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* 1.1HUNTINGTON-SHIRE, of olde Hun∣dedunescyre (part of the Iceni under the Romane Monarch of Mercia in the Saxon Heptarchy) is severed with Nene, the North-bounder from Northampton-shire, to which it in part adjoyneth West, from Bedford and Cambridge, by mearing Towns on the South; and from Ely, by a sence of water East, the worke of Na∣ture, Benwicke Streame, or of Art, Ca∣nuius De••••h: severed when Alfred, or be∣fore him,* 1.2 Ossa shared the open circuit of their Emperie into Princi∣palities: that by residency of subordinate rule, Peace at home might be maintained; Forraigne offence (by apt assembly of the Inhabi∣tants) resisted; Taxe and Revenew of the Crown laid more evenly, and easierly levied; Justice at mens doores with lesse charge and jour∣ney administred: all causes Civill having a right and speedy dispatch, in the Countie of Earles monethly Court, as Criminall in his Lieute∣nant the Sheriffes Turn twice a yeare. In forme of a Lo••eng this Shire lyeth, of positure temperate, and is 52. degrees, 4. scruples removed from the A••quator: the Hilly Soyle to the Plough man gratefull: the Vale, contiguous to the Fennes, best for Pasture, in which to no part of England it giveth place: Woods are not much wanted, the Ri∣vers serving Coale, as the Moores Turffe, for fuell.
(2) This Content wa (as the whole Continent) Forrest▪ untill Canu∣•••••• gave this Law of grace, Vt quisque tam in agris, quam in silvis excitet agi•••••• seras. Long were the hands of Kings to pull (of old) the Subjects right into Regall pleasure, when Perambulation and Proclamation onely might make any mans land Forrest.* 1.3 It is in the first Williams time a Phrase in Record not rare, Silva hujus Man••rii FO••••ST EST missa in Silvam Regis,* 1.4 from which word of power, Forrest may seeme not un∣aptly to be derived. C•••• videbat Henricus primus tres Bissas, fitting his Forrest of Ly••ield, he caused Husculphus his Raunger to keepe them for his Game, as the Record doth testifie. Thus did the second of his name, and the first Richard an many parts: well therefore may the Exchequer Book call the Forrest Justice for Vert and Venison, not Iustum absolute, but 〈◊〉〈◊〉 secundum Legem Foresta. That Foresta is defined, Tuta scra∣rum statio, may seeme to consine the Forresters Office onely to his Games care, which of ancient was as well over Minerall and Mari∣timall revenew.* 1.5 The office of Baldwine the great Forrester of Flanders, Non agrum tantum spectabat▪ sed & Maris custodiam, saith Tillius, out of the old Charters of the French Kings. And see how just this squares to our Legall practise, for of Assarts, Parpresiures, Emprovement, Green∣h••gh, Herbage, Paunage, Fowles, Mil••, Honey, Mine, Quarries, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 at Sea, did the ••••nerall Justice of the Forrest here enquire. His Subjects of this Shire,* 1.6 Henry the second from servitude of his beasts▪ (whose Grand-father pro feris homin••s 〈◊〉〈◊〉, exha••red••ta∣••is, matilavit, trucidavit) did pretend by Charter to enfranchise, ex∣cept Wabridge,* 1.7 Staple, Herthy, his own Demaines. But such was the succesie by encrochments, under his two succeeding Sonnes, that it drew on the oppressed people to importune anew the Soveraigne▪ re∣dresse, which was by the great Charter of the third Henry fruitlesly ef∣fected. His sonne in the 7. of his raigne, by a Perambulation, resu∣ming back the fruit of his fathers goodnes,* 1.8 and so retaining untill in his 29. yeare by Petition, and purchase of his people (for they gave him a sull ••••fteene) he confirmed the former Charter, and by Jury, View and Perambulation settled that Boundary of Forrest,* 1.9 which contented the people, became the square of universall Justice in this kinde, and left in this Shire no more then the three former (his own grounds) Forrest.
(3) This Shire hath foure Centuriata or hundreds, and had of old time five▪ these so called, Q••ia prima institutione ex Hiderum aliquot centenariis composita. These are subdivided into 79. Parishes, whereof five besides the Shire-Town have Markets. These Parishes are measured by Hides, and Carucks, or Plough-lands, more or lesse, as either richnesse of So••le, or strength of the Lord strengthened or extended their limits, the Masse in whole containing of the first sort, 〈◊〉〈◊〉. and of the other, 1136. These Hides the ancient and generall measure of land (except in Kent) where the account was by Solins; or Lincolnshire, Vbi non sunt Hidae, sed pro Hi∣dis si•••• Caruca••ae) were esteemed one hundred Acres, non Norman••••o, sed Angli•••• numero una Hida pro sexies viginti A••ris, duo pro duod••••••s vigin∣ti, as in the Book of Domesday Caruca the Teame-land (not Carucata, for they be different) was in quantitie of Acres, proportioned to the qualitie of Soile, but usually in this Shire reputed 60. The Virgata, or Yard-land, was a more or lesse part of the Hide, as the Acres in number varied, which I finde in this Countie from 18. to 42. but for the most part 30. which was the halfe Plough-land. And the Bovata or Oxgang presumed in law for land in Granary) was suited in number of Acres to that Yard-land, of which it was a moitie. Thus (except in the ••ennes, laid out per Loucas & quarentenas, miles and furlongs) stands all a mea∣surement of land in this Shire, which containeth the Knights Fees 53. one half, 2. fifts, and a twentieth part. And in full estimation of rent and worth rose in the time of the Conquerour, to 912. l. 4. s. and now payeth in Fifteene to the King, 371. l. 9. s. 7. d. ob. and in tenth from the Clergie, 142. l. 6. s. q.
(5) This Countie in decision of Titles, and administration of Ju∣stice, did at the first, as the Germans our Ancestors, Iura per pago & vi••os reddere; Every Township by their Friburgi, or Teumentall, as Triers, and the Baron, Thain, or Head-lord there, or the Decanus (a good Freeholder) his Deputie, as Judge, determining all civill causes; a representation of this remaineth still in our Court-Leete. Above this, and held 12. times a year, was our Hundred or Wapentake. Quae super decem Decanos et centum Friburgos judicabat. Here the Judges were the Aldermen, and Barons or Freeholders of that Hundred; Acgelwinus Aldermannus tenuit placitum cum toto Hundredo, saith the book of Ely. This Court had Cog∣noscence of Causes Ecclesiasticall, as Temporall, therefore the Judge or Alderman ought to be such as Dei leges et hominum jura stu lebat pro∣mo••ere: thus it went although the Conquerour commanded, Ne altquis de legibus Episcopalibus amplius in Hundredo placita teneret. The next and highest in this Shire, was Generale placitum Comitatus (the Countie or Sheriffes Court) to which were proper Placita Civilia ubi curiae Domino∣rum pro••antur defecisse. Et si placitum exurgat inter Vavasores duorum Do∣minorum tractetur in Comi••atu. The Judge was the Earle or Sheriffe. The Tryers Barones Comitatus (Freeholders) Qui liberas in eo terras habe••t; not Civill onely, but Probat•• of Wils, Questions of Tithes, Et debita vera Christianitatis Iura, were heard, and first heard in this Court. Therefore Episcopus, Presbyter Ecclesiae, & Quatuor de melioribus villae, were adjuncts to the Sheriffe, Qui dei leges & secult negotia just a consi∣derat••••n•• definirent. The Lay part of this liveth in a sort in the Coun∣tie, and Sheriffe Turne; the Spirituall about the raigne of King Stephen, by Soveraigne connivence, suffered for the most into the quarterly Sy∣node of the Clergie, from whence in imitation of the Hundred Court, part was remitted to the Rurall Deaneries, of which this Shire had foure: And these again have been since swallowed up by a more frequent and superiour Jurisdiction, as some of our Civill Courts have been. There being now left in use for the most in this Shire for Causes Criminall, View of Frankpleg, by grant or prescription, A Session of the Peace quar∣terly, and two Goale deliveries by the Soveraignes commission: and for Civill Causes, Courts of Manours, or of the County monethly, and twice by the Iudges of Assise yearely.
The Office of Execution and custody of this County is the Sheralfey, of old inheritable, untill Eustachius, who by force and favour of the Conquerour disseised Aluric and his heires,* 1.10 forfeited it to the Crowne; but since it hath passed by annuall election, and hath united to it the Countie of Cambridge.
(5) Having thus farre spoken of the Shire in generall, next in obser∣vation falleth the Shire-Town Huntingdon, Hundandun, or the Hun∣ters Downe,* 1.11 North seated upon a rising banke, over the rich meadow∣ed River Owse, interpreted by some Authors, the Downe of Hunters, to which their now common S••ale (a Hunter) seemeth to allude. Great and populous was this in the fore-going age, the following having here buried of fifteene all but three, besides the Mother-Church S. Maries, in their own graves. At the raigne of the Conquerour, it was ranged into foure ••eilings or Wards and in them 256.* 1.12 Burgenses or Housholds: It answered at all assesments for 50 Hides, the fourth part of Hursting∣ston Hundred in which it standeth. The annuall rent was then 30. l. of which, 25 of three Minters there kept the King had two parts▪ the Earle the third; the power of Coynage then and before, not being so privative∣ly in the King, but Borowes, Bishops, and Earles enjoyed it; on the one side stamping the face and stile of their Soveraigne, in acknowledge∣ment of subordinacie in that part of absolute power, and on the reverse their own name, to warrant their integritie in that infinite trust.
(6) The Castle supposed by some the work of the elder Edward,* 1.13 but seeming by the Book of Domesday, to be built by the Conquerour, is now known but by the ruines: It was the seat of Walthcof the Great Saxon Earle, as of his succeeding heires, untill to end the question of right between Sentlice and the King of Scots,* 1.14 Henry the second, laid it as you see▪ yet doth it remaine the head of that honour on which in other Shires many Knights Fees, and sixteene in this attended. Here David Earle of this and Anguise, father of Isabel de B••••s, founded the Hospitall of S. Iohn Baptist: and Lovetote here upon the Fee of Eustace the Vicount, built to the honour of the blessed Virgin, the Priory of Blacke Channons, valued at the Suppression, 232. l. 7. s. ob. Here at the North end was a house of Fryers, and without the Town at Hinching∣brooke▪ a Cloister of Nunnes, valued at 19. l. 9. s. 2. d. founded by the first William, in place of S. Pandonia, at El••esley (by him suppressed) where neer the end of the last Henry the family of the Cromwels began their Seat. To this Shire-Town, and benefit of the neighbour Coun∣tries, this River was navigable, untill the power of Grey▪ a minion of the time, stopt that passage, and with it all redresse either by Law or Par∣liament. By Charter of King Iohn this Town hath a peculiar Cotoner, profit by Toll and Custome, Recorder, Town-Clerkes, and two Bay∣liffes, (elected annually for government) as at Parliament two Bur∣gesses, for advise and assent: and is Lord of it selfe in Fee-Fa••me.
(7) The rest of the Hundred (wherein this Shire-Town lyeth) is the East part of the County, and of Hurst a Parish in the center of it, na∣med HURSTINGSTON, it was the Fee-farme of Ramsey Abbey, which on a point of f••rtile land, thrust out into the Fennes, is therein situate, founded in the yeare 969. to God, our Lady, and S. Benedict, by Earle Aylwin of the Royall bloud, replenished with Monks from Westbury, by Oswold of Yorke, and dedicated by Dunstan of Canterburie, Arch-bi∣shops. By Abbat Reginald 1114. this Church was reedified, by Magna∣vill Earle of Essex, not long after spoyled, and by Henry the third, first of all the Norman Princes, visited; when wasted with the Sicilian warres. Regalis mensae Hospitalitas ita abbreciata fuit, ut cum Abbatibus, Clericis & viris satis humilibus, hospitia quaesivit & prandia. This Mona∣stery (the shrine of two martyred Kings, Ethelbright and Ethelre••, and of Saint Ivo the Persian Bishop) by humble pietie at first, and pious charitie, ascended such a pitch of worldly fortune, that it transformed their Founder (religious povertie) into their ruine, the attribute of Ramsey the rich: for having made themselves Lords of 387 Hides of land (whereof 200 in this Shire, so much as at an easie and under rent, was at the Suppression valued at 1903. l. 15. s. 3. d. q. but by account of this time annually amounts to 7000. l.) they then began to affect po∣pular command, and first inclosing that large circuit of land and wa∣ter (for in it lyeth the Mile-square Meere of Ramsey) as a peculiar Seig∣nory to them, called the Ba••cuc or Bandy (bounded as the Shire, from Ely, and from Norman-Crosse with the Hundred Meere) by Soveraigne Graunt they enjoyed regall libertie. And then aspiring a step further, (to a place in Parliament) made Broughton the head of their Baronie, annexing to it in this Shire foure Knights Fees. Thus in great glory it stood above 400 yeares, untill Henry the eight (amongst many other once bright Lamps of Learning and Religion in this State, though then obscured with those blemishes to wealth and case concomitant) dissolved the house, although Iohn Warboys then Abbot, & his 60 black Monks there maintained, were of the first that under their hands and conventuall Seale protested,* 1.15 Quod Romanus Ponti••ex non habet majo∣rem aliquam Iurisdictionem collatam sibi a Deo in Regno Angliae quam qui∣vis ali••s externus Episcopus. A Cell to this rich Monastery was S. I••oes Priory, built in that place of Slep, by Earle Adelmus, in the raign of the last Edmund, where the incorrupted body of S. Ivo there once an Her∣mit, in a vision revealed, was by Ednothus taken up in his Robes Epi∣scopall, and dedicated in the presence of Siward Earle of this Countie, and that Lady of renowned pietie Ethelsleda to the sacred memory of this Persian Bishop. Not farre from this is Somersham, the gift of the Saxon Earle Brithnothus to the Church of Ely, before his own fatall expedition against the Danes: It is the head of those five Towns, of which the Soke is composed, and was an house to the See of Ely, well beautified by Iohn Stanley their Bishop:* 1.16 but now by exchange is an∣nexed to the Crown. As these so all the rest of this Hundred, was the Churches land, except Rippon Regis ancient Demaine. To which Saple (reserved Forrest) adjoyned, and the greater Stive••ly, given by the last David Earle of Huntingdon, in Fee to his three Servants, S••mli••e, La∣kervile, and Camoys.
(8) NORMANS CROS the next Hundred, taketh name of a Crosse above Stilton, the place where in former ages this Division mustered their people, whence Wapentake is derived: it had in it two religious houses,* 1.17 the eldest in the consines of Newton and Chesterton, neere the River of Avon, now Nene, founded (by the first Abbesse Kineburga the Daughter of Ponda, and Wife of Aelfred▪ King of Nor∣thumberland) West side a Trench, where Ermin-street-way crossed over the River by a Stone-bridge, whose ruines are now drowned, whence