A prospect of the most famous parts of the vvorld Viz. Asia, 3 Affrica, 5 Europe, 7 America. 9 With these kingdomes therein contained. Grecia, 11 Roman Empire, 13 Germanie, 15 Bohemia, 17 France, 19 Belgia, 21 Spaine, 23 Italie, 25 Hungarie, 27 Denmarke, 29 Poland, 31 Persia, 33 Turkish Empire, 35 Kingdome of China, 37 Tartaria, 39 Sommer Ilands, 41 Civill Warres, in England, Wales, and Ireland. You shall find placed in the beginning of the second booke marked with these [3 asterisks in triangle formation] and (5) together with all the provinces, counties, and shires, contained in that large theator of Great Brittaines empire. / Performed by John Speed.

HOLY ILAND.

THis Iland is called Lindisfarne, by the River Lied that is oppo∣site unto it on the Coast of Northumberland. Beda tearm∣eth it a Demy Iland. The Bri∣taines name it Inis Medicante, for that it twice every day suf∣fereth an extraordinary inunda∣tion and over-flowng of the Ocean in manner of an Iland, which twice likewise makes it continent to the Land, and returning unto her watry habitati∣on, laies the Shoare bare again, as before. It is cal∣led in English, Holy-Iland, for that in ancient times many Monks have been accustomed to retire them∣selves thither, and to make it their receptacle for solitude: having on the West and South, Nor∣thumberland, and more South-Eastward the Iland Farne.

(2) The form of it is long and narrow, the West side narrower then the East, and are both conjoyned by a very small spang of Land that is left unto Co∣nies. The South is much broader then the rest. It is from East to West about two thousand two hun∣dred and fiftie pases; and from North to South, twelve hundred and fiftie pases; so that the circum∣ference cannot be great.

(3) The aire is not very good either for health or delight, as being seated on those parts that are subject to extremitie of cold, and greatly troubled with vapors and foggy mists that arise from the Seas.

(4) The soyle cannot be rich, being rockie and full of stones, and unfit for Corne and tillage. It is neither commended for hils to feed sheepe, nor pa∣stures to fat cattle, neither hath it vallies replenished with sweet springs, or running rivellets, onely one excepted, descending from a standing pond. The onely thing this Iland yeeldeth, is a fit and accom∣modate aptitude for Fishing and Fowling.

(5) Notwithstanding this is very worthy of note concerning the same, which Alcuin wrote in an Epi∣stle to Egelred King of Northumberland, namely, that it was a place more venerable then all the places of Britaine, and that after the departure of S. Paulinus from Yorke, there Christian Religion began in their Nation, though afterwards it there felt the first be∣ginning of miserie and calamitie, being left to the spoile of Pagans and Miscreants.

(6) It is also remembred of this Iland, that some∣times there hath been in it an Episcopall See, which Aidan the Scot instituted (being called thither to preach the Christian Faith to the people of Nor∣thumberland) being much delighted with the solita∣ry situation thereof, as a most fit place for retire. But afterwards when the Danes, rifled and robbed all the Sea-coasts, the Episcopall See was translated to Durham.

(7) This Iland so small in account either for compasse or commoditie, and so unpeopled and unprofitable, cannot be numerous in Townes and Villages. It hath in it onely one Towne, with a Church and a Castle, under which there is a com∣modious Haven, defended with a Block-house, situ∣ate upon an hill towards the South-East.

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.

[illustration] map of Holy Island

HOLY ILAND

[illustration] map of the Farne Islands

FARNE

[illustration] map of Guernsey

GARNSEY

[illustration] map of Jersey

IARSEY

GARNSEY.

THis Iland lyeth about five Leagues North-West from Iersey, and is compassed (like to her neigh∣bour) with the British Sea. It ly∣eth in length from Plymouth Bay South-West, to Lancrosse de Anck∣ers North-East, thirteene miles: in bredth from Saint Martins point South-East, to the Howe North-west nine miles; and is in circuit thirtie sixe miles. The Emperour Antonine having the rule and domination of France (at that time cal∣led Gaule, from whence the word Gallia is derived) did name this Iland Sarnia, which afterward by the change of Times and corruption of Languages, was long since (and is at this day) called Garnsey.

(2) This Ile in forme and fashion standeth in the Sea, much like to a Parke that is incompassed round about with a Pale of Rocks, being very defensible unto the Iland from the attempting Invasion of e∣nemies.

(3) The Aire and Climate of this Ile hath little or no difference in temper or qualitie from that of Iersey. And this deserves to be remembred of it; that in this Ile is neither Toade, Snake, Adder, or any other venemous creature, and the other hath great plentie.

(4) It standeth for the most part upon a rocke, very high in many places from the Sea. Neverthe∣lesse the Soile is very fruitfull, yeelding forth great plentie of grasse for their Sheepe and other Cattell, which they have to serve all uses. Their fields in the Summer time are so naturally garnished with flow∣ers of all sorts, that a man (being there) might con∣ceit himselfe to be in a pleasant artificiall garden.

(5) The Inhabitants are not so much given to tillage as they of Iersey though the soyle be as fruit∣full. They have of late taken great delight in plant∣ing and setting of trees of all sorts, and especially of Apples, by reason whereof they make much Cider. Their commodities are alike, and their helps from the Sea no lesse, or rather more.

(6) In this Ile are many great steepe rocks, a∣mong which is found a hard stone called by the Frenchmen Smyris, which we terme Emerill. This stone is serviceable for many purposes, and many Trades, as Glasiers, &c. but especially for the Gold∣smiths and Lapidaries, to cut their precious stones.

(7) It hath a head of Land upon the North part thereof, the passage into which is so narrow, that a man would thinke that at every Tide (the Sea bea∣ting strongly on both sides) it were in a continuall danger to be sundred from the other part of the Ile. This place is called S. Michael in the Vale, where (in former times) stood a Priory, or a Covent of Reli∣gious persons, the ruines whereof are at this day to be seene.

(8) The government of this Ile, in nature and forme resembles the other of Iersey, of whom shall be said. The people are in their Originall and Lan∣guage alike also, but in their customes and conditi∣ons they come neerer the civill fashions of the Eng∣lish. Other matters of moment I finde not worthy to be recorded.

It hath ten Parishes, and one Market Towne, be∣ing also a Haven, and is called S. Peters Port, built close by the Peere, and Castle Cornet.

IERSEY.

THe two Ilands Iersey and Garn∣sey, being the only remaines of the Dukedome of Normandie, that in former times many yeers together was in the pos∣session, and under the com∣mand of the Kings of England, annexing therunto a large ter∣ritory and glorious title to the Crowne, are both seated in the Sea called Mare Britannicum, the O∣cean parting them a good distant asunder, and are now both adjuncts, and within the circuit of Hamp∣shire. For the first (being the Isle of Iersey) it lyeth upon the British Sea, having on the North parts the Coast of Hampshire, and on the South the Countrie of Normandie.

(2) This Iland is long, not much unlike the fa∣shion of an egge. It containes in length from Sent∣won Poole upon the West, to Mount Orguil Castle on the East, ten miles, and in bredth from Dubon Point to Plymount bay, six miles: the whole circuit of the Iland being thirtie eight miles. It is distant from a little Iland called Alderney, about foure leagues. It was in old time called Caesarea; whether from Iulius Octavius, or any the other Caesars that followed, is unknown. But the French-men have by corruption of speech long time called it Iersey.

(3) It is a very delightsome and healthfull Iland, and giveth a pleasant aspect unto the seas. It lyeth South-ward not farre from a craggy ridge of rocks, which is much feared of the Mariners, and makes the passage that way very dangerous, howbeit it serves for a forcible defence against Pirats, or any strangers that attempt invasion, and they are termed Casquets.

(4) The Soile is very fertile, bringing forth store of Corn and Cattle, but especially of Sheep, that are of reasonable bignesse, the most of them bearing foure hornes a peece: Their wooll very fine and white, of which the Inhabitants make their Jersey Stockings, which are ordinarily to be had in most parts of England, and yeeld a great commoditie un∣to the Iland.

(5) The first originall of the Inhabitants sprung either from the Normans, or Britains, or both. They speake French, though after a corrupt manner, and have continued their names, language, customes, and Countrey▪ without any, or little intermixture, these many hundred yeers, having been under the jurisdiction of the English ever since the untimely and unnaturall death of Robert Duke of Normandie, eldest sonne to William the Conquerour.

(6) The people of this Countrey live very plea∣santly, as well by the profits of the Land, as the helps and furtherances of the Sea, that yeelds unto them (and especially in Summer season) great store of fish, but principally Conger and Lobsters, the greatest and fattest upon the coast of England. Wood is very scant, for their best fuell is Turfe: some Coale they have brought unto them, but it is very deare; straw, furre, and ferne serving their ordinary uses. The middle part of the Iland hath many prety Hils rising in it, yeelding a delightfull object unto the vallies, that receive from one another a mutuall pleasure.

(7) The Governour of the Ile is the Captaine thereof, who appointeth certaine Officers under him: the principall of whom, carrieth the name and title of a Bailiffe, that in civill causes hath the assi∣stance of twelve Jurats to determine of differences, and minister Justice: in criminall matters seven: in matters of reason and conscience, five. Their twelve are chosen out of the twelve Parishes: so that no man goeth further to complaine, then to his own Ju∣rate in ordinary controversies; but matters of mo∣ment and difficultie are determined before the Bai∣liffe in a generall meeting.

(8) This Ile hath two little Ilands adjacent; the one S. Albons, the other Hillary Iland. It hath twelve Parishes, and foure Castles. No other Monuments of name or note.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Beda in the life of Cuth∣bert.