this name whether from Vignina an ancient King thereof or from our Virgin Queen Elizabeth the other parts being since distinguished by the names of New-England New-York and Mary-Land After the more perfect discovery of these parts which is said to have been first encouraged and promoted by Sir Walter Raleigh by several worthy Adventurers as first Captain Philip Amidas and Captain Arthur Barlow Anno 1584. Sir Richard Greenvil 1585. Mr. Iohn White 1587 and 1589. Captain Gosnol 1602 Captain Martin Pring 1603 set out by the City of Bristol Captain George Weymouth 1605 set out by the Lord Arundel of Warder at last iâ— the year 1606 some footing being got for all the forementioned voyages had prov'd succesless those that went over with Captain Newport carrying with them a commission from King Iames for the establishing a Counsel to direct those new discoveries landed on the 19th of December at a place afterwards called Cape Henry at the mouth of Chesapeac-Bay and immediately opened their Orders by which eight of the Counsel were declared with power to choose a President to govern for a year together with the Counsel The next year Letters Patents bearing date April the 10th were granted by the King to Sir Thomas Gates Sir George Summers and the rest of the Undertakers who were divers Knights Gentlemen and Merchants of London Bristol Exeter Plymouth anâ— other parts to make a double Colony for the more speedy Planting of the place the first Colony to be undertaken by those of London the other by those of Bristol Exeter Plymouth c. However it was not till in some years after that this Plantation came to be considerably peopled and that principally by the great care industry and activity in this affair of the Valiant Capt. Iohn Smith who in the year 1615 in the 12th of King Iames his Reign procured by his interest at Court his Majesties recommendatory Letters for the encouragement of a standing Lottery for the benefit of the Plantation which accordingly succeeded and in two or three years time turn'd to no bad account And perhaps the cancelling and making void of the Patent granted to the Corporation of the first Colony of Virginia and all other Patents by which the said Corporation or Company of Adventurers of Virginia held any interest there which was done in Trinity Term 1623 by reason of several misdemeanors and miscarriages objected against the said Corporation was an inlet of a far greater conflux into these parts than otherwise would have been by reason that this Corporation been dissolved and the Plantation governed be persons immediately appointed by commission from the King a greater freedom of Trade was opened to all his Majesties Subjects that would adventure into those parts The greatest disturbance the English received from the Natives was in the year 1622 when by a general insurrection of the Barbarians 300 of our men were massacred In the year 1631 being the 7th of the Reign of King Charles the First the most Nothernly part of this Countrey was parcell'd out into a particular Province and by Patent granted to the Lord Baltâ—more by the name of Maryland And in like manner in the 15th year of his present Majesty being the year of our Lord 1663 that part of Florida which lies South of Virginia to Edw. Earl of Clarendon then Lord High Chancellor of England George Duke of Albermarl William Earl of Craven Iohn Lord Berkley Anthony Lord Ashly now Earl of Shaftsbury Sir George Carteret Sir William Berkley and Sir Iohn Colleton by the name of Carolina as is specified more at large in the particular discourses of these two Countreys So that Virginia as it now stands with these two Provinces lopt from it for in Carolina also is included some part of the Land which belonged formerly to the dissolved Company of Virgina extends it self only between 36 and 37 degrees and 50 minutes of Northern latitude being bounded to the East by the Ocean to the North by Mary-land to the West by the South-Seas and to the South by Carolina The Air of Virginia is accounted of a temperature very wholsome and agreeable to English constitutions especially since by the cutâ—ng down of the Woods and the regulation of diet the seasonings have been abated only within the present limits of Virginia it is somewhat hotter in Summer than that part called Mary-Land and the seasoning was formerly more violent and dangerous here to the English at their first landing The Soil which is generally plain but sometimes diversified with variety of hill and dale is capable being very fertile of producing all things that naturally grow in these parts besides which there are of the proper growth of this Countrey a sort of Plant called Silk-grass of which is made a very fine Stuff of a silky gloss and cordage more strong and lasting than any of hemp or flax For fruits the Mettaquâ—sunanks something resembling the Indian Fig the Chechinquamins which come nearest to the Chesnut the Putchcamines a fruit somewhat like a Damsin Messamines a sort of Grape in shew Rawcomens the resemblance of a Gooseberry Morocoks not much unlike a Strawberry Macoquer a kind of Apple Ocoughtanamnis a berry much like Câ—pers For Roots Musquaspen with the juice whereof being a rich sort of paint they colour their Mars and Targets Wichsacan yielding a most excellent healing jâ—ice for wounds Pocones an emulgent of much efficacy for swellings and aches Tockawaugh frequently â—aten there is also a Plant called Matonna of which they make bread and Assament a sort of Pulse a great delicacy among the natives The Beasts peculiar to this Countrey are the Opassum a certain beast which carrieth and suckleth her young in a bag which she hath under her belly the Assapanic or flying Squirrel the Mussascus a musk-sented beast having the shape of a Water-rat the Aroughena a sort of Badger the Utchuâ—quâ—is somewhat like a wild Cat also a sort of beast called Roscones Of Fish the most peculiar is the Sâ—ringraise which is also common to this Countrey with New-England So many several Towns as were anciently among the natives so many distinct Nations there were all Monarchical except that of the Sesquahanocks all something differing in disposition customs and religious Ceremonies and most of all in language but all of them in general valiant well-set of a tawny complexion with black flaggy and long hair crafty and treacherous sufficiently laborious in the art of War which they used frequently to exercise among each other and wonderful lovers of hunting in other things most scandalously lazy and indulgent to their ease mean in their apparel homely in their diet and sluttish in their houses All Ships that come to Virginia and Mary-Land enter through the Bay of Chesapeac at whose opening to the South Virginia begins between those famous Capes Cape Henry and Cape Charles Into this Bay which runs up 75 Leagues Northward into the Coâ—ntrey and is in some places seven leagues broad there fall
are by some named several Provinces into which this Countrey hath been formerly divided viz. Panuca bordering upon New Spain Aranaris Albardaosia whose Natives are peculiarly noted for their subâ—ilty Irquasia inhabited by a people exceeding all others in swiftness of foot and Alpachia Authia and Someria remarkable for expert swimmers even to the very women who make nothing to cross over wide Rivers with children in their arms it is said to abound also with Hermophradites who are made use of as drudges to follow the Camp and carry the luggage of the Army Colas bordering upon Cape Florida Tegista or Florida properly so called which stretcheth our North and South 100 leagues in length into a long Peninsula toward the Isle Cuba by the Cape Los Martyres Acuera Vitacuâ—â—us c. But the more common division of the Floridans is into their several Tribes as the Quitones the Susolas the Maticones the Avavares the Camoni the Canagadi the Marianes and the Quevenes of each of which the supreme Head or Prince is called the Paraousti This Countrey of Florida is well watered with many large and convenient Rivers of which the only mentioned in any noted Writer of these parts are these 1 Rio Grande 2 Rio Secco 3 Rio de Nieves 4 Rio de Spiritu Santo 5 Serravahi 6 Garuna 7 Ligeriâ— 8 Sequana 9 Axona 10 Charente all which fall into the great Lake of Mexico 11 Maio so called by Ribault from the Month in which he discovered it if it be not one of those already mentioned under another name The principal Towns of Florida whereof some built by the Spaniards and one by the French others by the ancient Inhabitants are 1 St. Helens situate on or near a Promontory or point so called on the utmost Frontier of the Country toward Virginia 2 Arx Carolina or Fort Charles built by Laudonier on the banks of the River Majo and by him so called in honour of King Charles the 9th of France in whose time the Conquest of Florida was undertaken by the French but this place was not long after taken from them by the Spaniard and very much ruinated 3 Port Royal a place inhabited for the sake of the Haven only which for the commodiousness of it is very much frequented 4 St. Matthews one of the principal sortifications of the Spaniards lying on the Eastern Coast of Tergesta of Florida properly so called 5 St. Augustines another of their ancient sortified places on the same Shore only somewhat more Southernly This Town as above mentioned was in the year 1585 taken and sack'd by Sir Francis Drake 6 Vitacuche once the chief Seat of the Province or petty Kingdom of Vitacuche though nâ— better indeed than an indifferent Village consisting but of 200 houses or rather cottages however thought worthy to be taken by the Natives from the Spaniards As also 7 Ocalis the Metropolitan Village of Acuera of so much the more note by how much the larger than the other 8 Osachite another Provincial Town of the Floridans 9 Apatache an ancient Native-built Town probably once of some note and resort at least taken by the Spaniards for such which made them the more eager to take it under the conduct of Pamphilus Narvaes in hopes of finding there great riches Doubtless it was then a place much larger and more considerable than to consist but of 40 or 50 houses or cottages as hath been by some delivered since it was capable of making so smart a resistance as it did when it was attack'd and of repelling them after the departure of Nervaes 10 Ante another ancient Town or Village of the Floridans chiefly remarkable for a sharp Ingagement between them and the Spaniards whom at this place though said to be nine days march from Apatache they overtook and forc'd to retreat not without the loss of very many of their men some of note 11 St. Philip. 12 St Iago both heretofore fortified by the Spaniards if not still possessed by them CAROLINA The Description of Carolina CAROLINA having been formerly accounted a part of Florida though of late separated into a peculiar Province little or nothing is to be said more of the discovery situation climate temperature soil commodities nature and customs of the natives than what hath been already mentioned in Florida it self of which we have been the more particular in regard this part of it which is called Carolina from his present Majesty King Charles the Second and which makes up a considerable Province belongs now to the English it being not so proper to attribute those things to a part only which are applicable to the whole it remains only therefore to speak of the present interest and propriety when upon what occasion and to whom the Patent was granted and if there be any thing else peculiar to this Province above the rest of Florida It was by the care charge and industrious endeavours of divers noble persons as Edward Earl of Clarendon â—ord Chancellor of England George Duke of Albemarl William Earl of Craven Iohn Lord Berkly Anthony Lord Ashly now Earl of Shaftsbury Sir George Carteret Vice-Chamberlain of his Majesties Houshold Sir William Berkly Knight and Baronet Sir Iohn Colleton Knight and Baronet that this Province of Carolinâ— as the best part of all Florida was impropriated into the interest and possession of the English to whom indeed of right the whole Countrey may be accounted properly to belong both in regard it was discovered by Sir Sebastian Cabott by the encouragement and for the use of King Henry the seventh of England and for its neighbouring situation to our other Plantations besides several other conveniences by setling therein two considerable Plantations the one at Albemarl-Point which lying to the North borders upon Virginia and whither very many Families have transplanted themselves from New-England and other of our American Plantations the other at Charles-Town or Ashly River almost in the center of the Countrey which being the better Plantation of the two may in all likelihood invite a far greater as well from New-England and other parts that way as from Barbadoes and Bermudas many have already removed their effects hither The most apparent boundary between Carolina and Virginia appears plainly by Mr. Ledderers Map who hath written a very exact description of his travels into these parts to be the Râ—ver Rorenock alias Shawan that is to say the main River for above half the way and afterwards a smaller branch running on Northward towards the Hills as far as Sapon in the Countrey of the Nabissans the rest of the main stream running farther into the heart of the Countrey which from this boundary stretcheth a long way North-west This Sapon is the first Town within the limits of Carolina and situate as it were upon the utmost point of the said branch of the River Rorenock whereby though it stand dry upon an high ground yet it is environed with a fruitful and productive Soil Nor far from it is a place
foreign Countries to that Countries great benefit and Englands great praise 9 The Trade thereof with other provisions for the whole are vented through eighteen Market-Towns in this Shire whereof Winchester the Britains Caer Gwent the Romans Venta Belgarum in chief ancient enough by our British Historians as built by King Budhudthras nine hundred years before the Nativity of Christ and famous in the Romans times for the weavings and embroderies therein wrought to the peculiar uses of their Emperours own persons In the Saxons time after two Calamities of consuming fire her walls was raised and the City made the Royal Seat of their West Saxons Kings and the Metropolitan of their Bishops See wherein Egbert and Elfred their most famous Monarchs were Crowned and Henry the third the Normans longest Reigner first took breath And here King Aethelstane erected six Houses for his Mint but the Danish desolation over running all this City felt their fury in the days of King Ethelbright and in the Normans time twice was defaced by the mis-fortune of fire which they again repaired and graced with the trust of keeping the publick Records of the Realm In the civil wars of Maud and Stephen this City was sore sacked but again received breath was by King Edward the third appointed the place for Mart of Wool and Cloth The Caehedral Church built by Kenwolf King of the West-Saxons that had been Amphibalus S. Peters Swethins and now holy Trinitie is the Sanctuary for the ashes of many English Kings for herein great Egbert anno 836. with his son King Ethelwolf 857. Here Elfred Oxfords founder 901. with his Queen Elswith 904. Here the first Edmund before the Conquest 924. with his sons Elfred and Elsward Here Edred 955. and Edwy 956. both Kings of England Here Emme 1052. with her Danish Lord Canute 1035. and his son Hardicanute 1042. And here lastly the Normaus Richard and Rufus 1100. were interred their bones by Bishop Fox were gathered and shrined in little gilt coffers fixed upon a wall in the Quire where still they remain carefully preserved This Cities situation is fruitful and pleasant in a valley under hills having her River on the East and Castle on the West the circuit of whose walls are well near two English miles containing one thousand eight hundred and eighty paces through which openeth six gates for entrance and therein are seven Churches for divine Service besides the Minister and those decayed such as Callender Ruell Chappell S. Maries Abbey and the Friers without the Suburbs and Sooke in the East is S. Peteâ—s and in the North Hyde Church and Monastery whose ruins remaining shew the beauâ—y that formerly it bare The graduation of this City by the Mathematicks is placed for Latitude in the Degree 51 10 minutes and for Longitude 19 3 minutes 10 More South is South-hampton a Town populous rich and beautiful from whom the whole Shire deriveth her name most strongly walled about with square stone containing in circuit one thousand and two hundred paces having seven Gates for entrance and twenty nine Towers for defence two very stately Keys for Ships arrivage and five fair Churches for Gods divine Service besides an Hospital called Gods-house wherein the unfortunate Richard Earle of Cambridge beheaded for treason lieth interred On the West of this Town is mounted a most beautifull Castle in form Circular and wall within wall the foundation upon a hill so topped that it cannot be ascended but by stairs carrying a goodly prospect both by Land and Sea and in the East without the walls a goodly Church sometimes stood called S. Maries which was pulled down for that it gave the French direction of course who with fire had greatly endangered the Town instead thereof is newly erected a small and unfinished Chappel In this place saith learned Cambden stood the ancient Clausentium or Fort of the Romans whose circuit on that side extended it self to the Sea this suffered many depredations by the Saxon Pirates and in Anno 980. was by the Danes almost quite overthrown In King Edward the thirds time it was fired by the French under the Conduct of the King of Sicils son whom a Countrey man encountred and struck down with his Club he crying Rancon that is Ransome but he neither understandiog his language nor the Law that Arms doth allow laid on more soundly saying I know thee a Frankon and therefore shalt thou die And in Richard the seconds time it was somewhat removed and built in the place where now it standeth In this Clausentium Canute to evict his flatterers made trial of his Deity commanding the Seas to keep back from his seat But being not obeyed he acknowledged God to be the onely supreme Governour and in a religious devotion gave up his Crown to the Rood at Winchester More ancient was Silcester built by Constantius great Constantines son whose Monument they say was seen in in that City and where another Constantine put on the purple robe against Honorius ' as both Ninius and Gervase of Canterbury do withess Herein by our Historians record the warlike Arthur was Crowned Whose greatness for circuit contained no less than fourscore Acres of ground and the walls of great height yet standing two miles in compass about This City by the Danish Rovers suffered such wrack that her mounted tops were never since seen and her Hulke the walls immured to the middle of the earth which the rubbish of her own desolations hath filled 11 Chief Religious houses within this County erected and again suppressed were these Christ's-Church Beaulieu Whâ—rwall Rumsey Redbridge Winchester Hyde South-hampton and Tichfield The honour of this Shire is dignified with the high Titles of Marquess and them Earls of VVinchester and South-hampton whose Arms of Families are as thou seest and her division into thirty seven Hundreds and those again into two Hundred fifty three Parishes WIGHT ISLAND VVIGHT ILAND CHAPTER VII WIGHT ILAND was in times past named by the Romans Vecta Vectis and Vectâ—sis by the Britains Guyth and in these days usually called by us The Lsle of Wight it belongeth to the County of South-hampton and lieth out in length over against the midst of it South-ward It is encompassed round with the British Seas and severed from the Main-land that it may seem to have been conjoyned to it and thereof it is thought the British name Guyth hath been given unto it which betokeneth separation even as Sicily being broken off and cut from Italy got the name from Secando which signifieth cutting 2 The form of this Isle is long and at the midst far more wide than at either end From Binbridge Isle in the East to Hurst Castle in the West it stretcheth out in length 20 miles and in breadth from Newport haven Northward to Chale-bay Southward 12 miles The whole in circumference is about sixty miles 3 The Air is commended both for health and delight whereof the first is witnessed by the long continuance of the Inhabitants in
the state of their bodies before they be decayed and the other for quantity gives place to no neighbouring Countrey 4 The ground to say nothing of the Sea which is exceeding full of Fish consisteth of soil very fruiful yet the husbandmans labour deserves to be thankfully remembred by whose pains and industry it doth not only supply is self but affords Corn to be carried forth to others The Land is plentifully stored with Cattle and Grain and breeds every where store of Conies Hares Partridges and Phesants pleasant for meadows pasturage and Parks so that nothing is wanting that may suffice man The middle yields plenty of pasture and forrage for Sheep whose wooll the Clothiers esteem the best next unto that of Leinster and Cotteswold If you cast your eyes towards the North it is all over garnished with Meadows Pastures and Woods If towards the South side it lieth in a manner wholly bedecked with Corn fields enclosed where at each end the Sea doth so incroach it self that it maketh almost two Islands besides namely Freshwater Isle which looketh to the West and Binbridge Isle answering it to the East 5 The Commodities of the whole chiefly consist of Cattle Sea fowl Fish and Corn whereof it hath sufficient Woods are not here very plentiful for that it is only stored with one little Forrest yet the Countrey of Hant-shire for vicinity of Site is a friendly neighhour in that behalf so as it were being tyed together in affinity they are always ready and propense to add to each others wants and defects by a mutual supply 6 The ancient Inhabitants of this Island were the Belgae spoken of in the several Provinces of Sommerset-shire Wilt-shire and Hant-shire Such as did then possess it were called Lords of the Isle of Wight till it fell into the Kings hands by Roger Son to William Fits Osburne slain in the war of Flanders that was driven into exile And Henry the first King of England gave it unto Richard Ridvers with the Fee or Inheritance of the Town of Christs-Church where as in all other places he built certain Fortresses 7 The Principal Market-Town in the Isle of Newport called in times past Medena and Novus Burgus de Meden that is The new Burgh of Meden whereof the whole Countrey is divided into East Meden and West Meden A Town well seated and much frequented unto whose Burgesses his Majesty hath lately granted the choice of a Major who with his brethren do govern 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 far from it is the Castle Caresbrook whose founder is said to have been Whitgar the Saxon and from him called VVhite-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 Island do boast that they were happier then their neighbour Countries for that they never had Monk that ever wore hood Lawyer that cavelled nor Foxes that were craftâ— 8 It is reported that in the year of mans Salvation 1176. and twenty three of King Henry the second that in this Island it rained a showre of bloud which continued for the space of 2 hours together to the great wonder and amazement of the people that beheld it with fear 9 This Isle of Wight is fortified both by Art and Nature for besides the strength of Artificial Forts and Block houses wherewith it is well furnished it wants not the Assistants of natural Fences as being enriched with a continual ridge and range of craggy Cliffs and Rocks and Banks very dangerous for Saylers as the Needles so called by reason of their sharpness The Shinglâ—s Mixon Brambles c. 10 Vespasian was the first that brought it to the subjection of the Romans whilest he served as a private person under Claudius Caesar. And Cerdic was the first English Saxon that subdued it who granting it unto Scuffe and VVhitgar they joyntly together slew almost all the British Inhabitants being but few of them there remaining in the Town aforesaid called of his name VVhitgaresburgh VVolpher King of the Mercians reduced this Island afterwards under his obedience and at that â—ime when he became God-father to Edelwalch King of the South Saxons and answered foâ—â—im at his Baptisme he assigned it over unto him with the Province also of the Menuari But when Edelwalch was slain and Arvandus the petty King of the Island was made away Caedwalla King of the West-Saxons annexed it to his Dominion and in a tragical and lamentable Massacre put to the sword almost every mothers child of the in-born Inhabitants The thing that is best worthy note and observation is this That Bishop Wilfrid was the first that instructed the Inhabitants of this Island in Christian Religion and brought them from Idolatrous Superstition with the which unto that time they were obscurely blinded For Ecclesiastical Iurisdiction this Countrey belongeth to the Bishop of Winchester and for Civil government to the County of South-hampton It is fortified with the strength of six Castles traded with three Market-Towns and hath 36 Parish-Churches planted in it Dorcet Shire DORCESTER-SHIRE CHAPTER VIII DORCESTER from her ancient people DUROTRIGES is most likely to have received that name By the Britains called DWRGWEIR lieth bounded upon the North side with Sommerset and Wilt-shire upon the West with Devon-shire and some part with Sommerset upon the East altogether with Hamp-shire and her South part is wholly bounded with the British Seas 2 The form grows wider from the West and spreads her self the broadest in the midst where it extends to twenty four miles but in length is no less than forty four The whole in Circumference about is one hundred and fifty miles 3 The Air is good and of an healthful constitution the soyl is fat affording many commodities and the Countrey most pleasant in her situation for the In-land is watered with many sweet and fresh running-Springs which taking passage through the plain Vallies do lastly in a loving manner unite themselves together and of their many branches make many big bodied streams neither doth the Sea deny them entrance but helpeth rather to fill up their Banks whereby Vâ—ssels of Burthen discharge their rich Treasures and her self with open hand distributeth her gifts all along the South of the Shore 4 Antiently it was possest by the Durotriges whom Ptolomy placeth along in this Tract who being subdued by the Romans yielded them room 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 infect and annoy all the South Tract And at Bindon before him Kinegillus King of the
repudâ—ate wife of King Henry the eight under an Hearse covered with black Say having a white Cross in the midst and on the South side Mary Queen of Scotland whose Hearse is spread over with black Velvet The Cloyâ—ter is large and in the Glaâ—â—e windows is very curiously portrayed the History of VVâ—lphere the Founder whose Royal Seat was at VVedon in the street converted unto a Monastery by S. VVerburgh his holy daughter and had been the Roman Station by Antonine the Emperour called Bannavenna So likewise Norman-Chester was the ancient City Durobriva where their Souldiers kept as by the moneys tâ—ere daily found is most apparent 8 Houses of Religion devoted to Gods Service by the pious intents of their well meaning Founders were at Peterborow Peakirk Pipewell Higham Davintree Sulby Saulscombe Sewardesleg Gare S. Dewy S. Michael Luffeild Catesby Bruch Barkley Finshead Fotheringhay VVeden and VVithrop besides them in Northampton all which felt the storms of their own destruction that raged against them in the Reign of King Henry the eight who dispersed their Revenues to his own Coffers and Courtiers and pulled the stones asunder of their seeming ever sure Foundations and in the time of young Edward his son whose mind was free from wronging the dead the Tombs of his own Predecessours were not spared when as Edward slain at Agincourt and Richard at VVakefield both of them Dukes of York were after death assaulted with the weapons of destruction that cast down their most fair Monuments in the Collegiate Church of Fotheringhay Castle 9 Eight Princely Families have enjoyed the Title of the Earldom of Northampton whereof the last Henry Howard late Lord Privy Seale a most honourable Patron to all learned proceedings that I may acknowledge my dutiful and humble Service hath most honourably assisted and set forward these my endeavours 10 This Shires division for service to the Crown and imployment of businesses is into twenty Hundreds hath been strengthened with ten Castles and is still traded with ten Market-Towns and God honoured in three hundred twenty six Parish-Churches HUNTINGTON SHIRE HUNTINGTON-SHIRE CHAPTER XXVIII HUNTINGTON-SHIRE part of the Iceni under the Roman Monarch of Mercia in the Saxon Heptarchy is severed with Nene the North bounder from Northampton-shire to which it in part adjoyneth west from Bedford and Cambridge by mearing Towns on the South and from Ely by a fence of water East the work of Nature Benwick Stream or of Art Canutuâ— Delph severed when Alfred or before him Off â— shared the open circuit of their Empery into Principalities that by residence of subordinate rule Peace at home might be maintained Forreign offence by apt assembly of the Inhabitants resisted Tax and Revenue of the Crown laid more evenâ—ly and enâ—ily levyed Iustice at mens doors with less charge and journey administred all causes Civil having a right and speedy dispatch in the County or Earls monthly Court as Criminal in his Lieutenant the Sheriff Turne twice a year In form of a Lozeng this shire lyeth of positure temperate and is 52 degrees 4 scruples removed from the Aequator the Hilly soyl to the Plough-man grateful the Vale contiguous to the fens best for Pasture in which to no part of England it giveth place Woods are not much wanted the Rivers serving Coal as the Moors Turff for Fuell 2 This Content was as the whole Continent Forest until Caâ—utus gave this Law of grace Vt quisque tam in agris quam in silvis exciteâ— agitetque feras Long were the hands of Kings to pull of old the Subjects right into Regal pleasure when perambulation and Proclamation only might make any mans land forrest It is in the first Williams time a Phrase in Record not rare Silva hujus Maneâ—ii FORISEST missâ— in Silvam Râ—gis from which word of power Forrest may seem not unaptly to be derived Cum videbat Henricus primus tres Biâ—sas sitting in his Forrest of Lyfield he caused Husculphus his Ranger to keep them for his Game as the record doth testifie Thus did the second of his name and the first Richard in many parts well therefore may the Exchequer Book call the Forrest Iustice for Vert and Venison not Iustum absolutâ— but Iustum secundum Legem Forestae That Foresta is defined Tuta â—erarum statio may seem to confine the Forresters Office onely to his Games care which of ancient was as well over Mineral and Maritimal revenue The Office of Baldwiâ—e the great Forrester of Flanders Non agrum tantum spectabat sed Maris custodiam saiâ—h Tullius out of the old Charters of the French Kings And sâ—e how just this squares to our Legal practise for of Assarts Purprestures Emprovement Greenhugh Herbage Paunage Fowles Mills Honey Mines Quarries and Wreacks at Sea did the Itineral Iustice of the Forrest hâ—re enquire His Subjects of this Shire Henry the 2 from servitude of his beasts whose Grand-father proâ—feris homines inâ—arceravit exhaereditavit multilavit truâ—idavit did pretend by Charter to enfranchise except Wabridge Saple Herthy His own Demaines But such was the success by encroachments under his two â—ucceeding Sons that it drew on the oppressed people to importune anew the Soveraignes redress which was by the great Charter of the third Henry â—ruitlesly effected His son in the seventh of his Reign by a perambulation reâ—uming back the fruit of his fathers goodness and so remaining until in his twenty ninth year by Petition and purchase of his people for they gave him a full fifteen he confirmed the former Charter and by Iury View and Perambulation setled that Boundary of â—orrest which contented the People became the square of universal Iustice in this Kind and left in this Shire no more than the three former his own grounds Forrest 3 This Shire hath four Centuriatae or Hundreds and had of old time five these so called Quia prima iustitutione ex Hiderum aliquot center ariis compositae These are subdivided into 79 Parishes whereof five besides the Shire-Town have Markets These Parishes are measured by Hides and Carucks or Plough-lands more or less is either richness of Soil or strength of the Lord strengthned or extended their limits the Mass in whole containing of the first sort 818 and of the other 1136 These hides the ancient and general measure of land except in Kent where the account was by Solms or Lincoln-shire Vbi non sunt Hidae sed pro Hidis sum Carucatae were esteemed one hundred Acres Non Normanico sed Anglico numero una hida pro sexies viginti Acris duo pro duodecies viginti as in the Book of Doomesday Caruca the Teame-land not Carucata for they be different was in quantity of Acres proportioned to the quantity of Soil but usually in this Shire reputed 60. The Virgata or Yard-land was a more or less part of the Hide as the Acres in number varied which I find in this County from 18 to 42 but for the most part 30 which was the
then the rule fell for a short while to a Triumviratus which began and ended with Octavius Caesar Aâ—tonius and Lepidus After ten years the whole Empiâ—e was left to Octtavius and his tiâ—les were Aâ—gâ—stus Caesar and Imperator they continue to his successors to this dâ—y 18 Rome as yet sinks not in her glory but goes fairly on with full victory till the Imperial seat was removed to Bizaâ—tium and after divided into the East and Wesâ— by Thedoâ—ius Betwixt these whiles was a great part of the world still called in to enlarge their Dominiâ—ns and our selves among the rest though with some difficulty were forced to yield Britâ—in a Province to Câ—sar and the Roman Empire For let us take her limits at their best advantage and she was on the West bounded with the Atlantick Ocean on the East with the Rivâ—r Tigris in Asia on the North with Rhene and Danubius in Europe and on the Sâ—uth with the Mount Atlas in Africa They contain these several Provinces almost in order of time as they were subdued Italy parâ—s of Africa Spain and Germany Britain Illiricum Liburnia Dalmatia Achaia Macedonia and Dardania Mesia and Thracia Pontus Armenia minor Mesopotamia Parthia Arabia Iudaa Cilicia Syria Aegypt Cantabria Austria Alpes Maritimae Rhetium Noricum Panonia Armenia major and the Islands round so Ortelius Marshals them 19 We mâ—st omit for want of space many emiâ—ent turns of Fortune which Rome suffered in these interims and take her now as at that time she was in her â—ull height of honour in compass â—â—fty miles seated on the River Tyber fifteen from the Sea on her walls were raised 740 turrets fit to receive provision in war for defence of the City in time of siege Livy numbers her 37 gates and her foundation was pitcht upon seven hills 1 Palattinus which as some say gave the name to our Kings Palaces 2 Capiâ—olinus upon which was built the Capitoll delivered from the Gaules by the gaggling of Geese 3 Vimiâ—alis 4 Aventinus from whence their condemned persons were cast into the River Tyber 5 Esquilinus 6 Coelius where once stood the chief Councel-house for the Senators 7 Quirinalis You may not expect here an exact description take at large the speech of the Emperour Constantius when with wonder he beheld the Campus Martius the Sepulchre of Augustus the Forum Temples Bathes Theaters the Arâ—us triumpbales Aquaducts stateness and infinite other Monuments he gave a brief epitomy of her antique glory that Nature had spent her self in the making up of that one City as if we might not hope to see the like in after-ages and true enough it is that she could not long support her self in that state of honour but as a string stretcht to the utmost cracks on the sudden 20 No sooner she was once divided but she lay open as a prey to the Goths Huns Vandals Alani Burgundians and Lombards all now left of the Empire is almost a naked title and that scarce heard of in Rome for it hath its seat in Germany and is conferred upon some Christian Prince by the suffrages of the seven Electors The spiritual 1 Arch-bishop of Meâ—tz Chancellour of the Empire through all Germany 2 Archbishop of Cullen Chancellour of the Empire through Iâ—aly 3 Arch-bishop of Triers Chancellour of the Empire through all France The Temporal 4 Count Platine of Rhene Arch-sewer to the Emperour 5 Duke of Saxony Lord Maâ—shal 6 Marquess of Brandenberg chief Chamberlain and 7 in case of equality of voyces among the other â—ix the King of Bohemia casts the Diadem into whose lap he pleaseth 21 For the state of Rome as now it is and what else concerns the Empire since the removall of the seat royal I refer my Reader either to the descriptions of Italy and Germany or at least to some other modern Authors who have scope to write more at large my intent here was briefly to set down the beginning increase top and limits of the ancient Roman government GERMANIA Petrus Caerius Caelavit The Description of GERMANY GERMANY is continued with Belgia and lyeth next East-ward in our course toward Asia We shall find them oft times no otherwise distinguisht than by the tearms of higher and lower greater and lâ—sser Germany And indeed as this is the largâ—st portion of the whole Region which is known by that name so is it the largest Region of our whole quarter which is known entirely by any one name 2 As for her antiquity it doth not only compare her to the rest of Europe but compares Europe her self with any oâ—her part of the second world which accounts her years but from Noahs Flood or the confusion of Tongues For this purpose we had before occasion in our general Descriptions to mention the original of the German Kingdoms and that as you may remember was drawn by Chronologers from Tuiscâ— some say the son of Noah which lived soon after the world was repaired and began his Empire about thirty years from the fall of Bâ—bel 3 It appears sufficiently upon the record of received Historians that in the time of their Idolatry they worshipped one Thyst or Tuisco as a God which sprang from the earth and to this day as I hear there is a street about Culleâ— called Deutsâ—h and is thought as yet to retain a sound of the name of Tuisco for there he is supposed to have kept his residency Whether thus or no I leave to â—y Authors proof and my Readers judgement to believe or reject as it shall seem best All I can enforce iâ— that doubtless the Germans were an anient people and that they might challenge had they no other testimony 〈◊〉 shew for it than her very names of Tuiscia or Tâ—â—â—scke Theusâ—hland Alâ—ania and Teâ—toniâ— by which she was known in several ages long before the Romans gave her this last appâ—llaâ—ion 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 4 Tuisciâ— Teutsch or Teuschlant was received from her first King and Almania from her second the son of Tuiscâ— who as their story gives it with equal credit as it doth the rest was likewise worshipâ—ed for a God by the name of Mannus The same account is rendred for Tutonia from Tâ—to a Captain of the Germans and their ninth from Tuisco Under these they continued till the Romans â—ntred after their Conquest over the Gauls for whose likeness to them both in feature and câ—ulor in goodly portraiture and carriage of their wars they were from that time called 〈◊〉 as if brothâ—rs to the Gauls Yet there are too which compound the name of the 〈◊〉 words Gâ—r or Gâ—r which signifieth all or wholly and Maâ— which retains with us its prime significaâ—ion of 〈◊〉 as if they were all men to the proof or as other interpret as if they were a mixt Nation oâ— all sâ—rts of men from several Countries 5 But this last agrees not with the conjecture of some Gâ—ographers that 〈◊〉 hath not châ—nged hâ—r Inhabitants since she was first possest 〈…〉 And this indeed differs not muâ—h
from the report of 〈…〉 and other ancient Writers But the reason I hold not good for â—owsoâ—ver it might be true in 〈◊〉 times of some and the most part perhaps of 〈◊〉 as it was then 〈◊〉 that it wâ—s 〈…〉 yet now she hath changed her 〈…〉 6 By her first Geographers she was 〈…〉 tongue and Empire exercised over the Region of Prussia South-ward she reacheth beyond Danubius to the very Alpes which border upon Italy Northâ— ward she hath ever kept her own but hath been curb'd indeed from seeking new Kingdoms in that tract by the main Ocean which divides her in part from Swevia Norway c. And to these limits we apply our Description No marvelâ— if it give her more honour than she had in former times For her compass now is reckoned to be 2600 English miles Her ground fertile enough of it self and yet besides enjoyes the benefit of many Navigable Rivers which enrich her with traffique from other Kingdoms 7 Those of greatest fame are 1 Danubius the largest of Europe called by Pliny and others Ister It takes in sixty Navigable Rivers and is at last discharged by many passages into the Pontus Euxinus 2 Rhene which hath its rising from the Alpes and runs into the German Ocean From thence have we our best Rhenâ—sh Wines and upon his banks sâ—ands the City Strasburge 3 Amaâ—us Fms which glides by Wâ—stphalia into the German Sea 4 Maemu Megu whose head is in the Mountains of Boâ—emia and from thence passeth by Francfort into the German sea 5 Albis Elve which riseth from the eleven Fountains meeting into one about the Sylva Hircinian 6 Odeca which hath not his passage immediately into the Sea but inâ—o the River Albis The middle mark of this Country is the Kingdom of â—ohemia encompassed with the Sylva Hircinia 8 The chief commodities of Germany are Corn Wine Salt Metals of all sorts Fruits good store Safron c. The Aire wholsome her Bathes healthful her Gardens pleasurable her Cities fair her Castles strong and her Villages very many and well peopled 9 The Inhabitants have put off their ancient rudeness as the Country her barrenness They are as goodly of person as ever as stout as ever and far more civill than in the time of the Romans It seems they were then esteemed but an ignorant and simple people more able to fight than to mâ—nage a battle They were ever hardy enough but wanted Commanders of their own of skill and â—udgement Since they had commerce with other Nations and have suffered the upbraid asit were of their Predecessors dulness they have been in a manner shamed out of it and are now become rather by industry than wit a most ingenious people and skilful in the Latine Greek and Hebrew learning famous beyond any others in Europe unless Belgia for the invention of many notable and â—seful 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 practice is perfectly understood Generally the poorer sort are excellent Mechanicks and the rest for the most part Scholars 10 It bred Albertâ—s Mâ—gnus Appean Geâ—ner Munster Luther Vrsin Zuinglius Scultetus Iunius Keckerman and many others in their several kinds and Religions some Papists some Lutherans some Calvinists and among the rest many Iews 11 The Government of this Germany is Imperial as once that of Rome was though it flourish not in so full glory The right descends not by succession nor is the election continued by the like suffrage as in old Rome The power of choice was conferred by Pope Gregory the tenth upon seven German Princes three Spiritual and four Temporal These are the Arch-bishop of Mentâ— Chancellour of the Empire through Germany Archbishop of Cullen Chancellour of the Empire through Italy Arch-bishop of Triers Chancellour of the Empire through France The Temporal are the King of Bohemea who hath the casting voice only in case of equality among the other six his office is to be chief Cupâ— bearer at the great solemnity Next him the Count Palatine of the Rhene Arch-sewer to the Emperour Duke of Saxony Lord Marshal and Marquess of Brandenburge chief Chamberlain Each of these perform his own Office in person upon the day of Inauguration The Duke of Saxoâ—y bears the sword The Count Palatine placeth his meat on the Table The King of Bohemia bears his Cup and delivers it him to drink Marquess of Brandenbâ—rg serveth him water to wash And the three Bishops bless his meat He receiveth three Crowns before he is fully setled into the Majesty of the Empire The first is of Silver for Germaâ—y The second of Iron for Lombardy And the third of Gold for the Empire the last is set on at Rome For to this day it pretends to the name of the Roman Empire and gives the title oâ— Caesar or Roâ—ani imperii Imperator 12 The first which enjoyed the institution of Pope Gregory was Radulphus Nabs Purgensis 1273. after twelve years interregnum The last before him was our Richard Earl oâ—â— Cornwall and brother to Henry the third King of England Since it hath continued firm 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 Roâ—aâ—orum who is no other than a Successour designed to rule after his death or resignation And by this means it hath a long time continued in the house of Austria without any intermission 13 Thus we â—â—e 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 obâ—ervances of the Gâ—rman Princes make show of an humble subjection to the Emperour yet when it comes to trâ—all it hath very little to do in their Governments But each of them takes upon â—im as a â—ree and absolute Commander in his own Country permitteth or suppresseth the Beligion which he â—ither likes or dislâ—kes makes and abrogates Laws at pleasure stamps Coyn raiseth souldiers and sometimes against their great Master as the Duke of Saxony against Charles the fiâ—th and at this day divers others in defence of the Princâ— Pâ—latine For of this qâ—ality and power there are many Dukes Marquesses Counts c. besides 64 Franc Cities which make only some slight acknowledgment to the Emperour appear perhaps at his â—arliaments and they say are bound to â—urnish him at need with 3842 horse amonge them and 16200 foot 14 The cheiâ—est Regions of Germany best known to us and noted by our Geographers with a more eminent Character than the rest are these 1 East Frizeland 2 Westphalia 3 Cullen 4 Munster 5 Triers 6 Cleve 7 Gulick 8 Hassis 9 Alsatia 10 Helvetia 11 Turingia