The church-history of Britain from the birth of Jesus Christ until the year M.DC.XLVIII endeavoured by Thomas Fuller.

EDWARD.

THE cause why we have not hitherto written unto you have partly been the lack of a convenient Messenger, partly because we meant to have some thing worthy writing ere VVe would write any thing. And therefore being now al∣most in the midst of Our journey which VVe have undertaken this Sommer, VVe have thought good to advertise, now since Our last Letters dated at Greenwich, VVe departed from thence towards a thing farre contrary to that wherein as VVe perceive by your diligent advertisement you and all the Coun∣trey you are in are occupied; for whereas you all have been oc∣cupied in killing of your enemies, in long marchings, in pain∣full journeys, in extreme heat, in sore skirmishings, and divers assaults; We have been occupied in killing of wilde Beasts, in pleasant journeys, in good fare, in viewing of faire Coun∣treys, and rather have sought how to fortifie Our own, than to spoil another mans. And being this determined came to Gil∣ford, from thence to Petworth, and so to Coudray (a goodly House of Sir Anthony Brownes) where we were

marvellously, yea rather excessively banquetted. From thence VVe went to Halvenaker (a pretty House besides Chiche∣ster.) From thence VVe went to Warblington (a faire House of Sir Richard Cottons.) And so to VValthan (a faire great old House, in times past the Bishop of VVinche∣sters, and now my Lord Treasurers house.) In all these pla∣ces, VVe had both good hunting, and good cheer. From thence we went to Portsmouth Town, and there viewed not onely the Town it selfe and the Haven, but also divers Bulwarks, as Chatertons, VVaselford, with other; in viewing of which VVe finde the Bulwarks chargeable, massey, well ram∣pared, but ill-fashioned, ill-flanked, and set in unmeet places, the Town weak in comparison of that it ought to be, too huge great (for within the Walls are faire and large Closes, and much vacant room) the Haven notable great, and standing by nature easie to be fortified. And for the more strength thereof We have devised two strong Castles on either side of the Haven at the mouth thereof: For at the mouth the Ha∣ven is not past ten score over, but in the middle almost a mile over, and in length for a mile and a half able to beare the greatest ship in Christendome. From thence We went to Tichfield (the Earl of South-Hampton's House) and so to South-Hampton Town. The Citizens had bestowed for Our coming great cost in painting, repairing, and rampairing of their VValls. The Town is handsome, and for the bignesse of it as fair houses as be at London. The Citizens made great cheer, and many of them kept costly tables. From South-Hampton we came to Bewly a little Village in the middle of the new Forrest, and so to Christ-Church (an∣other little Town in the same Forrest) where VVe now be. And having advertised you of all this, VVe thinke it not good to trouble you any farther with news of this Countrey, but onely that at this time the most part of England (thanks be to God) is clear of any dangerous or infectious sicknesse. VVe have received all your Letters of the 26 of May, of the 19 of June, and the first of August. Thus fare you well.

❧From Christ-Church the 22 of August.