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SVRREY. CHAPTER VI.
SURREY, by Beda called Su∣thry and by the Saxons written Suðrea,* 1.1 lyeth separated upon the North from the Counties of Buckingham and Middlesex, by the great River Thamesis; upon the East Kent doth in∣bound it; upon the South is held in with Sussex and Hampshire: and her West part is bordered upon by Hampshire and Bark-shire.
* 1.2(2) The forme thereof is somewhat square, and lyeth by North and by East, whereof Redrith and Frensham are the opposites, betwixt whom are ex∣tended thirty foure miles.* 1.3 The broadest part is from Awfold Southward, to Thamesis by Staines, and them asunder twenty two:* 1.4 the whole in circumference is one hundred and twelve miles.
* 1.5(3) The Heavens breathing ayre in this Shire is most sweet and delectable, so that for the same cause many royall Palaces of our Princes are therein sea∣ted, and the Countrey better stored with game then with graine, in so much that this County is by some men compared unto a home-spunne freeze cloth, with a costly faire lift, for that the out-verge doth exceed the middle it selfe. And yet is it wealthy e∣nough both in Corne and Pasturage, especially in Holmesdale, and towards the River of Thamisis.
* 1.6(4) In this Shire the Regni (an ancient people mentioned by Ptolemie) were seated, whom he bran∣cheth further thorow Sussex and some part of Hamp∣shire. And in the wane of the Romanes government, when the Land was left to the will of Invaders, the South-Saxons under Ella here erected their King∣dome, which with the first was raised, and soonest found end. From them no doubt the Countie was named Suth-rey, as seated upon the South of the Ri∣ver; and now by contraction is called Surrey.
* 1.7(5) And albeit the County is barren of Cities or Townes of great estate, yet is she stored with many Princely houses, yea & five of his Majesties, so mag∣nificently built, that of some she may well say, no Shire hath none such, as is None-such indeed. And were not Richmond a fatall place of Englands best Princes, it might in esteem be ranked with the rich∣est: for therein died the great Conqueror of France, King Edward the third, the beautifull Anne daugh∣ter to Charles the Fourth, Emperour, and intirely beloved wife to King Richard the Second; the most wise Prince King Henry the Seventh, and the rarest of her Sexe, the mirrour of Princes, Queene Eliza∣beth, the worlds love, and Subjects joy.
(6) At Merton likewise Kenulph King of the West-Saxons came to his untimely end: and at Lambeth the hardie Canute, and last of the Danish Kings, died a∣mong his Cups. But as these places were fatall for the last breath of these Princes, so other in this County have beene graced with the body and be∣ginning of other worthy Monarkes: for in Chertsey Abbey King Henry the Sixth, who was deposed and made away in the Tower of London,* 1.8 was first inter∣red without all funerall pompe, but for his holy life was imputed a Saint, and lastly translated, and in∣tombed at Windsor. At Kingstone likewise stood the Chaire of Majestie, wherein Athelstan, Edwin, and Ethelred sate at their Coronation, and first re∣ceived their Scepter of Imperiall power. Guildford likewise hath been farre greater then now it is, when the Palace of our English Saxon Kings was therein set. And seeing it is the midst of the Shire, the gra∣duation from hence shall be observed, where for La∣titude the Pole is raised from the degree 51.22. scru∣ples: and her Longitude from the West in the de∣gree 20. and 2. scruples.
(7) Neither can we account Okam and Ripley, two small villages, the least in this Shire, which have brought forth the well-known men,* 1.9 William de Okam, that deepe Philosopher and admirable Scho∣lar, and George de Ripley, the ring-leader of our Al∣chymists and mysticall Impostors; both of them borne in this County, and very neere together. But why speak I of these, sith a place neerer to sight, and greater for fame, even Lambeth, is the high Seat of Ecclesiasticall Government, Piety, & Learning, and Palace of Canterburies Archbishops, the Metropolitans of England. First erected by Arch-bishop Baldwin, and ever since hath been the residing of al those worthy Prelates of our Church, who in a long succession (e∣ven from An. 596.) have continued to him that now most worthily sits at the Churches sterne, George by Gods providence Lord Arch-bishop of that See, a most faithfull and prudent Counsellor unto King Charles, and a most learned and provident Guide of our most flourishing Church: whose gracious favour undeservedly conferred upon me, hath been a great encouragement to these my poore endevours.
(8) Memorable places for Battles fought before the Conquest,* 1.10 were Wembledon, where (when the ful∣nesse of prosperitie burst forth into Civill Dissenti∣ons among the Saxons) a bloudy Battle was fought betwixt Cheaulin the West-Saxon, and young Ethel∣bert of Kent, wherein he was discomfited, and two of his principall Leaders slaine, about the yeere of Christ,* 1.11 560. and three hundred thirtie three yeers after, King Elfred with a small power overcame the Danes with a great slaughter at Farnham in this Countie, which somewhat quelled the courage of his savage enemie.* 1.12
(9) Religious houses erected in this Shire by the devotion of Princes, and set apart from publike uses to Gods Divine Service, and their owne Salvation, as then was taught,* 1.13 the best in account were Shene, Chertsey, Merton, Newarke, Rygate, Waverley, Horsleg; and in Southwarke, Bermundsey, and S. Maries. These all flourished with increase, till the ripenesse of their fruit was so pleasing in sight and taste unto King Henry the Eighth, that in beating the boughes he brake downe body and all, ruinating those houses, and seising their rich possessions into his own hands. So jealous is God of his honour▪ and so great ven∣geance followeth the sinne of Idolatrie.
(10) In this Shire have stood eight faire and strong Castles:* 1.14 such were Addington, Darking, Starburg, Ry∣gate, Guilford, Farnham, Goseford, and Brenchingley: but of greater State are Oking, Otlands, Non-such, and Richmond, his Majesties royall Mannors. And for service to the Crowne or Common-wealths im∣ployments, this Counties division is into thirteene Hundreds, wherein are seated eight Market-towns, and one hundred and fortie Parish-Churches, as in the Table following is inserted.