A tale of tvvo swannes VVherein is comprehended the original and increase of the riuer Lee commonly called Ware-riuer: together, with the antiquitie of sundrie places and townes seated vpon the same. Pleasant to be read, and not altogether vnprofitable to bee vnderstood. By W.V.

A COMMENTARIE OR EXPO∣sition of certaine proper names vsed in this Tale.

HArtfoord-shire: so called of the town. * 1.1 King Alfred was the first that de∣uided this Land into Shires, Hun∣dreds, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Te•…•…, •…•…hereby hee re∣pressed the •…•…ges and •…•…s which the English men (following therein the Danes) committed one vpon another. Hee appointed that e∣uery man should 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in some hundred or tenthe, and if he were accused of any offence, if he found not in his hundred or tenth a sucr•…•…ie or pledge for hunself, he was grie∣uously punished: hereby he brought to passe, that hanging gol∣den bracelets by cros-waies, there was none du•…•…st steale or take them away. This Shire aboundeth in p•…•…enty of corne, pasture, medowes, water and woods: and hath 〈◊〉〈◊〉 120 Parishes.

Lee, called also Lygan, Lygean and Luy. * 1.2

Caister. A riuer in Boetia, where is supposed the •…•…airest and largest Swannes doo breede.

Fanshaw. One of the remembrancers of her Maiesties court * 1.3 of •…•…er 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉•…•…er, and one that especially ten∣dereth the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of Ware, whereof he hath purchased the Lord∣ship.

Ware. •…•…ded in the yeare of our Lo•…•…d 914. by R. Edward * 1.4 the sonne of R. Alred. This towne since th•…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the•…•…eof,

hath greatly increased, and by procuring to themselues the free passage of their bridge, greatly hindred the Shire-towne of Hartford: For in old time the bridge was chained and kept by the Bailiefe of Hartford, but in the time of King Iohn, when the Barons warred one against another, and against the King himselfe. The townesmen trusting to their Lord Wake, brake the chaine, and haue euer since enioyed their pas∣sage, whereby it is greatly encreased, and is likely still to doo aswell, for that by means of the Lord Treasaurer, the riuer is made passable for boates and barges, as also through the dili∣gence of the Townesmen, who, with helpe of M. Fanshaw haue erected a newe markette house, with entent to procure cer∣taine Fayres to be helde there yeerely. The Bridge was reedi∣fied lately, and the arches made of stone at the charges, viz. 140. poundes geuen by her Maiestie. The rest by the towne and Countrie.

Thames, the chiefest riuer of England: the name is deriued * 1.5 of Tame and Isis, which rising in Glocester-shire, runneth to the towne of Ta•…•…e, where ioyning together, they make the Thames, whereof read Leland or M. Harison in his descrip∣tion of Britaine.

Seuerne, a riuer that arriseth in Wales, passeth by Mount∣gomery, * 1.6 Shrewsburie, Brydgenorth, Bewdly, Worcester▪ Glo∣cester, and Bristoll: it parteth Wales and the West countrey, and falleth into the sea betwyxt Mylford hauen and Padstow: The course of this Riuer, as also the rest require a speciall treatise,

Humber, or rather Hull, falleth into the Sea at Rauen∣spur, * 1.7 and ariseth out of sundrie Riuers, whose confluence make a mighty water▪ &c.

Trent is one of the most excellent riuers in England, and * 1.8 as M. Harison saith, increased with so many Waters, as it seemeth, it may becompared with Seuerne or Owse•…•…, of which Riuer, whosoeuer is desirous to see or read more, may find the same in M. Harisons workes, and therefore I omit to speake further of it.

Cynthia, the Moone.

Endymion, a shepheard, who (as the Poets faine) was cast * 1.9 a sleepe vpon the hill Latmos an hundred yeares by the Moone, to the intent she might inioy his loue.

Uerolane, called by Antonine, Uerolanium, of Tacitus, Uerulanium, of Ptolomy, Uerolanium: The Sarons called it * 1.10 Watlingchester of the high-way called Watlingstreete, & Wer∣lanchester of the riuer Werlam that ran by it. And yet it's cal∣led Verulam, albeit there be nothing left but the ruines and rub∣bish of the walles. It hath bene a citie in olde time of great and especiall account, well walled, and defended with a great fishing pond, which wel neer did compasse it. There is yet to be seene (as M. Camden saith) ancient coyne with this inscription, Tasc Verul: which Doctor Powell interpreteth to be Tributum Ve∣rulamij for Tasc in walsh signifieth tribute, and Tascia a tri∣bute penie. This citie was greatly distressed in the time of Ne∣ro the Emperour, by the warres which Bundwica the Queene made against the Romans, as may easily appeare to such as be any thing at all conuersant in reading the Romane histories: yet did it flourish againe, and continued in good estate, and a∣mong other thinges famous, for bringing foorth to the world, Albon the Prothomartir, or first martyr of this land, of whome M. Gerard Leigh in his accidence of armorie wryteth. Albon was knight of the Bath, and Lord of Uerolane, nowe called Saint Albons: who in his youth, for the honour of this realme made a royall chalenge of Iustes at Rome, and did there other Knightly disportes in Armour, where hee had onelye the prise, and was made Knight by Dyoclesian then Empe∣rour of Rome, who had this Realme then in subiection.

This Albon was Prince of Knightes, and soueraigne Steward of Brittaines: and after was conuerted to the faith of Christ by Amphybalus that holy Knight, who went to Rome with Bassianus the Sonne of Seuerus in the com∣panie of 1500 of the chiefe Lordes sonnes of Britaine and Cornewall, where Zepherinus then Bishop, priuily instru∣cted him in the fayth of Christ, which, at his returne, he taught

to Albon in such sort, that openly professing the same, they were in the time of the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 D•…•…sian •…•…th martired. Wher∣of you may reade in G•…•…ldas and Bede. After this, the Citie was yet in good estate, vntill the time of the 〈◊〉〈◊〉, when Oct•…•… and Oesa taking it for their refuge, were besieged by Vther Pendragon, w•…•… brake the •…•…es and defaced it. A•…•…ter this, by L•…•…tle and Litle it lang•…•…shed, so that it became a deane or harbour of theeues and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 vntill King Offa, about the yeare of our Lord 793. •…•…ded an A•…•…ey in honor of S. A bon, in a place calld 〈◊〉〈◊〉: hencefo•…•…rth the olde citie decaied, and S. A•…•…bons flourished. And Alfricke the seuenth Abbot of the house, bought the fishing pond of the King: and for that the Fisher∣men dayly endo•…•…aged the religious people, it was with great •…•…st dray•…•…ed, & made drie. There remaineth at this day a street in S. Albons, called Fishpo•…•…le street: and for that there hath bene fou•…•…d about the Citie, AAnchors keles of beates, old nailes and such trash, some haue supposed the Thames to haue runne that way, which errour grewe by corruption of Gyldas booke, where he mentioneth of S. Albons death: but it is not so: but heare what ancient recordes doo testifie concerning the same.

In the tune of K•…•…ng Edgar, when Aegelred was Abbot, he caused the ruines of Verolane to be searched, the vaultes to bee vncouered, and the pauements to be digged vp: where he found Pillers, peeces of antique worke, thresholds, door-frames, pil∣lers for windowes of fine masonrie worke, some of Porphyrte, some Touch, some Alablaster, all which were verte conuenient for his purpose: besides, hee found sockets of Lattyn, and of brasse, with diuers other thinges which hee reserued towardes the foundation of a new abbey, which he intended to build. But being preuented by death, Edmerus his successor digged a∣gaine, and found Idols, Altars richly couered, Iugs and cruses wi•…•…h puts, some of wood, some stone, and some gold, artificially wr•…•…ught and ca•…•…ed. And proceeding farther, hee found pots of gold, siluer, and some of brasse, some with coyne, and some with bones and ashes of such as haue bene burned or buried: all which were reseru•…•…d, and the mettels melted, and kept for this

new▪ 〈◊〉〈◊〉 which 〈◊〉〈◊〉 at last 〈◊〉〈◊〉 was 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉great store of •…•…ges and •…•…old p•…•…leges, and the new towne of S. Albons dayly more and more increased, famous as well for the 〈◊〉〈◊〉, as also for two not•…•…ble 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉fought there, 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 betwixt the two great h•…•…uses of York•…•… and 〈◊〉〈◊〉: Thus much of Vero•…•…ne whereof more might be said, which for 〈◊〉〈◊〉 sa•…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉.

Bishop•…•… Hatfield or Hethfield. Iohn Morton bishop of Ely * 1.11 builded th•…•…re a house which nowe belongeth to her 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 as Leland▪ 〈◊〉〈◊〉 belonged once to th•…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Ber•…•…yers from the•…•… to the Howards, Th•…•…. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 suspect•…•…g that a tow•…•… of the house would •…•…all by reason of the height, tooke downe a part therof. And king Henrie the eight making an exchange with the Duke, newly reed•…•…ed the house sinc•…•… whose time it is hon•…•…red with the title of a Bar•…•…, which Henry Cary, Lord Chamberlaine of her Muest•…•… hous∣hold, •…•…efetenant of Northfolke and Suffolke, and Captaine of Barwike at this day enioyeth.

Hartford called by Antonine & the Romans, Durocobriuas, * 1.12 the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 or Wel•…•…en call•…•…ed wa•…•…er Du•…•… Co•…•…, & Briua, 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉them as also 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉signifieth ouer the water, as Briua Odera, Briua I•…•…ara which signifie passages ouer riuers of the same name. The Saxons called it Herud∣ford as in one booke remaining with Iohn Stowe (a diligent •…•…earcher and •…•…reseruer of anti•…•…ties, it is written H•…•…ford. Bed•…•… in the fourth booke of his 〈◊〉〈◊〉 history •…•…∣neth how Theodorus Archbishop of Canterb•…•… held 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉or pro•…•…ciall counsell at Herudford, Anno. 670. but now it is corruptly (as I thinke) called Hartford, which Leland inter∣preteth Cer•…•… vad•…•… the toord of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 it hath 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in olde time of good account, as well by 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 also, of the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the Castel was 〈◊〉〈◊〉 first by Ed•…•…ard 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in the ninth yeare of his raige as Henry Hun•…•…gton saith, whose wordes 〈◊〉〈◊〉, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Anno. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 sui construx•…•… H•…•…refor∣dium castrum no•…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉 sed pulcheri•…•…um tamen in∣ter 〈◊〉〈◊〉, 〈◊〉〈◊〉, & 〈◊◊◊◊〉〈◊◊◊◊〉sed clarissima tamen. This castle hath 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉

by the Clares, and then by the Dukes of Lancaster, for Roger de Clare in Henry the second his time was created Erle of Hart∣ford. And Robert Fitzwalter that came of the same house in king Steuens time did boldly affirme that the keeping of the Castle did of right belong vnto him: Henry the third gaue the Castle with the honour belonging to it to William Ualence Erle of Penbroke, Anno. 1247. After it fell to the Dukes of Lancaster, who vsed to lodge at it verie often. In the yeare of our Lord 1357, the Queene of Scottes, sister to king Edward the third departed this life, lying at Hartford with her sister in law, the Queene of England, and in the yeare 1458 for a fray made in Fleetestreet in London, the king sent the principals of Clifford, Furniuall, and Barnardes In, as prisoners to Hart∣ford castle. King Henry the sixt vsed often to keepe his Christ∣mas there: and to conclude, king Edward the sixt was nursed and schooled there.

The priorie was builded by Ralfe Lord Lymesoy, who came into England with William the Conquerour, and was (as the Monkes reported) his sisters sonne.

The townesmen of late haue procured to themselues a new corporation, and haue on the Saterday a good market and eue∣ry yeare three faires. In Edward the 3. time, as I haue seene in an olde record, they had two markets in the weeke and but two fayres.

In the time of Henry the eight viz. 1507 there was a paper Mill at Hartford, and belonged to Iohn Tate, whose father was Mayor of London.

Waltham, a market towne: the Abbay was builded by king Harold, who shortly after hee had built it was slaine by * 1.13 William the conqueror, his mother with great and earnest si•…•…e obtained his body, and intoumbed the same in the Abbay.

Aelners Crosse cōmonly called Waltham crosse. K. Henry the first set it vp in memory of his wife (who died in Lincoln∣shire) * 1.14 and wheresoeuer her body was caried, there hee erected a crosse with the armes of England, Castile and Pontoys, geuen •…•…n the same, of which the crosse in Chepe, and Charing crosse be two of the fayrest.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Hartfoord.
• * 1.2

  Lee. Caister.
• * 1.3

  〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.4

  Ware.
• * 1.5

  Thames.
• * 1.6

  Seuerne,
• * 1.7

  Hum•…•…er,
• * 1.8

  Trent.
• * 1.9

  Cynthia,
• * 1.10

  Verolane.
• * 1.11

  Bishops Hat∣field, o•…•… Heth∣field H•…•…don.
• * 1.12

  Hartfoord.
• * 1.13

  Waltham
• * 1.14

  A•…•…lnors Crosse.