Anglorum speculum, or, The worthies of England in church and state alphabetically digested into the several shires and counties therein contained : wherein are illustrated the lives and characters of the most eminent persons since the conquest to this present age : also an account of the commodities and trade of each respective county and the most flourishing cities and towns therein.

SOMMERSET-SHIRE.

SOmmerset-shire hath the Severn Sea on the North, Glocester-shire on the North East, Wilt-shire on the East, Dorset-shire on the South, and Devon∣shire on the West; It is named from Sommerton the most ancient Town in the County. It reacheth from East to West 55, and from North to South 42 Miles. It is generally Fruitful. 'Tis said there are several single Acres in this Shire, which may serve a good round Family with Bread for a Year, as affording a Bushel of Wheat for every Week therein. There is plenty of the best Lead, (for Shot) digged out of Myn∣dyp-Hills, by the benefit whereof vast sums of Money were advanced to the Bishops of Bath and Wells, since the latter end of the Reign of Q. Elizabeth; Bishop Still having had the Harvest, Bishop Montague the Gleanings, and Bishop Lake the Stubble thereof, and yet considerable was the profit of Lead to him and his Successors. In Myndip-Hills there is also found plenty of Lapis Calaminaris, (good for clearing of the sight) which mixed with Copper, doth make Brafs, and yet is not worth above six pence in the pound. It was dis∣covered about the time when Copper-Mines were re∣discovered in Cumberland. The best and biggest Cheese in England, are made at Chedder in this County. The Rich and Poor of a Parish joyn their Milk, for the making of Corporation Cheeses, of which the Proprie∣tors are Tennants in Common. Woad groweth natu∣rally in this County, especially about Glassenbury; The use thereof was either ancient, (among the Britains, for a black wash so render their Faces terrible to their

Enemies) or modern, as a ground-colour for dying. It greatly impaireth the ground it groweth on. The Gentry and Commonalty of this County are much af∣fected with Bull-baiting, for which purpose there are very good Mastiffs, though chiefly useful for necessary defence, as being good Porters. Note, Prince Henry An. 1602. allowd a pension for the maintenance of a Mastiff which had worsted a Lyon, and gave Order, That he that had fought with the King of Beasts, should never after encounter any inferiour Creatures. When 100 Mastiffs were sent from England to the Pope, a Cardinal hearing the Letter read, mistook the Latin Molossos for so many Mules; yet since that word does almost sound Mule-asses, you may imagine the Cardi∣nal had neither good Latine nor English, in not laying his Bull equally on both the kinds of these Beasts of burden. The Manufactures here are Taunton Serges, which were much sent into Spain before the Civil War. As for Buildings, the Churches of Bath and Wells are most eminent, and constitute one See. The Church of Bath was begun by Oliver King, Bishop of this Di∣ocess in the Reign of Hen. 7. and the West end most curiously Cut, and Carved with Angels on Jacob's Lad∣der. After his decease it stood a long time neglected, whence these Verses were written on the Church-wall with a Charcoal,

O Church I wail thy woful plight Whom King, nor Cardinal, Clark or Knight Have yet restored to ancient right.

Alluding to the aforesaid Bishop King, and his 4 Suc∣cessors in 35 years, viz. Card. Woolsey, Card. Adrian, Bishop Clark and Bishop Knight. It felt the Hammers which knocked down the Abbeys. The Townsmen were not willing to buy the Church so cheap as 500

Marks (as it was proffered by the Commissioners) fearing to be thought to couzen the King, so that the purchase might come under the compass of concealed Lands. Hereupon the Glass, Iron, Bells and Lead, (which last amounted to 480 Tun) provided for the finishing thereof, were sold and sent beyond the Sea, and (as some say) lost by shipwrack. In the Reign of Q. Elizabeth, Collections were made all over the Land, for the repairing thereof, though they proved incon∣siderable: Only Mr. Billet, who was (I think) Ex∣ecutor to W. Cecil Lord Burleigh, disbursed good sums to that end. A Stranger wrote on this Structure,

Be blith fair Kirck, when Hempe is past Thine Olive, that all winds did blast, Shall flourish green for Age to last.

The parcel Popish Author (who subscribed himself Cassadore) expected the finishing of this Church at the return of their Religion, and lookt for this after the Reigns of Hen. 8. Edw. 6. Q. Mary, K. Philip, and Q. Eliz. This Church was finished by James Mon∣tague, Bishop of this See, who removed the Lead from the Bowels of the Earth to the Roof of the Church, which is both spacious and specious, the most lightsome as ever I beheld. The parable of Jotham, (the name of the first Founder,) Judg. 9. 8. is most curiously wrought in this Church. When Oliver the Usurper was Commander in chief in this Land, some beheld him as the Olive, (mentioned in the Parable) till he was once blasted Root and Branches. The Ca∣thedral of Wells is greater, and darker then the other, so that Bath may seem to draw Devotion with the plea∣santness, Wells to drive it with the solemnity thereof. The West Front of Wells is a Master-piece of Art made of well proportioned imagery, Vera & Spirantia Signa.

As for the Civil Habitations in this County, to pass by Dunstar Castle, (which hath a high Ascent, and a goodly Prospect by Sea and Land) Montague built by Sir Edward Philips, Master of the Rolles, is a most Magnificent Fabrick. Hinton St. George, the House of the Lord Paulet, has every Stone in the Front shaped Doule wayes, in form of a Cart-nail, and 'tis said the owner thereof built it in a dear year, on purpose to employ the more poor people thereupon.

The Wonder of this County is Wockey-hole in Men∣dip-Hills, near Wells, a Subterranean Concavity, ha∣ving spatious Vaults, stony Walls, creeping Laby∣rinths. The water which incessantly dropped down from the Vault of the Rock, was seen by some to turn to the Rock it self. And the like transmutation is thought to be the Original of many Rocks.

As for Medicinal Waters, Bath is well known, the Waters whereof have much Bitumen, soveraign against Obstructions, Niter, which strengthneth the operation of the former, and Purgeth the Body of gross Hu∣mours, and Sulphur which dries, and is good for uterine effects. Amongst the various Opinions concerning the heat of these Waters; some do with great probability impute the same to the sermentation of several Mine∣rals, through which the Waters run The practice of taking the Waters inwardly (in Broths, &c.) begin∣neth to prevail. The Right Honourable James Earl of Marleborough undertook to cover the Cross-Bath at his own cost, and would others follow his Resolution; it would effectually conduce to publick benefit, and raise the credit of the place.

Proverbs.

1. Where should I be bore else then in Tanton deane. A Peasant's bragg; that place is indeed populous, plea∣sant,

and so fruitful with the zun and zoil alone, that it needs no manuring. II. The Beggers of Bath.

Saints.

St. Dunstan, born in, and Abbot of Glassenbury, was Bishop of London and Worcester, Arch-Bishop of Can∣terbury, and at last, for his promoting of Monkery re∣puted a Saint: He dyed 988. His skill in Smithery was so great, that the Goldsmiths in London are Incor∣porated by the name of the Company of St. Dunstans. See my Eccl. Hist.

Martyrs.

Jo. Hooper, born in this County, and bred in Ox∣ford, then beyond the Seas, a great Scholar and Lin∣guist, was in the Reign of Edw. 6. Elected Bishop of Glocester, but for a time scrupled the acceptance there∣of, as refusing the Oath of Supremacy, which then en∣joyned the receivers to a Conformity to the Kings Commands, in what alterations soever he should after∣wards make in Religion, and also concluded with so help me God, and all his Angels and Saints; This was the occasion of the ensuing reforming of that Oath, whilst the King dispensed with his present taking there∣of. He also scrupled the wearing of some Episcopal Habiliments, but at last contented thereunto. He held afterwards Worcester in Commendam with Glocester, and having a double Dignity, gave treble Diligence by Preaching Gods Word, living piously, and dying pa∣tiently, being Martyred, An. 1555. The only Na∣tive in this Shire, who suffered for the Testimony of the Gospel, Bishop Burn, Bishop of Bath and Wells in the Reign of Q. Mary, having persecuted no Pro∣testants in his Diocess, to death.

Prelates.

Joceline of Wells, whereof he was Bishop. He first changed the Stile of Bishop of Glaston (used by his Predecessors) into that of Bishop of Bath and Wells. The Monks of Glassenbury purchased their exemption from his Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction, by parting with 4 fair Mannors to the See of Wells. After his return from Exile (for his obstinacy against King John) he Beautified and Enriched the Cathedral, Erected some new Prebends, and to the use of the Chapter appropri∣ated many Churches, and gave 3 Mannors of great value to the Episcopal See. He with Hugo Bishop of London, was the joynt Founder of St. Jo. in Wells and on his own cost, built two fair Chappels, one at Wokey, the other at Wells. The Church of Wells was rather rebuilt then repaired by him. He was Bishop 37 Years, and Dyed 1242. His Effigies in Brass which was on his Tomb, is since defaced.

Fulk of Samford, was Treasurer of St. Pauls, Lon∣don, and then by Papal-Bull declared Arch Bishop of Dublin 1256. He dyed in his Mannor of Finglas 1271. and was Buried in the Church of St. Pat. whose Brother

Jo of Samford Dean of St. Pat. in Dublin, and for a time Escheator of all Ireland, was afterward chosen, and by Edw. the 1st. Confirm'd Arch-Bishop of Dub∣lin 1284. For a time he was Chief Justice of Ireland, and thence was sent (with Anth. Bishop of Durham) Ambassador to the Emperour, whence returning, he dyed in London 1294. his Body being carried over in∣to Ireland, was buried in St. Pat.

Thomas Beckington, born at Beckington, bred in New-Colledge, Dr. of the Laws, and Dean of the Arches, till by King Hen. 6. he was advanced Bishop of Bath

and Wells. He gave for his Rebus (in allusion to his Name) a burning Beacon, to which he answered in his Nature, being a burning and shining light. He wrote a Book to prove the K. of England's Title to the Crown of France; He spent 6000 Marks in repairing and a∣dorning of his Palaces; He was a Loyal Subject, kind Kinsman, and a good Master, bequeathing 5 pound a piece to his Chief, and 5 Marks a piece to his meaner Servants, and 40 Shillings a piece to his Boys. He was a Benefactor to Wells Church, Winch. New, Mer∣ton, but chiefly Lincoln-Colledge in Oxford, being little less than a second Founder thereof. His Will was Confirmed under the Broad Seal of England: He dy∣ed 1464.

Richard Fitz-James Dr. of Law, was born at Red∣linch, of Ancient and Worshipful Extraction, and bred at Mert. Coll. in Oxford, where he built most Beautiful Lodgings, repairing also St. Ma. in Oxford. He was preferred successively Bishop of Rochester, Chichester, and London: An excellent Scholar, and Author of some Books not now Extant. He was over busie with Fire and Faggot, persecuting the poor servants of God in his Diocess. He dyed 1512, and was buried in his Cathedral, (having contributed to the adorning there∣of) in a Chappel like Tomb of Timber, since burnt down, 1561: He was Brother to Fitz-James Lord Chief Justice.

Statesmen.

Sir Amias Poulet, (whose Grandfather put Cardinal Woolsey, then but a School-Master, in the Stocks) was born at Hinton St. George: He was Chancellour of the Garter, Governour of Jersey and Gersney, and Privy-Councellour to Q. Elizabeth, who chiefly committed the keeping of Mary Q. of Scots to his fidelity. He

would not yield to Secretary Walsingham, who moved him to suffer one of his servants to be bribed by the Agents of the Queen of Scots, so to compass the better Intelligence: He dyed 15. and was Buried in St. Martins in the Fields, in London: His Motto was Gardez la Foy, keep your Faith, or Allegiance.

Capital Judges.

Jo. Fitz-James, born at Redclinch, of an Ancient Family; was by Hen. 8. made Chief Justice of the Kings-Bench: He sate one of the Assistants, when Sir Thomas More was Arraigned for refusing the Oath of Supremacy, and was shrewdly put to it to save his own Conscience, and not incurr the Kings displeasure, de∣claring himself (upon demand) in these words, My Lords all, by St. Gillian, I must needs confess, that if the Act of Parliament be not unlawful, then the Indict∣ment is not in my Conscience insufficient: He dyed An. 30. Hen. 8. and his Family doth still flourish at Lew∣son in Dorsetshire. Sir Jo. descended from his Brother Alurea, has strongly encouraged my weak Endea∣vours.

Jo. Portman Knight, of Worshipful Extraction at Portmans-Orchard, was An. 2. Mary, made Chief Ju∣stice of the Kings-Bench, in which Office it seems he dyed. A Baron of his Name and Lineage, flourisheth at this day with a plentiful Estate.

Dav. Brook Knight, born at Glassenbury, Son to Jo. Brook Esq Serjeant at Law to Hen. 8. was an. 1. Mary made Chief Bar. of the Exchequer: He Marri∣ed Katharine Daughter of Jo. Lord Chandois, but dy∣ed without Issue.

James Dier Knight, born at Roundhill, an. 1. Eliz∣abeth, was made Lord Chief Justice of the Common∣Pleas, continuing therein 24 years. At the Tryal of

the Duke of Norfolk, an. 1572. This Judge declared that Duke could have no Councill assigned him for mat∣ter of Fact, and that the Council of Humphry Stafford, in the Reign of Hen. 7. (which was pleaded by the Duke) had been granted only as to point of Law: His Reports evidence his great Abilities: He dyed an. 25. Eliz. (though Married) without Issue. There is a house of a Baronet, descended from his Elder Brother, at great Stoughton in Hunt.

Sir Jo. Popham, of most ancient descent, was born at Huntworth; when a Youth he was stout, and well skilled at Sword and Buckler, and wild enough in his Recreations. Afterwards he applyed himself to a more profitable Fencing, the Study of the Common Laws, wherein he became Eminent. He was prefer∣red the Queens Attorney, and afterwards Lord Chief Justice of England: He deposed upon his Oath in open Court, at the Tryal of the Earl of Essex, an. 1600. that he had been violently detained at the Earls house, by his Military men there Assembled, which some con∣ceived tantamount to an Imprisonment. Note the ra∣rity of the Precedent. He cut asunder the Knot of Northern Robbers (and others) with the Sword of Ju∣stice. He represented effectually to King James, the inconvenience of frequent Pardons. He used exempla∣ry severity against Male-Factors, (shunning the danger∣ous Rock of Cruel Mercy) whereby the Lives of many Thousands were preserved; He dyed 16.

Souldiers.

Jo. Courcy, Baron of Stoke-Courcy, was the first Englishman who invaded and subdued Ulster in Ireland, therefore Created Earl thereof. He was afterwards surprized by Hugh Lacy, (corrival for his Title) sent over into England, and imprisoned by King John, in the

Tower of London. Sometime after he was command∣ed by the King to fight a French man, in decision of a Controversie about the Title of a French Castle, (the King of France being Present) but the Monsieur being informed that Courcy was a monstrous Eater, and con∣cluding his Courage to be proportionable to his Sto∣mach, wisely declined the Combat. The English Cham∣pion was fain to give proof of his strength another way, in the presence of the two Kings, sundring a Steel Helmet at one blow, into two pieces, and stri∣king the Sword so deep into the Block (whereon the Helmet lay) that none but himself could pull it out again, being observed to look sternly before, and in the giv∣ing of the blow, he was demanded why he looked so exceeding fierce, Had I (said he) missed my blow, I would have killed the Kings, and all in the place. This was in no wise displeasing to the Kings, (being highly in good humour) both because they were confident Courcy (now) was not so ill natur'd as his words did im∣port, and also because the words appeared to be some necessary Evaporations of that violent Ferment of his Blood, which had produced in him a propensity to give an Universal demonstration of his Strength, by making the deepest Impression on the strongest Mettal, (or otherwise,) leaving no reserve of Spirits to actuate the Organs of his Speech for any Expression of his Alle∣giance at that time; yet by that great Action he seems to have declared himself in a most eminent manner the Kings Man, and to have antedated the performance of that Homage which the Lord Courcy, Baron of Ringrom, (the second of Ireland) was of course bound to do. Hence it is that these Barons claimed a priviledge, after their first Obeisance, to be covered in the Kings Pre∣sence. His Devotion was equal to his Valour, being a great Founder, and endower of Religious houses; yet he turn'd the Church of the Holy Trinity in Down into

the Church of St. Pat. for which ('tis said) he was con∣demned never to return into Ireland, though attempt∣ing it 15 several times, but repelled with foul weather. He dyed in France about 1210.

Math. Gournay, was born at Stoke under Hambden, where his Family hath flourished since the Conquest, and there built both a Castle and a Colledge. He was the Honour of his house. In the Reign of Edw. 3. he fought at the Siege of Algier and Benemazin against the Saracens, at Ingen, Poictiers, Sluce and Cressy, a∣gainst the French, and at Nazaran under the Black Prince in Spain. His Armour was beheld by Martial men with much civil veneration, with whom his faith∣ful Buckler was a Relique of esteem. He dyed in Peace, Aged 96 years, about the beginning of Rich. 2. and was buried in the Church of Stoke.

Seamen.

Sir Amias Preston, of an Ancient Family at Cricket, an. 88. seized on the Admiral of the Galiasses, where∣in the Governour, with most of his Men, were burnt or killed. An. 1595 he took the Isle of Puerto Santo, and the Isle of Cochi, surprized the Fort and Town of Coro, sack'd the City of St. Jago, put to ransom the Town of Cumana, and entred Jamaica, (all in the West-Indies) and returned home safely. He sent a Challenge to Sir Walter Raleigh then Privy-Councellor, which was by him refused, Sir Walter having a Wife and Children, and a fair Estate, and Sir Amias being a private and single Person, though of good Quality; Be∣sides Sir Walter condemned those for ill Honours, where the Hangman gives the Garland. These two Knights were afterwards reconciled, and Sir Amias dyed about the beginning of the Reign of King James

Writers.

Gildas (the Wise) was born in Bath. He was also sirnamed the Querulous, because the little we have of his Writing is only an Historical Complaint, against the sins (and sufferings) of the Age he lived in, calling the Clergy, Mountains of Malice, the Britans generally, the Ink (or stain) of the Age. Dr. Gerard Vossius does by a mistake, attribute the Comedy of Aulularia in Plautus to this Gildas. He dyed about 570.

Maurice Somerset, born in Sommerset-shire, a Cister∣tian in Ford Abbey, and bred in Oxford, was Abbot of Wells, Some Books he Dedicated to Reginald Bishop of Bath, and flourished 1193.

Alexander of Essebie, the Prince of English Poets in his Age, put our English Festivals into Verse, and wrote the History of the Bible, with the Lives of some Saints, in an Heroick Poem. He became Prior of Es∣seby-Abbey, and flourished under Hen. 3. 1220.

Adam of Marsh born (probably) at Brent-marsh, was D. D. in Oxford; Robert Grosthead and he joyntly compared the Scripture; being afterwards Franciscan Frier in Worcester, he furnished the Library thereof with excellent Manuscripts: He flourished 1257. Hu go de Belsham his Corrival, got the Bishoprick of Esy from him.

Since the Reformation.

H. Cuffe, born at St. George Hinton, was Fellow of Merton-Colledge in Oxford, and Secretary to Robert Earl of Essex, with whom he engaged in his Rising, an. 1600. being Arraigned at Westminster, he was cast, it being proved against him, that whilst Essex was in Consultation with his Complices, this Cuffe had,

for promoting that Plot, alleadged this Verse out of Lucan,

Viribus utendum est quas fecimus, Arma ferenti Omnia dat, qui justa negat.

For which he suffered. He wrote an excellent Book of the difference of the Ages of Man.

Jo. Harrington Knight, had a fair Estate at Kelston near Bath, was Master of St. John's Colledge, and af∣terwards one of the most ingenious Poets of the English Nation, witness his Translation of Orlando Furioso out of Italian, &c. Being at an Ordinary in Bath, (with some Gentlemen of greater Estates than himself) the Maid that waited at Table, attended him with a par∣ticular observance, and being demanded the reason, I understand, said she, you are a very witty man, and if I should displease you in any thing, I fear you would make an Epigram of me. He made an Addition to Bi∣shop Godwins Catalogue of Bishops. He lest a fair Es∣tate to a Learned and Religious Son, and dyed about the middle of the Reign of K. James. His Father suf∣fered Imprisonment, and lost One Thousand Pound for carrying a Letter to the Lady (afterward Queen) Eliz. from whom his Mother was sequestred, as an Heretick, and all by Gardiner's means:

Samuel Daniel, born near Taunton, was an exqui∣site Poet, and a Judicious Historian, witness his Lives of the English Kings, since the Conqueror untill Edw. 3. He was servant in Ordinary to Q. Anne, In his old Age, he rented a Farm in VVilt-shire, and dyed about the end of K. James.

Humphrey Sidenham, born at Dalverton, of an An∣cient and Worshipful Family, was bred a Fellow in Wadham Colledge; So eminent a Preacher, that he was commonly called Silver-tongued Sidenham. He wrote

learned Sermons, of which that called the Athenian Babler was most remarkable. He dyed 1650.

Romish Exile Writers.

Jo. Gibbon, leaving the Land, was by Pope Greg. 13. made Canon, in the Church of Bonn, he was af∣terwards Rector of the Jesuits-Colledge in Triers. He wrote a Book, in which he endeavoured to prove that the Pope was not Antichrist. He dyed 1589.

Rob. Person, bred in Oxford, (whence he was expel∣led for his Viciousness) went to Rome, whence he re∣turned with Campian, to preserve this Nation, 1589. Some of his own party (offended with his ill-nature) intended to resign him to the Queens Officers. He was Satyrical, and so much of a Politician, as to provide for his own safte•…•…y; who would look on, direct, give ground, abet on other Mens hands, but never plaid so as to adventure himself into England. He wrote a shrewd Book of the Succession to the English Crown, setting it forth under the Name of Dolman. He had an Authoritative influence on all the English Catholicks. He was 23 years Rector of the Colledge at Rome, where he dyed 1610.

Jo. Fen, born at Montacute, and Batchelour of the Laws in Oxford, fled into Flanders, thence into Italy, whence returning, he fixed at Lovain: He wrote ma∣ny, and Translated more books, and dyed 1613. Note, there lived a rigid Non-Conformist of his Sirname a∣bout Coventry, who in his latter Will and Testament rail'd against the Hierarchy.

Jo. Collington, bred in Oxford, was taken with Cam∣pian, and Condemned, but being Reprieved; after some Travel, he advanced his Religion in England for 30 years together. He was alive 1611.

Benefactors to the Publick.

The Lady Mohun, obtained from her Husband, Jo. Lord Mohun of Dunstor, so much ground for the Com∣mons of the Town of Dunstor, as she could in one day compass about, going on her naked Feet. She dyed (as is conjectured) in the Reign of Hen. 5.

Since the Reformation.

Nich. Wadham of Merrifieild, Esq having great length in his Extraction, breadth in his Estate, and depth in his Liberality, Marryed Dorothy, Daughter to the Secretary, Sister to the first Lord Peters. His Hospital house was an Inn at all times, a Court at Christ∣mas. This worthy Pair, being Issuless, Erected the Colledge of VVadham in Oxford. His Estate (after his Death) descended to Strangwayes, Windham, VVhitt, &c. He was buried in the Church of Ilminster.

Phil. Biss. of a worthy Family at Spargrave, Com∣menced D. D. in Magdalens-Colledge in Oxford, and was Arch-Deacon of Taunton. He bequeathed his Li∣brary (consisting of so many Folio's as were valued at One Thousand Pound) to VVadham-Colledge, then new∣ly Founded. One Epitaph made on him begins, Bis suit hic natus, &c. in allusion to his Name. He dyed about 1614.

Memorable Persons.

Sir Jo. Champneis, born at Chew, bred Skinner in London, (and Lord Mayor thereof, 1535.) was the first private Man, who in his house next Cloth-VVorkers. Hall, built a Turret to oversee his Neighbours in the City, which delight in his Eye was punished with blindness some years before his Death.

Tho. Coriat, born at Odcombe, and bred in Oxford. A great Grecian, carried Folly (which the Charitable call Merriment) in his Face, and had a Head in form like an inverted Sugar-loaf. He lay alwayes in his Cloaths, to save both labour and charge in shifting. Prince Henry allowed him a Pension, and kept him for his Servant; Sweet-meats and Coriat made up the last course at all Entertainments; being the Courtiers An. vil to try their Wits upon, sometimes he returned the Hammers as hard knocks as he received. His Book called Coriat's Crudities is not altogether useless. Being hardy he undertook to travel on foot to the East-Indies, and dyed in the midst of his Journey.

Noted Sheriffs.

An. 14. Jo. Paulet Arm. an Accomplisht Gentleman, and bountiful House-keeper, was by King Charles I. Created Baron Pau∣let of Hinton St. George in this County, whose Right Honourable Son and Heir Jo. Lord Paulet, now suc∣ceedeth in that Barony.

Modern Battles.

The Skirmish at Martials-Elm, 1642. made much noise in Mens Ears, (a Musket gave a greater report then a Canon since) and is conceived to have first bro∣ken the Peace of the Nation. As for the Encounter at Lang-Port, where the Kings Forces under the Lord Goring were defeated, July 12, 1645, it was rather a Flight than a Fight; And hence forward the Sun of the Kings Cause declined, versing more and more VVest∣ward, till at last it set in Cornwal, and since (after a long and dark night) rose again by Gods goodness in the East, when our Gracious Sovereign arrived at Dover.

Note that an. 1607, there happened an Inundation, by the irruption of the Severn-Sea, which over-flowed this County, almost 20 Miles in length, and four in breadth, though by Gods special Providence, it drown∣ed no more then 80 Persons.

Notes

• S. N
• K. James.