Chinner Lewk CHIPPING NORTON Cha. Chisleyhampton Dor. Church Cowley Bulling Churchhill Chad. Chymney Bamp Clanfield Bamp Clare Pirt. Clatercott Banb. Cleydon Banb. Clifton Dor. Clifton Wot Cogges VVot Cokethorpe Bamp Coddington Plough Longe Combe VVot Coome Bulling Cote Bamp Cottesford Plough Cotten Banb. Temple Cowley Bulling Cowthorpe Banb. Crawley Bamp Cromish Battley Ewelm Cromish Gifford Lang. Cornewell Chad. Cropredie Banb. Crowell Lewk Cuckham Ewel Cuddesdon Bulling Cullam Dor. D Deane Chad. Deddington VVot Denton Bulling Dickley VVot Dorchester Dor. Dracot Ewel Drayton Blox Drayton Dor. Ducklington Bamp Dunse Tive VVot Dunsden Bin. E Elsfeild Bulling Emington Lewk Enesham VVot Enston Chad. Epwell Blox Esington Ewel Evenclods Flu. Ewelme Ewelm Eye Binf. F Faringdon little Bamp Fauler Banb. Fencott Bulling Fifeild Dor. Fifeild Chad. Finmore Plough Finscot Banb. Foresthill Bulling Fringford Plough Fritwell Plough Fullbrooke Chad. Fulwell Plough Fylkins Bamp G Garsington Bulling Gatehampton Lang. Glimpton VVot Godington Plough Godstow VVot Goldar Pirt. Goring Lang. Gossard VVot Grafton Bamp Grayes-Court Binf. Grayes Binf. Greenfeild Pirt. H Hampton Short Chad. Hampton Poyle Plough Hampton Gaye Plough Hanboro Long VVot Hanwell Blox Hardwick Plough Harecourt VVot Harwicke Bamp Haseley great Ewel Haseley little Ewel Haulton Bulling Hayley Bamp Heath Plough Heathorpe Chad. Heddington Bulling Hempton VVot HENLEY Hensington VVot Heyford Nether Plough Heyford warren Ploug. Hinton Lewk Holcombe Ewel Hollwell Bamp HOOKE NORTON Cha. Hordly VVot Horley Chad. Horton Chad. Horspath Bulling Horspenden alias Harding Binf. Horton Bulling Huddon Bamp I Ibsden Lang. Idbury Chad. Isley Bulling Ingeston Lewk Ipwell Dor. Isis Flu. Islipp Plough K Kellmiscott Bramp Kencott Bramp Kiddington Nether VVot Kidington Chad. Kidlington VVot Kingham Chad. Kirtlington Plough L Langley Chad. Lashbrooke Binf. Latchford Ewel Lawnton Plough Ledwell VVot Lefeild Chad. Lewe Bamp Lewkenor Lewk Lillingston lovell Plough Littlemore Bulling The Lye Banb. Lye South VVot Lye North. VVot Lyneham Chad. M Mangwell Lang. Mappleduram Gourney Binf. Mappleduram Chawes Lang. Marston Bulling Merton Bulling Middle Barton Wot Middle Aston Wot Middleton Stony Plou Milcombe Blox Milton Blox Milton Chad. Minster Lovell Chad. Mixbury Plough Moccott Bulling Mollington Blox More North Chad. Morecott Plough Morton Tame Mylton little Tame Mylton great Tame N Neithorpe Banb. Nettlebed Ewl. Newbridge VVot Newinton Ewel Newnham Murrin Lang. Newnham Courtney Bulling Newton Blox South Newton VVot Newton Pursell Plough Noke Plough Norton-brimer Bamp Norton-Over Chad. Nusfeild Ewel O Odington Plough Otmore Bulling Ouy Chapell Chad. OXFORD Wotton P Piddington Bulling Priton Pirt. Pisse hill Pirt. Poscombe Lewk Prestend Tame Priorate Brampt Pudicott Chad. R Ramsden Chad. Ricott Tame Rodcott-bridge Bramp Rotherfeild Grayes Binf. Rotherfeild Popper Binf. Rousham VVot Roll-rich-stones Wot Rowlwright great Chad. Rowlwright little Chad. S Sallford Chad. Sandford Bulling Sandford Heath Chad. Saresdine Chad. Scadham Tame Sewcott Plough Shelswell Plough Shirborne Pirt. Shilton Bamp Shifford Bamp Shiplake Binf. Shipton upon Charwell Wot Shipton Vnderwood Cha. Shotover Wood Bull. Shutford Banb. Sidenham Lewk Sommerton Plough Souldren Plough Southorpe Chad. Spilesbury Chad. Stanford VVot Stanlake Bamp Stanton S. Iohns Bulling Staunton Harecourt Wot Steple Aston VVot Stodham Dor. Stoke Line Plough Stoke Rue Lang. Stoke Stolemag Pirt. Stoke North Lang. Stoke South Dor. Stoken Church Lewk Stonesfeild VVot Stratton Audley Plough Swaclive Banb. Swerford Chad. Swinbrooke Chad. Swincombe Ewel Sybberds gore Blox Sybberds Ferries Blox Synett Bamp T Tackley Wot Tadmerton little Blox Tadmerton great Blox Tadlisthorpe Chad. Tamerton great Blox Tangley Chad. Tetsworth Tame Teynton Chad. THAME NEW Tame Thame old Tame Thame Parke Tame Thorpe VVot Thorpe Lang. Thoulkford Lewk Tiddington Bulling Tive little Wot Tive great Wot Tusmore Plough Tythorpe Lewk V Vpton Bamp W Walcott Chad. Warborro Ewel Wardenton Banb. Warrant Plough Warton Wot WATLINGTON Pir. Water Eaton Wot Waterpery Bulling Waterstocke Tame Weald Bamp Wendlebury Plough Westall hill Chad. Westcott Barton Wot Weston South Tame Weston North Tame Weston on the Greene Ploug. Westwell Bamp Whatley Bulling Whichwood Forrest Chad. Whitfeild Pirt. Whitchurch Lang. Wickam Banb. Wigginton Blox Wightill Wot Willcott Wot Williamscott Banb. WITTNEY Bamp Witch Chad. Wiveold Ewel Woodcott Lang. Woodeaton Bulling WOODSTOCKE W. Worton over Wot Worton nether Wot Wotton Wot Wroxstone Blox Wulvercott Wot Y Yarnton Wot Yellford Bamp GLOCESTER-SHIRE in the Saxons Tongue Gleaucesderschyre lyeth bordered upon the North with Worcester and Warwick-shires upon the East with Oxford and Wilt-shire upon the South altogether with Sommerset-shire and upon the West with the River Wye and Hereford-shire 2 The length thereof extended from Bristow upon the River Avon in her South unto Clifford upon another Avon in her North are about forty eight miles and her broadest part from East to West is from Lechlad unto Preston containing twenty eight the whole circumference about one hundred thirty eight miles 3 The forme whereof is somewhat long and narrow the Ayre thereof is pleasant sweet and delectable and for fruitfulnesse of soyle heare Malmesbury and not mee The ground of this Shire throughout saith he yeeldeth plenty of corn and bringeth forth abundance of fruits the one through the naturall goodnesse only of the ground the other through the diligent manuring and tillage in such wise that it would provoke the laziest person to take paines Here you may see the High-wayes and common Laâ—es clad with Apple-trees and Peare-trees not engrafted by the industry of mans hand but growing naturally of their owne accord the ground of it self is so inclined to beare fruits and those both in taste and beauty far exceeding others and will endure untill a new supply come There is not any Country in England so thicke set with Vine yards as this Province is so plentifull of increase and so pleasant in taste The very wines made thereof carry no unpleasant tartnesse as being little inferior in sweet verdure to the French Wines the houses are innumerable the Churches passing faire and the Towns standing very thick But that which addeth unto all good gifts a speciall glory is the River Severne then which there is not any in all the Land for Chanell 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-poole of waves raising up the sands from the bottome winding and driving them upon heapes sometimes overflowing her bankes roveth a great way upon the face of her bordering grounds and againe retireth as a Conqueror into the usuall Chanell Vnhappy is the Vessell which it taketh full upon the side but the Water-men well ware thereof when they see that Hydra comming turne the Vessell upon it and cut thorow the midst of it whereby they checke and avoid her violence and danger 4 The ancient people that possessed this Province were the DOBUNI who spread themselves further into Oxford-shire But betwixt the Severne and Wye were seated part of SILURES or Inhabitants of South
store and thither went Abraham out of the Land of Canaan to avoyd the great famine Gen. 1â— She had then her Princes Pharaoh and his mighty men that feared not to resist God and were afterward made the instruments of his punishments upon the children of Israel for they kept them in bondage foure hundred years as was foretold to Abraham in the 15. of Genesis 4 But this proofe of Ancientry concerns not the whole Countrey onely those Regions which lye under the temperate Zone The rest for a long time after were unknowne to our Geographers held not habitable indeed beyond Mount Atlas by reason of the extreme heat The reports which passe of it before Ptolemyes time were but at randome and by guesse of such as had never sayled it round or scarce come within sight of it but at a great distance and by this means either out of their owne errour or else a desire of glory more then they had deserved or perhaps a Travailors trick to cheat the ignorant world that could not confute their reports they spread many idle fables of monstrous people without heads with their eyes and mouthes in their breasts maintained to this day by some Authours of good esteeme But for my part I hold it most reasonable to credit S. Augustine who was born and died in Africa That he in his eighth book De Civitate Dei acknowledgeth no such creatures or if they be they be not men or if men not borne of Adam And our later discoveries joyne in with him that report not upon their owne experience of any other people then such as our selves are and yet I suppose they have seen more of the Countrey then ever any heretofore did For they passe not now to sayle it round once a yeare by the Cape of good Hope to the East-side of the very Isthmus toward the Red-Sea 5 This course by the South was discovered by one Vasco de Gama in the yeare 1497. and a way found to the East Indies by which the Princes of Portugall receive an infinite gaine both in Spices and other Merchandize The hope of which first set them upon the adventure And in this one thing we owe much to our owne Countrey otherwise a detestable plague that the insatiate desire of wanton commodities hath opened to us a large part of the world before not knowne and which we hope may hereafter increase the light of the Gospel and the number of the Elect. 6 If we compare Her to the two other portions of the same Hemisphere she is situated wholly South and in part West-ward It is divided on the North from Europe by the Mediterraneum Sea On the South where it runnes into a kind of poynt at the Cape of good Hope it is bound with the vast Ocean which in that part hath the name of the Aethiopicke Sea on the East with the Red Sea and on the West with the Atlantike Ocean called there in our common Maps Mare del North. So that in briefe we reckon both Her Longitude and Latitude in the largest parts to be neere upon 4200. English miles 7 Notwithstanding this Vast extent of ground yet we still of Europe keepe our owne and by authority of the most and best Geographers exceed as much for number as either this or Asia do for roome Cause enough there is why Africa indeed should come short of both for in most parts she hath scarce plenty sufficient to maintaine Inhabitants and where there is we shall meete with multitudes of ravening beasts or other horrible monsters enough to devoure both it and us In a word there is no Region of the world so great an enemy to mans commerce there is such scarcity of water that no creature almost could live had not Nature provided thereafter that the greater part of them endures not drinke in the very middest of Summer So Pliny reports And if as sometimes they be inforced by such as take them they suddenly perish Thus we see how God gives a propertie to each place that may make up her defects lest it should be left as well by beast as men Their Land is full of sandy deserts which lye open to the windes and stormes and oft times are throwne up into billows like waves of the Sea and indeed are no lesse dangerous Strabo writes that Cambyses his army was thus hazzarded in Aethiopia And Herodotus that the Psitti an ancient but foolish Nation it seems in Africa as they marched towards the South to revenge themselves upon the windes for drying up their Rivers were overwhelmed with sand and so dyed in their graves Besides these annoyances it is so full of a venomous kind of Serpent that in some places they dare not dresse their Land unlesse they first fence their legs with bootes against the sting Other wild creatures there are which range about and possesse to themselves a great portion of this Countrey and make a Wildernesse of Lions Leopards Elephants and in some places Crocodiles Hyenas Basilisks and indeed monsters without either number or name Africa now every yeare produceth some strange creature before not heard of peradventure not extant For so Pliny thinks that for want of water creatures of all kinds at sometimes of the year gather to those few rivers that are to quench their thirst And then the Males promiscuously inforcing the Females of every species which comes next him produceth this variety of formes and would be a grace to Africa were it not so full of danger to the Inhabitants which as Salust reports dye more by beasts then by diseases For those traits about Barbary are every tenth year 15. or 25. visited with a great plague and continually infected with the French disease in such violence that few recover unlesse by change of ayre into Numidia or the Land of Negroes whose very temper is said to be a proper Antidote against those diseases 8 But among all these inconveniences commodities are found of good worth and the very evils yeeld at last their benefit both to their owne Countrey and other parts of the world The Elephant a docible creature and exceeding usefull for battel The Camel which affords much riches to the Arabian The Barbaric horse which we our selves commend The Ram that besides his flesh gives twenty pound of wooll from his very tayle The Bull painfull and able to do best service in their tillage And so most of their worst alive or dead yeeld us their medicinall parts which the world could not well want 9 In her division we will follow our latter Masters in this Art whom time at least and experience if no other worth have made more Authentike and those divide it into seven parts 1 Barbarie or Mauritania 2 Numidia 3 Lybia or Africa propria â— Nigritarum terra 5 Aethiopia superior 6 Aethiopia inferior 7 Aegypt and to these we adde the 8 Ilands belonging to Africa AFRICAE described the manners of their Habits and buildinge newly done into English by
scattered by unfortunate chance of fire which catch among 800. Barrells of Gunpowder In this stands a Monastery which at sometimes hath in it 1600 Nunnes and within these limits is the power of the Arch-Duke confined And surely by reason of his infinite charge to maintaine warre and the ticklish termes he stands upon for feare of displeasing his Subjects who as he suspects may be apt enough to revolt he can reape but little cleare profit and dares use as little Authority 16 To the States there hold first the Dukedome of Geldria which some will have to take her name from Gelduba once her chiefe Citie whether or not there appeares not now any monument of such a Towne The Province stands on the East of Brabant and North of Limburg It is a very fertile soile especially if it be well tilled it returneth the husbandman a liberall reward for his labour Her pastures are excellent in so much that they feed up their Cattle to an incredible bignesse and weight A report passeth of one Bull which weighed 3200. pound It was killed at Antwerpe 1570. It hath in it 22. walled Townes and about 300 Villages The principall of account are Neomagus or Nummegen an Imperial city stands at the mouth of Rhene which is called the Vahall It was honoured with the title of a vice-County had authority to coyn money and was bound to acknowledge subjection to the Emperour only by a small tribute A glove of Gunpowder which they were to tender at Aken once a year Others of note are Ruermund Arnem and Zutphâ—n 17 The Earledomes are 1 Zutphen a Town only in Gelderland at the north of the river Barikell where that valiant souldier and incomparable Poet Sir Philip Sidney received his last wound It was joyned into the States strength 1590. 2 Zeland it stands in the North tract upon the Seas from whence it hath the name as it were of Zeland And indeed it oft times so fals out that they can hardly say whether they live in Sea or upon the Land Eight Ilands have bin utterly lost what remaines of this Province is by the water divided into seven Ilands Walcheria in which stands Middle-borough and Flushin South Beveland North Develand Wolfors-dicke These are the Westerne The Easterne are Schoven Tolen and Develand They are most of them a fierce people craftie in merchandize good Sea men and great Fishers 3 Holland or Holtland a woody Countrey It is but a small Region such as be a man where he will within her compasse he may travell it out in three houres And yet is it of great fame and better knowne to the common sort of people then any of these parts The Inhabitants heretofore the Batavi on the West it hath the Sea and Iles of Zeland on the North the maine Ocean It comprehends about 400. Villages and 29. walled Towns The chiefe are Dordret or Dort memorable for a Synode held against the Arminians 1618. Harlem a Town which first sent forth a printed Booke into the other parts of Europe Delft Amsterdam a great place of traffique Roterdam Lugdunum Batavorum Leyden an Vniversitie Among the rest the Hage may claime a roome here though but a village yet the fairest in Christendome and seat of the States Councell The report lyeth upon this Province of Margaret sister to the Earle of Floris that she brought at one birth 365. children all living till they were christened 18 Baronies are 1 Vltrasectense utrecht on the East of Gelderland and in part West North and South of Holland It hath the name from her mother Citie Traiectum and she hers as is supposed from a common Ferry which is there For before it was called Antonina It hath foure other good Townes and seventy villages 2 Ovâ—rissall or Transisulana on the North of Gelderland It hath above 100. Villages and 11. Townes of note The chief Deventer wonne by our Robert Dudley Earle of Leicester from the Spaniards to the States It was once under government of the Bishop of Vtrech And the first was Wilbrâ—d an Englishman 3 Frizia West Friezeland on the North of Overissall It hath 345. Villages and 5. Townes The chiefe Lewarden Harlingham a Sea-town Francker a late Vniversitie 4 Groyning a Town only of West Friezland but hath Command over 145. villages hath her proper laws jurisdiction of a Province 19 These last eight joyn together in an Aristarchicall Government weilded by the LL. the States of the Low Countries and their assistants Each Province hath one and his Common Councell is elected out of her owne principall Towns But the residency of the generall Councell of the States is at the Hage in Holland And to this are admitted with equall priviledge of suffrage their Generall of their Forces and our English Embassador ¶ The Description of SPAINE IN our Division of Europe we placed her Regions as they lay from the first Meridian of Longitude in the Azores and so on towards Asia Eastward We will not here vary the course which was there proposed and that gave Spaine the precedency as lying most Westward into the Atlanticke Ocean And indeed she puts forward as well upon her tearmes of Antiquitie as order of place For if her plea may be heard she derives her being from Tubal the grandchild of Noah and would be one of the first Nations of the second world Likely enough those parts might be inhabited by his Progenie but I doubt whether so soone after the Flood as himselfe lived and as some would have it who suppose that he then kept Cattell and named the Province Taraconensis from the Hebrew Taraco a possession of Heards This and other the like improbable Relations passe of her originall Which as we may not accept for truths so we have no roome here to confute them for lies We must be content rather to omit those former ages which give us no light but by fables and begin with the affaires of Spaine which come within the compasse of our known and approved Stories As for the exploits of Hercules of Gerion and Cacus and the rest questionlesse they had some ground from truth it selfe if we knew how to search it forth and here was their residence men twelve hundred yeares by compute before the Romans or Carthaginians enjoyed it But by reason that the passage of those times was delivered onely in vaine fictions we can warrant nothing for certaine till the Syrians there planted themselves in the I le of Gades and of them little till the Carthaginians were called in to aid them against the disturbance of ill neighbours when once they were mingled with so flourishing a Nation they wanted not Writers to record their actions and sundry turnes of Fortune 2 The next Inhabitants there of Spaine after the Syrians and indeed the first which afford us any Story worth observing were the Carthaginians and the first cause of their entrance was to defend the Ilanders of Cales but when they had once got firme footing and
the South with Dorset and Hamp-shire and upon the West is confronted against partly by Gloucester and the rest by Somerset-shires 2 The forme thereof is both long and broad for from Inglesham upon Thamesis in the North to Burgat Damarum in the South are thirtie-nine miles the broadest part is from Buttermer Eastward to the Shire-stones in the West being twenty-nine the whole in circumference is one hundred thirty-nine miles 3 For aire it is seated in a temperate Climate both sweet pleasant and wholesome and for soyle saith Iohn of Sarisbury is exceeding fertile and plentifull yea and that with variety 4 The Northerne part which they call North-Wilt-shire riseth up into delectable hils attired with large woods and watered with cleare Rivers whereof Isis is one which soone becometh the most famous in the Land The South part is more even yeelding abundantly grasse and corne and is made the more fruitfull by the Rivers Wily Adder and Avon The midst of this County is most plaine and thereby is knowne and commonly called Salesbury-Plaines and lie so levell indeed that it doth limit the Horizon for hardly can a man see from the one side to the other These Plaines grase an infinite number of sheepe whose fleeces and flesh bring in an yearely revenew to their owners 5 Anciently this County was possessed by the Belgae who are seated by Ptolemy in Hamp-shire Somerset-shire and in this Tract and they as it seemeth by Caesar were of the Belgae in Gaul These as some hold were subdued by Vespasian Lieutenant of the second Legion under Claudius when the foundations of his future greatnesse were in these parts first laid by his many victories over the Britaines And herein surely the Romans seated for besides Yanesburie Trench by tradition held to be his in many other Forts in this Shire the Tract of their footing hath beene left and the stamped Coines of their Emperours found an apparent testimonie of their abode 6 After them the West-Saxons made it a part of their Kingdome whose border was Avon as witnesseth Athelward though the Mercians many times encroched upon them whereby many great battles as Malmsbury tels us betwixt them were fought when in the young yeares of their Heptarchie each sought to enlarge his by the lessening of the next but growne unto more ripenesse they assigned their limits by a great and long ditch crossing thorow the middest of these Plaines which for the wonder therof is supposed by the vulgar to be the worke of the Devil and is called of all Wansdike undoubtedly of Woden the Saxons Ancestor and great reputed God where a little village yet standeth and retaineth to name Wodens-burg At this place in Anno 590. Ceaulin the West-Saxon received such a foyle of the Britaines and his Country-men that he was forced to forsake his Kingdome and to end his dayes in exile becomming a pitifull spectacle even unto his enemies And in this place Ina the West-Saxon joyned Battle with Ceolred the Merciā whence both of them departed with equall losse The like was at Bradford by Kenilwach and Cuthred at Wilton betwixt Egbert and Beornwolfe at Edindon where K. Elfred was vanquisher of the Danes and at Wilton where the Danes wonne the day against him With as bloudy sucesse though not happening by sword was the issue of the Synod assembled at Calne a small Towne in this Countie in the yeare of Christ Jesus 977. where being hotly debating for the single life and against the marriages of the Clergie what wanted by the Word to prove their divorce was supplyed by a Stratagem and that very bloudy for suddenly the main timber brake and downe fell the floore with the Nobles and Prelates the Gentlemen and Commons whereby a great number were hurt and many more slain onely Dunstan the President and mouth for the Monks escaped untouched the Joist whereon his chaire stood remaining most firme which confirmed the sentence of their separations whom God had conjoyned and became the fall and snare of much incontinencie in both sexes 7 The chiefest Citie of this Shire is Salesbury removed from a higher but a far more convenient place whose want of water was not so great in the mother as is supplied and replenished in the daughter every street almost having a River running thorow her middest and for sumptuous and delicate buildings is inferiour to none The Cathedrall a most rich magnificent Church was begun by Richard Poore Bishop and with fourty yeares continuance was raised to her perfect beauty wherein are as many windowes as there are dayes in the yeare as many cast pillars of marble as there are houres in the yeare and as many gates for entrance as there are moneths in the yeare Neither doth this Citie retaine true honour to her selfe but imparteth hers and receiveth honour from others who are entituled Earles of Salesbury whereof eight noble Families have been dignified since the Normans Conquest and now is enjoyed by that most wise and loyall Counsellor Robert Cecill Lord high Treasurer of England and the worthy Patron of the place whereof my selfe am a member This Cities situation is in the degree of Latitude 51.10 minntes and from the first West point observed by Mercator 18. degrees and 31. minutes of Longitude 8 Over this old Salesbury sheweth it selfe where Kenrik overcame the Britains and where Canutus the Dane did great dammge by fire This formerly had been the seat of the Romans as likewise was Lecham as by their Coines digged up is apparant so were Brokenbridge and Cosham the Courts of the Saxon Kings But Fortune long since hath turned her face from all these as lately she did from many ancient and religious foundations planted in this Province whereof Malmesbury was the most famous I will not with Monmouth avouch the foundation thereof unto Mulmutius but by true records from Maidulph a Scot a man of great learning that therein built a Cell and led an Hermits life whereof Beda calleth it the Citie of Maidulph and we by contraction Malmsbury Adelme his disciple and successour built here a faire Monasterie which Athelstan the Monarch richly endowed and left his body after death there to rest Neither hath any graced this more then William her Monk in recording to posterities the Chronicles of our Land concerning both the Church and Common-weale wherein himselfe and wrote those Histories 9 Ambresbury for repute did second this built by Alfritha King Edgar his wife to expiate the sinne of murder which she committed upon young Edward her sonne in Law that hers might be King In this place Queene Eleanor widow to King Henry the third renounced all royall pompe and devoted her selfe unto God in the habit of a Nunne Other places erected for piety were at Salesburie Lacock Stanlege Wilton Ivichurch Farnleg Bradstocke Briopune and Bromhore These
by King Arthur but with better authoritie say it was so thirsted after by the Conquerour that by a composition with the Abbot of Westminster whose then it was he made it to be the Kings Possessiō as a place besides the pleasures very commodious to entertain the King In this Castle that victorious Prince K. Edward the third was born and herein after he had subdued the French and Scots held he at one and the same time as his Prisoners Iohn King of France and David K. of Scotland Neither was it ever graced with greater Majestie then by the institution of the most honourable Order of the Garter a signal Ornament of Martiall Prowesse the invention thereof some ascribe to be from a Garter falling from his Queene or rather from loan Countesse of Salisbury a Lady of an incomparable beautie as she danced before him whereat the by-standers smiling he gave the impresse to checke all evil conceits and in golden Letters imbellished the Garter with this French Poesie HON I SOIT QVI MALY PENSE And yet that worthy Clarenceaux alledging the booke of the first institution finds the invention to be more ancient as when King Richard the first warred against the Turkes Saracens Cypres and Acon he girt the legs of certaine choise Knights with a tache of leather which promised a future glory to the wearers The most Princely Chappell thereof is graced with the bodies of those two great Kings Henry the sixt and Edward the fourth whom the whole Kingdome was too little to containe the one of Lancaster the other of Yorke where they rest now united in one mould with a branch of both those Houses even King Henry the Eight who there lyeth also interred and rests in the Lord. 9 Other places of note in this Shire are Sinodum in the North and Watham in the East both of them places of the Romanes residence as by their Monyes there oftentimes found appeareth Neither was Sunning the least in this Tract that had been the Seat of eight Bishops before the See was translated thence unto Shirburne or that to Salisbury Wantage also is not wanting of honour in bringing to life that learned and most valiant King Ealfred the scourge of the Danes and great Monarch of the English And Finchhamsted for wonder inferiour to none where as our Writers doe witnesse that in the yeere a thousand one hundred a VVell boyled up with streames of bloud and fifteene dayes together continued that spring whose waters made red all others where they came to the great amazement of the beholders 10 The riches and sweet seats that this Countie affordeth made many devout persons to shew their devotions unto true pietie in erecting places for Gods divine service and their exemptions from all worldly businesse such were Abington Redding Bisham Bromehall Henley Hamme and Wallingford whose Votaries abusing the intents of their Foūders overthrew both their own Orders and places of professions all which were dissolved by Act of Parliament and given the King to dispose at his will This Shires division is into twenty Hundreds and hath beene strengthned with sixe strong Castles is yet graced with three of his Majesties most Princely Houses and traded with twelve Market-Towns and is replenished with one hundred and fortie Parish-Churches all whose names are further inserted in the Table following BARKSHIRE DESCRIBED HVNDREDS In BARKE-SHIRE 1. HOrmer 2. Ganfeild 3. Farrington 4. Shrivenham 5. Wanting 6. Compton 7. Morton 8. Lamborne 9. Fairecrosse 10. Theale 11. Reading 12. Charleton 13. Sonnynge 14. Wargrove 15. Barnerlhe 16. Braye 17. Ripplemore 18. Cookham 19. Oke 20. Kentbury A ABINGTON Hor. Aldermerston Theale Aldworth Compt. Apleford Oke Apleton Oke Arberfeild Son Ardington VVant. Ashamsteed Mort. Ashbury Shri. Aston upthorpe Mor. Aston tirrold Mort. Avington Kent B Bagnor Fair. Balking Shriu. Barkham Charl. Barrington Far. Barton Hor. Basselden Mort. Bayworth Hor. Benham vale Kent Berneham Read Blesselslighe Hor. Biddon Fair. Billingesbere War Bisham Ber. Blubery Read Borton Shriu. Botley Hor. Bourshill Hor. Boxford Fair. Bradfeild Theale Braye Braye Bright walton Fair. Brightwell Mort. Brimpton Faire Buckland Gan. Bucklebury Read Burfield Theale Burwesket Shriu. Bynfeild Cook C Calcot Kent Catmer Kent Chaddleworth Kent Chalie Hor. Chalow west Kent Charlton VVant. Charney Gan. Chaulsey Mort. Cheveley Fair. Childry VVant. Chilton Compt. Chilswell Hor. Cholsey Read Churchspene Read Cleworth Rip Clopcott Mort. Colleshull Shriu. Cookeha◠Cook Compton Compt. Compton Shriu. Cothy Flu. Coxwell little Far. Coxwell great Far. Cuckhamsley hill Compt. Cumner Hor. D Demyston Castle Fair. Denchworth south VVant. Donnington Fair. Draiton Oke Draycott more Oke Dudcot Mort. E Earlie Charl. Easthamsted Rip Eaton Oke Edington Kent Enborne Kent F Falley Kent Falowe Shriu. FARRINGDON Far. Farrington little Far. Farnebrough Compt. Fernisham Shriu. Frilford Oke Frilsham Fair. Fyfeild Oke Fynchamsted Char. G Garford Oke Garfton east Lam. Ginge east VVant. Goosey Oke Grampond Hor. Greenham Fair. Grove VVant. H Hagborne east Mort. Hagborne west Mort. Hampsted morryes Fair. Lech Hampsted Faire Hams west VVant. Hams east Want Hamsted marshall Kent Hanney east Oke Hardwell Shriu. Hartly Donnex Theale Harwell Mort. Hatford Gan. Hendred east Read Hendred west VVant. Hendred east VVant. Hillend Hor. Hincksey Laurence Hor. Hincksey south Hor. Hinton Gan. Hobcot Kent HVNGERFORD Kent Hurley Ber. Hurst Son I Ilsley west Compt. ILSLEYEAST Compt. Inglefeild Theale Inglisham Fa. Inkpen Kent S. Iohns bridge Far. Isbury Lam. K Kinburye Kent Kingstone bagpuze Oke Kingstone on lile Shriu. Kennet Flu. Kennington Hor. Knight-bridge Fair. L LAMBORNE Lam. Langford Far. Letcombe kings Kent Letcombe basset Kent Leverton Kent Littleworth Shriu. Locking west Want Locking east Want Loddon bridge Son Loddon Flu. Longcot Shriu. Longworth Gan. Lyford Oke M MADENHEAD Bray Marcham Oke Markney Mort. Martlefton Fair. Mershall Kent Midgham Fair. Mifton Oke Mortimer wookfeild Theale Morton north Mort. Morton south Mort. Moulsforb Mort. N NEWBERY Fair. New bridge Oke Norcott Hor. O Oke Flu. OKINGHAM Son Owre Chappel Fair. P Padworth Theale Pangborne Read Peysmore Fair. Purley Theale Pusay Gan. R Radcott bridge Farring Radley Hor. READING Read Remneham Bern. Ruscombe Son S Sandensoe Kent Sandford Hor. Sandhurst Son Satwell Mort. Shallington Gan. Shattesbrooke Ber. Shawborne Kent Shawe Fair. Shelford great Lamb. Shelford little Kent Shellingford Gan. Shilton Far. Shinfeild Charl. Shipton Hor. Shrivenham Shriu. Silham Theale Slancler Shriu. Sonnyngwell Hor. Spersholt Want Spene Fair. Spinhamland Fair. Stanford Gan. Stanford dingbie Fair. Stedes Theale Steventon Oke Stretley Mort. Stronde Hor. Sulhamsted bannester Theale Sulthamsted Abbots R. Sunyng Son Sunninghall Cook Sutham Theale Sutton courtney Oke Swallowfeild Theale T Thatcham Read Thele Theale Thorp Hor. Trup Shriu. Twyfort VVar. Tydmershe Theale Tylehurst Read V The Vale of Whitehorse Shriu. Vffington Shriu. Vpton Mort. Vstone Theale W Wadley Shriu. WALLINGFORD Mor. Waltham Laurence War Whit Waltham Ber. WANTAGE Want Warfield War Wargrove War Watchfeild
with Porters rotch. Porters fresh Porters bec Potters street har Potters rowe thur Powncehall uttles. Pretons chelm Prittlewell rotch. Purleighe deng Q Quenden uttles. Quickbury har R Radley hall with Radwinter fresh RAILIGHE rotch. Kamsdon craye barst Ramsdon belhouse barst Ramsey ten Ramsey den Rawreth rotch. Rawreth hall rotch. Rayne little hinck Raynham chaff Rettendon chelm Richell harl Ric hall uttles. Rickling uttles. Ridgwell hinck Rinsell den Ripple bec Rivers hall lex Rockells uttles. Roding morrell ong Roding high dun Roding white dun Rodon flu ROMFORD hau Rooding beachaÌ„ ong Rooding Abbey ong Rotchford rotch. Roughhedge lex Roxwell chelm Royden hall hinck Royden harl Royden ten Roydon hamlet wal Royes hall hinck Ruckward ong Rumwell chelm Ryvenghall with Rye walth S Sabretts chelm Safforn garden barst Salcot winst Saling ould hinck Samons barst Sampford great fre Sampford little fre Sandon chelm Shackstones chelm Shalford hinck Shelley ong Shellow bowels dun Shenfeild baâ—st Shenfeild chel Shering harl Shopland rotch. Showbery north rotch. Showbery south rotch. Skrenes chel Smiters hall chel Snerston wal South Church rotch. South end haver Spaines hinc Springfeild chel Stambridge little rotch. Stambridge great rotch. Stanborne hinc Stanborne hall hinck Stanford rivers ong Stansgate deng Stanford le hope bar Stansted hall hinc Stansted monfictes uttles. Stanway hall lex Stanway lex Stappleford tawnie ong Stapleford abbots ong Stebbing hinck Steple deng Stifford clay chaff Stifford chaff Stocke chel Stondon ong Stowe Maryes deng Stowre flu Stratford langthorne bec Strete deng Strettall uttles. Sturmer hinck Stysteed hinck Sturfleete ten Stutton great rotch. T Takelev uttles. Tendering ten Terling with Terrels fresh Tey little lex Tey great lex THAXTED dun Thorington ten Thorndon west bar Thordon east bar Thornewood â—ar Thorpe ten Thorrocke west cha Thorrocke little bar Thorrocke great â—haff Thoyden boyce ong Thoyden charmon ong Thoyden mount ong Thremnolt priorie uttles. Thunderley uttles. Thundershe rotch. Thundersey barst Thurston hinc Tilburye east barst Tilburye west barst Tillingham deng Tiptree thurst Toobye chel Topesfeild hinck Torells hall dun Totham great thurst Totham little thurst Toulsbury thrust Toulshount Knight thrust Toulshount Darcye thurst Toulshount great thurst Tremmall barst Toys with Tuftes deng Twinsteed hinck Tye hall chel Tylbury hinck Tylbury hall hinc Tyld hall deng Tyltie dun Tythoâ—p Roding dun V Valens haver Verley winst Vgle claver Vltinge with Vpminster chaff Vpâ—hire walt Vpton becon W Walbury harl WALDEN uttles. Wallor or Walsteet I le rotch. Waltham little chel Waltham great chel WALTHAM ABBEY wal Walthamstow bec Waltham Forrest bec Walton ten Wansted bec Warley little chaf Warley great chaf Watering hall rotch. Watering little rotch. Watering great rotch. Weald hall ong Weald south chaf Weald north ong Wenden loughes uttl. Wenden little uttl. Wenden great uttl. Wennington chaf Wethersfeild hinck Whellers ten West house bar White-hall bar Wickes ten Wickford barst Wickeham thurst Wickham S. Paul winst Wickham bonant winst Widdington uttles. Widford chel Wigborow little winst Wigborow great winst Wilbores clau Willingale Spaine dun Wilton tower ten Wimbish uttles. Witham with Wiverhoo lex Woodford bridge bec Woodford bec Wood-hall uttles. Wood-hall clau Woodham ferries chelm Woodham mortimer deng Woodham water deng Woodriding walth Wormingford lex Wrabnes ten Writtle chelm VVrittle parke chel VVyley ten VVyvonhoo lex Y Yealdam hall hinck Yealdam little hinc Yealdam great hinc SVFFOLKE by the Saxons called Suð-folc in regard of them which were seated in Norfolke is a Country most plenteous and pleasant for habitation It is separated from Norfolke by the Rivers of the lesser Ouse and Waveney whose heads meet almost in the midst of her Verge and that very neer together the one taking course East and the other full West upon which part Cambridge-shire doth wholly confront The South side is severed by Stoure from Essex and the East together washed with the Germane Seas 2 The Aire is good sweet and delectable and in some parts of some of our best Physicians held to be the best in the Land the Soile is rich fruitfull and with all things well replenisâ—ed in a word nothing wanting for pleasure or profit 3 The forme thereof is somewhat Cressant shooting up narrower into the North and spreading wider towards the South whose broadest part is about twenty miles but from East to West much more for from Easton point the furthest of this Shire yea of all Britaine into the Sea unto great Ouse River her Westerne bounder are fourtie five miles and the whole in circumference about one hundred fourtie-sixe 4 Anciently this part of the Iland was possessed by the Iceni who as it seemeth by Tacitus joyned in Amitie with the Romanes a mighty people saith he and never shaken with wars before the reigne of Claudius but then by Ostorius were vanquished though not without great slaughter of the Romanes and in a Battle against them M. Ostorius the sonne of the Generall wonne great honour in saving of a Romane Citizens life so ready were they to give and receive Honours to themselves but sleightly to passe over and to smoother farre greater exploits of the Britaines which notwithstanding long in these parts they could not do for the wrongs of the Icenians growing intolerable who by the Romane Souldiers were put out of their rightfull possessions their Princes accounted no better then Slaves and their Queene whipped in most ignominious manner under Bodua they wrought their revenge as in the Historie Christ assisting shall be further related Next to these Icenians were the Saxons that got their footing into these parts and of them this with Norfolke Cambridge-shire and the I le of Ely was made their East-Angles Kingdome though as it seemeth ever in subjection either to the Mercians or to the Kings of Kent whose off-spring ending in S. Edmund the Martyr after the Danes had laid it most desolate Edward the Elder subdued it unto his West-Saxons Monarchy and that likewise ending in King Edward the Confessor many noble Normans got their possessions in these parts whose Off-spring are plenteously replenished in this Shire to this day 5 The commodities of this Shire are many and great whereof the chiefest consisteth in Corne in Cattle Cloth Pasturage Woods Sea-Fish and Fowle and as Abbo Floriecensis hath depainted this County is of green and passing fresh hue pleasantly replenished with Orchards Gardens Groves thus he described it above sixe hundred years since and now we find as he hath said to which we may adde their gaine from the Paile whose Cheeses are traded not only throughout England but into Germany France and Spaine and are highly commended by Pantaleon the Physician both for colour and taste 6 And had Ipswich the onely eye of this Shire been as fortunate in her Surname as she is blessed with Commerce and buildings she might worthily have borne the title of a Citie neither ranked in
Hertford Hund. 8. Caisho Hund. A. Abbotsbury Edwinst. Assâ—ey Hitch S. ALBANS Caish. Aldbury Dacor Aldbury Edwinst. Aldbury Hall Edwinst. Aldenham Caish. Alswick Edwinst. Amwell little Hert. Amwell great Hert. Angabury Hitch Annables Dacor Anslye Edwinst. Ashwell Odsey Aspender Edwinst. Aston Brod. Ayott Laurence Brod. Ayott little Brod. B The Beacon Hert. The Beacon Brod. The Beacon Odsey BALDOCK Brod. BARKHAMSTED D. Barkhamsted Hert. BARKWAY Edwinst. Barley Edwinst. Bartrams Brang. The Base Hert. Beachams Edwinst. Beaches Edwinst. Beamonds Caish. Beche Wood Dacor Bedmont Caish. Bedwell Hert. Bedwell Parke Hert. Bell Bare Caish. Benington Brod. Benjoy Hert. HIGH BERNET Caish. Bernet East Caish. Bersted Dacor Berwick Brang. Bibswell Hitch Bleakswaye Brang. Bouington Dacor Bourne Hall Caish. Bourne end Dacor Box-wood Brod. Bradfield Odsey Bragherend Brod. Bramsifield Caish. Branfield Hert. Branghing Brang. Brickenden Hert. High Bridge Caish. Briggens Brang. Brodwater Brod. Brokell Hall Brod. Broxboume Wood Hert. Broxbome Hert. Buckland Edwinst. BVNTINGFORD Ed. Burley Brod. Burwells greene Brod. Bushey Hall Dacor Bushie Caish. Bygrave Odsey C Caddington Dacor Caishoe Caish. Caishoe Bridge Caish. Caishoburie Caish. Calkott Odsey Camberlow greene Odsey Cassulburie Brang. Chandose Dacor Cheisfield Brod. Chepperfield Dacor Cheston Hert. Cheston Parke Hert. Cheston Nunnery Hert. Clothall Odsey Coddicott Caish. Cokenhatch Edwinst. Colliers End Brang. Colshill Dacor Colney Caish. Colvestreet Caish. Coringley Edwinst. Corner Hall Dacor Cottered Odsey High Crosse Brang. Cudicott Hitch Cuhollgate Caish. D Dane End Dacor Dane End Brod. Darnels Brod. Datchworth Brod. Digswell Brod. Dogshed Edwinst. E Eastwicke Brang. Elstree Caish. Epalletts Hitch Essenden Hert. F Fincher end Brod. Flamsteed Dacor Flaunden Dacor Fresden Dacor Friers Brang. The Friers Dacor G Gabbins Hert. Gabbins Caish. Gadsden little Dacor Gadsden great Dacor Geldesden Brang. Gigging Edwinst. Gorehambury Caish. Graveley Brod. Gravesend Edwinst. Grove Caish. H Hadham great Edwinst. Hadham little Edwinst. Hadham nash Edwinst. Halmeley Brod. Haly Hert. Harding Dacor Harpsfield Hall Brod. HERTFORD Hert. Hartingfordbury Hert. Hatfield Wood Hert. HATFIELD Bishops Brod. Haulwicke Brod. Helshams Hall Edwinst. HEMPSTEED Dacor Henxworth Odsey Hexton Caish. Hide Hall Odsey Hidehall Brang. Highover Hitch Highstreet Dacor Hillend Caish. HITCHING Hitch HODDESDON Hert. Horkerell Brang. Holey Hert. Hormead great Edwinst. Hormead little Edwinst. How End Hitch Holwell Brod. Hunsdon Brang. Hyde Caish. I Ickleford Hitch Ilestrey Caish. K Kellshull Odsey Kempton Hitch Kensworth Dacor Kinswoodbury Odsey Kinsburne Dacor Knebworth Brod. L Ladwell Hitch Laiston Edwinst. No mans Land Caish. Kings Langley Dacor Langley Abby Caish. Langley Hitch The Lea Caish. Lechworth Brod. Lenmere Dacor Levesden Caish. Ludwell Hitch Ludwick Hall Brod. Lullie Hitch M Mallocks Brang. S. Margets Hert. Maiden Crosse Hitch Meesden Edwinst. Merden Hert. Merston long Dacor S Michael Caish. Milford Edwinst. Minhall Caish. Minsingbery Edwinst. Monden frewell Brod. Monden furnivall Brod. More Parke Caish. Morehouse Caish. North Myms N Nasthide Caish. Newbarne Caish. Newenham Caish. Newenham Odsey Newgatestreet Hert. Newhall Brang. New place Brang. Nimhall Northaw Caish. Northchurch Dacor Norton Caish. Norton Odsey Newsels Edwinst. Nuthamsted Edwinst. Nimhall Caish. O Odsey grange Odsey Owghton Head Hitch Owley Edwinst. P Pansanger Hert. Parkeward Caish. Patmer Hall Edwinst. Pelham burnt Edw. Pelham Furneux Edw. Pelham stocking Edw. Penley Dacor Periton Hitch Pessebery Brang. Potters crouch Caish. Pottrels bare Caish. Pottrels Caish. Popes Hert. The Pree Caish. Preston Hitch The Priorie Brod. PVCKERIDGE Bran. Punchin end Dacor Punsburne Hert. Putnam Dacor Putteridge Hitch Q Quenbery Edwinst. Quickswood Odsey R Radwell Odsey Redborne Caish. The Ree Brang. Reed Odsey Redgewells Edwinst. Reuels Brod. Reyford Hert. RICKMANSWORTH Caish. Ricknesse Brang. Ridge Caish. ROISTON Odsey Rose Hall Caish. Rushden Odsey S Sabsworth Brang. Salesbery Caish. Sandon Odsey Sarret Caish. Satridge Brang. Sauntridge Caish. Sawcombe Brod. The Scale Hert. Shenley Caish. Sheepehall Brod. Shepeshide Caish. Sâ—inglehall Brang. Sinkles Caish. Sleape Caish. Smalford Caish. Sopwell Caish. Spelbrooke Brang. Standen Brang. Stansted Abbots Brang. Stanthecle Brang. Stapleford Hert. S. Stephens Caish. Stevenage Brod. STORTFORD Bishops Brang. Studham Dacor Sullemaca Caish. T Tannis Edwinst. Tednambury Brang. Temple Brod. Temple dinsley Hitch Tewing Hert. Tharfield Odsey S. Thomas Chappell Hitch Thoreley Brang. Throcking Edwinst. Thundrick Brang. Thyobald Hert. Titten hanger Caish. Totteredge Brod. Totteredge Caish. TRING Dacor Tunwell Brod. Two waters Dacor V Vphall Brang. W Wadesmill Brang. Wakerley Edwinst. Walden S. Pauls Hitch Walden Kings Hitch Walkerne Brod. Wallington Odsey Waltham Crosse Hert. Walsworth Hitch Ware Parke Brang. WARâ— Brang. Watford Hall Hert. WATFORD Caish. Watton Brod. Waymer Castle Brang. Welbery Hitch Welde Caish. Wellwin Brod. Westhide Caish. Westmill Brang. Weston Brod. Westwich Caish. Wheathamsteed Dacor Whitebarnes Edwinst. Widboro hill Brang. Widford Brang. Wigginton Dacor Willesborne Dacor Willion Brod. Windridge Caish. Withiall Edwinst. Woodgreene Hert. Woodhall Brod. Wormeley Hert. Wulmer grene Brod. Wymley great Brod. Wimley little Brod. Y Yardley Odsey BEDFORD-SHIRE CHAPTER XXI BEDFORD-SHIRE seated in the South-East of this Iland is a plaine and Champion Countrey and lyeth bounded upon the North with Huntington-shire upon the East with Cambridge and Hartford-shires and upon the West with Buckingham and Northampton-shires 2 The forme thereof is somewhat ovall and not very large for from Tilbroke in the North unto Studham in the South are but twentie foure English miles and from Turny in the West unto Hatley Coking in the East are not fully foureteene the whole in circumference about seventie three miles 3 The Aire is temperate and the Soile bountious especially the North whose borders the fruitfull Ouse with her many windings watereth The South is more leane and with greater industry bringeth forth Barley no better else-where Generally this Countie is Champion though some places be sprinkled with Pasturage and Woods 4 The ancient Inhabitants knowne to the Romans that held in this Shire were part of the Cattieuchlani a stout and warre-stirring people and yet upon the report of Caesars proceeding sent him their subjection for peace But when that conquering Nation had brought Britaine into a Province under Rome their Legions lay at Sclanea and Magintum which are now Sandy and Dunstable places of memorable note in this Shire After them the Saxons coveting for so faire a Seat first dispossessed the Britaines under the leading of Cuthwulfe the West-Saxon about the yeere of Grace 572. who making it their owne was lastly enjoyed by the Mercians as a part of their Kingdome 5 In the yeere of Christs Incarnation 1399. immediately before those Civill Warres that rent in pieces the peace of this Land betwixt the Princes of Lancaster and Yorke the River Ouse neere unto Harwood stood suddenly still and refrained to passe any further so that forward men passed three miles together on foot in the very depth of her Channell and backward the waters swelled unto a great height which was observed by the judicious to foretell some unkind division that shortly
Thellisford Roxhall Balshall Killingworth Coventree Combe Nun-eaton Asley Atherston Pollesworth all which came to their period in the reign of King Henry 8. when their rich Revenewes were alienated to his use and those stately buidings either overturned or bestowed upon his Courtiers but yet to Gods glory and his divine service one hundred fifty eight Parish-Churches therein remain dispersedly seated in the five Hundreds of this Shires division THE COUNTI OF WARWICK THE SHIRE TOWNE AND CITIE OF COVENTRE described HUNDREDS in Warwick-shire 1. HEmlingford 2. Coventree 3. Knightlow 4. Barlichwaye 5. Kington A Alne Lodge Barlich Amington Heml. Alesley Heml. Anker Flu. Anstie Covent Ardbury Hem. Areley King Arrow Bar. Ashborne King Ashoe Knight Ashow Knight Ashton Cantlow Bar. Astley Knight Atherston Hem. Attleburrow Hem. AVLCESTER Ba. Aulston Bar. Austre Hem. Auntley Hem. Avon Flu. Awsley Knight B Badgesley Enesot Hem. Badgesley Clinton Hem. Bagginton Knight Baliall Hem. Barceston King Barford King Barkswell Hem. Barmington King Barnacle Knight Barterley Hem. Barston Hem. Barton on the Heath King Bassets Crosse Hem. Bastet Hem. Beauchams Courts Bar. Bearlye Bar. Bedworth Knight Bensford Bridge Knig. Bentley Hem. Bewinton Bar. Bewsall Bar. Bickenhull Hem. Bilsley Bar. Bilton Knight Binley Knight Birminghams Hem. Birminghams Aston Hem. Bishopton Bar. BITFORD Bar. Blithe Flu. Bolehall Hem. Boreton upon Dunsmore Knight Bourne Flu. Bramcote Hem. Brandon Knight Brannot Knight Brayles King Bretford Knight Brettshall Hem. Bridgton Bar. Brincklowe Knight Brome Bar. Bromwich Castle Hem. Brownsover Knight Bubnell Knight Budbrooke Bar. Bulkinton Knight Burdingbury Knight Burnesebrome Bar. Burton Hastings Knigh. Old Bury Hem. Bynton Bar. C Calendon Covent Canston hill Knight Canwall Hem. Caresly Covent Caton Bridge Hem. Cawcot Hem. Chadshunt King Charlecott King Chase Knight Cherington King Chesterton King Chester over Knight Chilvers Cotten Hem. Church over Knight Church Lawford Knight Cardon Bar. Cliff Hem. Clifton Knight Clopton Bar. Clowdiesley Bush Knight Cobley Bar. Cofeld VVast Hem. Combe Abbey Knight Combroke King Compton long King Compton in the hole King Colesnul Hem. Compton Fenny King Compton Mardock King Copston Knight Corley Hem. Cosford Knight Coton Hem. Coughton Bar. Counden Knight COVENTREE Cov. Cubbington Knight Curdworth Hem. D Dasset Avon King Dasset Burton King Dastell Hem. Dracot Knight Drayton Bar. Dudson Parke Hem. Dudson Hall Hem. Dunchurch Knight Dunnington Par. Dunsmere Heath Knig. Dutton Hem. E Eatington nether King Eatington over King Etteleshall Covent Edgebaston Hem. Edmondscot Knight Edson Bar. Elinedon Hem. Escote Hem. Esenhull Knight Ethorpe Knight Exall Bar. Exall Covent F Farnebrowe King Faseley Hem. Fillongley Hem. Flanders Hem. Fleckno Knight Fletchamsted Hem. Fokeshill Covent Fordhall Bar. Foxcott King Francton Knight Freasley Hem. G Geydon King Glascote hem Goldscots Parke King Goodrest Lodge Knight Grafton Temple Bar. Granborow Knight Graves hem Grimdon hem Grove bar Guilsdon hem Guy-Cliffe King H Hallaton hem Halford King Hallend hem Hampton in Arden hem Hampton Lacye bar Hampton Bishops bar Hampton Curlew bar Harberhury Knight Harborow great Knigh. Hartshill hem Harwicke priors King Haseley barl Hasseller barl Hatton barl Hawford King HENLEY in Arden barl Henwood hem Hewell Grange barl High Crosse Knight Hill hem Hill Knight Hillmorton Knight Hodnell Knight Holt hem Honington King Honyngham Knight Hopsford Knight Horeston hem Hunnyley barl Hurley hem I Idlicott King Ilmington king Ipsley barl Itchington long knight Itchington Bishops knight K KENELWORTH Kn. Kenelworth Duchy Castle king Kerby Monks knight KINETON king Knightcote King Kingsbury Helm Kingsbrome Bar. Kingshurst Hem. Kingswood Hem. Knowle Hem. Kynnerton Bar. L Ladbrocke knight Langley Barl. Langdon hall Hem. Langley Hem. Lapworth king Church Lawford Knight Lawford long knight Lea Hem. Leame Flu. Leeke wotton knight Lemington priors knight Lemington hastings knigh Lighthorne King Littington knight Loxley Barl. Luddington Barl. M Makestoke Castle Hem. Maney Hem. Maner Hem. Manceter Hem. Matchife Barl. Marson Culy Hem. Marson Inbett knight Marson Burton knight Marson Priors king Marson Buttles king Marton knight Maxstock Hem. Merevale Hem. Meriden Hem. Milverton knight Minworth Hem. Mollinton king More-hall Hem. Morehall Barl. Morton Meriall king Morton Baggot Barl. Moxhall Hem. Mulcote Abbey Hem. Myddleton Hem. Mylcotte Barl. N Napton on the Mount king Newbold king Newbold upon Avon king New-hall Hem. New-Inne Hem. Newenham knight Newenham Kings knight Newton Hem. Newton knight Northend king Norton Curlew Barl. Norton Lynsey Barl. Nun-eaton Hem. Nuthurst king O Of-church knight Water Orton Hem. Ouldbarrow belonging to Worcestershire Bar. Oulnall Barl. Oxhill king P Packington great Hem. Packington little Hem. Packwood King Pailton knight Parke hall Hem. Pillerton nether king Pillerton over king Pinley Grove Barl. Preston Bagott Barl. Princethorp knight Pollesworth Hem. Poolley Hem. Q Queenes Parke Heml. R Radford Semeley knight Radford Covent Radway king Ragley Bar. Ratley kingt Ridfen hem Riton knight Rowington Barl. Rownd Alne Barl. Roxall Barl. RVGBY knight S Salford Abbots Barl. Salford Priors Barl. Samborne Barl. Seckington hem Sherburne Flu. Sherburn Barl. Sherford knight Sheldon hem Shilton knight Shystoke hem Shotswell kingt Shrowley Barl. Shuckborow nether King Shuckborough upper king Shuttington hem Skiltes Bar. Snytterfeild Bar. Spernall Barl. Solihul hem Sowe knight Sowe Covent Sowe Flu. SOWTHAM king Stivechall Covent Stockingford hem Stockton knight Stoke Covent Stoneley knight Stoneley Abbey knight Stratford old Barl. Stratford upon Avon Bar. Stretton knight Stretton king Stretton under Fosse knight Studlyffe Barl. SVTTON COFELD Hem. T Tachbroke Mallery knight Tachbroke Bishops king Tame Flu. Tamworth hem Tamworth king Temple Grafton Bar. Thurlaston Knight Tiddington Barl. Tost knight Tuttwell Barl. Tysoe king V Vfton knight Vmbersley king Vpton king W Walton king Wapenbury knight Wardend hem Warmeley hem Warmington king WARWICKE king Wasperton king Wawins Wotton Barl. Weddington hem Wedgenocle Parke knight Weethley Bar. Weslborne Montford king Welsborne hasting king Weston in Arden knight Weston in the thistles king Weston under Wetherley king Wethirbroke knight Whatly hem Whatcott king Whetacre nether hem Whetacre over hem Whitchurch king Whitley knight Whitmore parkes Covent Whitmash knight Whittington hem Wibtost knight Wickelssord Bar. Wigginshill hem Willey knight Willenhall knight Willincote hem Willowbye knight Winderton king Wishaw hem Witchford king Witherley hem Withibroke knight Witton hem Wolhamcott knight Wolford king Wolvershill knight Wolverton Bar. Wolvey knight Woodlaw knight Wormleighton king Wulfencote knight Wulston knight Wyâ—en Covent Y Yarnton Hall Heml. NORTHAMPTON-SHIRE situated neere unto the middest of England by the Saxons was written Norþafendonscire lieth separated upon the North from Lincolne-shire by the River Weland from Huntington-shire on the East is parted by the water Nene her South is bounded with Buckingham and Oxford-shires and the West from Warwick with Watling-street-way Avon and Weland is divided from Leicester shire 2 The forme of this County is large and narrow broadest in the South-west and thence shooting still lesser like unto a Horne nor not much unlike to the forme of Cornwall
blacke Channons of the Order of S. Augustine founded by thâ— Bigrames and at the Suppression valued at 62. l. 12. s. 3. d. ob It stood within the reach of the great Mannor Kimbolton once an Hundred which was the land of Earle Harold the Usurper after by Graunt it came with the Chase of Swinesheved to Fitz-Peter from whom by Magnavil to Bobum who in time of the tumultuous Barons built there a â—orcelet and so to Stafford by whose attainture forfeited it was given by Henry the eight to the Familie of Wingfield that now possesseth it At Bugden the See of Lincolne hath a seat and was Lord of Spaldwick and the Soke given in compensation from the Church of Ely when rent from them it was by the first Henry made a Bishopricke untill of late that Church gave up their interest in Spaldwicke to the Crowne Brampton was given by King Iohn at Mirabel to Earle David and by Ada his youngest Daughter fell to Hastings Earle of Pembroke and now is reverted to the King To the same Earle David by gift of the former King came Alcumesbury and by the bountie of Iohn Scot his sonne to Segrave and so to the Lord Barkley the late possessor To Serlo de Quiney Earle of Winchester was Keston by Henry the second given by whose Heire generall Ferrars it came to the late Earle of Essex and by exchange to the Crowne 10 TOULESLAND HUNDRED taketh name likewise of a Town therein situate In the out Angle of this to the memory of S. Neotus a Monke of Glastenbury but the supposed sonne to Ethelwolfe K. of the West-Saxons whose body from Neostâ—ck in Cornwall was transferred to Arnulphesbury then of Arnulphus a holy man now Eynesbury named Earle Alrick and Ethelâ—â—eda turned the Palace of Earle Elfred into a Monastery of blacke Monks which was razed by the Danes but out of the ashes of this Râ—isia wife to Richard the sonne of Earle Gilbert to God our Lady de Becco and S. Nâ—oâ— as a Cell to the Abbey of Becco in Normandy erected up of blacke Monks in the yeare 1113. the late Priory of S. Neâ—es suppressed by Henry the eight and valued at 256. l. 15. d. q. At Soâ—tho the Land of Eustachius the Sheriffe Lovetote made the seat of that Seignory on which in this Shire 13. Knights Fees and a halfe dependeâ— But from his line by gift of Veâ—don and Vesey drowned were these in the honour of Gloucester Near to this at Cretingsbury dwelt Sir Adam de Cretings famous in Edward the thirds warres of France whose Heire Generall Waâ—ton doth now possesse it Staunton given by the first William to Gilbert de Gaunt after the death issuelesse of De Rupes escheated to the King who gave it to Ioan his sister Queene of Scots She on the Abbey of Tarent bestowed paâ—t the rest reverting being given to Segraâ—e descended to the Barons of Berkly Godmâ—nchester or Gormonchester so named of that Daâ—e to whom Aelfred at his Conversion granted some regiment in these parts was the old land of the Crowne now the Inhabitants in â—ee-farme by grant of King Iohn pro Sexies viginti libris pondere numero It is flat seated by as fruitfull and flowrie Meadowes as any this Kingdome yeeldeth and is the most spacious of any one Parish in fertile tillage oft having waâ—ted on the Soveraigne Lords with ninescore Ploughes in a rurall pompe Some from the name Gunicester which this often beareth in record suppose it the Citie where Machutus placed his Bishops Chaire But for certaine it was that Roâ—ane Town Durosiâ—oâ—â— of the Bridges named so many hundred yeares untill the light of our Britaine Story overshone it forgotten Thus as this Citiâ— so the old â—amilies have been here with time outworne few onely of the many former now remaining whose Surnames before the raigne of the last Henry were in this Shire of any eminency But Non indignemur mortalia Nomina solvi Cernimus exemplis Oppida posse mori Let 's not repine that Men and Names doe dye Since Stone-built Cities dead and ruin'd lye This Description I received from a right worthy and learned Friend ¶ An Alphabeticall Table of all the Tovvnes Rivers and memorable places mentioned in Huntington-shire THE HUNDREDS NOrman-Crosse Hurstingston Leightenstone Tosland A Abbottesley Tosl Agden mill Leigh Alerton Norm Alkmundbury wood Hurst Alkmundbury Leigh S. Andrews Chappell Norm B Barham Leigh Beggers bush Tosl Bigen Hurst Billingbrooke Norm Birtholme Lodge Leigh Bithorne Leigh Bluntsham hurst Botsey hurst Botulph Bridge Norm Brampton leigh Brinton leigh Brik-Mere Norm Broughton wood hurst Broughton hurst Bruc-Castle Norm Buckworth leigh Buckworth grove leigh Buckworth Beacon leigh Bugden Tosl Bury Hurst C Calâ—ot Norm Calfo wood leigh Canutus Dike or Sword Dyke Norm Great Catworth Leigh Little Catworth Leigh Catworth mili leigh The Chase hurst Chesterton Norm Colne hurst Conington Norm Conquest Loode Norm Copinford leigh Covington leigh Cretingesbery Tosl D Dantree Norm Denton Norm Denton and Calton â—enne Norm Diddington Tosl Durosiponte Tosl E Easton leigh Ellington leigh Elton Norm Elton-Parke Norm Elton-Mill Norm Erith hurst Ermin-streete Norm Everton Tosl Eynesbury Tosl F Farset Norm Farset Kings delâ—e Norm Fenton hurst Folkesworth Norm G Gramsey hurst Great Gidding leigh Little Gidding leigh Steeple Gidding leigh Glatton Norm Glatton Fenne Norm Godmanchester Tosl Great Grandsden Tosl Grasham leigh H Haddon Beacon Norm Haddon Norm Haddon Mill Norm Hamerton leigh Hamerton Mill leigh Haleweston Tosl Heathmangrove hurst Hemingford Abbey Tosl Hemingford Grey Tosl Herford hurst Highney Norm Highney-lodge Norm Hilton Tosl Hinchingbrooke hurst Holm-lood Norm Holy well hurst Holy well Fen hurst Horsey Bridge Norm Houghton hurst HVNTINGTON hurst I S. IVES hurst S. Ives street hurst K Keston leigh KIMBALTON leigh L Leighton Leigh Leighton Mill leigh Luddington Leigh Lutton Norm M Molesworth leigh Monkeswood hurst Morborn Norm The Moore Tosl Myddloâ— Tosl N Nedingworth hurst Neen flu Norm S. NEOT Tosl New-dike Norm New-parke leigh O Offord Cluny Tosl Offord Dacy Tosl Ogerston Norm Overton Longvill Norm Overton Watervill Norm Ould Hurst hurst P Papworth Agnes Tosl Little Paxton Tosl Great Paxton Tosl Pertenhall leigh Pidley hurst Pirry leigh Pits water Norm Portmed Tosl R Ramsey hurst Ramsey Meere hurst Ramsey Fenne hurst Ramsey Moore Norm Little Reveley hurst Great Reveley hurst Ripton Abbots hurst Ripton Parke Hurst Kings Ripton hurst Rowey hurst Romerstreeme lood Norm S Salom-wood leigh Saltrey-Mill Norm Saltrey Abâ—ey Norm Saltrey Grange Norm Saltrey Judith Norm Saltrey Moynes Norm Saltrey Beumes Norm Saply Parke hurst Sibthorpe leigh Small dike Norm Somersham fenne hurst Somersham parke hurst South-hoo Tosl Spaldwick-mill leigh Spaldwick leigh Fenny Stanton Tosl Stibinton Norm Stilton Norm Stilton Fen Norm Stilton mill Norm Stongate hole leigh Stonly leigh Stonly Priory leigh Great Stoughton Tosl Stow leigh Stranground Norm Little Stukeley hurst Great Stukeley hurst Swineshead leigh T Terwerth Tâ—â—l Thurning leigh Toseland
Longon off Longnor tot Longton pyr Loxley tot Loynton pyr M Madeley pyr Madeleholme tot Mair pyr Manye flu Marbroke tot Marchington tot Marchingdon tot Marston pyr Marston cud Marton great cud Mason off Materfeild tot Mavestone Ridware off Meare pyr Meare cud Meare pyr Milwich pyr Mitton cud Moreland hilles tot Moreton cud Morocopp hill pyr Morsall off Mose flu Moseley seis Muckleston pyr N Nedwood Forrest tot Newborowe off Newbold off NEW CASTLE VNDER LINE pyr New Chappell pyr Newton cud Newton pyr Norbury cud Narrowdale tot Norton pyr Norton cud Norton off Norton off Norton in the Mores pyr O High Ofâ—ley pyr Oken seis Okover tot Oldbury off Oncot tot Onely pyr Orgrave off Orton seis Otherton cud Overpen seis Ousley bridge cud P Painsley tot Parkhill tot Patsell seis Pattingham seis Pelfalle off Over Pen seis Nether Pen seis Penclâ— pyr Pencle pyr Penkirch cud Penke flu Penford seis Penset chase seis Peribury off Peryhall off Perton seis Pellington cud Pellington hall cud Pipe off Placdwick cud Ponke flu Prestwood seis Prestwood tot R Ramsor tot Rannton pyr Rannton Monastery pyr Rickardscott cud Rickardscott pyr Ridgley cud Ridware off Pipe Ridware off Hill Ridware cud Robaston cud Rolston off Rowcester tot Rowley seis Rowley seis Rowley parke off Rudiard tot Rushall off Rushton tot Rusheles seis Riddsley cud S Salte pyr Sandon pyr Sandwall off Sardon great cud Sardon little cud Sawe flu Scotfeild off Season seis Sedgeley seis Seigford seis Seisdon pyr Shareshull Cud. Shawford pyr Shene tot Shenston off Sherishales cud Shire Okes off Shitterford seis Shobnall off Shredicott cud Shugborow cud Skelton pyr Smestall flu Smethwick off STAFFORD pyr Stafford Castle cud Standon pyr Stanton tot Statford off Stoke pyr Stokeley off The three Shire-Stones tot STONE pyr Stowe pyr Stranshill tot Stratton Castle off Stretton off Stretley hall off Stretlie off Stretton cud Stoure flu Stubby lane off Sturton Castle seis Sutton cud Swinford Kings seis Swinfeld hall off Swinshead pyr Swithanley tot Swynerton pyr T Talke pyr TAMWORTH off Tatenell off Teane tot Teane flu Terley pyr Tettenhall Kings seis Tettenhall Clice seis Thickbrome off Thorne hill tot Thorpe off Thorpe off Throley tot Tillington pyr Tipton seis Titterfore pyr Tixall pyr Treislie seis Trent flu Trent flu Trentham pyr Trescott seis Trisell seis Tunstall Court pyr Tunstall pyr Turburie off Tyne flu Typton off V Voxall off VTTOXCESTOR tot W Walgrang tot Wall off WALLSHALL off Wallfall Forrest off Walton pyr Walton cud Warslawe tot Waterfall tot Weddsbury seis Wednesfeild off Wednesbury off Weford off Welobridge parke pyr Weston pyr Weston Jones cud Weston under Lisiard cud Weston upon Trent pyr Wharnford tot Whattley hall off Whichnor off Whitmore pyr Whitstone cud Whittendon off Whittenton seis Whittgreene pyr Whittington off Wichnor off Wiggendon off Wilbrighton cud Wilenhall off Wilnall seis Witton tot Woâ—ley off Woken seis Wolaston cud Wolstanton pyr WOLVERHAMPTONâ— Womborne seis Worley little seis Worley great seis Wotton tot Wrottesley seis Y Yardley pyr Yendon flu Yoxall off SHROP-SHIRE SHROP-SHIRE by the ancient Saxons writen Sciripscyre is both large in circuit well peopled and very fruitfull for life It lieth circulated upon the North with thâ— County Palatine of Chester upon the East altogether with Stafford-shire upon the South with Worcester Hereford and Radnor-shires upon the west with Mountgomery Denbigh 2 The form thereof is almost circular or round whose length from Wooferton below Lodlane South to Over neere unto the river Trent in the North is thirtie foure miles the broadest part is from Tong in the East to Oswestre sited at the head of Morda in the West twentie and five the whole in circuit about extending to one hundred thirtie and foure miles 3 Wholesome is the ayre delectable and good yeelding the Spring and the Autumne seed time and harvest in a temperate condition and affordeth health to the Inhabitants in all seasons of the yeare 4 The soile is rich and standeth most upon a reddish clay abounding in Wheat and Barley Pit-coales Iron and Woods which two last continue not long in league together It hath rivers that make fruitfull the Land and in their waters containe great store of fresh-fish whereof Severne is the chiefe and second in the Realme whose streame cutteth this Countie in the middest and with many windings sporteth herselfe forward leaving both pastures and meadowes bedecked with flowers and greene colours which every where shee bestoweth upon such her attendants 5 This River was once the bounds of the North-Britaines and divided their possession from the Land of the Saxons untill of latter times theirs began to decay and the Welsh to increase who enlarged their lifts to the River Dee So formerly had it separated the Ordovices from the Cornavij those ancient Inhabitants mentioned by Ptolâ—mie The Ordovices under Caractacus purchased great honour whilst he a Prince of the Silures removed his Warres thence among them where a while he maintained the Britaines libertie with valour and courage in despight of the Romans His Fort is yet witnesse of his unfortunate fight seated neere Clune Castle at the confluence of that River with Temd where in remembrance of him the place is yet called Caer-Caradoc a fort of his wonne by P. Ostorius Lieutenant of the Romans about the year of grace 53. The Cornavii were seated upon the North of Severne and branched into other Counties of whom we have said 6 But when the strength of the Romans was too weake to support their owne Empire and Britaine emptied of her souldiers to resist the Saxons set foot in this most fair soile and made it a part of their Mercian Kingdome their line likewise issued to the last period and the Normans beginning where these Saxons left the Welshmen tooke advantage of all present occasions and brake over Severne unto the River Dee to recover which the Normans first Kings often assayed and Henry the second with such danger of life that at the siege of Bridge-north he had been slain had not Sir Hubert Syncler received the arrow aimed at him in stepping betwixt that Shaft and his Soveraigne and therewith was shot thorow unto death In the like danger stood Henry Prince of Scotland who in the strait siege of Ludlow begirt by King Stephen had beene plucked from his saddle with an iron-hooke from the wall had not Stephen presently rescued him Anno 1139. 7 This then being the Marches of England and Wales was sore afflicted by bloody broiles which caused many of their Townes to be strongly walled and thirtie two Castles to be strongly built lastly into this Countie the most wise King Henry the seaventh sent his eldest sonne Prince Arthur to be resident at Ludlow where that fair Castle
Vppington b. south Vpton great b. south Vpton Creslet stot W Wall mun Wallford pim Wallopp ford Walcot chir Walcot b. south Walcot purs Walliborne ford Walton chir Walton b. north Walton wen. Wambridge b. south Warren flu Waters Vpton b. sou Watlesborough for Watlingstreet b. sou Weenyngton ford Welbeche cond WELLINGTON Wellington forrest b. sou Wem b. north Wenlock lit e wen. WENLOCK GREAT wen. Wentner purs Westbury ford Westhoppe mun Westley ford Westley cond Weston pim Weston b. north Weston purs Weston chir Weston oswest. Weston chappel wen. Wettleton mun Wheat naston Whelbache cond Whettle stot Whichcot chappell o. Whitcott kysett clun Whitcott yevan clun Whitbatche purs Whitcott purs WHITCHVRCH Whittinslaw purs Whittington oswest. Whitton over Whixall b. north Wigwigge wen. Wike wen. VVikey oswest. VVillaston b. north Willaston great for VVislcott pim VVire forrest stot VVistanton purs VVistanslow purs Withiford great b. n. VVobury stot VVolston oswest. VVoodcote shrew VVoodcott b. south VVooderton chir VVoodhouseâ— b. sou VVoodhouses oswest. Old VVoodhouses b. n. VVoodlands b. nor VVoodseves b. north VVooferton mun VVooslaston cond VVorse flu VVorthyn chir VVorvill brym VVotton oswest. VVrekin hill b. south VVrentnall ford VVrockerdyne b. so VVullerton b. north VVulston mun VVygmore ford VVyllmyngton chir VVyllye wen. VVynsbury chir VVythington b. sout VVytton ford Y Yernstree parke mun Yockleton ford CHESSE-SHIRE by the Saxons written Cester-scyre and now the County Palatine of CHESTER is parted upon the North from Lanca-shire with the River Mercey upon the East by Mercey Goit and the Daâ—e is separated from Darby and Stafford-shires upon the South toucheth the Counties of Shrop-shire and Flint and upon the West with Dee is parted from Denbigh-shire 2 The forme of this County doth much resemble the right wing of an Eagle spreading it selfe from Wirall and as it were with her pinion or first feather toucheth York-shire betwixt which extremes in following the windings of the Shires divider from East to West are 47. miles and from North to South 26. The whole circumference about one hundred forty two miles 3 If the affection to my naturall producer blind not the judgement of this my Survey for aire and soile it equals the best and farre exceeds her neighbours the next Counties for although the Climate be cold and toucheth the degree of Latitude 54 yet the warmth from the Irish Seas melteth the Snow and dissolveth the Ice sooner there then in those parts that are further off and so wholesome for life that the Inhabitants generally attaine to many yeares 4 The Soile is fat fruitfull and rich yeelding abundantly both profit and pleasures of man The Champion grounds make glad the hearts of their Tillers the Medowes imbrodered with divers sweet smelling flowers and the Pastures make the Kines udders to strout to the paile from whom and wherein the best Cheese of all Europe is made 5 The ancient Inhabitants were the CORNAVII who with Warwickeshire Worcester-shire Stafford-shire and Shrop-shire spread themselves further into this Countie as in Ptolomy is placed and the CANGI likewise if they be the Ceangi whose remembrance was found upon the shore of this Shire on the surface of certaine pieces of Lead in this manner inscribed IMP. DOMIT. AUG GER DE CEANG. These Cangi were subdued by P. Ostorius Scapula immediatly before his great victory against Caractacus where in the mouth of Deva he built a Fortresse at the back of the Ordovices to restraine their power which was great in those parts in the reign of Vespasian the Emperour But after the departure of the Romans this Province became a portion of the Saxon Mercians Kingdom notwithstanding saith Ran. Higden the City it selfe was held by the Britaine 's untill all fell into the Monarchy of Egbert Of the dispositions of the since Inhabitants heare Lucian the Monk who lived presently after the Conquest speak They are found saith he to differ from the rest of the English partly better and partly equall In feasting they are friendly at me at cheerfull in entertainment liberall soone angry and soone pacified lavish in words impatient of servitude mercifull to the afflicted compassionate to the poore kind to their kindred spary of labour void of dissimulation not greedy in eating and far from dangerous practises And let me adde thus much which Lucian could not namely that this Shire hath never been stained with the blot of rebellion but ever stood true to their King and his Crowne whose loyalty Richard the second so farre found and esteemed that hee held his Person most safe among them and by authority of Parliament made the County to be a Principality and stiled himselfe Prince of Chester King Henry the third gave it to his eldest sonne Prince Edward against whom Lewlyn Prince of Wales 〈…〉 mighty Band and with them did the Coun 〈…〉 even unto the Cities gates With the 〈…〉 it had oft-times been affrighted which th 〈…〉 â—efenced with a Wall made of the Welshmens 〈◊〉 on the South-side of Dee in Hanbridge The Shire may well be said to be a Seed-plot of Gentilitie and the producer of many most ancient and Worthy Families neither hath any brought more men of valour into the Field then Chesse-shire hath done who by a generall speech are to this day called The chiefe of men and for Natures endowments besides their noblenesse of mindes may compare with any other Nation in the world their limbs straight and well-composed their complexions faire with a chearefull countenance and the Women for grace feature and boâ—nty inferiour unto none 6 The Commodity of this Province by the report of Ranulphus the Monke of Chester are chiefly Corn Cattle Fish Fowle Salt Mines Metals Meares and Rivers whereof the bankes of Dee in her West and the Vale-Royall in her midst for fruitfulnesse of pasturage equals any other in the Land either in graine or gaine from the Cow 7 These with all other provision for life are traded thorow thirteeâ—e Market-Townes in this Shire whereof Chester is the fairest from whom the Shire hath the name A City raised from the Fort of Osterius Lieutenant of Britaine for Claudius the Emperour whither the twentieth Legion named Victrix were sent by Galba to restraine the Britains but growne themselves out of order Iulius Agricola was appointed their Generall by Vespasian as appeareth by Monies then minted and there found and from them no doubt by the Britaine 's the place was called Caer Legion by Ptolemy Deunana by Antonine Deva by the Saxons Legea-cesder and now by us West-chester but Henry Bradshaw will have it built before Brute by the Giant Leon Gaver a man beyond the Moone and called by Marius the vanquisher of the Picts Over Deva or Dee a faire stone-bridge leadeth built upon eight Arches at either end whereof is a Gate from whence in a long Quadren-wise the wals doe incompasse the City high
tongue which is the Towne of the Bernicians Howsoever this is better to be said then trusted and whencesoever it hath the name it is seated betweene two mightie Kingdoms shooting far into the Sea with the which and the River Tweed it is almost encompassed and whensoever any discord fell betweene the two Nations this place was the first thing they tooke care of It hath indured the brunts of divers inroades and incursions and been oftentimes both possessed and repossessed of the Scots and English But since it was reduced under the command of Edward the fourth our Kings have from time to time so strengthened it with new workes and fortifications as they cut off all hopes of winning it The Governour of this Towne is also Warden of the East Marches against Scotland The longitude of it according to Mathematicall observation is 21 degrees and 43. minutes the latitude 55. degrees and 48. minutes 10 The Inhabitants of this Countie are a warlike people and excellent light horsemen and are made fierce and hard by the severall encounters of the Scots and not much unlike them in neither betwixt whom in this County many battels have beene fought and the successes oftentimes waved thorow 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 upper hand of the English Howbeit their glory was not made so illustrious by this Conquest but that it was as much darkned by the foile they received at Anwicke where William King of the Scots was taken and presented prisoner to Henry the 2. As also by that battell at Brumridge where King Athelstan fought a pitcht field against Anlase 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 pens of Historians Flodden field also memorable in the death of Iames the fourth king of Scots who was there slaine and his Armie overthrowne in a sharpe fight as hee displayed his Banner in great hope against England when king Henry the 8. lay at the siege of Turnay in France 11 Other battels in this Countie have been as that at Hexam called by Bede Hangustald wherein Iohn Nevill Marquesse Montacute encountred the Leaders of the Lancastrian faction with much courage and with greater successe put them to flight for which hee was made Earle of Northumberland by Edward the fourth As also that at Dilston by Bede called Dinelsburne where Oswald having the faith of Christ for his defence and armour slew Cedwall the Britaine in a set battell himself straight-wayes becomming a professed Christian and causing his people to be instructed in Christian Religion 12 Many memorable Antiquities are found in this Countrey along the wall and in other places As pieces of Coyne Inscriptions broken and unprefect Altars c. the ruines of the wall yet to be seene but none that deserves more to be remembred then Wall-Town by Bede called Ad Murum for that Segbert 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 have baptized many thousands in the faith of Christ in the Primitive Church of the English Nation 13 Busy-gap is a place infamous for robbing and theeving and is therefore rather remembred as a cautiatory note for such as have cause to travell that way then for any proper matter of worth it hath that merits place with other parts of this Province Other matters of observation are onely these that North Tyne running through the Wall waters two Dales which breede notable light Horsemen and both of them have their hilles hard by so boggie and standing with water on the top that no Horsemen are able to ride thorow them and yet which is wonderfull there be many great heaps of stones called Lawes which the neighbouring people are verily perswaded were cast up and laid together in old time in remembrance of some that were slain there There is also a Martiall kinde of men which lie out up and downe in little cottages called by them Sheales Shealings from Aprill to August in scattering fashion summering as they terme it their cattell 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 over-ran these Countries This Countie hath five Market-Townes in it for her trade of buying and selling 26. Castles for her strength and fortification and 460. Parish-Churches for divine service NORTHUMBERLAND A ABsheles Acam Ackton Acton Akelynton Allanton Allenton Almeburne ALNEWICK Alnham East Alâ—ow flu West Allow flu Anbell Ancraft Angetton Anter-Chester Aperley Ashington Asper sheles Averwick Aumond hill Aydon Castle Aylmouth Aylnammore B Bamburg Barmore Barodon Barraford Barrinton BARWICK Barwick Great Bavinton Bearle Bedenell Bedlinton Bedford Bellister castle Bellerley The Bellyn Belkerk Belsey castle Beltingham Beneley Bentham Benwell Berling Great Bewick Little Bewick Bewfront Bichefield Bickerton Biker Billingham Billistone Bilton Bingfield Brikes Biwell castle Blacklaw Black-brea Black-bedon Blakedon Black-hall Blake law Blakeworth Blenkensop Castle Blithe flu Blithes Newkes Bolam Bottle Castle Bowesden Bowmet Bowton Bradford Bradley hall Brankeston Bransaugh Branton Branton Brearidge Brenkhorn Brinkley Brome parke Bromeridge Bromish flu Brumley Brunton Bruntons Buckton Budle Burdop Burrodon Burtley Burton Buston Busigap Buteland Butterhagh C Caddon Callalee Callie parke Cammas Captheaton Carehouse North Carleton South Carleton Carram Carrow towre Carswell The Carter Castley Catchaside Catchborne Causey Cerbridge Charleton Chatton Chesterwood Cheswick Chetlop Burne Cheviot hils East-Chevinton West-Chevinton Chillingham Chirden Chipechase Chirtons Cholerton Claroo Cockley Cockley towne Cocket flu Coket Iland Cocklaw hill Cold-Marton Conwood chapel Colwell Cornwale Corsenside Cortington castle Cotewall tower Coupland Cowpon Cragshels Cramlinton Crawley Crawstor Christenbury cra Crocklaw Cronkley Cunningarth D Dala Castle Dareshall Dawton Deddington Denijk Denton Detcham Dichborns Dilston Dissingtons Doteland Donols flu Downeham Doxford Druriche Duke pul Dunkefield Dunnington Dunston Dunterley Dunstaburgh Castle Durtreborn E Eawden Edderston Edington Edlingham castle Eglingham Eland hall Eldes Elford Elihaugh Elis. Elishaw Ellesden Ellingham Ellyke Elmeley Eltringham Embleton Emmothilis Emmouthough Erington Erisden Eslington Espley Essheales Etall Etall Castle Evart F Fallowfield Farley Farnlaw Fauston hall Fauterley Fawlee Faulick Fawnes Felkinton Felton Fennam Fennik Fennik hall Fetherston haugh Flights fell Flodden hill Font flu Ford Castle Fowbre Framlington G Garretlee The Gelecrag Gijsons Gilderdale Glanthisse Glanton Gloucester The Grange Grange Greene. Greenchester Greene haugh Greene hatherly Greene Leighton Greenested Grindridge North Gosford South Gosford Goswick Grotehugh
high and very many which from the North notwithstanding are lessened as it were by degrees and towards the Sea-coasts the Countrey becommeth somewhat plaine which part is the best both for plentie of Graine and populous of Inhabitants The rest all mountaine is replenished with Cattle which is the best meanes unto wealth that this Shire doth affoord upon whose Hils you may behold whole Herds of them feeding and from whose Rocks most cleere springing waters thorow the vallies trickling which sportingly doe passe with a most pleasant sound and did not a little revive my wearied spirits among those vast mountaines imployed in their search whose infancy at first admitted an easie step over but grown unto strength more boldly forbad me such passage and with a more sterne countenance held on their journey unto the British Seas and Tave among these is accounted for a chiefe 4 Upon whose fall and East-banke the fairest Towne of all South-Wales is seated the Britains Caerdid the English Caerdiffe which Fitz-Haimon fortified with a Wall and Castle in the Raigne of King Rufus when he and his Norman Knights had overcome Rhese the Prince of these parts and thrust our Iestine from his lawfull possession This Towne he made his own Seat and Court of Justice enjoyning his Consorts to give aide to this honour and to hold their portions in vassallage of him Strong was the Castle as by the trust therein reposed may well appeare where the youngest brother Beauclark kept captive the eldest Curthose both of them sonnes to the Conquerour the space of twentie-sixe yeeres This Castle is large and in good repaire whence the Towne-wall went both South and East to the Rivers side thorow which foure Gates enter into the foure windes and contain in compasse nine hundred and twenty pases and along the River a sure defence upon her West side three hundred more so that the Towne containeth in circuit twelve hundred and fourescore pases But as the Tave is a friend to the Towne in making a Key for arrivage of shipping so is she a foe to S. Maries Church in the South with undermining her foundations and threatning her fall The Towne is governed by a Major yeerely elected out of twelve Aldermen assisted with other twelve Burgesses a Town-Clerke foure Constables and two Sergeants with Mace whose site is observed from the North-Starre to lie in the degree of Latitude 51. and 49. scruples and from the first point in the West 16. and 52. scruples 5 In the same graduation almost is sited the Citie Landaf wherein is a Castle and Cathedrall Church dedicated to S. Telean Bishop of the same without any other memorable matter worthy the speaking of 6 But things of strange note are these by the report of Giraldus who affirmeth that In a Rocke or Cliffe upon the Sea-side and Iland Barry lying neere the South-East point of this County is heard out of a little Chinke let him take heed what he saith the noise as it were of Smiths at their worke one whiles the blowing of Bellowes to increase the heat then the stroakes of the Hammer and sound of the Anvile sometimes the noise of the Grind-stone in grinding of Iron tooles then the hissing sparks of Steele-gads as they flie from their beating with the puffing noise of flames in a Furnace And whether this is the place whereof Clemens Alexandrinus speaketh I determine not where in his writings he hath these words They that have recorded Histories saith he doe say that in the I le of Britaine there is a certaine Hole or Cave under the bottome of an hill and on the top thereof a gaping Chinke into the which when the wind is gathered and tossed to and fro in the wombe or concavitie thereof there is heard above a sound of Cymbals for the winde being driven backe from his hole is forced to make a loud sound at her vent 7 More Westward from hence upon the River Ogmore and neere unto Newton in a sandy plaine about an hundred pases from Severne there springeth a Well though not of the clearest water where at the flowing and fulnesse of the Sea can hardly any water be gotten but at the ebbe and fall of tyde it walloweth up amaine The cause may be as Polybius reports of the like at Cadys wherein the windie aire when it is deprived of his wonted issues forcibly returneth shutting and stopping up the passages and veines of the Spring whereby the waters are kept in But contrariwise when the surface thereof is voyd and emptie of water the veines of the Source or Spring are unstopped and set free which then boyleth up in great abundance 8 And upon the same shoare more North and by West on the top of a hill called Minyd-Margan is erected a Monument inscribed with a strange Character and as strange a conceit held thereof by the by-dwellers whose opinions are possessed that if any man reade the same he shall shortly after die This Shire as it is the furthest Coast of South-wales and lay open to sorraine invasion so was it fortified with twenty five stronger Castles whereof times and stormes have devoured the most such were Barry Saint Doneits Denispowes Morlashe Meneshe Loghor Llāddeny Llāquian Oxwich Oystermouth Ogmor Pise Porkery Pennarth Winston Newcastle Caerfly Coche Peullyn Kethligarne Kenfeage Tallavan Treer and Cothy Neither was the County so ill seated for sufficiencie of life or barren of graine but that therein were planted places for divine pietie such were Neeth Margan and Caerdif besides the Episcopall See of Landaf which last still remaineth the other three suppressed among the fall of their like under King Henry the eight This Shire is divided into ten Hundreds wherein are seated sixe Market-Townes and one hundred and eighteene Parish-Churches as in the Card and Table annexed more at large appeareth GLAMORGAN SHYRE With the sittuations of the cheife towne CARDYFF and ancient LANDAFFE described ¶ An Alphabeticall Table of all the Tovvnes Rivers and memorable places mentioned in Glamorgan-shire HUNDREDS in Glamorgan-shire 1. SWanzey 2. Llangevelach 3. Neath 4. Newcastle 5. Llantrissent 6. Caerfily 7. Ogmor 8. Cowbridge 9. Denispowys 10. Cardif A ABERAVON New Aberdare Llant. Aberpirgum Neath Aberthawe east Denis Aberthowe west Cow S. Androwes Denis Arthurs Buts hill Llant. Saint Athon Cow Avon Flu. B Bachhannis Island Swan Backinston Swan Baglane Neath Barry Denis Barry Island Denis Bettus Chappell New Beveerton Cow Bewpeere Cow Bishopston Swan Boulston Denis Capell Brathteare Caerf. Bredruckun Denis Parke Brewis Swan Saint Brides the great Ogmor Saint Brides the lesse Ogmor BRIDGEND New Saint Brides upon Hay Denis Brytton ferry Neath Burra Flu. C Cadoxton Denis Cadoxton Neath Caerfilly Castle Caerf. Canton Cardif Capell Krenant Neath CARDIFE Cardif Carnllayd Denis Cayreh Cardif Cheryton swan Clase Llant. Clementson Ogmor Cledaugh Flu. Cledaugh Flu. Coche Castle Caerf. Coidfranke Forest Lla Coidemerchan Parke Deni Cog Denis
the Aldermen or chiefe Seniors thereof regarding my paines with friendly and courteous entertainments at my departure no lesse then eight of them that had been Bailiffes of the Towne came to visit me where they reported upon their credits and trials that from the top of that hill in the Welch called Mounch-denny or Cadier Arthur they had oftentimes cast from them and down the North-East Rocke their Cloaks Hats and Staves which notwithstanding would never fall but were with the ayre and winde still returned backe and blowne up neither said they will any thing descend from that cliffe being so cast unlesse it be stone or some metalline substance affirming the cause to be the Clouds which are seene to racke much lower then the top of that Hill As strange tales are told of the Meere Llynsavathan two miles by East from Breknock which at the breaking of her frozen Ice maketh a fearefull sound like unto thunder In which place as is reported sometimes stood a faire Citie which was swallowed up in an Earth-quake and resigned her stone-wals unto this deepe and broad water whither unto this day leadeth all the waies in this Shire which as learned Cambden conjectureth might be that Louentrium which Ptolemy in this Tract placeth and the more confirmed by the Rivers name adjoyning being also called Leuenny which River also passeth through this Meere without any mixture of her waters as by the colour thereof is well perceived which glideth thorow it with the same streame and no greater then wherewith she first entred in 5 The Townes for commerce are Hay Bealt and Breknock two of them unfortunate of their former greatnesse whom warres and sedition have defaced and cast down Hay upon VVye and Dulas pleasant for situation in the rebellion of Owen Glendowerdwy was diswalled depopulated and burnt in whose foundations for new repaires many Romane Coines have been found and thereby thought to be a seat of their Legions and Buelth now Bealt though of good frequencie yet not so great as when Ptolemy observed her position for graduation who calleth it Buleum Silurum neither when it with the Countrey was possessed by Aurelius Ambrosius by whose permission Pascensius the sonne of Vortiger ruled all as Ninius writeth nor yet of later times when Leolin the last Prince of the Britaines was therein betrayed and slaine 6 Breknock the Shire-towne for buildings and beautie retaineth a better regard whose walles in Ovall-wise are both strong of good repaire having three Gates for entrance with ten Towres for defence and is in circuit sixe hundred and fortie paces about upon whose West part a most sumptuous and stately Castle is seated the like whereof is not commonly seene whose decayes approching do increase her ruines daily and in the end is feared will be her fall This Towne is seated upon the meeting of two Rivers Houthy and Vske whose yeerely government is committed to two Bailiffes fifteene Aldermen two Chamberlaines two Constables a Town-clerk and two Sergeants their attendants having the Poles elevation in 52.21 minutes of Latitude and for Longitude is placed in the 16. and 32. minutes as the Mathematicians doe measure them 7 This Shire is strengthened with nine Castles divided into six Hundreds wherein are seated three Market Towns and sixtie one Parish-Churches BREKNOKE BOTH SHYRE AND TOWNE described Ann. Domini 16â—0 ¶ An Alphabeticall Table of all the Tovvnes Rivers and memorable places mentioned in Breknock-shire HVNDREDS in BREKNOCK-SHIRE 1 BEalt Hundred 2 Merthy Hund. 3 Talgarth Hund. 4 Crickhoel Hund. 5 Penkelli Hund. 6 Dyuynnock Hund. A Aberbrayne Merth Aberkinvick Penkel. Aberlleueny Talgarth Aberyskire Merth Capell Afyne Talgarth Altemawre Talgarth B Battle Chappell Merth BEALT Bealt Capell Bettus Dyuyn. Blacke Mountaine Dyuyn. Blaynllynuy Castle Crick Braue Flu. BREKNOCK Penkel. Capell Brengoran Talgarth Bruntllys Talgarth C Capell Callwen Dyuyn. Camlas Flu. Cantrest Penkel. Clarthy Flu. Clarwen Flu. Comartch Flu. Capell Coyelbryn Flu. Craye Flu. Crickadarn Talgarth Crickholl Crick Crickhoel Crick Capell Cunok Merth D Capell Defrunehenthy Merth Delas Flu. Dyuynnock Dyuyn. Dulas Flu. Dylas Flu. Castle Dynas Talgarth G Garthbrenguy Llanthew Merth Gilston Penkel. Glasbury Talgarth Glyn Tawy Dyuyn. Groney Flu. Gwenthur Talgarth Gwetherick Flu. H Haterell Hill Talgarth HAYE Talgarth Henuid Parke Merth Hepsey Flu. Houthy Flu. I Isker Flu. Istradgunles Dyuyn. Istraduelltey Dyuyn. K Ketheden Crick Kethitalgarth Bealt L Llamcamlach Penkel. Llanauanuour Bealt Llanbedde Crick Llanddetty Penkel. Llandiualley Targarth Llandiuilog Merth Llandiloruan Merth Llanelli Crick Llaneliw Talgarth Llangamarth Bealt Llanganten Bealt Llangattuck Crick Llangeney Crick Llangonider Crick Llangors Crick Llangouilog Penkel. Llangoyd Talgarth Llangroney Crick Llangustye Penkel. Llangynyd Crick Llanlleenuell Bealt Llannyllo Talgarth Llansanffred Penkel. Llanspethitt Dyuyn. Llanthetty Penkel. Llanthew Castle Penkel. Llanthewi Aberwessyn Bealt Llanthewi Come Bealt Llanuair Bealt Llanuanuecham Bealt Llanuigon Penkel. Llanuyhangell Vachian Merth Llanuyhangell Bryn pabian Bealt Llanuorted Bealt Llanurenach Penkel. Llanuthull Bealt Llanuillo Penkel. Llanwerne Penkel. Llanygon Talgarth Llanyhangell Manthran Merth Llanyhangell Cumdye Crick Llanyhanglo Penkel. Llanyhangell Aberwessyn Bealt Llanynnis Bealt Llestinan Bealt Lleueny Flu. Lleueny Flu. Lliwell Dyuyn. Llyswen Talgarth M Maesmynys Bealt Towre Maltwalbury Dyuyn. Melta Flu. Metherchynog Merth Mounchdenny Hill Penkel. N Capell Nanty Penkel. Neath Flu. Newton Dyuyn. O Olluannock Dyuyn. P Patrisho Crick Penderyn Dyuyn. Penketh Castle Penkel. Peterchurch Crick Pipton Talgarth Porthamble Talgarth Portheroyes Bealt R Capell Ridbrue Merth S Llyn Sanathan Talgarth Capell Senny Dyuyn. Skethrog Penkel. T Talgarth Talgarth Talyllyn Penkel. Capell Tauechan Penkel. Tauy Flu. Trallong Merth Trangarth Flu. Trausnant Flu. Tre Castle Dyuyn. Tretowre Crick Turch Flu. Tylachthy Penkel. V Tawe Vachan Flu. Neath Vachan Flu. Tawe Vawir Flu. Vaynor Penkel. Vske Flu. Vske Flu. W Weuery Flu. Wye Flu. Y Capell Ylldytt Dyuyn. Yruon Flu. RADNOR-SHIRE CHAPTER VIII RADNOR-SHIRE lyeth bordered upon the North with the Countie Monmouth upon the East toucheth Shropshire and Hereford-shire the Rivers Clarwen and VVye divide it from Breknock in the South and the West part doth shorten point-wise into Cardigan-shire 2 The forme thereof is in proportion triangle every side almost containing a like distance for from West to North are twenty miles from North to South twenty two and from South to West are twenty foure the whole in circumference extending to fourescore and ten miles 3 The Ayre thereof is sharpe and cold as most of Wales is for that the snow lieth and lasteth long unmelted under those shadowing high Hils and over-hanging Rocks 4 The Soyle is hungry though not barren and that in the East and South the best the other parts are rough and churlish and hardly bettered by painfull labour so that the riches of the North and West consisteth chiefly in the brood of Cattle 5 Anciently this County was possessed by the Silures a warlike people and great withstanders of the Romans impositions who had not onely them to fight
against but withall the unaccessible Mountaines wherewith this Shire is so over-pressed and burdened that many times I feared to looke downe from the hanging Rockes whereunder I passed into those deepe and darke dales seeming to me an entrance into Limbo Among these as say our Historians that hatefull Prince to God and Man Vortiger his Countries scourge and last Monarch of the British Bloud by fire from Heaven was consumed with his incestuous Wife for whom Ninius nameth the Countrey where in his Castle stood Guartiger-Maur of whose rubbish the Castle Guthremion was raised as some are of opinion Yet they of North-Wales will have his destruction and Castle to stand in their parts neere unto Beth-Kelleck whereof wee will further speake in the relation of his life Fatall was this place also to Llewellin the last Prince of the British race who being betrayed by the men of Buelth fled into those vast Mountaines of Radnor where by Adam Francton he was slaine and his head crowned with Ivy set upon the Tower of London 6 Places most worthy of note in this Shire are as ensueth The first is Radnor from whom the Countie receiveth her Name anciently Magi where the Commander of the Pascensian Regiment lay and thought to be the Magnos in Atonine the Emperors Survey This Towne is pleasantly seated under an Hill whereon standeth mounted a large and strong Castle from whose Bulwarke a Trench is drawn along the West of the Towne whereon a wall of stone was once raised as by the remaines in many places appeareth This Trench doth likewise inverge her West side so farre as the River but after is no more seene whose Graduation is observed to have the Pole elevated for Latitude 52. degrees and 45. minutes and for Longitude from the first point of the West set by Mercator 17. degrees and one minute Prestayn for beauteous building is the best in this Shire a Towne of Commerce wonderfully frequented and that very lately Next is Knighton a Market Towne likewise under which is seene the Clawdh-Offa or Offaes Ditch whose tract for a space I followed along the edge of the Mountaine which was a bound set to separate the Welsh from the English by the Mercian King Offa and by Egbert the Monarch a Law made by the instigation of his Wife that it should bee present death for the Welsh to passe over the same as Iohn Bever the Monke of Westminster reporteth and the like under Harald as Iohn of Salisbury writeth wherein it was ordained that what Welsh-man soever should bee found with any weapon on this side of that Limit which was Offaes Ditch should have his right hand cut off by the Kings Officers The fourth place for account is Raihadar Gowy who besides the great fall of Wye with a continuall noise hath her Markets there kept upon the Sabbath which I there observed and here note for an offence 7 Many Rivers arise and run thorow this Shire which were it not that the Hils so cluster together might make the soyle both fertill and fat Such are Teme Lug Ithon Clowdok Dulas Comarton Somegill Guithel Arro Machaway Edway Hawye Eland Clarwen and Wye besides other Loughs that stand betwixt the hills This Shire is divided into sixe Hundreds wherein are seated three Forrests foure Market-Townes sixe Castles and fifty two Parish-Churches as in the Table in the last Page of this Chapter Alphabetically are set and inserted THE COUNTIE OF RADNOR DESCRIBED AND THE SHYRETOWNES SITTUATIONE Anno 16â—8 ¶ An Alphabeticall Table of all the Tovvnes Rivers and memorable places mentioned in Radnor-shire HVNDREDS in RADNOR-SHIRE 1 RAyader-Gowy 2 Knighton 3 Kevenllice 4 Radnor 5 Collowine 6 Painescastell A Aberdow Coll. Arro Flu. Augop Rad. B Banghwid Paines Bettas disserth Coll. Bigildi Knight BLETHVACH Keven Blethuach Forrest Keven Brongwine Paines Buttus Paines C Cascop Keven Castle Dynbod Knight Clarwen Flu. Clirow Paines Clowedoke Flu. Colwin Castle Coll. Colva Rad. Combehire Rayad. Comaron Flu. D Darnall Flu. Discodde Rad. Disserth Coll. Dullas Flu. E Ednall Rad. Edway Flu. Eland Flu. F Fuldibrok Rad. G Garthuagh Rayad. Glasbury Paines Glascomb Coll. Glastray alias Glawdiscre Rad. Glyngwin Rayad. Gwythell Flu. H Harton Rad. Hawye Flu. Hiop Knight I Ithon Flu. K Kevelles Castle Keven Kregrena Coll. Kinerton Rad. KNIGHTON Knight Knukles Forrest Knight Knukles Knight L Llanamro Knight Llanbaderney gareg Coll. Llanbaderne Keven Lanbadarne vynith Knight Llanbeder Paines Llanbester Knight Llandegley Keven Llandewy Knight Llandewy vach Paines Llandilo Paines Landrindod Keven Llanelweth Coll. Llangiallo Keven Llanihangell Keven Llanihangell yerholegan Rayad. Llanihangell Arro Paines Llanihangell Kevenllice Keven Llanihangell Nantmelan Rad. Llansanffred Coll. Llansanffred in Comotoieth Rayad. Llanstephan Paines Llanuereth Coll. Llanyere Rayad. Llowes Paines Lug Flu. Llynhoghlen Paines M Machway Keven Michaels Church Paines Monaghree Keven N Nantmell Rayad. Newcastle Rad. Newchurch Paines Norton Rad. P Painescastle Paines Pilim Keven PRESTEIGNE Rad. R Radnor old Rad. RADNOR new Rad. Radnor Forrest Rad. RAYADER-gowy Rayad. Rulen Coll. S S. Harmon alias Phistharmon Rayad. Standish Rad. Samegill Flu. T Teme Flu. W Whitten Keven Whitehall Knight Weston hall Keven Wye Flu. Y Ython Flu. CARDIGANS-SHIRE CHAPTER IX CARDIGAN-SHIRE in the Welsh called Sire Aber-Tivi is parted on the North from Merioneth-shire with the River Doui by the Plinillimon hils from Montgomery-shire in part of her East and the rest from Breknock-shire with the water Towy and with Tyvy altogether on the South from Caermarden-shire the West is wholly washed with the Irish Sea 2 The forme thereof is horne-like bowing compasse long and narrow and growing wider still towards the North so that from Cardigan the Shire-Towne and uttermost point in the South unto the River Doui her farthest North bounder are thirtie two miles and from the head of Clarwen in the East to Aberysthwyth on her West the broadest part in the Shire are onely fifteene the whole in circumference is one hundred and three miles 3 The Aire is open and somewhat piercing the soile is hilly and Wales-like uneven yet more plaine and champion toward the Sea then in the East or North of the Land For besides that great and high hill called Plinillimon a continuall range of lesser doth shoote along yeelding in their vallies both goodly rich Pastures and very large Pooles which being assisted with Springs from the Rocks doe branch themselves as veines in the body and make fruitfull their passages unto the Sea In Tyvy one of these as Giraldus hath written the Beaver hath been found a creature living both by land and water whose stones the Physitians hold in great price His fore-feet are like unto a dog but the hinder whole skinned as is the goose the dog-like serve him on shore for tto runne and the goose-like as Oares give him swift motion in swimming his taile broad and gristly he useth as a sterne wherewith on the sudden he can
other his rebels drawing the Welsh-men wholly to his side in hope to have had Princes restored of their own blood and he maintained the same with wonderfull pride policie and obstinacie for a long time untill his confederates followers and favorites 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 have of any stately buildings whereof Bala Dolgeâ—he and Harleâ—h are the Markets By Bala in the North-East of this County in the Welsh Lhintegid in English Pimble-meare a great Poole of water doth drowne at least eight-score Acres of ground whose nature is as the report doth passe that the high-land floods though never so great cannot make her to swell bigger by their receipts but if the aire be troubled with over-great blasts and tempests of windes 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 beleeve more strongly conceited in their opinion for that the Salmon usually taken in Dee is never found in that Poole and the fish called Guiniad bred in that Meare never is seene in the River Dee South thence neere Dolgelhe 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 is was called Caddoryrita Dren according to the name of her neighbour and farre higher hill 6 Upon 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 Chappel decayed and without use in which lieth buried Sir Richard Thimblebye an English Knight who for the delight hee tooke in that game removed his abode from a farre better soyle Here also standeth a most strong and beautifull Castle mounted upon a hill and with a double Bulwarke walled about commanding the Sea and passage of entrance of such as seeke to invade the Coast. And surely a great pitie it is to see so faire a worke fall to decay the Constable whereof by Patent is ever the Major of this Towne neere unto which are two great Inlets of Seas which at low water may be passed upon the Sands with Guides Upon whose Shore as upon all the Sea-coasts in this County abundance of Herrings are caught for which cause they are much frequented in the season of the yeere by many people from divers Countries 7 This Towne being the chiefest of the Shire the Pole shall be elevated onely from thence whose height for Latitude standeth in the degree 53.29 minutes and for Longitude in the 15.47 minutes The whole being divided into six Hundreds wherein are seated thirtie seven Parish-Churches whose names in the Table following are to be seene MERIONETH+-SHIRE Described 1610 ¶ An Alphabeticall Table of all the Tovvnes Rivers and memorable places mentioned in Merioneth-Shire HVNDREDS in Merioneth-shire 1 ARdydury 2 Penllyn 3 Ydeirmon 4 Talybont 5 Mowthy 6 Ystymanael A Aberdowye Ystymanael Alwen Flu. Alwen Flu. Angell Flu. Artro Flu. Avon vane Flu. B BALA Penllyn Barmouth Ardydury Benrose Wood Talybont Traeth Bychan Ardydury Buttus ydeirmon C Cayne Flu. Cleton Flu. Clowedok Flu. Mowthy Llyn Cotwry Penllyn Cotsegeddol Ardydury Corwen ydeirmon Cunuell Flu. D Dee Flu. Derye Flu. Desunney Flu. Talybont Desunney Flu. ystymanael Dole ydeirmon DOLGELHE Talybont Douye Flu. Druryd Flu. Dynas Mothus Mowthy E Llyn Eithaye Ardydury F Farles Flu. Festimog Ardydury Funnondo Verduwy Penllyn G Glanllintegid Penllyn Gwannas Mowthy Gwyddelwern ydeirmon H HARLECH Ardydury Hirgum Flu. K Kelyn Flu. Kemmer Abbey Talybont Kessilgum Flu. Kevenreage ydeirmon L Llanagbrethe Talybont Llanaelhairn ydeirmon Llanbeder Ardydury Llandderfel Gadern Penllyn Llandanog Ardydury Llandeber Flu. Llandekwyn Llandegryn Talybont Llandryllo ydeirmon Llaâ—fawr Yn Melyn Penllyn Llanfechraith Talybont Llangor ydeirmon Llanglynnin Talybont Llangower Penllyn Llansansfred ydeirmon Llanenthowin Ardydury Llanthoyway Ardydury Llanwrothen Ardydury Llanvihangell Y Pennant ystymanael Llanyhangell ydeirmon Llanvair ydeirmon Llanunier Llanullyn Penllyn Llanyhangell y traythe Ardyd Llanykill Penllyn Llanymorothwy Mowthy Llanywhyllyn Penllyn Llavern Flu. Llavyltyd Ardydury Llenegryn Talybont Lleyngoryl Flu. Llue Flu. Llyn y combe Ardydury Llyn Tegid Penllyn Llyn Troweryn Penllyn Llyn Teckoyn Ardydury Llyn Eithaye Ardydury M Monach doure Flu. Mothvaye Flu. Maynlloyd Mowthy Maynturog Ardydury N Nanney Talybont P Penal ystymanael R Rarannare Hill Penllyn Rhedok ydeirmon Rhedok ydeirmon Rulace Penllyn S Sarnabugh Point Talybont Skethye Flu. T Taly Llyn ystymanael Thehery Castle ystymanael Llyn Tegid Penllyn Towin Meryonidd ystymanael Traeth Mawer Ardydury Traeth Bychan Ardydury Trawffynydh Ardydury Troweryn Flu. Llyn Troweryn Penllyn V Velynrydd Flu. Y Llyn Ycombe Ardydury DENBIGH-SHIRE called in Welsh Siâ—e Denbigh retiring more from the Sea within the Countrey on this side of the River Conwey shooteth Eastward in one place as farre as to the River Dee on the North first the Sea for a small space and then Flint-shire encompasseth it on the West Caernarvon and Merioneth-shire on the East Cheshire and Sâ—ropshire and on the South Mountgomery-shire 2 The forme thereof is long growing wider still towards the North-west narrower towards the East It is in length from East to West one and thirty miles and in breadth from North to South seventeen miles in the whole circuit and circumference one hundred and foureteen miles 3 The ayre is very wholesome and pleasant yet bleake enough as exposed to the winds on all sides and the high hils wherewith it is in many places environed long retaining the congealed snow The tops whereof in the Summer time are the harvest mens Almanacks by the rising of certain 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 favours but next unto Dee it feeleth a more liberall extent of her blessings The west part is but here and there inhabited and mounteth up more then the other with bare and hungry hils yet the leannesse of the soil where the hils settle anything flattish hath been now a good while begun to be overcome by the diligent pains and carefull industrie of the husbandmen for they paring away the upper coat of the earth into certaine Turfes with a broad kind of spade pile them up artificially on heaps and fire them so as being turned into ashes and thrown upon the ground so pared they fructifie the hungry barrennesse and
the Disciple of Elvodugus doth tell and their own 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 Porphyry alledged by S. Ierome in the Raigne of Aurelianus the Emperour Gildas calleth them the Irish Spoilers Giraldus A Scotish Nation dâ—scended from Ireland which in regard of them by Eginhardus is termed The Ile of Scots by Beda The I le inhâ—bited by the Scots and by other Historians Scotland the great as their seat in Britaine was called Scotland the lesse 8 These when the Romane Empire was farre in the wane burst into Britaine under Reuda their Captaine who entring amitie with the Picts possessed the North part of the Iland and assisted them against the Britaines then ready to fall when the Romanes were gone But these afterward entertaining dissensions amongst themselves put the hazard of their estates on the tryall and chance of one dayes battell fought betwixt them in the yeere of Salvation 740. wherein the Picts not onely lost their lives but soone after even their very name also and Fortune crowning the Scots with victory advanced their Kingdome unto such fame and strength that the same hath long continued without any absolute Conquest or surprise against the assaults of whatsoever enemies 9 Scotlands South part in Galloway washed with the water of Solway Bay toucheth the degree 56. of Latitude and thence inbosoming many Loughes and In-lets upon the East and West extendeth it selfe unto 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 under the hindermost Stars of the Greater Beare 10 The whole Kingdome is divided into two parts by the great River Tay the South whereof is the more populous and more beautified in manners riches and civilitiâ—â— the North more rude retaining the customes of the Wild-Irish the ancient Scot in whose severall Territories these Counties ensuing are contained  South  North. Teifidale Galloway Stirling Loqunbreo Buquhan Merch. Carricke Fife Braidalbin Murrey Laudien Kyle Strathern Perth Rosse Liddesdale Cunningham Menteith Athol Sutherland Eskedale Arran Argile Augâ—is Cathanes Annandale Cluidesdale Cantire Merns Strathnavern Niddesdale Lennox Lorne Mar.  THE KINGDOME OF SCOTLAND Amongst the things worthy of note of Antiquitie in this Kingdome most memorable was that Fortification drawn from Abercorne upon the Frith of Edenborough unto Alcluyd now Dunbritton opening upon the West Sea where Iulius Agricola set the limit of the Romane Empire past which saith Tacitus there was not other bounds of Britaine to be sought for and that here the second Legion Augusta and the twentieth Legion Victrix built a part of the Wall certaine Inscriptions there digged up and reserved 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 unto the god Terminus others a Trophey raised by Carausius who fortified this Wall with seven Castles as Ninius doth declare 12 At this place began the great and darke Wood Caledonia famous for the wilde white Buls that therein were bred whose Manes were Lion-like thicke and curled of nature fierce and cruell and so hatefull to mankinde that they abhorred whatsoever was by them handled or breathed upon these Woods stretched farre and wide with many turnings darke shades and dreadfull dens and so famous in the Romane Writers that they often used that name for all Britaine whose inhabitants were the last in this Iland that yeelded their necks to the yoake of subjection as shall appeare in our following Story 13 Ninius a Britaine is recorded to have converted the South-Picts unto the Faith of Christ in the Raigne of Theodosius the younger and the Church in Galloway bearing his name doth witnesse it so likewise in the same age Palladius sent from Pope Coelestine becamâ— an Apostle unto the Scots whose reliques lay enshrined at Fordon in Mernis as was verily supposed but that Christianitie had been formerly planted in this uttermost Province is testified by Tertullian in saying the Britaines had embraced the faith further then the Romans had power to â—ollow or persecute them whereupon Peter Monke of Clun in Spaine concludeth their conversion to be more ancient then the Southern Britaines 14 But touching things observable for the present surely admirable is the report of the plentie 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 Aire that they even darken the Sunnes light of whose flesh feathers and oyle the Inhabitants in some parts make great use and gaine yea and even of Fishes brought by them abundant provision for dyet as also of the sticks brought to make their nests plentifull provision for fewell 15 With these as of wonders I might speake of the natures of those two famous Loughes Lomund and Nessa the latter whereof never freezeth in Winter though never so extreame and the waters of the other most raging in the fairest and calmest weather wherein also floateth an Iland that removeth from place to place as the winde forceth her spongeous and unfastened body In Buquhan upon the banks of Ratra is a Well whose trickling drops turne in Pyramidy-wise into hard stone and another neere Edenborough that floateth with Bitumen In Dee and Done besides the admired plentie of Salmons is found a Shell-fish called the Horse-muskell wherein Pearles are engendred most precious for Physicke and some of them so Orient that they give not place to the choisest 16 No lesse strange then any the fore-mentioned waters but more lamentable is the remembrance of the great inundation hapning by the sudden rising of Tay which bare away the Walles and Towne of Berth and with it the Cradle and young son of King William into the Sea wherein the Royall Infant with many others perished the King and his Courtiers hardly escaping the danger with life The â—uine of this Towne raised another more famous and more commodiously seated even Perth since called Saint Iohns-Towne 17 Ilands and Inlets yeelding both beautie and subjection to this Scottish Kingdome are the Westerne the Orknayes and the Shetlands reckoned to be above three hundred in number their Inhabitants for the most part using the frugalitie of the ancient Scot. 18 The Westerne lying scattered in the Deucalidonian Sea were anciently ruled by a king of their owne whose maintenance was out of their common Coffers and the Regall authoritie never continued in Lineall succession for to prevent that their Kings were not permitted to have wives 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 wives should be
as also for the faithfull loyaltie which it hath alwayes shewed to the Imperiall Crowne of England for ever since it was wonne by Richard Earle of Pembroke it still performed the obedience and peaceable offices of dutie andervice unto the English as they continued their course in the conquest of Ireland whence it is that the Kings of England have from time to time endowed it with many large Franchises and lâ—berties which King Henry the seventh did both augment and confirme 8 Although since the time if S. Patricke Christianitie was never extinct in this Countrey yet the government being haled into contrary factions the Nobilitie lawlesse and the multitude wilfull it hath come to passe that Religion hath waâ—ed with the temporall common sort more cold and feeble being most of them very irreligious and addicted wholly to superstitious observations for in some parts of this Province some are of opinion that certaine men are yearely turned into Wolves and made Wolfe-men Though this hath been constantly affirmed by such as thinke their censures worthy to passe for currant and credible yet let us suppose that happily they be possessed with the disease and maladie that the Physitians call Lycanthropi which begetteth and engendreth such like phantasies through the malicious humors of Melancholy and so oftentimes men imagine themselves to be turned and transformed into formes which they are not Some again embrace another ridiculous opinion and perswade themselves that he who in the barbarous acclamation and outcâ—y of the Souldiers which they use with great forcing and straining of their voyces when they joyne battell doth not howte and make a noise as the rest doe is suddenly caught from the ground and carryed as it were flying in the aire out of any Countrey of Ireland into some desert vallies where he feedeth upon grasse drinketh water hath some use of reason but not of speech is ignorant of the present condition he stands in whether good or bad yet at length shall be brought to his own home being caught with the helpe of Hounds and Hunters Great pitie that the soule fiend and father of darknesse should so grievously seduce this people with misbeliefe and that these câ—rrours be not chased away with the truth of Christian Religion whereby as they carry much grace in their countenanceâ— they may also not be void of the inward grace of their soules and understanding 9 This Province hath been sore wasted in the rebellions of Desmond to whose aide Pope Gregory the thirteenth and Philip K. of Spaine sent certaine companies of Italians and Spaniards who arrived not farre from Dingle fortified themselves and gave it the name of Fort de Ore sounding loud threats against the whole Countrey But Arthur Baron Grey Lord Deputie of Ireland at the first onset decided their quarrell by sheathing his sword in their bowels and Desmondâ—earefully â—earefully flying into the Woods was by a Souldier cut shorter by the head And againe when the Kingdome of Ireland lay bleeding and put almost to the hazzard of the last cast Don Iohn D' Aquila with eight thousand Spaniards upon confidence of the excommunications of Pius the fift Gregory the thirteenth and Clement the eight Popes all of them discharging their curses like unto thunderbolts against Queene Elizabeth of blessed memory landed neere unto Kinsalâ— presuming that the rebellions of Tyrone had turned the hearts of the Irish for Rome Sir Charles Blunt Lord Montjoy in the depth of Winter and with his tired souldiers so daunted their Spanish hearts that with one victory he repressed their bragging boldnesse and recovered the Irish that were ready to revolt 10 God hath oftentimes shewed his tender love and affection to this people in laying his fatherly chastisements and afflictions upon them sometimes by windes sometimes by famine and dearth and sometimes againe by opening his hand of plentie into their laps to convert them to himselfe and to divert their hearts from superstitions In the yeare 1330. about the Feast of Saint Iohn Baptist there began such a dearth of Corne in this Countrey by the abundance of raine and the inundation of waters which continued untill Michacimas following that a Cranoc of Wheat was sold for twentie shillings a Cranoc of Oates for eight shillings a Cranoc of Pease Beanes and Barley for as much The windes the same yeare were so mightie that many were hurt and many slaine â—ut-right by the fall of houses that was forced by the violence of the same The like whereof were never seene in Ireland In the yeare 1317. there was such a dearth of corne and other victuals that a Cranoc of Wheat was sold for twentie three shillings And many Housholders that before time had sustained and relieved a great number were this yeare driven to begge and many famished In the time of which famine the mercy of God so disposed that upon the 27. day of June in the yeare 1331. there came to land such a mightie multitude of great Sea-fishes that is Thursâ—eds such as in many ages past had never been seene that the people were much comforted in this distresse and received great reliefe and sustenance by the same 11 Places of Religion in this Countrey were the two Abbies at Yoghall called the North-Abbey and South-Abbey The two Abbies at Limcricke S. Francis Abbey and S. Dominicke Abbey The two Abbies at Corke the Abbey of the I le and S. Francis Abbey and the famous Abbey in times past of the holy Crosse which hath had many priviledges and liberties granted unto it in honour of a peece of Christs Crosse that was as they say sometimes preserved there Thus were Christians perswaded in ancient times And it is a wonder in what Troopes and Assemblies people doe even yet conflow thither upon devotion as unto a place of holinesse and sanctitie so firmely are they setled in the Religion of their Fore-fathers which hath been increased beyond all measure by the negligent care of their Teachers who should instruct their ignorance and labour to reduce them from the errours they persevere in This Province is governed by a Lord President who hath one Assistant two learned Lawyers and a Secretary to keepe it in dutie and obedience It was in times past divided into many parts as Towoun that is North-Mounster Deswoun that is South Mounster Hierwoun that is West-Mounster Mean-Woun that is Middle-Mounster and Vrwoun that is the Front of Mounster But at this day it is distinguished into these Counties Kerry Desmond Limericke Tipperary Holy-Crosse Waterford and Corke which Countie in times past had been a Kingdome containing with it Desmond also for so in the Grant given by King Henry the second unto Robert Fitz-Stephen and to Miles de Cogan it is called in these words Know ye that I have granted the whole Kingdome of Corke excepting the Citie and Cantred of the Oustmans to hold for