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.

BRECKNOCK-SHIRE

BRecknock-shire hath Radnor-shire on the North, Car∣digan and Carmarthen-shire on the West, Glamor∣gan-shire on the South, Hereford and Monmouth-shire on the East. In length 28, and in breadth 20 miles. The fruitfulness of the Vallies in this Shire maketh a∣mends for the barrenness of the Mountains. Brecknock the chief Town hereof, doth at this present time af∣ford the Title of an Earl to James Duke of Ormond, the first that ever received that Dignity. About 400 years since, a Daughter of Gilb. and Maud Becket, (and Sister to Thomas Becket) was by King Henry 2. bestowed in Marriage on one Butler an English Gentle∣man. Him King Henry sent over into Ireland, and (endeavouring to expiate Beckets blood) rewarded him with large Lands, so that his Posterity were created Earls of Ormond.

In this County there is plenty of Otters in Brecknock Meer, the Wool whereof is much used in making of Beavers.

As for Wonders, 'tis reported by Speed, that Cloaks, Hats and Staves, cast down from the top of an Hill, (called Mouchy Denny or Cadier Arthur) and the North-East Rocks, would never fall, but were with the air and wind still returned back, and blown up again, nor would any thing descend, save a Stone or some metallin sub∣stance. When the Meer Lynsavathan (within two Miles of Brecknock) hath her frozen Ice first broken, it yields a thundering noyse; and there is a Tradition, that where that Meer spreadeth its waters, stood a fair City, till swallowed up by an Earthquake, which

is not improbable, first, because all the Highways of this County do lead thither, secondly, Ptolemy doth place in this Tract the City Loventrium, which Mr. Cambden could not recover, and therefore likely to be drown'd in this Pool; the rather because Levenny is the name of the River running by it.

Saints.

St. Canoch, Cadock, Sons, and Keyne Daughter to Braghan King, builder and namer of Brecknock (who had 24 Daughters, all Saints, though only St. Keyne survived) flourished about 492. of whom St. Cadock is reported a Martyr; and all had in high Veneration a∣mongst the people of South-Wales.

St. Clintanke was King of Brecknock. It happened that a Noble Virgin gave it out, That she would never Marry any man except the said King, who was so zea∣lous a Christian. A Pagan Souldier, purposely to de∣feat her desire, killed this King, who left behind him the reputation of a Saint.

Prelates.

Giles de Bruse, born at Brecknock, was Son to Wil∣liam de Bruse, Baron of Brecknock, a prime Peer in his time. This Giles became Bishop of Hereford, and in the Civil Wars, sided with the Nobility against King John, on which account he was banished, but at length returned, and recovered the Kings favour. His Paternal Honour and Inheritance was devolved upon him, and from him, after his death, transmitted to his Brother Reginald, who Married the Daughter of Leo∣line Prince of Wales. His Essigies on his Tomb in Hereford Church, holdeth a Steeple in his hand; whence it is concluded that he built the Belfree of that Cathedral. He dyed 1215.

Since the Reformation.

Thomas Howel, born at Nangamarch, bred Fellow of Jesus-Colledge in Oxford, became a most meek man, and excellent Preacher. His Sermons, like the waters of Siloah, did run softly, gliding on with a smooth stream. King Charles I. made him Bishop of Bristol. He dyed 1646. leaving many Orphan Children behind him. I have been told, that the Honourable City of Bristol hath taken care for their comfortable Educa∣tion.

Statesmen.

Henry Stafford, Duke of Buckingham, set up King Richard on the Throne, endeavouring afterwards in vain to depose him; the King compassing him into his clutches, through the treachery of Humphrey Banister, the Dukes own Servant, the Sheriff siezing him in Shrop-shire, where he was digging of a Ditch in a dis∣guise. He was beheaded at Sarisbury, without any Legal Tryal, 1484.

Memorable Persons.

Nesta, Daughter to Gruffin Prince of Wales, and Wife to Bernard of Newmarch, a Noble Norman, and Lord by Conquest of this County, was an Harlot to a young Gentleman. Mahel her Son having got this Stallion into his hands, used him very hardly, where∣with Nesta being madded, came into open Court, and on her Oath before King Henry 2. publickly protest∣ed, that Mahel was none of Newmarch his Son, but be∣gotten on her in Adultery. This if true, spake her dis∣honesty, if false, her porjury; true or false, her Peet∣less

impudency. Hereby she disinherited Mahel, and setled a vast Territory on Sybil her sole Daughter, Married afterwards to Milo Earl of Hereford.

Note, that when Mr. Speed, in pursuance of his De∣scription of England, passed this County, 8 persons who had been Bayliffs of Brecknock gave him courte∣ous entertainment.