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CAmden begins with Corn∣wall, and ends with Northumberland, I shall mention the Counties of England, rather ac∣cording to the Letters of the Alphabet.
IT is called in Latine Berkeria. It is bounded upon the East with Surrey, upon the North with the River of Thames from Buckinghamshire and Ox∣fordshire
upon the West with Wilt∣shire, and upon the South with Hant∣shire.
Abbendune or Abington, so called * 1.1 of the Abbay, rather than of one Ab∣ben an Irish Eremite of the Abby there. See Monasticon Anglicanum, pag. 97.
Farendon famous now for a Mercate there kept.
Wadley. It is situate in a vale, though * 1.2 not so fertile a soil, as some vales af∣ford, yet a most commodious site, wholsome, in a delicious air, a rich and pleasant seat.
Newbury, as much as the Newburgh, a fair Town, well seated in a Champion plain.
Reading of the Brittish word Redin, * 1.3 which signifieth Fearn (that growing here plentifully) excelleth all other Towns of this Shire in fair streets, and goodly houses: for wealth also of the Townsmen, and their name in making of Cloath. There is a very great Market.
Maidenhead, so named of the su∣perstitious worshipping of I wot not
what British Maidens-Head. Camd. Brit.
Maidenhead or Maidenhith. Hith in the old Saxon did signifie a Wharf, Haven, or Landing-place. It had its name from the Wharf or Ferry, be∣longing at that time to some neigh∣bouring Nunnery, or to some private Maidens dwelling thereabout, who then received the profits of it. So Queen-Hith in London took that ap∣pellation, because the profits of the Wharf were anciently accounted for to the Queens of England. Dr. Hey∣lins Animadvers. on the Church. Hist. of Brit. lib. 1. p. 20. See Camden of Maiden-bradly in Wiltshire, fol. 243.
Windesore, A Royal Castle and House of the Kings, with the Town * 1.4 adjoyning.
A Princes Seat cannot have a more pleasant situation. For from a high Hill that riseth with a gentle ascent, it enjoyeth a most delightfull Prospect round about.
With the pleasantnesse of this place, Princes were allured, very often to
retire themselves hither: and here was Edward the Third that most puissant King borne: who here built new out of the ground a most strong Castle, in big∣nesse equal to a pretty City, fortified with Ditches and Bulwarks made of stone: and forthwith after he had sub∣dued the French and Scots, held at one and the self same time John King of France, and David King of Scotland prisoners together in the same.
In this place King Edward the Third, for to adorn Martial Prowesse with Ho∣nours, the Guerdon of Vertue, or∣dained the most Noble Order and So∣ciety * 1.5 of Knights, whom he called Knights of the Garter: who wear on their left Legge, somewhat under the knee a Blew Garter, with these golden Letters in French, HONI SOIT QUI MAL Y PENS'E, Shame to him that evil thinks, and fasten the same with a Buckle of Gold, as with the Band of a most inward Society, in token of Concord and Unity, that there might be among them a certain Consociation and Communion of Ver∣tues.
Some attribute the original of it un∣to the Garter of the Queen, or rather Joan Countesse of Salisbury, a Lady of incomparable beauty, which fell from her as she danced, and the King took up from the floor: for when a number of Nobles and Gentlemen standing by laughed thereat, he made * 1.6 answer again, That shortly it would come to passe, that Garter should be in high honour and estimation. This is the most common, and most received report.
There is a Book entituled, Catechis∣mus ordinis Equitum Perifcelidis, writ∣ten long since by Belvaleti, the Popes Nuncio here, and published in the year 1631. by Bosquierus: wherein the Authour makes an Allegory on the whole habit of the Order, the Matter, Colour, Fashion, Wearing, to the ve∣ry Girdle. Dr. Heylins Antidotum Lin∣colniense. Sect. 3. ch. 10.
The mightiest Princes in Christen∣dome, * 1.7
reputed it amongst their greatest honour to be chosen and admitted into this Company: and since, the first In∣stitution thereof, there have been al∣ready received, and enrolled into this Order, which consisteth of six and twenty Knights, two and twenty Kings, or thereabout; besides our Kings of England, who are named So∣vereigns thereof: to speak nothing of Dukes, and others of most high calling, very many.
The Founders of the Order, which in those dayes for stout courage and war∣like Prowesse, had few or no Peers, and were in that regard advanced to that honour.
There is an honourable Family of Barons, surnamed of Windsore.
Eaton is hereto adjoyned by a wood∣en Bridge over the Thames, and in it a * 1.9 fair Colledge, and a famous School of good literature, founded and built by King Henry the Sixth: wherein besides the Provost, eight Fellows, and the singing Choristers, there are threescore Scholars, instructed in Grammar, and in due time preferred to the Uni∣versity
of Cambridge.
It containeth twenty Hundreds, twelve Market Towns, and an hundred and forty Parishes.
BEdford is the principal Town, * 1.10 whereof the Shire also taketh name.
A Town to be commended more for the pleasant situation, and antiquity thereof, then for beauty or large∣nesse, although a man may tell five Churches in it.
Hockley in the Hole, so named of the miry way in Winter time, very trouble∣some to travellers: for the old English∣men our Progenitors called deep mire Hock and Hocks.
Dunstable. This Town seated in a * 1.11 Chalky ground, well inhabited, and full of Innes, hath four streets answer∣ing to the four quarters of the world: in every one of which there is a
large Pond of standing water, for the publique use of the Inhabi∣tants.
It contains ten Market Towns, an hundred and sixteen Parishes.
IT brings forth Beech-trees plenti∣tifully, * 1.12 which the English Saxons in elder times called Bucken, whence Buckingham the chief Town, and so the whole Shire took the name from Beech-trees.
The Countrey generally is of a rich plentifull soil, and passing full of inha∣bitants, who chiefly imploy themselves in grazing of Cattel, there is store of Mutton and Beef.
Chiltern got that name according to
the very nature of the soile of Chalkie Marle, which the anci∣ent Englishmen termed Cylt or Chilt.
Marlow a pretty Town of no mean credit, taking name of the said Chalk commonly termed Marle: which be∣ing spread upon Corn-ground eaten out of heart with long tillage doth quicken the same again; so as that after one yeers rest it never lieth fallow, but yeeldeth again to the Husband∣man his seed in plentifull mea∣sure.
High Wickham or Wicombe rather from the turning of the River Thames, the Germane Saxons term any winding reach of River and Sea, a Wick, and Comb a low valle. This Town for largenesse and fair building is equal to the greatest Town in this Shire, and in that it hath a Maior for the Head Magistrate.
Colbroke-Pontes is parted into four * 1.13 chanels, over which stand as ma∣ny Bridges for the commodity of passengers, whence it tooke its name.
Hamden gave name to an ancient and well spread Family in these parts. Some say, one of that name was High-Sheriff when William the Conquerour came into England. There is part of▪ the House at great Hamden yet standing, which hath been built ever since the time of William the Conquerour.
They have ancient Records, one of which runs thus, Osbert Hamden Lord of Great Hamden, one of the Commissi∣oners for expulsion of the Danes.
Ailesbury a fair Market Town, com∣passed about with many most pleasant green Medows and Pastures, of which the whole Vale is termed the Vale of Ailesbury.
Ascot the principal mansion house of the Dormers, from whence descended the Dutches of Feria in Spain, and others of noble note.
Stony Stratford, named so of Stones, the Streetway, and a Fourd. The hous∣es are built of a certain rough stone, which is digged forth in great abundance at Caversham hard by, and it standeth upon the publick street, commonly called Watling-street, which was a mi∣litary
high-way made by the Romans, and is evidently to be seen yet beyond the Town with the Bank or Causey thereof, and hath a ford, but now hard∣ly passable.
Newport-Painel so called of Sir Ful∣cod Painel the Lord thereof.
Here are an eleven Market Towns, and an hundred and eighty five Pa∣rishes.
CAmbridgeshire is famous for fish and fowl.
Cambridge a most famous Mart and * 1.14 Store-house of good Literature and Godlinesse, standeth upon the River Cam, which turning into the East, di∣videth it into two parts, and hath a Bridge over it, whence arose the name Cambridge.
Neither is there wanting any thing here, that a man may require in a most flourishing University, were it not that
the Air is somewhat unhealthfull, ari∣sing as it doth out of a fenny ground hard by.
There are sixteen Colledges in it.
Saint Ides is one of the famousest Markets of England, it serves several Counties.
The Isle of Ely.
There are several Etymologies of it given by Camden.
Ely a Bishops See * 1.15, the City hath an unwholsome Air by reason of the fens round about, although it be seated somewhat higher.
Hard under Cambridge Eastward neer * 1.16 unto Sture, a little brook, is kept every yeer in the Moneth of September, the greatest Fair of all England, whether you respect the multitude of buyers and sellers resorting thither, or the store of Commodities there to be vented.
Neer unto Cambridge on the South-East side, there appear aloft certain high Hils called Gogmagog. On the top of them is a very large Fort, en∣trenched, strengthened with a three-fold Rampire.
Wisbich amongst Fennes and waters.
It hath eight Market Towns, and an hundred and sixty three Parishes.
IT is very pleasant and plenteous in * 1.17 all things needfull for mans use, and therefore had the name of the Vale Royal of England from Edward the First.
The Grasse and Fodder there is of that goodnesse and vertue, that Chees∣es are made there in great number, of a most pleasing and delicate taste, such as all England again affordeth not the like; no, though the best dayriwomen other∣wise, and skilfullest in Chees-making be had from hence.
This Region hath alwayes bred more Gentry than the other Coun∣treys in England: For you have not in all England again any one Pro∣vince beside, that in old time either brought more valorous Gentlemen into the field, or had more families in it of Knights degree.
The Breretons, Manwarings and Ve∣nables are the most noble Families in that County.
On the South-side it is hemmed in with Shropshire, on the East-side with Staffordshire and Darbyshire, on the North with Lancashire, and on the West with Denbigh and Flint∣shire.
The River Dee, called in Latine De∣va, breeding very great plenty of Sal∣mons, ariseth out of two fountains in Wales, and thereof men think it took the name: for Dwy in their tongue sig∣nifieth two.
This River no sooner is entered into Cheshire, but it passeth by Banchor, a * 1.18 famous Monastery. It fostered and brought up (as some write) the most wicked Arch-heretique Pelagius, who
injuriously derogating from the grace of God, troubled a long time the west Church with his pestiferous Doctrine. Prosper Aquitanus in this Verse of his, termeth him the British Adder,
Pestifero vomuit coluber sermone Bri∣tannus.
A British Snake, with venemous tongue, Hath vomited his poison strong.
Chester * 1.19 or West-Chester, of the West situation.
Cestria de castris nomen quasi castria sumpsit.
This City built in form of a qua∣drant, * 1.20 four square, is enclosed with a wall that taketh up more then two miles in compasse, and hath eleven Parishes.
Neer unto the River standeth the Castle upon a rocky Hill, built by the
Earls: where the Courts Palatine, and the Assizes, as they call them, are kept twice a year.
The Houses are very fair built, and along the chief streets are Galleries or Walking-places, they call them Rows, having shops on both sides, through which a man may walk dry from one end to another.
It is called the County Palatine of Chester, because the Earls thereof had Royalties and Princely priviledges be∣longing to them, and all the Inhabi∣tants owed Allegiance and Fealty to them as they did to the King.
One Hugh Wolf was made Earl of Chester by William the First, and the County given him in Fee, Tenendum sibi & Haeredibus it a vere ad Gladi∣um sicut ipse Rex tenebat Angliam ad Coronam. And as the King, so he for his Heirs had their Barons, by that name specially known.
King Edgar in magnificent manner triumphed over the British Princes. For sitting himself in a Barge at the fore-deck, Kennadie King of the Scots, Malcoline King of Cumberland, Macon
King of Mann, and of the Islands, with all the Princes of Wales, brought to do homage, and like Watermen working at the Oar, rowed him along the River Dee, in a triumphant shew, to his great glory, and joy of the be∣holders.
King Henry the Seventh made it a County by it self incorporate.
Bunbury contractly so called, or Bo∣niface-Bury, Boniface was the Patron Saint there.
Beeston-Castle hath a wall of a great circuit.
Here are very famous Salt-pits, or Salt-wiches, five or six miles distant * 1.21 asunder, where brine or salt water is drawn out of pits, which they boile over the fire, to make salt thereof. These were known unto the Romanes, and from hence was usually paid the Custome for salt, called Salarium.
Nantwich, Middle-wich, Nortwich:
Nantwich, which the River Wever first visiteth, is reputed the greatest and
fairest built Town of all this Shire after Chester. It is called the White-wich or Salt-pit, because the whitest salt is there boiled.
North-wich is called the Black-salt pit.
Congleton a Mercat Town, famous for Gloves, Purses and Points of Leather.
Kinderton the old seat of the ancient race of the Venables, who ever since the first coming in of the Normans have been of name and reputation here, and commonly are called Barons of Kinder∣ton.
Brereton hath given Name to the * 1.22 worshipfull, ancient and numerous Fa∣mily of the Breretons Knights.
Before any Heir of this House of the Breretons dieth, there are seen in a Pool adjoyning, bodies of trees swimming for certaine dayes toge∣ther, so Camden, but some deny this.
Middle-wich, there are two Wels of salt water parted one from the other by a small brook.
Maclesfield one of the fairest Towns of this County.
Lee from whence there is a Family bearing the same surname, that is not * 1.23 only of gentle bloud, and of especial note, but also farre and fairly propaga∣ted into a number of branches. Camd Britan.
High Leigh in Cheshire I think gave Names to all the renowned Races of that Name in this County. Two di∣stinct Descents of the same Name have their seats in the same place, and there have continued in a long succession of their Ancestors, Knights and Esquires of much worth: one is Thomas Leigh, the other is Peter Leigh Esquires. King of Cheshire.
Lime in Cheshire a great Family of the Name of the Leighs, of whom there have been many famous Knights, Sir Peter now the Possessor thereof. King of Cheshire.
Nor thou magnanimous Leigh must not be left * 1.24 In darkness, for thy rare fidelity; To save thy faith, content to lose thy head: That reverent head, of good men honored. Daniels Second Book of Civil Warres.
Cholmundeston or Cholmeston ancient∣ly the Lands of the Leighs of Rushall in Staffordshire. King of Cheshire, pag. 74.
It containeth thirteen Market Towns, and sixty eight Parishes.
IT extends in length to about seventy miles, the breadth in the largest place passeth not thirty. Carews Sur∣veigh of Cornwall.
Speed computes the length sixty miles, and the breadth forty.
It is called by later Writers Cornubia * 1.25 in Latine, of all Britain it doth bear
most Westward, because it waxeth smaller and smaller in manner of an Horn, and runneth forth into the Sea, with little promontories, as if they were Horns on every side. Others would have it so called of one Corin, and do call it Corinea. Camd. Brit.
There is digged here wonderfull store of Tin, yeelding exceeding much profit and commodity, whereof are made houshold Pewter vessels, which are used thorowout many parts of Eu∣rope in service of the Table, and for their glittering brightnesse, compared with silver-plate.
Terra admodum sterilis, fructum magis ex cultorum industria, quam ex sua bonitate praebet: sed fert uberius plumbum nigrum & album, hoc est, stannum, in quo effodiendo maximè consistit vita incolarum. Polyd. Verg. Angl. Hist. l. 1.
The Kings of England, and Dukes of Cornwall, in their times have reser∣ved to themselves a praeemption of Tinne (by the opinion of the learn∣ed in the Law) as well in regard of the Propriety, as being chief Lords
and Proprietaries; as of their Royal Prerogative.
Not only Tin is here found, but there∣with also Gold and Silver; yea and Dya∣monds shaped, and pointed angle-wise, smoothed also by Nature it self: where∣of some are as big as Wall-nuts, and inferiour to the orient Dyamonds, in blacknesse and hardnesse only.
So plentifull is this Countrey of grain, although not without great toil of the Husbandman, that it hath not only sufficient to maintain it self, but al∣so affordeth often times great store of Corn into Spain.
Besides a most rich Revenue and Commodity they have by those little Fishes that they call Pilchards, which swarming, as one would say, in migh∣ty great skuls about the shores from July unto November, are there taken, garbaged, falted, hanged in the smoke, laid up, pressed, and by infinite num∣bers carried over into France, Spain, and Italy, unto which Countreys they be very good chaffer, and right wel∣come merchandize, and are there named Fumados.
Michael a Cornish Poet, and of Rhy∣mers in his time the chies, hath these Verses of Cornwall.
Non opus est ut opes numerem quibus est opulenta, Et per quas, inopes sustentat non opu∣lenta: Piscibus & stanno nusquam tam fertilis ora.
The people thre are civil, valiant, * 1.26 hardy, well pitcht in stature, brawny and strong limbed: such as for wrest∣ling (to speak nothing of that manly exercise, and feat of hurling the Ball, which they use) so farre excell, that for slight and clean strength toge∣ther, they justly winne the prize and praise from other Nations in that behalf.
Godolphin-Hill right famous for plen∣tifull veins of Tin, but much more re∣nowned in regard of the Lords thereof, bearing the same name, who with their vertues have equalled the ancientnesse of that House and Linage. That name in the Cornish Language came of a white Eagle, and this Family hath anciently
born for their Arms in a Shield Gules, an Aegle displayed Argent, between three Flower-deluces of the same Shield.
Falemouth-Haven is as noble as Brundusium it self in Italy: of exceed∣ing great capacity; for it is able to re∣ceive an hundred Ships, which may ride therein so apart by themselves, that out of never an one of them the top of anothers Mast can be seen: and most safe withall under the wind, by reason that it is enclosed on every side with brims of high rising banks.
The Gullet on either hand, as well for the defence and safety of the place, as for terrour to enemies, is fortified with Block-houses: to wit, the Castle of Maudit Eastward, and toward the West, the Fort Pendinaes, both built by King Henry the Eighth.
Foy a Town most renowned in for∣mer ages, for Sea fights: which the ve∣ry Arms of the Town do witnesse, as being compounded of the Cinque-ports Arms.
Padstow a pretty Market Town, so called short for Petrockstow of one Petroch a Britan, canonized a Saint
by the people: who spent his dayes here in the service of God.
Edward the Third erected Cornwall into a Dukedome, and invested Ed∣ward his Sonne, a Prince most ac∣complished with Martial Prowesse, in the yeer of Christ, 1336. Duke of Cornwall, by a Wreath on his Head, a Ring upon his Finger, and a silver Verge.
Since which time, the King of Eng∣lands eldest Sonne is reputed Duke of Cornwall by birth.
Launston the chief Town.
The Promontory named the Lands end, the most Western point of the Kingdom.
It containeth nine Hundreds, two and twenty Market Towns, an hundred sixty and one Parishes.
IT took the name of the Inhabitauts, * 1.27 who were the true and natural Bri∣tans, and called themselves in their own language Kumbri.
This Countrey although it be some∣what with the coldest, as lying farre North, and seemeth as rough by rea∣son of Hils, yet for the variety thereof it smileth upon the beholders, and gi∣veth contentment to as many as tra∣vel it.
Of all the Shires we have, it is ac∣counted the best furnished with the Ro∣man Antiquities. Burtons Comment. on Antoninus his Itin. p. 13.
At Newlands there are copper or brasse Mines. * 1.28
Skiddaw-Hill is very high.
Skiddaw, Lauvellin, and Casticand, Are the highest hils in all England. * 1.29
Solway Frith, so called of Solway a
Town in Scotland standing upon it.
Under this Burgh, within the very Frith where the salt water ebbeth and floweth, the Englishmen and Scotish, by report of the Inhabitants, fought with their Fleets at full Sea, and also with their Horsemen and Footmen at the ebbe.
Hard by the Riveret Dacor, standeth Dacre-Castle, of signal note, because it hath given surname to the honourable Family of the Barons Dacre.
Carlile. This ancient City is for∣tified with strong walls of stone, * 1.30 with a Castle, and Citadel, as they terme it.
Here begun Picts-wall, or simply by * 1.31 way of excellency, The Wall, the limit of the Roman Province, continued through this Countrey, and Northum∣berland, and ending in Walls-end.
Here are nine Market Towns, and fifty eight Parishes.
IT is a plentifull Countrey, there are many Minerals, and several kinds of Stones.
Darby is the chief Town of all this Shire, a Town of good trade.
There be five Churches in it: Of * 1.32 which the greatest named All-Hallows, dedicated to the memory of All-Saints, hath a Tower-steeple, that for height, and singular fine Workmanship excel∣leth.
They had a famous Minister there one Chappel, which was brother to him that was of Cambridge, and went after∣ward into Ireland. He did much good in Darby. When King James came thither a witty Butcher in the Town said thus to him,
Jemmy, for a Chappel and a Steeple We may compare with any people.
The Assizes are there kept for the
whole Shire, and the best nappy Ale is brewed there, in two places especially. It is the ancient and peculiar drink of the Englishmen and Britains, and very whol∣some.
Henry of Aurenches the Norman Arch-Poet to King Henry the Third, merrily jested on it in these Verses.
Nescio quid Stygiae monstrum conforme paludi, Cervisiam plerique vocant: nil spissius illa Dum bibitur, nil clarius est dum mingi∣tur, unde Constat, quod multas faeces in ventre relinquit.
Of this strange drink, so like to Sty∣gean lake, (Most terme it Ale) I wot not what to make: Folk drink it thick, and pisse it passing thin, Much dregs therfore must needs remain within.
The wealth of this Town consisteth
much of buying of Corn, and selling it again to the mountains: for all the In∣habitants are a kind of Badgers.
Thomas Linaker the famous Scholar was born here, and so was Mr. Cotton the famous Minister of Boston, and Dr. Wilmot neer it.
Chesterfield a Market Town.
The Peak (which signifieth to ap∣pear aloft) is severed from Stafford∣shire by the Dove a most swift and clear River.
It is plentifull of Lead, also Stibium or Antimony. Mill-stones likewise are here hewed out, as also Grinde-stones and Whet-stones, to give an edge un∣to iron tools. * 1.33
Under the old Castle, called the Ca∣stle in the Peak, there is a Cave or Hole within the ground, called the Devils
Arse, Devils Arse in Peak, that gapeth * 1.34 with a wide mouth, and hath in it many turnings and retiring rooms.
This Hole is reckoned one of the wonders of England.
There are several other wonders in the Peak.
Ashburn in the Peak.
There is a place called Elden-Hole, which lies two miles distant from Castle∣ton a Town in the high Peak, it is with∣in the Peak Forest, it descendeth di∣rectly down into the earth, it is about thirty yards long, and fifteen yards broad at the top of it, but is much straighter when it cometh fourty yards deep. You may see into it about sixty yards, being as farre as the light which cometh in at the mouth of the Hole will give light to see: it is fearfull to look into, being a face of rock on each side. About sixty years since one Mr. Henry Cavendish (eldest brother to Sir Charles Cavendish) who had spent all his dayes in travel, had been at Je∣rusalem, and several other parts of the world, and hearing of this place, came to it, and caused Engines to be made
or to let a man into the Hole, which being done, one George Bradley of the Peak Forest was let down in a rope fourscore yards. And then another Engine was made to let him go further, and from thence he was let down four∣score yards further, and at the end thereof a third Engine was made whereby he was let down almost four∣score yards further, at the top of the rope was fastened a Bell, which he was to ring if he could go no further, or would return back; when he was let down almost the third fourscore yards, he rung the Bell, and being drawn up, he was much affrighted, remained speechlesse for a time, and was struck with lamenesse; but after he recovered his speech, he declared, that as he de∣scended down, were bones of Deer, Sheep, and other Cattel, and also of men, and that he was affrighted, but how, or in what manner he could not tel; he lived several years, but never was in perfect memory, nor sound of his limbs.
Within the Town of Buxton, there is a Bath called Buxton-Well which cu∣reth very many Diseases. There are
two springs of water, the one within a hand breadth of the other, the one is very hot, the other cold as ice.
There are eight Market Towns, six Hundreds, and an hundred and six Pa∣rishes in this County.
A Countrey harborous on either * 1.35 side with commodious Havens, enriched with Tin-mines, especially Westward; garnished with pleasant medows, sightly with great store of woods, and passing well replenished with Towns and buildings.
There is not any place almost in all England, where the ground requireth greater charges. For in most parts thereof it groweth in manner barren, if it be not over-strewed and mingled
with a certain sand from the Sea, which is of great efficacy to procure fertility, by quickening, as it were, and giving life unto the Glebe: and therefore in places far from the shore it is bought at a dear rate.
On Teave a little River Teavistock, commonly Tavistoke fluorisheth, a Town in times past famous for the Ab∣bay there.
Of the River Plime, the Town adjoyning to it, is called Plimmouth, sometimes named Sutton.
Of late time it became of a poor fish∣er Village to be a great Town, and for the number of Inhabitants grown to that passe (as now it is to be seen) that it may be compared with a City.
Such is the commodiousnesse of the Haven, which without striking sail ad∣mitteth into the bosome thereof the tallest Ships that be, and doth harbour them very safely, and is sufficiently for∣tified against hostility.
The whole Town is divided into four Wards, governed by a Maior, ordain∣ed there by King Henry the Sixth, and
under him every Ward had in times past a Captain set over it, each of them likewise had his inferiour Offi∣cers.
The Circuit of this Town is not great, but much renowned it is among forrain Nations: and not so much for the comodious Haven, as the va∣lour of the Inhabitants in Sea-services of all sorts. From hence was Sir Fran∣cis Drake that famous Knight, and most skilfull man at Sea. In the year 1577. putting to Sea from hence, he entered into the Straits of Magellane, and in two years and ten moneths, thorow many alternative varieties of Fortune, God being his guide, and Valour his Confort, was the next after Magellae∣nus, that sailed round about the world. Whereupon, one wrote thus unto him,
Drake, peragrati novit quem terminus orbis, Quem{que} semel mundi vidit uter{que} polus. Si taceant homines, facient te sidera no∣tum, Sol nescit comit is immemòr esse sui.
Plimpton a Mercate Town, well fre∣quented.
Dertmouth a Port Town, by reason * 1.36 of the commodious Haven, defended with two Castles much frequented by Merchants, and furnished with good shipping.
Excester, so called from the River * 1.37 Isc, and by the Saxons Ex. It is a Bishops See. It is situate upon a little Hill, gently arising with an easie as∣cent to a pretty height, environed about with Ditches, and very strong Walls, and containeth in circuit a mile and an half, having Suburbs running out a great way on each side. In it there are fifteen Parish Churches, and in the very highest part thereof, neer the East-gate, a Castle called Rugemont, at this day commended for nothing else, but the antiquity and situation there∣of: For it commandeth the whole
City and Territory about it, and hath a very pleasant prospect into the Sea.
Joseph Iscanus was born here, and from hence took his surname, a Poet * 1.38 of a most excellent wit, whose writings were so well approved, as that they had equal commendation with the Works of ancient Poets. For his Poeme of the Trojan Warre was divulged once or twice in Germany under the name of Cornelius Nepos.
The Civil Government of this City is in the power of four and twenty per∣sons: out of whom there is from year to year a Maior elected; who with four Bailiffs ruleth here the State. This City hath three Dukes.
Tawstoke a very ancient Towne, * 1.39 for elegant building and frequency of people, held chiefe in all this Coast.
The Inhabitants (for the most part) are Merchants, who in France and Spain trade and traffick much. Out of
this Towns School, there issued two right learned men, and most renowned * 1.40 Divines, John Jewel Bishop of Sa∣lisbury, and Thomas Harding the pub∣lick Professour in Lovain, who most hotly contended, and wrote learnedly one against the other, concerning the truth of Religion.
This Shire containeth thirty three Hundreds, thirty seven Market Towns, three hundred and ninety four Parishes.
IT is bounded on the North-side with Somersetshire and Wiltshire, on the West with Devonshire, and some part of Somersetshire, on the East with Hampshire: On the South part, where it carrieth the greatest length, it lieth all open to the Sea.
Some say, there are within six miles compasse round about Dorchester, three hundred thousand Sheep.
It is a fruitfull soyl, and a great Ship Countrey.
Lime a little Town situate upon a deep Hill, so called of a small Ri∣ver of the same name running hard by.
Shaftsbury a Town of note.
Baurtport, or more truly Birtport, is placed between two small Rivers which there meet together. In respect of the soil yeelding the best Hemp, and skill of the people for making Ropes and Cables for Ships, it was provided by a special Statute, to remain in force for a certain set time, that Ropes for the Na∣vy of England should be twisted no where else.
Portland an Island, so called of one Port a noble Saxon, who Anno 703. infested and sore annoyed these Coasts.
Weymouth a little Town upon the mouth of Wey a small River; over against which on the other side of the Bank standeth Kings-Melcomb, divi∣ded from the other only by the Haven between.
Pool in calm weather, when the wa∣ters
are still, resembleth a Pond, whence it receiv'd its name. A Mercat Town exceeding rich and wealthy, beautified with goodly Houses.
Frau or Frome, the greatest and most famous River of all this tract.
Dorchester is the head Town of the * 1.41 whole Shire, and yet is neither great nor beautifull. It hath but three Parish Churches.
The Forest of White-Hart. When King Henry the Third came hither to hunt, and had taken other Deer, he spared a most beautifull and goodly White Hart, which afterwards T. de la Lynde a Gentleman of this Coun∣trey, with others in his company took and killed. But the King put them to a grievous Fine of money for it, and the very Lands which they held pay * 1.42 even to this day every yeer by way of Amercement a peece of money into the Exchequer, which is called White-Hart silver.
Shirburn Town or Castle is sited in * 1.43 the hanging of an Hill, a pleasant and proper seat: It is the most populous and best haunted Town of this Country,
and gaineth exceeding much by cloath∣ing.
It containeth thirty four Hundreds, eighteen Market Towns, and two hun∣dred and fourty eight Parishes.
DUresme the chief Town, in Latine * 1.44 Dunelmum, a County Palatine, and a Bishops See.
It is seated on high, it is shaped in form of an Egge.
The River Teise or Teisis, common∣ly Tees, boundeth the South part of this County.
It first beateth upon Bernard-Ca∣stle, built and so named by Ber∣nard Balliol the great Grand-fathers
Father of John Balliol King of the Scots.
Hartle-Poole a good Towne of Trade, and a safe Harbour for fish∣ing.
By the Tine there is situate a memo∣rable Town called Gateshead, or Goates∣head: The common people think it is farre more ancient than New-Castle it∣self.
This name was given unto this place by occasion of some Inne that had a Goats-head for the Sign.
Jarrow, the native soil of venerable Bede.
Thomas Wolsey Cardinal, who in his high prosperity wanted nothing but moderation, and Cuthbert Tun∣stall, who for singular knowledge in the best Sciences, sincere holinesse of life, a singular Ornament to his native Countrey, were Bishops of Durham.
A Countrey large in compasse, * 1.45 fruitfull, full of Woods, plen∣tifull of Saffron, and very wealthy: encircled, as it were, on the one side with the main Sea, on the other with Fish-full Rivers, which also do afford their peculiar Commodities in great abundance.
The Air is temperate and pleasant, only towards the waters somewhat agu∣ish, insomuch that in one Hundred they will ask a stranger merrily, Whether the Bayliff of the Hundred hath yet arrest∣ed him.
Waltham Forest of the Town Wal∣tham. It was stored very full with Deer, that for their bignesse and fat∣nesse withall, have the name above all other.
Rochford, it hath given name to an Hundred. It is aguish.
Rumford, the glory whereof de∣pendeth
on a Swine Mercat.
Brent-wood a Mercat Town.
Engerstone a Town of note for no∣thing else but the Mercat and Innes for travellers.
Chensford a good big Town situate in the heart of the Shire between two Rivers: Of note onely for the As∣sizes.
Cogeshall a Mercate Town.
Maldon for the number of the Inha∣bitants, * 1.46 and the bignesse, it is worthi∣ly counted one of the principal Towns in all Essex, and in Records named, The Burgh of Maldon. It is a Haven commodious enough, and for the big∣nesse very well inhabited, being but one especial street descending much about a mile in length, upon the ridg of an Hill answerable to the terminati∣on of Dunum, which signified an hilly and high situation.
Colchester a proper and fine Bur∣rough, * 1.47 well traded, and pleasantly seat∣ed,
as being situate upon the brow of an Hill, stretching out from West to East, walled about, beautified with se∣veral Churches, some of which were lately demolished.
The Inhabitants affirm, that Flavia Julia Helena the Mother of Constan∣tine the Great was borne and bred there.
Harewich a most safe Road, whence it hath the name. The Town is not great, but well peopled, fortified by Art and Nature.
Walden of Saffron * 1.48 called Saffron Walden, among the fields looking mer∣rily with most lovely Saffron. A very good Mercat Town.
Here Sir Thomas Smith, Secretary to Queen Elizabeth, a wise and learned man was born.
Audley-end, a magnificent House built by the Earl of Suffolk, where there is a spacious and very broad Gal∣lery.
Barrington-Hall, where dwelleth
that right ancient Family of the Ba∣ringtons.
Lees-Abbey now the Seat of the right Honourable Lord Rich, Baron Lees, and Earl of Warwick.
It contains twenty Hundreds, one and twenty Market Towns, and four hundred and fifteen Parishes.
ON the West-side butteth on Mon∣mouthshire and Herefordshire; on the North on Worcestershire; on the East upon Warwickshire and Oxfordshire both; on the South with Somersetshire.
A pleasant Countrey, and fruitfull in Corn, Wooll, Apples and Pears, and Severn full of Salmon.
Commonly through all Glocestershire there is good plenty of Corn, Pasture and Wood, saving in Coteswold, where the great flocks of Sheep be, and yet in some places there groweth fair Corn. Lelands Itinerary.
Forest of Dean, or Dean-Forest was * 1.49 wholly bespread with thick tall Wood.
It is between two navigable Rivers Wie and Severn.
It was a wonderfull thick Forest, and in former ages so dark and terri∣ble, by reason of crooked and winding wayes, as also the grisly shade therein, that it made the Inhabitants more fierce, and bolder to commit robbe∣ries. Since that rich Mines of Iron were here found out, those thick woods began to wax thinne by little and little.
Tewksbury. It is a great and fair Town, having three Bridges to passe over, standing upon three Rivers, fa∣mous for the best Mustard. One may carry it in bals a long way.
Glocester the head City of this * 1.50 Shire.
It lieth stretched out in length over Severne: on that side where it is not watered with the River, it hath in some places a very strong Wall for defence. A proper and fine City both for number of Churches, and for the buildings.
Above the Quire, in an Arch of this Church, there is a Wall built in forme of a Semi-circle full of Corners, with such an artificial devise, that if a man speak with never so low a voice at the one part thereof, and ano∣ther lay his ear to the other being a good way distant, he may also hear eve∣ry syllable.
Cotswold, it took its name of Woulds and Cotes, that is Hils and Sheep∣folds.
Here feed in great numbers, flocks of Sheep long necked, and square of bulk and bone, by reason of the hilly and large situation of their pasturage: whose Wooll being most fine and soft is had in passing great account among all Nations.
Barkly honoured with a Castle, whereof the Lord Barklies are enti∣tuled.
Camden a Mercat Town well peo∣pled, and of good resort. Near unto it standeth Weston, where there is a fair House which maketh a goodly shew, built by Ralph Sheldon for him and his posterity.
Hales in late time a most flourishing Abbey, and deserving commendation for breeding up of Alexander of Hales a great Clerk, and so deeply learned above all others in that subtil Divinity of the Schoolmen, as he carried away the surname of Doctor Irrefr agabilis, the Doctor ungain said, as he that could not be gain-said.
Winchelcomb a great Town, and well inhabited.
Cyrencester a famous Mercat Town, both for Corn upon the Monday, and for Wooll and Yarn on the Friday.
Bibery. There is a spring under the side of a Hill which is so forcible, that it serves to drive a Mill about a stones cast from it.
Strowd, whence the name of Strowd∣water, where are multitudes of rich Clothiers, fair building, and famous al∣so for dying of Cloaths, by reason of the nature of the water.
It containeth thirty Hundreds, two hundred and eighty Parishes.
ON the West it hath Dorsetshire and Wiltshire; on the South the Ocean to bound it: on the East it joyneth to Sussex and Surrey, and on the North it bordereth upon Barkshire.
A small Province it is, fruitful in Corn, rich in plenteous Pasture, and for all com∣modities of sea most wealthy and happy.
Wools, Cloathes and Iron are the general Commodities of this Shire.
Ringwood a well frequented Mercat Town.
New-Forest. King William of Nor∣mandy pulled downe all the Townes, * 1.51 Villages, Houses, and Churches farre and neare, cast out the poore Inhabitants, and when he had so done, brought all within thir∣ty miles compasse, or thereabout, into a Forest and Harbour for wilde Beasts.
Hurst-Castle commandeth Seaward every where.
South-hanton a Town populous, rich * 1.52 and beautifull, from whom the whole Shire deriveth her name.
Andover.
Winchester * 1.53 in Latin Wintonia; a Ci∣ty flourishing even in the Romans times.
It is indifferently well peopled and frequented, having plenty of water, by reason of the River conveyed divers wayes into it; it containeth about a mile and half in circuit within the Wals: which open at six Gates, and have eve∣ry one of them their Suburbs reaching forth without a good way. It is adorn∣ed with magnificent Churches, and a Bishops See. There is a fair Colledge which William Wickham Bishop of this See, built for a School, out of which, both for Church and Commonwealth, there ariseth a most plentifull increase of right learned men.
In this Colledge, one Warden, ten Fellows, two Schoolmasters, three∣score and ten Scholars, with divers others are plentifully maintained.
Potesmouth, that is, the mouth of the Haven. A place always in time of warre well frequented. It is fortified with a Wall made of Timber, and the same well covered over with thick Banks of earth: There is nothing wanting that a man would require in a most strong and fenced place. Of the Garison Souldi∣ers, some keep watch and ward both night and day at the Gates: Others upon the Tower of the Church, who by the ringing or sound of a Bell give warning how many Horse or Foot are coming, and by putting forth a Ban∣ner shew from what Quarter they come.
Basing stoke a Mercat Town well fre∣quented.
Basing is near it, the Seat of the Mar∣quesses of Winchester.
Odiam a Borough corporate, belong∣ing in times past to the Bishop of Win∣chester.
William Lilie the great Grammarian
was born here. He was the first Master of Pauls School.
There are in this Shire two hun∣dred and fifty three Parishes, eigh∣teen Market Towns, and forty Hun∣dreds.
To this County of Southampton be∣longeth the Isle of Wight, Vecta, or Vectis Insula.
This Isle, between East and West in * 1.54 an old form, stretcheth out twenty miles in length; and spreadeth in the midst, which is broadest, twelve miles. So Camden.
Leland saith, it is ten miles broad.
The Ground (to say nothing of the Sea full of Fish) consisteth of a very fruitfull soil, it breeds every where store of Coneys, Hares, Partridges and Pheasants. It hath one little Forest, and two Parks replenished with Deer, for game and hunting pleasure. Through the midst thereof runnes a long tract of Hils, yeelding plenty of
Pasture and Forrage for Sheep. The Wooll of which, next unto that of Lemster and Cotteswold, is esteem∣ed best, and in special request with Clothiers, whereby there groweth to the Inhabitants much gaine and profit.
There are thirty six Towns, Villa∣ges, and Castles: which for Ecclesia∣stical Jurisdiction belonged to the Bi∣shop of Winchester, and for Civil Go∣vernment to the County of South-hanton.
It armeth four thousand men exerci∣sed by their Captains.
The Inhabitants of this Isle were wont merrily to make their boast, That their case was happier than all others, because they had neither hooded Monks, nor cavilling Lawyers, nor yet crafty Foxes.
Newport is the principal Mercat Town of the whole Isle.
Caresbrook an old Castle is in the ve∣ry heart and midst of the Isle.
Brading a Mercat Town.
Newton and Yarmouth have their Maiors, and send Burgesses to the Parlia∣ment.
Sauham-Castle.
The Inhabitants of the Isle being naturally most warlike, bold and ad∣venturous, are through the diligence and care of the Captain of the Isle, confirmed so by continual exercise in strength and military Discipline, that they exactly know before-hand with their Peeces to shoot point-blank, and not misse the Mark, to keep their ranks, to march orderly and in ray, to cast their squadrons, if need be, close into a ring, to display and spread the same at large, to take pains, to runne and ride, to endure both Sunne and dust, and fully to performe whatsoever warfare doth re∣quire.
Of these Souldiers thus trained, the Isle it self is able to bring forth into the field four thousand: and at the instant for all assayes appointed, there are three thousand more of most expert and pra∣ctised Souldiers out of Hantshire, and two thousand beside out of Wiltshire, to be ever prest and in readinesse for the defence of the Isle.
That all hostile Forces whatsoever
might be withstood more speedily and with greater facility, the whole Coun∣trey is divided into eleven parts, and every of them hath their several Cen∣toner or Centurion, their Vinton also, Leaders (as it were) of twenty, their great peeces of Ordnance, their Senti∣nels and Warders, who keep Watch and Ward at the Beacons standing on the higher grounds: their Posts also or Runners, whom by an old name, grown almost out of use, they terme still Hoblers, who presently give intel∣ligence of all occurrents to the Captain and Governour of the Isle.
Vespasian was the first that brought it into subjection, whiles he served as a private person under Claudius Caesar.
This Isle had a noble Family, named * 1.55 De Insula, or Lisle, out of which in the Reign of King Edward the Second, one was summoned unto the Parliament by the name of Sir John Lisle, of the Isle of Wight.
THis County lieth round in com∣passe, * 1.56 as it were a Circle, it is bounded on the East-side with Worcester and Glocestershire; on the South with Monmouthshire; on the West-side with Radnoc and Brecknotshire; and on the North with Shropshire.
For three W. W. W. Wheat, Wooll and Water * 1.57 it yeeldeth to no Shire of England.
This Countrey is reputed the Orch∣ard of England. From the greatest persons to the poorest cottager, all ha∣bitations are encompassed with Orch∣ards and Gardens; and in most places the hedges are enriched with rows of Fruit-trees, Pears or Apples, Gennet∣moyles, or Crab-trees. Worcestershire is more proper for Pears and Cherries; Herefordshire for Apples.
Herefordshire Orchards, a Patern for all England. By J. B.
Bradwardin-Castle gave both origi∣nal and name to that famous Thomas Bradwardin Archbishop of Canterbury, who for his variety of knowledge, and profound Learning, was in that age ter∣med, The profound Doctor.
Hereford is the chief City of the * 1.58 Shire, it is seated among most pleasant Medows, and as plentifull Corn-fields, compassed almost round about with Rivers. On the North-side and the West with one that hath no name; on the South-side with Wye, which hasten∣eth hither out of Wales.
Lemster upon the River Lug. The greatest name and fame that it hath at this day is of the Wooll in the Territo∣ries round about it, (Lemster Ore they call it) which setting aside that of Apu∣lia and Tarentum all Europe counteth to be the very best.
Where lives the man so dull, on Britains furthest shore, To whom did never sound the name of Lemster Ore: That with the Silk-worms web for smal∣nesse doth compare:
Wherein, the winder shews his workman∣ship so rare. As doth the Fleece excell, and mocks her looser clew; As neatly bottom'd up as Nature forth it drew; Of each in high'st accompt, and rec∣koned here as fine, As there th' Appulian Fleece, or dainty Tarentyne. Draytons Polyolbion 7th Song.
In Apulia and the upper Calabria of Italy, the Wool hath been famous for finest excellence: insomuch that for preserving it from the injury of earth, bushes and weather, the Shepherds used to clothe their Sheep with skins; and indeed was so chargeable in these and other kind of pains about it, that it scarce requites the cost.
Seld. Illustrat. of Drayt. Polyolb.
Brameyard upon the River Frome.
Ledbury under Malvern-Hils.
It is also so renowned for Wheat and Bread of the finest Flour, that Lemster Bread, and Weabley Ale are grown unto a common Proverb. By reason of these
Commodities the Mercates at Lemster were so frequented, that they of Here∣ford and Worcester, complaining, that the confluence of people thither impair∣ed their Mercates, procured that by Royal Authority the Mercat day was changed.
There are an hundred and seventy six Parishes, eight Market Towns, and an eleven Hundreds in this County.
FAmous for a good Air, and fair Houses of Gentlemen, and Wheat.
It lieth on the East, and partly on the South-side of Bedfordshire: The West-side is enclosed with Bedfordshire and Buckinghamshire: the South with Middlesex, the East with Essex, and the North with Cambridgeshire.
A rich Countrey in Corn, Fields, Pastures, Medows, Woods, Groves, and clear Riverets. There is scarcely
another Shire in all England that can shew more good Towns in so small a compasse.
In Ware in this County, there is
Roiston a Town well known, it is very famous, and passing much frequent∣ed for Malt.
It parts four Shires, Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire and Hunting∣tonshire.
Ashwell, The Well or Fountain among the ashes, where there is a source of the springs bubling out of a stony bank overshadowed on every side with tall ashes, from whence there floweth at certain Veins, continually running such store of water, that forthwith being carried within banks, it carrieth a stream able to drive a Mill, and all of a sud∣den, as it were, groweth to a good big River.
Whethamssed a Town plentifull in Wheat, whence it took its name;
which place John of Whethamsted there born, and thereof named, a man in King Henry the Sixth his dayes much renowned by his due desert of learning, made of more estimation.
Bishops-Hatfield in times past belong∣ing to the Bishops of Ely, whence it * 1.59 was named Bishops-Hatfield, which John Morton Bishop of Ely re-edified. The Earle of Salisbury hath an House there.
There were seven Parks in the Man∣nor of Hatfield.
Hertford, it hath given name to the whole County, and is reputed the Shire Town, it is ancient.
Hodesdon a fair thorow fare.
Saint-Albans. It was famous for no∣thing * 1.60 so much as bringing forth Alban a Citizen of singular holinesse and faith in Christ, who when Dioclesian went about by exquisite torments to wipe Christian Religion quite out of the memory of men, was the first in Bri∣tain that with invincible constancy and resolution suffered death for Christ his sake. Whereupon he is called our Ste∣phen, and the Protomartyr of Britain.
Fortunatus Presbyter the Poet wrote thus of him,
Albanum egregium faecunda Britannia profert.
Fruitfull Britain bringeth forth Alban a Martyr of high worth.
The Abbey of St. Albans was the * 1.61 first of England, whether because A∣drian the Fourths Father called Break∣spear was Monk there, or from Saint Alban himself Proto-martyr of Eng∣land.
This Town was raised out of the ruins of Verolamium, it is a fair and large Town.
Redborne or Red water is seat∣ed upon that common and military high-way, which we call Watling-street.
Hamsted a little Mercat Town cal∣led Hehan Hamsted situate among the the Hils by a Riveret-side.
Kings-Langley, in which was born, and thereof tooke name, Edmund Langley King Edward the Third his
Sonne, and Duke of York.
Over against Kings-Langley, in a manner, there is Abbots-Langley, so called, because it belonged to the Ab∣bots of St. Albanes: wherein was born Nicholas surnamed Breakspear, after∣wards Bishop of Rome, known by the name of Pope Hadrian the fourth, whose breath was stopped in the end with a Flie that flew into his mouth.
Watford a Mercat Town.
Welwen. Here the murder of the Danes began, when they were general∣ly murdered; and it was so called, be∣cause the weal of that Countrey (as was then thought) was there first wone. But who well considers the sequele of the story, shall find little weal that ensued of this deed. Graftons Chron.
Rickemausworth also a Mercat Town.
Caishobery. Here Sir Richard Meri∣sin Knight, a great learned man, and who had been used in Embassages to the mightiest Princes under King Henry the Eighth, and King Edward the Sixth
began to build an House, which Sir Charles his Sonne finished.
Bernet famous for the Beast Mercat there kept.
This County hath an hundred and twenty Parishes, eight Hundreds, and eighteen Market Towns.
IT confineth Northward and East∣ward upon Cambridgeshire, South∣ward upon Bedfordshire, Westward up∣on Northamptonshire.
A Countrey good for Corn and Til∣lage: and toward the East, where it is fenny, very right and plentifull for the feeding of Cattel: elswhere right plea∣sant, by reason of rising Hils and shady Groves.
Kimbolton.
Saint-Neots, commonly called Saint-Needs, so named of one Neotus, a man both learned and holy; who travailed all his life time in propagating of Chri∣stian Religion.
Ainsbury, it was named Ainulphsbu∣ry of one Almulph likewise, an holy and devout man, which name continu∣eth still also in one part of it.
Huntingdon, in the publick Seale Huntersdune, Leland cals it Venanto∣dunum, the Hill or down of Hunters. This is the chief Town of all this Shire, to which it hath given also the name.
Godmanchester a very great Coun∣trey Town, and of as great name for Tillage; situate in an open ground, of a light mould, and bending for the Sunne. There is not a Town in all England which hath more stout and lu∣sty Husbandmen, or more Ploughs a going: For, they make their boast that they have in former time received the Kings of England, as they passed in their progresse this way, with nine∣score Ploughs, brought forth in a rustical kinde of pomp, for a gallant shew.
When King James came first into England, here the Bailiffs of the Town presented him with seventy Teem of Horses, all traced to fair new Ploughs, in shew of their Husbandry, of which
when his Majesty demanded the reason, he was answered, That it was their an∣cient Custome, whensoever any King of England passed thorow their Town, * 1.62 so to present him. Besides they added, That they held their Lands by that Te∣nure, being the Kings Tenants. His Majesty took it well, and bad them use well their Ploughes, being glad he was Land-lord of so many good Husband∣men in one Town.
Saint-Ives of Ivo a Persian Bishop, who (as they write) about the year of Christ 600, travelled thorow England, preached diligently the Word of God, and to this Town, wherein he left this life, left also his name.
Ramsey a wealthy Abbey.
In this little Shire are numbred se∣venty eight Parishes, four Hundreds, and six Market Towns.
THis name Cantium, and the name Kent, was given by reason of the form and situation. The Helvetian Countreys were called by the French Cantons. This Countrey by the old Geographers is called Angulus, an an∣gle, or corner of Land. Or of the Bri∣tish word Cainc, they call their great woody Forest in Staffordshire yet * 1.63 Kanc.
It is the pleasantest Countrey of England.
This Region extendeth it self in length from West to East fifty miles; and from South to North six and twenty.
The upper part of it, they say is healthfull, but not so wealthy: the middle they account both healthfull and plentifull: the lower they hold to be wealthy, but not healthy; as which
for a great part thereof is very moist.
It is every where almost full of Me∣dows, Pastures and Corn-fields: a∣bounding wonderfully in Apple-trees, and Cherry-trees also: the Trees are planted after a direct manner one against another by square, most pleasant to be∣hold.
It hath Villages and Towns exceed∣ing thick and well peopled, safe Rodes and sure Harbours for Ships, with some veins of Iron and Marle: but the Air is somewhat thick, and somewhere foggy, by reason of vapours arising out of the waters.
The Revenues of the Inhabitants are greater both by the fertility of the soil,
and also by the neighbourhood of a great City, of a great River, and the main Sea.
This County is enriched with two Cities and Bishops Seas, strengthened with twenty seven Castles, graced with four of the Kings Houses, traded with four and twenty Market Towns, and beautified with many stately Build∣ings.
Camden in Kent, pag. 324. saith, The Kentishmen had priviledge to leade the Van in all Battels for their valour shewed against the Danes.
Amongst our old English the Kentish∣men had the honour due to them al∣wayes of being in the Vant-guard, and those of Wiltshire, with Corn∣wall and Devonshire in the Rere, which they all might challenge by the con∣tinuall worth of their performance. Mr. Seldens Preface to his Titles of Ho∣nour.
The Sueuians had anciently preroga∣tive, In omni expeditione Regis Teuto∣nici, exercitum praecedere, & primi committere. Id. ib.
The meaning of that common Pro∣verb,
Kent and Christendome, was, that it * 1.64 was famous as Kent, and famous as Chri∣stendom.
This was the first of the Kingdoms of the Heptarchy, and no one Coun∣ty of England had a King of it self, but this.
They are the most civilized people of the Nation.
It is plentifull of Fowl and Fish of all sorts. Fertile Lands, Fruit, Grain, Wood.
When William the Conquerour came in, the Yeomanry of Kent at Suaves-comb, carrying before them in their hands, every one a great green Bough, representing afarre off a mo∣ving Wood, yeelded them unto Willi∣am * 1.65 the Conquerour, upon this condi∣tion, that they might retain their anci∣ent Customs unviolated, and especially that which they call Gavelkind, that is, Give all kinne, by which they are not so bound by Copy-hold, Customary∣tenures, or Tenant-right, as in other parts of England, but in manner every man is a Free-holder, and hath some part of his own to live upon.
For Lands of this nature are equally divided among the Male children, or if there be no Sonnes, among the Daugh∣ters. By vertue of this also, they are at full age, and enter upon their Inheri∣tance when they come to be fifteen years old: and it is lawfull for them to alienate and make it over to any one, either by Gift, or by Sale, without the Lords consent. By this likewise, the Sonne (though their Parents were * 1.66 condemned for Felony or Murder) suc∣ceeds them neverthelesse in such kind of Lands.
After this, William the Conquerour, that he might more firmly assure to himself Kent, which is the very Key of England, placed a Constable over Dover-Castle, the most important Ca∣stle of England, and according to the ancient order of the Romans, made him also Lord Warden of the Cinque-Ports. These be they, Hastings, Dover, Hith, Rumney and Sandwich, unto which, Winchelsey and Rie are joyned, as prin∣cipal * 1.67 Ports, and other small Towns as
Members. Which because they are bound to serve in the Warres by Sea, enjoy many great immunities: they are free from paiment of Subsidies; and from Wardship of their children, as touching the body, they are not sued in any Court, but within their own Towns; and of the Inhabitants there∣in, such as they call Barons, at the Co∣ronation of Kings and Queens support the Canopies over them, yea, and have a Table by themselves that day spread, and furnished on the Kings right hand. And the Lord Warden himself, who is alwayes one of the Nobility of most approved trust, hath within his Juris∣diction the Authority of Chan∣cellour and Admirall in very many cases, and enjoyeth other rights be∣sides.
Depe-ford a most famous Ship-dock, where the Kings Ships are built, and such as are decayed, repaired: there is also a good Store-house, and an Incorporation ordained for the use of the Navy.
Green-wich, that is, the Green-Creek, for the Creek of a River in
the old English tongue was called Wic.
A place of very great name by rea∣son of the Kings House there, and be∣cause Queen Elizabeth was here borne.
Barclay the Scot in his Icon animo∣rum, commends Green-wich Tower for one of the best Prospects in Europe, to see London on the one side, the Thames, Ships, and pleasant Medows on the other:
Eltham a retiring place likewise of the Kings, but unwholsome by reason of the Moor.
Seven-oke, so called (as men say) of seven exceeding great Oaks now cut down. Which commendeth Sir Wil∣liam Sevenok an Alderman of London, who being a foundling and brought up here; and therefore so named, built herein gratefull remembrance an Hos∣pital and a School.
Dartford upon the River Darent, a great Mercat Town well frequented, and well watered.
Graves-end, so called, as the Gere∣ves-end; that is, the limit of the Gere∣ve
or Reve. A Town as well known as any other in England, for the usual passage by water between it and Lon∣don. Henry the Eight raised two Block-houses here, and two other opposite on Essex-side.
Tunbridge the Town of Bridges.
Maidstone the Shire Town: a large, fair, sweet and populous Town.
Rochester may glory in her im∣pregnable Fortification by the Navy Royal.
Rochester signifies as much as Castrum * 1.68 in rupe, the Camp or Station on the Rock. All places ending in Chester arise from the ruines of the old Romane Castra. Burt. Comment. on Antoninus Itin. through Brit.
The Island Shepey, or the Isle of Sheep: It feedeth mighty great Floks of Sheep; it is plentifull in Corn, but scarce of Woods, containeth twenty one miles in compasse.
Queen-Borough-Castle, King Ed∣ward the Third built it, and so named it in honour of his Queen.
Tenham the Parent (as it were) of all the choise fruit Gardens and Or∣ards
of Kent, and the most large and delightsome of them. Thirty Parishes thereabout, are replenished with Cher∣ry-gardens, and Orchards beautifully disposed in direct lines.
As for Orchards of Apples and Gar∣dens of Cheries, and those of most de∣licious and exquisite kinds that can be, no part of the Realm (that I know) hath them either in such quantity and number, or with such art and industry set and planted. Lamb. Perambulat. of Kent.
Amongst these is Feversham very commodiously situate.
Reculver of name for the salt savou∣ry Oisters there dregged, and for a Min∣ster.
The Oisters here do as farre surpasse those of Whitstaple, as these do the rest of this Shire in savoury saltnesse. Lamb Perambul of Kent.
Canterbury * 1.69 the chief City of this County, ancient and famous no doubt * 1.70 in the Romans time.
The Archbishop of Canterbury was called Totius Angliae Primas; the Arch∣bishop of York, Angliae Primas; with∣out any further addition.
Anselme (for recompence of the ser∣vice he had done in oppugning the mar∣riage of Priests, and resisting the King for the investiture of Clerks) was by Pope Urbane endowed with this accessi∣on of honour, that he and his Succes∣sours, should from thenceforth have place in all General Councels, at the Popes right foot, who then said withall, Includemus hunc in orbe nostro, tanquam alterius orbis Papam.
Canterbury is one of the famousest Cities in England: It hath had a rare * 1.71 Cathedral, though now much ruina∣ted by reason of these later times.
The Cathedral is in the midst of the City, a fair Church, the body of which is within a little as large as Pauls in London; between the body and the Quire a very high Steeple, where hang∣eth a Bell, called by the name of Bell-Harry, being one of them which King Henry brought out of France. There is also in this Steeple four Spires much
like to Sepulchres in London. There is on each side of the great West∣gate two other Steeples, the one cal∣led Dunston-steeple, the other, Ar∣nold-steeple, in each of which are a very pleasant ring of Bels. In the same Cathedral there was the famous∣est Window that ever was known in England, for which there was offered (as some say) by the Spanish Em∣bassadour 10000lb, being the whole History of Christ from his Nativity to his Sufferings, but is now battered to pieces. In the Quire of this Cathe∣dral is buried Prince Edward, called the Black Prince, whose Monument is there of brasse.
The Dean and Prebends had very fair Houses within the bounds of the said Cathedral, which was like a little City, and so much power formerly, that the Maiors Sword was not suf∣fered to be held up within the Gates of the Deanry. There is underneath this Cathedral a great Congregation of French living in the City; and the Dutch also have a Church in that place which was called the Bishops Pa∣lace.
Within the bounds of the said Dean∣ry there is a free School, called, The Kings School, wherein are two Ma∣sters, and many Scholars (formerly wearing Gowns) that are there brought up, and many from thence sent to the University. There was one School∣master * 1.72 some years before he died, af∣firmed, he had had thirty seven Masters of Arts of his bringing up.
There are many Churches in the Ci∣ty and Suburbs.
There are two Markets a week.
The Maior and Aldermen are cloa∣thed in Scarlet, and they keep the Sessions in the same City. The City is walled, and hath a Mote about it, the Wall being so broad that two or three men may go a-brest, with gal∣lant Watch houses, called Citadels, all built with flint-stone.
There was an old Castle, but it hath been for many years demolished, and some of the Works (or Forts) are yet standing, that were when the Danes came in, one or two of which were made use of when the last rising was there.
There are two Hospitals in the City, one for Ancient people, and the other for Children.
The Isle of Thanet, it is eight miles long, and four broad, a right fertile soil.
Goodwin-Sands a sandy dangerous place.
In the Reign of William the Second, certain Lands in Kent, which did once * 1.73 belong to Godwin Earl of Kent, were overflowed and covered with sand, which to this day do bear the name of Godwins Sands.
See Kilburns Survey of Kent, pag. 262, 263. How Tenterden Steeple was said to be the cause of Goodwins Sands.
Sandwich one of the Cinque Ports.
Dover. The Town is seated be∣tween high Cliffs, more famous for * 1.74 the commodiousnesse of the Haven, (such as it is) and for ready passage in∣to France, then for any elegance or great trade.
There is a most stately Castle like unto a pretty City, fortified strongly with Bulwarks, and many a Tow∣er.
It is the strongest hold of all Eng∣land, and most commodious for the French.
Sandgate-Castle, and Satlwood, a Castle.
Hith, it signifies an Haven or Harbour, one of the Cinque Ports.
Rumney-marsh a fruitfull soil, it feed∣eth a number of Herds of Cattel sent * 1.75 hither from the furthest parts of Wales, and England to be fatted.
There is at Bilsington a Priory built by John Maunsel.
Weaver in his Funeral Monuments saith, He saw a Pedigree of the Maun∣sels from Philip de Maunsel, who
came in with the Conquerour, untill these our times.
Wie. Here was born John Kemp Archbishop of Canterbury, and one of the great Benefactors to the University of Oxford.
He was Bishop of Rochester, Chiche∣ster and London, Archbishop of York first, and afterward of Canterbury, twice made Cardinal.
Bis primas, ter Praeses, & bis Cardine functus.
This Province hath three hundred ninety eight Parishes, and sixty four Hundreds.
IT is a large, populous and well wood∣ed Countrey.
The County Palatine of Lancaster (famous for the four Henries, the Fourth, Fifth, Sixth and Seventh
Kings of England, derived from John Gaunt Duke of Lancaster) is upon the South confined and parted by the River Mersey, from the County Palatine of Chester, the County of Darbyshire bordering upon the East; the large Countrey of Yorkshire, together with Westmerland and Cumberland, being her kind neighbours upon the North, and the Sea called Mare Hibernicum im∣bracing her upon the West.
Their Kine and Oxen have goodly Heads and fair spread Hornes, and are in body well proportionate withall.
Warringdon.
Rochdale a Mercate Town well fre∣quented.
Manchester, a Town of great anti∣quity, from Main a British word which signifieth a Stone: It is seated upon a stony hill, and beneath the Town, there are most famous quarries of stone.
It farre excelleth the Towns lying round about it, for the beautifull shew it carrieth, for resort unto it, and for cloathing: in regard also of the Mer∣cate
place, the fair Church and Col∣ledge.
John Bradford the famous Martyr was born here.
Letherpool or Lirpool, so named of the water spreading it self in manner of a Pool: whence there is a convenient passage over into Ireland, and much fre∣quented, and in that respect more noto∣rious than for any antiquity.
Ocmeskirk a Mercate Town, well known by reason of the Sepulture there, of the Stanleys Earls of Derby, whose chief seat Latham, is hard by, a stately house.
Wiggin a Corporation with a Maior and Burgesses.
Bolton upon the River Irwell.
Preston a great fair Town, and well * 1.76 inhabited.
Hornby a fair Castle.
Lancaster the chief Town of this * 1.77 Region.
There are thirty six Parishes in this Shire, but those very populous and spa∣cious, six Hundreds, and fifteen Market Towns.
IT hath bordering upon it on the East-side, both Rutlandshire and Lincolnshire; on the North Notingham and Derbyshire; and Warwickshire on the West; and on the South-side lieth Northampton.
The whole Shire yeeldeth great abundance of Peas and Beans more than any other Country, insomuch that there is an old by-word of the same, common∣ly known to all men, viz. Leicester∣shire Bean-Belly.
Burtons Descript. of Leicestershire.
The South-East-side of this Shire is exceeding rich ground, yeelding great increase of Corn in abundance of all kinds, & affordeth many good and large Sheep-Pastures, breeding a Sheep to that height and goodnesse; so that (as I have credibly heard) neither Lemster nor Cotswould, can exceed them, if one respect either largenesse of the body,
finenesse of the Wooll, or goodnesse of the breed. Id. ib.
Leicester standeth upon the River Leire, now called Sore, it signifies the City standing upon the River Leir. It is a Town of great antiquity, and stand∣eth in the center and heart of the Shire, bearing the proportion of an heart, and being in the very midst and heart of the Land.
It is situate in a most rich, delicate and pleasant soyl, and delicious air; it wants only a navigable River.
Harborow a Town famous for a Fair of Cattel there kept.
Carleton, all that are born there, whe∣ther it be by a peculiar property of the * 1.78 soyl, or of the water; or else by some other secret operation of nature, have * 1.79 an ill favoured, untunable, and harsh manner of speech, fetching their words with very much ado, deep from out of the throat, with a certain kind of whar∣ling.
Lutterworth a Mercat Town, it hath * 1.80 a fair Church. That famous John Wic∣liffe was sometimes parson of this Church, a man of a singular, polite,
and well wrought wit, most conversant also in the holy Scripture.
Neer to this Town there is a Spring so call'd, that within a short time turneth straws and sticks into stones.
Cathorp. It came to one Cook, a Mer∣chant of the Staple in the time of Henry the Fourth, whose Daughter and Heir was married to William Harper of Ru∣shall in the County of Stafford, and from thence by descent, to Leigh. It was not many years since belonging to Sir Edward Leigh of Rushall.
Burtons Descript. of Leicestershire.
Hinkley.
Burton-Lazers, so called from a fa∣mous Hospital, which was there found∣ed for the use of Leprous people, to whose Master all the lesser houses of that kind were subordinate, as he him∣self was to the Master of the Lazers at Hierusalem.
Bosworth, an ancient Mercat Town. Here Henry Earl of Richmond with a small power, encountred in pitch-field with King Richard the Third, and over∣came and slew him, and then with joy∣full acclamations was proclaimed King
in the very midst of slaughtered bodies round about.
Ashby de la Zouch, a most pleasant * 1.81 Lordship now of the Earls of Hunting∣don, but belonging in times past to the noble Family De la Zouch.
Cole-Overton or Orton, famous for Pit-coal. It is so called of the Cole∣mines which are there in great abun∣dance.
Mount-Sorehill, famous only for a Mercat there kept.
Lough-borough a Mercat Town, next Town to Leicester in this Shire: whe∣ther a man regard the bignesse or build∣ing thereof, or the pleasant Woods about it.
Melton-Mowbray a Mercat Town, bearing name of the Mowbrayes some∣times Lords thereof.
Within this Shire are two hundred Parish Churches, six Hundreds, and twelve Market Towns.
A Very large Countrey, reaching * 1.82 almost threescore miles in length, and carrying in some places above thirty miles in bredth: passing good for yeeld∣ing of Corn, and feeding of Cattel; well furnished and set out with a great number of Towns, and watered with many Rivers.
The Diocesse here is the largest of England.
After three Bishopricks were taken out of it, it containeth four whole Counties, and parts of two, usually thus exprest, it had under it two Bs, two Hs, two Ls.
The whole Shire is divided into three * 1.83 parts, whereof one is called Holland: a second Kesteuen; and the third Lind∣sey.
Crowland or Croyland, a raw and muddy Land, as Ingulph the Abbot of * 1.84 this place interprets it, a Town former∣ly
of good note among the Fenne-peo∣ple. It is seated like unto Venice. In the Moneth of August, they have some∣times spread a Net, and at once drawn three thousand Mallards: and they use to term these Pools or watery Plots of theirs their Corn-fields. In regard of this their taking of Fish and Fowl, they paid yearly in times past to the Abbot three hundred pounds of our money, and after so much to the Crown.
Spalding a fair Town, enclosed round about with Riverets.
Boston a famous Town, standing on * 1.85 both sides of the River Witham, which hath over it a wooden Bridge of a great heigth, well frequented by means of a commodious Haven unto it: the Mar∣ket place is fair and large, and the * 1.86 Church maketh a goodly shew, as well for the beautifull building as the great∣nesse thereof: the Tower-steeple of it, which riseth up to a mighty height, doth salute passengers and travellers a great way off, and giveth direction also to the Sailers.
In the Coat of Boston for the Corpo∣ration there are three Crowns relating
to the three Kingdoms, the Crest a Ramme lying upon a Wool-sack, the Ram signifying the great Sheep-walks in the fens round about, and the Wool-sack, that it was a Staple-town. The Supporters of the Coat are two Mare∣maids, signifying, that it is a Port-Town.
Stanford, it was built of rough stone, whence it hath the name.
A Town well peopled, and of great resort, endowed also with sundry im∣munities, and walled about. It is * 1.87 beautified with seven Parish Churches, or thereabout, and sheweth an old Ho∣spital.
Belvoir or Beauvoir-Castle, so called of the fair Prospect, mounted upon the top of a good steep Hill. It belongs to the Earl of Rutland.
The Vale of Bever, a very pleasant place lieth under the Castle.
The Vale of Bevell barren of Wooll, is large and very plentifull of good Corn and Grasse, and lieth in three Shires, Leicester, Lincoln, and much in Nottinghamshire. Lelands Itine∣rary.
Grantham a Town of good resort, adorned with a School built by Richard Fox Bishop of Winchester, and with a fair Church, having a Spire-steeple of a mighty height.
Lincolne. This City is large, well * 1.88 inhabited and frequented, it standeth upon the side of an Hill, and thence hath its name from its situation, or be∣cause it hath been a Colony.
There are fourteen Churches, the Minster is a fair one, and in one of the Steeples there is a very great Bell rung * 1.89 by sixteen men, called great Tom of Lincoln.
Camden honourably mentions two learned Bishops of Lincoln, Robert Grosthead, and his Master Thomas Cooper.
Wainfleet, it bred William Wainfleet Bishop of Winchester a worthy Prelate, * 1.90 founder of Magdalen-Colledge in Ox∣ford, a man that singularly well deser∣ved of learning.
Alford a Mercat Town.
Castor an ancient Castle.
Mercate-Rasin, so called of a Mercat there well resorted unto.
Gainsborrow a Market Town standing upon the River of Trent.
Grimsby an old Market Town. Here was Archbishop Whitgift born.
There are in this Shire six hundred and thirty * 1.91 Parishes, thirty and one Hun∣dreds, and thirty Market Towns.
IT is severed from Buckinghamshire by the River Cole; on the West-side, from Hertfordshire; on the North-side by a known crooked limit; from Essex on the East with the River Lea, from Surrey and Kent on the South by the Thames.
It is a small Shire, in length not twenty miles, in circuit not above seventy miles, yet for the fertility thereof it may compare with any other Shire: for the soil is excellent fat, fer∣tile and full of profit. Nordens Speculum Britaniae.
For Air passing temperate, and for soyl fertile, with sumptuous houses, and
pretty Towns on all sides pleasantly beautified, and every where offer∣eth to the view many things memo∣rable.
Uxbridge full of Innes, it stretcheth out in length.
Harrow-hill, the highest Hill of all this Country, under which Southward there lie for a long way together, ex∣ceeding rich and fruitfull fields, especi∣ally about Heston a small Village, that yeeldeth so fine flour for manchet that a long time it hath served for the Kings mouth.
Hampton-Court a Royal Palace of * 1.92 the Kings, a work of admirable mag∣nificence, built out of the ground by Thomas Wolsey Cardinal, in ostentati∣on * 1.93 of his riches. It was enlarged and finished by King Henry the Eighth so amply, as it containeth within it five several inner Courts passing large, en∣vironed with very fair buildings wrought right curiously, and goodly to behold.
The neatest pile of all the Kings houses. Godwins Annal.
It is called Hampton-Court, Hampton
of the Parish of Hampton, which standeth not farre thence: Court in regard of the Majesty and princely beauty. There are two Parks, the one of Deer, the other of Hares. Nordens Speculum Britaniae.
Thistleworth, or Isleworth.
Brentford a fair thorow-fare and fre∣quent Mercat.
Fulham the place of Fowls, where the Bishop of Londons house was.
Chelsey a place garnished with fair and stately houses.
London * 1.94, the Epitome or Breviary of all Britain, the seat of the British Empire, and the King of Englands chamber.
King Luds re-edifying Troinovant (first built by Brute) and from thence leaving the name of Caer Lud, after∣wards turned (as they say) into London, is not unknown, scarce to any that hathbut lookt on Ludgates inner Frontispiece.
Seld. Illustrat. of the eighth Song of Drayt. Polyolb.
Georgius Braun or Bruin in his Thea∣trum Praecipuarum totius mundi urbium, in three great Volumes in Folio, men∣tions
London in the first place of his first Volume.
Sir Robert Dallington in his view of France; comparing the City of Paris with London, saith, That Paris is the greater, the fairer built, and the better situate: London is the richer, the more populous, the more ancient.
Howell in his Londinopolis makes a parallel of it, with the other great Ci∣ties of the world, and so doth Gainsford in his Glory of England, lib. 2. ch. 17.
For the space of above one thousand five hundred fourscore and six years it hath flourished more for the statelinesse and magnificence of her goodly build∣ings, for the large extent of her bounds and jurisdiction, for the Religion and civility of her Inhabitants, for the Wisdome and Honour of her Magi∣strates, for the profession of Arms, all good Letters and Arts, not to speak of her Traffique and Commerce with all Countreys and Ports of the known world, more than any other knowne City whatsoever throughout all Chri∣stendom. Burtons Comment. on Anto∣nin. his Itin. through Britain, pag. 154,
155. See more there, and 156, 157, 158, 159, 160, 161, 162, 163, 164. See also M. Calamy and M. Hardie his Sermon preacht before the London∣ers.
Caput atque Metropolis totius insu∣lae Trinovantum sive Londinium sive Londinum, urbs potens & amaena, quam fluviorum Rex Thamesis pererrat. Adol∣phi a Dans vita Elizabethae.
Quicquid habet miri Memphis, pretiive Corinthus, Illion antiquum, Graecia magnificum, Roma ecquid sanctum, Campania deli∣ciarum, Subtile Hetrusci, splendidulum Hesperii: Quicquid opum Venetis, doctrinae quic∣quid Athenis, Metropolis Britonum dicat id omne suum. Stradlingi Epig. l. 1. p. 1.
Tacitus, Ptolomee, and Antonine call it Londinium; Ammianus Lundi∣num, and Augusta, the Inhabitants London.
It is situate in a rich and fertile soyl,
abounding with plentifull store of all things, and on the gentle ascent and ri∣sing of an Hill, hard by the Thames * 1.95 side, which by his safe and deep chanel able to entertain the greatest Ships that be, daily bringeth in so great riches from all parts, that it striveth at this day with the Mart Towns of Christendom for the second prize, and affordeth a most sure and beautifull rode for shipping.
King James being displeased with the City, because she would not lend him such a Summe of Money, he told the Lord Maior and Aldermen one day, That he would remove his own Court, with all the Records of the Tower, and the Courts of Westmin∣ster-Hall to another place, with further expressions of his Indignation; The Lord Maior calmly heard all, and at last answered, Your Majesty hath pow∣er to do what you please, and your Ci∣ty of London will obey accordingly; but she humbly desires, that when your
Majesty shall remove your Courts, you would be pleased to leave the Thames behind you.
It is for Antiquity honourable.
Ammianus Marcellinus called it in his times, and that was twelve hundred yeers ago, an old Town: and Cornelius Tacitus in like manner, who lived in Nero his dayes, 1540. years since, re∣ported it to have been a place very fa∣mous for fresh trade, concourse of Mer∣chants, and great store of victuals, and all things necessary.
The Tower of London, a most fa∣mous and goodly Citadel, encompassed round about with thick and strong Wals, full of lofty and stately Turrets, fenced with a broad and deep ditch, furnished also with an Armoury or Ma∣gazine of warlike Munition, and other buildings besides: so as it resembleth a big Town.
The Tower containeth a Kings Pa∣lace, a Kings Prison, a Kings Armou∣ry, a Kings Mint, a Kings Wardrobe, a Kings Artillery. Gainsford.
In the yeer 1235. Frederick the Em∣perour sent to Henry the Third three
Leopards in token of his Regal Shield of Arms, wherein three Leopards were pictures, since which time those Lions and others have been kept in a part of this Bulwark, now called the Lions Tower, and their Keeper there lodged. Stows Survey of London.
There are twelve chief Companies out of which the Lord Maior is to be an∣nually chosen.
Twelve Innes ordained for Students * 1.96 of our Common Law, whereof four being very fair and large, belong to the Judicial Courts, the rest unto the Chan∣cery.
Herein such a number of young Gentlemen do so painfully ply their Books and study the Law, that for fre∣quency of Students it is not inferiour either to Angiers, Cane, or Orleans it self, as Sir John Fortescue in his small Treatise of the Laws of England doth witnesse. The said four principal Hou∣ses, are the Inner-Temple, the Middle-Temple, Grayes-Inne, and Lincolns-Inne.
John Leland the famous Antiquary was born in London, Bishop Andrews,
Mr. Gataker, M. Calamy, Sir Thomas More. Chaucer, Edmund Spenser the fa∣mous English Poets were born in London.
If any City in the world may at this day be called, as Jerusalem once was, a * 1.97 City of Truth, a holy Mountain, in re∣gard of the Doctrine of truth and holi∣nesse preached therein, then certainly London may. Insomuch that Foraign∣ers, Hungarians, Germans, Batavians, others learn our Language, and come over to this City, that they may hear our Preachers, and read our English Di∣vines.
London-Bridge is an admirable Workmanship of stone hewen out of * 1.98 the Quarry, upon nineteen Arches, be∣sides the Draw-bridge, and is furnish∣ed on both sides with passing fair houses joyning one to another in manner of a street, that for bignesse and beauty it may worthily carry away the prize from all the Bridges in Europe.
The whole City is divided into six and twenty Wards: and the Councel of the City consisted of as many anci∣ent men, named of their age in our tongue Aldermen, as one would say
Senatours, who each one have the over-seeing and rule of his several Ward.
The chief Magistrate is the Lord Maior and two Sheriffs, whereof the one is called the Kings, the other the Cities Sheriff.
In Henry the Sixths Reign Godfrey Bolein was Lord Maior of London (be∣ing the Ancestor of two renowned and virtuous Queens of England, Anne * 1.99 second wife to King Henry the Eighth, and Elizabeth their Daughter) through whose great vigilancy and providence, the City stood so well guarded, that the Kings peace was dutifully kept, not∣withstanding the great Lords of both the Factions (Yorkists and Lanca∣strians) were with so great Troops of followers lodged within, and about the same.
In Edward the Thirds Reign, Henry * 1.100 Picard Maior of London, in one day sumptuously feasted four Kings, Ed∣ward the Third King of England, John King of France, the King of Cyprus then arrived in England, David King of Scots.
See the courage and piety of a Lord Maior in King James his time in Wil∣sons History of Great-Britain, p. 106.
The Merchants meeting place stand∣ing upon Pillars, which the common * 1.101 people call the Burse, and Queen Eli∣zabeth with a solemn Ceremony named, The Royal Exchange, was set up by Sir Thomas Gresham Citizen and Knight; a magnificent work, whether you respect the Model of the build∣ing, the resort of Merchants from all Nations thither, or the store of wares there. Which Sir Thomas Gresham, being withall an exceeding great lover of Learning, consecrated a most spaci∣ous house his own habitation to the fur∣therance of Learning, and instituted the Professours of Divinity, Law, Phy∣sick, Astronomy, Geometry, and Mu∣sick, with liberal Salaries and Stipends, to the end that London might be a place, not only furnished with all kind of Traf∣fick, but also with the Liberal Arts and Sciences.
There is also a fair and goodly Libra∣ry in Sion-Colledge, containing an hun∣dred twenty and one foot in length, and above five and twenty foot in breadth.
In the Reign of King James, Robert Earl of Salisbury, caused to be erected * 1.102 a stately building in the Strand, which upon Tuesday the tenth of April, in the yeer 1609. was begun to be richly fur∣nished with Wares; and the next day after, the King, the Queen and Prince, with many great Lords and Ladies came to see, and then the King gave it the name of Britains Burse.
Westminster was called in times past Thorney, of Thorns, now Westminster of the West situation, and the Mona∣stery.
A City of it self, having its peculiar Magistrates and Priviledges.
It is renowned for the Abbey Church, the Hall of Justice, and the Kings Palace.
This Church is famous especially by * 1.103 reason of the Inauguration and Sepul∣ture of the Kings of England.
William the Conquerour and Matil∣da his wife were first crowned at West∣minster, and since them all other Kings and Queens of this Realm have been there crowned. Stows Surveigh of Lon∣don.
It is a Church of very fair Work∣manship, supported with sundry rows of Marble Pillars, a peece of work that cost fifty yeers labour in building.
It was founded by King Edward the Confessour.
King Henry the Seventh for the Bu∣rial of himself and his children, adjoyn∣ed thereto in the East end a Chappel of admirable elegancy: Leland calleth it, The wonder of the world, all the curi∣ous and exquisite work that can be de∣vised, is there compacted.
It is reported, That the Chappel * 1.104 cost ten thousand pound, or as others say fourteen thousand pound.
There is a Collegiate Church, and famous School: Forty Scholars in their due time are preferred to the Universi∣ties.
Here are buried the Prince of English Poets Geffrey Chaucer: as also he that
for pregnant wit, and an excellent gift in Poetry of all English Poets came neer∣est unto him Edmund Spenser.
Isaac Casaubone.
William Camden Clarenceux King of Arms.
Westminster-Hall is the greatest Hall in England, and the very Praetorium, or Hall of Justice. In this are the Ju∣dicial * 1.105 Courts, the Upper-Bench, the Common-Pleas, and the Chancery; and in places neer thereabout, the Starre-Chamber, the Exchequer, Court of Wards, and Court of the Dutchy of Lancaster. In which at certain set times (we call them Terms) Causes are yeerly heard and tried.
This Judgement Hall King Richard the Second built out of the ground, as appeareth by his Arms engraven in the stone-work, and many arched beams.
There are a hundred twenty and one Churches, more than Rome it self can shew.
Redcliff, so called of the Red cliff, a pretty fine Town and dwelling place of Sailers.
Enfield-Chase a place much renown∣ed for hunting.
In this County without the City of London are reckoned Parishes much about seventy three, with the City, Liberties, and Suburbs an hundred twen∣ty and one.
IT is enclosed on the North-side with the River Munow that separateth it from Herefordshire: on the East-side with Wye running between it and Glo∣cestershire: on the West with the River Remmey, which severeth it from Glamor∣ganshire; and on the South with the Se∣vern.
The East part is full of Grasse and Woods: the West is somewhat hilly and stony, yet not unthankfull to the Husbandman.
Monmouth the chief Town of the Shire.
Munow and Wye at their confluence
do compasse it almost round about, and give it the name. On the North-side, where it is not defended with the Ri∣vers, it was fortified with a wall and ditch. In the midst of the Town, hard by the Mercat place standeth a Castle, which (as it is thought) John Baron of Monmouth built. It was the Birth place of Henry the Fifth that triumpher over France, and the second Ornament of the English Nation.
It glorieth also that Geffrey Ap Ar∣thur, or of Munmouth, Compiler of the British History was born and bred there: a man well skilled in Antiquities, but (as it seemeth) not of antique cre∣dit; so many toyes and tales he every where enterlaceth out of his owne brain, as he was charged while he lived.
Chepstow a famous Town, and of good resort, situate upon the side of an Hill, rising from the very River, forti∣fied round about with a Wall of a large circuit, which includes within it both Fields and Orchards. It hath a ve∣ry spacious Castle situate over the River.
Strighall Castle, it belongs to the Earls of Pembroke.
Sudbroke, the Church whereof cal∣led Trinity-Chappel standeth neer the Sea, a moor for many miles together.
Abergenny, It is fortified with Wals, and a Castle.
This Shire containeth Parish Church∣es an hundred twenty seven.
PEople of the North.
It is a Region large and spacious, and in manner all thorowout a plain champi∣on, unlesse it be where there rise gently some pretty Hils; passing rich, exceeding full of Sheep, and stored with Coneys, replenished likewise with a great num∣ber of populous Villages: for besides twenty seven Mercat Towns, it is able to shew Villages and Countrey Towns six hundred twenty and five, watered with divers Rivers and Brooks, and not altogether destitute of Wood.
A man may collect the goodnesse of the ground by this, that the Inhabitants * 1.106 are of a passing good complexion, to say nothing of their exceeding wily wits, and the same right quick in the insight of our Common Laws: insomuch as it is counted, the only Countrey for best Lawyers.
One saith, that three hundred and forty nisi prius were tried there at one Assizes.
It is a pleasant Countrey for sports, Hawking and Hunting.
Thetford the Ford of Thet, of good * 1.107 bignesse, yet it hath but few Inhabi∣tants.
Harleston a good Mercat.
Norwich a famous City by reason of the wealth, number of Inhabitants, the resort of people, fair buildings, and many fair Churches (it containeth thirty two Parishes, and fourty two Chappels and Churches) the painfull industry of the Citizens, and their cour∣tesie unto strangers.
The Market, Crosse and Cloister of the Cathedral there, are the fairest in England.
It is pleasantly situate on the side of an Hill, compassed about with strong Wals, (in which are orderly placed ma∣ny Turrets, and twelve Gates) unlesse it be on the East-side, where the River is a fence thereto..
It is three miles about. The Arms of the City are the Castle and Lion.
A City whose Antiquity Alexander * 1.108 Nevil hath most learnedly and elegant∣ly set down in Latine.
It hath been long famous for the an∣cient cloathes, or stuff, called Wor∣sted, but hath lately abounded in varie∣ty of weaving through the invention and industry of the Dutch and French Flemmings which inhabit there in great numbers.
There is a great House there of the Duke of Norfolks, now the Earl of Arundels, where there are very fair Granaries, and the best Bowling-alley in England.
There is also an Hospital, where an hundred of men and women are main∣tained.
Matthew Parker was born here.
Yarmouth a very convenient Haven,
and as fair a Town, beautifully built, and well fenced, both by the natural strength of the place, and also by the skilfull industry of mans art.
It hath but one Church, yet the same is very large, having a high Steeple to adorn it. It is famous for fishing and merchandizing.
There are two long Streets in it, each of them a mile long, one called the Dean-street, the other the Key: There is also another Street, called the Mid∣dle-street, and many rows, as they call them after the manner of Holland. There is also a fair Market place.
Holt a Town so called of an Holt or tuft of trees, and for the Mercat well▪ known.
Ailesham a Mercat Town of good resort.
Worsted, where the stuff worsted in so great request amongst our Ancestors was first made; and hence so named, as Dornicks, Camery, Calecut, had in like manner their denominations from the places where they were first invented and made.
Walsingham. This Village is very
famous by reason of the best Saffron growing there.
The Family of the Walsinghams Knights, fetched first their name and original from hence: out of which house flourished that Sir Francis Wal∣singham Secretary to Queen Elizabeth, a man as of deep insight, so also of as rare and painfull industry in the weigh∣tiest affairs of the Realm.
Lynne peradventure so named of the waters broad spreading. So Lynne im∣ports in the Welch tongue.
This is a large Town encompassed with a deep Trench and Wals, for the most part thereof divided by two small Rivers that have fifteen Bridges, or thereabout over them. It is called old Linne, and Linnum Regis, that is, Kings Linne; yet by reason of the safe Haven which yeeldeth most easie ac∣cesse, for the number also of the Mer∣chants there dwelling, and thither re∣sorting, for the fair and the goodly houses, the wealth also of the Towns∣men, it is doubtlesse the principal Town of this Shire, except Norwich onely.
Mershland, a little moist Mersh-Countrey, as the name implieth, a soil standing upon very rich and fertile mould, and breeding abundance of Cattel: insomuch as that in a place commonly called Tilneysmeth there feed much about thirty thousaud Sheep.
In this Province there be Parish Churches about six hundred and sixty.
In Norfolk and Suffolk there are more Parishes than in any other Counties, six hundred and odde in Norfolk, and above five hundred in Suffolk.
THis County is situate in the very middle and heart (as it were) of England. On the East lie Bedford and Huntingdonshires. On the South Buc∣kingham and Oxfordshires: Westward Warwickshire: Northward Rutland∣shire, and Lincolnshire, separated from it by Avon the lesse, and Welland two Rivers.
It is a champion Countrey, exceed∣ing populous, and passing well furnish∣ed with Noblemens and Gentlemens Houses, replenished also with Towns and Churches; insomuch as in some places there are twenty, and in others thirty Seeples with Spires or square Towers within view at once.
The soil very fertile both for Tillage and Pasture, yet nothing so well stored with Woods, unlesse it be in the fur∣ther and hither sides. But in every place, as elswhere also in England, it is over-spread, and (as it were) beset with Sheep.
Brakley a place full of Brake or Fern, the Students of Magdalen▪ Colledge in Oxford, use the Colledge there for a re∣tiring place.
Torcester, so called of Towrs. It hath a large Church in it.
Hard by at Eston-Nessont there is a * 1.109 fair and beautifull House belonging to the Knightly Family of the Farmers.
Sacy-Forest stored with Deer, and fit for game.
Avon a general name of all Rivers. This Aufona or Nen is a notable River,
which after a sort runneth through the middle part of this Shire.
Dantrey is a through-fare Town, well known at this day by reason of the Innes there.
Fawesly where have dwelt a long time the Knightleys descended from those more ancient Knightleys of Gnowshall in the County of Stafford.
Wedon in the street. It is a pretty through-fare set on a plain ground, and much celebrated by Carriers, because it standeth hard by the famous way there commonly call'd of the peo∣ple * 1.110 Watlingstreet. Lelands Itine∣rary.
Holdenby-House, a fair patern of state∣ly and magnificent building.
Northampton, so called from its situ∣ation upon the North-bank of the Ri∣ver Aufon. The City for Houses is very fair, for circuit of good largenesse, and walled about: and from the Wall there is a goodly Prospect every way to a wide and spacious plain Coun∣trey.
There are seven Parish Churches within the Wals, whereof the Church
of Alhallows is principal, standing in the heart of the Town, and is large and well builded. Lelands Itinerary.
Mercat Wellingborow.
Kettering a Mercat Town well fre∣quented.
Higham-Ferrers. The excellent or∣nament of this place was Henry Chich∣ley * 1.111 Archbishop of Canterbury, who built All-Souls Colledge in Oxford, and another here, where he placed secular Clerks and Prebendaries, and withall an Hospital for the poor.
Oundale, there is a fair Church, and a Free-School for the instruction of children, and an Almes-house for poor people.
Fothering-hay Castle, environed on every side with most pleasing medows.
Here Mary Queen of Scots was be∣headed.
Upton, so called, because it is highly situate.
Peterborow, because the Monastery * 1.112 was dedicated to Saint Peter. See Mo∣nasticon Anglicanum, p. 63.
Baibroke Castle.
Rockingham Castle.
Welledon.
Maxey Castle.
There belong unto this Shire three hundred twenty six Parishes.
IT is limited Northward with York∣shire, Westward with Darbyshire, and in some parts with Yorkshire, and on the South-side with Leicestershire. The South and East parts thereof are made more fruitfull by the noble and famous River Trent, with other Riverets resort∣ing unto it.
The Forest of Shirewood in the West * 1.113 part stretcheth out a great way. It yeeldeth store of wood to maintain fire. It hath a grea•• number of Fallow-Deer, yea and Stags with their stately branch∣ing heads feeding within it.
Mansfield there is a great Mercat passing well served, and as well fre∣quented. The first Earl of Mansfield in Germany was one of King Arthurs
Knights of the Round-Table, born and bred at this Mansfield.
Nottingham (the principal Town, which hath given name unto the Shire) is seated on the side of an Hill. The Town for the natural site thereof is right pleasant: as where, on the one hand lie fair and large Medows by the Rivers-side; on the other, rise Hils with a gentle and easie ascent: and is plentifully provided of all things beside, necessary for mans life.
It is both a large Town and well buil∣ded for Timber and Plaister, and stand∣eth stately on a climbing Hill. It hath a fair Market place and street. The Ca∣stle standeth on a rocky Hill on the West-side of the Town, and Line Riveret goeth by the roots of it. Le∣lands Itinerary.
For largenesse, for building, for three fair Churches, a passing spacious and beautifull Mercat place, and most strong Castle, it maketh a goodly shew.
Newark, as one would say, the new work, of the new Castle. Here King John finished the most wearisom course of his troublesom life.
Little-borough, a little Town indeed, and truly answering to the name.
Workensop a Town well known for the Liquorice that there groweth, and prospereth passing well.
Blithe a famous Mercat Town.
Wollerton a fair House built by Sir Francis Willoughby.
There are in this County an hundred sixty eight Parishes.
THe Ground it self for the most * 1.114 part is rough, and hard to be ma∣nured, seemeth to have hardened the Inhabitants, whom the Scots their neigh∣bours also made more fierce and hardy, while sometimes they keep them exer∣cised in warres, and other whiles in time of peace intermingle their manners among them, so that by these means they are a most warlike Nation, and excellent good Light-horse men. And whereas they addicted themselves whol∣ly
to Arms; there is not a man amongst the better sort, that hath not his little Tower or Pile: and so it was divided into a number of Baronies: the Lords whereof in times past before King Ed∣ward the First his dayes went common∣ly under the name of Barons, although some of them were of no great living. But a wise and politick devise this was of our Ancestours, to cherish and main∣tain Martial Prowesse among them in the marches of the Kingdome, if it were nothing else, but with an honou∣rable bare Title.
Toward the Sea and Tine, by dili∣gence and good Husbandry it becom∣eth very fruitfull; but else where it is more barren, rough, and (as it were) unmanurable. And in many places Sea-coles are digged up in great plenty to the great gain of the Inhabitants, and commodity of others.
Thrilwale Castle, not great, but strongly built.
Otterburn, where there was a field most valiantly fought between the Scots and English; in which the Victory waved alternatively too and fro three or four
times, and fell in the end to the Scottish.
* 1.115 Hexham.
New-Castle * 1.116 upon Tine, the very eye of all the Towns in these parts, en∣nobled by a notable Haven, which Tine maketh, being of that depth, that it beareth very tall Ships, and so defend∣eth them, that they can neither easily be tossed with tempests, nor driven up∣on shallows and shelves. It is situate on the rising of an Hill. It is adorned with four Churches, and fortified with most strong walls, which have seven Gates in them, with many Towers.
It is wealthy, partly by entercourse of traffick with the Germans, and part∣ly by carrying out Sea-coles, wherewith this Countrey aboundeth, both into foraign Countreys, and also into other parts of England.
Portus, Castrum, Carbo, Salmo, Salina, Molaris, Murus, Pons, Templum, Schola sunt novi gloria Castri.
Hurst. A Sylva nomen accepit, nec aliunde sejactat, quam a minaci Castello. Lel. Comment. in Cygn. Cant.
Tinmouth-Castle, a stately and strong Castle.
Morpeth a famous little Town.
Morpith-Castle, so called, from the death of the Picts in that place.
Withrington an ancient Castle, which gave the name unto the Withringtons Gentlemen of good Birth, and Knights, whose valour in the war hath been from time to time remarkable.
Warkworth a proper fair Castle. There is a Chappel wonderfully built out of a Rock hewen hollow, and wrought without beams, rafters, or any pieces of Timber.
Alnwick or Anwick, a Town enno∣bled * 1.117 by the victory of the Englishmen over the Scots, and fortified with a good∣ly Castle. The Earls of Northumberland kept their Court at that Castle.
Emildon. Here was born John Duns, * 1.118 called Scotus, because he was descend∣ed of Scotish bloud, who being brought up in Merton-Colledge at Oxford, be∣came wonderfull well learned in Logick, and in that crabbed and intricate Divi∣nity of those dayes: yet as one still doubtfull and unresolved, he did over∣cast
the truth of Religion with mists of obscurity. And with so profound and admirable subtilty, in a dark and rude stile, he wrote many Works, that he deserved the title of the Subtile Doctor: and after his own name erected a new Sect of the Scotists. But he died piti∣fully, being taken with an Apoplexy, and over-hastily buried for dead; whiles upon return of life, nature (though too late) was about to discusse the vio∣lence of the disease: and he, making means in vain by a lamentable noise for help, after he had a long time knocked his head against the Grave-stone, dash∣ed out his own brains, and at last yeeld∣ed up his vital breath.
Norrham or Northam. There is a Castle upon the top of an high steep Rock, and fortified with a trench.
Berwick the utmost Town in Eng∣land, * 1.119 and the strongest hold in all Bri∣tain. It is well neer compassed about with the Sea. and Twede together.
Upon the West parts of Northum∣berland, the Picts-Wall is; in some of the waste ground the Wall is to be seen of great height, and almost whole.
The Roman Britains being continu∣ally molested by the often incursions of the barbarous people called Picts. The Emperour Severus built a Wall of stone, * 1.120 with great wisdome and industry to strengthen the Northern parts of Bri∣tain, against the many inrodes of the Picts. At every miles end of this Wall was a Tower, and in the Wall a Pipe of Mettal betwixt the Tower or Senti∣nel-houses, that so soon as a man had set his mouth to this Pipe, they might hear through all the Sentinels, where the enemy was, and so in a short time giving warning from one end of the Wall to the other.
There are about fourty six Parishes in Northumberland.
ON the West-side it joyneth upon Glocestershire; on the South, which way it runneth out farthest in breadth, it is dissevered from Barkshire
by the River Isis or Tamis; Eastward it bordereth upon Buckinghamshire; and Northward where it endeth point∣ed, in manner of a Cone, or Pine∣apple, hath Northamtonshire of one side, and Warwickshire on the otherside, con∣fining with it.
It is a fertile Countrey and plentifull▪ wherein the plains are garnished with Corn-fields and Medows, the Hils be∣set with Woods, stored in every place not only with Corn and Fruits, but al∣so with all kind of Game for Hound or Hawk; and well watered with fish-full Rivers.
Hoch-Norton, for the rustical beha∣viour of the Inhabitants in the age a∣fore-going, it grew to be a Proverb, when folk would say of one rudely de∣meaning himself, and unmannerly after an Hoggish kind, That he was born at Hocknorton.
Woodstock a woody place. Here is one of the Kings Houses full of state and magnificence, built by King Henry the First, who adjoyned also thereunto a very large Park compassed round a∣bout with a stone wall, which John
Rosse writeth to have been the first Park * 1.121 in England.
Our Historians report, that King Henry the Second being enamoured up∣on Rosamond Clifford, a Damsel so fair, so comely and well-favoured without comparison, that her beauty did put all other women out of the Princes mind; insomuch as she was termed Rosa mundi, the Rose of the world; and to hide her out of the sight of his jealous Juno the Queen, he built a Labyrinth in this House, with many inextricable wind∣ings, backward and forward: which notwithstanding is no where to be seen at this day.
She was buried at Godstow with this Epitaph in Rhyme.
Hic jacet in tumba Rosa mundi, non Ro∣sa munda, Non redolet, sed olet, quae redolere solet.
The Town it self having nothing at all to shew, glorieth yet in this, that Jeffrey Chaucer our English Homer was there bred and brought up.
Banbury a fair large Town. It is fa∣mous * 1.122 for Cheese and Cakes.
Hanwell, where the Family of Cope hath flourished many yeers in great and good esteem.
Broughton, the seat of my Lord Say and Sele.
Islip the native place of that King Edward, whom for his religious piety and continency, our Ancestours and the Popes vouchsafed the name of Edward the Confessor.
Oxford a fair and goodly City, whe∣ther * 1.123 a man respect the seemly beauty of private houses, or the stately magnifi∣cence of publick buildings, together with the wholsome site or pleasant pro∣spect thereof. It was from its situati∣on in ancient times, called Bello situm.
Isidis vadum Saxonice Ouseford, & Ousenford, corrupte Oxford. Historia circumfertur adfirmans hanc urbem olim ab amaenitate sitûs Bellositum di∣ctum fuisse: Joannes Rossus hinc edo∣ctus, hoc idem affirmat. Let. Comment. in Cygn. Cant.
Oxoniensis Universitas Schola se∣cunda Ecclesiae, imo Ecclesiae funda∣mentum. Matthew Paris Hist. Angl. pag. 945.
In the Councel of Vienna, it was or∣dained that there should be erected Schools for the Hebrew, Greek, Ara∣bick and Chaldaean Tongues, in the studies of Paris, Oxford, Bonony and Salamanca, as the most famous of all others, to the end that the knowledge of these Tongues might by effectual instruction be throughly learned.
Here are 17 Colledges, and 7 Hals.
Dorchester, a Town known in times past to the Romans. Vide Lel. Comment∣in Cygn. Cant.
Henley upon Tamis, The Inhabitants of it for the most part are watermen.
This County containeth two hun∣dred and eighty Parish Churches.
IT takes the name from a Castle.
Most of it lieth very high, with ragged Rocks, and swelling Mountains, whose sloping sides in some places bear good Grasse, the bottom and Valleys are not altogether unfruitfull. The Hils themselves within, are stored with Lead, Pit-coal and Copper.
Nappa an house built with Turrets, and the chief seat of the Medcalfs, thought to be not long since the greatest Family for multitude of the same name, in all England: For I have heard that Sir Christopher Medcalf Knight, and the top of this kindred being of late High-Sheriff of the Shire, accompanied with three hundred men of the same House all on Horse-back, and in a Live∣ry, met and received the Justices of Assizes, and so brought them to York. So Camden.
Bolton-Castle, a stately Castle.
Richmond, the chief Town of the Countrey, well peopled and fre∣quented.
Hourby-Castle.
There are contained in this Shire an hundred and four Parishes besides Chappels.
IT is the least County of all England. Lying in form almost round like a circle, it is in compasse so farre about, as a Light-horsman will ride in one day.
It was called Rutland, as one would * 1.124 say Red-land, the Earth in this Shire is every where red, and so red that even the Sheeps fleeces are thereby coloured red: the English-Saxons called Red in their tongue Roet and Rud.
Uppingham a place upon an high as∣cent, whence that name was imposed, a well frequented Mercat Town.
The Vale of Catmose a field full of Woods.
Okeham is in the midst of it, so called from Oaks.
This small Shire hath Parish Church∣es fourty eight.
ON the East-side it hath Stafford∣shire; * 1.125 on the West Mongomery∣shire and Denbighshire; on the South-side Worcester, Hereford and Radnor∣shires, and on the North Cheshire.
It is replenished with Towns and Ca∣stles standing thick on every side, in regard of repelling and repressing the Welshmen in the Marches bordering hereupon. Whence our Ancestours by an ancient word, named the Confines of this Shire toward Wales, the March∣es, because they were Bounds and Li∣mits between the Welsh and English; and divers Noblemen in this Tract were called Barons of the March, and Lords Marchers, who had every one in their Territory a certain peculiar jurisdiction,
and in their own Courts ministred Law unto the Inhabitants, with sundry Pri∣viledges and Immunities.
Bishops-Castle, so called, because it belonged to the Bishops of Hereford, whose Diocesse and Jurisdiction was large in this Shire.
Clun-Castle, so called from the River Clun.
Ludlow, it standeth upon an Hill, a Town more fair than ancient.
Bridgnorth, so called of Burgh or Bur∣rough, and Morfe (heretofore a Forest) ad∣joyning. A Town fortified with Walls, a Ditch, a stately Castle, and the Severn: seated also upon a Rock, out of which the wayes leading into the upper part of the Town were wrought out.
Wenlock, now known for the Lime.
Huckstow-Forest.
Routon-Castle.
Tong-Castle, there is a Bell for the bignesse of it very famous in all those parts adjoyning.
Draiton.
Wem.
Morton-Corbet, a Castle of the Corbets. Shrewsbury the famousest Town of * 1.126
this Shire, it standeth most pleasantly.
It is seated upon an Hill of a reddish Earth, and Severn, having two very fair Bridges upon it. Neither is it strengthened only by nature, but forti∣fied also by Art; it is like a Horse-shoe in the opening place. There is a strong stately Castle.
It is a fair and goodly City well fre∣quented and traded, full of good mer∣chandize, * 1.127 and by reason of the Citizens painfull diligence, with Cloth making, and Traffique with Welshmen, rich and wealthy. For, hither (almost) all the Commodities of Wales do conflow (as it were) to a common Mart of both Nations.
It is inhabited both with Welsh and English, speaking both Languages.
One of the rarities there is their Cakes, such as cannot be made so well in any other place of England.
Shrawerden Castle.
Knocking-Castle.
Oswestre, a little Town enclosed with * 1.128 a Ditch and a Wall, fortified also with a pretty Castle, in it there is great Traf∣fick of Welsh Cottons.
Whittington-Castle.
Whit-Church, or Album Monasterium.
Ellesmer a little Territory, but rich and fruitfull.
In this Region there are about an hundred and seventy Parishes.
It had the great Lawyer, Ployden; the rich Squire Thin; the great Hebrician, Broughton; the strong man, the Baron of Burford; the witty Jester, Tarleton.
THis County is very large and weal∣thy: The North-side whereof the Severn Sea beateth upon: The West part confineth with Denshire: in the South it bordereth first upon Devon∣shire, and then upon Dorsetshire: East∣ward upon Wiltshire: and North-East upon part of Glocestershire.
The soil very rich, yeelding for the most part thereof passing great plenty both of Pasture and Corn, and yet not without stony Hils: exceeding popu∣lous,
and full of Inhabitants: furnished also with commodious Havens, and Ports sufficiently.
As it is soul, so it is fruitfull, which makes them comfort themselves with this Proverb, What is worst for the Ri∣der is best for the Abider.
This name grew from Somerton, a * 1.129 famous Town in ancient time, and of all others in the Shire most frequented.
Dunster-Castle is enclosed round about with Hils, saving to the Sea∣ward, built by the Mohuns, a right no∣ble and mighty Family, which flourish∣ed from the very Conquerours dayes, (under whose Reign that Castle was built) unto the time of King Richard the Second.
Cheder, famous for five things:
1. Cheese. 2. * 1.130 Teazers. 3. Garlick. 4. Mills: there is a spring whereby ma∣ny Mils are turned about. 5. Cliffs, a great Rock cleft asunder.
Evel a great Market Town.
West-Camalet and East-Camalet, or Queens-Camalet two Towns.
Winecaunton a great Market.
Ilchester, there is a Market there kept.
Montacute, fo termed, because the Hill riseth up by little and little to a sharp point. It hath given name to that right honourable Family of Mon∣tacute.
Longport a Market Town well fre∣quented.
Wellington a pretty Market Town. Sir John Popham dwelt here, a man of an ancient worshipfull House, and with∣all a most upright Justicer, and of singu∣lar industry.
Taunton or Thonton from the River Thone. A very fine and proper Town, and most pleasantly seated, one of the eyes of the Shire. The Countrey here most delectable on every side with green medows; flourishing with plea∣sant Gardens and Orchards, and reple∣nished with fair Mannor-houses, won∣derfully contenteth the eyes of the be∣holders.
Athelney a pretty Island, a place fa∣mous for King Alfreds shrouding him∣self therein, when the Danes had brought all into broil.
Somerton the Shire Town in times past. There is kept a Fair of Oxen,
and other Beasts from Palm-Sunday untill the midst of June, with much resort of people; the Countreymen all thereabout are very great Grasiers, Breeders, and Feeders of Cattel.
Bridgwater a great and populous Town; King Henry the Eighth adorned it with an Earldom.
Bruiton.
The Glassy Isle, so called, Propter amnem scilicet quasi vitrei coloris in marisco circumfluentem▪ Monasticon Ang∣licanum. Vide plura ibid.
Here flourished the famous Abbey of * 1.131 Glastenbury, the beginning whereof is very ancient, fetched even from that Joseph of Arimathaea, who enterred the body of Jesus Christ, and whom Philip the Apostle of the Gauls, sent into Britain for to preach Christ.
See Dees British Monarchy.
Ochy hole a Cave, or Den far within * 1.132 the ground, wherein are to be seen cer∣tain Pits and Riverets.
Congerbury, so named of one
Congar, a man of singular holinesse.
This County is famoused by three Cities, Bath, Wells and Bristow.
Wells a little City with an Episcopal * 1.133 See, so called of the Springs or Wells, which boyl up there.
For multitude of Inhabitants, for fair and stately Buildings, it may well and truly challenge the preheminence of all this Province. It hath a goodly Church and Colledge. The Church it self all thorowout is very beautifull, but the Frontispiece thereof in the West∣end, is a most excellent and goodly piece of Work indeed, for it ariseth up still from the foot to the top all of Ima∣gery, in curious and antique wise wrought of stone carved, and embow∣ed right artificially, and the Cloisters adjoyning very fair and spacious.
A gorgeous Palace of the Bishops, built in manner of a Castle, fortified with Walls, and a Mote standeth hard by, Southward; and on the other side fair houses of the Prebendaries.
In the Reign of Henry the First Jo∣hannes de Villula of Tours in France, being elected Bishop, translated his See
to Bath, since which time the two Sees growing into one, the Bishop beareth the title of both, so that he is called, The Bishop of Bath and Wells.
Selwood, a Wood thick of Trees, whereof the Countrey adjoyning is cal∣led Selwoodshire.
Bathe of the hot Bathes in times past, * 1.134 callid in Latine Aquae calidae.
It is seated low in a plain, environed round about with Hils almost all of one height, out of which certain rilles of fresh River waters continually descend into the City, to the great commodity of the Citizens. Within the City it self there bubble and boil up three Springs of hot water, of a Blewish or Sea-colour, thin vapours, and rising up from thence a kind of strong sent withall, by reason that the water is dril∣led and strained through veins of Brim∣stone, and a clammy kind of earth, called Bitumen, which Springs are very medicinable, and of great vertue to cure bodies over-charged and benum∣med with corrupt humours. For, by their heat they procure sweat, and subdue the rebellious stubbornnesse of the said humours.
From eight of the clock in the fore∣noon unto three in the afternoon, they are in a manner scalding hot, and do work: and being thus troubled, cast up from the bottom certain filth; during which time they are shut: neither may any body go into them, untill by their fluces they cleanse themselves, and rid away that filthinesse.
Of these three the Crosse-Bath (so called of a Crosse standing upright in old time in the midst of it) is of a very mild and temperate warmth; and hath twelve seats of stone about the brink or border thereof, and is enclosed within a wall.
The second, distant from this not fully two hundred foot, is much hotter; whence it is termed hot Bath. These two are in the midst of a street on the West-side of the City.
The third, which is the greatest, and after a sort in the very bosom and heart of the City, is called, the Kings Bath, neer unto the Cathedral Church, wal∣led also round about, and fitted with two and thirty seats of arched work; wherein men and women may sit apart,
who when they enter in put upon their bodies linnen garments, and have their guides.
This City hath flourished as well by cloathing, as by reason of usual con∣course thither for health twice every yeer.
Bristow. This City standing partly in Somerset, and partly in Glocestershires, * 1.135 is not to be reputed belonging to this or that, having Magistrates of its own, and being of it self entire, and a County in∣corporate.
It is situate somewhat high between Avon, and the little River Frome, suf∣ficiently defended with Rivers and For∣fications together. So fair to behold by reason of buildings, as well publick as private, that it is fully correspondent to the name of Brightstow. With com∣mon Sews or Sinks (they call them Goutes) so made to runne under the ground, for the conveyance and washing away of all filth, that for cleanlinesse and wholsomnesse a man would not de∣sire more: whereupon there is no use here of carts: so well furnished with all things necessary for mans life, so popu∣lous,
and well inhabited withall, that next after London and York, it may of all Cities in England justly challenge the chief place.
For the mutual intercourse of traffick and the commodious Haven, which ad∣mitteth in Ships under sail into the very bosom of the City, hath drawn people of many countreys thither.
The Citizens themselves are rich Merchants, and traffick all over Eu∣rope, yea, and make Voyages at Sea so farre as into the most remote parts of America.
The most beautifull Church there is S. Maries of Radcliff without the Wals, into which there is a stately ascent upon many stairs; so large withall, so finely and curiously wrought, with an arched roof over head of stone artificially em∣bowed, a steeple also of an exceeding height, that it surpasseth in many de∣grees all the Parish-churches in Eng∣land.
There is hard by, another Church also, which they call the Temple, the Tower whereof, when the Bell rings, shaketh to and fro, so as it hath cloven
and divided it self from the rest of the building, and made such a chink from the bottom to the top, as that it gapeth the breadth of three fingers, and both shutteth and openeth whensoever the Bell is rung.
S. Vincents Rock, so full of Dia∣monds, that a man may fill whole strikes or bushels of them. They are not so much set by, because they are plente∣ous: in bright and transparent colour they match the Indian-Diamonds, if they passe them not: in hardnesse only they are inferiour to them.
In this County are numbered three hundred eighty five Parishes.
IT hath on the East Warwickshire and Darbyshire; on the South-side Wor∣cestershire; and Westward Shropshire bordering upon it; reacheth from South to North in form of a Lozeng, broad∣er in the middest, and growing narrow∣er
at ends. The North part is full of Hils, and so lesse fruitfull: the middle being watered with the River Trent is most plentifull, clad with woods and embrodered gallantly with Corn-fields and Medows: as is the South port like∣wise, which hath Coals also digged out of the earth, and Mines of Iron.
There are these Rivers in Stafford∣shire, Sow which runneth by Stafford, Dove, Peru a little River by Pencridge, Charnet, Blith, Tame. The River Trent ariseth in Collonel Boyers Park, and Dove passeth thorow part of it; Severn passeth thorow some part of the Shire.
Stourton Castle stands upon the Ri∣ver Stour in the very confines with Wor∣cestershire.
Dudley-Castle did stand upon an Hill, named so of one Dudo, or Dodo ah English Saxon. It is now demoli∣shed.
Under this lieth Pensneth-Chace, wherein are many Cole-pits.
Pateshall a seat of the Astleys descen∣ded from honourable Progenitors.
Wrotestley, the habitation of Sir Wal∣ter
Wrotesly whose Father was Sir Hugh Wrotesly. In the Parlour window among divers of the Arms of the An∣cestours of that Family there is one Sir Hugh Wrotesley mentioned, who for his approved valour was made by King Edward the Third Knight of the Garter at the first Institution, and so accounted one of the Founders of the said honourable Order.
Chellington a fair House and Mannor of the ancient Family of the Giffards.
Brewood a Mercat Town.
Weston.
Theoten-Hall, by interpretation, the habitation of Heathens or Pagans, at this day Tetnal.
Ulfrunes-Hampton, so called of * 1.136 Wulfruna a most devout woman, who enriched the Town (called before simply Hampton) with a religious House, it is now corruptly called Wul∣ver Hampton.
For an In-land Town, there is a fa∣mous Market for Cattel and Corn.
Weddsborow, there is Sea-coal.
Walsal, a little Mercat Town, a mile * 1.137 by North from Weddesbury.
There are many Smiths, Peuterers and Bit-makers. There is a Park of that name half a mile from the Town.
There are many Lime-pits neer the Town.
Draiton-Basset, the seat of the Bas∣sets.
Tamworth, a Town so placed in the * 1.138 confines of the two Shires, that the one part which belonged sometime to the Mirmions, is counted of Warwick∣shire; the other which pertained to the Hastings of Staffordshire.
Here is a fair Castle.
At Falkesley-Bridg that Roman High-way Watlingstreet, entereth into this Shire, and cutting it through (as it were by a strait line) goeth Westward into Shropshire.
Wall, so called of the reliques of an old Wall there remaining, and taking up much about two acres of ground.
Penck-ridge, so named of the River Penck, famous for an Horse-Fair, which the Lord of the place Hugh Blunt ob∣tained of King Edward the Second.
New-Castle under Lyme.
Trentham.
Stone a Mercat Town, which having the beginning in the Saxons time, took the name of the Stones, which our An∣cestours after a solemn sort had cast on a heap, to notifie the place where Wol∣pher the Heathenish King of the Merci∣ans, most cruelly slew his two Sonnes Wulfald and Rufin, because they had taken upon them the profession of Christianity.
Sandon.
Cankwood, or Forest.
Gerards-Bromley an House.
Chebsey.
Eccleshall.
Raunton a Monastery.
Stafford, neer unto which there was a Castle upon an Hill, now demo∣lisht.
It is the head Town of the whole Shire.
Ticks-Hall, the dwelling place of the Astons, a Family which for Antiquity, Kinred and Alliance, is in these parts of great name.
Chartley, there is a Castle.
Beaudesert, the House of the Lord Paget.
Lichfield. This City is low seated, of * 1.139 good largeness, and fair withall, divided into two parts with a shallow pool of clear water: which parts notwithstanding joyn in one by the means of two Bridges or Causeys made over, that have their sluces, to let out the water.
It was beautified with a very goodly Cathedral Church, which being round about compassed with a fair Wall Ca∣stle-like, and garnished besides with fair Houses of Prebendaries, and with the Bishops Palace also, mounting upon high with three Pyramids or Spires of stone, making an elegant shew, and for elegant and proportional build∣ing it did yeeld to few Cathedral Chur∣ches, but is now demolished.
Burton upon Trent, a famous Market, the Bridge there hath 38 Arches.
Blithfield a fair House of the ancient Family of the Bagots.
Needwood-Forest was very large.
Moorland, so called, because it riseth * 1.140 higher into hils and mountains, and is less fruitfull, which kind of places we call Moors.
Leek a well known Market Town.
Wotton, a little Countrey Village there lying under Weverhill.
Wotton under Wever Where God came never.
This fond Rime the neighbour Inha∣bitants use of it. Yet in so hard a soil it breedeth and feedeth beasts of large bulk, and fair spread.
The River Dow or Dove doth swiftly runne along the most part of the East-side of this County, and separateth it from Darbyshire, if it chance to swell above the banks, and overflow the Me∣dows in April, it maketh them so fruit∣full that the Inhabitants use commonly to chant this joyfull note;
In April Doves flood Is worth a Kings good.
Utcester, it is situate upon the side of an Hill with a gentle ascent: a Town * 1.141 more rich in gay flowring Medows, and in Cattel, than fair built.
Tutbury-Castle in times past large and stately.
There are accounted an hundred and thirty Parishes in this Shire.
IT hath on the West-side Cambridge∣shire; * 1.142 on the South the River Stour, which divideth it from Essex; on the East-side the German-Sea, and on the North two little Rivers, ouse the least, and Waveney, which flowing out (as it were) of the same fountain, runne divers wayes, and sever it apart from Norfolk.
It was famous for worthy Ministers in the very beginning of Reformation. In the entrance of Queen Elizabeth to the Crown, it was moved at the Coun∣cil-Table, Whether it was not dangerous (for some Politick respects) to alter the Religion before established? Sir Nicho∣las Bacon (who was of the County of Suffolk) demanded, Which was the true Religion acccording to Scripture, the Protestant or Popish? it being an∣swered, the Protestant, Leave that to God then (said he) to defend it.
It is a large Countrey and full of Ha∣vens, of a fat and fertile soil (unlesse it be Eastward) being compounded of Clay and Marle, by means whereof there are every where most rich and goodly Corn-fields, with Pastures as battable for grazing and feeding of Cattel.
Great store of Cheeses are there made, which to the great commodity of the Inhabitants are vented into all parts of England: nay into Germany, France and Spain also.
There are also Woods and Parks.
New-Market a Town lately built, as the very name imports.
Here lieth out a great way round about, a large plain, named of this Town, New-Market-Heath, consisting of a sandy and barren ground, yet green withall.
There are great Ditches, called, The Devils Ditches.
St. Edmunds-Bury, or Bury, a renown∣ed Town.
A place for situation and wholsome∣nesse of air so excellent, that Camden saith, Sol non vidit urbem situ ele∣gantiorem.
Many of the Gentry live there.
There are two Churches in one Churchyard, where there are Lectures several dayes in the week.
Here was born Richardus de Bury * 1.143 Bishop of Durham, the Governour of Edward the Third when young, and fa∣mous especially for a work which he entituled Philobiblos, in the Preface of which he confesseth, Ecstatico quodam librorum amore potenter se abreptum. * 1.144 He was well acquainted with Petrark the Italian, and other learned men of that age. Bradwardine Archbishop of Canterbury, and Richard Fitzralph, Armachanus, Walter Burleigh, Robert Halcot, and other most famous men of that age were his Chaplains.
Lidgate a small Village, yet in this respect not to be passed over in silence, because it brought into the world John Lidgate the Monk, whose wit may seem to have been framed and shapen to the very Muses themselves: so brightly reshine in his English Verses, all the pleasant graces and elegancies of speech, according to that age.
Clare a noble Village, it gave name * 1.145 to the right noble Family of the Clares, Earls of Clare.
Sudbury, that is, the South-Burgh, it is populous and wealthy by reason of cloathing there.
Mont-chensie.
Nettlested.
Offton the Town of Off a King of the Mercians.
Lancham a pretty Mercat.
Hadley a Town of good note for ma∣king of cloaths.
Higham.
Bentley.
Walpet, that is, the Wolves-pit, a Mercat Town.
Stow and Needham two little Mercat Towns.
Ipswich * 1.146 a fair Town resembling a City, situate in a ground somewhat low: which is the Eye of this Shire, as having an Haven commodious enough; fenced in times past with a trench and rampire, of good trade and stored with wares, well peopled and full of Inhabitants, adorned with twelve Churches, and with goodly large and stately E∣difices,
plentifull in shipping.
Mendlesham, there is a Market and Fair.
Ufford the seat in times past of Robert de Ufford Earl of Suffolk.
The roof of this Church and other parts of the Quire are curiously engra∣ven with sundry kinds of Works and Pictures, all burnisht and guilt with gold.
Weevers Ancient Funer. Mon.
Rendelisham, that is, Rendils Man∣sion place.
Woodbridge a little Town beautified with fair houses.
Framlingham-Castle, a very fair and beautifull Castle, fortified with Bank, Ditch, and Walls of great thicknesse, wherein are thirteen Towers; and in∣wardly furnished with buildings right commodious and necessary.
Parrham a little Town; Barons Wil∣loughbey of Parrham.
Oreford.
Aldburgh, that is, the old Burgh, or the Burgh upon the River Ald. An Har∣bour very commodious for Sailers and Fishermen, and thereby well frequented.
Dunwich, it lieth now desolate.
Blithborow a small Town, it hath a Mercat and a Fair.
Southwold a Town well frequented through the benefit of an Haven.
Wingfield, it hath given name to an ancient and renowned Family.
Dunnington the habitation of the an∣cient Family of the Rousses.
Heuningham the residence of a Fa∣mily of that name of very great Anti∣quity.
Halesworth a Mercat Town.
Hoxon, ennobled by reason of King Edmunds Martyrdom.
Brome, there dwelt a long time the Family of Cornwalleis of Knights de∣gree: of whom Sir John Cornwalleis was Steward of Edward the Sixth his houshold while he was Prince; and his Sonne Sir Thomas, for his wisdom and faithfulnesse became one of ••he Privy-Councel to Queen Mary, and Controller of her Royal House.
Eaye an Island.
Beddingfield, it gave the name to an ancient and worshipfull Family.
Flixton, or Felixton, so named of
Faelix the first Bishop of these parts.
Mettingham, where there is a Ca∣stle.
Luthingland of Luthing the Lake.
Comerley Town.
Burgh-Castle, now ruined.
Sommerly-Hall, my Lady Wentworths House, famous for fair Walks and Ponds. There is one long Walk en∣compassed with Fir-trees on each side.
The Parishes in this County amount to the number of five hundred seventy five.
FRom the West it boundeth partly upon Barkshire and Hantshire; from the South upon Sussex; and from the East on Kent; toward the North it is watered with the River Tames, and by it divided from Middlesex.
It is a Countrey not very large, yet wealthy enough, where it beareth up∣on Thames, and lieth as a plain and
champion Countrey. It is likened by some unto a course freeze garment with a green gard, or to a cloath of great spinning, and thin woven, with a green list about it, because the inner part is but barren, the outward edge or skirt more fertile.
Chertsey a kind of Island.
Fernham, so named of much Fern growing in that place.
Guildford a Mercat Town well fre∣quented, and full of fair Innes.
Ockam, where that great Philosopher and Father of the nominals William de Ockham was born, and whereof he took that name, as of the next Village Rip∣ley, George Ripley a ring-leader of our Al∣chymists.
Oatlands a fair house of the Kings: neer unto which Caesar passed over Tames into the Borders of Cassivelaunus. For * 1.147 this was the only place where a man might in times past go over the Tames on foot, and that hardly too, which the Britains themselves improvidently bewrayed unto Caesar.
Ockley, so named of Oaks.
Rhiegate, the Rivers course.
Holm-Castle.
Beckworth-Castle.
Effingham.
Kingstone a very good Mercat Town * 1.148 for the bignesse, and well frequented. It had beginning from a little Town more ancient then it of the same name. In which, when England was almost ruinated by the Danish Warres, Aethel∣stan, Edwin and Ethelred were crown∣ed Kings upon an open stage in the Market place, whence it was called Kingston. Leland. Comment. in Cygn. Cant. Camd. Brit.
Shene, so called of its shining bright∣nesse, now Richmond, wherein the most mighty Prince King Edward the Third, when he had lived sufficiently both to glory and nature, died.
King Henry the Seventh built it, and gave it that name of Richmond, of the Title he bare, being Earl of Richmond, before he obtained the Crown of Eng∣land. He had scarce finished this new work, when in this place he yeeld∣ed unto Nature, and ended his Life. Here Queen Elizabeth also died.
None-such a retiring place of the Prin∣ces, * 1.149 and surpasseth all other houses round about: which King Henry the Eighth, in a very healthfull place cal∣led Cuddington before, selected for his own delight and ease, and built with so great sumptuousnesse and rare work∣manship, that it aspireth to the very top of ostentation for shew: so as a man may think, that all the skill of Archi∣tecture is in this one piece of work be∣stowed, and heaped up together. So many Statues and lively Images there were in every place, so many wonders of absolute Workmanship, and Workes seeming to contend with Roman Anti∣quities, that most worthily it might have this name that it hath of None-such.
Hane quia non habeant similem laudare Britanni, Saepè solent, nullique parem, cognomine dicunt.
The Britains oft are wont to praise this place: For that through all The Realm they cannot shew the like, and None-such they it call.
The House was environed about with Parks full of Deer, it had such dainty and delicate Orchards, such Groves adorned with curious Arbours, so pretty quarters, Beds and Alleys, such Walks so shadowed with Trees, that it was exceeding pleasant.
Wandle a clear Riveret full of the best Trouts.
Woodcot a pretty Town.
Croidon, there was the Archbishops house of Canterbury: There are Char∣coals.
Bedington a fair house, beautified with a delightfull shew of pleasant Gar∣dens and Orchards.
Addington.
Aguilon situate in a most fertile soil.
Merton. It is famous for the Statute of Merton, enacted here in the 21. of King Henry the Third, and also for Walter de Merton Founder of Merton Colledge in Oxford, borne and bred here.
Wimbledon, there is a goodly House, beautifull for building, and delectable for fair profpect, and right pleasant Gardens, built in the year 1588. when
the Spanish Armado made sail upon the coast of England.
Wandlesworth.
Putney. Thomas Cromwell Earl of Essex in the Reign of King Henry the Eighth, was born there.
Batersey. * 1.150
Lambeth. Canutus the Hardy King of England there amidst his cups yeeld∣ed up his vital breath.
It was the Palace of the Archbishop of Canterbury.
Southwark, the Burrough of South∣work, the most famous Mercat Town and place of Trade in all this Shire. It is large and populous. In the Reign of King Edward the Sixth, it was annexed to the City of London, and is at this day taken for a member (as it were) of it.
Sterborow-Castle.
This County hath in it an hundred and forty Parish Churches.
THe Region of the South Saxons, a word compounded of the site thereof Southward, and of the Sax∣ons, who in their Heptarchy placed here the second Kingdom. It is above three∣score miles long, and somewhat above twenty miles broad.
It lieth upon the British Ocean all Southward with a strait shore (as it were) farre more in length than breadth: How be it it hath few har∣bours, by reason that the Sea is dange∣rous for shelves, and therefore rough and troublous, the shore also it self full of Rocks.
The Sea-coast of this Countrey, hath green Hils on it, mounting to a greater height, called the Downs, which be∣cause they stand upon a fat chalk, or kind of Marle, yeeldeth corn abun∣dantly.
The middle tract, garnished with
Medows, Pastures, Corn-fields and Groves, maketh a very lovely shew.
The hithermore and northern side thereof is shaded most pleasantly with Woods, like as in times past the whole Countrey throughout, which by rea∣son of the Woods was hardly passable. The Wood Andradswald taking the name of Anderida the City next ad∣joyning, took up in this quarter, a hundred and twenty miles in length, and thirty in bredth.
It is full of Mines in sundry places, where for the making and fining where∣of there be Furnaces on every side, and a huge deal of Wood is yeerly spent, to which purpose divers Brooks in ma∣ny places are brought to runne in one chanel, and sundry Medows turned in∣to Pools and Waters, that they might be of power sufficient to drive Ham∣mer-mils, which beating upon the iron, resound all over the places adjoyn∣ing.
Boseham a place environed round about with Woods, and the Sea to∣gether.
Chichester lieth in a champion plain▪ * 1.151
A City large enough, and walled about, built by Cissa a Saxon the se∣cond King of this Province, and of him so named. It hath four Gates opening to the four Quarters of the World: from whence the streets lead directly, and crosse themselves in the midst, where the Market is kept; a fair stone Market place, supported with Pillars round about.
The Church it self is not great, but very fair and neat, having a Spire-steeple of stone, rising up passing high.
Selsey the Isle of Sea-Calves, now * 1.152 famous for good Cockles, and full Lob∣sters.
Amberley, there is a Castle.
Arundel.
Petworth a house of my Lord of Nor∣thumberland, where there is a very fair stable.
Horseham an indifferent Market.
Michel-grove, that is, Great-Grove.
Old Shoreham a Village.
Stening a great Market, and at certaine set dayes much frequent∣ed.
Lewes, this for frequency of people * 1.153 and greatnesse, is reputed one of the chiefest Towns of the County, it is seated upon a rising almost on every side. There are six Churches in the Town.
High-hills, called the Downs, which for rich fertility giveth place to few val∣leys and plains.
Pemsey or Peremsey Marsh of Pe∣vensey, the next Towne adjoy∣ning,
Herst-Mounceaux.
Ashburnham, it gave the name to a Family of great Antiquity.
Hastings. It is accounted the first of the Cinque-Ports.
Winchelsey a fair Town.
Rhie, a very commodious Haven: * 1.154 There is an usual passage from hence in∣to Normandy.
Echingham.
Bodiam a Castle belonging to the an∣cient Family of the Leaknors.
Ashdown-Forest, under which stand∣eth * 1.155 Buckhurst, the Habitation of the ancient House of the Sackviles.
Waterdown-Forest.
This Province containeth Parishes three hundred and twelve.
IT is bounded on the East-side with * 1.156 Northamptonshire, Leicestershire, and the Watlingstreet way: on the South with Oxfordshire and Glocester∣shire; on the West for the greatest part with Worcestorshire; and on the North-side with Staffordshire.
It is divided into a plain champion, and a woody Countrey: which parts the River Avon, running crookedly from North-East to South-West, doth after a sort sever one from the other.
Edge-hill.
There is the Vale of the Red-horse, so termed from a shape of a Horse cut out in a red Hill by the Countrey peo∣ple hard by.
Essenhull. It takes its name from the situation, standing Eastward from
Monks-Kirby, and upon a rising ground.
Pillerton.
Shipston a Mercat of Sheep in times past.
Kinton a Mercat of Kine.
Compton in the Hole, because it lieth hidden under the Hils, thence a noble Family hath taken the name.
Shugbury, stones resembling little stars are there found, which the Lords of the place surnamed thereupon, have long shewed in their Coat-armour.
Southam a Mercate Town well known.
Leamington a Mercat Town, so cal∣ed of Leame a small Brook that wandereth through this part of the Shire.
Chesterton the Habitation of that an∣cient Family of the Peitoes.
Rugby a Mercat chiefly for Butch∣ers.
Newenham Regis, Kings Newenham, to distinguish it from Newenham Pad∣dox, the King was anciently possest of it. There are wholsome Wells.
Upton, so called, because it stands upon an ascent.
Bagginton, which belonged sometime to the Bagots.
Stoneley a stony place.
Warwick is the principal Town of the whole Shire. It standeth over the Ri∣ver Avon upon a steep and high Rock, and all the Passages into it are wrought out of the very stone.
It stands in a dry and fertile soil, ha∣ving the benefit of rich and pleasant Medows on the South part, with the lofty Groves and spacious thickets of the woodland on the North.
It hath a very strong Castle, the seat in times past of the Earls of Warwick, The Town it self is adorned with fair houses.
A place of strength and health in the same Fort You would conceive a Castle and a Court, The Orchards, Gardens, Rivers, and the Air May with the Trenches, Rampires, Walls compare. It seems no art, no force can intercept it, As if a Lover built, a Souldier kept it. D. Corbets Iter Boreale.
Blacklow-Hill, here Piers de Gave∣ston was by the Nobles of the Kingdom beheaded.
Charl-Cot the habitation of the re∣nowned ancient Family of the Lucies Knights, which place long ago de∣scended hereditarily to them from the Charlcots.
Stratford upon Avon a little Mer∣cate Town; there is a stone Bridge supported with fourteen Arches.
Bitford a Mercat Town.
Studly-Castle.
Coughton the principal mansion house of the Throckmortons.
Beauchamps-Court, so named of Ba∣ron Beauchamp of Powick.
Henley a pretty Mercat Town.
Aulcester a small Mercat of Wares and trade, but much frequented for the Corn-Fair there holden.
Wroxhall, there is a little Priory.
Killingworth, there is a most ample, beautifull and strong Castle, encom∣passed all about with Parks.
Bremicham or Bremingham full of Inhabitants, and resounding with Ham∣mers and Anvils, for the most of them
are Smiths. The lower part thereof standeth very waterish, the upper riseth with fair buildings.
Sutton-Coldfield. It standeth in a * 1.157 wooddy, and on a churlish hard soil, but in an excellent air, and full of all man∣ner of pleasures. There is a Grammar-School.
Coleshull, so called from the River Cole.
Maxstock-Castle is neer to it.
Meriden. This place situated upon London-road, hath from some Innes and Ale-houses built for the receipt of Passengers, grown of late times to the credit of a Village.
Coventry. It is a City very commo∣diously * 1.158 seated, large, sweet and neat, fortified with a strong Wall, and set out with right goodly houses: among which there rise up on high two Chur∣ches of rare workmanship, standing one hard by the other, and matched (as it were) as concurrents, the one conse∣crated to the Holy Trinity, the other to Saint Michael. One and the self same Bishop carried the name both of Coven∣try and Lichfield.
Leofrick the first Lord of this City being much offended and angry with the Citizens, oppressed them with most heavy Tributes, which he would remit upon no other condition, at the earnest suit of his Wife Godina, unlesse she would her self ride on horse-back naked through the greatest and most inhabited street of the City: which she did in∣deed, and was so covered with her fair long Hair, that (if we may believe the common sort) she was seen of no body, and thus she did set free her Citizens of Coventry from many paiments for ever.
At Gosford-Gate there hangeth to be seen a mighty great Shield-bone of a * 1.159 wild Bore, which Guy of Warwick slew in hunting, when he had turned up with his snout a great pit or pond, which is now called Swansewell, but Swineswell in times past.
Ausley-Castle.
Brand.
Caledon.
Whitmore-Park. Though it be for the most part woody, yet is in some places so moorish, as that the ground
beareth nothing but mosse; which be∣ing in one place white, gave occasion (doubtlesse) for its name.
Dugd. Antiq. of Warwickshire.
Willowby, because of the Willows.
Cester-over, neer unto which the High port-way Watlingstreet.
Nun-Eaton, or Eaton.
Mancester a very small Village.
Atherstone a Mercat Town of good resort.
Merival.
Pollesworth. Sir Francis Nethersole a Kentish Gentleman of an ancient house, sometimes Oratour to the Uni∣versity of Cambridge, Secretary to the Queen of Bohemia hath erected a * 1.160 School-house there.
In this County there are an hundred and fifty eight Parish Churches.
IT is so called, because it lieth all of * 1.161 it among Moors and high Hils, and was for the most part unmanured. Such barren places the Northern Englishmen call Moors: and West-moreland is a We∣stern-moorish Countrey.
It is bounded on the West and North-side with Cumberland; on the East with Yorkshire, and the Bishoprick of Durrham.
The Barony of Kendale and Candale of the River Can, which running tho∣row upon stones, cutteth thorow it.
Kendale-Kirke by Kendale, a Town of very great Trade and resort, with two broad and long streets crossing the one over the other, and a place for ex∣cellent cloathing, and for industry so surpassing, that in regard thereof it car∣rieth a great name. For, the Inhabitants * 1.162 have great traffique and vent of their wollen Cloaths throughout all parts of England.
In the River Can are two water-falls, where the waters have a downfall, with a mighty noise.
Kirkby-Lonsdale, whither all the * 1.163 people round about repair to Church and Mercat.
Wharton-Hall, the seat of the Barons Wharton.
Kirkby-Stephen a Mercat Town well known.
Musgrave, there are two little Vil∣lages of that name, which gave name unto that martial and warlick Family of the Musgraves.
Burgh under Stanemore a small poor Village fenced with a little Fortresse.
Apelby memorable for its antiquity * 1.164 and situation onely. It standeth in a pleasant site, encompassed for the most part with the River Eden; for its anti∣quity it deserves to be counted the chief Town of the Shire. The Castle is the * 1.165 common-Goal for malefactours.
Whellep-Castle.
Brougham.
In this Shire are contained six and twenty Parishes.
IT is altogether a mediterranean or * 1.166 midland Countrey. It is enclosed with Somersetshire on the West, Berk∣shire and Hampshire on the East; on the North with Glocestershire; on the South with Dorsetshire, and a part of Hampshire.
A region, which as it breedeth a number of warlike and hardy men, who in old time with Cornwall and Denshire together challenged by reason of their manhood, and martial prowesse the prerogative of the English Army, of that Regiment which should second the main Battel; so it is exceeding fertile, and plentifull of all things; yea, and for the variety thereof passing pleasant and delightsome.
Wansdike a Dike of wonderfull work, cast up for many miles together.
The Saxons made it as a limit to di∣vide the two Kingdom of the Mercians
and West-Saxons asunder: For this was the very place of Battel between them, while each strove one with another, to enlarge his Dominions.
Greeklade, so called of Greek Phi∣losophers, as some are ready to believe; who (as the History of Oxford report∣eth) began there an University, which afterwards was translated to Oxford.
Camdens Britan. * 1.167
This (though Leland dislikes) other learned men approve.
See M. Seldens Illustrat. of Draytons Polyolb.
High-worth highly seated, and well known.
Wood-Town or Wotton-Basset. It hath his primitive name from Wood, the ad∣dition proves, that it belonged to the noble House of the Bassets.
Malmesbury, a very neat Town, and hath a great name for cloathing.
See Monasticon Anglicanum, p. 49. of the Monastery here.
Maidulphi Urbs, that is, Maidulphs City, and afterwards short Malmesbury. Aldelme the chief of Maidulphs Disci∣ples
being elected, his Successour built there a very fair Monastery, and was himself the first Abbot thereof. He was canonized a Saint, and on his Fe∣stival day, there was here kept a great Fair, at which usually there is a Band of armed men, appointed to keep the peace among so many resorting thither. He was the first of the English Nation, who wrote in Latine, and that taught Englishmen the way how to make a La∣tine Verse.
Primus ego in Patriam mecum, modò vita supersit, Aonio rediens deducam vertice Musas.
This Monastery among other famous Clerks, & great Scholars, brought forth William surnamed thereof Malmesburi∣ensis, unto whom for his learned indu∣stry, the History of England both Civil and Ecclesiastical are deeply indebted.
Colne an old little Town situate upon a stony ground, having in it a fair Church to commend it.
Chippenham, of note at this day for * 1.168 the Market there kept. There is now
nothing worth the sight but the Church, built by the Barons Hunger∣ford, as appeareth every where by their Coats of Armes set up there∣on.
Cosham a little Village.
Castle-Comb an old Castle.
Leckham the possession of the noble Family of the Bainards.
Lacock a Monastery.
The Castle De Vies, the Devizes, built by Roger Bishop of Salisbury. He built also the Castle of Malmesbury and Shireburn.
Trubridge, that is, a sure and trusty Bridge in great name and prosperity by reason of cloathing, and sheweth the remains of a Castle.
Bradford, so named of a broad Ford.
Long-Leat, the dwelling place of the Thins, a very fair, neat and elegant house in a foul soil.
Maiden-Bradley. A Maiden infected with the Leprosie, founded an house here for Maidens that were Lepers.
Stourton the seat of the Lords Stour∣ton, so called of the River Stour.
Werminster exceeding much fre∣quented for a round Corn-Market.
Sarisbury-Plains, they are but rarely inhabited, and had in late time a bad name, for robberies there committed.
Heitesbury an ancient Mansion place of the Family of Hungerford.
Yanesbury-Castle a very large war∣like Fence or Hold, fortified with a deep and double Ditch.
Wardour a proper fine Castle.
Hindon, a quick Market.
Wilton, so called from the River Willey, a place well watered, and some∣time the head Town of the whole Shire, which thereof took the name. It is now a small Village, having a Maior for the head Magistrate, and in it a fine House of the Earls of Pembroke.
Salisbury. There is a stately and * 1.169 beautifull Minster, which with an ex∣ceeding high spired Steeple, and dou∣ble
crosse-Isles on both sides. The Windows in the Church, as they rec∣kon them, answer just in number to the dayes, the Pillars great and small, to the hours of a full yeer, and the gates to the twelve Moneths.
Mira Canam, Soles quot continet annus, in unâ Tam numerosa, ferunt, aede, fenestra micat. Marmoreasque capit fusas tot ab arte columnas, Comprensas horas quot vagus annus habet. Totque patent portae, quot mensibus annus abundat, Res mira, at verâres celebrata fide. Daniel Rogers.
It hath a Cloister for largenesse and fine workmanship inferiour to none: whereunto joyneth the Bishops Palace, a very fair and goodly house: and on the other side a high bell Tower, and passing strong withall, standing by it self apart from the Minster, every street is watered.
It is the second City in all this
Tract well inhabited and frequented, plentifull of all things, especially of Fish, adorned with a very stately Market place, wherein standeth their common Hall of Timber work, a very beautifull Edifice. It boasteth chiefly of John * 1.170 Jewel long since Bishop there, a wonderfull great and deep Divine, a most stout and earnest maintainer of our Reformed Religion against the Adver∣saries by his learned Books.
Clarindon a very large and goodly Park very fit for the keeping and feed∣ing of wild beasts.
About six miles from Salisbury in * 1.171 the Plains before named, is to be seen a huge and monstrous peece of work Stone-henge. Within the circuit of a Ditch, there are erected in manner of a Crown, in three ranks or courses one within another certain mighty and un∣wrought Stones, whereof some are eight and twenty foot high, and seven foot broad; upon the heads of which, others like overthwart peeces do bear and rest crosse-wise, with small tenents and mortesis, so as the whole frame seemeth to hang.
Everly-Warren, a Warren of Hares. * 1.172
Savernac-Forest of great name for plenty of good game, and for a kind of Ferne there, that yeeldeth a most plea∣sing savour. In remembrance where∣of, their Hunters-horn of a mighty bignesse, and tipt with silver, the Earl of Hertford keepeth unto this day, as a Monument of his Progenitors.
Atibury an uplandish Village.
Rockley a little Village.
Kenet.
Marleborow. It was most famous by * 1.173 reason of a Parliament there holden, wherein by a general consent of the States of the Kingdome there assem∣bled, a Law passed for the appeasing of all Tumults, commonly called, The Statute of Marleborow.
Ramesbury a pretty Village, which hath pretty Medows about it.
Littlecot, a place worthy to be re∣membred, because of the late Lord thereof Sir John Popham, who being the chief Judge in the Kings-Bench, executed Justice against malefactours to his high praise and commenda∣tion.
This County containeth in it three hundred and four Parishes.
SO called of the principal Town in it. * 1.174
Here are many Salt-pits, which the old Englishmen in their Language na∣med Wiches.
Warwickshire confineth on the East of this County, Glocestershire on the South, it is bounded Westward with Herefordshire and Shropshire; North-East with Staffordshire; it hath so tem∣perate an air, and so favourable soil, that for healthfulnesse and plenty, it is not inferiour to the neighbour Coun∣treys, and in one part for dainty Cheese surpasseth them. It yeeldeth store of Pears, of which they make a bastard kind of Wine called Pyrry, which they drink very much, although it be (as other drinks of that kind) both cold and full of wind.
In every place there are sweet Ri∣vers, which afford a great abundance of the most delicate kind of fishes.
Severn that noble and renowned Ri∣ver carrieth his stream along, through the midst of the Shire from North to South; and Avon that cometh down out of Warwickshire to meet with Se∣vern, watereth the South-part there∣of.
Beawdly, worthily so called for the beautifull site thereof, standeth most pleasantly upon the hanging of an Hill, and hovereth over the River on the West-side: on late dayes well known for the admirable talnesse of Trees growing in the Forest of Wyre ad∣joyning, which now in manner be all gone.
Delicium rerum Bellus Locus, undique floret Fronde Coronatus Virianae tempore Sylvae,
Kidderminster a fair Town, and hath a great Mercat of all Commodities, well frequented, parted in twain by
little River Stowre that runneth tho∣row it. There is a very beautifull Church.
Hertlebury-Castle.
Holt-Castle, so called of a very thick wood there.
Frankeley the Family of the Little∣tons, planted by John Littleton, aliàs Westcote the famous Lawyer, Justice in the Kings-Bench in the time of King Edward the Fourth, to whose Treatise of Tenures the Students of our Com∣mon-Law are no lesse beholden, then the Civilians to Justinians Insti∣tutes.
Bromesgrove a Mercat Town.
Grafton.
Droitwich, some term it Durtwich, * 1.175 of the Salt-pits, and the wettish ground on which it standeth, where three foun∣tains yeelding plenty of water to make salt of, divided asunder by a little Brook of fresh water passing between, by a
peculiar gift of nature spring out: out of which most pure white Salt is boiled for six Moneths every year, viz. from Mid-sommer to mid-winter, in many set furnaces round about.
Richard De la Wich Bishop of Chi∣chester was here born, whom Pope Ur∣ban the fourth canonized for a Saint.
Fekenham-Forest.
Worcester the principal City of this * 1.176 Shire, an ancient and beautifull place. It standeth in a place rising somewhat with a gentle ascent, by the Rivers-side that hath a fair Bridge with a Tower over it, it is well and strongly walled. There are fair and neat Houses, many Churches. It is a Bishops See. The Cathedral Church is a passing fair and stately building, adorned with the Mo∣numents and Tombs of King John, Arthur Prince of Wales, and divers of the Beauchamps.
Powick, famous for Cherries.
Hanley-Castle.
Upton a Mercate Towne of great name.
Malvern-Hills, great and high Moun∣tains, which for the space of seven
miles, or thereabout, do (as it were) by degrees rise higher and higher, di∣viding this Shire from the County of Hereford.
Bredon-Hills farre lesse.
Elmesley-Castle.
Washborn a Village, whence came the surname to a very ancient and worship∣full Family in this Tract.
Eovesham, so called, as the Monks write, of one Eoves, Swinherd to Egwin Bishop of Worcester. A very proper Town situate upon an Hill ari∣sing from the River. A Town well known for the Vale under it, named thereof, The Vale of Evesham, which for plentifull fertility hath well deser∣ved to be called the Granary of all these Countreys; so good and plentifull is the ground in yeelding the best Corn abundantly.
Charlton, now the seat of the Ding∣leyes.
Oswaldslow-Hundred, so called of Oswald Bishop of Worcester, who obtained it for himself of King Ed∣gar.
Augustines-Oke, at which Augustine
the Apostle of the Englishmen, and the Bishops of Britain met, and after they had disputed and debated the matter hotly for a good while touch∣ing the Celebration of Easter, preach∣ing Gods Word also to the English Nation, and of administring Baptisme according to the Rites of the Roman Church; in the end, when they could not agree they departed on both sides with discontented minds, upon their dissenting opinions.
There are in this Shire an hundred fifty and two Parishes.
THe County of York, the greatest * 1.177 Shire by farre of all England, is thought to be in a temperate measure fruitfull. If in one place there be stony and sandy barren ground, in ano∣ther place there are for it Corn-fields, as rich and fruitfull; if it be void and destitute of woods here, you shall find
it shadowed there with most thick Fo∣rests: So providently useth nature such a temperature, that the whole Coun∣trey may seem by reason also of that variety more gracefull and delecta∣ble.
It is farre greater and more nume∣rous in the circuit of her miles, then any Shire of England. The length extended from Hart-Hill in the South to the mouth of Tees in the North is neer unto seventy miles; the breadth from Flambrough-head to Horn-Castle upon the River Lun is eighty, the whole circumference three hundred and eight miles. Speed.
Helmsley a Mannor in Yorkshire hath two Parks and a Chase in it, it is said to be about an hundred fourty six miles compasse, it had fourty thousand timber Trees, and two hundred Acres of wood. There are many Free-hold∣ers there.
It is famous for Wool, Grasing, Corn, Rivers and Fountains. There are the Gips upon Yorkshire Woolds, which in the drought of Summer, when all other Springs seem to be
dried up, burst out and rise up five or six yards plum height, and so fall down into the Dales, and make a little River, by which the Towns neer thereto refresh their Cattel, when the Valley springs fail.
On the North-side it hath the Bi∣shoprick of Durham, which the River Tees with a continued course separateth from it: On the East-side the Germane Sea lieth sore upon it: and the South-side is enclosed first with Cheshire and Darbyshire; then with Nottinghamshire, and after with Lincolnshire, where that famous arm of the Sea Humber floweth between, into which all the Rivers well neer that water this Shire empty them∣selves (as it were) into their common receptacle.
The whole Shire is divided into three parts: which according to the three Quarters of the world are cal∣led, The West-Riding, The East-Ri∣ding, The North-Riding. West-Riding, for a good while is compassed in with the River Ouse, with the bound of Lancashire, and with the South limits of the Shire, and beareth toward the
West and South. East-Riding, look∣eth to the Sunne-rising, and the O∣cean, which together with the River Derwent encloseth it. North-Riding reacheth Northward, hemmed in (as it were) with the River Tees with Derwent and a long race of the River Ouse.
Sheafield a Town of great name for the Smiths therein, fortified also with a strong and ancient Castle.
Rotheram glorieth in Thomas Rothe∣ram sometimes Archbishop of York, a wise man, bearing the name of the Town, being born therein, and a sin∣gular Benefactor thereunto.
Connisborrow an ancient Castle seated upon a Rock.
Dan-Castre. There is the fair Church * 1.178 of S. Georges.
Tickhill an old Town, fenced with as old a Castle, large enough, but ha∣ving only a single Wall about it.
Hatfiele-Chace, a great game and hunting of red Deer.
Halifax a most famous Town. * 1.179
This place is become famous as well among the multitude by reason of the Law there, whereby they beheaded straitwayes whosoever are taken steal∣ing: as also amongst the learned: for they report that Johannes de Sacro Bosco the Authour of the Sphere, was here born: yet more famous it is, for the greatnesse of the Parish, which rec∣koneth eleven Chappels; whereof two are Parish-Chappels, and to the number of twelve thousand people therein.
Halifax Nuts are spoken of prover∣bially, All shels and no kernels.
Dewsborough seated under an high Hill.
Wakefield a Town famous for Cloa∣thing, for greatnesse, for fair build∣ing, a well frequented Mercat, and a Bridge, upon which King Edward the Fourth erected a beautifull Chap∣pel, in memorial of those that lost their lives there in battel.
Sandall-Castle.
The Tract lying here round about for a great way together, is called the
Seigniory or Lordship of Wakefield, and hath alwayes for the Steward one of the better sort of Gentlemen dwel∣ling thereby.
Medley, so called for the situation (as it were) in the midst between two Rivers.
Skipton, it lieth hidden and enclo∣sed among steep Hils, as Latium in Italy, which Varro supposeth to have been so called, because it lieth close un∣der Appenine and the Alps.
The Town (for the manner of their building among these Hils) is fair e∣nough, and hath a very proper and strong Castle.
Leeds a rich Town by reason of Cloathing.
Winwidfield, a name given it from a victory.
Pontfret, the Normans of a broken * 1.180 Bridge, named it in French Pontfract. It is seated in a very pleasant place, which bringeth forth Liquorice and Skirworts in great plenty, adorned al∣so with fair buildings, and hath to shew a stately Castle, as a man shall see, situate upon a Rock, no lesse
goodly to the eye, then safe for the defence, well fortified with Ditches and Bulwarks.
Shirburn a little Town, but well in∣habited.
Aberford a little Village, famous on∣ly for making of Pins, which by wo∣mens judgment are especially commend∣ed as the best.
Hesselwood the principal seat of that worthy and right ancient Family of the Vavasours, who by their Office (for the Kings Valvasors in times past they were) took to them this name.
Peters-post a famous quarry of stone, so called, because with the stones hew∣ed out of it, by the liberal Grant of the Vavasors, that stately and sumptuous Church of S. Peters at York was re-edified.
Harewood-Castle of good strength.
Wetherby a Mercat Town of good note.
Tadcaster, it is situate upon a Port high-way.
Rippley a Mercat Town.
Knasborrow-Castle, situate upon a mostragged and rough Rock, whence
also it hath the name. There is a Well under it which turns wood into stone, within two miles of it is the Spaw, which makes women conceive that were barren before, and cures many diseases.
Within three miles of Knarsborough are the stinking Wells, which come out of a mineral of Brimstone, and do many cures, especially for Worms, the Scurvy and Itch.
Rippon. There is a very fair Church, which with three high Spire-steeples doth welcome those that come to the Town.
Burrow-Bridge a little Town, so cal∣led of the Bridge that is made over the River.
Pyramides, four huge stones of pyra∣midal form in three divers little fields, they were monuments of victory ere∣cted by the Romans, hard by the high street that went this way.
* 1.181 York. This is the second City of England, the fairest in all this Coun∣trey, and a singular safeguard and orna∣ment both, to all the North parts. A pleasant place; large and stately, well
fortified, beautifully adorned as well with private as publick buildings, rich, populous; and it hath an Archiepisco∣pal See.
Ure, which now is called Ouse, flow∣ing with a gentle stream from the North part Southward cutteth it in twain, and divideth it (as it were) in∣to two Cities, which are conjoyned with a stone Bridge, having one mighty Arch.
The West part, nothing so populous, is compassed in with a very fair Wall, and the River together, four square∣wise, and giveth entrance to those that come thither at one only Gate, named Mikel-Barre, The great Gate. From which a long Street, and a broad, reacheth to the very Bridge, and the same Street beset with pro∣per Houses, having Gardens and Orchards planted on the back-side on either hand, and behind them fields even hard to the Walls, for exercise and disports.
The East-side, wherein the Houses stand very thick, and the Streets be narrower, in form resembleth (as it
were) a lentill, and is fortified also with very strong Walls; and on the South-East defended with the deep chanel of Fosse▪ a muddy River; which entring into the heart of the City by a blind way, hath a Bridge over it, with houses standing upon it, so close ranged one by another, that any man would judge it, to be not a Bridge, but a continued Street; and so a little lower runneth into Ouse.
There is a Cathedral Church de∣dicated to Saint Peter, an excellent fair and stately Fabrick, neer unto which there is the Princes House, com∣monly called, The Mannour.
York was a Colony of the Romans, as appeareth both by the authority of Ptolomee and Antonine; and also by a peece of Money coined by the Empe∣rour Severus, in the reverse whereof we read,
COL. EBORACUM LEG. VI. VICTRIX.
Severus had his Palace in this City, and here at the hour of death gave up his last breath, with these words: I entered upon a State every way trouble∣some,
and I leave it peaceable even to the Britains.
Valerius Constantius surnamed Chlo∣rus, an Emperour surpassing in all Ver∣tue and Christian Piety, ended his life also in this City, and was deified.
This Emperour begat of his former Wife Helena, Constantine the Great, who was present in York at his Fathers last gasp, and forthwith proclaimed Emperour.
York was in great estimation in those dayes, since the Romane Emperours Court was there held.
Our own Countrey Writers record, That this City was by Constantius adorned and graced with an Episcopal See. Alcwin of York Schoolmaster to Charles the Great, first Founder of the University of Paris, and the singular ho∣nour of this City.
From Paulinus the first Archbishop, consecrated in the Year of our Redem∣ption 625. there have sitten in that See threescore and five Archbishops, unto the Year 1606. in which Dr Tobie Matthew a most Reverend Prelate, for the Ornaments of Vertue and
Piety, for learned Eloquence, and con∣tinual exercise of Teaching, was tran∣slated hither from the Bishoprick of Durham.
Cawood a Castle.
Selby a little Town, well peopled, and of good resort; where King Henry the First was born.
It is the second part of this Region, it lieth Eastward from York.
Stanford-Bridge, of the Battell there fought, it is called Battle-Bridge.
Wreshill a proper and strong Castle.
Howden a Mercat Town, it hath given name to a little Territory adjoyn∣ing, called of it Howdenshire.
Metham, it gave both surname and habitation also to the ancient House of the Methams.
Humber an arm of the Sea, where∣of also the Countrey beyond it, by a general name was called Northum∣berland.
It is one of the broadest arms of the
Sea, and best stored with Fish in all Britain.
Wighton a small Town of Husbandry well inhabited.
Drifield a Village well known by reason of the Tomb of Alfred that most learned King of Northumberland; and the Mounts that are raised here and there about it.
Beverley a great Town, very popu∣lous and full of Trade.
John surnamed de Beverley, Arch∣bishop of York, a man both godly and learned, after he had given over his Bishoprick, as weary of this world, came hither, and ended his life in con∣templation, about the Year of our Re∣demption, 721.
Cottingham, a Countrey Town of Husbandry.
Kingston upon Hull, but commonly * 1.182 Hull.
For stately and sumptuous Buildings, for strong Block-houses, for well fur∣nished Ships, for store of Merchants, and abundance of all things, it is become now the most famous Town of Mer∣chandize in these parts.
The Town is a County incorporate by it self.
Headon.
Patrington.
Rosse, from whence the honourable Family of the Barons Rosse took their name.
Kelnsey a little Village.
Constable-Burton, so called of the * 1.183 Lords thereof.
Sureby.
Bridlington.
This carrieth a very long Tract with * 1.184 it (though not so broad) for threescore miles together, even as far as to West∣morland.
Scarborough-Castle a goodly and fa∣mous Castle.
Within it there is Ting-tong-Wells which go two miles under the earth toward an Hill, called Weapness, in which passage there is an Iron-gate, and by that way the people in the time of Civil Wars brought in their Goods and Cattel, and so supplied the Castle.
The Hollanders and Zelanders use to take marvellous plenty of Herrings up∣on this Coast, and make a very gainfull Trade thereof, having anciently first obtained Licence by an ancient Custom out of this Castle.
Cliveland, it taketh that name of steep Banks, which we call Cliffs; for there runne all along the side thereof cliffie Hils.
Sken-grave a little Village much be∣nefited by taking great store of Fish.
Kilton-Castle within a Park.
Skelton-Castle appertaining to the ancient Family of the Barons Brus, who derive their Descent from Robert Brus the Norman.
Wilton-Castle.
Yare a Mercat Town well known.
Stokesley a little Mercat Town.
Gisburgh a small Town very pleasant and delightfull.
Ounsbery-Hill, or Rosebery-Topping, it mounteth up a mighty height, and maketh a goodly shew a farre off, so often as the Head therof hath his cloudy Cap on, lightly there followeth rain: whence they have a proverbial Rhime,
When Rosebery-Topping wears a Cap, Let Cliveland then beware a clap.
Kildale a Castle.
Pickering a good big Town belong∣ing to the Dutchy of Lancaster, si∣tuate upon an Hill, and fortified with an old Castle: unto which a number of small Villages lying there round about do appertain: whence the Countrey adjoyning is common∣ly called Pickering-Lith; The Li∣berty of Pickering and Forest of Pic∣kering.
Kirkby-Morside it lieth hard unto the Hils, whereof it had that name, a famous Mercat Town.
Rhidal a goodly, pleasant and plen∣tifull Vale, adorned with three and twenty Parish Churches, through the midst whereof runneth the River Rhie.
Malton a Mercat Town well known and frequented for Corne, Hors∣es, Fish, and implements of Hus∣bandry.
Newborrough a famous Abbey unto which we are indebted for William of Newborrough, a learned and diligent Wri∣ter of the English History.
Gilling-Castle belongs unto that ancient and worshipfull Family, which of their fair bush of Hair got their name Fairfax.
The Forest of Galtres, notorious for a solemn Horse-running, wherein the Horse that out-runneth the rest hath for his prize a little golden Bell.
Sherry-Hutton a fair Castle.
Hinderskell a little Castle: Others call it Hundred-skell of a number of Fountaines that spring up and rise there.
Northallertonshire, a little Countrey watered with the Riveret Wisk, and taking the name of Northalverton a Town having in it on Saint Bartholo∣mews day a great Fair of Kine and Oxen.
In this County there are four hun∣dred and fifty nine Parishes, under which are very many Chappels, for num∣ber of Inhabitants equal unto great Pa∣rishes.
Abbay Town.
The vale of the white Horse, is a very fruitfull vale, and full of Gentry, it is both in Bark∣shire and Wilt∣shire.
A very ancient Town, and the best Town of all Barkshire. Lelands Itine∣rary MS. to H. 8. Others say Abington.
New Windsore▪ Oppidum anti∣quum, nobile, magnificum, & situ denique tam amaenum, ut cum alio quocunque jure optimo de palma conten∣dat, quam & mihi vel in ipso castri vertice quo sol splendi∣dius sanè nihil aspicit, decentis∣simè gestare vi∣detur. Lel. Comment. in Cyg. Cant.
See Histoire d' Angle-terre. Par Du Ches∣ne, l. 15. p. 670, 671, 672,
Camd. Britan∣in Barkshire.
An Order ve∣rily of all the Orders of the Christian world (if it be to be compared with any other) most an∣cient and most famous. Milles of Nobil. Polit. and Civil. p. 88. The Order of the Garter exceeds in majesty, honour and fame, all chi∣valrous Orders in the world. Selden. Illustrat of Drayt. Polyolb. 16th Song. See more there, and Lel. Com. in cygn. Cant. and Seld. Tit. of Hon. 4to, pag. 363.
Vir pugnacissi∣mus Joannes Chandos Peri∣scelidis eques primarius, Gal∣lisque propter summam virtu∣tem sub Ed. 3. bellator notissi∣mus. Spelman. Aspilogia.
Splendor loci omnis in scholae publica, quam erexit Vindeli∣sorae in alum∣nos, Rex••longe pientior, quam fortunatior. Lelandi Com∣ment. in Cygne∣am Cantionem.
Bedfordia, the River Ouse runs thorow the Town in the middest.
A tale of vain credit is repor∣ted of Dunsta∣ble, that it was built to bridle the out∣ragiousnesse of a thief named Dun, by King Henry the First: but cer∣tain it is, the place was formerly held by the Romans. Speed. Yet Sir John Hay∣ward in the Life of King Henry the First, pag 282. saith, Dun was a famous thief amongst others, commander over the rest, and of him the place was called Dunstable.
There is a Countrey in Germany bear∣ing Beech-trees, named Buchonia, and with us a Town in Nor∣folk called Buckenham, fruitfull of Beech.
Pontes in France and our Tunbrige, and others are so called of Brid∣ges.
Cambridge and Huntingtonshire have but one Sheriff.
Sedes est & Cathedra Epis∣copalis. Ipsum solum fertilitate omnes alias Angliae regiones adaequat, ple∣rasque superat; pascua succulento virent gramine, agri denso laetantur se∣gete, prata aquis irrigua luxuriant. Sed alia est ubertas nobilior, in qua mihitriumphare videtur, triginta concionatores simul floruerunt, qui ex oppido solo natales suos derivarent; quod de nulla alia civitate, Lon∣dino excepto, affirmari posse credo. Willeti Epistola Dedicat. ad lib. 2. Samuelis. Vide plura ibid.
It begins on the 8th of Sep∣tember, and lasts about a fortnight. It is called Sturbridge-Fair.
Cheshire chief of men; Lancashire fair women. King of Che∣shire.
Yet Banchor is in Flintshire.
It is chiefly one street, of very mean building. Lel. Itin.
Cestria Epis∣copalis magnifi∣ca, & cele∣berrima Angliae urbs, amplitu∣dine, superbo aedificiorum ni∣tore, & cultis∣simorum hortorum elegantia commendata, duo passuum millia, in cir∣cuitu colligit. Ecclesias Parochiales novem, & Cathedralem elegan∣tem exhibet praeter loca alia sacra, ut hospitalia, & nosocomia re∣ligioni nuncupata. Georgius Bruin. Theat. Ʋrbium praecipuarum to∣tius mundi.
Salinae Anglicè, The Wiches, videlicet Nan∣tovicum, Nor∣tovicum, & Dirtovicum, in quibus locis sal purissimus conficitur. Leland. Cheshire ex∣celleth for white salt, not only all other Shires in England, but also all other Countreys be∣yond the Seas. King of Cheshire.
A rebus of a Brier and a Tun.
Adlington the chief seat of that race of Leighs of Ad∣lington, which is one of the great names of Gentry in this County, whereof these have had a very ancient continuance here from ma∣ny Knights and Esquires, down to the present owner Sir Ʋrian Leigh Knight. King of Cheshire.
In Richard the Seconds reign, this was Ance∣stor of Sr Peter Leigh of Lime in Cheshire that now is.
Cornwallia, The farthest Shire of Eng∣land west∣wards, so cal∣led from Cornu Galliae, being cast out into the Sea, with the shape of a Horn. Carews Surveigh of Cornwall. Vide Polyd. Verg. Camden in the close of Corn∣wall com∣mends that Carew, and acknowledg∣eth he received much light from his De∣scription of this Countrey.
The Cornish are a race of men, stout of stomack, migh∣ty of body and limb, which live hardly in a barren coun∣trey. Sr Francis Bacon in his Hist. of H. 7th.
The places every where bear British names.
Black-lead is also found there.
Two other Hils in that Tract.
In Latine Car∣leolum.
It flourished in the time of the Romans, as di∣vers tokens of Antiquity now and then dig∣ged up there, and the famous mention of it in those dayes do sufficiently prove.
The foundati∣on of it was laid by young men and maids, and part of it built by them, as ap∣pears in letters there on the Steeple.
In Anglia est Castrum quod dicitur Pech, in quod am mon∣te situm; in cujus montis latere est foramen aper∣tum, de qu•• sicut de quad am fistula, ventus non modicus saepe spirat; cujus Dominus dictus Gulielmus Penerelli, cum in animalibus dives es∣set, & subulcus ejus unam gravid am suem in pascuis amisisset, pro ipsa quaerenda dictum for amen intravit, quod tamen nec dum aliquis perscru∣tatus fuerat. Cum ergo per opaca for aminis percurrisset, tandem in lo∣cum lucidum devenit, scilicet in Camporum planitiem spatiosam: ad quam ingressus; Messores colligentes maturas segetes reperit, inter quos suem perditam, quae suculas ediderat, adinvenit Habito ergo verbo cum praeposito terrae illius, scropham recepit, & dimissus ab illis, ipsam nove grege per idem soramen ad domum Domini sui reduxit.
Mira res ait Gervasius (qui apparet Angli∣cus fuisse, vel multum in An∣glia commora∣tus) de messibus subtèrraneis ve∣nerat, & in nostro hemi∣spherio hyemalia frigora videt. Pet. Berchor. Deduct. Moral. De Anglia.
In Latine De∣vonia. Devonia nobi∣lium ingeniorum ferax. Camd. The commodi∣ties of this shire Cloath, Ker∣fies, Lead, Sil∣ver, Loadstone
At the mouth of the River Dert. The mouth is the place where any Ri∣ver finds a passage out, either into the Sea, or into another greater River; which in Latine is termed ostium, or a gate, Septem ostia Nili, Seven mouths, by which it fals into the mediterranean. This gave the name to ma∣ny Cities and Towns in England, as Dartmouth, Plimmouth, Ports∣mouth, Yarmouth, Weymouth, Axmouth, with many others. Carpenters Geog. l. 2. ch. 9.
In Latine Exo∣nia: Ptolomee calleth it Isca.
Bartholomae∣us, qui quod in lucem editus esset Exoniae (quae civitas antiquitus Isca dicitur appella∣ta) Iscanus est cognomina∣tus, in Exoni∣ensem Episco∣pum consecra∣tus fuit; in utraque Philosophia, tam humana scilicet, quam divina, vir non me∣diocriter eruditus. Godw. de Praesul. Ang. Comment.
Berstable upon the Taw na∣vigable here for great ves∣sels.
See Carpenters Geog. l. 2. c. 15. the famous men of Devon∣shire.
Durnovaria the River passage or Ferry.
Camden.
Fons limpidus, or clarus. Pure fountain or clear Well.
Bishoprick of Durham. Durham Du∣nelmensis civi∣tatis & Eccle∣siae indita est appellatio à Dun, quod montem, & Holm, quod lingua Saxonica insulam amnicam significat, quia Coquedus fluvius per Maeandrum in se quasi reductus, montem ab omni ferè parte circumluit (quasi insulam molitus) in quo Dunel∣mum (Anglice Durham) situm est. Godwin. de Praesul. Ang. Comment.
It is famous for the Mini∣stry, Dike of Epping, and Rogers of Ded∣ham, whose pi∣cture is there∣in the Church.
An ancient Colony of the Romans, called Camalodunum.
The chiefest Town of the Shire. Many have thought it was so called from a Colony in the R••man time placed there, rather from Coln the River whereon it stands, as Lincolne from the River Lune. Burtons Commentary on Antoninus his Itine∣rary through Britain. It is famous for Oisters and candied Eringo∣roots, and Cloth.
Crocum ad cor exhilaran∣dum, & se∣dandos dolores utile, cujus fortasse non est ubique terra∣rum quàm in agris Essexio, Suffulcio, & Cantabrigi∣enfi, tam uber proventus. Twini de Rebus Britan. Comment. lib. 2. pag. 138.
It had this name of Dean a little Town adjoyning.
A Bishops See.
Either that the Normans might have more se∣cure arrival in∣to England, or for the plea∣sure he took in hunting.
Antona austra∣lis, Northam∣pton Antona Borealis, so called for the South situati∣on of it.
Its situation is fruitfull and pleasant, in a Valley under Hils. Wina Winto∣niensis primus extitit Antistes, neque tamen civitati nomen dedit, quod stolide satis nonnulli augu∣rantur, Ab an∣tiquis Britan∣nis Caerguen∣tia olim apel∣lata, quasi Civiras Guen∣ta; à Saxoni∣bus (quod idem sonat) Wentchester, Wentancester & Wintoncester nuncupata est, unde nostra Wintonia. Godw. De Praesul. Arg. Comment. Ʋrbs vini vel vinifera, quasi dicas mu∣nitio vel fortificatio ubi crevit optimum vinum in Britannia, appellata est. Celebris fuit haec civitas olim, Arthurii procerum mensa rotunda, occidentalium Saxonum regia & sepulchris, Episcopali sede, lanarum custodia & mercatu, Henrici tertii favore & frequenti praesentia, in∣structissimo Wickami Episcopi Collegio. Twini De Rebus Britannic. Comment. lib. 2. pag. 116, 117.
Vectis Insula, forma Ovo si∣millima à litto∣re alibi septem alibi duobus passuum milli∣bus distans Neoportus uni∣cum insulae Emporium. Est & Castrwn Caerbro, id est, Cassium tractus, anti∣quitatem Britannicam referens. Lhyd. Comment. Britann. De∣script. Fragmentum.
Nobilissima Lisleiorum fa∣milia, D'or au chef d' azur, trois lyons ram∣pans del premier. Ex hac gente non∣nulli olim ad Comitia Parliamentaria, cum reliquis Regni Bar••nibus evocati fuerunt. Bissaei Notae in Uptonum. p. 48.
This and Mon∣mouthshire have been now long reckoned a∣mong the Counties of England.
There are sundry sweet and fresh Ri∣vers, the chief∣est whereof are the Wye, Lug and Ma∣now.
A Bishops See.
Godwin. de Praesulibus Ang. saith, it is reported that Bradwardine was here born.
Vide R. Usseri. de Britannic. Eccles. primord. cap. 7.
L. Herberts Henry the 8th. See▪ Monasticon Anglicanum.
Howes Chron.
Lamb. Peram∣bulat. of Kent. See Kilbourns Surveigh of Kent, p. 2. Cantium, quod amaenissima & humanissima▪ Britanniae ha∣bita semper fuit provincia, ad austrum So∣lemque Orien∣tem Oceano Germanico, ad aquilonem uber∣rimo Thamesi fluvio, ad Oc∣cidentem Sur∣ra, ac Sussexia provinciis, quas Angli comita∣tus appellant, cingitur. Haec & agrorum fe∣racitate faecun∣da, populoque generoso ac po∣tenti referta, plures urbes, villasqae in lo∣cis ob aquas & sylvas, vicinas humanae habitationi commodioribus condidit, & ob maritimos portus, quas multos habet, peregrinorum consuetudine, Galliaeque vicinitate ma∣gis 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, quam reliquae hujus Insulae regiones à Scriptoribus perhi∣betur. Quibus item rationibus, & moribus cultier, & opibus ditior jure existimatur. Antiquitates Britannieae, pag. 33. Britannos Cae∣sar, maximè Cantios, longè omnium humanissimos vocat, & eam huma∣nitatem illis fraudi fuisse, & belli Caesariani causam extitisse apparet, quod praesidia Gallis Caesaris hostibus submiserint, & eos adventantes subinde amico ac peropportunos profugio exceperint. Humfredus De Nobil. lib. 2.
Not that Kent was conceived distinct from Christendome. Kilburns Sur∣vey of Kent. p. 5.
It is agreed by all men, that there were never any bondmen (or villains, as the Law calleth them) in Kent. Lamberts Per∣ambulat. of Kent. The tenures of Land here are as free te∣nures as any in England.
The father to the Bough, and the son to the Plough.
Oppidum Win∣chilseum olim vento, frigori, & ponto obnoxi∣um, unde ei nomen obvenit. Twini Comment. De Rebus Brittanuicis. lib. 1. pag. 25.
A Bishops See.
Durovernum olim, nunc Cantuaria. Cantuaria urbs est Archiepiscopalis & Metropolitica, quae ut antiquitate it a peramaena situs jucunditate multis Angliae urbibus, sed & dignitate praefertur. Nam Cantuariensis Archipraesul totius Angliae primatum obtinet. Georgius Bruin. in Tabulis urbium Praecipuarum totius mundi.
A Bishops See.
See Mr Somner of Canterbury.
Mr John Ludd.
Haywards Life of William the 2d.
Dubris. One of the Cinque Ports. A Dovero ad Caletum mari∣timum ex altera parte in Gallia oppidum secun∣dis ventis spi∣rantibus, quatuor horis brevissimus fit trajectus. Antiqu. Britann.
One of the Cinque Ports. It containeth 24000 Acres. Lamb. Peram∣bul. of Kent. Quis quaeso hodiè credat, magnam partem illius prati sivè Planiciei no∣bis nunc Rumnensis marshii, id est, Romani maris, nomine dictae, fuisse quondam altum Pelagus, & mare Velivolum? Ʋbi tot ovium greges ob∣errant: tot pecorum armenta pascuntur tot juga bovum arant: tanti foeni copia qvotannis conficitur: tot templa in divinum cultum construun∣tur: tot familiae foventur: denique unde tot pingues pecudes in macel∣lis veniunt, ut non modo universum Cantium hujus locis commoda sen∣tiat, verum etiam civitas Londinum non nihil emolumenti inde percipiat. Twini Comment. De Rebus Britan. l. 1. p. 31.
Priests-Town.
Or Loncaster from the Ri∣ver Lone.
Carlton-Curlew
They cannot prenounce the letter R. Camd. Brit. And Burtons Descript. of Leicestershire.
Bishop Latimer was also born at Thurcaston in Leicestershire.
It was so cal∣led of the Zouches, some∣times Lords thereof. Burtons Descript. of Leicestershire▪
The largest next Yorkshire.
It is well sto∣red with all kind of provi∣sion, it abounds with fish and fowl.
The roof of the Church is richly guilt.
Mr John Fox the Authour of the Acts and Monuments was born here.
There are so many steps in the steeple from the bot∣tom to the top as there are dayes in the years.
At the George there is one of the fairest Inns of England.
Lincolnia.
The greatest Bell of Eng∣land.
He was great with Henry the 6th, he built a Free-School at Wainflet, his name was Patten of the worshipfull fa∣mily of which he was de∣scended.
More than in Yorkshire.
The chiefest at this day of all the Kings hou∣ses.
A City rather in shew then the Palace of a Prince: and for stately port and gorgeous building not inferiour to any in Europe. Weavers Mo∣num.
It is most sweetly situ∣ate upon the Thames, served with all kind of necessaries most commo∣diously. The air health full, it is populous, rich and beau∣tifull. Nordens Speculum Bri∣tanniae.
It is conveni∣ent for situati∣on, hath a no∣ble Bridge, na∣vigable Ri∣ver. 2. Strictly go∣verned. 3. Opulent, hath abund∣ance of all kinds of pro∣vision. 4. Ancient, and enjoyeth many Immunities. Of St Pauls Cathedral. See Mr Dugdales History, and of the Bishops of Pauls. Londinum copia negotiatorum & commeatu valde celebre. Tacitus.
The Inner-Temple is the mother and most ancient of all the other houses of Court, Burtons Descript. of Leicestershire.
Dr Reynolds Sions praises.
This work, viz. the Arch∣es, Chappel, and stone∣bridge over the Thames was thirty three yeers in building. Stow.
Speeds Chron.
Stows and Speeds Chron. in Edw. the 3d.
Thomas Gre∣shamus Cives Londinensis, Mercator Re∣gius, & ex or∣dine Equestri, qui patriae orna∣mento, & Mer∣catorum usui Perystillium pulcherrimum (Excambiam Regium Eliza∣betha nomina∣vit) Londini extruxit, & aedes, quas in urbe habuit amplissimas bonarum litera∣rum professioni dicavit, con∣stitutis in iis∣dem Sacrae Theologiae, Ju∣ris Civilis, Me∣dicinae, Astro∣nomiae, Geome∣triae & Rheto∣ricae praelectio∣nibus cum hone∣stis salariis. Camd. Annal. rerum Anglic. pars ••••. p. 286. Vide etiam pag. 189.
The new Ex change.
Monasterium Westmonasteri∣ense Regum an∣gliae inaugurati∣one, sepultura, & Insignium Regalium custodia celeberrimam. Camd. Annal. rerum An∣glic. par. 1o. p. 60. Vide plura ibid. & Monasticon Anglicanum, p 55, &c.
L. Herb. Henry the 8th.
Neer hereunto are the two Houses of Par∣liament.
Ex infima plebe non pauci repe∣riuntur quin si nihil litium sit, lites tamen ex ipsis Juris api∣cibus serere cal∣leant. Camde∣nus.
There are three Church∣es.
Ʋrbs nunc am∣pla est, nobilis florens, celebris, & civitatum omnium secun∣dum Londinum (universi Reg∣ni Emporium) multo maxima augustissima{que}. Nevilli Nor∣vicus. No one Shire of England hath three such Towns as Norwich, Linn and Yarmouth. Speed.
There is the earliest Park of Eng∣land. The King was went to have venison thence before he had it out of his own Parks.
Of that, and the other fa∣mous wayes in England, see Burtons Com∣men. on Antoni∣nus his Itinera∣ry through Bri∣tain.
He was brought up in New-Colledge in Oxford, where he pro∣ceeded Doctor of Law.
Petriburgus, or Petropolis.
Ab arborum pro∣ceritate, & in frequentia ve∣prium, Lym∣pida Sylva noto satis nomine di∣citur. Twini Comment.
The Nobility and Gentry of the North, are of great antiquity, and can produce more ancient Families, then any other part of England, many of them Gentry before the Conquest; the rest came in with Willi∣am the Con∣querour.
Axelodunum.
So called, because Robert de Curtois Son of William the Conquerour built there a new Castle out of the ground against the neighbouring Scots.
Alnevicum.
In Dunston a little village within the Pa∣rish of Emil∣don.
Berwicus.
An hundred miles long.
Wedgenock Park in War∣wickshire is one of the most ancient Parks in Eng∣land.
Nunc autem conficiendo Ca∣seo notissimum. So Camden. Dr Holland englisheth that thus. Now the fame of this Town is for Zeal, Cheese and Cakes. Though that is but an unhandsome conjunction, and there is no ground for it in Camden, yet in Mr Wheatlyes time (to my knowledge) it was famous for zeal, and I hope is so now.
Oxonia or Oxo∣nium. Quodcunque habuit ab initio nomen, pulcher∣rimum & sa∣luberrimum ha∣bet situm regio∣nemque, omnia necessaria affa∣tim ministran∣tem, bonarum{que} litterarum celeberrimam scholam, ut omnes, qui alias Europae Acade∣mias adierunt, facilè agnoscunt. Lhyd. Com. Brit. Descrip. Fragment.
Rutlan-Castle in Wales is so named, being built on a shore of red earth.
Commitatus Salopiensis.
Salop in Latine Salopia.
It hath a fair Library and School-house▪ and Brew∣house.
So called from Oswald King of the Nor∣thumbers:
Asserius, an an∣cient Writer calleth this Countrey al∣wayes Somer∣tunensis, that is, Somertunshire.
Used about Cloath.
Glastonia Mo∣nasterium vide∣rint parentes nostri, ampli∣tudine, ac mag∣nitudine per∣paucis in uni∣versa Europa (quantum au∣tumo) postpo∣nendum. Godwinus De Conversione Britanniae ad Christianam Religionem. Vide plura ibid. Et Monasticon Anglicanum, p. 1, 2, &c.
Of Ogo a British word which betokeneth Den.
Fontanensis Ecclesia, Foun∣tain Church.
Bathonia. Ʋrbs non mode antiqua verum etiam celebris Romanorum Monumentis multis, liquidò in muris compa∣ret, qua itur à porta meridio∣nali ad borea∣lem. Lelandi Comment. in Cygneam Can∣tionem. Vide Johnso∣num De urbe; & Thermis Ba∣thonicis.
A Bishops See, and famous Port.
In Henry the 7th his time Stephen Gen∣nings Maior of London found∣ed a free Grammar-School there, where he was born.
There is a Corporation.
So called from Tame the Ri∣ver running beside it.
Cadaverum Campus. The field of dead bodies, a number of Christians was there martyr∣ed under the Emperour Die∣clesian.
A small Coun∣trey bare and cold, it keep∣eth snow ly∣ing upon it a good while.
A Market Town. Dr Lightfoot was born there.
Southfolk or people in re∣spect of Nor∣folk.
Here Bishop Steven Gardi∣ner was born.
Godw. de Prae∣sul. Ang. Com∣ment.
Stoke Clare the Dukes of Clarence.
A large, sweet, well watered Town, a Town in Orchards. Here was born Cardinal Wol∣sey, of whom see a pithy de∣scription in Herberts Hen∣ry the 8th, pag. 314, 315.
See more in Camdens Bri∣tania there.
The Kings Town. Regio-dunum Tamesinam sic dictum quod ad Tamesini fluvii ripam situm sit. Lel. Kings Kingston upon the Thames, so called to di∣stinguish it from Kingston upon Hull in Yorkshire.
Quanta illic Romanae anti∣quitaris aemula∣tio? Quantum speciosae pictu∣rae? Quantum auri? Quantum denique omnia genera orna∣mentorum. Diceres Coelum esse stellis in∣terpolatum. Lel. Comment. in Cygn. Cant.
Battersega. Nomen loco in∣ditum ut ego conjicio ex cym∣bis. Leland. Comment. in Cygn. Cant. A low or clay∣ish rode or hide. The South∣work or build∣ing, because it standeth South ove against London, the Suburbs whèreof it may seem in some sort to be.
In Latine Cice∣stria.
Called Seals.
It is the Shire Town.
Ripa.
Baron Buck∣hurst.
Sanders, Glover and manyother Martyrs suffer∣ed in War∣wickshire.
It stands South of Lichfield.
Coventria quasi Coventus tri∣um, a Covent of three sorts of Monks.
Or rather of an Elephant, being not so little as a yard in length. Speed.
See Mr Dug∣dales Antiq. of Warwickshire illustrated.
Westmaria, Westmorlandia.
There were Lords also of Kendale.
From the Ri∣ver Lone.
Aballaba.
The Sessions and Assizes are there kept
Wiltonia of Wilton some∣time the chief Town, and of the River Willy
Crecolada non insignis olim ut vulgus indo∣ctum somniat, Grecanicis scholis. Lel. Comment. in Cygn. Cant. Vide Burtoni Graec. Ling. hist. p. 52. Et God∣win. de Praesul. Ang. Comment. de Theodoro Archiepisc. Cant. p. 61.
Cyppanus in the Saxon tongue is to buy, and Cyppen a buyer, as with us Cheapen and Chapman.
Sarisburia. Roger of Salis∣bury built this stately Church also. The Cathedral was longer in building than the Jews Temple, for it was above fifty years in building, and do you not think the Founders did intend, by proportioning the Doors to the Moneths, and the Windows to the Dayes, and the Pillars to the Hours of the Year, that you should learn this instruction? Not a Moneth, nay not a Day, nay not an Hour should be let passe without something of Religion. Mr An∣nesley on 1 Chron. 12. 32.
It had also Bi∣shop Abbot and Davenant.
Our old Histo∣rians termed it for the great∣nesse Chorea Gigantum, the Gyants dance. Our Country∣men reckon this for one of our miracles.
Leporarium.
Of Marga marle, which we use in stead of dung to ma∣nure our grounds. It lieth near a chaulkie-hill, which our Ancestours be∣fore they bor∣rowed this name Chaulk of the Latine word Calx, named Marle.
Wigorniensis Comitatus.
Ʋnum est satis mirabile, quia aqua illa per medium an∣num est salsa, scilicet à na∣tivitate Domini usque ad festum sancti Johannis Baptistae, per aliud verò medium temporis est dulcis. Sed quod mira∣bilius est pro illo tempore quo est sali necessaria, si non hauritur, super∣fluit, per aliud verò temporis vix semper excrescit. Gervas. in lib. de Ociis imperialibus citat•…•…r Pet. Bechor. Reduct. Moral. l. 13. c. 3. De Anglia.
Vigornia and Wignornia.
Some say, it is as big as the twelve Coun∣ties in Wales.
The Scots call it Don-Castle from the River Don.
Holy-hair. The Englishmen dwelling be∣yond Trent, called the hair of the Head Fax. There is also a Family in this Countrey of Gentlemen, named Fair∣fax, of the fair bush of their Hair.
Pontefract. A French name brought in by the Lacies Normans, for the English word of bro∣ken bridge. Lelands Itine∣rary.
Eboracum, Eburacum is derived from the River Ʋré by Ʋre, or a long the side of Ʋre. See Burtons Com∣ment. on Anton. his Itin. p. 60, 61. why it is called Ebora∣cum;
The Kings-Town built by King Edward the First.
There are also high and low Burton houses.
Or the North∣part of this Countrey.