Speculum Britanniae. The first parte an historicall, & chorographicall discription of Middlesex. Wherin are also alphabeticallie sett downe, the names of the cyties, townes, parishes hamletes, howses of name &c. W.th direction spedelie to finde anie place desired in the mappe & the distance betwene place and place without compasses. Cum priuilegio. By the trauaile and vew of Iohn Norden. Anno 1593

The nature of the soyle and fer∣tilitie of MYDDLESEX.

MYDDLESEX is a small Shire, in length not twentie myles, in circuite (as it were by the ring) not about 70. myles, yet for the fertilitie thereof, it may compare with any other shire: for the soyle is excellent, fat and fertile and full of profite: it yeeldeth corne and graine, not onelie in a∣boundance, but most excellent good wheate, especiallie about Heston, which place may be called Granarium tritici regalis, for the singularitie of the corne. The vaine of this especiall corne seem∣eth to extend from Heston to Harrow on the hill, betweene which as in the mid way, is Periuale, more truely Pureuale. In which vale is also Northold, Southold, Norcote, Gerneford, Hayes, &c. And it see∣meth to extend to Pynner, though with some alteratiō of the soile. It may be noted also how nature hath exalted Harrow on the hill, which seemeth to make ostentation of it scituation in the Pure∣uale, from whence, towardes the time of Haruest, a man may be∣holde the fields round about, so sweetely to addresse themselues, to the siocle, and sith, with such comfortable aboundaunce, of all kinde of graine, that the husbandman which waiteth for the fruits of his labours, cannot but clap his hands, for ioy, to see this vale, so to laugh and sing.

Yet doth not this so fruitefull soyle yeeld comfort, to the way∣fairing man in the wintertime, by reason of the claiesh nature of soyle: which after it hath rasted the Autume showers, waxeth both

dyrtie and deepe: But vnto the countrie swaine it is as a sweete and pleasant garden, in regard of his hope of future profite, for

The deepe, and dirtie loathsome soyle, Yeelds golden gaine, to painefull toyle.

The industrious and painefull husbandman will refuse a pallace, to droyle in these golden puddles.

This part of MYDDDLESEX may for fertilitie compare with Tandeane, in the west part of Somersetshire. But that Tandeane, farre surpasseth it for sundrie fruites, and commodities, which this countrie might also yeelde, were it to the like imployed: but it seemeth they onely couet to maintaine their auncient course of life, and obserue the husbandrie of their fathers, without adding, any thing to their greater profite.

This shire is plentifullie stored, and as it seemeth beautified, with manie faire, and comely buildinges, especially of the Mer∣chants of London, who haue planted their houses of recreation not in the meanest places: which also they haue cunningly contriued, curiously beautified, with diuers deuises, neatly decked with rare invencions, inuironed with Orchards of sundrie delicate fruites, gardens with delectable walks, arbers, allees, and great varietie of pleasing dainties: all which seeme to be beautifull ornaments vnto this countrie. But who so turneth his eies vnto the stately & most princely pallaces of Queene ELIZABETH in many parts of this shire most sweetely scituate, garnished with most prince∣lie delights, beholding also the houses of Nobilitie, may saie as Vadian of a fruitefull and pleasant place in Egypt, Facies istius terre pulcherima est, &c. The face or superficies of this countrey, is most beautifull, the fields fresh and greene, the valleyes delightfull to behold, the townes villages and stately buildings enterlaced with the pleasant woodes are glorious to be seene.

Notes

• The length and circuit of Middlesex.
• Middlesex ser∣tile.
• Heston.
• Piriuale or pure∣uale.
• Harrow on the hill.
• Tandeane.
• Middlesex bew∣tified with faire buildinges.
• Vad Cosns.