Erōologia Anglorum. Or, An help to English history Containing a succession of all the kings of England, and the English-Saxons, the kings and princes of Wales, the kings and lords of Man, and the Isle of Wight. As also of all the arch-bishops, bishops, dukes, marquesses, and earles, within the said dominions. In three tables. By Robert Hall, Gent.

BEdford is one of those three Counties which anciently were possessed by the Cattieuc••la¦ni▪ the Countrey indifferently well provided of all necessaries, both for foode and fewell. It taketh denomination from the chiefe town thereof, called Bedford, or in the old Saxon, Bedanford, i.e. Beds, or Innes at the Ford. A towne conveniently seated on both sides of a river which runneth through it; well built, and populous, as having in it no lesse then five Churches. But the chiefe commendations which it hath, is for the antiquity and strength thereof; as being a towne of no small note and consequence, Anno 572. when as Cuth∣wulf the Saxon vanquished the Britain•• in the open feild, and became Master of the Countrey. The Castle here being counted ve∣ry strong, and almost impregnable, brought no small mischeife to the place, being a peece much aimed at by all those in the former times, which either pretended to the Crown, or bate armes against it. But all the fortifi∣cations being demolished in the reigne of K. H. 3. the people have since lived in quiet: and the chiefe reputation of it now consist∣eth in this, that it hath given the title of Dukes and Earles to these persons following, being in their severall ages

Dukes and Earles of Bedford.

1365	1	Ingelram de Cow••y, E. *
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1414	2	John, son of Henry 4. L. Adm. Const. and Regent of Fr. D. *
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1470	3	George Nevill, D
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1485	4	Jasp. de Hatfeild, E. of Pembroke, halfe brother to King H. 6. D. *
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1549	5	John L. Russell, L. Pr. and L. Adm. created E of Bedford by Edw. 6. *
1554	6	Francis Russell.
1585	7	Edward Russell.
1628	8	Francis Russell, now Earle, 1641.