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WORCESTER-SHIRE hath Stafford-shire on the North, Warwick∣shire on the East, Gloucester-shire on the South, Hereford and Shorp-shires on the West. It is of a Triangular, but not equilaterall form, in pro∣portion stretching from
- North to South Twenty two Miles.
- South to North-west, Twenty eight Miles.
- Thence to her North-east point, Twenty eight Miles.
Be this understood of the continued part of this Shire, which otherwise hath Snips and Shreds cut off from the whole cloth, and surrounded with the circumjacent Countries, even some in Oxford-shire distanced, by Gloucester-shire interposed.
What may be the cause hereof, it were presumption for me to guess after the con∣jectures of so many Learned men. * 1.1 Some conceive that such who had the Command of this County, (probably before the Conquest,) and had parcells of their own Land scattered in the Vicinage, desired to Unite them to this County, so to make their own authority the more entire. Or else as a* 1.2 Worthy Writer will have it (rendering a rea∣son why part of Devon-shire straggleth into Cornwall,) it was done that there might rest some cause of Intercourse, betwixt this and the Neighbouring Counties, adding moreover, that a late great man ensued and expressed the like consideration, in the division of his Lands betwixt two of his Sons. All I will say is this, that God in the partage of Palestine (Rea∣der if you forget, I must remember my own profession) betwixt the twelve Tribes, on the same account, (as the learned conceive) made some Tribes to have In-lots with∣in another, And Manasseh had in Issachar,* 1.3 and in Asher, Bethshean and her Towns, and Ibleam and her Towns, &c.
This County hath a childs portion (and that I assure you a large one) in all English, and especially in these
Naturall Commodities.
In Latine Lampetrae, à lambendo petras, from licking the rocks, are plentifull in this and the neighbouring Counties in the river of Severn. A deformed fish, which for the many holes therein, one would conceive, nature intended it rather for an Instru∣ment of Musick, then for mans food. The best manner of dressing whereof, says my* 1.4 Author, is, To kill it in Malmesey, close the mouth thereof with a nutmegg, the holes with so many cloves, and when it is rolled up round, putting in thereto filbard-nut-kernells stamped, crums of bread, oyle, spices, &c. Others, (but those M•…•…so-lampreys) doe adde, that after all this cost, even cast them away, seeing money is better lost then health; and the meat will rather be delicious then wholesome, the eating whereof cost King* 1.5 Henry the first his life. But, by their favour, that King did not dye of Lampreys, but of ex∣cess in eating them; and I am confident the Jews might surfet of Manna it self, if eat∣ing thereof above due proportion.
This is a Drink or a Counterfeit Wine, made of Pears, whereof plenty in this Coun∣ty; though such which are least delicious for tast, are most proper for this purpose. Such the Providence of Nature to design all things for mans service. Peter Martyr when Professor in Oxford, and sick of a Feaver, would drink no other* 1.6 liquor, though it be ge∣nerally believed both cold and windy, except, corrected with spice, or some other ad∣dition.
I have* 1.7 twice formerly insisted hereon, and doe confess this Repetition to be flatly against my own Rules, laid down for the regulating of this work, save that the neces∣sity of this Commodity, will excuse it from any offence. I beheld England as a long