princely Houses inheritable to the English Crown are â—eated in this Shire which are Enfield Hanworth White-hall S. Iames and Hampton-Court a City rather in shew than the Palace of a Prince and for stately Port and gorgeous building not inferiour to any in Europe At Thistleworth once stood the Palace of King Richard of the Romans Earl of Cornwall which the Londoners in a tumultuous broile burned to the ground many other stately Houses of our English Nobility Knights and Centlemen as also of the Worshipful Citizens of London are in this Shire so sumptuously built and pleasantly seated as the like in the like circuit are no where else to be found Near unto Thamesis entrance into this County is kept the remembrance of Caesars entrance over Thamesis by the name of Coway-stakes stuck fast in the bottom to impeach his designs and further at Stanes a Maire-stone once stood for a mark of Iurisdiction that London had so far upon Thameâ—is 7 Which City is more ancient than any true Record beareth fabuled from Brute Troynovant from Lud Ludstone But by more credible Writers Tacitus Ptolomy and Antonine Londinium by Ammianus Marcellinus for her successive prosperity Augustâ— the great title that can be given to any by Britains Londayn by Strangers Londra and by us London This City doth shew as the Cedars among other Trees being the seat of the British Kings the Chamber of the English the model of the Land and the Mart of the World for thither are brought the silk of Asia the Spices from Africa the Balms from Grecia and the riches of both the Indies East and West no City standing so long in fame nor any for divine and politick government may with her be compared Her walls were first set by great Constantine the first Christian Emperour at the suit of his Mother Queen Helen reared with rough Stone and British Brick three English miles in compass thorow which are now made seven most fair gates besides three other passages for entrance Along the Thameâ—is this wall at first ranged and with two gates openedâ— the one Doure-gate now Dowgate and the other Billingsgate a receptacle for Ships In the midst of this wall was set a mile-mark as the like was in Rome from whence were measured their stations for carriage or otherwise the same as yet standeth and hath been long known by the name of London Stone Upon the East of this City the Church of S. Peters is thought to be the Cathedral of Restitutâ—â— the Christians Bishops See who lived in the reign of great Constantine but since St. Pauls in the West part from the Temple of Diana assumed that dignity whose greatness doth exceed any other at this day and spires so high that twice it hath been consumed by lightning from heaven Besides this Cathedral God is honoured in one hundred twenty one Churches more in this City that is ninety six within the walls sixteen without but within the Liberties and nine more in her Suburbs and in Fitz Stephens time thirteen Convents of relgious Orders It is divided into 26 Wards governed by so many grave Aldermen a Lord Major and two Sheriffs the yearly choice whereof was granted them by Patent from King Iohn in whose time also a Bridge of stone was made over Thames upon nineteen Arches for length breadth beauty and building the like again not found in the World 8 This London as it were disdaining bondage hath set her self on each side far without the walls and hath leâ—t her West gate in the midst from whence with continual buildings still affecting greatness she hath continued her streets unto a Kings Palace and joyned a second City to her self famous for the Seat and Sepulchre of our Kings and for the Gates of Iustice that termly there are opened only once a Bishops See whose title died with the man No walls are set about this City and those of London are left to shew rather what it was than what it is Whose Citizens as the Lacedemonians did do impute their strength in their men and not in their walls how strong soever Or else for their multitude cannot be circulated but as another Ierusalem is inhabited without walls as Zachary said The wealth of this City as Isa once speak of Nilus grows from the Revenues and Harvest of her South bounding Thames whose trafique for merchandizing is like that of Tyrus whereof Ezekiel speaks and stands in abundance of Silver Iron Tinn and Lead c. And for London her channel is navigable straitned along with meadowing borders until she taketh her full liberty in the German Seas Upon this Thamesis the Ships of Tharsis seem to ride and the Navy that rightly is termed the Lady of the Sea spreads her sail Whence twice with lucky success hath been accomplished the compassing of the universal Globe This River Câ—nutus laying siege against London sought by digging to divert and before him the Danes had done great harmes in the City yet was their State recovered by King Elfred and the River kept her old course notwithstanding that cost In the times of the Normans some civil broyles have been attempted in this City as in the days of King Iohn whereinto his Barons entred and the Tower yielded unto Lewis And again Waâ— Tyleâ— herein committed outragioâ—s cruelties but was worthily struck down by the Major and stain in Smithfield This Cities graduation for Latitude is the degree 51 45 minutes and in Longitude 20 degrees 29 minutes 9 In this County at Barnet upon Easter-day a bloudy battel was fought betwixt Henry the sixt and Edward the fourth wherein was slain one Marquess one Earl three Lords and with them ten thousand Englishmen 10 The division of this Shire is into seven hundreds wherein are seated two Cities four Market-Towns and seventy three Parish Churches besides them in London where in the Church of Gray-â—ryâ—rs now called Christ-Chuâ—ch three Queens lye interred which were Queen Margaret the D. of Phil. the hardy King of France second wife to King Edward the first the second was Queen Isabel wife to King Edward the second and D. to Philip the fair King of France and the third was Queen Ioan their daughter married to David King of Scotland ESSEX COUNTY ESSEX CHAPTER XV. ESSEX by the Normans Excessa and by the vulgar Essex is a County large in compass very populous and nothing inferiour to the best of the Land 2 The Form thereof is somewhat circular excepting the East part which shooteth her self with many Promontories into the Sea and from Horsey Island to Haidon in the West the broadest part of the Shire are they by measure forty miles and the length from East Ham upon Thamesis in the South to Sturmere upon the River Stow in the North are thirty five miles the whole in circumference one hundred forty six miles 3 It lyeth bounded upon the North with Suffolk and Cambridge-Shires upon the West with Hertford and Middlesex upon the South by Thamesis is parted from
was resumed by Henry the eight and now by the Heir of Darcy matched to the Lord Clifton is become the seat of the Barony This Hundred had in it no house of Religion but Stolney a Priory of seven black Cannons of the order of S. Augustine founded by the Bigrames and at the Suppression valued at 62 l. 12 s. 3 d. ob It stood within the reach of the great Mannor Kimbolton once an Hundred which was the Land of Earl Harold the Usurper after by grant it came with the Chase of Swinesheved to Fitz-Peter from whom by Magâ—avil to Bohum who in time of the tumulâ—uous Barons built there a Forcelet and so to Staffard by whose attainture forfeited it was given by Henry the eight to the Family of Wingfield that now possesseth it At Bugden the See of Lincoln hath a seat and was Lord of Spaldwick and the Soke given in compensation from the Church of Ely when rent from them it was by the first Henry made a Bishoprick until of late that Church gave up their interest in Spaldwick to the Crown Brampton was given by King Iohn at Mirabel to Earl David and by Ada his youngest Daughter fell to Hastings Earl of Pembroke and now is reverted to the King To the same Earl David by gift of the former King came Alcumesbury and by the bounty of Iohn Scot his son to Segrave and so the Lord Barkley the late possessor To Serlo de Quincy Earl of Winchester was Keston by Henry the second given by whose Heir general â—errars it came to the late Earl of Essex and by exchange to the Crown 10 TOULESLANDHUNDRED taketh name likewise of a Town therein situate in the out Angle of this to the memory of S. Neotus a Monk of Glastenbury but the supposed son to Ethelwolfe King of the VVest-Saxons whose body from Neostock in Cornwall was transferred to Arâ—alphesbury then of Arnulphus a holy man now Enesbury named Earl Alrick and Ethelsteda turned the Palace of Earl Elfred into a Monastery of black Monks which was razed by the Danes but out of the ashes of this Roisia wife to Richard the son of Earl Gilbert to God our Lady de Becco and S. Neot as a Cell to the Abbey of Becco in Normandy erected up of black Monks in the year 1113 the late Priory of S. Nedes suppressed by Henry the eight and valued at 256 l. 15 d. q. At Southo the Land of Eustachius the Sheriff Lovetote made the seat of that Seigniory on which in this Shire 13 Knights Fees and a half depended but from his line by gift of Verdon and Vesâ—y drowned were these in the honour of Gloucester Near to this at Cretingsbury dwelt Sir Adam de Cretings famous in Edward the thirds wars of France whose Heir General Wautoâ— doth now possess it Staunton given by the first VVilliam to Gilbert de Gaunt after the death issueless of De Rupes escheated to the King who gave it to Iohn his â—ister Queen of Scots She on the Abbey of Tarant bestowed part the rest reverting being given to Segrave descended to the Barons of Berkly Godmanchester or Gormanchester so named of that Dane to whom Aelfred at his conversion granted some regiment in these parts was the old Land of the Crown now the Inhabitants in Fee farme by grant of King Iohn pro Sexies viginti libris pondere numero It is flat seated by as fruitful and flowry Meadows as any this Kingdom yieldeth and is the most spacious of any one Parish in fertile tillage oft having waited on their Soveraign Lords with ninescore Ploughs in a rural pompe Some from the name Gunicester which this often beareth in record suppose it the City where Machutus placed his Bishops Chair But for certain it was the Roman Town Durosipont of the Bridges named so many hundred years until the light of our Britain story overshone it forgotten Thus as this City so the old Families have been here with time outworn few onely of the many former now remaining whose sirnames before the reign of the last Henry were in this Shire of any eminency But Non indignemur mortalia Nomina solvi Cernimus exemplis Oppida posse mori Let 's not repine that Men and Names do die Since stone-built Cities dead and ruin'd lie This Description I received from a right worthy and learned Friend RVTLANDE SHIRE RUTLAND-SHIRE CHAPTER XXIX RUTLAND-SHIRE the least of any County in this Realm is circulated upon the North with Lincoln-shire upon the East and South with the River VVeland is parted from Northampton-shire and the West is altogether held in with Leicester-shire 2 The Form thereof is round and no larger in compass than a light horse man can easily ride about in a day upon which occasion some will have the Shire named of one Rut that so rode But others from the redness of the Soyl will have it called Rutland and so the old English-Saxoâ—s called it for that Roet and Rut is in their Tongue Red with us and may very well give the name of this Province seeing the earth doth stain the wool of her Sheep into a reddish colour Neither is it strange that the stain of the Soyl gives names unto places and that very many for have we not in Che-shire the Red Rock in Lanca-shire the Red Bank and in Wales Rutland Castlâ— To speak nothing of that famous Red Sea which shooteth into the Land betwivt Egypt and Arabia which gave back her waters for the Israelites to pass on foot all of them named from the colour of the Soile 3 The longest part of this Shire is from Caldecot in the South upon the River Ey unto Thistleton a small Village seated in the North not fully twelve miles and from Timwell East-ward to Wissenden in the West her broadest extent is hardly nine the whole circumference about forty miles 4 The Air is good both for health and delight subject to neither extremity of heat nor cold nor is greatly troubled with foggy mists The Soil is rich and for Corn and tillage gives place unto none Woods there are plenty and many of them imparked Hills feeding heards of Neat and flocks of Sheep Vallies besprinkled with many sweet springs Grain in abundance and Pastures not wanting in a word all things ministred to the content of life with a liberal heart and open hand Only this is objected that the Circuit is not great 5 The draught whereof that I may acknowledge my duty and his right I received at the hands of the right Honourable Iohn Lord Harrington Baron of Exton done by himself in his younger years Near unto his house Burley standeth Okam a fair Market-Town which Lordship the said Baron enjoyeth with a Royalty somewhat extraordinary which is this If any Noble by birth come within the precinct of the said Lordship he shall forfeit as an homage a shooe from the horse whereon he rideth unless he redeem it at a price with money In witness whereof there are
many Horse-shooes nailed upon the Shire-Hall door some of large size and ancient fashion others new and of our present Nobility whose names are thereupon stamped as followeth Henry Hastings Roger Rutland Edward L. Russel Earl of Bedford Ralph L. Euwer of Parram Henry L. Bertley Henry L. Mordant William L. Compton Edward L. Dudley Henry L. Winsor George Earl of Cumberland Philip Earl of Montgomery L Willoughby P. L Whartâ—n The Lord Shandois Besides many others without names That such homage was his due the said Lord himself told me and at that iâ—stâ—nt a suit depended in Law against the Earl of Lincoln who refused to forfeit the penalâ—y or to pay his fine 6 Her ancient Inhabitant known to the Romans mentioned in Prolomy were the Coritani and by him branched thorow Leicester Lincoln Nottingham Darby-shire and this who with the Icenians were subdued by P. Ostorius under the yoke of Claudius the Roman Emperour and at their departure by conquest of the Saxons made it a Province unto their Mercian Kingdom whose fortunes likewise coming to a full period the Normans annexed it under their Crown 7 This County King Edward Confessor bequeathed by his Testament unto Queen Eadgith his wife and after her decease unto his Monastery at Westminster which William the Conquerour cancelled and made void bestowing the Lands upon others the Tithes and the Church unto those Monks That the Ferrars here first seated besides the credit of Writers the Horse-shooe whose badge then it was doth witness where in the Castle and now the Shire-Hall right over the â—eat of the Iudge a Horse-shooe of Iron curiously wrought containing five foot and a half in length and the breadth thereto proportionably is fixed The Castle hath been strong but now is decayed the Church fair end the Town spacious whose degree of Longitude is 19 46 scruples and the North-poles elevation in Latitude 53 degrees and 7 minutes 8 Let it not seem offensive that I to fill up this little Shire have inserted the seat of a Town not sited in this County for besides the conveniency of place the circuit and beauty but especially it being for a time an University did move much yea and the first in this Island if Iohn Hardings Author fail him not that will have Bladud to bring from Athens certain Philosophers whom here he seated and made publick profession of the Liberal Sciences where as he saith a great number of Scolars Studied the Arts and so continuing an University unto the coming of Augustine at which time the Bishop of Rome interdicted it for certain Heresies sprung up among the Britains and Saxons But most true it is that the Reign of King Edward the third upon debate falling betwixt the Southern and Northern Students at Oxford many School-men withdrew themselves hither and a while professed and named a Colledge according to one in Oxford Brazen-nose which retaineth that name unto this day This was so great a skar unto the other that when they were recalled by Proclamation to Oxford it was provided by Oath that no Student in Oxford should publickly profess or read in the Arts at Stanford to the prejudice of Oxford 9 As this Shire is the least in circuit so is it with the fewest Market-Towns replenished having onely two And from societies that feed upon the labours of others was this Land the freest for besides Rishal where Tibba the Falconers Goddess was worshiped for a Saint when Superstition had well neer put Gods true hononr out of place I find very few neither with more Castles strengthened than that at Okam whose ruines shew that a Castle hath been there Divided it is into five Hundreds and therein are planted forty eight Parish-Churches LEICESTER SHIRE LEICESTER-SHIRE CHAPTER XXX LEICESTERSHIRE lyeth bordered upon the North with Nottingham-shire upon the East with Lincoln and Rutland upon the South with Northampton-shire upon the West with Watling-street-way is parted from Warwick-shire the rest being bounded with the confines of Darby is a County Champion abounding in Corn but sparing of woods especially in the South and East parts which are supplyed with Pit-coals plenteously gotten in the North of this Province and with abundance of Cattle bred in the hills beyond the River Wrâ—ak which is nothing so well inhabited as the rest 2 The Air is gentle milde and temperate and giveth appetite both to labour and rest wholesome it is and draweth mans life to a long age and that much without sickness at Carleton onely some defect of pronunciation appeareth in their speech 3 The Soil thus consisting the Commodities are raised accordingly of Corn Cattle and Coals and in the Rocks near Bever are sometimes found the Astroites the Star-like precious Stone 4 The ancient people that inhabited this County were the Coritani who were spread further into other Shires but after that the Romans had left the Land to it self this with many more fell to be under the possession and government of the Mercians and their Kings from whom the English enjoyed it at this day 5 In Circular-wise almost the compass of this Shire is drawn indifferently spacious but not very thick of Inclosures being from East to West in the broadest part not fully 30 miles and from North to South but 24 the whole circumference about 196 miles whose principal City is set as the Center almost in the midst from whom the Pole is elevated 53 degrees and 4 minutes in Laritude and for Longitude 19 degrees 22 minutes 6 From this Town the Shire hath the name though the name of her self is diversly written as Legecestria Legara Legâ—o-cester by Ninius Caer-Lerion by Matthew of Westminster if we do not mistake him â—irall and now lastly Leicester ancient enough if King Leir was her builder eight hundred and forty and four years before the birth of our Saviour wherein he placed a Flamine to serve in the Temple of Ianus by himself there erected and where he was buried if Ieffery ap Arthur say true but now certain it is that Ethelred the Mercian Monarch made it an Episcopal See in the year of Christ Iesus 680 wherein Sexwulâ—â— of his elâ—ction became the first Bishop which shortly after was thence translated and therewith the beauty of the Town began to decay upon whole desolations that erectifying Lady Edelfled cast her eyes of compassion and both re-edified the buildings and compassed it about with a strong wall where in short time the Cities Trade so increased that Matthew Paris in his lesser Storâ— reporteth as followeth Lege-cester saith he is a right wealthy City and notably defeâ—ded and had the wall a sure foundation were inferiour to no City whatsoever But this pride of prosperity long lasted not under the Normans for it was sore oppressed with a world of Calamities when Robert Bossu the Crouch-back Earl of that Province rebelled against his Soveâ—aign Lord King Henry the second whereof hear the same Author Paris speak Through the obstinaâ—e stubbornness of Earl Robert saith he
with great efficacy 4 As Cornwall so this hath the same Commodities that arise from the Seas and being more inlaâ—ded hath more commodious Havens for Shippings entercourse among whom Totnes is famous for Brutes first entrance if Geffry say true or if Havillan the Poet took not a Poetical liberty when speaking of Brute he wrote thus The Gods did guide his sail and course the winds were at command And Totnes was the happy shour where first he came on land But with more credit and lamentable event the Danes at Teigne-mouth first entred for the invasion of this Land about the year of Christ 787 unto whom Britrik King of the West-Saxons sent the Steward of his house to know their intents whom râ—sistantly they slew yet were they forced back to their Ships by the Inhabitants though long they stayed not but eagerly pursued their begun enterprises With more happy success hath Plimouth set forth the purchasers of same and stopped the entrance of Englands Invaders as in the reign of that eternized Queen the â—irrour of Princes Elizabeth of everlasting memory for from this Port Sir Francis Drake that potent man at Sea setting forth Anno 1577 in the space of two years and ten months did compass the circle of the earth by Sea And the Lord Charles Howard Englands high Admiral did not only from hence impeach the entrance of the proud invincible Spanish Navy intending invasion and subversion of State but with his Bullets so signed their passage that their sides did well shew in whose hands they had been as seals of their own shame and his high honour 5 The Commodities of this Shire consist much in Wools and Clothings where the best and finest Kersies are made in the Land Corn is most plenteous in the fruitful Vallies and Cattle spreading upon the topped Hills Sea-Fish and Fowl exceedingly abundant Veins of Lead yea and some of Silver in this Shire are found and the Load-stone not the least for use and esteem from the Rocks upon Dart-more hath been taken Many fresh Spâ—ings bubble from the Hills in this Province which with a longing desire of Society search out their passage till they meet and conjoyn in the Vallies and gathering still strength with more branches lastly grow bodies able to bear Ships into the Land and to lodge them of great burthen in their bosoms or Falls whereof Tamer Tave and Ex are the fairest and most commodious 6 Upon which last the chief City and shire Town of this County is seated and from that River hath her name Excester this City by Ptolomy is called Isca by the Itinerary of Antonius Emperour Isca Danmonioram and by the Welsh Pencaer It is pleasantly seated upon the gentle ascent of an hill so stately for building so rich with inhabitants so frequent for commeree and concourse of strangers that a man can desire nothing but there it is to be had saith VVilliam of Malmesbury The walls of this City first built by King Athelstane are in a manner circular or round but towards the Ex rangeth almost in a straight line having six Gates for entrance and many Watch-Towers interposed betwixt whose compass containeth about fifteen hundred paces upon the East part of this City standeth a Castle of Rugemont sometimes the Palace of the VVest-Saxon Kings and after them of the Earls of Cornwall whose Prospect is pleasant unto the Sea and over against it a most magnificent Cathedral Church founded by King Athelstane also in the honour of S. Peter and by Edward the Confessor made the Bishops See which he removed from Crediton or Kirton in this County unto the City of Excester as saith the private History of that place whose dilapidations the reverend Father in God VVilliam now Bishop of the Diocess with great cost hath repaired whom I may not name without a most thankful remembrance for the great benefits received by his carefull providence towards me and mine This City was so strong and so well stored of Britains that they held out against the Saxons for 465 years after their first entrance and was not absolutely won until Athelstane became Monarch of the whole who then peopled it with his Saxons and enriched the beauty thereof with many fair buildings but in the times of the Danish desolation this City with the rest felt their destroying hands for in the year 875 it was by them sore afflicted spoiled and shaken and that most grievously by Swane in the year of Christ Iesus 1003. who razed it down from East to West so that scarcely had it gotten breath before VVilliam the bastard of Normandy besieged it against whom the Citizens with great manhood served till a part of the wall fell down of it self and that by the hand of Gods providence saith mine Author Since when it hath been three times besieged and with valiant resistance ever defended The first was by Hugh Courtney Earl of Devonshire in the civil broiles betwixt Lancaster and York Then by Perkin VVarbeck that counterfeited Richard Duke of York And lastly by the Cornish Rebels wherein although the Citizens were grievously pinched with scarcity yet continued they their faithful allegiance unto King Edward the sixth and at this day flourisheth in tranquility and wealth being governed by a Major twenty four Brethren with a Recorder Town-Clerk and other Officers their Attendants This Cities graduation is set in the degree of Latitude from the North Pole 50 and 45 scruples And for Longitude from the West to the degree 16 and 25 scruples Neither is Ioseph that excellent Poet whose birth was in this City the least of her Ornaments whose Writings bear so great credit that they were divulged in the German Language under the name of Cornelius Nepos The like credit got Crediton in her birth child VVinifred the Apostle of the Hassians Thuringers and Frisians of Germany which were converted by him unto Gospel and knowledge of Christ. 7 Places memorable in this County remaining for signs of Battles or other antiquities are these Upon Exmore certain Monuments of Antick-work are erected which are stones pitched in order some Triangle-wise and some in round compass These no doubt were trophies of Victories there obtained either by the Romans Saxons or Danes and with Danish Letters one of them is inscribed giving direction to such as should travel that way Hublestowe likewise near unto the mouth of â—awe was the burial place of Huba the Dane who with his Brother Hungar had harried the English in divers parts of the Land But lastly was there encountred with and slain by this Shires Inhabitants and under a heap of copped stones interred and the Banner Reasen there and then taken that had so often been spread in the Danes quarrel and wherein they reposed no small confidence for success 8 A double dignity remaineth in this County where Princes of State have born the Titles both of Devon-shire and Excester of which City there have been entituled Dukes the last of whom namely Henry Holland
Grand-child to Iohn Holland half-brother to King Richard the Second siding with Lancaster against Edward the fourth whose Sister was his wife was driven to such misery as Philip Comineus repotteth that he was seen all torn and bare-footed to beg his living in the Low Countries And lastly his body was cast upon the shore of Kent as if he had perished by ship-wrack so certain is Fortune in her endowments and the state of man notwithstanding his great birth 9 Religious Houses in this Shire built in devotion and for Idolatry pulled down were at Excester Torhay Tanton Tavestokes Kirton Hartland Axminster and Berstuble 10 And the Counties divisions are parted into thirty three Hundreds wherein are seated thirty seven Market-Towns and three hundred ninety four Parish-Churches Cornwaile CORNVVALL CHAPTER X. CORNWALL as Matthew of Winchester affirmeth is so named partly from the form and partly from her people for shooting it self into the Sea like an Horn which the Britains call Kâ—rne 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 Corinnus cousin to King Brute who in free gift received this County in reward of his prowess for wrestling with the Giant Gogmagog and breaking his neck from the Cliffe of Dover as he of Monmouth hath fabuled 2 Touching the temperature of this County the Air thereof is cleansed as with Bellowes by the Billowes that ever work from off her environing Seas where thorow it becometh pure and subtile and is made thereby very healthful but withall so piercing and sharp that it is apter to preserve than to recover health The Spring is not so early as in more Eastern parts yet the Summer with a temperate heat recompenseth his â—low fostering of the fruits with their most kindly ripening The Autumne bringeth a somewhat late Harvest and the Winter by reason of the Seas warm breath maketh the cold milder than else-where Notwithstanding that Countrey is much subject to stormy bâ—asts whose violence hath freedome from the open waves to beat upon the dwellers at Land leaving many times their houses uncovered 3 The Soyl for the most part is lifted up into many hills parted asunder with narrow and short valâ—â—es and a shallow earth doth cover their outside which by a Sea weed called Orewood and a certain kind of frâ—â—sul Sea-sand they make so rank and batten as is uncredible But more are the riches that out of those hills are gotten from the Mines of Copper and Tinn 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 Britains fetched their Tinn in Wicker boats stitched about with Leather And Diodorus Siculus of Augustus Caesars time writeth that the Britains in this part digged Tin out of stony ground which by Merchants was carried into Gallia and thence to Narborne 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 Earl of Cornwall and by those Tinn-works became exceedingly rich for the incursions of the Moores having stopped up the Tinn-Mines in Spain and them in Germany not discovered before the year of Christ 1240. these in Cornwall supplyed the want in all parts of the world This Earl made certain Tinn-Laws which with liberties and priviledges were confirmed by Earl Edmund his son And in the days of King Edward the third the Common-weale of Tinn-works from one body was divided into four and a Lord Warden 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 four miles further to the North betwixt this County and Devonshire it might have been rather accounted an Island than stood with the Mayne Her length is from Launston to the Lands-end containing by measure 60 miles and the broadest part stretching along by the Tamer is fully forty lessening thence still lesser like a horn 5 The Antient inhabitants known to the Romans were the Danmonii that spread themselves further into Devon-shire also by the report of Diodorus Siculâ—â— a most courteous and civil people and by Michael their Poet extolled for valour and strength of limbs nor therein doth he take the liberty that Poets are allowed to add to the subject whreof they write but truly repotteth what we see by them performed who in activity surmount many other people When the Heathen Saxons had seated themselves in the best of this Land and forced the Christian Britains into these rocky parts then did Cornwall abound in Saints unto whose honour most of the Churches were erected by whose names they are yet known and called To speak nothing of Visula that Counties Dukes daughter with her company of canonized Virgin-Saints that are now reputed but to trouble the Calender These Britains in Cornwall so fenced the Countrey and defended themselves that to the reign of Athelstaâ—e they held out against the Saxons who subduing those Western Parts made Tamer the Bounder betwixt them and his English whose last Earl of the British Bloud was called Candorus 6 But William the Bastard created Robert his half-brother by Herlotta their mother the first Earl of the Normans race and Edward the Black 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 Crown 7 The Commodities of this Shire ministred both by Sea and Soile are many and and great for besides the abundance of Fish that do suffice the Inhabitants the Pilchard is taken who in great shuls swarm about the Coast whence being transported to France Spain and Italy yield a yearly revenue of gain unto Cornwall wherein also Copper and Tinn so plentifully grow in the utmost part of this Promontory that at a low water the veins thereof lie bare and are seen and what gain that commodity begets is vulgarly known Neither are these Rocks destitute of Gold nor Silver yea and Diamonds shaped and pointed Angle wise and smoothed by Nature her self whereof some are as big as Wallnuts inferiour to the Orient only in blackness and hardness Many are the Ports Bayes and Havens that open into this Shire both safe for arrivage and commodious 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 Winds 8 This County is fruitful in Corn Cattle Sea-fish and Fowl all which with other provision for pleasures and life are traded thorow twenty two Market-Towns in this Shire whereof Lauston 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
followers so that most of the Mannors and Lands in the parts aforesaid were in those days either mediately or immediately holden of one of them And as Northfolk and Suffolk were first united in a Kingdom then in an Earldom so they continued united in the Sheriff-wick till about the fifteenth year of Queen Elizabeth 5 The Towns 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 Lynn and Yarmouth to which for ancient reputation as having been a seat of the Kings of East-Angles I may add Thetford known to Antoninus Ptolomy and elder ages by the name of Sitomagus when the other three were yet in their infancy and of no esteem For I accept not the Relations of the Antiquity and State of Norwich in the time of the Britains and Saxons though Alexander Nevil hath well graced them Her very name abridgeth her Antiquity as having no other in Histories but Norwich which is meer Saxon or Danish and signifieth the North-Town or Castle It seemeth to have risen out of the decay of her neighbour Venta now called Castor and as M. Cambden noteth not to have been of mark before the entry of the Danes who in the year 1004 under Swane their Captain first sackt and then burnt it even in her infancy Yet in the days of Edward the Confessor it recovered 1320 Burgesses But maintaining the cause of Earl Radulph aforesaid against the Conquerour they were by famine and sword wasted to 560 at which time the Earl escaping by Ship his wife upon composition yielded the Castle and followed In William Rufus time it was grown famous for Merchandise and concourse of people so that Herbert then translated the Bishoprick from Thetford thither made each of them an ornament to other In variety of times it felt much variety of Fortune By fire in Anno 1508. By extreme plagues whereof one in Anno 1348 was so outragious as 57104 are reported to have died thereof between the Calends of Ianuary and of Iuly By misery of war was sacked and spoiled by the Earl of Flanders and Hugh Bigod Anno 1174. In yielding to Lewis the French against their natural Lord King Iohn Anno 1216. By the disinherited Barons Anno 1266. By tumult and insurrection between the Citizens and Church-men once about the year 1255. which if Henry the third had not come in person to appease the City was in hazard to be ruined the second time in Anno 1446 for which the Mayor 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 Plenty Wealth and Honour so that Alexander Nevil doubteth not to prefer 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 East the Hills and Heath called Mussold for Musswould as I take it In the 17 year of King Stephen it was new founded and made a Corporation In Edward the firsts time closed with a fair Wall saving on a part that the River defendeth First governed by four Bayliffs then by Henry the fourth in Anno 1403 erected into a Majoralty and County the limits whereof now extend to Eatonbridge At this present it hath about thirty Parishes but in ancient time had many more 6 Lynn having been an ancient Borough under the government of a Bayliff or Reve called Praepositus was by King Iohn in the sixth year of his Reign made Liber Burgus and besides the gift of his memorable Cup which to this day honoureth his Corporation endowed with divers fair Liberties King Henry the third in the Seventeenth year of his Reign in recompence of their serviâ—â— 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 eighth in the sixteenth year of his Reign added twelve Aldermen a Recorder and other Officers and the bearing of a Sword before the Mayor But the Town coming after to the same King he in the ewenty ninth of his Reign changed their name from Maior Burgensis Lynn Episcopi to Maior Burgenses Lynn Regis 7 â—â—rmouth is the Key of the Coast named and seated by the mouth of the River â—ere Begun in the time of the Danes and by small accessions growing populous made a Corporation under two Bayliffs by King Henry the thrid and by his Charter about the fifteenth year of his Reign walled It is an ancient member of the Cinque Ports very well built and fortified having only one Church but fair and large founded by Bishop Herbert in William Rufus days It maintaineth a Peer against the Sea at the yearly 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 Inquisitor findeth Anno 10. H 3. There is yearly in September the worthiest Herring fishing in Europe which draweth great concourse of people and maketh the Town much the richer all the year but very unsavory for the time The Inhabitants are so courteous as they have long held a custom to feast all persons of worth repairing to their Town 8 The Bishoprick of Norwich had first her seat at Dunwich in Suffolk and was there begun by Faelix 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 Babingley by Lynn 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 Sharneburn then of wood and therefore called Stock Chappel After Faelix and three of his Successors this Bishoprick was divided into two Sees the one with eleven Bishops in succession continuing at Dunwich the other with twelve at Elmham in Northfolk Then united again in the time of King Edwin the entire See for twelve other Bishops remained at Elmham and in the Conquerours time was by his Chaplain Arfastus being the thirtieth translated to Thetford from thence by Herbert his next Successour save one bought of W. Rufus for 1900 pounds and brought to Norwich This Herbert sirnamed Losinga a Norman builded the Cathedral Church there and endowed it with large possessions Not far from thence he also builded another Church to S. Leonard a third at Elmham a â—ourth at â—ynn S. Margarets a very fair one and the fifth at Yarmouth before mentioned By the Cathedral Church he builded a Palace for the Bishops and founded the Priory there now converted to Dean and Chapter and another Priory at Thâ—tford 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
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
martyred Kings Ethelbright and Ethelred and of Saint Ive the Persian Bishop by humble piety at first and pious charity ascended such a pitch of worldly fortune that it transformed their Founder religious povertâ— into their ruine the attribute of Ramsey the rich for having made themselves Lords of 387 Hides of Land whereof 200 in this Shire so much as at an eaâ—ie and under rent was at the Suppression valued at 1983 l. 15 s. 3 d. q. but by account of this time annually amounts to 7000 l. they then begin to affect popular command and first enclosing that large circuit of Land and Water for in it lyeth the Mile-square Meere of Ramsey as a peculiar Seigniory to them called the Baleuâ— or Bandy bounded as the Shire from Ely and from Norman-Crosse with the hundred Meere by Soveraign Grant they enjoyed regal liberty And then aspiring a step further to place in Parliament made Broâ—ghton the head of their Barony annexing to it in this Shire four Knights Fees Thus in great glory it stood above 400 years until Henry the Eight amongst many other once bright Lamps of Learning and Religion in this State though then obscured with those blemishes to wealth and ease concomitant dissolved the house although Iohn Warboys then Abbot and his 60 black Monks there maintained were of the first that under their hands and conventual Seal protesâ—ed Quod Romanus Pontifex non habet majorem aliquam Iurisdictionem collatam sibi à Deo in Regno Angâ—iae quam quiuis alius externus Episcopus A Cell to this rich Monastery was S. Ivâ—s Priory built in that place of Slep by Earl Adâ—lmus in the reign of the last Edmund where the incorrupted body of S. Ive there once an Hermit in a Viâ—ion revealed was by Edâ—othus taken up in his Robes Episcopal and dedicated in the presence of Siward Earl of this County and that Lady of renowned piety Ethelâ—leda to the sacred memory of this Persian Bishop Not far from this is Somersham the gift of the Saxon Earl Brithnothus to the Church of Ely before his own fatal expedition against the Danes It is the head of those five Towns of which the Soke is composed and was an house to the See of Ely well beautified by Iohn Stanley their Bishop but now by exchange is annexed to the Crown As these so all the rest of this hundred was the Churches land except Rippon Regis ancient Demaine To which Saple reserved Forrest adjoyned and the greater Stivecley given by the last David Earl of Huntington in Fee to his three Servants Sentlice Lakervile and Camoys 8 NORMANSCROS the next Hundred taketh name of a Cross above Stilion the place where in former ages this Division mustered their people whence Wapentake is derived it had in it two Religious houses the eldest in the confines of Newton and Chesterton neer the River of Avon now Nene founded by the first Abbesse Keneburga the Daughter of Penda and Wife of Elfred King of Northumber land West side a Trench where Ermin-street-way crossed over the River by a Stone-bridge whose ruines are now drowned whence the Roman Town there seated on both sides took the name Durobrivae as Trajectus Fluminis But this Nunnery as raised was also ruined by the Danes before the Conquest The other a Monastery of Cistercian black Monks erected in hoâ—â—uâ— of the Virgin Mary by the second Simon Earl of Huntington at Soltry Iudeth the Land of a Lady of that name wife of Earl Waltheof daughter of Lambert Earl of Leins Neece to the Conquerour by hiâ— sister her Mother and Grand-mother to this Founder Malcome and William Kings of Scots Earls of Huntington and Heirs of this Lady strengthened by several Charters this pious work Many chief of that Line as the last Earl David brother to King William as Isabel the wife of Robert de Brus his daughters Heir and most of the second branch her progeny making here their Burials This house now level with the ground maintained besides the Abbot six Monks and 22 Hindes and was at the Suppression valued at 199 l. 11 s. 8 d. The Founders and Patrons of this Monastery were the Lords of the next place Conniâ—gton first the seat of Turkillus Earl of the East Angles that invited Swayne from Denmarke to invade this Land and who first squared out the unbounded marishes of this part to the bordering Towns his rule of proportion allowing to euery parish tantum de Marisco quantum de â—iccâ— terra in breadth in which none â—ine licentia Domini might vel fodere vel falcare but leaving most to inter-common by vicinage This Dane exiled when the rest of his Countreymen were by Edward Confessor his land here was given to Earl waltheof by whose eldest heir Matildâ— married to David King of Scots it went along in that Male Line until by death issuless of Iohn Earl of Chester and Huntington it fell in partage to his sister Isabel de Brus one of his Heirs from whose second Son Bernard the Family of Cotton by Lineal succession holdeth this Land whereto Glatton the adjoyning Parish is now by bounty of a second branch annexed It was in this Shire the head of the honour of Bolleine on which Connington Walimsford Sibson Stibington and Vescyes Mannor in Chesterton attended part of it is the fresh Sea Wittlemere four mile in breadth over which when Emma and her Children the issue of Canutus sayled with some peril her Husband in prevention of the like from Bottesey in a straight course to the opposite firme land lined with his Attendant Swords that passage which since hath born the name of Swordâ— Delph Kings or Canutus dyke This Seignory was granted by the Conquerour to Eustace Earl of Bolleiâ— Brother to Lambert Earl of Leins and Father to Godfrey King of Ierusalem reverting it was given to Richard Earl of Cornwall who granted out of it the two Meeres Vbbe Meere and Brich Meere in Fee-Farme to the Church of Ramsey Then after sundry changes it came to Iohn of Gaunt in exchange of the Earldom of richmond and so by descent fell again to the Crown VVashingley not far off from the ancient Lord of that name by Drwâ— and Otter came to the Princes that now posâ—esseth it In Chesterton from VVadsheafe by Denâ—yes there is to the Sevils an ancient name in this Shire a Mannor descended The rest from Aegidius de Merk who gave there much to Royston Priory passed by Amundevil to Gloucester and so to Vescey by exchange In Elton the house rich in a beauteous Chappel from Denham to Sapcotes and Satlâ—re Beaumes from that sirname near the time of the Conquest by â—outh to Cornwallis descended as Bottle-bridge by Gimels Drayton Lovet unto Sherley the now Lord. 9 LETUNESTANHUNDRED have that name from Leighton a Town in the midst of it given by Earl VViltheof to the Church of Lincolne which after shared it into two Prebendaries One the Parsonage impropriate which still remaineth the other the Lordships