nor too cold occasioned by the many Rivers which run through this Shire The Soil is Rich Plenteous and Delightful and yields abundance of Corn Cattle Wool and Grass and is destitute of nothing that is either Pleasant or Profitable to the Life of Man The Principal Commodities are Wheat Barley and Malt. It is in the Diocesses of London Chichester and Lincoln and hath in it 120 Parishes Out of it are Elected 6 Members which sit in Parliament Knights 2 St. Albans 2 Hertford 2 Its Division is into 8 Hundreds viz. 1. Odsey 2. Edwinstreet 3. Branging 4. Brodewater 5. Hitching 6. Dacor 7. Hertford 8. Caisho And in these Hundreds are 18 Market-Towns Barnet Mon. Barkhamsted M. Buntingford M. VVatford Tues Ware Tues Hitching Tues Sabsworth Wed. Hempsted Thurs Hatfield Th. Hodsdon Th. Bishop Stafford Th. Baldock Th. Stevenedge Frid. Tringe Frid. Stondon Fr. Hertford Sat. S. Albans Sat. Rickmanswortb Sat. Stevenedge and Redbourn 2 new Markets The Principal Town in this Shire is Hertford lying in the Latitude of 51 deg 50 min. bearing from London N. by W. and is distant therefrom 20 Miles Thus From London to Barnet 10. to Hertford 20. But the way upon the Road is 22 miles measured This Town of Hertford though the Shire-Town is not the richest the turning of the way through Ware having much hindred Travellers from going through it It hath been formerly a Baliwick but is now governed by a Mayor nine Burgesses a Recorder and Two Serjeants their Attendants The Arms of Hertford is A Hart in a Field Proper The Earls of Hertford are Roger Earl of Clare and Hertford Edward Senior Earl of Hertford In this County three remarkable Battels of Civil dissention in England have been fought viz. The First on the 23d of May 1455. in the Town of St. Albans by Richard D. of York the Earls of Warwick and Salisbury and Lords of Fow Cambridge and Cobham against K. Henry the 6. In whose defence Edw. D. of Somerset Henry E. of Northumberland and John Lord Clifford with 5000 more lost their Lives The King himself wounded in the Neck with an Arrow the D. of Buckingham and Lord Sudley in their Faces Humphrey E. of Stafford in his right Hand and the E. of Dorset almost slain There were on the Dukes part only 600 slain The King by them was brought to London and a Reconciliation made by their advancements unto Dignities and Offices The Second Battel was also fought at St. Albans on the 17th of February being Shrove-Sunday by Q. Margaret against the Dukes of Norffolk and Suffolk the Earls of Warwick and Arundel who by force kept the King her Husband with them and by constraint he held and on their side fought till the Field was lost and the Lords fled when with great joy he was received by his Queen and young Prince Edward The Third Battel was fought in Anno 1471. upon the 14th of April being Easter-Day near High Barnet by the Earls of Warwick and Oxford and Marquesso Mountaculo against K. Edw. 4. who led with him K. Henry the 6th his Prisoner unto that Field and that day obtained the Victory against his Enemies There were Slain in this Battel Richard Nevil the stout E. of Warwick with his Brother the Marquess and the E. of Oxford put to flight and the Duke of Excester sore wounded and left in the Field for Dead On the King's part were Slain the Lords Cromwell Bowcher and Barns and on both parts the number of 10000 Men. Remarques in this County Near Fishpool-Street in St. Albans saith Cambden in our remembrance have Anchors of a great weight been digged up There is near St. Albans a Brook called Womere which never breaketh out but it foretelleth dearth or scarcity of Corn or else some danger suddenly to ensue At Ashwell in this County rise so many Sourses of Springs together that they presently drive a Mill and become a pretty big River Herefordshire IS bounded on the East by Gloucestershire and Worcestershire On the West by Radnorshire On the South by Monmouthshire And on the North by Shropshire It containeth in length 63 Miles in breadth 36 Miles And in Circumference 101 Miles The Air is very healthful temperate and wholsom The Soyl of this County is exceeding Rich for Corn and Cattle and about Lemster is the finest Wool in all England The Chief Commodities of this County are Syder Corn Wood and the best Wool in any part of England It is in the Diocess of Hereford and in it are 176 Parishes Out of it are elected 8 Parliament Men. Knights 2 Hereford 2 Lemster 2 VVeobly 2 Its Division is into 11 Hundreds viz. 1 Wignore 2 Wolsey 3 Broxash 4 Stretford 5 Radlow 6 Grimsworth 7 Greytree 8 Webtree 9 Ewjaslacy 10 Wormelow 11 Huntington In these Hundreds are 8 Market-Towns viz. Branyeard Monday Pembridge Tues Lidbury Tuesd Kyneton Wedn. Webley Thurs Rosse Thurs Lemster Friday Hereford Wed. Friday and Saturday The most eminent place in this County is the City of Hereford lying in the Latitude of 52 deg 12 min. and bearing W. N. W. from London and distant therefrom 101 miles thus From London to Maidenhead 22. to Nettlebed 33. to Alington 46. to Farrington 56. to Perrors-bridge 69. to Gloucester 81. to Rosse 91. to Hereford 101. But according to a more accurate admeasurement upon the Road it is distant from London 130 miles The City of Hereford is Walled about having six Gates for entrance and 15 Watch-Towers for defence It is yearly Governed by a Mayor chosen out of one of the 30 Citizens which are called the Election whoever after is known for an Alderman and cloathed in Scarlet the four eldest Aldermen are Justices of the Peace and graced with a Sword-bearer a Recorder a Town-Clerk and 4 Sergeants with Maces The Arms of the City of Hereford are Gules three Lyons Passant Guardant Or. The Earls of Hereford since the first Constitution are William Fitz Osbourn Earl Robert Bossue Earl Miles Consta of England Henry Bohun Earl Henry Bullingbrook D. Stafford Walter D'Evreux Visc Heref. Upon the 2d of February being Candlemas-Day in the year 1461. near Ludlow a great Battel was fought between Jasper E. of Pembrook and James Butler E. of Ormond and Wiltshire against Edward E. of March in which 3800 men were Slain The two Earls fled and Owen Tenther taken and beheaded Before this Battel began there appeared visible in the Heavens 3 Suns which after a while all joyned together and became One as before This caused Edward afterwards to give the Sun in his Glory for his Badge and Cognizance Things remarkable in this County By Snodhill Castle is a Quarry of Exellent Marble By Richards Castle is a Well called Bone-Well wherein are continually found little Fishes Bones but not a Fin to be seen which Well being wholly cleansed of them yet will the like come again But saith Mr. Speed no man knows whether they be produced naturally or brought thither in Veins through
There is a line goes along the back which is as it were fastned to the body by an overtwart thrid it is all spotted with black specks over the Tale and Fins 'T is a wholsom Fish and eats tender and short as a Perch This Fish is rarely taken in any other River and this is observable of it that when the Fish is angry the Fins stand up stiff and after its anger is over they fall flat again At St. Bennets in the Holm Cockles and Periwinckles are digged out of the Ground The Ground about Winterton is the Richest Fattest Rottenest and easiest to Plough of any in England Upon the Shoar of this Shire Jet and Amber are often found and sometimes Hawks are taken Northampton-Shire IS bounded on the East by Cambridge-shire On the West by Warwickshire On the South by Buckinghamshire And on the North by Lincolnshire and Leicestershire It containeth in length 55 miles In breadth 26 miles And in Circumference 125 miles The Air is Temperate good and wholsom The Soil is Champion Rich and fruitful and it is well peopled and is the seat of many Noble Families of this Kingdom The Chief Commodities of this Shire are Corn Cattel Sheep and Wood. It is in the Diocess of Peterborough and hath in it 326 Parishes Out of it are elected 9 Members which sit in Parliament Knights 2 Peterborough 2 Northampton 2 Brackley 2 Higham-Ferrers 1 Its Division is into 20 Hundreds viz. Nassaburge Willibrooke Corby Polbrook Navisford Huxloe Rothwell Guylesborrow Orlington Fansey Newbottle Grove Spelboe Hamfordshoe Higham ferryes Wymersley Towcester Warden Norton Cleley Sutton And in these Hundreds are 13 Market-Towns viz. Rothwell Mond Thrapston Tuesd Tonchester Tues Kings Cliff Tu. Wellingborough Wed. Brackley Wedn. Daventry Wed. Kettering Friday Northampton Satur. Peterborough Sat. Oundle Sat. Higham Ferrers Rockingham The principal place in this County is the Town of Northampton lying in the Latitude of 52 deg 14 min. It bears from London N. W. and is distant therefrom 54 miles Thus From London to Barnet 10. to St. Albans 20. to Dunstable 30. to Stony-stratford 34. to Northampton 54. But by more accurate admeasurement upon the Road it is found to be 65 miles This Town is seated at the meeting and confluence of two Rivers and saith Speed for Circuit Beauty and Building may be ranked with most of the Cities of this Land It hath formerly been built all of Stone and walled about with a high and strong Wall This Town is yearly Governed by a Mayor two Bailiffs 12 Magistrates a Recorder a Town-Clerk a Common Council of 48 Burgesses with 5 Sergeants to execute business The Arms of this Town of Northampton are Gules a Watch-Tower on a Hill Proper supported by 2 Lions Rampant Or. The Names of the Earls of Northampton since the Norman Conquest Siward E. of Northampton Simon Scutlis E. of Northampton William Bohun E. of Northampton Humphrey Bohun E. of Northamp Thomas Woodstock E. of Northamp Humphrey Stafford E. of Northamp William Parr M. Henry Haward E. of Northamp Will. Compton E. of N. Things Remarkable in this County Upon the 26th of July 1469. at Edgcot in this County upon Danes Moor a bloody Battel was fought by the Lords of the North their Captains being Sir John Comers and Robin of Risdale against K. Edward the 4th William Herbert E. of Pembrook was the King's General who together with his Brother Richard and Richard Woodvill Lord Rivers Brother to the Queen with his Son were all four there taken with other 10 Gentlemen and all of them carried to Banbury and there Beheaded There were also 5000 of their men slain the greatest part whereof were Welsh men After this Victory Robin of Risdale hasted to the King's Mannor House at Grafton and there surprized Earl Rivers the Queens Father and his Son John and had them Beheaded at Northampton The Town of Northampton hath three times felt the smart of Civil Dissention The first was in Anno 1106. by Robert William and Henry Brethren and Sons to the Conqueror who spoiled it and all the Countrey adjoyning The second was Anno 1263. by K. Henry the 3d. who surprized it against his Rebellious Barons and broke down the Walls thereof The third was Anno 1459. in which Town was taken K. Henry the 6th by the Earls of Warwick and March supporters of the Title of York wherein were slain Humphrey Stafford D. of Buckingham John Talbot E. of Shrewsbury and the Lords Beamount and Egremount with many more and the King was by the Lords conveyed to London From some Ascents in this County may be seen at one view 30 Parish-Churches and many more Windmils By Collyweston in this County Slate Stones are digged The River Nun runs by the South side of Peterborough in the middle of which saith William of Swaffham is a Gulf so deep and cold withal that in Summer time no Swimmer is able to Dive to the bottom of it and yet it is never frozen in Winter for there is a Spring in it whence the Water always rises and bubleth up which keeps it from freezing Northumberland THis County is bounded on the East by the German Ocean On the West by Cumberland On the South by the Bishoprick of Durham And on the North by Scotland It containeth in length 60 miles In breadth 40 miles And in Circumference 145 miles The Temperature of the Air of this Shire of it self is sharp and piercing but the German Ocean doth somewhat abate the edge of this sharpness and helps to dissolve the Snow and Ice The Soil is barren having neither fertility of Ground for Corn or Cattel it being naturally rough and hard to be manured But those parts by the Sea side and by the River Tyne good Husbanding of it hath made it reasonable fertile The principal Commodities are Sea-Coals Fish and Fowl It is in the Diocess of Durham and hath in it 460 Parishes Out of it are elected 8 Parliament Men. Knights 2 New-Castle upon Tyne 2 Morpeth 2 Berwick upon Tweed 2 Its Division is not into Hundreds but into 6 Wards In the County are 6 Market-Towns viz. 1 New-Castle Tues and Sat. 2 Hexam Tues 3 Morpeth Wednes 4 Weller Thurs 5 Alnewick Satur. 6 Barwick Sat. The Principal Town in this County is New-Castle lying in the Latitude of 55 deg 3 min. It bears from London N. by W. And is distant therefrom 212 miles Thus From London to Waltham-Cross 12 miles to Ware 20. to Royston 33. to Huntington 48. to Stamford 69. to Grantham 85. to Newark 95. to Tuxford 105. to Doncaster 123. to Ferrybridge 134. to Tadcaster 142. to York 150. to Burrough-bridge 163. to Northallerton 176. to Darlington 186. to Durham 200. to New-Castle 212. But being accurately measured upon the Road the distance is found to be 276. It hath in it 4 Churches and a strong VVall about it in which there are eight Gates It is much ennobled by the Haven which the River Tyne maketh being of that
at Mace The Arms of the Town of Shrewsbury is Azure 3 Leopards heads Or. Things Remarkable in this County That the Air of this County is healthful as is aforesaid was versified in old Tho. Parre of Alderbury who was 152 years old who about two years before he died was brought up to London to K. Charles the First and dyed there in Anno 1635. At Wenlock in the time of Richard the Second was found a rich Mine of Copper At â—itchford in this Shire is a Well or Spring in a private man's Yard wherein floweth a thick skum of liquid Bitumen which being cleared and taken off one day will have the like upon it again on the morrow Upon that plot of Ground where the ancient City Wroxcester lay the Earth is more blackish than any elsewhere in the whole County and bears excellent good Barley In the third year of Q. Elizabeth the Town of Oswestre in this County 200 Houses in the space of two hours were consumed with Fire Dr. Fuller in his History of The Worthies of England quoteth a Proverb which is attributed to the Women of this County namely this He that Marries a Wife in Shropshire must carry her into Staffordshire or live in Cumberland The gingle of which Proverb and the reflexion of it upon the Women saying That this County of Shropshire affordeth as good Housewifes and as meek Women as any County in England of the like magnitude Somerset-Shire THis Shire is bounded on the East by Wiltshire On the West by Devonshire On the South by Dorsetshire And on the North by Gloucestershire It containeth in length 62 miles In breadth 32 miles And in Circumference 204 miles The Temperature of the Air is mild pleasing and delightful especially in the Summer Season The Soil is Wet Mirey and Moorish but as it is foul so it is fruitful and on every side garnished with delightful Meadows and beautified with many large Mansion-Houses and the Seven Sea beating upon it on the North side The chief Commodities of this County are Corn Cattel Lead and Bristol Stones It is in the Diocess of Bath and Wells and in it are contained 385 Parishes Out of it are elected 18 Members to sit in Parliament Knights 2 Bristol 2 Bath 2 Wells 2 Taunton 2 Bridgewater 2 Minehead 2 Ilchester 2 Milborn Port 2 Its Division is into 42 Hundreds viz. Chewe Chewton Bathforme Keynsham Bruton Cattesayshe Norton-ferry Frome Wellow Killmersdon Glaston Horethorne Wells and Melford Whitston North Curry Milverton Carhampton Wyllyton and Free-Mannor Whitleigh Canington North Petherton Anderfield Huntspill Puriton Abdicke Bulston Kingsbury S. Petherton Crewkerne Sommerton Pitney Stone Tintin hull Houndsborough Barwick Coker Martock Winterstoake Portbury Brempstone Brent Hartcliffe and Bedminster And in these Hundreds are 30 Market-Towns viz. Somerton Mond Chard Mond Glassenburrough Tu. N. Curry Tu Sat. Wivescomb Tu. Pensford Tu. Wrinton Tu. North Petherton Tu. Wincaunion W. Ilchester W. Taunton W. and S. Bristol W. and Sat. Bath W. and S. Wells W. and S. Frowmselwood Wed. Axebridge Th. South Petherton Th. Wellington Th. Bridgewater Th. Canesham Th. Shepton Mallet Fr. Evill Fr. Dunster Fr. Wruton Sa. Langport S. Crokehorn S. Ilmister S. Wattchet S. Dalverton S. Phillips Norton This County is famous for that in it are three Cities viz. Bath Wells and Bristol Bath taketh its name from the Wells or Springs which there break forth Bath taketh its name from the Hot Baths there But the principal City though not so ancient as the other two is Bristol It lies in the Latitude of 51 deg 32 min. It bears from London West and is distant therefrom 94 miles Thus From London to New Brainford 8 miles to Maidenhead 22. to Reading 32. to Newberry 47. to Marlborough 62. to Chipenham 77. to Marshfield 84. to Bristol 94. But by more accurate admeasurement upon the Road the distance from London is found to be 115 Miles This City is fair and well seated and for beauty may compare with any City in England of the bigness and may well deserve the old Saxon name Bright-stall whose pleasantness is much augmented by reason of the River Avon runs through the middle of it and the Severn running under all the Streets cleanses the City from all manner of filth It is not wholly seated in this County but one part of it is in Gloucestershire It is Governed both by a Bishop and a Maior a competent number of Aldermen and other Officers for the management of Civil affairs The Arms of the City is Gules a Castle upon a Hill by the Seaside and a helm of a Ship under Sail passing by all proper The Earls and Dukes of Somerset and Bath since the first Constitution Rheonald de Mohum Lord of Dunster and E of Somerset John Beauford Duke of Somerset Henry fits Roy Duke of Somerset Edward Somer Duke of Somerset Phllip Chamdew Earl of Bath John Boucheir Lord Fitz Warren Earl of Bath Henry Dawbney John Greenvile Earl of Bath Things Remarkable in this County Camalet a very steep Hill hard to be ascended on the top whereof are seen the Lineaments of a large and ancient Castle which is said to have been the Palace of King Arthur The Church-yard of Avelena or Glassenborough where K. Arthur's Sepulchre was searched for by Order of K. Henry the 2d and was there found under a Stone with an Inscription upon it almost 9 foot under ground The principal Rarity of this County is the Baths which are in number four viz. The Kings Bath The Queens Bath The Cross Bath And the Hot Bath The King's Bath lies in the middle of the City being about 60 foot Square and it hath about the middle of it many hot Springs rising whence it hath the greater heat The Queens Bath hath no Spring in it but only receives the Water from the King's Bath from which it is only divided by a Wall for which reason it is more Temperate than the Kings In these 2 Baths there is a Pump to Pump Water upon the Diseased where strong Embrocations are required The Croâ—â— Bath and the Hot Bath are in the West part of the City The Cross Bath is Triangular and about 25 foot long and as broad at one end It hath not so many Springs as the King's Bath and the Hot Bath have and therefore is of a more gentle heat About 100 foot from the Cross Bath is the Hot Bath so called because formerly when it was not so large as now it is it was much hotter than the rest Near the River Frome are Pit-Coals digged with which Smiths use to soften Iron By the Sea-side not far from Axbridge about the year 1625. a parcel of Land swelled up like a Hill and of a sudden clave asunder and fell down again into the Earth and in the place of it remains a great Pool At Kingsham in the Stone-Quarries there are found Stones in the form of Serpents At Bristol it Flows 13 or 14 foot in height every Tide
magnificently Built that of some she may well say that no Shire hath none such as is Nonesuch it self The Dukes and Earls of Surrey since the first Constitution William Warren created Earl of Surrey by Will. Rufus William Earl of Eagle Son to K. Stephen E. of Surrey Hamlin Base Son to Geffery Plantaginet E. of Surrey Thomas Mowbray E. of Surrey in right of his Wife Thomas Holland Duke of Surrey created by K. Richard the 2d Thomas Beaufort E. of Surrey created by K. Henry the 4th Thomas Howard E. of Surrey created by K. Richard the 3d. Things Remarkable in this County At Richmond in this County died Edward the 3d. Conqueror of France The beautiful Ann Daughter to Charles the 4th Emperour and Wife to K. Richard the 2d The most wise Prince K. Henry the 7th And the rarest of her Sex Q. Elizabeth Under Holm Castle standing upon a Hill of Gritty Stone is a great Vault of Arched Work The River Mole runs above a mile under ground and in the place where it falls into the ground there groweth abundance of Box naturally Near unto Nonesuch is a Vein of Potters Earth much commended for that it is excellent good for the making of Crucibles for the melting of Gold and other Metals The rising of a Bourn or stream near Croydon as the common people hold presageth Death as the Plague or the like and it hath been observed to fall out so The VVaters of Ebsham in this County are very famous and much frequented for their Medicinal Virtues and purging by Siege In the year 1389. in the Month of July K. Richard the 2d being at his Court at Sheene there swarmed in his Court such multitude of Flies and Gnats skirmishing with one another that in the end they were swept away with Brooms by heaps and Bushels were filled with them Sussex THis County is bounded on the East by Kent On the West by Hantshire On the South by the Brittish Sea And on the North by Surrey It containeth in length 53 miles In breadth 16 miles And in Circumference 172 miles The Air is good but subject to Fogs and Mists arising from the Sea The Soil is Rich and yeildeth plenty of all things necessary but very ill for Travellers in the Winter time for the Land lying low the ways are very Mirey but on the other side of them you have the prospect of Meadows Pastures and Corn Fields The chief Commodities this County affords are Corn VVood Iron and Malt. It is in the Diocess of Chichester and hath in it 312 Parishes Out of it are elected 20 Parliament Men. Knights 2 Chichester 2 Horsham 2 Midhurst 2 Lewes 2 New-Shoreham 2 Bramber 2 Steyning 2 East-Grimstead 2 Arundel 2 Its Division is into 6 Rapes and each of them contains a several number of Hundreds in all 65 Hundreds viz. Chichester Rape In which is contained Hundreds 07 Arundale Rape 05 Bramber Rape 10 Lewes Rape 13 Pevensa Rape 17 Hastings Rape 13 Hundreds in all 65 And in these Hundreds are 16 Market-Towns viz. Chichester Wednes and Sat. Petworth Wed. Stevington Wed. Arundel Wed. and Satur. Steneinge Wed. Rhye Wed. and Sat. Hastings Wed. and Sat. Midhurst Th. Bright Helmiston Th. East Grinstead Th. Sattell Th. Coxfield Friday Horsham Sat. Lewes Sat. Tarringe Winchelsey now disused The Principal place in this County is the City of Chichester lying in the Latitude of 50 deg 48 min. It bears from London S. VV. by S. And is distant therefrom 50 Miles Thus From London to Kingston 10 miles to Guilford 25. to Godalmin 28. to Lechford Bridge 39. to Chichester 50. But by measure it is found to be distant from London 63 miles This City is beautiful and large and well VValled about This City hath born the Title of an Earldom whereof those of Arundel were sometimes so stiled The Arms of this City are Guttee Argent and Sable On a Chief Engrailed Gules a Lyon Passant Guardant Or. The Earls of Sussex and Arundel since the first Constitution William de Albania Earl of Chichester and Arundel John Fitz Allan Earl of Sussex and Arundel Philip Howard Earl of Arundel Robert Radcliffe Earl of Sussex Leonard Lord Dacres Earl of Sussex Things Remarkable in this County Upon the 28th of September 1066. William the Bastard D. of Normandy making his claim to the Crown of England by Affinity Adoption and Promise arrived at a Port in Sussex called Pensey with 896 Ships furnished for VVar And on the 14th of October following near Hastings Joyned Battel with Harold K. of England where in the Field valiantly fighting was there slain by the shot of an Arrow into his Brains and with him died Gorob and Leofwine his Brethren and almost 68 Thousand of his Men. The place where this Battel was fought doth ever since bear the name of Battayl where the Heptarchy of the Saxons was brought to the last Period Then were all their Laws altered their Nobles displaced and all men disherited and all seated into the Normans hands who made himself Lord of all and on the day of his Nativity was Crowned King of England in Westminster-Hall Upon the place where this Battel was fought namely at Battayl aforesaid William of Newberry fabulously thus writeth That if there any small showers of Rain do fall upon this place where so great a Slaughter of English men was made presently sweateth forth very fresh blood out of the Earth In this County are many Iron Mines In this County also is made Glass but it is neither good nor clear This County hath been formerly all a VVood being part of the great wood Andradswald which was 120 miles long and 30 miles broad At Selsey in this County are great store of Cockles and Lobsters and those the best In the year 1250. The Town of Winchelsey in this County was wholly swallowed up of the Sea In the 35th year of K. Henry the 8th the first Cast Pieces of Iron that ever were made in England were made at Bucksted in this County by Ralph Hage and Peter Bawde In the 3d year of Q. Elizabeth a Man-child was born in Chichester having Arms and Legs like to an Anatomy the Breast and Belly monstrous big about the Neck a great Coller of Flesh and Skin growing like the Ruff of a Shirt In the 22th year of Q. Elizabeth in the Town of Walsham in Sussex a Child of Eleven years old whose name was Will. Withars lay in a Trance for the space of 10 days without any sustenance and at the last coming to himself he uttered to the standers by many strange Speeches inveighing against Pride Covetousness coldness of Charity and other erroneous Sins Warwick-Shire IT is bounded on the East by Leicestershire and Northamptonshire On the West by Worcestershire On the South by Orfordshire and Gloucestershire And on the North by Staffordshire It contains in length 40 miles In breadth 30 miles And in Circumference 122 miles This Shire is commended much for the wholsomness
stately Houses and Palaces both publick and private The chief among which are First The Palaces of the King Whitehall and St. James the first being the Residence of His Sacred Majesty the other of his Royal Highness James Duke of York to which is joyned a delightful Park so called in which is a Pall-Mall said to be the best in Europe Secondly the Courts of Judicature and Houses of Parliament now known by the Name of Westminster-Hall a large Structure which was anciently the Palace of the Kings of England Thirdly Its Collegiate Church of Westminster which was the Temple of St. Peter raised out of the Ruines of a former dedicated to Apollo where the Trinobants did Sacrifice to Diana Tauropolia This Temple of St. Peter was destroyed by the Danes and re-edified by Dunstan Bishop of London in the year 960. Fourthly King Henry's Chappel being a most magnificent and curious Edifice beautified with the stately Tombs of the Kings and Queens with many of the Nobility of England renowned for the inauguration of our Kings and Queens now a Collegiate Church Fifthly Somerset-House a large and stately Structure belonging to the King situate upon the Thames Sixthly The New-Exchange a place well stored with variety of Shops and Goods to which may be added Seventhly The several Houses of the Nobility as Wallingford-House the Seat of the Earl of Arlington Northumberland-House the Residence of the Countess of Northumberland York-House belonging to the Duke of Buckingham but now turned into smaller Buildings and made new Streets of Houses Salisbury-House belonging to the Earl of Salisbury converted into a New-Exchange and a Street of smaller Houses Worcester-House to the Marquess of Worcester The Savoy formerly an Hospital now the Habitation of several Families where they have their Houses apart and here is His Majesties Wardrobe kept Arundel-House belonging to the Duke of Norfolk and Essex-House to the Duke of Somerset now also turned into small Buildings and made a Street to the Thames side Then Exeter-House Bedford-House Clarendon-House Leicester-House Southampton-House with divers others too many to be mentioned in this small Discourse The Limits of this City ends at Temple-Bar where the Liberty of London beginneth which we shall next speak of Of LONDON This City within the Walls and Freedom is divided into 26 Parts or Wards governed by a Lord Mayor so many grave Aldermen and two Sheriffs the yearly Choice of which was granted them by Patent from King John to these Henry the Third added some Aldermen these Aldermen take charge of the 26 Wards aforesaid and called from them Aldermanries The names of the Wards are thus called viz. 1. Tower-street 2. Portsoken 3. Aldgate 4. Limestreet 5. Bishopsgate 6. Broadstreet 7. Cornhil 8. Langhorn 9. Billingsgate 10. Bridgwater within 11. Candlewick 12. Walbrook 13. Dowgate 14. Vintrey 15. Cordwainer 16. Cheap 17. Coleman-street 18. Basinghall 19. Aldersgate 20. Cripplegate 21. Farringdon within 22. Faringdon without 23. Breadstreet 24. Queenhithe 25. Castle-Baynard 26. Bridgwater without viz. the Burrough of Southwark 1. Towerstreet Ward so termed from the Tower unto this Ward belongs Sydon-lane or Seething-lane part of Mark-lane Minchen-lane and Beer-lane Water-lane then Harp-lane in this Lane is the Bakers-Hall then the two Lanes called Church-Lanes and next to them Foul-lane then the Church of St. Dunstan's in the East the Custome-house and Key now bravely rebuilt and adorned 2. Portsoken Ward the East part of the Tower is in it then the Hospital of St. Katharine then East-Smithfield and Tower-hill where is the Store-house for keeping Provisions for the Navy Royal called the Slaughter-house the Merchant-Taylors have in this Ward Alms-houses for 14 Women next the Minories then the Church of St. Buttolph then is Hoglane near Goodmans-fields the Ward ending at Petticoat-lane 3. Aldgate Ward so named from the Gate the chief Street beginneth at the Gate betwixt the Gate and Limestreet in it is Bricklayers-Hall then Billeter-lane then Fenchurch-street till you come to Culver-alley then Crossed or Crouched-Friars Woodroof-lane Hart-street the North end of Mark-lane where the Ward endeth 4. Limestreet Ward here stands Leaden-Hall formerly a Storehouse for Provision for the Poor now a Market-place for Butchers Tanners Meal-men and Wool no Market in the World for variety of Provision able to stand in competition with it Tere is no Parish-Church or place for Divine Service in this Ward 5. Bishopsgate Ward part is without the Gate from St. Mary Spittle to Bishopsgate which Lanes and Alleys of note are Bethlehem East of the New Postern West by Moorfields and almost half of Houndsditch in this Ward is the Church of St. Buttolph without the Gate Fishers-folly the old Artillery-ground St. Mary-Spittle within the Gate is Bishopsgate-street so called of the Gate unto the East end of St. Martins-Outwitch where is Gresham-Colledg then by the West corner of Leaden-hall down that was called Grass-street to the Corner over against the Church great St. Hellens and little St. Hellens where is Leather-sellers-Hall 6. Broadstreet Ward so named from the Street in it is Throgmorton-street Threadneedle-street half Finch-lane and Scalding-alley in it is Alhallows in the Wall Winchester-street Carpenters-Hall Winchester-house the Hall between Winchester-street and Broad-street called the Glass-house in Broad-street are Sir Thomas Gresham's Alms-houses here standeth St. Peters the Poor of which Parish was formerly made this Rhime In the Parish of St. Peters the Poor There 's no Ale-house nor Tavern nor Sign at a door The Case is altered now quoth Ploydon The St. Augustine-Friers now the Dutch Church in this Ward is Drapers-Hall the House formerly of Cromwel Earl of Essex Bartholomew-lane and Merchant-Taylors-Hall in Threadneedle-street 7. Corn-hil Ward so called from a Corn-Market formerly kept there the chief Ornaments of this Ward are a famous Monument erected by Sir Thomas Gresham who named it the Burss afterwards by Queen Elizabeth called the Royal-Exchange it is the Place of publick meeting for Merchants whereunto they twice every day resort between twelve and one at Noon and six and seven at Night a stately Structure now said to be the best in the known World built quadrangular of Free-stone with a lofty Tower at the South entrance and Walks round the main Building over which are above 200 Shops for rich Wares and well stored with variety of all sorts The Church of St. Peter accounted the oldest Church in London the Church of St. Michael now rebuilt and bravely adorned also the South end of Finch-lane and the North end of Burching is in this Ward 8. Langborn Ward so termed of a Bourn or Brook of sweet Water that ran in it in which is Fenchurch-street Lombard-street half of Lime-street in which was Pewterers-Hall Dionys Back-church half of Birching-lane some few Houses in Philpot-lane St. Clements-lane down to St. Clements Church St. Nicholas-lane down beyond St. Nicholas Church a small portion of Abchurch-lane part of Beerbinder-lane Alhallows-Lombard-street St. Mary Wolnoth 9. Billingsgate Ward the Ornaments of this
352 January 25. Gloucester Edward 3 1312 1326 January 25. 51 5 301 June 21. Westminster Richard 2 1366 1377 June 21. 22 3 279 September 29. Westminster The Line of Lancaster Henry 4 1367 1399 September 29. 13 6 265 March 20. Canterbury Henry 5 1584 1412 March 20. 9 5 256 August 31. Westminster Henry 6 1421 1422 August 31. 38 6 218 March 4. Windsor The Line of York Edward 4 1442 1460 March 4. 23 1 195 April 9. Winchester Edward 5 1433 1471 April 9. 0 2 195 June 18. Not known Richard 3 1448 1483 June 18. 2 2 193 August 22. Leicester The Families United Henry 7 1459 1485 August 22. 2 2 193 August 22. Leicester Henry 8 1491 1508 April 22. 2 2 193 August 22. Leicester Edward 6 1537 1547 January 28. 37 10 132 June 28. Windsor Q. Mary 1518 1553 July 6. 6 5 125 July 6. Westminster Q. Eliz. 1533 1558 November 17. 44 4 76 March 24. Westminster The Union of the two Kingdoms James 1566 1602 March 24. 22 0 53 March 27. Westminster Charles 1 1600 1625 March 27. 23 11 30 January 30. Windsor Charles 2 1630 1648 January 30. Whom God grant long to Reign A CATALOGUE of the Peers and Nobility of England according to their Precedence Dukes James Duke of York and Albany Earl of Vlster Lord High Admiral of England the King 's only Brother Created Jan. 27. 1643. Rupert Duke of Cumberland and Earl of Holdernesse Jan. 24. 1643. The Lord Chancellor Keeper Treasurer Privy Seal Take place of all the other Dukes Thomas Howard Duke of Norfolk Francis Seymour Duke of Somerset George Villiers Duke of Buckingham Christopher Monk Duke of Albemarle James Fitz-Roy Duke of Monmouth Henry Cavendish Duke of New-Castle Charles Lenos Duke of Richmond Charles Fitz-Roy Duke of Southampton Henry Fitz-Roy Duke of Grafton Marquesses Charles Pawlet Marq. of Winchester Henry Somerset Marq. of Worcester Henry Pierrepoint Marq. of Dorchester Earls The L. High Chamberlain of England Steward of the King's Houshold Chamberlain of the King's Houshold Take Place of all Earls in respect of their Places Aubry de Vere Earl of Oxford Charles Talbot Earl of Shrewsbury Anthony Grey Earl of Kent William Stanly Earl of Derby John Manours Earl of Rutland Theophil Hastings Earl of Huntington William Russell Earl of Bedford Philip Herbert Earl of Pembroke Edward Clinton Earl of Lincoln Charles Howard Earl of Nottingham James Howard Earl of Suffolk Charles Sackville Earl of Dorset and Middlesex James Cecill Earl of Salisbury John Cecill Earl of Excester John Egerton Earl of Bridgewater Robert Sidney Earl of Leicester James Compton Earl of Northampton Edward Rich Earl of Warwick Holland Will. Cavendish Earl of Devonshire William Fielding Earl of Denbigh John Digby Earl of Bristol Charles Sackvill Earl of Middlesex and Dorset Gilbert Holles Earl of Clare Oliver St. John Earl of Bullingbrook Charles Fane Earl of Westmorland Robert Montague Earl of Manchester Charles Howard Earl of Berkshire John Sheffield Earl of Mulgrave William Leg Earl of Marlborough Thomas Savage Earl of Rivers Robert Berty Earl of Lindsey John Cary Earl of Dover ex Charles Knollys Earl of Banbury Henry Mordant Earl of Peterborough Thomas Gray Earl of Stamford Heneage Finch Earl of Winchelsey Charles Dormer Earl of Caernarvan Mountjoy Blount Earl of Newport Philip Stanhop Earl of Chesterfield John Tufton Earl of Thanet Tho. Weston Earl of Portland Will. Wentworth Earl of Strafford Robert Spencer Earl of Sunderland Nicholas Lerke Earl of Scarsdale John Wilmot Earl of Rochester Henry Jermin Earl of St. Albans Edw. Montague Earl of Sandwich James Butler Earl of Brecknock Henry Hyde Earl of Clarendon Arthur Capel Earl of Essex Robert Brukenel Earl of Cardigan Arthur Annesley Earl of Anglesey John Greenvill Earl of Bath Charles Howard Earl of Carlisle William Craven Earl of Crave Robert Bruce Earl of Aylesbury Richard Boyle Earl of Burlington Henry Bennet Earl of Arlington Anth. Ashly Cooper Earl of Shaftsbury George Fitz-Roy Earl of Northumberland Henry Howard Earl of Norwich William Herbert Earl of Powys Edw. Henry Lee Earl of Litchfield Charles Fitz-Charles Earl of Plymouth Thomas Leonard Earl of Sussex Thomas Osborn Earl of Darby John Maitland Earl of Gilford Lewis de Duras Earl of Feversham Charles Earl of Burford Viscounts Leicester Devereux Viscount Hereford Francis Brown Viscount Montague James Fiennes Viscount Say and Seale Edward Conway Viscount Conway Baptist Noel Viscount Cambden William Howard Viscount Stafford Thomas Bellasis Viscount Faulconberg John Mordant Viscount Mordant George Savill Viscount Hallifax Robert Paston Viscount Yarmouth Francis Newport Viscount Newport of Bradford Barons George Nevill Lord Abergavenny James Touchet Lord Audly Charles West Lord De la Ware George Berkley Lord Berkley Thomas Parker Lord Morley and Montage Cogniers Darcy Lord Darcy and Meynel William Stourton Lord Stourton Henry Lord Sandys de la Vine Benj. Mildmay Lord Fitzwater Thomas Windsor Lord Windsor Wingfield Cromwell Lord Cromwell Ralph Eure Lord Eure. Philip Wharton Lord Wharton Will. Willoughby Lord Willoughby of Parham William Pagett Lord Paget Charles North Lord North and Baron Grey of Rolston William Bruges Lord Shandois James Berty Lord Norris William Petre Lord Petre. Digby Gerard Lord Gerard of Gerard Bromley Charles Stanhop Lord Stanhop Henry Arundell Lord Arundel of Wardour Christopher Roper Lord Tenham Robert Grevill Lord Brook Edw. Montague Lord Mountague of Boughton Ford Grey Lord Grey of Wark John Roberts Lord Roberts John Lovelace Lord Lovelace John Pawlet Lord Pawlet William Maynord Lord Maynard George Coventry Lord Coventry James Lord Esrick Charles Mohun Lord Mohun William Boteler Lord Boteler Edw. Herbert Lord Herbert of Cherbury Francis Seymore Lord Seymour Thomas Leigh Lord Leigh of Stoneleigh Christopher Hatton Lord Hatton Richard Byron Lord Byron Richard Vaughan Lord Vaughan Charles Smith Lord Carington Will. Widdrington Lord Widdrington Humble Ward Lord Ward Tho. Culpepper Lord Culpepper Isaac Astley Lord Astley John Lucas Lord Lucas John Bellasis Lord Bellasis Edw. VVatson Lord Rokingham Charles Gerard Lord Gerard of Brandon Gilbert Sutton Lord Lexinton Char. Kirkhaven Lord Wotton Marm. Langdale Lord Langdal Will. Croft Lord Croft dead John Berkley Lord Berkly of Stratton Denzil Holles Lord Holles Char. Cornwallis Lord Cornwallis George Booth Lord De la Mere. Horatio Townsend Lord Townsend John Crew Lord Crew John Frescheville Lord Frescheville Rich. Arundell Lord Arundel of Trerice Thomas Butler Lord Butler of Moor Park Thomas Clifford Lord Clifford of Chudley Richard Butler Lord Weston Charles North Lord Grey of Rollston and L. North of Cartlidge Heneage Finch Lord Daventry The Lords Spiritual Sancroft Arch-Bishop of Canterbury Rich. Sterne Arch-Bishop of York Isaac Barrow Bishop of St. Asaph Humphrey Lloyd Bishop of Bangor Peter Mew Bishop of Bath and Wells Guy Carleton Bishop of Bristol Edward Rainbow Bishop of Carlisle John Pierson Bishop of Chester Ralph Brideoake Bishop of Chichester Thomas Wood Bishop of Coventry Lichf William Lucie Bishop of St. Davids Nathanael Crew Bishop of Durham Peter Gunning Bishop of Ely Thomas Lamplugh Bishop of Excester John Prichard Bishop of Gloucester Herbert Crofts Bishop of Hereford VVilliam Lloyd Bishop of Landaffe Thomas Barlow Bishop of Lincoln Henry Compton Bishop of London Anthony Sparrow Bishop of Norwich John Fell Bishop of Oxford Joseph Henshaw Bishop of Peterborough John Dolben Bishop of Rochester Seth VVard Bishop of Salisbury George Morley Bishop of VVinchester James Fleetwood Bishop of VVorcester A CATALOGUE of all the Bishopricks in the two Provinces of Canterbury and York The Names of what Cities Shires or Counties are in each Diocess How many Parishes in each Diocess How many of them are Impropriations The Annual Revenue of each Bishoprick as it is in the Kings Book And how the Clergies Tenths are rated in each of them In the Province of CANTERBURY The Diocess of Canterbury Parishes Impropriations Valuation l. s. d. q. Clergies Tenths l. s. d. q. Kent part 257 000 2816-17-09-1 0651-18-02-1 St. Asaph Part of Denbigh Flint Montgomery Merioneth Shropshire 121 000 0187-11-06-0 0186-19-07-3 Bangor All Carnarvan Anglesey Part of Denbigh Montgomery Merioneth 107 036 0131-16-04-0 0151-14-03-1 Bath and Wells Somersetshire all 388 160 0533-01-03-0 0353-18-00-3 Bristol Bristol City Dorsetshire all 236 064 0338-08-04-0 0353-18-00-3 Chichester Parishes Impropriations Valuation l. s. d. q. Clergies Tenths l. s. d. q. Sussex all 250 112 0677-01-00-3 0287-02-00-3 Coventry and Lichfield All Darbyshire Staffordshire Part of VVarwickshire Shropshire 557 250 0559-18-02-3 0590-16-11-1 Eely All Cambridgeshire Eely Isle 141 075 2134-18-05-3 0384-14-09-1 St. Davids All Pembrookshire Cardiganshire Radnorshire Brecknockshire Part of Monmouth Hereford Montgomery Glamorgan 308 120 0457-01-10-3 0336-14-10-0 Excester All Devonshire Cornwall 604 239 0500-00-00-0 1200-15-02-0 Gloucester Parishes Impropriations Valuation l. s. d. q. Clergies Tenths l. s. d. q. Gloucestershire all 267 125 0315-17-02-0 0358-15-00-0 Hereford Herefordshire all Shropshire part 313 136 0768-10-06-3 340-02-02-2 Landaffe Part of Glamorgan Monmouth 107 098 0154-14-01-0 155-05-04-0 Lincoln All Lincolnshire Leicestershire Bedfordshire Buckinghamshire Huntingdonshire Hertfordshire part 1255 577 0894-10-01-2 751-14-06-0 London All Middlesex Essex Part of Hertfordshire 622 189 1119-08-40-0 821-15-01-0 Norwich All Norfolk Suffolk 1181 385 0899-18-07-2 1117-13-00-1 Oxford Parishes Impropriations Valuation l. s. d. q. Clergies Tenths l. s. d. q. Oxfordshire all 195 88 0354-16-04-2 255-08-00-0 Peterborough All Northamptonshire Rutlandshire 293 91 0414-19-11-0 520-16-08-0 Rochester Kent Part. 098 36 0358-03-02-1 222-14-06-3 Salisbury All Barkshire VViltshire 544 109 1367-11-08-0 901-08-01-0 Worcester VVorcester all VVarwickshire part 241 071 1049-17-03-3 228-00-00-0 Winchester All Surrey Southampton Isle of VVight Isle of Jersey Isle of Garnsey Sark and Ald. 362 131 2973-04-02-3 846-01-00-0 In the Province of YORK The Diocess of York  Impropriations Valuation l. s. d. q. Clergies Tenths l. s. d. q. Nottinghamshire Yorkshire part 581 336 1609-19-02-0 1113-17-09-3 Carlisse Cumberland part VVestmorland all 093 018 0530-04-11-2 0161-01-07-2 Chester All Cheshire Lancashire Part of Yorkshire Cumberland 256 101 0420-01-08-0 0435-12-00-0 Durham Durham all Northumberland part Yorkshire part 135 087 1821-01-05-1 0385-05-06-2 Man The Isle of Man 017 The Total Number of Dukes 11 Marquesses 3 Earls 73 Viscounts 11 Barons 66 Baronets 668 Arch-Bishops 2 Bishops 24 Principal Secretaries of State 2 Judges 12 Judges of the Court of Kings Bench 4 Judges of the Court of Common Pleas 4 Barons of Exchequer 4 Counties in England 39 Counties in VVales 13 Islands 8 Parliament Men 509 Hundreds 768 Market-Towns 713 Parishes 9241 FINIS
ENGLAND'S Remarques Giving an Exact Account of the Several Shires Counties and Islands in ENGLAND and WALES In every of which you have I. How the County is bounded II. The Length Breadth and Circumference III. The Temperature of the Air and Fertility or Barrenness of the Soil IV. What Commodities each Shire or County affordeth V. In what Diocess and how many Parishes in it VI. The Number of Parliament-Men Hundreds and Market-Towns VII In every Shire you have the Name of the City or Shire-Town with the Latitude thereof and how it bears with the reputed and measured distance of the same from London the Road to the same how Governed and the Coat of Arms and what other things are therein Remarkable VIII You have the Names of such Noble Families as have been Dukes or Earls of each County since their first Constitution IX Whatsoever is Eminent or Remarkable thorowout the whole Kingdom To which is added a Travelling Map describing the Principal Roads thorow-out England London Printed for Langley Curtis in Goat-Court upon Ludgate-Hill and sold by Tho. Mercer at the Half Moon under the South-east Corner of the Royal Exchange in Cornhill 1682. TO THE READER THE Apophthegme of Chilo One of the Seven Wise-Men of Greece Nosce teipsum was not unworthily Consecrated to Apollo at Delphos None being a competent Judge of others who doth not first know himself and no person can judge of another Countrey unless he knows his Own Therefore Nosce Patriam is as necessary an Adage especially to those whose Ample Fortunes and Natural Inclinations call them into Foreign Countreys As Chilo's APOPHTHEGME is to all Persons whatsoever Many in this Age travel into France and other Adjacent Countreys and perhaps at their Return are able to give you an Account how many Provinces c are contained in the Countrey they have Travelled when at the same time they scarce know any more Land in England than their Fathers or their own Inheritance But here as in a Map you may at first View give an Account of any thing Remarkable in England be the Question asked either in England or Foreign Parts Which by perusing this Little Manual you will soon find The Names of the several Counties in England BArkshire Pag. 1 Bedfordshire Pag. 5 Buckinghamshire Pag. 8 Cambridgeshire Pag. 11 Cheshire Pag. 15 Cornwall Pag. 20 Cumberland Pag. 27 Derbyshire Pag. 31 Devonshire Pag. 33 Dorsetshire Pag. 40 Durham the Bishoprick and City Pag. 45 Essex Pag. 48 Gloucestershire Pag. 52 Hantshire Pag. 58 Hertfordshire Pag. 63 Herefordshire Pag. 67 Huntingtonshire Pag. 72 Kent Pag. 75 Lancashire Pag. 84 Leicestershire Pag. 90 Lincolnshire Pag. 94 Middlesex Pag. 99 Norfolk Pag. 133 Northamptonshire Pag. 140 Northumberland Pag. 145 Nottinghamshire Pag. 149 Oxfordshire Pag. 153 Rutlandshire Pag. 159 Shropshire Pag. 162 Somersetshire Pag. 166 Staffordshire Pag. 174 Suffolk Pag. 179 Surrey Pag. 185 Sussex Pag. 189 Warwickshire Pag. 194 Westmoreland Pag. 200 Wiltshire Pag. 204 Worcestershire Pag. 211 Yorkshire Pag. 215 The Names of the Counties in Wales ANglesey Pag. 226 Brecknockshire Pag. 229 Cardiganshire Pag. 232 Caernarvanshire Pag. 235 Caermardenshire Pag. 238 Denbyshire Pag. 241 Flintshire Pag. 244 Glamorganshire Pag. 248 Merionethshire Pag. 251 Monmouthshire Pag. 254 Montgomeryshire Pag. 258 Pembrokeshire Pag. 261 Radnorshire Pag. 266 Of the Islands about England THe Isle of Man Pag. 268 The Isle of Wight Pag. 271 The Isle of Jersey Pag. 273 The Isle of Garnsey Pag. 275 An Exact Map of England with the Roads from London to all the other parts of this Kingdome T. Cross Sculpsit N Counties Names 1 Bark sh 2 Bedford sh 3 Buckingham sh 4 Cambridge sh 5 Cheshire 6 Cornwall 7 Cumberland 8 Derby sh 9 Devon sh 10 Dorset sh 11 Durham 12 Essex 13 Glocester sh 14 Hant. sh 15 Hertford sh 16 Hereford sh 17 Huntington sh 18 Kent 19 Lancashire 20 Leicester sh 21 Lincoln sh 22 Middlesex 23 Norfolk 24 Northampton sh 25 Northumberland 26 Nottingham sh 27 Oxford sh 28 Rutland sh 29 Shrop. sh 30 Somerset sh 31 Stafford sh 32 Suffoll 33 Surrey 34 Sussex 35 Warwick sh 36 Westmorland 37 Wilt. sh 38 Worcester sh 39 York sh 40 Anglesey Ish 41 Brecknock sh 42 Cardigan sh 43 Carnarvan sh 44 Carmarden sh 45 Denbigh sh 46 Flint sh 47 Glamorgan sh 48 Merioneth sh 49 Monmouth sh 50 Montgomery sh 51 Pembroke sh 52 Radnor sh It is divided into Twenty Hundreds viz. Farington Ganfield Hormer Oake Wanting Shrivenham Lainborn Kentbury Westisle Morton Faircrosse Braye Reading Charlton Sonning Cookham Wargrove Bernersh Riplessmore Theale And in these Hundreds are Twelve Market-Towns viz. Abbington M. and Fr. Wallingford Tu. and F. Faringdon Tu. Ockingham Tu. Maiden-Head W. Hungerford W. East-Isley W. Newberry Th. New-Windsor Sa. Wanting Sa. Reading Sa. Lainborne This Shire hath formerly had in it six Castles of which there now remains only that magnificent one of Windsor one of his Majesties Palaces In this Castle the Victorious Prince Edward the third was born In it is instituted the most honourable Order of the Garter of St. George a signal of Martial Prowess And in the Chappel of this Castle there lye interred the Bodies of Henry the 6. Edward the 4th Henry the 8th and as is supposed of King Charles the First The first Institution whereof was in Anno Dom. 1350. And those that first received the order were Edward the 3d. Edward Prince Henry Duke of Lancaster Tho. Earl of Warwick Captain de Bonch Ralph Earl of Stafford W. Mountecut E. of Sal. Roger Mert ' Earl of March John de Lisle Knight Tho. Burwash K. Jo. Beauchamp K. John de Mohun K. Hugh Courtney K. Tho. Holland K. John Grey K. Ri. Fitz-Simon K. Miles Stapleton K. Tho. Wall K. Hugh Wrothsley K. Nele Loring K. John Chandos K. James de Andley K. Otho Holland K. Henry Eme King Zanchet Dabridg Will. Paganell K. The Chief Town is Reading lying in the Latitude of 51 degrees 28 min. And West from London and is distant therefrom 32 Miles viz. To Cole-Brooke 15 to Maiden-head 22 to Reading 32 but by more accurate and late Admeasurement it is found to be 44 Miles distant from London The Town of Reading is Governed by a Mayor and Aldermen The Arms of the County The Field is Argent three Castles Gules over the middlemost a Bucks Face erect of the second Horned Or On a chief Vert between the Bucks Horns the Arms of England and France Quartered Remarkable things in this Shire In the year of our Lord 1387. And in the 11 year of Richard the 2d At Radcot-bridge The Duke of Glocester the Earls of Arundel Warwick Derby and Nottingham Encountered with Robert Vere Duke of Ireland maintained against them by King Richard the 2d Where the said Duke was put to flight who with swimming over the Thames hardly escaped drowning In this Encounter in the Dukes behalf Sir Tho. Molineux Constable of Chester with many others lost their lives In the year 1100. At Enchamsteed
Montgomery And on the North by the Irish Sea and Flintshire It containeth in length 40 miles In breadth 21 miles And in Circumference 118 miles The Air of this Shire is cold but very wholsom and the Snow lies long on the Hills the high Hills resemble the Battlements of a Wall they stand so thick upon the tops of which Hills when vapours rise in the Morning in the Summer-time it foreshews a fair day to follow The Soil is but barren especially towards the West part but in the middle where it lies flat in a Valley it is most fertile and by the industry of the Husbandmen they begin by paring off the upper Coat and burning it upon the place and disposing of the ashes there to make the Hills moderately bearable of a kind of Rye or Amell-Corn as they call it The chief Commodities of this County are Goats Sheep and Lead It is in the Diocess of St. Asaph and hath in it 57 Parishes Out of it are elected 2 Parliament Men. Knight 1 Denbigh 1 Its Division is into 12 Hundreds And in these Hundreds are 4. Market-Towns viz. Ruthen Monday Llanrost Tuesday Denbigh Wedn. Wrexham M. Th. The Principal place in this Shire is Denbigh which lies in the Latitude of 53 deg 19 min. It bears from London N. W. And is distant therefrom 160 miles Thus From London to St. Albans 20. to Stony-Stratford 44. to Daventry 60. to Coventry 74. to Coleshill 82. to Lichfield 94. to Great Heyward 102. to Stableford Bridge 115. to Nantwich 121. to Chester 135. to Denbigh 155. But by more accurate admeasurement it is found to be distant from London 209 miles The Fame of this Town spreads it self far for repute as being reckoned the most beautiful place in all North Wales and of no less report for that the Castle adjoyning to it is impregnable The Government of this Town is managed by 2 Aldermen and 2 Bailiffs who are yearly elected out of 25 Burgesses their Assistants it hath one Recorder one Town-Clerk and 2 Sergeants at Mace The Lords and Earls of Denby are Robert Dudley Lord Denby and Earl of Leicester William Fielding Earl of Denby Things Remarkable in this County Moilenlly the highest Hill in this Shire hath a Spring of cleer Water on the top of it Cambden saith that the People which live in the Vale of this Shire are very healthful their heads sound and firm their eyesight never dim and their age very lasting and chearful The River Alen runs under ground in two places in this County Near unto Moinglath is plenty of Lead In the year 1574. on the 26th of February were great Earthquakes which did many People much hurt both within doors and without both in York Worcester Hereford Gloucester Bristol and other places adjoyning And this is remarkable That this shaking of the Earth made the Bell in the Shire-Hall of Denbigh to Toll twice but did no other harm at all thereabouts Flintshire THis Shire is bounded on the East by Cheshire On the West by Denbyshire On the South by Shropshire And on the North by the Irish Sea It containeth in length 33 miles In breadth â— miles And in Circumference 83 miles The Temperature of the Air is very healthfulâ— without fogs or fenny Vapours saving that sometimes there rise from the Sea and the River Dee certain thick and smoaky Mists which offend not much for the Inhabitants live long and are very healthful The Air is colder here than in Cheshire by reason it is incompassed by the Sea and the River Dee whence it is that the Snow lies very long on the tops of the Hills The Soil bringeth forth plenty both of Corn and Grass and produceth great store of Cattel though they be but small but their number maketh amends for their parvity The chief Commodities are Corn Cattel Cheese Butter Honey Pit-Coal some Lead and Mill-stones It is in the Diocess of St. Asaph and hath in it 28 Parishes Out of it are elected 2 Parliament Men. Knight 1 Flint 1 Its Division is into 5 Hundreds And in these Hundreds are but 2 Market-Towns viz. Cajervise Tuesday St. Asaphs Saturday The Principal Town is Flint lying in the Latitude of 53 deg 21 min. It bears from London N. W. And is distant therefrom 150 miles Thus From London to Chester as in Cheshire Road 144 miles to 150. But by more accurate admeasurement upon the Road it is found to be distant from London 193 miles This Town was founded by K. Henry the 2d and finished by K. Edward the first Things remarkable in this Shire Towards Dee an Arm of the Sea the Fields bear in some places Barley in others Wheat but generally throughout Rye with better than a twenty fold increase especially the first year they be broken up and sowen and afterwards 4 or 5 crops together of Oats At the mouth of the River Clind the Valley on the Land seemeth to be lower and to lie under the Sea and yet the Water to the admiration of all beholders never overfloweth into the Valleys Near unto Holy Well was formerly found a very rich Mine of Silver of which Money small pieces was coyned and had stamped upon it the Plume of Feathers being the Arms of the Princes of Wales Hard by Kilken is a little Well which at certain times Ebbs and Flows In this Shire is that excellent Well called St. Winifrids Well or Holy Well so famous for the strange Cures of Aches and Lamenesses as is wonderful and much to be admired The Water of it is extream cold and the Brook which flows from it hath so plentiful and violent a Stream that it is presently able to drive a Mill. The Stones about it are as it were spotted with bloody Spots and there are many red Stones in the bottom of it The Moss which grows on the sides of it is of an excellent sweet smell and they say that though some of it be given away to all Strangers that come yet it never wasteth Antiquity saith Speed reports concerning this Well thus That Winifrid a chaste Christian Virgin very fair and virtuous was doated upon by a young Lustful Prince or Lord of the Country who not long able to rule his head-strong affections having many times in vain attempted her Chastity both by rich Gifts and large Promises could not by any means obtain his desires he therefore in a place of advantage suddenly surprized and ravished her weak yet resisting Body After the Deed done the cruel Tyrant to stop her cries and acclamations slew her and cut off her head out of which place did suddainly arise a Spring which continueth to this day carrying from the Fountain such a forcible Stream and Current as the like is not found in Christendom Glamorgan-Shire THis Shire is bounded by Monmouthshire on the East By Caermardenshire on the West By the River Severn on the South And by Brecknockshire on the North. It containeth in length 48 miles In breadth 27 miles