by such prouision to all other parts of England but doth also farnish the wants of forraine Countries with her plentie By meanes of this and the intercourse of traffique which it hath the place is growne exâ—eeding rich and populous Before the Conquest it was called Monk-chester hauing beene 〈…〉 in the possession of Monkes and Chester being added which signifies a bulwarke or place of defence shewes that in ancient time it had beene a place of Fortification 8 After the Conquest it got the name of Newcastle by the new Castle which Robert the Sonne of William the Conquerour built there out of the ground What it was called in old time is not knowne yet some are of opinion that it may be thought to haue beene Gatrosentum for that Gateshead the suburbe as it were of the same expresseth in the owne proper signification that British name Gatrosentum It is now most enobled both by the Hauen which Tyne maketh of that notable depth that it beareth very tall Ships and is able to defend them against stormes and tempests As also by many fauours and honours wherewith it hath beene dignified by pâ—ces for Richard the second granted that a Sword should be carried before the Maior and Henry the sixt made it a County consisting of a Corporation within it selfe It is adorned with foure Churches and fortified with strong wals that haue eight gates It is distant from the first West line 21 degrees and 30 minutes and from the Equinoctiall liue towards the North-pole thirtie-foure degrees and fiftie-seaven minutes 9 The vtmost Towne in England and the strongest hold in all Britaine is Barwicke From whence it had the name is not certainely made knowne Some fetch it from Berengarius a Duke neuer read of Howsoeuer this is better to be said then trusted and whence soeuer it hath the name it is seated betweene two mightie Kingdomes shooting farre into the Sea with the which and the Riuer Tweed it is almost encompassed and whensoeuer any discord fell betweene the two Nations this place was the first thing they tooke care of It hath endured the brunts of diuers inroades and incursions and beene oftentimes both possessed and repossessed of the Scots and English But since it was reduced vnder the command of Edward the fourth our Kings haue from time to time so strengthened it with new workes and fortifications as they cut off all hopes of winning it The Gouernour of this Towne is also Warden of the East Marches against scotland The Longitude of it according to Mathematicall obseruation is 21. degrees and 43. minutes the Latitude 55. degrees and 48. minutes 10 The Inhabitants of this County are a warlike people and excellent light horsemen and are made fierce and hard by the seuerall encounters of the Scots and not much vnlike them in neither betwixt whom in this County many Battles haue beene fought and the successes oftentimes waued through very doubtfully the victory sometimes falling to the scots sometimes to the English At Otterburne was one in which three or foure times it stood doubtfully indifferent till in the end the Scots got the vpper hand of the English Howbeit their glory was not made so illustrious by this Conquest but that it was as much darkened by the foile they receiued at Aâ—wicke where William King of Scots was taken and presented prisoner to Henry the second As also by that Battell at Brumridge where King Athelstan fought a pitcht field against Anlafe the Dane Constantine King of Scots and Eugenius King of Cumberland and that with such fortunate successe as it hath left matter sufficient to fill the pennes of Historians Flodden field also memorable in the death of Iames the fourth King of Scots who was there slaine and his Army ouerthrowne in a sharpe fight as he displayed his Banner in great hope against England when King Henry the eight lay at the siege of Turnay in France 11 Other Battles in this Countie haue beene as that at Hexam called by Bede Hangustald wherein Iohn Neuill Marquesse Montacute encountred the Leaders of the Lancastrian faction with much courage and with greater successe put them to flight for which he was made Earle of Northumberland by Edward the fourth As also that at Dilston by Bede called Diuelshurâ—e where Oswald hauing the faith of Christ for his defence and armour slew Cedwall the Britaine in a set battell himselfe straight-wayes becomming a professed Christian and causing his people to be instructed in Christian Religion 12 Many memorable antiquities are found in this Country along the wall and in other places As pieces of Coyne Inscriptions broken and vnperfect Altars c. the ruines of the wall yet to be seene but none that deserues more to be remembred then Wall-Towne by Bede called Ad Muruâ— for that Segebert King of the East-Saxons was in it baptized in the Christian Faith by the hands of Paulinus and Halyston where the same Paulinus is said to haue baptized many thousands into the Faith of Christ in the Primitiue Church of the English Nation 13 Busy-gap is a place infamous for robbing and theeuing and is therefore rather remembred as a cautiatory note for such as haue cause to trauell that way then for any proper matter of worth it hath that merits place with other parts of this Prouince Other matters of obseruation are onely these that North Tyne running through the Wall waters two Dales which breed notable light horse-men and both of them haue their hils hard by so boggy and standing with water on the top that no horsemen are able to ride through them and yet which is wonderfull there be many great heapes of Stones called Lawes which the neighbouring people are verily perswaded were cast vp and laid together in old time in remembrance of some that were slaine there There is also a martiall kinde of men which lie out vp and downe in little Cottages called by them Sheals and Shealings from Aprill to August in scattering fashion summering as they terme it their Cattle and these are such a sort of people as were the ancient Nomades The last not least matter of note is this that the Inhabitants of Morpeth set their owne Towne on fire in the yeare of Christ 1215. in the spight they bare to King Iohn for that he and his Rutars ouer-ranne these Countries MAN ILAND CHAPTER XLIII THe I le of Man is termed by Ptolemy Mâ—neda by Pliny Menauia by Orosius Menania by Beda Menania secunda and by Gyldas 〈◊〉 and Mâ—naw The Britaine name it Menâ—w the Inhabitants Maâ—â—ge and we Englishmen The I le of Man It boundeth North-ward vpon Scotland South-ward vpon the I le of Anglesey East-ward vpon part of 〈◊〉 shire and West-ward vpon the Coast of Ireland 2 The forme is long and narrow for from 〈◊〉 to the Mull-hils where it is longest it onely stretcheth it selfe to twentie nine miles but from the widest part which is from Peele-Castle to Douglas-point are scarce nine the whole compasse about
three Arch-Flamins whose seates were at London Caerlion and Yorke all of them conuerted by King Lucius into Christian Bishops Sees let vs onely insist vpon the three last by the same King appointed to be Metropolitanes ouer the rest among whom London is said to be chiefe whos 's first Christian Arch-bishop was Thean the builder of S. Peters Church in Cornehill for his Cathedrall as by an ancient Table there lately hanging was affirmed and tradition to this day doth hold Our British Historians doe bring a succession of fifteene Arch-bishops to haue sate from his time vnto the comming of the Saxons whose last was Vodius slaine by King Vortiger for reprehending his heathenish marriage with Râ—wâ—n the Daugher of Hengist At what time began the misery of the Land and of holy Religion both which they layd wast vnder their prophane feete vntill Ethelbert of Kent the first Christian Saxon King aduanced Christainitie Augustine to the Arch-bishopricke of Canterbury when London vnder Melitus became subiect to that See 6 At Caerlion vpon Vske in the time of great Arthur sate Dubritius a man excellently learned and of an holy conuersation he had sate Bishop of Landaffe a long time and with Germanus and Lupus two French Bishops greatly impugned the Pelagian Heresie infecting at that time the Iland very farre whose fame and integritie was such that he was made Arch-bishop of all Wales but growne very old he resigned the same vnto Dauia his Disciple a man of greater birth but greater austeritie of life who by consent of King Arthur remoued his Arch-bishops See vnto Meneuia a place very solitary and meete for meditation the miracles of the man which are said to be many changed both the name of the place into his owne and robbed Caerlion of her Archiepiscopall seate This See of S Dauids as in an ancient Register belonging to that Church is recorded had seauen Bishops Suffraganes subiect vnto it which were Exceter Bathe He eford Landaffe Bangor S. Asaph and â—eâ—nes in Ireland notwithstanding eyther for want of Pall carried into Britanny by Arch-bishop Samâ—son in a dangerous infection of sicknesse either by pouertie or negligence it lost that Iurisdiction and in the dayes of King Henry the first became subiect to the See of Canterbury 7 Yorke hath had better successe then eyther of the former in retayning her originall honour though much impaired in her circuit challenging to haue beene some time Metropolitane ouer all the Bishops in Scotland and although it was made equall in honour and power with Canterbury by Pope Gregory as Beda relateth and had twelue Suffragan Bishoprickes that owed obedience onely foure now acknowledge Yorke their Metropolitane but Canterbury the Superiour for William the Conquerour thinking it dangerous to haue two in like authoritie least the one should set on his Crowne and the other strike it off left Yorke to be a Primate but Canterbury onely the Prinâ—â—â— of all England 8 The Lichfield was made an Archiepiscopall See by Pope Hadrian the first at the suit of Offa the great King of Mercia is manifested by Mathew of Westminster vnto whose Iurisdiction were assigned the Bishoprickes of Winchester Hereford Leicester Sidnacester Helmâ—am and Dunwich and whose first and last bishop was Aldwin That Winchester also had intended an Archiepiscopall Pall the same Author recordeth when Henry Bloys of the bloud royall greatly contended with the Arch bishop of Canterbury for superioritie vnder the pretence of being Cardinall de latere to him an Archiepiscopall Pall was sent with power and authoritie ouer seauen Churches but he dying before that the designe was done the See of Winchester remained in subiection to Canterbury And that long before the See of Dorchester by Oxford had the Iurisdiction of an Arch-bishop is apparant by those Prouinces that were vnder his Diocesse which were Winchester Oxford Lincolne Salisbury Bâ—estow Wells Lichfield Chester and Excester and the first Bishop of this great circuit Berinuâ— was called the Apostle and Bishop of the West Saxons which in his next successor was diuided into two parts Winchester and Dorchester and not long after into Lichfield Sidnacester and Legecester and lastly the See remoued from Dorchester to Lincolne as now it is And thus farre for the diuision of this Realme both Politicke and Ecclesiasticke as it hath stood and stands at this day 9 But the whole Ilands diuision by most certaine Record was anciently made when Iulius Agricâ—la drew a trench or fortification vpon that narrow space of ground betwixt Edenbrough Frith and Dunbretton Bay making the Southerne part a Prouince vnto the Romane Empire Afterwards Hadrian the Emperour seeing perhaps the Prouince too spacious to be well gouerned without great expense drew backe these limits almost fourescore miles shotter euen to the mouth of the Riuer Tyne whence he fortified with a wall of admirable worke vnto Carlile which stood the Lands border while it stood as a Romane Prouince yet the conquering Saxons did spread againe ouer those bounds and as seemeth enlarged their gouernment to that first Tract as by this inscription in a Stone Crosse standing vpon a Bridge ouer the water of Frith appeareth I am a free March as Passengers may ken To Scots to Britaines and to Englishmen 10 But afterward William the Conquerour and Malcolme King of Scotland falling to an agreement for their limits arreared a Crosse vpon Stanemore where on the one side the portraiture and Armes of the King of England was sculptured and of the King of Scots on the other a piece whereof is yet remaining there neere to the Spittle thence called the Rev-Crosse there erected to be a Meare-stone to either Kingdome His successors also abolished the two partitions in the West whereby the Welsh became one Nation and Kingdome with the English It is also said that King Stephen to purchase friendship with the Scottish Nation gaue vnto their King the Countie of Cumberland who with it held both Westmorland and Northumberland but as Newbrigensis writeth he restored them to King Henry the second wisely considering his great power and right to those parts KENT CHAPTER III. KENT the first Prouince appearing in the South of this Kingdome is bounded vpon the North with the famous Riuer Thamisis on the East with the Germane Ocean on the South with Sussex and the narrow Seas and vpon the West and Sussex and Surrey The length thereof extended from Langley in the West vnto Ramsgate Eastward in the Isle of Thanet is about 53. English miles From Rother in the South vnto the Isle of Graine Northward the bredth is not much aboue 26. and the whole circumference about 160. miles 2 Informe it somewhat resembleth the head of a hammer or Battle-axe and lyeth corner-wise into the Sea by Strabo Caesar Diadorus and Ptolemie called Cantium of Cant or Angle or Corner either of Caine a British word which signifieth Bushes or Woods whereof that Countie in those former times was plentifully stored 3 The ayre though not very
is fourescore and two miles 3 The ayre is so cold and sharpe being bordering vpon the 〈◊〉 parts and for her shelter hauing but a wall of water They haue few woods onely they light sometimes vpon so subterranean trees buried vnder the ground by digging vp the earth for a â—lammie kinde of 〈◊〉 which they vse for fuell 4 The soile is reasonable fruitfull both for Cattle Fish and Corne yet it rather commendeth the paines of the people then the goodnesse of the ground for by the industry of the Inhabitants it â—eeldeth sufficiency of euery thing for it selfe and sendeth good store into other Countries It hath fields by good manuring plenteous of Barley and Wheat but especially 〈…〉 and from hence it comes that the people eate most of all Oaten-bread It beares abundance of 〈◊〉 and Flaxe and is full of mightie flockes of sheepe and other Cattell yet are they smaller in body then we haue in England and are much like to the Cattle in Ireland that are neighbouring vpon it 5 This commoditie makes this Iland more happie then we are here for the people are there free from vnnecessary commencements of Suites from long and dilatory Pleas and from friuolous feeing of Lawyers No Iudge or Clerks of the Court take there any penny for drawing Instruments or making of Processes All Controuersies are there determined by certaine Iudges without writings or other charges and them they call Deemsters and chuse forth among themselues If any complaint be made to the Magistrate for wrongs eyther done or suffred he presently taketh vp a stone and fixeth his marke vpon it and so deliuereth it vnto the partie plaintiffe by vertue of which he both cals his aduersary to appearance and to produce his witnesses If the case fall out to be more litigious and of greater consequence then can easily be ended it is then referred to twelue men whom they terme The Keyes of the Iland Another happinesse enricheth this Iland namely the securitie and gouernment thereof as being defended from neighbour enemies by Souldiers that are prest and ready for on the South-side of the I le stands Bala-Curi the Bishops chiefe place of residence and the Pyle and a Block-house standing in a little Iland where there is a coÌ„tinuall Garrison of Souldiers And it is so well managed for matter of rule and ciuill discipline that tuery man there possesseth his owne in peace and safetie No man liues in dread or danger of losing what he hath Men are not there inclined to robbing or theeuing or licentious liuing 6 The Inhabitants of this Iland are for the most part religious and louing to their Pastors to whom they doe much reuerence and respect frequenting daily to diuine Seruice without diuision in the Church or innouation in the Common-weale The wealthier sort and such as hold the fairest possessions doe imitate the people of Lanca-shire both in their honest carriage and good house-keeping Howbeit the common sort of people both in their language and manners come nighest vnto the Irish although they somewhat rellish and fauour of the qualities of the Norwegians 7 Things not worthy to be buryed in the graue of obliuion are that this Iland in the midst thereof riseth vp with hils standing very thicke amongst which the highest is called Sceafull from whence vpon a cleare and faire day a man may easily see three Kingdomes at once that is Scotland England and Ireland This I le prohibits the customary manner ofbegging from doore to doore detesting the disorders as well Ciuill as Ecclesiasticall of neighbour Nations And last not least that deserues to be committed to memory is that the women of this Country wheresoeuer they goe out of their doores gird themselues about with the winding-sheete that they purpose to be buried in to shew themselues mindfull of their mortalitie and such of them as are at any time condemned to dye are sowed within a sacke and flung from a rocke into the Sea 8 The whole Isle is diuided into two parts South and North whereof the one resembleth the Scotish in speech the other the Irish It is defended by two Castles and hath seauenteene Parishes fiue Market-Townes and many Villages A Chronicle of the Kings of MAN CHAPTER XLIIII IT is here very pertinent to the purpose to insert a small History of this Iland that the atchieuements heretofore had may not be vtterly buryed although they are waxen very old and almost torne from remembrance by the teeth of Time It is confessed by all that the Britaine 's held this Iland as they did all Britaine But when the Nations from the North ouerflowed those South parts like violent tempests it became subiect to the Scots Afterwards the Norwegians who did most hurt from the Northerne Sea by their manifold robberies made this Iland and the Hebrides to be their baunt and erected Lords and petry Kings in the same as is expressed in this Chronicle written as is reported by the Monkes of the Abbey of Russin A Chronicle of the Kings of MAN ANno Dom. 1065. Edward of blessed memory King of England departed this life and Harald the Sonne of Godwyn succeeded him in the Kingdome against whom Harald Harfager King of Norway came into the field and fought a Battle at Stainford-bridge but the English obtaining the victory put them all to flight Out of which chase Godred surnamed Crovan the sonne of Harald the blacke of Iseland came vnto Godred the sonne of Syrric who Raigned then in Man and honourably receiued him 2 The same yeare William the Bastard Conquered England and Godred the son of Syrric died his sonne Fingal succeeding him 3 An. 1066. Godred Crovan assembled a great Fleet and came to Man and sought with the people of the Land but receiued the worst and was ouercome The second time renewing his Forces and his Fleet he failed into Man and ioyned Battle with the Manksmen but was vanquished as before and driuen out of the field Howbeit what he could not at first bring to passe with power in those two seuerall onsers he afterward effected by policie For the third time gathering a great multitude together he arriued by night in the hauen called Raâ—sey and hid three hundred men in a Wood which stood vpon the hanging hollow brow of an hill called Sceafull The Sunne being risen the Manksmen put their people in order of Battle and with a violent charge encountred with Godred The fight was hot for a time and stood in a doubtfull suspence till those three hundred men starting out of the Ambush behinde their backes began to foile the Manksmen put them to the worst and forced them to flie Who seeing themselues thus discomfited and finding no place of refuge left them to escape with pitifull lamentation submitted themselues vnto Godred and besought him not to put to the sword such poore remainder of them as was left aliue Godred hauing compassion on their calamities for he had beene nursed for a time and brought vp among
the onely Vniuersities then in Europe should be erected Schooles for the Hebrew Greeke Arabicke and Chaldean tongues and that Oxford should be the generall Vniuersitie for all England Ireland Scotland and Wales which point was likewise of such weight with the Councell of Constance that from this precedent of Oxford Vniuersitie it was concluded that the English Nation was not onely to haue precedence of Spaine in all Generall Councels but was also to be held equall with France it selfe By which high prerogatiues this of ours hath alwayes so flourished that in the dayes of King Henry the 〈◊〉 thirtie thousand Students were therein resident as Archbishop Armachanus who then liued 〈◊〉 writ and â—…ger then also liuing sheweth that for all the ciuill warres which hindered such 〈◊〉 of quiet studie yet 15000. Students were there remaining whose names saith he were 〈◊〉 in matricula in the matriculation booke About which time Iohn Baltol the father of Baltol King of Scots built a Colledge yet bearing his name Anno 1269. and Walter Merton Bishop of Rochester that which is now called Merton Colledge both of them beautified with buildings and enriched with lands and were the first endowed Colledges for learning in all Christendome And at this present 〈◊〉 sixteene Colledges besides another newly builded with eight Hals and many most 〈…〉 Churches all adorned with most stately buildings and enriched with great endowments noble Libraries and most learned Graduates of all professions that vnlesse it be her sister Cambridge the other nursing breast of this Land the like is not sound againe in the world This Citie is also honoured with an Episcopall See As for the site thereof it is remoued from the Equator in the degree 52. and one minute and from the West by Mercators measure 19. degrees and â—0 minutes 8 As this Countie is happie in the possession of so famous an Academie so is it graced with most Princely Palaces appertaining to the English Crowne whereof Woodstocke is the most ancient and magnificent built to that glory by King Henry the first and enlarged with a Labyrinth of many windings by King Henry the second to hide from his jealous Iuno his intirely beloued Concubine Rosamond Clifford a Damosell of surpassing beautie where notwithstanding followed by a clew of silke that fell from her lap she was surprised and poisoned by Queene Eleanor his wife and was first buried at Godstow Nunnery in the midst of the Quire vnder a Hearse of silke set about with lights whom Hugh Bishop of Lincolne thinking it an vnfit obiect for Virgins deuotion caused to be remoued into the Church yard but those chaste sisters liked so well the memory of that kinde Lady as that her bones they translated againe into their Chappell Bensington is another of his Majesties Mannours built by William de la Pole Duke of Suffolke but now in neglect through the annoâ—ance arising from the waters or marishes adioyning Houses built for deuotion and for abuse suppressed and againe put downe the chiefe in account were Enisham Osney Bruâ—rn Godstow Burchester and Tame besides S. Frideswides and very many other stately Houses of Religion in the Citie GLOCESTER-SHIRE CHAPTER XXIII GLOCESTER-SHIRE lyeth bordered vpon the North with Worcester and Warwicke-shires vpon the East with Oxford and Wileshire vpon the South altogether with Sommerset-shire and vpon the West with the Riuer Wye and Hereford-shire 2 The length thereof extended from Bristow vpon the Riuer Auon in her South vnto Clifford vpon another Auon in her North are about fortie eight miles and her broadest part from East to West is from Lechlad vnto Preston containing twentie eight the whole circumference about one hundred thirtie eight miles 3 The forme whereof is somewhat long and narrow the Ayre thereof is pleasant sweet and delectable and for fruitfulnesse of Soile heare Malmesbury and not me The ground of this Shire throughout saith he yeeldeth plentie of Corne and bringeth forth abundance of fruits the one through the naturall goodnesse onely of the ground the other through the diligent manuring and tillage in such wise that it would prouoke the laziest person to take paines Here you may see the High-wayes and Common Lanes clad with Apple trees and Peare trees not ingrafted by the industry of mans hand but growing naturally of their owne accord the ground of it selfe is so inclined to beare fruits and those both in taste and beautie farre exceeding others and will endure vntill a new supply come There is not any Country in England so thicke set with Vineyards as this Prouince is so plentifull of increase and so pleasant in taste The very wines made thereof carry no vnpleasant tartnesse as being little inferiour in sweet verdure to the French wines the houses are innumerable the Churches passing faire and the Townes standing very thicke But that which addeth vnto all good gifts a speciall glory is the Riuer Seuerne then which there is not any in all the Land for Channell broader for Streame swifter or for Fish better stored There is in it a daily rage and fury of waters which I know not whether I may call a Gulfe or Whirle-pole of waues raising vp the sands from the bottome winding and driuing them vpon heapes sometimes ouerflowing her bankes roâ—eth a great way vpon the face of her bordering grounds and againe retyreth as a Conquerour into the vsuall Channell Vnhappy is the Vessell which it taketh full vpon the side but the Water-men well ware thereof when they see that Hydra comming turne the Vessell vpon it and cut thorow the midst of it whereby they checke and auoyd her violence and danger 4 The ancient people that possessed this Prouince were the DOBVNI who spread themselues further into Oxford shire But betwixt the Seuerne and Wye were seated part of SILVRES or Inhabitants of South Wales And vpon what ground I know not let Lawyers dispute it the Inhabitants in some part of this Shire enioy a priuate custome to this day that the Goods and Lands of Condemned Persons fall vnto the Crowne but onely for a yeare and a day and then returne to the next heires contrary to the custome of all England besides 5 The general Commodities of this Shire are Corne Iron and Wools all passing fine besides Pasturage Fruits and Woods which last are much lessened by making of Iron the onely bane of Oke Elme and Beech. 6 These with all other prouisions are traded thorow twenty fiue Market-Townes in this County whereof two are Cities of no small import the first is Glocester from whom the Shire taketh name seated vpon Seuerne neere the middest of this Shire by Antonine the Emperour called Gleuum built first by the Romans and set as it were vpon the necke of the Silures to yoake them where their Leâ—ion called Colonia Gleuum lay It hath beene walled about excepting that part that is defended by the Riuer the ruines whereof in many places appeare and some part yet standing doth well witnesse their strength
retire themselues thither and to make it their receptacle for solitude hauing on the West and South Northumberland and more South-Eastward the Iland Farne 2 The forme of it is long and narrow the West side narrower then the East and are both conioyned by a very small spang of land that is left vnto Comes The South is much 〈◊〉 then the rest It is from East to West about two thousand two hundred and fiftie pases and from North to South twelue hundred and fiftie pases so that the circumference cannot be great 3 The ayre is not very good either for health or delight as being seated on those parts that are subiect to extremitie of cold and greatly troubled with vapours and toggy mists that arise from the Seas 4 The soile cannot be rich being rockie and full of stones and vnfit for Corne and Tâ—â—age It is neither commended for hils to seed sheepe nor pastures to fit Cattle 〈…〉 replenished with sweet springs or running riuellets onely one excepted 〈…〉 standing pond The onely thing this Iland yeeldeth is a stand accomodate 〈…〉 and fowling 5 Notwithstanding this is very worthy of note concerning the same which Alcun wrote in an Epistle to Egelred King of Northumberland namely that it was a place more venerable then all the places of Britaine and that after the departure of S. Paulinus from Yorke there Christian Religion began in their Nation though afterwards it there felt the first beginning of misery and calamitie being left to the spoyle of Pagans and Mâ—â—â—oants 6 It is also remembred of this Iland that sometimes there hath beene in it an Episcopall See which Aâ—dan the Scot instituted being called thither to Preach the Christian Faith to the people of Northumberland being thus delighted with the solitary situation thereof as a most fit place for retire But afterwards when the Danesâ—isled â—isled and robbed all the Sea-Coasts the Episcopall See was translated to Durham 7 This Iland so small in account either for compasse or Commoditie and so vnpeopled and vnprofitable cannot be numerous in Townes and Villages It hath in it onely one Towne with a Church and a Castle vnder which there is a commodious Hauen defended with a Block-house situate vpon in hill towards the South-East FARNEILE THis I le South-eastward seuen miles from Holy Iland sheweth it selfe distant almost two miles from Bambrough Castle On the West and South it beareth vpon Northumberland and on the North-east-side it hath other smaller Ilands adioyning to it as Widopens Staple Iland which lie two miles off Bronsinan and two lesser then these which are called the Wambes 2 The forme of this I le is round and no larger in compasse then may easily be ridden in one halfe of a day The bredth of it is but fiue miles and the length no more The whole circumference extends it selfe no further then to fifteene miles 3 The ayre is very vnwholesome and subiect both to many Dysenteries and other diseases by reason of the mistie fogges and exhalations that are thereunto drawne vp from the Ocean It is many times troubled with vnusuall tempests of windes with boisterous fury of stormy raines and with seuerall and vncouth rages of the Sea 4 The soile cannot be fertile being encircled about with craggy clifts neither hath it in it much matter either of pleasure or profit It can neither defend it selfe from cold lacking fuell as Wood Coale Turffes c. nor from famine wanting food as Corne Pastures Cattle c. The best commoditie it yeelds is Fish and Fowle 5 This thing neuerthelesse is worthy to be remembred of it which Beda writing of the life of Cuthbert Bishop of Lindisfarne that Tutelar Paâ—ron of the Northerne Englishmen reporteth namely that in this I le he built a Citie fitting his gouernment and erected certaine houses in the same the whole building standing almost round in compasse and reaching the space of foure or fiue pearches The wall about it he made higher then a mans height to with-hold and keepe in the want on lasciuiousnesse both of his thoughts and eyes and to eleuate the whole intention of his minde vp to heauenly desires that he might wholly giue himselfe to the seruice of God But these are all made the ruines of time as sithence many other Monuments haue beene of worthy antiquitie 6 I cannot report that there are now many houses standing in it much lesse Townes or Villages Onely this that it hath a Tower or place of Fortification belonging vnto it placed well-neere in the middle part of the I le GARNSEY THis Iland lieth about fiue leagues Northwest from Iersey and is compassed like to her neighbour with the British Sea It lieth in length from Plymouth bay South-west to Lancrosse de Anckeâ—â— Northeast thirteene miles in bredth from S. Martins point Southeast to the Howe Northwest nine miles and is in circuit thirtie sixe miles The Emperour Antonine hauing the rule and domination of France at that time called Gaule from whence the word Gallia is deriued did name this Iland Sarnia which afterward by the change of Times and corruption of Languages was long since and is at this day called Garnsey 2 This I le in forme and fashion standeth in the Sea much like to a Parke that is incompassed round about with a Pale of Rockes being very defensible vnto the Iland from the attempting innouation of enemies 3 The Aire and Climate of this I le hath little or no difference in temper or qualitie from that of Iersey And this deserues to be remembred of it that in this I le is neither Toade Snake Adder or any other venemous creature and the other hath great plentie 4 It standeth for the most part vpon a rocke very high in many places from the Sea Neuerthelesse the Soile is very fruitfull yeelding forth great plentie of grasse for their Sheepe and other Cattell which they haue to serue all vses Their fields in the Summer time are so naturally garnished with flowers of all sorts that a man being there might conceit himselfe to be in a pleasant artificiall garden 5 The Inhabitants are not so much giuen to tillage as they of Iersey though the soile be as fruitfull They haue of late taken great delight in planting and setting of trees of all sorts and especially of Apples by reason whereof they make much Cider Their commodities are alike and their helpes from the Sea no lesse or rather more 6 In this I le are many great steepe Rocks among which is found a hard stone called by the Frenchmen Smyris which we terme Emerill This stone is seruiceable for many purposes and many Trades as Glasiers c. but especially for the Goldsmiths and Lapidaries to cut their precious stones 7 It hath a head of Land vpon the North part thereof the passage into which is so narrow that a man would thinke that at euery Tyde the Sea beating strongly on both sides it were in a continuall danger to be sundred from
the longest against the Romanes and their necks not brought vnder the yoke of bondage before the dayes of King Edward the first since when they haue attempted to east off their subiection to the English vpon whose stirres raised by Owin Glendouer who hauing beene a fauorite of King Richard the second and discontented by King Henry the fourth in a quarrell with the Lord Grey of Ruthin that intruded vpon his demaines quarrelled with the King and entred into open rebellion and confederacie with all other his rebels drawing the Welsh-men wholly to his side in hope to haue had Princes restored of their owne bloud and he maintained the same with wonderfull pride policie and obstinacie for a long time vntill his consederates followers and fauorates and his owne courage credit and maintenance were brought so low by that powerfull King that in the end he perished for very want of food 5 Their Townes are not many neither those that they haue of any stately buildings whereof Bala â—olgethe and Harlech are the Markeâ—◠〈…〉 in the North-east of this Countie in the Welsh 〈◊〉 in English Piâ—â—â—le-meane a great poole of water doth drowne at least eight score Acres of ground whose 〈…〉 the high land flouds though neuer so great cannot 〈…〉 bigger by their 〈…〉 but if the 〈◊〉 beâ—â—oubled with ouer great blasts and tempests of wiâ—des she in as great a rage riseth and passeth her bankes as if she would encounter that enemy in fight Into the South whereof the two headed Dee with a pretie sharpe streame entreth and thorow the same glideth without any mixture of the same water as the Inhabitants beleeue more strongly conceited in their opinion for that the Salmon vsually taken in Dee is neuer found in that Poole and the fish called Guimad bred in that Meart neuer is seene in the Riuer Dee South thence neere Dolgelhr in a lower hill a great Rampire of stone and compasse is seene and hath beene some fortification or defence in warre which whilst we were curious to finde out some instructions thereof by report this onely we learned that it was called Caddoryrita Dren according to the name of her neighbour and farre higher hill 6 Vpon the West and Sea-shore of this Shire Harlech a Market and Major Towne standeth bleake enough and barren but onely for Fowle and Fish houses not many neither curiously built wherein standeth a little Chappell decayed and without vse in which lyeth buryed Sir Richard Thimblebye an English Knight who for the delight he tooke in that game remoued his abode from a farre better soyle Here also standeth a most strong and beautifull Castle mounted vpon a hill and with a double Bulwarke walled about commanding the Sea and passage of entrance of such as seeke to inuade the Goast And surely a great pitie it is to see so faire a worke fall to decay the Constable whereof by Patent is euer the Major of this Towne neere vnto which are two great Inlets of Seas which at low water may be passed vpon the Sands with Guides Vpon whose shore as vpon the Sea-coasts in this Countie abundance of Herrings are caught for which cause they are much frequented in the season of the yeare by many people from diuers Countries DENBIGH-SHIRE CHAPTER XI DENBIGH-SHIRE called in Welsh Sire Denbigh retyring more from the Sea within the Countrey on this side of the Riuer Conwey shooteth Eastward in one place as farre as to the Riuer Dee on the North first the Sea for a small space and then Plint-shire encompasseth it on the West Caernaruon and Merioneth-shire on the East Cheshire and Shrop-shire and on the South Mountgomery-shire 2 The forme thereof is long growing wider still towards the North-west and narrower towards the East It is in length from East to West one and thirtie miles and in bredth from North to South seauenteene miles in the whole circuit and circumference one hundred and fourteene miles 3 The ayre is very wholesome and pleasant yet bleake enough as exposed to the windes on all sides and the high hilles wherewith it is in many places enuitoned long retaining the congealed snow The tops whereof in the Summer time are the haruest-mens Almanacks by the rising of certaine vapours thereon in the mornings and foreshew a faire day ensuing 4 The soyle is but barren towards the West part yet the middle where it lieth flat in a valley is most fertile The East side when it is once past the valley findeth Nature to be a very sparing niggard of her sauours but next vnto Dee it feeleth a more liberall extent of her blessings The West part is but here and there inhabited and mounteth vp more then the other with bare and hungry hilles yet the leanesse of the soyle where the hils settle any thing flatting hath beene now a good while begun to be ouercome by the diligent paines and carefull industry of the husbandmen for they paring away the vpper coat of the earth into certaine Turffes with a broad kinde of spade pile them vp artificially on heapes and fire them so as being turned into ashes and throwne vpon the ground so pared they fructifie the hungry barrennesse and sterilitie of soyle and make the fields bring forth a kinde of Rie or Anull-corne in such plentie as is hardly to be beleeued 5 The ancient Inhabitants of this Countrey were the Ordouices who being also named Ordeâ—ices or Ordoâ—icae a puissant and couragious people by reason they kept wholly in a mountainous place and tooke heart euen of the soyle it selfe for they continued longest free from the yoke both of Roman and also of English dominion They were not subdued by the Romans before the dayes of the Emperor Domitian for then Iulius Agricola conquered almost the whole Nation nor brought vnder the command of the English before the raigne of King Edward the first but liued a long time in a lawlesse kinde of libertie as bearing themselues bold vpon their owne magnanimitie and the strength of the Country 6 The Mountaines of this County yeeld sufficiency of Neat Sheepe and Goats The Vallies in most places are very plenteous of Corne especially Eastward on this side betwixt the Riuers of Alen and Dee but the more Westerly part is heathy and altogether barren The heart of the Shire shewes it selfe beneath the hilles in a beautifull and pleasant Vale reaching seauenteene miles in length from South to North and fiue miles or thereabouts in bredth and lieth open onely toward the Sea It is enuironed on euery side with high hilles amongst which the highest is Moâ—llenlly on the top whereof is a warlike Fense with Trench and Rampier and a little fountaine of cleare water From these hilles the Riuer Cluyd resorts vnto this Vale and from the very spring-head increased with beckes and brookes doth part it in twaine running thorow the midst of it whereof in ancient time it was named Strat Cluyd for Mariamâ—s maketh mention of a King of the Strat Cluyd of
addict themselues to trauell into forraine Countries 4 Yet in the meane while lest I should seeme too difectiue in my intendments let me without offence in this third though short Booke giue onely a generall view of that Kingdome vpon obseruations from others which to accomplish by mine owne suruey if others should hap to faile and my crazy-aged-body will giue leaue is my chiefe desire knowing the Iland furnished with many worthy remembrances appertaining both vnto them and vs whom God now hath set vnder one Crowne and the rather for that their more Southerne people are from the same Originall with vs the English being both alike the Saxon branches as also that the Picts anciently inhabiting part of that Kingdome were the inborne Britaines and such as thither fled to auoid the Romane seruitude whose names began first to be distinguished vnder Dioclesian the Emperour when they were termed Picts for painting their bodies like the Britaines as such Flauius Vigetius which is more strengthened for that the Northerne Britaines conuerted by Saint Columb are called Britaine Picts 6 Their manner were alike saith Diodorus Siculus and Strabo and their garments not much different as by Sidonius Apollinaris may be gathered where he seemeth rather to describe the moderne Wild-Irish then the antike Gete Notwithstanding this Nations Originall by some hath beene deriued from Scota the supposed Daughter of the Egyptian King Pharoah that nourished Moses afterwards married vnto Gaithelus the son of Cecrops Founder of Athens who first seating in Spaine passed thence into Ireland and lastly into Scotland where his Wife Scota gaue Name to the Nation if we beleeue that they hit the marke who shoot at the Moone 7 But that the Scythians came into Spaine besides the Promontory bearing their Name Scythiâ—um Silius Italicus a Spanyard borne doth shew who bringeth the Concani a Nation therein seated from the Massagetae which were the Scythians and the Sarmatae whom all confesse to haue bin Scythians were the builders as he saith of the Citie Susanna in Spaine And how from Spaine they possessed themselues of Ireland at the time when the Kingdome of Iulah flourished Ninius the Disciple of Eluodugus doth tell and their owne Histories of Nemethus and Delas besides Cisnerus and others doe shew who were first knowne by the name of Scots as is gathered out of Prophyry alledged by S. Ierome in the raigne of Aurelianus the Emperour Gildas calleth them the Irish-Spoilers Giraldus A Scotish Nation descended from Ireland which in regard of them by Eginbardus is termed The I le of Scots by Beda The I le inhabited by the Scots and by other Historians Scotland the great as their seate in Britaine was called Scotland the lesse 9 Scotlands South part in Galloway washed with the warer of Solway Bay toucheth degree 56. of Latitude and thence inbosoming many Loughes and In-lets vpon the East and West extendeth it selfe vnto the degree 60 and 30 minutes whose Longitude is likewise laid betwixt the degree 13 and 19 and the same growne very narrow being so neere the North-Pole as lying directly vnder the hindermost Starres of the Greater Beare 11 And these againe are subdiuided into Sherifdomes Stewardships and â—â—â—wickes for the most part inheritory vnto honourable Families The Ecclesiasticall Gouernment is also subiect vnder two Metropolitan Arch-bishops which are of S. Andrewes the Primate of Scotland and of Glasco whose Iurisdictions are as followeth S. Andrewes Dunkeld Aberdon Murray Dunblan Brechin Rosse Cathanes Orkeney Glasco Galloway Argile Iles. Amongst the things worthy of note of Antiquitie in this Kingdome most memorable was that Fortification drawne from Abercorne vpon the Frith of Edenborough vnto Aleluya how Dunbritton opening vpon the West Sea where Iulius Agricola set the limit of the Romane Empire past which saith Tacitus there was no other bounds of Britaine to be sought for and that here the second Legion Augusta and the 20. Legion Victrix built a part of the Wall certaine Inscriptions there digged vp and reserued at Dunloyr and Cader doe witnesse as also an ancient coped monument of an high and round compasse which as some thinke was a Temple consecrated vnto the God Terâ—â—â— others a Trophey raised by Carausius who fortified this Wall with seauen Castles as Ninius doth declare 13 Ninian a Britaine is recorded to haue conuerted the South-Ficts vnto the Faith of Christ in the raigne of Theodosius the younger and the Church in Galloway bearing his name doth witnes it so likewise in the same age Palladius sent from Pope Coelestine became an Apostle vnto the Scots whose reliques lay enshrined at Fordoâ— in Mernis as was verily supposed but that Christianitie had beene formerly planted in this vttermost Prouince is testified by Tertuilian in saying the Britaines had embraced the faith farther then the Romans had power to follow or persecute them whereupon Peter Monke of 〈◊〉 Spaine concludeth their conuersion to be more ancient then the Southerne Britaines 14 But touching things obseruable for the present surely admirable is the report of the plenty of Cattle Fish and Fowle there abiding their Neat but little yet many in number Fish so plentifull that men in some places for delight on horse-backe hunt Salmons with Speares and a certaine Fowle which some call Soland-Geese spreading so thicke in the ayre that they euen darken the Suns light of whose flesh feathers and oyle the Inhabitants in some parts make great vse and gaine yea and euen of fishes brought by them abundant prouision for diet as also of the stickes brought to make their nests plentifull prouision for fuell 16 No lesse strange then any the fore-mentioned waters but more lamentable is the remembrance of the great inâ—ndation happing by the sodaine rising of Tay. which bare away the Walles and Towne of Berth and with it the Cradle and yong sonne of King William into the Sea wherein the Royall Insant with many others perished the King and his Courtiers hardly escaping the danger with life The ruine of this Towne raised another more famous and more commodiously seated euen Perth since called Saint Iohns-Towne 17 Ilands and Ilets yeelding both beautie and subiection to this Scotish Kingdome are the Westerne the Orknayes and the Shetlands reckoned to be aboue three hundred in number the Inhabitants for the most part vsing the frugalitie of the ancient Scot. 18 The Westerne lying scattered in the Deucalidoman Sea were anciently ruled by a King of their owne whose maintenance was out of their common Coffers and the Regall Authoritie neuer continued in line all succession for to preuent that their Kings were not permitted to haue wiues of their owne but might by their Lawes accompany with other mens as the like Law was in the other parts of Scotland that the Virginitie of all new wiues should be the Landlords prey till King Malcolme enacted that halfe a marke should be paid for redemption The residence of those fore-mentioned Kings was chiefly in Ila Bunals and Iona now Columbkill where as Donald Munrâ—
saith Cambrensis is vneuen wooddy wilde waterish and boggy so full of Loghs and Meeres that great ponds of water are found vpon the high Mountaines These indeed make the places somewhat dangerous vnto all new commers by breeding of rheums dyssenteries and fluxes whose vsuall remedie is Vskebah a wholesome Aqua vita that drieth more and enflameth lesse then many other hot confections 7 The Commodities of this Kingdome chiefly consist in Cattle whose feed is so sweet and so ranke that they will soone graze to a surfet if they may be suffered to feed as they will Their sheepe are many but beare not the best wooll which twice are shorne within one yeare Of these they make Mantles Caddowes and Couerleâ—s vented from thence into forraine Countries Their Hobbies likewise are of great esteeme and are answerable to the â—ennets of Spaine Bees are there in such abundance that hony is found in holes of old trees and in rests of the rockes No annoyance of hurtfull Snake or venomous creatures and to speake all in a word nothing wanting for profit or pleasure for so much doth Giraldus affirme in saying that Nature had cast into this Westerne Kingdome of Zephyrus a more gracious eye then was ordinary 8 Touching the originall peopling of this faire Iland if we will beleeue their records they make antiquitie it selfe but young vnto themselues affirming the damsell Caesarea and niece vnto Noah to haue found it out before the Floud and that three hundred yeares after when Iaâ—hets posteritie tooke into these West-parts of the world one Barthelaâ—â—â— of his progeny a Sâ—ythian by birth encouraged by the late successe of Nâ—â—rod who now had intruded vpon the Monarchy of Syria wandred so farre West that Fortune at last cast him and his people vpon the coast of Ireland There he setled with his three sonnes Languinna Salarus and Ruthurgus who searching through euery creeke and corner of the Land left their owne names by three notable places Languiâ—â— Stragrus and Mount Salanga which the reuolution of times hath since called by other names as S. Dominickhill Ruthurgi and Stagâ—â—â— Vnder the gouernment of these three sonnes and their off-spring this land was kept about three hundred yeares at which time there arriued also in Ireland a Giant-like kinde of people of Nimrods race who in bodily shape exceeded the proportion of vsuallmen vsing their strengths to winne 〈…〉 and to oppreste with rapine and violence These growing to numbers accounted it necesâ—ary to preuent dominion lest the curse of slauery prophecied by Noah should light vpon them to preuent the which they set vp a King of their owne then quarrels bred daily either parties purposing to hold their interest by their swords against whom lastly a battle was fought and an infinite company of Giants slaine when also died most of those of the posteritie of Iapheth leauing them of Cham Lords of Iland 9 Whereupon Nemethus a Scythian with his foure sonnes arriued in Ireland and by strong hand seated themselues among these Grants where for two hundred and sixtie yeares they kept but then no longer able to hold out against them they left their standings and departed the land 10 Soone after the fiue sonnes of Dela descended from the said Nemethus came into these coasts and with manly prowesâ—e droue these miscreants out of Ireland whereby the seed of Cham was vtterly expelled these of Iapheth diuided the land into fiue parts whereof they became themselues Kings but falling at variance gaue aduantage vnto others among whom the BRITAINES set in a foot 11 But to make this Iland more famous certaine Historians haue fetched their Kings from most vncertaine Records as namely from Gaothel the Grecian and Scotia the daughter of King Pharao and nourisher of Moses his wife who at that time when Israel were in Egypt with a Colony came into Spaine and after into Ireland where he was made King and in honour of his Queene the land named Scotia from whom also the Inhabitants tooke name his posteritie increasing in the parts of Spaine where first they had seated in procesâ—e of time sought further aduentures vnder the foure sonnes of Milesius King of Spaine whose names were Hibernus Hermion Euer and Erimon 12 These by the direction sufferance and assistance of Gurguntius King of the Britaines after that Ireland had beene very much dispeopled by a contagious pestilence seated themselues and from the eldest Hiberius called the Iâ—â—and Hibernia as some are of opinion these diuided the whole into fiue Proâ—â—nces famously knowne by the names of Mounster Leinster Connaught Vlster and Mâ—ath in their midst and from these the present Irish repute themselues to come Yet surely as I make no question but that this Iland became inhabited euen of old time when mankinde againe ouer-spred the face of the earth so doubt I not but that our Britaines pasâ—ed thereinto themselues such infinite number of words in the Irish language yet in vse such ancient names of Waters Isles Mountaines and places meerely British words yet remaining and the testimony of â—acitus who saith that their manners were fashioned to the Britaines inforceth so much and Ptolemy before him calleth that Iland by the name of little Britaine all which shew a former interest for Ireland then that which by conquest vnder Henry the second was made 13 That it euer was subiect to the Romans is doubtfull though Agricola did wish it and Tacitus held most necessary yea and in the diuision of their Empire Ireland with Britaine and Thule fell vnto Constantine the sonne of Constantine the great yet their manners vnreclaimed and barbarisme retained long after those dayes doe witnesse no such 〈◊〉 sowne to be in that plot But when Romes great Empire began to grow lesse the Scots or Scythians grew mightie in Ireland and as Orosâ—â—â— writeth that Island was wholly inhabited by the Scotish Nation in the dayes of Honorius and Arâ—â—dius the Emperours whose warres and slaughter Claudian doth lightly touch in this his Verse Scotorum cumulos fleuit glacialis Ierne The frozen Ireland wept to see her Scots all slaine on hâ—apes to be 14 As these for the most part by the testimony of Ninius were the ancient Inhabitants so by other ancient Writers their customes and manners are thus set forth Strabo saith The Inhabitants of Ireland are more rude then the Britaines they feed vpon the flesh of men yea and thinke it a point of worth to eat their dead parents want only they accompany with women making no difference of other mens wiues their owne sisters nor of their naturall mothers but of these things saith he we haue no certaine witnesse of sufficient credit Poâ—ponius Mela recordeth that the Irish are vnâ—iuill ignorant of vertues and void of religion And Solinus affirmeth that after victory they drinke the bloud of the slaine and besmeare their owne faces therewith so giuen to warre that the mother at the birth of a man-childe feedeth the first meat into her
of Cattle and with meane husbandry and tillage yeelding plentie of Corne As euery particular part is thus seuerally profitable by in-bred commodities so is it no lesse commended in the generalitie for the many accomodate and fit Bayes Creekes and nauigable Riuers lying vpon her Sea-coasts that after a sort inuite and prouoke the Inhabitants to nauigation 5 Such as in ancient time made their abode and habitations in this Prouince were the GANGANI who were also called CONCANI AVTERI and NAGNATAE As the Luceni that were next neighbours vnto them came from the Luceniji in Spaine so those Gangam and Coneani may seeme also to haue fetcht their deriuation from the Concan Nation of the selfe-same Country both by the affinitie of name and vicinitie of place In Strabo according to the diuersitie of reading the same people are named Coniaci and Conisci and Silius testifieth them at the first to haue beene Scythians and to haue vsed ordinarily to drinke horses bloud a thing nothing strange among the wilde Irish euen of late dayes And some may also happily suppose that the Irish name Conaughty was compounded of Concani and Nagnatae Howsoeuer it is sure that these were the ancient Inhabitants of this Country as is to be seene in Ptolemie 6 The principall Citie of this Prouince and which may worthily be accounted the third in Ireland is Galway in Irish Galliue built in manner much like to a Tower It is dignified with a Bishops See and is much frequented with Merchants by reason whereof and the benefit of the Road and Hauen it is gainfull to the Inhabitants through traffique and exchange of rich commodities both by Sea and Iland Not farre from which neere the West shoare that lies indented with small in-lets and out lets in a row are the Ilands called Arran of which many a foolish fable goes as if they were the Ilands of the liuing wherein none died at any time or were subiect to moralitie which is as supersitious an obseruation as that vsed in some other corners of the Country where the people leaue the right armes of their Infants males vnchâ—stned as they terme it to the end that at any time afterwards they might giue a more deadly and vngracious blow when they strike which things doe not onely shew how palpably they are carried away by traditious obscurities but doe also intimate how full their hearts be of inueterate reuenge 7 This â—ouince presents no matter more worthy of memory then the battle of Knoe-toe that is The â—ull of axes vnder which the greatest rabble of Rebels that were euer seene before in Ireland raised and gathered together by the Arch-Rebels of that time William Burk O Brien Mac-Nomare and O-Carrol were after a bloudy ouerthrow discomfited and put to flight by the noble seruice of Girald Fâ—â—z-Gâ—rald Earle of â—ildare And the suppression of certaine Irish the posteritie of Mac-William who vsurping a tyrannie in these parts raged sometimes vpon themselues with mutuall iniuries and oppressed the poore people a long time with extorting pilling and spoiling so as they left scarce one house in the Country vnrifled or vnrased but were bridled and repressed euen in our remebrance by the seueritie and resolution of the Commissioner of those their vniust doings would be a meanes to draw the people away from the due obedience to their Prince such therefore as refused to obey the lawes and sided with the tumultuous with all care and diligence he soone scattered forcing their Forts and driuing them into woods and lurking holes for troubling the blessed estate of tranquilitie till the Lord Deputie who tooke pitie of them vpon their humble supplication commanded by his missiues that they should be receiued vpon tearmes of peace But they being a stiffenecked people tooke armes againe entred a-fresh into actuall rebellion draue away booties made foule vprores and vpon faire promises procured the aid of the Scottish Ilanders from out of the Hebrides whereupon the Gouernour assembled an Armie and pursued them with such powerfull violence through the Woods and Forrests that after sixe or seauen weekes being grieuously hunger-bitten they submitted themselues in all humilitie The Auxiliarie Forces also of the Scots he by day and night affronted so neere and followed so hardly that he put them to flight after he had killed and drowned about three thousand of them in the Riuer Moin 8 About the yeare 1316. there was such a great slaughter made of the Irish in this Prouince of Connaught through a quarrell that arose there betweene two Lords or Princes that there were slaine on both sides about foure thousand men and so great a tribulation at that time came vpon the people that they did deuoure and eat one another so as of 10000. there remained not aboue 200. liuing And it is reported for truth that the people were then so hunger-starued that in Church-yards they tooke the dead bodies out of their graues and in their sculs boiled the flesh and fed vpon it yea and that women did eat their owne children Thus appeared the ire and anger of God in punishing their sinnes and seeking their conuersion 9 Places memorable are Inis Ceath well knowne by the Monastery of Colman a deuout Saint founded for Scots and Englishmen and Inis Bouind which Bede calleth White Calse Isle Also Maâ—o a Monastery built as Bede writeth for thirtie men of the English Nation Likewise the Barony of Boile vnder Carlew hilles where in times past was a famous Abbey built together with the Abbey of Beatitude in the yeare of grace 1152 These Abbeyes and Monasteries erected at the first for religious seruices and through ignorance and other obseurities diuerted since vnto superstitious vses are now made the ruines of time THE PROVINCE OF VLSTER CHAPTER V. THis Prouince called by our Welsh-Britaines Vltw in Irish Cui Guilly in Latine Vltonia and Vlidia in English Vâ—sier on the North is diuided by a narrow Sea from Scotland South-ward it extends it selfe to Connagh and Leinster the East part lieth vpon the Irish Sea and the West part is continually beaten with the boisterous rage of the maine West Ocean This Prouince and furthest part of Ireland affronteth the Scotish Ilands which are called the Hebrides and are scattered in the Seas betweene both Kingdomes whose Inhabitants at this day is the Irish-Scot successour of the old Scythian 2 The forme thereof is round reaching in length from Coldagh-Hauen in her North to Kilmore in her South neere an hundred miles and in bredth from Black-Abbey in her East to Calebegh point in her West one hundred thirtie and odde miles The whole in circumference about foure hundred and twentie miles 3 This Country seldome feeleth any vnseasonable extremities the quicke and flexible windes cooling the heat of Summer and soft and gentle showers mollifie the hardnesse of the Winter Briefly the frozen nor torrid Zone haue not here any vsurpation the clouds in the aire very sweet and pleasant yea and when they are most