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]

SVTH-REY.

SVRRIA, which Bede nameth Suthriona, commonly called Suthrey, and Surrey, and by the Saxons, of bordering South (upon the river, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, for 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, with them betokeneth the South, and 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 a river or floud) from the West, boundeth partly upon Barkshire and Hantshire, from the South upon Sus∣sex: [ B] and from the East on Kent: toward the North it is wate∣red with the River Tamis, and by it divided from Middlesex. A country it is not very large, yet wealthy enough, where it beareth upon Tamis, and lieth as a plaine and champion country: it yieldeth corne meetely wel, and forrage abundantly, especially towards the South, where a continu∣all valley falling lowe by little and little, called in times past Holmesdale of the woods therein, runneth downe very pleasant to behold, by reason of the delectable variety of groves, fields, and medowes. On each side there be prety hills rising up a great way along in the country, parkes every where replenished with Deere, rivers also full of fish: whereby it affordeth for pleasure faire game of hunting, and as delightsome [ C] fishing. Likened it is by some unto a course freeze garment with a green guard, or to a cloath of a great spinning and thin woven, with a greene list about it, for that the inner part is but baraine, the outward edge or skirt more fertill. In my perambulation through this shire, I will follow the Tamis and the rivers running into it as guides of my journey: so shall I be sure to omit no memorable thing, seeing that the places which are of greater marke and antiquitie doe all a-butte upon these rivers.

* 1.1The Tamis (that we may follow his course with the streame, as it runneth downe) so soone as hee hath taken his leave of Barkshire passeth hard by Chertsey, which Beda calleth the Isle of Cerotus. Now scarce halfe an Island, unlesse it bee by winter waters: wherein, as in a place severed from all intercourse and commerce with men, Frithwald, as he calleth himselfe in the charter of the foundation, a petty Prince [ D] or Regent of the Province of Surrey, under Woilpher King of the Mercians, and Erken∣wald Bishop of London in the first rising of the English primitive Church, founded a little monasterie,* 1.2 wherein for a time that most devout King Henry the sixt lay inter∣red, whom,* 1.3 being deposed from his Regal dignitie, the house of Yorke to establish their kingdome securely, deprived also of his life, and here without any honour, buri∣ed him. But King Henry the Seventh afterwards having translated his body to Windsor, and bestowed it in a new tombe, solemnized his funeralls after a princely manner, and so much admired his Godly and holy vertues (for, hee was the lively patterne of Christian piety and patience) that he dealt with Pope Iulius, to have him made a Saint. But the reason why this tooke no effect was the Popes covetousnesse, [ E] who demanded too great a summe of money for a Kings Canonization, as they terme it,* 1.4 so that hee might seeme ready to grant those kind of honours not for the Princes holinesse sake, but for gold. A little beneath this, the river Wey run∣neth into Tamis, which flowing forth out of Hantshire, so soone as it is come into Suthrey visiteth Feornham,* 1.5 commonly termed Farnham, so named of much ferne growing in that place: which Ethelbald King of the West Saxons to use his owne words Gave unto the Bishop and * 1.6 Congregation of Winchester Church. Here, about the yeare of our Lord 893. King Elfred with a small power put to flight the Danes as they spoiled and harried the country: and afterwards when King Stephen, had granted leave to as many as sided with him to build Castles, Henry of Bloys [ F] brother to King Stephen erected a spacious Castle upon an hill that overtop∣ped the towne: which being a place of refuge for rebellious and seditious persons, King Henry the Third cast it downe: howbeit the Bishops of Winchester, un∣to whom it belonged built it up againe. And not farre from hence, at Waverley,

[illustration]

SVRREY Olim Sedes REGNORVAL

[illustration]

[ A] William Giffard Bishop of Winchester founded an Abbey for Monkes of the Cister∣cian order commonly called,* 1.7 White Monkes.* 1.8 Which Abbey being a grand child as they termed it from Cisterce in Burgundy, was so fruitfull here in England that it was mother to the Abbeies of Gerondon, Ford, Tame, Cumb, and grandmother to Bordesley, Bidlesden, Bruer, Bindon, and Dunkeswell. For so religious orders were wont to keepe in pedegree manner the propagation of their Orders, as a deduction of Co∣lonies out of them. From thence, Wey holding on his course by Godelming, which King Elfred bequeathed unto Ethelwald his brothers sonne,* 1.9 not farre from the Manour of Cateshull, which Hamon of Gatton held to bee the Mareshall of har∣lots [ B] when the King came into those parts:* 1.10 not farre from Loseley, where wee saw a large faire house belonging to the family of the Mores, knights, within a parke; it commeth to Guilford, in the Saxon tongue 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, and in some copies, writ∣ten Gegldford. A mercate towne it is now well frequented, and full of faire Innes, but in old time it was a royall mansion of the English Saxon Kings, which also that noble Ethelwald held as a legacie from his Uncle by the fathers side. The King hath now thereby a decaying house, and not farre from the river are to be seene the bro∣ken walles of an old large Castle. But in the midst of the towne there is a Church, the west end whereof made of arched worke, and embowed over head seemeth to bee very ancient.* 1.11 Heere, as it is to bee seene in William the first his booke, the King had [ C] seventy five Hages, that is, houses, wherein remained one hundred seventy and five men. But for nothing it is so famous, as for the treacherie, and crueltie of Goodwin Earle of Kent, who in the yeare of Christ 1036. When Elfrid King Etheldreds son, and heire apparent to the Crowne of England came out of Normandie to claime his right, entertained him with faithfull promise of safety, but forthwith hardly en∣treated him contrary to his word:* 1.12 For, sodainly in the dead of the night, hee surpri∣sed and put to death in this place sixe hundred Normans, who had accompanied the young Prince, by tithing them, as our Writers report. Neither slew hee every tenth man of them drawne by lot according to the old militarie custome, but even as hee had killed nine, he let the tenth man goe by: and even these tenth men thus reserved [ D] hee went over againe, and most cruelly retithed them. As for Elfred himselfe hee delivered him into the hands of Harold the Dane, who after hee had pulled both eies out of his head, over-layed him with irons, and kept him in close prison, even unto his dying day.

Wey beeing passed from hence with a long course Northward,* 1.13 sheweth nothing memorable besides Sutton, the residence of the Westons an ancient family of Knights degree bettered by an heire of T. Camel, Oking, where King Henry the seventh repaired and enlarged the Manour house beeing the inheritance of the La∣dy Margaret Countesse of Richmont his mother, who lived there in her later time, Newark sometime a small Priory invironed with divided streames: Pyriford, where [ E] in our remembrance Edward Earle of Lincolne Lord Clinton, and Admirall of Eng∣land built him an house; and Ockham hard by, where that great Philosopher and fa∣ther of the Nominals William de Ockham was borne and whereof hee tooke that name:* 1.14 as of the next village Ripley, G. de Ripley a ring leader of our Alchimists, and a mysticall impostor. But where this Wey is discharged into Tamis at a double mouth,* 1.15 Otelands a proper house of the Kings offereth it selfe to bee seene within a parke: neere unto which, Caesar passed over Tamis into the borders of Cassivelan∣nus. For,* 1.16 this was the onely place where a man might in times past goe over the Tamis on foote and that hardly too, which the Britaines themselves improvident∣ly bewraied unto Caesar. For, on the other side of the river, there was a great power [ F] of the Britaines well appointed and in readinesse: and the very banke it selfe was fenced with sharpe stakes fastned affront against the enemie, and others of the same sort pitched downe in the channell, stucke covered with the river. The tokens where∣of, saith Beda, Are seene this day, and it seemeth to the beholders that every one of them carrying the thicknesse of a mans thigh and covered over with lead, stucke unmoveable, as being driven hard into the bottome of the river. But the Romans entred the

river with such force, when the water reached up to their verie chinnes, that the [ A] Britaines could not abide their violence, but left the banke and betooke themselves to flight. In this thing, I cannot bee deceived, considering that the river heere is scarce sixe foote deepe,* 1.17 the place at this day of those stakes is called Coway-stakes, and Caesar maketh the borders of Cassivelanus where hee setteth downe his passage over the river to be about fourescore Italian miles from the sea which beateth upon the East-coast of Kent, where he landed: and at the very same distance is this passage of ours.

* 1.18Within some few miles from thence the river Mole, having from the South side passed through the whole country, hasteneth to joyne with the Tamis; but at length [ B] beeing letted by overthwart hils, maketh himselfe a way under the ground in man∣ner of mouldwarpe, like unto that famous river Anas in Spaine: whereof it may seeme it tooke name,* 1.19 seeing that creature living within the ground, is called also in Eng∣lish a Mole. But upon this river, there is not any thing of note, save onely a good way off from the spring and head of it, and neere unto an old port way of the Romans making which men call Stanystreet) there stands the towne Aclea, commonly Ockley:* 1.20 so-named of Okes where Ethelwolph the sonne of Egbert, who having beene professeed in the holy Orders and released by the Popes authority, when hee had possession of his fathers kingdome by right of inheritance, joyned battaile with the Danes, fought with good successe, and slew all the valiantest [ C] men amongst them: Yet did hee little, or no good to his native country, the Danes evermore renewing their forces still as they were overthrowne, like unto that serpent Hydra. A little from the fountaines where this river springeth, standeth Gatton which now is scarce a small village,* 1.21 though in times past it hath beene a famous towne. To prove the antiquitie thereof, it sheweth Roman coines dig∣ged forth of the ground, and sendeth unto the Parliament two Burgesses. Lower than it,* 1.22 is seated Rhie-gat, (which if a man interpret according to our ancient lan∣guage, is as much as the Rivers course), in a vale running out farre into the East, called Holmesdale;* 1.23 the Inhabitants whereof, for that once or twice they vanqui∣shed the Danes as they wasted the country, are wont in their owne praise to chaunt this Rythme. [ D]

The vale of Holmesdall, Never wonne, ne never shall.

This Rhie-gate carrying a greater shew for largenesse than faire buildings, hath on the South-side a Parke thicke sette with faire groves, wherein the right Noble Charles, Earle of Nottingham, Baron of Effingham, and Lord Admirall of England, hath a house; where the Earles of Warren and Southrey had founded a prety Mona∣sterie. On the East side, standeth a Castle mounted aloft, now forlorne and for age ready to fall; built by the same Earles and of the vale wherein it standeth, commonly called Holmecastle:* 1.24 under which I saw a wonderfull vault carried under the ground of arch-worke over head, hollowed with great labour out of a soft gritte [ E] and crombling stone, such as the whole hill standeth of. These Earles of War∣ren, as wee finde in the Offices or inquisitions held it in chiefe of the King * 1.25 in their Baronie, * 1.26 from the conquest of England. Hence runneth this river downe by Bech∣worth Castle, for which Sir Thomas Browne obtained of King Henry the Sixth the libertie of holding a Faire. For it is the habitation of the Brownes, Knights: out of which family since our grand-father can remember, when Sir Anthony Browne had married Lady Lucie the fourth daughter of Iohn Nevil Marquesse Mont-a-cute, Queene Mary honoured his sonnes sonne with the title of Vicount Mont-a-cute. Some few miles from hence Westward Effingham sheweth it selfe,* 1.27 the posses∣sion not long since of William Howard (son to that Noble Thomas Duke of Norfolke [ F] that triumphed over the Scots) who being created by Queene Mary Baron Howard of Effingham, & made Lord High-Admirall of England, was first Lord Chamberlain unto Queene Elizabeth of most happy memorie, and then Lord privie Seale: whose sonne Charles now flourisheth, Lord great Admirall of England, whom in the yeare of

[ A] our Lord 1597. the same Queene Elizabeth honoured also with the title of Earle of Nottingham, of whom more in my Annales, but now returne we to the river.

The Mole now being come as farre as Whitehill, whereon the Box tree groweth in great plenty,* 1.28 at the foote thereof hideth himselfe, or rather is swallowed up, and thereof the place is called the Swallow: but after a mile or two neere unto Letherhed bridge boyling up and breaking forth, taketh joy to spring out againe. So that the Inhabitants of this tract may boast as well as the Spaniards,* 1.29 that they have a bridge which feedeth many flockes of sheepe: For, this is a common by-word, most rife in the Spaniards mouthes, as touching the place where their river Anas, now called [ B] Guadiana, hideth himselfe for ten miles together. Thus our Mole rising up a fresh hasteneth faire and softly by Stoke Dabernoun so named of the ancient possessors the Dabernouns gentlemen of great good note, afterward by inheritance from them the possession of the Lord Bray;* 1.30 and by Aesher sometimes a retyring place belonging to the Bishops of Winchester. And then very neare Molesey whereunto it giveth name, sheddeth himselfe into the Tamis.

After Tamis hath taken unto him the Mole, hee carrieth his streame Northwardly and runneth fast by Kingstone, called in times past Moreford, as some will have it; a ve∣ry good mercate towne for the bignesse, and well frequented; well knowne also in old time by reason of a Castle there belonging to the Clares Earles of Glocester. [ C] Which towne had beginning from a little towne more ancient then it of the same name, standing upon a flat ground and subject to the inundation of Tamis. In which when England was almost ruinated by the Danish warres, Athelstan, Edwin, and Ethel∣dred were crowned Kings upon an open stage in the Market place, and of these Kings heere crowned, it came to be named Kingstone, as one would say, The Kings Towne. Tamis now turning his course directly Northward, visiteth another place: which the Kings chose for themselves sometimes to sojourne at, which of the shining brightnesse they call Shene:* 1.31 but now it is named Richmond, wherein, the most mighty Prince, King Edward the Third when he had lived sufficiently both to glory and nature, di∣ed; with sorrow that hee conceived for the death of that most valiant and Martiall [ D] prince his sonne, which sorrow pierced so deepe, and stucke so neere him and all England beside, that it farre exceeded all comfort. And verily at this time if ever else, England had a good cause to grieve: For, within one yeare after, it lost the true praise of military prowesse and of accomplished vertue:* 1.32 For, both of them by bea∣ring their victorious armes throughout all France, struke so great a terrour where∣soever they came, that as the father might most worthily with King Antiochus car∣rie the name of Thunder-bolt, so his sonne with Pyrrhus deserved to bee named the Eagle. Heere also departed Anne wife to King Richard the Second, sister of the Em∣perour Wenzelaus, and daughter to the Emperour Charles the fourth, who first taught English women the manner of sitting on horsebacke which now is used: whereas be∣fore [ E] time, they rode very unseemely astride, like as men doe. Whose death also her passionate husband tooke so to the heart, that he altogether neglected the said house, and could not abide it.

Howbeit King Henry the Fifth readorned it with new buildings, and in Shene a pretty village hard by, he joyned thereto a little religious house of Carthusian Monks, which he called, The house of Iesu of Bethelem. But in the raigne of Henry the seventh, this Princely place was with a woefull sudden fire consumed almost to ashes; How∣beit rising up againe forthwith farre more beautifull and glorious as it were a Phae∣nix out of her owne ashes, by the meanes of the same King Henry: it tooke this new name Richmond, of the title hee bare, being Earle of Richmond, before he obtained the [ F] Crowne of England. Scarce had that Noble King Henry the Seventh finished this new worke, when in this place he yeilded unto nature, and ended his life; through whose care, vigilancy, policy, and forecasting wisedome for time to come, the State and common-weale of England hath to this day stood established and invincible. From hence likewise his sonnes daughter Queene Elizabeth a most gracious Ladie ninetie and foure yeares after, having lived fully to the contentment of nature, (For,

70. yeare old she was or much thereabout) when it pleased God to call her out of [ A] this world, was received into the sacred and coelestiall society. A Prince above her ••ex of manly courage,* 1.33 and high conceit, who lively resembled as well the royall qualities of her Grandfather, as she did his princely presence and countenance, the Worlds love, and joy of Britaine. And so farre was she, a woman though shee were, from degenerating and growing unlike her noble Progenitors in that continued course of their vertues, that if she surmounted them not, surely she equalled them to the full. Well, posteritie may one day hereafter be so thankefull as to yield heereto a gracious credit (neither doe I heere by way of flatterie set a false colour and glosse upon the truth) that a Virgin for the space of fortie foure yeares, so ruled the royall [ B] Scepter, as that her subjects loved her, enemies feared her, and every one with ad∣miration honored her, a thing in all foregoing ages of rare example. For, whose death England throughout, running all to teares, amid mones, and grones should have lien forlorne in most piteous case comfortlesse, had not presently upon her de∣parture out of this world, the most mild and gracious King Iames (on whom as the true and undoubted heire to her Crowne all mens minds were set, and eies fixed) with his sacred and bright beames shone unto us, and thereby put us into most comfortable hope of endlesse joy. Whom so long as we behold heere, wee beleeve not that shee is deceased. And why should we once say that she is deceased? whose vertues live still immortall, and the memoriall of whose name consecrated in mens hearts, and in [ C] eternitie of times, shall survive for ever.

* 1.34Thus farre swelleth the Tamis with the accesse of the flowing tide of the sea, a∣bout lx. Italian miles by water from his mouth. Neither to my knowledge is there any other river in all Europe, that for so many miles within land feeleth the violence of the Ocean forcing and rushing in upon it, and so driving backe and with-holding his waters, to the exceeding great commodity of the inhabitants bordering there∣upon.* 1.35 Whither this commeth by reason that from hence he hath in manner no croo∣ked turnings and winding reaches, but with a more streight and direct channell carri∣eth his currant into the East, as being for the most part restrained, and kept in with higher bankes, and dilating himselfe with a wider mouth than all other rivers, lyeth more exposed and open to the Ocean, which by that most swift whirling about of [ D] the coelestiall Spheres from East to West is forceably driven and carried that way (as sometimes I have beene of opinion) let Philosophers discusse, unto whom I wil∣lingly leave these matters and such like to handle. Yet some few verses as touching these places and this argument, have heere out of the Marriage betweene Tame and Isis, if haply they may content your taste:

A dextra, nobis Richmondia, Shena vetustis Celsa nitet, sapiens namque hanc Richmondia dici Henricus voluit, sibi quod retulisset honorem Et titulos Comitis Richmondia jure paterno: Hectoris Edwardi sed deflet funera nostri; [ E] Proh dolor! hîc illi regimens libera cessit Corpore contempto, sedes aditura supernas. Quem si non subito rapuissent ferrea fata, Aut te Valesiis rapuisset Gallia victor, Aut tibi Valesios. Then on the right hand Richmond stands, a faire and stately thing, So cal'd of us, (but Shene of old) which name that prudent King * 1.36 Henry it gave, because to him it brought in fathers right The Honor and the Stile, whereby, he Earle of Richmond hight. But it of* 1.37 Edward King (halas) our Hector, wailes the death, [ F] Whose soule here freed from body which it scorn'd, with vitall breath, Departed hence right willingly, in heaven to live for ay: Whom had not cruell-sudden death untimely fetcht away,

[ A] He would by sword have thee bereft, O France, of Valois line, Or them of thee.

And after a few verses set betweene,

Tamisis alternum sentit reditumque, fugamque Huc reflui pelagi, quoties vaga Cynthia pronos Octavâ librat coeli statione jugales. Aut tenet oppositam varianti lumine plagam, [ B] Plenior increscit celeremque recurrit in aestum: Atque superbus ait, concedant flumina nobis, Nulla per Europae dotatas nomine terras Flumina, tam longè sic certis legibus undas Alternas renovant, nisi fratres Scaldis, & Albis.

Tamis heere by turnes alternative doth feele both ebbe, and flow Of Sea, by course of wandring Moone that rules tide heere below. As oft as she with each eight point of heaven above doth meete, Or holds the points full opposit, as lights doe change and fleete. [ C] He growes more full, and sooner hath recourse to flowing tide: And then in pride of heart he saith. All rivers else beside Vaile unto me. No streame so farre through Europe keepes againe His tide so just, unlesse the Scheld, and Elb my brethren twaine.

About foure miles from the Tamis within the Country,* 1.38 Nonesuch a retiring place of the Princes putteth downe, and surpasseth all other houses round about: which, the most magnificent Prince King Henry the Eighth, in a very healthfull place called Cuddington before, selected for his owne delight and ease, and built with so great sumptuousnesse and rare workemanship, that it aspireth to the very top of ostentation for shew; so as a man may thinke, that all the skill of Architecture [ D] is in this one piece of worke bestowed, and heaped up together. So many statues, and lively images there are in every place, so many wonders of absolute workeman∣ship, and workes seeming to contend with Romane antiquities, that most worthily it may have, and maintaine still this name that it hath of [Nonesuch] according as Le∣land hath written of it:

Hanc quia non habeant similem laudare Britanni Saepè solent, Nulli{que} parem, cognomine dicunt. The Britans oft are wont to praise this place, For that through all The Realme they cannot shew the like, and Nonesuch they it call.

As for the very house selfe, so invironed it is about with Parkes full of Deere, [ E] such daintie gardens and delicate orchards it hath, such groves adorned with curi∣ous Arbors, so pretty quarters, beds, and Alleys, such walkes so shadowed with trees, that Amenitie or Pleasantnesse it selfe may seeme to have chosen no other place but it: where she might dwell together with healthfulnesse. Yet Queene Mary made it over to Henry Fitz-Alan Earle of Arundell for other Lands: and he, when he had enlarged it with a Librarie passing well furnished, and other new buildings, passed over all his right when he died to the L. Lumley, who for his part spared no cost, that it might be truely answerable to the name: and from him now is it returned againe by compositions and conveiances to the Crowne. Neere hereunto (and worth the noting it is) there is a vaine of potters earth highly commended, and therefore the [ F] dearer sold, for the making of those crucibles and small vessels which Gold-smiths use in melting their gold.

Nor farre from hence the cleare rivelet Wandle in Latin * 1.39 Vandalis, so full of the best Trouts, issueth forth from his head neare Cashalton and Wodcot where by a tuft of trees upon an hill-top there are to bee seene manifest signes of a pretty towne, and diverse wels built of flint stones: Concerning the populousnesse and wealth whereof

the neighbour Inhabitants report very much: This in my conceit was that Citie [ A] which Ptolomee called NOIOMAGVS, and the Emperour Antonine NOVIOMA∣GVS.* 1.40 Neither neede wee to seeke from else where proofe heereof, but from the cor∣respondencie of distance. For as the old Itinerary noteth, it is ten miles from Lon∣don, and twenty eight from Vagmiacj now Maidston. Many a mile therefore went they out of the way that placed Noviomagus either at Buckingham, or at Guildford. This was a principall Citie of the REGNI not knowne to Marinus Tyrius a most ancient Geographer, whom Ptolomee taking upon him to censure, taxeth for that he had set NOVIOMAGVS of Britaine by Climate more North, and by account of miles more South than London. [ B]

* 1.41Wandle while it is yet small receiveth his first increase by a rill springing at Croi∣don, in times past called Cradiden: which standeth under the hils is very well known, as well for the house of the Archbishops of Canterbury, unto whom it hath belong∣ed now this long time; as for Char-coles which the townesmen make good chaffer of: The inhabitants report, that in old time there stood an house of the Kings in the West part of the towne neere unto Haling, where the husbandmen dig up other∣whiles rubble stone, which house the Archbishops having received it by gift from the King, translated unto their owne neerer the river. And neere unto this, the right reverend father in God D. Iohn Whitgift Archbishop of Canterbury of most praise worthy Memory in his pious affection founded and endowed with living a very faire [ C] Hospitall for the reliefe of poore people, and a schoole for the furtherance of lear∣ning. As for that sudden swelling water or Bourne which the common people re∣port, to breake forth heere out of the ground, presaging, I wote not how, either dearth of corne, or the pestilence, may seeme not worthy once the naming, and yet the events sometime ensuing hath procured it credit. Neere unto this place stands Beddington,* 1.42 wherein is to be seene a very faire house beautified with a delightfull shew of right pleasant gardens and orchards, by Sir Francis Carew Knight: For, the anci∣ent seat it is of the Carews, who being descended from the Carews of Moulesford (of whom also are come the Carews of Devonshire) have for a long time flourished in this country: but especially since Sir Iames Carew matched in marriage with the daughter and one of the coheires of the Baron Hoo and Hastings.* 1.43 To digresse a little [ D] from the river,* 1.44 Eastward from Croidon standeth Addington now the habitation of Sir Oliff Leigh wherby is to be seene the ruble of a Castle, of Sir Robert Agvilon, and from him of the Lords Bardolph, who held certaine lands here in fee by Serianty to find in the Kings kitchin at the Coronation one to make a dainty dish which they called Mapigernoun, and Dilgerunt. What that was I leave to the skilfull in anci∣ent Cookerie, and returne to the river. Wandle increased with Croidon water passing by Morden, divideth it selfe to water Merton, in the old English tongue 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, situate in a most fruitfull soile.* 1.45 A towne made famous in times past by the death of Kinulph King of the West Saxons who was by a Clito, that is, a Prince of the bloud, slaine here in a small cottage of an harlot upon whom hee was enamoured, and Clito [ E] himself by K. Kinulphs followers immediately stabbed,* 1.46 suffered condigne punishment for his disloyall treachery. Now it sheweth onely the ruines of a Monastery, that K. Henry the First founded for blacke Chanons by the procurement of Gilbert High Sheriffe of Surry in the yeare 1127. which was famous for the Statute of Merton en∣acted here in the 21. of King Henrie the Third, and also for Water de Merton foun∣der of Merton Colledge in Oxford borne and bred heere. Above Merton farther from the river is seated Wibandune,* 1.47 now commonly Wimbledon: where, when over much prosperitie had hatched civill broiles among the English Saxons; after the Bri∣tish warres were now ceased; Ethelbert King of Kent struck up the first Alarme of ci∣vill warre against his owne country men: but Ceaulin King of the West Saxons dis∣comfited [ F] him in this place with a mightie great slaughter and losse of his men having slaine his principall leaders Oslan and Kneben, of whom peradventure that entrenched rampier or fort which wee have heere seene of a round forme, is called Bensbury for

[ A] But now, the greatest ornament of this place is that goodly house so beautifull for building, and so delectable for faire prospect and right pleasant gardens, which Sir Thomas Cecill Knight, sonne to that most prudent Counsellour of State Lord Bur∣leygh, built in the yeare 1588. when the Spanish Armado made saile upon the coast of England.

Wandle now after a few miles entreth the Tamis,* 1.48 when it hath given name to Wandlesworth, betweene Putney the native soile of Thomas Cromwell one of the flowting-stocks of fortune, and Batersey, sometimes in the Saxon tongue called 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, and in latine Patricii Insula, that is, Patrickes Isle: and, which now we seeke, [ B] an house of the Kings termed Kennington,* 1.49 whereunto the Kings of England in old time were wont to retire themselves, but now finde wee neither the name nor the rammell thereof.* 1.50 Then, is there Lambith or Lomehith, that is to say, a Lomy or clayish rode, or hith, famous in former times for the death of * 1.51 Canutus the Hardie, King of England, who there amid his cups yielded up his vitall breath. For hee, beeing given wholly to banqueting and feasting, caused royall dinners foure times every day, (as Henry of Huntingdon, reporteth) to be served up for all his court, choosing rather to have his invited guests, to send away whole dishes untouched, than other commers unbidden to call for more viands to be upon his table. But now this place is of the greater name and more frequented by reason of the Archbi∣shop [ C] of Canterburie his palace. For, Baldwine Archbishop of Canterbury about the yeare of Christ 1183. having made an exchange with the Bishop of Ro∣chester, purchased a manour in this place wherein hee began to build a palace for himselfe and his successours: which they by little and little encreased. But when they went about to erect a collegiat Church heere also, good GOD, what posting was there to Rome with complaints and appeales, from the Monkes of Canterburie, how many fiery thunderbolts, menaces and censures were sent out from the Bishop of Rome against these Archbishops? For these Monkes were in bodily feare, least this would bee their utter undoing, and a prejudice unto them in the Elections of the [ D] Archbishops. Neither were these blustering stormes allaied, untill the said Church newly begunne was laid levell with the ground. Adjoyning hard to this, is the most famous mercate towne and place of trade, in all this shire which at this day they call,* 1.52 The Burrough of Southwarke, in Saxon speech 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, which is the South∣worke or building; because it standeth South over against London, the Suburbs whereof it may seeme in some sort to bee▪ but so large it is and populous, that it gives place to few Cities of England, having beene as it were a corporation by it selfe, it had in our fathers daies Bayliffes, but in the reigne of King Edward the Sixth it was annexed to the Citie of London, and is at this day taken for a member as it were of it: and therefore, when wee are come to London, wee will speake more at [ E] large thereof.

Beneath this Burrough,* 1.53 the Tamis forsaketh Surry, the East bound whereof pas∣seth in a manner directly downe from hence Southward, neere unto Lagham, which had their Parliamentarie Barons called Saint Iohn de Lagham, in the reigne of Ed∣ward the First, whose Inheritance came at length by an heire generall to Iohn Leddi∣ard: and some-what lower in the very angle well neere, where it bendeth to South∣sex and Kent, stands Streborow Castle, the seate in ancient time of Lord Cob∣ham, who of it were called,* 1.54 of Sterborow: where the issue proceeding from the bodies of Iohn Cobham, Lord of Cobham and Cowling, and the daugh∣ter of Hugh Nevil, flourished a long time in glory and dignitie. For, Reginald Cob∣ham in King Edward the thirds daies being created Knight of the Garter, was Admi∣rall [ F] of the sea-coasts,* 1.55 from Tamis mouth West-ward. But Thomas the last male of that line wedded the Lady Anne, daughter to Humfrey the Duke of Buckingham, of whom he begat one onely daughter named Anne, married unto Edward Burgh, who derived his pedigree from the Percies, and Earles of Athole: whose sonne Tho∣mas made by King Henry the Eighth Baron Burgh, left a sonne behind him named William. And his sonne Thomas a great favourer of learning, and Lord Governour of

Briell, Queeene Elizabeth made Knight of the Garter, and Lord Deputy of Ireland, [ A] where hee honourably ended his life, pursuing the rebels. As touching Dame Eleanor Cobham descended out of this family, the wife of Humfrey Duke of Gloce∣ster, whose reputation had a flawe, I referre you to the English Historie, if you please.

Now are wee to reckon up the Earles of this shire, William Rufus King of Eng∣land made William de Warrena,* 1.56 who had married his sister, the first Earle of Surrey▪ For in that Charter of his, by which hee founded the Priory of Lewis, thus wee read: Donavi, &c. that is, I have given and granted, &c. For the life and health of my Lord King William who brought mee into England, and for the health of my Lady Queene [ B] Mawd, my wives mother: and for the life and health of my Lord King William her sonne, after whose comming into England I made this charter, who also created me Earle of Surry, &c. whose sonne William succeeded and married the daughter of Hugh Earle of Ver∣mandois, whereupon his posteritie (as some suppose) used the Armes of Vermandois, vz. Chequy Or and Azure. His sonne VVilliam dying in the Holy-land about the yeare 1148. had issue, a daughter onely, who adorned first William, King Stephens sonne, and afterward Hamelin the base sonne of Gefferey Plantagenet Earle of Anjou, both her husbands, with the same title. But whereas her former husband died with∣out issue, William her sonne by Hamelin was Earle of Surry, whose posterie assu∣ming unto them the name of Warrens bare the same title. This William espoused the [ C] eldest daughter, and a coheire of William Marescall Earle of Pembroch, the widow of Hugh Bigod,* 1.57 who bare unto him Iohn, who slew Alan de la Zouch, in presence of the Judges of the Realme. This Iohn, of Alice the daughter of Hugh le Brune, halfe sister by the mothers side of King Henry the third, begat William, who died be∣fore his father: and hee of Ioan Vere the Earle of Oxfords daughter begat Iohn Posthumus, borne after his decease, and the last Earle of this house, who was stiled, as I have seene in the circumscription of his seale, Earle of Warren, of Surry and of Strathern in Scotland, Lord of Bromfield and of Yale, and Count-palatine. But hee dy∣ing without lawfull issue in the twelfth yeare of Edward the thirds raigne, Alice his sister and heire wedded unto Edmund Earle of Arundell, by her marriage [ D] brought this honour of Surrey into the house of Arundells. For Richard their sonne who married in the house of Lancaster (after his father was wickedly be∣headed for siding with his Soveraigne King Edward the Second, by the malignant envie of the Queene) was both Earle of Arundell and Surrey, and left both Earle∣domes to Richard his sonne, who contrary-wise lost his head for siding against his so∣veraigne King Richard the Second. But, Thomas his sonne, to repaire his fathers dishonour, lost his life for his Prince and country in France leaving his sisters his heires for the lands not entailed, who were married to Thomas Mowbraie Duke of Norfolke, &c. to Sir Powland Lenthall, and Sir William Beauchampe, Lord of Aber∣geveny. After by the Mowbraies, the title of Surrey, came at length to the Howards. [ E] Howbeit, in the meane while after the execution of Richard Earle of Arundell, King Richard the Second bestowed the title of Duke of Surry upon Thomas Hol∣land Earle of Kent, which honour he enjoyed not long; For, while hee combined with others, by privie conspiracies to restore the same King Richard to his liber∣tie and kingdome, the conspiracie was not carried so secretly, but contrary to his expectation brake forth and came to light: then fled hee, and by the people of Cirencester was intercepted and cut shorter by the head. After him Thomas Beaufort, Chancellour to the King, (if we give credit to Thomas Walsingham) bare this dignity. For, in the yeare of our Lord (as hee saith) 1410. The Lord Tho∣mas Beaufort Earle of Surrey left this world. Now, let Walsingham in this point make [ F] good that which he writeth: for, in the Kings Records there is no such thing found, but onely this, that Thomas Beaufort about that time was made Lord Chancellour. But certaine it is, and that out of the Records of the King∣dome, that King Henry the Sixth, in the nine and twentie yeare of his raigne, created Iohn Mowbray, the sonne of Iohn Duke of Norfolke, Earle Warren and of Surry.

[ A] And Richard second sonne of King Edward the Fourth having married the heire of Mowbray, received all the titles due to the Mowbraies by creation from his father. Afterward King Richard the Third, having dispatched the said Ri∣chard and by impious cruell meanes usurped the kingdome, that hee might by his benefits oblige unto him the house of the Howards, created in one, and the same day Iohn Lord Howard, Duke of Norfolke as next cosin and heire to the Mowbraies and his sonne Thomas, Earle of Surrie: in whose of-spring this honour hath ever since beene resplendent, and so continueth at this day.

[ B]

This County hath in it Parish Churches. 140.

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

Notes

• * 1.1

  Chertsey.
• * 1.2

  666.
• * 1.3

  Henry the sixth.
• * 1.4

  Histor. of Canterburie.
• * 1.5

  Farnham.
• * 1.6

  Congrega∣tion.
• * 1.7

  Waverley.
• * 1.8

  *
• * 1.9

  Cateshull.
• * 1.10

  Guildford.
• * 1.11

  Haga.
• * 1.12

  Decimation.
• * 1.13

  Oking, or Woking.
• * 1.14

  William Ockham.
• * 1.15

  Pater No••••∣nalium.
• * 1.16

  Where Cae•• crossed the Tamis.
• * 1.17

  Coway-stakes.
• * 1.18

  The river Mole.
• * 1.19

  Anas a river in Spaine.
• * 1.20

  Ockley.
• * 1.21

  Gatton.
• * 1.22

  Rhie-gate.
• * 1.23

  Holmesdale.
• * 1.24

  Holmecastle.
• * 1.25

  Or Inquisi∣tions.
• * 1.26

  In Baronia sua de Conquesta Angliae.
• * 1.27

  Effingham.
• * 1.28

  The Swallow, or Swallow hole.
• * 1.29

  A bridge on which flockes of sheepe are pastured.
• * 1.30

  L. Bray.
• * 1.31

  Richmond. Both the place and the village before the time of King Henry the Seventh called Shene.
• * 1.32

  Edward the Third.
• * 1.33

  The death of Queene Eli∣zabeth 1603.
• * 1.34

  How farre the Tamis ebbeth and floweth.
• * 1.35

  Why Tamis ebbeth and floweth so far within Land.
• * 1.36

  The seventh.
• * 1.37

  The Third.
• * 1.38

  None-such.
• * 1.39

  Vandalis. Woodcote. Noviomagi
• * 1.40

  Noviomagus.
• * 1.41

  Croidon.
• * 1.42

  Beddington.
• * 1.43

  *
• * 1.44

  Addington.
• * 1.45

  Aguilon.
• * 1.46

  Merton.
• * 1.47

  Wimbledon.
• * 1.48

  Putney. See Earles of Essex.
• * 1.49

  Kennington.
• * 1.50

  Lambith.
• * 1.51

  Hardy-Cnute.
• * 1.52

  Southworke.
• * 1.53

  Barons Saint Iohn of Lag∣ham.
• * 1.54

  Sterborow.
• * 1.55

  Lord Borough or Burgh.
• * 1.56

  Earles of Sur∣rie, who also are called Earles of Warren.
• * 1.57

  Earles of March in France.