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.

THE DESCRIPTION OF THE VVIGHT ILAND.

* 1.1WIGHT Iland was in times past na∣med by the Romanes Vecta, Vectis, and Vectesis, by the Britains, Guyth, by the English Saxons, Wuit-lanð, and Wicþ-AEa, (for an Iland they termed AEa) and in these dayes usually called by us, The Isle of Wight.* 1.2 It belongeth to the County of Southampton, and lyeth out in length over against the midst of it South-ward. It is encompassed round with the Bri∣tish Seas, and severed from the Maine-land, that it may seeme to have been conjoyned to it,* 1.3 and there∣of 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 forme of this Isle is long, and in the mid∣dest farre more wide then at either end: from Bin∣bridge Ile in the East, to Hurst Castle in the West, it stretcheth out in length 20. miles,* 1.4 and in breadth from Newport Haven Northward, to Chale-bay Southward twelve miles.* 1.5 The whole in circumfe∣rence is about sixtie miles.

* 1.6(3) The aire 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 Country.

* 1.7(4) The ground (to say nothing of the Sea, which is exceeding full of Fish) consisteth of soyle very fruitfull; yet the husbandmans labour deserves to be thankefully remembred, by whose paines and industry it doth not onely supply it selfe, but af∣fords Corn to be carried forth to others. The land is plenteously stored with Cattle and Graine,* 1.8 and breeds every where store of Conies, Hares, Par∣tridges and Phesants, pleasant for meadow, pastu∣rage, and Parkes; so that nothing is wanting that may suffice man. The middest yeelds plentie of pasture; and forrage for Sheepe; whose wooll the Clothiers esteeme the best; next unto that of Lein∣ster 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 lyeth (in a manner) wholly bedecked with Corne∣fields enclosed, where at each end the Sea doth so incroch it self, that it maketh almost two Ilands be∣sides, namely, Freshwater Isle, which looketh to the West, and Binbridge Isle answering it to the East.

* 1.9(5) The Commodities of the whole chiefly con∣sist of Cattle, Sea-fowle, Fish, and Corne, whereof it hath sufficient: Woods are not here very plenti∣full; for that it is onely stored with one little forest; yet the Country of Hantshire for vicinitie of Site, is a friendly neighbour in that behalfe; so (as it were being tyed together in affinitie) they are alwayes ready, and propense to adde to each others wants and defects by a mutuall supply.

* 1.10(6) The ancient Inhabitants of this Iland were the Belgae, spoken of in the several Provinces of Som∣merset-shire, Wilt-shire, and Hant-shire. Such as did then possesse it were called Lords of the Ile of Wight, till it fell into the Kings hands, by Roger (Sonne to William Fitz-Osburne, slaine in the warre of Flanders) that was driven into exile. And Henry the first King of England gave it unto Richard Ridvers,* 1.11 with the fee or Inheritance of the Town of Christ-Church, where (as in all other places) he built certaine Fortresses.

(7) The principall Market-Towne in the Isle is Newport, called in times past Medena, and Novus Burgus de Meden;* 1.12 that is, the new Burgh of Meden, whereof the whole Countrey is divided into East-Meden, and West-Meden. A Towne well seated, and much frequented; unto whose Burgesses His Majestie hath lately granted the choyse of a Major, who with his Brethren, doe governe accordingly. It is populous with Inhabitants, having an entrance into the Isle from the Haven, and a passage for Ves∣sels of small burden unto the Key. Not farre from it is the Castle Caresbrooke, whose Founder is said to have been Whitgar the Saxon, and from him cal∣led White-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 neces∣sary neighbour to those Penitentiaries. And yet in their merry mood the Inhabitants of this Iland doe boast, that they were happier then their neighbour-Countreys, for that they never had Monke that ever wore hood, Lawyers that cavilled, nor Foxes that were craftie.

(8) It is reported, that in the yeere of mans sal∣vation,* 1.13 1176. and twentie three of King Henry the second, that in this Iland it rained a showre of blood, which continued for the space of two houres toge∣ther to the great wonder and amazement of the people that beheld it with feare.

(9) This Isle of Wight is fortified both by Art and Nature:* 1.14 for besides the strength of Artificiall Forts and Block-houses (wherewith it is well fur∣nished) it wants not the assistance of naturall Fen∣ces, as being enriched with a continuall ridge and range of craggy Cliffes, and Rocks, and Bancks, very dangerous for Saylers, as the Needles, so called by reason of their sharpnesse: The Shingles, Mixon, Brambles, &c.

(10) Vespasian was the first that brought it to the subjection of the Romanes,* 1.15 whiles he served as a private person under Claudius Caesar. And Cerdic was the first English Saxon that subdued it, who granting it unto Stuffe and Whitgar, they joyntly together slew (almost) all the British Inhabitants, (being but few of them there remaining) in the Towne aforesaid, called of his name Whitgaresburgh. Wolpher King of the Mercians reduced this Iland afterwards under his obedience,* 1.16 and at that time when he became God-father to Edelwalch King of the South-Saxons, and answered for him at his Baptisme; he assigned it over unto him, with the Province also of the Me∣nuari. But when Edelwalch was slaine, and Arvandus the petty King of the Iland was made away, Coedwal∣la King of the West-Saxons annexed it to his Domini∣on, and in a tragicall and lamentable massacre put to the sword (almost) every mothers childe of the in∣borne Inhabitants.

The thing that is best worthy note and observati∣on is this,* 1.17 that Bishop VVilfrid was the first that in∣structed the Inhabitants of this Iland in Christian re∣ligion, and brought them from that Idolatrous Su∣perstition, with the which (unto that time) they were obscurely blinded.

For Ecclesiasticall Jurisdiction, this Country be∣longeth to the Bishop of VVinchester,* 1.18 and for Civill government to the County of Southampton. It is for∣tified with the strength of sixe Castles, traded with three Market-townes, and hath 36. Parish churches planted in it.

[illustration] map of the Isle of Wight

WIGHT ISLAND

¶ An Alphabeticall Table of all the Tovvnes, Rivers, and memorable places mentioned in Wight Iland.

THE PARTITION of WIGHT Iland.

• VVest-Medine.
• East-Medine.

A

• Ageston, E. Med.
• Apleford, E. Med.
• Apton-comb, E. Med.
• Ash, E. Med.
• Aston, VV. Med.
• Atherfeld, VV. Med.
• Atherfeld Rockes, VV. Med.
• Atherton, E. Med.
• Averston, E. Med.
• Avinton Forrest, VV. Med.

B

• Bannose, E. Medine.
• Barton, E. Med.
• Bery-Baron, VV. Med.
• Binbridge Isle, E. Med.
• Binsted, E. Med.
• Black, VV. Med.
• Black-Rock, E. Med.
• Bonechurch, E. Med.
• Bradney, E. Med.
• Bredlefford, E. Med.
• Brixton, VV. Med.
• Brock, VV. Med.
• Bridge-Court, E. Med.
• Buleham, VV. Med.
• Bulner, VV. Med.

C

• Calhourne, VV. Med.
• Caresbroke, VV. Med.
• Chak-Rockes, VV. Med.
• Chalt, E. Med.
• Chale-bay, W. Med.
• Challorne, E. Med.
• Cheverton, W. Med.
• Cleybrok, W. Med.
• Cliffe, E. Med.
• Cliffewhit, E. Med.
• Comley, E. Med.
• Compton Bay, W. Med.
• Compton, W. Med.
• Coulver-cliffes, E. Med.

D

• Dane, E. Med.
• Done-mosse, E. Med.

E

• Elmesworth, W. Med.

F

• The Farme, or Kings Freshwater, W. Med.
• Fayrlee, E. Med.
• Fish-house, E. Med.
• Flesh-land, E. Med.
• Freshwater Isle, W. Med.
• Freshwater gate, VV. Med.
• Freshwater cliffe, VV. Med.
• Forgeland, VV. Med.
• East Forland, E. Med.

G

• Garnard, VV. Med.
• Gatcomb, VV. Med.
• Godshill, E. Med.
• The Gosse, VV. Med.
• Gotton, E. Med.

H

• Hall, E. Med.
• Hamsteds, VV. Med.
• Hany-mouth, VV. Med.
• S. Helen, E. Med.
• S. Helens haven, E. Med.
• Hill, E. Med.

I

• Iacmans chin, VV. Med.

K

• S. Katherines, E. Med.
• Kerne, E. Med.
• Kinget, VV. Med.
• Kinchet chyne, W. Med.
• Kinghton, E. Med.
• Kingsword, W. Med.

L

• Langford, E. Med.
• Langhorne, E. Med.
• S. Lawrance Parke, E. Med.
• Limerston, W. Med.
• Luckome, E. Med.

M

• Marvell, W. Med.
• Medhole, E. Med.
• Mersh, W. Med.
• Merston, E. Med.
• Mitton, E. Med.
• Mountson, W. Med.
• The Myxon, E. Med.

N

• The Needles, W. Med.
• Nettleston, E. Med.
• Nettles hithe, E. Med.
• Neunam, E. Med.
• Newtowne, W. Med.
• Newtowne haven, W. Med.
• NEWPORT, W. Med.
• Newport haven, W. Med.
• Newport Castle, W. Med.
• Newchurch, E. Med.
• Nighton, E. Med.
• Norris, E. Med.
• North Court, E. Med.
• Northparke, E. Med.
• Northwood, E. Med.
• Nounwell, E. Med.

P

• Pan, E. Med.
• Pagan, E. Med.
• Pouppoll, E. Med.

Q

• Quart, E. Med.

R

• Redway, E. Med.
• Ride, E. Med.
• Rockley, E. Med.
• Roughbarrow, W. Med.
• Roxall, E. Med.

S

• Sande head, E. Med.
• SANDON Castle, E. M.
• Sandon bay, E. Med.
• Shankling, E. Med.
• Shankling, E. Med.
• Sharpnor Castle, W. Med.
• Shaucome, W. Med.
• Shaufleete, W. Med.
• Shauler, E. Med.
• Shoflet, E. Med.
• Shorwell, W. Med.
• Slutter, E. Med.
• Smalbrok, E. Med.
• Standen, E. Med.
• Steynburro, E. Med.
• Sutton, W. Med.
• Swynston, W. Med.

T

• Thorley, W. Med.
• Thorney great, W. Med.
• Thornay bay, W. Med.
• Trablefeld, E. Med.

W

• Wachingwy parke, W. Med.
• Waitcourt, W. Med.
• Warden Rockes, W. Med.
• Weeke, E. Med.
• Wellow, W. Med.
• Westcourt, W. Med.
• Westcow Castle, W. Med.
• Westover, W. Med.
• Whipingham, E. Med.
• Whitfeild, E. Med.
• Whitwell, E. Med.
• Wolverton, W. Med.
• Woodhouse, E. Med.
• Worseleys Towre, W. Med.
• Wotton haven, E. Med.
• Wotton parke, E. Med.

Y

• YARMOUTH, W. Med.
• Yarmouth haven, W. Med.
• Yarmouth Castle, W. Med.
• Yarmouth Rode, W. Med.
• Yaverland, E. Med.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The ancient Name.
• * 1.2

  Ninius.
• * 1.3

  The occasion of naming it Guyth.
• * 1.4

  The length.
• * 1.5

  Bredth.
• * 1.6

  Ayre.
• * 1.7

  The Soyle.
• * 1.8

  The delecta∣blenesse of it.
• * 1.9

  The commo∣dities.
• * 1.10

  Ancient Inha∣bitants.
• * 1.11

  Richard Rid∣vers.
• * 1.12

  Newport the chiefe towne.
• * 1.13

  A showre of blood.
• * 1.14

  The strength of this Iland.
• * 1.15

  The Romane Governours.
• * 1.16

  The Mercian King.
• * 1.17

  Wilfrid.
• * 1.18

  Bishop of Win∣chester their Diocesan.