FARNE ILE.
THis Ile South-Eastward seven miles from Holy Iland, sheweth it selfe distant almost two miles from Bambrough Ca∣stle. On the West and South it bear∣eth upon Northumberland, and on the North-East side it hath other smaller Ilands adjoyn∣ing to it, as Wid-pens and Staple Iland, which lie two miles off Brondsman, and two lesser then these which are called the Wambes.
(2) The forme of this Ile is round, and no larger in compasse then may easily be ridden in one halfe of a day. The bredth of it is but five miles, and the length no more. The whole circumference extends it selfe no further then to fifteene miles.
(3) The aire is very unwholesome, and subject both to many Dysenteries and other diseases, by rea∣son of the mistie fogges and exhalations that are thereunto drawn up from the Ocean. It is many times troubled with unusuall tempests of windes, with boisterous fury of stormy raines, and with se∣verall and uncouth rages of the Sea.
(4) The soyle cannot be fertile, being encircled about with craggy clifts; neither hath it in it much matter either of pleasure or profit. It can neither de∣fend it selfe from cold, lacking fuell, as Wood, Cole, Turfs, &c. nor from famine, wanting food, as Corn, Pastures, Cattle, &c. The best commodity it yeelds, is Fish and Fowle.
(5) This thing neverthelesse is worthy to be re∣membred of it, which Beda (writing of the life of Cuthbert Bishop of Lindisfarne,* 1.1 that Tutelar Patron of the Northerne Englishmen) reporteth, namely, that in this Ile he built a Citie fitting his government, and erected certaine houses in the same▪ the whole buil∣ding standing almost round in compasse, & reaching the space of foure or five pearches. The wall about it he made higher then a mans height, to with-hold and keepe in the wanton lasciviousnesse both of his thoughts & eyes, and to elevate the whole intention of his minde up to heavenly desires, that he might wholly give himself to the service of God. But these are all made the ruines of time, as sithence many o∣ther Monuments have been, of worthy antiquite.
(6) I cannot report that there are now many houses standing in it, much lesse Townes or Villa∣ges. Onely this, that it hath a Tower or place of Fortification belonging unto it, placed well neere in the middle part of the Ile.