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]

SVSSEX.

VNder Suth-rey toward the South lieth stretched out in a great length Suth-sex, which also in times past the Regni inhabited, in the Saxon tongue called 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, & at this day Sussex, which is as much to say, as the Region of the South Saxons, a word compounded of the site thereof Southward, and of the Saxons [ B] who in their Heptarchie placed here the second kingdome. It li∣eth upon the British Ocean all Southward with a streight shore (as it were) farre more in length than bredth: Howbeit it hath few harbours, by reason that the sea is dangerous for shelves, and therefore rough, and troublous, the shore al∣so it selfe full of rocks, and the South-west wind doth tyrannize thereon, casting up beach infinitely. The sea coast of this countrie, hath greene hils on it mounting to a greater height,* 1.1 called the Downes, which because they stand upon a fat chalke or kinde of marle yeeldeth corne aboundantly.

The middle tract, garnished with medowes, pastures, corne-fields, and groves, [ C] maketh a very lovely shew. The hithermore and Northern side thereof, is shaded most pleasantly with woods,* 1.2 like as in times past the whole country throughout, which by reason of the woods was hardly passable. For, the wood Andradswald, in the British language Coid Andred, taking the name of Anderida the City next, adjoyning, tooke up in this quarter, a hundred and twentie miles in length, and thirtie in bredth; memorable for the death of Sigebert King of West Saxons, who being de∣posed from his royall throne, was in this place stabbed by a Swineheard, and so died. Many pretty rivers it hath, but such as springing out of the North-side of the shire forthwith take their course to the Ocean, and therefore not able to beare any vessell of burden. [ D]

* 1.3Full of iron mines it is in sundry places, where for the making and fining whereof, there bee furnaces on every side, and a huge deale of wood is yearely spent, to which purpose divers brookes in many places are brought to runne in one channell, and sun∣dry medowes turned into pooles and waters, that they might bee of power sufficient to drive hammer milles, which beating upon the iron, resound all over the places ad∣joyning. And yet the iron here wrought, is not in every place of like goodnesse, but generally more brittle than is the Spanish iron, whether it be by the nature, or tincture and temper thereof. Howbeit, commodious enough to the iron Maisters who cast much great ordnance thereof, and other things to their no small gaine: Now whe∣ther [ E] it bee as gainefull and profitable to the common-wealth may bee doubted, but the age ensuing will bee better able to tell you. Neither want here glasse-houses, but the Glasse there made,* 1.4 by reason of the matter or making, I wot not whether, is likewise nothing so pure and cleare, and therefore used of the common sort onely.

This whole region throughout, after the civill manner of partition is divided in∣to sixe parts, which by a peculiar name they call Rapes, to wit, of Chichester, Arundel, Brembre, Lewis, Pevensey and Hastings, every of which beside their hundreds, hath a castle, river, and forrest of their owne. But for as much as the limits within which they are bounded bee not so well knowne unto mee, I am determined to take [ F] my way along the shore from West to East. For, the inner parts besprinkled with villages,* 1.5 have in manner nothing therein worth relation. In the very confines of Hantshire and this county, standeth Bosenham, commonly called Boseham, a place environed round about with woods and the sea together; where (as Bede saith) Di∣cul the Scotish Monke had a verie small Cell, and in it, five or sixe religious men living poorely, in service of the Lord, which many yeeres after was converted into a rety∣ring place of ease, for King Harold. Whence hee when upon a time for his recrea∣tion,

[illustration]

[illustration]

SVSSEXIA Siue Southsex. olim pars. REGNORVM.

[ A] hee made out with a little barke into the maine sea, was with a contrary pirrie carried violently into Normandie, and there detained in hold, until he had by oth as∣sured the Kingdome of England unto William of Normandie, after the death of King Edward the Confessor. Whereby he presently drew upon himselfe his owne ru∣ine and upon England the danger of finall destruction. But, with what a crafty Am∣phibolie or Aequivocation, that subtill and captious catcher of syllables Goodwin Earle of Kent this Harolds father,* 1.6 caught this place, and how with a wily word-trap, hee deceived the Archbishop of Canterburie, Walter Mapaeus, who lived not many yeares after shall out of his booke entituled Of Courters toies tell you in his owne verie words. This Boseam underneath Chichester, saith hee, Goodwin saw and [ B] had a minde to it: beeing accompanied therefore with a great traine of Gentlemen, hee comes smiling and jesting unto the Archbishop of Canterburie, whose towne then it was, My Lord, saith he, Give you mee * 1.7 Boseam? The Archbishop mervailing much what hee demaunded by that question: I give you, answered, Boseam▪ Then he forthwith, with that company of his Knights and Souldiours, fell downe, (as he had before taken order) at his feete, and kissing them with many thankes went backe to Bose••am, kept possession of it as Lord by strong hand, and having the Testimony of his friends and followers, praised in pre∣sence of the King the Archbishop as Donor thereof, and so held it peaceably. Afterwards as wee read in Testa Nevilli (which was an Inquisition of Lands made in King Iohns [ C] time) King William, who attained to the conquest of England, gave this unto Wil∣liam Fitz Aucher and to his heires in fee farme paying out of it yearely into the Exche∣quer fortie pounds of silver tried and weighed; and after that William Marescall held it as his inheritance. Chichester in the British tongue named Caercei, in the Eng∣lish Saxon language 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, in Latine Cioestria, lieth farther within, at the same nooke in a Champion plaine. A Cittie large enough, and walled about, built by Cissa a Saxon the second King of this Province and of him so named. For Cis∣san-Ceaster is nothing els, but the Cittie of Cissa: whose father Aella, was the first Saxon that here erected a Kingdome. Yet was it before the conquest of small or [ D] no name, and knowne onely by a monasterie of Saint Peter and a little Nunnerie. But in the reigne of William the first, as wee read in the Domes-day-booke, there were in this, one hundred Hages, and this Cittie was in the hand of Earle Roger* 1.8 and there are in the said * 1.9 three-score. Mansions houses more than had beene before, It paid fifteene pounds to the King, and ten to the Earle. After this, when during the reigne of the said William the first, a decree was enacted, that Bishops Sees should bee translated out of small townes unto places of greater name and resort, it was graced with the Bishops residence which was before at Selsey, and beganne to flourish: not many yeares after Bishop Raulfe built there a Cathedrall church, which before hee had fully finished it, was sodainely by mishap of a fearce fire burnt downe. Yet by his endeavour and the bounteous liberality of King Henrie the first, it was raised [ E] up againe, and now, beside a Bishop, it hath also a Deane, a Chaunter, a Chancellor, a Treasurer, two Archdeacons and thirty Prebendaries. And at the same time the verie Cittie it selfe beganne to flourish, and had growne indeede to a most wealthie estate, but that the haven is badde and somewhat to farre off, and in that regard not so commodious: which neverthelesse the Cittizens goe now in hand to make more convenient by digging of a new channell. It is walled about in a circular round forme. The Lavant a pretty riveret running hard by it, on the West and South sides. Foure gates it hath opening to the foure quarters of the world: from whence the streets lead directly and crosse themselves in the mids, [ F] where the market is kept, and where Bishop Robert Read, erected a faire stone mar∣ket place, supported with pillars round about. As for the Castle that stood not farre from the North gate,* 1.10 it was in times past the habitation of the Earles of Arundell, who hereupon stiled themselves, Earles of Chichester: but afterwards it became converted into an house of the Franciscan Friers. All that space which lieth betweene the West and South gates, is taken up with the Cathedrall Church, the Bishops pa∣lace, and the Deanes and Prebendaries houses. All which about King Richard the

First his time were burnt againe. And Seffride the second Bishop of that name re edi∣fied [ A] all anew. The Church it selfe truly is not great, but very faire and neat, ha∣ving a spire steeple of stone, rising up passing high, and in the South Crosse-Isle of the Church, of the one side is artificially portraied, and depainted the historie of the Churches foundation, with the Images of the Kings of England: on the other, the Images of all the Bishops, as well of Selsey as of Chichester, at the charges of Robert Shirburne Bishop,* 1.11 who greatly adorned and beautified this Church, and every where for his Empresse, set these Mots CREDITE OPERIBVS, that is, TRVST MEN ACCORDING TO THEIR DEEDS; and DILEXI DECOREM DOMVS TVAE DOMINE, that is, I HAVE LOVED (O LORD) THE BEAVTIE OF THY HOVSE. [ B] Neither hee onely adorned the Lords house, but repaired also the Bishops houses. But that great high tower which standeth neere unto the west dore of the Church, was built by R. Riman, as the report goeth (when he was forbidden to erect a castle at Aplederham his habitation hard by) of those stones, which for that Castle he had pro∣vided afore. Neere the haven of Chichester is W. Witering, where, as the monuments of the Church testifie, Aella the first founder of the Kingdome of Suth-sex arrived.

* 1.12Selsey before said, is somewhat lower in the Saxon tongue, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, that is to say, The Isle of Sea calves, (for these in our language wee call Scales, which alwaies seeke to Islands,* 1.13 and to the shore, for to bring forth their young, but now it is most fa∣mous for good cockles, and full Lobsters. A place (as Beda saith) compassed round [ C] about with the Sea, but onely in the West side, where it hath an entrie into it by land, as broad as a slings cast. It was reckoned by Survey taken, to containe fourscore and seven Hides of Land, when Edilwalch King of this Province gave it to Wilfride Bishop of Yorke, whiles hee was in exile▪ who first preached Christ unto this people, and as he writeth, not only by baptisme saved from thraldome under the divell, two hundred and fiftie bond-men,* 1.14 but also by giving freedome, delivered them from the yoke of bondage under man. Afterwards K. Cedwalla, who vanquished Edilwalch, founded here a Minster, and beautified it with an Episcopall See, which by Stigand the two and twentieth Bishop, was translated to Chichester, where it now flourisheth, and doth acknowledge Cedwalla to bee the founder. In this Isle remaineth onely the [ D] dead carkasse, as it were, of that ancient little citie, wherein those Bishops sat: and the same hidden quite with water at everie full sea, but at a low water, evident, and plaine to be seene.

Then maketh the shore way for a river, which out of Saint Leonards Forrest run∣neth downe,* 1.15 first by Amberley, where William Read Bishop of Chichester, in the raigne of Edward the third, built a castle for his successours: and so from thence, by Arundell, seated on the hanging of an hill, a place greater in name than deede, and yet is not that name of great antiquitie: for before Aelfreds dayes, who bequeathed it by testament to Anthelme his brothers sonne, I have not read it, so much as once named. Unlesse perhaps I should thinke, that Portus Adurni, is corruptly so called, [ E] by transposition of letters, for Portus Arundi. The reason of this name is fetched neither from that fabulous horse of Sir Beavois of Southampton, nor of Charudum, a promontorie in Denmarke, as Goropius Becanus hath dreamed, but of the valley or dale, which lieth upon the river Arun, in case Arun bee the name of the river, as some have delivered, who thereupon named it in Latine, Aruntina vallis, that is, Arundale. But all the fame it hath, is of the Castle, that flourished under the Sax∣on Empire, and which (as we read) presently upon the comming in of the Normans Roger Montgomerie repaired, who thereupon was 〈◊〉〈◊〉, Earle of Arundell. For, [ F] a stately place it is, both by naturall situation, and also by mans hand verie strong. But his sonne Robert de Belismo,* 1.16 who succeeded his brother Hugh, being by King Henrie the First proscribed, lost that, and all his other dignitie. For, when he had per∣fidiously raised warre against the King, he chose this Castle for his surest hold, whiles the warre lasted, and fortified the place with many munitions, but spedde no better than traitours use to doe. For, the Kings forces environing it everie way, at the last wonne it. Whenas Robert now had forfeited his estate, and was banished, the

[ A] King gave this castle, and all his Lands besides unto * Adeliza, daughter to Godfrey Barbatus of Lovaine, Duke of Loraine and Brabant, for her Dowrie; whom he tooke to be his second wife. In whose commendation a certaine English man in that un∣learned age, wrote these not unlearned verses.

Anglorum Reginatuos Adeliza decores Ipsa referre parans Musa, stupore riget. Quid Diadema tibi, pulcherrima, quid tibi gemma? Pallet gemma tibi, nec diadema nitet. Deme tibi cultus, cultum natura ministrat? [ B] Non exornari forma beata potest. Ornamenta cave, nec quicquam luminis inde Accipis, illa micant lumine clara tuo; Non puduit modicas de magnis dicere laudes, Nec pudeat Dominam te precor esse meam. When Muses mine thy beauties rare, (faire Adeliza Queene Of England) readie are to tell, they starke astonied beene. What booteth thee so beautifull, gold-crowne or pretious stone? Dimne is the Diademe to thee, the gemne hath beautie none. [ C] Away with trimme and gay attire; nature attireth thee, Thy lovely beautie naturall, can never bett'red be. All Ornaments beware; from them no favour thou do'st take; But they from thee their lustre have, thou doest them lightsome make. I shamed not on matters great to set small praises heere, Bash not, but deigne (I pray) to be my Soveraigne Ladie deere.

She, after the Kings death, matched in marriage with William de * 1.17 Albeney, who taking part with Maud the Empresse against King Stephen, and defending this Castle against him, was in recompence of his good service, by the saide Maude the Empresse and Ladie of Englishmen, (for this title she used) created Earle of Arun∣dell: [ D] and her sonne King Henrie the Second gave the whole Rape of Arundell to that William: To hold of him by the service of fourescore and foure Knights fees, and one-halfe. And to his sonne William, King Richard the first granted, in such words as these, The Castle of Arundell with the whole Honor of Arundell, and the Third penny of the Plees out of Sussex, whereof he is Earle. And when after the fifth Earle of this surname, the issue male failed, one of the sisters and heires of Hugh the fifth Earle was married to Sir Iohn Fitz-Alan, Lord of Clun, whose great grand sonne Richard, For that he stood seised of the Castle, Honour and Lordship of Arundell in his owne de∣mesne as of Fee,* 1.18 in regard of this his possession of the same Castle, Honour and Seignorie, without any other consideration or Creation to be an Earle, was Earle of Arundell and the [ E] name, state and honor of the Earle of Arundell, &c. Peaceably he enjoied: as appeareth by a definitive judgement given in Parliament, in the behalfe of Sir Iohn Fitz-Alan chalen∣ging the Castle and tittle of Arundell by force of an entaile against Iohn Mowbray, Duke of Norfolke the right Heire, in the neerest degree. Whereby it was gathered, that the name, state and dignitie of Earle, was annexed to the Castle, Honour and Seignorie of Arundell, as it is to be seene in the Parliament Rolls of King Henry the Sixth, out of which I have copied forth these notes word for word. Of these Fitz-Alans, Edmund se∣cond Earle sonne to Richard married the heire of the Earle of Surry, and was behea∣ded through the malicious furie,* 1.19 of Queene Isabell not lawfully convicted, for that hee opposed himselfe in King Edward the Seconds behalfe against her wicked prac∣tises. His sonne Richard petitioned in Parliament to be restored to bloud, lands, [ F] and goods,* 1.20 for that his father was put to death not tried by his Peeres according to the law and great Charter of England: neverthelesse whereas the attaindor of him was confirmed by Parliament, hee was forced to amend his petition, and upon the amendment thereof, hee was restored by the Kings meere grace. Richard his sonne, as his grandfather died for his Soveraigne, lost his life for banding against his Soveraigne, King Richard the Second. But Tho. his sonne more honourably ended

his life serving King Henrie the Fifth valerously in France, and leaving his sisters his [ A] heires generall; Sir Iohn of Arundell Lord Maltravers his next cosin, and heire male obtained of King Henrie the sixt the Earldome of Arundell,* 1.21 as we even now decla∣red, and also was by the said King for his good service created Duke of Touraine. Of the succeeding Earles I find nothing memorable. Henrie Fitz Alan the ele∣venth and last Earle of that surname lived in our daies, in great honor as you shall see. After whom leaving no issue male Philip Howard his daughters sonne succee∣ded, who not able to digest wrongs and hard measure offered unto him, by the cun∣ning sleights of some envious persons, fell into the toile and net pitched for him, and being brought into extreame perill of his life, yeelded up his vitall breath in the [ B] Tower. But his sonne Thomas a most honorable young man, (in whom a forward spirit and fervent love of vertue and glorie, most beseeming his nobility, and the same tempered with true courtesie shineth very apparently) recovered his fathers dignities being restored by King Iames, and Parliament authoritie.

Besides the Castle and the Earles, Arundell hath nothing memorable: For, the Colledge built by the Earles, which there flourished, because the revenue or living is alienated and gone, now falleth to decay. Howbeit, in the Church are some mo∣numents of Earles there enterred, but one above the rest right beautifull, of Ala∣baster, in which lieth in the mids of the Quire Earle Thomas, and Beatrice his wife, the daughter of Iohn King of Portugall. Neither must I overpasse this Inscription so [ C] faire guilt, set up heere in the Honor of Henrie Fitz-Alan the last, Earle of this line, because some there be whom liketh it well.

[ D] [ E] [ F]

[ A]

CONSECRATED TO VERTVE, AND HONOVR.

THE MAGNANIMOVS, AND VVORTHY KNIGHT VVHOSE PERSONAGE IS HERE SEENE, AND VVHOSE BONES HERE VNDERNEATHLY ENTERRED, VVAS BARLE OF THIS TERRITORIE: ACCORDING TO HIS HOVSE, AND LINAGE SVRNAMED FITZ ALAN LOKD MALTRAVERS, CLVN, AND OS∣VVALDESTRE, PRINCIPAL HONOVRS: STILED ALSO LORD AND BARON OF [ B] THAT MOST NOBLE ORDER OF THE GARTER, THE AVNCIENTEST COM∣PANION VVHILES HE LIVED OF WILLIAM EARLE OF ARVNDELL, THE ONELY SONNE AND SVCCESSOR, COMPARTNER ALSO OF ALL HIS VERTV∣ES: VVHO BEING OF THE PRIVY COVNSEL TO KING HENRIE THE EIGHT, KING EDVVARD THE SIXT, MARIE, AND ELIZABETH, KINGS AND QVEENES OF ENGLAND, VVAS GOVERNOR ALSO OF THE TOVVNE OF CALES: AND VVHAT TIME AS THE SAID KING HENRIE BESIEGED BVL∣LEN VVAS HIGH MARESCHAL OF HIS ARMY, AND AFTER THAT LORD CHAMBERLAIN TO THE KING: ALSO VVHEN EDVVARD HIS SONNE VVAS CROVVNED KING, HE BARE THE OFFICE OF L. MARESCHAL OF THE [ C] KINGDOME: AND VNTO HIM LIKE AS BEFORE VNTO HIS FATHER BE∣CAME LORD CHAMBERLAINE. MOREOVER IN THE REIGNE OF QVEENE MARIE DVRING THE TIME OF HER SOLEMNE CORONATION, HE VVAS MADE LORD HIGH CONSTABLE, AFTERVVARD STEVVARD OF HER ROIAL HOVSE, AND PRESIDENT OF THE COVNCEL: EVEN AS TO QVEENE ELIZABETH ALSO, HE VVAS LIKEVVISE LORD HIGH STEVVARD OF HER HOVSHOLD.

THVS THIS MAN, NOBLE BY HIS HIGH PARENTAGE, MORE NOBLE FOR VVEL PERFORMING THE PVBLICKE OFFICES OF STATE, ••OST NOBLE, AND RENOVNED BOTH AT HOME, AND ABROAD: FLOVRISHING STIL IN [ D] HONOVR, BROKEN VVITH TRAVEL, MVCH VVORNE VVITH YEERES, AFTER HE VVAS COME TO THE LXVIII OF HIS AGE, AT LONDON THE XXV. DAY OF FEBRVARY, IN THE YEERE OF OV••, SALVATION BY CHRIST M. D. LXXIX. GODLY, AND SVVEETLY SLEPT IN THE LORD.

IOHN LVMLEY, BARON OF LVMLEY, HIS MOST LOVING AND AF∣FECTIONATE * 2.1 SONNE IN LAVV, EXECVTOR OF HIS LAST VVIL, AND TESTAMENT, NOVV THAT HIS MOST SVVEET FATHER IN LAVV AND VERY GOOD PATRON IS RIGHT HONORABLY, AND SVMTV∣OVSLY BVRIED, HATH IN MOST DEVOVT MANNER VVITH ABVN∣DANT [ E] TEARES NOT FOR ANY MEMORIAL, VVHICH HIMSELFE ALREADY BY HIS MANIFOLD VERTVES HATH A••TRNIZED, BVT IN REGARD OF HIS MORTAL BODY NOVV BESTOVVED IN HOPE OF AN HAPPY RESVRRECTION, CONSECRATED VNTO HIM, FOR THE LAST DVTY HE COVLD PERFORME, THIS KNIGHTLIKE STATVE, VVITH HIS DVE ARMORIES.

As for the river Arun, which springing out of the North part of the Shire run∣neth heereby, it is encreased by many brooks falling into it from all sides, but the [ F] cheefe of them is that which passeth beside Cowdrey, a very goodly house of the Vi∣counts Montacute; which for building oweth much to the late Vicount, & formerly to Sir William Fitz-Williams, Earle of South-hampton. Here by is Midherst that is Midle∣wood which braggeth of the Bohunes Lords thereof, who carried for their coate of armes a Crosse azur in a field Or, and from Ingelricus de Bohun under King Henrie the first, flourished unto King Henrie the seaventh his daies, who gave in

marriage the daughter and heire of Iohn Bohun unto Sir David Owen Knight, the base [ A] sonne of Owen Theodor, with a rich inheritance. These Bohuns (to note so much by the way for the antiquity of a word now growne out of use) were by inheritance for a good while the Kings Spigurnells,* 2.2 that is, The Sealers of his writs, which office toge∣ther with Serjeancie of the Kings chappell, Iohn de Bohun the sonne of Franco resig∣ned unto King Edward the First, as wee reade in an old Charter made, as touching that matter.* 2.3 Then this river leaveth about a mile off Petworth which together with one and twenty Knights fees William de Albeney Earle of Arundell, bestowed upon Ioscelin of Lovaine the Brabander, brother to Queene Adeleza, and the youn∣ger sonne of Godfrey Duke of Brabant, descended from the stocke of Charles the [ B] Great, what time as hee tooke to wife Agnes the onely daughter and heire of the Percies. Since which time, the posterity of that Iosceline, having assumed the name of Percie,* 2.4 (as I will els where shew) held it. A Familie, I assure you very ancient and right noble, which deriveth their pedigree from Charles the great more direct∣ly, and with a race of Ancestors lesse interrupted, than either the Dukes of Loraine Or of Guise that so highly vaunt themselves thereupon. Iosceline aforesaid, as I have seene it in his Donations, used this title: Ioscelin of Lovain, brother to Queene Ade∣liza, and Castellan of Arundell. And here about the Familie of Dautry, Or De alta ripa hath beene of right worshipfull esteeme,* 2.5 as on the other side of the river the name of Goring at Burton, who were acknowledged founders of Hardham Or Hered∣ham [ C] a Priory of blacke Canons,* 2.6 a little off. Where this Arun meeteth with an other river of a deeper and bigger streame, which springeth neare Horseham an in∣different mercat, which some suppose to have taken name from Horsa the brother of Hengist,* 2.7 who were the first leaders of the English Saxons into this isle of Britaine. Thus Arun increased, with sundry creekings, by Arundell before mentioned, hold∣eth on his course to the sea.

* 2.8As the shoare giveth backe from the mouth of Arun, inwardly is Michel grove, that is, Great grove, the heire generall whereof so surnamed, was married to Ihon Shel∣ley, whereby,* 2.9 with the profession of the law, and a marriage with one of the coheires of Beknap the familie of Shelley was greatly enriched: Offington is not farre off well [ D] knowne by his ancient possessours the Wests Barons de la Ware. This of the Wests is a noble and ancient Familie, whose state beeing bettered by marriage with the heires of * 2.10 Cantlow of Hemston and Fitz-Reginald Fitz Herbert, was adorned also with the title of Baron,* 2.11 by the heire generall of the Lord de la Ware. Hard by, there is a fort compassed about with a banke rudely cast up, wherewith the Inhabitants are per∣swaded that Caesar entrenched and fortified his camp: But Cisiburie the name of the place, doth plainely shew and testifie, that it was the worke of Cissa: who beeing of the Saxons line the second King of this pety kingdome,* 2.12 after his father Aella, accom∣panied with his brother Cimen, and no small power of the Saxons, at this shoare arri∣ved and landed at Cimonshore, a place so called of the said Cimen, which now hath lost [ E] the name:* 2.13 but that it was neere unto Wittering, the charter of the donation which King Cedwalla made unto the Church of Selsey, most evidently prooveth. Another fort likewise two miles from Cisiburie is to bee seene, which they use to call Chenk∣burie.

* 2.14 As you goe forward, standeth neere unto the sea, Broodwater, the Baronie of the Lords of Camois, who from the time of King Edward the First, flourished unto the daies of King Henrie the Sixt, what time the inheritance came by heires generall un∣to the Lewknors & Radmilds. Out of this familie (a thing neither in that age, nor in ours ever heard of (or exampled before) Sir Iohn Camois the son of the Lord Raulph Camois, of his owne free-will (the verie words these bee in effect,* 2.15 exemplified out of the Par∣liament [ F] Records) gave and demised his owne wife Margaret, daughter and heire of Iohn de Gaidesden unto Sir William Panell Knight, and unto the same William, gave granted, relea∣sed and quit claimed all the goods and chattels, which she hath, or otherwise hereafter might have:* 2.16 and also whatsoever was in his hands of the foresaid Margarets goods, and chattels with their appurtenances: so that neither he himselfe, nor any man else in his name, might

[ A] make claime, or challenge any interest, nor ought for ever, in the foresaid Margaret from hence forth, or in the goods and chattels of the said Margaret: Which is as much, as in one word they said in old time, * 2.17 Vt omnia sua secum haberet, That she should have away with her all that was hers. By which graunt, when shee demanded her dowrie in the Manour of Torpull which had been the possession of Sir Iohn Camois her first husband, there grew a memorable suite and controversie in Law: but wherein shee was over∣throwne and sentence pronounced. That she ought to have no dowrie from thence: upon a Statute made against women absenting themselves from their husbands, &c.

[ B] These matters, I assure you, it goes against my stomacke to relate, but yet I see, it was not for nought that Pope Gregorie long since wrote unto Lanfranck Archbishop of Canterburie, How hee heard say, there were some among the Scots that not one∣ly forsooke, but also sold their wives, whereas in England they so gave and demi∣sed them.

Somewhat lower upon the shore appeareth Shoreham,* 2.18 in times past 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, which by little and little fell to bee but a village, at this day called Old Shoreham, and gave encrease to another towne of the same name, whereof the greater part al∣so being drowned and made even with the sea is no more to bee seene: and the [ C] commodiousnesse of the haven by reason of bankes and bars of sand cast up at the rivers mouth quite gone: whereas, in foregoing times it was wont to carrie ships with full saile as farre as to Brember, which is a good way from the sea. This Brember was a castle sometime of the Breoses: For, King William the first gave it unto William de Breose, from whom those Breoses are descended, who were Lords of Gower and Brechnok: and from them also, both in this County and in Leicestershire, are come the Families of the Shirleys, Knights. But now in stead of a Castle, there is nothing but an heape of rubble and ruines. A little from this Castle lieth Stening, a great mercate, and at certaine set daies much frequented, which in Aelfrids will, unlesse I be deceived, is called Steningham, in latter times it had a Cell of Black-Monkes [ D] wherein was enshrined S. Cudman an obscure Saint, and visited by pilgrimes with oblations.

That ancient place also, called PORTVS ADVRNI, as it seemeth is scarce three miles from this mouth of the river: where, when the Saxons first troubled our sea with their piracies, the Band called Exploratorum under the Roman Emperours kept their Station; but now it should seeme to bee choked, and stopped up with huge heapes of beach gathered together. For, that this was Ederington a pretie village, which the said Aelfred granted unto his younger sonne,* 2.19 both the name remaining in part, and also certaine cottages adjoyning now called Portslade, that is, The way to the Haven, doe after a sort perswade: to say nothing, how easily they might land [ E] heere, the shore being so open and plaine. And for the same cause, our men in the reigne of King Henrie the Eighth, did heere especially wait for the Frenchmens gal∣lies all the while they hovered on our coasts and upon the sudden set one or two cot∣tages on fire at Brighthelmsted, which our ancestours the Saxons termed 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, the very next road or harbour thereunto.

Some few miles from hence, there dischargeth it selfe into the sea a certaine ri∣ver, that hath no name, arising out of S. Leonards forrest neere unto Slaugham,* 2.20 the habitation of the Coverts, who in King Henrie the third his daies flourished in this quarter, with the degree of Knight-hood; thence by Cackfield to Linfeld, where in former ages was a small Nunnery; and so by Malling some-time a Manour appur∣taining [ F] to the Archbishops of Canterburie,* 2.21 to Lewis, which peradventure hath his name of pastures called by the English Saxons 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. This for frequencie of people and greatnesse is reputed one of the chiefest townes of the County: Seated it is up∣on a rising almost on every side: That it hath beene walled there are no apparant to∣kens. Southward it hath under it, as it were, a great suburb called South-over, another Westward, and beyond the river a third Eastward called Cliffe because it is under a chalkie cliffe. In the time of the English Saxon government, when King Athelstan made a Law that money should not be coyned but in good townes, he appointed

two minters, or coyners for this place. In the reigne of King Edward the Confessor [ A] it paid sixe pounds and foure shillings * 2.22 de Gablo et Theloneo. The King had there one hundred twenty seven Burgars. Their custome and manner was this, If the King min∣ded to send his souldiers to sea, without them: of all them, whose lands soever they were was collected twenty shillings, and all those had they that in their ships kept armour. Who selleth an horse within the Burgh giveth to the Provost one penny, and the buier, another. For an oxe or cow one halfe penny,* 2.23 in what place so ever he buieth within the Rape. He that sheddeth bloud maketh amends for seven shillings. Hee that committeth adulterie or a rape, for eight shil∣lings and foure pence,* 2.24 and the woman as much. The King hath the Adulterer, The Arch∣bishop, [ B] the woman: when the mint or money is made new: every minter giveth twentie shil∣lings. Of all these paiments two third parts went to the King, and one third part to the Earle. William de Warren the first Earle of Surrie built here a large Castle on the highest ground for most part with flint and chalke. In the bottom of the towne called South∣over he founded to the honour and memory of Saint Pancrace a Priorie, and stored it with Cluniach Monkes,* 2.25 In regard of the holinesse, religion, and charitie which he found in the Monasterie of Clugni in Burgundie (for these be the words taken out of the very originall instrument of the foundation) Whiles going in pilgrimage together with his wife for religion, he turned in, and lodged there. But this is now turned into a dwelling house of the Earle of Dorset. Howbeit there remaine still in the towne sixe Churches; a∣mongst [ C] which not farre from the Castle there standeth one little one all desolate, and beset with briers and brambles: in the walles whereof are ingraven in arched worke certaine rude verses in an old and over-worne character: which implie thus much, that one Magnus descended from the bloud roiall of the Danes,* 2.26 who imbraced a solitarie life, was there buried: But behold the verses themselves, imperfect though they be, and gaping as I may so say, with the very yawning joynts of the stones.

[illustration]

[ D] [ E] [ F]

Which peradventure should be thus read.

Clauditur hic miles, Danorum regia proles, Magnus nomen ei, magnae nota progeniei, Deponens Magnum, prudentior induit agnum: Praepete pro vita, fit paruulus Anachorita.

[ A] A noble Knight, Sir Magnus hight, a name of great of-spring, Is shut up here, Though borne he were in line of Danish King: He wiser man, Puts Agnus on, and laies downe Magnus quite: For swift life this, [ B] Become he is a little Anchorite.

About 346. yeeres since this place became famous for the mortall and bloudie battaile betweene K. Henrie the third, and the Barons: in which, the prosperous be∣ginning of the fight on the kings side, was the overthrow of the kings forces. For, whiles prince Edward the kings son,* 2.27 breaking by force through certain of the Barons troups,* 2.28 carelesly pursued the enemies over far, as making sure account of the victory: the Barons having reinforced themselves, giving a fresh charge, so discomfited, and put to flight the Kings armie, that they constrained the King to accept unequall con∣ditions of peace, and to deliver his sonne Prince Edward with others into their hands. [ C] From Lewis the river,* 2.29 as it descendeth, so swelleth, that the bottom cannot containe it, and therefore maketh a large mere, and is fed more full with a brooket falling from Laughton, a seat of Pelhams, a family of especiall respect, by Gline that is in the British tongue, the vale, the habitation of Morleyes, whose antiquitie the name doth testi∣fie. And afterward, albeit it gathereth it selfe into a channell, yet often times it over∣floweth the low lands about it to no small detriment. Not farre from the said mere, Furle sheweth it selfe a principall mansion of the Gages, who advanced their estate by the marriage of one of the heires of Saint Clare, Princes favour, and Court Of∣fices.

The shore next openeth it selfe at Cuckmere, which yet affordeth no commodious [ D] haven,* 2.30 though it be fed with a fresh, which insulateth Michelham, where Gilbert de A∣quila, founded a Priory for black Chanons. And then at East-bourn the shore ariseth into so high a Promontory, called of the beach Beachy-points, and Beau-cliffe (for the faire shew being interchangeably compounded with rowe, of chalke and flint) that it is esteemed the highest cliffe of all the South coast of England. As hitherto from A∣rundell, and beyond, the countrey along the coast: for a great breadth, mounteth up into high hilles,* 2.31 called the Downes, which for rich fertilitie giveth place to few valleys, and plaines: so now it falleth into such a low levell and marsh, that the people think it hath been over-flowed by the sea. They call it Pevensey Marsh, of Pevensey the next towne adjoyning,* 2.32 which lieth in the plaine somewhat within the land upon a [ E] small river, which often times overlaieth the lands adjacent. In the old English Saxon Language, it was walled, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, in the Norman speech Pevensell, now common∣ly, Pemsey: It hath had a meane haven, and a faire large castle, in the ruinous walles whereof, remaine great bricks, such as the Britans used, which is some argument of the antiquitie thereof. It belonged in the Conquerours time to Robert Earle of Moriton,* 2.33 halfe brother by the mothers side to the Conquerour, and then had fiftie and six Burgesses. After the attainder of his Sonne William Earle of Moriton, it came to King Henrie the First, by Escheat. In the composition betweene Stephen, and King Henrie the second both towne,* 2.34 and castle with whatsoever Richard de Aquila, had [ F] of the Honor of Pevensey, which after his name, was called Honor de Aquila, and Ba∣ronia de Aquila, or of the Eagle, was assigned to William Sonne to K. Stephen. But he surrendred it with Norwich into King Henrie the Seconds hand, in the yeere 1158, when he restored to him all such Lands as Stephen was seased of before hee usurped the crowne of England. After some yeeres King Henrie the third, over-favouring forrainers granted the Honor de Aquila (which had fallen to the crowne by Escheat,

for that Gilbert de Aquila had passed into Normandie, against the Kings good will [ A] to Peter Earle of Savoy the Queenes uncle. But he fearing the envie of the English against forrainers relinquished it to the King, and so at length it came to the Dutchy of Lancaster.* 2.35 Inward from Pevensey is seated Herst in a Parke among the woods, which name also it hath of the woody situation: For, the ancient English-men cal∣led a wood 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. This was immediately after the Normans entry into England the seat of certaine noble gentlemen, who of that place were a good while named de Herst, untill William the sonne of Walleran de Herst, tooke unto him the name Mon∣ceaux, of the place haply where he was borne, an usuall thing in that age: whereupon that name also was adnexed unto this place, which ever since was of the Lord, ter∣med Herst Monceaux. From whose Posteritie by heire generall it descended haere∣ditarily [ B] to the Fienes.* 2.36 These Fienes, called likewise Fenis, and Fienles, derive their pedigree from Ingelram de Fienes, who had wedded the heire of Pharumuse of Bo∣loigne, of the house of the Earles of Boloigne in France. About the time of King Ed∣ward the Second, Sir Iohn Fienes married the heire of Monceaux, his sonne William married one of the heires of the Lord Say, his sonne likewise the heire of Batisford, whose sonne Sir Roger Fienes married the daughter of Holland, and in the first yeare of King Henrie the Sixt built of bricke the large, faire, uniforme, & convenient house heere Castle-like within a deepe moate. The said King Henrie the Sixt, Accepted, de∣clared and reputed Sir Richard Fienis sonne of the said Sir Roger, to be Baron of Dacre, And the same tittle, King Edward the fourth chosen Arbitratour and Umpire be∣tweene [ C] him & Sir Humfrey Dacre, awarded & confirmed to the said S. Richard Fienis, and to the heires of his bodie lawfully begotten; for that he had married Ioane the cousin and next heire of Thomas Baron Dacre; and to have praecedence before the L. Dacre of Gilesland heire male of the family. Since which time the heires lineally descending from him being enriched by one of the heires of the Lord Fitz-Hugh, have enjoyed the honor of Baron Dacre, untill that very lately George Fienis Lord Dacre sonne to the unfortunate Thomas Lord Dacre died without issue, whose onely sister and heire Margaret, Sampson Lennard Esquire a man both vertuous and courte∣ous tooke to wife, and by her hath faire issue. In whose behalfe it was published, decla∣red, and adjudged by the Lords Cōmissioners for Martiall causes, in the second yeere [ D] of the raigne of King Iames, with his privity, and assent Royall, That the said Marga∣ret ought to beare, have, and enjoy the name, state, degree, title, stile, honor, place, and pre∣cedency of the Baronie of Dacre; to have and to hold to her, and the issue of her bodie in as full and ample manner, as any of her ancestors enjoied the same. And that her children may, and shall have, take, and enjoy the place, and precedence respectively, as the children of her ancestors Barons Dacre have formerly had, and enjoyed.

Now to returne to the Sea-coast, about three miles from Pevensey is Beckes-hill a place much frequented by Saint Richard Bishop of Chichester, and where he died. Vnder this is Bulver-hith in an open shore, with a rooflesse Church, not so named of a bulles hide which cut into thongs by William the Conquerour, reached to Battaile [ E] (as they fable) for it had that name before his comming. But heere he arrived with his whole fleete, landed his armie, and having cast a rampier before his campe, set fire on all his ships, that their onely hope might be in manhood, and their safety in victorie.* 2.37 And so after two daies marched to Hastings then to an hill neere Nen∣feld now called Standard hill, because (as they say) he there pitched his Standard, and from thence two miles farther where in a plaine the Kingdome of England was put upon the hazard and chance of a battaile; and the English-Saxon Empire came to a full period and finall end. For there, King Harold in the yeere of our Lord 1066. the day before the Ides of October, albeit his forces were much weakened [ F] in a former fight with the Danes, and his soldiers wearied besides with a long journey from beyond Yorke, encountred him in a place named Epiton. When the Normans had sounded the Battaile, first the skirmish continued for a pretty while with shot of arrowes from both sides; then, setting foote to foote, as if they fought man to man, they maintained fight a longer time: But when the English men had most valiantly

[ A] received their first violent on set, the Norman horsmen with full cariere put forward and gave an hot charge. But seeing they also could not breake the battaile, they retired for the nonce, and yet kept their rankes in good order. The Englishmen sup∣posing them to flie, presently disranged themselves, and in disray preassed hard upon the enemies: but they, all on a sudden bringing backe their companies charged them a fresh on every side with all their joynt forces thicke united together and so enclo∣sing them round about, drove them backe with great slaughter: who not withstan∣ding having gotten the higher ground withstood the Normans a long time, untill Harold himselfe was shot through with an arrow and fell downe dead: for then [ B] straightwaies they turned their backes and betooke themselves every man to flight. The Duke lofty, and haughty with this victory, and yet not unmindfull of God the giver thereof, errected in memoriall of this battaile an Abbey to the glory of God, and S. Martin, which he called de Bello, or Battaile Abbey, in that very place where Harold after many a wound and stab among the thickest of his enemies gave up the ghost, that the same might bee as it were an everlasting monument of the Normans victorie: and therein he offered his sword, and royall robe which he ware, the day of his Coronation. These the Monkes kept untill their suppression, as also a table of the Normans gentry which entred with the Conquerour; but so corruptly in later times, that they inserted therein the names of such as were their benefactours, and [ C] whosoever the favour of fortune or vertue had advanced to any eminencie in the subsequent ages. About this Abbey there grew afterwards a towne of the same name: or, (that I may use the words of the private History of this Abbey) As the Abbey encreased, there were built about the compasse of the same one hundred and fifteene houses of which the towne of Battell was made. Wherein there is a place called by a French word Sangue lac, of the bloud there shed: which by nature of the ground seemeth after raine to wax red. Whence, William Newborough, wrote although un∣truely, thus: The place, in which there was a very great slaughter of the English men figh∣ting for their countrey, if peradventure it be wet with any small showre, sweateth forth very fresh bloud endeed: as if the very evidence thereof did plainely declare that the voyce of [ D] so much Christian bloud there shed doth still cry from the earth to the Lord. But to the said Abbey King William the Conquerour granted many and great priviledges. And among other, to use the very words of the Charter. If any thiefe, murderer, or felon for feare of death fly and come to this Church, let him have no harme but be dismissed and sent away free from all punishment. Be it lawfull also for the Abbat of the same Church to deli∣ver from the gallowes any thiefe or robber wheresoever, if he chance to come by where such execution is in hand.

Henrie the First likewise,* 2.38 (that I may rehearse the words of his Charter) instituted a mercate to be there kept on the Lords day, free from all toll and tallage. But Sir Anthony Browne Lord Vicount Mount-acute, who not long since in that place built a goodly [ E] house, obtained of late by authoritie of Parliament, that this mercate should bee held upon another day. And as for the priviledges of Sanctuary, in those more heinous and grievous crimes, they are here and every way els by Parliamentary authoritie quite a∣bolished. For, they perceived well, that the feare of punishment being once removed; stout boldnesse, and a will to commit wickednesse grew still to greater head: and that hope of impunity was the greatest motive of ill-doing. Neither heere or in that quar∣ter nere adjoyning,* 2.39 saw I any thing worth relation but onely Ashburnham, that gave the name to a family of as great antiquity as any one in all this tract.

Hastings,* 2.40 which I spake of, called in the English Saxon tongue 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. is situate somewhat higher upon the same shore. Some there bee that ridiculous∣ly [ F] derive this name from out of our tongue, from haste or quicknesse, forsooth; because as Matthew Paris, writeth William Conquerour at Hasting did set up hastily a fortresse of timber. But it may seeme to have taken this new name of Hastings a Danish Pirate, who wheresoever hee landed, with intent to spoile and raise booties, built oftentimes fortresses, as we read in Asserius Menevensis, of Boemflote castle built by him in Essex, as also of others at Appledor and Middleton in Kent. The tradition is that the old towne of Hastings is swallowed up of the sea. That which standeth now as I obser∣ved

is couched betweene a high cliffe sea-ward and as high an hill land-ward, ha∣ving [ A] two streetes extended in length from North to South,* 2.41 and in each of them a parish Church. The haven such as it is being fedde but with a poore small rill, is at the South end of the Towne, and hath had a great Castle upon the hill which o∣ver commanded it, now there are onely ruines thereof, and on the said hill Light houses to direct sailers in the night time. Here in the reigne of King Althel∣stan was a mint-house. Afterward it was accounted the first of the Cinque Ports, which with the members belonging to it,* 2.42 namely Seford, Peuensey, Hodeney, Bul∣verhith, Winchelsey, Rhy, &c. was bound to finde one and twenty ships for warre at sea. In what manner and forme (if you desire to know) both this Port and the rest also [ B] were bound to serve the King in his warres at sea, for the immunities that they enjoy in most ample manner; have heere in those very same words whereby this was in times past recorded in the Kings Exchequer. Hastings with his members ought to find at the Kings summons one and twenty ships:* 2.43 And in every shippe there must bee one and twenty tall and able men, well armed and appointed for the Kings service. Yet so, as that summons bee made thereof on the Kings behalfe fortie daies before. And when the fore∣said ships and men therein, are come to the place whereunto they were summoned, they shall abide there in the Kings service for fifteene daies at their owne proper costs and charges. And if the King shall have farther neede of their service, after the fifteene daies above said, or will have them to stay there any longer, those ships with the men therein being, whiles they [ C] remaine there shal be in the Kings service, at the kings costs and charges, so long as it shall please the king, to wit, The Master of every ship shall receive sixe pence by the day, the Con∣stable sixe pence a day, and every one of the rest three pence by the day. Thus Hastings flourished long,* 2.44 inhabited with a warlike people and skilfull sailers, well stored with barkes and craies and gained much by fishing, which is plentifull along the shore. But after that the peere made of timber was at length violently carried away by ex∣treame rage of the sea, it hath decaied, and the fishing lesse used, by the reason of the dangerous landing, for they are enforced to worke their vessels to land by a Capstall or Craine. In which respect for the bettering of the towne, Queene Elizabeth gran∣ted a contribution toward the making of a new harbour,* 2.45 which was begun, but the contribution was quickly converted into private purses, and the publike good neg∣lected. [ D] Neverthelesse both Court, the Countrey, and Citie of London is served with much fish from thence.

The whole Rape of Hastings and the Honour was holden by the Earles of Ew, (com∣monly called de Augi) in Normandie,* 2.46 descended from the base sonne of Richard the First Duke of Normandie; untill the daies of Alice the heire of the house, whom in the reigne of Henrie the Third, Ralph de Issodun in France tooke to wife, whose posteritie lost a faire patrimonie in England, for that, as our Lawyers spake in those daies,* 2.47 they were Ad fidem Regis Franciae, that is, under the king of France his allegiance. When King Henry the third had seazed their lands into his hands, hee granted the Rape of Hastings first to Peter Earle of Savoy, then to Prince Edward his sonne, and [ E] after upon his surrender to Iohn sonne to the Duke of little Britaine upon certaine exchanges of lands pertaining to the Honour of Richmond which Peter Earle of Savoy had made over for the use of the Prince. Long time after when the Duke of Britaine had lost their lands in England for adhering to the French King, King Henrie the Fourth gave the Rape of Hastings with the Manour of Crowherst, Burgwash, &c. to Sir Iohn Pelham the elder,* 2.48 upon whose loialtie, wisedome, and valour he much relied. Be∣fore we depart from Hastings, as it shall not bee offensive I hope, to remember that in the first daies of the Normans, there were in this shire great gentlemen surnamed Ha∣stings & de Hastings,* 2.49 of whom Mathew de Hastings held the Manour of Grenocle in this service, that he should find at this haven an oa••e, when the kings would crosse over the seas, [ F] so now the honourable house of the Hastings that are Earles of Huntingdon enjoy this title of Hastings. For King Edward the Fourth bestowed this title with certaine Royalties (as they terme them) upon Sir William Hastings his Chamberlaine.* 2.50 Who is by Cominaus commended, for that having received an yearely pension of Lewis the

[ A] eleaventh the French King hee could not for any thing bee brought to give unto the French King an acquittance of his owne hand writing. I will in no case (saith hee) that my hand-writing, bee seene amongst the accounts of the French Kings Treasure. But this man by diving so deepe into the friendship of Kings overwhelmed and drowned himselfe quite. For whiles hee spake his minde, and reasoned over franckly at a private consultation, with the Usurper King Richard the Third, all of a sodaine, and unlooked for, had hee was away, and without pleading for himselfe, presently made shorter by the head upon the next blocke. Neither is this to be passed over in silence that King Henrie the Sixth adorned Sir Thomas Hoo, a worthy knight, whom [ B] hee also chose into the order of the Garter,* 2.51 with the title of Baron, Hoo, and Hastings: whose daughters and heires were married to Sir Gefferie Bollen, (from whence by the mothers side Queene ELIZABETH was descended) to Roger Coplie, to Iohn Carew, Iohn Devenish.

From thence the shore passing under Farley hill farre seene both by sea, and land whereon standeth a solitary Church full bleakly, and a beacon is hollowed with an in-winding Bay,* 2.52 and upon it standeth Winchelsey which was built in the time of King Edward the Frst, when a more ancient towne of the same name, in the Saxons tongue called 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, was quite swallowed up with the rough and raging Ocean in the yeare of our Lord 1250. (what time the face of the earth both heere [ C] and also in the coast of Kent neere bordering, became much changed). The situa∣tion thereof I will set before your eyes in the very words of Th. Walsingham. Situate it is upon a high hill, very steepe on that side, which either looketh toward the sea, or over-looketh the rode where ships lie at anchor. Whence it is that the way leading from that part to the haven goeth not streight forward, least it should by an over sodaine and downe right descent, force those that goe downe to fall headlong, or them that goe up to creepe rather with their hands then to walke: but lying side-waies it windeth with curving turnes in and out,* 2.53 to one side and the other. At first, it was inclosed with a rampier, after-wards with strong wals: and scarce beganne it to flourish, when it was sacked by the French men and Spaniards, and by reason that the sea shrunke backe from it, began [ D] sodainely (as it were) to fade and loose the beauty:* 2.54 And now only beareth the coun∣tenance of a faire towne, and hath under it in the levell which the sea relinquished a Castle fortified by Henrie the Eighth, and large marshes defended from sea-rages with workes very chargeably: By the decay hereof and the benefit of the sea together. Rhie opposite unto it and as highly seated began to flourish,* 2.55 or rather to reflourish, For that in old time it flourished: and that William of Ipres Earle of Kent fortified it, Ipres Tower now the prison, and the immunities or priviledges that it had in com∣mon with the Cinque-ports may sufficiently shew. But by occasion of the Vicinity of Winchelsey or the shrinking backe of the sea, it lay for a good while in former ages unknowne: But when Winchelsey decaied, and King Edward the Third walled it [ E] where the cliffes defended it not, it beganne to breath againe and revive: and in our fathers daies, the sea to make amends aboundantly for the harmes it had done rai∣sed with an unusuall tempest, so rushed in, and insinuated it selfe in forme of a bay that it made a very commodious haven, which another tempest also in our daies did not a little helpe. Since which time it greatly reflourished with inhabitants, buildings, fishing and navigation: and at this day there is an usuall passage from hence into Normandie,* 2.56 yet now it beginneth to complaine that the sea abandoneth it (such is the variable, and interchangeable course of that element) and in part impu∣teth it, that the river Rother is not contained in his channell, and so looseth his force to carry away the sands and beach which the sea doth inbeate into the haven: Not∣withstanding it hath many fishing vessels and serveth London, and the Court with va∣rietie [ F] of sea-fish.

Now whether it have the name of Riue a Norman word which signifieth a strond or Banke, I cannot easily say. But seeing that in Records it is very often called in Latine Ripa, and they who bring fish from hence be termed Ripiers, I encline rather this way, and would encline more, if the Frenchmen used this word for a stroud or

shore, as Plinius doth Ripa. These two townes, (neither may it seeme impertinent [ A] to note it) belonged to the Abbey of Fescampe in Normandie. But when King Henry the Third perceived that religious men intermingled secretly in matters of State, he gave them in exchange for these two, Chiltenham and Sclover two Manours in Glocester-shire, and other lands; adding for the reason, that the Abbat and Monkes might not lawfully fight with temporall armes against the enemies of the Crowne.

* 2.57 Into this haven the River Rother, or Rither sheddeth it selfe, which issuing forth at Ritheram fieldes (for so the Englishmen in ancient times called that towne, which wee doe Rotherfield) passeth by Burgwash, in old time Burghersh, [ B] which had Lords so surnamed thereof: among whom was that Sir Bartholomew Burgwash, a mightie man in his time, who being approved in most weighty Ambas∣sages, and warres in Aquitaine, for his wisedome, and valour deserved, to be created a Baron of the Realme, to be admitted into the Order of the Garter, at the very first institution even among the Founders thereof, and to bee made Constable of Dover Castle, and Warden of the Cinque-ports. And his sonne carrying the same fore-name not degenerating from his father, lived in high honour and estimation; but hee left behind him one daughter, and no more issue, married into the house of Le Despencer; of which there remaineth still a goodly of-spring of Noble personages.* 2.58 Echingham next adjoyning, had also a Baron, named William de Echingham, in the time of King [ C] Edward the Second, whose ancestours were the hereditarie Seneschals of this Rape. And their inheritance in the end, by the heires females name to the Barons of Windsor, and to the Tirwhits. Then the Rother dividing his water into three channels, passeth under Roberts bridge,* 2.59 where Alured de S. Martin, in King Henrie the seconds daies founded a Monasterie: and so running beside Bodiam, a Castle belonging to the an∣cient Family of the Lewknors, built by the Dalegrigs, here falleth (as I said) into the Ocean. Now I have passed along the Sea coast of Sussex. And as for the mid-land part of the shire, I have nothing more to relate thereof, unlesse I should recount the woods, and forrests, lying out faire in length and breadth, which are a remnant of the vast wood, Anderida. Among which, to begin at the West, those of greatest note are [ D] these, The forrest of Arundill, Saint Leonards forrest, Word forrest, and not farre off East Gren-sted anciently a parcell of the Barony of Eagle, and made a Mercate by King Henry the seventh. Ashdowne forrest, under which standeth Buckhurst the habitation of the ancient house of the Sackviles, out of which race Queene Elizabeth in our daies aduanced Thomas Sackvile her allie by the Bollens, a wise Gentleman, to be Baron of Buckhurst,* 2.60 took him into her Privie Councell, admitted him into the most honorable Order of the Garter, and made him Lord Treasurer of England: whom also of late, K. Iames created Earle of Dorset. Waterdown forrest, where I saw Eridge, a lodg of the Lord Abergevenny, and by it craggie rocks rising up so thicke, as though sporting na∣ture had there purposed a sea. Here-by in the very confines of Kent, is Groomebridge an [ E] habitation of the Wallers, whose house there was built by Charles Duke of Orleance, father to K. Lewis the 12. of France, when he being taken prisoner in the battaile at Agincourt, by Richard Waller of this place, was here a long time detained prisoner.

* 2.61 As touching the Earles; Sussex had five by the line of Albiney, who were likewise called Earles of Arundell; but had the third pennie of Sussex, as Earles then had. The first of them was William D' Albiney, the sonne of William, Butler to King Henrie the first,* 2.62 and Lord of Buckenham in Norfolk: who gave for his armes Gules, a Lion rampant, Or: and was called one while Earle of Arundell, and another while Earle of Chichester, for that in those places he kept his chiefe residence. This man, of Adeliz the daughter of Godfrey * 2.63 Barbatus Duke of Lorraine, and of Brabant, [ F] Queen Dowager, or Widdow of K. Henrie the First, begat William the second Earle of Sussex, and of Arundell, father to William the third Earle: unto whom Mabile the si∣ster, and one of the heires of the last Raulph Earle of Chester, bare William the fourth Earle, & Hugh the fifth, who both died without issue, and also foure daughters mar∣ried unto Sir Robert Yateshall, Sir Iohn Fitz-Alan, Sir Roger de Somery, and Sir Robert

[ A] de Mount-hault. After this, the title of Arundell budded forth againe, as I said before, in the Fitz-Alans: but that of Sussex lay hidden, and lost unto this our age: which hath seene five Ratcliffes, descended of the most Noble house of the Fitz-walters, (that derived their pedigree from the Clares) bearing that honour, to wit, Robert created Earle of Sussex by King Henrie the Eight, who wedded Elizabeth daughter of Henry Stafford Earle of Buckingham,* 2.64 of whom he begat Henrie the second Earle: unto whom Elizabeth the daughter of Thomas Howard Duke of Norfolk, brought forth Thomas: who being Lord Chamberlaine to Queene Elizabeth, died without issue, a most worthy and honourable personage, in whose mind were seated joyntly both po∣litike [ B] wisedome, and martiall prowesse, as England and Ireland acknowledged. Him succeeded Sir Henrie his brother, and after him Robert his onely sonne, now in his flower.

[ C] This Province containeth parishes. 312.

[ D] THus farre of Sussex, which together with Suth-rey, was the ha∣bitation of the Regni,* 2.65 in the time of the Britaines, and afterwards the kingdome of the South-Saxons, called in the Saxon tongue, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, which in the two and thirty yeare after the Saxons comming, was begun by Ella, who, as Beda writeth, First among the Kings of the English Nation ruled all their Southern Provinces, which are severed by the River Humber, and the limits adjoyning thereto. The first Christian King was Edilwalch, baptized in the presence of [ E] Wulpher King of Mercia, his Godfather, and he in signe of adopti∣on gave unto him two Provinces, namely, the Isle of Wight, and the Province of the Meanvari: But in the 306. yeare after the begin∣ning of this Kingdome, when Aldinius the last King was slaine by Ina King of West-Saxons, it came wholly under the Dominion of the West-Saxons.

[ F]

Notes

• * 1.1

  Downes.
• * 1.2

  Anderida wood.
• * 1.3

  Iron.
• * 1.4

  Glasses.
• * 1.5

  Boseham.
• * 1.6

  Earle Good∣win doth aequivocate.
• * 1.7

  Alluding happily to Basium, that i•• a Busse, which was in times past used, in doing ho∣mage.
• * 1.8

  Of Mont∣gomerie
• * 1.9

  Hages or Houses.
• * 1.10

  Earles of Chichester.
• * 1.11

  In King Henrie the Eight his time.
• * 1.12

  Selsey. Scales.
• * 1.13

  Here be the best Cockles.
• * 1.14

  slaves.
• * 1.15

  Amberley.
• * 1.16

  See the Earles of Shrews∣burie.
• * 1.17

  D' aubeney, some write him, de Albi∣net••, and de Albiniac••. Earles of A∣rundell, and of Sussex. Charta antiqua X. in 29.
• * 1.18

  Parl. 11. H 6▪
• * 1.19

  229.
• * 1.20

  4. Edw. 3▪
• * 1.21

  See before the Earles of Surrey.
• * 2.1

  As having married his daughter.
• * 2.2

  Spigurnell what it is.
• * 2.3

  Petworth.
• * 2.4

  The Percies. See in the end of Northum∣berland.
• * 2.5

  Dautry.
• * 2.6

  Burton.
• * 2.7

  Horsham.
• * 2.8

  Michelgrove.
• * 2.9

  Shelley. Offington. The familie of the Wests.
• * 2.10

  De Cantelup••.
• * 2.11

  Barons de la Ware.
• * 2.12

  Cisburie.
• * 2.13

  Cimenshore.
• * 2.14

  Brood-water. Lord Camois. Camois.
• * 2.15

  A wife given and granted to another.
• * 2.16

  Parlam. 30. Edw. primi.
• * 2.17

  The forme of a Bill of a kind of Di∣vorcement, called Kepu∣diu••.
• * 2.18

  Shoreham.
• * 2.19

  Ederington.
• * 2.20

  Slaugham.
• * 2.21

  Lewes.
• * 2.22

  For custome or rent and roll.
• * 2.23

  Domesday booke.
• * 2.24

  Or redeem∣eth the of∣fence.
• * 2.25

  Cluniaco.
• * 2.26

  The monu∣ment of Magnus a Dane.
• * 2.27

  1263.
• * 2.28

  The battaile of Lewes.
• * 2.29

  232.
• * 2.30

  Others call it, The three Charles.
• * 2.31

  Downes.
• * 2.32

  Pevensey.
• * 2.33

  Florentius wi∣gorniensis, pag. 452.
• * 2.34

  Composition betweene King Ste∣phen, and Henrie of Anjoy. Honor de A∣quila. Robert de Mon∣te.
• * 2.35

  Herst Mon∣ceaux. Herst what it is.
• * 2.36

  Regist, of the Monasterie of Roberts-bridge.

  The familie of the Fienes. Patent. 37. Henrie 6. An. 14. Ed. 4.
• * 2.37

  See Nor∣mans before.
• * 2.38

  A mercate kept on the Sunday.
• * 2.39

  Ashburnham.
• * 2.40

  Hastings.
• * 2.41

  *
• * 2.42

  Cinqueports.
• * 2.43

  21. Edw. 1.
• * 2.44

  3946.
• * 2.45

  1578.
• * 2.46

  Ancenses. Earles of Ew.
• * 2.47

  *
• * 2.48

  Esc. 7. H. 6.
• * 2.49

  Enquisition 5. Edw. 1.
• * 2.50

  William Lord Hastings.
• * 2.51

  26. Henry 6. Baron of Hoo and Hastings.
• * 2.52

  Winchelsey.
• * 2.53

  Camber-Castle.
• * 2.54

  *
• * 2.55

  Rhie.
• * 2.56

  *
• * 2.57

  The River Rother. Barons Burg∣hersh.
• * 2.58

  Baron Echingham.
• * 2.59

  Roberts Bridge, or Rotherbridge Bodiam.
• * 2.60

  Baron Buck∣hurst.
• * 2.61

  Earles of Sussex.
• * 2.62

  See Earles of Arundell.
• * 2.63

  With the beard.
• * 2.64

  21. Henry 8.
• * 2.65

  The King∣dome of the South-Sax∣ons.