provinciall Circuit and consecrated unto holy purposes shew the Antiquitie and how they have been sought unto by confluences of Pilgrimes in their manner of devotions The mists of which superstitious obscurities are since cleared by the pure light of the Gospell revealed and the skirts of Idolatry unfolded to her own shame and ignominie And they made subject to the dissolution of Times serving onely as antique monuments and remembrances to the memory of succeeding Ages 8 Many places of this Province are famoused as well by Name being naturally fortunate in their situation as for some other accidentall happinesse befallen unto them Halifax famous as well for that Iohannes de sacro Bosco Author of the Sphere was born there and for the law it hath against stealing and for the greatnesse of the Parish which reckoneth in it eleven Chappels whereof two be Parish Chappels and in them to the number of twelve thousand people YORK SHIRE Pomfret is famous for the Site as being seated in a place so pleasant that it brings forth Liquorice and great plentie of Skiriworts but it is infamous for the murther and bloodshed of Princes The Castle whereof was built by Hildebert Lacy a Norman to whom William the Conquerour gave this Towne after Alrick the Saxon was thrust out of it 9 But I will forbeare to be prolixe or tedious in the particular memoration of places in a Province so spacious and onely make a compendious relation of Yorke the second Citie of England in Latine called Eboracum and Eburacum by Ptolemy Brigantium the chief Citie of the Brigants by Ninnius Caer Ebrauc by the Britaines Caer Effroc and by the Saxons Euor-ric and Eofor-ric The British History reports that it took the name of Ebrauc that founded it but some others are of opinion that Eburacum hath no other derivation then from the River Ouse running thorow it It over-masters all the other places of this Countrey for fairenesse and is a singular ornament and safeguard to all the North parts A pleasant place large and full of magnificence rich populous and not onely strengthened with fortifications but adorned with beautifull buildings as well private as publike For the greater dignitie thereof it was made an Episcopall See by Constantius and a Metropolitane Citie by a Pall sent unto it from Honorius Egbert Arch-bishop of Yorke who flourished about the yeere seven hundred fortie erected in it a most famous Library Richard the third repaired the Castle thereof being ruinous and King Henry the eight appointed a Councell in the same to decide and determine all the causes and Controversies of the North-parts according to equitie and conscience which Counsell consisteth of a Lord President certaine Counsellers at the Princes pleasure a Secretary and other Vnder-officers The originall of this Citie cannot be fetcht out but from the Romanes seeing the Britains before the Romanes came had no other towns then woods fenced with trenches and rampiers as Caesar and Strabo doe testifie And that it was a Colonie of
the Romanes appears both by the authoritie of Ptolemie and Antonine and by many ancient Inscriptions that have been found there In this Citie the Emperour Severus had his Palace and here gave up his last breath which ministers occasion to shew the ancient custome of the Romanes in the military manner of their burials His body was carryed forth here by the Souldiers to the Funerall fire and committed to the flames honoured with the lusts and Turnaments both of the Souldiers and of his own sonnes His ashes bestowed in a little golden pot or vessell of the Porphyratstone were carryed to Rome and shrined there in the monument of the Antonines In this Citie â—s Spartianus maketh mention was the Temple of the Goddesse Bellona to which Severus being come thither purposing to offer sacrifice was erroneously led by a rusticall Augur Here Fl. Valerius Constantius surnamed Chlorus an Emperour of excellent vertue and Christian pietie ended his life and was Deified as appears by ancient Coines and his sonne Constantine being present at his Fathers death forthwith proclaimed Emperour from whence it may be gathered of what great estimation Yorke was in those dayes when the Romane Emperours Court was held in it This Citie flourished a long time under the English-Saxons Dominion till the Danes like a mightie storme thundring from out the North-East destroyed it and distained it with the blood of many slaughtered persons and wan it from Osbright and Ella Kings of Northumberland who were both slaine in their pursuit of the Danes which Alcuine in his Epistle to Egelred King of Northumberland seemed to presage before when he said What signifieth that raining down of blood in S. Peters Church of Yorke even in a faire day and descending in so violent and threatning a manner from the top of the roofe may it not be thought that blood is comming upon the Land from the North-parts Howbeit Athelstane recovered it from the Danish subjection and quite overthrew the Castle with the which they had fortified it yet was it not for all this so freed from warres but that it was subject to the Times fatally next following Neverthelesse in the Conquerours time when after many wofull overthrows and troublesome stormes it had a pleasant calme of ensuing peace it rose againe of it selfe and flourished afresh having still the helping hand both of Nobilitie and Gentry to recover the former dignitie and bring it to the perfection it hath The Citizens fenced it round with new wals and many towers and bulwarks and ordaining good and wholesome laws for the government of the same Which at this day are executed at the command of a Lord Major who hath the assistance of twelve Aldermen many Chamberlaines a Recorder a Towne-Clerke six Sergeants at Mace two Esquires which are a Sword-bearer and the Common Sergeant who with a great Mace goeth on the left hand of the Sword The longitude of this Citie according to Mercators account is 19. degrees and 35. scruples the latitude 54. degrees and 40. scruples 10 Many occurrents present themselves with sufficient matter of enlargement to this discourse yet none of more worthy consequence then were those severall Battles fought within the compasse of this Countie wherein Fortune had her pleasure as well in the proofe of her love as in the pursuit of her tyranny sometime sending the fruits of sweet peace unto her and otherwhiles suffering her to taste the sowrenesse of warre At Conisborough in the Britaine tongue Câer Conan was a great Battle fought by Hengist Captaine of the English-Saxons after he had retired himself thither for his safetie his men being fled and scattered and himself discomfited by Aurelius Ambrosius yet within few dayes after he brought forth his men to Battle against the Britaines that pursued him where the field was bloody both to him and his for many of his men were cut in pieces and he himself had his head chopt off as the British History saith which the Chronicles of the English-Saxons deny reporting that he dyed in peace being surcharged and over-worne with the troublesome toyles and travels of warre Neere unto Kirkstall Oswie King of Northumberland put Penda the Mercian to flight the place wherein the Battle was joyned the Writers call Winwid-feild giving it the name by the victory And the little Region about it in times past called by an old name Elmet was conquered by Eadwin King of Northumberland the sonne of Aela after he had expelled Cereticus a British King in the yeere of Christ 620. At Casterford called by Antonine Legeolium and Legetium the Citizens of Yorke slew many of King Ethelreds Army and had a great hand against him in so much as he that before sate in his throne of Majestie was on a sudden daunted and ready to offer submission But the most worthy of memory was that Field fought on Palm-Sunday 1461. in the quarrell of Lancaster and Yorke where England never saw more puissant Forces both of Gentry and Nobilitie for there were in the field at one time partakers on both sides to the number of one hundred thousand fighting men When the fight had continued doubtfull a great part of the day the Lancastrians not able longer to abide the violence of their enemies turned backe and fled amaine and such as tooke part with Yorke followed them so hotly in chase and kild such a number of Noble and Gentlemen that thirtie thousand Englishmen were that day left dead in the field 11 Let us now loose the point of this compassse and faile into some other parts of this Province to finde out matter of other memorable moment Vnder Knausbrough there is a Well called Dropping-Well in which the waters spring not out of the veines of the earth but distill and trickle down from the rocks that hang over it It is of this vertue and efficacie that it turnes wood into stone for what wood soever is put into it will be shortly covered over with a stonie barke and be turned into stone as hath been often observed At Giggleswicke also about a mile from Settle a Market Town there are certaine small springs not distant a quaits cast from one another the middlemost of which doth at every quarter of an houre ebbe and flow about the height of a quarter of a yard when it is highest and at the ebbe falleth so low that it is not an inch deepe with water Of no lesse worthinesse to be remembred is Saint Wilfrids Needle a place very famous in times past for the narrow hole in the close vaulted roome under the ground by which womens honesties were wont to be tryed for such as were chaste passe through with much facilitie but as many as had plaid false were miraculously held fast and could not creepe through Beleeve if you list The credible report of a Lampe found burning even in our Fathers remembrance when Abbeys
scarce is it inhabited but toward the Sea-side and that by a base and abject people such as are both lazy in their life and odious Idolaters in their Religions For the most part Mahumetans 8 Let my first division of this Asia the lesse be into two Regions of these one hath the particular appellation of Asia propria and containes the severall Regions of 1 Caria 2 Ionia 3 Doris 4 Aeolis Phrygia 5 Lydia 6 Minor 7 and Maior The other hath no one name as I find among Geographers but is knowne by her Provinces of 1 Cilicia 2 Pamphilia 3 Lycia 4 Bythinia 5 Pontus 6 Paphlagonia 7 Galatia 8 Cappadocia 9 Lycaonia 10 Pisidia and 11 Armenia minor 9 Asia propria was the scene of many noble actions much celebrated among our Historians First in Caria stood the Citie Mindum upon which Diogenes brake his jest that the Citizens should take heed lest it run out at her gates And Halicarnassus the birth-place of Dionysius and Herodotus and of this was Artemisia Queene that erected the miraculous Monument in honour of her husband Mausolus The second Province is Ionia and here stood Miletum where Paul made his Oration to the Elders of Ephesus and here Ephesus it selfe the starre of Asia that as well for her Religion as her miraculous Temple set the world at a gaze upon her It was raised in the middle of the Citie modelled out by Ctesiphon but was 2â—0 yeares in building and was ordered in such a ground that no earth-quake should move it it was 425. foot long and 220. broad and had an hundred twenty seven pillars given by so many severall Kings saith Vadianus whereof twenty seven were most curiously graven all the rest of Marble polished In this Citie Saint Iohn the Evangelist is said to have gone downe into his grave alive there be who yet question his death and Irenaeus reports that he lived in Traians time This with the third and fourth Provinces of Doris and Aeolis were onely accounted Greeks the other Nations of Asia were called Barbarians 5 Lydia was the fifth named in our Division and in her are many Cities which we have mentioned in Scripture and are common among other Writers Of these the chiefe are Laodicea Thyatira Philadelphia Sardis where Croesus kept his Court and Pergamus the seat of Attalus that made the Romanes his heire and where Galen the great Physician was borne and lived 140. years 6 The first was Phrygia minor it is called Troas by the Inhabitants and those are now Greeks Turks Arabians heretofore they were the ancient Troians that gave Homer his subject for his admired Poeme Here is that Adramittium named in the Acts and Traianopolis and the Mount Tmolus that sends down a River into Lydia with abundance of gold and silver And lastly the Mount Ada famous for the judgement of Paris past upon the 3 goddesses 7 The last was Phrygia maior and on this was Gordion the very town where Gordius hampered his plow-tacklings in such a knot that none might unty but he that should possesse the Monarchie of the world and indeed it proved true enough in Alexander the great Another was Midaium where Midas sonne to this Gordius turned all to gold with a touch A third Colosse the place of the Colossians to whom Saint Paul directs an Epistle And all these were contained within the compasse of 〈…〉 which 〈◊〉 the name of Asia propriâ— ASIA with the Islands adioyning described the atire of the people Townes of importance all of them newly augmented by I. S. Ano. Dom 1626 11 Hitherto our Tract hath beene of Asia the lesse or Anatolia It resteth that we proceed to Asia Maior which lyeth remote from Europe toward the East And of this we can make no large description in so small a scantling we will onely marke out the Provinces and referre my Reader to more particular Relation in our severall Maps that contain the Turkish Empire Tartaria Persia and China all Kingdomes of Asia the great The parts as for the present we will divide it are thâ—se 1 Syria 2 Palestina 3 Armenia Maior 4 Arabia triplex 5 Media 6 Assyria 7 Mesopotamia 8 Persia 9 Chaldea 10 Parthia 11 Hircania 12 Tartaria 13 China 14 India 12 Syria is the first and hath in it the Provinces of Phaenicia Caelosyria and Syrophaenicia In Phaenicia was Tyre Sidon Sarepta and Ptolomais where two Kings of England have laid their siege Richard and Edward the first In Caelosyria stands Hieropolis and Damascus Aleppo Tripolis c. 2 The second Palestina which Ptolemy reckons into Syria It is in length 200. miles in bredth not above 50. It contained the Provinces of Samaria Idumaea Judaea where Ierusalem was not far thence Bethlehem Galilaea both the higher called Galilaea Gentium and lower and in this was Nazareth Mount Tabor where Christ was transfigured 3 The third is Armenia Maior or Turkomania In this was Colchus wheÌ„ce Iason fetcht his golden fleece Now it is inhabited by Turks 4 Arabia is the fourth and that had three parts Arabia desorta where the children of Israel were fed with Manna forty years Arabia petrosa where Mount Sinai was and the Law given The last Arabia faelix counted the fruitfullest Countrey in the world In this Arabia is the Citie Medina where Mahumet is intombed in an iron Chest supported onely by a roofe of Adamant without other art to keepe it from falling to the ground 5 The fifth Media it was once a large Empire and one of the first The fruits of the Countrey are said to be alwaies green 6 The sixth Assyria a very pleasant and temperate Countrey and here was the Citie Ninivie whither Ionas was sent 7 The seventh Mesopotamia in whose lower part Chaldaea stood as our latest Writers affirme and Babylonia 8 The eighth Persia a mighty Empire governed by a Sophy The people are Mahumetanes yet differ somewhat from the Turkes Their language passeth currant through the whole Easterne world The Metropolitane is Persepolis 9 The ninth Chaldaea often mentioned in the Scripture here was the fifth Sibyl called Erythraea that prophesied of Christ. 10 The tenth Parthia a Province of note for its continuall hostilitie with Rome and excellent Archery for the Inhabitants used their Bow with as much dexterity in their retreat as in the battaile and by that means oft times won advantage upon the enemie by their flight 11 Hircania the eleventh an illustrious Countrey and hath many Cities of note abounds with wine and hony 12 Tartaria called heretofore Scythia the Inhabitants Scythians and before that Magoziâ—â— from Magog the son of Iapheth that first inhabited these parts It was once possessed by the Amazons a Nation of women after their dissolution came the Scythians among whom Tomyris is innobled by Iustine for her victory over Cyrus Vpon them came the Goths and those were driven out by the Tartars which began their Empire 1187. so Maginus It is a large Countrey and the people
their loynes had not Fortune lulled them in her owne lappe and delivered them by meere chance into the hands of one Faustulus the Kings Shepheard when they were thus found the best Writers afford them no better Nurse then the Shepheards wife a knowne Strumpet who for her insatiate lust was called Lupa and might perhaps occasion the fable of the She wolfe She suckled them with no choycer milke then she did her own home-spoone brats nor were they bred under Faustulus to any better fortune then the Sheep-hook yet no sooner the yonkers were start up to the knowledge of their true birth but they stript themselves out of their disguise revenged their mothers death upon their usurping uncle Aemilius Sylvius restored the Latine Kingdome to the rightfull Numitor and erected a new Empire for their owne posteritie 2 These were the progenie of Aeneas who arrived here from the Troiane warre and made love to Lavinia daughter to Latinus King of the Laurentini The great combate betwixt him and Turnus the Rutilian grew upon no other terms then for her faire lookes which he could not nor did he peaceably enjoy till he had vanquished his corrivall and then he soone fastned himselfe in the right to that Kingdome and not long after possest it about the yeare of the world two thousand seven hundred eighty seven It would not be much to our purpose to lead you downe steppe by steppe through the succession till we come to Romulus All before him were before this Empire had being and therefore out-reach the limme of my story yet this in briefe we may recount here that he was the 17. from Aeneas and founded Rome in the yeare 3198. 3 The plot-forme was first cast in a figure of a quadrangle upon the mons Palatinus for the other sixe noted hils were not then taken in but added in after ages by their severall Kings It was begunne it seemes but slight and the wals raised not very high when Rhemus could skip them over in contempt of his brothers poore enterprise but the mock cost him his life he was slaine by Romulus and he now left the sole founder to give name to this new building 4 Romulus then is their first King and takes upon him the government of such discontented and masterlesse young Shepheards as he had raked together to people his Common-wealth a crue so scorned of their neighbours that their daughters denied to joyne in marriage with such a refuse of men so that by this means this up-start Nation was like to sink in the birth for meere want of issue to continue their succession And without doubt themselves had seene their last man borne had not their own wit bested them more then the womens love For when they saw their worth was not sufficient to wooe fairly with effect they proclaimed a day for solemne sports which they presumed and rightly too would call in their borderers of both sex and for that purpose had made provision of strength to force the women to their lust whom they could not intice to their lawfull embraces The plot held and the Sabines beare the name to have suffred most in that brutish treacherie yet others it seemes had their part too in the injurie and joyntly beset them round with strong enemies which the Romanes notwithstanding shook off with that ease and undaunted courage that the rest were glad at last to yeeld them truce for their own quiet and assist them too in their insuing Conquests 5 The Citie at this time was not above two miles in circuit the Inhabitants not much above the proportion of that little ground till Romulus had built an Asylum a Refuge for debucht people where the servant might secure himselfe from his master the murderer from his magistrate the debtor from his arrest and each fault from its punishment and then he soone called in incredible swarmes such as they were of Latines Tuscaines Troians Arcadians and made up a Miscellany of people each brought in the proper sinnes of his owne Countrey have there left them as a testimony of their ancestors to this day 6 This policy might seeme good at first to make up his number For who else but such would leave a settled state though meane in a well ordered Kingdome to apply himselfe to novelties of so uncertaine event But in a few yeares their King found that there was more need of a Pistrinum to correct then an Asylum to shelter his offenders and therefore was forced to make settled lawes for his Common-wealth and cull out a certaine number of the best ordered to assist him with their counsell and see execution duly performed upon the rest These he called Patres or Senatores and were at first not above one hundred chosen out of the elder wealthier and gravest Citizens who were either called Patricii for that they had most of them many children or Patroni as being the Patrons of the Plebeii or poorer sort which were therefore oft-times called Clientes as having no businesse of action in the Common-wealth scarce so much as to require their owne right unlesse under the protection of some one or other of the Patricii yet afterward both the number of Senators was increased to 200. and at last 300. and the Plebeii too in time had the priviledge to be elected into their society 7 No sooner Romulus had thus set the forme but while he was yet in speech to the people at a set assembly a tempest rose the skies darkened and a trick was found to juggle him cleane out of their sight as if at this instant he had beene wrapt into the heavens He past not it seemes to lose his life so that he might gaine the opinion of a god For so the Romanes beleeved and it was confirmed by one Proculus who pretended to have seene him after his change and received a charge from his deitie that he should be thence-forward honoured in Rome as her tutelare In briefe the more likely surmise of his manner of death is that in the storme he was cut in pieces by some of his Senators who had either suffered under his tyranny or at least had hope to raise themselves by his fall 8 Their second King was Numa Pompilius religious in his kind beyond all others and ordained in Rome a set forme to worship their gods invested Priests and Sooth-sayers to performe their rites and foretell things to come committed the Vestall fire to virgins to be kept as a perpetuall watch over the Empire in an emulation to the bright starres of heaven which were never extinguisht and in briefe civilized the people so far as they began now and scarce till now to have a sense of morall goodnesse a moderate love to themselves mixt with some equitie towards others 9 Their third Tullus Hostilius stirred them up first with the desire of true honour and inabled them by martiall discipline to provoke the Albanes a Nation then of long standing and great fame
likewise worshipped for a God by the name of Mannus The same account is rendred for Teutonia from Teuto a Captaine of the Germanes and their ninth from Tuisco Vnder these they continued till the Romanes entry after their Conquest over the Gals for whose likenesse to them both in feature and colour in goodly portraiture and carriage of their wars they were from that time called Germany as if brothers to the Gaules Yet there are two which compound the name of the Teutonike words Gar or Ger which signifieth all or wholly and man which retaines with us its prime signification of Man as if they were all men to the proofe or as others interpret as if they were a mixt Nation of all sorts of men from severall Countries 5 But this last agrees not with the conjecture of some Geographers that Germany hath not changed her Inhabitants since she was first possest quoniam non est verisimile saith one aliquos Asiâ aut Africâ aut quidem Italiâ relicta Germaniam pettisse terris informem Coelo asperam cultu tristem aspectúque minimè nisi indigenis gratam And this indeed differs not much from the report of Mela Tacitus other ancient Writers But the reason I hold not good for howsoever it might be true in their times of some and the most part perhaps of Germany as it was then limited that it was sylvis horrida paludibus faeda et fluviorum cursibus praepedita montium anfractibus exasperata ob idque maximè invia yet now she hath changed her hue and by the help of good husbandry is become so fertile and pleasant by the large additions to her Territories in these our after ages is growne so populous that she vayles not to France Spaine or Italy it selfe saith Quadus 6 By her first Geographers she was limited on the West with the River Rhene on the east with Ietula on the south with Danubius each of these tracts have won upon their neighbouring Countries and inlarged the compasse of Germany to a double extent of what it was before For on the West she passeth Rhene as farre as â—icardy and Burgundy parts of France Eastward is the German tongue and Empire exercised over the Region of Prussia Southward she reacheth beyond Danubius to the very Alpes which border upon Italy North-ward she hath ever kept her owne but hath beene curbd indeed from seeking new Kingdomes in that tract by the maine Ocean which divides her in part from Swevia Norway c. And to these limits we apply our Description No marvaile if it give her more honor then she had in former times For her compasse now is reckoned to be 2600. English miles Her ground fertile enough of it selfe and yet besides enjoyes the benefit of many Navigable Rivers which inrich her with trafique from other Kingdomes 7 Those of greatest fame are 1 Danubius the largest of Europe called by Pliny and others Ister It takes in sixtie Navigable Rivers and is at last discharged by many passages into the Pontus Euxinus 2 Rhene which hath its rising from the Alpes and runnes into the German Ocean From thence have we our best Rhenish Wines and upon his bankes stands the Citie Strasburg 3 Amasus Ems which glides by Westphalia into the German Sea 4 Maemu Megu whose head is in the Mountaines of Bohemia and from thence passeth by Francfort into the German Sea 5 Albis Elve which riseth from eleven Fountains meeting into one about the Sylva Hircinia 6 Odeca which hath not his passage immediately into the Sea but into the River Albis The middle mark of this Countrey is the Kingdome of Bohemia incompassed with the Sylva Hircinia 8 The chiefe Commodities of Germany are Corne Wine Salt Metals of all sorts Fruits good store Saffron c. The Ayre wholesome her Baths healthfull her Gardens pleasurable her Cities faire her Castles strong and her Villages very many and well peopled 9 The Inhabitants have put off their ancient rudenesse as the Countrey her barrennesse They are as goodly of person as ever as stout as ever and farre more civill then in the time of the Romanes It seems they were then esteemed but an ignorant and simple people more able to fight then to manage a battaile They were ever hardy enough but wanted Commanders of their owne of skill and judgement Since they have had Commerce with other Nations and have suffered the upbraid as it were of their Predecessors dulnesse they have beene in a manner shamed out of it and are now become rather by industrie then wit a most ingenious people and skilfull in the Latine Greeke and Hebrew learning famous beyond any others in Europe unlesse Belgia for the invention of many notable and usefull Engines The Gun and Gun-powder was first brought to light by one Bertholdus Swart a Franciscan which hath almost put by the use of any other warlike Instrument in those parts of the world where the practise is perfectly understood Generally the poorer sort are excellent Mechanikes and the rest for the most part Schollers 10 It bred Albertus Magnus Appian Gesuer Munster Luther Vrsin Zwinglius Scultetus Iunius Keckerman and many others in their severall kinds and Religions some Papists some Lutherans some Calvinists and among the rest many Iewes A. NEWE MAPE OF GERMANY Newly Augmented by Iohn Speed Ano. Dom 1626 12 The first which injoyed the institution of Pope Gregory was Radulphus Nabs purgensis 1273. after twelve yeares interregnum The last before him was our Richard Earle of Cornwall and brother to Henry the third King of England Since it hath continued firme in this course of Election howsoever not with that liberty as was intended For commonly the Emperour in being while he hath his power about him and can at least intreat if not command the Subjects of the Empire promise a choice of the Rex Romanorum who is no other then a successor designed to rule after his death or resignation And by this meanes it hath a long time continued in the house of Austria without any intermission 13 Thus we see much plotting great state many ceremonies to the making up of an Emperour and yet when it is well weighed it is little better then a bare title For howsoever these outward observances of the German Princes make shew of an humble subjection to the Emperour yet when it comes to trial he hath very little to doâ— in their Governments But each of them takes upon him as a free and absolute Commander in his owne Countrey permitteth or suppresseth the Religion which he either likes or dislikes makes and abrogates Lawes at pleasure stamps Coyn raiseth Souldiers and sometimes against their great Master as the Duke of Saxoniâ— against Charles the fifth and at this day divers others in defence of the Prince Palatine For of this quality and power there are many Dukes Marqueses Counts c. besides 64. Franc Cities which make onely some slight acknowledgement to the Emperour appeare perhaps at his Parliaments
and they say are bound to furnish him at need with 3842. horâ—e among them and 16200. foot 14 The chiefest Regions of Germany best knowne to us and noted by our Geographers with a more eminent Character then the rest are these 1 East Frizâ—land 2 Westphalia 3 Cullen 4 Munster 5 Triers 6 Cleve 7 Gulick 8 Hassia 9 Alsatia 10 Helvetia 11 Turingia 12 Brunswicke and Luneburg 13 Franconia 14 Palatinatus Rhene 15 Wittenburg 16 Ausper 17 Bayden 18 Mentz 19 Bamberg 20 Weirstberg 21 Saxonia 22 Anhalt 23 Mansfield 24 Sâ—evia 25 Bavaria 26 Brandeburg 27 â—usatia 28 Tirolum 29 Misnia â—0 Bohemia 31 Silesia 32 Moravia 33 â—omerania 34 Mecklinburg 35 Austria 15 East-Frizeland is on the West side of Germany and bounded with the North Sea Her chiefe Towne is Embden 2 Westphalia is on the South of East Frizeland It is most famous for Swine and excellent Bacon which is esteemed with us one of our greatest dainties to commend a feast Part of it belongs to the three next Bishops of Cullen Munster and Triers 3 Cullen her Arch-bishop is an Elector The chiefe Towne was called Vbiopolis afterward Agrippina and lastly Cullen from a Colony which was there planted by the French It is a received tradition among the Inhabitants that the bodies of the Wisemen which came from the East to worship Christ are here interred None almost but hath heard of the three Kings of Cullen 4 Munster Her chiefe Citie is Munster notable since the yeare 1533. at which time a company of brainsicke Anabaptists named it Ierusalem and raised them a new Governour by the title of the King of Sion 5 Triers Her Arch-bishop an Elector Her chiefe Citie Triers of great antiquitie founded by Trebeta the sonne of Ninius and Bopport sackt by our Earle Richard King of the Romanes 16 6 Clivia or Cleave-land a Dukedome of name Her chiefe Cities are Wesell Emrick and Cleve Her Commoditie the Tophus-stone of which they make Cement 7 Iuliacum Gulick a Dutchy Her principall City is Aken or Aquisgranum where the Emperour receives his Silver Crowne for Germany and doth great worship to a clout which they take to be our Saviours mantle in which he was wrapped 8 Hassia a mountainous Countrey but fruitful Her Metropolis Marpurgum an Vniversitie and the chiefe place of her Lant-grave is Cassels It comprehends likewise the Countes of Nassaw and Hanaw 9 Alsatia Her chiefe Citie is Sâ—râ—sburg famous for a Clocke of wonderfull art and a Tower of five hundred seventy eight paces high Other Townes here are of note as Bing Wormes Confluence and Andernach 10 Helvetia Switzerland on the East of France and North of Italy It containes thirteene Cantons Zurich Berne Lucerne Vraenia Glavis Zugh Basell Friburg Vnderwalt Solour Shaffnansen Apeâ—sol and Suits Her chiefe Cities are Zurike or Tigurum wheâ—â— Zwinglius was martyred And Sengall or Civitas Sancti Galli and Basell where a generall Councel was decreed to be above the Pope in the yeare one thousand foure hundred thirty one 17 Turingia Her Prince a Lant-grave Her ground though not of large extent not above twelve German miles either in length or bredth saith Maginus yet it is very rich it comprehends twelve Counties as many Abbies a hundred fourty foure Cities as many Townes above two thousand Villages two hundred and fiftie Castles Her Metropolis is Erford 12 Brunswick on the East of Westphalia a Dukedome whose principall Cities are Brunswick Halberstade Wolsheiten and Luneburgh which gives title to another Dukedome whose chiefe seat is Cella 18 13 Franconia It lyeth on the West of Turingia and joynes to Hassia Northward The Inhabitants were converted to Christianity by Boniface In this Province stands Franckefort famous for her two Marts every yeare and Noremberg within the territories are comprehended the seven other which belong to this section 14 The Palatine of Rhene some seventy two miles from North to South and from East to West ninety sixe Her chiefe Citie is Heidelberge Her Prince an Elector and hath many more priviledges then the other sixe In the vacancy he is Governour of a great part of Germany 15 Wirtenberge The chiefe Townes are Tubing an Vniversity Studgard c. 16 Auspech a Marquisate Her chiefe Town Auspech 17 Baden a Marquisate pleasant and fruitfull betwixt the Rivers Rhene and Neccar Her chiefe Cities are Turlach and Baden in which there be Bathes that cure many diseases 18 Mentz Moguntia a Bishoprick The Prince is a Spirituall Elector and sits alwaies at the right hand of the Emperour 19 Bamberg a Bishoprick of it selfe of large revâ—newes In this stand Fochia where they say Pontius Pilate was borne 20 Weirstberg Her Bishop is intituled Duke of Franconia 19 21 Saxoniâ— on the East of Hassia and South of Brâ—nswick and North of Turingia In this Province was Luther borne at Isleben Within her bounds are likewise comprehended these two other Principalities of Anhalt and Mansfield 22 Anhalt whose Governour with great courage and power bore Armes in defence of the Palatines right to the Kingdome of Bohemia 23 Mansfield an Earledome the more famous for the valiant acts of the present Count who to this day wars upon the Emperours party in the behalfe of the Illustrious Palatine and his unparalleled Lady Elizabeth Sister to his Royall Majesty of England 20 24 Swevia on the South of Franconia It is a Countrey full of people and those of goodly personage great wit and valiant In this Province is the head of Danubius and runs through the middle of the Countrey Her chiefe Townes are Vlme Lindawe and Auspurg or Augusta Vindelicorum Norlingen c. 25 Bavaria on the South of Bohemia and â—ranconia There is both the upper and lower Bavaria Of the first the chief Cities are Muchen Ingolstadâ— Frising and about thirty foure Townes more equall to most Cities of the lower Bavaria the principall are Ratisbone Patavium Pussan Lanshutum and Saltspurge In this City lyeth buried Paracelsus 26 Brandeburge on the East of Saxonie a Marquisate of five hundred and twenty miles in compasse It was heretofore inhabited by the Vandâ—les The Metropolis is Brandeburge and Francfort ad Odicum for so it is distinguished from the other Francfort in Franconia and Berlium Here are fifty five Cities and sixty foure Townes 27 Lusatia it lookes Westward toward Saxony The chiefe Citie is Gorlitzia 28 Tyrolum on the South of Bavaria and East of Helvetia Her chief cities are Oonipous Inspruck Brixen Tridentum Trent where the Generall Councel was held one thousand five hundred fourtie sixe 29 Misnia on the East of Lusatia a fruitfull Region Her chiefe Cities are Misnia Drisden Lipsia a place of learning and Torga many Writers place this Province with Saxonie 21 30 Bohemia on the South of Saxonie and Misnia encompassed with the Sylva Hircinia a fruitfull and pleasant Countrey It may deserve a particular description of it selfe and therefore I will mention it here with no other solemnitie then I doe the rest of Germany Her Metropolis
of Beere 3 Krems toward Austria on the North side of Danubius 4 Pilsen on the West of Bohemia a Citie which long held out against Generall Tilly by the defence of the now Count Mansfield but was at last betrayed by some of his Captaines 5 Launum North-west from Pilsen noted for the most fruitfull place in the whole Region 15 Now the out-Provinces which are part of the Kâ—ngdome though not of Bohemia are first Lusatia It lyeth betwixt the Rivers Albis and Odera and the Mountaines of Bohemia On the West it hath Saxonie On the North and East Brandeburg On the South Silesia It is divided into the higher and lower Lusatia and is watered with the River Nisse It is indeed part of Saxonie though under rule to the King of Bohemia For both this and Silesia was given to Vratislaus by the Emperour Henry the fourth It is a very fruitfull Countrey in most kind of graine and the Inhabitants though imployed much in husbandry yet are they a warlike people as most of Germany and so they have beene tried by the Duke of Saxonie and others of the Emperours partie though they have beene by number and maine strength overborne The first that was surprised was Bantsen but the Metropolis is Gorlitzia next Zittan c. No soyle nor customes differ much from the next Province 16 Silesia on the West hath part of Bohemia upon the North Lusatia and part of Poland upon the South Moravia and upon the East Polonia At the beginning it was part of the Hercinian Forrest It is watered with the River Odera and from hence took her name as Conradus Celtus delivers it Lib. Amorum 2. Eleg. 5. Hic Odera à priscis qui nomina Suevus habebat Nascitur Godani praecipitatur aquis Suâ—vus qui Slesum socium sibi convocat amneru A quo nunc nomen Slesia terra gerit But Ioannes Crato a Silesian rather thinks that the name came from the Quadi a people that heretofore inhabited these parts and rather for that the very Quady in the Sclavonian tongue signifieth the same which Silesium did in the Saxon and old German That they did possesse this Province is agreed upon by most but where they were before seated Geographers somewhat differ Ptolemy placeth them by the Hercinian under Lunasylva and others not far off It was the people which in their warre with Mareus Antonius the Emperour were scattered with thunder and lightning obtained by the prayers of the Christian Legion For when the Roman was driven to such straight that he could foresee no help which might come from man he put himself upon their prayers to God for his deliverance A strange hope that could beleeve in their faith and yet not in that God in whom they beleeved But the Almighty was pleased to shâ—w his power and force the very heathen to honour his people For here ended the fourth Persecution 174. and the Christian Legion was surnamed the Thunderer 17 The ayre here is somewhat cold but milde and the Land fertile The Inhabitants good husbandmen to make the best They have a kind of forced Wine which the meaner sort drink freely The richer have it sent from those neighbouring Provinces which are better stored The chiefe Citie is Perslaw or Vratislavia which takes name from her Founder Vratislaus and in honor of him gives the letter W. in her Armes About the seat of this Citie Ptolemy placeth Budorgis in so much that some think this was raised out of her ruiue Not farre off there is yet to be seen the remainders of stately old buildings which are supposed to have beene the houses of the ancient Quadi In the yeare 1341. it was ruined by fire but built againe with stone and it is now one of the stateliest Cities of Germany for elegant buildings and faire streets It is an Arch-bishops See and an Academie The rest are Neissa Nissa a Bishops See and a faire Town Glats Oppolen Olderberg Glogmâ—r c. Maginus numbers 15. Dukedomes in Silesia whereof six remaine in their ancient families the rest for want of heirs are fallen to the King of Bohemia But the two chiefe of name are Ligintz and Swevitz The first is immediately the Kings Swevitz too is under his government but yet hath a Duke of its owne which is honoured with the title and revenewes 18 Moravia is bounded on the North and East with Silesia on the West with Brandeburg on the South with Austria Hungary It was heretofore called Marcomannia received the latter name from the River Moravia which runs through the Countrey It yeelds plenty of Corne Wine Fish and People which use a kind of confused mixt language of Sclavonicke Bohemicke and Teutonicke In plowing up their grounds there hath beene often-times found a certain Coyne of the Roman Emperours Marcus Antonius with this Inscription de Marcomannis which the Inhabitants interpret to be of the Spoyles which the Roman took from the Marcomanni who inhabited this Region For certaine it is that this people were vanquished by Marcus Antonius as appears in their Historians The people were converted to Christianity by Methodius Their chiefe Citie is Olmuzium Olmutz an Vniversitie Brin c. It is reported by Dubrarius that in Gradisco a part of this Province there groweth a kind of Myrrhe aud Frankincense out of the ground which in likenesse resemble the hidden parts both of man and woman It was first added to the King and Kindome of Behemia by Sigismund the Emperour in the raigne of Albertus The Description of FRANCE NO people but are ambitious to winne upon Antiquitie as farre as their Line will reach Among others the French are great pretenders to that Title and fetch their originall from Mesech the sixt sonne of Iapheth not above an hundred and fifty yeares after the Arke rested But this passeth not for currant truth among her owne Historians and therefore is not the plea which gives France here the second place in my division of Europe I observe rather her situation which rankes her next to Spaine Eastward and that was the course proposed in my Generall Description 2 As for her Inhabitants the first certainly which we can make good were the Gaules A people of whose beginning we can give no unquestionable account yet this of them is most sure they were a Nation of Noted valour above foure hundred yeares before Christ It is now full two thousand and twelve since they sacked Rome and tooke the Capitoll In the memory of that great Action we may claime a part For first were themselves Conquered by the two noble British spirits Brennius and Belinus Kings of England and after led on by them if we may trust the story unto those glorious adventures which have to this day continued their fame almost above any other Nation Let the proofe rest upon my Author This saith Mathaâ—â— Westmonasteriensis out of the Roman History 3 Trecenta millia Gallorum ad sedes novas quaerendas profâ—cti ducibus
Belino Brennio Romam invaserunt ibique din morati sunt Sed mille libras auri praemium discessionis à Romanis susci ' pientes mox diversis agminibus alii Graeciam alii Macedoniam alii Thraciam petiverunt sua prole velut quodam examine totam Asiam replêrunt Tantus inde terror Gallici nominis armorum invictaque foelicitas erat in illis diebus ut reges Orientis sine mercenario corum exercitu ulla bella gerere non praesumerent neque pulsi à regno ad alios quam ad Gallos confugerent Non enim aliter Majestatem suam tutari neque amissam recuperare se posse nisi Gallicâ virtute arbitrabantur Itaque in auxilium regis Bithyniae vocati regnum cum eo peractâ victoriâ diviserunt camque regionem Gallo Graciam cognominaverunt which we now call Galatia And thus for a time their victories carried all before them yet at last they had their turne too of ill fortune were expulsed Rome by Camillus fared as their neighbours did and became tributarie to the Empire 4 Then did the name of Gallia comprehend a large portion on Europe besides that which we now call France and was divided by the ancient in Cisalpinam which indeed was a part of Italy that which we now call Lombardy and Transalpinam which Pliny cals Comata from the curled haire of the Inhabitants and Ptolemy Celto Gallatiam as the Greekes gave it Nor yet was this equall to the name of France but was again divided by Caesar in his Commentaries 1 in Belgicam which for the most part belongs to Germany 2 Celticam and 3 Aquitaniam After him Ptolemy gives a third division into foure parts 1 Aquitaniam 2 Lugdunensem the same with Caesars Celtica 3 Narbonensem or Braccatam and 4 Belgicam 5 We must here passe by the out-reaches of Belgia and the rest and confine our tract to those parts which are now governed by one King And though it retaine still the antique appellation which the Inhabitants received from the Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for their beautie and white colour yet is it best and most properly knowne by the name of France from the Franci or Francones a people of Germany that over-ran these parts and subdued most of them to themselves 6 Now the limits of this new Gallia or France are Westward the Pyrenaean Mountaines which divide her from Spaine and runne crosse the Isthmus that joynes both the Kingdomes They were very famous for rich Mines in so much that being once fired by Shepheards the Gold and Silver runne streaming downe into the lower Countries called up the Inhabitants to prey and was the first occasion of a forraine entry upon those parts Eastward it lyeth upon Germany South-east it is severed with the Alpes from Italy Northward it is bounded with our English Seas and Southward with the Mediterraneum Her chiefe Rivers reckoned by Maginus are 1 Garumna Garrone the greatest 2 Ligeris Loâ—re the sweetest 3 Sequana or Seyne the richest 4 Rhodanus Rosne the swiftest to these we may adde 5 Some upon which standeth Amicus 7 Her ayre is healthfull and her grounds fertile abounds almost with all commodities that may make her one of the happiest Regions in Christendome yet her greatest plenty is of Corne Wine and Salt which she distributes among her neighbouring Nations and enricheth her selfe with such Commodities from them as are not so fully afforded within her owne limits The women too partake of their Countries fruitfulnesse In so much that as the earth is scarce able to beare her plenty so her plenty could hardly sustaine her people had she not a vent for them into Spaine Italy Germany England and other Countries And yet were there long since reckoned Habitatores supra quindecim milliones inter quos octodecim millia nobilium by Maginus 8 In so great a multitude we must looke to find as much variety of Customes and Dispositions It was the report of Caesar long since and seconded by a late Authentike Author Gallicas gentes linguâ legibus institutis inter se differre multa tamen multis esse communia For the most part they are of a fiery spirit for the first on-set in any action but will soone flagge They desire change of Fortunes and passe not greatly whether to better or worse Their women very jocund of a voluble tongue and as free of their speech complementall to strangers and winne more by their wit then their beauty one and t'other are great enticers of mens affectioÌ„s and they enjoy them as freely and securely without either check of conscience or care of report It is esteemed Vitium gentile and indeed they can hardly heare ill for it from any there which is not equally guilty Very factious not onely in carriage of publique affaires but in their private families which proceeds for the most part from a selfe-conceit of their own wit and wealth and those will hardly admit a Superiour Their Nobility have beene reported to be liberall but I suppose that fashion is now worne out My selfe have specially noted the contrary in divers which respect their purse more then their honour and let passe the service and deserts of worthy persons unrewarded as if their gracious acceptance were a sufficient returne of thankes for any office a man can doe them They are practised to this garbe by their pessantry whom they reckon but as slaves and command as their proper servants which the poore snakes take as a favour and are glad to be imployed by their betters that by their protection they may stand more free from the injurie of their equals For the meanest of them are cruell and affect to oppresse their adversarie either by open violence or suite in Law though to their owne ruine They are very ready to take Armes and serve in the defence of King and Countrey need no more presse then the stroke of a Drum but are as rash in their atchievements They will not waite upon Councell but runne as farre on as upon their strength they may and when they find that failes they will as soone give ground 9 It hath had heretofore and yet breeds men of great esteeme for Learning Religion St. Bernard Calvin Beza and Ramus were French and many others both of the Romish and reformed Churches For as yet the people stand divided betwixt both but not equally The Papists are like to coÌ„tinue the stronger hand as long as their holy Father shall make murder a meritorious act For by their severall Massacres they have destroyed many Assemblies of the Hugonites as they call them The greatest I think that was ever practiced by such as had entertained the name of Christians was at Paris in the yeare 57â— when above thirty thousand soules suffered Martyrdome and among the rest some personages of great worth and note 10 It is subject to a Monarchicall government weilded by one sole and absolute King which beares the title
which hath found no end to this houre and caused them to cast oft the Spanish clogge which they did in the yeare 1581. and declared by their publique Writings that Philip the second King of Spaine had forfeited his government of the Low-Countries by breach of his faith And withall they bound their people by a new oath never to returne their obedience which they yet make good against the Arch-Dutchesse who by kindred to the Spanish King and marriage to the Arch-Duke is at this time interest in the government and therefore in the quarrell A NEW MAPE OF Y E XVII PROVINCES OF LOW GERMANIE mended a new in manie places Anno 1626. 12 We begin with the Dukedomes intayled to the Spanish faction and for the easier finding their situation we will take them as they lye from West to East And in this order is 1 Lutzenburg It stands betwixt the River Mosa on the West and the Forrest of Ardenna East on the South it joynes upon a part of France Her chiefe City is Lucenburg called by Ptolemy Augusta Romanduorum In circuit this Dukedome is 240. miles and containes in it many other Townes which have beene much batterred in the warres betwixt the French and Spanish Kings before the States were at difference among themselâ—es Theonville among others is of note for the stronger Bostonacum for the chiefe Merchandize It is called the Paris of Ardenna for by some that Forrest is reckoned into this Dukedome It stands on the East-side was in Caesars time 500. miles compasse now about 90. Neer to Ardenna is the Spaw bathes of great fame for the Cure of sundry diseases And hath oftentimes given our false English a pretence to leave their Countrey forsooth for Physick when they have no other excuse to get free and joyn themselves with the Romish Catholikes Maginus rockons into this Region 1168. Villages besides Castles with seven Earledomes many other petty Governments In the South is the Dutchy of Bovillon belonging to a Peere of France 2 Limburg on the North-east of Lutzenburg divides the government betwixt her own Duke and the Bishop of Luicke who commands the Westerne Tract as much as containes 24. walled Townes and 1800. Villages and hath under him 52. Baronies Luicke the chiefe City of the Bishoprick is an Vniversitie memorable for this one story above any other in Christendome That at one time there studied 9. Kings sonnes 24. Dukes sonnes 29. Earles sonnes c. The Dukes part in the East is not of that famâ— either for multitude of Towns and Villages or command of under-territories In the yeare 1293. the heires Male were extinct and by that means it fell to the Duke of Brabant The whole Region is exceeding fertile and affords almost all necessaries except Wine Among other Commodities it abounds with a kinde of stone of excellent use in Physick called Lapis calaminani The principall Citie Limburg stands upon the River Wesa 3 Brabant on the North of Limburg which commonly is supposed to have the name from Branchlant as if a barren soile but it is otherwise reported unlesse toward the North. The people are very jolly ut viri gravem senectutem sentire videantur And that me-thinkes should argue plenty Her chiefe Cities are Loraine an Vniversitie which containes 20. Colledges and among the rest a Seminary for English Iesuites Bruxells and this is the Dukes seat strengthned with a double wall and is adorned with very elegant buildings Bergen ap Some which is yet fresh in the memorie and mouthes since the siege 1622. Bodue whose people are noted to have preserved the antique valour of their Predecessors more then any other of the Provinces Breda was the place of the Prince of Orange got from the Spaniard by a desperate policy of a small number of Gentlemen which ventured themselves into the Castle being conveyed in a Boat covered with turves when they were past recoile they were forced to set their best strength forward as wel for their lives as the victory and were blest with a successe beyond hope They mastered the Castle and the rest soone followed It was of late recovered by the Spaniards after a long siege where our English got honour though not conquest under the conduct of our noble and valiant Earle of Oxford And lastly within the compasse of this D. is contained 13 The Marquisate of the holy Empire whose chiefe Citie is Antwerpe a Towne heretofore of infinite Trading had two Marts every yeare qualified with an extraordinary priviledge that during the time no man might be arrested nor his goods seazed and questionlesse this invited many which were in debt and could not have the freedome of traffique else-where 14 The Earledomes are 1 Flanders First indeed as well in esteeme as situation For it gives name to the whole Region of the Netherlands and the Prince writes himselfe Comes Dei gratiâ It is the very Northwest tract of this Belgia and is divided in Teutonicam Imperatoriam and Gallicam The first is the Flandria Flandricans properly Flanders The principal Cities are GandaduÌ„ Gaunt the birth-place of our Iohn Duke of Lancaster She is severed by the Rivers Shead and lets into 26. Ilands and hath passage from one to another by 98. bridges Her walls are seven miles in compasse Her other Townes are Burgies and Graveling Her Ports Dunkerke Scluse Newport Ostend c. The two last notable one for a pitcht field the other for a long siege In both the English honorably maintained the right of the States against the Arch-Duke Flandria Imperatoria is but a smal parcell and borders upon Brabant is called the Earledome of Hulit which is the chiefe Citie within her Territories Gallica Flandria is not of any large extent but very fertile and pleasant Her chief towns are Lilla or Lilse Duacum Doway an Vniversitie Orchais Tornay taken by King Henry the eighth and ransomed by the Inhabitants for 100000 Duckets 2 Artesia Artoyse the seat of the Atrebates in Caesars time Their chiefe City was then called Atrebatum now Arras whence we have our rich hangings and their name It lyeth most on the South of Flanders Maginus reckons to her 12. Cities and 852. Villages The chiefe of name besides their mother town Arras are Ayre Pernes St. Omer St. Paul 3 Hannonia Hanolt on the East of Flanders 60. miles long broad 48. Containes 950. Villages and 24. Towns beside Castles The chiefe are Banais supposed to stand in the same place where the ancient Belgium was built Mons Conde Valenciennes c. 4 Namurce on the East of Hanolt a fruitfull Countrey and full of Mines especially of Iron It hath but foure Cities 182. Villages The Metropolis is Namurce and the rest Charlemount Valen-Court Bornies 15 The only Barony of the Arch Dukes Province is Mechlin a City in Brabant which stands almost at equall distance betwixt Lovane Bruxells and Antwerpe Before the Spanish wâ—rs it was a place of Parliament for the States Since a great part of it was
sucked the sweetnesse they were not to be removed by the easie tearme of friendship but there kept hold till a people stronger then themselves dispossessed them The attempt was made by Scipio and the Roman forces but they withstood their assault with so resolved a courage and so strong a hand that it might oft-times be questioned Vter populus alteri esset pariturus and so held play almost 200. yeares and could not be fully subdued into the forme of a Province till the Reigne of Augustus Caesar yet after they were held to it till Honorius 3 About his sixt yeare was there a second Invasion made by the Vandales and soone after by the Gothes which bare sway for above 300. yeares The last King was Rodoricus who lost both himselfe and Kingdome for a rape committed upon the Daughter of Iulian a noble Gentleman and at that time Embassadour with the Moores in Africa When the Father had understood of his Daughters unworthy injurie he brought backe his revenge with him 30000. Horse and 180000. Foot of Moores and Sarazens which discomfited the King overthrew all the resistance which he could make and bespread the Country with their Forces where they and their posteritie stood firme till within the memory of some which yet live 4 This change of State was before prophecied and concealed in a large Chest within a part of the Palace which both the last King and his Predecessors were forewarned not to discover But the hope of an inestimable treasure made him transgresse and when he had entred there appeared nothing but the Portractures of Armed Moores with a presage annexed that when that part of the Palace should be forced open such enemies should ruine Spaine It is now at last but one people but yet retains the mixture of those many Nations which have heretofore possest it Goths Sarazens and Iews who were partly banisht hither by Hadrian the Emperour and partly sent hither by Vlider Vbit the Caliph after the Moores conquest 5 In all this Discourse touching the beginning and settling of the State of Spaine it appeares not from whence she derives her severall names of Iberia Hesperia Hispania It seemes they are more ancient then the entrance of the Carthaginians and therefore they allow us no certaine Story nor other reason indeed more then a likely Conjecture and in some scarce that Her first name of Iberia was given by her ancients from a River that runs almost through the middle of the Countrey So saith Maginus and relies upon Pliny and Iustin for his Authours Others give it rather to the Iberi the ancient people of Asia that came in under Panus from toward Syria possest it before the Carthaginians Her second name admits as much question Some fetch it from Hesperus the brother of Atlas and their twelfth King from Tubal Others beyond the Moone from the Evening starre because it is situate upon the West of Europe The last Hispania is supposed from one Hispanus or Hispalus who raigned in those parts and was the third in the account of some from Tubal or else from Hispalis now Seril rather we may take it from the fore-mentioned Panus Captaine of the Iberians by the prefixion of an S for so the Greeks give it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and since by their owne addition and corruption it is made Espania Hispania 6 Her whole compasse is reckoned to be 1893. English miles and her bounds are Seas on every side unlesse on the East towards France from which she is severed by the Pirâ—naan Mountains On the West he Atlantick Ocean on the North the Cantabrick and on the South the Fretum Herculeum and other parts of the Mediterraneum which divide her from Africa Her Rivers of note are specially 1 Minius or Mingo 2 Dorio now Duerus 3 Tagus now Taio famous for her golden sands Betis or Guadilquiver 5 Iberus now Ebro and 6 Ana or Guadiana which in one place glides under ground for fifteene miles together and gives the Spaniard an occasion as he will catch at any to bragge that they have ten thousand Cattle daily feeding upon one bridge Yet give them their owne sense the truth may be questioned For they have not such plenty of meat as they have of sauce 7 It yeelds indeed abundance of Oranges Lemons Capers Dates Sugar Oyle Honie Licorish Raisins Saffron Rice excellent Sacks and other Wines And in some places Sheepe Goats and swift Horses It hath beene heretofore noted for rich Mines in so much that Hannibal received daily 3000. from one Mine in Spaine The number is not answerable in proportion to other Regions of Europe Their Cities not so great nor so many The reason may be because indeed their women are not so fertile to multiply among themselves and their usage of strangers so uncivill that very few of other Countries seate themselves there as in France England and Germany And yet they have of late times sent many Colonies abroad into both Indies 8 They are extreamely proud and the silliest of them pretend to a great portion of wisdome which they would seeme to expresse in a kinde of reserved state and silent gravitie when perhaps their wit will scarce serve them to speake sense But if once their mouthes be got too open they esteeme their breath too precious to be spent upon any other subject then their owne glorious actions They are most unjust neglectors of other Nations aud impudent vaine flatterers of themselves Superstitious beyond any other people which indeed commonly attends those which affect to be accounted religious rather then to be so For how can hearty devotion stand wih cruelty lechery pride Idolatry and those other Gothish Moorish Iewish Heathenish conditions of which they still savour 9 Yet it hath yeelded heretofore men very famous for their severall endowments both of wit and religion The Apostle himselfe expresseth a great desire to see Spaine as hoping to doe much good among those which had entertained the name of Christ. Osius a learned Bishop in the time of Constantine the Great And Pacâ—anus mentioned by S. Hierome Isidore Fulgentius Arias Montanus Tostatus and Masius were all Spaniards Seneca Quintilian the Orator Lumen Romanae eloquentia as Valla styles him Martialis Lucan Silius Pomponius Mela were Spaniards Traian the Emperour Theodosius Ferdinand the Catholike and Charles the Emperour were Spaniards To this day it breeds good Souldiers slow but sure and successfull in their Conquests Yet such as prevaile more by art then valour Their continuall scarcitie of victualls inureth them to hunger and other hardnesse which oft-times wearieth out their enemie and makes him yeeld at least to their patience if not to their strength SPAINE Newly described with many adictions both in the attires of the people the setuations of their cheifest Cityest by Iohn Speed 1626 11 The present state of Arragon comprehends three of those Kingdomes as it was scattered by the Moores and Sarazens 1 Arragon it selfe which lyeth on the
third Province of Corduba Estremâ—dura lyeth on the South of Castile and is watred through the middle with the River Ana And in this stands the City Merida once a Roman Colonie and named by them Augusta Emerita from the Inhabitants which were there planted by Augustus and culled out of his ancient tryed Souldiers 19 Portugall is the third Kingdome in our last division of Spaine and it may well be esteemed one of her largest Territories For it runnes along by the Atlantick Ocean from the borders of Gallicea as Andaluzia on the North it is limited with the River Mingo on the South with part of the Mediterraneum on the West with the Atlantick on the East with the Castiles Andaluzia and Estremadura Her name some derive à portu Gallorum Maginus rather à portu Cale a Haven of that name which was much frequented by Fishermen It is almost the same portion of Spaine which was heretofore Lusitania and her people were esteemed the most valiant crafty and agile Souldiers of the whole Region yet now they are held to be simple ad proverbiuÌ„ usque But it is their neighbour Spaniards censure who indeed have over-reached them in cunning and brought them under the subjectioÌ„ of their Catholicke King which were before a free State of themselves and carried with them another Kingdome of the Algarbi which stands in her very South and shews the Cape of St. Vincent into the Atlanticke Ocean Give them their due they are excellent Sea-men and the best alive to atchieve adventurous actions For they added to their Dominions many Territories of Africa Asia and America could they have been so fortunate as to have kept their Kingdomes and themselves out of the reach of the cogging Spaniard 20 The Countrey affords not much Corne but fruit reasonable store and Mines of severall metalls Allum Marble good Silkes c. The chief City is Lisbone in Latine Vlyssipona supposed to have been built by Vlysses And from hence they set sayle towards the East Indies to Aethiopia Brasile c. In so much that this very City yeelds more revenew then the rest of the whole Kingdom Another eminent place of this Region is the Metropolis and Academia of Conimbria called before Mouda And this briefly is the whole Continent of Spaine but doth not terminate the Spanish Dominions which commands as well the Ilands which lye neere in the Atlanticke and Mediterraneum as many other parts of the world besides interminate with other Regions The Kingdome of Naples in Italy Dutchy of Myleine Iles of Sicily and Sardinia the Canaries Townes and Castles and Havens in Barbarie In the West Indies Mexico Peru Brasile large portion in the East 21 The Ilands neere Spaine in the Atlanticke chiefly the Tarsarae In the Mediterraneum are the Baleares and those are two principall Maiorica commonly called Mallorca and Minorica commonly Menorca Other lesse Ilands are Dragonera Cabrera Pyttussae Erisa Vedrau Conirello Dragomago and Scombraria ¶ The Description of ITALY ITALY is divided from France and Germanie by the Alpes and stretcheth her selfe South-east betwixt the Tyrrhene and Adriaticke Seas almost in just proportion of a mans legge I may spare my Reader her lavish attributes which he can hardly baâ—â—e if he will but looke into any Authour where her name is mentioned She must for me and well may be content here with the briefe Elogie of Plinie to which I thinke the wit of man can adde but little Certainly the most blessed seat of man upon earth can deserve no more Italia terrarum omnium alumna eadem parens numine deorum electa quae coelum ipsum clarius faceret sparsa congregaret imperia ritus molliret tot populorum discordes linguas sermones Commercia ad colloquia distraberet humanitati hominem daret 2 Yet to speake truth we cannot abate her much of this title The mother of Countries we may call her since most Writers agree that she was first inhabited by Ianus or Noah as some would report him the father of Nations It was doubtlesse a very long time since the world was honest and deserved the name of a golden age yet then was she peopled as Iustine delivers out of Trogus by the Aborigines whose King was first Ogyges then Saturne a man so just that under his government there was knowne no tyranny from their Prince no disloyaltie from the subject no injurie from the neighbour They had all one patrimony one possession and where all acknowledge no peculiar there can be but little cause of strife 3 I presume not to set downe the just yeare when men were thus ordered But if you will beleeve the story of the Gentiles compared in Chronologie by some of late yeares and better trust as Munster Quade c. Ianus pater hominum deorum and immediate predecessor to Saturne was in Italy within 200. yeares after the Flood and received the aged Chronus into part of his Kingdome with him being expulsed by his sonne Iupiter out of Crete Each of them built a Citie and left a sound of his name for their remembrance the one Ianua which to this day hath suffered no further change then to Genua and the other Saturnia and both in their times gave name to the whole region which are not yet fully worne out though others have since took place as Latium quia his latebat Saturnus Italia ab Italo Siculorum rege Hesperia from the Westerne starre Aâ—sonia and Oenotria from her excellent Wines But this is the largest scope which we can give to her antiquity Helvicus and other authenticke observers of time cuts off well-nigh a thousand yeares from this account of the Aborigines and placeth their Dynastia 2622. years after the creation 966. after the Flood and before Christ 1327. 5 The first change of Inhabitants was forced by Evander the Arcadian a man of that admirable eloquence that he was called the sonne of Mercurie but had by chance slaine his father and was therefore expulsed his inheritance and advised into Italy by his mother a great Prophetesse of those times He removed the Aborigines from their seat and planted his companions in the same plot of ground where after Rome was built and in the Mons Palatinus founded a little Town which he called Pallanteum in memory of his great grand-father And this was about the yeare 2710. 6 About 60. yeares after Aeneas arrived in this Countrey from the siege of Troy was entertained as an amorous suitor by Lavinia with consent of her father Latinus and after the death of his corrivall Turnus King of the Rutilians was settled heire to the Latine Monarchy after his father 7 From Aeneas to Numitor the succession went on not without some rubs but suffered no great breach for almost foure hundred yeares When the title should have fallen to him being the elder and true heire he was spoyled of the Kingdome by his younger Amulius Sylvius nor could it be recovered till time had given growth and
compasse eight miles and the houses for two stories high are built with Marble The people noble minded and forward to any honourabale action be it in the warres by Land or hazzard by Sea One Christopher Columbus is sufficiēt to make good this Elogy for whose birth she deserves to be honoured to the worlds end The women of Genoa are the most happy of any in Italy for they may see a man and speak and be courted if not too boldly without suspition of their friends or jealousie of their husbands 27 The State of Luca is in Tuscanie and comprehends the Territories and Citie Luca built by Lucumo King of Italy upon the River Serchius It was once the randevouse of Pompey Caesar and Crassus Here they joyned their forces in their great attempt This hath beene the Emperours the Genoa's the Venetians the Millanoy's and the Florentines in their severall turnes They now rest under the protection of the King of Spaine The Description of the Kingdom of Hungary IT is not without example of good authoritie if I take into this Description not onely that part which is now more peculiarly knowne by the name of Hungarie but the whole Countrey likewise of Daria which was once one with it though time and fortune have at last severed them so that each hath now its owne Princes Laws Customes Language and Religion different from other I the rather take to my selfe this leave to avoyd both the charge and trouble of ordering for every one a severall Table 2 First then the Kingdome of Hungarie is on the Southeast of Germanie and joynes upon the Dukedome of Austria They heretofore divided betwixt them the Countrey of Pannonia Austria was the superior and this the inferior Pannonia Their government and titles are now dis-joyned and Austria hath got the start in power for she is the mother of many German Princes and hath drawne the Crowne Imperiall almost into a succession 3 Yet is Hungarie still an absolute Kingdome and if not so rich and populous as heretofore it must not take from her honour since her fortunes sunke not through want of valour and fault of her former Inhabitants but have beene for a long time exposed to hazzard in the defence of Christendome against the mis-beleeving Turke and for that it hath beene by some styled the Cockpit of the world where once in a yeare at least a prize is played and some ground either won or lost by either partie 4 The first Inhabitants of this Countrey were the Pannones those were expulsed by the Gothes And when the Gothes went into Italy it was left to the possession of the Hunni a Scythian people which lived before neere the Palus Maeotis and when they saw their time changed their seat and about the yeare three hundred seventie three brake by great multitudes into these parts of Europe which they held till they were displaced by the Lombards These last were the Winnili which lived in Scandia or Scandinaria a Northerne Peninsula betwixt the Germane and Hyperborean Seas Their seat it seemes was too barren for their number and meere want of victualls forced them to seeke better sustenance in some other quarter They over-ran many Countries ere they could find any one to their content Among the rest the Pannonia had her course and here they continued till they marched into Italy under the command of Alboinnus where after 200. yeares their Kingdome was ruinated by Charlemain 5 When it was thus left by Lombards the Hunnes returned to their former seat and after some time of rest grew up to a potent Nation able to encounter the Romane Macrinus to breake his Forces and returne victors from the battaile About the yeare 439. they chose for their King Attyla whose inscription was Attyla Mundizi filius Magni Nim nepos Engadiae natus divinâ benignitate Hunnorum Medorū Gothorum ac Danorū metus orbis Deique flagellum An insolent title but indeed he was victorious over most parts of the then known world and bethought himselfe of enlarging his Territories in Asia and Africa But that designe was drowned in wine and lust which at length brought him to a most miserable destruction For in the night time when he had filled himselfe with both as he lay by his Concubine with his face upward in a dead sleep his nose gusht a bleeding and choked him being not able to recover himselfe from his back to give it passage 6 Since this settling they were once more disturbed by the Lombards and after by Charles the Great so that they were not well fastened in their possession of this Countrey till the time of the Emperour Arnulphus about the yeare 900. And in deed at this day hardly enjoy it by reason of the incredible spoyls and massacres which the Tartars commit amongst them This last name of Hungaria without doubt had the Originall from their present Inhabitants and their Predecessors which at times have peopled this Countrey above 1200. yeares 7 This Hungaria propria is bound on the West with Austria on the East with the River Tibiscus on the North with Poland and Russia and on the South with the River Savus 8 The land thus limited it is hard to beleeve what most Geographers report of her fertility That she yeelds Corne thrice in one yeare almost without any tillage or care of the husbandman Fruit of all kinds in great abundance and grapes which make an excellent wholesome and rich wine It breeds Cattle in such plenty that this one Countrey besides stores for her owne Inhabitants sends Sheepe and Oxen into forraigne Nations which lye about her and might say they suffice to feed all Europe with flesh Venison is not here any dainties Does Haires Harts Goates Boares c. are every mans meate and the game common as well to the Boores as Gentry And so for Phesant Partridge Black-birds Pigeons most fowle wild and tame 9 The earth is inricht with variety of Mines which yeelds her plenty of Iron Steele Copper Silver and Gold Lead she hath not and scarce at all any Tinne Her Rivers are equally commodious as well for their owne wealth as fit conveyance of forraigne Merchandize by shipping into their quarters The chiefe and onely one indeed which belongs properly to this Region is Tibiscus or Teissa and this imparts not her streames to any other Countrey but fully and freely payes her tribute to the Hungarian more Fish then can be spent yearly within their owne limits It passeth proverbially upon this River that two parts of it are water and a third fish The rest which are common to this with other Countries are Danubius here Ister and Savus and Darvus all of them well stored with water provision and in some places cast up a sand mixt with very good Gold Here are besides many waters of excellent vertues whereof some turne Wood into Iron others Iron into Brasse Some very medicinall for sundry diseases others againe so pestiferous that they kill the
creature which doth but tast them The like is reported of an Hiatus in the ground unaccessable by any but the fowles of the ayre and those fall suddenly dead with the stench which ascends from it 10 The people for the most part are strong fâ—rce revengefull harsh to strangers briefly ill mannered and worse learned For they affect not either liberall Arts or mechanicke Trades Yet it affords one of the most reverend Fathers of our Church good Saint Hierome Their greatest pride is their name of a war-like Nation and the basest infamie to put up the terme of coward Yet the person charged may not acquit himselfe upon his upbraider but must make good his honour in single combate with a Turke when he hath overcome him and not till then he may by order of the Countrey weare a Feather as a note of his true Gentry The sonnes onely are inheritors If it chance that the males sayle the estate descends not to the daughters but is forfeit to the common treasury They have no portion with their wives but a wedding garment and till they are married neither one nor th' other are accustomed to lye in beds Their language is the Scythian and their Religion diverse some Papâ—sts more Protestants They received Christianitie above six hundred years since 11 Hungarie hath beene heretofore divided in citeriorem ulteriorem The former citra and the other ultra Danubium And both againe had their division into fiftie Counties as Maginus calls them Her most illustrious Cities are 1 Buda the Metropolis and seat of their Kings before it was taken by the Turke For pleasant situation wholesome ayre fertile fields about her stately buildings and whatsoever else may commend her Quadus sets her equall with any other in Europe Vadianus mentions here a statute of Hercules which himself saw made of Brasse to artificially that the very veines were lively expressed besides the ruines of other rich work a goodly Library furnisht by Matthias Corvinus King of Hungarie But at his being there it was not in the glory that it had beene and not long after was for the most part utterly wasted by the inhumane Turkes It is commonly called Offen and is thought by some to be the same with Curta in Ptolemies descriptions THE MAPE OF HUNGARI newly augmented by Iohn Speede Ano Dom 1626. 13 Dacia is on the East of Hungary and is divided on the North from Sarmatia by the Carpathian mountaines on the South from Greece with Haemuâ— and on the East reacheth the Pontus Euxinus The first Inhabitants were the Masii of Asâ—a Afterward the Daci or as Strabe cals them the Dari a Nation of so slavish a disposition that the Athenians brought them into a Proverbe and in their Comedies presented their Sycophants under no other name then Dari. The Countrey is fruitfull and enricht with Mines their horses are very comely and their manes so long that they touch the ground Their last King before it was made a Province to the Romans was Decebalus who as Dion delivers it affrighted the Emperour from an assault which he intended with an incredible number of stakes stuck up in battell array and attired in his Souldiers old habits A wodden shift it was but served him for the present yet after he was vanquished by Traian and being sunke by the fortune of warre below the hope of recovering his Kingdome fell upon his owne sword It is now divided into 1 Transylvania â— Moldavia 3 Walacbia 4 Servia 5 Rascia 6 Bulgaria 7 Bosnia 14 Transylvania is the Province of Dacia and was it selfe called Dacia mediterranea Ripensis Dacia Since Transylvania because it was compassed with woods and septem Castra from her seven Castles of defence upon the Frontiers built by the Saxons who questionlesse gave her the German name Sibenburgen which she yet keeps as a remembrance of her residence in these parts The Countrey is populous and fertile It breeds faire and fierce horses wild bulls Indeed their men in some parts are not very tame Toward the North in the Province Zaâ—culcia they live most upon the spoyle maintaining continuall warres with the Turkes and Germanes and acknowledge no difference of worth or degrees among themselves Their government or rather want of government is compared to the Helvetian Three places they have Hisdy Corbay and Scepsy whither they resort to determine of their State businesse The chiefe Townes of Transilvania are Harmenstad Alba Iulia or Weisenburg Clansenburg Schlesburg Millenbachium Corona or Cronstant 15 Moldavia lyeth in the North of Transylvania and reacheth as farre as the Euxine Sea on the West it hath part of Ruthenia This Countrey hath beene by course in the severall possessions of the Emperour of Germany the King of Poland and sometimes the Turke thereafter as it was cast by chance of war It was a Vayvodate and her chiefe Cities Occazonia Fuchiana and Falezing To this Moldavia belongs the Countrey of the Bessi mentioned by Ovid in his 6. de Tristibus Vivere quam miserum est inter Bessosque Getasque They were a people of Thrace not farre from Pontus who lived most by theft and pillage and after possest the Mountaine Hamus and a part which lies betwixt it and Lituania and from the Inhabitants beares the name of Bessaralia The principall Towns are Kilim and Chermen This last is the seat of the Turkish Sanziacke for the whole Province became subject to his tyranny in the yeare 1485. 16 Walachia is supposed rather to have beene first named Flaccia by the Roman Flacâ—us who placed here a Colony which have continued the Latine tongue to this day among the Inhabitants though in a corrupt idiome such as can hardly be understood Neere to this over the River Danubius stands Pons Traianus built by the Emperour Traianus Nervaza work worth admiration as appeares by those ruinous parcells which are yet standing It hath puzzled the best Artificers to find out how such a vast foundation could be framed in so deepe and fierce a streame which could not be turned into any other course to give way to the building The Countrey abounds with good commodities Gold Silver and Iron Salt-Pits Wine Cattell and excellent great Horses The chiefe Cities are Sabinivus Prailaba and Tergoresta 17 Servia lyes divided from Hungariâ— and Rascia with the River Savus on her North and Bosnia on her West It was the seat of the ancient Triballi who met with Philip King of Macedonia and tooke from him the spoiles which he had brought from Mateas King of the Sarmatians It was it seemes but a barbarous people and therefore Aristophanes in one of his Comedies among his mock-gods names Marathane-triballos Her chiefe Cities are 1 Taurunum which Pliny placeth in the utmost bounds of Pannonia It is commonly knowne by the name of Belgard and Alba Graeca It is not so great as glorious nor is it fortified so much with walls as Rivers It lyeth open for a siege onely one way which the Turke
though not at any great distance These setled themselves in the Northerne â—lâ—s as the other did in their Chersonesus The first at their removall varied not their antique name of Cimbri As for Chersonesus it is noâ— peculiar to this Countrey being as common as Peninsula for it imports no more 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 à terrâ Insulâ and of these there are many more some perhaps of equal â—ame Taurica Chersonesus was not far distant from the place of their first aboad Peloponnesus well known in Greece Thracia Chersonesus in Thrace and Aurea Chersonesus in India 8 But the Danes it seemes suffered some change as well in their name as fortunes Sxao Grammaticus gives it to one Dan the sonne of Huniblus which was their first Governour in their new Common-wealth But this is controlled by Becanus saith Quade who renders another Etymon how likely I leave to those which can best judge by their skill in the Danish Language The Cimbri saith he when they were grown to great multitudes bethought themselves of severall names to distinguish their Colonies Each following their owne conceit best to expresse the qualitie in which they most gloried Among the rest some there were which affecting at least the opinion of a valiant people such as scorned riches without honour honour without victory and victory without the blood of their Enemies assumed their name from that creature which Nature had marked out with this Character Gallum igitur gallinaceum tum bellicae laâ—dis et generosissimi animi tum indolis regalis et militis strenui et ad omnia mâ—menta vigilis optimum exemplar ut pro Symbolo et synthemate quodam sibi acceperunt ita nomen quoque ab eo placuit mutuari Vocarunt enim sese Dic Hanem et composite per concisionem Danem quod Gallinaceum significat 9 How ever the Etymon may be farre fetcht for ought I know yet doubtlesse at this day they make good the Elogie of a valiant and warlike Nation strong of body bigge boned and of a terrible countenance ambitious of a glorious death rather then a sluggish idle life It is the saying of Valerius Maximus Cimbros et Câ—ltiberos in acie gaudâ—o exultare consuevisse tanquam gloriosè et faelici èr vitâ excessuros lamentari verò in morbo quasi turpitèr periturâ—s We our selves heretofore have felt their stroakes and submitted to their conquests in the time of Osbert King of Northumberland They were provoked by a rape done upon the sister of the Danish King For which the poore English dearely payd with two hundred fifty five years servitude under their Tyranny Yet since we have had and at this time doe injoy the benefit of their magnanimitie under the personall conduct of the right valiant and illustrious King Christian who hazzards both his state and life in the behalfe of his deare neece Elizabeth and her royall husband the Prince Palatine of the Rheine THE KINGDOME OF DENMARKE augmented by Iohn Speede are to be sold in pops head Alley by G. Humble 11 Their chiefe person of fame in course of Learning was Ticho Brahe an excellent Mathematician memorable for his artificiall Towre in the Isle of Fiâ—â—ra In Religion the greatest part of them are now Lutherans but were first converted to Christianity by Ansuerus 12 We are come to her division which the Sea almost hath made to our hands For her severall Provinces are well nigh so many Ilands at least Peninsulae The chiefe are 1 Iuttia or the old Cimbria Chersonesus 2 Diethmarsia 3 Scania 4 Hallâ—ndia 5 Blescide 6 The Ilands in the Sinus Codanuâ— which lye betwixt Iuttia and Scania That is the West and this the East limits of the Danish Dominions North and South are the Ocean and the River Esdora or Hever 13 Iuttia as it was the first so is it the principall part of this Kingdome Her bounds upon the West and East and North are the Balticke Seas and upon the South it is joyned to Holsatia and the Istumes of Diethmarsia It is in length saith Maginus eightie German miles from the River Albis to the Cimbricke Promontory called Scagen and in bredth twenty It is a fruitfull Region for Wheat Rie Barley c. And in the Northwest there is good Pasture though more Northward it becomes sandie and barren and puts the Inhabitants to fish for their victuals by which they make a shift to live though hardly enough God knows in poore shâ—ddes slightly clapped together and of as slender stuffe such as if need be they can remove at their pleasure upon very short warning and beare them away almost upon their back They transport into other Countries great store of good Horses for service besides Barley Cheese Butter Suet Hides and rich Skinnes Nuts and Fish In this Province are twenty eight Cities twenty Castles and foure Bishop-Sees Ripeâ—sis Arthusiensis and Aelburga all neere to the Sea-side Wilburga in the up-land Countrey From this Province came the Iuits who joyned in with the Saxons and Angles to Conquer England Her chiefe Townes as Rincopen Holne and Achausen 14 Diethmarsia is situated betwixt the Rivers Albis and Eidera They were a parcell of the old German Saxons and the Countrey it selfe is by some yet reckoned the lower Saxony but is in subjection to the King of Denmarke for it is the seat and title of his first sonne and heire apparent as the Dolphinate is to the sonne of France and Wales to the sonne of England Her Metropolis is Breme the rest Meldorpe and Heininckst Tellinckst and other rich Townes yet the soyle cannot be very fertile by reason of the moyst ayre and her many marshes especially toward the North which makes it unfit for tillage and indeed impassable for travellers Vpon which impediments the Inhabitants have made this advantage to keepe out all forraigne Invaders and appropriate what wealth they have to their owne secure possession 15 Scania or Scandinaria in the largest compasse comprehends more then belongs to the Kingdome of Denmarke and is invironed round about with the Seas except on that side where it is joyned to Muscovie On her West is the Kingdome of Norwey on her East Swethland and upon the South of that is this Scania which gives place to no Region at least within these Dominions either for wholesome ayre or fertile soyle for commodious Havens and plenty of Merchandize for dainty Rivers or store of Fish for Cattell Mines of Iron Lead Silver and Gold faire Townes and civill Customes The Metropolis is Lunpis This whole Province is some eighteene miles in length and in bredth about twelve in some places in others not above six 16 Hallaudia on the North of Scania and South of Sâ—ecia is bounded with the Seas upon the West and on the East with vast woods which divide her from Gothland It is a fertile Region and not much unlike unto Scandia but that it comes some what short of her happinesse in soyle Her chiefe Towne
Moravia make up the Kingdome of Polonia as it is here described 5 The bounds then of this great Region are on the West the River Odera Silesia and Moravia on the East the River Neiper which Ptolâ—my calleth Boristhenes on the North Pomerania or rather the Baltick Ocean and on the South Russia and the Mountains of Hungarie And if we will with Maginus take in the out Provinces which belong to this government we must reach East-ward the Tartars and Muscovites that live neere on the other side of Boristhenes and North-eastward part of Moscovia Southward the Hungarian Mountaines and the Vallacci in so much that the compasse would come little short of all Spaine as it lyeth beyond the Pyrenaean 6 The principall Rivers of Poland are 1 Vistâ—la it hath its rise in the Carpathian Mountaines which divide this Kingdome from Hungarie and it selfe runs into the Balticke but by the way takes in divers other streames on the West out of the Polonia Germanica and on the East out of the Sarmatica It is navigable 400. miles Neister which hath her fountaines in the hills of Hungarie and glides Eastward on the South of Podolia into the Pontus Euxinus 3 Neipher or Boristhenes which bounds the Kingdome on the East is navigable 600. stadia and runnes from North to South into the Pontus Euxinus where there is naturally cast up plenty of Salt which needs no art to perfect it 4 Rubin in Lituania 5 Hypanis now Bugh not farre distant from the Citie Oleska and falls at last into the River Vistula with many others of lesser note though all conduce to make the Countrey in some kinds very fertile 7 For it abounds with most sorts of Corne and Pulse sufficient both for their owne spending and continuall traffique into other Countries Many of her neighbouring Regions could not well misse her plenty as well of Wheate Rie and Barley as Beeves and other Cattle which give supply to Saxonie and the rest of Germany neere hand which hardly yeeld enough for their Inhabitants out of their owne store The blessing of this fertility cannot come alone but must needs bring with it the lâ—ke riches of Butter Cheese Milke Waxe Honey and what ever else hath its birth from the ground It is wel-nigh past beleefe which is reported of their multitudes of Bees such as yeeld more Hony and Waxe then the people can find roome for They need here neither art nor care of the good huswife to order their hives but naturally are their owne Gardians and provide so diligently for their owne safety within the bulks of trees that they easily passe over the hardest Winter without hurt There is store of game both for hunting fowling and fishing In her Forests is seene a kind of wilde Horse with an horne like an Harts and the Alces c. Lastly among other good commodities the worst is not her Pitch and Rosin which yeeld her a large annuall revenew 8 Her chiefe wants proceed from her bleake situation For it is a plaine Countrey and shadowed for the most part with Woods very cold and by that meanes she hath little Oyle and scarce Grapes enough to teach them the use of Wine A great defect amongst so good drinkers for they have a name for that equall with any part of Germany and that I thinke gives no ground to the rest of Europe But they make a shift to finde themselves play with a kind of Metheglin Gold or Silver here is not much unlesse about Cracovia and as Maginus saith in Sandomica whâ—re there are likewise some Mines found of the Lapis Lazulus perfect Lâ—ade and Iron and pieces of Copper Neere the Towns of Nochow and Palukie there is extant a kind of miracle a certain earth naturally formed up into pots which if you take forth and dry they diffâ—r very little by sight from such as are made by hand and serve aptly for the same use A. NEWE MAPE of POLAND Done into English by I. Speede 10 They have a good minde to Religion but cannot fasten upon any one to their liking and therefore they will try all Christians they have beene ever since the yeare 965. but from that time they have scarce slipt any error schisme or heresie which hath crept into the Church Here are Iesuites and others of the Romish sects Here are Lutherans Calvinists and Arians and Anabaptists and Antitrinitarians none allowed but all tolerated and indeed Poland had the seniority of Amsterdame for that old saying That if a man had lost his Religon here he might find it They have one ancient custome in their Churches which me thinks may well interpret our standing up at rehearsall of the Creed when the Gospel is reading the Nobility Gentry unsheath their swords and stand as it were prepared to defend it with their lives against any which dare violate it 11 Their King is chosen by the generall States and is for the most part some great warriour of their neighbouring Princes For they have no peace on their East limit with Muscoves and Tartars but what they make with the sword The Laws are onely temporary statutes there are none fundamentall But when the King hath any great designe in behalfe of the Common-wealth he assembles a Councell of the Nobilitie to assist him His revenues comming in are thought to be about sixe hundred thousand Crownes And each quarter of his Kingdome maintains his expence for one quarter of the yeare Their first King was Boleslaus Crowned by Otho 3 in the yeare 1001. But the regall dignity was lost againe to Boleslaus the bold who began his raigne 1078. but was deposed by the Pope and no other suffered to take up the Scepter and rule by the name of King till the yeare 1295. The first of the second course was Primaslaus the second Duke of Poland and Pomerania Since whose time there hath beene no breach to this day 12 The chiefe Provinces of the Kingdome of Poland as they lye from her West to East are 1 Pomerania 2 The Dukedomes of Ozwitts and Zator 3 Polonia 4 Prussia 5 Russia nigra 6 Samogitia 7 Massoria 8 Livonia 9 Podlassia 10 Lituania 11 Volhinia 12 Podolia 13 The first is Pomerania bounded on the North with the Baltick Ocean on the West with Germany and is accounted by some a Province of the Empire as we have ordred in our description But in regard the greatest part is subject to the King of Poland I hope I shall wrong neither to give both their due and reckon it as well to this government since it hath an equall if not a greater title to the rule though not to the Inhabitants for they are most Germans It is a plaine Countrey but exceeding fertile and rich in all Commodities which any other part affords flourisheth with fortie Cities which are fenced round either with the Sea or ditches answerable for safety Her chiefe stands upon the shore for it is by nature so well guarded from the
East of Poland and North of the River Neister or Boristhenes as it runnes from his head to the Pontus Euximus on the West of Russia It affords great plenty it seems three Harvests they say of one sowing It is pity saith Vadianus it should be left Desert as in a manner it is unlesse here and there a Village Her chiefe is Camiensen the onely one able to returne the Turk and Tartars with the losse as it hath oftentimes done The rest are not many and those but weakly peopled For the often incursions of the Tartars their speedy Horse to ride a great compasse in a little time their breach of faith upon tearmes of composition and their crueltie when they have got a victory causeth the Inhabitants of those parts to flie them at a great distance and leave their Land waste since they dare not trust their peace nor are able to withstand their warre The Description of the Kingdome of PERSIA THis Empire was one of the first and most potent in the Easterne world and though since in severall ages she hath felt the variety of fortunes to which all Kingdomes are subject and beene forced to deliver up her glory to the succeeding Monarchies of the Macedonians Parthians Turkes and Saracens yet now at last is she recovered to her owne height and greatnesse and the name of Persia reacheth farther then ever if we take in as most Geographers doe the Regions of Media Assyria and the rest which were heretofore the seats of severall illustrious Kingdomes 2 Surely the first which inhabited any part of this compasse were the Medes a people of great antiquitie who reach both their originall and name from Madai the sonne of Iapheth for it was not long after the Flood that they were subdued by Ninus King of the Assyrians one and t'other Media I meane and Assyria though then they had apart their peculiar governments yet both were but a parcell of this Countrey which is now knowne by the name of Persia. 3 To Ninus and his successors they continued faithfull for many years till the effeminate weakenesse of Sardanapalus gave opportunitie to the ambition of Belochus governour of Babylon and Arbaces of Media to divide his Empire betwixt them which they did in the yeare of the world three thousand one hundred fortie sixe and then beganne the Monarchie of the Medes which spred it selfe through the greatest part of Asia and for above two hundred yeares gathered strength till the time of Astiages who dreamed himselfe out of his Empire as Iustine relates the storie 4 Persia proprie dicta from whence this whole Countrey at last tooke name was at this time but an obscure Kingdome in respect of what now it is tributary to the Medes Her Prince was Cambyses the father of the great Cyrus by Mandanes daughter to Astiages when she was great and expected the time of her deliverance her father touched with a perplexed dreame that she made so much water as would drowne all Asia interpreted it that her issue should be the overthrow of his state and therefore delivered the child which was born to her into Harpagus his charge to be destroyed and he to the Kings Heardsman who unawares to both preserved the guiltlesse infant so that at last he tooke revenge upon his cruell Grand-father and laid a foundation for the Persian Monarchie 5 In this attempt his anger wrought him no farther then his enemy for he left the government of Media still to Cyaxares the sonne of Astiages and afterward married his daughter joyned with him in his conquests and till his death gave him the preheminence of title They were both ingaged in the taking of Babylon slaughter of Baltazar and destruction of the Chaldeans the Scripture gives this victory to Darius Medius who as most hold was no other then Cyaxares and he onely named as the principall of the two while he yet lived though Cyrus had his part in the action after his uncles death enjoyed it as his owne and made perfect the Monarchie of the Persians in the yeare of the world 3046. 6 About thirty seven yeares after the succession was broke for want of lawfull heires to Cambyses their second King and therefore their Princes consulted to salute him whose Horse first neighed at a set meeting upon the Court green before the Sun-rising Darius Histaspes was one and by the subtiltie of his horse-keeper carried the Crowne for the night before in the same ground he had coupled a mare with the horse that his Master should ride which when the lustfull steed missed the next morning being full of spirit no sooner had he set footing upon the place but with much eagernesse he snuffed and neighed after his mare and gave the quue to the other Princes to proclaime Darius King of the Persians This was he whom the Scripture calls Ahasuerus he was Hesters husband 7 Thus is the Empire now setled and intayled by descent after him to that famous Xerxes who made war upon Greece with an incredible Army joyned Asia to Europe with a bridge and dammed up Hellespont with his Navie yet was at last vanquished by foure thousand at Thermopylae and after by Themistocles forced to make his flight in a small â—oat toward his owne Countrey contemned of his subjects and within a few yeares slaine in his Palace by Artabanus His immediate successour was Artaxerxes Longimanus who sent the Prophet Esdras to reedifie the Temple and so on to Darius the last Persian of that course who was oft vanquished by Alexander the great and left the Monarchie of the world to the Macedonians After the death of their victorious Captaine it was divided among many of the most potent Princes of Greece 8 But when the Persians saw the force of their enemy thus severed they began to conceive a hope of recovering their libertie and so they did indeed under the conduct and command of the Parthian Arsaces but found theÌ„selves little bettered in their condition as being now become new slaves to a more harsh tyrant and therefore in the year two hundred twenty eight after the Incarnation they made a second attempt to quit themselves from the Parthians they tooke their time when their masters were sore afflicted with a strong enemy from Rome which had broke their forces to their hands so that by the admirable prowesse of another Artaxerxes they made good their Conquest upon the Parthian and adventured so farre with the Romanes themselves that their name began to grow terrible and the Emperour Constantine forced to fortifie his Provinces which lay toward the East and this might be some cause too why he removed his seat to Constantinopolis 9 After this it fell into the hands of the Saracenicall Caliphs in the year sixe hundred thirty foure and to the Turks in the yeare one hundred thirty next to the Tartars and so againe to the Parthians by the help of Gempsas who redeemed both his owne and this from the Tartarian and
their measure of times as we from the Germanes in length of miles else we must commit a foule errour to look beyond the Flood for their originall since that time it is not yet above three thousand nine hundred twenty and surely I thinke they were not exempted from the generall deluge no more then from the sinnes of the whole earth 3 But if this conjecture of different account be not approved the solecisme must rest for me upon their owne ignorant vain-glory which in their stories transport them beyond probability upon hope perhaps that no other Nation could controwle them for in those first ages they had little converse unlesse with men more barbarous then themselves such as could not deliver their acts to posteritie and therefore being left wholly to their owne relations good reason they thought they had to doe themselves what honour they might though ignorance of the main truth makes them oft times to trespasse upon Chronologie and forge stories so unlikely that the whole may be justly suspected 4 Their first King they name Vitei and report him to have reigned an hundred yeares his successours went on without breach or conquest to their two hundred fourtie second Prince but were then for a while cut off by the Tartarians This change was foretold to Farfar the last China King of the first race and the Prophecy laid it upon one which should have an hundred eyes and so had Chisanbaan the Invader if you will allow his name to make up the miracle For the very word in their language signifies no other then an hundred eyes A poore cousenage of the Devill but served the turne first to dazle them with a strange Prophecy and then to keepe up his credit in the performance with the simple idolaters After nine Tartarian Princes it was againe recovered to the state in which it now stands by the prowesse of one Gombne their 251. King 5 This briefe account of their beginning and progresse is more then I can warrant for undoubted truth The most part was past ere they were a people knowne to the Europeans for Ptolemy himselfe scarce reached so far toward the East or if it be the same with his Sinarum Regio which yet some doubt yet it seemes he knew little more of it then the bare name we must be content to passe over many ages untoucht and break abruptly into our owne times and stories which doe afford us more certaintie by the relation of later travailors some of our owne Nation 6 It is now a vast Empire which containes in latitude almost fortie degrees from the Tropike of Cancer to the fifty three towards the Pole Artike and thirty in Longitude from the degree one hundred thirty to one hundred sixty the bounds on the West is Indostan India intra Gangem on the East Mare Cin on the North the Empire of the great Chane severed from the Chinoyse by high mountaines continued with a wall of a thousand miles in length built by Tzanitzon their 117. King and on the South the Kingdome or Chan chin chinae part of the other India intra Gangem 17 The ayre here is temperate and the ground fruitfull the mountaines and wilde fields breed incredible numbers of Cattell and the Woods wilde Boares Foxes Hares Conies and other usefull beasts which gives us flesh for our food and skinnes for our cloathing The tilled ground returnes againe plenty of Corne Wheate and Barley their higher Poulse and their lower Rice in great abundance their gardens pleasant set with all sorts of flowers which may delight either the eye or sent no clodde almost of earth there but hath its wealth for what yeelds not fruite is inricht with Mines of Gold and Silver Their chiefe River is Polysango both it and the rest give fish in great abundance and water-fowle enough almost to feed a whole Nation Maginus reports it that tenne or twelve thousand wilde-ducks have beene commonly spent in one day in the Citie Canton besides their owne profit they advantage them much in their course of traffique to convey their Merchandize into severall parts of the Empire to meete with their chapmen from all quarters Their principall Commodities are Silkes and Sugars yet besides these they send forth Wooll Cotton Olives Metals Rheubarbe Honey Purslaine dishes Camphire Ginger Pepper c. Muske Salt great store whose Custome in onely one Towne of Canton amounts to the yearely value of 18000. Crownes To this happinesse of soyle may be added the thrift and great industrie of the Inhabitants who hold it a foule disgrace to be accounted idle and therefore make the most of what they have so that without doubt as they are infinitely populous so they are proportionably rich beyond any other Nation of the world 8 The Chinoyse is described with a broad face of a duskie colour crooked nose small and black eyes and very thinne beard but long haire on the head if any be deformed for so they take it with a better feature they are as like to breake a jeast upon his handsome comely visage as a scoffer would upon their ill fashioned countenance The better sort are cloathed in long silke garments the ordinary people in linen for they have not yet the art well to weave wollen Their women deck their heads with gold and precious jewels seldome shew themselves abroad without great attendance of servants the KINGDOME OF CHINA newly augmented by I.S. 1626 10 Their fashions in private houses are not much unlike to those of Europe at boord they sit in chaires and upon formes not loll on the floore as most of the Asiaticks doe they touch not their meate with the hand but use the Silver-forke or else some stick of Ivory or Ebonie not much unlike it they eate thrice in one day but sparingly enough when they travaile over the Plaines they use a kinde of Coach yet not drawne with horses or other beast but driven by the winde under sayle as a Barke on the Sea which the people are as perfect to guide which way they please as the Mariner is to direct his course unto any coast whither he is bound as they sayle upon land as if it were sea so they dwell as frequent upon the sea as if it were land for they have an incredible number of ships and boates which are in many places ranked like streets upon the waters and filled with Inhabitants such as are here borne live traffique marry and die Mr. Purchas reports that upon one River from Nanquin to Paquin they are thus ordered for 300. leagues No marvaile then if their number exceed any part proportionably of the whole earth since their land is not sufficient but is forced to borrow roome out of the Sea for their habitation yet are they all governed by one Monarch whom they call the Lord of the world and sonne to the Sunne For they are a proud Nation and admit not equall comparison with any other earthlings but cast it as a Proverbe
consumption of sundry most noble and ancient houses of England and both parties wearied with warres the conclusions of peace which ensued are reported in regard of the precedent murders to be written with bloud The third sort of these quarrels in these Civill warres and dissentions were factious dissentions between Princes themselves of the bloud Royall ambitiously aspiring to the Crown of this Kingdome and titles of Kings thereof Of which kind there have beene two most notable knowne amongst us The first fell betwixt Stephen of Bloyse Earle of Bolloigne wrongfully succeeding his uncle King Henry the first in the Crown of England on the one partie and Maud the Empresse Daughter and sole heire to the said King Henry and Henry D. of Normandie his sonne and heyre who afterward succeeded the same King Stephen on the other part which was followed with such variable successe of fortune in many conflicts on both parts that K. Stephen himselfe was taken prisoner and laid in Irons with extremitie used and the Empresse to save her life dangerously adventured thorow the Scouts of the Enemy in the snow slenderly guarded and before that was driven to such distresse that faining to be dead she was laid as a livelesse coarse in a Coffin and so conveyed away in a Horse-litter But the second and last of these two being the greatest of all the rest was that which happened betweene the House of Yorke descended of Lioâ—ell of Andwerp D. of Clarence second sonne to K. Edward the third and the House of Lancaster issued of Iohn of Gaunt the third sonne living of the same King The occasion of a civill warre that raged most cruelly for a long time together but at that time most extreamely when there raigned two Kings of either Family one of Lancaster Henry the sixt another of Yorke Edward the fourth betweene whom with the favourers and followers there were twelve severall Battailes fought in little more then twelve yeares space In so much as one of our own Writers Edward Hall the great Chronicler saith that in these Civill warres betwixt these two Families it cost more English bloud then twice had done the winning of France and of forraine Writers Philip Comines Lord of Argentine in France reporteth that it consumed no lesse then fourescore Princes of the bloud Royall and Paulus Iovius a Bishop of Novo Como in Italy resembleth the state of these warres to the most tragicall story of the Citie Thebes So let these few examples shewed in these 3. generall heads suffice in this briefe Description instead of many that might be brought for by these we may judge of the rest Now the benefit that may be gathered by perusing the severall sorts of them shall be to consider in the first the blessing of God poured upon us in preserving our Countrey and Nation against the severall Invasions of forraine enemies notwithstanding their severall and many attempts In the second the fall and ruine of rebellious Subjects taking Armes against their annointed Kings Princes and Governours And in the third the power of God and his heavie punishments inâ—licted upon us for our sinnes in making the one partie the scourge or maule of the other with revenging murder by murder working the depopulation of our fruitfull Countrey and ruinating of our Cities at home with losse and revolting of the territories in subjection unto us by just title of inheritance and conquest abroad And in all of them representing unto us the lamentable Stories of the times fore-passed and gone to compare with the same the peaceable estate of the happy times possest and present wherein Martiall men have leisure to winne honour abroad the rest to live in quiet and wealth at home all factions forgotten and all rebellions surceased and repressed and for these blessings to yeeld due thankes unto Almightie God that hath provided for us such a Prince and so directed her in her governement over us that with ease and pleasure we may both behold the one and enjoy the other esoecially in these dangerous dayes of these latter times when all hostility and outrage of civill warres broiles and dissentions have seemed by the power of the Almightie hand of God stretched forth in our defence to have beene transported out of this Iland over the Seas into other Countries in so much as notwithstanding this calme securitie of our owne at home our neighbour-Nations of all sides abroad either through the licentious tyrannie of ungodly Princes that have laid persecution upon their Subjects or the mutinous dissentions of disobedient people that have raised Rebellions against their Princes have beene so turmoyled with garboyle of warres as they have been pitifully enforced to pray and seeke ayd at her Majesties hands and to submit themselves under the protection of her whom with us they acknowledge to be the very Deâ—endresse of the Christian Faith and Peace and the most naturall Nurse to the true Church of God By all loyall dutie therefore we are indebted to yeeld obedience unto her Majesty and to her Majesties most religious government by which we have received such peace as the world doth admire and following ages to her eternall fame shall record and with faithfull hearts pray that peace may ever dwell within her wals and prosperity abide within her Pallaces and that the abundance of her peace may continue as long as the Sunne and Moone endureth Cease civill broyles O Englands subject cease With streames of bloud staine this faire soyle no more As God so Kings must be obey'd with peace Yeeld thou thy due to them their right restore Wash with repentance these thine acts before Give loyall pledge with might resist her wrongs That raignes thy Prince to her thy Sword belongs 1 AT Battaile the 14 of October being Saturday the yeare of Christ 1066. William Duke of Normandy obtained this Land by Conquest and slew Harald King thereof with Gerth and Leofwin his brethren with 67974. Englishmen 2 Yorke burnt and 3000. of the Citizens and Normans slaine by the Danes under the leading of Harald and Canutus sonnes to Sweno King of Denmarke for the recovery of the Crowne to the Danish bloud 1069. W. C. reg 3. 3 Malcolme King of Scots invaded Tefidale Holdernesse and Cumberland charging his Souldiers to spare neither sex nor age of the English Nation Aâ— 1071. but the yeare following was himselfe forced to do homage to W. C. reg 5. 4 Elie surprised and wonne by the Conquerour the last part of this Land that stood out against the Normans under Hereward their most valiant Captain An. reg Conq. 7. 1073. 5 The first seating of the English in Wales through the dissention of their Princes who being called for partakers tooke from the Welch that which they could not againe recover 1090. reg 1. Ruf. 3. 6 At Alâ—wick Malcolme King of Scots invading Northumberland with his sonne Edward was slaine and all his boast discomfited by Rob. Mowbray Earle of North. reg Ruf. 5. 1029. 7
with Robert Vere Duke of Ireland maintained by King Rich. 2. against them with 5000. men slew Sir Tho. Molineux Constable of Chester and put the said D. to such strait that in swimming Thames â—e had almost lost his life 1387. r. Rich. 2.11 40 At Otterborne under the leading of Wil. Dowglas 1100. English men were slaine and 30000. put to flight Lord Henry and Ralph Percies sonnes to the Earle of Northumberland were taken prisoners notwithstanding the said L. Hen. had manfully slain that valiant Captaine Wil. Dowglas at the first encounter An. 1388. Rich. 2.12 41 At Flint castle K. Ric. 2. was by the falsenesse of Henry Percie Earl of Northumb. delivered into the hands of Henry D. of Lancaster and thence conveyed as prisoner to London committed to the Tower and shortly deposed thence sent to Loeds castle in Kent lastly to Pomfreit and there murdered Feb. 13. 1430. * At Circester the conspirators against K. Henry 4. were discomfited the Dukes of Excâ—ster and Surrey the Earles of Salisburie Glocester and Huntington Sr. Thomas Blunt and Barnard Brocas knights were there taken and in sundry places beheaded 1400. Ian. 15. reg 2. 42 At Hallidowne hill againe another great and bloudy battell was fought Sep. 14. against the Scots by K. H. 4. wherin the said Scots were beaten down and slain and besides the losse of many thousand common Souldiers fourescore Earls Lords and Knights of account were also then slain An. 1402. reg 3. 43 At Pelale in Wales 110. Englishmen were slain by Owne Glendoure and Edmund Mortimer Earl of March taken prisoner reg H. 43. 1402. 44 At Shrewsbury a bloudy battell was fought against K. Henry 4. by the Percies Henry and Thomas wherein Henry L. Percie surnamed Hotspur was slaine in the place called Old field and Lord Thomas Earle of Worcester taken and beheaded there was slaine on both sides 6600. An. 1403. 45 The French coming to aide Owen Glendoure besieged Carmarden and spoiled it An. 1405. reg H. 4.6 46 At Bramhamâ—moore Henry Percie Earle of Northumberland with Thomas L. Bordolfe and many â—â—e in taking armes against K. Henry 4. were slain by Thomas Rockley Sheriffe of York shire 1408. reg 9. 47 On Black-heath twice Iack Cade naming himselfe Iohn Mortimer captain of the Kentish rebels camped against King H. 6. reg 28. An. 1450. 48 At Sennock the Kings power was overcome by Iack Cade and the two Staffords brethren slain by those rebels but from Southwarke they were diâ—â—ersâ—d and Cade slaine lurking in a garden by Alexander Eden Gâ—â—◠〈◊〉 of Kent 1450. 49 At Dâ—â—â—forth upon Broâ—s 〈◊〉 Richard Duke of Yorke incomped himselfe with an army of 10000. men against King Henry 6. reg 30. An. 1452. 50 Saint Albons first Battell fought May 23. against King Hen. 6. by Richard Duke of Yorke wherein on the Kings side were slaine Edmund Duke of Sommerset Henry Earle of Northumberland Humfrey Earle of Stafford Iohn L. Clifford with many Knights of valour and 5000. men on their parties sides the King himselfe was wounded with an arrow and but onely 600. of the Dukes men slaine An. 1445. reg 33. 51 Blore-heath field fought on September 23. by Richard Earle of Salisbury against K. Henry 6. the Lord Audley being Generall for the King where the said Lord was slaine with many Knights of Cheshire on his part and with them 2400. persons lost their lives An. 1459. reg 38. 52 At Northampton the Earles of March and Warwick fought against K. Henry 6. in the quarrel of Richard Duke of York Wherein the King himselfe was taken and conveyed to London Humfrey Duke of Buckingham Iohn Talbot Earle of Shrewesburie the Lords Beamont and Egremont were there slain 1459. Iune 10. reg 38. 53 Wakefield Battell fought December 10. 1461. by Queen Margaret in defence of King Henry 6. her husbands title wherein the said Duke was slaine with young Edmund Earle of Rutland his sonne the two bastards Mortimers Knights and 220â— more there Thomas Nevill Earle of Salisbury was taken prisoner and after beheaded at Pomfreit An. reg 39. 54 At Mortimers crosse Edward Earle of March in revenge of the death of Richard Duke of Yorke his Father obtained a great victory againts the Earles of Pembroks and Wiltshire in the quarell of Q. Margaret and there flew 3800. Englishmen Feb. 2. being the day of Maries Purification in this battel Owen Teuther was taken and beheaded An. 1461. reg H. 6.39 55 Saint Albâ—â—s last battell fought by Queen Margaret against the Dukes of Norfolk and Suffolkâ— the Earles of Warwick and Arundel that kept by force K. Henry her husband with whom by constraine be held and fought and lost the field there were slaine of Enlishmen 1916. persons Feb. 17. being Shreve-tuesday 1416. 56 Towton-field a most deadly and mortall Battell fought on Palme-sunday March 29. wherein were slain of Englishmen 35091. or as other have 36776. persons amoÌ„gst whom these Nobles died Earls Northumberland Shrewesbury and Devonshire Lords Clifford Beamont Nevill Willoughby Wels Roâ—s Seales Grey Dacres Fitz-bugh Mollens Bechingam Knights the two Bastards of Excester Percie Heyron Clifton Hayms two Crakenthorps two Throlopes Haril Ormond Mollin Pigot Norbohew and Burton with many more Knights and others not named K. H. 6. with succh as escaped fled into Scotland leaving E. 4. victor 1461. 57 Hexam battell fought May 15. against King Henry 6. under the conduct of Iohn Nevill L. Mountacute wherein Henry Duke of Somerset with the L. Rooes Mollens and Hungerford were taken K. Henry flying into Lancashire remained there in wants and secret a years and more and whence by deceit he was taken and convaied to the Tower of London 1464. reg E. 4.4 58 Edgcoot-field fought upon Daâ—es-more Iuly 26. by the Northren Lords their Captaines being Sir Iohn Coniers and Robbin of Ridsdale against K. E. 4. under the leading of Wil. Herbert Earle of Pembrooke who together with his brother Ric. was taken as also Ric. Woodvile L. Rivers brother to the Q. with Iohn his sonne and all foure beheaded 5000. of their boast being slaine with most of the Wolch-men 1469. reg E. 4.9 * At Wolney King Edward 4. gathering his boast to recover his losse was taken prisoner by his brother George Duke of Clarence and Ric. the stout Earle of Warwick and convayed to Middleham Castle in York-shire whence shortly be escaped to London 1469. ** At Stamford the Lincoln-shire-men under the conduct of Sir Rob. Willes Knight instigated by Ric. Earle of Warwick against King Edw. 4. were overcome and 1100. of them slain the rest in flight so cast away their furniture that to this day the battell is called Losecote-field 1470. Edward 4.10 59 Barnes-field fought April 14. being Easter-day by the Earls of Warwicke Oxford and Marques Mountacute against K. Ed. 4. who led Henry 6. prisoner to the field wish him In this battell were slain Ric. Earle of Warwicke and Marques Mountocute his brother On K. Edwards part were slaine
twenty eight thousand and fifteene were of Religious order and yet among these he accounteth no part of Cornwall But from this report it may well be that Rossus Warwicanus complaineth of the depopulation of the Land which with Towne-ships saith he anciently had stood so bestrewed as a goodly Garden every where garnished with faire flowers 11 King Elfred the first divider instituted a Prefect or Lieutenant in every of these Counties which then were called Custodes and â—fterwards Earles saith Higdon who kept the Countrey in obedience to the King and suppressed the outrages of notorious robbers But Canutus the Dane when successe had set him upon the English Throne divided the care of his Kingdomes affaires into a foure-fold subjection to wit West-Sex Mercia Northumbre and East-England himselfe taking charge of the first and the greatest making three Tetrarches of especiall trust over the rest namely Edrich over Mercia Yrtus over Northumbre and Turkill over East-England Wales neither in this division nor that of King Elfred was any waies liable it being cut as we have said from England by King Offa but those remnants of the ancient Britaines divided likewise that Westerne Province into Kingdomes Cantreds and Commots as more largely we will shew in the plot of that Principalitie And this shall suffice for the division of England under the Saxons who enjoyed it the space of 567. yeeres from their first entrance under Hengist unto the death of Edmund Ironside and againe under Edward Confessor the terme of twenty yeeres 12 Now if any shall be so minutely curious as to enquire the meaning of the Emblematicall compartments bordering the Mappe the right side containeth the first seven Kings of that sevenfold State their Names their Kingdomes their Escocheons their yeeres of first aspiring the left side doth portraict the like of the seven first kings in each of those Kingdomes which by Christian Baptisme aspired to the hope of a Kingdome eternall 1. Ethelbert of Kent receiving Austens instruction 2. Sebert the East-Saxon converting by advice of B. Miletus the Temples of Diana and Apollo now S. Pauls in London and S. Peters in Westminster to the service of Christ. 3. Erpenwald the East-Angle received Baptisme by exhortation of King Edwin the Northumbrian though as it seemeth Edwin himselfe for a time deferred his owne Baptisme and was therefore martyred by his Pagan Subjects 4. Edwine the Northumbrian stirred up by a vision both to expect the Kingdome and to receive the Faith which he did by the preaching of Paulinus whom he made Arch-bishop of Yorke 5. Kingill the West Saxon converted by the preaching of S. Berinus whom he made Bishop of Dorcester neere Oxford 6. Peada the Mercian receiving Christian Faith by perswasion of Oswy King of Northumbers was murdered by his owne mothers some say his wives procurement 7. Ethelwolfe the South-Saxon Baptized at Oxford by S. Berinus where Wulpherus King of Mercia was his God father at Font. 13 And sith these Saxons first gave to this Iland the name of England we will here affixe for a close of all an ancient Epigram touching both this Country and her Name the rather because of late a principall part and prayse therein is surreptitiously against Lex Plagiaria taken from England and ascribed as proper to France A certaine Author saith Bartholomeus de proprietatibus rerum thus in verse describeth England Anglia terra ferox fertilis Angulus Orbis Insula praedives quae toto vix eget Orbe Et cujus totus indiget Orbis ope Angliaplenajocis Gens Libera aptajocari Libera Gens cui libera mens libera lingua Sed linguâ melior liberiorque manus ENGLAND fierce Land Worlds Angle fertile art Rich I le thou needst no other Countries Mart Each other Country yet thy succour needs ENGLAND Ioyes Land be free and joyous long Free Race free Grace free Kind free Mind Tongue Yet Hands passe Tongues for free and glorious deeds THE TYPE OF THE FLORISHING KINGDOME OF ENGLAND VVITH THE GENERALL DESCRIPTION OF IT AS IT WAS FROM THE TIME OF THE NORMANS CHAPTER III. THE Saxons glory now neer to expire by his appointment who holdeth both times and Kingdomes in his all-ordering hand their owne swords being the instruments and the Danes the maules that beat their beautifull Diademe into pieces the Normans a stirring Nation neither expected nor much feared under the leading of William their Duke and encouragement of the Romane Bishop an usuall promoter hereof broken titles made hither sodainly into England who inone onely battell with the title of his sword and slaughter of Harold set the Emperiall Crown thereof upon his own head which no sooner was done but the English went downe and the Normans lording it became owners of those Cities which themselves never built possessed those Vineyards which they never planted dranke of those Wels which they never had digged and inhabited those houses filled With riches for which they never had laboured for they found it to be as the Land whereupon the Lord set his eye even from the beginning to the end of the yeer not onely drinking water of the raine of heaven but having also Rivers of waters and fountaines in her valleyes and without all scarcitie whose stones are yron and out of whose mountains is digged brasse This made them more resolute at first to settle themselves in this fairest and fruitfullest part of the Iland the Conquerour using all policy both Martial and Civill to plant his posterity here for ever How he found the Land governed we shewed in the Heptarchie but his restlesse thoughts were not contented with conquering the Nation and their Land unlesse he also overcame their very Customes Lawes and Language 2 Touching the distribution of the Kingdome whereas other kings before him made use of it chiefly for good of the people and better ministring of Iustice he made use of it to know the wealth of his Subjects and to enrich his Coffers for he caused a description to be made of all England how much land every one of his Barons possessed how many Knights fees how many Plow-lands how many in villanage how many head of beasts yea how much ready money every man from the greatest to the least did possesse and what rents might be made of every mans possession the Booke of which inquisition yet in the Exchequer was called Domes-day for the generalitie of that Iudgement on all the Land Whereunto we may adde his other distribution of this Land worse then any former when thrusting the English out of their possessions he distributed their inheritances to his Souldierâ— yet so that all should be held of the King as of the onely triâ— Lord and possessor 3 For the Lawes by which he meant to governe he held one excellent rule and purpose which was that a People ought to be ruled by Lawes written and certaine
whole Ilands division by most certaine Record was anciently made when Iulius Agricola drew a Trench or Fortification upon that narrow space of ground betwixt Edenborough Frith and Dunbretton Bay making the Southerne part a Province unto the Romane Empire Afterwards Hadrian the Emperor seeing perhaps the Province too spacious to be well governed without great expense drew backe these limits almost fourescore miles shorter even to the mouth of the River Tyne whence he fortified with a wall of admirable worke unto Carleile which stood the Lands border while it stood as a Romane Province yet the conquering Saxons did spread againe over those bounds and as seemeth enlarged their government to that first Tract as by this Inscription in a Stone Crosse standing upon a Bridge over the water of Fâ—ith appeareth I am a free March as Passenger may ken To Scots to Britaines and to Englishmen 10 But afterward William the Conquerour and Malcolme King of Scotland falling to an agreement for their limits arreared a Crosse upon Stanemore where on the one side the portraiture and Armes of the King of England was sculptured and of the King of Scots on the other a piece whereof is yet remaining there neere to the Spittle thence called the Rey-Crosse there erected to be a Meare-stone to either Kingdome His Successors also abolished the two partitions in the West whereby the Welsh became one Nation and Kingdome with the English It is also said that King Stephen to purchase friendship with the Scottish Nation gave unto their King the Countie of Cumberland who with it held both Westmorland and Northumberland but as Nubrigensis writeth he restored them to King Henry the second wisely considering his great power and right to those parts 11 The last knowne borders were from the Sulway in the West-bay along the Cheviot hils unto the water of Tweede by Barwicke in the East to maintaine which on each part many lawes have been made and many inrodes robberies and fewdes practised all which by the hand of GOD is now cut off and by the rightfull succession of King IAMES our Soveraigne who hath broken downe the partition of this great Island and made the extremes of two Kingdomes the very midst of his great united Empire KENT the first Province appearing in the South of this Kingdome is bounded upon the North with the famous River Thamisis on the East with the German Ocean on the South with Sussex and the narrow Seas and upon the West with Sussex and Surrey The length thereof extended from Langley into the West unto Ramsgate East-ward in the Isle of Thanet is about 53. English miles From Rother in the South unto the Isle of Graine North-ward the bredth is not much above 26. and the whole circumference about 160. 2 In forme it somewhat resembleth the head of a hammer or Battle-axe and lyeth corner-wise into the Sea by Strabo Caesar Diodorus and Ptolomie called Cantium of Cant or Canton an Angle or Corner either of Caino a British word which signifieth Bushes or Woods whereof that Country in those former times was plentifully stored 3 The Ayre though not very cleare because of the vapours arising from the Sea and Rivers that environ the same is both wholesome and temperate as seated nearest to the Equinoctiall and the furthest from the North-Pole not touched with cold as the other parts of the Land are 4 The Soyle towards the East is uneven rising into little hils the West more levell and woody in all places fruitfull and in plenty equals any other of the Realme yea and in some things hath the best esteeme as in Broad-cloathes Fruits and feedings for Cattle Only Mines excepting Iron are wanting all things else delivered with a prodigall heart and liberall hand 5 Sundry navigable Rivers are in Kent whereof Medway that divideth the Shire in the midst is chiefe in whose bosome securely rideth his Majesties Navy Royall the wals of the land and terrours of the Seas besides ten others of name and account that open with twenty Creekes and Havens for Ships arrivage into this Land foure of them bearing the name of Cinque Ports are places of great strength and priviledges which are Dover Sandwich Rumney and Winchelsey among which Dover with the Castle is accounted by Matthew Paris the Monke the Lock and Key to the whole Realme of England and by Iohn Rosse and Lidgate is said to be built by Iulius Caesar fatall only for the death of King Stephen and surrender of King Iohn therein hapning 6 A conceit is that Goodwin-Sands were sunk for the sins of himself and his sons Shelves indeed that dangerously lye on the North-east of this County and are much feared of all Navigators These formerly had been firme ground but by a sudden inundation of the Sea were swallowed up as at the same time a great part of Flanders and the Low Countries were and the like also at the same time befell in Scotland as Hector Boetius their Historiographer writeth A like accident hapned in the yeare 1586. the fourth day of August in this County at Mottingham a Towne eight miles from London suddenly the ground began to sinke and three great Elmes thereon growing were carried so deepe into the bowels of the earth that no part of them could any more be seen the hole left in compasse fourscore yards about and a line of fifty fadomes plummed into it doth find no bottome 7 The Kentish people in Caesars time were accounted the civillest among the Britains and as yet esteeme themselves the freest Subjects of the English not conquered but compounded with by the Normans and herein glory that the King and Commons of all the Saxons were the first Christians converted in Anno 596. yea and long before that time also Kent received the Faith for it is recorded that Lucius the first Christian British King in this Island built a Church to the name and service of Christ within the Castle of Dover endowing it with the Toll of the same Haven 8 This County is enriched with two Cities Bishops See strengthned with 27. Castles graced with eight of his Majesties most Princely Houses traded with 24. Market-towns and beautified with many stately and gorgeous buildings The chiefest City therof the Metropolitan and Archbishops See is Canterbury built as our British Historians report 900. yeares before the birth of Christ by Henry of Huntington called Caier-Kent wherein as M. Lambard saith was erected the first Schoole of professed Arts and Sciences and the same a Pattern unto Sigibert King of the East Angles for his foundation at Cambridge notwithstanding by the computation of time this Sigibert was slain by Penda King of Mercia 30. years before that Theodore the Grecian was Bishop of Canterbury who is said to be the erector of that Academy But certain it is that Austen the Monk had made this
City famous before that time by the conversion of these Saxons unto Christianity and in building a most magnificent Church to Gods service wherein eight of their Kings have been interred but all their Monuments since overshadowed by the height of Beckets Tombe that for glory wealth and superstitious worships equalized the Pyramides of Egypt or the Oracles of Delphos yet now with Dagon is fallen before the Arke of God This City hath been honoured with the presence and Coronations of King Iohn and Queen Isabel his wife with the mariages of King Henry third and of King Edward the first and with the interments of Edward the Black Prince King Henry the fourth and of Queen Ioan his wife as Feversham is with the burials of King Stephen and of Maud his Queen and wife But as in glory so in adversity hath this City born a part being divers times afflicted by the Danes but most especially in the dayes of King Ethelred who in that revenge of their massacre made havock of all and herein slew forty three thousand and two hundred persons the tenth besides reserved to live Afterward it recovered breath and beauty by the liberality of Bishop Langford Charters and Priviledges by King Henry the third strength in trench and Fortifications from King Richard the second and lastly wals for her defence by Simon Sudbury Archbishop of that See whose Graduation is placed for Latitude 51.25 and parallelized for Longitude 22.8 her sister Rochester differing not much in either degree 9 Which City as Beda saith was built by one Rof Lord of the same though some ascribe the foundation of the Castle to Iulius Caesar and hath been often ruinated by the injuries of warre both in the times when the Saxons strove for superiority among themselves wherein this City was laid waste Anno 680. as also in the assaults of their common â—nemy the Danes who about the yeare 884. from France sailed up the River Medway and besieged the same so that had not King Elfred speedily come to the rescue it had been overthrown by those Pagans And again in Anno 999. the Danes miserably spoiled this City in the time of King Ethelred neither hath it stood safe from danger since though not defaced so much by war for twice hath it been sore endamaged by chance of fire the first was in the reigne of King Henry the first An. 1130. himself being present with most of his Nobility for the consecration of the Cathedrall Church of S. Andrew And again almost wholly consumed about the latter end of the Reign of King Henry the second Anno 1177. Yet after all these calamities it recovered some strength again by the bounty of King Henry the third both in buildings and in ditching her about for defence 10 Civill broyles and dissentions hath this Countie been burdened with and that not only under the Saxons and Danes whose desolations were many and grievous but also by other rebellions since the Normans Conquest both in those infamous insurrections called The Barons Warres in the reigne of King Henry the third wherein much harme was done as also under King Richard the second when Wat Tilar Captaine of a dreadfull commotion assembled at Black-heath Mile-end and in London doing many outrages where in Smithfield he was lastly struck down by William Walworth then Major of the City and worthily slaine for his notorious treasons Again upon Black-heath Michael Ioseph the Lord Dawbeny with their Cornish Rebels were overthrowne by King Henry the seventh Anno 1497. 11 Kent in the time of Iulius Caesar was governed by four severall Kings Vnder Vortigern the Britain by a Lieutenant called Guorong from whom the said King gave it to Hengist the Saxon in favour of his Daughter Rowen who seeking to make himself absolute King thereof eight yeares after his first entrance fought a victorious Battell against the Britaines neere unto Crayford and thence-forth accounted that Province his owne Yet afterward Vortimer the valiant Britaine gave him battell at Aylesford in the which both Horsa and Catigern brethren to both the Generals were slaine and the Saxons driven into the Isle of Thanet their first assigned habitation not daring to enter the Continent so long as Vortimer lived Catigern was interred upon the Plaine where to this day remaineth his Monument being foure stones pitched in manner of the Stonehenge and is vulgarly called Citscotehouse The like Monument was of Horsa at Horsted which storms and time have now devoured Hengist made this Province a Kingdom for himselfe and successors which name and power it retained the space of three hundred and twenty years when Egbert King of the West-Saxons subdued and joyned it to his own in which subjection it stood untill the time of the Normans Then was it given under the title of an Earledome by the Conqueror unto Otho Bishop of Bayeux his halfe-brother whose successours in that dignity were those most honourable Families whose Armes and Names within this Plot are blazed and expressed It is divided principally into five Lathes subdivided into 66. Hundreds and them againe into 398. Parishes â— and wherein had been seated three and twenty Religious Houses KENT WITH HER CITIES AND EARLES Described and observed LATHES DIVIded into Hundreds and Hundreds into Parishes Sutten Black-heath 7. Sutten Broâ—eley 2. Sutten Lesnes 4. Sutten Axtane 16. Sutten Rookesley 15. Sutten Godsheath 8. Sutten Westerham 4. Sutten Somerden 6. Aylesford Hoo 5. Aylesford Shamele 11. Aylesford Toltingtroe 6. Aylesford Chetham 3. Aylesford Wortham 4. Aylesford Larkfield 15. Aylesford Littlefield 3. Aylesford Twiford 6. Aylesford Tunbridge 2. Aylesford Watchlingston 5. Aylesford West Barnefield Aylesford Brenchley 3. Aylesford Marden 2. Aylesford Eyhorne 13. Aylesford Maldstone 7. Seray Milton 23. Seray Tenham 4. Seray Feversham 17. Seray Boâ—â—on 4. Seray Felboro 5. Seray Chart 9. Seray Wye 5. Seray Byircholt 1. Seray Galehill 8. Seray Ashford Seray Blackborne 5. Seray Tenderden 1. Seray Barkley 1. Seray Cranbrooke 3. Seray Rolvenden 2. Seray Selbrightenden 1. Seray East Barnfield 1. Seray Newyadene S. Augustine Ringsloe 4. S. Augustine Blengate 7. S. Augustine Whirestable 3. S. Augustine Westgate 4. S. Augustine Downchamford 6. S. Augustine Preston 2. S. Augustine Bredge 7 S. Augustine Kinghamford 5. S. Augustine Seasalter S. Augustine Wingham 5. S. Augustine Eastâ—y 11. S. Augustine Corâ—iloe 8. S. Augustine Bewesbrough 13. S. Augustine Longport Shepwey Folkestane 8. Shepwey Lovingboroe 4. Shepwey Stowting 5. Shepwey Heane 2. Shepwey Pyrcholt stan 2. Shepwey Streats 3. Shepwey Worth 2. Shepwey Ilam 3. Shepwey Langport 1. Shepwey S. Martin Shepwey Newchurch 4. Shepwey Alowsbridge 6. Shepwey Oxney 3. A ACryse Shep. Acton Sera Addesham Aug. Addington Ayles Akkam Shep. S. Albans August Aldington Ayles Aldington Shep. Aldwecke Shep. Alhallowes Ayles Alkham Shep. 〈◊〉 Ayles 〈◊〉 Coltham Ayles Allington Shep. All Saints August APPLEDORE Sera Asâ—â—ey August 〈…〉 ASHEFORD Seray Ashâ—ey August Ashâ—â—â— Ayles Aylesford Ayles Aynsford Sutten
Tablehurst peuen. Tangmer chich Teâ—â—combe lewes Teâ—ring peuen. TERRING bram 〈◊〉 lewes Tâ—â—â—ngton arund Tâ—â—hurst hast Thakam bramb Themens arund Thorney Iâ—e chich Thorney chich Tortington arund Torton arund Tottington bramb Tottington arund Tratton chich Trâ—fort chich Truly bramb Turwick chich Tustons hast Twinâ—ham lewes Tyes lewes V Vâ—â—feild peuen. Vdymâ—re hast Vertwood peuen. Vpwaltham arund W Wadâ—hurst peuen. Wakehurst lewes Walberton arund Walderne peuen. Walderton chiâ—h Walchech peuen. Waltham chich Wamingore lewes Wapinghâ—r â—ramb Wapsburne lewes Waâ—bleton hast Warminghurst brâ— Warmingcampe arâ— Warnham bram Wartling hast Wasshinton bramb Water downe Forrest peu Waynway channell hast Weeke arund Wellingham Peu Wepham arund Westborne chich Westergate chich Westerton chich Westfeild hast Westgate chich Westham peuen. Westmiston lewes Westwolves bramb Whildeâ— lewes Whiteden peuen. Wickham bramb Wiggenhoult arund Wigsill hast Willington peuen. Willington peuen. Winchelsey old hast WINCHELSEY H. Windeham bramb Winton peuen. Wiston bramb Wittering West chich Wittering East chich Wivelsfeild lewes Wodmancote bram Wogham lewes Wolbeding chich Wollavington arun Worsham hast Worth Forrest lewes Worth lewes Worting bramb Wotton peuen. Wotton lewes Wulbow lewes Wyke chich Wylie peuen. Wythyham peuen. SVRREY CHAPTER VI. SURREY by Beda called Suthry and by the Saxons written Suðrea lyeth separated upon the North from the Counties of Buckingham and Middlesex by the great River Thamesis upon the East Kent doth inbound it upon the South is held in with Sussex and Hampshire and her West part is bordered upon by Hampshire and Bark-shire 2 The forme thereof is somewhat square and lyeth by North and by East whereof Redrith and Frensham are the opposites betwixt whom are extended thirty foure miles The broadest part is from Awfold Southward to Thamesis by Staines and them asunder twenty two the whole in circumference is one hundred and twelve miles 3 The Heavens breathing ayre in this Shire is most sweet and delectable so that for the same cause many royall Palaces of our Princes are therein seated and the Countrey better stored with game then with graine in so much that this County is by some men compared unto a home-spunne freeze cloth with a costly faire lift for that the out-verge doth exceed the middle it selfe And yet is it wealthy enough both in Corne and Pasturage especially in Holmesdale and towards the River of Thamisis 4 In this Shire the Regni an ancient people mentioned by Ptolemie were seated whom he brancheth further thorow Sussex and some part of Hampshire And in the wane of the Romanes government when the Land was left to the will of Invaders the South-Saxons under Ella here erected their Kingdome which with the first was raised and soonest found end From them no doubt the Countie was named Suth-rey as seated upon the South of the River and now by contraction is called Surrey 5 And albeit the County is barren of Cities or Townes of great estate yet is she stored with many Princely houses yea five of his Majesties so magnificently built that of some she may well say no Shire hath none such as is None-such indeed And were not Richmond a fatall place of Englands best Princes it might in esteem be ranked with the richest for therein died the great Conqueror of France King Edward the third the beautifull Anne daughter to Charles the Fourth Emperour and intirely beloved wife to King Richard the Second the most wise Prince King Henry the Seventh and the rarest of her Sexe the mirrour of Princes Queene Elizabeth the worlds love and Subjects joy 6 At Merton likewise Kenulph King of the West-Saxons came to his untimely end and at Lambeth the hardie Canute and last of the Danish Kings died among his Cups But as these places were fatall for the last breath of these Princes so other in this County have beene graced with the body and beginning of other worthy Monarkes for in Chertsey Abbey King Henry the Sixth who was deposed and made away in the Tower of London was first interred without all funerall pompe but for his holy life was imputed a Saint and lastly translated and intombed at Windsor At Kingstone likewise stood the Chaire of Majestie wherein Athelstan Edwin and Ethelred sate at their Coronation and first received their Scepter of Imperiall power Guildford likewise hath been farre greater then now it is when the Palace of our English Saxon Kings was therein set And seeing it is the midst of the Shire the graduation from hence shall be observed where for Latitude the Pole is raised from the degree 51.22 scruples and her Longitude from the West in the degree 20. and 2. scruples 7 Neither can we account Okam and Ripley two small villages the least in this Shire which have brought forth the well-known men William de Okam that deepe Philosopher and admirable Scholar and George de Ripley the ring-leader of our Alchymists and mysticall Impostors both of them borne in this County and very neere together But why speak I of these sith a place neerer to sight and greater for fame even Lambeth is the high Seat of Ecclesiasticall Government Piety Learning and Palace of Canterburies Archbishops the Metropolitans of England First erected by Arch-bishop Baldwin and ever since hath been the residing of al those worthy Prelates of our Church who in a long succession even from An. 596. have continued to him that now most worthily sits at the Churches sterne George by Gods providence Lord Arch-bishop of that See a most faithfull and prudent Counsellor unto King Charles and a most learned and provident Guide of our most flourishing Church whose gracious favour undeservedly conferred upon me hath been a great encouragement to these my poore endevours 8 Memorable places for Battles fought before the Conquest were Wembledon where when the fulnesse of prosperitie burst forth into Civill Dissentions among the Saxons a bloudy Battle was fought betwixt Cheaulin the West-Saxon and young Ethelbert of Kent wherein he was discomfited and two of his principall Leaders slaine about the yeere of Christ 560. and three hundred thirtie three yeers after King Elfred with a small power overcame the Danes with a great slaughter at Farnham in this Countie which somewhat quelled the courage of his savage enemie 9 Religious houses erected in this Shire by the devotion of Princes and set apart from publike uses to Gods Divine Service and their owne Salvation as then was taught the best in account were Shene Chertsey Merton Newarke Rygate Waverley Horsleg and in Southwarke Bermundsey and S. Maries These all flourished with increase till the ripenesse of their fruit was so pleasing in sight and taste unto King Henry the Eighth that in beating the boughes he brake downe body and all ruinating those houses and seising their rich possessions into his own hands So jealous is God of his honour and so great vengeance followeth the sinne of Idolatrie 10 In this Shire
much frequented unto whose Burgesses His Majestie hath lately granted the choyse of a Major who with his Brethren doe governe accordingly It is populous with Inhabitants having an entrance into the Isle from the Haven and a passage for Vessels of small burden unto the Key Not farre from it is the Castle Caresbrooke whose Founder is said to have been Whitgar the Saxon and from him called White-Garesburgh but now made shorter for easier pronunciation the graduation whereof for Latitude is in the degree 50.36 minutes and her Longitude in 19.4 minutes where formerly hath stood a Priory and at Quarre a Nunnery a necessary neighbour to those Penitentiaries And yet in their merry mood the Inhabitants of this Iland doe boast that they were happier then their neighbour-Countreys for that they never had Monke that ever wore hood Lawyers that cavilled nor Foxes that were craftie 8 It is reported that in the yeere of mans salvation 1176. and twentie three of King Henry the second that in this Iland it rained a showre of blood which continued for the space of two houres together to the great wonder and amazement of the people that beheld it with feare 9 This Isle of Wight is fortified both by Art and Nature for besides the strength of Artificiall Forts and Block-houses wherewith it is well furnished it wants not the assistance of naturall Fences as being enriched with a continuall ridge and range of craggy Cliffes and Rocks and Bancks very dangerous for Saylers as the Needles so called by reason of their sharpnesse The Shingles Mixon Brambles c. 10 Vespasian was the first that brought it to the subjection of the Romanes whiles he served as a private person under Claudius Caesar. And Cerdic was the first English Saxon that subdued it who granting it unto Stuffe and Whitgar they joyntly together slew almost all the British Inhabitants being but few of them there remaining in the Towne aforesaid called of his name Whitgaresburgh Wolpher King of the Mercians reduced this Iland afterwards under his obedience and at that time when he became God-father to Edelwalch King of the South-Saxons and answered for him at his Baptisme he assigned it over unto him with the Province also of the Menuari But when Edelwalch was slaine and Arvandus the petty King of the Iland was made away Coedwalla King of the West-Saxons annexed it to his Dominion and in a tragicall and lamentable massacre put to the sword almost every mothers childe of the inborne Inhabitants The thing that is best worthy note and observation is this that Bishop VVilfrid was the first that instructed the Inhabitants of this Iland in Christian religion and brought them from that Idolatrous Superstition with the which unto that time they were obscurely blinded For Ecclesiasticall Jurisdiction this Country belongeth to the Bishop of VVinchester and for Civill government to the County of Southampton It is fortified with the strength of sixe Castles traded with three Market-townes and hath 36. Parish churches planted in it WIGHT ISLAND ¶ An Alphabeticall Table of all the Tovvnes Rivers and memorable places mentioned in Wight Iland THE PARTITION of WIGHT Iland VVest-Medine East-Medine A Ageston E. Med. Apleford E. Med. Apton-comb E. Med. Ash E. Med. Aston VV. Med. Atherfeld VV. Med. Atherfeld Rockes VV. Med. Atherton E. Med. Averston E. Med. Avinton Forrest VV. Med. B Bannose E. Medine Barton E. Med. Bery-Baron VV. Med. Binbridge Isle E. Med. Binsted E. Med. Black VV. Med. Black-Rock E. Med. Bonechurch E. Med. Bradney E. Med. Bredlefford E. Med. Brixton VV. Med. Brock VV. Med. Bridge-Court E. Med. Buleham VV. Med. Bulner VV. Med. C Calhourne VV. Med. Caresbroke VV. Med. Chak-Rockes VV. Med. Chalt E. Med. Chale-bay W. Med. Challorne E. Med. Cheverton W. Med. Cleybrok W. Med. Cliffe E. Med. Cliffewhit E. Med. Comley E. Med. Compton Bay W. Med. Compton W. Med. Coulver-cliffes E. Med. D Dane E. Med. Done-mosse E. Med. E Elmesworth W. Med. F The Farme or Kings Freshwater W. Med. Fayrlee E. Med. Fish-house E. Med. Flesh-land E. Med. Freshwater Isle W. Med. Freshwater gate VV. Med. Freshwater cliffe VV. Med. Forgeland VV. Med. East Forland E. Med. G Garnard VV. Med. Gatcomb VV. Med. Godshill E. Med. The Gosse VV. Med. Gotton E. Med. H Hall E. Med. Hamsteds VV. Med. Hany-mouth VV. Med. S. Helen E. Med. S. Helens haven E. Med. Hill E. Med. I Iacmans chin VV. Med. K S. Katherines E. Med. Kerne E. Med. Kinget VV. Med. Kinchet chyne W. Med. Kinghton E. Med. Kingsword W. Med. L Langford E. Med. Langhorne E. Med. S. Lawrance Parke E. Med. Limerston W. Med. Luckome E. Med. M Marvell W. Med. Medhole E. Med. Mersh W. Med. Merston E. Med. Mitton E. Med. Mountson W. Med. The Myxon E. Med. N The Needles W. Med. Nettleston E. Med. Nettles hithe E. Med. Neunam E. Med. Newtowne W. Med. Newtowne haven W. Med. NEWPORT W. Med. Newport haven W. Med. Newport Castle W. Med. Newchurch E. Med. Nighton E. Med. Norris E. Med. North Court E. Med. Northparke E. Med. Northwood E. Med. Nounwell E. Med. P Pan E. Med. Pagan E. Med. Pouppoll E. Med. Q Quart E. Med. R Redway E. Med. Ride E. Med. Rockley E. Med. Roughbarrow W. Med. Roxall E. Med. S Sande head E. Med. SANDON Castle E. M. Sandon bay E. Med. Shankling E. Med. Shankling E. Med. Sharpnor Castle W. Med. Shaucome W. Med. Shaufleete W. Med. Shauler E. Med. Shoflet E. Med. Shorwell W. Med. Slutter E. Med. Smalbrok E. Med. Standen E. Med. Steynburro E. Med. Sutton W. Med. Swynston W. Med. T Thorley W. Med. Thorney great W. Med. Thornay bay W. Med. Trablefeld E. Med. W Wachingwy parke W. Med. Waitcourt W. Med. Warden Rockes W. Med. Weeke E. Med. Wellow W. Med. Westcourt W. Med. Westcow Castle W. Med. Westover W. Med. Whipingham E. Med. Whitfeild E. Med. Whitwell E. Med. Wolverton W. Med. Woodhouse E. Med. Worseleys Towre W. Med. Wotton haven E. Med. Wotton parke E. Med. Y YARMOUTH W. Med. Yarmouth haven W. Med. Yarmouth Castle W. Med. Yarmouth Rode W. Med. Yaverland E. Med. DORCESTER from her ancient people DUROTRIGES is most likely to have received that name by the Britaine 's called DWRGWEIR and by the Saxons Dorseddar lyeth bounded upon the North side with Sommerset and Wilt-Wiltshires upon the West with Devon-shire and some part with Sommerset upon the East altogether with Hampshire and her South part is wholly bounded with the British Seas 2 The forme grows wider from the West and spreads her selfe the broadest in the midst where it extends to twenty foure miles but in length is no lesse then fourtie foure the whole in circumference about is one hundred and fiftie miles 3 The aire is good and of an healthfull constitution the soyle is fat affording many commodities and the Countrey most pleasant in her situation for the In-land is watered with many sweet fresh running springs which
taking passage thorow the plaine vallies do lastly in a loving manner unite themselves together and of their many branches make many bigge bodied streames neither doth the Sea denie them entrance but helpeth rather to fill up their Bankes whereby Vessels of burden discharge their rich Treasures and her selfe with open hand distributeth her gifts all along the South of this Shore 4 Anciently it was possessed by the Durotriges whom Ptolemie placeth along in this Tract who being subdued by the Romanes yeelded them roome and unwilling subjection After them the Saxons set foot in these parts whereof Portland seemeth from that Port to take name who in this place arrived in Anno 703. and did sorely infest and annoy all the South Tract And at Bindon before him Kinegillus King of the West-Saxons in the yeare of Christ 614. in a doubtfull and dangerous Battle vanquished the Britaines Neither were the Saxons so surely herein seated but that the Danes sought to defeat them thereof for twise these bold Rovers landed at Chartmouth the first was in Anno 831. and Raigne of King Egbert and the other eight yeares after when Ethelwulfe was King in both which they went away Victors Yet when the Iron-side wore the English Diadem and these fierce people sought to plucke it from his Helmet he met them at Pen-ham in Gillingham Forest and with a small power obtained a great victorie causing their King Canute with discourage to retire 5 Commodities arising in this Countie are chiefly Wools and Woods in her North where the Forests are stored with the one and the pleasant greene Hilles with the other The inner part is over-spread both with Corne and Grasse and the Sea yeeldeth the Isidis Plocamos a Shrub growing not unlike the Corrall without any leafe besides her other gifts turning all to great gaine which the more is made manifest by the many Market-Townes in this Shire whereof Dorcester is the chiefe in Antonius his Itinerarium termed Durnovaria situated upon the South side of Frome and the Roman Causey called Fosse-way wherein some of their Legions kept as by the Rampiers and Coines there daily digged up is probably conjectured at which time it seemeth the Citie was walled whereof some part yet standeth especially upon the West and South sides and the Tract and Trench most apparent in a Quadrant-wise almost meeteth the River containing in circuit one thousand and seven hundred pases but were cast downe by the Danes whose trampling feete destroyed all things wheresoever they came and hands here razed the Trenches Maudbury and Poundbury the seals of their Siege and signes of times miserie About three hundred pases Southward from hence standeth an old Fortification of earth trenched about and mounted above the ordinary plaine thirty pases containing some 5. acres of ground wherein at my there being plenty of Corn grew This the Inhabitants call The Maiden Castle having entrance thereunto onely upon the East and West This is thought to have beene a Snmmer-Campe or Station of the Romanes when their Garrisons kept the Frontiers of this Province The government of this Citie is yearely committed to two Bailiffes elected out of eight Magistrates or Aldermen a Recorder Towne-Clerke and two Sergeants attending them whence the North-pole is elevated 50. degrees 48. minutes in Latitude and for Longitude is removed from the first West point unto the Meridian of 18. degrees 6 Other places also are memorable through the actions therein happening or Antiquities there yet remaining such as Badbury now nothing but a Trench and decayed Castle hardly seene though sometimes it was the Court of the West-Saxons King Such also is Cerne where Augustine the English Apostle brake downe the Altars and Idols of the Saxons God HELL whom they devoutly honoured as the only conserver of their health Shaftesburie also wherein one Aquila whether a Man or Eagle I know not by our Historians report is said to have prophecied the future times of this our Empire and that after the Raignes of the Saxons and Normans it should againe returne unto the government of the British Kings But with such vaine predictions our Nation is more thē once taxed by Philip Comineus the famous French Writer In this Citie Edward the sonne of great Edgar and one and thirtieth Monarch of the Englishmen was interred being murdered at Corfe a Castle seated in the I le of Purbeck by his Step-mother AElfrith to make way for her sonne to enjoy his Crown in repentance whereof and to pacifie Heaven for his bloud she built the Monasteries of Ambresbury and Whorwell in the Countie of Wilt-shire and South-Hampton In the former of which with great penitencie she spent the rest of her life 7 As upon the like occasion the Monastery of Middleton was laid in this Shire by King Ethelstan to appease the Ghost of Edwine his innocent brother and to expiate the sin of his own soule for the bloud of that just Prince whom most unjustly he caused to die and with the like devotion though not to satisfie for the like bloudy sinnes did Queene Cuthburga sue a Divorce from her second husband the Northumberlands King and at Winburne built her a Nunnery whereof her selfe became Abbesse where afterward was raised a most stately Minster which added not onely more glory to the place but withall enlarged the name and made it to be called Winburn-minster where King Ethelred a most vertuous Prince after much disquietnesse had with the Danes in peace here resteth with his Tombe and Inscription as in his Historie Christ assisting shall be further seene Neither among these may I omit Sherburne which in the yeare of Grace 704. was made a Bishops See in whose Cathedrall Church were interred the bodies of Ethelbald and Ethelbert brethren both of them Monarchs of the English-men 8 Seven more besides these were set apart from worldly imployments consecrated only to God and his service in this Shire which were Camerstern Cranborn Abbottesbury Bindon Sturmister Tarrant and Warham These with the others came to their full period under the hand of King Henry the Eight which lay with such waight upon their faire buildings that he crushed the juice thereof into his own Coffers 9 Castles for defence in repaire and decayed were at Sherburne Dorchester Branksey Portland Corfe Newton Woodford and Wareham So that with these and others the County hath been strengthned with twelve religious Houses their poore relieved with eighteene Market Townes at this day is traded and principally into five divisions parted subdivided into thirty foure Hundreds and them againe into two hundred forty eight Parishes as in the Map and Table adjoyning is to be seene DORSETSHYRE With the Shyre-towne Dorchester described as also the Armes of such noble families as have bene honored with the Titles there of since the Normans Conquest to this present Anno i6i0 DORSET-SHIRE divisions and
VVytheridge With. VVithycombe stan VVithycombe hey Withycombe rawlew East Withycombe Chappell East VVognell East Hey VVognell West Hey Wolfradisworth Ha. VVholley sheb Wolesworthy With. VVood stan VVood Hay VVoodbury East b. VVoodland hey VVoodland aâ—m VVoodley stan VVorington Black VVorlington East With. VVorlington West With. VVorthiham lift VVortley southm Y Yalme moth Arm. Yalme Flu. Yaneton Bran. Yaneton Court Bran. Yarckcombe Axm. Yealmpton plym. Yarnescombe Hart. Youlston sher Z Zaelmonaco Northt CORNVVALL as Matthew of Westminster affirmeth is so named partly from the forme and partly from her people for shooting it selfe into the Sea like a Horne which the Britaines call Kerne and inhabited by them whom the Saxons named Wallia of these two compounded words it became Cornwallia Not to trouble the Reader with the Fable of Corineus cousin to King Brute who in free gift received this Countie in reward of his prowesse for wrastling with the Giant Gogmagog and breaking his necke from the Cliffe of Dover as he of Monmouth hath fabuled 2 Touching the temperature of this Countie the aire thereof is cleansed as with Bellows by the Billows that ever worke from off her environing Seas where-thorow it becometh pure and subtill and is made thereby very healthfull but withall so piercing and sharpe that it is apter to preserve then to recover health The spring is not so early as in the more Easterne parts yet the Summer with a temperate heat recompenceth his slow fostering of the fruits with their most kindly ripening The Autumne bringeth a some what late harvest and the Winter by reason of the Seas warme breath maketh the cold milder then elsewhere Notwithstanding that Countrey is much subject to stormie blasts whose violence hath freedome from the open waves to beat upon the dwellers at Land leaving many times their houses uncovered 3 The soile for the most part is lifted up into many hilles parted asunder with narrow and short vallies and a shallow earth doth cover their out-side which by a Sea-weed called Ovewood and a certaine kinde of fruitfull Sea-sand they make so ranke and batten as is uncredible But more are the riches that out of those hills are gotten from the Mines of Copper and Tinne which Countrey was the first and continueth the best stored in that Merchandize of any in the world Timaeus the Historian in Pliny reporteth that the Britaine 's fetched their Tinne in wicker boats stitched about with Lather And Diodorus Siculus of Augustus Caesars time writeth that the Britaine 's in this part diâ—ged Tinne out of stony ground which by Merchants was carried into Gallia and thence to Narbone as it were to a Mart. Which howsoever the English-Saxons neglected yet the Normans made great benefit thereof especially Richard brother to King Henry the third who was â—arlâ— of Cornwall and by those Tinne-workes became exceedingly rich for the incursions of the Moores having stopped up the Tinne-Mines in Spaine and them in Germanie not discovered before the yeare of Christ 1240. thâ—se in Cornwall supplyed the want in all parts of the world This Earle made certaine Tinne-Lawes which with liberties and priviledges were confirmed by Earle Edmund his sonne And in the dayes of King Edward the third the Common-weale of Tinne-workes from one body was divided into foure and a LordWarden of the Stanniers appointed their Iudge 4 The Borders of this Shire on all parts but the East is bound in with the Sea and had Tamer drawn his course but foure miles further to the North betwixt this Countie and Devon shire it might have been rather accounted an Iland then stood with the Mayne Her length is from Launston to the Land-end containing by measure sixtie miles and the broadest part stretching along by the Tamer is fully fortie lessening thence still lesser like a horne 5 The ancient Inhabitants knowne to the Romans were the Danmonii that spread themselves further into Devon-Shire also by the report of Diodorus Siculus a most courteous and civill people and by Michael their Poet extolled for valour and strength of limmes nor therein doth he take the libertie that Poets are allowed to adde to the subject whereof they write but truely reporteth what we see by them performed who in activitie surmount many other people When the Heathen Saxons had seated themselves in the best of this Land and forced the Christian Britaines into these rockie parts then did Cornwall abound in Saints unto whose honour most of the Churches were erected by whose names they are yet knowne and called To speake nothing of Vrsula that Counties Dukes daughter with her companie of canonized Virgin-Saints that are now reputed but to trouble the Calendar These Britaine 's in Cornwall to fenced the Countrey and defended themselves that to the raigne of King Athelstane they held out against the Saxons who subduing those Westerne parts made Tamer the Bounder betwixt them and his English whose last Earle of the British Bloud was called Candorus 6 But William the Bastard created Robert his halfe-brother by Herlotta their mother the first Earle of the Normans race and Edward the Blacke Prince the ninth from him was by his Father King Edward the third invested the first Duke of Cornwall which Title ever since hath continued in the Crowne 7 The commodities of this Shire ministred both by Sea and Soyle are many and great for besides the abundance of Fish that doe suffice the Inhabitants the Pilchard is taken who in great skuls swarme about the coast whence being transported to France Spaine and Italie yeeld a yearly revenew of gaine unto Cornwall wherein also Copper and Tinne so plentifully grow in the utmost part of this Promontory that at a low water the veines thereof lie bare and are seene and what gaine that commoditie begets 1s vulgarly known Neither are these Rockes destitute of Gold nor Silver yea and Diamonds shaped and pointed Angle-wise and smoothed by Nature her selfe whereof some are as bigge as Walnuts inferiour to the Orient onely in blacknesse and hardnesse Many are the Ports Bayes and Havens that open into this Shire both safe for arrivage and commodious for transport whereof Falmouth is so copious that an hundred Ships may therein ride at anchor apart by themselves so that from the tops of their highest Masts they shall not see each other and lie most safely under the windes 8 This Countie is fruitfull in Corne Cattle Sea fish and Fowle all which with other provisions for pleasures and life are traded thorow twenty-two Market-Townes in this Shire whereof Launston and Bodman are the best from which last being the middle of the Shire the Pole is elevated to the degree of Latitude 50.35 minutes and for Longitude from the first West point 15.13 minutes as Mercator hath measured them 9 Memorable matters both for antiquitie and strangenesse of fight are these At Boskenna upon the South-west of her Promontory is a Trophy
hath every thing in it to content the purse the heart the eye at home and sufficient Ports to give entertainement to Commodities from abroad 5 The ancient Inhabitants that possessed this Province were the Belgae who spread themselves far and wide aswell here as in Wilt-shire and the inner parts of Hampshire who being branched from the Germans conferred the names of those places from whence they came upon these their seats where they resided 6 The generall profits of this Province are Corn and Cattell wherewith it is so plentifully stored as it may challenge any neighbouring Countrey for the quantitie to make shew of Cattle so fat or Graine so rich Some places are peculiarly enriched by Lead-mynes as Mindsphils perchance so called of the deepe Mynes by Leiland aptly termed Minerarii Minerall hils which yeeld plenty of Lead the most Merchantable commoditie that is in England and vented into all parts of the world Some are beautified with Diamonds as Saint Vincent Rocke whereof there is great plenty and so bright of colour as they might equalize Indian Diamonds if they had their hardnesse yet being so many and so common they are lesse sought after or commended 7 This Country is famoused by three Cities Bath Wels and Bristow The first takes name of the hot Bathes which Antonine called Aquae Solis The waters of the Sunne Stephanus Badiza we at this day Bath and the Latinists Bathonia a place of continuall concourse for persons of all degrees and almost of all diseases whence it was sometimes called Akeman cester who by divine providence doe very often finde reliefe there the Springs thereof by reason of their Minerall and sulphurous passage being of such exceeding power and medicinable heat as that they cure and conquer the rebellious stubbornnesse of corrupt humours in respect of which admirable vertues some have fabled that they were first conveyed by Magicke-Art To testifie the antiquitie of this place many Images and Romane Inscriptions are found in the wals which can now be hardly read they are so worne and eaten into by age Wels as Leiland reporteth was sometimes called Theodorodunum but from whence it had that denomination he makes no mention The name it now beareth is taken as some thinke from the River there which King Kinewulph in his Charter An. 766. calleth Welwe or as others from the Wels or Springs which there breake forth and whereupon that See under whose Iurisdiction is also the Citie of Bathe hath beene anciently called Fontanensis Ecclesia the Fountaine Church where the Cathedrall built by King Inas to the memory of S. Andrew is very beautifull and richly endowed The Citie is likewise well replenished both with Inhabitants and seemly buildings Whose government is managed by a Maior yeerely elected a Recorder and seven Masters having the assistance of sixteene Burgesses a Towne-Clerke and two Sergeants at Mace Whose Latitude is 51.20 minutes and Longitude 17.31 minutes Bristow is not so ancient as it is faire and well seated The beautie of it being such as for the bignesse thereof it scarce gives place to any Citie of England and doth worthily deserve the Saxon name Bright-stad whose pleasantnesse is the more by reason that the River Avon scowres through the midst of it which together with the benefit of Sewes under all the streets cleares the Citie of all noysome filth and uncleannesse It is not wholly seated in this Countie of Sommerset but one part thereof in Gloucestershire but because it is an entire Countie of it selfe it denies subjection unto either having for its owne government both a Bishop with a well furnished Colledge and a Maior with a competent assistance of Aldermen and other Officers for Civill affaires 8 This Province hath beene the Theater of many Tragicall events and bloody Battels the Danes did grievously afflict Porlock by cruell Piracies in the yeere eight hundred eightie sixe Yet neere unto Pen a little village neighbouring upon North Cadbury Edmund surnamed Iron-side gave them a notable foyle as he was pursuing Canutus from place to place for usurping the Crowne of England And Keniwalch a West Saxon in the same place had such a day against the Britaines that they ever after stood in awe of the English-Saxons prowesse Marianus relateth that not farre from Bridge-water as the Danes were stragling abroad Ealstan Bishop of Sherbourne did so foyle their forces in the yeere 845. as their minds were much discomfited and their powers utterly disabled Ninius also writeth that King Arthur did so defeat the English-Saxons in a battle at Cadbury that it deserved to be made perpetuously memorable Neither is Mons Badonicus now Bannesdown lesse famous for Arthurs victories And King Elfred in another battell not farre from hence gave the Danes such an overthrow as he forced them to submission and induced Godrus their King to become a Christian himselfe being God-father to him at the Font. So happy is this Region and so beholding to Nature and Art for her strengths and fortifications as she hath alwaies beene able to defend her selfe and offend her enemies 9 Neither hath it beene lesse honoured with beauteous houses consecrated to Religion such was that of Black-Chanons at Barelinch in the first limit of this Shire Westward and King Athelstan built a monastery in an Iland called Muchelney that is to say the great Iland which is between the Rivers Iuel and Pedred running together where the defaced wals and ruines thereof are yet to be seene King Henry the third also erected a Nunnery at Witham which was afterwards the first house of the Carthusian Monks in England as Hinton not farre off was the second But above all other for antiquitie glory and beauty was the Abbey of Glastenbury whose beginning is fetcht even from Ioseph of Arimathea which Devi Bishop of S. Davids repaired being fallen to ruine and King Inas lastly builded a faire and stately Church in this Monastery though it be now made even with the ground the ruines onely shewing how great and magnificent a Seat it hath anciently beene which severall houses were thus beautified by bounteous Princes for religious purposes and to retire the mind from worldly services though blinded times and guides diverted them to superstitious and lewd abuses 10 Other memorable places are these Camalet a very steepe hill hard to be ascended which appeares to have beene a worke of the Romanes by divers Coynes digged up there on the top whereof are seene the lineaments of a large and ancient Castle which the Inhabitants report to have been the Palace of King Arthur Ilechester which at the comming of the Normans was so populous that it had in it an hundred and seven Burgesses and it appeares to be of great antiquitie by the Romane Caesars Coines oftentimes found there The Church-yard of Avalonia or Glassenbury where King Arthurs Sepulcher was searcht for
absolute Monarchy the Danes after them laide so sore for this Province that at Beamfleet and Havenes now Shobery they fortified most strongly and at Barklow besides the hils mounted for their burials the Danewort with her red berries so plentifully grow that it is held and accounted to spring from the blood of the Danes which in that place was spilt and the hearb as yet is called from them the Danes-blood neither yet were they quelled to furcease that quarrell but at Ashdown abode the Ironside in fight wherein so much blood of the English was spilt that Canutus their King in remorse of conscience built a Church in the place to pacifie God for the sinnes of his people But when the Normans had got the garland of the whole many of their Nobles there seated themselves whose posterities since both there and els-where are spread further abroad in the Realme 6 The Commodities that this Shire yeeldeth are many and great as of woods corne cattle fish forrests and Saffron which last groweth with such gain and increase upon her North parts that from a split clove much like unto Garlike a white blewish flower shortly springeth from whence fillets of Saffron are gathered before the Sun and dried are sold as spice with great gain From the Islands Canvey Mersey Horsey Northly Osey Wallot Foulnes great store of fish and fowle are daily gotten and so from their cattle have they continuall increase which men and boyes milke as well the Ewe as the Kine whereof they make great and thicke Cheese sold abroad in the Land and much thereof transported into other Countries Their Oysters which we call Walfleet the best in esteeme and are thought from Plinie to have beene served in the Romans Kitchins But lest we should exceed measure in commending or the people repose their trust in the soile behold what God can do to frustrate both in a moment that by his meanest creatures for in our age and remembrance the yeare of Christ 1581. an Armie of Mice so over-ranne the Marshes in Dengey Hundred neere unto South-minster in this Countie that they shore the grasse to the very roots and so tainted the same with their venemous teeth that a great Murraine fell upon the cattle which grazed thereon to the great losse of their owners 7 The chiefest Citie for account at this day in this Shire is Colchester built by Coilus the Brittish Prince one hundred twenty-foure yeares after the birth of our Saviour Christ if he of Monmouth say true wherein his sonne Lucius Helena and Constantine the first Christian King Empresse and Emperour in the world were born which made Necham for Constantine to sing as he did From Colchester there rose a starre The rayes whereof gave glorious light Throughout the world in Climates farre Great Constantine Romes Emperour bright And the Romans to the great honor of Helena inscribed her Pitssima Venerabilis Augusta But of these we shall be occasioned to speake more hereafter This City is situated upoÌ„ the south of the river Coln from whence it hath the name and is walled about raised upon a high trench of earth though now much decaied having 6. Gates of entrance and 3. posterns in the West wal besides 9. Watch-towers for defence and containeth in compasse 1980. paces wherein stand 8. fair Churches and two other without the walls for Gods divine service S. Tenants and the Black Friers decayed in the suburbs Mary Magdalins the Nunnery S. Iohns the Crouched Fryers all suppressed within towards the East is mounted an old Castle and elder ruines upon a trench containing two Acres of ground whereas yet may be seene the provident care they had against all ensuing assaults The trade of this towne standeth chiefly in making of cloth and Baies with Sayes other like Stuffes daily invented and is governed by two Bailiffes 12. Aldermen all wearing scarlet a Recorder a Town-clerk and four Sergeants at Mace Whose position for Latitude is in the degree 52.14 minutes and for Longitude in the degree 21. and 5. minutes 8 Places of antiquity memorable note in this County I observe the most famous to be Camalodunum by the Saxons Male oune by us MaldoÌ„ which was the Royall seat of Cunobelin King of the Trinobants as by his mony therein minted appeareth about the time of our Saviours birth which City afterwards Claudius won from the Britaines therein placed a Colony of souldiers which were called Victricensis This City Queene Boduo in revenge of her wrongs razed to the ground what time she stirred their people against Nero with the slaughter of 70. thousand of the Romans Of some later and lesser account was Ithanchester now S. Peters upon the wall where the Fortenses with their captain kept towards the declination of the Roman Empire In the east Promontory of this County in the raigne of Richard the second the teeth of a giant were found if they were not of an Elephant of a marvellous size saith Ralph Coggeshall and not far thence in the raigne of Elizabeth more bones to the like wonder were digged up 9 I purposely omit the message of a Pilgrim from S. Iohn Baptist by whom he sent a ring to K. Edward Confessor for which cause his house tooke the name Havering seeing the Monks of those times made no great dainty daily to forge matter for their own advantage who in this Shire so swarmed that they had houses erected at WalthaÌ„ Pritlewell Tiltey Dunmow Leeye Hatfeild-Peverell Chelmesford Coggeshall Maldon Earls-coln Colchester S. Osiths Saffron-Waldon Hatfeild-Bradoke and more with great revenues thereto belonging all which felt the axes and hammers of destruction when the rest of such foundations fell under the flail of K. Henry the 8. who with Ezekiah brake downe all these Brasen Serpents 10 This Shire is divided into twenty Hundreds wherein are seated 21. Market-Townes 5. Castles 5. Havens 2. of his Maiesties Mannours and 415. Parish-Churches all which are expressed in the Table annexed to this Countie following ESSEX devided into Hundreds with the most antient and sayre Towne COLCHESTER Described and other memorable MONUMENTS observed Anno 1610. HVNDREDS in ESSEX 1. VTtlesford 2. Hinckford 3. Lexden 4. Tendring 5. Dengie 6. Witham 7. Chelmesford 8. Dunmow 9. Clavering 10. Harlowe 11. Waltham 12. Havering 13. Becontree 14. Freshwell 15. Chafford 16. Barstable 17. Ongar 18. Thurstable 19. Rotchford 20. Winstree A Abbey Roding Ong. Abenton winst Abrey hatch becont Aldham lex Allisford tend Alphamstone hinck Althorne deng Alvethlye chaff Ammadonhall vttl. Ardleyghe tâ—n Arkesden vttles Arnolds ong Ashdon fresh Ashden hinc Asheldon deng Ashefeild hinc Ashingdon rotch. Audley end vttl. S. Ayleths vttl. B Bacches rotch. Baddowe little Chel Baddowe great Chel Ballingdon hinck Barrington hall har BARKING bec Barling rotch. Barnish Roding dun Barnyk hall lex Borrohall rotch. Barwick parker chaff
German-Ocean on the West toward Cambridge-shire with some branches of the greater Ouse toward Lincolne-shire with that part of the Nene which passeth from Wisbitch into the Washes It containeth in length from Yarmouth to Wisbitch about fifty miles In bredth from Thetford to Wels about thirty The whole Circuit is about two hundred forty two miles The name ariseth from the situation of the people who being the Norther-most of the Kingdome of East-Angles are therefore called the North-folke as the Souther most South-folke The Ayre is sharpe and piercing especially in the Champion and neere the Sea therefore it delayeth the Spring and Harvest the situation of the Country inclining thereto as being under the 53. degree of Latitude The Soile diverse about the Towns commonly good as Clay Chalk or fat earth well watered and with some wood upward to the Heaths naked drie and barren Marsland and Flegg exceeding rich but Marsland properly for Pasture Flegg for Corne. 2 The parts from Thetford to Burneham and thence Westward as also along the Coast be counted Champion the rest as better furnished with woods Wood-land The Champion aboundeth with Corne Sheepe and Conies and herein the barren Heaths as the providence of our Ancestors hath of old disposed them are very profitable For on them principally lie our Fould courses called of the Saxons whose institution they therefore seem to be faldsocun that is Liberty of fold or fouldage These Heaths by the Compasture of the Sheepe which we call Tathe are made so rich with Corne that when they fall to be sowne they commonly match the fruitfullest grounds in other Countries and laid againe doe long after yeeld a sweeter and more plentifull feed for sheep so that each of them maintaine other and are the chiefest wealth of our Country The Wood-land fitter for grasse is maintained chiefly by feeding of Cattell yet well stored with Corne and Sheepe The Coast is fortunate in fish and hath many good Harbours whereof Lenn and Yarmouth be the mother Ports and of great traffique Wels and Blakeney next in estimation The whole County aboundeth with Rivers and pleasant Springs of which the Ouse is chiefest by whose plentifull Branches the Isle of Ely the Towns and Shires of Cambridge Huntington and the County of Suffolke vent and receive commodities The next is Hierus or Yere passing from Norwich to Yarmouth where it recâ—iveth the Bure comming from Aylsham both of them of great service of water carriages but very notable for their plenty of fish for some one man out of an hold upon the Bure hath drawne up ordinarily once a yeare between two Nets about five or six score bushels of fish at one draught The Waveney and the lesser Ouse are also Navigable and of great use The residue I omit 3 The People were anciently called ICENI as they also of Suffolke Cambridge-shire and Huntington-shire and supposed to be of them whom Caesar nameth Cenimagni Ptolemic Simeni some Tigeni Their manners were likely to be as the rest of the Britaines barbarous at those times as appeareth by Caesar and Tacitus Neither can I otherwise commend their Successours the Saxons for so also their owne Country-man Ethelwerd termeth them Since the entry of the Normans they have been counted civill and ingenious apt to good Letters adorning Religion with more Churchâ—s and Monasteries then any Shire of England and the Lawes and Seats of Justice for many ages with some excellent men from whom most of our chiefe Families and some of the greatest Nobility of the Kingdome have taken advancement And herein is Norfolke fortunate that as Crete boasted of an hundred Cities so may shee of an hundred Families of Gentlemen never yet that searching I can find attainted of high Treason How the government of this Country was about Caesars time is uncertaine but agreeable no doubt to the rest of the Britaines under some peculiar Toparch or Regulus as Tacitus termeth him The latter Romans held it by two Garrisons one at Gariannum neere Yarmouth the other at Branodunum now called Brancastre both of horse and commanded by the Comes Maritimi Tractus as Marcellinus calleth him termed after Comes Littoris Saxonici Upon the entry of the Saxons this County with Suffolke fell in the portion of the Angles and about the yeare 561. were together erected into a Kingdome by Vffa of whom the succeeding Kings were tituled Vffines But having suffred many Tempests of Fortune it was in yeare 870. utterly wasted and extinct by Hungar and Hubba the Danes who overthrew the vertuous King Edmund about Thetford and after martyred him at S. Edmundsbury Yet they did not long enjoy it for King Edward shortly recovered it from them and annexed it to his other Kingdomes The Danes notwithstanding inhabited abundantly in these parts so that many of our Townes were founded by them and a great part of our people and Gentry are risen out of their blood 4 This Kingdome of East Angles was after allotted to an Earledome of that name by William the Conquerour who made Radulph a Britaine marrying his kinswoman Ealâ—e thereof but gave the greatest parts of this County about Wimondham Keninghall Lenn Burneham Fulmerston c. to W. de Albany Pincernae and W. de Warranna Forrestario who to strengthen themselves according to the use of that time with the homage and service of many Tenants divided large portions of the same amongst their friends and followers so that most of the Manours and Lands in the parts aforesaid were in those dayes either mediatly or immediatly holden of one of them And as Norfolke and Suffolke were first united in a Kingdome then in an Earledome so they continued united in the Sheriffewicke till about the fifteenth yeare of Queene Elizabeth 5 The Townes here are commonly well built and populous three of them being of that worth and quality as no one Shire of England hath the like Norwich Lenn and Yarmouth to which for ancient reputation as having been a seat of the Kings of East-Angles I may adde Thetford knowne to Antoninus and elder ages by the name of Sitomagus when the other three were yet in their infancie and of no esteeme for I accept not the Relations of the Antiquitie and state of Norwich in the time of the Britaines and Saxons though Alexander Nevil hath well graced them Her very name abridgeth her Antiquitie as having no other in Hâ—stories but Norwich which is meere Saxon or Danish and signifieth the North-Towne Castle or winding of a River It seemeth to have risen out of the decay of her neighbour Venta now called Castor and as Master Cambden noteth not to have beene of marke before the entry of the Danes who in the yeare 1004. under Sweno their Captaine first sackt and then burn it even in her infancie Yet in the dayes of Edward the Confessor it recovered to 1220. Burgesses But maintaining the cause of Earle Radulph aforesaid against the Conquerour they
were by famine and sword wasted to 560. at which time the Earle escaping by Ship his Wise upn composition yeelded the Castle and followed In William Rufus time it was growne famous for Merchandize and concourse of people so that Herbert then translating the Bishopricke from Thetford thither made each of them an ornament to other In variety of times it felt much variety of fortune By fire in Anâ—o 1508. By extreame plagues whereof one in An. 1348. was so outrage us as 57104. are reported to have dyed thereof between the Calends of January and of July By misery of warre as sackâ—d and spoyled by the Earle of Flaunders and Hugh Bigod Anno 1174. In yeelding to Lewis the French against their naturall Lord King Iohn Anno 1216 By the disinherited Barons Anno 1266. By tumult and insurrection between the Citizens and Church-men once about the yeare 1265. which if Henry the third had not come in prison to appease the City was in hazard to be ruined The second time in Anno 1446. for which the Major was deposed and their Liberties for a while seised In Edward the sixths time by Ketts rebellion whose fury chiefly raged against this City Since this it hath flourished with the blessings of Peace Plentie Wealth and Honour so that Alexander Nevil doubteth not to preferre it above all the Cities of England except London It is situate upon the River Hierus in a pleasant valley but on rising ground having on the Last the Hilles and Heath called Mussold for Moss-would as I take it In the seventeeth yeare of King Stephen it was new founded and made a Corporation In Edward the firsts time closed with a faire Wall saving on a part that the River defendeth First governed by foure Bayliffes then by Henry the fourth in Anno 1403. erected into a Majoralty and County the limits whereof now extend to Eaton-bridge At this present it hath about thirty Parishes but in ancient time had many more 6 Lenn having been an ancient Borrough under the government of a Bayliffe or Reve called Praetositus was by King Iohn in the sixt yeare of his Reigne made Liber Burgus and besides the gift of his memorable â—up which to this day honoureth this Corporation endowed with divers faire Liberties King Henry the third in the seventeenth yeare of his Reigne in recompence of their service against the out-lawed Barons in the Isle of Ely enlarged their Charter and granted them further to choose a Major Loco Praepositi unto whom King Henry the eight in the sixteenth yeare of his Reigne added twelve Aldermen a Recorder and other Officers and the bearing of a Sword before the Major But the Towne comming after to the same King he in the nine and twentieth yeare of his Reigne changed the name from Lenn Episcopi to Lenn Regis 7 Yarmouth is the Key of the Coast named and seated by the mouth of the River Yere Begun in the time of the Danes and by small accessions growing populous made a Corporation under two Bayliffes by King Henry the third and by his Charter about the fifteenth yeare of his Reigne walled It is an ancient member of the Cinque Ports very well built and fortified having only one Church but faire and large founded by Bishop Herbert in William Rufus dayes It maintaineth a Peere against the Sea at the yearely charge of five hundred pound or thereabout yet hath it no possessions as other Corporations but like the children of Aeolus and Thetis Maria 4. ventos as an Inquisitour findeth Anno 10. Henry third There is yearely in September the worthiest Herring-fishing in Europe which draweth great concourse of people and maketh the Towne much the richer all the yeare but very unsavoury for the time The Inhabitants are so courteous as they have long held a custome to feast all persons of worth repairing to their Towne 8 The Bishoprik of Norwich had first her seat at Dunwich in Suffolke and was there begun by Foelix who converted this County and the East-Angles to the Faith Being brought out of Burgundy by Sigebert the first Christian King of the East-Angles he landed at Baâ—ingley by Lenn and there builded the first Church of these Countries which in his memory is at this day called by his Name The second he built at Sharnbourn then of wood and therefore called Stock-Chappell After Foelix and three of his Successours this Bishoprick was divided into two Sets the one with eleven Bishops in sucession continuing at Dunwich the other with twelve at Elmham in Northfolke Then united againe in the time of King Edwyn the entire See for twelve other Bishops remained at Elmham and in the Conquerours time was by his Chaplaine Arfustus being the thirteenth translated to Thetford from thence by Herbert his next successour save one bought of William Rufus for nineteene hundred pounds and brought to Norwich This Herbert surnamed Losinga a Norman builded the Cathedrall Church there and endowed it with large possessions Not far from thence hee also builded another Church to S. Leonard a third at Elmham a fourth at Lenn S. Margarets a very faire one and the fifth at Yarmouth before mentioned By the Cathedrall Church he builded a Palace for the Bishops and founded the Priory there now converted to Deane and Chapter and another Priory at Thetford Since his time the Bishops See hath immoveably remained at Norwich but the ancient Possessions are severed from it and in lieu thereof the Abbey and Lands of S. Benedict of Holme annexed to it The Commodities of this County I have contained in these foure Verses Ingenio populi cultu Norfolcia clara est Hinc fluviis illinc Insula clausa mari Quaratis vellus frumenta cuniculus agnus Lac scatet pisces pabula mella crocus This Description of Northfolke I received from the Right Worshipfull Sir HENRY SPELMAN Knight NORFOLK WITH THE A COVNTIE ARMES OF SVCH FLORISHING NOBLE FAMILES POPVLOVS AS HAVE BORNE DESCRIBED THE TITLES AND DEVIDED THEROF WITH THE ARMES OF SVCH NOBLE FAMILES AS HAVE BORNE THE TITLES THEROF HVNDREDâ— in Northfolke 1. SMethdon 2. Brothercrosse 3. North-Grenchoe 4. Hâ—lse 5. North Erpingham 6. Tunstad 7. Happing 8. West-Flegg 9. Blowseâ—ld 10. Tavarham 11. south-Erpingham 12. Eynsford 13. Gallowe 14. Frâ—cbridge 15. Laundiche 16. Mitsorde 17. Forchoce 18. Humbleyarde 19. Heustead 20. Lod. 21. Claveâ—â—ng 22. Earsham 23. Depwarde 24. Dysse 25. Gyltcrosse 26. Shorpham 27. Waylond 28. South-Grenchoe 29. Walsham 30. Claâ—kelosse 31. Grymshooc A Accle Blow Aileswythorpe Frâ—cb Alby Southerpe Albuâ—rough Norther Alburghe Earsh Aldeby clav Alderford Eyns Alpington clav Althorpe Gal. Anmer Frâ—cb Antingham Norther Appleton Frâ—cb Armingale Henst. Ashby Flâ—g Ashby clav Ashill Wayl Ashmonhangle Tuns Ashwelthorp Depw. Aslacton Depw. Attlebridge Tavâ—r Attleburgh sâ—rop AYLâ—SHAM S. Er. Aylmerton Norther B Baconsthorp southe Bagthorpe Gal. Banham Gyl Baningham souther Barford Forc Barmer Gal. Barney Norther Barneham Forc Barningham Northwood N E
one hundred thirty eight miles 3 The aire is passing good temperate and pleasant yeelding the body health the mind content The soile is rich fat and fruitfull giving abundance of Corn Grasse and Marle It is chiefly divided into two parts by the Chilterne hills which run thorow this Shire in the middest and before time were so pestered with Beech that they were altogether unpassable and became a receptacle and refuge for theeves who daily endammaged the way-faring man for which cause Leostan Abbot of Saint Albans caused them to be cut down since when those parts are passable without any great incumbrances of trees from whose tops a large and most pleasing prospect is seene The Vale beneath is plaine and champion a clayie soyle stiffe and rough but withall marvellous fruitfull naked of Woods but abounding in meadows pastures and tillage and maintaining an infinite number of sheepe whose soft and fine fleeces are in great esteem with the Turkes as farre as Asia 4 The ancient Inhabitants that were seated in this Shire were the Cattieuchlani mentioned by Ptolemie and then dispersed through the Tract of Bedford Hertfort and this These yeelded themselves with the first to Caesar under the Romanes subjection whose over-worne Empire ending in Britaine the Saxons by strong hand attained this Province and made it a part of their Mercian Kingdome yet was it first subdued unto them by Cherdike the West-Saxon whose memory is in part continued in the Towne Chersey upon the West of this Countie where in a sharpe and bloudy battle he was victor over the Britaines So also Cuthwulfe a West-Saxon at Alesberie in the yeere of Grace 592. overcame the Britaines and bare downe all things before him yet no sooner was their Heptarchie wained and their Monarchie able to stand alone but that the Danes before their strength and growth was confirmed waxed upon them and they not able in so weake a hand to hold fast that weight of greatnesse they had so grasped gave place to their Conquerours who did many harmes in this Province for in the yeere 914. the Danes furiously raged as farre as Brenwood where they destroyed the Citie Burgh the ancient seat of the Romanes afterwards a royall house of King Edward the Confessor which they utterly destroyed 5 The Shire-town Buckingham fruitfully seated upon the River Ouse was fortified with a Rampire and sconses on both bankes by K. Edward the elder saith Marianus the Scotish Writer where in the heart of the Town hath stood a strong castle mounted upon an high hill which long since was brought to the period of her estate now nothing remaining besides the signes that there she had stood The River circulates this Town on every side that only on the North excepted over which three faire stone-bridges lead and into which the springs of a Well run called S. Rumalds a child-saint borne at Kings Sutton canonized and in the Church of this Towne enshrined with many conceited miracles and cures such was the hap of those times to produce Saints of all ages and sexes This Town is governed by a Bailiffe and twelve principall Burgesses and is in the degree removed from the first point of the West for Longitude 19.33 scruples and the North-pole elevated in Latitude for the degree of 52.18 scruples 6 A Town of ancienter note is Stony-Stretford the Romans Lactorodū being built upon that ancient Causey-way which is called Watling street where remain the markes thereof even unto this day At this place Edward the elder stopped the passage of the Danes whiles he strengthned Torcester against them and herein King Edward the eldest since the Conquest reared a beautifull Crosse in memory of Eleanor his dead Queen as he did in every place where her Corps rested from Herdby in Lincolne-shire till it was received and buried at Westminster 7 Places intended for Gods true worship built by devout persons and sequestred from worldly imployments were at Launden Luffeld Bidlesden Bradwell Nothey Ankerne Missenden Tekeford Partrendune Ashbridge Alesbury Ashbridge in great repute for the blood supposed out of Christs sides brought out of Germany by Henry the eldest sonne of Richard King of the Romans and Earle of Cornwall whereunto resorted great concourse of people for devotion and adoration thereof But when the Sun-shine of the Gospel had pierced thorow such clouds of darkenesse it was perceived apparently to be onely hony clarified and coloured with Saffron as was openly shewed at Pauls Crosse by the Bishop of Rochester the twenty foure of Februarie and yeere of Christ 1538. And Alesbury for the holines of S. Edith was much frequented who having this Town allotted for her Dowrie bad the world and her husband farewell in taking upon her the veile of devotion and in that fruitfull age of Saints became greatly renowned even as farre as to the working of miracles These all in the stormes rage of the times suffred such shipwrack that from those turmoiled Seas their Merchandize light in the right of such Lords as made them their owne for wreacks indeed 8 With foure Castles this Shire hath beene strengthned and thorow eleven Market Towns her Commodities traded being divided for service to the Crowne and State into eight Hundreds and in them are seated one hundred fourescore and five Parish-Churches as in the Table annexed Alphabetically are expressed BUCKINGHAM Both Shyre and Shire towne describ ¶ An Alphabeticall Table of all the Tovvnes Rivers and memorable places mentioned in Buckingham-shire HVNDREDS in Buckingham-shire 1. NEwport 2. Buckingham 3. Collstowe 4. Ashenden 5. Alesbury 6. Disburrough 7. Burnham 8. Stocke A Achenborow Buc. Ackeley Buck. Addington Buck. Adstocke Buck. AGMONDSHAM Bu. AYLESBVRY A. Vale of Aylesbury Ales. Apstone Dis. Ascott Coll. Ashridge Coll. Ashendon Ash. Aston clinton Ales. Aston abbotts Coll. Cold Aston Ales. Astwood New Aunslop New B Barton Buck. Beach hampton Bu. BEACONFIELD Burn. Bearton Ales. Bernwood forest A. Bidlesden Buck. Blechley New Bledlow Ales. Boreney Bur. Boreton Buck. Bostall Ash. Cold Bradfield New Bradnam Dis. Bradnam parke Dis. Bradwell New Brickhill little New Brickhill great New Bowe Brickhill New Brill Ashen Broughton Ales. Broughton New BVCKINGHAM Buc. Buckland Ales. Burnham Burn. East Burnham Burn. Burston Coll. C Calverton New Caldecott New Castlethorpe New Caveley Buck. Caversfeild Buck. Chalfont S. Peters Burn. Chalfont S. Gyles Burn. Chalwey Stock Checkmore Buck. Chechely New Cheddington Coll. Chepping wickcomb Dis. Chepping wickcomb florens Dis. Cherslie Ash. Chesham Burn. Chesham boyes Burn. Cheyneyes Burn. Chilton Ash. Chitwood Buck. Cholesbury Ales. Choldesbury Coll. Claydon middle Ash. Steeple Claydon Buck. Claydon East Ash. Clifton raines New Colbrocke in horton Stock COLBROCKE in LANGLEY S. Cold-aston Ales. Crandon Ash. North Crowly New Cublington Coll. Cuddenton Ales. D Datchet Stock Denham Stock Dorney Burn. Dorton Ash. Drayton beauchampe Coll. Drayton parslowe Coll. Dunton Coll.
Dynton Ales. E Eaton New Eaton Stock Edgcott Buck. Edlesburrough Coll. Elsborough Ales. Emmerton New Eydroppe Ash. F Farnam royall Bur. Fawly Dis. The Feath Burn. Filgrane New Fingerst Dis. Folcott Buck. Fulbroâ— Col. Fullmere Stock G Gamboro Ash. Gawcott Buck. Mershe Gibbeen Buck. Gotehurst New Grendon long Ash. Greneland Dis. Grove Coll. H Hadnam Ales. Hambleden Dis. Little Hamden Ales. Great Hamden Ales. Leck Hamsted Buck. Hanslop New Hardmere New Hardwick Coll. Hardwood great Coll. Hardwood little Coll. Hardwell Ales. Haversham New Haulton Ales. Hawridge Coll. Hedgeley Stock Hedstor Dis. Hillesden Buck. Hitchendon Dis. Hoggerston Col. Hogshawe Ash. Horidge Ales. Horsenden Ales. Horsingdon Ash. Horton Stock Hucket Ales. I Ilmere Ash. Ipston Dis. Iuet Stock IVINGOE Coll. K Kimbers Ales. Kingsey Ash. Krestow Coll. L Langley marish Stock Lanâ—icke Ales. Latimers Burn. Laâ—ndon New Lee Ales. Snipton Lee Ash. S. Leonards Ales. Lillingstone dayrell Buck. Linchlad Coll. Lithershall Ash. Littlecott Coll. Lothbury New Loughton New Luffeild Buck. Lynford little New Lynford great New M Marlowe little Dis. Marlowe great Dis. Marlowe florens Dis. Marshe gibbon Buck. Mayes morten Buck. Mednam Dis. Mentmore Coll. Little Merdon Ash. North Merston Ash. Mersworth Coll. Middleton keynes New Great Missenden Ales. Little Missenden Ales. Morton Dis. Moulso New Mursley Coll. N Nashe Coll. Nettleden Coll. Newington longfield New Newington blomareile New NEWPORT Neâ— Nothey Ash. O Ockley Ash. OVLNEY Neâ— Oulswick Ales. Ouse Flu. P Padbury Buck. Penne Burne Pichcote Ash. Pitston Col. Poundon Buck. Prebend end Buck. Preston Buck. Q Quainton Ash. R Radnage Dis. Ratley Buck. Ravenstone New Over Rendon Ash. Rickmansworth Bur. Princes Risborough Ales. Monkes Risborough Ales. Rowsham Coll. S Sabbinton Ash. Sanderâ—on Dis. Aston Standford Ash. Saulden Coll. Shaulton Buck. Sheney New Sherley brooke end Coll. Sherington New Shâ—pton Coll. Sâ—ckle-â—urrow Coll. Spnam Burn. Sapton Coll. Staunton New Stoke golding New Stoke poges Stock Stoke manuill Ales. Stoke hamond New Stone Ales. STONY STRATFORD Ne. Stowe Buck. Fenny Stratford New Waters Stratford Buck. Stuckley Coll. Sulbury Coll. Swanburne Coll. Sympson New T Tame Flu. Thorneborowe Buck. Thornton Buck. Thurringham New Tingwick Buck. Tinweston Buck. Topley Burn. Tottenhoo Coll. Tousey Ash. Turfeild Dis. Turvye New Twyford Buck. V Vpburne denicourt Dis. Vpton Stock Vuing Ash. W Waddosdon Ash. Walton Ales. Walton New Over Wamden New Warrington New Waysbury Stock Weeden Coll. Wendover florens Ales. Wendover Ales. Westbury Buck. Westcote Ash. Weston under wood New Weston turvill Ales. Wexham Stock Whaddon chase Coll. Whaddon Coll. Whitchurch Coll. HIGH WICKHAM Bur. West Wickham Dis. Nether Winchington Ash. Vpper Winchington Ash. Wing Coll. Wingrave Coll. WINSLOWE Coll. Winslow heath Coll. Wolston little New Wolston great New Wolverton New Woodsham Ash. Wormenall Ash. Wotton underwood Ash. Woughton New Wyllyne New OXFORD-SHIRE receiveth her name from that famous Vniversitie and most beautifull Citie Oxford and this of the Foord of Oxen say our English Saxons though Leiland upon a ground of conjecture will have it Ousford from the River Ouse by the Latines called Isis which giveth name likewise to the adjoyning Iland Ousney The North point of this Shire is bordered upon by the Counties of Warwicke and North-Hampton the East with Buckingham the West by Gloucester-Shire and the South altogether is parted from Barke-Shire by Thamisis the Prince of British Rivers 2 The blessings both of the sweet-breathing heavens and the fruitfull site of this Counties soyle are so happy and fortunate that hardly can be said whether exceeds The ayre milde temperate and delicate the Land fertile pleasant and bounteous in a word both Heaven and Earth accorded to make the Inhabitants healthfull and happie The hils loaden with woods and cattle the vallies burthened with corne and pasturage by reason of many fresh springing Rivers which sportingly there-thorow make their passage whereof Evenlod Charwell Tame and Isis are chiefe which two last making their Bed of Marriage neere unto Dorchester runne thence together in one channell and name 3 The length of this Shire is from Cleydon in the North-West unto Caversham in her South-East neere unto Thamisis and amounteth almost to fortie miles the broadest part is in her Westerne Borders which extending from the said Cleydon in the North unto Faringdon seated upon the River Isis in the South are scarcely twenty sixe and thence growing narrower like unto a Wedge containing in Circumference about one hundred and thirty miles 4 The ancient Inhabitans known to the Romanes were the Dobuni part whereof possessed further Westernly into Glocester-shire and neerer East-ward betwixt the bowing of Thamisis were seated the Ancalites who sent their submission unto Iulius Caesar when report was made that the Trinobantes had put themselves under his protection whereof followed the Britaines servitude under the proud yoke of the all-coveting Romans yet afterwards this Counties people being very puissant as Tacitus termes them and unshaken by warres withstood Ostorious Scapula the Romane Lieutenant choosing rather to yeeld their lives in Battle then their persons to subjection Of later times it was possessed by the Mercian-Saxons as part of their Kingdome though sometimes both the West Saxons and the Northumbrians had the dispose of some part therof for Beda affirmeth that King Oswold gave the then-flourishing Citie Dorchester unto Berinus the West-Saxons Apostle to be his Episcopall See whence the good Bishop comming to Oxford and preaching before Wulpherus the Mercian King in whose Court Athelwold the South-Saxons heathenish King was then present he with all his Nobles were converted to the faith of Christ and there baptized whereby Berinus became the Apostle also of the South-Saxons 5 Other places of memorable note either for actions therein happening or for their owne famous esteeme are the Roll-rich-stones standing neer unto Enisham in the South of this Shire a monument of huge stones set round in compasse in manner of the Stonehenge of which fabulous tradition hath reported forsooth that they were metamorphosed from men but in truth were there erected upon some great victory obtained either by or against Rollo the Dane who in the yeere 876. entered England and in this Shire fought two Battles one neere unto Hoch-Norton and a second at the Scier Stane 6 Rodcot likewise remaineth as a monument of Oxfords high stiled Earle but unfortunate Prince Robert de Vere who besides the Earledome was created by King Richard the second Marquesse of Dublin and Duke of Ireland but at that Bridge discomfited in fight by the Nobles and forced to swimme the River where began the downfall of his high mounted fortunes for being driven forth of his Country lastly died in exile and distressed estate But more happie is this Countie in producing far more glorious Princes as King Edward the Confessor who in Islip was borne Edward the victorious black Prince in Woodstock and in Oxford that warlike Coeur de Lion King Richard the first the sonne
Wales And upon what ground I know not let Lawyers dispute it the Inhabitants in some part of this Shire enjoy a private custome to this day that the goods and lands of Condemned Persons fall unto the Crown but only for a Yeare and a Day and then returne to the next Heyres contrary to the custome of all England besides 5 The generall Commodities of this Shire are Corne Iron and Wools all passing fine besides Pasturage Fruits and Woods which last are much lessened by making of Iron the only bane of Oke Elme and Beech. 6 These with all other provisions are traded thorow twenty five Market-Townes in this County whereof two are Cities of no small import The first is Glocester from whom the Shire taketh name seated upon Severne neere the middest of this Shire by Antonine the Emperour called Glevum built first by the Romans and set as it were upon the necke of the Silures to yoke them where their Legion called Colonia Glevum lay It hath been walled about excepting that part that is defended by the River the ruines whereof in many places appeare and some part yet standing doth well witnesse their strength This City was first won from the Britaine 's by Cheulin the first King of the West-Saxons about the yeare of Christ 570. and afterwards under the Mercians it flourished with great honour where Osrik King of Northumberland by the sufferance of Erhelred of Mercia founded a most stately Monastery of Nuns whereof Kineburgh Eadburgh and Eve Queenes of the Mercians were Prioresses successively each after other 7 Edelfled a most renowned Lady Sister to King Edward the elder in this City built a faire Church wherein her self was interred which being overthrowne by the Danes was afterwards rebuilt and made the Cathedrall of that See dedicated unto the honour of Saint Peter In this Church the unfortunate Prince King Edward the second under a Monument of Alablaster doth lye who being murdered at Barkley Castle by the cruelty of French Isabel his wife was there intombed And not far from him another Prince as unfortunate namely Robert Curthose the eldest sonne of William the Conquerour lyeth in a painted woodden Tombe in the middest of the Quire whose eyes were pluckt out in Cardiffe Castle wherein he was kept prisoner twenty six yeares with all contumelious indignities untill through extreame anguish he ended his life And before any of these in this City say our British Historians the body of Lucius our first Christian King was interred and before his dayes the Britaines Arviragus The graduation of this County I observe from this City whence the Pole is elevated in the degree of Latitude 52. and 14. minutes and in the Longitude from the West 18. and 5. minutes 8 The other City is Bristow faire but not very ancient built upon the Rivers Avon and Froâ—me for trade of Merchandize a second London and for beauty and account next unto Yorke This City standeth partly in this County and partly in Sommerset-shire but being a County of it selfe will acknowledge subjection to neither 9 A City more ancient hath been Circester by Ptolemy called Cerinium by Antonine Durocornovium by Giraldus Passerum Vrbem The Sparrowes City upon a flying report that Gurmund a Tyrant from Africke besieging this City tyed fire unto the wings of Sparrowes who lighting in the Towne upon light matter set flame upon all The circuit of whose walls extended two miles about wherein the Consular Port or wayes of the Romans met and crossed each other This City was won from the Britaine 's by Cheulin first King of the West-Saxons afterwards it was possessed by the Mercians and lastly by the Danes under Gurmund the former no doubt mistaken for him wherein a rable of them kept the space of a yeare Anno 879. and never since inhabited according to the circuit of her walles 10 Places of memorable note are these the Iland Alney neere unto Glocester wherein Edmund Iron-side the English and Canutus the Dane after many battels and blood fought in single combat hand in hand alone untill they compounded for the Kingdomes partition Barkley Castle where King Edward the second was thorow his fundament run into his bowels with a red burning Spit Tewkesbury the fatall period of King Henry the sixt his government and the wound of the Lancastrian Cause for in a battell there fought in Anno 1471. Prince Edward the only son of King Henry had his braines dashed out in a most shamefull manner the Queen his Mother taken prisoner and most of their favourites slaine and beheaded And at Alderley a little Towne standing eight miles from the Severne upon the hilles to this day are found Cockles Periwinkles and Oysters of solid stone which whether they have been Shel-fish and living creatures or else the sports of Nature in her workes let the Naturall Philosophers dispute of and judge 11 The places of piety set apart from other worldly Services and dedicated to religious uses by the devotions of Princes erected in this Shire were Tewkesbury Deorhust Glocester Minching Barkley Kingswood Circester Winchcombe and Hales which last was built with great cost by Richard Earle of Cornwall King of the Romans wherein himselfe and his Dutchesse were interred Their son Earle Edmund brought out of Germany the blood of Hales supposed and said to be part of that which Christ shed upon his Crosse. In this place with great confluence and devotions of Pilgrimage it was sought to and worshipped till time proved it a meere counterfeit when the glorious light of the Gospell revealed to eye-sight such grosse Idolatries and the skirts of Superstition were turned up to the shew of her owne shame 12 Dukes and Earles that have borne the title of Glocester the first of every Family are by their Armes and Names within the Card expressed ever fatall to her Dukes though the greatest in blood and birth The first was Thomas Woodstocke son to King Edward the third who in Callis was smoothered in a Feather-bed to death The second was Humfrey brother to King Henry the fift by the fraudulent practise of the malignant Cardinall and Queen made away at Saint Edmundsbury And the last was Richard brother to King Edward the fourth who by the just hand of God was cut off in battell by King Henry the seventh 13 This Shires division is principally into foure parts subdivided into thirty Hundreds and them againe into two hundred and eighty Parish-Churches whose names are inserted in the Table upon the other part of this Card. GLOCESTERSHIRE contriued into thirty thre seuerall hundreds those againe in to foure principall deuisions The Citie of Glocester Bristow discribed with the armes of such noble men as haue bene dignified with the titlles of Earles Dukes therof HUNDREDS in Glocester-shire 1. BErkley 2. Grombaldashe 3. Langley and Swinshed 4. Thornebury 5. Henbury 6. Pockle-Church 7. Kings Barton 8.
wig Pembridge Castle worm PEMBRIDGE Stret Pencombe Brox. Pencoyd worm Penrosse worm Penyard Castle Grey Pery Brox. Peterchurch web Peterstowe worm Piddleston wols Pixley Chapell Rad. Poston web Preston Brox. Preston web Putley Chapell Grey Putteley Grey Pype Grims R Castle Richards wols Risbury wols Rochford wols Rod wig ROSSE Grey Rosse Ferren Grey Rosemaund Brox. Rotheras web Rowlston Ewia. Rudhall Grey S Salers hope Grey Over Sappy Brox. Nether Sappy Brox. Sarnesfeild Stret Sarnesfeild Wols Sarnesfeild Coffen Stret Selleck worm Shellwicke Grims Shobden VVig Shobdon Stret Shorley VVig Snowdell Castle Ewia. Stanbache VVig Stanford Kings Brox. Stanford Bishops Bro. Staunton VVig Staunton upon Wyland Grims Stepleton Castle Wig. Stocklo Stret Stockton Wols Stogbach VVig Stogbach VVols Stoke VVols Stoke Edye Rad. Stoke Lacy Brox. Stoke Blish Brox. Stouton Stret Stretton Grims Stretton Rad. Stretford Wols Stretford Stret Suggas Grim. Suston Grey Sutton Brox. T Tadington Rad. Tedston Dalamer Brox. Tedston Wafer Brox. Teneraven Chapell Worm Thornbury Brox. Tregose Grey Tresek Worm Tretier Worm Trewin Ewia. Triago Worm Tripleton VVig Tupsley Grims Turnaston VVeb Twyford VVeb Tyberton Web. Tytley VVig V The golden Vale VVeb Vpton VVols Vpton Grey W Wackton Brox. Wadels Flu. Walderston Ewia. Walford VVig Walford Grey Warham Grims Warton VVols S. Waynards VVorm The Weares end VVor. WEBLEY Stret Wellington Grims Weobley Stret Weston Stret Weston beggar Rad. Weston subter Gre. Wethington Brox. Wheyle VVols Whitborne Brox. Whitchurch VVorm Whitney Stret Witney Hunl. Wicton VVols Wigmor Castle VVig Willersley Stret Wilton Castle worm Winforton Hunl. Winforton Stret Winkcot wols Winssey wols Winslowe Brox. Wolhope Grey The Worlds end Rad. Wormebridge web Wormsley Grim. Wonton Stret Wullferlow Brox. Wytton wig Y Yarcle Rad. Yarpoll wols Yasor Grims Yatton Grey Yetton wig WORCESTER-SHIRE by the English-Saxons called Wir-ceasder-scyre is a County both rich and populous and lyeth circulated upon the North with Stafford-shire upon the East with Warwicke and Oxford-shires upon the South with Glocester-shire and the West by Malverne hils is parted from Hereford-shire the rest lyeth confronted upon and in part divided from Shrop-shire by the River Dowles 2 The forme thereof is triangle but not of equall proportion for from North to South are thirtie two miles from South to North-west twentie two and from thence to her North-east point are twentie eight the whole in circumference is one hundred and twenty miles 3 The Aire in this Shire is of a favourable temperature that gives an appetite for labour diet and rest the Soile is fertile and to me seemed inferior to none other in this Land for besides the abundance of Corne in every place spread the Woods and Pasturage in her hils and plaines sweet Rivers that water the vallies below Cattle that cover the tops of higher ground the Fields Hedge-rowes and High-wayes are beset with fruitfull Peare-trees that yeeld great pleasure to sight commodious use for with their juyce they make a bastard kinde of wine called Peâ—rey which is both pleasant and good in taste Many Salt Springs also this County affordeth yea and more then are commonly in use such with the Germans our ancient Predecessors were esteemed most sacred and holy so that as Tacitus writeth to such they wontedly resorted to supplicate their Gods with their devout prayers as to places neerest the heaveÌ„s and therefore the sooner to be heard And Poets in their fainings will have the Nymphs residence in shady green groves and banks of sweet Springs if so then as Helicon this County affords both such are the Forrests of Wire and Feckenham the great woods of Norton and most faire Chase of Malverne And for waters to witnesse what I say is the Severne that cuts this Shire in the midst Teme Salwarp and Avon all of them making fruitfull their passage and stored with Fish of most delicious taste 4 The ancient people possessors of this Shire were the CORNAVII Inhabitants of Chesse-shire Shrop-shire Stafford and Warwicke-shires subdued by the Romanes in Claudius Caesars time and after their departure made a portion of the Mercian-Saxons Kingdome and in Bedaes time were called the Wicii whereof it may be this Shire had the name unlesse you will have it from the Salt-pits which in old English are named Wiches or from the famous Forrest of Wyre Howsoever true it is that the County doth hold her name from her chiefe Citie VVorcester 5 Which is most pleasantly seated passing well frequented and very richly inhabited This was the Branonium mentioned by Antonine and Ptolemie called by the Britains Caer-wrangon by Ninius Caer-Gourcon by the old Saxons Wire-ceasder and by the Latines Vigornia This Citie is seated upon the East banke of Severne and from the same is walled in triangle-wise about extending in circuit one thousand sixe hundred and fiftie paces thorow which seven Gates enter with five other Watch-Towers for defence It is thought the Romanes built this to restrain the Britaines that held all beyond Severne This City by Hardy Canute in the yeer of Christ 1041. was sorely endangered and set on fire and the Citizens slaine almost every one for that they had killed his Collector of the Danish Tribute yet was it presently repaired and peopled with many Burgesses and for fifteene Hides discharged it selfe to the Conquerour as in his Doomesdayes is to be seene But in the yeer 1113. a suddaine fire happened no man knew how which burnt the Castle and Cathedrall Church Likewise in the civill broiles of King Stephen it was twice lighted into a flame and the latter laid it hopelesse of recovery Notwithstanding from those dead Ashes a new Phenix arose and her building raised in a more stately proportion especially the Cathedrall dedicated to S. Mary first laid by Bishop Sexwolfe in Anno 680. since when it hath been augmented almost to the River In the midst of whose Quire from his many turmoiles resteth the body of King Iohn the great withstander of the Popes proceedings under a Monument of white Marble in Princely Vestures with his portraiture thereon according to life And in the South-side of the same Quire lyeth intombed Prince Arthur the eldest sonne to King Henry the Seventh his Monument is all black Jette without remembrance of him by Picture This City is governed by two Bailiffes two Aldermen two Chamberlaines and two Constables yeerely elected out of twenty-foure Burgesses clothed in Scarlet assisted with 48. other Citizens whom they call their Common Counsellors clad in Purple a Recorder Towne-Clerke and five Sergeants with Mace their Attendants Whose Geographicall Position is distant in Longitude from the West-Meridian 18. degrees 10. scruples having the North-Pole elevated in Latitude 52. degrees and 32. scruples 6 Places of further note for memorable antiquitie is Vpton of great account in the Romane time where some of their Legions kept as witnesse their monies there often found the admirable Ditch upon Malverne
to Long Compton in the South are miles thirty and three and the broadest part of this Shire is from Hewell grange in the West unto Hill-morton in the East distant asunder twenty-five miles the whole in circumference about one hundred thirty and five 3 This Shire is sited neere unto the heart of all England therfore participates with her in the best both for aire and soil wanting nothing for profit or pleasure for man The South part from Avon that runneth thorow the midst of this County is called the Feldon as more champion and tractable to be stirred for corn which yeerly yeeldeth such plentifull harvest that the husbandman smileth in beholding his pains the medowing pastures with their green mantles so imbrodred with flowers that frō Edg-hil we may behold another Eden as Lot did the Plain of Iordan before that Sodom fell The Woodland lieth upon the North of Avon so called in regard of the plenty of Woods which now are much thinner by the making of Iron the soil more churlish to yeeld to the Plough 4 The ancient people that possessed this Province are by Ptolemies descriptiō called the Cornavii wherin after were seated the Mercian Saxons a part of whose Kingdome it was greatly sought after by the West Saxons whose King Cuthred about the year of Christ Jesus 749. in battle slew Ethelbald at Seckington neere unto Tamworth And not farre from thence King Edward 4. as unfortunately sought against that stout make-king Richard Nevil Earle of Warwicke neere unto which upon Blacklow hill Pierce Gaveston that proud and new raised Earle of Cornwal was beheaded by Guy Earle of Warwick assisted with the Earls of Lancaster and Hereford And surely by the testimony of Iohn Rosse and others this County hath been better replenished with people who maketh complaint of whole townships depopulations altogether laid waste by a puissant Armie of feeding sheep 5 Notwithstanding many faire Towns it hath and some of them matchable to the most of England The chief thereof is Coventree a City both stately for building and walled for defence whose Citizens having highly offended their first Lord Leofricke had their priviledges infringed themselves oppressed with many heavy tributes whose wife Lady Godiva pitying their estates uncessantly sued for their peace and that with such importunacy as hardly could be said whether was greater his hatred or her love at last overcome with her continuall intercessions he granted her suit upon an uncivil and as he thought an unacceptable cōdition which was that she should ride naked thorow the face of the City and that openly at high noon-day This notwithstanding she thankfully accepted performed the act accordingly enjoyned for this Lady Godiva stripping her self of all rich attire let loose the tresses of her faire haire which on every side so covered her nakednesse that no part of her body was uncivill to sight whereby she redeemed their former freedoms and remission of such heavy tributes Whose memory I wish may remain honorable in that City for ever her pity followed by such possessing Ladies This City had grant to chuse their yeerly Magistrates a Maior two Bailiffes and to build about and embattle a wall by K. Edward 3. whom Henry 6. corporated a County of it self changed the names of their Bailiffs unto Sheriffs and the wals then were built as they now stand thorow which open 13. gates for entrance besides 18. other Towers thereon for defence At Gofford gate in the East hangeth the shield-bone of a wild Bore farre bigger then the greatest Oxebone with whose snout the great pit called Swanswel was turned up and was slain by the famous Guy if we will beleeve report 6 Next unto this City in account commerce is Warwick upon the North-west banke of Avon built by Gurgunstus the sonne of Beline as Iohn Rosse Monk of the place saith 375. yeares before the birth of Christ by Ninius called Caer-Guaruic and Caerleon by the Saxons Warryng-wyc and by learned Cambden judged to be PRAESIDIUM the Roman Garisons Towne The situation of this place is most pleasant upon a hill rising from the River over which is a strong and faire Stone-bridge and her sharpe streame upon the Towne side checked with a most sumptuous and stately Castle the decayes whereof with great cost and curious buildings the right worthy Knight Sir Foulke Grivel in whose person shineth all true vertue and high nobilitie hath repaired whose merits to me-ward I do acknowledge in setting this hand free from the daily imployments of a manual trade and giving it full libertie thus to expresse the inclination of my mind himselfe being the Procurer of my present estate It seemeth this Town hath been walled about as appeareth by the Trench in some places seen and two very faire gates whose passages are hewed out of the Rock as all other into the Town are over whom two beautifull Chapels are built that towards the East called S. Peters and that on the South-west S. Iames. Two faire Churches are therein seated called S. Maries and S. Nicholas but these in and about the Towne suppressed S. Laurence S. Michaels Iohn Baptist and Iohn of Ierusalem beside the Nunnery in the North of the Town whose North-Pole is elevated in Latitude 52. degrees 45. minutes and is seated from the first point in the west of Longitude 18. degrees and 45. minutes being yearly governed by a Bailiffe twelve Brethren twenty-foure Bugesses for Common Counsel a Rocorder a Town-clerke and one Sergeant their Attendant 7 Places of most memorable note observed in this Shire are Shugbury where the precious stone Astroites is found Of-Church which was the Palace of great Off a the Mercian and the buriall-place of S. Fremund his sonne Chesterton where the famous Fosse-way is seen At Leamington so far from the Sea a Spring of Salt-water boileth up and at Newenham Regis most soveraigne water against the Stone Greene wounds Vlcers and Impostumes and drunk with Salt looseth but with Sugar bindeth the body and turneth wood into stone as my selfe saw by many sticks that therein were fallen some part of them Ash and some part of them Stone and Guy-cliffe where the famous Earle Guy after many painfull exploits atchieved retired and unknown led an Hermits life and was lastly there buried 8 The chiefest commodities in this County growing are corn wherof the Red-horse Vale yeeldeth most abundantly wools in great plenty woods and iron though the producer of the one will be the destuction of the other Such honorable Families as have bin dignified with the Earldome of this Shire-townes name since the Normans Conquest in the Map it selfe are inserted and by their severall names expressed This County is strengthened with eight strong Castles traded with fifteen Market-towns inriched with many faire buildings and by the devotion of many Nobles had many foundations of religious Monasteries therein laid The chiefe were at Stoneley Warwick
then the former Robert was both of them in like degree of dishonourable course of life though of different issue at their deaths the one dying penitent and of devout esteeme the other leaving the stench of Tyrannie to all following ages who from this City setting forth in one day with great pomp and in battell aray to keep the Crowne sure upon his owne Helmet in a sore fought field yeelded both it and his life unto the head and hands of Henry of Richmond his Conquerour and the next day was brought back like a Hogge naked and torne and with contempt without tears obscurely buried in the Gray-Friers of this City whose suppression hath suppressed the plot-place of his grave and only the stone-chest wherein he was laid a drinking trough now for horses in a common Inne retaineth the memory of that great Monarchs Funerall and so did a stone in the Church and Chappell of S. Maries inclose the corps of the proud and pontificall Cardinall Wolsey who had prepared for himselfe as was said a far more richer Monument 7 Other places worthy of remembrance in this Shire were these In the West where a high crosse was erected in former times stood the faire Citie Cleycester the Romans BENONNES where their Legions lay and where their two principall wayes crossed each other as the Inhabitants report Loughborow in the North-verge which the Saxons called Leizanburge was as Marianus affirmeth taken from the Britaine 's by Cuthwolfe their King about the yeere of Christ 572. At Redmore neere Bosworth West-ward in this Countie the Kingdom of England lay in hazard of one Battell when King Richards Field was fought where the land at once was freed from a Tyrant and a wicked Vsurper Neither may we passe Lutterworth as the least in account where the famous Iohn Wickliffe Englands Morning star dispersed the clouds of all Papisticall darknesse by preaching the Gospell in that his charge and stile of his pen so piercing in power that the man of Sinne ever since hath beene better known to the world 8 Religious houses by Princes erected and by them devoted to God and his service the chiefest in this Shire were at Leicester Grace-Dieu Keirkby-Bellers and at Burton a Spittle for Lazers a disease then newly approached in this Land for the erection whereof a common contribution was gathered thorow the Realm the Patients in this place were not so much deformed in skin as the other were in the defects for the soule whose skirts being turned up to the sight of the world their shames were discovered and those houses dissolved that had long maintained such Idolatrous sinnes 9 This Shires division is into six Hundreds and in them are seated twelve Market Towns for commerce and containeth in her circuit two hundred Parish-Churches whose names with others are in the Table following to this Chapter belonging LEICESTER both Countye and Citie described The Honorable Famylies that have had the titles of Earls thereof With other accidents therein observed HVNDREDS in Leicester-shire 1. West-Goscote 2. Sparkingho 3. Goodlaxton 4. Gartrey 5. East Goscote 6. Framland A Abbey gate West Affordbie east Ailston good Allexton east Altongrange west Anker Flu. Ansty West Appleby little spark Appleby great spark Apekettelbie Fram Arnesbye Good ASHBYE de la Zouch west Ashbye folvile east Ashbye little good Ashbye great good Aston slamvill spar Atterton spar B Bagrave gart Bagworth pakre spar Bagworth spar Barbythorpe east Baresby east Bardon hill west Barkebie east Barkston fram Barlston spar Barn parke spar Barrow upon Zoram east Barton spar Barwell spar Beebie east Belgrave east Belton west Bensford bridge good Bew maner west Billesdon gart Bilston spar Bitteswell good Blabye good Blackbrooke flu Blangherby west Blason gart Boresworth husband gart Borhisson spar BOSWORTH spark Botisford fram Bowden great gart Bradgate west Bradley gart Brantingthorpe good Brantingthorpe Westcotts spar Braunston fram Braunston spar Braughton nether fram Bredon on the hill west Brenkinsthorpe spar Brentingby fram Bringhurst gart Brokesbie east Bâ—oughton Ashley good Buckminster fram Burbage spar Burley parke west Burrow gart Burstall west Burton layers fram Burton upon olâ—s east Burton overy gart Bushbye gart C Candwell east Carleton spar Carlton Curlew gart Cathorpe gart Charley west Chamwood forest west Cawdwell fram Clawson long fram Cleybrooke good Colderton east Collerton west Cosbye good Coson fram Cossington east Counston spar Countesthorpe good Cottesboche good Cotes east Cotton spar Cranoe gart Crawston east Crofee spar Cropston west Croston South east Croxton Kerriall fram D Dadlington spar Dalbye little fram Dalbie Iacombe east Dalbye wood east Dalbie upon Olds east Deane flu Desforde spar Dishley grange west Drayton spar Drayton gart Dunton Basset good Dunington spar DVNINGTON CASTLE west Dyseworth west E Eaton fram Eastwell fram Easton gart Edmondthorpe fram Eie flu Eie Kettleby fram Elmesthorpe spar Elston good Enderby spar Engarsby gart Erdisborowe gart Erlshilton spar Evington gart F Fleckney gart Foston good Foxton gart Freabie fram Frisbye gart Frisbye upon Wreake east Frolesworth good G Gaddesby east Gadebye spar Galbye gart Garenton west Garthorpe fram Gillmorton good Glenfeild spar Glenn great gart Glenn little good Glowston gart Goadbie fram Goadbye gart Goldsmiths grange fram Grace dieu west Grimston east Groobye spar Gumley gart H Hachton fram HALLATON gar HARBOROW gart Harbye fram Harston fram Hatherne west Hawlstead east Heather spar Hemington west Higham spar High crosse good Hinckley bond spar HINCKLYE spar Hobie east Hoes fram Hogges Norton spar Holt gart Hollwell fram Horninghold gart Horsepoole grange spar Horsepoole spar Hoose fram Hoton east Houghton gart Hucklescott spar Humberstone east Huncott spar Hungerton east I Ibstoke spar Illeston gart Ingersbye gart Isbye Walton K Katthorpe good Keham east Kemington south east Kerbey muchese spar Ketworth west Kibworth Beacham gart Kilbye good Kilworth north good Kilworth harcott gart Kimcote good Kirby bellers fram Kirbey mallary spar Knaptost good Knaveston gart Knighton good Knighsthorpe west Knipton fram Knosson gart L Lungley west Church Langton gart Thorpe Lanckton gart Lancton east gart Lancton west gart Laund east Lawghton gart Leicester Forest spar Leesthorpe fram LEICESTER east Leicester Abbey west Leire good Lindley spar Littlethorpe good LITTERWORTH go Lockington west Loddington east LONGBOROW west Loseby east Lubenham gart Lubsthorpe spar M Marfeild South gart Markefeild spar Marston potters spar Medburne gart MELTON Mowbray fram Merill grange west Misterton good Morebarne spar MOVNTSORRELL west Mowsely gart Musson fram N Naneby spar Nelston spar Newbold verdon spar Newbold west Newbold gart Newton west Newton harcourt gart Newton burcott gart Newton cold east Newton nethercote spar Newtowne spar Norborow spar Normanton fram Normanton spar Normanton on the health spar Norton gart Norton East east Nosely gart O Oddeston spar Odeby good Orton upon the Mount spar Osberston spar Osgathorpe west Overton cold fram Overton sausye west Oweston gart P The great Parke west Peatling little
Frankby Wyre FRODDESHAM Ed. Froddesham hils Eddes Fulbrooke Flu. G Gayton North. Grafton Bro. Le Granne Wyre Graysby Wyre Le Greenâ— Wyre Grimsdiche Buck. Gropenhall Buc. Grynley Bro. Godleigh Mac. Goit Flu. Goit hall Mac. Gostree North. Goulborne David Bro. Goulborne below Bro. Gowseworth Mâ—â— Gowy Flu. H Hâ—le Buck. Halghton Eddes Halywell Brox. Hampton Bro. Hanley Bro. Hanton Bro. Happesford Eddes Harbridge Bro. Harden Mac. Haslewall Wyre Haslyngton Nant. Haslall Nant. Hatherton Nant. Hartesleigh Mac. Hatton Buc. Hatton Bro. Haulton Buc. Haukylow Nant. Hawarden bro. Hellesby torr Eddes Hellesby Eddes Henbury Mac. Henhall Nant. Henshaw Mac. Hertford Eddes Herthull brox Highcliffe hill Buc. Hokchull Eddes Holes North. Hole brox Holford North. Hollynworth Mac. Honford Mac. Honore bro. Hooton Wyre Horton bro. Hough Nant. Houlme North. Houlme North. Church Houlme North. Howfeild Eddes Hull buck Huntingdon brox Hunsterston Nant. Hurdesfeild mac Hurleston Nant. Huxley bro. I Idenshaw Eddes Inoe Eddes Irreby Wyre K Kekewick buc Kelsell Eddes Kent greene North. Kerthingham North. Ketelsholme mac Kiddington bro. Kingesley Eddes Kirkby in Valley Wyre West Kirkby Wyre Knocktyron Wyre KNOTTESFORD buc Kynarton bro. Kynderton North. L Lache brox Lache Deneys North. Lacheford buc Landecan Wyre Lareton Wyre Larkton bro. Church Lawton North. Lea Wyre Lea North. Lea Chap. bucâ— Lee Naâ—â— Lee bro. Lee Flu. Leddesham Wyre Leford Wyre Leighes North. High Leigh buck Leighton Wyre Lestwiche North. Lostocke Flu. Lostocke gralam North. Luscard Wyre Lyme mac Lymme buck M MACCLESFEILD mac Macclesfeild Forrest mac MALPAS brox Manley Eddes Marbury buck Marbury Nant. Marleston bro. Marsheton buc Marthall buc Marton mac Marton mere mac Marton Eddes Malefen bro. Matteleigh mac Medietate North. Little Meoles Wyre Great Meoles Wyre Merpull mac Mersey Flu. Meyre buc Micklehurst mac Middleton Grange buc MIDDLEWICHE North. Milnhouse mac Milpoole Nant. Mobberley buc Moldworth Great Eddes Little Moldworth Eddes Molynton Banestre Wyre Molynton torrend wyre Monkes Copenhall Nant. Moore buck Moresbarowe North. Moreton wyre Moreton North. Morton buc Moston North. Moston brox Mottram Andrew mac Mortram in Longdendale mac Moulton North. Mulneton Eddes Mulynton buc Mynshull vernon North. Church Mynshull Nant. N NANTWICHE Nan. Nesse wyre Little Neston wyre Great Neston wyre Netherton Eddes Newbold brox Newbold wyre Newbold astbury Nort. Newhall North. Newhall mac Newhall Nant. Newton Chappell mac Newton bro. Newton buc Newton Eddes Newton wyre Newton bro. Newton bro. Newton North. Norbury mac Norbury Nant. Norleigh Eddes Norton buck Norton Priory decayed wyre Northerden mac NORTHWICHE North. Northwiche Castle Eddes O Offerton mac Oggerleigh brox Okehanger Mere Nant. Oldfeild wyre Oldcastle bro. Ollarton buck Olton Eddes Over Eddes Overchurch wyre Overton mac Overton bro. Ouleston North. Ouston Eddes Oxton wyrâ— P Partington buc Peckferton Eddes Pennesby wyre Pephull mac Nether Pever but. Over Pever buc Pever Flu. Pickmer buc Pickmere buc Pickton buc Plemestoo bro. Plumleigh buc Plymyard wyre Podynton wyre Ponyngton mac Portwood Hall mac Fooles Nant. Nether Poole wyre Over Poole wyre Pooton Lancele wyre Port Chap mac Poulford bro. Poulton bro. Poulton wyre Pownall mac Powsey buck Prenton wyre Prestbury mac Preston buck The Pyle Eddes R Raby wyre Radnor North. Ranenow mac Ravenscroft North. Red Rocke wyre Redings buc Ridge mac Ridley Eddes Ringay Flu. Rock Savage buck Rode-hall North. North Rode mac Romyleigh Chappell mac Ronaire wyre Roncorne buc Roop Nant. Rotherstorne buc Rudheath North. Russheton Eddes Rushton North. S Sale buc Salghall little wyre Salghall mafly wyre Salghton brox Sandyway Eddes Secome wyre Shavinton Nant. Shilbroke North. Shokylache brox Church Shokylache brox Shotwicke wyre Rough Shotwicke wyre Shrigliegh mac Shrowesbury Abbey buck Shurlingeslaw Hill mac Smallwood North. Smetenham North. Smethewick North. Soelleston mac Somerford North. Somerford mac SONDBACHE North. Sound Nant. Spittle wyre Sparston North. Spurstow Eddes Spurlache North. Stackten buc Stanford bro. Stanford bridge Nant. Stanley Eddes Great Stanney Nant. Stanthorne North. Stapleford bro. Stapleford Eddes Stapleleigh Nant. Staveleigh mac Stockton brox Stockham buc Stoke Nant. Stoke wyre Stoorton wyre STOPFORD mac Stretton bro. Stretton Chap. buc Stubbes North. Sutton mac Sutton buc Sutton brox Sutton North. Little Sutton wyre Great Sutton wyre Swanlowe Eddes Sydenhall brox Sydinton mac T Over Tableigh buck Nether Tableigh buck Tame Flu. Totenhall bro. Totenhall Heath brox Tatton buck Taxhall mac Taxall mac TERVIN Eddes Tetton North. Teverton Eddes Thingetwistee mac Thingwall wyre Thelwell Chappell buck Thorneton Eddes Thorneton Mayow wyre Thurstanten wyre Tilston brox Tittenleigh Nant. Torkynton mac Torpurley Eddes Tost buc Tramnole wyre Great Troughford brox Bridge Troughford Eddes Tuffinham bro. Twembroke North. Twenlow North. Tydeleston Farnehall Eddes Tyderington North. Tymperleigh buc V Vale-riall Eddes Vernon Nant. Upton mac Upton wyre Upton bro. Urdesseigh mac Utkynton Eddes W Walfeild North. Wallattâ—n Eddes Walrescote Eddes Over Walton buc Nether Walton buc Walwarne Flu. Warbunton Chappell buc Wardley Eddes Wareton North. Wareton brox Warmingham North. Wayleigh mac Webunbery Nant. Weever Eddes Weever Flu. Welshrowe Nant. Welford buc Weston buc Weston Nant. Wetenhall Chap. Eddes Weverham Eddes Whatcraft North. Whelocke North. Whelocke Flu. Whelocke Flu. Whernythe mac Over Whiteley buc Nether Whiteley buc Whitby wyre Whitegate Eddes Wichehalgh bro. Wigland bro. Wimslaw mac Wintelâ—y Nant. Winyngton Eddes Wistanton Nant. Withamshaw buc Witton North. Wollaston wyre Wollaston Nant. Wolstanwood Nant. Woodbanke wyre Woodcot Nant. Woodchurch wyre Woodford mac Woodhay Nant. Woodhead mac Woodhouses Eddes Worleston Nant. Wreton North. Wrenbury Nant. Wryenhill Nant. Wrynehill Hall Nant. Wymbold strongford Eddes Wymboldesley North. Wynyngton Eddes Wynyngham buâ— Wyreswall Nant. Wyrwyn brox Wythinton mac Y Yardswicke North. Yaton mac LANCA-SHIRE THE Countie Palatine of Lancaster famous for the foure Henries the fourth fift sixt and seventh Kings of England derived from Iohn of Gaunt Duke of Lancaster is upon the South confined and parted by the River Mersey from the Countie Palatine of Chester the faire Countie of Darbyshire bordering upon the East the large County of Yorkeshire together with Westmerland and Cumberland being her kind neighbours upon the North and the Sea called Mare Hibernicum embracing her upon the West 2 The forme thereof is long for it is so inclosed betweene Yorke-shire on the East side and the Irish Sea on the West that where it boundeth upon Cheshire on the South side it is broader and by little and little more Northward it goeth confining upon Westmerland the more narrow it groweth It containeth in length from Brathey Northward to Halwood Southward fiftie seven miles from Denton in the East to Formby by Altmouth in the West thirtie-one and the whole circumference in compasse one hundred threescore and ten miles 3 The Ayre is subtile and piercing not troubled with grosse vapours or foggie mists by reason whereof the people of that Countrey live long and healthfully and are not subject to strange and unknown diseases
tongue which is the Towne of the Bernicians Howsoever this is better to be said then trusted and whencesoever it hath the name it is seated betweene two mightie Kingdoms shooting far into the Sea with the which and the River Tweed it is almost encompassed and whensoever any discord fell betweene the two Nations this place was the first thing they tooke care of It hath indured the brunts of divers inroades and incursions and been oftentimes both possessed and repossessed of the Scots and English But since it was reduced under the command of Edward the fourth our Kings have from time to time so strengthened it with new workes and fortifications as they cut off all hopes of winning it The Governour of this Towne is also Warden of the East Marches against Scotland The longitude of it according to Mathematicall observation is 21 degrees and 43. minutes the latitude 55. degrees and 48. minutes 10 The Inhabitants of this Countie are a warlike people and excellent light horsemen and are made fierce and hard by the severall encounters of the Scots and not much unlike them in neither betwixt whom in this County many battels have beene fought and the successes oftentimes waved thorow very doubtfully the victory sometimes falling to the Scots sometimes to the English At Otterburne was one in which three or foure times it stood doubtfully indifferent till in the end the Scots got the upper hand of the English Howbeit their glory was not made so illustrious by this Conquest but that it was as much darkned by the foile they received at Anwicke where William King of the Scots was taken and presented prisoner to Henry the 2. As also by that battell at Brumridge where King Athelstan fought a pitcht field against Anlase the Dane Constantine King of Scots and Eugenius king of Cumberland and that with such fortunate successe as it hath left matter sufficient to fill the pens of Historians Flodden field also memorable in the death of Iames the fourth king of Scots who was there slaine and his Armie overthrowne in a sharpe fight as hee displayed his Banner in great hope against England when king Henry the 8. lay at the siege of Turnay in France 11 Other battels in this Countie have been as that at Hexam called by Bede Hangustald wherein Iohn Nevill Marquesse Montacute encountred the Leaders of the Lancastrian faction with much courage and with greater successe put them to flight for which hee was made Earle of Northumberland by Edward the fourth As also that at Dilston by Bede called Dinelsburne where Oswald having the faith of Christ for his defence and armour slew Cedwall the Britaine in a set battell himself straight-wayes becomming a professed Christian and causing his people to be instructed in Christian Religion 12 Many memorable Antiquities are found in this Countrey along the wall and in other places As pieces of Coyne Inscriptions broken and unprefect Altars c. the ruines of the wall yet to be seene but none that deserves more to be remembred then Wall-Town by Bede called Ad Murum for that Segbert King of the East-Saxons was in it baptized in the Christian faith by the hands of Paulinus and Halyston where the same Paulinus is said to have baptized many thousands in the faith of Christ in the Primitive Church of the English Nation 13 Busy-gap is a place infamous for robbing and theeving and is therefore rather remembred as a cautiatory note for such as have cause to travell that way then for any proper matter of worth it hath that merits place with other parts of this Province Other matters of observation are onely these that North Tyne running through the Wall waters two Dales which breede notable light Horsemen and both of them have their hilles hard by so boggie and standing with water on the top that no Horsemen are able to ride thorow them and yet which is wonderfull there be many great heaps of stones called Lawes which the neighbouring people are verily perswaded were cast up and laid together in old time in remembrance of some that were slain there There is also a Martiall kinde of men which lie out up and downe in little cottages called by them Sheales Shealings from Aprill to August in scattering fashion summering as they terme it their cattell and these are such a sort of people as were the ancient Nomades The last not least matter of note is this that the Inhabitants of Morpeth set their owne Towne on fire in the yeare of Christ 1215. in the spight they bare to King Iohn for that he and his Rutars over-ran these Countries This Countie hath five Market-Townes in it for her trade of buying and selling 26. Castles for her strength and fortification and 460. Parish-Churches for divine service NORTHUMBERLAND A ABsheles Acam Ackton Acton Akelynton Allanton Allenton Almeburne ALNEWICK Alnham East Alâ—ow flu West Allow flu Anbell Ancraft Angetton Anter-Chester Aperley Ashington Asper sheles Averwick Aumond hill Aydon Castle Aylmouth Aylnammore B Bamburg Barmore Barodon Barraford Barrinton BARWICK Barwick Great Bavinton Bearle Bedenell Bedlinton Bedford Bellister castle Bellerley The Bellyn Belkerk Belsey castle Beltingham Beneley Bentham Benwell Berling Great Bewick Little Bewick Bewfront Bichefield Bickerton Biker Billingham Billistone Bilton Bingfield Brikes Biwell castle Blacklaw Black-brea Black-bedon Blakedon Black-hall Blake law Blakeworth Blenkensop Castle Blithe flu Blithes Newkes Bolam Bottle Castle Bowesden Bowmet Bowton Bradford Bradley hall Brankeston Bransaugh Branton Branton Brearidge Brenkhorn Brinkley Brome parke Bromeridge Bromish flu Brumley Brunton Bruntons Buckton Budle Burdop Burrodon Burtley Burton Buston Busigap Buteland Butterhagh C Caddon Callalee Callie parke Cammas Captheaton Carehouse North Carleton South Carleton Carram Carrow towre Carswell The Carter Castley Catchaside Catchborne Causey Cerbridge Charleton Chatton Chesterwood Cheswick Chetlop Burne Cheviot hils East-Chevinton West-Chevinton Chillingham Chirden Chipechase Chirtons Cholerton Claroo Cockley Cockley towne Cocket flu Coket Iland Cocklaw hill Cold-Marton Conwood chapel Colwell Cornwale Corsenside Cortington castle Cotewall tower Coupland Cowpon Cragshels Cramlinton Crawley Crawstor Christenbury cra Crocklaw Cronkley Cunningarth D Dala Castle Dareshall Dawton Deddington Denijk Denton Detcham Dichborns Dilston Dissingtons Doteland Donols flu Downeham Doxford Druriche Duke pul Dunkefield Dunnington Dunston Dunterley Dunstaburgh Castle Durtreborn E Eawden Edderston Edington Edlingham castle Eglingham Eland hall Eldes Elford Elihaugh Elis. Elishaw Ellesden Ellingham Ellyke Elmeley Eltringham Embleton Emmothilis Emmouthough Erington Erisden Eslington Espley Essheales Etall Etall Castle Evart F Fallowfield Farley Farnlaw Fauston hall Fauterley Fawlee Faulick Fawnes Felkinton Felton Fennam Fennik Fennik hall Fetherston haugh Flights fell Flodden hill Font flu Ford Castle Fowbre Framlington G Garretlee The Gelecrag Gijsons Gilderdale Glanthisse Glanton Gloucester The Grange Grange Greene. Greenchester Greene haugh Greene hatherly Greene Leighton Greenested Grindridge North Gosford South Gosford Goswick Grotehugh
fairest possessions do imitate the people of Lancashire both in their honest cariage good hous-keeping Howbeit the common sort of people both in their language and manners come nighest unto the Irish although they somwhat relish and savour of the qualities of the Norwegians 7 Things not worthy to be buried in the grave of oblivion are that this Iland in the midst thereof riseth up with hills standing very thicke amongst which the highest is called Sceafull from which upon a cleare and faire day a man may easily see three Kingdoms at once that is England Scotland Ireland This I le prohibits the customary manner of begging from doore to doore detesting the disorders as well Civill as Ecclesiasticall of neighbour-Nations And last not least that deservs to be committed to memory is that the womeÌ„ of this Countrey wheresoever they go out of their doors gird themselves about with the winding-sheet that they purpose to be buryed in to shew themselves mindefull of their mortalitie and such of them as are at any time condemned to die are sowed within a sack and flung from a rock into the sea 8 The whole I le is divided into two parts South and North whereof the one resembleth the Scotish in speech the other the Irish. It is defended by two Castles and hath seventeen Parishes five Market-Townes and many Villages ¶ A Table of the Townes Villages Castles Rivers and Havens within the I le of Man Alphabetically gathered A Kirk Andrew The point of Aire B Baladoul Balalough Kirk Balalough Balicaken Balisaly Abbey Balisaly Town Friry Bewmakan Kirk Bridge Kirk Brodon C Caltregh The Calfe of Man Castle Town Bay Kirk Christ. Kirk Christ. Chappell Clanmoy flu Cobbe Borne Corte Cranston D Dauby point Dauby Town Douglas point DOUGLAS towne Douglas haven E Egnes F Fleshik G Glan-Brow Glan-Cam I Kirk Jarman Jeorby point Saint Johns Chappell K Saint Katherins Chappel Kirk Kerbrey L The point Lang-nouse Laxi-Bay Laxi-point LAXI TOWNE Kirk Lennon Loughe M Kirk Magh haul Kirk Magh-hauls head Malarlough Kirk Mali. Kirk Migh-hil Kirk Migh-hill flu Saint Migh-hills Island Min-hugh Kirk Mortown The Mull-hills N Neb flu The Nunnery O Kirk Onkon P Kirk Patriark Kirk Patriark of the Peel PEEL-Town Peel-Castle Polt Bash. Port Earn Portell Morrey Portwick R Ramsey RAMSEY Town Ramsey haven RUSHIN Castle S Scarthlat Shellack point Snafeld Solbe mouth Solbe flu Spalork The Stack Kirk Stanton V Vark W Watch-hill The white Water Black Water Whetston THE ISLE OF MAN Exactly desribed and into several Parishshes diuided with euery Towne Village Baye Creke and Riuer therein conteyned The bordringe Coasts wherewith it is circulated in their Situations self and by the Compase accordiÌ„gly shewed with their true distance from euery place vnto this Island by a seuerall scale obserued IT is here very pertinent to the purpose to insert a small History of this Iland that the atchievemeÌ„ts heretofore had may not be utterly buried although they are waxen very old almost torn from remeÌ„brance by the teeth of Time It is confessed by all that the Britains held this Iland as they did all Britain But when the Nations from the North over flâ—wed these South parts like violent tempests it became subiect to the Scots Afterwards the Norwegians who did most hurt from the Northern sea by their manifold robberies made this Iland and the Heâ—rides to be their haunt and erected Lords and petty Kings in the same as is expressed in this Chronicle Written as is reported by the Monkes of the Abbey of Russin A Chronicle of the Kings of MAN ANno Dom 1â—65 Edward of blessed memory King of England departed this life and Harald the sonne of Godwyn succeeded him in the Kingdome against whom Harald Harfager King of Norway came into the field and fought a battle at Stainford bridge but the English obtaining the victory put them all to fâ—ight Out of which chase Godred surnamed Crovan the son of Harald the Black of Iseland came unto Godred the sonne of Syrric who reigned then in Man and honourably received him 2 The same yeer William the Bastard conquered Enggland and Godred the sonne of Syrric died his sonne Fingall succeeding him 3 An. 1066. Godred Crovan assembled a great Fleet and came to Man and fought with the people of the Land but received the worst and was overcome The second time renewing his forces and his Fleet he sayled into Man joyned battell with the Manksmen but was vanquished as before and driven out of the field Howbeit what he could not at first bring to passe with power in those two severall Onsets he afterward effected by policie For the third time gathering a great multitude together he arrived by night in the haven called Ramsey and hid three hundred men in a Wood which stood upon the hanging hollow brow of an hill called Sceafull The Sun being risen the Manksmen put their people in order of battle and with a violent charge encountred with Godred The sight was hot for a time and stood in a doubtfull suspense till those three hundred men starting out of the Ambush behinde their backs began to foyl the Manksmen put them to the worst and forced them to flie Who seeing themselves thus discomfited and finding no place of refuge left them to escape with pitifull lamentation submitted themselves unto Godred and besought him not to put to the sword such poore remainder of them as was left alive Godred having compassion on their calamities for he had been nursed for a time and brought up among them founded a retreat and prohibited his host any longer pursuit He being thus possessed of the I le of Man dyed in the Iland that is called Ile when he had reigned sixteen yeers He left behinde him three sonnes Lagman Harald and Olave 4 Lagman the eldest taking upon him the Kingdome reigned seven yeares His brother Harald rebelled against him a great while but at length was taken prisoner by Lagman who caused his members of generation to be cut off and his eyes to be put out of his head which crueltie this Lagman afterwards repenting gave over the Kingdom of his own accord and wearing the badge of the Lords Crosse took a journey to Ierusalem in which he died 5 An. 1075. all the Lords and Nobles of the Ilands hearing of the death of Lagman dispatched Ambassadours to Murecard Oâ—brien King of Ireland and requested that he would send some worthy and industrious man of the Blood Royall to be their King till Olave the son of Godred came to full age The King yeelding to their request sent one Dopnald the son of Tade and charged him to govern the Kingdome which by right belonged to another with lenitie and gentlenesse But after he was come to the Crowne forgetting or not weighing the charge that his Lord and Master had given him swayed his place with great tyrannie committing many outrages and cruelties and so
reigned three yeers till all the princes of the Ilands agreeing together rose up against him and made him flie into Ireland 6 An. Do. 1111. Olave the son of Godred Crovan aforesaid began his reigne and reigned fourtie yeers a peaceable Prince He took to wife Affrica the daughter of Fergus of Galway of whom he begat Godred By his Concubines he had Raignald Lagman and Harald besides many daughters whereof one was married to Summerled Prince of Herergaidel who caused the ruine of the Kings of the Ilands On her he begat four sons Dungal Raignald Engus and Olave 7 An. Dom. 1144. Godred the son of Olave was created King of Man and reâ—gned thirty yeers In the third yeer of his reign the people of Dublin sent for him and made him their King Which Mure-card King of Ireland maligning raised war and sent Osibeley his half brother by the mothers side with 3000. men at Armes to Dublin who by Godred and the Dublinians was slaine and the rest all put to flight These atchievemeÌ„ts made Godred returned to Man and began to use tyranny turning the Noblemen out of their inheritances Whereupon one called Thorfin Otters sonne being mightier then the rest came to Summerled and made Dulgal Summerleds son king of the Ilands whereof Godred having intelligence prepared a Navie of 80. Ships to meet Summerled And in the yeer 1156 there was a battle fought at Sea on Twelfth day at night many slain on both sides But the next day they grew to a pacification and divided the Kingdome of the Ilands among themselves This was the cause of the overthrow of the Kingdom of the Iles. 8 An. 1158. Summerled came to Man with a Fleet of fiftie three sayle put Godred to flight and wasted the land Godred upon this crossed over to Norway for aide against Summerled But Summerled in the mean time arriving at Rhinfrin and having gathered together a fleet of a 160. ships coveting to subdue all Scotland by the just judgement of God was vanquished by a few and both himself and his son slain with an infinite number of people 9 The fourth day after Raignald began to reigne but Godred coming upon him out of Norway with a great multitude of armed men took his brother Raignald and bereft him both of his eyes and genitall members On the fourth Ides of November An. Dom. 1187. Godred King of the Ilands died and his body was translated to the I le of Ely He left behinde him three sons Raignald Olave and Yuar He ordained in his life time that Olave should succeed him because he onely was born legitimate But the people of Man seeing him to be scarce ten yeers old sent for Raignald and made him their King This caused great division and many turbulent attempts between the two Brethren for the space of thirty eight yeers which had no end till at a place called Tniguaâ—â—a there was a battle struck between them wherein Olave had the victory and Raignald was slaine The Monkes of Russin translated his body unto the Abbey of S. Mary de Fournes and there interred it in a place which himself had chosen for that purpose 10 An. 1230. Olave and Godred Don who was Raignalds sonne with the Norwegians came to Man and divided the Kingdom among themselves Olave held Man and Godred being gone unto the Ilands was slaine in the I le Lodhus So Olave obtained the Kingdome of the Iles. He dyed the twelfth Calends of Iune An. 1237. in S. Patricks Iland and was buryed in the Abbey of Russin 11 Harrold his sonne succeeded him being foureteene yeers of age and reigned twelve yeers In the yeer 1239. he went unto the King of Norway who after two yeares confirmed unto him his heyres and successours under his Seal all the Ilands which his Predecessours had possessed 12 An. Do. 1242. Harrold returned out of Norway and being by the inhabitants honourably received had peace with the Kings of England and of Scotland The same yeer he was sent for by the King of Norway and married his daughter In the yeer 1249. as he returned homeward with his wife he was drowned in a tempest neer unto the coasts of Radland 13 An. Dom. 1249. Raignald the sonne of Olave and brother to Harrold began his reign and on the thirtieth day thereof was slaine by one Yuar a Knight in a meadow neer unto the holy Trinity Church and lyeth buried in the Church of S. Mary of Russin 14 In the yeer 1252. Magnus the son of Olave came to Man and was made King The next yeer following he went to the King of Norway and stayed there a yeer 15 In the yeer 1265. Magnus Olaves son King of Man and of the Ilands departed this life at the Castle of Russin and was buryed in the Church of S. Mary of Russin 16 In the yeer 1266. the Kingdome of the Ilands was translated by reason of Alexander King of Scots who had gotten into his hands the western Ilands and brought the I le of Man under his dominion as one of that number 17 An. 1340. William Montacute Earl of Salisbury wrested it from the Scotish by strong hand and force of Armes and in the yeer 1393. as Thomas Walsingham saith he sold Man and the Crown thereof unto William Scroope for a great summe of money But he being beheaded for high Treason and his goods confiscate it came into the hands of Henry the fourth King of England who granted this Iland unto Henry Percy Earl of Northumberland But Henry Percy entring into open rebellion the fift yeer following the king sent Sir Iohn Stanley William Stanley to seize the I le and Castle of Man the inheritance whereof he granted afterwards to Sir Iohn Stanley his heirs by Letters patents with the Patronage of the Bishopricke c. So that his heires and successours who were honoured with the Title of Earles of Darby were commonly called Kings of Man HOLY ILAND THis Iland is called Lindisfarne by the River Lied that is opposite unto it on the Coast of Northumberland Beda tearmeth it a Demy Iland The Britaines name it Inis Medicante for that it twice every day suffereth an extraordinary inundation and over-flowng of the Ocean in manner of an Iland which twice likewise makes it continent to the Land and returning unto her watry habitation laies the Shoare bare again as before It is called in English Holy-Iland for that in ancient times many Monks have been accustomed to retire themselves thither and to make it their receptacle for solitude having on the West and South Northumberland and more South-Eastward the Iland Farne 2 The form of it is long and narrow the West side narrower then the East and are both conjoyned by a very small spang of Land that is left unto Conies The South is much broader then the rest It is from East to West about two thousand two hundred and fiftie pases and from North to South twelve hundred and
in their customes and conditions they come neerer the civill fashions of the English Other matters of moment I finde not worthy to be recorded It hath ten Parishes and one Market Towne being also a Haven and is called S. Peters Port built close by the Peere and Castle Cornet IERSEY THe two Ilands Iersey and Garnsey being the only remaines of the Dukedome of Normandie that in former times many yeers together was in the possession and under the command of the Kings of England annexing therunto a large territory and glorious title to the Crowne are both seated in the Sea called Mare Britannicum the Ocean parting them a good distant asunder and are now both adjuncts and within the circuit of Hampshire For the first being the Isle of Iersey it lyeth upon the British Sea having on the North parts the Coast of Hampshire and on the South the Countrie of Normandie 2 This Iland is long not much unlike the fashion of an egge It containes in length from Sentwon Poole upon the West to Mount Orguil Castle on the East ten miles and in bredth from Dubon Point to Plymount bay six miles the whole circuit of the Iland being thirtie eight miles It is distant from a little Iland called Alderney about foure leagues It was in old time called Caesarea whether from Iulius Octavius or any the other Caesars that followed is unknown But the French-men have by corruption of speech long time called it Iersey 3 It is a very delightsome and healthfull Iland and giveth a pleasant aspect unto the seas It lyeth South-ward not farre from a craggy ridge of rocks which is much feared of the Mariners and makes the passage that way very dangerous howbeit it serves for a forcible defence against Pirats or any strangers that attempt invasion and they are termed Casquets 4 The Soile is very fertile bringing forth store of Corn and Cattle but especially of Sheep that are of reasonable bignesse the most of them bearing foure hornes a peece Their wooll very fine and white of which the Inhabitants make their Jersey Stockings which are ordinarily to be had in most parts of England and yeeld a great commoditie unto the Iland 5 The first originall of the Inhabitants sprung either from the Normans or Britains or both They speake French though after a corrupt manner and have continued their names language customes and Countrey without any or little intermixture these many hundred yeers having been under the jurisdiction of the English ever since the untimely and unnaturall death of Robert Duke of Normandie eldest sonne to William the Conquerour 6 The people of this Countrey live very pleasantly as well by the profits of the Land as the helps and furtherances of the Sea that yeelds unto them and especially in Summer season great store of fish but principally Conger and Lobsters the greatest and fattest upon the coast of England Wood is very scant for their best fuell is Turfe some Coale they have brought unto them but it is very deare straw furre and ferne serving their ordinary uses The middle part of the Iland hath many prety Hils rising in it yeelding a delightfull object unto the vallies that receive from one another a mutuall pleasure 7 The Governour of the I le is the Captaine thereof who appointeth certaine Officers under him the principall of whom carrieth the name and title of a Bailiffe that in civill causes hath the assistance of twelve Jurats to determine of differences and minister Justice in criminall matters seven in matters of reason and conscience five Their twelve are chosen out of the twelve Parishes so that no man goeth further to complaine then to his own Jurate in ordinary controversies but matters of moment and difficultie are determined before the Bailiffe in a generall meeting 8 This I le hath two little Ilands adjacent the one S. Albons the other Hillary Iland It hath twelve Parishes and foure Castles No other Monuments of name or note THE SECOND BOOKE Containing THE PRINCIPALITY OF WALES DELIVERING An exact Topographie of the COUNTIES Divisions of their CANTREVES and COMMOTS Descriptions of their CITIES and Shire-TOVVNES WITH A COMPENDIOVS RELATION OF THINGS MOST MEMORABLE IN EVERY OF THEM Performed BY JOHN SPEED LONDON Printed by Iohn Legatt for William Humble 1646. Cum Privilegio DIEV ET MON DROIT ✚ HONI ✚ SOIT ✚ QVI MAL ✚ Y ✚ PENSE ✚ A Catalogue of such Princes sprung from THE ROYALL STEMME OF THE ENGLISH KINGS AS HAVE BEENE Entituled PRINCES OF WALES since the time of that Countries last Conquest and first voluntary subjection under King EDVVARD the First 1 Edward Carnarvon named afterwards Edward 2. son to K. Edward 1. 2 Edward of Windsor afterwards Edward the third 3 Edward the Black Prince sonne to K. Edward 3. 4 Richard of Burdeux sonne to the Black Prince afterwards R. 2. 5 Henry of Monmouth sonne to Henry 4. afterwards H. 5. 6 Henry of Windsor the sonne of Henry 5. afterwards H. 6. 7 Edward of Westminster the sonne of K. H. 6. 8 Edward of Westminster the sonne of K. Edw. 4. 9 Edward the sonne of K. Richard the third 10 Arthur the sonne of K. Henry the seventh 11 Henry the sonne of K. H. 7. afterwards K. H. 8. 12 Edward the sonne of H. 8. afterwards K. Edw. 6. 13 Mary the daughter of K. H. 8. 14 Elizabeth the daughter of K. H. 8. 15 HENRY the sonne of K. IAMES our Soveraigne THE NAMES OF THE COVNTIES IN WALES AS THEY ARE NOVV NVMBRED AND ANNEXED VNTO THE ENGLISH Crowne in such order as we have described them 1 Pembroke-shire 2 Caermarden-shire 3 Glamorgan-shire 4 Brecknock-shire 5 Radnor-shire 6 Cardigan-shire 7 Mountgomery-shire 8 Merioneth-shire 9 Denbigh-shire 10 Flint-shire 11 Caernarvon-shire 12 Anglesey Isle THE GENERALL DESCRIPTION AND SEVERALL DIVISIONS OF THE PRINCIPALITIE OF WALES ANtiquitie hath avouched that the whole Isle of Britaine was divided into three parts The first and fairest lay contained within the French Seas the Rivers of Severne Dee and Humber called then Lhoyger which name it â—â—t retaineth in Weâ—sh in English called England The second part occupied all the Land North-ward from Humber to the Orkney Sea called by the Latines Mare Caleâ—nium or Deucalidonium now famously known by the name of Scotland The third part was this lying betwixt the Irish Seas the Rivers Severne and Dee and was called Cambria which name doth yet continue with them though we the English call it Wales as the people Welshmen which is strange and strangers for so at this day the dwellers of Tyroll in the higher Germany whence our Saxons are said to have come doe name the Italian their next neighbour a Welsh-man and his language Welsh 2 This opinion Verstegan doth altogether contradict rather judging by the ancient Teutonicke tongue which the Germans spake and wherein the G is pronounced for W that these Saxons called them Gallish from the Gaules whence their originall proceeded rather then Wallish from
strangers which he thinketh could not be considering their habitations so neere unto them and that the like was in use he proveth by the words of French Gardian for Wardian Cornugalles for Cornwalles yea and Galles for Wales calling our most famous Edward Prince of Galles not Prince of Wales in so much that the Countie of Lombardy bordering along upon the Germans was of them called Gallâ—a Cis alâ—ina and at this day Welsh-land So likewise do the Netherlanders call the Inhabitants of Henâ—li and Artois Wallen or Wallons and sâ—me part of Brabant and Flanders Weâ—sh-Brabant and Welsh Flanders and all because of the language or lineage of the Gaules Neither doe the meere Natives of Wales know any other name of their Countrey then Cambria of themselves then Cambri or Cumri or of their language then Cambraoc But leaving this opinion free to his affection we will proceed 3 Wales therefore being anciently bounded as before the Saxons did afterwards win by force from the Britaines all the plain and champion Countrey over the River Dee and especially Offa King of Mercia made their limits straiter by making a ditch of great breadth and depth to be a Meare betwixth his Kingdome and Wales This ditch is in many places to be seene at this day and beares the name of Clawdh Offa that is Offaes Ditch The Countrey between it and England is commonly called the Marches and is for the most part inhabited by Welshmen especially in North-Wales even to the River Dee This admirable trench began at Bassingwerke in Flintshire between Chester and Ruthlan and ran along the hils to the South Sea a little from Bristow reaching above hundred miles in length 4 Silvester Giraldus makes the River Wye to be the Meare between England and Wales on the South part called South-Wales whence he ascribeth the breadth of Wales unto Saint Davids in Menevia to be an hundred miles and the length from Caerlcon upon Vske in Gwentland to Holly-head in Anglesey an hundred miles he might have said thirtie more 5 About the yeare of Christ 870. our Alfred raigning in England Rodericus Magnus King of Wales did divide it into three Talaiths Regions or Territories which were called Kingdomes whose names both British and English with their severall chiefe seats follow 1 Gwyneth ENG. Northwa chiefe seats Abersraw in Mon. or Anglesey 2 Powys ENG. Powys Land chiefe seats Pengwâ—rn removed to Mathraval 3 Dehenbarth EN South-w chiefe seats Caermarâ—yn removed to Dinevowr This Rodericus Magnus gave Venedotia Gwineth or North-wales to Anarawd his eldes sonne to Caâ—eâ—h his second Demetia Deheubarth or South-wales and to Mervin his third sonne Powys 6 North-wales had upon the North-side the Irish Sea from the River Dee at Bassingwerke to Aberdyvi upon the West and South-west the River Dyvi which divideth it from South-wales and in some places from Powysland And on the South and East it is divided from Powys sometimes with high hils and sometimes with Rivers till it come again to the River Dee It is generally full of high mountaines craggy Rocks great woods and deepe vallies many straight dangerous places deepe and swift Rivers 7 This Land was of old time divided into foure parts Mon Arvon Meryonyth and y Beruedhwlan or the middle Countrey and each of these were againe divided into severall Cantreves and they subdivided into their Cymeden or Commoâ— wherein we follow that division which was in the time of Llewylyn ap Gruffin last Prince of Wales according to a Copy imparted to me by a worshipfull friend and learned Antiquerie as seeming farre more exact then that of Doctor Powels 8 Anglesey the chiefest is separated from the maine Land with the River Moenay wherein at Aberfraw was the Princes Court now a meane village In this Iland is a faire Towne called Beau-marish and a common passage to Ireland at Caerâ—ybi in English Holly head This Anglesey hath â—antreves and Commots as followeth 1 Cantrerhi Aberffraw or Aberffro Cwmwd. Llivon al. llion 1 Mall traeth 2 2 Can. Cemais Cwmwd. Talibolton 3 Twr celyn 4 3 Can. Rossir Cwmwd. Tendaethwy 5 Moenay 6 9 Arvon the second part of North-wales is now called Canarvonshire the strongest Countrey within that Principalitie giving place to none for fertilitie of the ground or for plentie of wood cattell fish and fowle c. Here are the Townes of Caernarvon in old time called Caer-Segont and Bangor the Bishops See with divers other ancient Castles and places of memory This portion hath on the North the Sea and Moenai upon the East and South-east the River Conwey which divideth it from Denbigh-shire and on the South-west is separated from Merioneth by Rivers Mountaines and Meares whose Cantreves and Commots are these 4 Can. Aber. Cwm. Llechred achaf 7 Nant conwy 8 Llechweddisaf 9 5 Can. Arvon Cwm. Vwch gwyrfai 10 Is gwyrfai 11 6 Can. Dinodyn al Danodic Cwm. Ardudwy 12 Esionydd 13 7 Can. Llyn Cwm. Cymymaen alias Cwmâ—inam 14 Tinllaen 15 Canologion 16 10 Merioneth was the third of Gwyneth and keepeth the name till this day is full of hils and much noted for the resort of people that repaire thither to take Herrings Upon the North it hath Arvon and Denbigh-shire upon the South Caerdigan shire and upon the Last Montgomery-shire heretofore part of Powys In this Countie standeth the Towne of Harlech and a great Lake called Llyn Tegyd This Countrey is likewise full of Cattle Fowle and Fish and hath in it great store of red Deere and Roâ—s but there is much scarcitie of Corn whose Cantreves and Commots are as followeth 8 Can. Merionyd al Meirton Cwm. Talybont 17 Pennal 18 Yshmâ—ner alias eshomaneyr 19 9 Can. Arwystly Cwm. Vwch coed 20 Is coed 21 Gwarthrynion 22 10 Can. Penllyn Cwm. Vwch Meloch 23 Is Meloch 24 Micnynt a Micnaint 25 11 Y Bervedhwlad was the fourth part of Gwyneth and may be called in English The middle Countrey is enclosed with hils on the East West and South-parts and with the Sea North-ward It is plentifull of Cattle Fish and Fowle as also of Corne and is divided in the middest with the River Clayd to which run a number of other Rivers from the hils In this part is Dyffryn Clwyd the fairest Valley within Wales containing eighteene miles in length and seven in breadth In which is the Towne and Castle of Ricthlan neere unto the Sea and not farre thence S. Assaph an Episcopall Seat betweene the Rivers Clwyd and Elwy Herein stands the faire Towne and goodly Castle of Denbigh situated upon a Rocke the greatest Market-towne of North wales and from thence is seene the Towne and Castle of Rutbyn faire for prospect and fruitfull for site This part of North-wales hath the Sea upon the North d ee toward the East Arvon the River Conwey and Merionyth upon the West and the Countrey then called Powys upon ths South It hath Cantreves and Cummots as
the Land-lords prey till King Malcolme enacted that half a marked should be paid for redemption The residence of those fore-mentioned Kings was chiefly in Ila Bunals and Iona now Columbkill where as Donald Munro who travelled thorow these Ilands reporteth are three Tombes having the severall Inscriptions of the Kings of Scotland of Ireland and of Norway 19 Among these Westerne Ilands the Hebrides Skie Mula Ila and Arran are the greatest All of them plentifull of Corne Woods Salmons and Herrings as others of Conies Deere Horses and Sheepe where in some they are wilde and in others without any owners but the people uncivill and lacking Religion they rather live rudely in state of necessitie then as Lords of these portions which God hath allotted them and with a sufferable ease ignorant of ambition enjoy those contentments which some others though they no great summe doe more laboriously attaine unto by the Precepts of Philosophy for feeding themselves with competencie without any excesse they returne all the overplus unto their Lords as doe the Inhabitants of Hirta and Rona but alas Religion not knowne among them these penurious vertues are rather the curses of Cham then the followings of Christ who forbids us to be too carefull for the morrow 20 The Iles of Orkenay upon the North of Scotland lying in a most raging and tempestuous Sea are about three and thirtie in number whereof thirteene are inhabited and the other replenished with Cattle in these are no venemous Serpents nor other ugly vermine the aire sharpe and healthfull and the soyle apt to beare onely Oates and Barley but not a sticke of wood among these Pomonia is the greatest accounted and called the Maine-land affording sixe Minerals of Lead and Tinne and in her chiefe Towne a Bishops See wherein are seated twelve Parish-Churches one of them very Magnificent for so remote a Countrey 21 Of all the Romanes Iulius Agricola first discovered the Orkenayes yea and subdued them if we will beleeve Tacitus but Pomponius Mela that wrote thirtie yeers before him doth mention them and Invenal in Hadrians time after him tels us the Romanes had wonne them and lastly Claudian nameth Saxons that were slaine in them and so doth Ninius name Octha and Ebissus Saxon Commanders who in their roving Pinnaces wasted the Orkenayes These Ilands Donald Bune the usurper of the Scottish Crowne gave to the King of Norway for his assistance and by the Norwegians were they held the space of an hundred and sixtie yeers untill that Alexander the third King of Scotland with sword and composition got them from Magnus the fourth King of Norway which afterward King Haquin confirmed unto King Robert Bruce but lastly Christian the first King of Norway and Denmarke utterly renounced all his right to those Ilands when he gave his Daughter in marriage unto King Iames the third which deed was further ratified by the Pope who openeth the way to the possession of Kingdoms with his own key 22 More North and further then this Chart could well expresse lye the Isles of Shetland of some thought to be Thule and by the Commenter upon Horace the Fortunate Iland where as Tzetzes fabuleth the souls of good men are ferryed into those Elizian fields that ever grow greene and whence Iulius Caesar could hardly be drawne as Muretus hath written but their fictions intended onely that the vertâ—â—â—â—s souls of the dead passed the uttermost bounds of earthly abode and attained to an over-pleasing repose and ever-flourishing happinesse which whether they borrowed from the description of Paradise taken both for a faire Garden and the souls happie rest I cannot define but sure they would not have made those fields alwayes greene if they had seene how they lye ever covered with Ice and Snow being in the 36. degree of Latitude as Ptolemie hath placed it where for the most part is a continuall Winter but for proofe that this was the Thule besides Ptolemies Positure Saxo Grammaticus betwixt Norway and Scotland hath placed it and Solinuâ— two dayes sayling from the point of Caledonia and Tacitus saith that the Romanes kenned Thule afarre off as they sayled about Britaine by the Orcades and lastly Mela maketh it to face Berge a Citie in Norway THE FOVRTH BOOKE Containing THE KINGDOME OF IRELAND WITH AN EXACT CHOROGRAPHICALL DIMENSION OF THE PROVINCES THEREIN CONTAINED AND THOSE AGAINE DIVIDED INTO THEIR SEVERALL COVNTIES TOGETHER With a compendious Description of that NATION and ILANDS COMMODITIES BY IOHN SPEED LONDON Printed by Iohn Legatt for William Humble 1646. Cum Privilegio THE PARTICVLAR COVNTIES IN THE FOVRE SEVERALL PROVINCES OF IRELAND AS NOW THEY ARE DIVIDED AND LIMITED MOVNSTER Limmerick Kery Corke Waterford Desmond Holy Crosse in Typperary LEINSTER East Meath West Meath Kilkenny Caterlough Queenes Countie Kings Countie Kildare Weshford Dubline CONNAVGHT Clare or Towmund Gallaway Maio. Slego Letrim Roscoman VLSTER Dunghall or Tyr-connell Tyrone-upper Tyrone-nether Farmanagh Cavon Monaghan Colran Antrim Doun Armagh Lough DIEV ET MON DROIT ✚ HONI ✚ SOIT ✚ QVI MAL ✚ Y ✚ PENSE ✚ IRELAND AS IT VVAS AND IS INHABITED THE SITE AND COMMODITIES OF THE 1LAND DESCRIBED AND DECLARED THE Traditions of time have delivered unto us divers names whereby this famous Island is recorded to have been called yet none of more faire probabilitie then that of Orpheus Aristotle and Claudian by whom it is named Ierna by Iuvenall and Mela called Inverna by Diodorus Siculus Iris by Martian of Heraclea Ioyepnia by Eustachius Oyernia and Bernia by the native Inhabitants Erya by the Britaines Yuerdon the Welsh-bards in their Ballads Triuolas Totidanan and Banno and by the English Ireland But from whence these diversities were derived arise many opinions Doubtlesse it is that Hibernia Inverna and Overnia came from Ierna spoken of by Orpheus and Aristotle and the same Ierna as also Iris Iuerdhon and Ireland and Erin the terme that the Inhabitants now use From this Erin therefore a word proper to the Nation the originall is most likely to be deduced 2 Some derive Hibernia from Hiberno tempore that is from the Winter season some from Hiberus a Spaniard some from a Duke named Irnalph some againe from the ancient River Iberus and some from Hiere an Irish word which signifieth the West or a westerne coast whence Erin may also seeme to fetch the derivation for it lyeth furthest Westward of any Region in all Europe As also for that the River running in the most remote West part of this Iland is in Ptolemy called Iernus like as the furthest western Promontory in Spaine from whence our Irish men came is by Strabo called Ierne and the River next unto it by Mela Ierna yea and Spaine it selfe for the Westerne situation is called Hesperia the West-Cape of Africke Hesperium and in Germany Westrich and Westphanlen from their position have their names Postelius a man that rather followed his owne fancy then the judgement of others fetcheth the
they inhabited for to this the very name is almost sufficient to perswade us 5 The Commodities of this Countrey do chiefly consist in Cattle Sea-fowle and Fish It breeds many excellent good horses called Irish Hobbies which have not the same pace that other horses have in their course but a soft and round amble setting very easily 6 This Country hath in it three Rivers of note termed in old time the three Sisters Shour Neor and Barraeo which issue out of the huge Mountaine called by Giraldus Bladinae Montes as out of their mothers wombe and from their rising tops descending with a down-fall into severall Channels before they empty themselves into the Ocean joyn hand in hand all together in a mutual league and combination 7 Places very dangerous for shipping are certaine slats and shallowes in the Sea that lye over against Holy-point which the Mariners call the Grounds Also the shelves of sand that lye a great way in length opposite to Newcastle which overlooketh them into the Sea from the top of an high hill adjoyning 8 In this Province are placed many faire and wealthy Townes as Kilkenny which for a Burrough Towne excels all the midland Burroughs in this Iland Kildare which is adorned with an Episcopall See and much graced in the first infancie of the Irish Church by reason of Saint Bridgid a venerable Virgin had in great account and estimation for her virginitie and devotion as who was the Disciple of Saint Patricke of so great fame renowne and antiquitie also Weisford a name given unto it by these Germans whom the Irish terme Oustmans a towne though inferiour to some yet as memorable as any for that it became the first Colony of the English and did first submit it selfe unto their protection being assaulted by Fitz-Stephen a Captaine worthily made famous for his valour and magnanimitie 9 But the Citie which fame may justly celebrate alone beyond all the Cities or Townes in Ireland is that which we call Divelin Ptolemie Eblana the Latinists Dublinium and Dublinia the West-Britaines Dinas Dulin the English-Saxons in times past Duplin and the Irish Balacleigh that is the Towne upon hurdles for it is reported that the place being fennish and moorish when it first began to be builded the foundation was laid upon hurdles 10 That it is ancient is perswaded by the authoritie of Ptolemie That it was grievously rent and dismembred in the tumultuous warres of the Danes and brought afterwards under the subjection of Eadgar King of England which his Charter also confirmeth wherein he calleth it the noble Citie of Ireland is written by Saxo Grammaticus That it was built by Harold of Norway which may seeme to be Harold Harfager when he had brought the greatest part of Ireland into an awfull obedience unto him we reade in the life of Griffeth ap Sinan Prince of Wales At length it yeelded unto the valour and protection of the English at their first arrivall into Ireland by whom it was manfully defended from the fierce assaults as well of Auscoulph Prince of the Dublinians as afterwards of Gottard King of the Isles since which time it hath still augmented her flourishing estate and given approved testimony of her faith and loyaltie to the Crowne of England in the times of any tumultuous straights and commotions 11 This is the royall seat of Ireland strong in her munition beautifull in her buildings and for the quantitie matchable to many other Cities frequent for traffique and intercourse of Merchants In the East Suburbs Henry the second King of England as Hoveden reporteth caused a royall Palace to be erected and Henry Loundres Archbishop of Divelin built a store-house about the yeer of Christ 1220. Not farre from it is the beautifull Colledge consecrated unto the name of the holy Trinitie which Queene Elizabeth of famous memorie dignified with the priviledges of an Vniversitie The Church of S. Patricke being much enlarged by King Iohn was by Iohn Comin Arch-bishop of Dubline borne at Euesham in England first ordained to be a Church of Prebends in the yeere 1191. It doth at this day maintaine a Deane a Chanter a Chancellor a Treasurer two Arch-Deacons and twenty-two Prebendaries This Citie in times past for the due administration of Civill Government had a Provost for the chiefe Magistrate But in the yeer of mans Redemption 1409. King Henry the fourth granted them libertie to choose every yeere a Maior and two Bailiffes and that the Maior should have a guilt sword carried before him for ever And King Edward the sixt to heape more honour upon this place changed the two Bailiffes afterwards into Sheriffes so that there is not any thing here wanting that may serve to make the estate of a Citie most flourishing 12 As the people of this Countie doe about the neighbouring parts of Divelin come neerest unto the civill conditions and orderly subjection of the English so in places farther off they are more tumultuous being at deadly feuds amongst themselves committing oft-times Man-slaughters one upon another and working their owne mischiefes by mutuall wrongs for so the Irish of Leinster wasted Leinster with many Townes in the same Province in the yeere 1294. And in the yeere 1301. the men of Leinster in like manner raised a warre in the winter season setting on fire the Town of Wykinlo Rathdon and others working their owne plague and punishment by burning up their sustenance and losing their Castle by depredation 13 Matter of observation and no lesse admiration among them is the Giants dance commonly so called and so much talked of which Merlin is said by Art Magick to have translated out of this Territory unto Salisburie Plain which how true it is I leave to the vaine beleevers of miracles and to the credulous observers of antiquitie 14 In this County have beene erected many famous Monasteries Abbies and religious houses consecrated to devout and holy purposes as the Monasterie of Saint Maries of Oustmanby founded for preaching Friers unto which of late dayes the Iudiciall Courts of the Kingdome have beene translated also the magnificent Abbey called S. Thomas Court at Dublin builded and endowed in times past with many large priviledges and revenewes of King Henry the second in expiation of the murther of Thomas Archbishop of Canterburie Likewise Tinteru Monastery or the notable Abbey which William Marshall Earle of Pembroke founded and called De voto for that he had vowed to God being tossed at Sea with many a fore and dangerous tempest to erect an Abbey wheresoever he came to land and being after shipwrack cast upon land in this place he made performance of his vow accordingly This Province containeth the Counties of Kilkenny Caterloge Queens County Kings County Kildare East Meath West Meath Weisford and Dublin to say nothing of Wicklo and Fernes which either be already or else are to be annexed unto it
Henry the seaventh 101.7 His tomb ibid. Saint Edmunds bury how named in the Saxons time 33.6 Saint Edmunds-Bury Abbey and Towne praised ibid. King Edward the second first of the English Race Prince of Wales 123.6 Murdered by the meanes of Isabel his wife 47.7 Enterred in Glocest. Church where his Monument remaineth ibid. Einesbury alias Arnulphsbury 58.10 Elden hole 67.8 Eleanor wife to King Edward the first commended 63.7 Eleanor widow to King Henry the third becommeth a Nunne 25.9 Elfred or Alfred the first that divided his Kingdomes into Shires 3 4. 5 His noble care in restoring the Vniversitie of Oxford 45 7 Elie 37.5 Ella King of Northumberland slaine 78.9 Elmet 78.10 Elmham a Bishops See 35.8 Emerill stone found in Garnsey 94.6 England on this side Humber how divided into Hides 3.3 Little England beyond Wales 101.4 England shared into Principalities by whom and to what purpose 57.30 Enis-Kelling a strong Fort in Vlster 145.9 Eorles i. Earles 4.7 11 Erdini people in Ireland 145 5 Erminstreet 37.7 Essex why so named 31.1 The forme and dimension 1.2 How bounded ibid. 3 The aire and soile 31.4 The ancient Inhabitants 31.5 What commodities it yeeldeth 31.6 What religious houses therein 31.9 Hundreds and townes therein 32 Excester Citie whence it named that name 19 6 It was a Dukedom Marquisate and Earledome 19 8 The description thereof 19 6 Her magnificent Cathedrall Church by whom built ibid. The Bishops See ibid. It withstood the Saxons 465 yeares ibid. How valiant against all her Sieges ibid. VVhat losses it hath felt ibid. Resisted William Conquerour till the walles fell downe ibid. How loyall to King Edward the sixt ibid. The Climate thereof ibid. How governed ibid. The birth-place of the matchlesse Poet Iosephus Isanus ibid. Exchequer Court first erected 5.3 Exmore Monuments in Devon-shire 19.7 F Falmouth Haven commended 21.7 Farne Isle how bounded 93 The form aire soile and commodities ibid. Feldon or Felden a part of Warwick-shire 53.3 Finborow a Citie where now the Chamber in the Forrest 73.7 Fingall King of Man 9.2 Rich. Fitz-Ralph against Mendicant Friers 145.9 Flamins and Arch-Flamins 6.5 Their places converted into Bishops Sees ibid. Flavia Caesariensis a part of Britaine why so called 2.15 How limited 2.16 Fleg a part of Norfolke 35.1 Flemins inhabiting Rosse in Wales 101.4 Flint-shire how bounded and of what form 121.1 The dimension ibid. 2 The aire and Climate 121 3. 4 The commodities 121.5 The ancient Inhabitants 121.6 Hundreds and Townes there 122 Flint castle by whom founded and finished 121.7 The graduation thereof ibid. Flodden-field 89 10 Foelix Bishop of Dunwich 35.8 A Font of solide brasse 39.5 Forrest both name and thing whence it came 57.2 Forrest justice 57. â— Forresters office ibid. Fotheriaghay Castle and Collegiate Church 55.8 Fouldage in Norfolke what it is 35.2 Fountain ebbing and slowing 85.9 Fountaines Abbey 77.7 Freshwater Isle 15.14 Friburgi 57.4 G Gallena See Wallingford Galloglasses what they are 138.19 Galloway County how commodious 143.4 Galway the third City in Ireland and an Episcopall See 143.6 Gangani a people in Ireland 143.5 Gaothel with his wife Scota come into Ireland 137 11 Garnsay Island how it is situate 94.1 The dimension thereof ibid. The forme of it 942. Sometime called Sarnia 94.1 The government originall and language of the Inhabitants 94 5 8 Market-Townes Castles and Parishes therein 94 8 No Toade Snake or venomous creature there 94.3 Order of the Garter 27.8 Gateshed 89.8 Pierce Gaveston beheaded 53.4 Gessrey ap Arthur of Monmouth why so called 107.4 Geese where they sail as they slie 81.6 Saint Germane confuteth the Pelagian Heresie 77.7 Hâ— sinâ—ieth at Oxford 45.7 Giants teeth and bones digged up 31.8 Giants dance translated out of Leinster to Salisbury Plaine by Merlin 141.14 Gildas the old Britaine Student in Oxford 45.7 Gilling Monastery 79.5 Gisburg Abbey 81.8 Glamorgan-shire how limited 100.19 109.1 What Cantreves and Commots it hath 100 19 The forme and measure of iâ— 105.2 The aire and soile thereof 105.3 The Commodities it standeth upon 10â— 3 Castles and religious houses in it 105.8 Hundreds Townes and memorable places therein 106 Glastenbury Abbey first begunne by Ioseph of Arimathea 23.9 Glocester-shire how it is bounded 47.1 The dimension of it 47.2 The forme aire and soile 47.3 The commodities thereof 47.3 5 By whom in ancient time inhabited 47.4 Hundreds and Towns therein 48 Glocester Citie how called in old time 47.6 A Cathedrall See 47.7 The graduation of it ibid That Dukedome fatall ever to her Dukes 47 11 Godiva Earle Leofrikes wife released Coventry of Tributes by riding naked thorow it 53.5 Godmanchester or Gormanchester 107.4 Godred the sonne of Syrricke King of Man 92.1 His death 92.2 Godred Crovan warreth upon the Manksmen 92.3 Conquereth the Isle of Man and is King 92.3 Buried in Ila an Island ibid. Godred sonne of Olave King of Man 92.7 King of Dublin 92.7 He vanquished and slew Osibeley 92.7 Hee tyrannizeth in Man ibid. Put to slight by Summerled 92.7 King of the Isles also 92.9 His death buriall and issue ibid. Godred Don sonne of Reginald King of the Islands slaine 92.10 Goodwin Sands dangerous shelves 7.6 Gog-Magog 21.1 Gog-Magog hilles 37.7 Grantbridge 37.4 Grantcester an ancient Citie 37.4 Arthur Baron Grey suppresseth Desmonds Rebellion 139.9 Gromebridge in Sussex 9.8 Grounds in the Irish Sea what they be 141.7 Grounds made fruitfull with burning ashes 119 4 Guartiger Maur 111.5 Gwent a part of South-Wales now Monmouth-shire how confined 100.20 How it is divided into Cantreves and Commots ibid. Guith i. the Isle of Wight 15.7 Guy of Warwicke beheadeth Piers of Gaveston 53.4 Guy-Cliffe 53.7 Guorong the Lieutenant of Kent 7.11 H Hadrians Wall limiting the Romane Province in England 6.9 Hadriaâ— 4. Pope where borne and his death 36.6 Hales Monastery 47.11 Blood of Hales ibid. Halifaâ— a great Parish why so called 77.8 Halifas Law ibid. Haly-werke folke 83.6 Hant-shire how bordered upon 13.1 The dimension thereof 13 2 The aire and soil thereof 13.3 4 What Havens Creekes and Casâ—les it hath 13.5 By what people inhabited in old time 13.6 What commodities it yeeldeth 13.8 What Religious Houses Hundreds and Townes therein 13.11 Hardy-Canute his death 11.6 Lord â—ohn Harrington Baron of Exton 59.5 His draught of Rutland-shiâ—â— ibid. Harbâ—h a great towne in Merioâ—th-shire 99.10 Harbâ—h towne castle 117.6 The position thereof 117.7 Harod Godwins sonne King of England vanquisheth Harold Harfager King of Norway 92.1 Harold Olaves sonne King of Man drowned in a tempest 92.12 Havering how it tooke name 31.9 Hawadâ—n Castle 121.7 Heglâ—andmen 2.12 Heil Saxon Idol 17.6 Helbâ—ks 79.3 Hellâ—ettles 83.7 Helâ—et of gold digged up in Liâ—oln-shire 63.6 Henâ—st beheaded 78.10 Henâ— Prince of Wales Duke of â—ornwall Englands great hoâ— 21.6 Henâ— Prince of Scotland haâ—y escapeth death at the sieâ— of Ludlow 71.6 Heâ— the 4. Emperour of Amaine buried in Saint Wâ—burgs Church at Chesteâ— 73.7 Phil Herbert first
North-wales * D. Pow. Hist. of Wales Powys between Wye and Severne the second part belonging to Mathraval Powys Wenwynwyn the third part of Mathraval South-wales the third Kingdome Cardigan the first part of South-wales The towne of Caerdigan Dyvet or Pembroke the second part of South-wales Caermarden-shire the third part of South-wales Glamorgan-shire the fourth part of South-wales Gwent the fifth part of South-wales Brecknock-shire the sixt part of South-wales * An. 35. c. 25. * An. 27. c. 27. Pembroke-shire bounds The Forme The Ayre Giral Cambden The ancient Inhabitants Henry the first planted Netherlanders in this Shire W. Malm. lib. 5. The Commodities Pembroke the chiefe Town S. Davids Edmund Earle of Richmond Castles 1. Kilgarren 2. Newport 3. Marberbury 4. Walwin cast 5. Roch cast 6. The Block-house 7. Haverford 8. Benton 9. Carew cast 10. Red castle 11. Narbarth 12. Pickton 13. Rise cast 14. Castle Bigh 15. Castle Male. 16. Hayes The name of this Shire The Forme The Aire The ancient Inhabitants of this Shire Tacitus in vita Agricolâ— Cambden The commodities The chiefe Town Meâ—lin a phantastiâ—all Wizard Carreg-Castle The Rivers and Market-Towns How this Shire took his name The Forme of it and measure The Aire Tave the chief River Caerdif the chiefe Towne of all South-Wales Beauclark Curthose The graduation of Caâ—dif Landaffe Giraldus Things of strange note Clemens Alex. Stromat â—â— 7. A strange Well â—olybius Minyd-Maâ—â—â—â— The number of Castles in this Shire Religious Houses The division of this Shire The name of Monmouth-shire The borders of Monmouth-shire The Forme The Ayre The Soyle The ancient Inhabitants In the life of Tathie In Itinerar Cambr. Giral Monmouth Towre King Henry the fifth borne in Monmouth Religious houses suppressed Castles Market-towns The Shires division Girald Cambr. The bounds of Breknock-shire The length and breadth Girald in lib. â—iuer Camb. The nature of the Soile The ancient Inhabitants Tacitus in vita Agricola Arthurs Chaire Llynsauathans Meere Girald Cambr. The Market Townes Breknock The divisions The bounds of Radnor-shire The forme The Circuit The Ayre The Soyle The ancient people Tacitus in vita Agricola Polychron Anno 1282. Radnor In the Book of Notices Cambden Prestayn Knighton In his Polycraton Iohn Salubâ—â—y Raihader Gowy The ancient name Limiâ—â— The Forme Dimensitie Aire Soyle The Beaver in former time found here The Salmon The Salmons Leape The commodities of this Shire The ancient people Iuli. Frontinus King Rufus King Henry the first Cardigan the chiefe Towne The wals of it The Castle The graduation Market Townes Religious houses Hoveden Llan-Deui-breui The Pelagian heresie refuted The Shires division The bounds of Mountgomery-shire The forme Severne The Inhabitants Market-Townes The Earle The Shires division The borders of Merioneth Sbire The forme Giraldus Wil. Mal. The Inhabitants Anno D 1282. The Townes Pimble-meare d ee Harloch The limits The forme and Dimensitude The Ayre The harvest-mans Almanack The Soyle Good husbandry The ancient Inhabitants King Edward the first The Commodities Moillenlly hill King Arthurs round Table Denbigh the chiefe Towne The fairest of all North-Wales An Earthquake The Magistracie of Denbigh Graduation of it This Shire and others not divided in the Map The Shire division Market-towns Castles Parishes The limits of it The circumference The Ayre The climate Soyle d ee River Commodities Inhabitants Castles Flâ—ntâ—astle â—astle the chiefest Henry 2. Edward 1. Richard 2. Hawarden Castle Coles-hill Fons Sacer. A Spring arising miraculously A Chappell built over it The strange opinion held of this Spring Kilken Banchor Bedaes report of Banchor Monastery Port Hogham and Port Cleis Varis Vale. Llan-Elwy or Asaph Kentigern Bishop of Glasco His Monastery The Governour of it Basingwarke Offaeâ— Ditch The Shires division The divers names of this Shire The Welsh turn M into V or F. So Caer-merdhin Caer-Frydhin Luid Breu. of Brit. The measure The Ayre The Soyle Very unpasseable British Alpes Snowdon Hills The People Pearles Places of note Seioni Ninnius Mat. Westminst Caernarvon Caernarvon in danger of the Sea The Government of it King Edward the second borne at Caernarvon Banâ—hor Owen Glendowerdwy Conwey River Caer-hean Aber-Conwey Florilegus The Fish Torcoch Market-towns The first name The forme Length Bredth Aire Commodities A Welsh Proverbe Grindstones Alome Inhabitants Roman Governour Jnvaded by the Irish. Edward the first Beau-mariso chiefe town The Government of Beau-marish Antique Religious houses Many English Nobilitie there buried The partition of this Shire M. Timothy Ponn Cambde Britâ—in dâ—script Pict English Annals Beda lib. 1. c. 1. * Hect. Boet. lib. cap. 12. That Law was made by King Edwin the 3. * Which is yet called the Merchets of women How Ireland hath been named in times past The divers names of Ireland Orpheus Aristotle Eulogiâ—m Ptol Geogr. c. 1. Ireland a Westerne Island In his publike readings in Paris upon Pomponius Mela. Vaine conjectures Festus Avienus in his Orae maritimae No venâ—mous Beasts in Ireland Ireland called Scotia Ireland the third Iland for largenesse in the world The forme of Ireland The bounds The ayre Pompon Mela. The plenty Giral Cambre The soyle The danger Commodities Pompon Mela. Mantles Horses Bees The ancient Inhabitants Bartholanus one of Noahs progenie His three sons Languinna Salanus Ruthurgus Giants of the stock of Nimrod Starius Garbancles Anuinus Fergusius Gandius Geuandius Sâ—gandus Rutheranius Slanius Ireland divided into five Provinces Irish British wordâ— agree Tacit. in vita Agricolae Ireland never subject to the Romanes Orâ—sius The manners and customes of the wilde Irish. Strabo Mela lib. 3. Soli. cap. 24. Giraldus Cam. The mortall disposition of the Irish. The fantasticall conceits of the Irish. Superstitious of the Irish. Their grosse Idolatry Many wives The attire of the men The attire of the women Their manner in Warre Their ridiculous conceits Their excessive mourning for their dead Their diet Christianitie in Ireland Vincentius li. 3. cap. 7. Pro. Aquitanus An. D. 431. Ninius Henricus Antisiodorenfis Strife for Patrickes bones The life of S. Patricke The Bounds South North. East West The length from South to North. The bredth from East to West The Forme Ayre Soyle Good and commodious Ancient Inhabitants Luceni West Velabri West Vicermi West Oudiae South or Vodiae South Coriondi South A supposall touching the Luceni The riâ—h commodities of Mounster Spaniards and Portugals make here a good profit by fishing Limericke the chieâ—e of this Province Fortified by King Iohn Ann. 1332. What happened in this City by Insolencie by Valour The graduation of it Corke Citie Encompassâ—d with wiâ—d Irish that often infest it The Irish Marriages Waterford the second Citie in Ireland Alwayes loyall to the English Crowne King Henry the sâ—venth his bountie to it Christianitie in Ireland how it decayed Men turned into Wolfe-men The effects of Melancholy A ridiculous opinion Of mute souldiers in battell A good motive for the converting of the Irish to Christ. The Pope and King of Spains bad dealings Desmonds rebellion suppressed by the Lord Gray 8000. Spaniards landed in Ireland Tyrones rebellion extinguished by the Lord Montioy Windes Dearth Famine Ann. 1330. what hapned More the same yeare Ann. 1317. the effects of it Ann. 1331. a miraculous reliefe Religious places An unprobable opinion of the Crosse of Christ. The Irish misled by fault of their teachers The government of this Province The old division of it The new at this day King Henry the seconds grant King Henry the sixts grant Market towns Castles At Dunkeran At Dungarvan At Limericke Shandon Castle Cahir Castle The bounds The forme The Aire The Soile Divelin destitute of word Inhabitants Commodities The three Sisters The Grounds Kilkenny Kildare Wexford Divelin The antiquitie Divelin 〈◊〉 by Haâ—â—â—â— K. of England Divelin is the Royall seat of Ireland Henry the second Henry Loundres Iohn Comin Arch-bishop of Divelâ—â— Henry the fourth Edward the sixt The Irish mischievous one against another The Irish wast Leinster The Irish of Leinster raise warre The Giants Dance The Religious places Market Townes The bounds The forme Ayre Soyle Twomond Galway Maio. Slego Le-Trim Roscomen The ancient Inhabitants The Citie of Galway The Ilands called Arran A superstitious observation The battell of Knoc-toe An. D. 1516. The rebellion of the posteritie of Mac-William Sir Richard Bingham The Rebels scattered They submitted themselves They entred into rebellion afresh They yeelded againe and were received Three thousand Scots drowned at Moin A slaughter of the Irish of Connaught Places memorable Inis Ceath Inis Bovind A Monastery at Maio. Beda lib. 4. c. 4. Curlew hills The Abbey of Beatitude Castles Market towns The bounds of Vlster The forme The ayre The soile Plenty of Salmons Negligence of husbandmen The ancient Inhabitants Their custome to sweare by S. Patrickes Staffe Their custome to chuse their King S. Patrickes Purgatory Ellan u'Frugadoric Matters memorable The Arch-bishop of Canterbury wont to consecrate the Bishops of Ireland Irishmen wont to forsake their wives at their pleasure Armagh Vita Patricii Marian Scotus S. Patricke lived and died here S. Malachy Rich Fitz-Ralf Enis Kelling The Salmons Leape Places of Religion Market-towns Castles The division of Vlster