[illustration]
WIGHT ISLAND [map of the Isle of Wight]
Page [unnumbered]VVIGHT ILAND.
CHAPTER VII.
WIGHT ILAND was in times past named by the Romans, Vecta, Vectis, and Vect•sis, by the Britains, Guyth, and in these days usually called by us, The Lsle of Wight, it belongeth to the County of South-hampton, and lieth out in length over against the midst of it South-ward. It is encompassed round with the British Seas, and severed from the Main-land, that it may seem to have been conjoyned to it, and thereof it is thought the British name (Guyth) hath been given unto it, which betokeneth separation, even as Sicily being broken off and cut from Italy, got the name from Secando (which signifieth cutting.)
(2) The form of this Isle is long, and at the midst far more wide than at either end: From Bin∣bridge Isle in the East, to Hurst Castle in the West, it stretcheth out in length 20 miles, and in breadth from Newport haven Northward, to Chale-bay Southward 12 miles. The whole in circumference is about sixty miles.
(3) The Air is commended both for health and delight, whereof the first is witnessed by the long continuance of the Inhabitants in the state of their bodies before they be decayed, and the other for quantity gives place to no neighbouring Countrey.
(4) The ground (to say nothing of the Sea, which is exceeding full of Fish) consisteth of soil very fruiful; yet the husbandmans labour deserves to be thankfully remembred, by whose pains and industry it doth not only supply is self, but affords Corn to be carried forth to others. The Land is plentifully stored with Cattle and Grain, and breeds every where store of Conies, Page [unnumbered] Hares, Partridges and Phesants, pleasant for meadows, pasturage, and Parks; so that nothing is want∣ing that may suffice man. The middle yields plenty of pasture; and forrage for Sheep; whose wooll the Clothiers esteem the best; next unto that of Leinster and Cotteswold. If you cast your eyes towards the North, it is all over garnished with Meadows, Pastures, and Woods: If towards the South side, it lieth (in a manner) wholly bedecked with Corn fields enclosed, where at each end the Sea doth so incroach it self, that it maketh almost two Islands besides, namely, Freshwater Isle, which looketh to the West, and Binbridge Isle, answering it to the East.
(5) The Commodities of the whole chiefly consist of Cattle, Sea fowl, Fish, and Corn, whereof it hath sufficient: Woods are not here very plentiful; for that it is only stored with one little Forrest; yet the Countrey of Hant-shire for vicinity of Site, is a friendly neighhour in that behalf; so (as it were being tyed together in affinity) they are always ready and propense to add to each others wants and defects by a mutual supply.
(6) The ancient Inhabitants of this Island were the Belgae, spoken of in the several Provinces of Sommerset-shire, Wilt-shire, and Hant-shire. Such as did then possess it were called Lords of the Isle of Wight, till it fell into the Kings hands, by Roger (Son to William Fits Osburne, slain in the war of Flanders) that was driven into exile. And Henry the first King of England gave it unto Richard Rid∣vers, with the Fee or Inheritance of the Town of Christs-Church, where (as in all other places) he built certain Fortresses.
(7) The Principal Market-Town in the Isle of Newport, called in times past Medena; and No∣vus Burgus de Meden; that is, The new Burgh of Meden, whereof the whole Countrey is divided into East-Meden, and West-Meden. A Town well seated, and much frequented; unto whose Burgesses his Majesty hath lately granted the choice of a Major, who with his brethren do govern accord∣ingly. It is populous with Inhabitants, having an entrance into the Isle from the Haven, and a Page [unnumbered] Passage for Vessels of small burden unto the Key. Not far from it, is the Castle Caresbrook, whose founder is said to have been Whitgar the Saxon, and from him called VVhite-Garesburgh: but now made shorter for easier pronunciation; the graduation whereof for Latitude is in the degree 50, 36 minutes: and her Longitude in 19, 4 minutes, where formerly hath stood a Priory, and at Quarre a Nunnery; a necessary neighbour to those Penitentiaries. And yet in their merry mood the Inhabitants of this Island do boast, that they were happier then their neighbour Countries for that they never had Monk that ever wore hood, Lawyer that cavelled, nor Foxes that were craft•.
(8) It is reported, that in the year of mans Salvation, 1176. and twenty three of King Henry the second, that in this Island it rained a showre of bloud, which continued for the space of 2 hours together, to the great wonder and amazement of the people that beheld it with fear.
(9) This Isle of Wight is fortified both by Art and Nature, for besides the strength of Artificial Forts and Block houses (wherewith it is well furnished) it wants not the Assistants of natural Fences, as being enriched with a continual ridge and range of craggy Cliffs and Rocks, and Banks very dangerous for Saylers, as the Needles, so called by reason of their sharpness: The Shingl•s, Mixon, Brambles, &c.
(10) Vespasian was the first that brought it to the subjection of the Romans, whilest he served as a private person under Claudius Caesar. And Cerdic was the first English Saxon that subdued it, who granting it unto Scuffe and VVhitgar, they joyntly together slew (almost) all the British Inhabi∣tants (being but few of them, there remaining) in the Town aforesaid, called of his name VVhit∣garesburgh. VVolpher King of the Mercians reduced this Island afterwards under his obedience, and at that •ime when he became God-father to Edelwalch King of the South Saxons, and answered fo• •im at his Baptisme; he assigned it over unto him with the Province also of the Menuari. But when Page [unnumbered] Edelwalch was slain, and Arvandus the petty King of the Island was made away, Caedwalla King of the West-Saxons annexed it to his Dominion, and in a tragical and lamentable Massacre put to the sword (almost) every mothers child of the in-born Inhabitants.
The thing that is best worthy note and observation is this, That Bishop Wilfrid was the first that instructed the Inhabitants of this Island in Christian Religion, and brought them from Idolatrous Superstition, with the which (unto that time) they were obscurely blinded.
For Ecclesiastical Iurisdiction, this Countrey belongeth to the Bishop of Winchester, and for Civil government to the County of South-hampton. It is fortified with the strength of six Castles, traded with three Market-Towns, and hath 36 Parish-Churches planted in it.
