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.

[ A]

BELGAE.

[ B]

VPon the North and East side of the Durotriges, borde∣red in times past the Belgae, who as it is by the name pro∣bable, and by authority of writers very likely, passed over from the Belgae, a people in Gaule, into Britaine. For, those Belgae having their beginning (as Caesar accor∣ding to the information he had from the men of Rhemes) of the Germans, and in old time being brought over the Rhene, finding the [ C] sweetnesse and fertility of the place, expelled the Gaules and planted them∣selves there: From whence, as the same Caesar saith, they gat them over in∣to Britaine for to spoile, and in warlicke manner to invade the country: and were all of them called after the name of those countryes from whence they came:* 1.1 where, after they had made warre they remained and began to till the grounds. But at what time they came hither to dwell, it is not certainly knowen, unlesse Divitiacus King of the Suessones, who flourished before Caesars time, brought over the Belgae hither: For, a great part as well of [ D] Gaule as of Britaine he had under him. Whence also they were named Bel∣gae, it is not sufficiently shewed.* 1.2 Hubert Thomas of Liege, a great learned man, supposed Belgae to be a German word, for that the Germans use to call the French and the Italians Wallen, as strangers, yea and some of them Welgen. Iohn Goropius, himself a Belgian, maintaineth it to be derived of the word Belke, which in the Belgicke tongue signifieth wrath or anger, as if they would be sooner incensed with choler than others. But seeing that the name of the Belgae, seemeth not to be sought for out of that tongue [ E] which the Germans of the Low-countries use at this day and is almost the same that our English-Saxon language (for from the Saxons it came, whom Charles the Great brought over into Brabant and Flanders) for my part I will in no wise diminish their credit, who fetch it forth of the ancient Gaules tongue, which remayneth in manner uncorrupt among our Welch-Britans, and will have them called Belgae of Pell, which in that tongue betokeneth Remote or far off. For, of all Gaule they were the furthest, and as they were furthest from the civill behaviour and humanity of the Roman Province, [ F] so they were also in situation and seat: and the Poet hath shewed that the Morini were the people of all Belgica most remote, when he wrote thus: Ex∣tremi{que} hominum Morini, that is, The morini of all men furthest. But come we now to our Belgae, who inhabited far and wide in Somerset∣shire, Wiltshire, and the inner parts of Hantshire.

[ A]

SOMERSETSHIRE.

THe Countie of Somerset, commonly called, Somersetshire, is a verie large and wealthy Region: the North side whereof the Severne Sea beateth upon: the West part confineth with Den∣shire: in the South it bordereth first upon Devonshire, and then upon Dorsetshire: Eastward, upon Wiltshire: and North-east [ B] upon part of Glocestershire. The Soile verie rich, yeelding for the most part thereof passing great plentie, both of pasture and corne, and yet not without stonie hilles: Exceeding populous, and full of Inhabitants: furnished also with commodious havens, and ports sufficiently. Some thinke it was so called, for that the * 1.3 aire there, is so mild and summer-like: and in that sence the Welch Britans at this day terme it Gladerhaf, borrowing that name out of our English tongue. And verily, howsoever in summer time it is a right summer-like Country, yet surely, in winter it may worthily be called, a winterish Region, so wet, and weely, so miry and moorish it is, to the exceeding great trouble and encombrance of those that travell in it. But I will beleeve, that this name without all question grew from Somer∣ton, [ C] a famous Towne in ancient time, and of all others in the shire most frequented, considering that Asserius a writer of great antiquitie, calleth this Countie in every place, Somertunensis, that is Somertunshire. In the very first limit of the shire West∣ward, where Ex riseth in a solitarie and hilly moore, first appeareth Dulverton, a sil∣ly market, according to the soile, and neere unto it was a small religious house of Black-chanons at Barelinch, who in latter times acknowledged the Fetyplaces their founders.

Higher upward on the Severne side, where this shire confineth upon Devonshire, first we meet with Porlock,* 1.4 (in the English-Saxon tongue 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, and Watchet) in times past Wecedpoort, roades both, and harbours for ships, the which in the yeere [ D] 886. were most grievously afflicted by the Danish cruell piracies. Betwixt them stan∣deth Dunster Castle upon a flat and low ground,* 1.5 enclosed round about with hilles, sa∣ving to the Sea-ward; built by the Moions, or Mohuns. From whose heires by agree∣ments and compositions it came in the end to the Lutterels.* 1.6 A right noble and migh∣tie house this of the Mohuns was for a long time, and flourished from the verie Con∣querours daies, (under whose raigne that Castle was built,) unto the time of King Richard the Second. Two Earles there were of this Countie out of that familie, as I shall shew hereafter, William and Reginald, who in the Barons warre lost that honor. The Posteritie afterwards were reputed Barons: of whom the last named Iohn, left three daughters, Philip wife to Edward Duke of Yorke; Elizabeth, wedded to Wil∣liam [ E] Montacute, Earle of Sarisburie, the second of that name; and Maud, Joyned in marriage to the Lord Strange of Knokin: The Mother of which three Ladies, as the report goes,* 1.7 obtained of her husband so much pasture-ground in Common by the Towne side for the benefit of the Inhabitants, as she could goe about in one day bare∣foot.

Neere to this Castle, there lie two little Villages consecrate unto two peculiar Saints of those places: the one of them is named Caranton, of Carantoc the Britan: the other,* 1.8 Saint Decombs of Decuman; who putting to sea out of South-wales arri∣ved here, in a waste and Desert Wildernesse, as we read, in an old * 1.9 Agonel, overgrowen with shrubs, bushes, and briers, among woods of great thicknesse, reaching out farre [ F] in length and breadth, lying out with high and steepe hilles one way, and wonderfully un∣even with as deepe and hollow vallyes another way, where he bidding worldly vanity fare∣well, was by a murderer stabbed to death, and of the people honoured as a Saint. And betweene these Clives, was an old Abbey of white Monkes, founded by William de Romara, Cosen to the Earle of Lincolne. Somewhat farther from the

[illustration]

SOMERSETTENSIS Comitatus. Vulgo Somersett Shyre Qui ••lim pars. fuit. BELGARVM

[illustration]

[ A] sea is seated Stoke-Curcy, a Barony so named of the Lords thereof, the dwelling place of William De Curcy,* 1.10 Sewer to King Henrie the First. Out of which Familie, Iohn Curcy (as some write) issued, that conquered Vlster in Ireland, whom nature framed for magnanimitie, gravitie, and all other vertues, a great person and a noble: the record and testimonie of whose approoved valour, is to bee fetched out of the an∣tient Annals of Ireland. From thence the shore by little and little beareth out to Stertpoint, where the two greatest Rivers of all this Shire, meeting in confluence to∣gether, at one mouth runne forth into the Severne sea. Ptolomee calleth this conflu∣ence UZELLA Aestuarium,* 1.11 of the river Ivel, which now hath lost his name alreadie before he came hither. It springeth in Dorsetshire, and no sooner entreth into So∣mersetshire, [ B] but he giveth name to Evel a great market towne,* 1.12 which rose by the decay of Ilchester, and taketh into him a rill, neere which is Camalet a steepe hill, and hard to get up:* 1.13 on the top whereof are to bee seene expresse tokens of a decayed Ca∣stle, with tripl•• rampires of earth cast up, enclosing within it many acres of ground; and there appeare about the hill five or six ditches, so steepe, that a man shall soo∣ner slide downe, than goe downe. The Inhabitants name it, King Arthurs Palace: That it was the Romans worke, appeareth by peeces of money of their coine daily digged out there. But what name it had among them, I know not, unlesse it be the same which in Ninnius his Catalogue of ancient Cities, is called Caer Calemion, in [ C] stead of Camelion, by transposition of the letters. Hereby are two townes, West Ca∣malet, and East Camalet, or Queens Camalet, happily for that it hath been in dowrie to some Queene.* 1.14 As for Cadburie a little towne next unto it, we may guesse verie pro∣bably to have been that Cathbregion, where K. Arthur, (as Ninnius writeth) defeated the English-Saxons in a memorable battell. The other of that name, called, North, Cadbury, K. Henry the Third, gave unto Nicolas de Moeles, who had married * 1.15 Hawi∣sia, one of the heires of Iames of Newmarket,* 1.16 whose posteritie continued a long time in great fame and honour, untill that Iohn dying in the time of Edward the Third, left two daughters, Muriel and Isabel; the one wife to William Botereaux, and the [ D] former to Thomas Courtney. Here to digresse aside from the River Ivel, Winecaun∣ton, no meane market,* 1.17 is neighbour to this North Cadbury, and neere thereunto is Pen,* 1.18 an obscure village now, but antiently famous, being ordained by destinie as it may seeme to the overthrow both of Britans and Danes. For at this verie place Ke∣niwalch a West Saxon, had such a day of the Britans, that they would scarcely ever after abide to come into the field against the English-Saxons. And many a yeere after that, King Edmund surnamed Iron-side, gave there a notable foile to the Danes, as he pursued Canutus their King, then usurping the Crowne of England from place to place. The house of Lorty, called in Latine Records, de Vrtiaco, was great here∣about, possessing Stoke Triske,* 1.19 Cocklington, and other Mannours, and Henrie Lorty of this house, was summoned a Baron to the Parliament, in the time of King Edward the [ E] First.

Now to returne: the river Ivel from hence runneth to ISCHALIS, mentioned by Ptolomee,* 1.20 now Ivelcester: named in the Catalogue of Ninnius (if I be not deceived) Pontavel Coit, for Pont-Ivel Coit, that is, Ivel bridge in the wood: by Florentius of Worcester, Givelcester: at this day of small account, but onely for the antiquitie, and the market there kept: for, peeces of the Roman Caesars, or Emperours money, of gold, * 1.21 brasse, and silver, are other whiles here digged up. That in old time it had been a great towne, and on some sides strengthned with a double wall, the ruines declare, and two towers upon the Bridge. About the time of the Normans comming in, well [ F] peopled it was, and much frequented: For, reckoned there were in it one hundred and seven Burgesses. A sure place also in those daies, and well fortified: for in the yeere of Grace 1088, when the Nobles of England had conspired, & plotted against King William Rufus, to put him downe, and set up his brother Robert Duke of Nor∣mandie in his Roiall throne, Robert Mowbray a warlike man, having burnt Bathe, forcibly assaulted this towne, but with lost labour; yet, what hee could not doe then, long processe of time hath now partly effected, and in some sort over-mastred it.

A little beneath, by Langport a proper market town, the Rivers Ivel and Pedred run∣ning [ A] together,* 1.22 make betweene them an Iland, called Muchelney, that is to say, The great Iland, wherein are to bee seene the defaced walles and ruines of an old Abbey, built by King Athelstane,* 1.23 as writers reporr. This Pedred, commonly named Parret, hath his beginning in the verie edge or skirt of the shire southward, and holding on a crooked and winding course thorow Crockhorne, in the Saxon tongue, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, and Pedderton,* 1.24 to whom it gave the name, sometime Pedridan, the Roiall seat of King Ina, •• which towne now adayes is of none account, unlesse it be for the mar∣ket, and Faire there held, which Henrie Daubeney obtained of King Henrie the Sixth) at this place runneth into Ivel, and robbeth him of his name, when hee is come downe three miles Eastward,* 1.25 and hath bidden farewell to Montacute, so ter∣med [ B] by the Earle of Moriton, brother by the Mothers side to King William the Conquerour, (who built a Castle upon the verie hill top, and at the foot thereof a Priorie) because the said hill riseth up by little and little to a sharpe p••int: for, be∣fore time it was called Logoresburgh,* 1.26 and Biscopeston. As for the Castle, it came to nothing many yeeres since: the stones thereof being had away to the repairing of the Monasterie and other houses. Upon the pitch of the said hill, there was a Cha∣pell afterwards set, and dedicated unto Saint Michael, built with arch-worke, and an embowed roofe overhead all of stone, right artificially: to which for halfe a mile wel nere, men ascended upon stone-staires, which in their ascent fetched a com∣passe [ C] round about the hil. But now that the Priorie and chapell both be pulled down, the faire and goodly house, which Sir Edward Philips Knight, and the Kings Sargeant at Law built lately at the hill foote, maketh a very beautifull shew. This high place Mont-acute hath given surname to that right honourable family of Montacute,* 1.27 which had their beginning of Dru the younger. Out of which there were foure Earles of Sarisburie: the last of them left one daughter onely, Alice, who by Richard Nevil, pare Richard that renowned Earle of Warwick, who kept such stirres, and made all England to shake, also Iohn Nevil Marquesse Montacute, who were both slaine at Barnet field, in the yeere 1472. Afterward King Henrie the Eighth conferred the title of Lord Montacute, upon Henrie Poole, sonne of Margaret, daughter to George [ D] Duke of Clarence, that came of the daughter of that Richard Nevill aforesaid, Earle of Warwicke: and when hee had so done, straightwaies made him shorter by the head: afterwards Queene Marie advanced Anthonie Browne, whose Grandmother was a daughter of Iohn Nevill Marquesse Montacute, to the title and honour of Vi∣count Montacute, which his Grandchild Anthonie who succeeded him now honoura∣bly enjoyeth.

And here I must not forget neither, Preston, sometime the seat of Iohn Sturton younger sonne to the first Lord Sturton, one of whose heires was married to Siden∣ham of Brimton thereby; neither Odcombe adjoyning thereto, as small a towne as it [ E] is,* 1.28 seeing it had a Baron of the owne, William de Briewer (for so was his father na∣med, in the Norman-French, because he was borne in an * 1.29 heath) who being taken up in the new Forrest, by King Henrie the Second in a hunting journey, prooved a great man, and gratious in the Court (as whom King Richard the First highly favo∣red as his minion, and all the world embraced and loved) grew unto a verie wealthy estate, married Beatrix of Vannes, widow to Reginald Earle of Cornwall, and his daughters,* 1.30 for that his sonne died without issue, by their marriages brought great possessions to their husbands Breos, Wake, La-fert, and Piercy. Under this towne hard by, lieth Stoke under Hamden, where the Gornaies had their Castle, and built a Col∣ledge. [ F] This familie de Gornaico,* 1.31 commonly named Gornay, was verie ancient, and of good account, descended from the same stocke, out of which the Warrens Earles of Surrie, and the Mortimers are sprung: but in the fore-going age it failed, and some of their lands descended by the Hamptons, to the house of the Newtons Knights,* 1.32 who willignly acknowledge themselves to bee come out of Wales; and not long since to have beene named Caradocks. Neither must I passe over in silence, how Matthew Gournay, a most famous warriour in the raigne of Edward the Third,

[ A] was buried heere; who in the fourescore and sixteenth yeere of his age, ended this life when (as appeareth by his Epitaph) he had fought at the siege of Algizer, against the Saracens, in the battels of Benamazin, Scluse, Cressie, Ingenos, Poictiers, and Nazars in Spaine. Then * 1.33 Pedred watereth Martocke, a litle market Towne, which in times past William of Boloigne King Stephens sonne gave unto Faramuse of Boloigne, whose sole heire Sibyll, was wedded to Ingelraine Fienes, from whom descended the Fienes, Ba∣rons of Dacre, and Lords Say and Sele.

Parret from hence thorow the mire and moorish plaine countrey,* 1.34 holding his course Northward, passed by Langport a market Towne well frequented, and Aulre, [ B] a Village consisting of a few poore Cottages, which seemeth to have beene a Towne of good account:* 1.35 for, when King Elfred had given the Danes such an overthrow in battell, and by strait siege compelled them to yeeld, so farre forth, that they tooke an oath immediatly to depart out of his dominions, and Godrus their King promised to become Christian, (as writeth Asserius) at this very place he with great pompe was Godfather to the said Godrus at the sacred Font.

Beneath this place from the West, Parret receiveth into it the river Thone, which springing farre of in the West part of this Countrey, very neere unto Devon∣shire, runneth thorow most rich and pleasant fields, passing downe neere Wivelscomb, assigned anciently to the Bishops of Bathe,* 1.36 and by Wellington, which in the time of [ C] King Edward the elder was a land of ••ix * 1.37 Manentes, what time hee granted it toge∣ther with Lediard, that had twelve Manentes, Hides, unto the Bishop of Shirburne: Now, a prettie market Towne it is, and graced most by the habitation there of Sir Iohn Popham (For, vertuous men, and such as have so well deserved of their countrey, are not to bee passed in silence) a man of an ancient worshipfull house, and withall a most upright Iusticer,* 1.38 and of singular industry, who being Lord chiefe Iustice of the Kings Bench, administreth his office toward malefactours with such holesome and avail∣able severity, that England hath beene beholden unto him a long time for a great part of her private peace, and home-securitie.

[ D] For thence with a soft streame, and gentle fall,* 1.39 Thone runneth by Thonton, commonly Taunton, and giveth it his name. A very fine and proper Towne this is indeed, and most pleasantly seated: in a word, one of the eyes of this shire: where Ina King of the West Saxons, built a Castle, which Desburgia his wife raced, and laid even with the ground after shee had expelled from thence Eadbritch, King of the South-Saxons, who now had made himselfe Lord thereof, and used it as a bridle to keepe the countrey under, that he had subdued. When Edward the Confessour was King, it paid tribute (as wee find in the Kings Survey-Booke of England) after the rate of fiftie and foure Hides: and had in it threescore and three Burgers: The Bi∣shop of Winchester held it as Lord, and his courts or Pleas were kept heere thrice in the yeere. [ E] And these Customes appertaine to Taunton, Burgherists, Theeves, * 1.40 Breach of peace, han∣nifare, pence of the Hundred, and pence of Saint Peter de Circieto, thrice in the yeere to hold the Bishops Pleas without warning, to goe forth to warfare with the Bishops men. The Countrey heere, most delectable on every side with greene medowes; flourishing with pleasant Gardens and Orchards, and replenished with faire Mannour houses; wonderfully contenteth the eyes of the beholders. And among these houses; those of greatest note are these: Orchard, which had in times past Lords of that name, from whom in right of Inheritance it descended unto the Portmans, men of Knights degree:* 1.41 Hach Beauchamp, and Cory Mallet, bearing those additions of their Lords, For, this was the seat of the Mallets, that came of the Norman race, and from them in short time,* 1.42 it fell by the female heire to the Pointzes. From among [ F] whom in the raigne of Edward the First, Hugh was ranged in the rank of Parliament Barons, and out of that familie some remaine at this day of great reputation, and Knights in their Countrey. As for those Beauchamps, or de Bello Campo, they flou∣rished in high places of honour,* 1.43 from the time of King Henrie the Second: but es∣pecially since, that Cecilie * 1.44 de Fortibus, which derived her pedigree from the Earles de Ferrarijs, and that great Marshall of England William Earle of Pembroke, match∣ed

in marriage with this familie. But in the raigne of Edward the Third, the whole in∣heritance, [ A] was by the sisters divided betweene Roger de S. Mauro, or Seimore, I. Meries, men of ancient descent, and great alliance. And hereupon it was, that King Henrie the Eight, when he had wedded Iane Seimor, mother to King Edward the Sixth, be∣stowed upon Edward Seimor her brother, the titles of Vicount Beauchamp, and Earle of Hertfort, whom King Edward the Sixth afterwards honoured, first wi••h the name of Lord and Baron Seimor to bee annexed to his other titles,* 1.45 lest (as the King saith in the Patent) the name of his mothers familie should bee overshadowed with any o∣ther stile, and yet afterward created him Duke of Sommerset.

As you goe from thence, where Thone windeth himselfe into Parret, it maketh a [ B] pretty Iland betweene two rivers called in times past Aethelingey, that is, The Isle of Nobles, now commonly knowen by the name of Athelney: a place no lesse famous among us for King Alfreds shrowding himselfe therein, what time as the Danes now had brought all into broile, then those Marishes of Minturny among the Italians, wherein Marius lurked, and lay hidden. For, touching that King an ancient Poet, wrote thus:

—Mixta dolori Gaudia semper erant, spes semper mixta timori. Si modó victor erat, ad crastiná bella pavebat, Si modó victus erat, ad crastina bella parabat. Cui vestes sudore jugi, cui sica cruore [ C] Tincta jugi, quantum sit onus regnare probarunt. With dolour great his joyes were mixt, his hope was joyn'd with dread, If now he victour were, next day of warres he stood affraid: If vanquisht now, the morrow next forthwith hee thought it good For to prepare for warre: his sword was aye begoard in blood. His garments eke with painfull sweat, were evermore bestain'd. Which well did shew what burden great he bare while that he raign'd.

And in truth, this Isle afforded him a very fit shrowding corner: for that by reason of waters partly standing there in plashes, and partly resorting reflowing thither, which Asserius termed Gronnas, Latinizing a Saxon word) there is in manner no ac∣cesse [ D] into it. It had sometime a bridge betweene two castles, built by Aelfred, and a very large grove of Alders, full of goates and wild beasts: but of firme ground scarce two acres in breadth: on which, as saith William of Malmesbury (whose words these are and not mine) hee founded a little Monasterie: the whole frame whereof, hanged upon foure maine posts pit∣ched fast in the ground, with foure round isles of Sphaerick work contrived and brought round about the same. Not far from this Isle Parret having received the said river runneth a∣lone swelling with certaine sandy shelfes sometime in his channell, by the Hundred of N. Pederton anciently acknowledging the Bluets to have beene Lords thereof, who are thought to have brought that name from Bluet in litle Britaine: Heere it taketh into him an other river from East to beare him company which openeth it [ E] self neere Castle Cary which William Lovell Lord thereof held against K. Stephen in the behalfe of Mawd the Empresse right inheritrix of the Crown of England;* 1.46 whose issue male failing in the time of King Edward the Third, by heire female it came to Ni∣colas de S. Maure a Baron (of a distinct familie from that which was a few lines be∣fore mentioned) and shortly after about the time of Henrie the Fift by an heire fe∣male againe to the Lord Zouches of Harringworth: as a moitie of the lands of Lord Zouch of Ashby de la Zouch came before by coheires to the house of this S. Maures.* 1.47 But when the Lord Zouch was attainted by K. Henrie the Seventh for assisting King Richard the Third, this Castle was given by the K. to Robert Willoughby Lord Brooke as his lands at Bridge-water to the Lord Daubency and then hee was restored in bloud. [ F] From Castle Cary this water passeth by Lites-Cary to bee remembred in respect of the late owner Thomas Lyte a gentleman studious of all good knowledge, and so to Somer∣ton, the Shire towne in times past, as which gave the name thereto. A Castle it had of the West Saxon Kings, which Ethelbald King of Mercia forcing a breach through

[ A] the wals sieged and kept: But now time hath gotten the mastry of it so, as that there is no apparance at all thereof: and the very Towne it selfe would have much a doe to keepe that name, were it not for a Faire of oxen and other beasts which is kept, there from Palme-Sunday untill the midst of Iune, with much resort of people; for that the countrimen all there about are very great Grasiers, breeders, and feeders of cattell.

No sooner hath Parret entertained this river, but he speeds him apace toward, a great and populous towne, commonly called Bridg-water: and is thought to have taken that name of the Bridge and water there: but the old records and evidences gaine say this opinion: wherein it is alwayes called in plaine words Burg-water, that [ B] is, Walters burgh or Burgh-walter: and (as we may very probably conjecture) of that Walter de Duaco, or Doway who served under William Conqueror in his wars, and received at his hands many faire mannors in this shire. Neither carrieth it any other name in that grant or donation, whereby Fulke Paynes Lord of Bampton passed the possession of the place over unto William Briwer, to curry favour with him, being so great a man and so gracious a favourite with King Richard the First: This Williams sonne and bearing his name, bettered this haven, having obtained licence of King Iohn to fortifie a Castle, built heere a Fortresse: which now time hath wrought her will of: and began a bridg which one Strivet a gentleman of Cornwall with infinite cost finished: founded also the Hospitall of S. Iohn heere, and Dunkeswell Abbay. [ C] But when this William Briwer the younger left this life without issue, in the partition of his heritage it fell to Margaret his sister, in right of whose daughter that she had by William De la fort, it came to the house of Cadurci or Chaworths, and from it heredi∣tarily to the Dukes of Lancaster; as some lands heereabout by an other sister came to Breos,* 1.48 and so by Cantalupe to Lord Zauch. But the greatest honor that this place had, was by the title of an Earldome, that King Henrie the Eight adorned it withall, what time as he created Henrie Doubeney, Earle of Bridge-water, whose sister Cecilie, was married unto Iohn Bourchier the first Earle of Bath out of that house.

Beneath this,* 1.49 some few miles off, Parret voideth it selfe into the Severne sea at a wide mouth, which, as we said, Ptolomee called Vzella aestuarium: and some even at [ D] this day, Evelmouth: but the old English-Saxons 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, at which place, as Marianus mine author writeth, Ealstan Bishop of Shirburne about the yeere of Salva∣tion 845. discomfited the Danish forces as they were stragling abroad. At the same mouth where we saw Honispell an ancient Mannour of the Coganes, men of great fame in the conquest of Ireland,* 1.50 there meeteth it another river called of some Brius which ariseth out of that great and wide wood in the East-side of this shire, which the Britans named Cort Maur,* 1.51 the Saxons Selwood, that is, (by Asserius interpretation) The great wood, but now not so great. This river first visiteth Bruiton, to which he leaveth his name: (a place memorable, for that the Mohuns there entombed, who built a re∣ligious house of the Fitz-Iames, runneth a long way by small villages and encreased [ E] with some other brooks, it watereth goodly grounds, untill it meete with softer soile then and there, it maketh certaine marshes and meres, and when the waters rise, envi∣roneth a large plot of ground, as an Isle, so called of old time in the British tongue, the Isle of Aualon, of Appulis: afterwards, named Inis Witrin, that is, The Glassy Isle, like as in the Saxon Idiome, the same sense 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, and in Latin Gloscania. Of which, a Poet of good antiquity writeth thus.

Insula pomorum quae fortunata vocatur, Ex re nomen habet, quia per se singula profert. Non opus est illi s••lcantibus arva colonis, Omnis abest cultus, nisi quem natura ministrat, [ F] Vltró foecundas segetes producit, & herbas, Nataque poma suis praetonso germine sylvis. The Apple-Isle and Fortunate, folke of the thing so call, For of it selfe it bringeth forth corne, Forage, fruit and all. There is no need of country clowns to plough and till the fields,

Nor seene is any husbandry, but that which nature yeelds. [ A] Of the owne accord there commeth up, corne, grasse and herbs good store, Whole woods there be that apples beare, if they be prun'd before.

In this Isle under a great hill rising in great height with a tower theron, which they call the Tor,* 1.52 flourished the famous Abbay of Glastenbury, the beginning whereof is very ancient, setched even from that Ioseph of Arimathaea, who enterred the bodie of Iesus Christ, and whom Philip the Apostle of the Gaules sent into Britaine for to preach Christ. For, thus much both the most ancient records and monuments of this Monasterie testifie, and also Patrick the Irish Apostle (who lived there a Monke thir∣tie yeeres) in an Epistle of his hath left to memorie. Whereupon this place was by [ B] our Ancestors named,* 1.53 The first land of God, The first land of Saints in England, The beginning and fountaine of all religion in England, The tombe of Saints, The mother of Saints, The Church founded and built by the Lords Disciples. Neither is there any cause why we should much doubt thereof, sithence I have shewed before, that the beames of Christian religion in the very infancie of the primitive Church were spred and shi∣ned upon this Iland, yea and Freculphus Lexoviensis hath written, that the said Philip conducted barbarous nations, neere unto darknesse and bordering just upon the Oce∣an, to the light of knowledge and port of faith. But to our Monasterie, and that out of Malmesburie his booke touching this matter. When that old Cell or litle chappell which Ioseph had built by continuance of time was in the end decaied, Devi Bishop [ C] of Saint Davids erected a new one in the same place, which also in time falling to ruine, twelve men comming out of the North part of Britaine repaired it, and lastly King Ina (who founded a schoole in Rome for the training up and instruction of Eng∣lish youth, & to the maintenance thereof, as also for almes to be distributed at Rome, had laid an imposition of Peter-pence upon every house thorowout his realme) ha∣ving demolished it, built there a very faire and stately Church, to Christ, Peter, and Paul: and under the very highest coping thereof round about caused to bee written these verses:

Syderei montes, speciosa cacumina Sion, [ D] A Libano geminae flore comante, cedri; Caelorum portae lati duo lumina mundi. Ore tonat Paulus, fulgurat arce Petrus: * 1.54Inter Apostolicas radianti luce coronas, Doctior hic monitis, celsior ille gradu, Corda per hunc hominum reserantur, & astra per illum: Quos docet iste stylo, suscipit ille polo. Pandit iter coeli hic dogmate, clavibus alter, Est via cui Paulus, janua fida Petrus. Hic Petra firma manens, ille Architectus habetur, [ E] Surgit in hijs templum quo placet ara Deo. Anglia plaude lubens, mittit tibi Roma salutem, Fulgor Apostolicus Glasconiam irradiat. A facie hostili duo propugnacula surgunt, Quod fidei turres urbs caput orbis habet. Haec pius egregio Rex Ina refertus amore, Dona suo populo non moritura dedit. Totus in affectu divae pietatis inhaereus, Ecclesiaeque juges amplificavit opes. Melchi-sedech noster meritó Rex, at{que} Sacerdos, [ F] Complevit verae religionis opus, Publica jura regens, & celsa palatia servans, Vnica Pontificum gloria, norma fuit. Hinc abiens, illinc meritorum fulget honore, Hic quoque gestorum lande perennis erit.

[ A] Two mountaines high that reach the stars, two tops of Sion Faire, From Libanon two cedar trees their flouring heads doe beare. Two royall gates of highest heaven, two lights that men admire, Paul thundreth with his voice aloft, Peter he flasheth fire. Of all the Apostles crowned crew, whose raies right glittering bee, Paul for deepe learning doth excell, Peter for high degree. The one doth open the hearts of men, the other heaven doore, For Peter lets those into heaven, whom Paul had taught before. As one by meanes of doctrine shewes the way how heaven to win, By vertue so of th'others Keys, men quickly enter in. [ B] Paul is a plaine and ready way for men to heaven hie, And Peter is as sure a gate, for them to passe thereby. This is a rocke remaining firme: a Master builder hee: Twixt these a Church and altar both, to please God, built we see. Rejoice ô England willingly; For, Rome doth greet thee well, The glorious Apostles light in Glaston now doe dwell. Two bulwarks strong afront the Foe are rais'd; These towres of faith In that this Citie holds, the head even of the world it hath. These monuments King Ina gave of perfect meere good will [ C] Vnto his subjects; whose good deeds remaine and shall doe still. He with his whole affection in godlinesse did live, And holy Church to amplifie great riches also give. Well might he our Melchisedech, a Priest and King, be thought, For he the true religious worke to full perfection brought. The lawes in common weale he kept, and state in Court beside, The onely Prince that prelats grac'd, and them eke rectifide. And now departed hence to heaven, of right he there doth reigne, Yet shall the praise of his good deeds, with us for ay remaine.

[ D] In this first age of the primitive Church, very holy men and the Irish especially ap∣plied the service of God in this place diligently, who were maintained with allowan∣ces from Kings, and instructed youth in religion and liberall sciences. These men em∣braced a solitarie life, that they might the more quietly studie the Scriptures, and by an austere kind of life exercise themselves to the bearing of the crosse. But at length, Dunstane a man of a subtile wit and well experienced, when he had once by an opi∣nion of his singular holinesse and learning wound himselfe into the inward acquain∣tance of Princes, in stead of these, brought in Monks of a later order, called Benedi∣ctines, and himselfe first of all others became the Abbat or ruler heere of a great co∣vent of them; who had formerly, and afterward gotten at the hands of good and godly Princes a royall revenue. And having reigned as it were in all affluence 600. [ E] yeres (for all their neighbours round about were at their beck) they were by K. Henry the Eighth dispossessed & thrust out of all, & this their Monastery, which was growne now to be a prety Citie, environed with a large wall a mile about; & replenished with stately buildings, was razed and made even with the ground: and now onely shew∣eth evidently by the ruines thereof, how great and how magnificent a thing it was.

Now, I might be thought one of those that in this age have vanities in admirati∣on, if I should tell you of a Walnut tree in the holy Churchyard heere, that never did put forth leafe before S. Barnabees feast, and upon that very day was rank and full of leaves; but that is now gone, and a young tree in the place: as also of the Hawthorne in [ F] Wiral-park hard by, which upon Christmasday sprouteth forth as well as in May. And yet there bee very many of good credit, if we may beleeve men of their word, who avouch these things to be most true. But, before I returne from hence, I wil brief∣ly set downe unto you that, which Giraldus Cambrensis an eie-witnesse of the thing, hath more at large related touching Arthurs Sepulchre in the Churchyard there.

When Henrie the Second King of England,* 1.55 tooke knowledge out of the Songs of British Bards, or Rhythmers, how Arthur that most noble Worthy of the Britans who

by his Martial prowesse, had many a time daunted the fury of the English-Saxons, lay [ A] buried heere betweene two Pyramides, or sharpe-headed pillars, hee caused the bodie to be searched for: and scarcely had they digged seven foot deepe into the earth, but they lighted upon a Tomb or Grave-stone, on the upper face whereof was fastened a broad Crosse of lead grosly wrought: which being taken forth shewed an inscription of letters: and under the said stone almost nine foot deeper, was found a Sepulchre of oake made hollow, wherin the bones of that famous Arthur were bestowed, which In∣scription or Epitaph, as it was sometime exemplified, and drawn out of the first Copie in the Abbey of Glascon, I thought good for the antiquitie of the characters here to put downe. The letters being made after a barbarous maner, & resembling the Gothish Character, bewray plainely the barbarisme of that age, when ignorance (as it were) by [ B] fatall destinie bare such sway, that there was none to be found, by whose writings the renowne of Arthur might bee blazed, and commended to posteritie. A matter and argument doubtlesse, meet to have beene handled by the skill and eloquence of some right learned man, who in celebrating the praises of so great a prince, might have wonne due commendation also for his owne wit. For, the most valiant Champian of the British Empire, seemeth even in this behalfe onely, most unfortunate, that hee never met with such a trumpetter, as might worthily have sounded out the praise of his valour. But behold the said Crosse and Epitaph therein.

[illustration]

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

[ A] Neither will it be impertinent, if I annex hereunto what our Countrey man, Io∣seph, [a Monke] of Excester, no vulgar and triviall Poet, versified, sometime of Ar∣thur in his Poeme Antiocheis, wherein he described the warres of the Christians for recoverie of the Holy Land, and was there present with King Richard the First, spea∣king of Britaine.

Hinc celebri fato foelici claruit ortu Flos Regum Arthurus, cujus cúm facta stupori, Non micuere minús, totus quód in aure voluptas, Et populo plaudente favus. Quemcun{que} priorum [ B] Inspice, * 1.56 Pelaeum commendat fama tyrannum, Pagina Caesareos loquitur Romana triumphos, Alcidem domitis attollit gloria monstris. Sed nec pinetum coryli, nec sydera solem Aequant: Annales Latios, Graios{que} revolve, Prisca parem nescit, aequalem postera nullum Exhibitura dies. Reges supereminet omnes, Solus praeteritis melior, major{que} futuris. For famous death, and happie birth, hence flourish'd next in place, [ C] Arthur the flower of noble Kings: whose acts with lovely grace Accepted and admired were, in peoples mouth and eare, No lesse than if sweet hony they, or pleasant musicke were. See former Princes, and compare his worth even with them all: That King in Pella borne, whom we great Alexander call, The trumpe of fame doth sound aloft. The Roman Stories eke Much praise and honour both, of their Triumphant Caesars speake. And Hercules exalted is for taming Monsters fell: But Pine-trees, hazels low, (as Sunne the Starres) doe farre excell: Both Greeke and Latine Annals read: no former age his Peere, [ D] Nor future time his match can shew. For this is plaine and cleere, In goodnesse hee and greatnesse both, surmounts Kings all and some, Better alone, than all before, greater than those to come.

And this worthy Knight, (that I may note so much also by the way out of Ninnius the Britan, if it be worth the noting) was called, Mab uter, that is, A terrible or dread∣full Sonne, because hee was from his childhood cruell; and Artur, which in the British tongue importeth as much as a horrible beare, or any yron mall, wherewith the Lions jawes are bruised and broken.

Lo here also, if it please you, other monuments of this place, though they bee not of the greatest antiquitie,* 1.57 out of the foresaid William of Malmesburie. That (quoth [ E] he) which to all men is altogether unknowen, I would gladly relate, if I could picke out the truth: namely, what those sharp pillars or pyramides should meane which beeing set distant certaine feet from the old Church, stand in the front, and border of the Churchyard. The highest of them, and that which is neerer to the Church, than the rest, hath five stories, and carrieth in height six and twentie foot: Which albeit for age it be ready to fall, yet hath it cer∣taine antiquities to be seene, that plainly may be read, although they cannot so easily bee un∣derstood. For in the uppermost storie, there is an Image in habit and attire of a Bishop: in the next under it, the statue of a King in his royall robes, and these Letters, HER. SEXI. and BLISVVER••. In the third, these names likewise, and nothing else, WEM∣CHEST. BANTOMP. WINEVVEGNE. In the fourth HATE. WVLFREDE, &c. EANFLEDE. In the fifth, which is the lowest, a portaict, and this writing, [ F] LOGVVOR. WESLIELAS, &c. BREGDENE. SVVELVVES. HVVINGEN∣DES. BERNE. The other Pyramis is eighteene foot high, and hath foure floores or sto∣ries; in which you may read, HEDDE * 1.58 Bishop, &c. BREGORRED, &c. BEORVVALDE. What all this should signifie, I take not upon me rashly to define: but by conjecture I gather, that in some hollowed stones within, are contained the bones of those, whose names are read without. Surely LOGVVOR is affirmed for certaine, to be the same man, of whose name

the place was sometime called LOOVVERESBEORGH, which now they call Mont-acute [ A] And BEORVVALDE semblably was Abbat next after HEMGISELVS,

To reckon up here the Kings of the West-Saxons, that were buried in this place, would be but needlesse:* 1.59 Howbeit, King Edgar the Peaceable, who alwaies tendred peace, in regard thereof, if there were nothing else, I cannot but remember, and put downe his Epitaph, not unbeseeming that age wherein he lived.

Auctor opum, vindex scelerum, largitor honorum, Sceptriger Edgarus regna superna petit. Hic alter Salomón, legum pater, orbita pacis, Quód caruit bellis, claruit inde magis. [ B] Templa Deo, templis monachos, monachis dedit agros, Nequitiae lapsum, Iustitiae{que} locum. Novit enim regno verum perquirere falso, Immensum modico perpetuum{que} brevi. That well of wealth, and scourge of sinne, that honour-giver great, King Edgar hence is gone to hold in heaven his royall seat: This second Salomon that was, laws-father, Prince of peace, In that he wanted warres, the more his glorie had increase. Churches to God, to Churches Monkes, to Monks faire Lands he gave, Downe went in his daies wickednesse, and Iustice place might have: [ C] A pure crowne for a counterfeit he purchased once for all, An endlesse Kingdome for a short, a boundlesse for a small.

Beneath Glascon three Rivers which there meete, doe make a meere, and issuing forth at one litle mouth, runne all in one channell West-ward, to Uzel∣la Frith,* 1.60 first by Gedney or (as others will have it) Godney more, which (they say) signifieth, Gods Iland, and was granted to Ioseph of Arimathea: then, by Wead∣moore, a Mannour of King Aelfreds, which by his last Will and Testament, hee gave as a legacie to his sonne Edward, and so by that moory or fenny-country Crentmaesh, that runneth out verie farre, which the Monkes of Glastenburie interpreted to bee the Countrey of Fen Frogges, like as the litle Towne Brentknoll there, which signifieth, Frog-hill. [ D]

* 1.61From thence Eastward, Mendippe hils extend themselves in length and bredth; Leland calleth them Minerarios, that is, the Minerall hills; and rightly (as I suppose) se∣ing they be in old writings named Muneduppe: for, rich they are in lead mines, and good to feed cattell. Among these hils there is a cave or denne farre within the ground:* 1.62 wherein are to be seene certaine pits and rivelets, the place they call Ochie∣hole, whereof the Inhabitants feine no fewer tales, nor devise lesse dotages, than the Italians did of their Sibyls Cave in the mountaine Apenninus. The name (no doubt) grew of Ogo, a British word, that betokeneth, a Den: even of the like den, the Isle Euboea,* 1.63 was by such another name sometime called Ocha. Not far hence, in the raigne of K. Henrie the Eighth, was turned up with the plough, a table of lead [ E] somewhat long, which lay long at Lambith in the Duke of Norfolkes house, erected sometime for a trophee in token of victorie, with this inscription:

TI. CLAUDIUS CAESAR. AUG. P. M. TRIB. P. VIIII. IMP. XVI. DE BRITAN.

This Tribuneship of Claudius here mentioned, fell out to be in the 802. yeere af∣ter the foundation of Rome, when Antistus and M. Suillius were Consuls, what time [ F] P. Ostorius Governour of Britaine as Vice-Pretour, was welcomed thither with ma∣ny troubles. Out of this time, give me leave, I pray you, to frame certain conjectures: That in this yeere Claudius erected two Trophees, or monuments of victorie over the Britans, his owne ancient coine sheweth as a most certaine witnesse, in the fore∣part

[ A] whereof is this plaine Inscription,* 1.64 TI. CLAVD. CAESAR. AVG. P. M. TR. P. VIIII. IMP. XVI. P. P. and in the reverse thereof, DE BRITAN. and there is expressely stamped a triumphall Arch, with an Image of one gallopping on horsebacke, and with two triumphall pillars. What Britaines these were then van∣quished, Tacitus sheweth, testifying that this yeare Claudius by the conduct of Osto∣rius subdued two Nations of the Britans this yeare,* 1.65 to wit, The ICENI, and the CAN∣GI. But forasmuch as the Iceni, lay (as it were) in another climate. What if I said, this Trophee was set up in token of victorie over the Cangi, a smaller nation among our Belga, and that those CANGI, were seated in these parts. For, not far from hence is [ B] the sea, that lieth toward Ireland, neere which he placeth the Cangi, of whose name there seemeth as yet in certaine places of this tract, some shadow to remaine, namely, in Cannington, & Cannings, pettie countries and Hundreds: as also in Wincaunton, which elsewhere is called Cangton. But of these matters let the reader be judge; my selfe (as I said) doth no more but conjecture, whiles I seeke to trace out these their footsteps, and hope to find them out some where-else.

Among these hils standeth Chuton, which was the habitation, (if I take not my markes amisse) of William Bonvill, whom King Henrie the Sixth called by his writ of Summons to the Parliament,* 1.66 by the name William de Bonvill and Chuton, among other Barons of the Realme, made him Knight of the Garter, and richly matched [ C] his sonne in marriage with the sole daughter of Lord Harington. But when he (un∣thankefull man that he was) in the heate of civill warre, revolted, and tooke part with the house of Yorke, as if vengeance had pursued him hard at heeles, that onely sonne of his he saw taken from him by untimely death, and his nephew by the same sonne, Baron of Harington, slaine at the battell of Wakefield: and immediately after, (that his old age might want no kind of miserie) whiles he waited still, and long looked for better daies, was himselfe taken prisoner in the second battell of Saint Albans, and having now run through his full time by course of nature, lost his head, leaving be∣hind him for his heire, his Grand-childs daughter Cecilie, a Damsel of tender yeares, who afterwards with a great inheritance,* 1.67 was wedded to Thomas Greie, Marquesse [ D] Dorset. But his bloud after his death was by authoritie of Parliament restored.

Under Mendip hills northward, there is a little village, called, Congersburie, so na∣med of one Congar, a man of singular holinesse. Capgrave hath written, that hee was the Emperours sonne of Constantinople who lived there an Eremite:* 1.68 also Harpe∣tre, a Castle by right of inheritance, fell to the Gornaies, and from them descended to the Ab-Adams, who as I have read, restored it to the Gornaies again. Southward, not farre from the foresaid hole, where Mendip slopeth downe with a stony descent, a lit∣tle citie with an Episcopall See, is scituate beneath at the hill foot, sometime called, (as saith Leland) but whence he had it,* 1.69 I wot not, Theodorodunum, now Welles, so named of the Springs, or Wels, which boile and walme up there: like as Susa in Persia, Croia [ E] in Dalmatia; and Pagase in Macedonia, were named of the like fountaines; in their countrey speech:* 1.70 whereupon this also in Latin, is called, Fontanensis Ecclesia, as one would say, Fountain-Church. Fot multitude of Inhabitants, for faire and stately buildings, it may well and truely chalenge the preheminence of all this Province. A goodly Church it hath, and a Colledge, founded by King Ina, in honour of Saint Andrew, and soone after endowed by Princes, and great men with rich livings, and revenewes: among whom King Kinewolph by name, in the yeare of our Lord 766. granted unto it very many places lying thereabout. For, in a Charter of his wee reade thus, I Kinewolph, King of the West-Saxons, for the love of God, and (that which is not openly to be spoken) for some vexation of our enemies, those of the Cornish Nation, with [ F] the consent of my Bishops and Nobles, will most humbly give and consecrate some parcell of Land to Saint Andrew the Apostle, and servant of God, that is to say, as much as com∣meth to * 1.71 Eleven Hides, neere to the River called Welwe, for the augmentation of that Mo∣nasterie, which standeth neere the great fountaine that they call Wiclea. This Charter have I set downe, both for the antiquitie, and because some have supposed, that the place tooke name of this River; verily, neere the Church there is a Spring, called

Saint Andrewes Well, the fairest, deepest, and most plentifull that I have seene, by and [ A] by making a swift Brooke. The Church it selfe all throughout is very beautifull, but the Frontispiece thereof, in the West end, is a most excellent and goodly piece of worke indeede, for it ariseth up still from the foot to the top all of imagerie, in curi∣ous and antike wise wrought of stone carved, and embowed right artificially, and the Cloisters adjoyning very faire and spacious.

A gorgeous pallace of the Bishops, built in manner of a Castle, fortified with walles, and a moate standeth hard by, Southward; and on the other side faire houses of the Prebendaries.* 1.72 For, Seven and Twenty Prebends, with nineteene other petty Prebends, beside a Deane, a Chaunter, a Chancellour, and three Archdeacons belong [ B] to this Church. In the time of K. Edward the elder, a Bishops See was here placed. For, when the Pope had suspended him, because the Ecclesiasticall discipline and juris∣diction in these westerne parts of the Realme, began openly to decay, then he know∣ing himselfe to be a maintainer, and Nurse-father of the Church, ordained three new Bishopricks, to wit, of* 1.73 Cridie, Cornwall, and this of Welles, where hee made Eadulph the first Bishop.* 1.74 But many yeares after, when Giso sate Bishop there, Harold Earle of the West-Saxons, and of Kent (who gaped so greedily for the goods of the Church) so disquieted and vexed him,* 1.75 that hee went within a little off quite aboli∣shing the dignitie thereof. But King William the Conquerour, after hee had over∣throwne Harold, stretched out his helping hand to the succour of banished Giso, and [ C] reliefe of his afflicted Church. At what time, (as witnesseth Doomesday booke) the Bi∣shop held the whole towne in his owne hands, which paid tribute after the proportion of fiftie Hides. Afterwards in the raigne of Henry the First, Iohannes de Villula, of Tours in France, being now elected Bishop, translated his See to Bathe, since which time the two Sees growing into one, the Bishop beareth the title of both; so that hee is called, The Bishop of Bathe and Welles. Whereupon the Monkes of Bathe, and Ca∣nons of Welles,* 1.76 entred into a great quarrell, and skuffled, as it were, each with the other about the choosing of their Bishops: Meane while, Savanaricus Bishop of Bathe, being also Abbat of Glastenbury, translated the See of Glastenbury and was called Bishop thereof: but when hee died, this title died with him: and the Monkes and Canons aforesaid,* 1.77 were at length brought to accord, by that Robert, [ D] who divided the Patrimonie of Welles Church into Prebends, instituting a Deane, Sub-deane, &c. Joceline also, the Bishop about the same time, repaired the Church with new buildings, and within remembrance of our Grand-fathers, Raulph of Shrewsburie, (so some call him) built a very fine Colledge for the Vicars and singing-men, fast by the North side of the Church, and walled in the Bishops Palace. But this rich Church, was dispoiled of many faire possessions in the time of King Edward the Sixth, when England felt all miseries which happen under a Child-King. As ye goe from the Palace to the market-place of the towne, Thomas Beckington the Bishop built a most beautifull gate: who also adjoyned thereto passing faire houses all of uniforme height neere the Market-place; in the [ E] middest whereof is to be seene a Market-place, supported with seven Columnes or pillar without, arched over-head right daintily, which William Knight the Bishop, and Wolman the Deane founded for the use of people resorting thither to the Market. Thus much of the East-part of the towne: In the West-side thereof, I have seene the parish Church of Saint Cuthberts: next unto which standeth an Hospitall, founded by Nicolas Burwith Bishop for foure and twentie poore people.

Out of those Mendip or Mine-hils, springeth the River Frome, which running East-ward, by Cole-pits, before it hath held on a long course that way, turneth North-ward,* 1.78 and serveth in stead of a bound confining this shire and Gloceste∣shire, [ F] and passeth hard under Farley, a Castle not long since of the Lord Hungerfords, scituate upon a Rocke, where Humfrey Bohun built sometime a Monkerie, not farre from Philips Norton, a greate Market-towne, which tooke the name of a Church, consecrate to Saint Philip.

[ A] Lower than it,* 1.79 Selwood, whereof I spake erewhile, spreadeth long and large: a wood standing well and thicke of trees, whereof the country round about adjoyning was named (as Ethelward mine Author writeth, Selwoodshire: and a towne steepely seated thereby is yet called Frome Selwood, which gaineth very much by the trade of cloathing: From which, Westward, not full two miles, there sheweth it selfe, a Castle (little though it be) yet fine and trim consisting of foure round Turrets, which being built by the Delamares, and named thereupon Monney de la Mare, from them came by way of inheritance to the Powlets.* 1.80 And not farre from thence is Witham, where King Henry the Third erected a Nunnerie, which afterward was the first [ B] house, and as it were, mother to the Carthusians or Charter-house Monks in England, as Hinton not far off neere Farley Castle was the second. And now by this time, Frome grown bigger by some rivelets issuing out of this wood, joyneth with the noble river Avon:* 1.81 which holding on a crooked course, runneth anone to that ancient Citie which of the hote Bathes Ptolomee called 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, that is, Hote waters: An∣toninus, AQVAE SOLIS, that is, The waters of the Sunne: the Britaines Yr ennaint Twymin and Caer Badon, the Saxons 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, and of the concourse thither of diseased people Akmanchester, that is, The Citie of sickely folke: Stephanus nameth it Badiza, we at this day Bath, and the Latinists commonly, Bathonia. Sea∣ted it is low in a plaine, and the same not great; environed round about with hills al∣most [ C] all of one height, out of which certaine rilles of fresh river waters continually descend into the Citie, to the great commoditie of the Citizens. Within the Citie it selfe there bubble & boile up three springs of hote water,* 1.82 of a blewish or sea-colour, sending up from them thin vapours, and a kind of a strong sent withall, by reason that the water is drilled, and strained through veines of Brimstone, and a clammy kind of earth called Bitumen. Which springs are very medicinable, and of great vertue to cure bodies over-charged, and benummed (as it were) with corrupt humours: For, by their heat they procure sweat, and subdue the rebellious stubbornnesse of the said hu∣mors. Yet are not they wholesome at all houres: For, from eight of the clocke in the forenoone unto three after noone, they are in manner skalding hote, and doe [ D] worke: and being thus troubled cast up from the bottome certaine filth: during which time they are shut: neither may any body goe into them, untill by their sluces they clense themselves, and rid away that filthinesse. Of these three, The Crosse Bath (so called of a crosse standing upright in old time in the midst of it) is of a very mild and temperate warmth: and hath twelve seates of stone about the brinke or bor∣der thereof, and is enclosed within a wall. The second, distant from this not fully 200. foot is much hotter: whereupon it is termed Hote Bathe: Adjoyning to these, is a Spittle or Lazar house, built by Reginald Bishop of Bath for the reliefe of poore dis∣eased persons. And those two are in the midst of a Street on the West-side of the Citie. The third, which is the greatest, and after a sort in the very bosome and heart [ E] of the Citie, is called the Kings Bath, neere unto the Cathedrall Church, walled also round about, and fitted with 32. seates of arched worke: wherein men and women may sit apart, who when they enter in put upon their bodies linnen garments, and have their guides. Where the said Cathedrall Church now standeth, there was in ancient time,* 1.83 as the report goeth, a Temple consecrated to Minerva. Certes, Solinus Polyhistor speaking (no doubt) of these hote Bathes saith thus, In Britaine, there are hot springs very daintily adorned and kept for mens use: the patronesse of which fountaines is the Goddesse Minerva: in whose Temple the perpetuall fire never turneth ashes, and dead coales, but when the fire beginneth to die, it turnes into round masses of stone. Howbeit Athenaeus writeth, that all hote Bathes which naturally breake out of the bowels of [ F] the earth are sacred to Hercules. And in very deede, there is to bee seene in the walles of this Citie an ancient Image (such as it is) of Hercules grasping in his hand a Snake, among other old monuments by the injurie of time now altogether defa∣ced: But that we may not contend about this matter, let us grant (if it be so thought good) that Bathes were consecrated to Hercules, and Minerva, joyntly. For the Greekes doe write that Pallas first ministred water unto Hercules for to bath him, af∣ter

he had atchieved his labours. For my purpose it shall suffice, if I be able to prove [ A] by the authoritie of Solinus (who writeth that Pallas was the Patronesse of these Bathes) this Citie to be the same which the Britans in their tongue called Caer Pallad∣dur,* 1.84 that is, The Citie of Pallas-water, or Vrbs Palladiae Aquae, if a man turne it into Latine. For, the matter, the name, and signification doe most fitly agree. The finding out of these Bathes our Fables attribute to the King of Britans Bleyden Cloyth,* 1.85 that is, Bleyden the Magician; but with what probabilitie, that I leave to others. Plinie indeed affirmeth, that the Britans in old time used the practice of magick with so great cere∣monies, that it seemed they taught it the Persians: yet dare I not ascribe these Bathes to any art magicall. Some of our writers, when their minds were busied in other [ B] matters, report Iulius Caesar to have beene the first finder of them: But my opinion is, that later it was ere the Romans had knowledge of them, seeing Solinus is the first that hath made mention of them. The English-Saxons about the 44. yeare after their comming into Britaine, when they had broken league and covenant, and kind∣led againe the coales of war which had already beene quenched, besieged this Citie: But when the warlike Arthur came upon them, they tooke the hill named Mons Bad••nicus, where, when couragiously a long while they had fought it out to the ut∣termost, a great number of them were slaine. This hill seemeth to be the very same, which now is called Bannesdowne, over a little village neere this Citie, which they call Bathstone, on which there are bankes, and a rampier as yet to be seene. Yet some [ C] there be, I know, who seeke for this hill in Yorkshire: But Gildas may bring them backe againe to this place: For, in a manuscript Copie within Cambridge-Librarie, where he writeth of the victorie of Aurelius Ambrose, thus we read: Vntill that yeare wherein siege was laid to the hill of Badonicus, which is not farre from Severne mouth. But in case this may not perswade them, know they, that the vale which runneth here along the river Avon, is named in British Nant Badon, that is, The Vale of Badon: and where we should seeke for the hill Badonicus, but by the Vale Badonica, I cannot hi∣therto see. Neither durst the Saxons for a long time after, set upon this Citie, but left it for a great while to the Britans. Howbeit in the yeare of Christ 577. when Cowa∣lin King of the West-Saxons, had defeated the Britans at Deorbam, in Glocestershire, [ D] being both straightly besieged, and also assaulted, it yeilded at first: and within few yeares recovering some strength grew up to great dignity and therewith got a new name, Ackmancester, as I said: For, Osbrich in the yeare 676. founded a Nunnery there: and immediately after, when the Mercians had gotten it under them, King Offa built another Church, both which in the time of the Danish broiles were overthrowne. Out of the ruines of these two, arose afterwards the Church of S. Peter, in which Ead∣gar surnamed the Peace-maker, being crowned, and sacred King, bestowed upon the Citie very many Immunities, the memorie of which thing the Citizens yearely with Solemne plaies doe yet celebrate. In Edward the Confessors time, (as we read in Domes-booke of England) it paied tribute according to 20. Hides, when as the Shire [ E] paid. There, the King had 64. Burgers, and 30. Burgers of others. But this prospe∣ritie of theirs endured not long: for, soone after the Normans comming in, Robert Mowbray Nephew to the Bishop of Constance, who had raised no small Sedition a∣gainst King William Rufus, sacked and burned it. Yet in short space it revived, and recovered it selfe, by meanes of Iohn de Villula of Tours in France, who being Bishop of Welles, for five hundred markes (as saith William of Malmesburie) purchased this Citie of King Henry the First, and translated his Episcopall chaire hither, retai∣ning also the title of Bishop of Welles, and for his owne See built a new Church: which being not long since ready to fal, Olivar Bishop of Bathe began to found another hard by that old (a curious and stately piece of worke, I assure you) and almost finished [ F] the same: Which if he had performed indeed, it would no doubt have surpassed the most Cathedrall Churches of England. But the untimely death of so magnificent a Bishop, the iniquitie and troubles of the time, and the suppression of religious houses ensuing, with the late avarice of some, who have craftily conveied the money col∣lected throughout England for that use, another way (if it be true that is reported)

[ A] have envied it that glory. But neverthelesse this Citie hath flourished as well by clothing, as by reason of usuall concourse thither for health twice every yeare, yea and hath fortified it selfe with walles, wherein there are set certaine Antique Images and Roman Inscriptions for the proofe of their antiquitie, which now by age are so ea∣ten into, and worne, that they can hardly be read. And that nothing might be wanting to the state and dignitie of Bathe, some noble men it hath honoured with the title of Earle. For, we read, that Philibert of Chandew descended out of Bretaigne in France, was by King Henry the Seventh stiled with this honor. Afterwards, King Henrie the Eighth,* 1.86 in the 28. yeare of his reigne created Iohn Bourcher Lord Fitzwarin, Earle [ B] of Bathe. Who died shortly after, leaving by his wife the sister of H. Daubeney Earle of Bridge-water,* 1.87 Iohn second Earle of this familie, who by the daughter of George Lord Roos had Iohn Lord Fitz-Warin, who deceased before his father, having by Fr. the daughter of S. Thomas Kitson of Hengrave William now third Earle of Bathe, who endeavoureth to beau∣tifie and adorne his nobilitie of birth, with commendable studies of good letters. The longi∣tude of this Citie is according to Geographers measure 20. degrees, and 16. minutes. But the Latitude 51. degrees, and 21. minutes. And now for a farwell, loe heere Nechams verses, such as they bee, of these hot waters at Bathe, who lived 400. yeares since.

Bathoniae thermas vix praefero Virgilianas, [ C] Confecto prosunt balnea nostra seni. Prosunt attritis, collisis, invalidisque, Et quorum morbis frigida causa subest. Praevenit humanum stabilis natura laborem; Servit naturae legibus artis opus. Igne suo succensa quibus data balnea fervent, Aenea subter aquas vasa latere putant. Errorem figmenta solent inducere passim. Sed quid? sulphureum novimus esse locum. Our Bathes at Bath, with Virgils to compare, [ D] For their effects, I dare almost be bold: For feeble folke, and crasie good they are, For bruis'd, consum'd, far-spent, and very old: For those likewise, whose sicknesse comes of cold. Nature prevents the painfull skill of man; Arts worke againe, helps nature what it can. Men thinke these Baths of ours are made thus hot, By reason of some secret force of fire, Which under them as under brazen pot [ E] Makes more or lesse, as reason doth require, The waters boile, and walme to our desire: Such fancies vaine, use errors forth to bring, But what? we know from Brimstone veines they spring.

Have heere also, if you list to read them, two ancient Inscriptions very lately dig∣ged up neere the Citie in Waldcot field, hard by the Kings high way side, which Robert Chambers, a studious lover of antiquities, hath translated into his garden: From whence I copied them out.

G. MVRRIVS. C. F. ARNIEN SIS. [ F] FORO. IVLI. MODESTVS. MIL. LEG. II. * 1.88 AD. * 1.89 P. * 1.90 F. IVLI. SECVND. AN. XXV. STIPEND. * 1.91H. S. E.

DIS. MANIBVS. M. VALERIVS. M. POL. EATINVS. * 1.92 C. EQ. MILES. LEG. AVG. AN. XXX. STIPEND. X. H. S. E.

[ B]

I have seene these Antiquities also fastened in the walles on the in-side, betweene the North, and West gates; to wit, Hercules bearing his left hand aloft, with a club in his right hand. In the fragment of a stone in great and faire letters.

* 1.93DEC. COLONIAE * 1.94 GLEV. VIXIT. AN. LXXXVI.

Then, leaves folded in, Hercules streining two Snakes: and in a grave or Sepul∣cher-table, betweene two little images, of which the one holdeth the Horne of A∣malthaea, [ C] in a worse character which cannot easily be read,

D. M. * 1.95SVCC. PETRONIAE VIXIT ANN. IIII. * 1.96 M. IIII. * 1.97 D. XV. EPO. MVLVSET VICTISIRANA * 1.98 FIL. KAR. FEC.

[ D] A little beneath in the fragment of a stone in greater letters

VRN. IOP.

Betweene the West, and South gates, Ophiuchus enwrapped with a serpent, two mens heads with curled haire within the cope of the wall, a hare running, and an∣nexed thereto upon a stone in letters standing overthwart.

VLIA. ILIA.

A naked man laying hand as it were, upon a souldier, within the battlement also of the wall: two lying along kissing and clipping one another: a footeman with a sword [ E] brandishing and bearing out his shield, a footeman with a speare, and upon a stone with letters standing overthwart.

III. VSA. IS VXSC.

And Medusaes head with haires all Snakes.

Along the said river of Avon, which now is heere the bound between this shire and Glocestershire, upon the banke Westward we have a sight of Cainsham, so name of one Keina, a most devout and holy British virgine, who (as the credulous age before∣time, perswaded many) transformed serpents into stones, because there be found there [ F] in Stone quarries, such strange workes of nature, when she is disposed to disport her∣selfe. For, I have seene a stone brought from hence resembling a serpent, winding round in manner of a wreath, the head whereof being somewhat unperfect bare up in the Circumference thereof, and the end of the taile tooke up the centre within. But

[ A] most of these are headlesse. In the fields neere adjoyning, and other places beside, is found Percepier,* 1.99 an hearbe peculiar unto England. Bitter it is in taste, and hath a biting sharpenesse withall: it never groweth above a span high, and commeth up all the yeare long of it selfe: small leavy flowers of a greenish hew it beares, without any stalke at all: Which herbe mightily, and speedily provoketh urine: and of it the distilled water serveth for great use, as P. Paena in his Animadversions or Commentaries of Plants hath noted.

Scarce five miles from this place,* 1.100 the river Avon passeth through the midst of Bri∣stow, in Welch-British, Caer oder, Nant Badon, that is, The Citie Oder, in the Vale of [ B] Badon. In the Catalogue of ancient Cities, Caer Brito: In Saxon 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, that is, A bright or shining place. But such as have called it Venta Belgarum, have decei∣ved both themselves and others. This Citie standing partly in Somerset, and partly in Glocester-shires, is not to be reputed belonging either to this, or that, having Ma∣gistrates of the owne by it selfe, and being of it selfe entire, and a County incorporate. Scituate it is somewhat high betweene Avon and the little river Frome, sufficiently defended with rivers and fortifications together: For, environed it was sometime with a double wall. So faire to behold by reason of buildings as well publike as private, that it is fully correspondent to the name of Bright stow: With common Sewes or Sinks, (they call them Goutes) so made to run under the ground for the con∣veiance, [ C] and washing away of all filth, that for cleanlinesse, and holesomnesse a man would not desire more: whereupon there is no use heere of carts: so well furnished with all things necessarie for a mans life, so populous, and well inhabited withall, that next after London, and Yorke, it may of all Cities in England justly challenge the chiefe place. For, the mutuall entercourse of trafficke, and the commodious haven, which admitteth in ships under saile into the very bosome of the Citie, hath drawne people of many countries thither. For the Avon, so often as the Moone declineth downeward from the meridian point, and passeth by the opposite line unto it, so swel∣leth with the tide from the Ocean, that it raiseth up the ships there riding, and lying in the oze 11. or 12. elles afloat in water. And the Citizens themselves are rich Mer∣chants, [ D] and trafficke all over Europe, yea, and make Voyages at sea so farre as into the most remote parts of America. But, when, and by whom it was built, it is hard to say. Old it seemeth not to be, for as much as in all those spoiles, and sackages that the Danes made, there is no mention of it in our Historians. And verily mine opinion is, that it first grew up to some name, when the English-Saxons Empire was much declining, seeing that it is no where named before the yeare of our Lord 1063; when Harold (as Florentinus of Worcester writeth) embarqued himselfe, and his armie, and put to sea from Bristow to Wales. In the first yeares of the Normans, Berton, a mannor adjoyning, And Bristow paid unto the King (as we find in the booke of Domesday) 110. markes of silver, and the Burgers said, that Bishop G. hath 33. markes, and one marke of [ E] Gold. After this, Robert Bishop of Constance that plotted seditious practises against King William Rufus, chose it for the seate-towne of the whole warre, fortified it, being then but a small Citie, with that inner (wall as I take it) which at this day is in part standing. But a few yeares after, the circuit thereof was every way enlarged. For on the South, Radcliffe, wherein there stood some small houses under the Citie side, is by a stone bridge, with houses on each hand built upon it, more like a streete than a bridge, joyned to the Citie: enclosed within a wall, and the Inhabitants thereof en∣franchised Citizens: yea & hospitals in every quarter thereof for the benefit of poore people, and faire Parish-Churches to the glorie of God were erected. The most beautifull of all which by farre, is S. Maries of Radcliffe without the walles, into which [ F] there is a stately ascent upon many staires: so large withall, so finely, and curiously wrought, with an arched roofe over head of stone artificially embowed, a steeple also of an exceeding height, that all the Parish-Churches in England which hetherto I have seene, in my judgement it surpasseth many degrees. In it, William Cannings the founder, hath two faire monuments: upon the one lieth his image portraied in an Aldermans roabe: For, five times he had beene Major of this Citie: upon the o∣ther,

his image likewise in sacerdotall habite; for that in this old age hee tooke the [ A] orders of priesthood, and was Deane of that colledge which himselfe instituted at Westburie. There is hard by, another Church also, which they call the Temple, the lanterne or tower whereof when the bell rings shaketh to and fro, so as it hath cloven and divided it selfe from the rest of the building, and made such a chinke from the bottome to the top, as it gapeth the bredth of three fingers, and both shutteth and openeth whensoever the bell is rung. And heere I must not overpasse in si∣lence S. Stephens Church, the tower steeple whereof being of a mightie heighth, one Shipward, alias Barstable, a Citizen and Merchant, within the memorie of our grand∣fathers, right sumptuously, and artificially built. From the East-side also & the North, [ B] augmented it was with a number of edifices, enclosed within a wall and fenced with the river Frome, which having runne by the wall side gently falleth into the Avon, and yieldeth a dainty harbour for ships, with a wharfe convenient for the shipping and unlading of Merchandise in and out, (they call it the Kay.) Under which be∣tweene the confluences of Avon and Frome, there is a plaine beset round about with trees, yielding a most pleasant walking place: South-east, where no rivers are to guard it, Robert the base sonne of King Henry the First, whom they commonly name Robert Rufus, and Consull of Glocester, because he was Earle of Glocester, built a large and strong Castle for the defence of this Citie; and of a pious and devout affection appointed every tenth stone to the building of a Chappell neere unto the [ C] Priory of S. Iames, which he likewise founded by the Citie side. This Robert had to wife Mabile the onely daughter and heire of Robert Fitz-Hamon, who held this towne by vassalage in Capite, of King William Conquerour. This Castle was scarce∣ly built, when King Stephen besieged it, but with lost labour: for, he was compelled to raise his siege and depart: and a few yeares after, was imprisoned in the same, giving thereby a testimony and proofe how uncertaine the chance of war is. Beyond the river Frome which hath a bridge over it, at Frome-gate there riseth an high hill, with a steepe and crooked ascent, so as it is painefull to goe up unto it: From whence ye have a most faire and goodly prospect to the Citie and haven underneath. This hill in the very top and pitch thereof, spreadeth presently into a large, greene and [ D] even plaine, which in the midst is shadowed with a double row and course of trees, and among them stands a pulpit of Stone, and a Chapell, wherein (by report) lieth enterred Iordan the companion of Augustine the Englishmens Apostle. Now it is converted to a Schoole, and on both sides (to say nothing of the neate and fine houses of private men) beautified it is with publike and stately buildings. Of the one side was a Collegiat Church called Gaunts, of the founder one Henry Gaunt Knight, who relinquishing the world, in this place betooke himselfe to the service of God: but now through the bounty of Thomas Carr a wealthy Citizen, converted to the keeping of Orphans: on the other side directly over against it stand two Churches dedicated to S. Augustine, the one (which is the lesse) a Parish-Church: the other, that is grea∣ter, [ E] the Bishops Cathedrall Church, endowed with sixe Prebendaries, by King Hen∣rie the Eighth: the greatest part whereof is now destroied, where the Colledge-gate workemanly built carrieth in the front this Inscription.

REX HENRICVS II. ET DOMINVS RO∣BERTVS FILIVS HARDINGI FILII RE∣GIS DACIAE, HVIVS MONASTERII PRIMI FVNDATORES EXTITERVNT.

That is, [ F] King Henry the Second, and Lord Robert the sonne of Harding, the King of Denmarks sonne, were the first founders of of this Monasterie.

[ A] This Robert,* 1.101 called by the Normans Fitz-Harding, descended of the bloud royall of Denmarke was an Alderman of Bristow, of King Henry the Second so entirely beloved, that by his meanes Maurice his sonne married the daughter of the Lord of Barkley. Whereby his posteritie, who flourished in great honor, are unto this day cal∣led Barons of Barkley; and some of them have beene buried in this Church.

From hence as Avon holdeth on his course, there are on each side very high cliffes by nature set there (as it were) of purpose, the one of them which on the East-side overlooketh the river beareth the name of S. Vincents rocke, so full of Diamonds, that a man may fill whole strikes or bushels of them. These are not so much set by, because [ B] they be so plentious. For, in bright, and transparent colour they match the Indian Diamonds, if they passe them not: in hardnesse onely they are inferior to them; but in that nature her self hath framed them pointed with sixe cornerd or foure cornerd smooth sides; I thinke them therefore worthy to be had in greater admiration. The other rock also on the West-side is likewise full of Diamonds, which by the wonder∣full skill and worke of nature, are enclosed as young ones within the bowels of hol∣low, and reddish flints: for, here is the earth of a red colour. When Avon hath left these rocks behind him, with full channell at length he disengorgeth himselfe into the Severn-sea.

[ C] Then remaineth now to reckon up the Earles and Dukes of this County.* 1.102 The first Earle of Somerset, by tradition, was William de M••hun, or Moion, who may seeme to be the very same, whom Maude the Empresse in a charter whereby she created Willi∣am de Mandevill Earle of Essex, taketh as a witnesse under this name, Comes. W. de Moion. Neither from that time meete we with any expresse and apparent mention of Earles of Somerset,* 1.103 unlesse it be in these letters Patents of King Henrie the Third, unto Peter de * 1.104 Mawley, which, that I may draw out the judgement of others, I will heere set downe literally. Know yee, that we have received the homage of our well beloved Vncle William Earle of Sarisbury for all the lands that he holdeth of us, & principally for the * 1.105 County or Earledom of Somerset, which we have given unto him with all appurtenances for [ D] his homage and service, saving the royaltie to our selves: and therefore we will & command you, that ye see he have full sesine of the foresaid Earledome, and all the appurtinances therto, and that ye entermeddle not in any thing from henceforth, as touching the County or Earle∣dome aforesaid, &c. And commandement is given to all Earles, Barons, Knights, and Free∣holders of the County of Somerset, that unto the same Earle they doe fealtie, and homage, sa∣ving their faith and allegiance unto their soveraigne Lord the King, and that from hence∣forth they be intentive and answerable unto him as their Lord. Whether by these words in the Patent he was Earle of Somerset, as also of Denshire (for, of the same Willi∣am he wrote likewise in the very same words unto Robert de Courtney) I leave for other men to judge. Under this King Henry the third (as wee finde in a booke writ∣ten [ E] in French, which pertaineth to the house of the Mohuns Knights) it is recorded, that Pope Innocentius in a solemne feast, ordained Reginald Mohun Earle de Ests, (that is, as the Author doth interpret it, Of Somerset) by delivering unto him a golden conse∣crated rose, and an yearely pension to be paied upon the high Altar of S. Pauls, in London. So that this Reginald may seeme to have beene not properly an Earle; but an A∣postolicall Earle.* 1.106 For, so were they termed in those daies who had their creation from the Bishop of Rome, (like as they were called Earles Imperiall whom the Em∣peror invested) and such had power to institute Notaries and Scribes, to legitimate such as were base borne, &c. under certaine conditions. A long time after Iohn de Beaufort the base sonne of Iohn of Gaunt Duke of Lancaster by Katherine Swineford, being made legitimate by King Richard the Second,* 1.107 together with his brethren and [ F] sister, with consent of the Parliament, was preferred to the honor of Earle of Somer∣set, and afterwards created Marquesse Dorset; but soone after deprived thereof by King Henrie the Fourth, having the title onely of the Earle of Somerset left un∣to him. The said Iohn had three sonnes, Henry Earle of Somerset, who died in his tender age; Iohn, created by King Henry the Fifth, the first Duke of Somerset, who had one sole daughter named Margaret, mother to King Henry the Seventh: and

Edmund who succeeded after his brother in the Dukedome: and having beene a cer∣taine [ A] time Regent of France, being called home, and accused for the losse of Nor∣mandie, after hee had suffred much grievance at the peoples hands in that regard, was in that wofull war betweene the houses of Lancaster and Yorke slaine in the first battaile of S. Albans. Henrie his sonne being placed in his roome, whiles hee served the times, siding one while with Yorke, and anotherwhile with Lancaster, in the battaile at Exham was by those of the houses of Yorke: taken prisoner, and with the losse of his head paied for his unconstant levitie. Edmund his brother succeeded him in his honor, who of this family was the last Duke of Somerset, and when the whole power of the Lancastrians was discomfited at Tewkesbury, was forcibly pulled out [ B] of the Church into which all embrued with bloud he fled as into a Sanctuary, and then beheaded. Thus all the legitimate males of this family being dead and gone, first King Henry the Seventh honored with title Edmund his owne son a young child, who shortly departed this world: afterwards King Henry the Eighth, did the like for his base sonne, named Henry Fitz-Roy. And seeing he had no children, King Edward the Sixth, invested Sir Edward de Sancto Mauro, commonly, Seimor, with the same honour, who being most power-able, honorable, and loaden with titles, for thus went his stile, Duke of Somerset, Earle of Hertford▪ Vicount Beauchamp, Baron Seimor, Vncle to the King, Governor of the King, Protector of his Realmes, Dominions, and subjects, Lieute∣nant of the forces by land and sea, Lord high Treasurer, and Earle Marshall of England, [ C] Captaine of the Isles Gernsey, and Iarsey, &c. Was sodainely overwhelmed, as it were by a disport of fortune which never suffereth suddaine over-great∣nesse to last long, and for a small crime, and that upon a nice point subtlely devised, and packed by his enemies, bereaved both of those dignities, and his life withall.

In this Countie are numbred Parishes. 385.

[illustration]

WILTONIAE Comitatus herbida Pl••nicie nobilis vul••o will Shire pars olim BELGARVM.

[illustration]

[ A]

WILSHIRE.

WIl-shire, which also pertained to the BELGAR, called in the English-Saxon tongue, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, in Latine commly ter∣med, Wiltonia, taking that denomination of Wilton, sometime the chiefe towne, like as it of the River Willy, is altogether a [ B] mediterranean or mid-land country. For, enclosed it is with Somersetshire on the West, Berkshire and Hampshire on the East; on the North, with Glocestershire; and on the South, with Dorsetshire, and a part of Hampshire. A Region, which, as it breedeth a number of warlike and hardy men, who in old time, with Cornwall and Denshire together challenged by reason of their manhood, and martiall prowesse the prerogative in the English armie of that regiment, which should second the maine battell, (as saith Iohn of Sarisburie in his Polycraticon) so is it exceeding fertill, and plentifull of all things, yea, and for the varietie thereof, passing pleasant and delight∣some. The Northern and upper part, which they call, North-Wilshire, riseth up some∣what [ C] with delectable hils, attired in times past with large and great woods, (which now begin to grow thinne) and watered with cleare rivers.* 1.108 For, Isis the principall, and, as it were Prince of all the English Rivers; which afterwards taketh to him the name of Tamisis, that is, Thames, being now as yet but little and shallow, together with other Rivers of lesse name, which I will speake of in their proper places, water it plentifully. The South part with large grassie plaines, feedeth innumerable flocks of sheepe, having his Rivers, swelling Brookes, and rils of everliving fountaines. The middest of this shire, which for the most part also, lieth even and plain, is divided overthwart from East to West, with a Dike of wonderfull worke, cast up for many miles together in length:* 1.109 The people dwelling there about, call it Wansdike, which [ D] upon an errour generall received, they talke, and tell to have beene made by the di∣vell upon a Wednesday. For in the Saxon tongue it is called, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, that is to say, The Ditch of Wooden or Mercurie, and as it should seeme, of Wooden that false ima∣gined God, and Father of the English-Saxons. But I have alwaies beene perswaded, that the Saxons made it, as a limit to divide the two Kingdomes of the Mercians, and West-Saxons asunder. For, this was the very place of battell betweene them, whiles they strove one with another, to enlarge their Dominions. And neere unto this Dike standeth, Wodensburg a little Village, where Ceauline, the most warlike King of the West-Saxons, in the yeare of grace 590. whiles hee defended his Mar∣ches, in a bloudy fight, received such a foile and overthrow by the Britans and Eng∣lishmen, [ E] that he was forced to flie his countrey, and to end his daies in exile, a piti∣ous and lamentable spectacle,* 1.110 even to his very enemies. And at this Dike, to say nothing of other accidents, Ina the West-Saxon, and Ceolred the Mercian, joyned battell, and departed the field on even hand: Like to this was that ditch, whereby King Offa kept the Britans off from his Mercians; called even at this day Offa-dike: others also are still to be seene, among the East-Angles in Cambridgeshire, and Suf∣folke, wherewith they limited their territory, and defended themselves from the in∣rodes and invasions of the Mercians.

In the North-part of Wilshire, which is watered with Isis, or the Thames, there is a towne called Creckelade by Marianus, by others Greekelade of Greeke Philosophers, [ F] as some are ready to beleeve; who, as the historie of Oxford reporteth, began there an Universitie,* 1.111 which afterwards was translated to Oxford. West from that is High∣worth highly seated, a well knowne Market, but South from Creckelade, I saw Lediard Tregoze, the seat of the Familie of Saint-Iohn, Knights: the which Margaret de Bello Campo, or Beauchamp, afterwards Duchesse of Somerset, gave to Oliver of Saint Iohn her second sonne. For, to her it came as an inheritance, by Patishul, Grandison,

and Tregoze,* 1.112 names of great honour. Wotton Basset bordeth hard upon this, ha∣ving [ A] this primitive name from Wood, the addition doth prove, that it belonged to the Noble house of the Bassets. But in the latter fore-going age, it was (as I have heard say, the habitation of the Duke of Yorke, who made there a verie large Parke, for to enclose Deere in.* 1.113 From hence Breden wood, now Breden Forrest, stretched it selfe farre and wide, which in the yeare 905. by Ethelwald * 1.114 Clyto, and the Danes that aided him, was laid waste, and the Inhabitants endured all calamities of warre.

On the West side whereof, the River Avon, above mentioned, gently runneth, which breaking forth almost in the North limit of this shire▪ keepeth his course south∣ward, [ B] and (as Aethelward noteth,) was sometime the bound betweene the Kingdoms of the West-Saxons, and the Mercians: upon which many great battels from time to time were fought:* 1.115 whiles it is but small, he slideth under Malmesbury hill, and recei∣ving another streame, well neare encloseth the place. A very proper towne this is, and hath a great name for clothing, which (as wee read in the Eulogie of Histories) Cun∣wallow Mulmutius, King of the Britaines, built together with Lacok and Tetburie two Castles, and named it Caer Baldon, which being at length by heat of warres destroyed, out of the ruines thereof there arose, as writers record, a Castle which our Ance∣stors in their tongue, called, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉: at which time, the Saxon petie Kings had their royall palace at Caerdurburge, now Brokenbridge, a little village scarce a mile off. [ C] Neither verily was this towne for a long time knowne by any other name than Ingel∣borne,* 1.116 untill one Maidulph an Irish Scot,* 1.117 a man of great learning, and singular holi∣nesse of life, taking delight to a pleasant grove, that grew up heere under the hill, lived for a time a solitary Heremite there: and afterwards teaching a Schoole, and with his schollers betaking himselfe to a monasticall life, built him a little monaste∣rie, or Cell. From this time, of that Maidulph, the towne began to bee called, Mai∣dulfesburge for Ingleborne, termed by Beda, Maidulphi Vrbs, that is, Maidulps Citie, and afterwards short, Malmesburies and in some of our Histories, and ancient Donations made unto this place, Meldunum, Malduburie, and Maldunsburg. Among the Disciples of this Maidulph,* 1.118 flourished chiefely Aldelme, who being elected his successour, by the helpe of Eleutherius, Bishop of the West-Saxons, unto whom the [ D] place of right belonged, built there a very faire Monasterie, and was himselfe the first Abbat thereof: of whom also in a certaine manuscript, this towne is called Aldel∣mesbirig. But this name soone perished, yet the memorie of the man continueth still: for canonized he was a Saint: and on his festivall day, there was heere kept a great Faire, at which usuall there is a band of armed men, appointed to keepe the peace among so many strangers resorting thither. And right worthy is he, that his memo∣rie should remaine fresh for ever, in regard, not onely of his Holinesse, but of his learning also, as those times were. For the first, he was of the English nation, who wrote in Latine, and the first that taught Englishmen the way, how to make a Latine verse: the which in these verses, hee both promised of himselfe, and [ E] performed,

Primus ego in patriam mecum, modo vita supersit, Aonio rediens deducam vertice Musas. I will be first, God lending life, that into country mine, From Aon top at my returne, shall bring the Muses nine.

This Adelme after his death, Athelstane that Noble Prince, chose to be his pecu∣liar protector and tutelar Saint, and for that cause bestowed very great immunities upon this towne,* 1.119 and enriched the monasterie with a large and ample endowments. In which he made choise to bee buried, and his monument the Inhabitants shew to this day. After Athelstane, this Monasterie flourished long in continuall wealth, and [ F] among other famous Clerks, and great Scholars, brought forth William surnamed thereof Malmesburiensis, unto whom for his learned industry, the Histories of Eng∣land both Civill, and Ecclesiasticall, are deepely indebted. The towne also main∣tained and upholden, as it were, by the meanes of the Monasterie, was likewise for∣tified

[ A] by Roger Bishop of Salisburie, who in the beginning of the warres betweene Henrie of Anjou, and King Stephen strengthned it with walls, and a Castle, which being once besieged by King Henrie the Second, defended it selfe. Moreover that magnificent Bishop, both here and at Salisburie built houses, for receit very large, for cost as sumptuous, and for shew right beautifull; so even and orderly were the stones couched, and laid together, that the joynts could not be seene, and the whole wall throughout seemed to the eie one entire stone. But the Castle not many yeares after by K. Iohns permission, was pulled downe to the use of the Monkes (for enlarg∣ing their monasterie) who encreased it still continually both in buildings, livings, [ B] and revenue, untill that fatall thunder-clap overthrew all the Monasteries of Eng∣land. Then their lands,* 1.120 rents, and riches that had beene so many yeares in gathering, and heaping up together, which were (as our Forefathers reputed them) The vowes of the faithfull, the ransome and redemption of sinnes, and the patrimonies of poore people, were quite scattered: and the very Minster it selfe should have sped no better than the rest, but beene demolished, had not T. Stumpes a wealthy clothier, by much suit, but with a greater piece of money, redeemed and bought it for the townesmen his neighbours, by whom it was converted to a Parish-Church, and for a great part is yet standing at this day.

From this Maiduphus Citie,* 1.121 or Malmesburie, as Avon runneth, it commeth to Dante∣sey, [ C] that gave name unto the possessions thereof, worshipfull Knights of old time in this tract: from whom by the Easterlings, commonly called Stradlings, it came unto the family of the Danvers. Out of which, Henry Danvers, through the favor of King Iames,* 1.122 obtained of late the title and honour of Baron Danvers of Dantesey. Sixe miles from hence, Avon taketh unto him from the East, a Brooke, which runneth through Calne,* 1.123 an old little towne scituate upon a stony ground, having in it a faire Church to commend it: at which place when great adoe there was betweene the Monkes, and Priests about single life, a frequent Provinciall Councell, or Synod was holden in the yeare of our redemption,* 1.124 977. But behold, whiles they were debating the matter, the [ D] Convocation house, wherein the States sat, by breaking of the maine timber-worke, and falling asunder of the floore, fell suddenly downe, together with the Prelates, Nobles, and Gentlemen there assembled: with the fall whereof many were hurt, and more slaine outright: onely Dunstane, President of the said Counsell, and held with the Monkes, escaped without harme: which miracle (for so that age took it) is thought wonderfully to have credited the profession of Monkerie, and weakened the cause of married Priests.

From hence Avon now growne greater,* 1.125 Chippenham, in Saxon Cyppanham, of note at this day for the market there kept; whereof it tooke the name: For, Cyp∣pan, in the Saxon tongue,* 1.126 is as much to say as to buy, and Cyppman, a buyer, like as [ E] with us, Cheapen, and Chapman: and among the Germans, Coppman. But in those daies, it was the Kings manour: and by King Elfred in his testament, bequeathed to a younger daughter of his. Nothing is there now worth the sight but the Church, built by the Barons Hungerford, as appeareth every where by their coats of Armes set up thereon. Directly over against this, but somewhat farther from the banke, li∣eth Cosham,* 1.127 now a little village, but sometime King Etheldreds mansion house, and for that the Earles of Cornwall, were wont to retire themselves, and sojourne there, it was of good account:* 1.128 within view whereof, is Castlecombe, an old Castle, enno∣bled sometimes by the Lords of it, the Walters of Dunstavill, men of great renowne in their time:* 1.129 out of whose house, the Writhosleies Earles of Southampton are de∣scended, * 1.130 Petronilla or Parnell daughter and sole heire of the last Walter, was wed∣ded [ F] unto Robert de Montfore, and bare unto him William his Sonne, who sold this Castle, with the rest of his lands, and possessions unto Bartholomew Badilsmer: from whom (as I have heard) it passed to the Scr••opes, who ever since have held it. But now returne we unto the river:* 1.131 upon which are seated, Leckham, the possession of the noble family of the Bainards, where pieces of Roman money have oftentimes beene found:* 1.132 and Lacocke, where the most godly and religious woman, Dame Ela

Countesse of Salisburie (being now a widdow) built a Monasterie, (like as shee did [ A] another at Henton) in the yeare 1232. to the honour of the blessed Virgin Marie, and Saint Bernard, in which her selfe devoutly dedicated, both her bodie and soule to the service of God.

Avon from hence shadowed with trees, holding on his course, not far from Brum∣ham, an inhabitation (in times past) of the Baron Samond, or truly De Sancto Amando, Saint Amand,* 1.133 afterward of the Baintons from them: before hee admitteth to him a little rivelet from the East, that putteth forth his head neere unto the Castle De Vies, Devizes, or the Vies. Florentius of Worcester calleth it Divisio, and Neubergentis, Divisae. Heretofore a stately place, I assure you, very strong as well by naturall sci∣tuation, [ B] as by mans hand, but through the injurie of time, now decaied and defaced. This Castle, that it might disgrace, and put downe all other Castles in England, Ro∣ger Bishop of Salisburie (whom from a poore masse-Priest, Fortune had exalted unto the highest authoritie next the King) at his excessive charges built. But Fortune (as one saith) hath set no man so high, but she threatneth to take from him as much, as she hath permitted him to have. For, King Stephen upon a displeasure, wrung from him both this Castle, and that also of Shirburne, together with all his wealth and riches, as great as it was, yea, and brought the silly old man so low in prison, what with hunger, and what with other miseries, that betweene the feare of death, and tor∣ments of this life, he had neither will to live, nor skill to die. At which time was han∣dled, [ C] canvased, or rather tossed to and fro, this question, whether by the Canons and Decrees of Church, Bishops might hold Castles; or if this be by indulgence tolera∣ted, whether they ought not in dangerous and suspected times, surrender them up in∣to the Kings hands.

Avon having received this rivelet to beare him company, maketh away westward: and straight waies another brook from the South runneth into him, which hath given name to the house standing upon it, called likewise Barons Brooke, which as it afforded habitation in old time to Iohn Pavely, Lord of Westburie Hundred, so afterwards it gave the title of Baron, to Robert Willoughby, because by the Chenies hee derived his pedigree from Paveley, what time as King Henrie the Seventh, advanced him to a Ba∣rons dignitie, as being high in his favour, Steward of his house, and appointed (by re∣port) [ D] for a while, Admirall. Whereupon he used the Helme of a ship for a seale in his ring, like as Pompey in times past, Governour of the Roman Navie, the stemme or Prow thereof in his coines. But this family fading, as it were, and dying in the ve∣rie blade, quickly came to an end. For, he left a sonne Robert Lord Brooke, who of a former wife, begat Edward his sonne that died before his father, leaving a daughter married to Sir Foulke Grevil, and of a second wife two daughters, by whom a great inheritance, and rich estate, conveied to the Marquesse of Winchester, and Lord Montjoy.

* 1.134Neere unto this, Eastward lieth Edindon, in old time Eathandune, where King Al∣fred in as memorable a battell as any time else, most fortunately vanquished the bold, [ E] insolent, and outragious Danes, and drave them to this hard passe, that they swore in a set forme of oath, forthwith to depart out of England. In which place also William de Edindon, Bishop of Winchester, whom King Edward highly favoured, here borne and taking his name from hence, erected a Colledge, * 1.135 Bonis hominibus, Bon-homes, as they called them, that is, for good men. But at the little river aforesaid, somewhat higher,* 1.136 standeth upon a hill Trubridge, sometimes 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, that is, a sure and trusty bridge. But for what cause this name was set upon it, it is not for certaine knowne. In great name and prosperitie it is in these daies, by reason of clothing, and sheweth the remaines of a Castle, which belongeth to the Duchie of Lancaster, and some∣time of the Earle of Salisburie.* 1.137 Avon thus increased by this rivelet, watereth Brad∣ford, [ F] in the foregoing times Bradanford, (so named of a broad foard) scituate upon the descent or fall of an hill, and built all of stone: where Kenilwalch King of the West-Britans, embrued his sword wiuh bloud in civill warre against Cuthred his neere kins∣man. Here Avon biddeth Wil-shire farewell, and entreth closely into the Countie

[ A] of Somerset, minding to visit the Bathes.

The West limit of this shire goeth downe directly from hence Southward, by Long-leat,* 1.138 the dwelling place of the Thins, (descended from the B••ttevils) a verie faire, neate, and elegant house, in a foule soile, which although once or twice it hath beene burnt,* 1.139 hath risen eftsones more faire. Also, by Maiden Bradley, so called of one of the Inhabitants of Manasses Basset, a most noble personage in his time, who being her selfe a maiden infected with the leprosie, founded an house heere for mai∣dens that were lepers, and endowed the same with her owne Patrimonie and Livetide, like as her Father before time had thereabout erected a Priorie: Like∣wise, [ B] by Stourton, the seate of the Lords Stourton, whom King Henry the Sixth raised to this dignitie, after their esta••e had beene much bettered in lands and reve∣nues, by marriage with the Daughter and heire of the family, Le Moigne, or Monke of Essex, and not of Mohun, as some hitherto have beene falsely perswaded: and hereupon it is, that they have borne for their Crest, A Demi-Monke, with a whip in his hand. The place tooke his name of the River Stour, that under this towne walmeth out of sixe fountaines: which the Stourtons Lords of the place, have brought into their shield sables.

By Maiden Bradley above said, glideth Dever-rill,* 1.140 a prettie small Rill, so called, for that, like as Anas in Spaine, and Mole in Surrey, (which tooke their names there∣upon) it divideth (as it were) under the ground, and a mile off rising up here againe, ha∣steneth toward VERLVCIO,* 1.141 a most antient towne, whereof the Emperor Antonine maketh mention in his Itinerarie: which having not quite lost the name, is called, Werminster,* 1.142 compounded of that old name, and the English Saxon word, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, which signifieth, a Monasterie. In times past, it enjoyed great immunities and freedomes: For, as wee reade in the Booke of King William the Great, Nec gelda∣vit, nec hidata fuit: that is, It paid no tribute, nor was rated by the Hide. Now onely, for a round Corn-market, it is exceeding much frequented: for hardly a man would believe what a mightie deale of Corne is weekely brought hither, and quickly [ D] sold. But for remnants of Roman Antiquities, I could discover none here, onely on the East side are seene some trenches upon the hills, and on the West, a naturall round and high copt hill, called, Clay-hill.

Heere by beginneth, North, South, and Eastward through the midst of the Shire, the Plaines so wide and open, that hardly a man can see from one side to another,* 1.143 and doe limit the Horizon; whereupon they are named, The Plaines, they are but rarely inhabited, and had in late time a bad name, for rob∣beries there committed. On the South side thereof, there runne quietly two most still Rivers, Willey-borne, which Asserius nameth Guilou, and Nadder, commonly called, Adder-bourne. Wille-bourne rising at Werminster, runneth neere Heitesburie, or [ E] Hegtresburie an ancient mansion place of the Family of Hungerford;* 1.144 but in the Church which hath beene Collegiate, there is seene but one defaced monu∣ment of them. The last Lord Hungerford, created by King Henry the Eighth, had his denomination of this place, but enjoyed that honour a short while be∣ing condemned of a crime not to bee uttered. Hence it hieth to Willy, a Vil∣lage some few miles distant: over against it a very large warlike fence or hold, and the same fortified with a deepe and duple Ditch: the neighbour-dwellers call it Yanesburie Castle. And by the forme and manner of making, a man may easily know it was a Roman Campe.* 1.145 There are, who verily thinke it was Vespasians Campe, considering that hee being Lieutenant of the twentieth Legion under Claudius the Emperour, subdued unto the Roman Empire, two nations in this tract: [ F] and they suppose that in the name Yanesburie, there remaine some reliques still of Vespasians name. Opposit to this on the other side the water, is another lesse camp-place singly ditched, called Dun-shat, and about one mile and a halfe from Yanesburie, another likewise with a single trench, named Woldsbury. I have noted the names as the country people tearme them, that other may collect some matter thereby more than I can. As for Nadder, that springeth out of the South limit of the shire, it creepeth with

crooked windings, like an Adder, (whereof it may seeme to have beene so called) not [ A] farre from Wardour,* 1.146 a proper fine Castle, appertaining sometime to the Progenie, sur∣named Saint Martins. But (to say nothing of many owners betweene, and amongst them of the Lord Brooke, who repaired it, and died at it) now it belongeth to Tho∣mas Arundell,* 1.147 who being of late by King Iames, created Baron Arundell of War∣dour, is worthy to be with praise remembred: For, that being a young Gentleman, hee of a pious and godly mind, undertaking a journey to serve in the warres against the Turkes, sworne enemies of Christendome, for his singular prowesse shewed at the winning of Strigonium in Hungarie, deserved by honourable Charter, (from Rodolph the Second of that name, Emperour) to bee made a Count of the Empire, [ B] the tenour of which Patent, is thus: For that hee had borne himselfe valiantly, and manfully in the field,* 1.148 and in assaults of Cities and Castles, and shewing good proofe of valour in forcing of the water tower neere Strigonium, tooke from the Turkes with his owne hand their Banner,* 1.149 both himselfe, and all, and every one his children, heires and issue whatsoever of both sexes,* 1.150 descending from him lawfully, either borne already, or that ever shall, from generation to generation bee borne, wee have created, made, and named Counts, and Coun∣tesses, have endowed, and adorned, and with the title, honour, and dignitie of a Count impe∣riall. Over against it lieth Hach, a place at this day of small reckoning, but which in the time of King Edward the First,* 1.151 had his Lord Eustach de Hach, summoned among the Peeres of the Realme for a Baron, unto the high Court of Parliament. And a [ C] few miles from thence is Hindon a quicke market,* 1.152 and knowne for nothing else that I could see.

* 1.153At the meeting of these two rivers, Willey giveth his name to Wilton, a place well watered, and sometime the head towne of the whole Shire, which thereof tooke the name. In ancient times it was called Ellandunum: for so we are enformed by the testi∣monie of old parchment records, which have in expresse termes Weolsthan Earle of Ellandunum,* 1.154 that is to say, of Wilton: and in another place, that hee founded a little Monasterie at Ellandunum, that is, at Wilton. By this name Ellan, I am partly induced to thinke,* 1.155 that this is the river Alan, which Ptolomee mentioneth in this coast of the Countrey. At this towne it was, that in the yeare of our redemption 821. Egbert King of the West-Saxons, obtained a victorie against Beor Wulf of Mercia, but so mortall [ D] a battell it was to both parties, that the river flowed commixt with the bloud of those, who were allied in bloud, and dissevered in faction. At this towne also in the yeare of salvation 871. Aelfrid joyning battell with the Danes, had the better hand at first, but immediately the alternative fortune of war comming about, hee was put to the worst, and driven to retire. In the Saxons time it flourished with the best in num∣bers of Inhabitants, and King Eadgar, as our Chronicles beare witnes, beautified it with a Nunnery, whereof he made his owne daughter Edith, Prioresse. But by the an∣cient Charter of Eadgar himselfe, bearing date, An. 874. it appeareth certainly to bee of more antiquitie. For, therein it is thus written: The Monasterie which by King Ed∣ward my great Grandfathers Grandfather, was founded in a well frequented, and peopled [ E] place, that by a knowne name is by the Inhabitants called Wilton. And in the life of Saint Edward the Confessor, we read thus, Whiles S. Edward went in hand with the building of the Monasterie of S. Peter in Westminster, Editha his wife began at Wilton (where shee was brought up) a Monastery princely built of stone, in lieu of the Church, made of timber, following the Kings good affection with the like devotion of her owne. And albeit Sueno the Dane spoiled this towne most grievously in the raging heate of hostilitie, yet fell it not so greatly to decay, untill the Bishops of Salisbury turned another way, the common passage that lay before through it, into the West countries. For, then by little and little it fell to ruine, and is now, as it were, a small Village, having nothing to boast of, but a Major, for the head Magistrate, and in it a passing fine house of the [ F] Earles of Pembrokes, raised out of the ruines of the old religious house. But most of all,* 1.156 it was over-topped, and shadowed first by SORBIODVNVM, and now by Salisburie, that is risen out of the ruine thereof. For, so Antoninus in his Iti∣nerarie, calleth that which the Saxons afterwards named, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, and the vulgar

[ A] Latinists Sarum, Sarisburia, & Salisburialia. Moreover, the account taken by miles of distant places from it, and the tracts remaining of the name, testifie no lesse, if I should say never a word. For, who would ever make doubt, that Searesbirig proceeded from Sorbiodunum, by addition of the Saxon word, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, which signifieth, a Burg or town, in stead of Dunum,* 1.157 which the Britaines and Gaules, both used to put unto places sea∣ted on higher grounds, such as this Sorbiodunum was: In so much (as I have beene told by one right skilfull in the British tongue) that Sorviodunum, is by interpretation, as much, as The dry hill: a conjecture surely more probable that theirs, who with much adoe have derived the name from one Saron in Berosus, or from the Emperour [ B] Severus, and have named it, forsooth, Severia. For it mounted upon a high hill, and as our Historiographer of Malmesburie saith, Instead of the Citie, there was a Castle fenced with a wall of no small bignesse, indifferently well provided otherwise of necessaries, but so scant of water, that it is good chaffer there, sold at a wonderfull price. Whereupon these verses were made of old Sorbiodunum, by one living in those daies.

Est tibi defectus lymph••, sed copia cretae, Saevit ibi ventus, sed philomela silet. No water there, but chalke yee have at will: The winds there sound, but nightingales be still.

[ C] By the ruines yet remaining, it seemeth to have beene a strong place sufficiently fortified, and to have contained in circuite some halfe a mile. Kinric the Saxon, after he had wonne a most fortunate Victorie of the Britans, was the first of all the Saxons that forced it, in the yeare 553: and Canutus the Dane about the yeare 1003. by set∣ting it on fire, did much harme unto it. But it revived, when by the authority of a Synode, and the ascent of William the Conqueror, Herman Bishop of Shirburne and Sunning, translated his See hither: whose next successour Osmund built a Cathedrall Church. And King William the Conquerour, after he had taken the survey of Eng∣land summoned all the States of the Kingdome hither, to sweare unto him fealtie: at which time (as it stands upon record in Domesday booke) it payd after the rate of 50. [ D] hides. * 1.158 Of the third penny of Salisbury the King hath xx shillings. ad pensum, de Cremento, IX. libras ad pondus. Which I note therefore, because in our forefathers daies, like as a∣mong the old Romans, money was wont to bee paied as well by the weight as tale. but not many yeares after, in the raigne of Richard the first, partly for the insolencie and mis-rule that the garison souldiers made there, against the Church-men, and in part for want of water, the Church-men first, and then the Inhabitants began to leave it, and planted themselves in a lower ground scarce a mile off, South-East from it, where there is a receit, as it were, of many rivelets, and where Avon and Nadder meet. Of this their removing Petrus * 1.159 Blesensis in his Epistles maketh mention. For, thus of old Salisburie he wrote. A place that was, open to the winds, barraine, dry, and desert: In it [ E] stood a towre, like that of Siloam, which oppressed the townes-men with the burthen of long servitude. And againe: The Church of Sarisburie was captive in that hill. Let us therefore in Gods name goe downe to the plaine countrey, where the valleies will yield store of wheat and other corne, where also the large fields are rich fat in pasture. And the Poet afore-said, in verse thus:

Quid Domini domus in castro? nisi foederis arca In templo Baalim; carcer uterque locus. What is Gods house in Castle pent, but like the Arke of blisse In Baalims temple Captivate? Each place a prison is.

And the place whereunto they descended he thus describeth:

[ F] Est in valle locus nemori venatibus apto Contiguus, celeber fructibus, uber aquis. Tale Creatoris matri, natura creata Hospitium toto quaesijt orbe diu. Neere to a Parke well stor'd of game, there lies in vale, a ground, Where corne and fruits in plentie grow, where water-streames abound.

Such lodging long throughout the world, when nature daughter deere, [ A] Had for Creatours mother sought, at last she found it heere.

When they were now come downe, because they would begin first with the house of God, Richard Poore the Bishop, in a most delectable place, named before Meri∣field, began to found a most stately, and beautifull Minster. Which with an exceeding high spired steeple, and double crosse yles on both sides, carrying with it a venerable shew as well of sacred hilaritie as religious majestie, was with great cost finished forty yeares after: and in the yeare of our Lord 1258. dedicated even in the presence of King Henrie the third: Whereof the said old Poet hath these prety verses:

Regis enim virtus temple spectabitur isto. Praesulis affectus, artificum{que} fides. For why? This Church a Prelats zeale sets forth unto the sight, The workmens trusty faithfulnesse, a Princes power and might.

But much more elegantly the most learned Daniel Rogers, as concerning the said Church:

Mira canam, Soles quot continet annus in una Tam numerosa, ferunt, ade, fenestra micat. Marmoreas{que} capit fusas tot ab arte columnas, Comprensas horas▪ quot vagus annus babet. Tot{que} patent portae, quot mensibus annus abundat, [ C] Res mira, at verares celebrata fide. Wonders to tell: How many daies in one whole yeare there beene, So many windows in one Church (men say) are to be seene. So many pillars cast by Art, of marble there appeare, As houres doe flit and flie away throughout the running yeare. So many gates doe entry give, as monthes one yeare doe make, A thing well knowne for truth though most it for a wonder take.

For, the windowes as they reckon them answer just in number to the daies, the pillars great and small, to the houres of a full yeare, and the gates to the twelve monethes. A cloister it hath beside on the South side, for largenesse and fine work∣manship [ D] inferiour to none: whereunto joyneth the Bishops pallace, a very faire and goodly house: and on the other side a high bell towre and passing strong withall, stan∣ding by it selfe apart from the Minster. Moreover, in short time it grew to be so rich in goods, and endowed with so great revenewes, that it still maintained a Deane, a Chaunter, a Chauncellor, a Treasurer, and three and thirty Prebendaries: of whom the Residents, as they terme them, have very goodly houses also adjoyning to the Church, and all these buildings stand within the close wall severed from the Citie. As the Bishop was busied about erecting of Gods house, the Citizens likewise for their parts did their best to found the Citie, they established their civill government, derived rilles and servers of waters into every street, and cast a deepe ditch all along [ E] that side, on which it is not fenced with the running river, having obtained licence of Simon the Bishop thus to strengthen and fortifie the same. And in such sort grew up this new Salisburie by little an little, out of the ruines of old Sorbiodunum, that so soone as they by the Kings warrant, had turned hither the high-way, that leadeth into the West parts, it became the second Citie in all this tract, passing well inhabited and frequented, plentifull of all things, especially of fish, adorned with a very stately mar∣ket place, wherein standeth their common Hall of timber worke, a very beautifull edifice. But nothing is there, whereof it may so much boast, as of Iohn Iowell not long since Bishop there, a wonderfull great, and deepe Divine, a most stout and ear∣nest maintainer of our reformed religion against the adversaries by his learned books. [ F] Old Sorbiodunum from thence forward decaied more and more, and in the raigne of King Henrie the Seventh, became utterly desolate, so as at this day, there remai∣neth onely a towre or two of the Castle, which notwithstanding a long time after the departure of the townesmen from thence, was the dwelling house of the Earles of Salisburie: and about which in King Edward the Thirds time, there arose a memora∣ble

[ A] controversie and suite.* 1.160 For, Robert Bishop of Salisburie stirred Milliam Mont acute Earle of Salisburie by vertue of a processe which our Lawyers terme Breve de Recto, that is, A writ of right, for this Castle: and hee made answer that hee would defend his right by combat. Whereupon, at a day appointed, the Bishop ••rought forth his champion to the railes or bars of the Lists, cl••d in a white garment reaching downe to his mid-leg: upon which he had a mandilian or cassocke garnished with the Bi∣shops Armes: at whose heeles followed a Knight carrying a staffe, and a page with a shield: Immediately after, the Earle brought in by the hand his owne champion also, arraied in the like apparell, accompanied with two Knights bearing white staves. [ B] Now when these Champions were to enter the Lists, commanded they were to withdraw themselves aside, that their weapons of both parts might be viewed, and they searched whether they had any Amulers or Enchantments about them. But all on a suddaine, unlooked for came the Kings precept, to reprive and defer the matter to a further day, that the King might loose thereby none of his right. Meane while, they grew to this composition: That the Earle for the summe of 2500. markes paied and received, should yield up all his title and interest in the Castle, to the Bishop and his successors for ever.

This Salisburie had long agoe Earles of that name,* 1.161 whose pedigree I will derive somewhat farther off and more truly out of the short reports of Lacock Historie. Wil∣liam [ C] Conqueror of his bounty & liberalitie, assigned unto Gualter de Evereaux Earle of Rosmar in Normandie, faire lands and large possessions in this shire, which he left unto Edward named de Sarisburia a younger sonne borne in England: like as to Wal∣ter his eldest sonne, other lands in Normandie, with the Title of Earle of Rosmar: whose issue within a while after was extinct. That Edward of Sarisburie aforesaid, flourished in the twentieth yeere of the Conquerours reigne, and is often times bare∣ly named, in the Indiciarie booke of England, without the title of Earle. His sonne Walter built a a little monasterie at Bradenstocke, and there in his old age tooke him to the habit of a Canon, or Regular priest, after he had first begotten his sonne Pa∣tricke (the first Earle of Salisburie) upon Sibil de Cadurcis: This Patricke, I say, the [ D] first Earle, in his returne from his pilgrimage at S. Iames of compostella in Spain in the yeere of our Lord 1169. being slaine by one Guy of Lusigniam, left William his sonne to succeede: who died in King Richard the first his time. His onely daughter Ela, through the favour of the said King Richard, was married to William Long Espee, surnamed so of a long sword that he did usually weare, a base sonne of King Henrie the second; and her marriage honoured him with the title of Earle, and her owne coat of Armes be Azur: adorned with sixe Lions Ceux. This William had a sonne na∣med likewise William Long-Espee, against whom King Henrie the Third concei∣ving great displeasure, for that without licence obtained, he was gone to serve in the [ E] holy land, taking the crosse (as they termed it upon him) took from him both the ti∣tle of Earle and also the Castle of Salisburie. But he holding still his purpose went in∣to Egypt with S. Lewis King of France, and neere unto Damiata which the Christians had wonne, carrying a brave and valorous minde, fighting manfully among the thick∣kest troops of his enemies died an honorable and glorious death, a little before that holy King was unfortunately taken prisoner.* 1.162 His sonne named likewise William, li∣ved without the title of Earle, and begat one onely daughter Margaret, who never∣thelesse being reputed Countresse of Salisburie, became the wife of Henry Lacy Earle of Lincoln, unto whom she bare one only daughter Alice wedded to Thomas Earle of Lancaster: Who being attainted, King Edward the Second seized upon those pos∣sessions, which she had granted and demised unto her husband: out of which King [ F] Edward the Third gave way unto Willam Mont-acute, Trowbridg, Winterbourn, Am∣bresburie, and other Lordships in these words: So fully and wholly as the Progenitours of Margaret Countesse of Salisbury at any time held the same. And even then, hee preferred the said William Mont-acute to be Earle of Salisburie, and by the cincture of a sword in∣vested him in the said Earledome. This William became Lord of the Isle of Mann, and begat two sonnes, William who succeeded in his Fathers honour, and died without

issue having unhappily slaine his onely sonne while he trained him at Tilting: and [ A] Iohn a Knight, who died before his brother, leaving behind him a sonne named Iohn Earle of Salisburie, whom hee had by Margaret daughter and heire of Thomas de Mont-Hermer; who being of an unconstant and changeable nature, and plotting the destruction of King Henrie the Fourth, was in the yeare of our Lord 1400. killed at Chichester, and attainted afterwards of high treason. Howbeit, his sonne Tho∣mas was fully restored, a man worthy to be ranged with the bravest Captaines and Commanders, whether you respect paines taking in his affaires, industrie in action, or expedition in dispatch, who lying at the siege before Orleance in France, was with a bullet levelled out of a great piece of Ordnance wounded in the yeare 1428. and [ B] thereof died.* 1.163 Alice his onely daughter, being wedded unto Richard Nevill aug∣mented his honour with the title of Earle of Salisburie, who siding with the house of Yorke, was in the battell fought at Wakefield, taken prisoner and beheaded: leaving to succeede him Richard his sonne, Earle of Warwicke and Salisburie; who de∣lighting in dangers and troubles enwrapped his native countrey within new broiles of Civill warre, wherein himselfe also left his life. The one of his daughters named Isabell was married unto George Duke of Clarence, brother to King Edward the Fourth, and shee bare him a sonne called Edward Earle of Warwicke who be∣ing a very child and innocent, was by King Henrie the Seventh beheaded like as his sister Margaret, suffered the same death under King Henrie the Eighth. An usuall [ C] pollicie and practise among suspicious Princes: For the securitie of their own persons and their posteritie, by one occasion or other, that evermore are soone offered and as quickly pickt, to make away or keepe under the next of their bloud. Anne, the o∣ther daughter of Richard Nevill Earle of Warwick and Salisburie, became wife to Richard Duke of Glocester, brother to King Edward the Fourth, and brought him a sonne, whom his uncle King Edward in the 17. of his reigne created Earle of Salisbu∣rie, and Richard his father usurping the kingdome made Prince of Wales. But he de∣parted this life in his tender yeares, about that time that his mother also died, not without suspition of poison. King Henry the Eighth afterward, about the fifth yeare of his raigne in a full Parliament restored and enabled in bloud Margaret daughter to George Duke of Clarence to the name, stile, title, honour, and dignitie of Countesse of [ D] Salisburie, as sister and heire to Edward late Earle of Warwick and Salisburie. And about the 31. yeare of the said King, she was attainted in Parliament with divers o∣thers, and beheaded when she was 70. yeares old. Since which time that title of honour was discontinued untill in the yeare of our Lord 1605. our Soveraigne Lord King Iames honored therewith S. Robert Cecill second sonne of that Nestor of ours; William Cecill: upon whom for his singular wisedome, great employments in the af∣faires of State to the good of Prince and Countrey, he had bestowed the honorable titles of Baron Cecill of Essendon, and Vicount Cranburn. Thus much of the Earles of Salisburie.

Lower still, and not far from this Citie, is scituate upon Avon, Dunctone or Donke∣ton, [ E] a burrough (as they say) of great antiquitie, and well knowne by reason of the house therein of Beavois of Southampton, whom the people have enrolled in the number of their brave worthies for his valour commended so much in rhyme to posteritie.

This Salisburie is environed round about with open fields and plaines, unlesse it be Eastward, where lieth hard unto it Clarindon, a very large and goodly parke, passing fit for the keeping and feeding of wild beasts, and adorned in times past with an house of the Kings. Of which parke, and of the twentie groves inclosed therein Master Mi∣chael Maschert Doctor of the Civill lawes, hath prettily versified in this wise. [ F]

Nobilis est lucus, cervis clausura, * 1.164 saronam Propter, & a claro vertice nomen habet. Viginti hinc nemorum partito limite, boscis Ambitus est passus mille cui{que} suus.

[ A] A famous Parke for Stag and Hind, neere Salisbury doth lie, The name it hath of one faire downe or hill, that mounts on hie: Within the same stand xx. groves enclos'd with severall bound: Of which, in compasse every one a mile containes in ground.

Famous is this Clarindon for that heere in the yeare 1164. was made a certaine recognition and record of the customes and liberties of the Kings of England, before the Prelates, and Peeres of the Kingdome, for the avoiding discentions betweene the Clergie,* 1.165 Iudges, and Barons of the Realme which were called The Constitutions of Clarnidon. Of the which so many as the Pope approved have beene set downe in [ B] the Tomes of the Councels, the rest omitted; albeit Thomas Becket then Archbishop of Canterburie, and the rest of the Bishops approved them all. Heereby is Jvy Church sometime a small Priory, where as tradition runneth, in our grandfathers remembrance was found a grave, and therein a corps of twelve foote, and not farre of a stocke of wood hollowed, and the concave lined with lead with a booke there∣in of very thicke parchment,* 1.166 all written with Capitall Roman letters. But it had lien so long that when the leaves were touched they fouldred to dust. S. Thomas Eliot who saw it judged it to be an Historie. No doubt hee that so carefully laied it up, hoped it should be found, and discover somethings memorable to posteritie.

Toward the North, about sixe miles from Salisburie, in these plaines before [ C] named, is to bee seeene a huge and monstrous piece of worke, such as Cicero termeth Insanam substructionem.* 1.167 For, within the circuit of a Ditch, there are erected in man∣ner of a Crowne, in three rankes or courses one within another certaine mightie and unwrought stones, whereof some are 28. foote high, and seven foote broad, upon the heads of which, others like overthwart pieces doe beare and rest crosse-wise, with a small tenents and mortescis, so as 〈◊〉〈◊〉 le frame seemeth to hang: whereof wee call it Stonehenge, like as our old 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••••rmed it for the greatnesse Chorea Gigan∣tum; The Giants Daunce. The 〈…〉〈…〉 whereof, such as it is, because it could not be so fitly expressed in 〈…〉〈…〉 caused by the gravers helpe to bee portraied heere underneath as it 〈…〉〈…〉 weatherbeaten, and decaied.

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[illustration]

A. Stones called Corsestones, Weighing 12. tunne, carrying in height 24. foote; in breadth, 7. foote; in compasse, 16. B. Stones named, Cronetts, of 6. or 7. tunne weight. C. A place, where mens bones are digged up.

[ A] Our countrie-men reckon this for one of our wonders and miracles. And much they marvaile: from whence such huge stones were brought, considering that in all those quarters bordering thereupon, there is hardly to be found any common stone at all for building: as also by what meanes they were set up. For mine owne part, about these points I am not curiously to argue and dispute, but rather to lament with much griefe that the Authors of so notable a monument are thus buried in oblivion. Yet some there are, that thinke them to bee no naturall stones hewne out of the rocke, but artificially made of pure sand, and by some glewie and unctuous matter knit and incorporate together,* 1.168 like as those ancient Trophies or monuments of victo∣rie [ B] which I have seene in Yorkshire. And what marvaile? Read we nor, I pray you, in Plinie, that the sand or dust of* 1.169 Puteoli being covered over with water, becommeth forthwith a very stone: that the cesternes in Rome of sand digged out of the ground, and the strongest kind of lime wrought together grow so hard, that they seeme stones indeed? and that Statues and images of marble chippings, and small grit grow toge∣ther so compact and firme, that they are deemed entire and solid marble: The com∣mon saying is, that Ambrosius Aurelianus, or his brother Vther did reare them up by the art of Merlin that great * 1.170 Mathematician, in memorie of those Britaines who by the treachery of Saxons were there slaine at a parley. Whereupon Alexander Nec••••m, a Poet of no great antiquitie, in a poeticall fit, but with no speciall grace, and favour [ C] of Apollo, having his instructions out of Geffreys British historie, come out of these verses:

Nobilis est lapidum structura, Chorea Gigantum, Ars experta suum posse, peregit opus. Quod ne prodiret in lucem segniùs, artem Se, vires{que} suas consuluisse reor. Hoc opus adscribit Merlino garrula fama, Filia figmenti fabula vana refert. Illa congerie fertur decorata fuisse Tellus, quae mittit tot Palamedis aves. [ D] Hinc tantum munus suscepit Hibernia gaudens, Nam virtus lapidi cujlibet ampla satis. Nam respersus aquis magnam transfundit in illa Vim, queis curari sepiùs aeger eget. Vther Pendragon molem transvexit ad Ambri Fines, devicto victor ab hoste means. O quot nobilium, quot corpora sacra virorum, Illic Hengesti proditione jacent: Intercepta fuit gens inclita, gens generosa Intercepta, nimis credula, cauta minùs. [ E] Sed tunc enituit praeclari Consul•• Eldol Virtus, qui letho septuaginto dedit. The Giants Daunce, a famous stone-worke stands, Art did her best in bringing it to passe, Vaine prating fame, reports by Merlins hands In manner strange this worke effected was. The stones (men say) in their land first did lie, * 1.171 Whence * 1.172 Cranes in flockes so many use to flie. From thence conveied, as things of charie price, The Irish soile received them with joy. [ F] For why? their vertue in a wondrous wise, Oft cures the griefe that doth sicke folke annoy. For, waters cast and sprinckled on these stones, Their vertue take, and heale the grieved ones. The noble Vther that Pendragon hight, Them over seas to Ambresburie brought;

Returning thence, where he by martiall might [ A] Had quel'd his foes in battell fiercely fought. O worthy Wights, how many on that plaine, Of you lie dead by Hengists treason slaine! The Britans brave, that race of noble blood, Entrap't by little heed and too much trust, Were kild alas, in parley as they stood, Through faithlesse fraud of enemies unjust. But Eldol Earle his manhood excellent Then shewed, to death who seventie persons sent. [ B]

Others say, that the Britaines erected this for a stately Sepulchre of the same Am∣brose in the very place where hee was slaine by his enemies sword: that hee might have of his countries cost such a piece of worke, and tombe set over him as should forever be permanent, as the Altar of his vertue and manhood. True it is, that mens bones have many times beene digged up heere, and the village lying now on Avons side,* 1.173 is called Ambresburie, that is to say, Ambrose his towne: where, certaine an∣cient Kings, by the report of the British Historie, lay interred. And the booke called Eu••••gium saith, that a Monasterie stood there of three hundred Monkes: which, one Gurmundus (I wot not what Pagan and Barbarian) spoiled and rifled. In that place afterward Alfritha King Edgar his wife, by repentance and some good deed [ C] to expiate, and make satisfaction for murthering of King Edward her sonne in Law, built a stately Nunnerie, and endowed it with livings: In which Queene Eleanor King Henrie the Thirds widdow, renouncing all royall pompe, and princely state, de∣voted her selfe unto God among other holy Nuns. The said Ambrose Aurelianus, who gave name unto the place,* 1.174 when the Romane Empire drew now to an end, toske upon him the Imperiall purple Roabe in Britaine, (as saith Paulus Diaconus) suc∣coured his decaying countrey, and the aide of that warlike Arthur repressed the vio∣lent rage of the enemies, overthrew puissant armies, consisting of the most coura∣gious Nations of Germany, and at the last in a battell fought upon this Plaine, lost his life in the defence of his countrey. Now, seeing both Gildas, and Bede do write, [ D] that his Parents wore the purple Roabe, and were slaine, why may not I suppose him to be descended of that Constantine,* 1.175 who in the Fourth Consulship of Theodosius the younger, was elected Emperour heere in Britaine in hope of his luckie name, and afterwards slaine at Arles. I have heard that in the time of King Henrie the Eighth, there was found neere this place a table of mettall, as it had beene tinne and lead com∣mixt, inscribed with many letters, but in so strange a Caracter, that neither Sir Tho∣mas Eliot, nor master Lilye Schoole-master of Pauls, could read it, and therefore neglected it. Had it beene preserved, somewhat happily might have beene discove∣red as concerning Stonehenge, which now lieth obscured.

* 1.176Scarce foure miles from Ambresburie, (on this side Avon) there is a Warren of [ E] hares, commonly called Everlie Warren, where there is great increase of hares for Gentlemen in the countrey there dwelling, to disport themselves with game: yet not such store as that the neighbour Inhabitants should require the helpe of souldiers in their defence against them, as the men of the Isles Baleares sometime did, by Pli∣nies relation: albeit, they did likewise much harme heere unto the Corne fields: and neere neighbour unto it is Lutgershall, where stood sometimes (as I read) the Ca∣stle of Geffrey Fitz-Peter,* 1.177 Lord chiefe Justice of England in his time, and Earle of Essex, a man of exceeding great wealth. Not much higher is Wolshall, which was the house of the Noble Familie of Seimo••, now Earle of Hertford, or of Saint Maur,* 1.178 to whom by marriage accrewed a great inheritance of the Est••rmies in this [ F] tract, who bare argent three Demy-Lions Gules: and from the time of King Henrie the Second, were by right of inheritance, the Bailifes and Guardians of the Forrest of Savenac lying hard by,* 1.179 which is of great name for plenty of good game, and for a kind of Ferne there, that yieldeth a most pleasant savour. In remem∣brance whereof, their Hunters ••orne of a mightie bignesse, and tipt with silver,

[ A] the Earle of Hertford keepeth unto this day, as a monument of his progeni∣tours.

More somewhat into the East, the River Cunetio, in the Saxon tongue 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, commonly Kenet,* 1.180 ariseth neere unto a little Village of the same name, which some would have to be that CVNETIO mentioned by Antoninus: but the distance of both sides gain-saieth it. Heere Selburie a round hill mounteth up aloft, to a great height, which by the forme of the hill it selfe, and the outward settling of the earth beneath, may seeme to have beene cast up by mans hand. And many of that sort, round and with sharpe tops are to bee seene in this tract: Burrowes they call them [ B] and Barrowes,* 1.181 raised, happily in memoriall of Souldiers there slaine. For bones are found in them, and read I have, how an usuall thing it was with the Northerne nations, that every souldier remaining alive after a foughten field, should carry his head-piece full of earth toward the making of their fellowes tombes that were slaine. Although I am of opinion rather, that this of Selburie, was set there in stead of a limit, if not by the Romans, then certainly by the Saxons: Like as that fosse called Wodensdike, considering that betweene the Mercians and the West-Saxons there was much bickering in this Shire many a time,* 1.182 about their Marches: and both * 1.183 Boetius and the * 1.184 Grammaticall Writers have made mention of such Mounts raised for bounds. Within one mile of Selburie, is Aiburie, an up-landish [ C] village built in an old Campe as it seemeth, but of no large compasse, for it is envi∣roned with a faire trench, and hath foure gappes as gates, in two of the which stand huge Stones as jambes, but so rude, that they seeme rather naturall than artificiall, of which sort, there are some other in the said village. This River Kenet runneth at the first Eastward, through certaine open fields, out of which there stand up aloft every where stones like rockes,* 1.185 and off them a little village there is, called, Rockley: among which there breaketh out sometimes at unawares water in manner of a streame or sudden Land-flood, reputed the messenger, as it were, and forerunner of a dearth, and is by the rusticall people of the countrey, called Hunger-borne. From hence* 1.186 Kenet holdeth on his course to a towne bearing his name, called of Antoninus [ D] CVNETIO, and is placed from Verlucio twenty miles. At which distance just, from thence, that ancient towne called by a new name Marleborow, in old time Marleberge, standeth upon this river * 1.187 Cunetio, now Kenet, stretching out East and West on the pendant of an hill. Whether this name Marleborow came in latter ages of Marga, which in our language we call Marle, and use in stead of dung to manure our grounds, I am not ready to affirme. Certes, it lieth neere a chaulkey hill, which our Ance∣stours before they borrowed this name Chaulke of the Latine word Calx,* 1.188 named Marle, But the Etymologie thereof, that Alexander Necham in his Booke of divine wisedome hath coined and drawne from Merlins Tombe (as appeareth by this Distichon of his making) is ridiculous.

Merlini tumulus tibi Merlebrigia nomen Fecit, testis erit Anglica lingua mihi. O Merlebridge towne, of Merlins Tombe thou had'st thy name: Our English tongue will testifie, with me the same.

The fatall end of this towne Cunetio, and the name together, and the estate thereof with the ancient memorie also, from the comming in of the Saxons unto [ F] the Normans time, is utterly vanished and gone: for, in all this space betweene, our histories doe not so much as once name it. But in the age next ensuing, wee reade, that Iohn * 1.189 surnamed Sine terra, that is, Without Land, (who afterwards was King of England) had a Castle heere, which when hee revolted from his bro∣ther King Richard the First, Hubert Archbishop of Canterburie, tooke by force:

and which afterwards was most famous by reason of a Parliament there holden, [ A] wherein by a generall consent of the States of the Kingdome there assembled, a law passed for the appeasing of all tumults, commonly called, the Satute of Marleborow. But now being daunted by time, there remaineth an heape of rammell and rubbish witnessing the ruines thereof, and some few reliques of the walles remaine within the compasse of a drie ditch, and an Inne there is adjoyning thereto, which in stead of the Castle, hath the signe of a Castle hanging out at it: The Inhabitants of the place,* 1.190 have nothing to make greater shew of, than in the Church of Preshut hard by, of a Christning Font, as it seemeth, of Touchstone, or of Obsidian stone, in which (by their report certaine Princes (I wot not who) were in times past bap∣tized, [ B] and made Christians. Neither verily can I conceale that which I have read, that every Burger heere admitted, is by an old order and custome among them, to present unto the Major, a brace of hounds for the hare, a couple of white Capons, and a white Bull.

* 1.191On the same River, and the same side thereof, is seated Ramsburie, a pret∣tie village, having nothing now to commend it but pleasant meadowes about it, howsoever in old time famous it was for the Bishops See there, who had this Shire for their Diocesse:* 1.192 but that seate being by Herman the Eighth Bishop, laid unto that of Shirburne, and at length (as I said before) translated to Saliburie, carried away with it all the name and reputation of this place, [ C] because at Ramesburie, there was never any Covent of Clerkes, nor ought for their maintenance.* 1.193 From the other side of the River more Eastward, Littlecot sheweth it selfe not long since a seate of the Darels, a place worthy to bee re∣membred, for the late Lord thereof Sir Iohn Popham, who being the chiefe Iudge in the Kings Bench executed justice, (as I have said already) against malefactors, to his high praise and commendation. And heereby runneth the limit betweene this Shire, and Berkshire.

Thus farre forth have we taken a slight view and survey of Wilshire, which (as wee find in the Domesday booke, and worth the noting it is) paide unto the King tenne pounds for an Hawke, twentie shillings * 1.194 for a strong Steed, for hey [ D] one hundred shillings, and five ores: now what kind a piece of money, and of what kind that Ore was, I wot not; but out of a Register of Burton Monaste∣rie, I have observed thus much, that twentie Ores, are worth two Markes of silver.

* 1.195This province can reckon out of divers and sundry houses, but few Earles, be∣sides those of Salisburie, whom I have named before: for to omit Weolsthan be∣fore the Normans Conquest, it had none to my knowledge, unto King Richard the Second his daies, who preferred William le Scrope to that one honour. But this mans good fortunes stood and fell together with his Prince. For, when the one was deposed, the other lost his head. After whom, within short time succeeded [ E] Iames Butler Earle of Ormund, advanced to that dignitie by King Henrie the Sixth. Howbeit, when the Lancastrians were downe the wind, and hee was attainted, his estate forfeited, and Iohn Stafford a younger sonne of Humfrey Duke of Buckingham, by the favour of King Edward the Fourth received this title, whose sonne Edward succeeded him, and died without issue. The same ho∣nour afterwards King Henrie the Eighth, bestowed upon Henrie Stafford of the same house of Buckingham; who having enjoyed it a little while, departed like∣wise, and left no children behind him. In the end, the favour of the said King brought it into the family of the Bullens: for Thomas Bullen Vicount Rochfort, Sonne to one of the Daughters and coheires of Thomas Butler Earle of Ormund, [ F] hee created Earle of Wilshire: whose Daughter Anne, the King tooke to wife: A marriage this was to her selfe, and her brother unhappie and deadly, to her Parents wofull, but for all England right happy. For it brought forth to us Queene Elizabeth,* 1.196 a most gracious and excellent Prince, worthy of superlative

[ A] praise, for her most wise and politique government of the Common-wealth, and for her heroicke vertues farre above that sexe. But when the said Thomas Bul∣len, overcome with the griefe and sorrow that hee tooke for the infortunate fall, and death of his children, he ended his daies without issue: this title lay still, untill that King Edward the Sixth, conferred it upon William Powlet Lord Saint Iohn,* 1.197 whom soone after hee made Marquesse of Winchester, and Lord Treasurer of England, in whose family it remaineth at [ B] this day.

This Countie containeth in it Parishes. 304.

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

[ A]

HANTSHIRE.

NExt to Wilshire is that Country which sometimes the Saxons called 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, and is now commonly named Hantshire: of which, one part that beareth farther within the land, be∣longed, no doubt, to the Belgae, the other which lieth upon the sea appertained, without question, to the Regni, an ancient peo∣ple [ B] of Britaine. On the West it hath Dorsetshire, and Wil∣shire, on the South the Ocean to bound it: on the East it joy∣neth to Sussex, and Surrie, and on the North it bordereth upon Barkshire. A small province it is, fruitfull in corne, furnished in some places with pleasant woods stan∣ding thicke, and well growne; rich in plenteous pasture, and for all commodities of sea most wealthy, and happie. It is thought that it was with the first brought un∣der subjection to the Romans. For, our Histories report, that Vespasian subdued it, and very probable reasons there are inducing us to beleeve the same. For, Dio witnesseth, that Plautius, and Vespasian, when they were sent by the Emperour Clau∣dius against the Britaines, did give the attempt upon this Island, with an armie divi∣ded [ C] into three parts, least if they should have ventured to land in one place onely they might have beene driven backe from the shore. Suetonius also writeth, that in this expedition Vespasian fought thirtie battailes with the enemie, and subdued the Isle of Wight which lieth against this country, and two other right puissant nations with it. For which his victories, as also for passing over the Ocean so safely. Valerius Flac∣cus speaketh unto Vespasian himselfe, as one more fortunate than Iulius Caesar, in this manner.

Tu{que} O Pelagi cui major aperti Fama, Caledonius post quam tua Carbasa vexit Oceanus, Fhrigios prius indignatus Iülos. [ D] And thou for Seas discoverie whose fame did more appeare, Since that thy ships with sailes full spred in Northren Ocean were, Which skorn'd before, of Phrygian line the Julii to beare.

And of the very same Vespasian, Appolonius Collatius Novariensis, the Poet versified thus:

Ille quidem nuper faelici Marte Britannos Fuderat. He verily of late by happy flight. Had won the field, and Britains put to flight.

But how in this war Titus delivered Vespasian his father, when he was very streight∣ly [ E] besieged by the Britans: and how at the same time likewise, an adder grasped him about, and yet never hurt him, (which he tooke as a lucky foretoken of his Em∣pire) you may learne out of Dio and Forcatulus. I, for my part, (to come to my pur∣pose) beginning at the West side of this province will make my perambulation along the sea-coast, and the rivers that runne into the Ocean, and after that survey the more in-land parts thereof.

Hard by the Westerne bounds the river Avon carrieth a still streame, and no sooner runneth into this shire, but it meeteth with the foard of Cerdicus, in old time Cer∣dicks-foard,* 1.198 afterward Cerdefoard, and now by contraction of the word, Chardfoard, so named of Cerdic that Warlike English-Saxon. For, heere the said Cerdic in a set [ F] battaile so daunted the Britaines,* 1.199 that not onely he enlarged the bounds of his Em∣pire, but also delivered an easie warre unto his posteritie: having before time in the yeare of our Salvation 508. after great conflicts in this tract, vanquished the most mightie King of the Britaines, Natanleod, called also Nazaleod by others, with many of his people.* 1.200 Of whose name likewise, a small region reaching unto this place was

[illustration]

HAMSHIRE OLIM PARS BELGARVM

[illustration]

[ A] termed Natanleod, as we reade in the Annales of the English Saxons: which I sought very curiously for, but hitherto could not find so much as any small signe or sample of that name:* 1.201 neither can I guesse who that Natanleod should be. But most certaine it is, that Aurelius Ambrose, at the very same time skirmished otherwhiles with the Saxons in this tract with alternative fortune: and those Chronicles of the English Saxons no where made mention of him; as who, (a thing that I have observed) being overmuch affectionate to themselves, reported onely their owne fortunate battailes, and victories, but never made words of their foiles and overthrowes. From thence the said river runneth on by Regnewood or Ringwood, called in the Domesday booke of [ B] England Rincewood. Which, that it was the same REGNVM, the chiefe towne of the Regni whereof Antoninus maketh mention, the account of the distance from other places, the remaines of the name and the very signification thereof doe plaine∣ly prove. For, Ring-wed by that Saxon addition seemeth to signifie the Wood of the Regni. A towne in ancient time of great fame, as may bee gathered by the Hundred adjoyning, which is named thereof: but now it is a well frequented mercate towne and no better: Aven being departed from hence, entertaineth the river Stoure com∣ming downe out of Dorset shire, where betweene the meeting of these two streames, there standeth a pretty towne of trade and well peopled. At this day of a Church there dedicated unto Christ,* 1.202 named Christ-Church: but in old time Twinamburne, [ C] because it is scituate betweene the two rivers, right in the same sense that Interamna in Italie hath his name. It was fortified in times past with a Castle, and beautified with an ancient Church of Prebendaries, which being built in the Saxons time and after repaired by Raulph Flammard Bishop of Durham (who was Deane there) in the raigne of William Rufus, and by Richard de Ripariis Earle of Devonshire (whom King Henry the First enfeoffed in this place) endowed also with great rents and reve∣newes, continued in very great name untill the daies of King Henrie the Eighth, and that fatall and finall houre of the Monasteries of England, Under this towne Stoure and Aven joyning together doe emptie themselves into the sea at one mouth, which Ptolomee called the mouth of the River Alaun; and rightly too: For I cannot re∣solve [ D] with my selfe to thinke, that that river properly was named Aven, considering this is a common name, and the Britaines by that terme, called all rivers. But I would take it, that some time it was called Alaun, because there remaine yet some re∣liques (as it were) of that name in the villages upon it, to wit, in Allington, Alling∣ham, &c.

A long the East banke of this river in this Shire, King William of Normandie pul∣led downe all the townes, villages, houses, and Churches farre and neere, cast out the poore Inhabitants, and when he had so done brought all within thirty miles compasse or there about into a forrest and harbour for wild beasts, which the Englishmen in those daies termed Ytene,* 1.203 and we now call New forrest. Of which Act of his, Gwalter [ E] Maps who lived immediately after, wrote thus. The Conquerour tooke away land both from God and men, to dedicate the same unto wild beasts, and Dogs-game: in which space he threw downe sixe and thirtie-Mother-Churches, and drave all the people thereto belonging quite away. And this did he, either that the Normans might have safer and more se∣cure arrivall in England, (for it lieth over against Normandie) in case after that all his wars were thought ended, any new dangerous tempest should arise in this Island a∣gainst him: or for the pleasure which he tooke in hunting: or else to scrape and rape money to himselfe by what meanes soever he could: For, being better affected and more favourable to beasts than to men, he imposed verie heavie fines and penalties, yea and other more grievous punishments, upon those that should meddle with his [ F] game. But Gods just judgement not long after followed this so unreasonable and cruell act of the King. For, Richard his second sonne, and William Rufus King of England,* 1.204 another sonne of his, perished both in this Forrest: William by chance shot through with an arrow by Walter Tirell; the other blasted with a pestilent aire. Hen∣rie likewise his Grand-child by Robert his eldest sonne, whiles hee hotely pursued his game in this Chase was hanged amongst the boughes and so died: that wee may

learne thereby. How even childrens children beare the punishment of their Fathers [ A] sonnes. There goe commonly abroad certaine verses, that Iohn White Bishop of Win∣chester made of this Forrest: Which although they falsly make William Rufus to have ordained the same, yet because they are well liked of many, I am likewise well con∣tent heere to set them downe.

Templa adimit Divis, fora civibus, arva colonis Rufus, & instituit Beaulensi in rure forestam: Rex cervum insequitur, Regem vindicta, Tirellus Non bene provisum transfixit acumine ferri. From God and Saint King Rus did Churches take, [ B] From Citizens town-court, and mercate place, From Farmer lands: New forrest for to make, In Beaulew tract, where whiles the King in chase Pursues the Hart, just vengeance comes apace, And King pursues. Tirrell him seeing not, Unawares him slew with dint of arrow shot.

He calleth it Beauley tract, for that King Iohn built hard by, a pretty Monasterie, for the pleasant scituation called Beaulieu, which continued ever unto our Fathers me∣morie, of great fame as being an unviolated sanctuarie and a safe refuge for all that fled to it: in so much that in times past, our people heere thought it unlawfull, and an [ C] hainous offence by force to take from thence any persons whatsoever, were they thought never so wicked murtherers or traitours: so that our Ancestors when they e∣rected such Sanctuaries, or Temples (as they terme them) of Mercie, every where throughout England, seemed rather to have proposed unto themselves Romulus to imitate than Moses:* 1.205 who commanded that wilfull murtherers should bee plucked from the Altar and put to death: and for them onely appointed Sanctuarie, who by meere chance had killed any man.

But least the sea coast, for so long a tract as that forrest is heere, should lie with∣out defence all open and exposed to the enemie, King Henrie the Eighth began to strengthen it with forts, for, in that foreland or promontorie shooting farre into the [ D] sea: From whence we have the shortest cut into the Isle of Wight. hee built Hurst Castle,* 1.206 which commandeth sea ward every way. And more toward the East hee set up also another fortresse or blockhouse, they name it Calshot Castle for Caldshore, to defend the entrie of Southhampton Haven, as more inwardly on the other are the two Castles of S. Andrew, and Netly. For, heere the shores retiring as it were them∣selves a great way backe into the land, and the Isle of Wight also; butting full upon it doe make a very good harbour, which Ptolomee calleth The mouth of the river Tri∣santon, (as I take it) for Traith Anton: that is, Anton Bay. For Ninnius an old writer giveth it almost the same name when he termeth it Trahannon mouth. As for the ri∣ver running into it, at this day is called Test, it was in the foregoing age (as wee reade [ E] in the Saints lives) named Terstan, and in old time Ant, or Anton: as the townes standing upon it, namely Ant port, Andover and Hanton in some sort doe testifie.

So farre am I of (pardon me) from thinking that it tooke the name of one Hamon a Roman, (a name not used among Romans) who should be there slaine. And yet Gef∣frey of Monmouth telleth such a tale, and a Poet likewise his follower who pretily maketh these verses of Hamon.

Ruit huc, illucque ruentem Occupat Arviragus, ejusque in margine ripae Amputat ense caput, nomen tenet inde perempti Hammonis Portus, longumque tenebit in aevum. [ F] Whiles Hamon rusheth here and there within the thickest ranke, Arviragus encountreth him, and on the rivers banke, With sword in hand strikes of his head: the place of him thus slaine, Thence forth is named Hamons-Haven, and long shall so remaine.

* 1.207But upon this Haven standeth South-hanpton, a little Citie, neeere unto which on

[ A] the North-east, there flourished in old time another of that name: which may seeme to be Antonine his CLAVSENTVM, by the distance of it, as well on the one side from Ringwood, as from Venta on the other, And as Trisanton in the British language signifieth the Bay of Anton, so Glausentum in the same tongue, is as much as the Ha∣ven of Entum. For, I have heard, that Claudh among the Britans, is that which the Graecians call 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, that is, a forced Haven made by digging and casting up the earth. Now, that this place was called Hanton, and Henton, no man needs to doubt, seeing in that booke wherein King William the first made a survey of all Eng∣land, this whole shire is expressely named Hanscyre and in some places Hentscyre, [ B] and the very towne it selfe for the South scituation of it, South••hanton▪ What manner of towne that Clausentum was, it is hard to say: but seated it was in that place, where the field is which now they call S. Maries; and reached even to the Haven: and may seeme also to have taken up the other banke or strand of the river: For, a lit∣tle above at Bittern over against it, Francis Mills a right honest gentleman there dwel∣ling, shewed unto me the rubbish, old broken walls, and trenches of an ancient castle, which carrieth halfe a mile in compasse, and at every tide is compassed for three parts of it with water a great breadth. The Romane Emperors ancient coines now and then there digged up, doe so evidently prove the antiquity thereof, that if it were not the Castle of old Clausentum, you would judge it to be one of those forts or fen∣ces [ C] which the Romans planted upon the South coast of the Ocean, to represse, as Gildas writeth, the piracies and depredations of the Saxons. When all became wasted, by the Danish warres, old Hanton also was left as a prey in the yeere of our Lord 980. to be sacked and rifled by them: and King William the Conqueror in his time had in it but fourescore men and no more in his demaine. But above 200. yeeres since when Edward the Third King of England and Philip Valois bustled for the very Kingdome of France, it was fired by the French and burnt to the gound. Out of the ashes whereof, presently sprung the towne which now is to be seene, but situate in a more commodious place betweene two rivers: for number of houses and those faire built much renowned, for rich Inhabitants & concourse of merchants wealthy: [ D] fenced round about with a double ditch, strong wals, and turrets standing thicke be∣tweene: and for defence of the Haven a right strong Castle it hath of square stone, upon a Mount cast up to a great height, built by King Richard the Second. And af∣terward King Henrie the Sixt granted to the Major, Balives and Burgesses that it should be a Countie by it selfe, with other liberties. Memorable is that of the most puissant Canutus King of England and of Denmarke, by which he in this place repres∣sed a flatterer who bare the King in hand that all things in the Realme were at his will and command. He commanded (saith Henrie of Huntingdon) that his chaire should be set on the shore, when the sea began to flow. And then in the presence of many, said he to the [ E] sea as it flowed. Thou art part of my Dominion, and the ground on which I sit is mine, nei∣ther was there ever any that durst disobey my commandement and went away free and un∣punished. Wherefore, I charge thee, that thou come not upon my land, neither that thou wet the clothes or body of thy Lord. But the sea according to his usuall course flowing still, without any reverence of his person wet his feet. Then he retiring backe said. Let all the Inhabitants of the world know, that vaine and frivolous is the power of Kings, and that none is worthy the name of King, but hee, to whose command the heaven earth and sea by bond of an evelasting law are subject and obedient, and never after that time set hee the crowne upon his head, &c.

Of those two rivers, betweene which this South anton standeth, that in the West now called Test, and in times past Anton, (as I suppose) springing out of the forrest of [ F] Chate, goeth first to Andover, which in the Saxon language is 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, that is, The passage or Ferry over And: where in the yeare of our salvation 893. Aetheldred King of England, when the Danes harried and spoiled his Kingdome on every side, to the end that hee might at length refresh and cherish his weakened and wearied countries with sure and quiet peace, inserted into his owne familie by way of adop∣tion Aulaf the Dane: which not withstanding soone after tooke small or none effect:

For, this great honour done to the barbabrous Dane, could not reclaime and stay his [ A] minde, from rapine and spoyling still. From thence it runneth downe and receiveth from the East a brooke passing by Bullingdon, in whose parish is a place called Tibury hill,* 1.208 and containeth a square field by estimation of ten acres ditched about, in some places deeper than other, wherein hath beene found tokens of Wells, and about which the ploughmen have found squared stones, and Roman coines, as they report, for the place I have not seene. This brooke entreth into Test neere Worwhell, where Queene Aelfrith built a Monasterie to expiate and make satisfaction for that most foule and heinous fact, wherewith so wickedly she had charged her soule by making away King Edward her husbands son: as also to wash out the murthering of her for∣mer [ B] husband Aethelwold a most noble Earle, whom King Edgar trained forth hither a hunting, and then strake him through with a dart, because hee had deluded him in his love secrets, and by deceitfull and naughtie meanes prevented him and gotten for himself this same Aelfrith the most beautifull Lady that was in those daies. After this Test having taken into it a little river from Wallop,* 1.209 or more truly Well-hop, that is, by interpretation out of our forefathers ancient language, A prety well in the side of an hill, whereof that right worshipfull familie of the Wallops of Knights degree dwelling hard by,* 1.210 tooke name: seeketh for BRIGE or BRAGE, an ancient towne likewise placed by Antonine nine miles from Sorbiodunum: at which distance betweene Salisburie and Winchester he findeth not farre from his banke, Broughton a small country towne: [ C] which if it were not that BRAGE, I verily believe it was then utterly destroyed when William of Normandie laid all even with the ground heere abouts to make that for∣rest, before mentioned.* 1.211 Then goeth this river to see Rumsey, in Saxon speech Rum-〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. A nunnery founded by King Edgar, the large Church whereof yet standeth; out of the which Mary daughter of King Stephen being there Abbesse, and his only heire surviving, was conveied secretly by Mathew of Alsace sonne to the Earle of Flan∣ders, and to him married. But after she had borne to him two daughters, was enfor∣ced by sentence of the Church to returne hither again according to her vow. Thence glideth this water straight into Anton Haven, at Arundinis Vadum, as Bede called it, and interpreteth it himselfe Reedeford:* 1.212 but now of the bridge where the foard was named, for Redeford, Sedbridge: where, at the first springing up of the English Saxon [ D] Church, there flourished a Monasterie, the Abbat whereof Cymbreth, as Bede wri∣teth, baptized the two brethren being very little ones of Arvandus the pettie King of Wight, even as they were ready to be put to death. For, when Cedwalla the Saxon set upon the Isle of Wight, these small children to save their lives fled to a little town called Ad lapidem, and hid themselves there, untill at length being betraied, they were at Cedwallaes commandement killed. If you aske mee, what this little towne Ad lapidem,* 1.213 should bee, I would say it were Ston••ham, a small village next to Rede∣bridge, which the very signification of the name may evidently prove for mee. The other river that runneth forth at the East-side of Southhampton, may seeme to have beene called Alre: For, the mercate towne standing upon the banke thereof, not [ E] farre from ponds out of which it issueth, is called Alres-ford, that is, The foard of Alre. This towne, (to use the words of an old Record of Winchester): Kinewalce the religious King instructed in the Sacraments of faith by the Bishop Birinus at the very beginning of Christian religion (in this tract,) with great devotion of heart gave unto the Church of God at Wenta. In the yeare of grace 1220. Godfrey Lucy Bishop of Win∣chester made a new market place heere, and called it Novum forum, that is, New mer∣cate, in regard haply of old Alres-ford adjoyning thereto. But this new aime conti∣nued not long with the people, who in the matter of speech carry the greatest stroke. Neere heereunto is Tichburne, which I must not omit, for that it hath given name to a worshipfull and ancient familie. [ F]

Vpon the West banke of this river is scituate the most famous Citie of the British Belgians, called by Ptolomee and Antoninus Venta Belgarum, by the Britaines of Wales even at this day, Caer Gwent: by the Saxons in old time 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, in Latine commonly Wintonia, and by us in these daies of Winchester. Yet there bee

[ A] some which affirme this to be Venta Simenorum, and do grace Bristow, with the name of Venta Belgarum. But that there were never any Simeni at all in this Island, I will prove when I come to the Iceni. In the meane season, though they should seeke all the townes that Antoninus placeth on every side in the way to, or from VENTA BEL∣GARVM, as narrowly as Emmots paths, yet shall they find nothing for their pur∣pose to make good this their assertion.

The Etymologie of this name Venta, some fetch from Ventus, that is, Wind, others from Vinum, that is, Wine, and some againe from Wina a Bishop: who all of them be farre wide, and should doe well to pray for better judgement. Yet like I rather the [ B] opinion of Leland: who hath derived it from the British word Guin or Guen, that is, White, so that Caer Guin should signifie as much, as the White Citie. And why not? seing the old Latines named these their Cities, Alba longa, and Alba regia, of white∣nesse: yea, and the Grecians also had their Leuca, Leucas, and other nations also ma∣ny places taking name of whitenesse. For, this Venta, like as the other two of the same name, to wit, VENTA SILVRVM, and VENTA ICENORVM, are seated all three in a soile that standeth upon chalke, and a whitish clay.

A Citie it was no doubt, flourishing even in the Romans times, as in which the Emperours of Rome seeme to have had their sacred of houses weaving and embroi∣dering peculiar to their owne persons, and uses: seeing among all the VENTAS in [ C] Britaine, it was both the chiefe, and also nearest unto Italie. For, in the booke of Notitiae, mention is made of the Procurator [Master or Governour] Cynegii VEN∣TENSIS or BENTENSIS, in Britaine: where the onely flowre of Lawyers, Iames Cujacius readeth Cynaecii, and in his Paratitles upon the Code interpreteth it, Sacrum textrinum, that is, The sacred workhouse or shop of embroidering and weaving. And right of his mind is Guidus Pancirolus,* 1.214 who writeth that those Gynaecia were instituted for the weaving of the Princes, and souldiers garments, of Ship-sailes, of linnen sheetes, or covering, and such like cloaths, necessarie for the furniture of mansions. But Wolfangus Lazius was of opinion, that that the Procurator aforesaid, had the [ D] charge heere of the Emperours dogs. And to say truth, of all the dogs in Europe, ours beare the name;* 1.215 in so much, as Strabo witnesseth, our dogges served as souldiers, and the ancient Galles made speciall use of them even in their wars. And of all others, they were in most request both for those baitings in the Amphitheaters, and also in all other publique huntings among the Romans. For as the same Strabo writeth, they were 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, that is, of a generous kind and framed naturally for hunting. Whereupon Nemesianus wrote thus:

divisa Britannia mittit Veloces, nostrique orbis venatibus aptos. Though Britaine from this world of ours doth lie secluded farre, [ E] Swift hounds it sends which for our game most fitly framed are.

Gratius also, of their price and excellencie, saith thus:

Quod freta si Morinûm dubi•• refluentia ponto Veneris, atque ipsos libeat penetrare Britannos, O quanta est merces, & quantum impendia supra? If that to Calice-streights you goe, Where tides uncertaine ebbe and flow. And list to venture further more, Crossing the seas to British shore: What meede would come to quite your paines: What overdeale beside, of gaines.

[ F] Yea and that very dog with us,* 1.216 which of the old name Agasaeus, we call yet at this day a Gasehound, those ancient Greekes both knew, and also had in great price. And this will Oppian in his first booke of his Cynegeticks tell you,* 1.217 in these Greeke verses.

〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.

Which Bodine turned into Latine thes:

Est etiam catuli species indagine clara, Corpus huic breve, magnifico sed corpore digna, Picta Britannorum gens illos effera bello Nutrit, Agasaeos{que} vocat, vilissima forma Corporis, ut credas parasitos esse latrantes.

And may be Englished in this wise.

Stout hounds there are, and those of finders kind, Of bodie small but doughtie for their deed: The painted folke, fierce Britans as we find, Them Gasehounds call, for they with them doe breed. In making, like house dogs, or at a word, To lickerous curs that craven at our bord.

Claudian also, touching our Mastives writeth in this sort:

Magna{que} taurorum fracturi colla Britanni. And British mastives downe that puls, Or breake the necks of sturdy bulls.

I have too far digressed about dogges, yet hope a favourable pardon.

In this Citie as our owne Historiographers doe report, in the time of the Romans, was that Constans the Monke, who by his father Constantine was first elect Caesar, [ C] and afterwards Augustus: that Constantine I say, who upon hope of this name had assumed the Imperiall purple roabe, that is, usurped the Empire against Honorius. For, long since, (as Zosinus recordeth speaking of those times) as well in villages as in Ci∣ties, there were great colledges peopled (as it were) with Monks, who before time ••••ying the light lived scattering heere and there among mountaines, woods, and for∣rests all solitary by themselues, whereof also they were so called. Now, of this Col∣ledge wherein the said Constans was, those old broken walles which are seene of that thicknesse and strength, at the West-gate of the Cathedrall Church, may seeme to be the ruines and reliques.* 1.218 But this imperiall Monke taken out from hence suffered soone after condigne punishment, both for his fathers ambition and also for the con∣tempt of his professed religion. During the Heptarchie of the Saxons, this Citie [ D] albeit once or twice it suffered much calamity and miserie, yet it revived, and recove∣red againe: yea, and became the seat royall of the West-Saxons Kings, adorned with magnificent Churches, and a Bishops See: furnished likewise with six mint houses by King Aethelstane. In the Normans time also it flourished very much, and in it was erected an office for keeping of all publike records and evidences of the Realme. In which prosperous estate it continued a long time: but that once or twice it was defaced by misfortune of suddaine fires, and in the civill war betweene Stephen, and Maude about the Kingdome of England, lacked by the unruly and insolent souldiers. Whereupon Necham our countriman who lived in that age, writeth thus:

Guintoniam titulis claram, gazisque repletam Noverunt veterum tempora prisca patrum. Sed tam sacra fames auri, jam caecus habendi, Vrbibus egregiis parcere nescit amor. Our ancestours knew Winchester sometimes a goodly Towne, In treasure rich and plentifull, in name of great renowne: But now, for hunger after gold our men so greedy are; That even such Cities excellent, they know not how to spare.

But of these losses it recovered it selfe by the helpe of Edward the third, who heere appointed the Mart for wooll and cloth, which we commonly call the Staple. What [ F] was the face and outward shew of this Citie in these foregoing times, a man can hardly tell, considering that, as the said Necham writeth:

—Flammis toties gens aliena dedit. Hinc facies urbis toties mutata, dolorem Praetendit, casus nuntia vera sui.

[ A] So many times a nation strange Hath fir'd this towne, and made such change; That now her face and outward hue Her griefe bewray's, and tels full true.

In these daies of ours it is indifferently well peopled and frequented, having water plentie, by reason of the River turned and conveighed divers waies into it, lying somewhat in length from East to West, and containeth about a mile and a halfe in circuit within the walls: which open at sixe gates, and have every one of them their suburbs reaching forth without, a good way. On the South side of the West gate [ B] there mounteth up an old Castle, which oftentimes hath beene besieged, but most sore and straightly, above the rest what time as Mawd the Empresse held it against King Stephen, and at length by a rumour given out that she was dead, and causing her selfe to be caried out in a coffin like a course deceived the enemie. As concerning that round table there, hanging up against the wall which the common sort useth to gaze upon with great admiration,* 1.219 as if it had beene King Arthurs table, I have nothing to say but this, That, as a man which vieweth it well may easily perceive, it is no∣thing so ancient as King Arthur. For, in latter times when for the exercise of armes and feates of warlike prowesse, those runnings at tilt, and martiall justlings or tornea∣ments, were much practised: they used such tables, least any contention or offence for [ C] prioritie of place should through ambition arise among Nobles and Knights assem∣bled together. And this was a custome of great antiquitie, as it may seeme. For, the ancient Gaules,* 1.220 as Athenaeus writeth, were wont to sit about round tables, and their Esquires stood at their backes, holding their shields. About the midst of the citie, but more inclining to the South, Kenelwalch King of the West-Saxons after the subversion of that Colledge of Monkes which flourished in the Romans time, (as William of Malmesburie saith) First founded to the glory of God,* 1.221 the fairest Church that was in those daies; in which very place, the posteritie afterwards in building of a Cathedrall seate for the Bishop, although it were more stately than the first, yet followed just in [ D] the very same steps. In this See, there have sitten since Wina, whom the said Ke∣nelwalch ordained the first Bishop there, Many Bishops some renowned for their wealth and honourable port, and some for holinesse of life. But among other, Saint Swithin continueth yet of greatest fame, not so much for his sanctitie, as for the raine which usually falleth about the Feast of his translation in Iuly, by reason the Sunne then Cosmically with Praesepe and Aselli, noted by ancient writers to be rainie con∣stellations, and not for his weeping, or other weeping Saints Margaret the Virgine, and Mary Magdalen, whose feasts are shortly after, as some superstitiously-credulous have believed.

This by the way, pardon me I pray you, for I digresse licentiously. Thus [ E] Bishops of Winchester have beene anciently by a certaine peculiar preroga∣tive that they have, Chancellours to the Archbishop of Canterbury, and for long time now Prelates to the order of the Garter: and they have from time to time to their great cost reedified the Church, and by name, Edington and Walkelin, but Wick∣ham especially: who built all the West part thereof downe from the quire, after a new kind of worke, I assure you, most sumptuously. In the midst of which building is to be seene his owne tombe of decent modestie betweene two pillars. And these Bishops have ever and anon consecrated it to new Patrons and Saints, as to Saint Amphibalus, Saint Peter, Saint Swithin, and last of all to the holy Trinitie: by which name it is knowne at this day. The English Saxons also, had this Church in great honour for the sepulture of certaine Saints and Kings there, (whose bones [ F] Richard Fox the Bishop gathered, and shrining them in certaine little gilded coffers placed them orderly with their severall Inscriptions in the top of that wall which en∣closeth the upper part of the quire) and they called it in times past 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, that is, The old Minster, for difference from another more lately built, which was named 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉,* 1.222 that is, The new Minster; which Elfred founded; and for the building of houses of office belonging to the same purchase of the Bishop a plot

of ground; and for every foot of it paid him downe a marke after the publike weight. [ A]

This monasterie as also that other the older, was built for married Priests, who af∣terwards, upon I know not what miracle of a Crosse that spoke, and disliked their marriage, were thrust out by Dunstane Archbishop of Canterbury, and Monkes put in their place. The walls of these two monasteries stood so neere and close together, that the voices of those that sung in the one troubled the chaunting of the other: whereupon there arose grudge and heart-burning betweene these Monkes, which af∣terwards brake out into open enmities: By occasion whereof, and because at this new monasterie there gathered and stood much water which from the Westerne gate came downe thither along the current of the streets, and cast forth from it an [ B] unwholsome aire, the Minster Church two hundred yeares after the first foundation of it, was removed into the Suburbs of the citie on the North part, which they call Hide.* 1.223 Where, by the permission of King Henry the First, the Monks built a most stately and beautifull monasterie; which a few yeares after by the craftie practice of Henrie de Blois Bishoppe of Winchester (as the private historie of this place witnesseth) was pitiously burnt. In which fire, that Crosse also was con∣sumed, which Canutus the Dane gave, and upon which, as old writings beare re∣cord, he bestowed as much as his owne yeares revenewes of all England came unto. The monasterie neverthelesse was raised up againe, and grew by little and little to wonderfull greatnesse, as the very ruines thereof even at this day doe shew, untill [ C] that generall subversion, and finall period of our monasteries. For then, was this mo∣nasterie demolished: and into that other of the holy Trinitie, which is the Cathe∣drall Church, when the monkes were thrust out were brought in their stead, a Deane, twelve Prebendaries, and there placed. At the East side of this Cathedrall Church, standeth the Bishops palace, called Wolvesey: a right goodly thing, and sumptuous; which being towred and compassed almost round with the streame of a prety river, reacheth even to the Citie walls:* 1.224 and in the South-suburbes, just over against it be∣holdeth a faire Colledge: which William Wickham Bishop of this See, the greatest father and Patron (of all Englishmen) of good literature,* 1.225 and whose praise for ever to the worlds end will continue, built for a Schoole, and thereto dedicated it: out of which, both for Church and Common-wealth there riseth a most plentiful increase [ D] of right learned men. For, in this Colledge, one warden, ten fellowes, two Schoole-masters, and threescore and ten schollers, with divers others are plentifully main∣tained. There have beene also in this Citie,* 1.226 other faire and goodly buildings, (for very many were here consecrated to religion) which I list not now to recount, since time and avarice hath made an end of them. Onely, that Nunnery, or monasterie of vailed Virgins, which Elfwida, the wife of King Elfred founded, I will not overpasse: seeing it was a most famous thing as the remainder of it now doth shew:* 1.227 and for that, out of it King Henrie the First tooke to wife Mawde the daughter of Malcolne King of Scots, by whom the Royall bloud of the ancient Kings of England became united to the Normans, and he therefore wonne much love of the English nation. For, nei∣phew [ E] shee was in the second degree of descent, unto Edmund Iron-side, by his sonne Edward the Banished. A woman, as adorned with all other vertues meet for a Queene, so especially inflamed with an incredible love of true pietie and godlinesse. Where∣upon was this Tetrastich made in her commendation:

Prospera non laetam fecêre, nec asperae tristem: Aspera risus ei, prospera terror erant. Non decor effecit fragilem, non sceptra superbam, Sola potens humilis, sola pudica decens. No prosp'rous state did make her glad, Nor adverse chances made her sad: [ F] If fortune frown'd, she then did smile; If fortune frown'd, she feard the while. If beauty tempted, she yet said nay, No pride she tooke in scepters sway:

[ A] Shee onely high, her selfe debas'd, A lady onely faire and chast.

Concerning Sir Guy of Warwick, of whom there goe so many prety tales, who in single fight overcame here that Danish giant and Golias, Colbrand: and of Waltheof Earle of Huntingdon, that was here beheaded, where afterwards stood Saint Giles chappell: as also of that excellent Hospital of Saint Crosse there adjoyning, founded by Henry of Blois bother to King Stephen, and Bishop of this City, and augmented by Henry Beauford Cardinall, I need not to speake: seeing every man may read of them in the common Chronicles.

[ B] As touching the Earles of Winchester, to say nothing of * 1.228 Clyto the Saxon whom the Normans deprived of his ancient honour King Iohn created Saier Quincy, Earle of Winchester, who used for his armes a military belt, they call it a Fesse, with a labell of seven as I have seene upon his seales. After him succeeded Roger his sonne, who bare, Gules, seven Mascles voided, Or: but with him that honour vanished and went away, seeing he died without issue male. For, he married the eldest daughter and one of the coheires of Alan Lord of Galloway in Scotland by a former wife, in right of whom he was Constable of Scotland. He had by her three onely daughters, the first married to William de Ferrariis Earle of Derbie, the second to Alan de la Zouch, the third to Comine Earle of Bucqhanan in Scotland. A long time after Hugh [ C] le Dispencer, having that title bestowed upon him for terme of his life, by King Ed∣ward the second, whose minion he was, and only beloved, felt together with his sonne what is the consequence of Princes extraordinary favours: For both of them envied by most, were by the furious rage of the people put cruelly to shamefull death. And long it was after this, that through the bounty of King Edward the Fourth, Lewis of Bruges * 1.229 a Netherland Lord of Gruthuse, Prince of Steinhuse, &c. Who had given him comfort and succour in the Netherlands, when hee was fled his native countrey, received this honour with Armes resembling those of Roger Quincy, in these words, Azur a dix Mascles D'or en orm d'un Canton de nostie propre Armes d' Engleterre, cest∣savour, de Goul un Leopard passant d' or, armeè d' azur.

[ D] All which, after King Edwards death, he yeilded up into the hands of Henrie the seventh. But lately within our memorie King Edward the sixth, honoured Sir William Pawlet Lord Treasurer of England, Earle of Wilshire, and Lord Saint Iohn of Basing, with a new title of Marquesse of Winchester. A man prudently pliable to times, raised not sodainely but by degrees in Court, excessive in vaste informous buildings; temperate in all other things, full of yeares, for he lived nintie seven years, and fruitfull in his generation, for he saw one hundred and three, issued from him by Elizabeth his wife, daughter to Sir William Capell Knight. And now his grand-child William enjoyeth the said honours: For the Geographicall position of Winchester, [ E] it hath beene observed by former ages to be in longitude two and twenty degrees, and in latitude fiftie one.

From Winchester more Eastward the river Hamble at a great mouth emptieth it selfe into the Ocean.* 1.230 Beda calleth it Homelea, which, as he writeth, by the lands of the Intae entreth into Solente: for so termeth he that frith our narrow sea, that runneth be∣tweene the Isle of Wight and the main land of Britain▪ in which the tides at set houres rushing in with great violence out of the Ocean at both ends, and so meeting one another in the midst, seemed so strange a matter to our men in old time, that they rec∣koned it among the wonders of Britaine. Whereof, read heere the very words of Beda. The two tides of the Ocean which about Britaine breake out of the vast Northern O∣cean daily encounter and fight one against another, beyond the mouth of the river Homelea: [ F] and when they have ended their conflict, returne backe, from whence they came and runne into the Ocean. Into this Frith that little river also sheadeth it selfe, which having his head neere Warnford, passeth betweene the Forrests of Waltham (where the Bishop of Winchester hath a goodly house), and of Bere, whereby is Wickham a mansion of that ancient family of Vuedal, and then by Tichfield, sometime a little monasterie founded by Petre de Rupibus Bishop of Winchester * 1.231 where the mar∣riage

was solemnized betweene King Henry the sixth, and Margaret of Anjou; and [ A] now the principall seate of the Lord Writheosleies Earles of South-hampton. From thence forthwith, the shore with curving crookes draweth it selfe in, and the Island named Portesey maketh a great creeke,* 1.232 within the more inward nooke or corner whereof sometimes flourished Port peris; (where, by report Vespasian landed) An haven towne which our Ancestours by a new name called Port-chester, not of Porto the Saxon, but of the port or haven. For, Ptolomee tearmeth it 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, that is, THE GREAT HAVEN,* 1.233 for the widenesse of it, like as that Portus Magnus also in Africk, as Plinie witnesseth. And verily there remaineth yet a great Castle which hath a faire and spacious prospect into the haven underneath. But when as the Ocean [ B] by with-drawing it selfe, tooke away, by little and little the commoditie of the ha∣ven, the Inhabitants flitted from thence into the Island Portsey adjoyning, which ta∣keth in circuit much about fourteene miles, being at every full sea floated round a∣bout with salt-waters, out of which they boile salt, and by a bridge that hath a for∣tresse adjoyning unto it, is united to the Continent. This Island Athelflede King Eadgars wife had given to the New monasterie of Winchester. And in it at the very gullet, or mouth where the sea entreth in, our fore-fathers built a towne, and thereupon named it Portsmouth,* 1.234 that is, the mouth of the haven. A place alwaies in time of warre well frequented, otherwise little resort there is to it: as beeing more favourable, and better affected to Mars and Neptune, than to Mercurie, that is, to warre [ C] rather than to traffique. A Church it hath of the old building, and an Hospitall (Gods house they call it) founded by Peter de * 1.235 Rupibus, Bishop of Winchester. For∣tified it was with a wall made of timber and the same well covered over with thicke bankes of earth: fenced with a platforme also or mount of earth in times past on the North-east, nere to the gate: and two block-houses at the entry of the haven made of new hewen stone: Which being by King Edward the fourth begunne, King Henrie the seventh as the Inhabitants report, did finish, and strengthned the towne with a garrison. But in our remembrance, Queene ELIZABETH at her great cost and charges so armed it (as one would say) with new fortifications, as that now there is nothing wanting, that a man would require in a most strong and fenced place. And of the garrison-souldiers some keepe watch and ward both night and day at the gates: [ D] others upon the towre of the Church, who by the ringing or sound of a bell give warning how many horse or foote are comming, and by putting forth a banner shew from what quarter they come.

From hence as the shore fetcheth a compasse and windeth from Portes-bridge, wee had the sight of Havant a little mercate towne, and hard by it, of Wablington, a goodly faire house belonging some-times to the Earles of Salisbury; but now to the family of the Cottons Knights. Before which, there lie two Islands, the one greater, named Haling, the other lesse, called Thorney, of thornes there growing: and both of them have their severall parish Church. In many places along this shore, of the sea-waters flowing up thither, is made salt of a palish or greene colour: the which [ E] by a certaine artificious devise, they boyle untill it bee exceeding white. And of this sea,* 1.236 or Bay-salt, and not of ours made out of salt springs, is Saint Ambrose to bee understood, when hee writeth thus; Consider we those things which are usuall with many very grace-full:* 1.237 namely, how water is turned into salt, of such hard∣nesse and soliditie, that often-times it is hewed with axes. This in the salts of Bri∣taine is no wonder, as which carrying a shew of strong marble, doe shine and glitter a∣gaine with the whitenesse of the same mettall, like unto snow, and bee holesome to the bodie, &c.

Farther within the land, the MEANVARI dwelt, whose countrey togither with the Isle of Wight Edilwalch King of the South Saxons received in token of Adoption [ F] from Wlpher King of Mercians,* 1.238 Godfather unto him at the Font, when he was bapti∣zed. The habitations of these Meanvari, scarce changing the name, at this day is di∣vided into three hundreds; to wit, Means-borow, East-mean, and West-mean: and a∣mongst them there mounteth up an high Hill, environed in the top with a large

[ A] rampier, and they call it old Winchester: at which, by report, there stood in old time a citie,* 1.239 but now neither top nor toe, as they say, remaineth of it: so as a man would quickly judge it to have beene a summer standing campe, and nothing else. Under this is Warnford seated where Adam de Portu a mightie man, in this tract and of great wealth in the raigne of William the first, reedified the Church a new, as a couple of rude verses set fast upon the wall doe plainly shew. Upon these, more high into the land,* 1.240 those SEGONTIACI, who yeilded themselves unto Iulius Caesar, had their seate toward the North limite of this shire, in and about the hundred of Holeshot: wherein are to bee seene Mercate Aultim, which King Elfred bequeathed by his [ B] will unto the keeper of Leodre: also Basingstoke a mercate towne well frequented: upon the descent of an hill, on the North side whereof standeth solitarie a very faire Chappell consecrated unto the holy Ghost by William, the first Lord Sands, who was buried there. In the arched and embowed roofe whereof is to be seene the holy history of the Bible painted most artificially,* 1.241 with lively portraicts, and images repre∣senting the Prophets, the Apostles, and the Disciples of Christ. Beneath this, East∣ward lieth Basing,* 1.242 a towne very well knowne, by reason of the Lords bearing the name of it, to wit, Saint Iohn, the Poinings, and the Powlets. For, when Adam de Por∣tu, Lord of Basing matched in marriage with the daughter and heire of Roger de Au∣revall, whose wife was likewise daughter and heire to the right noble house of Saint [ C] Iohn, William his sonne, to doe honour unto that familie assumed to him the surname of Saint Iohn, and they who lineally descended from him have still retained the same. But when Edmund Saint Iohn departed out of this world with∣out issue in King Edward the third his time,* 1.243 his sister Margaret, bettered the state of her husband Iohn, Saint Philibert, with the possessions of the Lord Saint Iohn: And when she was dead without children, Isabell the other sister wife unto Sir Luke Poinings, bare unto him Thomas, Lord of Basing, whose Neice Constance by his sonne Hugh, (unto whom this fell for her childs part of Inheritance) was wed∣ded into the familie of the Powlets, and she was great Grandmother to that Sir Wil∣liam Powlet who being made Baron Saint Iohn of Basing by King Henrie the Eighth, [ D] and created by King Edward the Sixth first Earle of Wilshire, and afterward Mar∣quesse of Winchester, and withall was Lord Treasurer of England, having in a trou∣blesome time runne through the highest honours, fulfilled the course of nature with the satietie of this life, and that in great prosperitie, as a rare blessing among Courtiers) after he had built a most sumptuous house heere, for the spacious large∣nesse thereof admirable to the beholders, untill for the great and chargeable reparations his successors pulled downe a good part of it. But of him I have spoken before.

Neere unto this house,* 1.244 the Vine sheweth it selfe, a very faire place, and Mansion [ E] house of the Baron Sands, so named of the vines there, which wee have had in Bri∣taine, since Probus the Emperours time, rather for shade than fruit. For, hee per∣mitted the Britaines and others to have vines. The first of these Barons was Sir Wil∣liam Sands,* 1.245 whom King Henrie the Eighth advanced to that dignitie, being Lord Chamberlaine unto him, and having much amended his estate by marrying Margerie Bray, daughter and heire of Iohn Bray, and cousin to Sir Reinold Bray, a most worthy Knight of the Order of the Garter, and a right noble Baneret: whose Sonne Thomas Lord Sands, was Grandfather to William L. Sands that now liveth. Neighbouring hereunto is Odiam glorious in these daies for the Kings house there:* 1.246 and famous for that David the Second King of Scots, was there imprisoned: a Burrough corporate, belonging in times past to the Bishop of Winchester: the fortresse whereof in the [ F] name of King John,* 1.247 thirteene Englishmen for fifteene daies defended most valiantly, and made good against Lewis of France, who with his whole armie besieged and as∣ted it very hotly.

A little above, among these Segontiaci, toward the North side of the countrey, som∣times stood VINDONVM,* 1.248 the chiefe citie of the Segontiaci, which casting off his owne name, hath taken the name of the Nation, like as Luteria hath assumed unto it the

name of the Parisians there inhabiting: for, called it was by the Britaines Caer Segonte, [ A] that is to say,* 1.249 the Citie of the Segontiaci. And so Ninnius in his catalogue of cities named it: wee at this day called it Silecester: and Higden seemeth to clepe it of the Britaines Britenden: that this was the ancient Vindonum, I am induced to thinke by reason of the distance of Vindonum in Antoninus, from Gallena, or Guallenford, and Venta or Winchester: and the rather, because betweene this Vindonum and Venta, there is still to bee seene a causey, or street-way. Ninnius recordeth, that it was built by Constantius the sonne of Constantine the Great, and called sometime Murimintum, haply, for Muri-vindum, that is, the wals of Vindon. For, this word Mur borrowed from the provinciall language, the Britaines retained still, and V. the consonant, they [ B] change oftentimes in their speech, and writing into M. And to use the verie words of Asinnius, though they seeme ridiculous, the said Constantius, sowed upon the soile of this citie three seedes, that none should be poore that dwelt therein at any time. Like as Dinocrates, when Alexandria in Egypt was a building, strewed it with meale or flower (as Marcellinus writeth) all the circular lines of the draught, which being done by chance, was taken for a fore-token, that the citie should abound with al manner of victualls. He reporteth also, that Constantius died here, and that his Sepulchre was to be seene at one of the gates, as the Inscription sheweth. But in these matters let Ninnius cleere his owne credit; for, stuffed hee hath that little booke with many a pretty lie. Yet this I may be bold to affirme, that it flourished in great honour about [ C] that time: and I my selfe have lighted here upon very many peeces, of the coine of Constantine, the younger sonne to Constantine the Great: which in their reverse have the portraict of an house with this Inscription PROVIDENTIA CAES. Now that this Constantius whom he maketh the builder of this Citie, died at Mopsuestia in Cilicia,* 1.250 and was interred in Constantinople in the Sepulchre of his Ancestors, it is knowne for certaine, and confessed. Yet I will not denie, but that hee might have in this citie a monument erected in honour and remembrance of him. For, many there were that had such monuments built, about which the souldiers, were wont yearely to just, and keepe solemne turneaments in honour of the dead.

When the declining Roman Empire hastened to an end, and barbarous nations began every where to waste and spoile the Provinces: their Armies heere in Britaine, [ D] fearing least the flame of this fire, wherewith their next neighbours in France were consumed, would catch hold of them, set up and created Emperours to themselves: first Marcus, then Gratian, whom they soone slew: and last of all in the yeare after Christs birth 407,* 1.251 our Constantine for his names sake, they forced, wild he, nild he, to usurpe the Empire, and to put on the Imperiall Purple robe in the citie Caer Segont, as both Ninnius, and Gervase of Canterburie, do witnesse. This Constantine putting to sea out of Britaine, landed at* 1.252 Bologne in France, and drew all the Roman armies even as farre as the Alpes to side and joyne with him in his warres. Hee stoutly de∣fended Valentia in France, against the power of Honorius the Emperour: the River Rhene which long before had beene neglected, hee fortified with a garrison. Upon [ E] the Alpes, where any passage was, hee built fortresses. In Spaine, under the con∣duct of his sonne Constans, whom of a Monke he had declared Emperour, he warred fortunately: and afterwards having sent his letters unto Honorius, and craved par∣don for suffering the souldiers, to put upon him the purple perforce, whether hee would or no; he accepted at his hands the Imperiall investure, which hee freely gave him. Whereupon being puffed up with pride, after hee had passed the Alpes, his mind was wholly set upon a journey to Rome. But hearing that Alaricus the Gothe who had favoured his part was dead, hee returned to Arles, where hee setled his Im∣periall seat, caused the Citie to bee called Constantina, and commanded the courts and assemblies of seven Provinces, there to bee holden. In the meane time Geron∣tius [ F] excited the souldiers against their Lord, and when he had treacherously slaine his sonne Constans at Vienna in France, besieged Constantine also himselfe within Arles. But after that one Constantius sent by Honorius with a great armie, made head against him, Gerontius killed himselfe. And Constantine being now streit∣ly

[ A] besieged, and by reason of the unhappie successe of his men past all hope, laid a∣side the Purple and his great estate entred into the Church, became a Priest: and straight-waies when Arles was yeilded up, and hee carried into Italie, was himselfe, together with his sonne Julian (unto whom he had given the title of* 1.253 Nobilissimus) and his brother Sebastian, beheaded. Thus much briefly of these occurrents, (which before are discoursed more at large) out of Zosimus, Zosomenus, Nicephorus, Oro∣sius, and Olympiodorus, to the end that Veritie may triumph over their vanitie, who have besprinkled this story with most ridiculous and foolish lies of their owne devising.

[ B] Moreover, in this citie (our Historiographers write) that our warlike Arthur was invested and crowned King. But not long after it was razed quite, either in the Sax∣ons warres, or when Adelwolph being offended with his brother King Edward, upon a malicious mind, together with the helpe of the Danish Rovers, wasted this coun∣trey even to Basing-stoke. And now remaineth nothing save the wals, which although they want their battlements, Curtaine, and coppe, yet they seeme to have beene of a very great height. For, the earth is so growne up with the rubble, that I could scarce with stouping low passe through an old posterne, which they call, Onions Hole. These walles in some sort continue whole, but that they be broken through in those places where the gates were: and out of the very walles, I saw grow oakes of that [ C] bignesse, and those seeming (as it were) bredde with the very stones, with such huge roots clasping one another a great way, and spreading forth so mightie armes and boughes all abroad, that it would make the beholders to wonder thereat. These walles take in compasse about two Italian miles. Whereupon haply the Saxons cal∣led this citie Selcester,* 1.254 as one would say, The great Citie: for Sel may seeme to sound with them as much as Great, seeing Asserius hath interpreted the Saxon word, Sel∣wood, The Great wood. And before the walles Westward, where is a plaine, there li∣eth a banke of a great length, raised and cast up for a defence and fortification. The scite of this old citie, containeth about fourescore acres of ground within, which be∣ing a soile ploughed up an tilled,* 1.255 are divided into corne-fields; with a little grove in [ D] the West-side: but on the East, neere unto the gappe in the wall, there standeth a Farme-house, and a pretty Church more lately built, in which, while I searched for ancient inscriptions, I found nothing, but onely in the windowes certaine armes, to wit, In a field sable, seven Fusils argent in Bend, likewise in a shield sables, a Fesse between two Cheverns, and in an Escutcheon Or, an Eagle displaied with two heads, gules. This last, I have heard say, was the coat of the Blewets, unto whom this land came, about the Conquerours time. The second belonged unto the ancient house of the Bainards of Leckham: but the first to the Cusanz, by whom from the Blewets it descended hereditarily, to the said Bainards. But in the raigne of William the Conquerour, it was the possession of William de Ow, a Norman, who being accused of high trea∣son, [ E] and desirous to prove his innocencie by combat, was overcome in fight, and by commandement of King William Rufus, had his two eies pluckt out of his head, and lost both his genetals. This is found by continuall observation (as I have learned of the Inhabitants of this place) that although the ground bee fertile and fruitfull enough, yet in certaine places crossing one another, the corne doth not thrive so well, but commeth up much thinner then else where, by which they suppose the streets of the citie went in old time. There are heere daily digged up, bricks such as wee call Britaine-bricks, and great store of Roman coine which they terme Onions pennies. For, they dreame that this Onion was a Giant, and dwelt in this citie. There are dig∣ged up also many times inscriptions, of which the unskilfull rurall people envie us [ F] the having. Onely one was brought from hence to London, which was to be seene in the gardens of the right honourable Sir William Cecill, Lord Burghley, and high Treasurer of England, to wit:

[ A]

MEMORIAE FL. VICTORI∣NAE. T. TAM: VICTOR CONJUX POSVIT.

That this Tombe was erected for that Victorina which was called Mater Castrorum, [ B] that is, The mother of the Campe, and who against Gallienus the Emperour, excited in Gaule, and Britaine, the two Victorini, her sonne, and sonnes sonne, Posthumus like∣wise, Lollianus, Marius, and Tetricus, Caesars, I would not with others affirme. Yet I have read, that two of the VICTORS, were in some place here in Britaine, and those at one and the selfe-same time, the one Maximus the Emperour his soone, the other Praefectus Praetorio to the same Emperour, of whom Saint Ambrose maketh mention in his Epistles, but I dare avouch, that neither of these twaine reared this monument for his wife.

As one high way or street of the Romans went straight from hence Southward to Winchester, so there was another ran west-ward through Pamber Forrest, very full of [ C] trees, and other by-places now standing out of the way, hard by Litchfield, that is, the field of dead bodies, to the Forrest of Chute pleasant for coole shade of trees, & plen∣tifull game: in which the Hunters and Forresters themselves do wonder at the banke or ridge thereof, so evident to be seene, paved with stone, but broken here and there.

* 1.256More toward the North, in the very edge and frontier of this Shire, we saw Kings-Cleare, a market towne in these daies well frequented, the residence in times past of the Saxon Kings, by it Fremantle in a parke where King Iohn much haunted, also Sidmanton,* 1.257 the habitation of the Kingsmils, Knights: and Burgh-Cleare scituate under an high hill, in the top whereof a warlike rampire (such as our countreymen called a Burgh) hath a trench taking a great compasse about it: from whence, there being a [ D] faire and open prospect every way ever the countrey lying underneath, there standeth a * 1.258 Beacon, that by light burning fire the enemies comming, may bee shewed to all the neighbour-Inhabitants round about. And verily such watches or signals as this, we terme in common speech Beacons,* 1.259 of the old word Beacnian, that is, to shew by a signe, and for these many hundred yeares, they have beene in right great request, and much used among us: in some places, by heaping up a deale of wood, in others by barrels full of pitch fastened to the top of a mast or pole in the highest places of the countrey, at which, by night some doe evermore watch: and in old time, there were set horsemen as posts in many places, whom our Ancestors called Hobelers, who in the day time should give notice of the enemies approach. [ E]

This shire, like as the rest which hitherto we have run over, belonged to the west-Saxon Kings: and when they had deposed Sigebert from his Kingdome, for his tyran∣nie, evill entreating and lewd managing of his province, this countrey, as Marianus writeth, was assigned unto him, least hee should seeme altogether a private person. Whom notwithstanding afterward, for his wicked deeds, they likewise expelled from hence: and so far was it off, that this afflicted state of a King moved any man to take pitie of him, that a Swine-heard in the end, slew him in the wood Anderida, where he had lurked, and hidden himselfe.

This Shire can reckon but very few Earles, besides those of Winchester which I have already named. In the first time of the Normans, Bogo or Beavose the English [ F] man, who fought against the Normans in the battell at Cardiff in Wales, is reputed to have beene Earle of South-hampton, a man for warlike prowesse much renowned, whom while the Monks laboured to set out with their fained fables, they have ob∣scured his doughtie deeds in greater darkenesse. From which time unto the daies of K. Henry the Eight, there was no Earle of South-hampton that I read of: but he created

[ A] William Fitz-williams descended from the daughter of Marquesse Montacute, both Earle of South-hampton, and also Admirall of England, when he was now well stric∣ken in yeares. Who dying straight after without issue; King Edward the Sixth, in the first yeare of his raigne conferred the said honour upon Thomas Wriotheosley Lord Chancellor, whose grand-child Henrie by his sonne Henrie, enjoyeth the same at this day: and in the prime and flowre of his age hath by good literature and militarie ex∣perience strengthned his honorable parentage, that in riper yeares he might be more serviceable to his Prince and countrey.

[ B]

There be found in this shire Parishes 253. and mercate townes 18.

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.

* 1.260The 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,* 1.261 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,* 1.262 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.* 1.263 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.* 1.264 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:* 1.265 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.

* 1.266As 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.* 1.267 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

  Belgae, from the Belgae in Gaule. Low-coun∣tries. The Nethe•• Lands.
• * 1.2

  Belgae, whenc they were named.
• * 1.3

  Or, weather.
• * 1.4

  Denshire.
• * 1.5

  Dunster Castle.
• * 1.6

  The Familie of the Mo∣huns, or Moi∣ons.
• * 1.7

  Commons.
• * 1.8

  Saint Decu∣manus.
• * 1.9

  Or, Marty∣rologe, that is, a legend of Martyrs.
• * 1.10

  The Familie of the Cur∣cies. Iohn de Curcie.
• * 1.11

  Vzella.
• * 1.12

  Evell.
• * 1.13

  Camale••.
• * 1.14

  Cadburie.
• * 1.15

  Avi••. De novo Mer∣catu.
• * 1.16

  Moeles.
• * 1.17

  *
• * 1.18

  1756. Vinecaunton Pen.
• * 1.19

  Lorty, Baron de Vrtiaco.
• * 1.20

  Ischalis. Ivelcester, commonly, Ilchester.
• * 1.21

  Or, Copper.
• * 1.22

  Mechelney. The River
• * 1.23

  Pedred.
• * 1.24

  Pedderton.
• * 1.25

  Montacute in Domesday booke, Mon∣tagu••.
• * 1.26

  Annales of Glaston.
• * 1.27

  Drogo Iuve∣nis.

  Lords Mon∣tacute.
• * 1.28

  Odcombe.
• * 1.29

  ••riceto. Briewers Ba∣rons.
• * 1.30

  Register of Dunkeswell.
• * 1.31

  Gornays.
• * 1.32

  Newtons.
• * 1.33

  Parret.
• * 1.34

  Faramuse of Bolen. Fienes.
• * 1.35

  Aulre.
• * 1.36

  Wellington.
• * 1.37

  Hides. Lediard.
• * 1.38

  Iohn Pop∣ham.
• * 1.39

  Taunton.
• * 1.40

  Penaltie fo peace-brea∣king, Pacis Infractio.
• * 1.41

  Mallet.
• * 1.42

  Pointzes.
• * 1.43

  Beauchamps Barons.
• * 1.44

  Forts.
• * 1.45

  Vicount Beauchamp.
• * 1.46

  Lovell. Lupellus in Latin. Castle Cary.
• * 1.47

  Lord Saint Maure.
• * 1.48

  Earles of Bridge-water
• * 1.49

  Vzella.
• * 1.50

  Selwood.
• * 1.51

  Bruiton.
• * 1.52

  William Mal∣mesbury, of Glastenburies antiquity.
• * 1.53

  See Romans in Britanie. I•• confirm. Henric. 2.
• * 1.54

  These verses with some little change are found in the fourth booke of Ve∣nantius Fortu∣natus his Po∣ems: in the praise partly of the Church in Paris and partly of Nants.
• * 1.55

  Arthur, the warlike Wo••¦thy.
• * 1.56

  Alexandrum Magnum.
• * 1.57

  The Pyrami∣des of Gla∣stenburie.
• * 1.58

  Episcopus.
• * 1.59

  Edgar the Peaceable.
• * 1.60

  Godney Moore.
• * 1.61

  Mendip-hils.
• * 1.62

  Ochy hole.
• * 1.63

  Strabo.
• * 1.64

  See before among the Coines.
• * 1.65

  Cangi, a peo∣ple of Bri∣taine.
• * 1.66

  Bonvill.
• * 1.67

  1. Edward. 4.
• * 1.68

  Harpetre.
• * 1.69

  Welles.
• * 1.70

  Steph••n urbi∣bus, and Bar∣letius.
• * 1.71

  Manentium. XI.
• * 1.72

  Combes.
• * 1.73

  Kirton.
• * 1.74

  905.
• * 1.75

  Historie of Bathe.
• * 1.76

  See in the Decretals. Ne sede vacante aliquid inno∣vetur.
• * 1.77

  1193.
• * 1.78

  Fareley. Philips Nor∣ton.
• * 1.79

  Selwood.
• * 1.80

  Monney de la Mare.
• * 1.81

  Bathe. Aqua So••i••.
• * 1.82

  Hot Waters.
• * 1.83

  The Temple of Minerva.
• * 1.84

  Caer Palladur.
• * 1.85

  Britans ad∣dicted to Magicke.
• * 1.86

  Earles of Bathe.
• * 1.87

  Inquisit. 31. Henrie 8.
• * 1.88

  Adjutric
• * 1.89

  Piae.
• * 1.90

  Foelicis.
• * 1.91

  Hic situs
• * 1.92

  Cobortis E∣quitum.
• * 1.93

  Decurioni.
• * 1.94

  Glevi, that is, Of Glocester.
• * 1.95

  Dii•• Manibus that is, To the dead ghost.
• * 1.96

  M••••j••s, that is, Moneths.
• * 1.97

  D. Dies, that is, Daies.
• * 1.98

  Filia Chariss••∣maefecerunt.
• * 1.99

  Percepier.
• * 1.100

  Bristow.
• * 1.101

  Barons de Barkley.
• * 1.102

  Earles, and Dukes of So∣merset.
• * 1.103

  Patents. Anno primo Henric. tertii.
• * 1.104

  De malo lacu.
• * 1.105

  De Comitatu
• * 1.106

  Earle Apost¦licall.
• * 1.107

  See Earles o Dorset.
• * 1.108

  The river Isi•• or Ouze.
• * 1.109

  Wansdike.
• * 1.110

  Dikes of the Marches.
• * 1.111

  Lediard. Saint Iohn
• * 1.112

  Wood-toun, or, Wotton Basset.
• * 1.113

  Breden For∣rest.
• * 1.114

  Prince of the bloud.
• * 1.115

  Malmesbury.
• * 1.116

  Ingleborne.
• * 1.117

  Maidulph the Scot.
• * 1.118

  Aldeme.
• * 1.119

  William Malmesbury.
• * 1.120

  Conucell at Aix.
• * 1.121

  Dantesey.
• * 1.122

  Baron Dan∣vers.
• * 1.123

  Calne.
• * 1.124

  A Synode as touching the single life of Priests.
• * 1.125

  Chippinham.
• * 1.126

  Cyppan, what it is.
• * 1.127

  Cosham.
• * 1.128

  Castlecombe.
• * 1.129

  Dunstavile.
• * 1.130

  Pernell.
• * 1.131

  Leckham.
• * 1.132

  Lacocke.
• * 1.133

  Saint Amand Barons. The Vies. Devizes.
• * 1.134

  Edindon.
• * 1.135

  Bon-hom∣mes.
• * 1.136

  Trubridge.
• * 1.137

  Bradford. Anno 652.
• * 1.138

  Long-Leat.
• * 1.139

  Maiden Brad∣ley.
• * 1.140

  Dever-rill.
• * 1.141

  Verlucio.
• * 1.142

  Werminster.
• * 1.143

  Sarisburie Plaines.
• * 1.144

  Lord Hun∣gerford of Heitesburie.
• * 1.145

  Yanesburie.
• * 1.146

  Wardour Castle.
• * 1.147

  Baron Arun∣dell.
• * 1.148

  Aquatic••m.
• * 1.149

  1595.
• * 1.150

  Count Impe∣riall.
• * 1.151

  L. Hach.
• * 1.152

  Hindon.
• * 1.153

  Wilton.
• * 1.154

  Ellandunum.
• * 1.155

  Alan the river.
• * 1.156

  Sorbiodunum.
• * 1.157

  What Dunum signifieth among the Britaines and Gaules.
• * 1.158

  Or, for money weigh∣ed out and told.
• * 1.159

  Of Bloys. New Saris∣burie.
• * 1.160

  29. Edw. 3. Tearm. Hillarii. Combat for the Castle of Sarum or Shirburn, as some will have it.
• * 1.161

  Earles of Sa∣lisburie. Historie of Lacock Ab∣bey.
• * 1.162

  Walsingham pag. 74.
• * 1.163

  Pat. 2. Henr. 6. 1461.
• * 1.164

  This name himselfe poe∣tically devised.
• * 1.165

  Constitutions of Clarinders.
• * 1.166

  An ancient booke.
• * 1.167

  Stone-henge.
• * 1.168

  Made Stones.
• * 1.169

  Puzzote.
• * 1.170

  Magician. Mathematic••.
• * 1.171

  Scythia.
• * 1.172

  Palamedi•• aves.
• * 1.173

  Ambresbury.
• * 1.174

  Ambrosius Aurelianus.
• * 1.175

  The Empe∣rours before.
• * 1.176

  Leporarium.
• * 1.177

  Wolshal.
• * 1.178

  Estermie or Sturmy.
• * 1.179

  Savernac Forrest.
• * 1.180

  Kenet River.
• * 1.181

  Barrowes and Burrows. Tombes.
• * 1.182

  In his Geo∣meotrie.
• * 1.183

  198.
• * 1.184

  Aibury.
• * 1.185

  Rockley.
• * 1.186

  Famis rivu∣lus.
• * 1.187

  Kenet. Cunetio, a towne. Marleborow.
• * 1.188

  Kenet.
• * 1.189

  Or nick-r••••med, Iohn Lack-land.
• * 1.190

  The blacke Prince as they say.
• * 1.191

  Ramesburie.
• * 1.192

  William Malmesburie, of Bishops.
• * 1.193

  Littlecot.
• * 1.194

  Pro summario. Haply a Sumpter horse. Ore, what it is.
• * 1.195

  Earles of Wil∣shire.
• * 1.196

  Queene Eli∣zabeth.
• * 1.197

  See Basing in Hant-shire.
• * 1.198

  Cerdici vadum Cerdicks ford.
• * 1.199

  5091.
• * 1.200

  Natanleod or Nazaleod.
• * 1.201

  Whether Natanleod and Aurelius Ambrose be the same.
• * 1.202

  Christ-church
• * 1.203

  New forres
• * 1.204

  Elogium.
• * 1.205

  Sanctuaries. Exod. 21. Iosephus, An∣tiquita. u•• lib. 4.
• * 1.206

  Hurst Castle.
• * 1.207

  South-Anton.
• * 1.208

  Tibury, some say for Titus∣bury.
• * 1.209

  Wallop.
• * 1.210

  Brige.
• * 1.211

  Rumsey.
• * 1.212

  Redbridge.
• * 1.213

  Regesti.
• * 1.214

  Cynacium▪
• * 1.215

  British dogs▪
• * 1.216

  A Gase∣hound.
• * 1.217

  Agasaeus, a British houn••
• * 1.218

  See before in the Empe∣rours.
• * 1.219

  The round Table. Torneaments.
• * 1.220

  Dei p••osophist, lib. 4.
• * 1.221

  Bishops of Winchester.
• * 1.222

  William Malmesburie.
• * 1.223

  Hide Abbey.
• * 1.224

  Wickham Colledge.
• * 1.225

  William Wickham.
• * 1.226

  Saint Mary Abbey.
• * 1.227

  Matildis Mawde wife to King Henry the first.
• * 1.228

  Earles of Winchester.
• * 1.229

  Pr. p. Pat. Anno 12. E. 4.
• * 1.230

  Hamble. Solente frith.
• * 1.231

  Roche.
• * 1.232

  Portsey.
• * 1.233

  Portus Mag∣nus.
• * 1.234

  Portesmouth.
• * 1.235

  Roch.
• * 1.236

  British salt.
• * 1.237

  Hexameron. lib. 5. cap. 11.
• * 1.238

  Meanvari Bede lib. 4. cap. 13.
• * 1.239

  Warnford. Adae hic Portu benedicat Solis ab Ortu Gens Deo dicata, per quem sic sum renovata.
• * 1.240

  Let Church∣men and reli∣gious folke, from time that Sun doth rise, Blesse Adam Port, by whom I am rebuil∣ded in this wise.
• * 1.241

  Segontiaci. Basingstoke.
• * 1.242

  Basing Saint Iohn.
• * 1.243

  Out of an old Missall of the Family of Powlet.
• * 1.244

  Vines in Bri∣taine. Vopiscus.
• * 1.245

  Barons Sands.
• * 1.246

  Odiam.
• * 1.247

  Matthew Paris.
• * 1.248

  Vindonum.
• * 1.249

  Silcester.
• * 1.250

  Sepulchres of honour.
• * 1.251

  Constantine Emperour, chosen in hope of his name.
• * 1.252

  Bononia.
• * 1.253

  Heire appa∣rant. Iulianus Nobi∣lissimus.
• * 1.254

  Sel, what it is.
• * 1.255

  Armes of the Blewets, Bai∣nards, and Cusantes.
• * 1.256

  Kings-cleare.
• * 1.257

  Sidmanton.
• * 1.258

  Specula.
• * 1.259

  Beacon.
• * 1.260

  Newport.
• * 1.261

  The Inhabi∣tants.
• * 1.262

  In Vespati cap. 4.
• * 1.263

  Anno D. 5
• * 1.264

  Bede lib. 4. cap. 13.
• * 1.265

  Bede lib. 4. cap. 16.
• * 1.266

  Lords of the Isle of Wight.
• * 1.267

  Christ-Church.