The estates, empires, & principallities of the world Represented by ye description of countries, maners of inhabitants, riches of prouinces, forces, gouernment, religion; and the princes that haue gouerned in euery estate. With the begin[n]ing of all militarie and religious orders. Translated out of French by Edw: Grimstone, sargeant at armes.

The Estate of the King of great Britaine

❧A DISCOVRSE OF ENGLAND.

The Contents.

1. ENgland in old time called Albrov, or Britaine, and of their Etymologie. 2. De∣scription [ C] of this Island, the Scituation and bignesse. 3. Fertilitie and health of the countrie, yet infected sometimes with the plague. 4. It endures no vene∣mous beast: And why there are no Wolues. 5. The riuer of Themes, Seuerne, Humber, Trent, and some others. 6. Pearles abounding in this Island in Coesars time, and of the corslet all imbroydered with pearle, which he did conse••rate to the goddesse Venus. 7. Mo∣ney of Yron and Copper vsed by the ancient English. 8. Women in old time common among the English, and commaunding Armies. 9. Ciuilitie, quicknesse of spirit, and other good qualities of the moderne English, and their exercises. 10. Humour of the English, hautie, and the basest sort inclined to drunkennesse. 11. Great wealth of priuat men growing by the trafficke of wooll, tinne, and herring. 12. London the chiefe Citie in England, inhabited by three hundred [ D] and fiftie thousand soules. 13. Trafficke of England valued yearely at some millions of gold. 14. Treasure and reuenues of the king of England, what it was whenas king Henry the eight fell from the Church of Rome. 15. Ordinarie reuenues of the Crowne of England at this pre∣sent. 16. Extraordinarie Subsidies of two sorts in England. 17. Expence of dyet in the king of Englands Court. 18. Penalties imposed vpon such as are Papists in England. 19. Extra∣ordinarie reuenues of the Crowne of England. 20. The strong scituation of the Island of Eng∣land, and of the great number of Ships it entertaines. 21. Englishmen verie expert at Sea. Their traffike into far Countries, both East and West. 22. Number of Souldiers which they may raise in England. 23. Armie of England, in what order it went to the siege of Bou••len in the raigne of king Henrie the eight. 24. English Nobilitie, and of the diuers so••ts of Knights [ E] in England, and the ceremonies at their creation. 25. Order of the knights of the Garter, and by whom it was instituted. 26. Of the officers of the Crowne of England, and what their Lords be. 27. The three Estates, or Parliament of England, their great power, offices, and ceremonies in their assemblie. 28. Three kinds of iudgements in England: of Royall ••uris∣dictions, of Ordinarie punishments, and how Trayt••rs are punished. 29. Courts at Westmin∣ster, and the Star-chamber, when instituted. 30. A Catalogue of the Kings of England. 31. Archbishops and Bishops which were, and are at this present in England.

[ F] I Should seeme vaine, or rather tedious, if I should make relation of [ I] the long contention of the ancient names of this Island, for that it seemes men should rather expect from my desseigne a conside∣ration of things, than of words. Yet the importune curiositie of such as might demaund it at this entrance, shall inuite •••• onely to say, that according to the fabulous reports of the Gre••ians, it first carried the name of one Albion, the imaginarie sonne of Neptune; or else according to the Latines, it was so called, by reason of the white Rockes which

are seene vpon the shoare; afterwards it tooke the name of Britaine, of the word Brit, [ A] signifying coloured in English; for that the inhabitants of that Island were accustomed to paint their bodies, and since it changed to the name of England, that is to say, the land of the English; for that the English Saxons did enioy it. This should suffice them that desire to content their minds, or satisfie their slouth that will make nofurther search.

[ II] But to come to the point, The Island of great Britaine is in a manner like vnto that of Sicile, hauing three points or capes, which extend themselues after diuers sorts. The first which lookes towards the West, is that of Belleria, called by the English, The C••pe of Cornwall. The second is that of Cantia, which bends to the East, called at this [ B] day, The North Foreland, of the which all the countrie of that Island which lyes towards the East, hath taken the name of Kent, according to the Vulgar. The third is that of Orcas, of Trauedee, or Trauise, towards the North, called by some Dunghumbehead, or Dunsbihead, and by some others Houuburne. This Island is scituated towards the West of Europe, one and fiftie degrees from the Equator, and is opposite vpon the West to Ireland, vpon the East to the Low Countries, vpon the North to the Islands of Or∣cades, and on the South to France. As for the circuit, the English, who haue more cu∣riously surueied it, measure it after this manner. They account from the cape of Tra∣uise, vnto that of Belleria, for that the way goes serpent-wise, by reason of the crooked shoares, taking it from the West, eight hundred and twelue miles. From that place vnto [ C] Kent, three hundred and twentie miles. From thence by windings and turnings they reckon vnto Trauis seuen hundred and foure miles. So as the circuit of the whole Island containes about 1835. But for that it is a small matter to vnderstand the bounds of a Countrie, if we doe not in like maner know the bountie; I desire before I engage my selfe in any other discourse, to consider what this Island doth furnish to her Inhabitants, and in like manner what it wants.

¶ Qualitie of the Countrie.

[ III] THe aire of this Island is grosse, and verie subiect to mists, raine, and winds; and the [ D] grossenesse of this aire is the reason why the cold and heat are neuer vehement. The nights are cleare, and it is not much subiect to diseases, so as they vse lesse phisic••e than in any other part of Europe: yet there happens many times a plague which destroies many. The soile is so fruitfull in many places, as he that writes the Panegyric to Con∣stantine, hath much commended the fertilitie. It brings foorth all kinds of trees at all seasons, except the firre tree and beech trees: but at this daie there are great numbers found of the latter sort: Yet it wants Oliue trees, Oranges, and other trees, which doe commonly grow in hotter regions. The stockes of Vines are rather for shew than any profit vnto their masters, for that they carrie but few grapes, neither doe they ripen in [ E] due season. They sow wheat, rye, barley, oates, and all other kinds of pulses. The corne growes soone, and ripens late, by reason of the aboundant humiditie of the aire and soile. There are many small hils without trees, or water, which carries a verie thicke and ••mall grasse, sufficient to feed whole troups of Sheepe which they driue thither, the which either for the sweetnesse of the aire, or the bountie of the soile haue their wooll longer, and more delicate than any other. Some hold that the Shepheards of England will not suffer their sheepe to drink at any fountaine, so as they are onely wa∣tred with the ••••aw, for that they haue found by long experience, that all other waters were hurtfull, and did kill them. Doubtlesse we may rightly call this wooll the Gol∣den Fleece, for that it is the chiefe ground of the inhabitants wealth, whereby they ga∣ther [ F] a great quantitie of gold and siluer from forraine merchants. And of this wooll they make such excellent fine Cloth, as the Germans, Polonians, they of Denmarke, Sueden, and many other Countries doe much esteeme it, and doe buy it more wil∣lingly than any other.

[ A] There are in England great numbers of all sorts of beasts, at the least of such as we [ IIII] haue commonly in these countries, except Asses and Mules, which they haue not in such aboundance, and Wolues which no where are to be seen ranging abroad; for that the inhabitants haue been so industrious, or so painfull, as they haue clensed the whole countrie of them, whereas these beasts haue been in former times plentifully amongst them: This is the reason why their cattell go freely vp and downe without any keepers, for that they are freed from this feare, and there are to be seen day and night, great num∣bers of horse, kine, and sheep in their pastures and fields, which are common to all the neighbours after that Haruest is ended. The countrie as I haue said yeelds no wine, [ B] but in recompence they vse beere made of barley and hops, the which is pleasing and profitable to them that vse it.

There are goodly Riuers which water the countrie, as the riuers of Thames, Seuerne, [ V] Humbar, Trent, and some others of lesse ••ame. The Horses of this countrie, which we call geldings, are for the most part gelt, to the end they may continue the longer, being at libertie in the pasture they trot not, but go a kind of amble, with the which they make great speed: at the least few doe the contrarie. There are more Conies than in any countrie in the world. The Englishmen haue an infinite number of foule both wild and tame. The capons of Kent are verie great, like vnto them of Puluerare in territorie of Padua, or them of Mans, or of Saint Geniez. Their geese are verie delicate before [ C] they haue moulted, but being great, their tast is not verie pleasing. There is great store of partridge, phesants, quailes, black-birds, thrushes, and larkes: and the larkes grow wonderfull fat during winter, which is not verie sharpe; and then they take so great num∣bers, as their tables are plentifully furnished with them. There are swans in all their lakes and riuers, and earlie euery morning rauens and crowes are heard to crie. Many hold it for certaine, that there are not so many crowes to be found in any countrie in the world, as in England. This foule doth feed vpon wormes which breed in this Island in great aboundance, by reason of the moisture of the soile: but they doe much harme, for they not onely eat the corne when it is ripe, but they also pull the seed out of the ground, when as the blade begins to appeare: so as the husbandman is forced at that [ D] time often to set boyes in the field to driue them away; for that their cries onely will not serue to put them to flight.

The English haue verie good fish, and amongst others the turbot, and the pike: As for the pike (which in former times was not in request) it is now much esteemed; for that being taken out of pooles, and put into smaller ponds, they grow wonderfull fat, eating the small fish and eales. When as they bring any to sell, they open his bellie with a knife, and if by chance the fisherman cannot sell him, he dies not by reason of this opening, but being sowed vp againe, they put him among Tenches, where the wound is soone closed vp, by reason of the glutinous substance of this fish. Their oysters are more delicate than in any other place of the world, and in greater aboundance.

[ E] Moreouer this Island yeelds siluer, lead, tinne, and copper. There is also great store of yron, which makes the best Ordnance in the world; And there hath been found pearles. Suetonius doth obserue in the life of Caesar, that the hope of finding pearles in [ VI] the Island of great Britaine, made him to vndertake that voyage, and that they were of hat sort, as he could discerne the difference of the weight with the hand. But at this day they find not any but small ones and yellow vpon the coasts of Scotland and the Orcades, the which shew not much better then the eyes of whitings. Plinie also saith, that the pearles which are found in England are small, and of a bad lustre: Yet not∣withstanding that, Caesar would haue it knowen, that the corslet which he offred vnto the image of Venus, was imbroydered therewith. This countrie hath also fountaines [ F] of salt and whot Bathes, verie medicinable.

Hitherto we haue made mention of the commodities of England, Now let vs in few words shew the discommodities, and what it wants and borrowes from others, either for necessitie, or for pleasure. Amongst those things which she receiues, we must make speciall mention of Spices, Sugar, and all sorts of fruits which come from France and

Spaine; the Wines, Oyles, and Hops, necessarie to make Beere, (whereof now they [ A] haue plentie) the Cloth of gold, and Silkes, the greatest part of our Linnen cloth, and all kinds of merchandise, besides the Woad, Cochenille, and such like things necessarie for dying. Now that we haue discoursed of the qualitie of the Countrie, let vs see that of the persons which inhabite it.

¶ Manners of the ancient English.

[ VII] THE Inhabitants of great Britaine did in old time vse certaine peeces of Copper, or Rings, as some say, or (according to others) plates of yron of a certaine waight [ B] for their coine. They did not hold it lawfull to eat of a Hare, a Hen, or a Goose, and yet they bred many for their pleasures. They of Kent were the most ciuile amongst them, and did not much differ from the Gaules in their behauiour. Few of them did sow any Corne, and therefore they liued of milke and flesh. They were couered with certaine skinnes, and did colour themselues with woad, to be more fearfull in battell, and euen the women in some solemnities and ceremonies went naked and painted with this hearbe. They ware long haire, and all their bodies were shauen, except their [ VIII] head and their vpper lip, where they kept their mustachos. They were sometime ten or twelue which had their wiues common, imitating therein the forme of Platoes Com∣monweale, renewed in our age by the Anabaptists. But they principally which had [ C] their wiues common among them, were brethren with their brethren, and the chil∣dren with their fathers; and when these women were deliuered, they held them for true fathers of those children who had first accompanied with the women. They vsed cha∣riots in their battailes, and were accustomed to make them run with great speed, casting their darts, so as they did often breake the rancks of their enemies by the terror of their horses, and the noyse of their wheeles; and then being in the middest of troupes of horse, they suddainly left their chariots and fought on foot: in the meane time they that guided their chariots retyred a little out of the presse, but in such sort, that if their masters were prest by the enemie, they might soone recouer their chariots and make a retreat. Finally Suetonius termes them barbarous, for that hauing great aboundance of [ D] milke, yet for the most part they knew not how to make any Cheese. They called for∣rests compast in with ditches, Townes, whereas they might defend themselues from the sudden inuasions of their enemies. Tacitus writes, That the English were accusto∣med to haue women to commaund ouer Armies: and according vnto Dyon of Niceas, they neuer tilled their land, and did liue onely of hunting, and of the fruits of trees, neuer eating any fish, although they had verie good, and in great aboundance. They did easilie endure hunger, cold, and all discommodities and toiles: for being plunged vp to the necke in water, they endured hunger for many daies, and they were nourisht in forrests with the barks and roots of trees. They made diuers figures vpon the bodies of their children, the which did grow with them. They were wonderfully giuen to [ E] Sor∣cerie, yea in such sort, as they were held more skilfull in that wicked Art, or at least as much as they w••o had purchased their reputation to know the greatest secrets, and the deepest misteries. They did neuer eat any thing being at Sea, the which they might ea••••lie doe, for that their voyages were short, hauing no kind of trafficke with any for∣raine Nations. They vsed a drinke made of Barley, as they doe in this age. Many things more may be spoken vpon this subiect: but it is sufficient to make mention of the chiefe of former••imes, to come vnto the manners of the English of our age.

¶ Their Manners at this day.

[ IX] THE English at this day are neat and ciuile, and the English gentlemen are full of [ F] humanitie and courtesie, wherein other nations haue no aduantage ouer them; although that the vanitie of some doc flatter and deceiue them, as they persuade them∣selues that there can nothing be found gracefull, but in their owne countries: besides

they haue quick spirits, prompt and subtile, capable of all arts and sciences; and their bo∣dies haue also this particularitie, that they are wonderfull nimble, and fit for all trials of actiuitie, and for all exercises. The men of qualitie haue a pleasing behauiour, and a sweetnesse mixt with grauitie, a thousand times more seemely than the lightnesse of ma∣nie, to whom some giue the name of propernesse or neatnesse without forcing: and to speake the trueth, I doe not see that their actions are forced, for that they seeme to haue receiued this grace from nature, and not to haue gotten it by art. They take delight to feast strangers, and they spare not any thing to make good cheere, with as great freedome as bountie. It is a thing worthie obseruation, that any stranger of fashion may goe and [ B] dyne with the Lord Maior of London, who doth keepe open house, and giues royall en∣tertainment at his table. They are excellent Archers, and valiant in warre. But some thinke that the greatest part of that Nation run into dangers, rather by a furious motion of nature, than by any full resolution of the knowledge of the danger, which proceeds from true valour: Whatsoeuer it be, they seeme to be ignorant of feare and flight, and to haue no other desseigne but to vanquish: so as where there is a good number of this nation in an Armie, it is not ill furnished, and there is no need but to lead them wisely. Yet they doe not easily endure the discommodities of warre, but are full of impaciencie, desiring to fight soone with the enemie, and to vanquish or die. They that are giuen to studie, profit so well, as there hath alwaies been seene in England some worthie man [ C] which hath made himselfe famous by the perfect knowledge of many sciences. As for their apparell, they haue for a long time found the fashion of the French so proper and neat, that as soone as they haue any new fashion, the English carrie it into their Coun∣trie and follow it, though not whollie, either for the insufficiencie of their Taylors, or for that they will not be held to be without inuention, and to borrow this propernesse, (or to speake more plainly) this phantasticknesse from others. And in trueth we may [ X] partly draw some proofe of that which I haue spoken from the humour of the English, who excepting some who are well bred, are generally haughtie, holding that they ex∣ceed all the world in euery thing. They haue also (specially the baser sort) this infirmitie, that they loue wine exceedingly, and drinke more than will suffice them: and whenas [ D] they haue exceeded in drinking, they vse Tabacco, which makes them to void a part of that wherewith the head is charged, and doth soone ease them; so as they may returne to their cups and excesse as before. So that in their manners and humors, they are mixt with good and euill, like vnto those of all other Nations. But for that it is not onely suf∣ficient that a Realme should be accompanied with all the qualities aboue mentioned, and whereof we haue knowledge, but it is also necessarie to know in what sort they make their profit, it shall be therefore sit to discourse now of their wealth. For although that riches be an instrument of excesse, and a step to honor, yet it is held for so strong a sinew of Common weales, as we may now say, That a Countrie wantes motion and vigour, whenas it is destitute of that part: I will therefore begin the discourse with the profit of [ E] priuat men, and so will shew what the King of England may draw from his Estate.

¶ Riches of England.

THE wealth of priuat men in this Kingdome growes first from the sale of their [ XI] Woolls, whereof they make such excellent fine Cloth, as the Germanes, Po∣lonians, they of Denmarke, Sueden, and of many other Countries, doe much esteeme it, and buy it more willingly than any other. They hold for certaine, that strangers draw in Wooll and Cloth out of England, neere to the value of a million and a halfe of gold yearely. Moreouer they sell great store of Tinne, which comes out of Cornewall, excee∣ding [ F] fine, and in a manner equall to Siluer. And of this Tinne, and of Lead, the English may draw yearely aboue foure or fiue hundred thousand crownes. They also make great profit of Herring, which are taken vpon the Northern coasts, the which are sent into many countries of Europe. They draw much siluer from their Beere, which they of the low Countries doe much esteeme, as also of their Leather and Sea-coales.

[ XII] The Citie of London, the head of the kingdome, and the aboad of kings, which [ A] con∣taines with the suburbs, and Westminster, about three hundred & fiftie thousand soules, is happily seated vpon the riuer of Thames, wheras there is a great abord of ships of three or foure hundred tunnes burthen, wherein the flowing and ebbing of the sea doth much helpe them, although it be aboue threescoore miles from the Sea vnto the Citie. Some hold that in the companies of Aduenturers (which are they that may carrie merchandise from Flanders to England, and from thence into Flanders) and of the Staplers, who haue permission to draw foorth wools, there are many men worth fiftie or threescore thousand pounds starling, all or the greatest part in readie money, the which according to the or∣dinarie course, is aboue two hundred thousand crownes, besides many others of diuers [ B] companies; as merchants of Tinne, Spices, and other things called groceries: And that which seemes incredible is, that there are Merchants of salt-fish extraordinarily rich, of [ XIII] these summes, or greater. And as for the whole Realme of England, Guicchardine did think, that the traffique of England, before the tumults of the low Countries, did amount yearely to twelue millions of gold. Behold what may be spoken of the peoples wealth: Now we will treat of the Treasure and reuenues of the king, which are necessarie to maintaine an estate; for that we haue seen how preiudiciall it hath been to Princes that [ XIIII] wanted, and were great spenders, giuers, or had small reuenues. To come then vnto the point, before that king Henry the eight did withdraw himselfe from the Church of Rome, it is reported, that the ordinary reuenues of the Crowne of England amounted to aboue [ C] fiue hundred thousand crownes yearely, which in part was drawen from the wardships of yong Orphans, that were vnder the age of one and twentie yeares: for all they that haue any land, how little soeuer, which doth hold in knights seruice of the Crowne of England, remaine during their minorities, Wards vnto the king, who giuing them small portions for their entertainment, receiues the rest of their reuenues, vntill they come to the age of one and twentie yeares, and then they pay a certaine summe of money vnto the king, to enter into their inheritances: but yet the kings are accustomed in this point to vse them gratiously. Besides, there is another kind of reuenues, which all they pay that acknowledge to hold any thing of the Crowne, when as they come to any succes∣sion of free lands. And there is also another which is called Reliefe, which consists in the [ D] acknowledgement of fees, the which are many, and of diuers sorts, which are of more or lesse profit vnto the king, according to the importance and qualities of the fees: And these reuenues are accounted extraordinarie, in regard of the ordinarie, which are the demeanes of the Crowne, called the old Rents; whereunto now is annexed that of the Duchie of Lancaster. But aboue all, there is the reuenue of the Custome, which is onely of such merchandise as come into the Realme, or go foorth, and all pay it indifferently, as well strangers as subjects: but that strangers are charged more than the English. These are the most important reuenues of the Crowne, which were in old time, and are yet: Besides, there is the profit which is drawen from the mynes of Yron, Lead, & Tinne, but especially those of Tinne, there being scarce any part of the Island but is subiect vnto it, [ E] for that the land is full of Mynes; but aboue all the countrie of Cornewall, from whence they draw great aboundance, and exceeding fine. There was also, and is yet, the reue∣nues of Bishoprickes and Abbies which are void; and whenas Abbies (which are verie many) were not as they are at this day, it was of great importance; and the nomination of Abbies, as well as of Bishoprickes, belongs vnto the King, who enioyes the fruits, as little, or as long as he lists, according to the importance of the thing that is void. The King hath the confiscation of Rebels goods, besides the fines which are drawen from many seats of justice, but especially from that which is called the Star-chamber; in which court enormious offences of all orders are punished with pecuniarie mulcts, imprison∣ment, and often with mutilation of their bodies. And all these reuenues, as well [ F] ordina∣rie, [ XV] as extraordinarie, did amount (as they sayd) at the time of their distraction from the Church of Rome, to the summe of a hundred and fiftie thousand pounds, which are six hundred thousand crownes. Since that time the kings of England receiue the Tenths of all Clergie liuings, according to the decree of Henrie the eight, and the Annats in like

[ A] manner; so now these reuenues are exceedingly increased, the whole ordinarie reue∣nues are said to be about a million and three hundred thousand and odd crownes. There [ XVI] is moreouer the extraordinarie subsidies, which are of two kinds; for that somtimes they are leuied generally throughout the Realme, and to this end a Parliament is called, whereas they resolue of that which is necessarie, and how they shall proceed: and some∣times also the king requires a kind of subsidie of particular men, which they call a loane, and then euery man striues to shew his loue vnto his prince.

There is no man which doubts, whenas they haue no warre within the Realme (for [ XVII] that there is not commonly any need for her safetie, of any of the most important char∣ges, [ B] as entertayning of horse and foot, nor the prouision of an Armie, for that it is assu∣red of it selfe:) No man I say will doubt, but it is sufficient not onely to prouide for the preseruation of the Kings greatnesse and dignitie, but aboundantly to satisfie all his desires, for that in taking away the fees of the kings guard, being three hundred, and of fiftie gentlemen seruants, and of fiftie Pentioners other seruants, and deducting the repara∣tion of ports, and of those few ships which are in being, of ordnance, the renewing of armes, and of all sorts of munition, in like manner, the reparation of the kings houses, whereof there are verie many within the realme, besides entertainment of Iudges, and other publique officers, all ordinarie and necessarie expences for the preseruation of a Realme, taking away I say all this, which is not of any great importance, a good part of [ C] the rest is consumed in the necessities of the chamber, dyet, stable, armes, chappell, ward∣roab, and other offices, after a verie royall manner; for that there is not any nation which spends more than the English, as well in their dyet, as in other ordinarie things; and the king entertaineth a great number of men, with many distinctions of degrees and offices: So as in the time of the deceased Queene Elizabeth, the onely expences of the Court for dyet amounted neere to threescoore thousand pounds starling yearely. The reuenues of the Crowne then came from these heads, and a great part of them are spent by these meanes; for, that when things are best husbanded, there remaines not ouer great sur∣plusage for extraordinarie necessities, either of warre, or any other publique occurents. There remaineth one point onely to be added, which is, that the Law imposeth a [ XVIII] cer∣taine [ D] penaltie vpon such as will liue Romish Catholikes, and will not be conformable, which yeelds the king a good reuenue. This Realme then hath no extraordinarie [ XIX] reue∣nues, but Subsidies which are graunted by parliament, in the time of publique necessitie. but they are paied with great ease, hauing alwaies two termes of payment giuen them, and they are taxed according to their estate, being bound to giue more or lesse, accor∣ding to the princes necessitie. But their valuations are reasonable, not onely in respect of euery mans estate, but in regard of that which is practized in other Countries: yet the same is not so little, but they commonly draw great summes of money. We haue spoken sufficient of the wealth of priuat men, and of the reuenues of the Crowne. And although that they be the sinews of warre, yet haue they need to be fortified with other [ E] things, to make a good and firme resistance: So as we will now treat of the forces which this Realme may haue.

¶ Forces of England.

ENgland is better seated than any other Realme, for the strength thereof; for that it hath two excellent properties, which Aristotle seekes in the scituation of a Towne; [ XX] the one a difficult entrance for the enemie, the other is to haue an easie going foorth for all enterprises. For the Irish Sea which lyes vpon the West, is so shallow, and so full of flats and dangers, as no great ships can passe; and the Brittish sea which is vpon the [ F] South, doth flow and ebbe, and rise twelue or fifteene fadomes ordinarily, with so great violence, as it is fearfull. So as to come into any port, they must haue the tyde and wind fauorable, but especially the tyde. And all the coast of this Iland is very high and rough, except in some few places, which are well fortified; as Barwicke, Douer, and Plymouth: so as we may say, that the whole Iland is nothing in a manner but a great fort. We must

adde to the strong scituation, the sea and land forces. For as for those at sea (besides the [ A] Kings nauie, which is of great strength) the Realme hath so many ports, and so frequen∣ted with merchants from all parts, as the English say, that the ships which trade there commonly exceed the number of two thousand. But whatsoeuer it be, it is most cer∣taine, that they may draw together foure hundred ships, yea more, if necessitie requires. And for proofe, Edward the third past to the enterprise of Calais, and since, Henry the eight to the siege of Boullen, with a thousand saile of all sorts. So as it must be a great and difficult enterprise to inuade this Island, whereas their ports are not onely for the entrie, but also for the accesse very difficult, besides the fortifications which are made. We must adde to these difficulties, the valour and experience of that nation at sea, and in those [ B] af∣faires; for that there is not any more hardie, nor more apt to fight at sea than the En∣glish. [ XXI] They scoure the Ocean, as well in Winter, as in Summer, with wonderfull swift sayling vessels, and well furnished with ordnance, whereof they haue great aboundance. They trafficke to Muscouie, Cataia, Alexandria in Aegypt, to Constantinople, Li∣uonia, Barbarie, and Guinee. They haue attempted to passe vnto the Indies, some∣times by the West, coasting along the new world, and sometimes by the East, bending their course by Muscouie and Cataia. But it seemes that nature hath most commonly op∣posed her selfe against their desseigns, and hath stopt their passage. Moreouer in the yeare 1586. they inuaded the Island of Hispaniola, and the new found world, yea, before the peace concluded betwixt the kings of England and Spaine, they did continually molest [ C] the Islands of the Azores, Cape Verd, and Brasill. Two of their Captaines haue with as great courage as fortune, compassed in a manner the whole world.

[ XXII] Besides all this, there are many trained souldiers in the countrie, who are good men at land, and are of no small importance, either in regard of the number, or of the qualitie. As for the number, the Realme is diuided into many Counties, in one of them, which is York-shire, they make account that they can leuie threescoore and ten thousand foot. But what soeuer it be, it is certaine, that the Realme can put to field a hundred thousand foot, and twentie thousand horse. Euery one of these Counties is gouerned by a Vicont or Shirife: but at this day there is a Lord lieutenant, who hath the command and power to leuie soldiers when necessitie requires; at which time the deputie, li••utenants, and [ D] cap∣taines make choise of such as are fittest to serue: For their foot they make choise of the strongest and ablest men.

As for their horsemen, they chuse men of a meane stature, which are nimble and ac∣tiue. Their horses are not good for the shocke, like vnto the low Countrie and Germane horses (their countrie being to fat to breed them,) But their horsemen are of two kinds, the one hath his armes compleat, and serue with lances, and they are for the most part gentlemen: the other are lightly armed, like vnto the light horsemen of Italie, wearing a corslet and a morrion, like vnto the pikeman, and carrying long slender staues. Al∣though they may put to field aboue two thousand men at armes, and a great number of light horse, yet doe we not find that their horsemen were euer so famous in any combat [ E] as their foot. And king Edward the fourth, who had fought so many battails, meaning to shew in which sort of men he had most confidence, left his horse, and did fight among [ XXIII] the footmen. But to shew what a king of England may doe, especially this, who withall do••h enioy all Ireland and Scotland, I haue thought it fit to set downe the preparation of king Henry the eight, when as he made the enterprise of Boullein. This king past the sea with ••n armie diuided into three parts, There was in the foreward 12000 foot, and fiue hundred horse lightly armed, besides a thousand horse with shirts of maile and tas∣sets, all which were clad in blew, garded with red. The rereward was led by the duke of Norfolke, which consisted of the like number of foot and horse, and ware the same liue∣rie. Betwixt these went a thousand Irish men, wearing long and straight shirts, with a [ F] mantle vpon them, the rest was naked, they ware long haire, and went bare headed; euery one of them was armed with three darts, and a long sword, and they ware a gauntlet on the left hand vp to the elbow; when they come to fight, they trusse vp their shirts, and are good runners. The battaile wherein the kings person was, did consist of twentie

thousand foot, and two thousand English horse, all clothed in red, garded with yellow. They drew after them a hundred great cannons, besides smaller peeces. They carried a hundred mils in carts, euery one of which was turned with a horse, and were brought to grind their corne; they had ouens also vpon wagons to bake their bread. The num∣ber of carts was so great, as they did inuiron the whole armie like a trench; and to draw these carts, the artillerie, and baggage, there came out of the Island about 25000 horse; and beside all sorts of victuals, they brought fifteene thousand Beeues, with an infinite number of other cattell. I should be too tedious in my discourse, if I should particu∣larise the great quantitie of ladders, bridges, bullets, powder, munition, wood, and [ B] other things belonging to millitarie actions, wherewith they were furnished, hauing not left any thing behind which they held necessarie. But as for their shipping, those which were ordinarilie entertained, are much diminished, for that there is not much aboue fortie. But we must consider, that these few, with the rest of his priuat subiects•• whereof the king makes vse in all occasions, as of his owne, paying them as he doth strangers, when necessitie doth presse him; all these ships I say will not onely serue for a defence, but will be able at need to offend, and inuade; for that it is reported there is so great a number dispersed in diuers parts of the Island, of great and small, fit to serue and to go against an enemie, as if they were drawen together (the which the king may easilie doe vpon any command) they would amount to a great number, the English say [ C] foure hundred. But admit the number were lesse, yet without doubt there would be so many, as arming one part of them with souldiers, artillerie, munition, and armes, the which they may easilie doe (for that this Realme, in regard of all these necessarie pro∣uisions, doth not enuie any other) if they did not inuade any man, yet at the least they would not feare standing vpon their defence, any force that should assaile them.

As for men of action, some hold that the king is able to arme fiue and twentie thou∣sand Corslets, besides the Noble men and priuat Barons, wherewith euery one of them is furnished according to his traine and meanes. And although they be not all trained sol∣diers, yet being in the companie of them that haue been practised (for that many of this Nation, as well as of others, goe here and there to the warres) they would worke great [ D] effects, for the naturall inclination they haue to warre: and euen they that shall be vn∣armed, would by the same reason shew great proofes of their persons. Whenas Eng∣land was not vnited vnto Scotland, the Sea did fortifie it sufficiently against all other Nations, except the Scottish, who are in the same Island. But the English had assured that frontier with a good garrison at Barwicke, a strong place, seated vpon the riuer of Tweed, and of great traffique, by reason of the fishing for Salmons; this place was in old time taken by the English from the Scottish men. This is all that can be spoken of the Forces of England. It is now fit to treat of the gouernment of this Realme, for that it were not sufficient to be rich, strong, and peopled, if it were not also well gouerned; for that we know well, that many Commonweales which haue not wanted any thing [ E] of that we haue obserued in this Realme, haue notwithstanding come to ruine for want of good conduct.

¶ Gouernment of England.

THe Crowne of England is successiuely hereditarie to them that are neerest of the bloud, and whenas the Males faile, the Females succeed; and hereupon the English alledge that which is written in the booke of Numbers, That whenas a man dieth with∣out any sonnes, the succession shall belong vnto his daughters; which custome is not re∣ceiued in France. The realme is diuided among the Nobilitie, Gentrie, Burgesses, and [ XXIIII] [ F] Commons. Among the Nobles, next to the king, they put the Princes, Dukes, Mar∣quesses, Earles, Vicounts, and Barons, who are called Lords and Noblemen; and these are followed by Knights, Esquiers, and Gentlemen. All Dukes, Marquesses, Earles, Vi∣counts, and Barons, receiue their dignities from the Prince, or take that of the Father, who hath carried some one of these tytles; for the eldest sonne of a Duke, during his

fathers life time shall be called Earle; and the sonne of an Earle, Vicount, or Baron▪ but [ A] the yongest sonnes shall be but Esquiers. They doe commonly call all the yonger sonnes of a Duke, Lords, as they doe an Earles eldest sonne. No man is borne a Knight, no not the Prince of Wales. Knights are either made before a battaile, to encourage men to do well, or after a battaile, when they haue giuen good proofes of their valour, or else for some great hope they haue of them in time of peace. But they are not all made after one manner, for some are made by the king, others by his commandment and authori∣tie, and some by the election of a Generall of an armie, who finds them worthie of this honour. When any one is made Knight, he kneels downe, and then the king layes a naked sword vpon his shoulder, and speaks these words; Rise vp Sir Knight. The knights [ B] of the Bathe are made at the Coronation of kings, with long and curious ceremonies. Knight Bannerets are made in the field, & may carrie their armes in their Ensignes, like into Barons; but there are few of this order now liuing in England. Of what rancke of knights soeuer a man be, his wife is presently called Ladie, as well as a Barons: but as for the husband, he hath not the name of a Barron, but onely they adde Sir vnto his christian name. [ XXV] As for the knights of the Garter, their order was instituted by Edward the third, and it is the most honorable in England: I will not speake of the Subiect, for that it is held base, and for that this order is no kind of pollicie, but an ornament to the Realme: I will leaue this discourse to come vnto the rest. Esquiers are they which carrie the marke of their nobilitie in their Armes, and some hold that this name comes of the Scutchion [ C] or Target which they did carrie before knights or Noblemen, and it was giuen them to distinguish them from priuat souldiers. Gentlemen are all they that haue it by birth and race, or are made so after any sor••. And certainly they become gentlemen in Eng∣land verie easily, for that all such as studie the Law, or make profession of the liberall sci∣ences, and line not of their labour, haue the name of Master, which should be onely gi∣uen to Gentlemen and Esquiers, and are esteemed gentlemen. After gentlemen they place Burgesses, who haue not onely some office in their Towne, but are capable of any; such persons must serue their Commonweal•• in such places where they dwell; and they are sometimes deputed to be Burgesses in parliament, whereof the most ancient [ XXVI] Townes doe vsually send two. The offices of the Crowne of England are for life, and if [ D] they be not altogether conformable in name to them of other Realmes, and that the charge be different, yet in the administration, their authoritie is equall to those of other kingdomes. The chiefe Officers are these; The Lord Chauncelor, The high Treasorer, The lord Priuie seale, the great Chamberlain, the Constable, the lord Marshall, and the Admirall; but the charge of Constable and Marshall are onely in time of warre, or at a Coronation, or some such like ceremonie. As for others, you must vnderstand, that all doe at this day belong vnto the king, and the Lords haue power ouer their subiects, hauing paied them their annuall rents, for that all customes, taxes, and impositions be∣long vnto the king. All the chiefe Townes of the Realme are gouerned by the kings Officers, and whereas in former time they had absolute Lords, at this day there remaines [ E] no memorie but the title of those places which the king keeps, in honouring whom he pleaseth, adding to these tytles some small revenue, and yet they that have these titles, have no kind of jurisdiction over those places or countries, whereof they carrie the title, neither may they deal with the gouernment. Whenas the king hath giuen any title of honor to any familie, it can neuer be lost, but for some haynous crime, in which case he that ••••th the title looseth i••, and so doe all his discendants. Whenas this priuation hap∣pens, they call it a tainting of the bloud, which is as much as to say in effect, that they are depriued o•• their nob••••••••, after which the king enioyes their lands, vnlesse they be re∣stored, the which hath happened in some houses: but they cannot be restored vnto their bloud, but by a parliament. [ F]

[ XXVII] The places whereas all Lawes are made, controuersies decided, and offendors puni∣shed, are the high Court of parliament, the Star-chamber, the Chancerie, the kings Bench, the Common Pleas, the Exchequer, the court of Wards, whith the court of Requests, and the Duchie of Lancaster. All absolute power consists in the Parliament,

[ A] which abrogates old Lawes, and makes new, disposeth of the possessions of priuat men, makes bastards legitimat, changeth weights and measures, prescribes of the right of suc∣cession, ordaines of taxes and subsidies, restores families deiected through the errors of their predecessors, and hath power to punish such offendors as the king hath put into their hands. The Parliament consists of two houses, the Vpper or higher house, which is of the Lords spirituall and temporall, whereas the lord Chauncelor is the mouth or Speaker of the house. The King hath his chaire and cloth of estate at the vpper end of the roome, but he comes not commonly there, but at the beginning of a Parliament or Session, and at the conclusion. The Chauncelor sits directly before the king, and nearer [ B] vnto him than any other. The Archbishops and Bishops are on the right hand; and the Earles and Barons are on the left. The Iudges, with some masters of Requests, are in the middest betweene these two rankes, being set vpon woolsacks; they haue no voice in the house, but are onely imployed to carrie messages to the house of Commons, and to giue their opinions in points of law. The lower house of Parliament, or house of the Commons (as they call it) is held in a distinct place from the other, consisting of knights and Bourgesses to the number of foure hundred threescore and odde, euery Countie making choise of two knights, who speake for the whole Shire; and euery borough Towne sends two Bourgesses. At the beginning of the assemblie they make suit vnto the king, to giue them leaue to chuse a Speaker, who is most commonly some learned [ C] and eloquent Lawyer, that is well pleasing vnto him; his charge is to propound all bils, petitions, and other matters which are presented vnto the house. Either house hath a Clarke to keep Records of all Acts that are past, as well those that are printed, as those that are not published, but concerne the interest of priuat men. The manner to sum∣mon a Parliament is: The King sends foorth his writs to all the Lords spirituall and tem∣porall, that haue any voice in Parliament, who are bound to come vp at the time prefixed, which is most commonly fortie daies: and the king doth also send his writs to the Shi∣rises of Counties, to chuse two knights in the generall assemblie of the freeholders, to speake their opinions for all the rest. Bils are preferred indifferently to either house; and when they haue passed the one, after three readings, they are sent vnto the other by cer∣taine [ D] Committees. If the Cōmons like of that which hath past the Lords, they confirm it with this subscription, Les Communs ont assenty, The Commons haue consented: and contrarywise, if the Lords allow of that whereof the Commons are author, they write, Les Seigneurs ont assenty, The Lords haue assented. When as the Lords and Commons concurre not in opinion, they chuse certaine Committees of either house to debate that which is in question, and to propound their opinions together, after which they do many times yeeld one to an others opinion: So as nothing can be of force, vnlesse it be al∣lowed by both houses; which is not sufficient, vnlesse it be in the end confirmed by the king. The last day (the King being present) the Clarke reads the title of euery Act, and if it shall passe, he saies, Le Roy le veult, The king will haue it so; if not, he saieth onely, [ E] Le Roy s' aduisera, The king will be aduised, and then the Parliament is either dissolued, or proroged to an other time; and all publike Acts are presently printed.

The king of England hath absolute power to pardon all crimes; yet in former times some Earles, and the Princes of Wales haue challenged this right. They doe com∣monly speake vnto the king kneeling, and no man dare presume to walke in the presence chamber, although the king be absent, no more than in France, neither may any man be couered there.

There are three kinds of triall in England, that of the Parliament, the Combat, and [ XXVIII] Iudiciall courts. We haue alreadie declared what their manner is to giue sentence in parliament. As for the Combat, it is not now in vse, yet is it not forbidden, so as the [ F] English hold, that they will not refuse it any man that demands it iustly: the forme is to be seene in the Commenta••ies of Britton. These two first kinds of triall are absolute and without Appeal, like vnto that which the Iudges decree in their assemblies. The kings Bench is so called, for that the kings of England were wont to sit there, and that all cau∣ses which concerne the Crowne, and which are pleaded at the kings instance, are tried

there. The chiefe Iustice of England is judge in this Court, with three assistants. The [ A] court of Common pleas is that whereas priuat mens suits are tried, and there is in this Court one chiefe Iustice, and three assistants. All judgements giuen by Iudges, are most commonly executed by the Shiriffes. There is also an Exchequer, for that which con∣cernes the kings treasure and reuenues. As for punishments, they haue not in a manner any other, for murther, felonie, rauishments, and such like crimes, which are not high Treason, but hanging, and it is not verie vsuall to racke any man, to cut of his head, to quarter him, or to laie him vpon a wheele. If any one attempts to murther or poison an other, he shall not die; for that the king hath not lost a subiect. If any murther be com∣mitted, all that haue assisted are taken for murtherers, and condemned to die. Traytors [ B] are first hanged, then being cut downe aliue, their bowels are pulled out, their heads cut off with an axe, and their bodies quartered, and set vpon poles in diuers places. All No∣ble men that be of the Parliament, haue this priuiledge, that being accused of Treason, they are iudged by their peeres.

[ XXIX] There is an other Court in England, the like whereof is not to be seene in any other place, called the Star Chamber, whereas the Chauncelor, and all the priuie Councell with other Iudges do sit. It was ordained to iudge of all riots, and to suppresse the inso∣lencie of great men, whereas the partie delinquent is most commonly committed to the Fleet, and condemned in a fine to the king, and expences to the partie. Some write that it was instituted whenas Cardinall Wolsey Archbishop of Yorke was Chauncelor. The [ C] matter being pleaded by the Lawyers: and all proofes produced, then they go to sen∣tence, euery one of the Iudges and Lords giues his censure of the fact and punishment; the puni•• speaks first, and the Chauncelor, who presides in the Court concludes all, and giues the def••nitiue sentence; the ordinarie punishment is a pecuniarie fine and impri∣sonment: whereunto they doe sometimes add a corporall punishment; as for forgerie and pe••••••rie. There is also the Court of Wards, which doth iudge of all that concerns Orphans: and ••n the Court of that Duchie of Lancaster, all reall and personall actions which do in any any sort concerne the Duchie. There is the Court of Requests, which was first instituted to take notice of all petitions and complaints that were presented vnto the king. But now they decide controuersies betweene partie and partie: It is also [ D] called a Court of Conscience.

There is also an Ecclesiasticall jurisdiction, called the Christian Court, whereas the Archbishops and Bishops do preside; Their iurisdiction doth chiefely consist in foure causes; in Testaments and Legacies, Tythes, Mortuaries, Marriages, Adulterie or for∣nication: finally of all that concerns the preseruation and ornament of the Church, and which belongs to the en••••••••ainment of Religion. And this is the order of the justice of England, and their forme of gouernment.

¶ Religion of England.

THe English as some write, receiued the Christian Religion from Ioseph of [ E] Arama∣thia, and then from Pope El••uthere, by the preaching of Fugare and Damian, who baptized king Luce, and many of his people, about the yeare of our Redemption 180. But the Island being afterwards held by the English Saxons, Pope Gregorie the great sen•• Augustine and Me••••te, with many others thither, who renewed the Faith, and con∣firme•• Ethelbert king of Kent, about the yeare 506: from which time it did begin still to deg••••••rate into the late•• Romane superstition, vntill king Henry the eight, finding some oppo••••••ions and notorious fraud at Rome, vpon his diuorce from Katherine of Ca∣stile, who had been wife vnto his elder brother Arthur, withdrew himselfe from the obe∣dience of the Pope of Rome, and tooke vpon him the title of Supreame head of the [ F] Church of England; with the consent of the Estates; Then he dis••olued all the Religi∣ous houses, and ga••e the l••••ds to lay men, yet he retained the Masse still, and most of the ceremonies of the Romish religion. But king Edward the sixt his sonne and successour, abolished the Masse, and all the superstitious ceremonies of the Romish Church, planting

[ A] the true profession of the Gospell, and causing diuine Seruice to be said in the English tongue. But after his death, Queene Marie his sister comming to the Crowne, resto∣red the Masse, with all other Popish ceremonies; whereupon followed great persecu∣tions of those that made profession of the Gospell, and did impugne the Pope, so as many were forced to flie into other Countries for refuge, during this storme, the which continued about foure yeares. After whose death, Queene Elizabeth her sister succee∣ding her, she setled the same Religion which her brother king Edward had imbraced, calling home all those that had fled from persecution, giuing them spirituall dignities, according to their merits. This profession of the Gospell did flourish all the time of her raigne, [ B] (notwithstanding the malitious practises of the Popes of Rome her aduersa∣ries:) and doth more and more, vnder the happie and peacefull raigne of king Iames the first now raigning. Thus hauing related at large all the parts and conditions of this Realme, we must end this discourse, to come vnto that of Scotland: hauing first repre∣sented the names of the Kings of England, with the ancient Archbishops and Bishops of that Realme.

¶ Kings of England.

THe hystorie of England is full of confusion, vntill Egbert, who raigned in the yeare [ XXX] [ C] 801. And therefore I will make no difficultie to passe ouer with silence those that haue gone before: And to begin with him.

• EGbert began his raigne in the yeare 801. he raigned 37 yeares, and died in the yeare 838, There succee∣ded him,
• Edelphe, who raigned 20 yeares: he died in the yeare 858.
• Ethelbald raigned 5 monthes.
• [ D] Ethelbert raigned 5 yeares: he died in the yeare 863.
• Ethelrede raigned 9 yeares: and died in the yeare 872.
• Alurede raigned 28 yeares: he died in the yeare 900.
• Edward the ancient raigned 24 yeares: he died in the yeare 924.
• Adelstan raigned 16 yeares: he died in the yeare 940, hauing subdued the whole Island.
• [ E] Edmond raigned 6 yeares: he died in the yeare 946.
• Eldred raigned 9 yeares: he died in the yeare 955.
• Edwyn raigned 4 yeares: and died in the yeare 959.
• Edgar raigned 16 yeares: he died in the yeare 975.
• S^t Edward the Martyr raigned 3 yeares: he was slaine by the ambushes of his [ F] mother in law Alfrede, he was after∣ward put in the Catalogue of Saints. He died in the yere 978.
• Ethelrede raigned 38 yeares: and died in the yeare 1016.
• Edmond Ironside raigned 1 yeare: and died in the yeare 1017.
• Canutus king of Norway and Denmarke, and afterwards king of England, hauing expelled Edmond and Edward, chil∣dren to Edmond Ironside, raigned in England 20 yeares, he died in the yeare 1037.
• Harald raigned 4 yeares: and died in the yeare 1041.
• Canutus the second, he raigned 2 yeares: and died in the yeare 1043.
• Edward, a holie king raigned 23 yeares: and died in the yeare 1066.
• Harald the second raigned 3 yeares: he died in the yeare 1067.
• William Duke of Normandie, expelled Ha∣rald, and made himselfe maister of all England: he raigned 21 yeares: and died in the yeare 1088.
• William Rufus raigned 13 yeares: he died in the yeare 1101.
• Henrie the first raigned 35 yeares: he died in the yeare 1136.
• Stephen Earle of Boulloin, nephew to Hen∣rie, seazed vpon the realme, he raigned 19 yeares: and died in the yeare 1155.
• Henrie the second raigned 33 yeares, he di∣ed in the yeare 1190.
• Richard the first raigned 10 yeares: he died in the yeare 1200.
• Iohn raigned 17 yeares: & died in the yeare 1217.
• ...

• Henry the 3 raigned 56 yeares, he died in the yeare 1273.
• Edward the first raigned 35 yeares, and died in the yeare 1308.
• Edward the second raigned 19 yeares, he died in the yeare 1327.
• Edward the third raigned 51 yeares, he died in the yeare 1378.
• Richard the second raigned 22 yeares, he died in the yeare 1400.
• Henry the fourth raigned 14 yeares, he died in the yeare 1414.
• Henry the fifth raigned 9 yeares, he died in the yeare 1423.
• Henry the sixth raigned 38 yeares, he died in the yeare 1461.
• Edward the fourth raigned 23 yeares, he died in the yeare 1484.
• Edward the fifth raigned two moneths, he was murthered by his vnckle being but [ A] 11 yeares old.
• Richard the 3 raigned 2 yeares, he died in the yeare 1486, being slaine in battaile by his Competitor Henry.
• Henry the seuenth raigned 24 yeares, he died in the yeare 1510.
• Henry the eight raigned 37 yeares, and died in the yeare 1547.
• Edward the sixth raigned 6 yeares, and [ B] died in the yeare 1553.
• Mary married to Philip of Spaine, raigned 5 yeares and three moneths, she died in the yeare 1558.
• Elizabeth raigned 45 yeares, and died in in the yeare 1603.
• Iames king of Scotland hath succeeded her in the Realme of England, and raignes at this present.

¶ Archbishops and Bishops of England. [ C]

[ XXXI] THere were in old time, and are yet at this day, two Archbishoprikes in England, who haue vnder them many Suffragan Bishops: as may be seen in a Booke set foorth by Aubert a Chanon of Andwerpe, intituled, Notitia Episcopatuum Orbis Christiani, as followeth.

Archbishopricke of Canterburie.

• London.
• Winchester.
• Ely.
• Lincolne.
• Salisburie.
• Bathe and Wels.
• Couentrie and Lichfield.
• Peterborough.
• Exeter.
• Gloucester.
• Hereford. [ D]
• Norwich.
• Rochester.
• Chichester.
• Worcester.
• Bristow.
• S^t. Dauids.
• Bangor.
• Landaffe.
• S^t. Asaph.

Archbishopricke of Yorke. [ E]

• Durham.
• C••ester.
• Car••••••l.

A DISCOVRSE OF SCOTLAND.

The Contents.

1. SCotland in old time called Albania. Description, and the Prouinces 2. Chiefe. [ C] Riuers of the Countrie. 3. Forest of Calidonia, where there are wild Bulls 4. A myne of Coales, which doth abound with Bitumen. 5. A myne of Gold in Crauford. 6. The lake Loumond, and the singularities thereof, remarkable for a floating Island. 7. Buthquhania, a Countrie which endures no Rats. 8. A Fountaine from whence flow drops of Oyle of great vertue. 9. Scottishmen in old time called Picts, for that they did paint their bodies and haire: Their manner of fighting and armes in warre. 10. S••ottish∣men diuided now into High-land and Low land men, their armes and suffering in warre: Re∣commended for their fidelitie. 11. Sterilitie and wants of Scotland. 12. Edenborough the chiefe Citie; the description: It is called the winged Castle. 13. Nobilitie of Scotland. 14. Gol∣den Knights, Barons, Gentlemen. 15. Estates of the Realme consisting of three sorts of people; [ D] and how assembled. 16. Colledge of Iustice, called the Session, instituted by king Iames the fifth. Subalternall Courts in euery Countie, and their iurisdiction. 17. Scotland, when it receiued the Christian Faith. 18. Archbishops and Bishops in Scotland. 19. A Catalogue of the kings of Scotland, and their raigne.

THe most Northerne part of great Britaine is called Scotland, and [ I] was sometimes termed Albania, yea the Scottishmen which re∣taine their ancient language, call it Albain, and the Irishmen Alla∣bani. This Countrie is diuided from England towards the South by the riuers of Tweed and Soluay. On the other three parts, it is bounded by the Sea. It is in length from the riuer of Tweed, vnto [ E] the furthest part of the North 257 English miles; and it is 190 broad. It is diuided into many Prouinces, that is to say, Lauden, sometimes called Pictland, that is to say, the Countrie of the Picts, that is hilly and without trees; but the people are ciuile and courteous. Edenborough which is the aboad of the kings of Scotland, is seated in this Countrie, with many other good Townes. Next vnto it is the Countrie of Merk, that is to say, the bounds of England and Scotland: that of Teifidale, that is to say, the valley of the riuer of Teisie, neere vnto England, which is full of rockes: Eschedale, neere to the riuer of Esque: Eusedale, Niddesdale, so called of the riuer Nith: the valley of Anandale: Galloway, which lies towards the West, the which abounds more in pasture than in fruits: Caricte, which hath reason∣able [ F] good pastures: Coyl, which is a leane and barren soile: Sterlingh, Mentheth, Cluidisdale, Lennox, Ernouale, Strathern, Storie, Rossen, and Argile, which abounds in lakes, and hath more pasture than corne: this was the Countrie of the Calenodi∣ens, by whom all the Region is named of the inhabitants, Allibanum: Cantire, which signifies a corner of a land, a wast Countrie, and ful of marishes: Strathnahern:

〈◊〉〈◊〉 small prouince more fer•••••••• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••he rest, in the which is the towne of Saint An∣••••••••es: [ A] Anguse, a pleasant countr••••▪ ••eere vnto the riuer of Zau: Marre, and Murrey, ••••••••••ries lying vpon the Sea: 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••••••••han, Rosse, Marray, Nesseland, and Tarbath: after that Bear••••ossen, and Sutherland: and in the end Cathnes.

¶ Q••••••itie of the Countrie.

SCotland is rough and hillie, and nothing so fertile as England, but it abounds more with Fish. The sea which enuirons it, hath great store of Oysters, Herrings, Corrall, and Co••••els, an•• in the vallies there are many lakes, marishes, riuers, and fountaines, [ B] [ II] whereas they find aboundance of Fish. Most of these lakes come from the mountaine Grampie, where are also the springs of three riuers, which carrie boats; the riuer of Cloyd, sometimes called Aleuth, which fals into the Irish sea: that of Tayus, which passeth all the riuers of Scotland in greatnesse, whereof a part comes out of the coun∣trie of Argile, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 a 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉, and a part out of the countrie of Strathern, 〈…〉〈…〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 selfe into the Germaine sea, and that of Forthea, which falling into the Germaine sea, makes that great gul••e which is commonly called the Scottish sea. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 is also (besides Tweede, which diuides England from Scotland) the riuers of [ III] 〈◊〉〈◊〉, Nesse, and Louth. There are mountaines which haue certaine little plaines, which haue verie good pasture, and some of them haue both Alablaster and Marble. [ C] [ IIII] The forests are full of Deere, and other wilde beasts, especially that of Caledonia, where there are also white bulls, which are so wilde, as they cannot be tamed, and their 〈◊〉〈◊〉 is like vnto a Lions. There is a certaine place called the Myne of Coales, which 〈◊〉〈◊〉 with By••umen, that doth sometimes burne, to the great hurt of the inhabi∣〈◊〉〈◊〉▪ [ V] 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Scotland hath mynes of gold, siluer, quicke siluer, lead, and copper, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in Crauford, they say there is a myne of gold found. In Galloway there is 〈◊〉〈◊〉 writers affirme) a lake called Myrtow, whereof the one part doth frize in 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and the other is neuer frozen in the sharpest cold. There are in Caricte great oxen, whose flesh is verie tender and pleasing to tast, and their suet hath this propertie, that [ VI] 〈…〉〈…〉 alwaies like vnto oyle. In Lennox there is a great lake called Loumond, which is [ D] aboue 24 thousand paces long, and eight broad: in it there are thirtie Ilands, whereof the greatest part are full of villages, well inhabited. In this lake there are three things worthie of memorie, that it yeelds verie good fish without any fynnes: that without any breath of wind the waues are sometimes so great, as they amaze the hardiest mariners: and ••astly an Iland which floats continually where the wind driues it, and yet there is [ VII] good pasture in it. In Buthquanie they see not any Rats, and if any be brought thither, they die presently. In the countrie of Fife they draw foorth aboundance of a kind of [ VIII] blacke stone, verie fit for firing. Some two miles from Edenborough (as some say) there is a fountaine, where as are seen drops of oyle floating, which is of that nature, as if you take not vp any, they doe not increase, and if you take vp much, yet there still remaines [ E] the same quantitie of oyle. This liquor is good against the roughnesse of the skin.

¶ Manners of the ancient Scots.

[ IX] SO•••• hold that the Scottishmen were in old time called Picts, that is to say, painted; for th••t they were accustomed to paint their bodies. But this name was not common to all, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the two nations of Picts and Scots, gaue their names to the inhabitants of the most ••••••therne parts of great Britaine, which they inuaded, according to the place whereas 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of these Nations stayed. These Picts made their hayre also blew by art. Boetius saye•• ••hey were verie sober in their eating and drinking, and slept little; [ F] that they made bread of any corne, and that they did commonly eat beefe, or what they tooke in hunting; but they did vse their beeues not like vnto other nations, for they did o•• their calues, or did geld them for their tillage, and they did eat their Cowes when th•••• ••ere with calfe, for they were then fattest: and sometimes they fed vpon fish:

[ A] Sometimes they did not eat till night, hauing made a light breakfast, and at night they made good cheere, hauing a drinke compounded of tyme, mynts, anys seeds, and other good herbes, of a good scent, or else beere: but in the time of warre, they dranke nothing but pure water, and they carried with them as much meale as would suffice them a day. They did eat flesh halfe boiled, holding it to be of better tast, and to retaine the substance: and they did also feed vpon fish dried in the sunne, if they found not any thing else to eat. In time of peace they were alwaies bare-headed, and had their haire cut, onely they left a little tuft vpon the forehead. They did willingly go barefooted, to harden themselues for all discommodities. Their netherstocks went not beneath the [ B] knee, and their breeches were of flax or hempe. In Summer their cloakes were of fine cloth, and in winter it was of a course wooll: their lodging was on the ground, or on a forme with a mattresse. Their children were onely fed with their mothers milke, and if any one did put foorth her child to nurce, she was suspected of adulterie. If they were vanquished in battaile, they fled to the mountains, & were neuer quiet, vntill they were reuenged. If the gentlemen were in danger in battaile, their subiects and seruants did hazard themselues to saue their liues, or to die with them. They did plant vpon Noble mens tombes, as many Obelisks as there had been enemies slaine in fight vnder their commands. He that going to the warre, or being in campe, was found without his yron to strike fier, or without his sword by his side, or in his hand, was whipt for ignominie: [ C] and in those daies they were lightly armed with certaine corslets of yron, but much more of boyled leather; and for their other armes, they had the bow, the lance, and the sword. If any one went from the Campe without leaue, the first that met him mought kill him, and his goods were presently confiscate. Going foorth to fight, they slew the first beast they incountred, and wetting the points of their swords in the bloud, they tasted of it, hoping that this ceremonie should be vnto them a happie presage of the victorie. They drowned them that were much giuen to eating and drinking. They vsed Hieroglyphike letters, like vnto the Aegyptians. And this is all that can be spoken of their ancient manners.

[ D] ¶ Manners of the Scottishmen of these times.

BVt before we proceed any further, we must note, that the Scottishmen are diuided [ X] into High-land & Low-land men, the one being more courteous than the other, and the first verie rude, yet Christians, and verie valiant in the warre, as hauing no apprehen∣sion of death. The ciuile are they which liue in the Southerne parts, which is called Low-land, more fertile than the Northerne, and the inhabitants are called Low-land men, who commonly speake the English tongue. The rude are they which dwell towards the North, and they are called men of the High-land countrie. They retaine the manners, language, and armes of the Irish, from whom they had their beginning. They haue for [ E] their armes a bow and arrowes, a broad sword, with a sharpe pointed dagger. Finallie, the Scottishmen are verie wittie, and industrious; but giuen to reuenge, when as they find meanes to take it. They are also verie subtile and politike, and inclined to factions and seditions, and verie capable of all sciences. They haue been held for a long time to be verie faithfull: whereof the French kings, who vse them for the guard of their bodies, giue sufficient testimonie.

¶ Riches of Scotland.

THe countrie of Scotland is in some parts leane and barren, The trafficke of come, [ XI] [ F] of wooll, and sale of Smithes coals, of carseys, of lynings, of flax, of hydes, and of herring, and of salmons, which is the most profitable, frees them from discommoditie, and makes them to vse that which forraine Nations brings vnto them, if it be necessa∣rie. And they are not without rich Merchants, who trafficke into all parts, especially towards the North; and there comes vnto them much shipping, by reason of the many

〈◊〉〈◊〉 ports they find there. But a great part of merchandise, especially of that which [ A] selues more for pleasure then necessitie, is transported into England.

¶ For••es of Scotland.

AT this day that Scotland and England are vnder one King, I doe not see that any other doth exceed this Realme in strength of sci••uation; for that it is compassed round about ••y the Sea, and within it, the Countrie is so full of rocks, mountaines, and ••orr••sts, as it is held for this cause to be inuincible. For if the inhabitants be forced to flie, they 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to the mountaines, where ••hey liue of dried fish, and of the flesh of wild beasts. [ B] If ••••y one should assaile them in these places, they are so fauourable vnto them, as a ••••••••••full of men were able to defeat a great armie. They haue two Forts onely vpon the frontiers of England, whereof the one is Dunbar▪ a great port on the English coast, and in the gulfe of Edenborough, which is opposite to B••rwicke: the other is towards the West named 〈◊〉〈◊〉, ••ea••ed ••pon a high mo••n••aine, seperated from others, and [ XII] this ••ort ••••emes opposite in some sort to Starling. As for other places, there is Eden∣borough, called by the Scot••ish Irish, Dun Baden, that is to say, the Towne of Eaden. Some hold that it is the place which Ptolomee called the winged Castle; for that Edem∣borou••h signifieth a winged Castle. This is the capitall Towne of Scotland, seated on high, being a mile long from East to West, but much lesse in breadth. This Towne is [ C] rich, and of reasonable strength, being compassed in with good wals. Vpon the West part there is a high rocke, and vpon this rocke a strong Castle, vnder which is seene a deep valley on euery side, but towards the Towne: and for this cause they hold this Fort impr••gnable, vnlesse they contend with them that are masters of the Towne. This Fort is called the Mayden castle, for that the Picts daughters were in old time kept and bred vp there, vntill they were fit for marriage. There is also Abberdeene, which is a good for•• ••pon the Germane Sea. Moreouer, there is in Marnie a good and strong Towne called Fordun, whose scituation will trouble them that should assaile it. As for the men▪ we haue alreadie spoken of their courage, and their number is sufficient: so as they are able to resist a great forraine power, especially at this time, whenas one king enioyes [ D] both Scotland and England, the Scottishmen should alwaies by assisted by the English, who without doubt being vnited, would make a great defence.

¶ Gouernment of Scotland.

SCotland is composed of three Orders, that is to say, of the Nobilitie, the Clergie, and the third Estate. The King, to speake after their manner, is direct Lord of all the lands, and hath Royall authoritie and jurisdiction both ouer Secular and Clergie. The kings eldest sonne, as soone as he is borne, is called Duke of Rothsaie, and Seneschall of [ XIII] Scotland. The kings other children are simplie called Princes. The most honourable [ E] among the Nobilitie, were in old time the Thanes, who were Officers vnto the king, wherof the chiefe were called Abthanes, & they that were inferior, Vnder-Thanes. But these names are lost by degrees, since the time that Malcolme the third of that name, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of Scotland, gaue the title of Earle and Baron, receiued from the Normans, to gen∣tle••••n of best merit. Since which time there is also crept into Scotland as well as into Engla••d the titles of Dukes, Marquises, Earles, Vicounts, and Barons. The first that brough•• the title of Duke, was Robert the third, about the yeare 1400, as the king of England 〈◊〉〈◊〉 raignes at this present, hath brought in the honourable titles of Mar∣quis and Vico••••••••▪ These are held for the chiefe of the Nobilitie, and haue place and voice in Parliame•••• they are called Lords, like vnto the Bishops. [ F]

[ XIIII] Among the other ••obles, they put in the first rancke the golden Knights, who take their oath with great sol••••nitie. In the second rancke are they whom they terme Lairds, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 which number no ma••••••as admitted, vnlesse his lands did hold immediatly of the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and had high, middle, and base justice. In the third rancke they put those that are

[ A] issued from honorable families, but without any title, and they are particularly called Gentlemen. All the rest, as Citizens, Merchants, Artisans, and others, are ranckt among the people; yet the multitude doth in a manner terme them all gentlemen, that are rich, or keep good houses. Moreouer, the yonger sonnes of Earles, Lords, and Knights, succeed not to any part of their fathers patrimonie; for that the whole succes∣sion discends vnto the elder by the Lawes of Scotland, to the end they may preserue their families. As for the people, to the end that no insupportable thing be ordained against them in Parliament, it is lawfull for them to send three or foure Bourgesses of euery Towne, there to speake their opinions freely of any thing that shall be propoun∣ded, [ B] with the other two orders. In regard of power, there is not any one so potent as the Vice-Roy, Regent, or Gouernor of Scotland, who gouernes the whole Realme, either in the absence of the king, or at his decease, or else during the Kings minoritie. The authoritie of the Parliament of the Realme is verie absolute, and this assemblie con∣sists of three sorts of persons, that is to say, of Lords spirituall, as Bishops, Abbots, and Priors; of Lords temporall, as Dukes, Marquises, Earles, Vicounts, and Barons; and in the third place, of the deputies of Townes. It is not long since that they haue added to this number, two Deputies for euery Countie. The king prescribes the time when they shall assemble, and sends foorth the Summons. The causes of the assemblie being [ C] declared by the Chauncelor, the Lords Spirituall doe apart chuse eight of the tempo∣rall Lords, and the Temporall Lords as many of the spirituall, and all these being toge∣ther, name eight of the Deputies of the Counties. And as many Bourgesses of Townes, which make two and thirtie, who with the Chauncelour, Treasorer, Keeper of the Pri∣uie Seale, kings Secretarie, and others, allow or reject that which shall be propounded to the Parliament, hauing first imparted it vnto the king. Those things which are admit∣ted are carefully debated, by the three Estates, and that which is allowed of by the plu∣ralitie of voyces, is presented vnto the king, who presently doth signifie his pleasure; and if any thing dislikes him, it is presently rased out.

That which holds the first rancke next vnto the Parliament, is the Colledge of Iustice, [ XVI] [ D] which they terme the Session, the which was instituted by king Iames the fifth, in the yeare 1532, appointing a President, and fourteene Councellors; whereof seuen were Clergie men, and seuen of the Laitie, (to whom they haue since added the Chaunce lor, who holds the first place, and fiue other Councellors) three chiefe Registers, and as many Aduocates as shall be thought good by the Parliament. This Court is held euery day except Sunday and Munday, from the first of Nouember, vnto the 15 of March, and from the day after Trinitie Sunday, vnto the first of August. The rest of the time is spent in vacations. They judge according to the Lawes and ordinances of the Realme; and whenas they faile, they haue recourse vnto the Ciuile Law.

There are also Subalternall Courts in euery Countie, whereas the Vicount, or his [ E] Lieutenant doth justice to them of the countrie, and sometimes they appeal from his sentence to the Colledge of Iustice: Most of these Vicounts are by succession; and their titles are hereditarie: for, the Kings of Scotland, to bind the Nobilitie more straightly vnto them, did in old time institute Vicounts to be perpetuall and hereditarie. There are also ciuile Courts in Royall fees, in which there are Bayliffes, euen as there are Magistrats in Boroughes and free Townes. There are other Courts, which they call the Commissaries Court, whereof the chiefe is at Edenborough, whereas they plead before foure Iudges; touching Testaments, the rights of Ecclesiasticall ly••••ings, Tithes, Diuorces, and such like, whereof the knowledge doth of right belong vnto the Church.

As for criminall causes, the chiefe Iudge Royall hath his seat at Edenborough, (this [ F] office hath been long in the house of the Earle of Argathelie) and these Iudges appoint two or three Lawyers, to take Informations of capitall crimes, or that concerne the cutting off of any member, or the confiscation of any mans goods. Many times the king appoints particular Iudges to take knowledge of a crime. The Vicounts in like manner in their jurisdictions, and the Magistrats in their Townes take notice of a murther, and

〈◊〉〈◊〉 out the murtherer to death, so as he be taken within twentie foure houres: but [ A] ••••ter that time, the knowledge belongs to the Iudge Royall, or to them that haue Com∣mission. Some Noble men haue the same priuiledge against theeues, which are taken in their jurisdictions. This is all which can be spoken touching the politike Gouern∣ment: Now let vs come vnto the Church.

¶ Religion of Scotland.

[ XVII] SCotland receiued the Christian Faith in the time of Pope Victor the first, in the yeare 2••3, and Idolatrie did quite cease vnder king Crakinte, who died in the yeare 313. [ B] Celest•••• the f••st sent Palladius thither to root out the Pellagien heresie, which began to increase there vnder Eugenius the second, who died in the yeare 460. Since this time the Realme continued long in the profession of the Romish Church, vntill these latter daies, when as it began to embrace the true profession of the Gospell▪ the which hath been so carefully pla••••ed▪ si••ce the Raig••e of king Iames, who now liueth, as all Romish 〈…〉〈…〉 quite extinct and abolished, at least in the publike profession of Reli∣gion and orders of their Church gouernment.

[ XVIII] There are two Archbishops in Scotland; The one of Saint Andrewes, and the other of Glasco. Vnder the Archbishop••icke of S^t. Andrewes, there are eight Bishoprickes, that is, Dunkelden, Aberdon, Moray, Dumblan, Brechin, Rossen, Cathanesse, and the [ C] Orcades. And that of Glasco hath three, that is to say, of Galloway, Argyle, and of Sodore, or of the Islands of Sure, Mule, Yle, and others. The Clergie were in for∣mer times gouerned by the authoritie of Decrees and Councels: but now they are sub∣ject vnto Lawes made by the King, and confirmed by their owne mouthes. All Cler∣gie men liue after the manner of England, according to such Ordinances as haue been made since the change of Religion, and rejecting the superstitious ceremonies of the Church of Rome.

¶ Kings of Scotland▪

[ XIX] FReguz was the first which carried the name of king of Scotland, 320 yeares before [ D] the comming of CHRIST: He raigned 25 yeares.

To him succe••ded these that follow.

• Ferritare raigned 15 yeares.
• Maine raigned 29 yeares.
• Darnadille raigned 28 yeares.
• Reuthere raigned 26 yeares.
• Reuthe raigned 14 yeares.
• Theree raigned 12 yeares.
• Iosine raigned 34 yeares.
• Fimam raigned 30 yeares.
• Durst raigned 9 yeares.
• Euene the first raigned 19 yeares.
• ••illes raigned 2 yeares by vsurpation.
• ••••ene the second raigned 17 yeares.
• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 raigned 48 yeares▪ and in his time 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Britaine was made tributarie to the ••••manes.
• E••ene the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 raigned 7 yeares.
• Me••ellan raign•••• in the time that our Sa∣uiour came in•••• the world, his raigne was of 39 yeares, and he died in the yeare of grace 34.
• ••••rratace raigned 20 yeare•• ••he died in the ••••ate 54.
• Corbrede raigned 18 yeares: he died in the yeare 71.
• To Corbrede, Dardan succeeded, he raig∣ned almost 4 yeares: and died in the yeare 74.
• Cothrede G••lde raigned 35 yeares: he died in the yeare 109.
• Luchtach raigned 3 yeares: and died in the [ E] yeare 112.
• Mogalle raigned 36 yeares: he died in the yeare 148.
• Conare raigned 14 yeares: and died in the yeare 162.
• ...Ethodie ••he first succeeded him.
• S••trahel succeeded him.
• Donalde the first raigned 21 yeares: and died in ••he yeare of grace 216.
• Ethodie the second succeeded him. [ F]
• Athirce succeeded Ethodie: of these two the one was slaine, and the other slew himselfe.
• Natha••••••e succeeded, and was slaine as a

• ... [ A] cruell tyrant in the yeare 253.
• Findoce raigned 10 yeares, he died in the yeare 263.
• Donald the second raigned 1 yeare, and was slain. Donald the third was also slaine.
• Cratinthe succeeded him.
• Fincormach succeeded him.
• Romach succeeded Fincormach.
• ...Angusan. Fetelmache.
• [ B] Eugenius the first raigned three yeares: he died in the yeare 379 and then Maxi∣mus being sent by the Emperour, and and afterwards becomming a tyrant, inuested himselfe of the Island of great Britaine, so as Scotland remained for∣tie foure yeares without a king, vnto the yeare of Grace 423.
• Ferguz the second nephew to Eugenius was made king: he raigned 7 yeares, and [ C] died in the yeare 430.
• Eugenius the second raigned 31 yeares, he died in the yeare 461.
• ...Dongard. Constantine.
• Congal, he died in the yeare 501.
• Co••ran, he raigned 35 yeares.
• Eugenius the third succeeded him.
• Conu••ll raigned and died in the yeare 578.
• ...Rima••ille.
• Aidan raigned 27 yeares, he died in the [ D] yeare 606. Kenneth Keir.
• Eugenius the fourth raigned 13 yeares, he died in the yeare 632.
• Ferguheard, he was put in prison.
• Ioheuard raigned 14 yeares, he died in the yeare 646.
• Ferguhard succeeded him.
• Malduin died in the yeare 684.
• Eugenius the fift. Eugenius the sixt. Ambir∣kelet. Eugenius the seauenth a religious [ E] Prince: he died in the yeare 716.
• Mordac. Ethfin. Eugenius the eighth.
• Fergus the third. Saluathie.
• Acheue, he died in the yeare 820.
• ...Congal. Dongal. Alpin. Remeth.
• Donald the fifth, he died in the yeare 860.
• Constantine the second Ethe Gregorie raig∣ned 22 yeares, and died in the yere 893.
• Donald the sixt. Constantine the third, who in the fortieth yeare of his raigne be∣came [ F] a Monke. Malcolme 1. Duffe Culen.
• Kemet died in the yeare 1000.
• Constantine the fourth raigned 3 yeares.
• Grinne. Malcolme the second raigned 13 yeares, he died in the yeare 1040.
• ...Duncan. Macachee.
• Melcome Camnoir, raigned 30 yeares, he died in the yeare 1097.
• Donald the seauenth. Ethgar, he was the first which caused himselfe to be an∣nointed in Scotland. Dauid. Mal. come 3. William the Lyon, he raigned 49 yeres & died in the yeare 1204.
• Alexander the third who hauing no heires of his body left Scotland in great trou∣bles, the which was gouerned by six men during the contention for the suc∣cession betwixt Iohn Balliol sonne to the eldest daughter of king Dauid, and Ro∣bert Bruis father to Alexander the third.
• Iohn came vnto the crowne by the means of the king of England, to whom he did homage contrary to the will of the Scottishmen: In the end the English led him as a prisoner into England, and the countrie was gouerned by regents, at the deuotion of the English.
• Robert was called to be king of the Scot∣tishmen, he defeated Edward the third, and made himselfe peaceable master of Scotland.
• Dauid sonne to Robert succeeded him, but he was expelled by Edward sonne of Iohn Bailliol, and fled into France: yet this Edward is not put into the number of lawfull kings. Scotland also was go∣uerned by Robert Stuart, in the name of king Dauid the second who did va∣liantly vntill the returne of his king out of France.

  After the death of Dauid the Estates of Scotland chose Robert Stuart nephewe to the last king Dauid, and sonne to his sister, and to Robert Gouernor of Scot∣land during the absence of king Dauid.

• Iohn base sonne to Robert, who also tooke the name of Robert. Iames the first. Iames the second. Iames the third came to the crowne at the age of 7 yeares, in the yeare 1463. Iames the fourth. Iames the fift who fi••st married with Magda∣lein of France, daughter to king Francis the first, and after, with the Duke of Guises daughter, of whom came Marie, who was married to Francis the second the French king, and after his death to the Earle of Lenox son, by whom she had Iames the sixt king of England and Scotland now raigning.

A DISCOVRSE [ A] [ B] OF IRELAND.

The Contents.

1. IReland, what names it carried in old time, the description and scituation accor∣ding vnto Ptolomee the Geographer, the length and bredth. 2. Diuision of Ire∣land into fiue principall Countries or Prouinces, and how many Counties there [ C] be in euery Prouince, with the number and names of the Townes and Castles contained in euery Count••e, and also of the chiefe Lords and Gentlemen of euery Prouince. 3. The aire sweet and temperat, and what diseases the Irish are subiect vnto. 4. Singularities of this Island in the production of Beasts, Fish, and Fowle. 5. Marti••ets, birds of an admirable propertie, which being dead putrifie not. 6. Irish in old time liued of mans flesh, and did eat their parents dead bodies. 7. Agilitie and gre••t courage of the Irish. 8. The Irish pra••e com∣••only to the new moone. 9. Galloway and Waterford good Townes of traffique. 10. Souldiers of Ireland diuided into three rankes. 11. Forts built in Ireland 12. When Ireland was made subject to the English. 13. Wilde Irish how they are gouerned by their Lords and Iudges. 14. [ D] Iurisdiction and Officers of Ireland. 15. Cristian Religion when receiued in Ireland. 16. Arch∣bishops and Bishops which be in Ireland.

[ I] IReland, which some of the auncients called Hibernia, others Iuer∣nia, Iuuernia, and Ierne, Iris, and Ogigia, and by the Irish them∣selues Erin, is seated betwixt the Articke circle, and the Tropick of Cancer, yet approching to the Pole Articke, it containes in latitude foure degrees and a halfe from the Meridian, and is inclosed, accor∣ding to the computation of the Moderns, betwixt the twentieth & one and twentieth Paralell, vppon the Southerne parts the longest [ E] day hath six••eene houres and about three quarters, and in the farthest parts Northward it hath neere eighteene houres. In regard of the terrestiall Globe, this Island called by ••tolomee little Britaine, lies betwixt great Britaine and Spaine; towards the East it hath ••••gland, diuided by a tempestious sea, of about a daies sailing. This Island is neere of an O•••••• forme from South to North, and is not halfe so big as great Britaine. Some make the ••••••th from South to North to be of 70 Germane leagues,* 1.1 and the bredth from Wes•• ••••••st, 23 German leagues; and others measure it after another manner: but Camden, w••••••s worthie of credit, teacheth vs that it hath foure hundred thousand paces in length and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 hundred thousand in bredth. Some affirme that Ireland containeth in length•• from ••••ockbrandon in the South (which is West, and by North Saint [ F] Michaells Mount in ••ornewall) vnto St. Colemans Iland, alias C••rnagh in the North of Vlster (which is West vpon Dunferris in Scotland) three hundred and twentie, Irish ••iles: and in bredth from Dublin (which is South-West from Chester) to Crough ••••••icke by West of Galloway▪ two hundred miles

[ A] IReland is diuided into fiue principall prouinces, that is to say, into Leinster, which lieth [ II] on the East; into Munster, which lieth on the South; Conaugh which lieth on the West; Vlster which lieth on the North; & Meath which lieth in the middest or midland.

¶ A BRIEFE DESCRIPTION OF THE PROVINCE OF LEINSTER, DIVI∣DED INTO EIGHT COVNTIES.

[ B] THe prouince of Leinster containeth that part of land which was first conquered by the English hauing in it these counties, that is to say, Dublin, Kildare, Cater∣lough, Waxford alias Washford, Kilkenny, Kings Countie, Q••eenes Countie, and Wickloe.

¶ The first Countie.

THe countie of Dublin containeth all the land from Ballrothery (neere to the coun∣tie [ C] of Meath) to Bray, which is the length of the countie, and includeth all the land between it and the towne of Dublin, the kings lands, part of the mountaines of Otooles, and the Crosse of the countie of Dublin, being the Archbishops libertie, also his Islands in the sea, as Lambay, Irelands Eye, and Dalkey.

There are also in this countie fifteene townes, that is to say, the towne of Dublin, Swordes, Ballrothery, Luspicke or Luske, Clenshane, Hothe, New Castle, Kingsland,* 1.2 Ballamore, Fowldes towne, Bray or Breen, Wickloe, Macboygon, Arckloo, and Clou∣lerkin.

There are moreouer in this countie twentie foure castles, that of Dublin, Swordes,* 1.3 New Castle, Tulloy, Dunshaglin, Poores Court, Castle Knock, Malahide, Castle Ke∣uen, Rathfernan, Moncton, Merion, Turuey, Dronnaugh, Donber, Belgard Lucan, [ D] Kilmamy, Donamore, Holme Patricke, Dercouragh, Ballgriffin, the Ward, Hothe Blo∣wicke, and Ballutterell.

The names of the lords and chiefe gentlemen of this countie of Dublin, are, the Archbishop of Dublin, Lord Chancelor of Ireland, Ierlande, Lord of Hooth,* 1.4 Sir Dudley Loftes, Fitz-Williams, Wingfield, Obernes, Otooles, Collier, the Deane of Saint Patricke, Barne∣well, Bathe, Neuteruill, Feaugh Mac Hugh Allin warren, Segraue, Fitz simons, Burnell, Fing∣las, Talbot, and Wealch: In the tenth yeare of King Richard the second Robert Veere Earle of Oxford was created Marquis of Dublin; and afterward made Duke of Ireland in the same kings raigne.

[ E] ¶ The second Countie.

THe second countie in the prouince of Leinster is the countie of Kildare, and it is placed betweene the counties of Dublin, Caterlough, the Kings and Queens coun∣ties, and Meath: it hath Dublin toward the East, Caterlough to the South, the Kings and Queenes counties to the West, and Meath vppon the North.

There are in this countie seuen townes, the names of which are Kildare, Manouth, A∣thy, the Naus, Kilcullen, Leixlip, and Castle Dermot.* 1.5

There are in this countie 21. castles, that is, the castle of Kildare, that of Manouth, Lec∣tawe, [ F] Baltinglas, Molhussey, Euan Tipperer, Harriston, S. Wolstons, Lispicke,* 1.6 Wood∣stocke, Carbery, Marlace, Conall, Rath Goffy, S. Katherines, Killka, Castle Marten, Donfrit, Monaster, Rathangan, and Osbertes towne.

The lords and chiefe gentlemen of this countie are, the Earle of Kildare,* 1.7 the Bishop of Kildare, the Baronet of Rebin, Wedseley baronet of Narcowe, Eustace, Fitz-Geralds,

〈◊〉〈◊〉; Wh••••; Fitz G••r••et, S••reewe••••, C••oley, Saint Michaell, Lye, Woogan, Banerells, [ A] Al∣•••••• ••rimgham, De la ••ide, Boys, Sutton, Le••, and Flatzberry.

The Ea••le of Kil••••te•• eldest sonne is lord Gerald and baron of Ophaly.

The Earle was created in Queene Maries time, by the name of Gerrard Fitz-Garret baron of Ophaly

¶ The third Countie.

THe third countie in the prouince of Leinster, is Caterlough, alias Carlough, and it is a long slip of land lying for the most part betweene the riuers of Slane and Barrowe, and containeth diuers lordships aunciently inhabited by the Englishmen; but not long after, it was recouered by the Cauenaughes, which do inhabit both it, and much of [ B] the countie of Wexford. It hath in it certaine high mountaines vppon the East part, and the rest is more plaine. The third part of the whole shire belongeth to the Earle of Ormond, and his brother Sir Edm••••d Butler. it is bounded with the countie of Kildare to the North; to the West and South with the Queenes countie; and with Kilkenny to the North-West.

* 1.8There are in this countie but two townes of any note, that is, Caterlough, (from which the countie takes the name, the which also Lionell Duke of Clarence began to wall, and Belling••••m a most renowned lord deputie fortified with a castle) and Leighlin, where there was an Episcopall chaire, now vnited to the See of Fernes, as Camden reports.

* 1.9As for castles, this countie hath the castle of Caterlough (as I haue said) that of [ C] Leigh∣lin, Rathemore, Rathulley, Fortenollon, Tully, Saint Molins, and other of lesse note.

* 1.10The lords and chiefe gentlemen of this countie, are, the Bishop of Lawghlin or Leigh∣lin, Sir Edmund Butler, Ragnal, Turlo Mac Donel Gallo-gl••sse, Hugh Mac Ihane, Harpole, Dae∣uells, Oliue, Oge, Brian Mac Cauer, Cauenaughes, and Og••rmagon Barry.

¶ The fourth Countie.

THe fourth countie of the prouince of Leinster is Wexford alias Waterford, this contie containeth all the land betweene the hauen of Waterford, to the demesnes of A••kloo Castle vpon the sea coast. It hath the sea to the East, and South; the countie of Wickloe to the North; the riuer of Barrow neere Rosse, and the countie of [ D] Cater∣lough to the West.

* 1.11This countie hath but few townes of any importance and these are, Wexford, Rosse, Fearnes, and Colmine.

* 1.12But it is well fortified with castles, for there are the castles, of Wexford, Fernes, Ini∣shecorth, the tower of Hooke, Belmagir, Donbrody, Bally hac, Adams towne, Bromston, Tniterne, Doncannon, Rossegarland, Old Crosse, Mountgarret.

* 1.13The lords and gentlemen of this countie are, the Bishop of Ferres Sir Henrie Wallop, Deurox, Browne, Stafford, Lamports, also the Sep of Crean Mac Morough, Donel Spainaugh, Thomas Masterson seneschall, Williams in the right of the Lady Colcloughe, Neuel, Cheuers, [ E] Mailons, Hayes, the three lords of the Knisheloughe, Mac Vado, Mac Damor, and Edmund Duffe, Ketinge, Sinots, Roches, Powers, Isames, Turners, Surcots, and Cauenaughes.

¶ The fift Countie.

TH•• ••it countie in the prouince of Leinster is called Killkenny: This countie hath the mo•••• ••••ew of ciuilitie of any other of the bordering counties, in respect of the faire feats, of hou••es, the number of Castles and English maner of inclosure. It is bounded on the East by the ••••uer of Barrow; on the South by the riuer of Shewer; with the Queenes countie and O••••eri•• ••o the North; and with Tipperary to the West. [ F]

* 1.14The chiefe townes in this countie are the Townes of Kilkenny, Thomas towne, Cal∣••an, Inystrong, and Ganran.

* 1.15There are also the ••astles of Kilkenny, Ganran, Balley rigate, Kelhs, Ballingto••gh, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Church, Grace towne, Whites haule, and others.

[ A] The lords and chiefe gentlemen of this countie are, the Earle of Ormond and Osserie,* 1.16 Lord Vicount, Mount Garret, Cantwells, Archdeacons Arches, Blancheuits, Birth Louet, and his sonnes, the Bishop of Ossery, the Baronet of Burnt Church, Comberfordes, Welshes, Dor∣mers, Saint Legers, Bromesford, Butlers, Graces, Shees, Denes, Rothes, Stonge, and of the Eng∣lish Staffords. The Earle of Ormonds eldest sonne is lord Butler and vicount Thurles.

¶ The sixt Countie.

THe sixt countie of this prouince is called Kings countie; but it was in old time cal∣led Ophaly, and is both wealthie and quiet, because it is by nature strong, and hath [ B] few passages and those well guarded. It containeth all the land between the countie Kik∣dare and the riuer of Shenin: and it is bounded on the East with the countie of Kildare, on the west with the Shenin, and West-Meath; on the South with the Queenes county, and part of Tipperary; and on the North with East-Meath.

Philips towne is the chiefe towne of this couutie,* 1.17 which tooke the name of king Philip, as also this countie was in honour of him, called Kings countie.

In this countie there are the castles of Fort Dingan, Crohan, Bally Burley,* 1.18 Bally Bri∣taine, Minster Oris, Eaton Dirrey.

[ C] The names of the chiefe gentlemen of this countie are,* 1.19 Sir George Burcher Lieute∣nant, Sir Edward More Constable of the fort, Sir Iohn Mac Cowghlan, More, Cowley, Fitz∣garrets, Philips, Omeloyes, Morrice, Sankey, Tirrill, Lany, Rosse, Denises, and Foxes.

¶ The seuenth Countie.

THe seuenth countie in the prouince of Leinster is the Queenes countie, alias Leese, this countie containeth all the land in effect betweene the riuer of Barrow and Or∣mond, including all that did belong to Omore, Odiun, vpper Ossery, and Slemarge. It is bounded with the countie of Kilkenny to the South, with Tipperary to the West, with [ D] the kings countie, and the mountaine Slebloome to the North, and the riuer of Barrow to the East.

There are not any townes of account in this countie, but the chiefe towne is Mary∣borough, so called by Queene Mary.* 1.20

The castles of this countie are the Queenes Fort, the Shian, the Abbey of Leese, Strudballey, Donamaze, the Blacke Fort, Ballicockan, and Diserte.* 1.21

The lords and gentlemen of greatest reputation in this countie, are,* 1.22 the baron of Vp∣per Ossery, Warham Seintleger, Lieutenant, George Haruy Constable of the Fort, Brian Mac Douel, Pierce Butler brother to the Earle of Ormond, Cosbies, Harpoole, Bowen, Mac Callough, Bruerton, Dauels, Pigot, Barington, Lamden, Odni, and diuers others.

[ E] ¶ The eighth Countie.

THe eighth and last countie of the prouince of Leinster, is the countie Wickloe, this was lately made a countie in the gouernment of Sir Arthur Chichester; It is bounded on the East with the sea, on the South with the countie of Wexford, on the West with the counties of Carlough and Kildare, and on the North with the countie of Dublin:

Asfor townes in this countie there is no mention made of any of importance and therefore I passe them ouer at this time.

There is the castle of Lamtaddon and diuers others of lesse importance.* 1.23

The chiefest gentlemen of this countie are Sir Charles Occaroll,* 1.24 and diuers others of [ F] his name. Now that I haue briefely touched euery particular both in the prouince of Linster, and also in euery particular countie of this prouince, I will now returne and shew you the commodities of the prouince of Munster, with the counties, townes and places of importance vnder the iurisdiction thereof.

¶ A BRIEFE DESCRIPTION OF THE PROVINCE OF MVNSTER, DIVI∣DED INTO SIX COVNTIES. [ A]

* 1.25THe second prouince is called Munster, and is of all the other prouinces the most [ B] commodious, in respect of the soile, hauens, riuers, and townes, and is diuided into six count••es, that is to say, into Waterford, Limerick, Corke, Kerry, Desmond, and Tipperary, and the whole prou••nce is gouerned by a Lord president.

¶ The first Countie.

THe first countie of this prouince is Waterford, which containeth all the land be∣tweene the riuer of Shoure (which falleth into the sea beneath Waterford) and the riuer of Younghull, called the Blacke water, and much of the land betweene the riuer of [ C] Bude and Blacke water, and includeth the mountaines called the Decies; the Bishop∣ricke of Lismore vnited to the See of Waterford, also Preudergraftes lands, and Powers countrie. It hath for bounds vpon the East and South, the sea; vpon the North the Shoure; part of the countie of Corke vpon the South; and part of Limericke, and Tippe∣rary to the West.

* 1.26The••e are in this countie these townes of importance, the towne of waterford, Don∣gar••an, Lismore, and Kill-Mac-Thmas.

* 1.27There are moreouer in this countie these castles: that of Dongaruan, Kill-Mac-Tho∣mas, the Passage, Derinleir, Cappalmi, Bellecouehin, the Hooke, Moncollop, Pilton, Do∣mano, Kilmadin, Strangally, Kilmanahim, Ardmore, Clouey, Carraghmore, and Shian. [ D]

* 1.28The lords and chiefe gentlemen in this countie of Waterford are these, the Bishop of Waterford and Lismore, the lord Power baron of Carragmore, the heires of Fitz-Ger∣rald late vicoun•• baron of Dromano, Powers, Welshes, Wises, Maddens, Geraldines, Whites, Mandeuiles, Condons, Cragh••s, Madings, Sherlockes, Preudergrafts, Newgents, Brownes, Dob∣nies, Leas, Lyes, and others.

¶ The second Countie.

THe second countie in this prouince is Limericke, and it containes all the land from the mountaine neere the red Shard ioyning to the countie of Corke, to the Shenin, aswell aboue Limericke as beneath, in a manner as farre as Carigfoile, and from the [ E] ••ountaine of Slewlougher which diuides it from Kerrey, to the farthest part of Mac Bri∣••••••gonoughes countrie. It hath for bounds vpon the North-East, Tipperary; to the West, Sle••••ougher; to the South the countie of Corke; and the riuer of Shenin to the North-We••••.

* 1.29The c••••efe townes of this countie are these, the towne of Limericke, and the towne of Kilmalloc••••••

* 1.30The castles o•• this countie are those of Blinity, Rakell, Carigonell Carignilishe, Adar••, Crome, Newcastle, Loughiray, Asketin, Shenet, Roberts towne, Castle Doiell, or Canell. [ F]

* 1.31The lords and gentlemen of chiefest note in this countie are these, the Bishop of Li∣••••••icke, the lord Burcke of Castle-Conell, Burckes, Laceys, Stretches, Geraldines, Purcells, Su••••les, Welshes, Obrines, Riens, Arthures, Fauts, Shees, Foxes, Whites, Iordens, Flamings, and some others.

[ A] ¶ The third Countie.

THe third countie of the prouince of Munster is called Clare, and it taketh the name of the Castle of Clare, now in the possession of the Earle of Twomond. It contai∣neth nine Lordships, and hath in it two small Bishoprickes: It hath for limits, from the Bay of Limericke to the Bay of Gallway, the sea: On the West, the countie of Gallway: to the North, and all the coast East and South it is enuironed with the riuer of Shenin: Some place this countie with the countie of Corke; others hold it to be the same that Twomond, in the prouince of Connaught.

The townes of note in this countie, are the towne of Inchequin,* 1.32 and the towne of [ B] Clare.

As for Castles, there is that of Clare, Inchequin, Ballwanghan, Bouraty, Clowrane,* 1.33 Bridgetowne, and Donsany.

The chiefe lords and gentlemen of this countie are, the Earle Twomond,* 1.34 the Bishop of Killmaco, the Bishop of Killalloe, Mac Macon, O Gardy Ochanch &c. the Baron of In∣chequin. The Earles eldest sonne is called Baron of Ibracan, Sir Turlo Obrien, Mac Ne Marro Reagh, Mac Ne Marro Fenn, O L••ughlin, O Veylane, and others.

¶ The fourth Countie.

[ C] THe fourth countie in the prouince of Munster is that of Corke, and it containeth all the land adioyning to the sea from the riuer of Younghull, to the bay of Dingley, and the riuer of Manger ioyning to the countie of Kerrey; and includeth also the lands of the two Vicounts Barray & Farmoy. It hath for bounds on the East, South & South-West, the sea; on the West, the mountaines of Slewlongher; and on the North, partly with the great water, and patly with the countie of Limericke.

The principall townes of this countie are those of Corke, Cloue or Clone, Rosse,* 1.35 Younghull alias Yoohill, Butiout, and Kinsale.

There are also in this countie these Castles of no••e, that is to say,* 1.36 the Castle of Liff∣men, Ballimartor, Castleton, Corckleb••ge, Moyallo, Roch, Butevunt, Beare, Ballm∣solly, Glanuer, Couceys, Barreys Court, Shondon, Closshoe, &c.

[ D] The chiefe lords and gentlemen of this countie are these, the Earle of Clancarke,* 1.37 the Vicount of Buteuunt or Barrey, the Vicount Rothe, or F Aermoy, the lord Courey, Sir Owin Osuliuan, Meagh, Donohe Okeife, Finien, Mac Carty, Cormocke, O••raldines, Coudons, Barrots Waters, Meaghes, Skides, Russells, the Bishop of Corke and Clone, the Bishop of Rosse, S. Warrham S^t Leger, Sir Owen Mac Carty Reagh, Mac Thomas B••rry Oge, Sir F••nn Odriscall, the sonnes of Sir Dertmott, and Sir Cormock Mac Teage, Ogallegan Mac Auly, Donell Pippo Mac Cartie Fits-Edmonds, seneschall of Imokelly Desmond, Osuliuan More, Flemings, and diuers others of good note.

[ E] ¶ The fift Countie.

THe fift countie in this prouince, is that of Kerry, and it containeth onely that land which lyeth betweene the riuer of Manger, and the riuer of Shenin, and includeth the most part of the mountaine Slewlougher, which being the most Easterly part of the countrie boundeth vpon the countie of Limericke, and Corke to the East, vpon the She∣nin to the North, vpon the Sea to the West, and vpon the riuer of Manger to the South.

The chiefe townes of this countie are those of Ardsert, Dingley, and Trayly,* 1.38 as for the rest, they are of no great importance, and therefore I will not trouble the readerwith too tedious relations thereof.

[ F] The Castles of note of this countie are those of Lixsuaue Ardfert,* 1.39 the Island Tar∣brett, Castle Mange, and Carig••oyle

The lords and gentlemen of greatest reputation in this countie, are,* 1.40 the Baron of Lix∣suaue, alias lord Fitz-Morice, the Bishop of Ardfert, Patricke Fitz-Morice, Fitz-Garrets, Rice, More, Trant, andothers.

¶ The sixt Countie. [ A]

THe sixt co••••••i•• of this Prouince is Tipperary, and it is diuided into two▪ the one called the C••osse of Tipperary, the other the countie Palatine or libertie of Tippe∣rary▪ and it hath ••wo shirlfes, that of the Crosse is vnder the Archbishop of Casshell, the ••••her is v••••er the Earle of Ormond. It containeth all the land in a manner from the towne of Kallan in the countie of Kilkenny, to Mac Ibrion Ogonoghies countrie, in the countie of Limerick; containing all the countries of Omitrians Mac Ibrion Arra O∣d••ye••••; Vpp•••• O••mond, and Nether Ormond, Conisshinaugh, Cossheshery, Muskry-Ouricke, [ B] the greater part of Arlow, and all Onaught. It is bounded with the countie of Kil••e••••y, and th•• Queens countie in the East; with the countie of Limericke and Corke to the the South; with Shenin & part of Limericke to the West; and with part of Kings ••••••••ie and ••ly to the North.

* 1.41〈…〉〈…〉 these townes of good note, that is to say, the towne of 〈…〉〈…〉 and Carigall, and these foure are strong and very well wal∣led: then, the towne of Emely, Tipperary, and that of the Holie Crosse: but these last are in a manner all ruined and wasted.

This countie comprehendeth the castles of Carig, Caier, Nenaugh, Thurles, and Kil••henan; and of these the Earle of Ormond is Vicount: then that of Temple-More, [ C] D••••niglas, ••osscray, Loughmay, and Kilfekill.

* 1.42And this county hath in it many old religious houses, wherof Acashill is chiefe.

The Lords and Gentlemen of greatest account in this prouince, are, the Archbishop of Cashe••••▪ th•• Bishop of Emely the lord of Donboyne, the lord of Caier or Kercy, the Baroner of Loughmay: Butlers, Purcells, Cantwells, Kedenyes, Odwyers, Englishes, Burkes, 〈…〉〈…〉 L••ughearne••, ••••ites, and others.

¶ A BRIEFE DESCRIPTION OF [ D] THE PROVINCE OF MEATH, DIVI∣DED INTO THREE COVNTIES.

* 1.43THe prouince of Meath hath his name of Medium, or the middle part of the land, for it is placed in the middest of the other foure Prouinces: and at the first it contained but one shire or countie, commonly called by the name of Meath: but in the time of K. Henrie the eight (to the end that justice [ E] might with more facilitie be ministred, and for that this countrie was too large to be go∣••erned by one Shirife (it was diuided into two counties, namely the countie of East-••••ath, and the countie of West Meath: and now also the countie of Longford is repu∣•••••• par••••ll thereof.

¶ The first Countie.

EA•••••• ••••th containeth all the land between Balrothery in the countie of Dublin, & the 〈…〉〈…〉 Boyne, nee••e Dro••g••ad, then not far from thence it extendeth it selfe from that riue•• ••••d containeth all the land to the border of Cauon, and from thence in breadth to the King countie, and to the countie of Kildare: so that it hath the sea to the [ F] East: the countie of ••••uan to the West: West-Meath, Kildare, and the kings countie ••o the Southa••d South••••••st, and the countie of Louth to the North.

* 1.44There are in this coun•••••• the townes of Trim, Nouan, Athbuy or Abbey, Kellis, D••••••ghada, and Calicke.

[ A] The Castles of this countie are many, that is, that of Trim, Kelline, Donsany,* 1.45 Ar∣moham, Stane, Goltrim, Castle Ricard, Dullerston, Gormanston, Donimore, Crixton, Cellcarne, Trimbleston, Rathmore, Molingar, Bedlowes towne, Stackallon, Riuerston, Castle Iorden, Arberchane, Gilliaston, Colpe, Veste, Moynaltie, Dooth, Maylaugh, New Castle, Castleton of Athbuy, Moynet, Dingan, Bellebogan, Culmolen, Murmu∣dry, Platten, Castle Twerby, Bectiue, and many others.

The lords and chiefest gentlemen are, the Bishop of Meath,* 1.46 the Vicount of Gorman∣ston, the Baron of Donsany, the Baron of Kilny, the Baron of Trimbleston, the Baron of Stane: Barnewells, Haspenies, Darricotts, Segraues, Missets, Drakes, Bathes, Wessels, Fle∣mings, [ B] Eeuers, Roch••erts, Polnkets, Cheuers, Whites, Prouefoote, Ecostaces, Casackes, Newter∣uiles, Hills, Darceys, Prestons, Mores, Bethanghes, and others.

¶ The second Countie.

THe second countie in the prouince of Meath is called West-Meath, this countie containes all the land from the Red more beyond Athbuy to the Shenin & Deluin Mac Coughlan, and in breadth from the kings countie to the countie of Longford. It hath for bounds vpon the East, the kings countie: vpon the South, the Shenin: vpon the West, the countie of Longford: and the countie of Cauon and a part of East-Meath [ C] vpon the North.

The chiefe ••ownes of this countie are, the towne of Molingar, Athlone, Ballimore,* 1.47 Fower, Deluin, and Kelkenny West.

The Castlesof this countie are those of Killucan, Castleton of Deluin, Waterstone,* 1.48 Tutestone, and others of lesse importance, as Ruwier, Tristermaugh, and Robstone and others.

The lords and gentlemen of greatest reputation in this countie are,* 1.49 the Baron of Del∣uin, Nugents, Delamers, Sir Thomas le Strange, Darcyes, Tyrrells, Daltons, Tuts, Diltons, Lac∣cis alias Pettits, Hopes, and the heires of Sir George Stanley, and others.

[ D] ¶ The third Countie.

THe third countie of this prouince is Longford, and it is a large quantitie of ground possessed by a people called Offarolls. It is bounded on the West by the riuer of Shenin, and a part of the countie of Latrim; on the North by the countie of Cauon; and on the East, and South, by the countie of West-Meath.

There is not any towne nor Castle of importance in this countie, but the towne and Castle of Longford.* 1.50

The names of the gentlemen of greatest note in this countie are, Off••r all buy,* 1.51 Offar all bane, Nugents, Eirgus Offarall, and diuers of the same name, and Dillons, and some others.

[ E] ¶ A DESCRIPTION OF THE PROVINCE OF CONNAGHT DIVI∣DED INTO FIVE COVNTIES.

THe Prouince of Connaught, bendeth all Westwards from the riuer of Shanin,* 1.52 be∣tweene [ F] that riuer and the sea, and containeth fiue counties, that is to say, Slego, Maio, Gallway, Rostoman, and Letrim: and Camden writes, that Sir Henry Sidney Lord Deputie of Ireland, hath ioined to this Prouince the countie of Clare: but be∣cause it did in former times belong vnto the prouince of Munster, you shall finde it a∣mongst the counties of that prouince, in the description thereof.

¶ The first Countie. [ A]

THe first countie of the prouince of Connaught is called Slego, this countie contai∣neth all ••he land between the borders of Magl••••••gh, and the plaines of Connaught, by the skirts of the mountaines of the Corlewes, to the riuer & Lough of Boyle in Mac Der••o••s coun••rie, and from thence North-West by the riuer of Moyne, which diuideth the countie of Maio from that of Slego. It hath for bounds to the East the countie of Magl••n••ugh, to the West Maio, to the North the sea, and the countie of Roscouen to the South. [ B]

* 1.53There are not any townes of importance in this countie but the towne of Slego.

* 1.54There are the Castles of Slego, and that of Ballimote, then those of Bondrois, and Bleeke, both which are belonging to Odonell.

* 1.55The chiefe gentlemen of this countie are Odonell, Ochous Slego, Mac Phillippin, Mac 〈…〉〈…〉

¶ The second Countie.

THe second countie in the prouince of Connaught is Maio, and this countie contai∣neth all the land of Mac Willam Ewters, and all the lands of Omailes, Mac Donnells, M•••• M••••rice, Mac Io••den, Mac Ou••terlough, and the Owles: it hath also certaine Islands in [ C] the sea, both fertill and commodious for fishing. It is bounded toward the West and North with the Odea••, towards the East with the countie of Slego and Roscomen, and with the cou••tie of Gallway towards the South.

There are no townes in this countie of any importance.

* 1.56Th•••••• ••re some Castles in this countie, which are these, Castle Barre, Ardenary, and the Ca••••le of Brownes, belonging to the Ea••le of Ormond.

* 1.57The men of greatest note and reputation in this countie, are the Bishop of Alladen∣••is or Auadonne, Sir Richard ••urke, Mac Iorden, Mac Morris, Sir Richard Iure, Sir Iohn ••urke Vastian Mac Do••nell, Mac C••s••eloughe, Burke••, Mac Diuell a currane. [ D]

¶ The third Countie.

THe third countie of ••his prouince is the county of Gallway; this countie containeth a great quantitie of land lying in manner square, betweene Maio and Twomond, North and South, and the Shenin East and West, sauing the Northerly part thereof, it hath the riuer of Sacke and Roscomen to the East. It hath three Islands in the sea within ken••ing of the towne of G••llway.

* 1.58The chiefe towne i•• Gallway, which is exceeding ••aire, and that of Artheury an aunci∣ent towne, but ruined and in decay, and there is also that of Toam. [ E]

* 1.59There are in this countie the Castles of Clanfer••, Mileeke, Gort, Portumno, Ouram Diuilaughlin, Letrim, Balliloughreugh, and Louford.

* 1.60The lords and chief•• gentlemen of this countie▪ are, the A••••hbishop of Toam the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of Clanrica••••, the Lord Brunegham, Sir H••bbert Mac Dauy, the Bishop of Clonfert vpon 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Shenin, the Bishop of Kil••aco, the Baron of Letrim, Ma•• C••ug••, & the Burkes. The Ea•••••• eldest sonne is Lord Burke, baron of Dunkellin or Ekelline.

¶ The fourth Countie.

THhe fourth co••••••ie of this prouince is called Roscoman, and it containeth all the [ F] plaines of ••onna•••••••• or Maughery, beginning at Abbey Boyle, neere to the ••••••ntaines of Cur••ew, a•••• stretche••h along by th•• Shenin to the riuer of Suc. It hath th•••• ••••enin to the East and 〈◊〉〈◊〉▪ the countie of Slego ••o the North; and the c••unties of G••••••way and Maiosto the west.

[ A] The chiefe townes of note in this countie, are the townes of Roscoman, and Abooie.* 1.61

This countie hath in it these castles, that of Roscoman, Athlone, Saint Iones,* 1.62 Ballin∣cabler, Ballimestow, and Alege.

The chiefe lords and gentlemen of this countie are the Bishop of Elphine,* 1.63 O Canor Dun, O Hanley, Mac Edmond, Brabson, Tuts, Dillons, O Conor Roo, Mac Dermot, Obern Offlan∣gan, Mac Gerrot, S. Thomas le Straunge, Nugents, the heirs of S. Nicholas Maulby, & others.

¶ The fift Countie.

THe fift countie of this prouince of Connaught is called Letrim: It hath the coun∣tie of Slego to the South and West; the Shenin to the South and South-East; the countie of Longford to the South-East; and the counties of Donagall, and Fermanagh [ B] to the North; and Cauon to the East.

There are no townes of importance in this countie.

There is but one Castle of importance in this countie which is the castle of Letrim.* 1.64

As for the gentlemen, O Rorcke, and those of his kindred are the chiefe in this county.* 1.65

¶ A BRIEFE DESCRIPTION OF THE PRO∣uince of Vlster diuided into ten Counties

[ C] THis prouince of Vlster lieth in the farthest part of realme Northward; and it is diui∣ded from the prouince of Meath with the riuer of Boyne on the South-East part:* 1.66 & with the Breney which is O Releys countrie on the South part: and on the South-West part, it boundeth vpon Connaght, nameby vpon O Rorckes countrie, and O Conor Slego: the rest is inuironed with the sea. It hath in it ten counties, namely, Louth, Downe, Cauon, Antrim, Armaugh, Monaghan, Fermanaugh, Tyrone, Donegall, and London∣derry.

Lionell, sonne to king Edward the third, was created Earle of Vlster in the time of his fathers raigne.

[ D] ¶ The first Countie.

THe first countie of this prouince is called Louth: and this countie containeth in it all the land by the sea side, from the riuer of Boyne neere Drogheda vnto the hauen of Caringford. It confines towards the East, with the sea; towards the South, with the prouince of Meath; with the countie of Monaghan to the West; and with the countie of Armaugh to the North.

The chiefe townes of any importance are, Louth, Drogheda, Dundalke, Ardec,* 1.67 and Carlingford.

The lords & gentlemen of chiefe note in this countie, are the Bishop of Ardeigh,* 1.68 the lord of Louth, Brandons, Taffies, Casshells, Barnwells, Reytons, Dowdalls, Sir Garrat More, Sir Iohn Bedlow, Plunkets, Bedlowes, Clintons and many others.

[ E] ¶ The second Countie.

THe second countie of the prouince of Vlster is called Downe: this countie contai∣neth all the countries betweene the hauen of Carlingford, and the Bay of Knockfer∣gus, with the lordship of Newry, and some others. It hath for bounds to the East, the sea; to the South, the hauen of Carlingford, and that riuer; to the West, the countie of Armaugh; and the Bay of Knoc-fergus to the North.

The chiefe townes of this countie, are the towne of Downe, and the Newry.* 1.69

There are in this countie these castles, that of Dondrom, Scatricke, Raunhedy,* 1.70 Greene Castle, Castle Reagh, and the Castle of the narrow water.

The lords and gentlemen of greatest reputation in this countie, are, the Bishop of [ F] Downe, Sir Henry Bagnall, Sir Hugh Mac Guines, Mac Cartan, Iuan Roo Mac Coulle, Sauages,* 1.71 Bensons, Russels, Fitz-Simons, Doudals, Cormake O Neale, Brian Oge-O Neale, & ••ome others.

¶ The third Countie.

THe third countie of this prouince is called Cauon; and it containes all the lands cal∣led heretofore Oreighles countrie. It is bounded with the countie of Letrim to the

〈◊〉〈◊〉, with the countie of Fermanaugh, and Managhan to the North, and with the [ A] 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of West-Meath to the South.

* 1.72There are in this countie no towne•• nor castles of importance but the towne and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of Ca••••••••

* 1.73The chi•••••• ••en of this countie are the O Reileys.

¶ The fourth Countie.

THe fourth countie of the prouince of Vlster is called Antrim. It containeth all the land 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the ba•• of Knoc-sergus and the riuer of Ban, to the sea. It hath the 〈…〉〈…〉 West, the sea to the East, Cland••boy to the South, and the maine sea to the North. [ B]

* 1.74The chiefe townes of this countie are those of Antrim Knoc-fergus, Kellis, and Cole∣rane.

* 1.75The chiefe castles of this countie, are, Castle Marten, and Dunluce.

* 1.76The chiefe gentlemen of greatest reputation in this countie are, Sir Brian Mac Phelin, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉

¶ The fift Countie.

THe fift countie of this prouince is called Armagh: it containeth all the land between the riuer of Dundalke, and the Blacke water. It is bounded to the South with the countie of Louth; with the Black-water to the North, with the riuer of Newry to the Ea••••, and with the countie of Monaghan to the West. [ C]

* 1.77There are no other townes of importance in this countie but the towne of Armagh from whence the countie hath the name: it is an Archicpiscopall See, and the Metropo∣litan of the whole Island.

* 1.78The chiefe castles are, the fort or castles called Elizabeth, where the Earle of Effex built a bridge, and the fort of the Black-water.

* 1.79The lords and chiefe gentlemen of this countie are, the Archbishop of Armagh, Pri∣•••••••• and Metropolitan of all Ireland, Art Mac Baron, the clergie of Armagh, O Hanlons, Tarlough Brasilough, Turlo Mac Mahon, Mac Henries sonnes, Turlo O Neale, & some others.

¶ The sixt Countie.

THe sixt countie of this prouince is that of Monaghan: this countie was in times past [ D] called Erriel, giuen at the time of the conquest to one Reginald Fitz-Vrse or Beare∣sonne, supposed to be one of the foure knights that slew Thomas Beckett. It bordereth vppon thecountie of Louth, Eastwards; vppon the countie of Cauon to the South and South-West; vpon the Longharne South-West; and vppon the countie of Armagh towards the North.

* 1.80There are not any townes or castles of importance in this countie but the towne and castle of Monaghan.

* 1.81The chiefe men of this countie are at this day called the Mac Mahons, and were at first the offpring of the Fitz-Vrses.

¶ The seuenth Countie. [ E]

THe seuenth countie in the prouince of Vlster is Fermanaugh: It confines on the North with the countie of Tyrone; on the West with Orwarkes countrie; on the South with the countie of Cauon; and with the countie of Monaghan on the East.

In this countie there is not any towne of importance.

* 1.82There are the Castles of Kneskellin, and the Abbey of Leekoole.

* 1.83T•••• ••••••••fe gentlemen of this countie, are the offspring of MacGwier, who was very noble an•• ••••werfull vntill he ouerthrew himselfe and his state in the late rebellion.

¶ The eight Countie.

THhe eight ••••••ntie of this prouince is Londonderry: it containeth all the countrie called O 〈◊〉〈◊〉 countrie, the countie of Colran, and one Baronie of Tyrone, formerly [ F] ••alle Inisholin: these ••••••ds are lately made an entire countie at the suit of the Londo∣••••ers, who haue vndertaken to plant them with English.

There are no townes of ••••p••rtance in this countie.

* 1.84This countie hath diuers castles, that of Colran and others, with two small frieries.

[ A] The chiefe men of this countie are the O Chaues or O Canes,* 1.85 who are the chiefe that create O Neale, by casting a shooe ouer his head vpon a hill in Tyrone.

¶ The ninth Countie.

THe ninth countie of this prouince in called Tyrone, and it containeth all the land be∣tweene the Black-water, and the riuers of Liffer and Finne. It hath for bounds the North, the countie of Londonderry: on the South the countries of Fermanagh, and Ar∣magh: and Tirconell on the West.

It hath not any townes of importance in it.

The chiefe castles of this countie are these Dongannon, Omagh, Strabane, Benburb,* 1.86 [ B] and Old Castle.

The chiefest lords and gentlemen of this countie are, the Earle of Tyrone,* 1.87 the Bi∣shop of Clohere, Sir Turlo O Neale, Turlo Lenough, and O Cane.

¶ The tenth Countie.

THe last countie in this prouince is that of Dongall or Tyrconell, and this countie is the greatest and longest of all the countries of Vlster. It hath for bounds, on the East, North, and West, the sea: and the riuer of Finne on the South.

There is not any towne of importance in this countie but the towne of Dongall.* 1.88

There are the castles of Dongall, Ballishewin, Red Castle, Leefe, Finne, New Castle,* 1.89 Beleeke, and Bondroies.

[ C] The lords and chiefe gentlemen of this prouince are these O Donel,* 1.90 the Bishop of Derry, the Bishop of Raboo, Hugh Duffe O Donell, O Golghan, Sir Iohn O Dohery, Sir Owin O Gallohac, the sonnes of Con O Donell, Mac Swyn Natoo, Mac Swyn Faued, and others.

There are also in this countie these Abbeys, that of Dongall, Asherowe, Derry, and other small Frieries.

Thus hauing shewed to you (as briefely as might bee) the whole description of Ire∣land, I will now come to speake of the Quallitie of the countrie.

¶ The Qualitie.

[ D] THis Island doth enioy a sweet and temperat aire, although it be not excellent to [ III] ri∣pen that which is put into the ground. The heat of Sommer makes them not to seeke for shade, nor the rigor of Winter for fire: this countrie doth not breed any venimous beasts, neither can it endure any if they be brought thether: the aire and soile is too moist and rheumaticke, so as both Inhabitants and strangers are much troubled with ca∣tharres and the bloudie flix, which they seeke to preuent by Aquaitae: the countrie is hillie, moorish, and full of woods, exposed to winds, and it hath many pooles, euen in the top of the highest mountaines: there are many good ports, and some goodly plaines, but they are little in regard of the woodlands and mountaines which are pleasing with their verdure. All Ireland in generall is fertill except in Vlster, which is fruitfull in ma∣ny [ E] places also, and barren in others by reason of mountaines, and Conach which is lesse tilled then other countrie, and hath much woodlands, bogges, and mountaines. In all places the mountaines are couered with cattell, and for this cause they abound with milke, butter, and cheese: it hath this inconuenience, that the corne is short and small, and vines growe there, more for ornament than for any fruit they beate: for when as the signe enters into Virgo, there blowe cold windes in that countrie, & the sun after noone in Autume hath not force sufficient to ripen the grapes. This Island hath good horses for lightnes and the iorneys of that countrie, which they call Hobbeys. It breeds no hurtfull beasts but wolues and foxes: all other tame beasts are lesse than in other places, except their grayhounds. The woodlands are full of beasts, & the staggs being very large [ F] are sometimes in the yeare very fat: there are many swine, goats, and some fallow deere, and no mowles, but they haue aboundance of rats. Moreouer this Island hath many falcons, goshaukes, eagles, and cranes, and good store of swannes, towards the North, but in all the Island there are no storkes, neither are there any pies, or nightingales, but there is a kinde of fowle called the heath cocke of a blackish colour, which hath a red∣dish

〈◊〉〈◊〉 and head, and vsually ••iueth in heathie grounds. There is also great store of [ A] 〈◊〉〈◊〉 both of sea and fresh water, which are taken in the riuers and lakes of the countrie: 〈◊〉〈◊〉 also yeelde a certaine black ea••th mixt with sulphure, which the inhabitants doe vse to kindle their fire. The Irish sea had small pearles many of them of a blackish colour, and many others very faire and orient, some valued at fortie pounds and vpwards; these are found at a leason of the yeare in muscle shells for the most part in the Northerne ri∣uers, and especially the riuer Omey which runneth to Loughfoile. Girald writes that from a certaine wood which floats vppon the sea,* 1.91 there flowes a gumme which doth harden afterwards; and that within it there breed certaine creatures which first haue life, then they take wings and a bill, and in the end they flie into the aire, or swim vpon [ B] the water, and the same Author saith, that he hath seene many of these birds halfe for∣med, which would haue-flowne like vnto the rest if they had had their perfection. There are also other birds called Martins, as some write, lesse than a Thrush, and short as a Qua••••••, hauing the belly white, and the bac•••• blacke, which haue this propertie, that if being dead they be 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in a drie place, they doe nor putrifie, and being put among [ V] 〈…〉〈…〉 them from mo••••hes: yea if they be hung in a drie place when they are dead they renew their feathers euery yeare.

¶ The Manners of the Auncient Irish.

[ VI] STrabo saith that the Auncient Irish were more sauage than the inhabitants of great [ C] Britaine, that they sed vpon mans flesh and were great eaters. Solinus addes more, that when they were victors they rubbed their faces with the bloud of them that were slaine in the fight, after they had drunke some, when a woman was deliuered of a man child, the laid his first meat vpon her husbands sword, and thrust the point of it gently with the meat into the Infants mouth, wishing (according to the ordinarie desire of all the nation) that he might not die but in battaile, and in the middest of armes: they that would make any shew of brauery among them, did put vpon the hilts of their swords the teeth of certaine great fishes which they found along that coast; for that those teeth were white as Iuory, & the chiefe glory of the Irish consisted in armes. This is all that can [ D] be gathered out of auncient writers touching their manners, which were for the most part vnknowne, by reason of the rudnes of the people, to whom they could not haue any free accesse: I speake this in regard of the auncient manners, but if thou desirest to see those of latter, times; thou shalt finde them at large in Girald, from whom many others haue drawne what may be spoken.

¶ The Manners of the Irish at this day.

[ VII] THe Irish are generally strong, actiue, and of great courage, they expose themselues freely to all dangers, and doe easily endure all toyle, cold, hunger, and other [ E] discom∣modities: they are much inclined to loue, courteous to strangers, constant in their friendship, and irreconcilable in their hatred, light of beliefe, desirous of glorie, and im∣••••tient of any wrong finally they are extreme in all their passions, so as they that are bad o•• not be worse, nor the good better.

[ VIII] ••••Meere Irish (for they are diuided like vnto the Scottish) kneele downe when they see 〈◊〉〈◊〉 moone, and speaking vnto her, saie, Leau•• vs in as good health as thou hast found vs. The•• hold that a ••ree or green bush planted before their doores the first day of May will 〈◊〉〈◊〉 their cowes yeeld aboundance of milke. It is not lawfull to commend a hor••e or any 〈◊〉〈◊〉 beast vnlesse they say presently, Godblesse it, and they spit against a horse when he 〈◊〉〈◊〉 or rowseth himselfe, if any mischance happen to the horse [ F] with∣•••• three daies, they see••e him that commended him, to the end that he may say a Pater 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in his ••are: the w••••men haue inchantments for all diseases, and they doe allwaies 〈◊〉〈◊〉 a Pater noster and an A••e Marie at the beginning and ending of all their inchantments 〈◊〉〈◊〉 their seedi••g, they liue vpon hearbes, roots, shalghane, and with butter mingled

[ A] with oate flower, with milke, beefe broath, and oftentimes with flesh without bread, for that they doe most commonly keepe their corne for their horses, wherof they haue great care, when they are prest with hunger they eat broyled flesh, and to disg••st it they drinke much Vsquebaugh. They drawe bloud from their kine, and when it is curded and caked with boyling they put it vpon butter, and so eat it. These be the manners of the meere I∣rish. There are also many others, but I feare I should be tedious in relating them, or else crosse mine owne disseigne.

¶ The Riches of Ireland.

[ B] THat which may make the Irish rich is the accesse of merchants, which come from all parts, and the traffique of the inhabitants of the Island, who haue not much else to sell, and send into forraine countries but hydes and some wooll. Among other townes [ IX] there is Gallway, whereas forreine merchants frequent, it is full of rich inhabitants, who haue great traffique into all parts: and Waterford yeelds nothing vnto it in number of merchants, who thriue as well there as in any countrie of Europe. The greatest part of Ireland is able to entertaine the inhabitants, and to furnish them with all things necessa∣rie, yet the riches are not so great as in many places of Europe. Their most pleasing, and sole wealth are their kine, which giue no milke in Ireland, as some hold, but when they haue their calues by their sides, or the skin of a dead calfe filled with strawe, that it may [ C] resemble it; As for the reuenue which the king of England drawes from thence they be small by reason of his officers and souldiers maintained there.

¶ The Forces of Ireland.

THeir warlike bands consist of foot and horse; the horsemen haue horses so tractable and well taught, as they doe easily leape on them, although they be armed, and this is as well by reason of the dexteritie of the horse, which yeeldes vnto them, as the disposition of the Irish of whom we haue lately spoken. As for their footmen there are [ X] some whom they call Galloglasses which carrie axes sharper than razors, at the end of [ D] long staues, and these are all the force of the Irish armies: they which hold the second ranke, are called Kerne, they vse darts and a broad sword, and doe not thinke any man dead till they haue cut off his head: they put in the third place their horseboyes, whom they call Stokoagh, who goe disarmed, and are ready to serue the horsemen: Both foot∣men and horsemen doe crie Pharo, Pharo, when as they goe to battaile. The Irish are ma∣ny in number, and valiant; so as they might be held inuincible if they were not opposite one vnto another: but they haue beene euer diuided, and for this cause they haue giuen entrie to the kings of England. He that raignes at this day maintaines diuers forts man∣ned with horse and foot, the which were begun by Queene Elizabeth, after the late enterprises of Pope Gregorie. There is the Archiepiscopall towne called Armaugh, the [ XI] [ E] which is strong: and neere vnto it towards the East is Tredath, which is the greatest fort next vnto that which we haue named: after that there is Dublin, where the lord Depu∣tie doth vsually remaine, which hath a reasonable good Fort, and a Port whereas they imbarke that passe into England, who arriue at Chester, right against Dublin; and to∣wards the North there is one onely Fort called Knockfergus: But vpon that part which lookes toward England, and Westwards, ther are seauen Forts with their Ports, that is to say, (after Dublin) Arkloe, and Wexford, Limericke, Waterford, Rosse, Corke and Kind∣sale, which is vpon the South.

The passage of this chanell is very dangerous, by reason of the riuers which fall from many contrarie parts; so as they cause a confusion of waters with a contrarie current, [ F] which makes the passage difficult. To conclude, the king of England hath no great cause to feare that any forraine prince should become maister of Ireland, aswell for the discom∣moditie of the seate, as for the Forts there be in it, and the souldiers which he entertaines, as also for that many of the inhabitants of the countrie are well affected vnto him.

¶ The Gouernment of Ireland. [ A]

[ XII] IReland in former times had many pettie kings, but it is now vnder the power of the English, into whose hands it fell in the yeare 1175 when as Roderick king of Conaught termed himselfe king of all Ireland, who seeking to make himselfe king of the whole I∣sland, fought against the other kings, who submitted themselues, without any effusion of bloud, to Henry the second king of England, since which time all the kings of England haue bin called Soueraigne Lords of Ireland, vntill Henry the eight, who had the title of King giuen him by the Estates of Ireland. Finally the king of England sends a Vice-Roy thither to gouerne, and these Vice-Royes were first called Conseruers of Ireland, [ B] then Iustices, Lieuetenants, & last of all Deputies, by the patents which gaue them this Royall jurisdiction and power; for they may make war and peace, ordaine and dispose of all Magistrates, except some fewe, remit all crimes, except high reason, make knights and such like things. These Letters Patents, are read whenas any one is publikely recei∣ued, and then taking the ordinarie oath before the Chauncelor, they put a sword into his hand, and then they set him in a chaire, in the presence of the Chauncelor, and the chiefe of the realme which are of the Councell, with the king at armes, sergeant at armes and other officers of honour: he hath for assistants, the Chauncellor, Treasorer of the realme, Earles, Bishops, and Iudges, who are of the Councell. Ireland hath the same orders that England, and it is diuided according to the manners of the inhabitants, into [ C] two parts, for they that will not obey the lawes, but liue more barbarously, are com∣monly called meere Irish, but they that obey the lawes are called English Irish, and their [ XIII] countrie is called the English Pale. The meere Irish haue lords, or rather tyrants, who liue not vnder the power of the English but by constraint: these lords haue an O before their names, or else the word Mac, as O Neale, Mac Mahowne, and these haue a particular right, by reason whereof they liue with an insupportable authoritie, and dispose of their followers goods at their pleasures: These lords haue their Iudges whom they call Brea∣hans, as the Gothes had their Bellagines. These Breahans are altogether ignorant, and and yet they doe Iustice vnto the neighbors at certaine daies, vpon some hill: they that are accused, and can deny it, escape easily; and if they be taken in open thest they are [ D] condemned to restitution, and a fine to the lord. As for the other Irish they follow rea∣son [ XIIII] more, and gouerne themselues after the English manner. There are in Ireland fiue Iudiciall Courts, as in England, that is to say, the Starchamber, the Chancerie, the Kings Bench, the Common Pleas, and the Exchequer: there are also Iustices of Assise to heare and determin, and Iustices of the peace in euerie countie: the king hath also his Sar∣geant at law, his Attorney Generall, and Solicitor. Ireland hath the same municipall Iawes that England, and the acts of Parliament of England were in force there vntill Henry the seuenth, for in the tenth yeare of his raigne they were confirmed in Ireland by the authority of the Parliament; but since, they haue had their priuat statutes. Besides these ciuile magistrates, Ireland hath a militarie officer, that is to say, the Marshall, which [ E] is to restraine the insolencie of souldiers and rebells.

¶ The Religion of Ireland.

[ XV] THis Island receiued the Faith of Christ in the yeare 335 when as Fincomarc raigned in Scotland; and this happened by meanes of a woman among the Pictes, who grow∣ing familiar with the Queene, in the yeare 322. preacht the Christian Faith vnto her, and conuerted her: the Queen woon the King, shewing him what had beene preacht vn∣to her, and the king disposed his people to receiue baptisme, about the yeare 335. The I∣rish haue liued since in the Romish religion vntill the time of king Henry the eight when as the Protestants religion began to be preacht, the which hath beene since in that coun∣trie planted by Queene Elizabeth, and by King Iames now raigning: yet the Irish are ge∣rally [ F] giuen to Poperie and superstition, by reason of their ignorance, and haue made re∣ligion the subiect of rebellion, as we haue seene by many experiences during the raigne of Queene Elizabeth. Ireland hath foure Archbishoprickes, that of Dublin, Armaugh, Cassill, and Toame: and these foure haue nine and twentie Suffragans.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Euerie league is foure Eng∣lish miles.
• * 1.2

  Townes,
• * 1.3

  Castles.
• * 1.4

  Lords and Gentlemen.
• * 1.5

  Townes.
• * 1.6

  Castles.
• * 1.7

  Lords and Gentlemen.
• * 1.8

  Townes.
• * 1.9

  Castles.
• * 1.10

  Lords and Gentlemen.
• * 1.11

  Town••s
• * 1.12

  Castles.
• * 1.13

  Lords and Gentlemen.
• * 1.14

  Townes.
• * 1.15

  Ca••••••••.
• * 1.16

  Lords and Gentlemen.
• * 1.17

  Townes.
• * 1.18

  Castles.
• * 1.19

  Gentlemen.
• * 1.20

  Townes.
• * 1.21

  Ca••••••••s.
• * 1.22

  Lor••s and Gentlemen.
• * 1.23

  Castles.
• * 1.24

  Gentlemen.
• * 1.25

  The second Pro••••nce.
• * 1.26

  Townes.
• * 1.27

  Castles.
• * 1.28

  Lords and Gentlemen.
• * 1.29

  Towne••
• * 1.30

  Castles.
• * 1.31

  Lords and Gentlemen.
• * 1.32

  Towne••
• * 1.33

  Castles.
• * 1.34

  Lords and Gentlemen.
• * 1.35

  Townes.
• * 1.36

  Castles.
• * 1.37

  Lords and Gentlemen.
• * 1.38

  Townes.
• * 1.39

  Castles.
• * 1.40

  Towne and Gentlemen.
• * 1.41

  Towne••.
• * 1.42

  Lords and Gentlemen.
• * 1.43

  The •••• Pro∣ui••ce.
• * 1.44

  〈…〉〈…〉
• * 1.45

  Castles.
• * 1.46

  Lords and Gentlemen.
• * 1.47

  Townes.
• * 1.48

  Castles.
• * 1.49

  Lords and Gentlemen.
• * 1.50

  Towne and Castle.
• * 1.51

  Gentleme••.
• * 1.52

  The 4. Pro∣uince.
• * 1.53

  Townes.
• * 1.54

  Castles.
• * 1.55

  Lords and G••ntl••••en.
• * 1.56

  Cas••••••••.
• * 1.57

  Lo••d•• and G••••••tleme••.
• * 1.58

  Tow••••••.
• * 1.59

  C••••tle••.
• * 1.60

  Lo••ds and Ge••tlemen.
• * 1.61

  Townes. Castles.
• * 1.62

  Castles.
• * 1.63

  Lords and Gentlemen.
• * 1.64

  Cas••les.
• * 1.65

  Gentlemen
• * 1.66

  The fif•• Prouince.
• * 1.67

  Townes.
• * 1.68

  Lords and Gentlemen▪
• * 1.69

  Townes.
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  Castles.
• * 1.71

  Lords and Gentlemen.
• * 1.72

  〈◊〉〈◊〉
• * 1.73

  〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.74

  Townes.
• * 1.75

  Castles.
• * 1.76

  〈◊〉〈◊〉
• * 1.77

  Townes.
• * 1.78

  Castles.
• * 1.79

  Lords and Gentlemen.
• * 1.80

  Towne and Castle.
• * 1.81

  Gentlemen.
• * 1.82

  Castles.
• * 1.83

  Gentlemen.
• * 1.84

  Castles.
• * 1.85

  Gentlemen.
• * 1.86

  Castles.
• * 1.87

  Lords and Gentlemen.
• * 1.88

  Townes.
• * 1.89

  Castles.
• * 1.90

  Lords and Gentlemen.
• * 1.91

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 seeme 〈◊〉〈◊〉 be Bar∣nacle•• which breed on ship sides or any old ••imber and are in great aboun∣dance in the North, and are good meat.