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A50824 The new state of England under Their Majesties K. William and Q. Mary in three parts ... / by G.M. Miege, Guy, 1644-1718? 1691 (1691) Wing M2019A; ESTC R31230 424,335 944

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Nich. Eyre Esq Sir Ja. Chamberlen Bar. Sir Phillip Coote Kt. Sir Robert Barkham Bar. Sir Thomas Piers Bar. William Hambleton Esq Sir Robert Bacon Bar. Sir James Caldvel Bar. Sir John Ashfeild Kt. Sir Thomas Wiseman Kt. Sir John Clayton Kt. Sir William Waler Kt. Sir John Sparrow Kt. Edward Bulwer Esq Charles Ridegrew Esq John Spicer Esq Dalby Thomas Esq Sabaya Coal Esq Sir Francis Lawly Bar. Sir Tho. Grantham Kt. Sir John Morton Bar. John Duval Esq Sir Thomas Ogle Kt. Sir Char. Rawleigh Kt. Sir Edward Sutton Kt. Sir John Elloways Kt. Sir Edmond Andros Kt. Edward Randolph Esq Roger Whitley Esq James Hambleton Esq Bezaleel Knight Esq Thomas Wheate Esq Tracy Ketchmay Esq Peter Stepkin Esq Sir Edw. Eveling Bar. Sir Jame Clark Kt. Sir Robert Killegrew William Killegrew Esq The Honourable Arthur Annesly Esq James Colley Esq Sir Francis Vincent Kt. Grooms of the Bed-Chamber Charles Trelawney Col. John Sayers Esq Piercy Kirke Esq Adrian Van Borcelan Esq Hatton Compton Esq Emanuel Scroophow Esq James Stanley Esq Pages of the Bed-Chamber or Back-Stairs Mr. Maximilian van Amen Mr. John Sewel Mr. William Watson Mr. John Smith Mr. Benjamin De la Fontain Mr. Randolph Kegne The Secretaries of State Daniel Earl of Nottingham Henry Lord Viscount Sidney Clerks of the Signet Sir John Nicholas Kt. Nicholas Morris Esq Sir Will. Trumbal Kt. John Gauntlet Esq Master of the Great Wardrobe Ralph Earl of Montague His Deputy Robert Nott Esq The Clerk Laurence Townsend Esq Master of the Robes Mounsieur Zulesteyn Clerk of the Robes James Gibbons The Yeoman Bransenbargh The Grooms Gilbert Spencer Benjamin Drake Brusher Patrick Williams Page of the Robes Charles Bland Master of the Jewel-house Sir Francis Lawley Bar. Treasurer of the Chamber Sir Rowland Gwyn Privy Purse William Earl of Portland Groom of the Stole Master of the Ceremonies Sir Charles Cotterel Kt. His Assistant and Marshal La Bache Kings of Arms. Sir Thomas S. George Knight Garter Sir Henry S. George Knight Clarencieux Sir John Dugdale Kt. ●arroy Heralds of Arms. Robert Devenish Esq York Herald Henry Dethick Esq Richmond Herald Francis Burghill Esq Somerset Herald Thomas Holford Esq Windsor Herald Gregory King Esq Lancaster Herald Charles Mawson Esq Chester Herald Pursuivants of Arms. John Gibbon Bluemantle Peerse Mauduit Rougedragon Laurence Cromp Portcullis Peter Le Neve Rougecroix Serjeants at Arms. Sir Roger Harsnet Kt. Thomas Topham Esq John Topham Esq Edmund Williamson Esq Orlan Fitz. Symous Esq John Temple Esq Thomas Charnock Esq Richard Shoreditch Esq Philip Ryley Esq Groom Porter Thomas Neal Esq Master of the Revels Henry Killegrew Esq His Yeoman Harris Knight Harbinger Simon Smith Esq Keeper of the Standing Wardrobe Child Esq Keeper of the Removing Wardrobe Yeoman Thomas Sackvill Esq Grooms Peter Humes Jonathan Chase Pages Thomas Taylor Michael Ballow Christopher Smith Keeper of the private Armory Peter Beaubuisson Surveyor of the Chamber and Dresser George Wellington House-Keeper at Whitehall Piercy Kirk Esq Theater-Keeper at Whitehall John Clark Gallery-Keepers Richard Champion William Pawlet Messengers in Ordinary George Bromwich Clerks of the Checque Samuel Clark Clerks of the Checque Philip Maddox Henry Legat Thomas Smith Thomas Beak St. John Taylor Henry Evans James Kitson George Collings Ralph Young Simon Chapman William Sharp Samuel Cook Francis Clark Edward Gibs Stephen Gythins Henry Allen Christopher Seymour John Freeman Charles Keynge Robert Knowles Nicholas Hill John Thompson Thomas Davis William Richardson Ralph Gibs John Loggins Joh Bale William Knight James Manners John Jones Henry Sheldon John Symonds Peter Newlyn William Sutton George Fry Richard Poyke John King George Shipside Charles Maris Peter Marisco Messenger of the Press Robert Stephens Master Faulconer Charles Duke of S. Albans Sergeant of the Hawks William Russel Esq Master of the Hart and Buck-hounds James de Gastigny Esq Rangers Of S. James's Park John Earl of Bath Of Hide-Park William Chiffinch Esq Master of the Barges Warner Master of the Tennis Courts Captain Thomas Cook The King's Physicians Dr. John Hutton Dr. Charles Frazier Dr. William Stokehan Dr. Thomas Goodman Apothecaries John Chace Abraham Rottermond Dr. John Jones Surgeons William van Loon Esq Surgeon to his Majesties Person Charles Peter Surgeon of the Houshold To which add Principal Painter John Riley Esq Poet Laureate Thomas Shadwell Esq Hydrographer John Seller Library-Keeper Henry Thynne Esq Bookseller Major Will. Churchill Publick Notary Officers of the Works Surveyor General Sir Christopher Wren Master of the Mechanicks Sir Samuel Morland Comptroller William Talman Esq Pay-master Thomas Lloyd Esq Clerks of the Works Leo. Gamon Henry Symons Charles Browne John Scarborough Henry Winstanly Nicholas Hawksmoor Mason John Oliver Carpenter Matthew Banks Sergeant Painter Robert Streeter Sergeant Plummer Charles Atherton Bricklayer Maurice Emet Joyner Alexander Froth Glazier William Ireland Plaisterer John Grove Other Tradesmen sworn Servants to his Majesty Jeweller Sir Francis Child Goldsmith Bernard Eale Mercer Draper James Smithsby Watch-maker Thomas Herbert Officers and Servants under the Master of the Horse The Avener and Clark Marshal Anthony Row Esq Querries or Ecquerries Sir Henry Hobart Bar. Henry Ireton Esq John Letten Esq Thomas Butler Esq Thomas Fairfax Esq James Cockain Esq Peter Lorin Grammar Esq Pages of Honour Joost Capel Esq Nicholas Needham Esq Charles Dormer Esq Sergeant of the Carriages James Du Peron Master of the Studs and Surveyor of the Race Michael Studholme Surveyor of the Stables Francis Negus The Riding Surveyor Robert Hayes Clerk of the Avery Robert Manley Yeoman of the Stirrup Peter Paul Jeundcalf The Yeomen Riders John Walfraet Clerk of the Stables Euvestre Jollyvet Sergeant Farrier Andrew Snape Marshal Farrier Andrew Snape Junior Yeoman Farrier Richard Snape Groom Farriers John Willis Humphrey Bannes William Harris Esquire Saddler John Rawlins Yeoman Saddler Laurence Schacht Groom-Saddler Francis Francklyn Coach-maker Samuel Aubery Purveyors and Granitors Anthony Row Arthur Powell Robert Bainton Riding Purveyor Richard Pye Keeper of the Mews Brian Conery The three other Keepers John Robson Thomas Eagle West Young The Coachmen Derick Stork Jacob de Grave Robert Young William Welsh Samuel Kelby William Noble The Footmen George Sewell John Haycock Henry Callop John Davis Isaac White Thomas Hall Richard Sampson John Cooper John Scarping Giles Vandreburg Jacob Wigering John Watke Abraham Barton Cren Hendrick Bed Daniel van Breda John van Leven A List of the Gentlemen Pensioners under Their Captain John Lord Lovelace Lieutenant Henry Heveningham Esq Standard-bearer Boucher Fane Esq Clerk of the Checque Robert Manley Esq Thomas Hales Esq Abraham Clerk John Hubbart Walter Baker Sir Ger. Fleetwood Daniel Vivian Thomas Chid Sir Tho. Knyveton Bar. Charles Turner William Rolls Abraham Carter Amb. Seckum John Cooper Abraham Duplex Thomas Orme John Tidcomb Charles Norton Thomas Butler Thomas Pyrke Paul Colton Alexander Barham Charles Summer Edward Wroth Henry Paget Philip Reeves John Grub Thomas Freckleton Henry Bowyer Thomas Musgrave Henry Lenny Henry Purefoy William Pitts Nicholas Arnold Sir Christopher Humphreville Kt. William
Derby Town But before I leave this County I cannot but observe that of all Parts of England which in general is famous for its Stone-Bridges Derbyshire is of special note upon that very account Witness amongst the rest Burton-Bridge on the River Trent in the Borders of Staffordshire which has no less than 35 large Stone Arches 'T was at this Bridge that Edward II. put to flight Thomas Earl of Lancaster and many of the Barons Here is also Swarkeston Bridge over the same River reputed to be near a mile in length but much of it is rather a Causey than a Bridge To which add Monks-Bridge over the Dove to say nothing more of St. Maries Bridge at Derby Scarsdale a Division or Part of this County wherein stands Chesterfield is a Valley incompassed with Rocks and Mountains as the Name imports Dale in the Saxons Language signifying a Valley and Scaire a craggy Rock Observable only for giving the Title of Earl to the Right Honourable Robert Leak the present Earl of Scarsdale Derived to him from his Father Nicholas Son of Francis Leak Lord Deyncourt of Sutton Created Earl of Scarsdale by King Charles I. Anno 1645. Devonshire DEVONSHIRE a Maritime County in the West of England lies open to the Sea both Northward and Southward on the North being bounded with the North Sea otherwise called the Severn Sea or S. George's Channel which parts it from Wales and on the South with the South Sea commonly called the Channel which parts England from France But Eastward it is bounded by Somersetshire and Dorsetshire and Westward by Cornwal It contains in Length from East to West about 52 miles in Breadth from North to South 46. The whole divided into 33 Hundreds wherein 3●4 Parishes and 32 Market Towns The Air of this County is sharp and wholesom The Soil in some Parts generally beautified with fresh and pleasant Meadows in other Parts shaded with great store of Woods but in few places not so fit for Corn as most other Counties 'T is true good Husbandry supplies that Defect and adds unto it by cost and industry what it wants by Nature Amongst the many Rivers wherewith 't is abundantly watered the Tamer which parts it from Cornwal the Turridge the Taw Ex and Dart are the chiefest In short this County is well provided with Flesh Fish and Fowl And as for Sea-Fish Pilchards and Herrings chiefly are here fished in great abundance Noted besides for its Wools and Clothings the best and finest Kerseys in the Kingdom being here made but chiefly for its Tin and Lead-Mines Exeter the chief Place of it ly's West-South-West from London about 130 miles thus Viz. from London to Salisbury 70 miles as you may see in the Description of Wiltshire From Salisbury to Shaftsbury 15 and to Sherburn 12 more from Sherburn to Crookham 10 thence to Axminster 9 and to Exeter 22 more This City is so called from the River Ex on the East-banks whereof it is seated and over which it has a fair Stone bridge not above 12 or 15 miles from its fall into the Sea 'T is a large and well compacted City and a Place of good Trade But the River is so choaked up that all Vessels are forced to load and unload their Goods at Topsham about 3 miles distance Within its Walls and Suburbs are reckoned besides the Cathedral no less than 15 Parish-Churches It has the Priviledge of two Markets weekly kept on Wednesdays and Fridays Noted besides for giving the Title of Duke Marquess and Earl to several noble Personages Of Duke to John Holland Earl of Huntington made Duke of Exeter by King Richard II and to Tho. Beaufort Earl of Dorset created Duke of Exeter by King Henry V. Next to whom this Title was injoy'd by John and Henry Holland both of them Admirals Afterwards the Title of Marquess of Exeter was by King Henry VIII conferred upon Henry Courtney Earl of Devonshire Succeeded in it by his Son Edward Courtney with whom this Title died But in the Reign of King James I Tho. Cecil Lord Burleigh was by that King created Earl of Exeter Anno 1605. From whom is descended in a right Line the Right Honourable John Cecil the present Earl of Exeter The other Market Towns are Kings-bridge Sat. Plimpton Sat. Totness Sat. Ashburton Sat. Chidley Sat. Merton Sat. Okehampton Sat. Tavestock Sat. Torrington Sat. Holsworthy Sat. South-Molton Sat. Columpton Sat. Crediton Sat. H●rniton Sat. Axminster Sat. Plimouth Mund. Thu. Bediford Tue. Tiverton Tue. Ottery Tue. Dodbrook Wed. Newton-Abbot Wed. Modberry Thu. Culliton Thu. Bow Thu. Chu●mleigh Thu. Dartmouth Frid Barnstaple Frid Hatherly Frid Besides Ilfarcomb Combemerton Bradnidge and Sidmouth whose Market-Days I am ignorant of Among which Plimouth and Dartmouth are two noted Harbours in the Channel but the first especially Seated between the Tamer and the Plime at both their falls into the Sea the Plime being but a small River from whence Plimouth however has took its Denomination 'T is one of the best Ports in England having a safe and commodious Haven strongly fortified on both sides A Place of great importance to the Kingdom not only for his Majesty's but for Merchants Ships outward or homeward bound to anchor in upon any Casualty The Conveniency whereof has so improved this Town from a poor fishing Village that it is now grown up to Stateliness Lastly this Place is dignify'd with the Title of an Earldom now in the person of the Right Honourable Other Windsor Earl of Plimouth c. Derived to him from his Grandfather Thomas Created Earl of Plimouth by King Charles II. But the first that injoy'd this Title was Charles Fitz Charles commonly called Don Carlos created Baron of Dartmouth Viscount Totnes and Earl of Plimouth Anno 1675. who soon after died at Tangier Dartmouth so called from its Situation at the Mouth of the River Dart is also a good Port Town having a commodious Haven well frequented and traded unto There 's in it three Parish Churches And it gives the Title of Baron to the Right Honourable George Leg made Baron of Dartmouth by King Charles II. Few miles from Dartmouth to the North-East is the Bay called Torbay of chief note for the Descent here made by his present Majesty and his Land-Forces from Holland upon the fifth of Nov. being Gun-powder Treason Day 1688. From Torbay to the Coast of Dorsetshire there is not a Sea-Town of any note but Sidmouth Which indeed was a good Port Town as well as Seaton and Budley near adjoyning before their Havens were choaked up with Sands Now 't is but a small Fisher-Town On the North Coast you will find Combemerton Ilfarcomb and Hartland all of them but mean Towns But at some distance from that Sea lies Barnstaple a good trading Place seated on the River Yaw over which it has a large Bridge Further Westward you will find Bediford Torrington and Hatherley all three on the Towridge Over which River Bediford has a large Stone-bridge
and frequented and enjoying a good Trade It has two Markets a Week viz. Wednesdays and Saturdays which are very great for Corn and Cattle and well served with all Provisions And for Divine Worship here are twelve Parish-Churches besides the Cathedral a fine piece of Architecture noted amongst other things for its Whispering Place which is in an Arch of the Quire but chiefly for being the Burying-place of Lucius the first Christian King and of the unfortunate King Edward II. who at Barkley-Castle was barbarously murdered by the Cruelty of Isabel his Wife Lastly this City is both a Bishops See and a County of it self being made a County by King Richard III once Duke of Glocester And as it has the advantage of denominating so rich a Country as this so it has been often dignified with the Title of a Dukedom sometimes that of an Earldom in those eminent Persons who in their several Times and Ages have been either Dukes or Earls of Glocester The Number of 'em is too great for me to produce 'em all here Therefore I shall only say that the last Duke of Glocester was Henry the third Son of King Charles I declared by his Royal Father Duke of Glocester and Earl of Cambridge and so Intituled Anno 1641 but not so created till the Year 1659. He lived to see the Restauration of the Royal Family and died the same Year it hapned viz. Sept. 13. 1660. With him the Title has lain dormant till it was lately revived in the person of the young Prince William the Son of the Illustrious Prince George of Denmark Nigh to this City is Alney-Isle so made by the Severn In which Edmund Ironside King of the English Saxons and Canute the Dane after many Conflicts and bloody Battels fought a single Combat hand to hand for the Crown of England The Issue of which was that they agreed to part the Kingdom which they joyntly governed till Treason took away the Life of King Edmund and left Canute sole Monarch of England At Lassington a mile from Glocester is found a sort of Stone called the Star-Stone being about the breadth of a Silver Peny and the thickness of a Half-crown These Stones are flat and like a Star five-pointed of a grayish colour and on the flat sides naturally ingraven in fine Works as one Mullet within another The other Market-Towns besides Glocester it self are Bristol Sat. and Wedn. Tewksbury Sat. Winchcomb Sat. Leonards Stanley Sat. Thornbury Sat. Wickware Mun. Dean Magna Mun. Cirencester Mun. Frid. Panswick Tue. Horton Tue. Minching-hampton Tue. Marshfield Tue. Letchlade Tue. Campden Wedn. Blackley Wedn. Tedbury Wedn. Stow on the Wold Thu. Cheltenham Thu. Dursbey Thu. Chipping Sudbury Thu. Fairford Thu. Stroud Frid. Wotton Frid. Newent Frid. Newham Frid. Amongst which Bristol being not only the greatest Place of Trade in England next to London but also a Bishops See and a County of it self deserves a particular Description It is both pleasantly and commodiously seated at the fall of the Frome into the Avon which five Miles from thence empties it self into the Severn By this River the City is divided into two Parts the chief Part in Glocestershire and the other in Somersetshire but with the conveniency of Communication by means of a fair Stone Bridge Which like London Bridge is so covered with Houses that it looks more like a Street than a Bridge Its Streets are neatly ordered and set out with many fine Edifices Among which may be reckoned the Cathedral and most of the Parish Churches which are 18 in Number The City is begirt with a Wall besides other Fortifications At the East end of it stood a Castle wherein King Stephen was kept a Prisoner by Maud the Empress But it was demolished by Oliver Cromwel and is now built into Streets called Castle-street and Castle-Green But that which has chiefly made Bristol so considerable is the goodness of its Port. The principal Key whereof stands on the Frome which at Spring-Tides does flow about 40 Foot and so brings Ships in of a great Burden Thus Bristol by its Commodiousness for Shipping is become a Place of great Resort both for Merchants and Tradesmen those driving a great Trade to most Parts of the Known World these a Home-Trade especially to Wales to Shropshire and other Counties About Bristol is great store of Coals also a sort of Precious Stone called from thence Bristol-Stones taken out of S. Vincents Rock At the bottom whereof is a hot Well of a Medicinal nature Lastly though Bristol stands partly as I said before in this County and partly in Somersetshire yet as it is a County of it self it yields Obedience to neither And considering its Beauty Trade Riches Extent and Populousness it may be counted the chief Place in England next to London 'T is but about 150 Years since this Town came to he a Bishops See this being one of the six new Sees erected by Henry VIII by virtue of an Act of Parliament made in order to it But it is less since it became a Title of Nobility which was not till King James I. conferred the Honour of Earl of Bristol upon John Lord Digby of Sherburn Anno 1622. From him devolved by his Death to his Son George in the Year 1650 and from him to the Right Hononrable John Digby the present Earl of Bristol Cirencester commonly pronounced Circester is seated on the River Churn over which it has a Bridge It has been a Place of great account in the time of the Romans and without insisting upon the Roman Coyns Checker-work Pavements and engraven Marble Stones that have oft been digged up here it s very ruinous Walls still to be seen and about 2 Miles in Circuit are a sufficient proof of its former Greatness This City was taken from the Britains by the West-Saxons and afterwards possessed by the Mercians till laid in Ashes by a Stratagem of the merciless Danes in tying fire to the Wings of Sparrows from whence it came to be called the Sparrows City Since which Desolation it could never recover it self to any thing beyond the Name of a good Borough Town Tewksbury is a goodly Town situate at the fall of the North-Avon into the Severn and watered besides with two Rivulets A Town of good account for making of Woollen Cloth and for the best Mustard in the Kingdom as Dijon is in France But most of all memorable for the Battel fought here Anno 1471. between King Henry VI. and his immediate Successor Edward IV that is between the House of Lancaster and York where the Lancastrians were intirely defeated and the young Prince Edward the only Son of King Henry slain Stroud situate on the River so called is a well-built Town whose Houses for the most part are of Stone It has a Bridge over the River on the Banks of which are placed abundance of fulling Mills Here they die Scarlet the Stroud Water having a peculiar quality to give the right Tincture Near the
Bishops See since the Reign of Henry VIII For as it is no plausible Place either for health or pleasure so it stands out of the way for Trade Yet it shews two handsom Streets a large Market-Place and a fair Parish Church besides the Abbey Which last from a Monastery founded by Wolpher the Mercian King is now become a Cathedral And from that Monastery dedicated by him to St. Peter This Town formerly known by the Name of Medanshede came to be called Peterburgh or Peterborough Dignify●d with the Title of an Earldom in the person of Henry Mordant the present Earl of Peterborough devolved to him from his Father John Lord Mordant created Earl of Peterborough by King Charles I. Anno 1627. Oundle is pleasantly seated on the Banks of the Nen over which it has two Bridges A well built and uniform Town beautified with a fair Church a free School and an Alms-house Nigh unto Oundle Northwards and upon the same River stands Fotheringhay-Castle invironed on all sides with pleasant Meadows Noted for that here Mary Queen of Scots was beheaded Thrapston Higham-Ferrers and Wellingborow ly all three upon the Nen the first two on the Eastern the last on the Western Banks and each of them with a Bridge over the River Higham-Ferrers has a Free-School for the Education of Youth and an Alms house for the Relief of poor people and was anciently strengthned with a Castle whose Ruins are yet to be seen Wellingborow pleasantly seated upon the Ascent of a Hill is a large and well inhabited Town injoying a good Trade beautified with a fair Church and having the Convieniency besides of a Free School Not far from Rothwell or Rowel is Naseby which is said to stand on the highest Ground in England near which the Avon and the Nen two considerable Rivers have their Spring-heads A noted Town for the Battel fought here June 14th 1645 where the Kings Forces commanded by Prince Rupert were totally routed by General Fairfax Towcester situate in a Valley and on the Banks of a small River that empty's it self in the Ouse is a Place of good Antiquity Cambden takes it for the ancient Tripontium which took its Name from 3 Bridges the Roman Port-way which in many places between it and Stony-Stratford shews it self being cut through by three Streams or Channels which the Rivulet there divides it self into About the Year 917. it was so strongly fortified as to resist the furious Assaults of the Danes At present 't is but a small Town beautified however with a fine Church Near this Place Eastward is Grafton a Road-Town in this part of Northamptonshire with a fine Park adjoyning to it and a Mannor-house of great Antiquity most part whereof was burnt and pulled down in the long Intestine War Anno 1643. Memorable for the Marriage here consummated betwixt Edward IV. and the Lady Grey the first King o● England since the Conquest that married his Subject This was the ancient Seat of the Family de Wideville Earls of Rivers And Richard the last of the male Line dying Anno 1490. did by his Will bequeath it amongst other Lands to Thomas Grey Marquess of Dorset In which Name it continued till Henry VIII with whom it was exchanged for other Lands in Leicestershire and so has ever since continued in the Crown Of late become of more remark for giving the Title of Duke to his Grace Henry Fitz-Roy created Baron of Sudbury Viscount Ipswich and Earl of Euston Anno 1672 and Duke of Grafton five years after Brackley a Town of Note when it was in a manner the Staple Town in the County for Wool is seated near the Spring of the Ouse upon the edge of the County towards Buckinghamshire It contains two Parish-Churches and had formerly a Colledge now made use of for a Free-School Daventry and Kettering are seated each of 'em upon a Rivulet that falls into the Nen. The first a great Road-Town from London to the North-West Counties and from thence hither The last North-East from that is delightfully seated on an Ascent and has a Sessions-House for the Justices of Peace of the County who sometimes assemble here Rockingham a small Town is seated on the Weland A Town of note in former Time for its Castle long since demolished Lastly this County together with Rutland make up the Diocese of Peterborough In the Time of the Saxons it made part of the Kingdom of Mercia and its Inhabitants in the Romans Time part of the Coritani Out of it are chosen besides the two Knights of the Shire seven Members of Parliament Viz. 2 out of Northampton 2 out of Peterborough 2 out of Brackley and 1 out of Higham-Ferrers CHAP. XIII Of Northumberland Nottinghamshire Oxfordshire and Rutland Northumberland NORTHVMBERLAND a Maritime County and the furthest North in England is bounded on the East by the German Ocean on the West by Cumberland and the Cheviot Hills which part it from Scotland Northward by the River Twede which divides it also from Scotland and Southward by the Bishoprick of Durham from which severed in part by the River Tine It s Form is triangular contains in Length from North to South about 40 long Miles and in Breadth from East to West at the broadest 30. The Whole divided into six Wards wherein 460 Parishes and but 6 Market-Towns The Air of this County is sharp and piercing in Winter and sometimes troubled with deep Snows and pinching Frosts sutable to its Climate But yet 't is nothing near so sharp as the People And by my late Experience here wet Weather is not so sensible and searching as it is in Middlesex 'T is possible the warm Breaths that continually come out of its numberless Colepits helps with the Vapours of the Sea to take off the rawness of a cold dampish Air. For the Soil as this County is nearly related to Scotland so it is one of the worst Counties in England being for the most part rough and hilly and hard to be manured Yet in some Parts chiefly towards the Sea it is fertile enough But the greatest Riches of this Country lies in the Bowels of the Earth full of Coal-mines Which supply with Coals not only this Country where that Fewel is always bought at very easy rates but a good Part of England besides and London particularly for whose Use many hundred Sail of Ships have yearly from hence their Loading The Coal-Pits made use of to get up this Treasure are all square commonly 7 or 8 foot in diameter and timbered from top to bottom some 30 some 40 more or less but few above 50 fadoms deep A great Depth for Workmen to go and rake a Livelyhood And yet here is a Legion of such Men bred and born to it that spend most of their Life in this Land of Darkness in continual Danger besides that of the Rope of being crushed below by a Thrust sometimes in Danger of Water and in some places of Fire The Way to go down these
Nations came to be united under one Head So that upon the least Rupture this Town was sure to undergo the first brunts of the War It is large and populous and the Houses well built injoying a good Trade especially for Corn and Salmon Here one may have a good Salmon for 12 pence Lastly Barwick is like Newcastel a County of it self Dignified also with the Title of a Dukedom and that by the late King James in the person of James Fitz-James the present Duke of Barwick his natural Son ●inked with him in his Misfortunes Alnwick so called from the River Alne upon which it is seated about 8 miles from the Sea is an indifferent good Town Once strengthened with a great Castle which is now something ruinous However a noted Place for the Battel fought here between the English and the Scots in the Reign of Henry II where William King of Scots was taken Prisoner Hexam is situate West of Newcastel on the South-side of the River Tine Once a Bishoprick in the Infancy of the Saxon Church the Bishop whereof called Episcopus Hagulstadiensis according to Beda S. Eata the fifth Bishop of Lindisfarne or Holy Island was the first Bishop of this Place Succeeded by nine others till by the fury and rapine of the Danes it discontinued the Jurisdiction of it being added to the See of York But in the Reign of Henry VIII it was taken from that Archbishoprick and by Authority of Parliament united to the County of Northumberland whereby it became annexed to the Bishoprick of Durham Here was a most stately Church said to surpass most Minsters in England before a great part thereof was pulled down by the Scots Morpeth a goodly Town is situate on the River Wensbeck and fortified with a Castle Its Market is esteemed the best in the County for Provisions and living Cattel which from hence are dispersed to divers Parts of the Kingdom The Town of some note besides for giving the Title of Viscount to the Ea● of Carlisle Some miles South-west from it near a Town called Belsey on the River Pont stands Ogle● Castle formerly belonging to the Barons Ogle● and now to the Duke of Newcastle from hence stiled Earl of Ogle As for Weller 't is but a small Town seated on the side of a Hill near the Banks of the River Till which runs Northward into the Twede But its Market is great for Corn and other Provisions Of the Islands along the Sea-Coast of Northumberland Along the Coast of this Country you will find 3 principal Islands as you go from South to North viz. Cocket Farn and Holy Island Cocket is but a small Island lying not far from Wetherington Castle Farne Island something bigger lies North from Cocket 2 miles from Bamburg Castle North-East of which lie six smaller Islands hardly worth the naming Holy Island the biggest of the three and yet of no great extent is not far from Barwick This Island being in shape not unlike a Wedge runs out with a Neck of Land towards Northumberland And this is it which formerly was known by the Name of Lindisfarne in the dawning of Christianity among the Northumbers made a Bishops See by S. Aidan one of the first Apostles of these Parts Selected for that Dignity by that holy Man for the Solitude and Privacy of it which made it thought more fit and proper for Devotion Till at last by the religious Lives of so many pious Bishops Monks and others of the Clergy as did inhabit here it got the Name of Holy Island And here the See continued 353 years that is from the Year 637 to 990 under 22 Bishops hence called Bishops of Lindisfarne From whence the See was removed to Durham the Insolencies of the Danes who then terribly raged on these Coasts compelling these religious Men to forsake their Solitude The Air of this Island is so unhealthfull and the Soil ungratefull that it is but thinly peopled Fish and Fowl is the best Accommodation of it So that here is but one Town with a Church and Castle under which is a good Haven defended by a Block-house In short this County formerly a Part of the Kingdom of Northumberland and its Inhabitants part of the Ottadini as the Romans caded them is now in the Diocese of Durham Out of it are elected besides the two Knights of the Shire six Members of Parliament Viz. 2 by Newcastle 2 by Morpeth and 2 more by Barwick Lastly this County is noted for the Title of Duke and Earl it has given to several noble Personages but with frequent Interruptions As for the Title of Duke I find but one that has injoy'd it till of late viz. John Dudley Earl of Warwick and Lord Admiral● Duke of Northumberland beheaded by Quee● Mary Put that of Earl has gone through several Changes and different Families Th● Piercies are those who have injoy'd it the long est of any and yet not without some Interruption too The first of 'em that had the Title conferred upon him was Henry Piercy Lord Constable who took possession of i● Anno 1377. under the Reign of Richard II. Three of his Name and Family injoy'd it after him before John Nevil Lord Montague was advanced to this Honour by King Edward II who after six years resigned it to Henry Piercy that had been dispossessed of it Another Henry Piercy injoy'd it after him who died in the Year 1527. And 24 years after his Death the foresaid John Dudley Earl of Warwick was by Edward VI. created Duke of Northumberland viz. Anno 1551. Six Years after this the Title of Earl returned to the Piercies in the person of Thomas Earl of Northumberland In which Family it has continued ever since till the Year 1670 when Joceline Piercy died at Turin in Italy without Issue male At present we have a Duke of Northumberland his Grace George Fitz-Roy third Son to the Dutchess of Cleveland who in the Year 1674. was created by King Charles II. Baron of Pontefract Viscount Falmouth and Duke of Northumberland Nottinghamshire NOTTINGHAMSHIRE an Inland County is bounded Eastward with Lincolnshire from which it is separated a good way by the River Trent Westward with Derbyshire and some part of Yorkshire Northward with Yorkshire and Southward with Leicestershire It is of an oval Form doubling in length twice its breadth It s Length from North to South is about 40 miles the Breadth from East to West 20. The Whole divided into 8 Wapentakes or Hundreds 168 Parishes and 9 Market-Towns As for the Soil of this County part of it is Clay-Ground part sandy Ground and the rest Woody The South East Part being watered by the Trent and small Rivers that fall into it is the most fruitfull and this is the Clay Part. The Western where the Forest of Shirwood is so famous for Robin-Hood and his Companions is stocked not only with Wood but Pit-Coal well served besides with Game Besides the River Trent here are several small Streams whereby this Country
that what is worse for the Rider is best for the Abider And besides Corn and Cattle wherewith this Country is plentifully stored here are insome Parts especially towards Wiltshire rich Lead-Mines to the great benefit not only of the County but of the whole Kingdom These Mines are found particularly in the Hills called Mendip-Hills of no small Profit to the Owners As for its Diamonds commonly called Bristol-Stones I refer you to Bristol in Glocestershire Besides the Severns Mouth whereby the North-West Part of this Country is watered here is the Avon which parts this County from Glocestershire the Parret the Tor Tone Frome and others well stored with excellent Fish In this County are three Cities Bristol Bath and Wells Bristol indeed stands also in Glocestershire and as I have already described it there I shall pass it over here Bath bears West and by South from London and is distant therefrom 94 miles Viz. from London to Reading 32 miles as you may see in Parkshire from thence to Newbery 15 and to Marlborough 15 more thence to Chipenham 15 and to Bath 13 more It is so called from its Medicinal hot Baths much resorted unto from all Parts as being found by long experience to be of great virtue in the curing of Aches and other Distempers It s Situation is on the River Avon over which it has a Stone-Bridge and there it lies in a low and small Plain surrounded with Hills very high and steep out of which issue forth several Springs of Water which pay Tribute to it This is a Place of great Antiquity as does appear by many Roman Inscriptions and Images commonly found in the Walls which incompass it And where the Abbey now stands 't is said there was of old a Temple consecrated to Minerva the Goddess of Fountains and Baths In short 't is a fine City graced with well-built Houses and for divine Worship hav●●● a Parish Church besides its Cathedral The Baths in it are four in number viz. the Cross and the hot Bath in the West Parts of the City the King 's and the Queen's-Bath in the middle The Cross Bath so called from a Cross that formerly stood in the midst of it is Triangular about 25 foot long and as broad at one end This is of a more gentle heat than the rest because it has fewer Springs About 100 foot from it is the Hot-Bath so called because formerly it was much hotter than the rest when it was not so large as now it is The King's Bath is about 60 foot square and has about the middle of it many hot Springs rising whence it has the greater heat The Queen's Bath has no Spring in it but only receives the Water from the King's Bath from which it is only divided by a Wall and so it is more temperate than the King 's In these two Baths is a Pump to pump Water upon the Diseased where strong Embrocations are required In every one of the Baths are Seats of Stone for the conveniency of those that use ' em But from 8 a Clock in the morning till about 3 in the afternoon these Baths are shut up and none permitted entrance being then so very hot that they work and cast up a filth from the bottom The Inhabitants of Bath do not only find a great advantage by these Medicinal Springs but also by their Cloth Manufacture wherein they drive a considerable Trade And for Provisions they have two Markets a Week viz. Wednesdays and Saturdays This City is Partner with Wells the Bishops See in the Title Episcopal Noted besides for giving the Title of Earl to the Right Honourable John Granvile created Earl of Bath by King Charles the II. Anno 1661. Which Title was formerly injoy'd by the Heirs of John Bourchier who was created Earl of Bath by King Henry VIII Anno 1536 but went away from that Family by the Death of Henry Bourchier dying without Issue male Wells seated at the foot of a Hill is so called from the Springs and Wells that spring about it 'T is a small City but well inhabited and adorned with fair Buildings both publick and private The Cathedral among the rest is a stately Pile of building having in the West End a Frontispiece of excellent Imagery and carved Stone-work dedicated to S. Andrew and said to be first built by Ina King of the West-Saxons Adjoyning to it is the Bishops Pallace built in the manner of a Castle and fortified with Walls and a Mote and on the other side are the Prebends Houses c. The Market-house is also a neat Building supported by Pillars Lastly this City has two Markets a Week on Wednesdays and Saturdays as Bath The other Market-Towns are Bruton Sat. Langport Sat. Crokehorn Sat. Ilmister Sat. Watchet Sat. Dulverton Sat. Chard Mun. Somerton Mun. Glassenbury Tue. Wivescomb Tue. Pensford Tue. Wrinton Tue. N. Petherton Tue. N. Curry Tue. Sat. Wincaunton Wedn. Ilchester Wedn. Froumselwood Wedn. Taunton Wedn. Sat. Axebridge Thu. S. Petherton Thu. Bridgewater Thu. Wellington Thu. Canesham Thu. Evill Frid. Dunster Frid. Shepton-Mallet Frid. Philip-Norton Minehead Among which Bruton seated on the River Brue is a well-built and inhabited Town that drives a good Trade for Clothing Serges and Maulting 'T is graced with a beautifull Church has a Free School founded by King Edward the Sixth and a very fine Alms-house Langport stands on the top of a Hill in a miry and moorish Country and near the River Parret which next to the Avon is the most considerable South-Petherton Crokehorn Chard and Ilmister ly not far asunder near the West-Borders of Dorsetshire the first two on the Banks of the Parret Dulverton on the Ex borders upon Devonshire Wivescomb Wellington North Curry and Taunton are seated on the River Tone Taunton the chief of all the List is a neat and populous Town graced with spacious Streets and a fine Bridge over the River Inhabited chiefly by Clothiers who drive a considerable Trade with the Cloths and Serges made here and in the adjacent Parts It contains two Parish Churches Bridgewater and Glassenbury are the two Places of chief note next to Taunton the first seated on the Parret the laft on the Tor and each with a Stone-Bridge over its proper River The first is a large well-inhabited and frequented Town adorned with the Title of an Earldom in the person of the Right Honourable John Egerton the present Earl of Bridgewater Derived to him from his Father John Egerton created Earl of Brigewater by King James I. Anno 1617. Which Title was formerly injoyed by Henvy Lord Dawbeney advanced from a Knight to this Dignity by King Henry VIII he being Son of that Giles Dawbeney who came in with King Henry VII from Bretagne in France But he dying without Issue this Title died with him till revived as aforesaid Glassenbury of old called the Island of Avalon is of chief note for its once famous and stately Abbey the Monks whereof for the Credit of
it gave it out that the Body of Joseph of Arimathea lay there Interred Certain it is that this was a Shelter to the Britains in the latter Times of the British Churches when they were miserably harassed and persecuted by the Pagan Saxons And it might be as Dr. Stillingfleet says of far greater request among the Britains because it was the Place where King Arthur was buried Whose Body was found there very deep in the Earth in the Reign of Henry II with a Latine Inscription on a leaden Cross expressing that King Arthur lay there buried in the Island of Avalon And his Body was laid so deep for fear of the Saxons this being a Place of Retreat in the British Times but not without the apprehension of their Enemies Invasion Axebridge is so called from the River Axe on which it is situate Pensford and Canesham ly North and by East from Axebridge both seated on the Chire and the last at its very fall into the Avon near Bristol Philip-Norton and Froumselwood stand near the Froume on the Confines of Wiltshire Shepton-Malles and Somerton ly South and by West from 'em both pretty large but poor Towns Whereas Somerton as I said before was once a Place of such note that the Shire took its Name from it Ilchester so called from the River Ill or Yeovel upon which it is seated is a Town of great Antiquity and was once a Place of good Strength Then it had 16 Parish Churches now reduced to two However this is the Place where the County-Goal is kept Evil or Yeovel stands upon the same River and grows by the decay of of its Neighbour Ilchester Win●aunton stands on the side of a Hill in the Road to London and is a good Market-Town for Cheese especially Minehead Watchet and Dunster ly all three by the Sea-side But the first has the best Harbour and is a Place of some Trade especially into Ireland West from which towards Devonshire stands another Sea-Town called Porlock noted for its Bay or Harbour sometimes resorted unto by Seamen in those Parts But to conclude this County in general is noted for two Things besides the fore-mentioned The first for giving the Title of Duke to his Grace Charles Seymour the present Duke of Somerset Marquess of Hartford c. Descended from Edward Seymour Duke of Somerset and Lord Protector of King Edward the Sixth who was beheaded Anno 1552. But upon the Restauration of King Charles the Second the Title was restored to the Line in the person of William Seymour the great Grandchild of the foresaid Duke from whom it is now devolved to the present Duke Brother to Francis who was killed in Italy 'T is remarkable besides that this County was few Years since the Scene which brought the late Duke of Monmouth with many of his Followers to their tragical End and gave an Opportunity to the Popish Party by the uncontroulable Authority of the late King James to hurry on their Design of Intailing Popery and Slavery upon these Nations Which was wonderfully defeated under God by the Magnanimity of our present King Lastly this County which formerly was Part of the Kingdom of the West-Saxons and its Inhabitants Part of the Belgae in the Time of the Romans is now in the Diocese of Ba●h and Wells Out of it are elected besides the two Knights of the Shire 16 Members of Parliament Viz. Two out of each of these following Places Bristol Bath Wells Taunton Bridgewater Minehead Ilchester and Milburn Port. Which last stands on the Confines of Dorsetshire In the South Parts of this County is a sharp Hill called Montacute which gives the Title of Viscount to the Right-Honourable Francis Brown the present Viscount Montacute Derived to him from Anthony Brown created Viscount Montacute in the Reign of Queen Mary Anno 1354 being descended from the Lady Lucy Daughter of John Nevil Grandchild of Tho. Montacute Earl of Salisbury who was created Lord Montacute and afterwards Marquess Montacute by King Edward the fourth Staffordshire STAFFORDSHIRE an Inland County is bounded Eastward by Derbyshire and part of Warwickshire parted from the first for the most part by the River Dove Westward by Cheshire and Shropshire Northward by Cheshire and part of Derbyshire and Southward by Worcestershire It s Length from North to South is at least 40 miles its Breadth from East to West about 25. The whole divided into five Hundreds where in 130 Parishes and 18 Market-Towns The Air is counted here pretty good and healthfull but it is somewhat sharp in Winter As for the Soil 't is true the greatest Part of the Country is taken up with Moors and Woods insomuch that one may go the whole length of the County and see little but Heaths and Moors But they are such as yield both profit and pleasure Profit by breeding Multitudes of Sheep Deer and Conies and many of 'em by the Husbandmans Industry yielding very good Corn. Pleasure for they afford the greatest plenty of Heath-Game of any County in the Kingdom either by Hawking or Hunting And so great was formerly the Number of Parks and Warrens in this Shire that there was scarce any Gentlemans Seat in the County but what had both Park and Warrens The chief Forests are those of Cank and Kinvare and among Chases those of Needwood Peasey and Alderwas Hay In short the North Part of this Country is full of Hills and Woods the South stored with Coals and Mines of Iron and the middle Part being watered with the River Trent adorned with fair Corn-fields and Meadows And yet in the North-Parts the Pastures near the River Dove yield the sweetest and fattest Mutton in England For Manuring the Ground here 's plenty both of Lime and Marl. For Building abundance of Timber and Stone which last for its fineness and durableness is held in good esteem A sort of Plaister is made of the Lime which soon after it is laid grows as white as Snow and as hard as a Stone Here is also a good deal of Alabaster and in some Places salt Springs yielding plenty of white Salt not much inferiour to the best Salt in Cheshire The Hills of most note are Mowcop-hill in the Confines of Cheshire where Mill-stones are got Dudley-hill which affords a fine Prospect the Shaw which overlooks the Counties of Darby and Leicester and the Wever With Rivers Springs and Brooks no County in England is better watered than this Besides the Trent here is the Dove the Churnet the Blithe the Line the Tean the Sowe the Penk the Manifold and several others some emptying themselves into the Dove as this dees into the Trent and all of them stored with most sorts of fresh-water Fish The Trent of special note for its Pikes Pearches Fels and Graylings the Dove for its Trouts and the Blithe for Eels And over all these Rivers are reckoned at least 24 Stone-bridges But as the Gentry here are not so curious in their private Buildings as they be in other
Kings and then a Place of larger extent than now it is Near the River stand the broken Walls of an old large Castle and in the midst of the Town is a Church the West-end whereof made of arched Work and imbowed over Head seems to be very ancient In short the Town is beautifull well frequented and full of fair Inns. It contains 3 Parish Churches and its Market which is on Saturdays iis well served with Corn and other Provisions As for honourary Titles the first that had any from hence was Elizabeth Viscountels of Kynelmalky in Ireland Created Countess of Guilford during life by Charles II. Anno 1660. Then in the Year 1671. the same King conferred the Title of Earl of Guilford upon John Maitland the late Duke of Lauderdale in Scotland And after them Francis North Lord Keeper of the Great Seal was advanced to the Peerage by being made Lord Guilford The other Market-Towns are Southwark Sat. Kingston Sat. Croydon Sat. Reygate Tue. Darking Thu. Farnham Thu. Ewel Southwark commonly pronounced Suthrick stands opposite to the City of London on the Banks of the Thames A Place which for number of Buildings and Inhabitants goes beyond most of the Cities in England But for its Streets and Buildings they are but ordinary except the broad Street which leads from the Bridge to St. George's Church A Street beautified with fair Buildings raised from the Ashes of frequent Conflagrations this Place has been afflicted with And here the Inhabitants drive a considerable Trade with the whole County this being the most convenient Place for the Surrey Carriers that come up for whose Accommodation here is Multitude of Inns. The principal Church here is that of St. Mary over Rey formerly a Priory of the B. Virgin Next to which is St. George's Church Here is also a famous Hospital called St. Thomas's Hospital founded by the Citizens of London for the Relief of impotent Persons The King's Bench and the Marshalsea are two other noted Places and but too well known to many To which add the Bear-Garden where Prizes are fought and the common People diverted with the Fighting of Dogs with Bears and Bulls In short though this Place be counted Part of London and under the Lord Mayor's Jurisdiction yet it does still injoy several of its ancient Priviledges peculiar to it self as holding of Courts within themselves and electing of Members of Parliament c. And because it lies in Surrey as London does in Middlesex I thought it not improper to bring i● into this List Kingston is situate ten Miles South-West from London on the Banks of the Thames over which it has a Bridge leading into Middlesex A Town heretofore famous for the Coronation of the Monarchs of the English Saxons whence it had the Name of Kingston or Kings Town whereas before it went by the Name of Moreford And for Distinctions-sake 't is called Kingston upon the Thames to difference it from Kingston upon Hull in Yorkshire A Place in former times well known for its Castle belonging to the Clares Earls of Glocester And as for its present State 't is yet a goodly Town well accommodated with Inns for the Reception of Strangers and of late something advantaged by the King's Residence in Summer at Hampton-Court in its Neighbourhood as it is by the County-Assizes which are frequently held here Croydon is a long Town ten miles South from London Seated near the Spring-head of the Wandle which falls into the Thames at Wandsworth and in a manner begirt with Hills well cloathed with Wood affording good Game to the Hunter and furnishing London with great store of Charcoal This Town has but few good Buildings the Houses in it being for the most part but mean and ordinary But it has the advantage of being graced with a fine large Church set out with a lofty Steeple and with a Summer-Pallace of the Lord Archbishop of Canterbury Accommodated besides with an Hospital for the Relief of the Poor and a Free School for the Education of Youth From this Town to Farnham runs the Downs called Banstead Downs so noted for Hawking Hunting and Horse-racing And near the Town is a Bourn or Stream the Rising whereof has been sometimes observed to have been a Fore runner of some publick Calamity Reygate a good large Town is seated in the Vale called Holmes Dale and is now of chief note for the great plenty of excellent Fullers Earth which is digged up in its Neighbourhood Here is an ancient but ruinated Castle with a long Vault under Ground and a large Room at the end of it where if the Story be true the Barons met in Council in their War against King John Near this Town several Battels have been fought against the Danes which proved fatal to them Darking is situate on a Branch of the River Mole Where at the foot of White-Hill on which grow plenty of Box-trees the said River runs under Ground for above a Mile and rises again near Norbury The Place where it falls in is therefore called the Swallow Farnham seems to take its Name from the great Store of Fern that grows in its Neighbourhood It ly's on the edge of Surrey towards Hampshire watered by the River Wey and graced with an Episcopal Seat the usual Residence of the Bishops of Winchester Here King Alfred with a small Power had the good fortune to overcome the Danes of whom he made a great slaughter As for Ewel all I have to say is that it is but very mean and inconsiderable Other Places of Note in this County Richmond among the rest deserves the precedency A fair large and well built Town seatupon an easy ascent on the Banks of the Thames Whose pleasant and healthfull Situation has invited so many of the Gentry to be its Inhabitants Here King Henry VII built a stately Pallace which with Nonsuch and Otelands two other ●oyal Pallaces in this County has felt the sad effects of the Civil Wars in the Reign of Charles I. Here died several of the dearest Princes that ever England had Viz. King Edward III the Conquerour of France the beautifull Ann Wife to King Richard the Second and Daughter to the Emperour Charles the fourth the most wise Prince Henry the Seventh and the Wonder of her Sex the famous Queen Elizabeth Lambeth situate opposite to Westminster is a large Parish of chief note for being the Residence of the Lord Archbishop of Canterbury where he has a fine Pallace And though it is counted unwholsom to live in yet it is well inhabited and the Skirts of it graced with many Gentlemens and Citizens Houses Here Canute the last Danish King ended his Days among his Cups From Lambeth Westward you will find along the River Battersea Putney Moreclack three goodly Towns and at some distance from the River Newington Clapham and Wandesworth This last on the River Wandle which drives several Mills imploy'd by Londoners and of late much improved by the French Protestants that have
for the Education of Youth a free School and for decay'd Gentlemen a well indowed Hospital But the chief Beauty of it as heretofore so now is a most stately and magnificent Castle the Seat of Sir Fulk Grevill the late Lord Brooks by whom it was repaired at his great cost and charges In short this Town injoy's a good Trade chiefly for Mault and the rather as being the Place where the Assizes and general Sessions for the County are kept It s Market which is kept on Saturdays is great and well furnished with all sorts of Provisions But that which has added the most Lustre to this Town is the honourary Titles wherewith it has been dignify'd for several Ages Of Earl first in the person of Henry de Newburg Created Earl of Warwick by Wisliam the Conquerour Anno 1076 and continued in five more of his name viz. Roger William Waleran Henry and Thomas de Newburg From whom it passed through several Families either by Marriage or Bloud allied to the former Till at last the Title of Earl was by King Henry VI turned into that of Duke in the person of Henry Beauchamp who was made and crowned King of the Isles of Wight Jersey and Garnsey and soon after created Duke of Warwick 'T is true the Title of Duke went no further and that of Earl was renewed in the person of Richard Nevil who married Ann the Duke's Sister From him it went to George Duke of Clarence who married Ann Daughter of Richard Nevil and from George to Edward Plantagenet his Son From these it came to two Dud eys successively to wit John and Ambrose descended from the Lady Margaret Daughter of Richard Beauchamp Earl of Warwick And in the Year 1618. King James I. conferred it upon Robert Lord Rich of Leeze in whose Line it continued till Charles his great Grandson died without Issue Upon whose Death Robert Rich Earl of Holland his Cousin german succeeded in the Earldom of Warwick and so injoy'd both Titles Which fell by his Death to his Son the Right Honourable Edward Rich the present Earl of Warwick Near Warwick is a Cliff most delectably seated among Groves and fresh Streams and called Guy-Cliff from the Hercules of England Guy of Warwick Who having left off his noble and valiant Exploits betook himself as the Story say's to this Place where he led a kind of Hermetical Life and built a Chappel wherein he was interred But though Warwick be the County-Town and a considerable Place upon other accounts yet here is another of greater importance which therefore doth deserve a particular Description in this place before we proceed to the List of the Market-Towns And that is Coventry a City so called from an old Convent or Monastery founded by King Canute It stands upon a small Stream called Sherborn which joyning with another Stream runs not far from thence into the River Avon 'T is a fair neat and large City beautify'd with handsom Houses and spacious Streets besides a Cross of curious Workmanship and its two Churches of St. Michael and of the Holy Trinity that are loftily built It was formerly begirt with a fine Wall with 13 Gates giving entrance into the City and what with the Convent and the translating the See Episcopal from Lichsield hither it grew exceeding rich and wealthy 'T is true now it has neither Convent nor Episcopal See more than in the Ruin and Title and yet it does still continue its old Wealth being the best City for Trade in all these Parts and more than ordinarily frequented for an Inland Town Among other its Manufactures here are great quanti●ies of Cloths made and vended And its Market for Provisions is kept on Fridays It belonged once unto the Earls of Chester and after wards by many Conveniances to John of Eltham Earl of Cornwal whereby it became annexed to that Earldom Nor did it lose any thing but rather gain much by that Annexation Henry the VI laying unto it several adjacent Towns and Villages and making it with them a County Corporate clearly distinct from that of Warwick Thus Coventry though within the Confines of Warwickshire became exempted from its Jurisdiction And in the very first Year of the Reign of William the Conquerour it was honoured with the Title of an Earldom in the Person of Edwin a Saxon with whom the Title died and lay buried till the Reign of King James I when George Villiers the late Duke of Buckingham's Father was created Duke of Buckingham and Earl of Coventry Anno 1623. The other Market-Towns are Shipton Sat. Rugby Sat. Tamworth Sat. Nun-Eaton Sat. Henley Mun. Southam Mun. Sutton Cofield Mun. Aulcester Tue. Kyneton Tue. Atherston Tue. Coleshill Wedn. Stratford Thu. Bromicham Thu. Among which Stratford seated upon the Avon is one of the prsncipal it being a good Town well inhabited and driving a good Trade of Malt. It contains two Parish Churches and has over the River a fair Stone-bridge with several Arches Tamworth stands part in this County and part in Staffordshire where you will find it described Aulcester is seated on the Confluence of the Alne and the Arrow and not far from their fall into the Avon Shipton on the Stower Coleshill on the Cole Kyneton on a small River that runs into the Avon Rugby upon the Avon Nun-Eaton and Atherston near the Auker Henley on the Alne and Bromicham on the Rea. Among which Henley is called Henley in Arden to distinguish it from Henley in Oxfordshire Bromicham is a large and well built Town very populous and much resorted unto particularly noted few years ago for the counterfeit Groats made here and from hence dispersed all over the Kingdom It drives a great Trade of Iron and Steel Wares Saddles and Bridles which find good vent at London Ireland and other Parts But besides those Market-Towns there are three Places Shughury Lemington and Menham Regis of note for some particular Things The first for the Astroits or Star-Stones found about it Lemington for two Springs of Water that issue out there within a stride of each other but of different taste and operation the one being fresh and the other salt though at a great distance from the Sea Menham Regis for a Spring the Water whereof looks and tasts like Milk If drunk with Salt it loosens if with Sugar it binds the Body Said to be Sovereign against the Stone good to cure green Wounds Ulcers and Imposthumes and apt to turn Wood into Stone To conclude this County which formerly was part of the Kingdom of Mercia and its Inhabitants part of the Cornavii as the Romans called them is now in the Diocese of Lichsield Out of it are elected besides the two Knights of the Shire but four Members to sit in Parliament Viz. 2 by Warwick and 2 by Coventry Westmorland WESTMORLAND one of the worst Counties in England lies in the North-West and is called Westmorland as lying among Moors and Fells or high Hills for the most part unmanured
it may appear to be the more proble Way for the Delinquents Reformation Such is the Temper of some Men that far from being likely to be reclaimed by a publication of their Offence they will rather grow obdurate and impudent when they perceive their Reputation to be lost To all the foresaid Punishments and Censures of the Church both the Laity and Clergy are subject But there are other Punishments to which the faulty Clergy only are liable which are four in Number commonly called Suspensio ab Officio Suspensio a Beneficio Deprivatio a Beneficio and Deprivatio ab Officio The first is when a Minister for a time is declared unfit to execute his Office The second when he is for some time deprived of the Profits of his Benefice Both which are wont to be for smaller Crimes Deprivatio a Beneficio is when a Minister for a greater Crime is wholly and for ever deprived of his Living And the last is when he is wholly and for ever deprived of his Orders which is properly called in English a Deposing or Degradation This is commonly for some hainous or Capital Crime And then the Minister is solemnly stript by the Bishop of his Priestly Vestments in the presence of the Civil Magistrate to whom he is then delivered to be Punished as a Lay-man for the like Offence THE CATALOGUE And first a List of Their Majesties Houshold-Officers and Servants attending their present Service according to the late Establishment LOrd Steward of the King's Houshold William Earl of Devonshire The Lord Chamberlain Charles Earl of Dorset The Master of the Horse Henry Nassaw Lord Overkirk In the Accompting House Treasurer and Cofferer of the Houshold Francis Lord Viscount Newport Comptroller Thomas Wharton Esquire Master of the Houshold Thomas Felton Esq Clerks of the Greencloth Sir William Forester Knight Sir James Forbes Knight Clerks Comptrollers Peter Isaac Esq Thomas Vivian Esq Yeomen Petley Garnham Charles Morgan Grooms Gilbert Thornburgh John Shaw Messenger Henry Sampson Bakehouse The Clerk Henry Gascoigne Esq Yeomen Henry Hartloe Grooms Edward Ball William Walton Pantry Gentleman and Yeoman Richard Walker Yeoman Mouth to the Queen Charles Potter Grooms William Lingen Thomas Whitmore Charles Justice Cellar Serjeant Matthew Harvey Esq Gentleman and Yeoman Richard Dalton Yeoman Mouth to the Queen and Keeper of Ice and Snow James Frontine Joynt Grooms Richard Jones Francis Clark Yeoman Field to the King James Hyman Yeoman Field to the Queen Philip Lemon Groom Charles Watts Buttery Gentleman and Yeoman Peter Bechon Yeoman David Lloyd Grooms Henry Cockseidge John Murray Thomas Jones Spicery Joint Clerks Joseph Somner Esq Charles Toll Esq Purveyor Peter la Vine Chandlery Serjeant Daniel Deering Esq Yeomen Richard Vokins John Higham Grooms Richard Tull Thomas Pavey John Melon Confectionary Yeomen John Du Commun Peter Mortimer Grooms Peter Derains Richard Thurman Ewry Yeomen Benjamin Pordage Josias Poulter Grooms Peter Berry Edward Reddish Laundry Laundress of the Table and Houshold Linnen Mrs. Jane Potter Kings Privy Kitchin Chief Clerk James Clark Esq Second Clerk Charles Issac Esq Third Clerk Thomas Webb Esq Master Cook Patrick Lamb Esq Yeoman of the Mouth Ulrich Horitiner Yeoman Pottagier Joseph Centlivre Grooms John Lincicomb James Beacher Children Gabriel Cooper Phillip Drew Two Scourers Six Turn-broaches One Door-keeper Queens Privy Kitchin Master Cook James Castres Esq Yeoman of the Mouth Stephen Leimbeck Yeoman Emanuel Hicks Grooms Leonard Welbeck Arthur Beacher Children John Sell William Golding Two Scourers Four Turn-broaches One Door-keeper Houshold Kitchin Master Cook Henry Smith Esq Yeoman John Thompson Groom Henry Sandes Children John Prichard William Arnold Two Scourers Four Turn-broaches One Door-keeper Larder Yeomen Jasper Lisney Luke Smith Grooms Nicholas Howard John Whilden Robert Bray Accatry Serjeant James Halsey Esq Joint Clerks Thomas Fox Esq Henry Lowman Esq Yeoman of the Salt Stores Hugh Mayo Poultry Clerk Roger Jackson Esq Yeoman Andrew Whittingham Grooms Esme Clark Anthony Scarlet Scalding-House Yeomen James Goodwinne John Cranwell Grooms John Thornburgh Henry York Pastry Clerk Matthew Perkins Esq Yeomen Patrick Lamb Samuel Brown Grooms William Murray A Child One Salsary-man One Furner Scullery Clerk Robert Manning Esq Yeomen Thomas Hardyman Francis Forrester Grooms James Tooth Samuel Farley Pages Thomas Robinson John Alsop Children James Rodd Josuah Nightingale Thomas Fox Two Pan-keepers Wood-yard Clerk John Thompson Esq Yeoman Edward Siston Grooms Jaspar English Leonard Hancock Almonry Sub-Almoner Jonathan Blagrave Yeoman Thomas Norris Groom Richard Bennet Verge Clerk John Hardesty Coroner Robert White Harbingers Gentlemen Harbingers Matthew Whitfield Esq William Tozer Esq Yeomen William Wall Hugh Jones Peter La Roche James Tye William Merrit Porters at the Gate Serjeant Porter Michael Hubbert Esq Yeomen John Dawson Richard Miller Charles Segar Grooms Aaron Kinton John Gibbons James Lovet Cartakers Yeomen Harold Miller Charles Scoresby John Zevenhoven Grooms Edward Kilmayne Ralph Blackwell John Pierman Officers of the Hall Marshal Charles Parsons Daily Waiter William Everal Waiters John Kemp Thomas Moody Knight Marshal Sir Edward Villiers Kt. Five Marshals Men Leicester Nichols Bulstrode Burt Booth Cock and Cryer William Sampson Porter at St. Jame's Yeoman Henry Rainsford Vnder the Lord Chamberlain THe Vice-Chamberlain Sir John Lowther Knight The Cup-bearers Sir John Pettus Kt. Edward Lloyd Esq James Compton Esq Thomas Boteler Esq Carvers Will. Champenies Esq Clement Saunders Esq Sir Rob. Killegrow Jos Rossington Esq Sewers Richard Smith Esq Robert Saintclair Esq John Skelton Esq Nicholas Fenn Esq Esquires of the Body Henry Kingsmel Esq Sir Tho. Granthan Kt. The Gentlemen Ushers of the Privy-Chamber Henry Austin Esq Sir John Eloes Kt. Sir Edward Sutton Kt. Spencer Gerard Esq Grooms of the Privy Chamber Thomas Duppa Esq Robert Thompson Esq Christopher Jeffrys Esq Humphrey Graves Esq Gentlemen Ushers Daily Waiters Sir Thomas Duppa Kt. and Black Rod. Fleetwood Sheppard Esq Jeremy Bubb Esq and David Michel Esq Gentlemen Ushers Quarter Waiters Robert Jeggon Esq Henry Cooling Esq Francis Ashton Esq Robert Murray Esq Jeremy Chaplain Esq James Meyrick Esq William Smith Esq Alex. Griffith Esq Barbers Mr. Simon de Brienne Mr. William Fremin Pages Mr. John Fen Mr. John Dawson Mr. Alex. Reynold Mr. Charles Segar To the Great Chamber Grooms or Messengers William Whitmore Henry Rogers Edward Kennet Charles Sheppard Edward Cooper Richard Llewellin Josias Sewe● Amandy Houwart Richard Sherer Adam Lisney Humphrey Ambler Michael Michel Arnold Waldwyn James Cook The Gentlemen of the King's Bed-Chamber William Earl of Portland Groom of the Stole and first Gentleman of the Bed-Chamber James Duke of Ormond Charles Earl of Monmouth Charles Earl of Shelkirk Henry ●iscount Sidney James Earl of Drumlangrig John Earl of Clare John Earl of Marlborough Richard Earl of Scarborough 48 Gentlemen of the Privy Chamber in Ordinary The Right Honourable the Earl of Mountalexander The Right Honourable the Lord Viscount Buttavant Sir William Haward Kt. Sir Walter Plunket Kt. Sir Jam. Humbleton Kt. Sir Purbeck Temple Kt. Sir Matth. Andrews Bar. Charles
Spencer Thomas Lloyd Sterry Knyveton Stephen Ashton Benjamin Stroude William Cook Their Pay-master is William Smith Esq The Gentleman Harbinger Ceorge Shipway A List of the Yeomen of the Gard-Officers The Captain Charles Earl of Manchester Lieutenant Thomas Howard Esq Ensign Thomas Maul Esq Clerk of the Checque Clerk The Corporals Robert Sayers William Haughton Uphill Bigg Officers of the four Troops of Horse First Troop The Captain Richard Earl of Scarborough Lieutenants Edmund Ashton Robert Binns George Colmondly Cornet and Guidon Sir Thomas Beaumont Charles Butler Exempts Stephen Dyer John Bayns Thomas Wilford John Goddard Brigadiers Clement Arminger Anthony Morgan Philip Cheviuyz John West Adjutant William Oglethorpe Sub-Brigadiers John Middleton Anthony Craggs Samuel Wells William Barns Second Troop The Captain James Duke of Ormond Lieutenants Lord Fairfax Lewis Billingsly Cornet and Guidon Henry Boyle Norris B●rtie Exempts George Collingwood Robert Watson Thomas Smith Gilbert Edward Brigadiers Theodore Dager James Butler James Cornard John Petree Adjutant Theophilus Wildgoose Sub-Brigadiers Meredith Felton Adrian Fulgham John Walkadine John Denty Third Troop The Captain John Earl of Marlborough Lieutenants Edmund Maine John Lord Berkley Cornet and Guidon George Churchill Hat Compton Exempts William Springall William Molton Thomas Obryan Benjamin Monger Adjutant Brigadiers Ralph Barrow John Peachy William Holmes Henry Snary Sub-Brigadiers Charles Williams William Maddox William Taylor Lom Hansburgh Fourth Troop The Captain My Lord Overkirk Lieutenants Capt. Heer Latan Capt. Heer Posterne Cornet Capt. La Lech Exempts Capt. Menes Capt. La Rue Capt. Goris Capt. Brigadiers Capt. Vander Horst Capt. Wegervoort Capt. Eresteyn Capt. Mels Sub-Brigadiers Capt. Verhorst Capt. Ruysen Capt. Van Geen Capt. Katterpole The Lieutenants of the Granadiers belonging to the three first Troops In the first Troop Thomas Guy and William Oglethorpe In the second Richard Potter and John Marshal In the third James Bringfield and Butler The Chaplains and Surgeons Chaplain to the first Troop Francis Blackston To the second John Hartstonge To the third William Rolls Surgeon to the first Troop John Brown To the second Abraham Rousseau To the third Gabriel Jones To the fourth Schr●nbe A List of the Officers of the Oxford Regiment Captains Aub. Earl of Oxford Col. Sir Francis Compton Lieut. Col. Henry Boade Major Edwin Sands Charles Adderly John Took Rowland Selby Kirk Davenport Lucy Lieutenants Warlf Cornwall Edward Green William Ascough Eaton Mortimer Robert Millington Richard Leigh Eaton Edward Johnson Cornets Thomas Coningsby Sydenham Mazin Middlecoat Nichols Marsham Wroth White Daniel Moor. Quarter-Masters Bryan Mund Britting Cardiff Harrison Mountford Stow Lloyd Samuel Neath Here follows a List of the principal Officers of the Foot-Gards Of the First Regiment Note that where the Officers Names are in the Roman Letter they properly belong to the Granadiers Captains Henry Viscount Sidney Col. Sir Charles Harah Lieut. Col. William Matthews Major Richard Dalavell Sir Francis Wheler Edward Warcup George Hamilton Edward Rouse George Villiers Charles Robinson Francis Saynds Anthony Hastings Charles Henn Edward Hastings John Greenvill George Wingfield John Bristow Francis Eaton John Seymour Charles Cludel Robert Smith Matthew How Stanly Progers Webb Curthope Thomas King Farewell Lieutenants Harrison John Dalavel Peter Wheeler Charles Gorsouch John Bucknel Nathaniel Stroud George Primrose Charles Slaggins Richard Dalby Charles Lewis William Ashton John Morice John Upcot Jo. Throgmorton Francis Manly Thomas Hotson John Forster Thomas Seymour David Eaton Eb. Bucknel Edward Warcup Sir William Queriston Russel Matthew Palmer Adam Saynds Leslie Charles Povy Fr. Luppincott William Herlakinden Matthew Adams Henry Wine Ensigns Villiers William Evans Rawly Courtney Francis Fawcet Austin Francis Purcel Rauney Samuel Danvers Samuel Swannock Edward Matthews Anthony Hastings William Goddard John Chripgny Thomas Leighton Richard Berkley Games Matthew Dixwell Charles Griffiffe John Jane Anthony Gaudy John Pickering Filks David Lloyd As for the second and third Regiments of Foot-Gards I have not been able to get a timely List of their respective Officers So I am forced to cut short by telling you only that the second Regiment formerly the Earl of Cravens is now commanded in chief by Colonel Talmash and the third Regiment being the blue flegiment of Dutch Gards by Count Solms A List of Their Majesties Servants in the Chappel Royal at Whitehall The Dean Henry Lord Bishop of London Sub-Dean Mr. Ralph Battle Clerk of the Closet Dr. John Tillotson The Priests of the Chappel Mr. Stephen Chrispian Mr. Confessor of the Mr. Houshold Mr. John Sayer Mr. George Yordeley Mr. Blase White Mr. James Hart Mr. Andrew Trebeck Mr. John Gostlling Mr. Sa. Bentham c. The Clerks of the Chappel Mr. Leonard Woodson Mr. Deacon Mr. Tho. Richardson Mr. Geo. Bettenham Mr. Edw. Braddock Mr. Clerk of the Checque st Mr. James Cobb Mr. Alphonso Marsh Mr. Nath. Watking Mr. John Goodgroome Mr. Joseph Boucher Mr. Nath. Vestment Mr. William Turner The Organists Dr. William Child Dr. John Blow Master of the Children Mr. Henry Purcel Sergeant of the Vesstry Henry Parker Yeoman Marmaduke Alford Groom George Oulner Bell-ringer William Sampson Organ-Blower To the Chappel are also referred The Lord Almoner Bishop of S. Asaph The Sub-Almoner Mr. Blagrave The 48 Chaplains in Ordinary Viz. March Dr. Horneck March Dr. Bright March Dr. Kiddar March Dr. Fowler April Dr. Sharpe April Dr. Paine April Dr. Young April Dr. Mills May. Dr. Brograve May. Dr. Scott May. Dr. Aldridge May. Dr. Wake June Dr. Fuller June Dr. Grove June Dr. Herne June Dr. Bayly July Dr. Hescard July Dr. Meggot July Dr. Hesketh July Mr. Brampston August Mr. Gee August Mr. Dent August Dr. Williams Septemb. Mr. Manningham Septemb. Dr. Craddock Septemb. Dr. Edwards Septemb. Mr. Staino October Mr. Wickart October Dr. Beveridge October Dr. Hickman October Dr. Turner Novemb. Dr. Jane Novemb. Dr. Littleton Novemb. Dr. Hall Novemb. Dr. Doughty Decemb. Dr. Roise Decemb. Dr. Pelling Decemb. Dr. Freeman Decemb. Mr. Blagrave January Dr. Lambe January Dr. Birch January Dr. Hooper January Mr. Wiggan February Mr. Feilding February Dr. Bringhurst February Mr. Brabant February Dr. Tennison At S. James's Chappel Two Chaplains Mr. John Smith Mr. John Pullen The Chappel Keeper John Richardson The Closet Keeper A List of the Officers and Servants of the Queens Houshold Lord Chamberlain The Marquess of Winchester Vice-Chamberlain John How Esq Principal Secretary Abel Tasien d' Allonne Esq Cup-Bearers John Stanley Esq George Watson Esq Carvers Charles Nicholas Eyre Esq Thomas Lister Esq Sewers Henry Mordant Esq Edward Heron Esq Gentlemen Ushers of the Privy-Chamber Thomas Walsingham Esq Philip Bertue Esq Oliver de la Muce Esq Gentlemen Ushers Daily Waiters Henry Bulstrode Esq Charles Sawyers Esq John Remy de Montiggny Esq Gentlemen-Ushers Quarterly Waiters Charles Lloyd Esq William Oldes Esq Thomas Paltock Esq Simon Archer Esq Grooms of the Privy Chamber Mr. Michael East Mr. John Marsh Mr. Thomas Herbert Mr. Anthony Casan Pages of the Presence Mr. Bernard Gales Mr. Abraham Kempe Page of the Robes Mr. John Ketell Pages
of the Back-Stairs Mr. James Worthington Mr. John Jones Mr. Peter van Lewen Mr. Daniel Pulse Mr. Hamlet Kirk Mr. Richard Bradley Grooms of the Great Chamber Mr. Randolph Sparrow Mr. William Snow Mr. John Viccars Mr. Rowland Pierce Mr. John Willson Mr. Matthew Clarke Physician Sir Charles Scarborow Kt. Apothecary Christian Harel Clerk of the Closet William Stanley D. D. Treasurer and Receiver General Richard Earl of Bellomont His Clerk Mr. Edward Godfrey Auditor General Edward Clarke Esq His Clerk Messengers Timothy Goodwin Richard Hancoc Porter of the Back Stairs David Harris Master of the Barges Mr. Christopher Hill Four and Twenty Watermen Officers and Servants of the Stables Master of the Horse Sir Edward Villiers Kt. Ecquerries Charles Goltstein Esq Henry Killigrew Esq Charles May Esq Pages of Honour John Broeckhuysen Esq George Fielding Esq Purveyor Anthony Rowe Esq Yeoman Rider John Lauze Esq Yeomen of the Carriages Mr. Joseph Hough Coachmen Wessel Bosshof Christopher Ronch Herman Vanswell Lender Snellard John Catchlove Grooms Thomas Clarke Thomas Millet Footmen Samuel Clarke John Trantur Benjamin Booth Robert Howe Isaac Grafar Jacob Finke William Causey Herman Bongurs Jacob van Woestine Benjam in Ramsey Chair-men Thomas Chamberlain Benjamin Cotton Oswald Fawne Robert Giddins Bottleman Henry Gardies Groom Farrier Andrew Snape Groom Saddler John Bignell Her Majesties Women Servants Groom of the Stole and Lady of the Robes Elizabeth Countefs of Derby Ladies of the Bed-Chamber Gertrude Marchioness of Hallifax Mary Marchioness of Winchester Mary Countess of Dorset Bridget Countess of Plimouth Frances Countess of Scarborough Maids of Honour Mrs. Eleonora Francklin Mrs. Stewart Walburt Howard Mrs. Mary Villiers Mrs. Mary Compton Mrs. Jane Martha Temple Mrs. Anne Greenvill Women of the Bed-Chamber Mrs. Anna van Goltstein Mrs. Cary Jesson Mrs. Dorothy Cason Mrs. Agnes Uygh Mrs. Rachel Wyndham Mrs. Martha Lockhar● Laundress Mrs. Elizabeth Worthington Seamstress and Stearcher Mrs. Dorothy Ireland Necessary Women Elizabeth Wiele Anne Dawhurst A List of the present Nobility and Bishops Where you find the Star prefixt the Title was conferred by His present Majesty Princes of the Blood PRince GEORGE of Denmark Duke of Cumberland * William Duke of Glocester his Son Dukes 13. Henry Howard Duke of Norfolk Earl Marshal o● England Charles Seymour Duke of Somerset Henry Cavendish Duke of Newcastle Charles Leons Duke of Richmond Charles Fitz-Roy Duke of Southampton Henry Fitz-Roy Duke of Grafton James Butler Duke of Ormond Henry Somerset Duke of Beaufert George Fitz-Roy Duke of Northumberland Charles Beauclair Duke of S. Albans James Fitz James Duke of Berwick Charles Pawlet Duke of Bolton Charles Schombergh Duke of Schombrgh Marquesses 3. George Savile Marquess of Hallifax William Herbert Marquess of Powis * Thomas Osborne Marquess of Carmarthen Lord President of the Council Earls 71. Aubre de Vere Earl of Oxford Charles Talbot Earl of Shrewsbury Anthony Grey Earl of Kent William Stanley Earl of Derby John Manners Earl of Rutland Theophilus Hastings Earl of Huntingdon William Russel Earl of Bedford Thomas Herbert Earl of Pembroke Edward Clinton Earl of Lincoln George Howard Earl of Suffolk Charles Sackvile Earl of Dorset Lord Chamberlain of the Houshold James Cecill Earl of Salisbury John Cecill Earl of Exeter John Egerton Earl of Bridgwater Philip Sidney Earl of Leicester George Compton Earl of Northampton Edward Rich Earl of Warwick William Cavendish Earl of Devonshire Lord Steward of the Houshold Basil Fielding Earl of Denbigh John Digby Earl of Bristol John Holles Earl of Clare Pawlet St. John Earl of Bolingbroke Charles Fane Earl of Westmorland Charles Mountague Earl of Manchester Thomas Howard Earl of Berkshire John Sheffield Earl of Mulgrave Thomas Savage Earl Rivers Robert Bertie Earl of Lindsey Lord Great Chamberlain of England Henry Mordant Earl of Peterborough Thomas Grey Earl of Stamford Charles Finch Earl of Winchelsea Evelyn Pierpoint Earl of Kingston Charles Dormer Earl of Carnarvan Philip Stanhope Earl of Chesterfield Thomas Tufton Earl of Thanet William Wentworth Earl of Strafford Robert Spencer Earl of Sunderland Robert Leke Earl of Starsdale Edward Mountague Earl of Sandwich Henry Hyde Earl of Clarendon Algernon Capel Earl of Essex Robert Brudenel Earl of Cardigan James Annesley Earl of Anglesey John Granvile Earl of Bath Edward Howard Earl of Carlisle William Craven Earl of Craven Thomas Bruce Earl of Ailesbury Richard Boyle Earl of Burlington Anthony Ashley Cooper Earl of Shaftsbury Edward Henry Lee Earl of Lichfield Thomas Lennard Earl of Sussex Lewis de Duras Earl of Feversham Charles Gerard Earl of Macclesfield Charles-Bodvile Roberts Earl of Radner William Paston Earl of Yarmouth George Berkeley Earl of Berkeley Daniel Finch Earl of Nottingham Laurence Hyde Earl of Rochester James Bertie Earl of Abingdon Baptist Noel Earl of Gainsborough Coniers D' Accie Earl of Holderness Other Windsor Earl of Plimouth Francis Ratcliff Earl of Derwentwater Henry Howard Earl of Stafford William Bentinck Earl of Portland Thomas Bellassise Earl of Falconberg * Charles Mordant Earl of Monmouth * Ralph Mountague Earl of Mountague * John Churchill Earl of Marlborow * Arthur Herbert Earl of Torrington * Richard Lumley Earl of Scarborough * Henry Booth Earl of Warrington Viscounts 9. Edward Devereux Viscount Hereford Francis Brown Viscount Mountague William Fiennes Viscount Say and Selc Francis Newport Viscount Newport Charles Townesend Viscount Townesend Thomas Thynne Viscount Weymouth Christopher Hatton Viscount Hatton Henry Sidney Viscount Sidney Henry Yelverton Vscount Longueville Barons 66. George Nevill Lord Abergaveny James Touchet Lord Audley Robert Bertie Lord Willoughby of Eresby John West Lord de la Ware Charles Berkely Lord Berkeley of Berkeley Thomas Parker Lord Morley Robert Shirley Lord Ferrers Charles Mildmay Lord Fitzwalter William Stourton Lord Stourton Ralph Eure Lord Eure. Philip Wharton Lord Wharton Thomas Willoughby Lord Willoughby of Parham William Paget Lord Paget Francis Howard Lord Howard of Effingham Charles North Lord North. James Bruges Lord Chandos Robert Carey Lord Hunsden Robert Sidney Lord Sidney of Penshurst Thomas Petre Lord Petre. Charles Gerard Lord Gerard. Henry Arundel Lord Arundel of Wardour Christopher Roper Lord Tenham Foulk Grevil Lord Brook Ford Gray Lord Gray John Lovelace Lord Lovelace John Pawlet Lord Pawlet William Maynard Lord Maynard Thomas Coventry Lord Coventry William Howard Lord Howard of Escrick Charles Mohun Lord Mohun Henry Herbert Lord Herbert of Cherbury Thomas Leigh Lord Leigh Thomas Jermin Lord Jermin William Byron Lord Byron John Vaughan Lord Vaughan Francis Carrington Lord Carrington William Widdrington Lord Widdrington Edward Ward Lord Ward John Culpeper Lord Culpeper Charles Boyle Lord Clifford of Lanesborough Robert Lucas Lord Lucas Henry Bellassise Lord Bellassise Edward Watson Lord Rockingham Robert Sutton Lord Lexington Marmaduke Langdale Lord Langdale John Berkeley Lord Berkeley of Stratton Charles Granvile Lord Granvile Francis Holles Lord Holles Charles Cornwallis Lord Cornwallis Thomas Crew Lord Crew John Arundel Lord Arundell of Trerice Hugh Clifford Lord Clifford of Chudleigh Peregrine Osborn Lord Osborn George
Clayton Kt. Borough of Rygate Sir John Parsons Kt. John Parsons Esq Borough of ●uilford Morgan Randyll Esq Foot Onslow Esq Borough of Gatton Sir John Thompson Bar. Thomas Turgis Esq Borough of Haslemere Geo. Rodeney Bridges Esq Denzill Onslow Esq Susser 20. Sir John Pelham Bar. Sir Will. Thomas Bar. City of Chichester Sir Thomas Miller Kt. Thomas May Esq Borough of Horsham John Machell Esq Thomas White Jun. Gent. Borough of Midhurst Sir William Morley Knight of the Bath John Lewkner Esq Borough of Lewes Thomas Pelham Esq Richard Bridger Esq Borough of Shoreham Sir Edward Hungerford Knight of the Bath John Pery Esq Borough of Bramber Nicholas Barbon Esq Dr. John Radcliffe Borough of Steyning Sir John Fagge Bar. Robert Fagge Esq Borough of East-Greensted The Honourable Thomas Sackvile Esq Sir Thomas Dyke Bar. Borough of Arundel William Morley Esq James Butler Esq Warwickshire 6. William Bromely Esq Andrew Archer Esq City of Coventry Richard Hopkins Esq John Stratford Esq Borough of Warwick The Right Honourable William Lord Digby William Colemore Esq Westmorland 4. The Right Honourable Sir John Lowther of Lowther Bar. Sir Christopher Musgrave of Musgrave Kt. and Bar. Borough of Appleby The Honourable William Cheyne Esq Charles Boyle Esq Wilthshire 34. The Right Honourable Edw. Viscount Cornbury Sir Walter S. John Bar. City of New Sarum Thomas Hoby Esq Thomas Pitt Esq Borough of Wilton Sir Richard Grubham How Kt. and Bar. Thomas Windham Esq Borough of Downton Sir Charles Raleigh Kt. Maurice Bockland Esq Borough of Hindon Robert Hide Esq Thomas Chaffyn Esq Borough of Westbury The Honourable Peregrine Bertie Esq Richard Lewys Esq Borough of Hytesbury William Ash Esq Will. Trenchard Esq Borough of Calne Henry Baynton Esq Henry Chivers Esq Borough of the Devizes Sir Tho. Fowles Kt. Walter Grubb Esq Borough of Chipenham Richard Kent Esq Alexander Popham Esq Borough of Malmesbury The Honourable Goodwin Wharton Esq Sir James Long Bar. Borough of Criclade Edmund Webb Esq Charles Fox Esq Borough of Great Bedwin The Right Honourable Anth. Viscount Falkland Sir Jonath Raymond Kt. Borough of Ludgersale Thomas Neale Esq John Deane Esq Borough of Old Sarum Sir Thomas Mompesson Kt. William Harvey Esq Borough of Wootton-Basset Henry St. John Esq John Wildman Jun. Esq Borough of Marlborough Sir John Ernle Kt. Sir George Willoughby Kt. Worcestershire 9. Sir John Packington Kt. Thomas Foley Esq City of Worcester Sir John Somers Kt. William Bromely Esq Borough of Droitwich The Right Honourable● Richard Earl of Bellemont ●hilip Foley Esq Borough of Evesham Sir James Rushout Bar. Edward Rudge Esq Borough of Bewdley Henry Herbert Esq Yorkshire 30. The Right Honourable Thomas Lord Fairfax Sir Joyn Kay Bar. City of York Robert Waller Esq Henry Thompson Esq Town of Kingston upon Hull John Ramsden Esq Charles Osborne Esq Borough of Knaresborough William Stockdale Esq Thomas Fawkes Esq Borough of Scareborough Will. Thompson Esq Francis Thompson Esq Borough of Rippon Sir Edm. Jenings Kt. Sir Jonath Jenings Kt. Borough of Richmond Sir Mark Milbanck Bar. Theodore Bathurst Esq Borough of Heydon Henry Guy Esq Matth. Appleyard Esq Borough of Boroughbrig Sir Henry Goodrick Kt. and Bar. Sir Bryan Stapleton Borough of Malton Sir William Strickland Bar. William Palmes Esq Borough of Thriske Thomas Frankland Esq Richard Staines Esq Borough of Aldborough Sir Mich. Wentworth Kt. Christopher Tancred Esq Borough of Beverly Sir Michael Wharton Kt. William Gee Esq Borough of North-Allerton Sir William Robinson Bar. Thomas Lascells Esq Borough of Pontefract The Honourable Henry Dawney Esq Sir John Bland Bar. BARONS of the Cinque-Ports 16. Port of Hastings The Honourable John Beaumont Esq Peter Gott Esq Town of Winchelsea Sir Robert Austin Bar. Samuel Western Esq Town of Rye Sir John Austen Bar. Sir John Darrel Kt. Port of New Rumney Sir Charles Sidley Kt. John Brewer Esq Port of Hythe Sir Philip Butler Bar. Will. Brockman Esq Port of Dover Thomas Papillon Esq James Chadwick Esq Port of Sandwich John Thurbarne Serjeant at Law Edward Brent Esq Port of Seaford William Campion Esq Henry Pelham Esq WALES 24. Anglesey 2. The Right Honourable Rich. Viscount Bulkely Town of Beaumaris Thomas Bulkely Esq Brecon 2. Sir Rowland Gwyn Kt. Town of Brecon Jeossery Jeffreys Esq Cardigan 2. Sir Carbety Price Bar. Town of Cardigan Hector Philips Esq Carmarthen 2. Sir Rice Rudd Bar. Town of Carmarthen Richard Vaughan Esq Carnarvan 2. Sir Wil. Williams of Vaynal Bar. Town of Carnarvan Sir Robert Owen Kt. Denby 2. Sir Richard Middleton Bar. Town of Denby Edward Brereton Esq Flint 2. Sir Roger Puleston Kt. Town of Flint Thomas Whitley Esq Glamorgan 2. Bussey Mansel Esq Town of Cardiffe Thomas Mansell Esq Merioneth 1. Sir John Wynne Kt. and Bar. Montgomery 2. Edward Vaughan Esq Town of Montgomery Charles Herbert Esq Pembroke 3. Sir Hugh Owen Kt. Town of Haverford-west Sir William Wogan Kt. Town of Pembroke Arthur Owen Esq Radnor 2. Richard Williams Esq Town of New Radnor Robert Harley Esq In all 513. A List of the Lords and others of His Majesties most Honourable Privy Council with the Clerks of the Council HIS Royal Highness Prince George Thomas Marquess of Camarthen Lord President Henry Duke of Norfolk Earl Marshal Charles Duke of Bolton Robert Earl of Lindsey Lord Great Chamberlain of England William Earl of Devonshire Lord Steward Charles Earl of Dorset Lord Chamberlain Aubrey Earl of Oxford William Earl of Bedford Thomas Earl of Pembroke and Montgomery John Earl of Bath Charles Earl of Macclesfield Daniel Earl of Nottingham Secretary of State William Earl of Portland Thomas Earl of Faulconberg Charles Earl of Monmouth John Earl of Marlborough Richard Earl of Scarborough Henry Earl of Warrington Ralph Earl of Montague Henry Viscount Sidney Henry Lord Bishop of London Francis Lord Newport Marquess of Winchester Lord Chief Justice Holt. Sir Robert Howard Sir Henry Capel Sir Henry Goodrick Sir John Lowther Vice-Chamberlain Richard Hampden Esq Hugh Boscawen Esq Thomas Wharton Esq Comptroller of the King's Houshold Edward Russel Esq William Harbord Esq Henry Powle Esq Master of the Rolls Lords Commissioners of the Privy Seal William Cheyne Esq Sir John Knatchbull Bar. Sir William Palteney Kt. The Clerks of the Council Sir John Nicholas Kt. Mr. Blathwait Mr. Mountague Mr. Coleing A List of the Lords Commissioners and other Officers of the Court of Chancery The Lords Commissioners Sir John Trevor Knight Sir William Rawlinson Knight Sir Geo. Hutchins Knight Masters of Chancery Henry Powle Esq Master of the Rolls whose S●cretary is Mr. John Rawlinson Sir William Child Sir John Hoskins Sir John Franklyn Sir Adam Oatley Sir Robert Legar Sir John Edgeburg Sir James Astrey Sir Miles Cook Roger Meredith Esq John Methwyn Esq Samuel Keck Esq The Six Clerks in Chancery Sir Rob. Marsham Kt. Sir W. Perkins Kr. ●hem Bridges Esq Littleton Powel Esq Rich. Garth Esq Basil Herne Esq The Cursitors Mr. Abraham Nelson Principal Mr. Mich. Terry Assistants Mr. Geo. Davies Assistants For Suffolk and
Lieutenant General Sir Henry Goodrick Kt. and Bar. Surveyor John Charleton Esq Clerk of the Ordnance Sir Thomas Littleton Kt. Keeper of the Stores Thomas Gardiner Esq Clerk of the Deliveries Philip Musgrave Esq Assistant Surveyor William Boulter Esq Treasurer or Pay-master Charles Bertie Esq Master Gunner Capt. Richard Leak Principal Engineer Sir Martin Beckman Kt. Keeper of the small Guns Mr. Charles Beaumont The Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty and of the Admirals The Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty The Earl of Pembroke and Montgomery The Earl of Carbery Sir Michael Wharton Bat. Sir Thomas Lee Bat. Sir John Chichley Bat. Sir John Lowther Bat. William Sacheveril Esq Admirals Sir Richard Haddock Kt. Henry Killigrew Esq Sir John Ashby Kt. A List of the Commissioners and other Principal Officers belonging to the Navy The Commissioners Sir Richard Haddock Kt. Charles Sergison Esq Sir John Tippet Kt. Sir Richard Beach Kt. The Treasurer Edward Russel Esq Comptroller Sir Richard Haddock Kt. Surveyor Sir John Tippet Kt. Clerk of the Acts Charles Sergison Esq Victuallers of the Navy Thomas Papilion Simon Macne John Agur Humphrey Ayles and James How Esquires Commissioners for Sick and Wounded Seamen and exchange of Prisoners of War Thomas Addison Esq Edward Leigh Esq Anthony Shepherd Esq John Starkey Esq Of the Martial Court THis Court you have too short an Account of in my Third Part Page 91. I therefore beg leave here to inlarge upon it 'T is called the Martial or Military Court or High Court of Chivalry otherwise the Court of Honour and in Latine Curia Militaris The Place anciently appointed for holding thereof was the King's Hall wherein the Constable and Earl Marshal of England sat as Judges Where any Plaintiff in case of Dignities or Matters of Arms or of any other Sute or Controversy concerning Nobility Gentility or Arms might sue the Defendant But now that great Office of Constable of England is hid aside the whole Power is vested in the Earl Marshal And the Present Possessor of that honourable Office is his Grace Henry Duke of Norfolk Earl Marshal of England Who has appointed the Hall in the Colledge of Arms to be the Place for Keeping the said Court. And upon Application made to him by any of the Nobility or Gentry of this Kingdom being abused in Matters of Honour and Arms may there have relief from his Grace Officers belonging to this Court Their Majesties Advocate William Odys Dr. of Laws Register of the Court Robert Plott Dr. of Laws Secretary and Seal-Keeper Francis Negus Esq Deputy-Register Mr. John Cheek Proctors Samuel Francklyn Esq Batchelour of Laws Mr. Ralph Suckley Mr. Everard Exton Batchelour of Laws Mr. John Hill Mr. Francis Nixon Mr. Robert Chapman Mr. Samuel Wiseman Mr. Keate Waller Marshal of the Court. Mr. John Curry A List of the Lords Lieutenants Bedford Earl of Bedford Berks Duke of Norfolk Bucks Earl of Bridgewater Cambr. Earl of Bedford Cheshire Earl of Warrington Cornwal Earl of Bath Cumberland Earl of Carlisle Derbysh Earl of Devon Devonsh Earl of Bath Dorcetsh Earl of Bristol Essex Earl of Oxford Gloc. and Heref. Earl of Maclesfield Hartfordsh Earl of Shrewsbury during the Minority of the Earl of Essex Huntingt Earl of Manchester Kent Earl of Winchelsey Lancashire Earl of Derby Leicestersh Earl of Rutland Lincolnsh Earl of Lindsey Middlesex Earl of Clare Monmouthsh Earl of Maclesfield Norfolk Duke of Norfolk Northampt. Earl of Monmouth Northumb. Earl of Scarborough Nottinghamsh Earl of Kingston Oxon Earl of Abington Salop Lord Visc Newport Somersetsh Lord Visc Fitz-Harding Southampton Duke of Bolton Staffordsh Lord Paget Suffolk Lord Cornwallis Surrey Duke of Norfolk Sussex Earl of Dorset and Middlesex Warwicksh Earl of Northampton Wiltshire Earl of Pembroke Worcestersh Earl of Shrowsbury York East-Riding Earl of Kingston York North Riding Earl of Falconberg York West-Riding Earl of Derby South and North Wales Earl of Maclesfield Governours of Garrisoned Places Barwick Christ Babington Esq Calshot Francis Pawlet Esq Carlisle Jeremiah Bubb Esq Chepstow Chester Sir John Morgan Cinque-Ports Col. John Beaumont Esq Dartmouth Nich. Roope Esq Graves-end William Selwyn Esq Guernsey Lord Hatton Holy Island Hull Marquess of Caermarthen Hurst-Castle Henry Holmes Jersey Lord Jermyn Isle of Wight Sir Robert Holmes Landguard-Fort Henry Killigrew Esq S. Maws Pendennis Earl of Bath Plimouth Earl of Bath Portland Portsmouth John Gibson Esq Scarborough Scilly Islands Sheerness Robert Crawford Esq Tinmouth Sir Edw. Villiers Tower of London Lord Lucas Upner Castle Robert Minors Esq Windfor Castle Duke of Norfolk Governours of Foreign Plantations Of Jamaica Earl of Inchqueen Virginia Lord Effingham New York Col. Sloughter Barbadoes James Kendal Col. Leeward Islands Col. Godrington As for New England the Governor is not yet setled Mary-Land Pensylvania and Carolina are governed by their respective Proprietors who have there their Deputies Their Majesties Embassadors Envoys and Residents Abroad At Vienna Lord Paget At Constantinople Sir William Hussey In Holland Lord Dursley Spain William Stanhop Esq Flanders John Eckart Esq Sweden William Duncomb Esq Denmark Robert Molesworth Esq Brandenburg James Johnston Esq Lunenburg and Brunswick Sir William Dutton Colt Swisserland Thomas Cox Esq Hamburg Sir Paul Rycaut Geneva Philibert Herbert Esq Agent in Germany Hugh Hughes Gent. Consuls in Foreign Parts At Venice Hugh Broughton Esq Cadiz S. Maries Sevil S. Lucar in Spain Wartin Nescomb Robert Godschall Walter Doleman E●● Alicant Genoua Leghorn Naples in Italy Thomas Kirk Esq Robert Serle Esq Sir George Davis Kt. Argiers in Barbary Thomas Baker Esq Foreign Ministers at present residing in their Majesties Court. Spain Don Pedro de Ronquillo Ambassador in Ordinary Portugal Don Simon de Soza de Magellanes Envoy Extraordinary Sweden Baron Leyonbergh Envoy Denmark Monsieur Alfeldt Envoy Holland The Heer Van Zitters Ambassador in Ordinary Brandenburg Monsieur Dankelman Envoy Lunenburg Baron de Schutz Envoy Extraordinary Savoy The President de la Tour Envoy Extraordinary Vienna Monsieur Hofman Resident A Scheme of the Sovereign and Knights Companions of the most Noble Order of the Garter ●●e King of Denmark The Sovereign The King of Sweden Prince George of Denmark * Elector of Brandenb Earl of Oxford Earl of Strafford Duke of Beaufort Earl of Bedford Duke of Southampton Earl of Mulgrave Duke of Newcastle Marquis of Caerm   Duke of Richmond Duke of Hamilton Duke of Somerset Duke of Northumb. Duke of Norfolk Earl of Peterborough Earl of Rochester Earl of Feversham Earl of Sunderland Duke of Ormond * Earl of Devonshire   A List of the Knights made by His Present Majesty King William Knights Baronets Hender Moulesworth Esq created Baronet July 19th 1689. Sir John Ramsden of Yorkshire Esq created Baronet Dec. 30. 1689. Sir William Robinson of Newby in Yorkshire Esq created Baronet Febr. 13th 1689. Knights Batchelours Anthony Keck Esq Counsellor at Law Knighted at Whitehall March 5th 1688. William Rawlinson Esq One of the Lords Commissioners of the Chancery Knighted at Whitehall March 5th
HONI SOIT QVI MAL Y PENSE XXX RR IE MAINTIENDRAI THE NEW STATE OF ENGLAND BRITANNIA I Sturt Sculp in ye Old Change THE New State OF ENGLAND Under Their MAJESTIES K. William and Q. Mary In THREE PARTS CONTAINING I. A Geographical Description of England in General and of every County in Particular with Usefull and Curious Remarks II. An Account of the Inhabitants their Original Genius Customs Laws Religion and Government of Their Present Majesties Their Court Power Revenues c. III. A Description of the several Courts of Judicature Viz. the High Court of Parliament Privy Council and all other Courts With a Catalogue of the present Officers in Church and State By G. M. LONDON Printed by H.C. for Ionathan Robinson at the Golden Lion in St. Paul's Church-yard 1691. To the Most Honourable THOMAS Marquess of CAERMARTHEN Earl of DANBY Viscount LATIMER Baron OSBORN OF KIVETON Lord President of His Majesties Most Honourable PRIVY-COUNCIL And Knight of the most Noble Order of the Garter This New State of England is humbly Dedicated by the Author TO THE READER 'T IS the late Revolution that has given birth to this new Piece of Work a New Face of Things required a New State of England And of all the Changes this Kingdom has gone through as this was the most sudden so it is the most wonderfull To see Popery in so few days crowing upon the Throne and groaning under its Ruins but t'other day upon the Pinnacle and now stunned with its sudden Fall is such a Change as may deserve the Admiration of this and future Ages In short such is our present Settlement upon Their Majesties happy Accession to the Crown that the Popish Party may assoon see a Protestant Pope of Rome as a Popish King of England Now to make this Work the more acceptable and usefull to the Publick I have divided it into three several Parts In the First you have a particular Description of ENGLAND in its several Counties of every County-Town with the Distance and the common Road to it from London the Metropolis and of all other Places of note in each County Here you have particularly a List of the Market-Towns in every Shire with the Days pointed when their Markets are kept also an account of most other Remarkable Things either of Nature or Art Besides the Honours or Noblemens Titles from Counties Cities Towns Mannors c. And the Number of Men each City or Borough sends to serve in Parliament I conclude this Part with a particular Description of London Oxford and Camidge London as the Capital City of England the Seat of its Monarchs and the Center of Trade Oxford and Cambridge as being the two famous Vniversities of the Land and the glorious Seats of the Muses The Second Part treats of the INHABITANTS of England their Complexion Temper Genius Language c. Of the English Way of Living Commerce Laws Religion and Government Of the King of England and the Royal Family particularly of the present King WILLIAM and Queen MARY with a brief Relation of their Accession to the Crown and the Vnreasonableness of the Disaffected Party under their Government Of Their Majesties Court Forces and Revenues Of the Queen Dowager the Prince and the Princess of Denmark Of the Nobility Gentry and Commonalty Of the Episcopal Dignify'd and Inferiour Clergy And lastly of Women Children and Servants All of them with their respective Priviledges The Third and last Part is about the COURTS of JUDICATURE Viz. The High Court of Parliament with a large Account of their Proceedings Orders Debates Passing of Bills and Acts c. Of the Privy-Council and there particularly of the Principal Secretaries of State Of the Chancery Kings-Bench Common Pleas Exchequer Dutchy of Lancaster and all other Courts To which is annexed a Catalogue of the chief Persons of the Realm both in Church and State Magistrates and Officers Civil and Military Who being subject to Change though the Offices continue the same I thought it improper to mix Certainties and Vncertainties together Therefore I chose rather to place the Officers together by themselves as I have done here than to have them dispersed where I speak of their Offices And from this Method you will reap this Conveniency that by Interleaving of the Catalogue only you may fill up Vacancies as they become void Thus you have as it were a Scheme of the whole Drift of this Book The Foundation whereof is that Ingenious Piece De Republica Anglorum written in Latin by Sir Thomas Smith Improved as you see and fitted to the present Times The Matter of it self is of a general Vse both for English and Foreiners and the Variety so great that it cannot but be Pleasant and Vsefull to the Reader THE TABLE For the First PART This Table contains the Names of the Towns and Cities Hills Islands Meers and Rivers and other Curiosities mentioned in the first Part of this Book And for such as desire only to know what County any of them lies in the Table it self will give them that Satisfaction without any further Trouble it being so contrived that it is in a manner a Geographical Dictionary for England A ABberforth in Yorks 259 Abbey-holm in Cumb 49 Abbey of Westminster 317 Abbots-bury in Dors 67 Abergavenny in Mon. 148 149 Advantages of England 7 Agmundesham in Buck. 30 Ailesbury in Buck. 30 31 Air of England 13 Alborough in Suffolk 204 208 Aldborough in Yorks 273 Aldermen of London 324 Alford in Lincolns 136 140 Alfreton in Derbysh 57 Alisford in Hampsh 95 Almondbury in Yorks 264 Alnewick in Northumb 168 170 Alney-Isle in Gloc. 87 Alston-Moor in Cumb. 49 Altrincham in Chesh 39 Ambleside in Westm 238 Amersbury in Wilts 246 247 Ampthill in Bedf. 27 28 Andover in Hamps 95 96 Antiquity of Oxf. and Cambr. 350 Appleby in Westm 238 Appledore in Kent 112 Are a Yorks River 256 Arrow a River of Heref. 103 Artillery Company in London 329 Arun a Sussex River 224 Arundel in Sussex 225 227 Ashbourn in Derbysh 57 Ashburton in Devonsh 61 Ashby in Leicest 131 Ashford in Kent 112 Aspley in Bedf. 28 Atherston in Warw. 234 235 Attlebury in Norf. 153 Auburn in Wiltsh 246 Aukland in the Bishoprick of Durham 76 77 Aulcester in Warw. 234 Avon the Name of several Rivers 85 92 c. Axebridge in Somers 192 194 Axholm an Isle in Lincolns 139 Axminster in Dev. 61 B BAkewell in Derbysh 57 Baldock in Hartf 100 Bampton in Oxf. 178 179 Banbury in Oxf. 178 179 Banquetting House at Whitehall 316 Barkin in Essex 81 BARKSHIRE 22 Barnesly in Yorks 259 Barnet in Hartf 100 102 Barnstaple in Dev. 61 63 Barnwel in Linc. 136 Barristers in Lond. 304 Barton in Linc. 136 139 Barwick in Northumb. 168 Basingstoke in Hamps 95 96 Bath in Somers 189 Battel in Sussex 225 228 Battersea in Surrey 221 Bautrey in Yorks 259 Beaconfield in Buck. 30 32 Beckles in Suffolk 204 209 Bedal in Yorks 273 Bedford 26
the Garter 219 Knights Baronets 223 Knights of the Bath 224 Knights Batchelours Ibid. Knights Banerets 229 L. LAnd-Forces 177 Language of the English 12 English Laws 59 Lent-Preachers 171 The Lord Lieutenant's Power 179 Way of Living among the English 31 M. MAritime Power 181 Earl Marshal of England 131 Master of the Horse 161 Master of the Houshold 149 150 Master of the Wardrobe 160 Master of the Robes 162 Master of the Revels 163 Master of the Ceremonies 164 Maundy Thursday the Ceremony of that Day 173 English Measures 53 Merchants 229 Militia 178 Millenarians 70 Mint-Officers 51 N. ENglish Names 21 Nobility of England their Creation and Distinction 210 c Their Priviledges 215 Noble Women 258 O ORder of the Garter 219 Ordination of Priests and Deacons 251 Ordnance its Office and Officers 194 c. Original of the English 1 c. Oxford Regiment 168 P. PArsons 250 Patrons of Churches 252 Pledging the Original of it 43 Post-Office 47 Poverty a description thereof 230 Power of the King by Sea and Land 113 Prebendaries 248 Prerogative of the King 109 Presbyterians 68 President of the Council 129 Prince of Wales 122 Prince George 208 Princess Ann ibid. Privy Purse 162 Privy Seal 129 Proclamation of the King 98 Pursuivants 163 Q. QVakers 70 Sovereign Queen of England 121 Queen Mary's Character 143 Queen Consort 122 Queen Dowager 122 The present Queen Dowager 207 R. ENglish Recreations 39 Recusants 71 Reformation of the Church of England 63 Regency 117 Religion of England 61 Religion alters the Temper of Men 71 Revenues of the King of England 115 Revenues of the present King Queen 199 Revenues of the Clergy 253 Revenues of the Bishops 244 Rural Deans 249 S. SCotlands Union with England 85 c. Sergeants at Arms 163 Servants 266 Act of Settlement 119 Sextons 257 Ship-yards and their Officers 190 Sidesmen 257 Marks of Sovereignty 94 High Steward of England 126 Lord Steward of the King's Houshold 148 Succession to the Crown 118 T. TEmper of the English 4 Tenure in Villenage 268 Title of the King to the Crown of France 89 Tobacco the Benefits of it 38 The great Trade of England 55 Train-Bands see Militia The English way of Travelling 46 The Lord High-Treasurer 128 Treasurer of the King's House 150 V. S. VAlentines Day 45 Vestry 258 Vicars 253 The Vnreasonableness of the present disaffected Party 144 W. WAles its Union with England 84 Wardrobes of the King 160 Weights used in England 52 Women 258 Laws concerning them 260 261 Y. YAchts 186 Yeomen 228 Yeomen of the Gard 167 The Table FOR THE THIRD PART A ALdermen 73 Alienation Office 53 Apprentices Laws concerning them 112 A●●zes 80 Attachment 95 B. BAyliffs 74 Benefit of the Clergy 58 C. CHancery see Court Circu●ts 80 Clerk of the Market 72 Commission of Assize 81 Commission of Nisi-prius ib. Commission of Peace 82 Commission of Oyer Terminer ib. Commission of Gaol-delivery ib. Committees 30 c. Common Pleas see Court Constables 77 Convocation 96 Coroners 71 Privy Council 43 County Court 68 Court of Chancery 49 Court of King's Bench 55 Court of Common Pleas 59 Court of Exchequer 62 Court of Dutchy of Lancaster 66 Court of Admiralty 91 Court of Marshalsea 94 Court of Requests 94 Court Martial 91 215 Court Leet 75 Court Baron 76 Courts of Conscience 94 Prerogative Court 102 Court of Arches 100 Court of Audience 102 Court of Delegates 103 Court of Peculiars 104 Court of the Lord Mayor of London 106 Court of Aldermen at Lond. 107 Court of Common Council 108 Court of Goal-Delivery 110 Court of the London Sheriffs 111 Court of the Chamberlain ib. Court of the Orphans 114 Cursitors Office 52 H. HEadboroughs 77 House of Lords 11 House of Commons 12 Hustings 109 J. GRand Jury 70 L. A List of the Kings Houshold Officers and Servants 135 A List of the Gentlemen of the King's Bedchamber 144 A List of the Gen●l Pensioners 152 A List of the Yeomen of the Guard Officers 153 A List of the Officers of the four Troops of Horse ib. A List of the Officers of the Oxford Regim 158 A List of the Officers of the Foot-guards 159 A List of the Chappel Royal 161 A List of the Queens Houshold 163 A List of the Nobility 168 A List of the Bishops 174 A List of the House of Commons 175 A List of the Privy Council 191 A List of the Lords Commissioners and Officers of the Court of Chancery 193 A List of the Judges and Officers of the C. of Kings Bench 19● A List of the Judges and Officers of the C. of Common Pleas 200 A List of the Judges and Officers of the C. of Exchequer 203 A List of the Judges and Officers of the Dutchy of Lancast 206 A List of the Attorney a●● Solicitor General Sergeants and Council at Law ib. A List of the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury 208 A List of the Officers of the Custom 209 A List of the Officers of the Excise 210 A List of the Officers of the General Post-Office 211 A List of the Officers of the Mint 212 A List of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty 213 A List of the Admirals 214 A List of the Commissioners other Officers belonging to the Navy ib. A List of the Officers of the Martial Court 215 A List of the Lords Lieutenants 216 A List of the Governours of Foregn Plantations 219 A List of the Consuls in Foreign Parts 220 A List of the Foreign Ministers residing here ibid. A List of the Knights of the Garter 221 A List of the Knights made by K. William 222 A List of the Deans in England Wales 225 A List of the Colledge of Civilians 226 A List of the Colledge of Physicians 230 A List of the Lord Mayor and Aldermen of London 232 A List of the Lieutenancy of London 234 A List of the Governours of the Charterhouse 236 A List of the Chancellor Vice-Chancellor Heads of Colledges and Halls Proctors Orator and Professors in Oxford University 237 A List of the Chancellor Vice-Chancellor Heads of Colledges and Halls Proctors Orator and Professors in Cambridge 239 M. MAster 's of Chancery 50 Master of the Rolls 51 Mayors 73 P. PAper-Office 47 Parliament of England 1 Pie-powder Court 96 Privy Council 43 Q. QVarter Sessions 70 S. SEcretaries of State 45 Sheriffs 67 Sheriffs Turn 68 Signet-Office 47 Speaker of the House of Lords 10 Speaker of the House of Commons 14 Stewards 75 Subpoena Office 53 Swainmote 95 T. TRial of Malefactors 83 W. WArden of the Fleet 54 ERRATA PART I. Page 4. line 12. read Wiltshire p. 7. l. 10. dele of and l. 12. r. third p. 29. l. 5. r. Lincoln p. 81. in the list 1. Burntwood p. 89. l. 11. r. be p. 116. l. 10. r. Rockingham p. 291. l. 25. r. 1209. p. 302. r. only Grocer's Hall p. 324. l. 6. r. 25. p. 329. l. 13. r. 9000. p. 331. l. 16. r. manner p. 341.
its Course and so severed it self that Men went about 3 Miles together on foot in the bottom of the Channel the Waters swelling up backwards to a great height Bedford the County-Town lies North-west and by North 40 Miles from London thus From London to Barnet 10 10 more to St. Albans 8 from thence to Luton 5 more to Baru● Clay thence to Bedford 7. A Town pleasantly seated on the Banks o● the River Ouse that parts it into two and over which there is a fair Stone Bridge Called Bedford from the Beds and Lodgings on the Ford built on both sides of the River for the use of Travellers A Town which in proces● of time is grown to that bigness as to contain in it 5 Parish Churches whereof 3 on the North and 2 on the South-side of the River Famous in former times for the great Battel fought in the adjoyning Fields Anno 572 in which Cuthwolf the Saxon vanquished th● Britains and became Master of the Country But more famous for giving the Title of Duke to John of Lancaster Regent of France for Kin● Henry VI and to Jasper of Hatfield Uncle 〈◊〉 Henry VII After whom it was dignified b● King Edward VI Anno 1548 with the Title o● an Earldom in the Person of the then Lon● Admiral John Russel and from him descende● in a right line to the truly Noble and right Honourable William Russel the present Earl of Bedford and Knight of the Order of the Garter Lastly this Town has two Markets a Week on Tuesdays and Saturdays well furnished with all sorts of Provisions The other Market-Towns are Tuddington Sat. Potton Sat. Luton Mund. Leighton Tue. Biglesworth Tue. Dunstable Wedn. Ampthill Thur. Woburn Frid. Shefford Frid. Among which Dunstable the chief of all is seated on a Hill in a chalky dry Ground Built by King Henry I. out of the Ruins of the ancient Magiovinium for the better suppressing of one Dun a notorious Robber that used to pester these Parts from whom it came to be called Dunstable It has 4 Streets in it and in each of 'em a Pond fed only with Rain and yet these Ponds are never dry No Springs here to be found without digging a very great depth But as it is seated in the high Road from London to West-Chester formerly known by the Name of Watling-street 't is a well frequented Town and accommodated with several good Inns for Travellers In this Town King Edward I. caused a Cross or Column to be erected adorned with Statues and the Arms of England c. in Memorial of Eleanor his Queen this being the Place where her Corps rested in her Journey from Lincolnshire where she died to Westminster Abbey where she was interred About this Town are caught abundance of Larks which are esteemed the best in England and where they are the best dressed Leighton is seated in the Borders of Buckinghamshire upon a River that runs Northward into the Ouse This is a good large Town having a Bridge over the River which leads to Buckinghamshire And its Market is very considerable especially for all sorts of fa●● Cattle Luton a pretty good Town borders upon both the Counties of Hartford and Bucking ham and Potton upon Cambridgeshire Woburn on a rising Ground is much frequented by Passengers in their Journeys from London to Northampton Formerly of some account for its fine Monastery as it is at present fo● its Free School founded by Francis Earl of Bedford Near this Town is Aspley where the natur● of the Soil is such that it petrifies Wood. An● about this Town is digged up excellent Fulle●● Earth in great plenty Biglesworth is pleasantly seated on the Ive● over which it has a Stone-bridge This Town formerly but inconsiderable is grown into request since it became a Thorough-fare for Coaches especially between London and York Shefford is situate on the other side of the ●vel West and by South from Biglesworth between two Rivulets which joyn below th● Town and fall together in one stream into th● Ivel Ampthill 5 Miles South of Bedford is a● Honour belonging to the Crown Graced with a fine Seat and Park in its Neighbourhood be longing to the Earl of Alesbury To conclude this County formerly was Part of the ancient Kingdom of Mercia and its Inhabitants part of the Catieuchlani as the Romans called them is now in the Diocese of London Out of it are elected besides the two Knights of the Shire but two Members to sit in Parliament the Right of Election being in the Town of Bedford Buckinghamshire Buckinghamshire or Bucks another Inland County is bounded on the East by Bedford and Hartford Shires and part of Middlesex on the West by Oxfordshire Northward by Northamptonshire and Southward by Barkshire It contains in Length from North to South about 40 Miles in Breadth from East to West 18. The Whole divided into eight Hundreds wherein 185 Parishes and 15 Market Towns A Country blest with a very temperate and healthful Air and with a rich and fertile Soil yielding Grass and Corn in great abundance especially the Vale lying Northwards South-Eastward it rises into Hills called the Chiltern which afford a great deal of Wood. An infinite Number of Sheep is bred especially in the Vales of this Country whose Fleece is much esteemed for its fineness As for Rivers here is Northward the Ouse and a small Stream that runs into it about the middle of the County the Tame and in the South-East Parts the Coln which severs part of this County from that of Middlesex Buckingham the chief Place of it lies Northwest and by West 44 Miles from London Viz. 6 to Acton 9 more to Vxbridge 9 more to Amersham to Wendover 6 more thence 4 to Ailesbury and 10 more to Buckingham A goodly Town seated in a fruitful Soil on the Banks of the River Ouse rising not far from it and over which it has 3 fair Stone Bridges 'T is pretty well frequented and inhabited and its Market which is kept on Saturdays well served with Provisions In times past it was fortified by King Edward the elder The Town-Hall stands in the North Part of the Town and the Chappel founded by Tho. Becket is now converted into a Free School Otherwise not much observable but for those many noble Personages which have had the Title of Earls and Dukes thereof The last Duke was George Villiers who died in the late Reign He was Son to George Viscount Villiers Baron of Whaddon first created Earl of Buckingham by King James the First and afterwards Duke thereof Anno 1623. He was Lord Admiral of England and High Chamberlain and was slain by Felton The other Market Towns are Newport Sat. Ailesbury Sat. Risborough Sat. Marlow Sat. Oulney Mund. Agmundesham Tues Colebrook Wed. Chesham Wed. Winslow Thur. Wendover Thur. Beaconfield Thur. Stony-Stratford Frid. Ivingo Frid. High Wickham Frid. Amongst which Newport Stoney-Stratford and Oulney are all three seated on the Ouse Ailesbury on the Tame Marlow near
the Thames and Colebrook on the Coln Newport or Newport Pagnel a goodly Town has two Bridges over the Ouse and is of chief note for the Bone-lace here made Stony Stratford a Place of great Antiquity being the Lactodurum of the Romans is a good large Town containing two Parish Churches And as it lies in the Way from London to the North-West Parts of England it is well accommodated with Inns for Travellers This is the Way called Wailing-street being a Military High-Way of the Romans which crossed all the Country At this Place King Edward the Elder obstructed the Passage of the Danes whilst he fortified Towcester against them And here King Edward Lerected a beautiful Cross in Memorial of his Queen Eleanor whose Corps rested here in her Journey from Lincolnshire where she died to Westminster Abbey the Place of her Sepulture Wickham situate in a low and fertile Vale on a small River which falls into the Thames is a Town which for largeness and fair Buildings is not inferiour to any in the County Here the County Assises are commonly kept and sometimes at Ailesbury Ailesbury stands in a most fruitful Vale on the rising of a little Hill compassed about with many very pleasant green Meadows and Pastures The Vale in great repute for grazing of Cattel and feeding innumerable Flocks of Sheep whose fine Fleeces are in great esteem A Vale famous of old for S. Edith who bid●ling the World Adieu betook her self to this Vale where she lived a pious and holy life The Town more remarkable of late for the Title of an Earldom it gives to the Right Honourable Thomas Bruce the present Earl of Ailesbury and Earl of Elgin in Scotland Derived to him from his Father Robert Bruce Baron of Kinlos Earl of Elgin and Lord Whorlton in Yorkshire Who was created by King Charles II. Baron of Skelton Viscount Bruce of Ampthill and Earl of Ailesbury March 18th 1664. Advanced afterwards to the Place of Lord Chamberlain of his Majesties Houshold soon after the late Kings Accession to the Crown upon the Decease of his Predecessor the Earl of Arlington Beaconfield is seated on a dry Hill not far either from Wickham or Amersham A goodly Town which being on the high Road from London to Oxford is very well accommodated with Inns. Marlow is probably so called from the great store of Marl or Chalk here dug up which adds no small advantage to the Husbandmen who inrich their Grounds with it But besides all these Market Towns here 's Eaton upon the Thames opposite to Windsor which deserves a Place here for its fine Colledge and famous School of Literature founded by that Pious Prince King Henry the Sixth Lastly this County which formerly was Part of the ancient Kingdom of the West Saxons and its Inhabitants part of the Catieuchlani as the Romans called them is now in the Diocese of London Out of it are elected besides the two Knights of the Shire 12 Members of Parliament viz. two out of each of these Towns Buckingham Ailesbury Chipping-Wickomb Agmundesham Wendover and Marlow CHAP. VI. Of Cambridge Cheshire and Cornwal Cambridgeshire CAMBRIDGESHIRE another Inland County has for its Bounds Eastward both Suffolk and Norfolk Westward Northampton Huntington and Bedford shires Northward Lincolnshire Scuthward Essex and Hartfordshire It extends it self in Length from North to South 35 miles in Breadth from East to West 20. The Whole divided into 17 Hundreds 163 Parishes and 8 Market-Towns 'T is for the most part a pleasant fruitful Champain Country abounding in all Things necessary stored with Meadows and Pastures plentiful of Corn and Barley and abundantly furnished with Fish and Fowl The Northern Parts indeed are Fenny and therefore less fruitful of Corn. But that Defect is sufficiently supplied another way I mean by that plenty of Cattel Fish and Fowl that are bred in those Fens 'T is true the Air in those Parts is something the worse for them One Thing this County may boast of besides Essex viz. the Saffron it yields in great plenty which is the dearest Commodity that England produces The Herb called Scordium or Water Germander of which the Cordial Dioscordium is made grows here also very plentifully About 2 miles South-Eastward from Cambridge is a Ridge of Hills called Hog-magog Hills retaining yet the remembrance of the Danish Station and whereof the Country people tell fine fabulous Stories On the top of these Hills is seen a Rampier so strengthened formerly with a threefold Trench that the Place was counted to be in a manner Impregnable As for Rivers here is the Ouse which runs through the midst of it from West to East and then bending its Course to the North parts this County from Norfolk till it discharges it self at Lyn into the Sea The South Parts are watered with two lesser Streams the one called Cam and the other Grant both which joyn together into one Stream near Cambridge under the first Name and so run together Northward into the Ouse The North Parts indeed are too much watered by the frequent Overflowings of the Ouse and other Streams that have turned most of those Parts into Marshes I should now fall to the Description of Cambridge but that it is a Place of that Consequence as to deserve a particular Description by it self For which I refer you together with that of Oxford to the Conclusion of this Part. And so I proceed to a View of the other Places of chief note in this County which are Market-Towns besides Cambridge The other Market-Towns are Ely Sat. Wisbich Sat. Newmarket Tue. Caxton Tue. Royston Wedn. Linton Thu. Merche Frid. Among which Ely is situate in an Isle of that name occasioned by the divided streams of the Ouse and other lesser Rivers turning a great part of this Tract into Fens and Marshes A Place of no great beauty or reputation being seated in a foggy and unhealthful Air but only for being a Bishops See and a County Palatine since the ●eign of Henry I. Newmarket is partly in this County and partly in Suffolk It stands in such a plain that it has a Prospect three quarters of the Compass almost to the Bounds of the Horizon the South-East Parts being more rising Ground and ending in Woodland A famous Plain both for Hunting and Horse-races where the Kings of England use yearly to divertise themselves for some Days before Winter To which purpose there is a House built on Cambridge side for their Reception The Town it self is composed of a well-built Street and being a great Thorough-fare the Townsmen live chiefly upon Passengers besides the Advantage of the Court when the King goes thither It consists of two Parishes one in Suffolk the other in Cambridgeshire It s Market is well served particularly with Fish and wild Fowl from the fenny Parts as it is with Pigeons from the Fiekling The Women here imploy themselves very much in spinning of white Work And not far from this Town is the huge Ditch called
each of these Towns Lanceston Liskerd Liskil or Liswithie● Truro Bodmin H●lston Saltash Camelford We● and East Lowe Grampond Penrin Tregny B●●ney S. Ives Fouay S. Germains S. Michae● Newport S. Mawes and Kellington When this County was under the Earls o● Cornwal they gave great Immunities and Li●erties to those that workt in the Mines And when this Earldom reverted to the Crown in King Edwards Time he gave it to his Son surnamed the Black Prince advancing that Title to that of a Dukedom and erected a Lord War●●en of the Stanneries to have the Government thereof Since which time the eldest Sons of the Kings of England whether it be by Birth or by the Death of their elder Brothers are ipso facto Dukes of Cornwal as they are Earls of Chester without any Creation being at age to sue their Livery how young soever Of the Isles of Scilly West of Cornwal about 24 miles distant ●ies a Cluster of small Islands called by us the Isles of Scilly by the Dutch Sorlings and by the ancient Greeks Hesperides from their Western Situation Cassiterides from the Tin-Mines they found amongst them They are reckoned to be 145 in Number most of 'em very fruitful in Corn and Pasturage and plentifully stored with Conies Cranes Swans He●ons and other wild Fowl Scilly which communicates its Name to the rest was formerly counted the chief of these ●slands But now S. Maries has got the pre●minency being about 8 miles in circuit the biggest and most fertile of all having the conveniency of a large and commodious Harbour and fortified with a strong Castle built in the Reign of Q. Elizabeth These Islands after the Romans had forsaken their Holds in Britain returned again into the power and possession of the Natives From whom it was subdued and added to this Crown by Athelstane the eighth King of England and since that time governed as a part of Cornwal CHAP. VII Of Cumberland Derbyshire and Devonshire Cumberland CVMBERLAND is a Maritime County in the North-West Parts of England Bounded on the East by Northumberland and Westmorland on the West by the Irish Sea on the North by Scotland on the South by Westmorland and Lancashire It s Length from North to South is about 5● miles its Breadth from East to West some thing less than 40. The Whole divided no● into Hundreds but Wards five in Number wherein 58 Parishes and 15 Market Towns This Country is generally Mountainous and some of the Hills both very high and stee● Those of most note are Skiddaw Haraknot Black coum and Wry-nose On the Top of this last on the high Way-side are placed 3 stones caled the Shire-stones standing within a foot o● each other one in this County another i● Westmorland and the third in Lancashire As for Rivers and Meres here is abundance ●● them the principal River known by the Nam● of Eden Here the Air is pretty sharp and piercing though the Country be something sheltered b● the Northern Hills And as hilly as this Country is yet the Hil● thereof are not so barren but that they feed great Flocks of Sheep and other Cattel whilst ●ts fruitful Valleys bear good Crops of Corn and its rich Meadows excellent Pasture The Sea and Rivers on the other side strive ●n a manner to furnish it with plenty of Fish and wild Fowl And which is remarkable here they have Muscles that bear a sort of Pearl But besides Rivers here are a great many Meers or Lakes yielding great plenty of Fish but chiefly Vlles Water bordering both upon Cumberland and Westmorland In the Bowels of the Earth not only Coals for Fewel but also Lead and Copper are found in great plenty Of all the Counties in England this shews the most Roman Antiquities The principal of which is the Picts Wall a prodigious Stone-wall built by the Romans for their security against the Incursion of the raging Picts the track whereof in many places is yet to be seen This Wall was 8 foot broad and 12 high reaching cross the Country from Carlisle to Newcastle that is from Sea to Sea at least 80 miles Thus it ascended and descended over great Crags and high Hills with Watch-Towers erected at every thousand Paces in which Souldiers were kept for its Defence At Salkeld on the Eden is a Trophy of Victory erected called by the Inhabitants Long Meg and her Daughters This Monument consists of ●7 Stones each 10 foot above ground and one of them namely Long Meg is 15 foot high Carlisle the chief Place of this County bears from London North-North-West and is distant from it 235 miles thus From London to Buckingham 44 for the particulars of which I refer you to Buckinghamshire to Coventry 30 more from thence to Lichfield 20 to Sto● 16 more thence to Warington 32 to ●an●●ster 45 to Kendall 16 more and from thence to Carlisle 32. A City pleasantly seated on the South Bank of the River Eden within few miles of its fa● into the Sea being watered besides East an● West with two lesser Rivers the Pettrel an● Canda at their fall into the Eden So that it i● in a manner surrounded with three Rivers except towards the South This is a Town o● great Antiquity flourishing even in the time o● the Romans upon whose Departure it suffered much by the Scots and Picts Afterward being utterly defaced by the Danes it lay dejected for about 200 years till William Ruf●● rebuilt it After him Henry the First hi● Brother and Successor made it a Bishops See Thus by degrees it recovered it self being now a fine City well inhabited and a Place of good Trade chiefly for Fustians It is begirt with fine Walls fortified with a Castle and Cittade● beautified with a Cathedral of curious Workmanship and dignify'd with the Title of an Earldom at this time injoy'd by the Right Honourable Edward Howard Earl of Carlisle c. Derived to him from his Father Charles Howar● created Earl of Carlisle by King Charles II. Anno 1661. And the said Charles Son and He●● of Sir William Howard was great Grand-chil● of the Lord William Howard third Son of Thomas Duke of Norfolk In the Year 1663. h● was sent Embassador Extraordinary by the sai● King Charles to the Courts of Moscovy Sweden and Denmark And some Years after h● was sent again with the same Character t● the King of Sweden to whom he carried the Garter The other Market Towns are Egremont Sat. Ravenglas Sat. Keswick Sat. Alston-Moor Sat. Abbey-holm Sat. Cockermouth Mund. Perth Tue. Wigton Tue. Brampton Tue. Bootle Wedn. White-Haven Thu. Ireby Thu. Kirkswald Thu. Longtown Thu. Amongst which Perith or Penrith seated between Eimont a River on the South-side and Lowther another River on the West is counted the second Town of note in this County being large well built and inhabited by Tradesmen but Tanners especially Cockermouth a goodly Town is so called from its Situation on the River Cocker near its fall into the Derwent by which two
Rivers it is almost incompassed It lies about 8 miles from the Sea between two Hills upon one of which stands the Church and upon the other a Castle It s chief Trade is of course broad Cloaths here made And here is a Custom common to most other Market Towns of this County to hire Servants at their Fairs to which end such as want either Service or Servants do resort hither Egremont and Ravenglass are seated not sar from the Sea The first on the Banks of a River over which it has two Bridges Ravenglass betwixt two Rivers which together with the Sea incompass three Parts of it White-Haven is situate on a Creek of the Sea at the North end of a Hill where is a great Rock or Quarrey of hard white Stone which gives name unto it This Harbour is of late much improved in its Buildings being well frequented and inhabited and driving a good Trade to Ireland Scotland Chester Bristol and other Places Whose chief Trade is of Salt and Coals here plentifully digged up for which they bring in exchange several good Commodities Keswick seated in a Valley hemmed in with Hills has been a famous Town for Copper Mines and much frequented by mineral Men who had here many Smelting Houses But now it is gone to decay Not far from this Town is dug up Wadd or Black Lead in great plenty Formerly they reckoned in this County 25 Castles few of which are remaining most of them being decayed and gone to ruin Lastly this County which in the time of the Heptarchy was part of the Kingdom of Northumberland and whose Inhabitants as well as those of most part of the North besides were called Brigantes by the ancient Romans is partly in the Diocese of Carlisle and partly in That of Chester For the South Part of it called Copeland lying betwixt the Rivers Duddon and Darwent is within the Arch. Deaconry of Richmond in Chester-Diocese and all the rest of the County in the Diocese of Carlisle Out of this County besides the two Knights of the Shire there are but four Members chosen to sit in Parliament 2 from Carlisle and 2 from Cockermouth In the North Parts of it is a Tract called Gillesland from whence the Earl of Carlisle intitles himself Baron Dacre of Gillesland and South-Westward near the Sea stands the Barony of Millum In short this County became first an Earldom in the Reign of King Henry VIII who bestowed the Title upon Henry Lord Clifford Anno 1525 in whose Issue it continued till the Year 1642 the last that injoyed it being also a Henry Clifford Of an Earldom it became a Dukedom in the Person of the late Illustrious Prince Rupert second Son of Frederick Prince Elector Palatine and of Elizabeth his Wife the only Daughter of King James the first being Created Duke of Cumberland and Earl of Holderness by King Charles I. his Uncle Anno 1643. He died without Issue at Whitehall Nov. 29. 1682. And the Title of Duke of Cumberland is now in the Person of his Royal Highness Prince George of Denmark Of the Isle of Man Isle of Man The Isle of Man lying most of it opposite to Cumberland between this County and the North of Ireland this I think therefore to be the most proper Place to take notice of it This Island runs in Length from North to South about 30 miles and in Breadth where it is broadest 10 miles The Whole divided into two Parts North and South the Inhabitants of the one having affinity with the Scotch and the other with the Irish And in these Parts defended by Two Castles are reckoned 17 Parishes and but 5 Market Towns It is generally an High-land on the Sea-Coast and that well garded with Rocks The middle part of it runs up into high Hills The highest of all called Seafull has this very remarkable in it That from the Top of it on a clear Day one may easily behold three Kingdoms at once viz. England Scotland and Ireland England Eastward Scotland Northward and Ireland Westward The Air of this Island is sharp and subject to high Winds but 't is healthful And as sharp as it is in Winter yet the Frosts are short and the Snow does not ly very long in the Valleys The Soil is pretty fruitful both in Corn and Pasture affording good store of Wheat and other Grain and feeding good Flocks of Sheep and Herds of Cattle but none of the biggest size Here are also red Deer abundance of Conies and Fowl of sundry sorts In a little adjacent Island called the Isle of Calf is abundance of Puffins a sort of Sea Fowl that breeds in Cony-holes chiefly used for their Feathers and Oyl made of them But their Flesh being pickled or salted as it has a Fish-like taste so it comes little short of Anchoves And as for Fish both the Sea and Rivers yield great plenty of it It s chief Places are Douglas Laxi and Rams●y on the East Shore Rushin on the South and Peel with its strong Castle on the West Shore 'T was about the Year 1340 that this Island was conquered from the Scots by William Montacute Earl of Salisbury who was thereupon honoured with the Title of King of Man Afterwards it was sold to the Lord Scrope who being convicted of Treason forfeited it to the Crown Henry IV. gave it to Henry Pierce Earl of Northumberland the last that kept it with the Title of King But he proving also false to his Sovereign the King gave it to William Lord Stanley whose Grandchild Thomas Lord Stanley was created Earl of Derby In whose House this Estate has continued hitherto with the Title of Lord of Man though a King in effect For he has here all kind of Civil Power and Jurisdiction over the Inhabitants and the very Nomination of the Bishop of Man but still under the Fief and Sovereignty of the Crown of England And as to the Bishop he must be presented to the King for his Royal Assent then to the Archbishop of York for his Consecration Which is the Reason why the Bishop of Man is no Lord of Parliament none being admitted to that Honour but such as hold immediately of the King himself Derbyshire DERBYSHIRE or as some spell it DARBYSHIRE an Inland County is bounded on the East by Nottinghamshire on the West by Cheshire and Staffordshire on the North by Yorkshire and on the South by Leicestershire And it lies so in respect to the rest of ENGLAND that the South Parts of this County are in a manner the Center of it It is in Length from North to South about 34 miles and in Breadth from East to West 16. The Whole divided into six Hundreds wherein 106 Parishes and 10 Market Towns The Temperature of the Air of this County is very wholsom as most of the Inland Counties are Next to the River Trent wherewith the South Parts of it are irrigated that of chief note is Derwent which crossing the Country from North to
South empties it self into the Trent and so divides the County into East and West The Soil in the South and East Parts is very fruitful and yields both good Grass and Corn. But the North and West Parts being both Hilly and Stony with a black and mossy barren Ground are not so fertile Yet they are not without some rich Valleys and on the Hills themselves are bred abundance of very good though not very large Sheep For Fewel it is not beholden to Wood the Woods having been destroyed in a great measure by the Countries Iron-Works Lead-mines and Coal-Delfs But 't is so well stored with Coals that it supplies with this sort of Fewel many neighbouring Counties as Leicester Northampton Rutland and Lincoln Whose Inhabitants frequently bring Barley to sell at Darby and load themselves back with Coals For Buildings it affords not only good Clay for Bricks but also store of Free-Stone or durable Greet Stone and in many parts Lime-stone both useful in Building and for manuring the Ground Here is also Alabaster Crystal black and grey Marble not only very durable but such as polishes well As for Mill-Stones and Whet-stones here 's whole Quarries of 'em in the working whereof a great many hands are imployed before they come to be dispersed over the Nation But the chiefest Commodity of this Country is Lead which for goodness or Plenty yields to no Place in the World Famous for this is the Peak of Derbyshire as well as for its Quarries but particularly for its three wonderful Caves This Peak ly's amongst the Mountains in the North-West Parts and its three Caves of a wonderful vast height length and depth are known by the Names of Devils Arse Elden-hole and Pools hole From the Devils Arse a Water comes which is said to ebb and flow 4 times in an hour as the Well in the Peak Forest and to keep its just Tides Noted besides for the strange Irregularities of the Rocks within the Water Eldenhole is very spacious but wi●h a low and narrow entrance The Waters which trickle down from the top thereof do congeal into Stone and hang like Isicles in the root thereof Some are hollow within and grow Taper-wise very white and not unlike to Crystal But the greatest Wonder of all is that of Buxton-Wells Nine Springs arise out of a Rock in the compass of 8 or 9 Yards eight of which are warm and the ninth very cold These Springs run from under a square Building of Free Stone and about 300 foot off receive another hot Spring from a Well inclosed with four flat Stones near unto which another very cold Spring bubbles up These Waters are experimentally found good for the Stomach and Sinews and good to bathe in And now I come to Mineral Waters I cannot but mention Kedlaston Well Quarndon and Stanly Springs The first of which being in Kedl●ston Parish is noted for having cured as 't is said the Leprosy and for being singular in the Cure of old Ulcers Quarndon Springs are two Springs about a mile and a half from Derby much of the nature of Tunbridge-Waters in Kent and the Spaws in Yorkshire as strong of the Mineral and as effectual in the Operation As for Stanly-Spring 't is of the same nature but not so strong But about Wirksworth there 's a warm and a cold Spring so near each other that one may put one hand in the cold and the other in the warm Derby the Shire-Town from whence the County it self is denominated bears from London North and by West and is distant therefrom 98 miles thus From London to Leicester 78 as you may see in Leicestershire thence to Lougborough 8 and to Derby 12 more This Town is seated upon the West Bank of Derwent from whence probably the Name of Derby is extracted over which there is a fine Bridge of free Stone and upon the Bridge a Chappel called St. Maries Chappel But besides Derwent which empties it self but 6 miles lower into the Trent this Town has the Conveniency of a Brook rising Westward and running through it under nine several Bridges 'T is a large populous and rich Place few inland Towns equalizing it Here are five Parish Churches of which that of All-Saints is the fairest Whose Tower-Steeple in which are 8 tunable Bells built at the only Charge of the young Men and Maids about the Reign of Q. Mary is equalled for height and beauty by few in the Nation Here is also a fair Hall built not many years since of free Stone at the Counties Charge where the Assizes are constantly kept In short 't is a Place of good Trade and Resort no less famous for good Ale than Banbury for its Cakes and Cheese Here is chiefly a great Vent for Barley which they make into Malt and so sell it again in Cheshire Lancashire and the North of this County It s Market is on Fridays which is very great for Cattel Corn and all Provisions besides small Markets on Wednesdays and Saturdays Lastly this Town is dignify'd with the Title of an Earldom now in the person of the Right Honourable William Stanley Earl of Derby and Lord of the Isle of Man Descended to him from his Ancestor Thomas Lord Stanley and of Man created Earl of Derby by King Henry VII Anno 1486. Which Title was first injoy'd by the Earls of Ferrers and Derby and afterwards by several Princes of the Royal Family till it came as I said before to Thomas Lord Stanley by Creation The other Market Towns are Chesterfield Sat. Ashbourn Sat. Alfreton Mund. Bakewell Mund. Wirksworth Tue. Tideswal Wedn. Dronfield Thu. Bolsover Frid. Drawfield Amongst which Chesterfield is pleasantly seated in a good Soil for the most part on the South-side of a little Hill and that between two small Rivers A Town which by the Ruins of it does seem to be of good Antiquity and therefore likely to have had some more ancient Name now buried in its Ruins It was made a free Borough in the time of King John And hard by it was the Battel fought between King Henry III and his Barons in which Robert de Ferrers Earl of Derby being taken Prisoner lost his Estate and Dignity though not his Life But that wherein it has most cause to glory is that from an ordinary Market Town it is become the Seat of an Earldom the Stile and Title of Earl of Chesterfield being conferred by King Charles I. upon Philip Lord Stanhop of Shelford created Earl of Chesterfield Anno 1628. From whom it descended next by Henry his eldest Son to the Right Honourable Philip Lord Stanhop the present Earl of Chesterfield Wirksworth is so called from the Worth of the Lead-Works And 't is the greatest Lead-Market in England This County formerly Part of the ancient Kingdom of Mercia and its Inhabitants part of the Coritani is now in the Diocese of Lichfield Out of it are elected besides the two Knights of the Shire but two Parliament Men and these two by
of arched Work consisting of 24 Peers and so high that a Vessel of 50 or 60 Tuns may pass under it Which Accommodation has made it a Place of good account and trade Torrington a pretty large Town is chiefly noted for giving the Title of Earl to the Right Honourable Arthur Herbert lately created Earl of Torrington by our present King and made Lord Admiral of Their Majesties Fleet. Whereas this Title was before in the Person of the Duke of Albemarle deceased Tavestock is seated on the Tave Modberry betwixt the Arme and the Aune Totness on the Dart and Ashburton near it Chidley on the Tinge Crediton upon Credit and Forton both which run into the Ex Tiverton at the fall of the Leman into the Ex Columpton on the Culme Honiton on the Otter Axminster on the Ax. Totness among the rest is an ancient little Town about 6 miles from the Influx of the Dart into the Sea It stands on the fall of a Hill lying East and West Honoured once with the Title of an Earldom in the person of George Lord Carew of Clopton Created Earl of Totness by King Charles I. Anno 1625. He was Son of George Carew Dr. of Divinity Arch-Deacon of Totness and afterwards advanced to the Deanry of Windsor But dying without Issue male the Title died with him In the Reign of King Charles II. this Town gave the Title of Viscount as is said before to Charles Fitz Charles Earl of Plimouth but that Title also went with him into the Grave Tiverton otherwise called Twiford-Town is a Town of good account for the Cloths he●● made which create a good Trade among th● Inhabitants Crediton seated betwixt two Hills and in ● rich Soil is divided into two Parts the on● called the East Town and the other the West 'T is very well inhabited and drives a good Trade of Serges There is a fair Churc● in it built Cathedral-wise this Town having been formerly the Bishops See before it was by King Edward the Confessour transferred to Exeter Lastly this County which formerly wa● Part of the Kingdom of the West-Saxons and its Inhabitants together with those of Cornwal known by the name of Danmonii among the ancient Romans is now in the Diocese o● Exeter Out of it are elected besides the two Knights of the Shire no less than 2● Members to sit in Parliament Viz. two ou● of each of these following Towns Exeter Plimouth Plimpton Totness Okehampton Honito● Barnstaple Tavestock Ashburton Tiverton Bera●stan and two more out of these three Town● Clifton Dartmouth and Hardness This County has had Earls of several Families Of which the Rivers and Courtneys hel● the Title long as now the Cavendishes may do who have possession of it in the fourth Generation The first Earl of this Family was William Lord Cavendish of Harwick created Earl of Devon by King James I. Anno 1618. And from him is descended in a right Line the Right Honourable William Cavendish the present Earl of Devonshire Lord Steward of the King's Houshold To conclude over against Devonshire a good way off in the Severn Sea is an Island called Lundey not above 5 miles long and 2 broad but begirt about with dangerous unapproachable Rocks having but one entrance into it and that so narrow that two men can hardly go a-breast An Island though situate in the midst of the salt and brackish Ocean far enough from any Land that yields notwithstanding many Springs of fresh Water for the Use of its Inhabitants who dwell for the most part in a Town of the same Name with the Island CHAP. VIII Of Dorsetshire Durham and Essex Dorsetshire DORSETSHIRE or the County of Dorset is another Maritime County in the West of England Bounded Eastward by Hampshire Westward by Devonshire and Somersetshire Northward by Wiltshire and part of Somersetshire and Southward by the British Sea commonly called the Channel It s Length from East to West is about 4● miles and its Breadth where broadest 25. The Whole divided into 29 Hundreds wherein 248 Parishes and 29 Marke● Towns Here the Air is very good and healthful an● the Country as pleasant being watered wit● many fine Streams gliding through its ric● Meadows The principal whereof are the Stower and the Frome The Soil is fat and fruitful abounding with rich Pastures and such Corn-fields as seldom deceive the hopes of the Husbandman S● that here is abundance of great and smal● Cattel and commonly great plenty of Corn. The North Parts being somewhat flat have the richest Meadows and are not destitute of Woods and Timber-trees but in Winter sadly clogged with Dirt. An Inconveniency the South Parts are freer from as consisting most of Hills or Downs which being overspread with innumerable Flocks of Sheep proves no small profit to the Inhabitants And here are many though not large Valleys in which most Towns and Gentlemens Houses are seated the better to avoid those sharp Blasts this Southern Part is subject unto lying so open and destitute of Woods as it does Fish and wild Fowl here 's great plenty of both from its Sea and Rivers Dorchester the chief Place hereof bears from London South-West and by West and is distant therefrom about 100 miles thus To Basingstoke 39 from thence to Stokebridge 16 to Dunkton 12 more thence to Cranburn 9 to Blandford 9 more and 12 from thence to Dorchester A Town of great antiquity as appears by ●any pieces of the Roman Coyn found near 〈◊〉 Once of a large Compass as may be con●ctured by the tract of the Walls and Trenches ●ut so spoiled and plundered by the Danes who ●●so pulled down the Walls that it could never ●ecover its former wealth and beauty It was also fortified and set out with a ●oodly Castle which being decay'd and ruin●us was converted into a Monastery and after●ards demolished I come now to its present ●tate This Town is pleasantly seated on the South●●de of the River Frome and on the Roman Causey called Via fossa about 5 miles from the ●ea It consists of three fair Streets and as ma●y Parish Churches the Inhabitants driving a Trade of Kersies and other Things Here is 〈◊〉 good Market kept on Saturdays and this is the Place where the County Assises are also kept Noted besides for the Title of Marquess it gave ●nce to Henry Lord Pierrepont Created Marquess ●f Dorchester by King Charles I. Anno 1645. And in the late Reign for giving the Title of Countess to the Lady Catherine Sidley advanced ●o that Dignity by King James the Second The other Market Towns are Shaftsbury Sat. ●landford Sat. ●arham Sat. Middleton Mund. Pool Mund. and Thu. Weymouth Tue. Frid. Melcomb Regis Tue. Frid. Cerne-Abbas Wedn. Cranborn Wedn. Abbots-Bury Thu. Corfe-Castle Thu. Sturminster Thu. Frampton Thu. Sherburn Thu. Sat. Wimbern Minster Frid. Lime Bridport Evershot Bemyster Among which Lime Bridport Weymouth and Melcomb Regis Pool and Warham are so many Harbours and Weymouth the principal Now
called Portland Castle built by Henry VIII And almost opposite to it on the Lands side towards Weymouth stands another called Sandford Castle Which two Castles command all Ships that pass into this Road. The whole Peninsule does shew it self from the top of the Rocks in a Flat and is in compass about 7 miles The Ground is very good for Corn and indifferent for Pasture but so destitute of Wood and other Fewe● that the Inhabitants are fain to dry their Cow-dung and burn it Which Defect i● made up another way by its Quarries o● excellent free Stone for Building and tha● in such plenty that they make use of it fo● their Fences On the South-East-side stands the only Church in the Isle and that so near the Sea● that to fence it from its furious Waves the Church-yard Banks were fain to be walled to an incredible height And here it is that Portland Race shews it self For so they call the Meeting of the two Tides here with so great striving and beating of the Waves that 't is not safe even in the calmest Season for Barks to pass over it This Peninsule has been dignify'd with the Title of an Earldom first in the person of Richard Weston created Earl of Portland by King Charles I. Anno 1632 and continued in his Son Jeremy then in Charles Son and Heir of Jeremy and lastly in Thomas Weston Uncle to Charles the late Earl of Portland But since the late Revolution our present King was pleased to confer this Title upon the Right Honourable William Bentinck the present Earl of Portland and Groom of the Stole to His Majesty East of Portland lies Purbeck an Island or rather a Peninsule that takes up the South-East part of this County about 10 miles in length and 6 in breadth reaching from Luckford Lake to the Channel So that it is surrounded with the Sea North East and South and Westward with Rivers within less than a ●ile In this Compass of Ground are many small Towns whereof Corfe is the chief Seated on the banks of a River running through the middle parts of Purbeck into Luckford Lake and that in a barren Soil betwixt two Hills upon one of which stands a Castle called from ●he Town Corfe-Castle A Castle that had great Priviledges granted to the Lords thereof ●s the free Warren Chase over all the Isle ●ea-wracks Freedom from the Lord Admiral ●f England c. To conclude this County formerly Part of the Kingdom of the West-Saxons and its Inhabitants the ancient Durotriges is now in the Diocese of Bristol Out of it are elected besides the two Knights of the Shire 18 Members of Parliament Viz. two out of each of these following Towns Dorchester Pool Lime Weymouth Melcomb Regis Bridport Shaftsbury Warham and Corfe-Castle Of this County there have been both Marquesses and Earls the Title of Marquess first injoy'd by the Beauforts and after them by the Greys the last that possessed it being Henry Grey Duke of Suffolk who was beheaded in the Year 1553. The Title of Earl was conferred by King James I. upon Thomas Sackvil Lord Buckhurst created Earl of Dorset Anno 1603 in whose Line it has continued hitherto the present Earl hereof being the Right Honourable Charles Sackvil Earl of Dorset and Middlesex and Lord High Chamberlain of his Majesties Houshold Durham DVRHAM a Maritime County in the North of England is bounded Eastward by the German Ocean Westward by Cumberlan● and Westmorland Northward by Northumberland and Southward by the River Tees which parts it from Yorkshire It s Length from East to West is about 3● miles its Breadth from North to South 30 The Whole divided into four Wakes no● Hundreds wherein 118 Parishes and 6 Ma●ket-Towns Here the Air is pretty sharp and keen no● only by reason of the Climate but because 〈◊〉 its Hilliness especially the West Parts of i● So true it is that those Northern Counties which are so nearly related to Scotland by their Situation participate likewise of its nature This County is so well watered what with the Sea and what with the Rivers that it is almost incompassed with Water Next to the River Tine which parts it for some miles from Northumberland and the Tees from Yorkshire here is the Ware which runs through Durham and Derwent into the Tine As the Soil of it is different so it is in some Parts fertile in others barren and accordingly inhabited The Eastern Part is Champain and bears plenty of Coal the Southern is the most fertile the Western is hilly and barren and thin of Woods and Towns But it is recompensed by its Store of Coal Lead and Iron Mines Durham the County Town bears from London North by West and is distant therefrom by common Computation 200 miles That is 150 miles to York for the Particulars of which I refer you to Yorkshire and 50 miles more to Durham Viz. from York to Borough-bridge 13 to North-Allerton 13 more 10 from thence to Darlington and 14 more to Durham Whose Situation is upon Hills and Bottoms of Hills all surrounded with Hills but the ●ow Parts watered with the River Ware which incircles the best Part of it and over which there are two Stone-Bridges If what Mr. Bloom says of it in his Britannia was true when it was published the Case is altered I have been often upon the Place but could never find it fair and neatly compacted nor so beautified as he represents it nor its Market-Place so spacious nor its Trade so flourishing On the contrary 't is a good retiring Place free from the noise and hurry of Trade unless it be upon Saturdays on which Day the Market is kept Here indeed one may live plentifuly and breath good Air at an easy rate The greatest Ornament of this Place is the Castle and the Cathedral The Castle where the Bishop makes his Residence is I confess a stately Fabrick raised on the top of a Hill by William the Conquerour with all the Advantages both of a Pallace and a Castle Over against it on the same Hill stands the Cathedral whose Structure has this Defect that it is built of a soft mouldering Stone Between both these is a spacious Place called the Green On one side whereof is the Hall where the Assizes are kept with a handsom publick Library erected and founded by Dr. Cosins the late Bishop of Durham and on the other side a Row of Alms-Houses the standing Fruits of his Charity At Nevils Cross near Durham a bloudy Battel was fought the 20th of Oct. 1346 between the English and the Scots where David Bruce King of Scots was taken Prisoner by one Copland a Man of a mean degree but Knighted for this Action Then was Queen Philip Wife to King Edward III in person in the Field the Battel being managed by the Lords Mowbray Percy and Nevil The Market-Towns besides Durham it self are Darlington Mund. Bernard-Castle Wedn. Bishop Aukland Thu. Sunderland Frid. and Stainthorp Darlington is a good
large Town seated upon two Rivers the Skerne and a Rivulet that runs there into it Over the first which falls within 2 miles into the Tees it has a fair Stone-Bridge Not far from hence at Oxenhall are 3 Pits called Hell-Kettles of a wonderful depth supposed to come of an Earthquake that hapned in the Year 1179. 'T is said of Bishop Tunstall of this Diocese that he took a Goose which he markt and put into one of the Pits and the same Goose was found afterwards in the River Tees Bernard Castle is seated in a Bottom on the River Tees and adjoyning to Marwood Park 'T is but an indifferent Town and of chief note for Stockings here made Bishop Aukland is pleasantly seated on the side of a Hill between the Ware over which it has a Bridge and a Rivulet that runs into it This is a neat Town and noted for its good Air. But that which adds much to its Reputation is its stately Castle the Bishops Summer Pallace beautifully repaired by Dr. Cosins the late Bishop of Durham and a fine Chappel raised by the same Bishop from its Ruins Sunderland is a Sea-Town on the Mouth of the River Ware Called Sunderland because by the Working of the Sea it is in a manner pulled from the rest of the Land it being at high Water invironed on all sides with the Sea This is a noted Place for its Sea-Coal Trade but chiefly for giving the Title of Earl first to Emanuel Lord Scrope of Bolton and Lord President of the North created Earl of Sunderland by King Charles I. Anno 1627. Upon whose Death without lawful Issue the Title was bestowed by the same King upon Henry Lord Spencer of Wormleighton in the Year 1643. Who being slain the same Year at the first Newberry Fight the Title fell to Robert his Son and Heir the present Earl of Sunderland Stainthorp or Staindrop ly's but 5 miles East-North-East from Bernard Castle among Parks and on a Rivulet that runs from thence into the Tees And not far from it is another Castle called Raby-Castle which King Canute gave to the Church of Durham with the Lands about it But besides the said Market-Towns here is in the South-East Parts Stockton and Billingham noted for their strong Ale And further Northward Hartlepool that stands upon a Neck of Land shooting forth into the Sea which surrounds it on all sides except Westward On the Mouth of the River Tine you will find Sheals where the New-Castle Coal-Fleet takes its Cargo A little higher stands Jarrow noted for being the Birth place of the Venerable Beda And over against Newcastle Gateshead or Gateside the Receptacle of those numerous Men that work in the Coal-pits Men that rake their mean Subsistence from the very Bowels of the Earth This County was formerly called St. Cuthberts Patrimony from S. Cuthbert the Raiser of Durham whose Episcopal See was removed hither from Lindisfarn or Holy Island on the Coast of Northumberland A Saint for whom several of the Saxon Kings and after them Canute the Dane had so great a Veneration that upon him and his Successors in that See was all the Country between Tees and Tine conferred by Alfred King of England Which his Donation was confirmed and in part increased by his Successors Edward Athelstan and Canute the Dane So fortified it was with Priviledges and Royal Grants that at the coming in of the Norman Conquerour the Bishop was reputed for a Count Palatine and did ingrave upon his Seal an armed Knight holding a naked Sword in one hand and in the other the Bishops Arms. Nay it was once adjudged in Law that the Bishop was to have all Forfeitures and Escheats within the Liberties as the King had without In short the Bishops hereof had the Royalty of Princes having their own Courts of Judicature both for Civil and Criminal Causes and covning their own Coin But these exorbitant Priviledges and Immunities were in part impaired by a Statute under Henry VIII and altogether with the Lands and whole Rights thereof conferred upon the Crown by Act of Parliament in the last Year of the Reign of Edward VI. To conclude when England was divided into seven Kingdoms this County was Part of that of Northumberland And the Inhabitants of it as well as those of most part of the North besides were called Brigantes by the ancient ●omans Out of it are elected besides the two Knights of the Shire but two Members to serve in Parliament for which Durham has the Right of Election Essex ESSEX another Maritime County has for its Bounds Eastward the German Ocean Westward Hartfordshire and Middlesex Northward the County of Suffolk and Southward the County of Kent This is a pretty large County being in Length about 45 miles in Breadth 36. The Whole divided into 20 Hundreds wherein 45 Parishes and 21 Market-Towns The same is abundantly irrigated both with great and small Rivers For besides the Thames which severs it from Kent the Stower from Suffolk and the Lea from Middlesex here is the Coln the Chelmer the Crouch and the Roding with several others in all which are great plenty of Fish Here the Air is very Temperate but down in the Hundreds towards the Sea-side it is very Aguish The Soil for the most part is good and in some Parts so fruitful that according to the Author of Englands Remarqnes after 3 Years Glebe of Saffron the Land for 18 years more will yield plenty of Barley without any Manuring with Dung or the like and then bear Saffron again One Acre of this Ground which is most in the North Part of the County will yield 80 or 100 weight of moist Saffron in a Year which being dried is valued 2. pound sterling It s chief Commodities besides Saffron as aforesaid are Cloths Stuffs Hops and the best of Oysters Colchester the chief Place of it bears from London North-East and is distant from it 43 miles by common Computation Viz. 10 from London to Rumford 5 more to Burntwood 10 from thence to Chelmsford and to Colchester 18 more A Town of great Antiquity and built as some Authors write by Coilus the British Prince 124 years after Christ's Birth But yet more Remarkable for giving birth to ●ucius Helena and Constantine the first Christian King Empress and Emperour in the World Seated it is upon the Rise of a Hill stretching it self from East to West and watered by the River Coln from whence probably it came to be called Colchester And as it is but 6 miles distant from the Sea so its Situation must needs be upon all accounts both pleasant and commodious 'T is a fair and well-built Town forti●●ed with an old Roman Wall and having six Gates of entrance besides 3 Posterns Towards the East stands an old Castle within the Ruins of a Trench containing about two Acres In short there were in it 14 Parish Churches several of which are now reduced to ruin But it is still a Place of good
Trade for the Stuffs here made and of some note for its excellent Oysters In short 't is the richest fairest and best traded Town in the whole County from whence the Earl Rivers takes his Title of Viscount Yet in regard it stands in the extremity of all the County the Sessions and Assizes are held most commonly at Chelmsford which is almost in the middle of it It s Market is kept on Saturdays and is well served with Provisions The other Market-Towns are Maldon Sat. Harwich Tue. Cogshall Sat. Manytre Tue. Walden Sat. Billerakey Tue. Dunmore Sat. Waltham Abbey Tue. Hatfield Sat. Braintre Wedn. Raleigh Sat. Rumford Wedn. Hornden Sat. Buntwood Thu. Barkin Sat. Epping Thu. and Frid. Cheping-Onger Sat. H●ulsteed Frid. Cheping-Onger Sat. Chelmsford Frid. Cheping-Onger Sat. Thanted Frid. Among which Maldon and Harwich are two noted Harbours The first by the Romans called Camelodunum a Town of great antiquity and the Seat of Cunobelin King of the Trinobantes about the Time of Christ's Birth 'T is seated on the River Chelmer about 7 miles from the Sea between which and the Sea ly two small Isles called Northey and Osey It has one Street about a mile in length and is well inhabited In short 't is one of the chief Places in the whole County particularly noted for giving the Title of Viscount to the Earl of Essex In the Parts adjoyning to this Town are excellent Pastures which feed store of Sheep amongst other Cattel of whose milk they make Cheese And on the utmost Promontory stood an ancient City of the Romans called Ithancester where the Fortenses with their Captain kept their Station or Gard in the Dedination of the Roman Empire for the Security of these Parts against the Saxon Rovers Nothing of which is now remaining but the Ruins of a thick Wall where many Roman Coyns have been found And out of the Ruins of this City was built S. Peters upon the Wall Harwich lies the furthest East of any by the Sea-side and at the mouth of the River Stower So that 3 Parts of it are surrounded with Water The Town is not large but well inhabited and frequented not only for the commodiousness and safety of its Harbour but because it is the readiest Passage for Holland and the Station for the Packet-Boats imploy'd for that purpose But there is a great Inconveniency to the Inhabitants the Brackishness of its Waters Which puts the Inhabitants upon the necessity of being supplied with sweet Water from other Places The Towns of chief note besides are Chelmsford where the Assizes for the County are usually held Burntwood or Brentwood a Place of good Antiquity Rumford a great Thorough-fare and Walden or Saffron-Walden seated on an Ascent among pleasant Fields of Saffron from which the Owners reap good Profit Not far from Walden is one of the Royal Houses called Audley-end a very stately Building built by the Right Honourable Thomas Howard Earl of Suffolk then Treasurer of England And upon the Thames over against Gravesend in Kent stands Tilbury Fort which commands that Passage This County which formerly was part of the Kingdom of the East-Saxons from whence it came to be called Essex and its Inhabitants together with those of Middlesex known among the ancient Romans by the Name of Trinobantes is now in the Diocese of London Famous among other things for giving the Title of Earl to several Families as the Mandeviles the Bohuns the Bourchiers Thomas Lord Cromwel William Lord Parre and three D'Evreux before it came to the present Family of the Capels And the first Earl of this Name was Arthur Capel the late Earl of Essex advanced to this Title by King Charles II. Anno 1661 afterwards made Lord Lieutenant of Ireland and some years after his Return sent to the Tower in order to make him a Sacrifice with the Lord Russel and others to the Popish Faction But his Title is revived in the person of his Son and Heir the Right Honourable Algernon Capel the present Earl of Essex Lastly out of this County are elected besides the two Knights of the Shire six Members of Parliament Viz. two from Colchester two from Harwich and two more from Maldon CHAP. IX Of Glocestershire Hampshire and Hartfordshire Glocestershire GLOCESTERSHIRE a large Inland County is bounded on the East by Warwickshire and Oxfordshire on the West by Monmouthshire and part of Herefordshire Northward by Worcestershire Southward by Wiltshire and Somersetshire It contains in Length from North to South 50 miles and in Breadth from East to West about 25. The Whole divided into 30 Hundreds wherein 280 Parishes and 26 Market Towns This is in general a most pleasant and fruitful Country blessed with a full Course of the River Severn That Part thereof which is beyond the River is overspread with Woods all which included in one Name made the Forest of Dean That part which buts upon Oxfordshire is swelled up with Hills called the Corswold Hills but these are in a manner covered with Sheep which yields a Wool of a notable fineness Whereof great Quantities of Cloth are here made that find vent throughout all England and divers forein Countries Between these two I mean the Forest and the Hills is seated a most fruitful Vale yielding most sorts of Grain to admiration and formerly stock'd with Vines and Vineyards The want of which is now supplied with Cider which they make here in great abundance Next to the Severn which crosses the Country from North to South here 's the Avon which parts it from Somersetshire the Wye which severs it in part from Monmouthshire besides the Stroud and the Isis All which afford great plenty of Fish and the Severn particularly abundance of Salmon The Forest of Dean which ly's in the West-side of the County between the Severn and the Wye is reckoned to be 20 miles long and 10 broad A Place formerly much more woody than it is at present the Iron Mines that are here having consumed a good part of the Wood. Glocester the County Town is 81 miles distant West and by North from London Viz. from London to Colebrook 15 to Maidenhead 7 more and 11 from thence to Nettlebed from Nettebed to Abington 12 to Faringdon 10 more to Perrors Bridge 14 more and 12 from thence to Glocester A City of good Antiquity and first built by the Romans to whom it was known by the Name of Glevum It ly's stretched out in length on the Severn over which it has a fine Bridge and on the Banks thereof a large Key or Wharf very commodious for the Merchandize and Trade of the Place The Streets are generally fair and the Town well built upon an easy Ascent the Streets descending every way from the Cross It has been formerly walled about with a strong Wall except on the Rivers side and some Remains of its Walls are still in many places to be seen which shew what strength they were of The City is not very large but very well inhabited
Severn Banks stands Berkley Castle which gives Name to a noble and ancient Family dispersed in many Places of this Kingdom and whereof they were made Barons by King Henry the II. Whereas before that time they were called Fitz-Harding as being descended from one Robert Fitz-Harding of the Blood-Royal of the Danes William Lord Berkley of this House descended from the Mowbraies who amongst other Titles were Earls of Nottingham was in the Year 1432 created Viscount Berkley by King Richard III afterwards Earl of Nottingham and Earl Marshal by King Henry VIII and finally Marquess Berkley by the same King Anno 1509. But dying without Issue all those Titles ended with him Only the Title of Lord Berkley continued in the Collateral Line till advanced to the Title of Earl by King Charles II. Anno 1679. in the person of the Right Honourable George Earl of Berkley Viscount Dursley c. To conclude this County which formerly was Part of the Kingdom of Mercia and its Inhabitants with those of Oxfordshire known among the ancient Romans by the Name of Dobuni is now partly in the Diocese of Glocester and partly in that of Bristol On t of it are elected besides the two Knights of the Shire six Members of Parliament Viz. 2 out of Glocester 2 out of Tewksbury and 2 more out of Cirencester In this Case Bristol is counted in Somersetshire Hampshire HAMPSHIRE or HANTSHIRE otherwise called the County of Southampton from Southampton the Shire-Town is a Maritime County Bounded on the East by Surrey and Sussex on the West by Wiltshire and Dorsetshire on the North by Barkshire and on the South by the Channel or British Sea It s Length from North to South is about 46 miles its Breadth from East to West 30. The Whole divided into 39 Hundreds wherein 253 Parishes and 16 Market-Towns This County is rich in all Commodities both of Sea and Land and those Parts of it which ●y furthest from the Sea of a pure and excellent Air. In particular the Country is well cloathed with Wood affords plenty of Iron which is here wrought from the Mines with abundance of Wool which the Inhabitants make Cloths and Kerseys of and the best sort of Hony As for Rivers here is in the West Parts of the County the Avon and the Stower a Dorsetshire River which meet together at their fall into the Sea More Eastward you will find the Test and the Itching which also meet at their fall into the Sea and that near Southampton In this County is the New Forest about 30 miles in compass A Forest which William the Conquerour so delighted to hunt in that to make it compleat and intire he caused many Towns and Villages with no less than 36 Parish-Churches to be pulled down and levelled with the ground But this Exorbitance of his did not escape unpunished For in this very Forest Richard his second Son was goared by a Deer and died William his third Son was accidentally slain by Sir Walter Tyrrel and his Grandchild Robert Curtoyse being in pursuit of the Game was struck by a Bough into the Jaws and died Southampton the Shire-Town bears from London South-West by West and is distant therefrom 60 miles thus From London to Stanes 15 to Bagshot 10 more thence to Alton 14 to Alesford 8 more from Alesford to Twiford 7 and to Southampton 6 more This Town is commodiously seated at the very Mouth of the Rivers Test and Itching both which Streams being here united together into one go under the Name of Hampton which is more like an Arm of the Sea than a River And 't is capable of Ships of good Burden to the very Key which is very commodious for lading and unlading of Ships Accordingly this Town has flourished for some time and injoy'd a great Trade with France especially being conveniently seated opposite to Normandy and its adjacent Isles Jersey and Garnsey It has been likewise a Place of good Defence surrounded with a double Ditch and strong Walls with several good Towers and fortified besides with a Castle At present both its Trade and Strength are very much decay'd and diminished However it is still of that extent as to contain five Parish Churches And though it be within the County yet it is as some other Towns a County of it self for which it stands beholding to King Henry VI. The Bishops of Winchester were anciently reputed to be Earls of Southampton and are so stiled in the new Statutes of the Garter made by Henry VIII But that Title has been since otherwise disposed of Thomas Wriothesley Lord Chancellour being created Earl of Southampton by King Edward VI. Anno 1547. In whose Line it has continued till it died with Thomas Wriothesley Lord Treasurer Anno 1667. In the Reign of Charles II. After whom Charles Fitz-Roy Lord Limrick eldest Son to the Dutchess of Cleveland was created Baron of Newberry Earl of Chichester and Duke of Southampton Anno 1675. For Provisions and other Commodities this Town has two Markets a Week viz. Tuesdays ●nd Fridays But though Southampton be properly the Shire Town yet the City of Winchester outloes it upon several accounts and theresore deserves a particular Description by it self Winchester the Venta Belgarum of the ancient Romans is pleasantly seated in a Valley betwixt Hills and on the Banks of the River Itching A City of great Antiquity and noted among the Romans for being the Place where the rich Imbroideries were made for their Emperours In the time of the Saxons it was twice consumed by fire and by them rebuilt being made the Royal Seat of the West-Saxon Kings and the chief Episcopal See Afterwards it felt with many other Places the fury of the Danes In the time of the Normans it was repaired and honoured with the keeping of the publick Records of the Kingdom But soon after it had a Relapse being sore oppressed during the Civil Wars of Maud the Empress and King Stephen At last it began in the Reign of Edward III. to recover it self having made it the Mart for Wool and Cloth At present this City contains within its Walls about a mile and a half in Circuit but not without some waste Here is a fine Hall where the Assizes and Sessions are kept for the County and in this Hall hangs up King Arthur's Round Table which is kept as a Monument For Divine Worship here are five Parish Churches Besides the Cathedral a large and beautiful Structure dedicated to the Holy Trinity and of special note for being the Sepulchre of many Saxon Kings and Queens besides two Kings of the Danish and two of the Norman Race For the Education of Youth here is in the Suburbs a fair Colledge liberally endowed and a place of good Literature built and endowed by William of Wickham for a Seminary to his other Colledge in Oxford And for the Relief of the Poor a very fair Hospital called S. Crosles not far off from the Colledge Here is also a goodly and
in which S. Augustine the Monk the first Apostle of that People had a Conference or Consultation with the British Bishops More memorable in the following Times for giving the Title of an Earl to the Illustrious Family surnamed De Clare the addition of an Honour and a goodly Patrimony to John of Gaunt Duke of Lancaster and at this time the Title of Marquess to the Duke of Somerset This Town is seated on the Lea much decay'd by the turning the High-way through Ware and having now but 3 Parish Churches Here however is kept the County Goal and 't is a well frequented Market on Saturdays The other Market-Towns are S. Albans Sat. Rickmansworth Sat. Barnet Mund. Berkhamsted Mund. Buntingford Mund. Watford Tue. Ware Tue. Hitching Tue. Hempsted Thu. Hatfield Thu. Hodsdon Thu. Baldock Thu. Bp. Stretford Thu. Stevenedge Frid. Tringe Frid. ●toudon Frid. Amongst which S. Alhans seated on the River Coln was so called from a famous Monastery here founded by Offa the great King of the Mercians in honour of St. Albans the Protomartyr of Britain a Citizen of Verulamium near adjoyning to it Out of the Ruins whereof decay'd by Age and destroy'd by War arose the present S. Albans the fairest and best traded Town in this County A Town which formerly injoy'd great Priviledges For Divine Worship it has now 3 Parish Churches and in one of 'em ly interred the Bodies of many Nobles slain in two Battels fought here between the Houses of York and Lancaster This Town has been dignifyed with the several Titles of Viscount Earl and Duke With the first Anno 1620 in the Person of Francis Bacon Viscount S. Albans Lord Verulam and Lord High Chancellour of England With the Title of Earl Anno 1628. in the person of Richard de Burgh and continued in his Son Ulick with whom it dyed till revived again Anno 1660. by King Charles II. in the person of Henry Jermin the last Earl of St. Albans Who dying without Issue King Charles advanced his Grace Charles Beauclare Earl of Burford to the Title of Duke by making him Duke of S. Albans Ware Hatfield and Hodsdon are all three seated on the Lea. The first a good Thorough-fare Town much improved since the High-Way was turned from Hartford hither Noted besides for the Channel cut from thence to London where it serves so many hundred Families with the Conveniency of that excellent Water called New River Water To which may be added another Observation the pleasantness and easiness of the Road from Ware up to London which being of a Sandy Soil proves seldom dirty but within a mile of London and is so filled with Towns and Gentlemens Houses from mile to mile that one would think the Suburbs of London on the North side fetch their beginning at Ware So strange is the Influence of this rich and populous City Hatfield is a Place of great Delight and Recreation but of chief note for that stately House called Hatfield House formerly one of the Kings of Englands Pallaces till it came in the possession of the Earls of Salisbury A House which for Situation Prospect Contrivance and Building for Air water and all other Accommodations is inferiour to none in England Not far from Hodsdon but nearer to Waltham Abby in Essex is Theoballs one of the Kings Royal Seats pleasantly situate among delightful Walks Gardens Groves and Springs First built by Sir William Cecil and afterwards beautifyed by his Son Robert both Lord Treasurers of England Barnet or high Barnet is pleasantly seated on a Hill and in the Road within ten miles of London Of some account for its Medicinal Waters but much more memorable for a bloody Battel fought here between the two Houses of York and Lancaster wherein the former prevailed Warford and Rickmansworth are both seated near the Coln And not far from the first Langley Abbey the Birth-place of that proud and high-spirited Pope Adrian IV. first known by Nicholas and surnamed Break-Spear Bishops-Stratford is a great Market Town seated near the River Stowr on the side of a Hill and much resorted unto On the East-side whereof are to be seen the Ruins of a Castle called the Castle of Waymour standing very steep in an Isle upon an artificial Mount with a dark and deep Dungeon in it which denotes some great Priviledges to have belonged unto it in former Times It was ruinated by King John Among the Market-Towns here I might have put in Royston part of which stands in this County but I refer you for it to Cambridgeshire In short this County which formerly was divided betwixt the Kings of Mercia and the East-Saxons and whose Inhabitants were part of the Catieuchlani as the Romans called them stands now divided betwixt the Dioceses of London and Lincoln Out of it are elected besides the two Knights of the Shire but four Members to serve in Parliament 2 by Hartford and 2 by St. Albans CHAP. X. Of Herefordshire Huntingtonshire and Kent Herefordshire HEREFORDSHIRE or the County of Hereford is an Inland County Which has for its Eounds Eastward Glocestershire and Worcestershire Westward Radnockshire and Brecknockshire in Wales Northward Shropshire and Southward Monmouthshire It s Length from North to South is about 35 miles its Breadth from East to West 30. The Whole divided into 11 Hundreds wherein 176 Parishes and but 8 Market-Towns This County was formerly part of Wales before it was by Conquest annexed to this Crown And then it was strengthened with no less than 28 Castles whereof there 's scarce any thing now remaining but their Ruins Here the Air is temperate and healthful and the Soil exceeding rich T is well cloathed with Wood and refreshed with Rivers the principal of which are the Wye Lug Arrow and Frome Two Things this County excels in its plenty of Fruit and the finest Wool in any part of England And amongst all sorts of Fruits the Red-streak Apple which makes the best sort of Cider is that which thrives here to admiration Hereford the chief Place hereof bears West-North-West from London and is distant from it 101 miles thus From London to Glocester 81 miles as you may see in Glocestershire then from Glocester to Ross 10 miles and to Hereford 10 more 'T is seated on the Banks of the River Wye and another that runs into it amongst rich● Meadows and plentiful Corn-fields Raised out of the Ruins of Ariconium a Place of good account in the time of the Romans It had once a strong and stately Castle built by the Normans which Time has now ruinated And now it is walled about having six Gates for entrance and 15 Watch-Towers for defence 'T was a Bishops See in the time of the Britains and restored to that Dignity by the Saxons Anno 680. Noted besides for giving first the Title of Earl then that of Duke and lastly that of Viscount now in the Person of the Right Honourable Edward D'Evreux Viscount Hereford c. Descended to him from his Ancestor Sir Walter
the Buildings of this Town they are but mean tho' it be in Time of Peace the greatest Thorow-fare for Travellers from England to France and from that Kingdom to this It has formerly had 〈◊〉 Parish-Churches which are now reduced to two It s Haven is indifferent good and as Calais on the other side of the Water fit only for smaller Vessels As for honourary Titles I don't find any it has yielded before the Reign of King Charles I by whom Henry Carey Viscount Rochford and Baron Hunsden was created Earl of Dover Anno 1627. Which Title expired with his Son John Carey dying without Issue-male in the Year 1667 the Barony continuing in the Collateral Line Sandwich lies about 12 miles North from Dover and was formerly a Place of good Strength But since the Sea has forsaken it and its Haven has been choakt up it has los● much of its Trade and Reputation Noted however for giving the Title of Earl to the Right Honourable Edward Montague the present Earl of Sandwich Devolved to him from his Father Edward Montague created Baro● Montague of S. Neots Viscount Hinchingbroo● and Earl of Sandwich by King Charles II 1660. Who lost his Life in a Sea-fight against the Dutch May 29. 1672. Hythe another of the Cinque-Port Towns has run the same fate as Sandwich by the unkindness of the Sea It lies South and by Wes● from Dover within a Mile of Sangate Cade Rumney is seated in a Marsh so called about 14 Miles long and 8 broad Much more famous for the Conveniency of the Marsh in the Grazing of Cattel than either for good Air or a good Harbour To the Port of Dover belongs Folkstone as a Member thereof a Sea-Town near Sangate Castle formerly containing 5 Parish Churches now reduced to one Lyd is likewise a Member of the Cinque-Ports And so are Deal and Fordwich Members of the Town and Port of Sandwich The ●irst of which is of most note in these Parts for the Fleets that from time to time harbour ●ereabouts in order to sail East or West The Kentish Isles Thanet and Shepey In the North-East Parts of Kent near ●andwich is an Island called Thanet surrounded on all sides with the Sea except Westward where it is severed from the main Land by the River Stoure here called Yenlade but so that by the benefit of a Causey and Passage for the Waters in convenient Places it is united to the Continent or main Land of Kent This Island called by the Saxons Thanet from Thanatos or Athanatos by which Name it is found in Solinus is about 9 Miles in length and 8 in breadth at the broadest An Island plentifully stored with Provisions but Corn especially and withall very populous Famous for being the Place which the Saxons landed at when they first came into Britain the first Livery and Seisin which they had of the whole Kingdom conferred by the improvident Bounty of Vortiger to whose Aid they were called in And no less remarkable for being the Landing Place of Augustine the Monk when he brought the Gospel to the victorious Heathen Saxons and by his Preaching subjected them to the Rules of Christianity At Stonar a Port Town of this Island is the Sepulchre says Heylin of Vortimer King of the Britains Who having vanquished the Saxons in many Battels and finally driven them out of the Island desired to be here interred on a fond conceit that his dead Corps would fright them from Landing any more upon these Goasts Which he did probably in imitation of that Scipio who having had a fortunate Hand against those of Carthage gave order that his Tomb should be turned towards Africk to fright the Carthaginians from the Coasts of Italy But the Britains found at last by sad experience the difference there is betwixt a King in the Field and a King in the Grave On the North Shore of this Island is a Point of Land of special note among Mariners by the Name of North Foreland And the whole Isle in general is noted for giving the Title of Earl to the Right Honourable Thomas Tufton the present Earl of Thanet Shepey is another Island much about the bigness of the former Surrounded on all sides with the Sea except Southward where it is parted by the Medway from the main Land of Kent This is likewise a very fruitful Island winch from the great Flocks of Sheep that feed here came perhaps to be called Shepey 'T is well watered with Rivers especially the South Parts of it And the Soil of it has a peculiar quality in not breeding of Moles This Island has been much harassed by the Danes and by the Followers of Earl Goodwin and his Sons At present it gives the Title of Countess to the Lady Elizabeth Countess of Shepey Lady Dacres c. The chief Place is Queenborough which stands on the West Coast Besides which here are several other Towns as Minster East-Church Warden Leysden Elmley c. West from this Island is another of a small Compass on which stands the Fort called Sheerness which commands the Mouth of the Thames and Medway To conclude as to the County of Kent it stands now divided between the Diocese of Canterbury and Rochester and was as I said before a Kingdom of it self in the Time of the Heptarchy Called Cantium and the Inhabitants Cantii by the Romans Out of it are elected besides the two Knights of the Shire 16 Members of Parliament Viz. Two out of each of these Towns Canterbury Rochester Maidstone and Queenborough besides these Cinque-Port Towns Sandwich Dover Hythe and New-Rumney It has been for several Ages dignify'd with the Title of an Earldom that is ever since the Entrance of the Normans but not without several Interruptions Till upon the Death of William Nevil Earl thereof the Title was conferred by King Edward IV. upon Edmund Grey Lord Ruthen Created Earl of Kent Anno 1465. From whom is descended the Right Honourable Anthony Grey the present Earl of Kent Grandchild of Anthony Grey Clerk Parson of Burbage in the County of Leicester Who upon the Death of Henry Grey without Issue Male Anno 1639. was advanced to this Title as the next Heir to it being Grandchild of Anthony third Son of George Grey the Son of Edmund aforesaid Lastly to those several Things Remarkable in this County which I brought in occasionally I shall only add That at Egerton is a Spring whose Water turns Wood into Stone And at Boxley-Abbey another Spring of the same nature the Water whereof will turn in 9 days time Sticks and small Wood into Stone CHAP. XI Of Lancashire Leicester and Lincolnshire Lancashire LANCASHIRE or the County Palatine of Lancaster is a large Maritim● County in the North-West Parts o● England Founded on the East with York shire and part of Derbyshire on the Wes● by the Irish Sea on the North by Cumberlan● and Westmorland and on the South by Ch●shire It s Length from North to South is 57 miles its
Breadth from East to West 32. The Who● divided into six Hundreds wherein 61 Parishe● and 26 Market-Towns The Number of Parish● but small in so large a quantity of Ground but that there are many Chappels of Ease equal to Parishes elsewhere for Multitudes of People Here the Air is sharp thin and piercing seldom troubled with Fogs And the Inhabitants accordingly are healthfull comely strong and long-lived not subject to many Diseases The Soil differs much according to its different nature and situation some Parts being Mountainous and of the Champain Country some very fruitfull some Mossy and the rest Moorish The Champain Country is very good for Wheat and Barley but that which lies at the bottom of the Hills is best for Oats From the Mosses which are not unlike the Irish Bogs some of them many Miles in Compass the common People get Turves for their Firing And sometimes they dig up Trees out of them which serve both for Building and Fewel Cambden seems to be of Opinion that they are subterraneous Trees growing under Ground as some other Plants do The Mountainous Part which lies Eastward is full of stony craggy and barren Hills bare of Wood and the Habitation of Foxes Conies Otters c. Amongst these Hills some are of a prodigious height especially Pendle-Hill on the top whereof grow's a peculiar Plant called Cloudsberry as coming from the Clouds But one thing besides is remarkable in this Hill that whenever the Top of it is covered with a Mist 't is an infallible Sign of Rain The Country in general is well watered with Rivers the chief whereof are the Mersey the Rible and the Lon all three running from East to West into the Irish Sea The Mersey Waters the South Parts and serves for a Boundary betwixt this County and Cheshire the Rible waters the middle and the Lon the North Parts Besides these Rivers and many others of less note here are several great Meers or Lakes as Merton and Winder or Wimander Meer This last divides part of Lancashire from Westmorland reaching about 10 miles in length and 3 or 4 in breadth It has as most Lakes in the North a clear pebbly Bottom whence the Saying that this Lake is all paved with Stone And it breeds great store of Fish particularly Trouts Pikes Pearches Eels and Skellies But there 's one sort of Fish peculiar to it and not to be found elsewhere except in Vlles Water another Lake bordering both upon Cumberland and Westmorland Charre is the Name of it and 't is a dainty Fish whereof many Pies are yearly sent abroad for Presents In short tho' this Country in general cannot be called a fruitfull Country yet what is good of it yields abundance of good Grass and Corn the fairest Oxen in England and in general all sorts of Provisions Fish and Fowl particularly here 's great plenty of and in the River Lon near Cockerfand Abbey is great store of Salmon To make Linnen here grows a great deal of Flax for Fewel the Country yields not only fat Earth but good Coals and for Building Quarries of good Stone Lancaster the Sh●re Town bears from London North-West and by North and is distant therefrom by common computation 187 miles thus From London to Stafford 104 for the particulars whereof I refer you to Staffordshire Then from Stafford to Stone 10 to Newcastle 6 more thence to Warington 20 to Wigan 14 more to Preston 14 more then to Garstang 10 and to Lancaster 15 more A Town pleasantly seated in a good Soil on the South-side of the ●iver Lon near its fall into the Sea From which River it came to be called Loncaster since turn'd into Lancaster as from Lancaster the whole County took the Name of Lancashire The Town not very well peopled nor much frequented There are in it several fair and long Streets from the Length whereof this Town I suppose might be called Longovicus by the Emperor Antonine And yet there is but one Parish-Church which indeed is large and fair It stands on the side of a Hill on the top of which is the Castle now made use of for the County Goal both for Debtors and Malefactors and for keeping the Assizes for the County Besides the Church and Castle two of the chief Ornaments of this Town here 's a fair Stone-Bridge over the Lon supported by five Arches To which add the Market-house or Town-hall where the Mayor and his Brethren keep their Courts It s Market which is kept on Saturdays is commonly well furnished with all sorts of Provisions but Fish and among the rest Salmon especially Lastly this Town is of sufficient Fame in the Annals of England for those noble Persons which have successively born the Titles of Earls and Dukes of it the greatest Princes in their time for Revenues of any Subjects in Christendom Of which House there have been four Kings of England all under the Name of Henry viz. Henry the fourth the fifth the sixth and the seventh The last by marrying with Elizabeth Daughter and Heir to Edward IV. of the House of York did happily unite the two Houses of York and Lancaster Whose Competition for the Crown of England under the Names of Red and White Roses had caused more Blood-shed than the Conquest of France by the English The Market-Towns of this County besides Lancaster are Manchester Sat. Leverpool Sat. Clitheroe Sat. Dalton Sat. Blackborn Mund. Poulton Mund. Cartmill Mund. Hornby Mund. Hawkshead Mund. Wigan Mund. Frid. Rochdale Tue. Chorley Tue. Ormskirk Tue. Kirkham Tue. Prescot Tue. Coln Wedn. Haslington Wedn. Warington Wedn. Preston Wedn. Frid. Sat. Bury Thu. Garstang Thu. Vlverston Thu. Besides Leigh and ●reat Eccleston whose Market-days I am ignorant of Manchester is seated upon a stony Hill in the South-East Parts of the County between the Rivers Irk and Irwell both which empty themselves not far off into the Mersey This Town called by Antonine the Emperour Mantunium was a Station of the Romans And it is to this day a Town much beyond Lancaster in beauty and populousness It s chief Ornaments are the Colledge and the Market-Place but above all the Collegiate Church beautified with a small Quire of excellent Workmanship Honoured besides with the Title of an Earldom in the person of the Right Honourable Charles Montague the present Earl of Manchester derived to him from his great Grandfather Henry Montague Viscount Mandeville created Earl of Manchester by King Charles I. Anno 1625. being then Lord Treasurer and President of the Council and afterwards Lord Privy Seal And lastly 't is a noted Place for its Linnen and Woollen Cloths as also for its Cottons which are held in great esteem Leverpool is the next Place of chief note in this County T is an excellent Sea-port commodiously seated at the fall of the River Mersey into the Sea where it affords a safe Harbour for Ships and a convenient Passage into Ireland To the immortal Praise of the Family of the Mores of Banck-hall
handsom Town flands pleasantly among fertile Meadows near the Forest of Charwood on the Banks of the River Stowr over which it has a Bridge Lutterworth a goodly Town also beautified with a large and fair Church with a neat and lofty Spire-Steeple is seated in a good Soil on the River Swift which at a small distance from hence falls into the Avon in Warwickshire Of this Town the famous Wicless was Parson an okl Champion against the Corruptions and Errours of the Church of Rome This County now in the Diocese of Lincoln was part of the ancient Kingdom of Mercia in the Time of the Heptarchy and its Inhabitants with several of their Neighbours went among the ancient Romans under the Name of Coritani Out of it are elected besides the two Knights of the Shire but two Members of Parliament chosen by the Town of Leicester Lincolnshire LINCOLNSHIRE a large Maritime County is bounded on the East with the German Ocean on the West with the Counties of York Nottingham and Leicester on the North with the River Humber which parts it from Yorkshire on the South with the Counties of Cambridge Northampton and Rutland It contains in Length from North to South almost 60 miles in Breadth from East to West 35. The Whole divided into 3 Parts called Lindsey Kesteven and Holland And these 3 Divisions contain 30 Hundreds wherein 630 Parishes and 35 Market-Towns This Country being Fenny especially in the East and South Parts makes the Air something unhealthful because it is apt to be thick and foggy The Soil in the North and West Parts is exceeding pleasant and fertile stored with Pasturage Arable and Meadow Grounds But the East and South Parts that are full of Fenny Grounds and something brackish by reason of the Salt Waters that come in from the Sea through several Inlets are barren and unfit for Corn. 'T is true in recompence thereof there is such a plenty both of Fowl and Fish that no County in the Kingdom can compare with it And there goes a Story that at one draught with a Net 30●0 Mallards have been taken besides other sorts How true it is I am as yet to seek but am apt to think there 's one Cypher too much As for Rivers no County in England is better irrigated nor Rivers any where more plentifull of Fish Northward is the Humber which as I said before parts it from Yorkshire and Westward the Trent which severs Part of it from Nottinghamshire Cross the Country you will find the Witham River Southward the Weland and the Nen. That Part of the County which goes by the Name of Lindsey lies to the Northward and is so named from Lindissi the ancient Name of Lincoln according to Beda This Part is so surrounded with Water that it is an Island and its Extent so great in proportion to the rest that it takes up at least one half of the County Noted for giving the Title of Earl to the Right Honourable Robert Bertie the present Earl of Lindsey Lord Great Chamberlain of England Kesteven and Holland take up the South Parts from Lindsey Holland lying towards the Sea and Kesteven West from it Of Holland there has been 3 Earls Henry Robert and Edward Rich. The first created Earl of Holland by King James I. Anno 1624. Robert his Son succeeded not only in this Title but also in that of Earl of Warwick upon the Death of his Cousin-german Charles Rich Earl of Warwick who died without Issue So that both Titles are now injoyd by his Son and Heir the Right Honourable Edward Rich the present Earl of Warwick and Holland Lincoln the principal Place in this Shire and a Bishops See bears from London North by West and is distant from it by common Computation 103 miles thus Viz. from London to Huntington 48 miles for the Particulars whereof I refer you to Huntingtonshire from thence to Stilton 9 to Peterborough 5 more to Market-Deeping 8 to Sleaford 18 more and thence to Lincoln 15. A City seated on the side of a Hill the lower part whereof is watered by the River Witham over which there are several Bridges for the Conveniency of Passengers A Place of great Antiquity whose ancient ruinated Places are still an Argument of its former Greatness In the Time of the Romans 't was a Town of great strength and fame and in the Time of the Normans a Place of great Trading Whose flourishing Condition occasioned the Episcopal See then at Dorchester near Oxon to be removed hither But this City has gone through all the Calamities of Fire Sword and Earth-quake Which has so much weakned and impaired it that of 50 Churches it is said to have had for divine Worship there remains but 15 besides the Cathedral In the Time of the Saxons King Arthur drove away their Forces from this Place The like did Edmund Ironside to the Danes who had made sore havock thereof On the 5th of Sept. 1140. here was a great Battel fought between King Stephen and Maud the Empress in which the King was taken Prisoner and afterwards laid in irons in Bristol On the 19th of May 1217. here was another sore Battel fought betwixt King Henry III. and his disloyal Barons who stood for Lewis the Dauphin of France in which the King got the day But whatever Disasters and Calamities this City has gone through still 't is a large populous and well frequented Place Dignified not only with an Episcopal See whose Diocese to this day is the greatest of any in the Kingdom but also for many Ages with the Title of an Earldom Which having passed through severall Families with frequent Interruptions came at last to be in the possession of Edward Fiennes Lord Clinton who being Lord Admiral in Queen Elizabeth's Time was by her Majesty created Earl of Lincoln Anno 1565. From whom the Title is now devolved in a direct Line to the Right Honourable Edward Clinton the present Earl of Lincoln The Cathedral or Minster as now standing is one of the stateliest Piles in England and perhaps in Christendom high seated on a Hill and from thence discerned over all the Country In short this City is a County of it self whose Liberties extend about 20 miles in compass and is called the County of the City of Lincoln It s Market kept on Fridays is well served with Provisions and Country Commodities The other Market-Towns are Grantham Sat. Kirkton Sat. Thongcaster Sat. Waynfleet Sat. Horn-Castle Sat. Dunington Sat. Burton Sat. Bourn Sat. Spilsby Mun. Salsby Mun. Sleaford Mun. Market-Stanton Mun. Stamford Mund. Frid. Ganesborough Tue. Barton Tue. Market-Rasen Tue. Bullingbrook Tue. Spalding Tue. Alford Tue. Grinsby Wedn. Binbrook Wedn. Lowthe Wed. and Sat. Boston Wed. and Sat. Glamford Thu. Burgh Thu. Market-Deeping Thu. Folkingham Thu. Holbich Thu. Wragby Thu. Naverby Thu. Tatershall Frid. Saltfleet Crowland Barnwell Among which Stamferd in Kesteven Division and the hithermost Town of Lincolnshire is the most considerable Seated on both sides of the
Division stands on both sides of the River Witham within few Miles of its fall into the Sea This is a considerable Town of good Antiquity and a Place of Trade well inhabited and resorted unto Over the River it has a very fair high wooden Bridge It s Market Place is fair and spacious And the Church of special Note for its fine-built Tower exalted to that height as to serve as a Land-mark to Mariners Kirkton is situate on a sandy Ground rising in that flat Country A Town so called from its Church which is a fair Structure built Cathedral like in the form of a Cross with a broad Steeple in the middle Of some note besides for its excellent Pippins But there is another Kirkton in Lindsey Crowland ly's some Miles East of Market-Deeping and upon the same River which is the Weland A Town seated so low among Fen● and miry Ground that there is no coming to it but by the North and East side and that by narrow Causeways not admitting o● Carts Hence came the Proverb that 〈◊〉 the Carts that come to Crowland are shod wi●● Silver It consists of 3 Streets severed each from other not unlike Venice by Water-Courses running between and on the Banks which are raised up and preserved by Piles are set Willow-Trees Their Cattel are kept a good distance from the Town and when they go to milk their Cows they go in small Skerries or Boats Here they take in the Pools or watery Places a world of Fish and Fowl of which they make good profit In short the Ground about this Town is so very rotten that one may thrust a Pole in to it 30 foot And in a Place called Hollan● there it is so wet that as one stands upo● it the Earth will shake under his Feet an● he will be ready to sink into it Here are al● many Quick-sands which have a wonderful force both to draw to them and to hol● fast whatever they draw Spalding a pretty Town and a Place o● good Trade stands also on the Weland bu● nearer its Influx into the Ocean some mile● North of Crowland That is not far from the Washes the neighbouring Sea so calle● for its frequent Inundations in these Parts Dunington also situate in a Flat and waterish like Spalding is a considerable Place fo● the great quantities of Hemp and Provision● here sold To conclude this County which now is in the Diocese of Lincoln was part of the ●ncient Kingdom of Mercia in the Time of the Heptarchy and its Inhabitants part of the Coritani in the Time of the Romans Out of it are chosen besides the two Knights of the Shire ten Members of Par●iament Viz. Two out of each of these following Towns Lincoln Stamford Grantham Boston and Grimsby CHAP. XII Of Middlesex Monmouthshire Norfolk and Northamptonshire Middlesex MIDDLESEX a small Inland County is bounded on the East with Essex from which 't is parted by the River Lea on the West with Buckinghamshire from which 't is severed by the Coln and the Shire-Ditch on the North with Hartfordshire and on the South with the Thames which parts it from Surrey and Kent Called Middlesex from its Situation as lying between the East-Angles and the West-Saxons It contains in Length from East to West about 24 miles in Breadth from North to to South 18. The Whole divided into seven Hundreds wherein 203 Parishes and 6 Market-Towns For Sweetness of Air or Fruitfulness of Soil this County may compare with any Shire i● England From the Hills that are about it as Hampsted Highgate Harrow-Hill c. th● Prospect of the whole is seen in this not unlik● to Zoar in Egypt London the chief Place hereof but withal the Metropolis and the Glory of the Kingdom is too great to be crowded here withi● the narrow Compass of these short Descriptions Therefore I refer you to the Conclusion of this Part and so proceed to The Market-Towns besides London and Westminster Brentford Tue. Stanes Frid. Vxbridge Thu. Edgeware Thu. Brentford in the Western Road 7 or 8 mile● from London is divided into Old and New Brentford both so called from Brent a smal● River that falls here into the Thames O● most renown in former times for the goo● Success Edmund Ironside King of England ha● here against the Danes Anno 1016 which com● pelled them to raise the Siege of London No● of most note for being the Thorough-fare b● twixt London and the Western Countries th● Passage up and down by Water for the ea● of Travellers and a well frequented Market Once dignify'd with the Title of an Earldo● in the person of Patrick Ruthen Earl of For● in Scotland Created Earl of Brentford by Kin● Charles I. Anno 1644. Stanes upon the Thames is a large we● inhabited and frequented Town It lies o● the West Road of England and has a Bridg● over the River that leads into Surrey Vxbridge is another good Town that lies North of Stanes on the River Coln which parts as I said before this County from Buckinghamshire And as it is seated in the high Road from London to Oxford so it is well accommodated with Inns and Houses of Intertainment As for Edgeware 't is but a small Town But besides these four Market-Towns the flourishing City of London has such an Influence over all its Neighbourhood that it swarms all over with pretty Towns not only in Middlesex but even in Surrey In Middlesex as Islington Highgate Hampsted Chelsey Kensington Fulham Hamersmith Thistleworth Hounslow c. most of them graced with the Seats of divers Noblemen Gentlemen and Citizens Among which Kensington of late has the honour of injoying some part of the Year Their Majesties Presence as Hamersmith the Queen Dowager's Hounslow famous for its adjoyning Heath and the notable Incampments made there in the late Reign in order to bring in Popery But as Providence was pleased to order it the Thames swallowed the Tiber and the cold Northern Heresy proved too hard for the hot-headed Jesuit Besides Kensington-House here are in this County no less than five Royal Houses viz. Whitehall and S. James in Westminster Hampton-Court Enfield and Hanworth Lastly this County which formerly was Part of the Kingdom of the East-Saxons and its Inhabitants part of the Trinobantes as the Romans called them is now in the Diocese of London Out of it are elected besides the two Knights of the Shire six Members of Parliament viz. 4 out of London and 2 out of Westminster As for honourary Titles I know not by what popular Errour the Citizens of London reckoned the Lord Mayor elect for Earl of Middlesex But whatever Ground it had now it has none to stand on since that Title was bestowed first on Lionel Lord Cranfield Lord Treasurer of England created Earl of Middlesex by King James I. Anno 1622. Which continued in his Son James and died with Lionel Brother of James But in the Year 1675. it was revived by King Charles II. in the person
of the Right Honourable Charles Sackvil Lord Buckhurst who was created Earl of Middlesex during the Life of his Father Richard Earl of Dorset Upon whose Death two years after he succeeded in the Earldom of Dorset Neither is it to be omitted that betwixt Brentford and Colebrook is a small Town reckoned as 3 Mannors viz. Arlington Shepston and Dawling From the first of these Mannors Henry Bennet the late Earl of Arlington took his Title Who was created first Baron of Arlington by King Charles the Second Anno 1664 afterwards Viscount Thetford and Earl of Arlington his Birth-place Anno 1672 and sworn Lord Chamberlain of his Majesty's Houshold in the Year 1674. Monmouthshire MONMOVTHSHIRE formerly a Welch County and now reckoned among the English is bounded on the East by the River Wye which parts it from Glocestershire on the West by two Welch Counties Brecknockshire and Glamorganshire Northward by Herefordshire and Southward by the Mouth of the River Severn It contains in Length from North to South about 25 miles in Breadth from East to West 20. The Whole divided into six Hundreds wherein 127 Parishes and 7 Market Towns It is blest not only with a healthfull and temperate Air but also with a rich Soil And though the Country be both hilly and woody yet all Parts thereof are fruitfull and scarce any barren The Hills are grazed upon by great and small Cattel and the Valleys laden with Corn and Grass It s fertility is much furthered by its being plentifully watered with so many Rivers the principal whereof are the Vske and the Wye the Rumney and the Monnow all which fall into the Severn Among which the first two are full of Salmon and Trouts Monmouth the County-Town bears from London West by North and is distant therefrom 99 miles thus Viz. from London to Glocester 81 miles as in Glocestershire and from Glocester to Monmouth 18. The Situation of it between two Rivers the ●onnow and the Wye is both very pleasant ●nd commodious The Town it self large and ●air well inhabited and frequented having ●he Conveniency of two Bridges one over the ●ye and the other over the Monnow Once ●rtified with a Wall and Ditch and in the ●ldst of the Town with a stately Castle the ●uins whereof are still to be feen In this Castle was born the renowned King Henry V ●he Conquerour of France from hence called ●enry of Monmouth Of some note besides ●r being the Birth-place of Geofry surnamed of Monmouth who wrote the History of Great Britain But of late times especially for being dignify'd with the Title of a Dukedom in the person of James the late Duke of Monmouth and since the late Revolution with the Title of an Earldom in the person of the Right Honourable Charles Mordant Earl of Monmouth c. It s Market kept on Saturdays is considerable for Corn and other Provisions The other Market-Towns are Chepstow Sat. Newport Sat. Pon● Pool Sat. Vske Mund. and Frid. Abergavenny Tue. Caer-Leon Thu. Chepstow stands upon the side of a Hill on the Banks of the Wye near its fall into the Severn A Town in former times famous and of great resort supposed to be raised out of the Ruins of Venta Silurum 4 miles distant the ancient and chief City of the Silures which flourished in the Days of Antonine the Emperour This Town says Cambden was fortified about with a Wall of a large Circuit and had a very spacious Castle once fronted by a Priory the better part of which being pulled down the rest was converted to a Parish Church At this present time the Town is large and well built well inhabited and frequented having a fair and high Bridge over the Wye And so it needs for here the River rises to a great height In the Year 1606. the Moor or Marsh near Chepstow was very much indamaged by the Severn For that Year at the Change of the Moon in February this River at a Spring-tide was driven back for 3 days together with a South Wind. Which made it swell so high that it came rushing in a main upon this Tract and carried all before it Newport a goodly Town is seated on the Uske over which it has a fair Bridge the Uske discharging it self not far off into the Severn where it has a good Haven bearing the Name of the Town Some miles East from this Haven is the Gold-Cliff so called from the golden Colour of the Stones that lie hereabouts which makes some suspect a Mine to be there And opposite to that Cliff about the midst of the Severn lieth a small Isle called Denny-Island Pont-Pool is but a small Town seated betwixt the Hills Of chief note for its Iron-Mills Vske a good large Town is so called from the River Uske on which it is situate with a Bridge over it 'T is beautified with well built Stone-houses and formerly was fortified with a large and strong Castle now ruinated According to Antonine here stood the little City Burrium But not far from it Northward is Ragland Castle a noble Seat belonging to the Duke of Beaufort Abergavenny by Antonine called Gobanium stands also upon the Uske where a small River Keveny by name empty's it self into it This is a Place of some strength being fortified with Walls and a Castle of great note in former times The Town is large the Houses well built and injoy's a good Trade for Flannels especially Caer-Leon by the Romans called Isca Silurum stands also upon the Uske a little above Newport and has a large wooden Bridge over the River This Town was once a famous and flourishing City in the time of the Romans where lay the second Roman Legion called Augusta to keep the Silures in aw The Ruins of its stately Buildings Palaces Temples Theaters together with the Water-pipes Vaults Hot-Houses Altars and Roman Coyns often digged up here do sufficiently evidence its former Antiquity and Greatness Here King Arthur kept his Court and in this City was a famous School or Colledge to learn Astronomy and other Arts. As for its present State the Town is pretty large and the Houses for the generality built of Stone It has yet the Ruins of a Castle standing To conclude this County formerly the Habitation of the Silures is in the Welch Diocese of Llandaff Besides the two Knights of the Shire there 's but one Member elected to serve in parliament and that 's out of Monmouth Norfolk NORFOLK a Maritime County of a large extent is bounded Eastward and Northward with the German Ocean Westward with the River Ouse which severs it from the County's of Lincoln and Cambridge Southward with the little Ouse and the Waveney which part it from Suffolk Thus Norfolk what with the Sea and what with the Rivers is so incompassed with Waters that it wants very little of being an Islland of it felf It contains in Length from East to West 50 miles in Breadth from North to South about 35. The Whole divided into 31
New Buckenham ly not far from Thetford to the Eastward Diss and Harleston on the Waveney Watton Windham Hingham Swafham and East-Derham do not ly far asunder about the middle of the County Further to the Northward you will find Repeham Caston Fakenham Walsingham Holt Ale●ham Worsted North Walsham and Hickling this last in a Marsh-Ground not far from the Sea Downham is upon the Ouse over which it has a Bridge leading into Cambridgeshire Snetham North of Lyn is seated on a bivuler not far from the Sea Burnham-Market and Cromere are two Sea-Towns in the North Parts of the County Between which is Clay another Sea-Town on three sides incompassed with Waters and once a Market Town but now discontinued And near it Wayborn-hope a noted Place amongst Seamen as is Winterton Ness or Point in the East which is very coldly seated And yet it is observed that the Ground about Winterton is one of the richest and fattest in England Among the aforesaid Towns Walsingham was formerly renowned as for its Colledge of Canons so for the continual Concourse of Pilgrims to this Place Who came hither to pay their Superstitious Devotion to the Blessed Virgin at a Chappel near the two Wells called to this day the Virgin Mary's Wells It was also a Place of note for its good Saffron Near Burnham-Market within 2 Miles from it to the Westward is a small Country-Town called Brancaster the Ruins of an ancient Town known by the Name of Branodunum Seated near the Sea-shore and a Place of good account in the time of the Romans who kept here a Garrison Not far from Hickling in the North-East Parts is the ancient decay'd Abbey of St. Bennet's in the Holme built by the Danish King Canute An Abbey so fortified afterwards by its Monks with Walls and Bulwarks that it seemed rather a Castle than a Cloyster and yet was betrayed by a Monk to William the Conqueror The Bishop of Norwich retains to this Day the Title of Lord Abbot of St. Bennets And it is observable that hereabouts both Cockles and Perwinkles are digged out of the Ground Lastly this County which is the largest in England next to Yorkshire but much more populous was Part of the Kingdom of the East-Angles in the time of the Heptarchy and its Inhabitants part of the Iceni as the Romans called them It is observed of the People in this County that they are notably industrious for Plough and Manufactures insomuch that one shall hardly see a Beggar throughout all the Country And yet which one would wonder at they are notable Wranglers and generally so well versed in the Quirks of the Law that they create more work for the Assizes than almost all the Circuit else Accordingly Norfolk is the County which commonly yields the best Breed of Lawyers and has furnished the Courts of Justice with many an emiment Man in the Laws of England But a great Antiquary has made another material Observation That in this County are a hundred Families of ancient Gentry that never were attainted of high Treason Which if it be true the Gentry here have had better fortune than the Dukes Dutchesses and Earls of Norfolk His Grace Henry Howard the present Duke of Norfolk derives his Title from his noble Ancestor john-John-Lord Howard created Duke of Norfolk by King Edward IV. Anno 1483 and descended from the Lady Margaret Dutchess of Norfolk Daughter of Tho. de Brotherton Earl of Norfolk first Son of King Edward I. Out of this County are elected besides the two Knights of the Shire ten Members of Parliament Viz. Two out of each of these following Places Norwich Kings I yn Yarmouth Thetford and Castle-rising Northamptonshire NORTHAMPTONSHIRE an Inland County is bounded on the East with the Counties of Cambridge Huntington Bedford and Buckingham on the West with Rutland Leicestershire and Warwickshire Northward with the Counties of Lincoln Rutland and Leicester Southward with Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire This County being long but narrow runs in Length from North to South ahout 50 miles and in Breadth from East to West but half The Whole divided into 20 Hundreds wherein 326 Parishes and 13 Market-Towns Here the Air is temperate and healthfull the Soil as rich either for Corn or Grass as in any Place in England And the Inhabitants find such a Profit here by Grazing and Tillage that they improve the Ground every where Insomuch that it is said there is less waste Ground in this County than in any other As for Rivers and other fresh Streams 't is as well watered as most Counties are It s principal Rivers are the Nen and the Weland both having their Rise here besides the Ouse which rises in the South Parts near Bucking hamshire A further Proof of the excellency of this County might be fetched from its Populousness For it is so garnished with Towns that in many Places 20 or 30 Steeples present themselves at one view And considering its Extent 't is said to be honoured with the Seats of as many if not more of the Nobility and Gentry as any County in the Kingdom Northampton the chief Place hereof ly's North-West from London and by common Computation is distant from it 54 miles thus From London to Barnet 10 thence to St. Allans 10 and to Dunstable 10 more from Dunstable to Stony Stratford 20 and to Northampton 10 more A Town pleasantly seated on the Banks of the River Nen where it meets with two Rivulets one from the North the other from the South And though it has suffered much by the sore hand of the Dane and other Calamities and of late particularly by the dreadfull Fire which buried it all in Ashes in September 1675 yet it has raised it self again more glorious than before So that for Circuit and Beauty it may at this time be ranked with many Cities Fortified heretofore with good Walls and a strong Castle and seated in so good an Air that once the Students of Cambridge had a mind to remove their University hither Here the Inhabitants drive a considerable Trade especially of Leather and its Market which is on Saturdays is well served with Provisions This Town is the Place where the County-Goal and the Assizes are kept Of special note for giving the Title of Earl to the Right Honourable George Compton the present Earl of Northampton Devolved to him from his noble Ancestor William Lord Compton and Lord President of Wales Created Earl of Northampton by King James I. Anno 1618. The other Market-Towns are Peterborough Sat. Oundle Sat. Higham-Ferrers Sat. Rothwell Mund. Thrapston Tue. Towcester Tue. King's Cliff Tue. Wellingborow Wed. Bra●kley Wed. Daventry Wed. Kettering Frid. Bodkingham Among which Peterborough is seated in a Nook or Angle of the County bordering upon Cambridgeshire and Huntingtonshire where formerly had been a Gulf or Whirlpool of an exceeding depth 'T is seated on the River Nen over which it has a Bridge leading into Huntingtonshire A Town of no great account but for being a
is watered Among which the Iddie which empty's it self Northward into the Dun is the most considerable As for the Air 't is counted as good here especially in the sandy Parts as any where else in England Nottingham the Shire-Town from whence the whole County takes its Denomination is 94 miles from London to the North-West Viz. from London to Leicester 78 miles the Particulars whereof you may see in Leicestershire from thence to Loughborow 8 and to Nottingham 8 more 'T is seated about a mile on the North-side of the River Trent upon a Hill which overlooks it Over this River it has a fair Stone-bridge and another over the Lean a small River besides two other Bridges over two Ponds called the Cheney Bridges The Town is large containing 3 Parish Churches for Buildings fair Streets and a spacious Market-Place not yielding to many Cities But of most fame for its Castle which for strength stateliness and prospect did formerly challenge the precedency of most Castles in England Honoured besides with the Title of an Earldom at this time injoy'd by the Right Honourable Daniel Finch Earl of Nottingham and principal Secretary of State Descended to him from his Father Heneage Finch Lord High Chancellour of England in the Reign of King Charles II and by him created Earl of Nottingham Baron Finch of Daventry c. Which hapned soon after the Death of the Lord Charles Howard who dying without Issue male was the last of that Family which injoy'd that Title In short Nottingham is a Town well inhabited and frequented this being the Place where the County-Goal is and where the Assizes are held and injoy's as good a Trade as most Inland Towns For Provisions it has 3 Markets a Week Wednesdays Fridays and Saturdays this last the most considerable The other Market Towns are Southwell Sat. Redford Sat. Tuxford Mund. Newark Wedn. Worksop Wedn Mansfield Thu. Bingham Thu. Blith Thu. Southwell is seated on a Rivulet that falls not far off from hence into the Trent 'T is an ancient Town and has a Collegiate Church Redford is situate on the River Iddel Not far from which is Littleburg on the Trent noted for its Ferry much resorted unto for a Passage into Lincolnshire Tuxford from its Clay-Ground called Tuxford upon Clay has nothing remarkable in it but its Church and Steeple both very neat and pretty though in a dirty Soil For the Conveniency of Travellers this being a Road-Town to and from the North is accommodated with two very good Inns lately built Newark the Place of most note in this County next to Nottingham ly's in the high Road to York on the Banks of the River Trent where it divides it self into two Branches and makes up an Island before the Town This is a good large Town otherwise Inconsiderable but for its Market Place it s Church and Steeple and the Ruins of a stately Castle which are still to be seen 'T is true it gives the Title of Viscount to the Earl of Kingston Mansfield and Worksop are both in the Forest of Sherwood The first a good large Town graced with well-built Houses well inhabited and having a good Trade for Malt and other Provisions The other of chief note for the great store it yields of the best Licorish in all the Northern Parts As for Ringham and Blith they are but indifferent Towns and their Markets accordingly To conclude this County now in the Diocese of York was part of the ancient Kingdom of Mercia and its Inhabitants part of the C●ritani as the Romans called them Out of it are elected besides the two Knights of the Shire but six Members to serve in Parliament Viz. Two by Nottingham two by Newark and two more by Eastretford Oxfordshire OXFORDSHIRE another Inland County is bounded on the East by Buckinghamshire from which it is divided in part by the Chiltern-Hills on the West by Glocestershire on the North by the Counties of Warwick and Northampton on the South by the Thames which parts it from Parkshire It contains in Length from North to South about 40 Miles in Breadth from East to West 26. The Whole divided into 14 Hundreds 280 Parishes and 15 Market-Towns The Air of this County is mightily commended for its sweetness and temperateness as the Soil is for its fruitfulness Both which make this Country so much inhabited as it is by Gentry And that which adds much to it is the pleasantness of its Hills here well doathed with Wood and stored as well as the Downs with Variety of Game both for the Hawk and Hound Besides the Thames which waters the South Parts of it here 's the Tame and the Isis which make up the Thames the Cherwell the Windrush and the Evenlode So that this County is as well Irrigated as most are in the Kingdom Oxford the principal Place in this Shire from whence it takes its Name bears from London West-North-West and is distant therefrom 47 Miles thus From London to Vxbridge 15 to Beaconfield 7 more thence to High Wickam 5 to Stoken-Church 5 more from thence to Wheatly-Bride 9 and to Oxford 6 more A Place of that Importance especially in relation to the Muses that it deserves a particular Description for which I refer you together with that of London and Cambridge to the Conclusion of this Part. So I proceed to The other Market-Towns of this County Burford Sat. Deddington Sat. Watlington Sat. Woodstock Tame Bampton Wed. Chipping-Norton Wed. Banbury Thu. Henly Thu. Witney Thu. Burcester Frid. Fairford Bistow Coleford Among which Burford seated on an Ascent near the River Windrush in the West of Oxfordshire is a Town of good Antiquity Remarkable heretofore for a great Battle fought near it about the Year 750. between Cuthbert a Tributary King of the West-Saxons and Ethelbald the Mercian King whose insupportable Exactions Cuthbert could not indure In this Fight Cuthbert had the fortune to overthrow the Mercian King and to win his Banner wherein was depicted a golden Dragon The Memory whereof has continued for several Ages in the Custom used here of making a Dragon yearly and carrying it about the Town in great Jollity on Midsummer Eve with the addition of a Giant to it At present Burford is a famons Place for Saddles and something advantaged besides by the neighbouring Downs much resorted unto by the Gentry for Horse races Of late become of further note by giving the Title of Earl to the Duke of St. Albans Woodstock a well-compacted Borough-Town is pleasantly seated near a small River on a rising Ground with a large Park near it surrounded with a Wall and said to be the first inclosed Park In which was once a Royal House called Woodstock Bower built by King Henry I and inlarged by Henry II but demolished in the long Civil Wars In this House was born Edward the black Prince and in the Labyrinth that belonged to it the beautifull Rosamond King Henry the Second's Mistress catched her Death by the poysonous
Places to amongst the numerous Towns that are here few can boast of any Beauty Stafford the Shire-Town from whence the County takes its Name bears from London North-West and is distant therefrom 104 miles thus From London to Northampton 54 miles for the particulars whereof I refer you to Northamptonshire from thence to Coventry 20 miles to Lichfield 20 more and thence to Stafford 10. A Town pleasantly seated on the Banks of the-River Sowe which washes its South and West Parts with a Bridge over it Formerly fenced with a Wall except where it was secured by a large Pool or Water on the North and East Here are two Parish-Churches a free School and a fine Market-Place The Streets are large and graced with many good Buildings And its Market which is kept on Saturdays is well served with most sorts of Provisions This Town did formerly belong to the noble Family of the Staffords first with the Title of Earl hereof and afterwards of Lord or Baron Henry Stafford was the last of that Line who dying Anno 1639 the Family of the Staffords died also with him But the next year after William Howard Knight of the Bath and second Son of Thomas Earl of Arundel and Surrey having to Wife a Daughter of the last Lord Stafford was by King Charles I. created Viscount and Lord Stafford Who being found Guilty of High Treason by his Peers Dec. 7th 1680 was beheaded upon Tower-Hill Dec. 29. But the Title was in the late Reign revived in his Son Henry the present Earl of Stafford Lastly though Stafford be the County-Town yet it is not the chief either for extent or beauty it being out-done by Lichfield a City and County of it self seated in a low and Moorish Ground on a shallow Pool by which it is divided into two Parts both joyned together by a Bridge and a Causey and making up a City of indifferent bigness In the South Part which is the greater of the two stands a Grammar-School for the Education of Children and an Hospital dedicated to S. John for the Relief of the Poor In the other Parts there 's nothing considerable but a fair Cathedral and that sufficient of it self to renoun the Place First built by Oswin King of Northumberland about the Year 656 who gave the Bishops hereof many Possessions Afterwards being taken down by Roger de Clinton the 37th Bishop of this Diocese that which now stands was built by him and dedicated to the Virgin Mary and S. Chad. Besides the Cathedral this City has 3 Parish Churches And its Weekly Markets kept on Tuesdays and Fridays are well served with Provisions But Lichfield is not only honoured with a Bishops See 'T is dignify'd besides with the Title of an Earldom in the person of the Right Honourable Edward Henry Lee who was created by Charles II. Baron of Spellesbury Viscount Quarendon and Earl of Lichfield Anno 1674. The other Market-Towns are Newcastle Mund. Stone Tue. Betles Tue. Pagets Bromley Tue. Tudbury Tue. Walsall Tue. Ridgeley Tue. Penkridge Tue. Brewood Tue. Leek Wedn. Vtoxeter Wedn. Wolverhampton Wedn. Checkley Thu. Burton Thu. Eccleshall Frid. Tamworth Sat. Among which Newcastle commonly called Newcastle under Line from the Rivulet Line upon which it is seated and that to distinguish it from Newcastle upon Tine in Northumberland is a large Town but mean in its Buildings most of 'em being thatched Vtoxeter and Tudbury are seated on the River Dove Stone and Burton upon Trent the first in the Road from London to Chester and the last famous for its Bridge leading into Derbyshire Pagets Bromley on the Blithe and Checkley on the Teane Tamworth is seated on the Tame where the Auker falls into it with a Stone-Bridge over each It stands part in this County and part in Staffordshire one part washed by the Tame and the other Part by the Auker In short 't is a good Town beautified with a large Church and strengthened with a small but strong Castle Walsall is seated on the top of a high Hill pretty well built and driving a good Trade of Nails Spurs Stirrups Bridle-bits and Bellows made here in great plenty Penkridge a Place of good Antiquity seated near the River Penk is now only famous for its Horse-Fair and chiefly for Saddle-Nags And Brewood for that the Bishops of this Diocese had here their Pallace before the Conquest Wolverhampton was only called Hampton till such time as one Vulver a devout Woman inriched the Town with a Religious House It stands upon a Hill and has a Collegiate Church annexed to the Deanry of Windsor About four miles from this Place stood the Oak where the late King Charles took Sanctuary for some Days after his Defeat at Worcester till he was conveyed to the House of Mrs. Jane Lane who was a chief Instrument in his Conveyance beyond Sea From whence this famous Tree came to be called the Royal Oak Lastly this County formerly Part of the Kingdom of Mercia and its Inhabitants part of the Cornavii is now in the Diocese of Lichfield and Coventry Out of it are elected besides the two Knights of the Shire eight Members of Parliament Viz. two out of each of these following Towns Stafford Lichfield Newcastle under Line and Tamworth CHAP. XV. Of Suffolk Surrey and Sussex Suffolk SVFFOLK a large Maritime County is bounded on the East with the German Ocean on the West with Cambridgeshire Northward with Norfolk and Southward with Essex Called Suffolk q. d. Southfolk in opposition to Norfolk which lies North from it It contains in Length from East to West about 45 miles in Breadth from North to South where broadest at least 30. The Whole divided into 22 Hundreds wherein 575 Parishes and 30 Market-Towns A strong Argument of its Populousness Here the Air is counted so wholsom that some London Physicians have prescribed it for the Cure of their consumptive Patients As to the Soil the Eastern Parts all along the Coast for five or six miles Inland are generally heathy sandy and full of blea● Hills yet such as yield abundance of Rye Pease and Hemp and feed abundance o● Sheep The more Inland Part commonly called high Suffolk or the Wood-Lands is for the mo●● part Clay-Ground and is husbanded chiefly for the Dairy this County being noted fo● its excellent Butter The Southern Parts along the Borders of Essex and Cambridgeshire are much of the same nature for Wood and Pasture-Ground But the Parts about Bury and to the North-West from thence are generally Champain abounding with excellent Corn of all sorts And as for Parks here are reckoned in this County near upon fifty For Rivers few Counties are so well watered Besides the little Ouse and the Waveney which part it from Norfolk here is the Stoure which severs it from Essex the Orwell or Gippe the Ore Blithe Deben and Breton c. Ipswich the chief Place hereof bears from London North-East and is distant from thence 55 miles thus From London to Colchester 43 miles
wild Fowl from the Fens Spinning is here the principal Imployment of the poorer sort of Women Iksworth is but a small Market-Town which according to Cambden retains in its Name the Memory of the Iceni who partly dwelt in this County In this Town are yet some Remains of an ancient Priory founded by Gilbert Blunt Lord of the Town as also of a Guild-Hall where not many years since has been digged up a Pot of Roman Coyn bearing Inscriptions of divers Roman Emperours But besides the foresaid Market-Tows there are other Towns in Suffolk which upon some account or other do deserve a place here Exning or Ixning among others not far from Newmarket has at least as much right as Iksworth to claim its Name from the ancient Iceni This is the Place which gave Birth to St. Audry the Virgin Daughter of Anna King of the East-Angles who for her holy Life and Works of Piety was Canonized for a Saint From this Town to Ely Henry Bishop of Ely made a Causey or high Way Brandon seated upon the little Ouse over which it has a Bridge was once a Market-Town but has lost that Conveniency However 't is of some note for giving the Title of Baron to the Earl of Maclesfield And not far from it is a noted Ferry called from hence the Brandon Ferry where Things come up from the Isle of Ely Euston some miles from Brandon to the Eastward is also situate on the Banks of the little Ouse and that hard by Fackenham This indeed is but a small Place but as an Author describes it finely seated on a Flat in a fair Champain Country for pleasure and delight Which induced the late Earl of Arlington to raise a noble Structure there called Euston-Hall of extraordinary Beauty Adjoyning to which is a large Nursery containing 1560. Fruit-trees of several sorts besides artificial Fountains and a Canal which makes a pleasant noise as it falls into the River There is also to be seen a Grove of near ten thousand Trees a large Warren and many other Curiosities The Particulars whereof I shall wave to acquaint the Reader that upon the Marriage of the second Son of the Dutchess of Cleveland to the only Daughter of the Earl of Arlington it pleased King Charles II. that he should receive Denomination from the noble Seat aforesaid Accordingly he was created Baron of Sudbury Viscount Ipswich and Earl of Euston Anno 1672 and finally Duke of Grafton in the Year 1675. Off●on that is Offa's Town King of Mercia Who having treacherously murdered Ethelbert King of the East-Angles to whose Court he came an invited Guest Anno 793. and thereupon usurped his Kingdom erected here a small Castle on a Clay-hill The Ruins of which are yet apparent under the Name of Offton-Castle Rendlesham situate on the River Deben towards Orford is noted for being the Place where Redwald the first Christian King of the East-Angles kept his Court Who being afterward seduced by his Queen permitted an Altar to be placed in the Church for her Heathenish Sacrifices to Devils together with his Altar for the Worship of the true God Wickham or Wickham-Market North of Woodbridge and upon the same River is as big as many Market-Towns though its Market be now lost by reason of its Neighbourhood to Woodbridge 'T is a Stage-Town upon the Eastern London Road and one of those where general and Spiritual Courts are held for the Arch-Deacon of Suffolk to whom the Eastern Part of the County is assigned as the Western is to the Arch-Deacon o● Sudbury Here is a Spire-Steeple which serves as a Sea-mark to Saylers off the Whiting Sand by Orford Walderswick a Sea-Town near Sowolds Bay has a fine Church and Spire-Steeple which shews it to have been a much better Town than it is at present Blithborough a poor decayed Town not far West from Walderswick is so called from the River Blithe over which it has a Bridge Here are still to be seen the Ruins of a Priory founded by King Henry I and the Goal for the Division of Beckles as a Remembrance of the Session formerly kept here Of some note besides for being the Burial Place of Anna a Christian King of the East-Angles slain in the Field by Peuda the Mercian King The Church is very handsom still and that 's the only Ornament of this Place So much for the Towns of Suffolk What remains is to acquaint you that this County formerly a Part of the Kingdom of the East-Angles and its Inhabitants part of the Iceni as the Romans called them is now in the Diocese of Norwich Out of it are elected besides the two Knights of the Shire fourteen Members of Parliament Viz. Two out of each of these following Places Ipswich Dunwich Orford Alborough Sudbury Eye St. Edmundsbury Of this County there have been Dukes Marquesses and Earls And this last Title lives still in the person of the Right Honourable George Howard the present Earl of Suffolk Devolved to him from his Ancestor Thomas Lord Howard of Walden created Earl of Suffolk by King James the I. in the Year 1603. Surrey SVRREY an Inland County of no great extent is bounded on the East by Kent on the West by Barkshire and Hampshire Northward by Middlesex from which parted by the Thames and Southward by Sussex Called Surrey from its Situation on the South-side of the River Thames the Saxons calling that Rey which we term a River and so from Southrey came the Name of Surrey It contains in Length from East to West about 35 miles in Breadth from North to South 25. The Whole divided into thirteen Hundreds wherein 140 Parishes and yet but 8 Market-Towns The Skirts of this County are very rich and fruitfull especially towards the Thames where it yields plenty both of Corn and Grass but the middle Parts are somewhat hard and barren From whence the People use to say that their County was like a course piece of Cloth with a fine List But what the middle Parts want in Riches they supply with Pleasures as being famous for good Air and well stored with Parks the Downs affording excellent Opportunity as well for Horse-races as Hunting As for Rivers besides the Thames aforesaid here is none of any Note but the Wey which runs through Guildford the Mole through Darking and the Wandle whose Spring-head is at Croydon All which empty themselves into the Thames the first two near Hampton-Court and the last near Richmond Guilford the County-Town bears from London South-West by West and by common Computation is distant from it 25 miles thus From London to Kingston 10 miles from Kingston to Cobham 7 and to Guilford 8 more A Town no less pleasantly than commodiously seated on the River Wey which affords a good Advantage to the Inhabitants in the Conveyance of their Goods in Barges up to London much facilitated by the several Landlocks or Sluces on the said River In old time it was the Royal Mansion of the English Saxon
the Prince of Orange's Forces coming this way from the West Which two days after was followed by his Desertion of that Place and soon after by the Desertion of the Crown and Government Moreover this City has been for several Ages honoured with the Title of an Earldom 1. in the persons of Patrick and William D'Evreux successively 2. In two Williams surnamed Long-Espèe the first a base Son of King Henry II. by Rosamond 3. In two Nevils both Richards by their Christen-names 4. In the person of George Duke of Clarence who married Isabel Daughter of Richard Earl of Warwick 5. In Edward eldest Son of King Richard III. 6. In Margaret Daughter of George Duke of Clarence created Countess of Salisbury by King Henry VIII And lastly in the Family that now injoy's it the first being Robert Cecil Lord of Essendine and Viscount Cranborn created Earl of Salisbury by King James I. Anno 1605. From whom is descended the present Earl James Cecil Lastly this City is a Place well inhabited and frequented injoying a good Trade And its Markets on Tuesdays and Saturdays are very considerable for all sorts of Provisions The other Market-Towns are Marlborough Sat. Malmsbu●y Sat. Chippenham Sat. Werminster Sat. Troubridge Sat. Cricklade Sat. Bradford Mund. Swindon Mund. Calne Tue. Auburn Tue. Lavington Wedn. Wilton Wedn. Highworth Wedn. Devizes Thu. Hindon Thu. Wooten-Basset Thu. Downton Frid. Amersbury Frid. Westbury Frid. Mere Marmister Among which Marlborough or Marleburgh is next to Salisbury the most considerable Town in this County The Town called anciently Cunetio in Antonine's Itinerarium as the River Kennet was upon which it stands but by the Normans in whose Time this Town revived out of the Ruins of the old it was named Marleburgh as being seated in a chalky Soil which in some Places is still called by the name of Marl. A Town stretched out from East to West upon the ascent of a Hill watered by the Kennet not far from the head of it and having the conveniency both of a Forest and Chase in its Neighbourhood the first called Savernake-Forest and the other Aldburn Chase It had once a Castle belonging unto John surnamed Sans Terre who afterwards was King of England The Castle still famous in our Law-Books for a Parliament there held in the Reign of King Henry III. in which were made the Statutes from hence called of Marleburgh for the suppressing of Tumults But King Charles 1. at this Coronation made it yet more notable in making it the Honour as it was the Neighbour of James Lord Ley Lord Treasurer created by that King Earl of Marlbourough Anno 1625. Which Title continued in three Persons more of his Name and Family and since the late Revolution was conferred by our present King upon the Right Honourable John Churchill the present Earl of Marlborough This Town has suffered very much by the frequent Misfortune of Fire under which it groans to this day Near unto this Place is a Village called Rockley from divers Stones like Rocks pitcht up on end Among which there sometimes breaks forth a violent Stream of Water called Hungersbourn by the Country-people by whom 't is reputed as the fore-runner of a Dearth Malmesbury another good Town stands in the North-West Parts of the County pleasantly seated on a Hill near the Spring of the River Avon over which it has six Bridges being almost incircled with that River Chippenham and Bradford are also seated on the Avon and Troubridge near it Amersbury or Ambresbury commonly pronounced Ambsbury on the other Avon near the Stone-henge and but 6 miles North of Salisbury Upon which River near the Confines of Hampshire you will find also the Town called Downton or Duncton Calne is situate on a River so called which runs from East to West into the Bristol Avon This Town is noted for the Provincial Synod held here in the Year 977 to determine the hot Disputes in those Times between the Monks and the Priests concerning Celibacy But whilst they were debating the Matter in hand the Convocation-house suddenly fell down by which Fall several were slain and many cruelly wounded Wilton is seated between two Rivers the Willy Northward and the Nadder Southward From the first it took its Denomination as the whole County from Wilton Once the chief Town thereof and a Bishops See honoured with the Residence of nine several Bishops But by translating the See to Salisbury and carrying thither withall the Thorough-fare into the West-Country which before was here it fell by little and little to decay So that it is at present but a mean Town Yet still a Borough-Town the Place where the Knights of the Shire are chosen and where the Sheriff keeps his monthly County-Courts Werminster of old Verlucio a Town in former Time of very good account is seated at the Springs of the River Willy otherwise called Willybourn Westbury and Devizes are two Borough-Towns that is such Towns as fend Burgesses to Parliament The first situate on the Broke a small River that falls into the Avon Devizes at the very head of another Stream bearing the Name of the Town which likewise do's empty it self into the Avon I pass by the rest as Inconsiderable to take notice of Clarendon a fine spacious Park lying near to and Eastward of Salisbury 'T is seated upon a Hill on which stand twenty Groves severally inclosed and each a mile in compass Adorned in Times past with a Royal House which in process of time is falnto ruin But more remarkable for that in the Reign of Henry the Second Anno 1164 here was made a certain Recognition and Record of the Customs and Liberties of the Kings of England before the Prelates and Peers of the Kingdom for the avoiding Dissentions between the Clergy the Judges and Barons of the R●●lm Which Act was called The Constitutions of Clarendon whereof so many as the Pope approved have been set down in the Tomes of the Councils and the rest omitted But that which has added more lustre to Clarendon is its being Dignify'd with the Title of an Earldom first in the person of Edward Hyde sometime Lord Chancellour of England who was created Viscount Cornbury in Oxfordshire and Earl of Clarendon by King Charles II Anno 1661. Upon whose Death at Rouen in Normandy Dec. 19th 1674 he was succeeded in his Title by his eldest Son Henry Hyde the present Earl of Clarendon To conclude this County which formerly was Part of the Kingdom of the West-Saxons and its Inhabitants part of the Belgae as the Romans called them is now in the Diocese of Salisbury Out of it are chosen besides the two Knights of the Shire no less than 32 Members to fit in Parliament Viz. two out of each of these following Towns New Sarum or Salisbury Wilton Downton Hindon Westbury Heytesbury Calne the Devizes Chippen ham Malmesbury Cricklade Great Bedwin Lurgershal Old Sarum Wootton Basset and Marlborough But we must not omit the famous Caves that ly in
fortified with a strong Castle wherein a Garrison is kept The Town is not very large but well built and well inhabited and as it has a commodious Key it injoy's a pretty good Trade Several Vessels belong unto this Town imploy'd especially in Herring-Fishing Season which are taken on this Coast in great plenty This Place is also noted for its famous Spaw which is much resorted unto But of late in a more particular manner for giving the Title of Earl to the Right Honourable Richard Lumley newly created Earl of Scarborough Between this Town and Whitby to the Northward is Robin Hoods Bay so called from Robin-Hood that noted Robber in the Reign of Richard I. About which is found a sort of Jeat or black Amber Whitby another Sea-Town is commodiously seated on the River Esk at its Influx into the Sea A pretty neat Town with a Bridge over the River and driving a good Trade chiefly for Allum and Butter Here is a Custom-House and great many Vessels belonging to the Town Formerly a Place of note for its Abbey but chiefly for the Abbess thereof S. Hilda so famed in her time for working of Miracles One of which Tradition tells us was her ridding this Part of the Country of Snakes which infected it much and conjuring of them into the Sea by her fervent Prayers Which is backed by those who aver that at the Root of the craggy Rocks that are upon the Shore therely Stones scattered here and there naturally as round as a Bullet In which Stones being broken are found stony Serpents wrapt round but most of them headless Not far from Whitby is Mulgrave an ancient Castle situate near unto the Sea and first built in the Time of Richard II by Peter de Mauley Who being pleased with it called it Mouligrace that is a fine Seat But as it proved a grievous Yoke to the neighbour Inhabitants they nicknamed it and called it Moultgrave since turned into Mulgrave by which Name it go's to this day It continued in this Line for 7 Generations and all of them called Peters too The Issue male failing it passed through several Families till it came to the Sheffields Out of which House Edmund Lord Sheffield of Butterwick Lord President of the North was created Earl of Mulgrave by King Charles I. Anno 1625. To whom succeeded in the Title Edmund his Grand-Son by Sir John Sheffield his second Son Who dying in the Year 1658. left his Title to his Son and Heir the Right Honourable John Sheffield the present Earl of Mulgrave Some miles West from Mulgrave Castle is a small Sea-Town called Skeningrave not to be omitted were it but for the following Account of the Seal-fish Hereabouts near unto Hunt-Cliff at low Water appear Rocks not far from the Shore about which the Seal-fish come in great Sholes and in fair and warm Weather ly sleeping and sunning themselves But as it has been observed while they ly thus asleep one of them is upon the Watch and acts the part of a Sentinel Who upon the appearance of any Danger gives the Signal by flouncing into the Water the Noise whereof awakes the rest and so they make their escape They are not afraid say's my Author of Women but only of Men and therefore they that catch 'em put on Womens Cloaths If when they are chased they find themselves too far from the Water their Way is with their hinder feet to fling Sand and Gravel backward in the Pursuers faces which forces 'em sometimes to quit the Sport Some miles from this Coast to the Southward is a Tract of Land called Cleveland taking that Name as Cambden tells us of the Cliffs or steep Banks which run all along the side thereof and at the foot of which the Country spreads it self into a fine fruitful Plain A Territory besides of a good extent which gave the Title of an Earl to Thomas Lord Wentworth created Earl of Cleveland by King Charles I. But leaving no Issue the Title died with him Anno 1670. King Charles II. conferred the Title of Dutchess of Cleveland upon Barbara Villiers Daughter to the Lord Viscount Grandison who was slain in the Civil Wars the Earl of Castlemain's Wife and Mother of three Dukes viz. the Duke of Southampton the Duke of Grafton and the Duke of Northumberland In this Tract I mean Cleveland is an ancient Castle called Danby seated near unto a large Park and a goodly Chase of the same Name It belonged anciently to the Lord Latimer and was sold with other Lands belonging to that Family to Ralph Nevil Earl of Westmorland who forthwith gave the same to his Son Sir George Nevil And not long after King Henry VI. summoned him to the Parliament by the Name of Lord Latimer Whose Issue male failing in Queen Elizabeths Time the Estate was divided between his two Daughters The Castle with the Lands adjoyning fell to the share of Mary Wife to Sir John Danvers of Wiltshire By whom she got Sir Henry Danvers Created by King James I. Lord Danvers of Danby and by King Charles I. Earl of Danby But he dying without Issue the Title lay dormant till revived by Charles II. By whom the Right Honourable Thomas Osborn now Marquess of Caermarthen was created Baron of Kineton and Viscount Latimer in the Year 1673 and Earl of Danby the next Year Gisborough is pleasantly seated in a Flat between Mulgrave and the River Tees A mean Town to what it was when it had its rich Abbey but of some note however for being the first place where Allum was made in England Not far from which is Roseberry-Topping a Hill Pyramid-like serving to Sailers for a Land-Mark and being to the Country-people a certain Sign of Rain when they see a Cloud over it Almost at the top of it is a Spring of Water coming out of a huge Rock counted good for sore Eyes Stokesley is a Market-Town well watered with fresh Streams Yarum but a mean Town is seated on the Tees which divides this County from the Bishoprick of Durham and over which it has a fair Stone-Bridge North-Allerton a large Borough-Town stands near the Wisk a small Stream that falls into the Swale And Thirsk is a small Borough-Town that had once a very strong Castle Bedal Middleham and Masham are all three in Richmondshire The first seated on the Swale and a small Stream that falls there into it Middleham and Masham on the Youre And not far from Masham is Aldborough an ancient Borough-Town New Malton Pickering Kirby-Moreside and Helmley ly all four Eastward not far distant from each other nor from the Sea The first a Borough-Town is seated on the Banks of the River Derwent over which it has a Stone-bridge and contains 3 Parish Churches being well-inhabited and accommodated with good Inns for Travellers It s Market on Saturdays is counted one of the best in all the County for Horses living Cattle Provisions and most Country-Commodities especially Tools for Husbandry The other
of the Kings of England when all Christendom in the Council of Constance was divided into Nations the English was one of the Principal and not Subaltern having its Voice of equal ballance with the Nations of France or Italy In those General Councils the Emperor of Germany was counted Major Filius Ecclesiae the King of France Minor Filius and the King of England Filius tertius adoptivus Whereas with submission methinks it had been more proper especially in such Assemblies to look upon the King of England as Primogenitus Ecclesiae the Eldest Son of the Church out of respect to the British King Lucius who as I said before was the first King in the World that imbraced Christianity In those Councils the King of France had place next the Emperour on his right hand the King of England next on his left hand and the King of Scotland next before Castille However the King of England acknowledges no Precedence to any Monarch but only to the Emperour and that upon the Score of Antiquity For the Crown of England is free and independent and therefore has been declared in Parliaments long since to be an Imperial Crown CHAP. VIII Of the Solemn Proclamation and Coronation of the King of England THE Kings of England are both Proclaimed and Crowned with so much Solemnity that it won't be improper to describe the Manner of it it being a Solemnity not at all disagreeable to the Design of this Work I begin with the Proclamation which is the first Step to the Crown And being we are upon the New State of England I shall describe the Manner how the present King William and Queen Mary were Proclaimed at Whitehall-Gate within Temple-Bar in Cheap-side● and the Royal Exchange Which happened o● the 13th of Febr. Anno 1688 9. The Lords and Commons being then Assembled at Westminster came to the Banquetting-House where they presented the Princ● and Princess of Orange the Instrument in Writing agreed upon for Declaring Their Highnesse KING and QUEEN of England France and Ireland with all the Dominions and Te●tories thereunto belonging and received Their Consent thereto About 11 of the Clock the said Lords and Commons came down to Whitehall Gate preceded by the Speakers of their respective Hous●● viz. the Marquess of Hallifax Speaker 〈…〉 Lords and Henry Powle Esq Speaker of 〈…〉 mons each of them attended by a 〈…〉 Arms in order to see Their Majesties 〈…〉 Being come down to the Gate there they found the Heralds of Arms the Sergeants at Arms the Trumpets and other Officers all in readiness being assembled by Order from the Duke of Norfolk Earl Marshal of England And Sr. Thomas S. George Knight Garter Principal King of Arms having received a Proclamation in Writing with an Order from the Lords House to the King's Heralds and Pursuivants of Arms for Publishing or Proclaiming the same forthwith the Persons concerned disposed themselves in Order before the Court-Gate for making the said Proclamation The Trumpets having sounded a Call three several times the last of which was answered by a great Shout of the vast Multitudes of People there assembled the Noise ceasing the said Garter King of Arms read the' Proclaimation by short Sentences or Periods Which was thereupon proclaimed aloud by Robert Devenish Esq York Herald being the Senior Herald in these Words VVHEREAS it has pleased Almighty God in his great Mercy to this Kingdom to vouchsafe as a Miraculous Deliverance from Popery and Arbitrary Power and that our Preservation is due next unto God to the Resolution and Conduct of His Highness the Prince of Orange whom God has chosen to be the Glorious Instrument of such an Inestimable Happiness to us and our Posterity And being highly sensible and fully persuaded of the Great and Eminent Vertues of her Highness the Princess of Orange whose Zeal for the Protestant Religion will no doubt bring a Blessing along with Her upon the Nation And whereas the Lords and Commons now Assembled at Westminster have made a Declaration and presented the same to the said Prince and Princess of Orange and therein desired Them to Accept the Crown who have Accepted the same accordingly We therefore the Lords Spiritual and Temporal and Commons Together with the Lord Mayor and Citizens of London and others of the Commons of this Realm Do with a full Consent Publish and Proclaim according to the said Declaration William and Mary Prince and Princess of Orange to be KING and QVEEN of England France and Ireland with all the Dominions and Territories thereunto belonging Who are accordingly so to be owned deemed accepted and taken by all the People of the aforesaid Realms and Dominions who are henceforward bound to acknowledge and pay unto The● all Faith and true Allegiance Beseeching God by whom Kings Reign to bless KING WILLIAM and QVEEN MARY with long and happy Years to Reign over us God save King William and Queen Mary Jo. Brown Cleric Parliamentorum Which being ended and the Trumpe● sounding a Flourish was answered by several repeated Shouts of the People And Direction being given to proclaim the same with in Temple-Bar in Cheap-side and at the Royal-Exchange the Proceeding marched in this manner I. The several Beadles of the Liberties of Westminister II. The Constables of the said Liberties all on foot with the high-Constable on horseback III. The Head-Bayliff of Westminster and his Men all on horseback with white Staves to clear the Way IV. A Class of Trumpets nine in all on horse-back the six first riding two and two and the three last together Followed by the Sergeant-Trumpeter carrying his Mace on the Shoulder V. A Pursuivant of Arms single a Pursui ●ant and a Sergeant at Arms and next an ●ther Pursuivant and 〈◊〉 Sergeant at Arms. The Pursuivants in ●heir rich Coats of the ●oyal Arms and each ●f the Sergeants carry●●g his Mace on his Shoulder all of them on horse-back VI. Four Heralds of Arms one after another each with a Sergeant at Arms on his left hand carrying his Mace on the Shoulder and the Heralds being all in their rich Coats of the Royal Arms. VII Garter King of Arms in his rich Coat of Arms carrying the Proclamation Accompany'd with Sr. Tho. Duppa Kt. Gentleman Vsher of the Black Rod in his Crimson Mantle of the Order of the Garter and his Black Rod of Office likewise on Horseback VIII The Speaker of the House of Lords in his Coach Attended by Sr. Roger Harsnet eldest Sergeant at Arms with his Mace IX The Speaker of the House of Commons in his Coach Attended by John Topham Esq Sergeant at Arms to the said House with his Mace X. The Duke of Norfolk Earl Marshal and Primier Duke of England in his Coach● with his Marshal's Staff in his hand XI The Peers in order in their Coaches XII The Members of the House of Commons in their Coaches In this Order they proceeded towards Temple-Bar And being come as far as the May-pole in the Strand two
of the Officers of Arms with a Sergeant at Arms and two Trumpets went before to Temple-Bar where the Lord Mayor Aldermen and Sheriffs were by this time arrived and had ordered the Gates to be shut The Herald at Arms knocked thereat and the Sheriffs being come to the Gate on Horse-back he acquainted them That he came by Order of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal assembled at Westminster to demand Entrance into that famous City for the Proclaiming of WILLIAM and MART King and Queen of England France and Ireland and the Dominions and Territories thereunto belonging and therefore required their speedy Answer Whereupon the said Sheriffs ordered the Gates to be opened Thus the Head-Bayliff Constables and Beadles of Westminster being left without the Bar the rest of the Proceeding entered Where they found the Lord Mayor Aldermen Recorder and Sheriffs all in their Formalities and on Horse-back Except the Lor● Mayor who was in his Coach attended by the Sword-bearer and other of his Officers The Proceeding being there joyfully received they made a Stand between the two Temple-Gates and Proclaimed Their Majesties a second time From whence they marched towards Cheapside a Class of the City-Trumpets and the Lord Mayor's Livery-men leading the Way the said Aldermen and Lord Mayor falling into the Proceeding And near Wood-street end the Place where Cheap-side Cross formerly stood they made another stand and Proclaimed Their Majesties a third time At last arriving at the Royal Exchange about two of the Clock they Proclaimed Them a fourth time Each Proclamation was ecchoed with universal Acclamations of Joy by the Multitudes of people which crowded the Streets Windows and Balconies the Streets all the way from Temple-Bar to the Royal Exchange being lined with four Regiments of the City Militia And the Night was concluded with Bonfires Ringing of Bells and all other Expressions of Duty and Affection towards Their Majesties King WILLIAM and Queen MARY with hearty Wishes for Their long and happy Reign Their Coronation was performed at Westminster in Manner following Apr. 11th 1689. Their Majesties being come about Noon from Whitehall to the Palace at Westminster where the Nobility and others who were to go into the Proceeding were assembled came down in State from the House of Lords to Westminster-Hall then fitted up for this great Solemnity Where being seated on the Throne the Sword of State the Curtana or pointless Sword being an Emblem of Mercy and the two pointed Swords together with the gold Spurs were presented to Their Majesties and laid on a Table before Them Then the Dean and Prebends of Westminster having before brought the Crowns and other Regalia in solemn Procession from the Collegiate Church there came up the Hall and presented them severally to Their Majesties Which being likewise laid on the Table were together with the four Swords and Spurs delivered to the Lords appointed to carry them in the Procession which was thus First marched The Drums and Trumpets The Six Clerks in Chancery two abreast as the rest of the Proceeding went Chaplains having Dignities The Aldermen of London Masters in Chancery Sollicitor and Attorney General Gentlemen of the Privy Chamber Judges Then the Children of Westminster and of the King's Chappel The Choir of Westminster Gentlemen of the Chappel Prebend of Westminster Master of the Jewel-House Privy Counsellors not Peers Two Pursuivants The Baronesses Barons Bishops A Pursuivant A Vicountess The Vicounts Two Heralds The Dutchesses The Dukes Two Kings of Arms. The Lord Privy Seal Lord President of the Council Arch-bishop of York The Prince of Denmark Two Persons in Robes of State representing the Dukes of Aquitain and Normandy Next the Lords who bore Their Majesties Regalia with the Sergeants at Arms going on each side of them Viz. The Earl of Manchester carrying S. Edward's Staff and the Lord Grey of Ruthen now Vicount of Longueville the Spurs The Earl of Clare carrying the Queen's Scepter with the Cross and the Earl of Northampton the King's The Earls of Shrewsbury Derby and Pembroke the three Swords Then Garter King Arms between the Vsher of the Black Rod and the Lord Mayor of London The Lord Great Chamberlain single The Earl of Oxford with the Sword of State between the Duke of Norfolk Earl Marshal and the Duke of Ormond Lord High Constable for that Day Next the Earl of Bedford with the Queen's Scepter of the Dove and the Earl of Rutland with the Kings The Duke of Bolton with the Queens Orb and the Duke of Grafton with the Kings The Duke of Somerset with the Queen's Crown and the Earl of Devonshire Lord Steward of the King's Houshold and Lord High Steward of England for that Day with the King's Crown The Bishop of London with the Bible between the Bishop of S. Asaph with the Paten and the Bishop of Rochester with the Chalice The KING and QUEEN followed next under a rich Canopy born by Sixteen Barons of the Cinque-Ports the King assisted by the ●ishop of Winchester and the Queen by the Bishop of Bristol Both Their Majesties array'd in Royal Robes of Crimson Velvet furred with Ermine the King with a Velvet Cap and the Queen with a gold Circlet on her head His Majesties Train born by the Master of the Robes assisted by the Lords Eland Willoughby Lansdowne and Dunblain and Her Majesties by the Dutchess of Somerset assisted by the Ladies Eliz. Pawlet Diana Vere Eliz. Cavendish and Henrietta Hyde The Gentlemen Pensioners marched on each side of the Canopy Next to the King followed a Gentleman and two Grooms of the Bed-Chamber And after the Queen a Lady of the Bed-Chamber and two of Her Majesties Women Who were followed by the Captain of His Majesties Gard between the Captain of the Yeomen of the Gard and the Captain of the Band of Pensioners And these by the Officers and Band of the Yeomen of the Gard who closed the Proceeding Thus Their Majesties with all the Nobility in Crimson-Velvet Robes and their Coronets in their hands and the rest of the Proceeding being richly habited or wearing their proper and peculiar Robes proceeded on foot upon blue Cloth spread from the Steps of the Throne in Westminster-Hall to the Steps of the Theater in the Quire of the Collegiate Church of S. Peter Westminster The whole Passage was Railed in and Garded with Their Majesties Horse and Foot-Gards all the Way and Houses on each side being Crowded with vast Number of Spectators expressing their great Joy and Satisfaction by loud repeated Acclamations Being entred the Church and the Nobility and others all duly placed Their Majesties ascended the Theater Who being seated in their Chairs of State the Bishop of London who performed this great Solemnity began with the Recognition which ended with a mighty Shout Then Their Majesties Offered and the Lords who bore the Regalia presented them at the Altar where they were deposited After that the Litany was sung by two Bishops And after the Epistle Gospel and Nicene Creed the Bishop
Fee-simple make Leases and Grants and sue in her own Name without the King which is not in the power of any other Feme-covert or married Woman to do A Queen Dowager or Widow-Queen is still Respected as a Queen in her Widowhood and keeps a Court accordingly And though she should marry a private Gentleman as did Queen Catharine King Henry the Fifths Widow she does not lose her Dignity By the Sons and Daughters of England I mean the King's Children So called because all the Subjects of England have a special Interest i● Them though their Education and the Disposing of Them is only in the King The Eldest Son commonly called the Prince of Wales is born Duke of Cornwal and afterwards created Prince of Wales Upon his Birth he is by Law of full Age to sue for the Livery of the said Dukedom as if he were full a Years of Age. But so much of the Lands 〈◊〉 Demesns of it have been Alienated that h● Revenues are chiefly out of the Tin-Mines i● Cornwall Which with all other Profits of the Dutchy amount yearly to the Sum of 140● Pounds and the Prince's whole Revenues to about 20000 l. When King Edward I had compleated the Conquest of Wales He divided it into Seven Shires to which Henry VIII added five more out of the March Lands Over each of the Seven Shires King Edward placed a particular English Lieutenant and over the whole he designed a Vicegerent The Welch being disgusted at this He sent for his Queen then great with Child to Caernarvan where she was delivered of a Son Upon the News whereof the King assembled the Chief Men of that Nation and offered to name them a Governour born in Wales who could not speak one word of English and against whose Life they could take no just exception Such a one when they had all sworn to obey he named his young Son Edward Whereupon He created him Prince of Wales and since that time the Kings of England eldest Sons have been called Princes of Wales Whereas while Normandy was in the Power of the English which lasted till the Reign of King John they were stiled Dukes of Normandy The Investiture is performed by the Imposition of a Cap of Estate and a Coronet on the Princes Head as a Token of his Principality by delivering into his hand a Verge of Gold the Emblem of Government by putting a Gold Ring on his Finger in token that he must be a Husband to his Country and a Father to her Children and by giving him a Patent to hold the said Principality to Him and his Heirs Kings of England By which Words the Separation of it from the Crown is prohibited and the King keeps to himself an excellent Occasion of obliging unto Him his Son when he pleases In Imitation of which Custom John I King of Castille and Leon made his Son Henry Prince of the Asturias a Country so Craggy and Mountainous that it may not improperly be called the Wales of Spain And all the Spanish Princes ever since have been honoured with that Title The Mantle worn in Parliament by the Prince of Wales has for Distinctions sake one gard more than a Duke's his Coronet of Crosses and Flower de luces and his Cap of State indented His Arms differ from the Kings only by addition of a Label of three points And his peculiar Device is a Coronet beautified with three Ostrich Feathers inscribed with ICH DIEN that is I serve Alluding perhaps to that in the Gospel The Heir while he is a Child differs not from a Servant Which Device was born at the Battel of Cressy by John King of Bohemia serving there under the French King and there slain by Edward the Black Prince Since worn by the Princes of Wales and by the Vulgar called the Princes Arms. In short the King of England's Eldest Son has ever since been stiled Prince of Wales Duke of Aquitain and Cornwal and Earl of Chester and Flint these Earldoms being conferred upon him by Letters Patent As Eldest Son to the King of Scotland he is Duke of Rothsay and Seneschal of Scotland from his Birth Though he is a Subject yet the Law looks upon his Person as so Sacred that it is high Treason to imagine his Death or violate his Wife The Younger Sons of England depend altogether upon the King's Favour both for Titles of Honour and Revenues sutable to their Birch For they are not born Dukes or Earls but are so created according to the Kings Pleasure Neither have they as in France certain Appanages but only what Revenue the King pleases to bestow upon them They are indeed by Birth-right as well as the Prince of Wales Counsellors of State whereby they may fit themselves to manage the weighty Affairs of the Kingdom The Daughters are called Princesses And to violate them unmarried is High Treason The Title of Royal Highness is common to all the King's Children All Subjects ought to be uncovered in their Presence to kneel when they are admitted to kiss their hands and to be served on the Knee at Table unless the King be present Lastly all Persons of the Royal Bloud being a Lawful Issue have the Precedency of all others in England As for the King 's Natural or Illegitimate Sons and Daughters they are commonly created Dukes and Dutchesses and bear what Surname the King pleases to give them King Henry I. and Charles II. of blessed Memory are noted to have had the most of any CHAP. XII Of the Nine Great Officers of the Crown NEXT to the Royal Family the Great Officers of the Crown come of course to be Inquired into which are Nine in Number Viz. The Lord High Steward The Lord High Chancellor The Lord High Treasurer The Lord President of the Kings Council The Lord Privy Seal The Lord Great Chamberlain The Lord High Constable The Lord Earl Marshal The Lord High Admiral The Lord High Steward of England is the highest Officer under the King His Office not unlike that of the Mayre of the Pallace under the ancient Kings of France is to rule and govern the Kingdom under the King in Time of Peace and War during his Reign Which Power being thought too large and exorbitant for a Subject to have this Great Officer has been discontinned ever since Henry of Bullingbrock Son to John of Gaunt Duke of Lancaster afterwards King of England under the Name of Henry IV. Only at a Coronation also for the Trial of a Peer or Peeress for Treason or Felony or some other great Crime the King makes a High Steward for that Time Who during his Stewardship is called His Grace and bears a white Staff in his hand which he openly breaks when the Business is over and so ends his Office By virtue of his Office at a Coronation he sits Judicially at the King's Pallace at Westminster Where he receives the Bills and Petitions of all such Noblemen and others who by reason of their Tenure or otherwise
claim to do Services at the King's Coronation and to receive the accustomed Fees and Allowances In the Procession on the Coronation-Day 't is he that carries the King's Crown The Right Honourable the Earl of Devonshire was honoured with this great Office in the last Coronation Upon the Trial of a Peer he sits under a Cloth of State and his Commission is to proceed secundum Legem Consuetudinem Angliae He is not Sworn nor the Lords who are the Tryers of the Peer arraigned and tho he call all the Judges of the Land to assist him yet he is the sole Judge Next to the Lord High Steward is the Lord High Chancellour who in Civil Affairs now there is no High Steward is the highest Person in the Kingdom next to the Royal Family as the Arch-bishop of Canterbury is in Ecclesiastical His Oath is to do Right to all manner of People rich and poor after the Laws and Customs of the Realm truly to counsel the King and keep secret the King's Counsel to stand for the Rights of the Crown c. The Great Seal of England is in his Custody He is the Judge of the Court of Chancery otherwise called the Court of Equity where he is to judge not according to the Rigour and Letter of the Law but with Equity and Conscience He also bestow's all Ecclesiastical Benefices in the King's Gift under 20 l. a Year in the King's Books Since the Reign of Henry VII this great Office has been commonly executed by Lawyers whereas formerly Bishops and other Clergy-men learned in the Civil Laws were usually intrusted with it The Lord High Chancellour holds his Place but durante Regis Beneplacito during the King's Pleasure And his Place is counted to be worth 8000 l. a Year Anciently he had sometimes a Vice-Chancellour commonly called Keeper of the Great Seal But of later Times they differ only in Name For the late Kings have always beflowed the Great Seal either with the Title of Lord Keeper or of Lord Chancellour but still with the same Power and Right of Precedence Only the Lord Chancellour receives a Patent from the King for his Office which the Lord Keeper do's not and by the Title of Chancellour he is lookt upon as in greater favour with the King But his present Majesty since his Accession to the Crown thought fit to have this Office managed by Commissioners and accordingly it has been hitherto managed by three Lords Commissioners The third Great Officer of the Crown is the Lord High Treasurer who has the Charge and Government of all the King's Revenue kept in the Exchequer He has the Gift of all Customers Comptrolers and Searchers in all the Ports of England and the Nomination of all Escheators in every County He has also the Check of all the Officers imploy'd in collecting all the Revenues of the Crown He has power either by himself or with others joyned in Commission with him to let Leases of all the Crown-Lands And it is he that gives Warrants to certain Persons of Quality to have their Wine Custom-free Anciently he received this Office and Dignity by the delivery of the golden Keys of the Treasury which is now done by delivery of a white Staff to him by the King His Oath do's not differ much from that of the Lord Chancellour and he holds his Place as he do's during his Majesties Pleasure His Place is also reckoned to be worth 8000 l. per ann But this great Office is now executed by four Persons called the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury Next is the Lord President of the King 's Privy Council an Officer as ancient as King John's Time made by the King's Letters Patent under the Great Seal durante Beneplacito His Office is to manage the Debates in Council to propose Matters from the King and report the Transactions to his Majesty In the late Reigns this Office was often supplied by the Chancellour Next to the Lord President is the Lord Privy Seal whose Office is of great Trust and Skill He is so called from the Privy Seal which is in his custody All Charters and Grants of the King and all Pardon 's signed by the King pass through his hands before they come to the Great Seal of England And h●● ought not to put this Seal to any Grant with● out good Warrant under the King 's Privy Signet nor with Warrant if it be agains● Law or Custom until the King be first acquainted He manages also divers other Matters of less concernment which do not pass the Great Seal He is by his Place of the King 's Privy Council and takes his Oath accordingly besides a particular Oath as Lord Privy Seal Whe● there is a Court of Requests he is the chie● Judge of it His Place is also during the King's Pleasure 〈◊〉 and his Salary is 1500 l. per annum The sixth Great Officer of the Crown i● the Lord Great Chamberlain of England an Officer of State and of great Antiquity whose chief Business is on the Coronation-Day For it is his Office that Day to bring the King his Shirt Coyf and Wearing Cloaths before his Majesty rises and to carry at the Coronation the Coyf Gloves and Linnen to be used by the King upon that Occasion In the Church where the King is Crowned he undresses and attires his Majesty with Robes Royal and give● Him the Gold which is offered by Him at the Altar Before and after Dinner he serves the King with Water to wash his hands For this Service he has 40 Ells of Cri●●son Velver for-his own Robes the King 's Be● and all the Furniture of his Bed-Chamber all the King's Night-Apparel and the Baso● and Towels used at Dinner for his Fees He has also Livery and Lodging in the King's Court certain ●ees from all Peers of the Realm at their Creation and from each Arch-Bishop or Bishop when they do their Ho●●age or Fealty to the King To him belongs the Care of providing all Things in the House of Lords in Parliament-Time and therefore has an Apartment allowed him near the House of Lords This Office is Hereditary and belongs to the Earls of Lindsey The Lord High Constable is another great Officer but of too great Authority and Power to be continued and therefore is only created for the Solemnity of the King's Coronation The Duke of Ormond was High Constable in the last The next is the Earl Marshal of England an Officer of great Antiquity and anciently of great Power His proper Office is to summon the Nobility to the King's Coronation with such Directions for State and publick Appearance as becomes that Solemnity He also takes Cognizance of Matters of War and Arms out of the reach of the Common Law and in these Matters he is commonly guided by the Civil Law Neither can any obtain a Coat of Arms but he must first apply himself to the Earl Marshal to whom the Heralds Colledge is subordinate The last is the Lord
High Admiral of England an Office held by Patent and of so great a Trust that it has usually been given to Princes of the Royal Bloud For the Lord High Admiral is Intrusted with no less than the Management of all Maritime Affairs with the Government of the King's Navy with Power of Decision in all Causes Maritime aswell Civil as Criminal of all Things done upon or beyond the Sea in any Part of the World in all Ports and Havens upon the Sea-Coasts and all Rivers below the first Bridge next towards the Sea In short the Admiralty being in a manner a separate Kingdom from the rest the Lord High Admiral may be reputed at least the Viceroy thereof A Multitude of Officers high and low are under him both at Sea and Land some of a Military others of a Civil Capacity some Judicial others Ministerial And under him is held the High Court of Admiralty the Places and Offices whereof are in his Gift The last High Admiral of England was the late King when Duke of York For since he came to the Crown the Office was executed by Seven Lords Commissioners as it is to this day CHAP. XIII Of Their present Majesties King WILLIAM and Queen MARY With a brief Account of Their Accession to the Crown KING WILLIAM our present Monarch is the only Issue of the late Illustrious Prince William of Nassaw Prince of Orange and of the Deceased Princess Royal Mary eldest Daughter to King Charles I who was wedded to the foresaid Prince in the Year 1641. His Majesty was born in Holland Nov. 4th 1650 ten days after his Fathers Death and was Christened by the Names of William Henry William being his Fathers Name and Henry his Grandfathers The House of Nassaw is an Ancient and most Illustrious Family so called from Nassaw a Town and County in Weteravia a Province of Germany That Branch of it from whence the King is descended had their usual Seat at Dillenburg not far from Nassaw before they settled in the Low-Countries whence for Distinctions sake they were named the Earls of Nassaw of the House of Dillenburg Otho of Nassaw who died Anno 1190 was the Founder of the present Family of the Princes of Orange out of which descended Adolph Earl of Nassaw who was chosen Emperour in the Year 1292. By the Marriage of Engelbert the seventh Earl of this House with Mary Daughter and Heir of Philip Lord of Breda in Brabant that Town and Barony with many other fair Estates in the Netherlands was added to the Family And by the Marriage of Henry the tenth Earl of Nassaw Anno 1515. with Claude of Chalons Sister and Heir of Philibert Prince of Orange this Principality bordering upon Provence and Dauphene within the Dominions of France accrued to the Family So much the worse for having so ill an Neighbour as the present French King who has long since rapaciously seized upon it but left however what he could not take away the King 's just Title to it In short our Gracious King William is the 18th Earl of Nassaw beginning with Otho aforesaid and the 7th Prince of Orange of his Family beginning with Rene of Nassaw Son of Henry and Claude who succeeded Philibert his Uncle in the Principality of Orange A Family as much honoured for the personal Merit of the Princes of it as any other in Europe and to which the States of Holland ow the Liberty and Greatness they injoy All the World knows how great a Patron and Assertor of the Belgick Liberties against the Spaniard was the most noble and generous Prince William of Nassaw one of his Majestie● Ancestors And to pass by the generous Exploits of his noble Successors till the present King William 't is well known what his Majestly has done to rescue not only his Native Country but the best Part of Europe from its Oppressors It has been of late Years both at home and abroad the Maxim of some Princes to outvy each other in preying upon and destroying not only their Neighbours but their own Protestant Subjects by all Methods of Perfidiousness and Cruelty To establish or maintain their Tyranny they went about to introduce a general Ignorance For where Subjects part with their Reason 't is easy for them to part with their Liberty witness those miserable Inslaved Countries where Popery domineers On the contrary the House of Orange has always appeared against that ravenous and inhumane Principle And as if Providence had appointed them for a Check to Tyranny God has been pleased accordingly to bless their just Indeavours Never the Liberty of England and the Protestant Interest in general lay more at stake than it did in the late Reign 'T is plain there was a general Design to extirpate Herely in a Popish Sense and to inslave all Europe The Plot was laid in the Reign of blessed King Charles who with a shew of Proteslantism made the Way smooth for Popery At last when all Things were finely prepared to the hand of his next Heir King Charles go's off the Stage and his Brother to play the last Act enters and ascends the Throne No Prince more Courteous more Obliging or more Promising at first than He was to his new Subjects The Church of England Triumphed in his Exaltation and Addressed Him from all Parts of the Kingdom as their Tutela● Angel The People in general look'd upon him as an Incomparable Hero who would quickly make it his Business to pull down the Hector of France and to carry the Glory of England beyond all his Predecessors In short so great were the Hopes of this King that Edward III and Henry V the most glorious Monarchs of England were upon his Account to be hissed out of our English Chronicles No body dreamed of a Popish Catechism to be the first step to this Glory nor of an Army to be raised for the defence of it Under whose shelter besides a secret League with France the Prerogative began presently to swell above its Banks the Laws to be Overwhelmed the Liberty and Property of the Subject Invaded the Church of England Crushed that had raised the King to the Throne Popery crowing over all the Nation and to crown all their Hopes presto a Prince of Wales In short to speak in terms of War the Miner was fix'd and we must either Surrender or be Stormed This was our Condition when the Prince of Orange our present King undertook our Deliverance and effected it under God in a miraculous manner Upon whose Approach our Mass-Hero fled left us to shift for our selves and the Popish Party to the mercy of the Rabble This hapned Dec. 11th 1688 a fatal Year in this and the foregoing Age to Popery i● England In that state of Anarchy what could the Nation do less than provide for a Settlement under the gracious Influences of the Prince Which was accordingly done in as regular 〈◊〉 Way as the present state of Affairs would ●ow King James having thus deserted the
Go●ernment nine and twenty of the Lords Spi●●al and Temporal such as ●●●ned to be at ●t time in and about the Cities of London ●d Westminster immediately assembled at ●ildhall Where they unanimously Re●●ved to apply themselves to His Highness 〈◊〉 Prince of Orange and to assist Him ●●th their utmost Endeavours in the ob●●ing with all speed such a free Parliament 〈◊〉 the security of our Laws Liberties and ●operties as thereby the Church of England 〈◊〉 particular with a due Liberty to Prote●●nt Dissenters and in general the Protestant ●eligion and Interest over the whole World ●ight be supported and incouraged to the ●lory of God the Happiness of these King●oms and the Advantage of all Princes and ●ates in Christendom Whereof they made publick Declaration signed by every one of 〈◊〉 Lords amongst which the Earl of Pem●ke the Lord Viscount Weymouth the Bishop 〈◊〉 Ely and the Lord Culpeper were chosen to ●tend forthwith His Highness with the said ●eclaration and at the same time acquaint 〈◊〉 with what they had further done at that ●eeting Few days after this the Lord Mayor Alder●en and Commons of the City of London in ●mmon Council Assembled made an humble ●ddress to the Prince wherein they returned 〈◊〉 Highness their Thanks for his glorious Un●rtaking to rescue these Kingdoms from Po●ry and Slavery look'd upon him as their Re●●e implored his Protection and humbly be●ght Him to repair to this City where he should be received with Universal Joy and S●tisfaction The Prince was then at Henley where he r●ceived the Addressers in the most obliging ma●ner with A●●rances of his Protection a● of his Readiness to comply with their D●fires In the mean time King James was unhappi● taken in a Disguise at Feversham in Kent as 〈◊〉 was going for France Where being soon D● covered he was at last prevailed upon to Return so that his Guards and Coach being se● for Him he came back to Whitehall Sund●● Dec. 16 and reassumed the Government Whil● King James came up to London from the South the Prince made his Way thither from t●● West in hopes that his Majesty would come 〈◊〉 an amicable and equitable Accommodation by referring all Grievances to a free Parl●●ment But the King not being able to bear the h●● of a Free Parliament after so many notori●● Violations of the Laws of the Realm grew fo● uneasy at Whitehall and his Heart beat ag● for France as his only Place of Refuge 〈◊〉 Rochester he goes from whence few Days ●●ter he privately Withdrew himself the sec●● time but with more success than the 〈◊〉 For he got clear to France where the Qu●● and the supposed Prince of Wales had so● time before taken Sanctuary Mean while the Prince of Orange was 〈◊〉 to St. James's Dec. 19th where his High●● received the Compliments of all the Nobi●● and other Persons of the chiefest quality Town and at Night the Streets were 〈◊〉 with Bonfires with Ringing of Bells and ther publick Demonstrations of Joy Then the Scene of Affairs was so very much ●ered that nothing but a new Settlement ●●uld Resettle us In order to which a great Assembly of Lords and Commons Members of ●rmer Parliaments besides the Lord Mayor ●ldermen and Common Council of the City of London was held at Westminster to consult ●hat was fit to be done Who after some De●●tes upon the present Juncture came to this resolve that his Highness the Prince of O●●nge should be humbly Intreated to Summon 〈◊〉 Convention of Lords and Commons by his Cir●ular Letters these to be chosen by the People in a Parliamentary Way to meet at Westminster on ●he 22th of January following And that His sighness in the mean time would be pleased ●o take upon Him the Administration of pub●ick Affairs both Civil and Military and the disposal of the publick Revenue Which was ●one accordingly The Convention being met at the Time ●ppointed the House of Commons broke the 〈◊〉 Voted the Abdication of the Govern●ent by King James and the Vacancy of the ●●rone that is in short a Dissolution of the whole Frame of Government The House of Lords being divided as to the Word Abdicate ●●d several Conferences about it with the Com●ons till at last their Lordships Concurred with them by Plurality of Votes Which hap●ed on the 6th of Febr the same Day upon which King James had ascended the Throne The Government being thus declared in a ●ate of Dissolution and the Throne Vacant ●he next Business was to Resettle the first by ●lling up the last It was then in their power 〈◊〉 bestow the Crown upon whom they pleased 〈◊〉 after several Debates the Two Houses at last fully agreed upon a joynt Declaration concerning the Misgovernment of King James the Offer of the Crown to the Prince and Prince of Orange the Abrogation of the Oaths of Allegiance and Supremacy and the new Oaths t● be taken instead of them All this was done by the 12th of February upon which Day Her Royal Highness the Princess of Orange arrived at Whitehall about tw● in the Afternoon the welcome News whereo● was received with universal Demonstrations o● Joy The next Day Febr. 13th both Houses being Assembled at Westminster came to th● Banqueting House where they presented t● the Prince and Princess of Orange the Instrument in Writing agreed upon for Declarin● Their Highnesses KING and QUEEN o● England France and Ireland with all the Dominions and Territories thereunto belonging and received Their Consent Whereupon Their Majesties were immediately Proclaimed in tha● solemn Manner as I have already described i● the Seventh Chapter And thus was accomplished the Curse of King James J a Prince whose Learned Pen baffle● all the Conclave which he solemnly pronounced on any of his Posterity that should turn Papists I am heartily sorry that it should fall 〈◊〉 heavy upon the late King but it is better so than that three Kingdoms should perish And yet had he kept within some reasonable Bounds and his Religion to himself withou● his open Violations of the Laws as it were i● defiance 't is very likely the Nation would ha●● been upon his account very indulgent to th● Roman Catholick Party They might have g● by this means some legal Toleration which 〈◊〉 the space of few Years would have Incoura●●d and Strengthned their Party here conside●bly So quick of growth are the Roman ●atholicks where they find Incourage●ent Therefore the very Court of France did o●enly declare his Errors to the World and ●ssed this Verdict upon him That his whole ●onduct had been very little Judicious The ●mperour on the other side in his Letter to ●ing James from Vienna Apr. 9. 1689 could ●●t forbear amongst his tender condoling ●xpressions to tell him the Cause of his ●in But King James would never be advised to Moderation and no Counsellors were welcome 〈◊〉 him but such as prompted him to Vio●nce The Issue whereof proved accordingly ●ll Covet all Lose I conclude with a Character of Their
Four Daily Waiters each 150 00 00       Eight Quarter-Waiters each 50 00 00       Four Grooms each 20 00 00 53 00 00 To the Presence Chamber Four Gentlemen Vshers Daily Waiters each 20 00 00 130 00 00 Eight Gentlemen Vshers Quarter-Waiters each 10 00 00 140 00 00 Two Barbers each 20 00 00 180 00 00 Four Pages each 02 00 00 23 00 00 Amongst which the Gentlemen Vshers Daily Waiters attend next to the King's Person and after the Lord Chamberlain and the Vice-Chamberlain they order all Affairs The chief of them is called the Black-Rod from a black Staff which he bears in his hand Of whom I shall speak more at large in another place To the Great Chamber   Per Annum   Wages Board-wages Fourteen Grooms or Messengers each 40 00 00       As to the Bed-Chamber 'T is under the peculiar Direction and Conduct of the Groom of the Stole so called from the Latine Stola a Robe of State or long Robe His Office is to put on the Kings first Garment or Shirt every Morning and to order the Things of the Bed-Chamber His Wages are 33 06 08 Board-Wages 966 13 04 In all 1000 00 00 He is the first Gentleman of the Bed-Chamber whereof there are nine in all Their Wages each 1000 00 00 They are usually of the prime Nobility And their Office in general is to wait each of them in his turn one Week of nine in the King's Bed-Chamber where they ly by the King on a Pallet-Bed all night They also wait upon the King when he eats in private for then the Cup-bearers Carvers and Sewers do not wait Next to the Gentlemen of the Bed-Chamber are   Per Annum   Wages Board wages Seven Grooms each 500 00 00   And Six Pages each 02 13 04 77 06 08 Amongst the other Officers and Servants of the King's House are also reckoned Two Secretaries of State one at 730 l. Board-Wages the other at 292 l. Who have each his Vnder-Secretary and several Clerks As to their Office I shall explain it when I come to speak of the Privy Council in my Third Part. Four Clerks of the Signet each at 30 l. Board Wages The Master of the Great Wardrobe a Superiour and Independent Officer whose S●●ry is 2000 l. per Annum This is a great Office made by King James I. a Corporation or Body Politick for ever An Office which furnishes the Court and foreign Embassadors Houses at their first Arrival here with Beds Hangings and other Necessaries that makes Provisions for Coronations Marriages and Funerals that provides Presents for foreign Princes and Ambassadors Cloths of Estate and other Furniture for the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland and all his Majesties Ambassadors abroad This is the Office which provides all Robes for forein Knights of the Garter for the Officers of the Garter Coats for Heralds and Pursuivants at Arms and Livories for His Majesties Servants The King has also out of this Office all the Linnen and Lace that he wears The Master of this Wardrobe Kept in York-Buildings since the Fire has under him several Officers and sworn Servants to the King The principal whereof is a Deputy at 200 a Year Sa●ary and a Clerk whose Place is worth 300 l. a Year But besides this Great Wardrobe there are divers standing Wardrobes at Whitehall Windfor Hampton-Court the Tower of London Greenwich and other Places whereof there are fivers Officers all under the Lord Chamberlain ●nd to the Keeper of the Standing Wardrobe where the King shall reside there is an Allow●ce of 127 l. 15. shill per Annum Lastly there is the Removing Wardrobe which ●ways attends upon the Person of the King ●een and their Children upon Ambassadors ●hristenings Masques Plays c. Whose Offi●ers are also at the Lord Chamberlain's Com●and Viz.   Per Annum A Yeoman 230 00 00 A Clerk 160 00 00 Two Grooms each 130 00 00 Three Pages each 100 00 00 To the foresaid Officers add The Master of the Robes who has the Charge of all His Majesties Robes and wearing Apparel He has under him a Clerk whose Salary is 100 l. a Yeoman 100 l. two Grooms each 50 a Brusher 40 l. and a Page 30. Master of the Jewel-house who has 400 l. Board-Wages Treasurer of the Chamber Privy Purse Master of the Ceremonies An Office instituted by King James I for the Reception of Ambassadors and Strangers of quality with a Salary of 200 l. a Year He has under him a● Assistant and Marshal A Knight Marshal 26 l. per Annum Five Vnder-Marshals at 20 l. each per Annum Three Kings of Arms the first called Garter the second Clarencieux the third Norroy The Garter's Office is chiefly to attend and direct those Ceremonies and Solemnities that concert the most noble Order of the Garter to marsha● the Solemn Funerals of the Knights of that O●der and other Peers of the Realm and to give Directions in all other Things relating to Ar● and appertaining to Peerage Clarencieux hi● Province is in the Counties that ly in the South of Trent where he properly directs all Thing relating to Arms. And Norroy does the fame i● the North Parts of Trent To those three Kings of Arms six Herald four Pursuivants and nine Sergeants at Arms are Subordinate who give attendance with them at all publick Solemnities Each Sergeant's Salary is 100 l. per Annum A Groom Porter Whose Office is to see the King's Lodgings furnished as they ought to be to find Cards c. when the King or Queen plays and to decide differences arising at any Game His Yearly Fee is 2 l. 13. s. 4. d. and his Board-wages 127 l. 15 sh A Knight Harbinger The Keeper of the standing Wardrobe A Body-Laundress whose Salary is 20 l. and Board-Wages 199 l. per Annum A Master of the Revels Who is to order all Things concerning Comedies Balls and Masques at Coutt He has a Yeoman under him whose Fee is 46 l. 11 s. 8 d. A Keeper of the Kings private Armory whose Fee is 13 l. 6 s. 8 d. besides his Board Wages 26 l. 13 s. 4. d. A Surveyor of the Chamber and Dresser at the yearly Salary of 11 l. 8 s. 1½ House-Keeper at Whitehall at 650 l. a Year Theater-Keeper at Whitehall at 30 l. a Year Two Gallery-Keepers each at 3 sh a Day Forty Messenger in Ordinary who attend the Council and Secretaries of State at 40 l. each per Annum Master of the Barges at 50 l. a Year Master of the Tennis Courts There is also   Per Annum A Master Faulconer 1500 00 00 A Serjeant of the Hawks 136 00 00 Master of the Hart and Buck-hounds who for himself and the Huntsmen is allowed 2341 l. per Annum Ranger of S. James's Park Ranger of Hide-Park For the King's Diversion there is moreover A fine Set of Musick consisting of 40 Musicians in ordinary And Two Play-Houses with a great many Servants
eldest Son is Frederick the Heir apparent born in the Year 1671 and the two others are Christiern and Carolus The Duke of Glocester is the only Son and Heir of their Royal Highnesses the Prince and Princess of Denmark He was born July 24th 1689 and on the 27th he was Christened at Hampton-Court by the Lord Bishop of London and named William the King and the Earl of Dorset Lord Chamberlain of His Majesties Houshold being Godfathers and the Lady Marchioness of Hallifax Godmother CHAP. XIX Of the Nobility of England THE English Nobility is divided into five Degrees Viz. Duke Marquess Earl Viscount and Baron And they are called the Peerage of England because they are all Peers the Barons as well as the rest They have also all of them the Title of Lord. All these Honours are given by the King who is the sole Fountain of Honour and whatever Title a Subject of England receives from any forein Prince is not only Insignificant here but Unwarrantable by Law All Noblemen at their Creation have two Ensigns which signify two Duties Their Heads are adorned in token that they are to assist their King and Country with good Counsel in time of Peace and they are girt with a Sword as being to support the King and defend the Kingdom with their Lives and Fortunes in time of War A Duke is created by Patent Cincture o● Sword Mantle of State Imposition of A Cap and Coronet of gold on his head and a Verg● of gold put into his hand A Marquess and a● Earl by Cincture of Sword a Mantle of State with a Cap and Coronet put upon him by the King himself and a Patent delivered into his hand Viscounts and Barons are made by Patent and these sometimes by Writ whereby they are called to sit in the House of Lords All the Peers have Coronets but with these Distinctions A Baron has six Pearls upon the Circle a Viscount the Circle of Pearls without number an Earl has the Pearls raised upon Points and Leaves low between a Marquess a Pearl and a Strawberry-leaf round of equal height and a Duke Leaves without Pearls Only the Dukes of the Royal Blood bear like the Prince of Wales a Coronet of Crosses and Flower de Luce. Which is the same with the King 's excepting the Arches Globe and Cross on the top of the King's Crown But the greatest Distinction amongst the Nobles is their Parliament Robes in their several Gards on their Mantles and short Cloaks about their Shoulders For a Baron has but two Gards a Viscount two and a half an Earl three a Marquess three and a half and a Duke four Besides that the Mantle of a Duke Marquess and Earl is faced with Ermine that of a Viscount and Baron with plain white Furr Dukes were at first so called a ducendo being anciently Generals and Leaders of Armies in time of War Marquesses from their Government of Marches and Frontire-Countries Earls in Latine Comites because they had the Government of Counties Viscounts in Latine Vice-Comites as being Assistants or Deputies in the Government of Counties Barons according to Bracton quasi Robur Belli the safety of the King and People in Time of War depending upon their Courage and Skill in Martial Affairs Anciently a Duke was made so for Term of Life then held by Lands and Fees till Dukes came to be Titular and Hereditary In those Times likewise there was no Earl but had a County or Shire for his Earldom who for the support of his State had the third Peny out of the Sheriffs Court issuing out of all Pleas of that County whereof he was Earl Also those Barons only were accounted Peers of the Realm that held of the King per integram Baroniam which consisted of 13 Knights Fees and one third part that is of 400 Marks each Knights Fee being 20 l. And whoever had so much was wont to be summoned to Parliament But then 100 Marks was as much as 2000 pounds at this day as may be guessed by comparing the Prices of Things 'T is true King Henry III after he had with much ado suppressed his Barons called by Writ unto Parliament only such great Men as had continued loyal or were like so to be Which Example being followed by his Successors they only were accounted Peers of the Realm that were so called by the King 's special Writ Till Barons came to be made by Patent as well as by Writ and at last most by Patent which makes it hereditary But there are Barons in England that have no● share in the Peerage as such viz. the Barons of the Exchequer and the Barons of the Cinque-Ports Such as these the Earls Palatines and the Eath of England Marches had anciently under them and such there are yet in Cheshire The chie● Burgesses of London were also called of o● Barons All Dukes Marquesses and Earls at this day have their respective Titles from some Shire or part of a Shire Town or City Castle Park or Village Except two Earls whereof one is Officiary and the other Nominal the first being the Earl Marshal of England and the last the Earl Rivers who takes his Denomination from an Illustrious Family Barons are so denominated from their chief Seat or a Castle belonging to the Family Which is not to be divided amongst Daughters if there be no Sons but must descend to the eldest Daughter None of these Honours can be lost but these two Ways Either by want of Issue male except where the Patent extends to Issue female as sometimes it does Or else by some heinous Crime and then it cannot be restored to the Bloud but by Act of Parliament A Duke has the Title of Grace given him and the other Peers that of Lordship on Honour Accordingly we commonly give to these the Epithet of Right Honourable All Dukes and Marquesses Sons are called Lords by the Courtesy of England and the Daughters Ladies I say by the Courtesy of England for the Law makes no such Distinction but looks upon all as Commoners that have no Right to sit in the House of Peers Of an Earl none but the eldest Son is called Lord though all the Daughters be Ladies And as for the Issue of Vicounts and Barons none of their Sons is Lord nor of the Daughters Lady A Dukes eldest Son is called Lord Marquess and the younger Sons by their Christen-names with the Title of Lord prefixt as Lord William Lord Thomas c. A Marquesses eldest Son is called Lord of a Place and the younger Sons as those of a Duke that is by their Christen-names with the Title of Lord prefixt as Lord William Lord Thomas An Earl's eldest Son is born as a Viscount and called Lord of a Place In point of Precedency this is the Rule Af-the Princes of the Bloud the first amongst the Nobility are the Dukes and these are thus followed Viz. Dukes Marquesses Dukes eldest Sons Earls Marquesses eldest Sons Dukes younger Sons Vicounts Earls
eldest Sons Marquesses younger Sons Barons Vicounts eldest Sons Earls younger Sons Barons eldest Sons Vicounts younger Sons Barons younger Sons But 't is to be observed that all Dukes that are not Princes of the Bloud are preceded by these four Great Officers of the Crown though they be but Barons viz. the Lord Chancellour the Lord Treasurer the Lord President of the Privy Council and the Lord Privy Seal I leave out the Lord High Steward of England because none of this Office is continued beyond the present Occasion As for the Lord Great Chamberlain of England the Lord High Constable the Lord Marshal the Lord High Admiral the Lord Steward of the King's Houshold and the Lord Chamberlain of the King's Houshold they sit above all of their Degree only The Nobility of England have at all times injoyed many considerable Priviledges Though neither Civil nor Common Law allow any Testimony to be valid but what is given upon Oath yet the Testimony of a Peer of England given in upon his Honour without any oath is esteemed valid And whereas the law allows any one of the Commonalty arraigned for Treason or Felony to challenge 35 of his Jury without shewing Cause and others by shewing Cause a Peer of the Realm cannot challenge any of his Jury or put any of them to their Oath the Law presuming that they being Peers of the Realm and judging upon their Honour cannot be guilty of Falshood Favour or Malice In Criminal Causes a Peer cannot be tried but by a Jury of the Peers of the Realm who are not as other Juries to be put to their Oath but their Verdict given in upon their Honour sufficeth All Peers of the Realm being lookt upon as the King 's constant Counsellors their Persons are at all Times priviledged from Arrests except in Criminal Cases Therefore a Peer cannot be Outlawed in any Civil Action and no Attachment lies against him The only Way for satisfaction from a Peer is by Execution taken forth upon his Lands and Goods and not by Attachment or Imprisonment of his Person So tender is the Law of the Honour Credit Reputation and Persons of Noblemen that there is a Statute on purpose called Scandalum Magnatum to punish all such as by false Reports ●ring any scandal upon them They are exempted from all Attendance at Leets or Sheriffs Turns where others are obliged to take the Oath of Allegiance And whereas for the suppressing of Riots the Sheriff may raise the Posse Comitatus yet he cannot command any Peer of the Realm to attend that Service In Civil Causes they are not to be Impanelled upon any Jury or Inquest de facto though in a Matter between two Peers and if a Peer be returned upon any such Jury there lies a special Writ for his Discharge They are upon no Case to be bound to their good Behaviour or put to swear they will not break the Peace but only to promise it upon their Honour which was ever counted so sacred as upon no terms to be violated Every Peer of the Realm summoned to Parliament may constitute in his lawful absence a Proxy to Vote for him which none of the Commons may do And any Peer in a Place of Trust is free to make a Deputy to act in his absence whilst he attends the Person of the King Where a Peer of the Realm is Defendant no Day of Grace is to be granted to the Plaintiff the Law presuming that a Peer of the Realm must always be ready to attend the Person of the King and the Service of the Commonwealth Therefore he ought not to be delayed any longer than the ordinary Use of the Court but t● have expedition of Justice In any Civil Trial where a Peer of the Real● is Plaintiff or Defendant there must be at leas● one Knight returned of the Jury Otherwis● the Array may be quashed by Challenge In all Cases wherein the Priviledge of the Clergy is allowed to other Men and in divers Cases where that Priviledge is taken away from them a Peer of the Realm upon his Request shall be for the first time adjudged as a Clerk Convict though he cannot read And that without burning in the Hand loss of Inheritance or Corruption of Bloud In case of Amerciaments of the Peers of the Realm upon Non-Suits or other Judgments a Duke is to be amerced but Ten Pounds and all others under Five This to be done by their Peers according to Magna Charta though it has been often done of late by the King's Justices A Peer of the Realm being sent for by the King to Court Parliament Council or Chancery has the Priviledge passing by the King's Park or Forest both coming and returning to Kill one or two Deer An Earl has 8 Tun of Wine Custom-free and the rest proportionably All Peers of the Realm have a Priviledge of Qualifying a certain Number of Chaplains to hold Plurality of Benefices with Cure of Souls But it must be with a Dispensation first obtained from the Archbishop and the same ratified under the Great Seal of England Thus a Duke may qualify six Chaplains a Marquess and Earl five a Viscount four and a Baron ●hree A Peer of the Realm has also the Priviledge ●f Retaining six Aliens whereas another may ●ot Retain above four These are the chief Priviledges belonging to ●e Nobility of England which are great and ●onsiderable And yet none of them ever had the Priviledge of the Grandees of Spain to be covered in the King's Presence except Henry Ratcliff Earl of Surrey 'T is true the Princes of the Bloud have often had the honour of being covered but then it was by the King 's gracious Command not by virtue of any constant Priviledge Neither are our Noblemen exempted as in France from Tailles and Contributions but always bear a share proportionable And in case of a Poll-Act they are usually thus Rated according to their several Degrees of Honour Viz.   l. s. d. A Duke 50 00 00 A Marquess 40 00 00 An Earl 30 00 00 A Viscount 25 00 00 A Baron 20 00 00 Those of their Sons which have attained to 16 Years of Age are thus taxed As.   l. s. d. The Eldest Son of A Duke 30 00 00 The Eldest Son of A Marquess 25 00 00 The Eldest Son of An Earl 20 00 00 The Eldest Son of A Viscount 17 00 00 The Eldest Son of A Baron 15 00 00 A Younger Son of A Duke 25 00 00 A Younger Son of A Marquess 20 00 00 A Younger Son of An Earl 15 00 00 A Younger Son of A Viscount 13 06 00 A Younger Son of A Baron 12 00 00 The Nobles to bear up their Rank have generally great and plentiful Estates some of them beyond those of several Princes beyond Sea And till the Civil Wars in the Reign of Charles I. they lived with suitable splendour and Magnisicence Keeping a plentiful Table and a numerous Attendance with several Officers delighting in
not to be made up by new Creations but be suffered to diminish as appears by their Patent And yet the very Founder King James I transgressed the first his Rule by creating 203. Charles his next Successor made 455. But King Charles II outdid them both by creating near upon 900 during his Reign At this time there are reckoned above 700 living Sir Nicholas Bacon of Suffolk was the first Baronet created whose Successor is therefore stiled Primus Baronettorum Angliae No Honour is ever to be created between Barons and Baronets As for the other two Degrees of Knighthood they are but Personal and not Hereditary so that the Honour dies with the Person Knighted and descends not to his Son Knights of the Bath are so called from their Bathing the Night before the Creation within the Lists of the Bath The first of this sort were made by Henry IV but now they are usually made at the Coronation of a King or Queen or Creation of a Prince of Wales They wear a Scarlet Ribbon Belt-wise and take place of Knights Batchelours but come after Baronets There are but a few Knights of this Order Knights Batchelours are the lowest sort of Knights and the most common Anciently this Degree was in greater esteem than it is at the present when it was only conferred upon Sword-men for their military Service who from the Gilt Spurs usually put upon them were called in Latine Equites Aurati Whereas now a days this Honour is also bestowed upon Gown-men viz. Lawyers and Physicians And all the Ceremony used in their Creation is their Kneeling down before the King and His Majesties lightly touching them on the shoulder with a naked Sword Anciently there was another Sort of Knights now disused I mean the Knights Bannerets who were Knighted in the Field This Order was accounted very honourable had the precedency of the Knights of the Bath and bore their Arms with Supporters which was not allowed to any under this Degree Next to Knights are the Esquires so called from the French Escuyer this from the Latine Scutiger which Name was given of old to him that attended a Knight in time of War and carried his Shield Whereas Esquire with us is a meer Title of Dignity next to and below a Knight and signifies a Gentleman or one that beareth Arms as a Testimony of his Nobility and Gentry They who by right claim this Title now are all the younger Sons of Noblemen and by the Common Law of England their very eldest Sons are Esquires and no more Next are the Esquires of the King's Body the eldest Sons of Noblemens younger Sons Knights eldest Sons and their elder Sons for ever Next Esquires created by the King by putting about their Necks a Collar of S's and bestowing on them a pair of Silver Spurs Those that are reputed or lookt upon as equal to Esquires tho none of them be really so are several Magistrates and Officers in the King's Court as Judges Sergeants at Law Sheriffs Mayors Justices of the Peace Counsellors at Law and the principal Commanders of an Army So Heads of Houses in the Universities Doctors of Law Physick and Musick usually take place next to Knights and before ordinary Gentlemen Lastly Gentlemen are properly such as are descended of a good Family bearing a Coat of Arms without any particular Title And these we call Gentlemen born But Use has so far stretched the signification of this Word both high and low that every Nobleman nay the King himself may be called a Gentleman And on the other side any one that without a Coat of Arms has either a liberal or genteel Education that looks Gentleman-like whether he be so or not and has wherewithall to live freely and handsomely is by the Courtesy of England usually called a Gentleman Others by their Offices are lookt upon as such particularly most of the King 's Menial Servants and the principal Officers in Noble-mens Families c. The Military Profession which has been always counted Noble seems to give the very meanest Professors of it a Title to this Quality But it is more particularly adapted to two distinct Bodies of the King's Guards the one called Gentlemen Pensioners who gard his Person within Doors and the other the Gentlem●n of the Guard by whom is meant his Body of Horse Guards who gard the Kings Person on horseback without Doors As in Germany all Noblemens so in England all Gentlemens Arms descend to all the Sons alike Only the eldest Son bears Arms without difference which the younger may not Besides above 700 Knights Baronets and the few Knights of the Bath there are reckoned to this day above 1400 ordinary Knights and 6000 Esquires and Gentlemen whose younger Brothers in all may make up at least 12000 all over England And the Land in the Possession of them all has been computed to amount at least to four Millions yearly The Law of England which is so Favourable to the Nobility has not a proportionable Regard for the Gentry For whether they be Knights Esquires or Gentlemen they are all reckoned by law even Noblemens Sons amongst the Commons of England So that the eldest Son of a Duke though by the Courtesy of England stiled an Earl shall be Arraigned if charged with a Crime by the Title of Esquire only and tried by a Jury of Common Free-holders In Parliament he can sit only in the House of Commons if elected unless he be called by the King 's Writ to the House of Lords Knights are distinguished in England by the Title of Sir prefixt to their Christen names And Gentlemen have no other Title but that of Master when spoken of and that of Sir when spoken to But if one writes to an Esquire the Direction ought to be thus as To Thomas Whitfield Esquire The Epithet of Honourable is usually given to any Knight Esquire or Gentleman distinguished by some eminent and personal Worth CHAP. XXI Of the Commonalty of England BY the Commonalty I mean Yeomen Merchants Artificers Tradesmen Mariners and all others getting their Livelyhood after a Mechanick Way Yeomen are such amongst the Commonalty who having Land of their own to a good value Keep it in their own hands husband it themselves and live with their Families upon it They are therefore by the Law called Freeholders because they hold Lands or Tenements Inheritable by a perpetual Right to them and their Heirs for ever Their Number is great in England and many of them have Estates fit for Gentlemen Forty or Fifty pounds a Year is ve●●●ordinary 100 or 200 l. a Year in some Counties is not rare in Kent there are those who have 1000 l. and some more per Annum Which is not easy to be found amongst Men of this Rank any where else in Europe And whereas Husbandry is commonly lookt upon as the most innocent Life and the freest from the Corruption and Cheats that attend other Professions therefore the Law of England has a better
72 Earls 9 Viscounts 65 Barons and 26 Spiritual Lords whereof 2 Arch-bishops and 24 Bishops But the King may by virtue of his Prerogative increase the Number of the Peers to sit and vote in their House as Barons by sending his Writs for that pupose to whomsoever His Majesty thinks fit for that Service The Lord Chancellor or Lord Keeper when there is one is of course the Speaker of this House Otherwise they may appoint any of their own Members or else one of the Judges for that Place as in the Case of their late Speaker the Right Honourable the Marquis of Hallifax and that of Sir Robert Atkins Lord Chief Baron of the Exchequer the present Speaker of the House of Lords Besides the first Wool-sack which is the usual Seat for the Lord Chancellor or Lord Keeper there are other Wool-sacks Upon which the Judges the Kings Council at Law and the Masters of Chancery not being Barons sit not to give their Suffrage but only their Advice when required thereto The Use of which Wool-sacks is probably to put them in mind of the great Advantages the English Wool has brought to this Nation so that it may never be neglected On the lowermost Wool sack are placed the Clerk of the Crown and Clerk of the Parliament The first being concerned in all Writs of and Pardons in Parliament and the other in keeping the Records of all Things passed therein Under this there are two Clerks who kneeling behind the Wool-sack write upon it Without the Bar of the House sits the Black Rod so called from a black Stick he carries in his hand who is as it were the Messenger of this House For he is imploy'd amongst other Things to call for the House of Commons to the House of Lords upon His Majesties Command and to his Custody are Committed all such Peers as the House things fit to Commit upon any Trespass Under him is a Yeoman Vsher that waits at the Door within a Crier without and a Sergeant at Mace always attending the Speaker The House of Commons otherwise called the Lower house is by much the greater Body of the two For as England consists of 40 Counties in which there are 25 Cities 8 Cinque-Ports 2 Universities and 168 Borough-Towns all which are Priviledged to send Members to Par●ament if we reckon two Members from each the Whole amounts to 486 Members To which adding 24 from Wales the Whole is 510. 'T is true there are three Boroughs in England each of which sends but one Member viz. Abington in Oxfordshire Higham-Ferrers in Northamptonshire and Bewdley in Worcestershire But these three wanting of the Number are made up by the City of London which sends four Members and by the City of Bath which sends three Of all this great Number many are usually absent upon Business or Sickness c. So that if they be three hundred met together 't is counted a pretty full House And if they be but forty Members in all they make a house This House representing the whole Commons of the Realm do's generally consist of the Flower of the Gentry some of them Noblemens Sons Privy Counsellors Courtiers Men learned in the Law Officers and Commanders Merchants c. but most of them Gentlemen of good Estates with the advantage of a liberal and genteel Education This is an aggregate Body from all Parts of the Nation whose Learning and Eloquence Wit and Policy strive to outdo each other A ●oble School for young Gentlemen chiefly to be versed in Things relating to the English Government Here they Sit promiscuously except the ●peaker who has a Chair placed about the middle of the Room with a Table before him the Clerk of the House sitting near him at the Table But none wears a Robe but the Speaker except as I hinted before the Members of Parliament for the City of London who at their first Meeting appear in their Scarlet Robes Every Member wears what he fancies most and so do the Temporal Lords in their House on all Days when the King comes not thither in State To Strangers I confess it looks something odd that so august an Assembly vested with a Legislative Power and met together for the Exercise of the same should have no proper Garb for so great a Council but appear in their usual Dress But Custom has so far prevailed against the Inconveniencies that attend those Formalities which the English Nebility and Gentry are generally averse from that they are not like to be ever ballanced by the Respect and Veneration that might be gained as in forein Countries by the small trouble of them The usual Time for the Meeting of each House is in the Forenoon from eight or nine a clock till twelve or one except Sundays high Festivals and Fast-Days These Things being premised my next Business is to speak about the Choice of the Speaker of the House of Commons Who is the Mouth of the House and so necessary a Part thereof that they can do no Business without him For 't is the Speakers Part to see the Orders of the House observed to state the Bills that are brought in to collect the Substance of the Debates and the Sense of the House upon them The fitst Day each Member is called by his Name every one answering for what Place he serveth That done a Motion is made to chuse their Speaker who ought to be a Person of great Ability and is usually one of the long Robe And to avoid all Delays the Choice is commonly such as the King approves of This Choice is made by the Plurality of Votes Upon which the Party chosen desires according to ancient Custom to be excused from so weighty an Office and prays the House to proceed to a new Election But he is commonly answered with a full Consent of Voices upon his Name And then two of the principal Members go to him and lead him from his Place to the Speakers Chair where being set they return to their Places Then the Speaker rises and makes a short Speech to the House consisting of his humble Thanks for their good Opinion of him with Promises of his best Indeavours for their Service At the Day appointed for his Presentation to the King which is usually the next Day His Majesty being come to the House of Lords in his Royal Robes and the Lords also in their Robes the Commons are called in Who being come the Speaker is brought between two of them with low Obeysance to the Bar and so presented at the Bar to His Majesty where he makes likewise a modest Refusal But the King approving the Commons Choice and not allowing of his Excuse the Speaker nakes an Oration to His Majesty the Matter whereof is left to his own Thoughts having ●o Direction about it from the Commons But it usually ends with these three Petitions First that the Commons may have during their Sitting a free Acess to His Majesty Secondly Freedom of Speech in their
constant Attendance upon the King As for Home Concerns whether publick o● private both the Secretaries do equally receive and dispatch whatever is brought to them But for forein Affairs each has his distinct Province receiving all Letters and Addresse from and making all Dispatches to the severa● Princes and States in his Province They keep each of them his Office called the Secretaries Office at Whitehall Where they have also Lodgings for their own Accommodation and those that attend upon it wh● a liberal Diet at the Kings Charge or Board wages in lieu of it Their settled Allowanc● is little less than 2000 l. a Year to each 〈◊〉 them besides Perquisites The Secretaries and Clerks they imploy u●der them are wholly at their own choice an● have no Dependance upon any other Lastly they have the Custody of the Signet one of the Kings Seals To which belongs the Signet-Office where four Clerks wait Monthly by turns preparing such Things as are to pass the Signet in order to the Privy Seal or Great Seal He that is in waiting is always to attend the Court wheresoever it removes and to prepare such Bills or Letters for the King to sign not being Matter of Law as by Warrant from the King or Secretaries of State or Lords of the Council he is directed to prepare And to this Office all Grants prepared by themselves or the Kings Learned Council at Law for the Kings hand are returned when signed and there transcribed again The Transcription is carried to one of the Principal Secretaties of State to be sealed with the Signet This done it is directed to the Lord Privy Seal and is his Warrant for issuing out a Privy Seal upon it But then it must be first transcribed by the Clerks of the Seal who are also four in Number and when it has the Privy Seal affixt 't is sufficient for the Payment of any Monies out of the Exchequer and for several other Uses If the Grant requires the passing the Great Seal as several Grants do the Privy Seal is a Warrant to the Lord Chancellour or the Lords Commissioners to pass it as the Signet was to the Lord Privy Seal But here also a new Transcription must be made of the Grant The Reason why a Grant must go through so many Hands and Seals before it can be perfected is that it may be duly considered and all Objections cleared before it take its effect The Paper-Office at Whitehall is also depending on the Secretaries of State Where all the Papers and Dispatches that pass through their Offices as Matters of State and Council Letters Intelligences and Negotiations of forein Ministers here or of the Kings Ministers abroad are from time to time transmitted and there remain disposed by way of Library The Keeper whereof has a yearly Salary of 160 l. payable out of the Exchequer To conclude the Lords of the Privy Council have always been of such high value and esteem that if a Man did but strike another in a Privy Counsellors House or elsewhere in his presence he was fined for the same To conspire the Death of any of them was Felony in any of the Kings Servants and to kill one of them was High Treason A Privy Counsellour though but a Gentleman has precedence of all Knights Baronets and younger Sons of all Barons and Viscounts And a Secretary of State has this special Honour that if he be a Baron he takes place as such of all other Barons So honourable an Imployment it is that in the late Reign the Earl of Sunderland was both principal Secretary of State and Lord President of the Privy Council CHAP. III. Of the High Court of Chancery otherwise called the Court of Equity I come now to the Courts of Judicature held at Westminster viz. the Courts of Chancery Kings Bench Common Pl●as Exchequer and Dutchy of Lancaster whereof the three first are held at Westminster Hall the Common-Pleas near the Gate the Chancery and Kings Bench at the further end of the Hall All the fore-mentioned Courts are opened four times a Year called the four Terms Viz. Easter Trinity Michaelmas and Hilary Term. Easter-Term begins always the 17th Day after Easter and lasteth 27 Days Trinity or Midsummer Term begins the fifth Day after Trinity Sunday and lasteth 20 Days Michaelmas-Term begins the 23th of October and lasteth 37 Days And Hilary-Term so called from S. Hilary a Bishop beginneth the 23 of January and lasteth 21 Days Next to the Parliament of England and the Kings Privy Council by whose Influences the Nation is chiefly governed under the King the High Court of Chancery is the chief and the most ancient Court of Judicature Otherwise called the Court of Equity in opposition to other inferiour Courts the Judges whereof are tied to the Letter of the Law Whereas this is a Court of Mercy in which the Rigour of the Law is tempered with Equity And therefore the Kings of England would have this Court Superiour to the other Tribunals as well as for being the Original of all other Courts and the Fountain of all our Proceedings in Law For as Sir Edward Coke says this Court is Officina Justitiae out of which all Original Writs and all Commissions which pass under the Great Seal go forth which Great Seal is Clavis Regni the Key of the Kingdom and for those ends this Court is always open In the Chancery are two Courts one Ordinary and the other Extraordinary In the first the Proceedings are in Latine Secundum Legem Consuetudinem Angliae according to the Laws and Statutes of the Realm In the second by English Bill Secundum aequum bonum according to Equity The Manner of Proceeding is much like that in the Courts of the Civil Law the Actions by Bill or Plaint the Witnesses examined in private and the Decrees in English or Latin not in French No Jury of twelve Men but all Sentences given by the Judge of the Court. The Judge is the Lord Chancellour or Lord Keeper of the Great Seal the highest Dignity that a Lay-man is capable of in England and held of the King durante Beneplacito But now this Office is executed by three Lords Commissioners Next to whom there are twelve Assistants called Masters of the Chancery who are Civilians Their Salary is each 100 Pound paid out of the Exchequer quarterly besides Robe-mony Three of these at a time sit in the Chancery Court in Term-time and two out of Term when the Chancellour sits to hear Causes at his own House Who often refers to them the further hearing of Causes c. These Masters have a publick Office where one or more of them do constantly attend to take Affidavits c. The chief of them is the Master of the Rolls whose Place is both very honourable and beneficial The same is in the King's Gift either Life or during his Majesties Pleasure And he is called Master of the Rolls as having the Custody of all Charters Patents