Britain, or A chorographicall description of the most flourishing kingdomes, England, Scotland, and Ireland, and the ilands adjoyning, out of the depth of antiquitie beautified vvith mappes of the severall shires of England: vvritten first in Latine by William Camden Clarenceux K. of A. Translated newly into English by Philémon Holland Doctour in Physick: finally, revised, amended, and enlarged with sundry additions by the said author.

VECTA INSVLA [ C] ISLE OF WIGHT.

TO this Countie of South-hampton belongeth that Island which lieth out in length over against the midst of it South-ward, cal∣led by the Romans in times past VECTA, VECTIS, and VIC∣TESIS, by Ptolomee 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, by Britaines Guith, by English-Saxons 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, and 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉; (For, an Island they termed 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉) and by us in these daies, the Isle of Wight and the [ D] Whight; by so small a streight running betweene, anciently cal∣led Solent. It is severed from the maine land, that it may seeme to have beene con∣joyned to it: whereof that British name of it Guith, which betokeneth a separation; as Ninnius saith, is thought to have beene given: even as Sicilie also being broken off (as it were) and cut from Italie got the name from Secando the Latin word (which signifieth cutting) as the right learned Iulius Scaliger is of opinion. Whereupon, (under correction alwaies of the Iudicious Criticks) I would read in the sixt Quest. Naturall. of Seneca, thus; Ab Italia Siciliaresecta, that is, Sicilie cut from Italie: wheras it is commonly read there, rejecta. By this Vicinitie of Scite, & Affinitie of name, we may well thinke, this Vecta to be that Icta, which as Diodorus Siculus writeth, see∣med [ E] at every tide to be an Island, but when it was ebbe, the ancient Britaines were wont that way to carry tinne thither by carts, which should bee transported into France. But yet I would not deeme it to be that MICTIS in Plinie, which likewise commeth very neere unto VECTA: For that in it there was plentie of tinne, but in this of ours there is not to my knowledge any veine at all of mettall.

This Isle, betweene East and West in ovall forme, stretcheth out twentie miles in length: and spreadeth in the midst, where it is broadest twelve miles: having the one side turning to the North, and the other Southward. The ground (to say no∣thing of the sea exceeding full of fish) consisteth of soile very fruitfull, and is thanke∣full to the husbandman, in so much as it doth affoord corne to be carried forth: bree∣ding every where store of conies, hares, partridges and phesants. One little forrest [ F] it hath likewise, and two parkes replenished with deere, for game and hunting plea∣sure. Through the midst thereof runs a long tract or chaine of hils, yeilding plentie of pasture, and forrage for sheepe. The wool of which, next unto that of Lemster and Coteswold, is estemed best, and in speciall request with Clothiers, whereby there groweth to the Inhabitants much gaine and profit: The North part is all over greene with meddows, pastures, and woods: the South side lieth wholly in manner,

bedecked with cornefields enclosed, where at each end the sea on the North-side [ A] doth so inbosome, encroach within it selfe, that it maketh almost two Islands: and verily so the Islanders call them: namely, Fresh-water Isle which looketh West, and Binbrige Isle, Eastward. In Bedas daies it was counted to containe a thousand and two hundred Hides: now it reckoneth upon 36. townes, villages and Castles: which for Ecclesiasticall jurisdiction belong to the Bishop of Winchester, and for civill govern∣ment, to the County of South-hanton. The Inhabitants of this Isle were wont mer∣rily to make their boast, that their case was happier than all others, because they had neither hooded monks, nor cavilling Lawyers, nor yet crafty foxes.

* 1.1The places of greater name be these, Newport, the principall mercate towne of [ B] the whole Isle, called in times past Medena, and Novus Burgus de Meden, that is, The new Burgh of Meden: whereof the whole country is divided into East Meden, and West Meden, an ordering as to their scituation East or West either way. Cacres-brooke an old Castle, so clepid and clipped short for White garesburg, is in the very heart and midst of the Isle, taking the name of Whitgar the Saxon, of whom more heereafter: and of late magnificently reedified by the meanes of the Captaine: unto which Castle there belonged very many Knights Fees, and above all other places it hath heere the glory for antiquitie: Brading, another mercate Towne, Newton and Yarmouth anciently called Eremue, which have their Majors, and send Burgesses to the Parliament. This Yarmouth and Sharp••ore have Castles in them, which together with Worsleys fort or [ C] Blockehouse (so named of a worshipfull familie) defend the Sea-shore at the North∣west. Just over against it, scarcely two miles off standeth Hurst a fortification of South-Hamptonshire, scituate upon a little necke of land lying into the Sea: Quarre, where was founded a Nunnerie in the yeare of our Lord 1131: Gods-Hill, in which Iohn Worsley erected a Schoole for the training up of young wits, West-Cowe and East-Cowe, that is now ruinous: both which, King Henry the Eighth built at the very en∣trie of New port: and concerning them Leland wrote in this wise:

Covae fulmineae duae coruscant Haec casum colit, ille Solis ortum Vectam quà Neoportus intrat altam, [ D] Two Cowes full opposite there stand, At West and East, in all mens sight: Then flashen fire from either hand, Where Newport, entreth Isle of Wight.

Also on the North-East side Sandham Castle, furnished as the rest, with great ord∣nance. Neither are there wanting for the defence of this Isle naturall fences. For, encircled it is with a continuall ridge and raunge as it were of craggy clifts; there are under the waters likewise hidden stones: and every where there lie against it, bankes and rockes perilous for sailers: but the most dangerous of all the rest are the Needles, so called because they are so sharpe, and the Shingles; which stand forth against the [ E] West angle of the Isle: as also the Owers and Mixon that lie before the East. Besides these, The Brambles, which are Shelves and perilous for Sailers, in the North-coast. Moreover if there be any place that seemeth open and meete for a landing place, the same by an old order and custome among them is piled with strong stakes driven and pitched deepe into the ground.

But verily this Isle is neither with these rockes, nor with those fortresses above said so well fenced,* 1.2 as with the very Inhabitants themselves, who naturally being most warlike, bold, and adventurous, are through the diligence and care of the Captaine of the Isle, confirmed so by continuall exercise in strength and militarie discipline, that they exactly know before hand, (what accidents of service soever may happen in [ F] warre) namely with their peeces to shoot point-blanke and not misse the marke, to keepe their rankes, to march orderly, and in ray, to cast their squadrons if need be close into a ring, or to display and spred the same at large, to take paines, to runne, and ride, to endure both Sunne and dust, and fully to performe whatsoever warfarre

[ A] doth require. Of these souldiers thus trained the Isle it selfe is able to bring forth in∣to the field 4000. and at the instant of all assaies appointed there bee three thousand more of most expert and practised servitours out of Hampshire, and two thousand beside out of Wilshire, to bee ever prest, and in readinesse for the defence of the Isle. And to the end that all hostile forces whatsoever might bee withstood more speedi∣ly, and with greater facilitie, the whole countrey is divided into eleven parts: and e∣very of them hath their severall Centoner, as one would say, Centurion, their Vintons also, leaders as it were, of twenty, their great pieces of Ordnance, their Sentinels and warders. Who keepe watch and ward at the Beacons standing on the higher grounds: [ B] their Posts also, or runners, whom by an old name growne almost out of use, they terme still Hoblers, who presently give intelligence of all occurrents to the Captaine and Governour of the Isle.

The first that brought it in subjection to the Romans,* 1.3 was Vespatian, whiles he served as a private person under Claudius Caesar: For, thus writeth Suetonius of him. Vnder the Emperour Claudius, by speciall favour of Narcissus, he was sent into Germanie as Lieu∣tenant of a Legion: and from thence being remooved into Britaine, he fought thirtie battailes with the enemie. Two most mightie nations, and above twentie townes, together with the Isle of Wight, lying next to the said Britaine hee subdued, under the conduct partly of A. Plautius a Consular Lieutenant, and in part of Claudius himselfe. For which service he re∣ceived [ C] triumphall ornaments, and in short space two sacerdotall dignities, &c. At this Isle also, the navie of Allectus; after he had usurped the Imperiall dignitie in Britaine, lying in espiall and ambush, awaited the Romans comming against him, who not∣withstanding by the happy meanes of a mist passed by their enemies undescried, gat to land, and set fire on their owne ships, that there might bee no refuge for them, to escape unto by flight.* 1.4 Lord Cerdic was the first English-Saxon that subdued it, and he granted it unto Stuffa, and Whitgar, who joyntly togither slew well-neare all the British Inhabitants (for few there were of them remaining) in Whitgaraburge a towne so called of his name, and now by contraction shortned into Caresbroke. After, Wolpher King of the Mercians reduced the Isle of Wight under his obedience, and as∣signed [ D] it over to Edelwalch King of the South-Saxons, together with the province of the Menvari, what time as hee became his Godfather, and answered for him at his Baptisme.* 1.5 Then, Ceadwalla King of the West-Saxons, when the said Edelwalch was slaine, and Aruandus the petty King of the Island made away, annexed to it the Do∣minion, and in a tragicall, and lamentable massacre killed every mothers child almost of the inborne Inhabitants, and the fourth part of the Isle, to wit as much land as con∣tained 300. Hides, hee gave unto Bishop Wilfrid. The first that instructed the Islan∣ders in the knowledge of Christian religion. But these matters Beda will informe you best, writing as he doth, in these words.

After then that Ceadwalla had obtained the kingdome of the Gevissi, hee wonne also the [ E] Isle of Wight:* 1.6 which unto that time had beene wholly given to Idolatrie; and then endea∣voured what he could to make a generall massacre and tragicall slaughter of all the native In∣habitants thereof, and instead of them to plant there people of his owne province; binding himselfe with a vow, although he was not yet regenerate and become Christened, and in case he wonne the Isle, he would give unto God a fourth part both of it and also of the whole booty. Which vow he so paied, as that he offered this Isle, unto Wilfrid the Bishop (who being of his nation hapened then to come thither & be present) to the use and glory of God. The measure of the same Island according to the English mens estimation is proportionable to one thousand and two hundred hides of land. Whereupon the Bishop had possession given him of so much Land as rose to three hundred Hides. But hee, commended that portion which hee recei∣ved [ F] unto one of his Clarkes named Bernwin, and his sisters sonne he was, giving unto him a priest named Hildila, for to minister unto all that were desirous of salvation, the word and laver of life. Where I thinke it not good to passe over in silence, how, for the first fruits (as one would say) of those who of the same Isle were saved by their beleife, two young children brethren, of the Royall bloud, to wit, the sonnes of Arvandus King of the Isle, were by the especiall favour of GOD crowned with martyrdome) For, when the enemies ap∣proached

hard unto the Island, these children slipt secretly out of the Isle, and were remo••∣ved [ A] into the province next adjoyning; where being brought to a place called Ad Lapidem, when they had committed themselves upon trust, to be hidden from the face of the King that was conquerour, betraied they were and commanded to be killed. Which when a certaine Ab∣bat and Priest named Cynbreth heard, who not farre from thence had his monasterie in a place named Reodford, that is the Ford of reed, hee came unto the King, who then in those parts lay secretly at cure of those wounds which hee had received whiles hee fought in the Isle of Wight, and requested of him, that if there were no remedie but that the children must bee murthered, they might yet bee first taught the Sacraments of Christian faith before their death. The King granted his petition, and hee then having catechised them in the [ B] word of truth, and bathed them in the fount of salvation, assured them of their entrance in∣to the everlasting Kingdome of heaven. And so within a while after, when the execu∣tioner, called instantly for them, they joyfully suffered that temporall death of the body, by which they made no doubt of their passe unto the eternall life of their soules. In this order and manner therefore after all the Provinces of Britaine had embraced the faith of Christ, the Isle of Wight also received the same: in which notwithstanding for the calamitie and trou∣ble of forraine subjection, no man tooke the degree of Ministerie, and See Episcopall before Daniell, who at this day is the Bishop of the West Saxons and the Gevissj. Thus much Beda.

From this time forward our writers for a great while have not one word of Wight [ C] unto the yeare of our Lord, one thousand sixtie six, in which, Tostie Hing Haralds bro∣ther with certaine men of warre, and Rovers ships out of Flanders in hatred of his brother invaded it, and after he had compelled the Islanders to pay him tribute, de∣parted. Some few yeares after, as we read in the old booke of Cares broke Priorie, which Ma∣ster Robert Glover Somerset, shewed me, who carried as it were the Sunne light of ancient Genealogies and Pedigrees in his hand. Like as, saith this booke, William the Bastard conque∣red England, even so William Fitz Osbern his Mareschal and Earle of Hereford, conque∣red the Isle of Wight, and was the first Lord of Wight. Long after this, the Frenchmen in the yeare 1377. came suddenly at unawares under saile, invaded and spoiled it: and the same French in the yeare 1403. gave the like attempt, but in vaine: For valiantly [ D] they were drived from landing even as in our fathers daies, when the French Gallies set one or two small cottages on fire and went their way.

* 1.7As touching the Lords of this Isle, after that William Fitz-Osbern was forth-with slaine in the warre of Flanders, and his sonne Roger outlawed and driven unto exile, it fell into the Kings hands: and Henrie the First, King of England gave it unto Ri∣chard Ridvers (otherwise called Redvers and de Ripariis) Earle of Denshire, and with∣all, the Fee or Inheritance of the Towne Christ-Church.* 1.8 Where, like as at Cares∣broke, that Richard built certaine Fortresses: but Baldwin his sonne, in the trouble∣some time of King Stephen, when there were in England so many Tyrants, as there were Lords of Forts and Castles, who tooke upon them every one to stampe money [ E] and challenged other rights of Regall Majestie, was by Stephen disseized and ex∣pelled from hence. Howbeit, his posteritie recovered their ancient right, whose Genealogie wee have already put downe when wee treated of the Earles of Den∣shire.

But in the end, Isabell widow to William de Fortibus, Earle of Albemarle and Holdernesse, sister and heire of Baldwin the last Earle of Devonshire of that house, after much intreatie was overcome to make over by charter all her right and inte∣rest, and to settle it upon King Edward the First▪ with the Manours of Christ-Church, and Fawkeshaul, &c. For foure thousand Markes.

Ever since which time, the Kings of England held the Isle, and Henry de Beau∣champ [ F] Earle of Warwicke was by King Henrie the Sixth, unto whom hee was most deere, crowned King of Wight, and afterwards nominated, The first or principall Earle of all England. But together with him this new and unusuall title died and vanished quite. Afterwards Richard Widevile Earle Rivers was by King Edward the fourth stiled Lord of the Isle of Wight, & Sir Reginald Bray took it of King Henry the

[ A] Seventh, (with whom he was most inward) in Fee farme, for a rent charg'd, of three hundred markes yearely to be paid. Also, beside these Lords, this Isle had a noble Familie, named de Insula, or Lisle, out of which in the raigne of King Edward the Second, one was summoned unto the Parliament by the name of Sir Iohn Lisle, of the Isle of Wight.

[ B] [ C] [ D] [ E] [ F]

Notes

• * 1.1

  Newport.
• * 1.2

  The Inhabi∣tants.
• * 1.3

  In Vespati cap. 4.
• * 1.4

  Anno D. 5
• * 1.5

  Bede lib. 4. cap. 13.
• * 1.6

  Bede lib. 4. cap. 16.
• * 1.7

  Lords of the Isle of Wight.
• * 1.8

  Christ-Church.