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

Olde and auncient highwaies now vnaccustomed.

THe old and auncient high waie to high Bernet,* 1.1 from Porte-Poole, now Grayes Inne, as also from Clerkenwell, was through a lane, on the east of Pancras Church, called Longwich lane. frō thence, leauing Highgate on the west, it passed through Tallingdone lane and so to Crouch ende,* 1.2 and thence through a Parke called Harnsey great parke, to Muswell hill, to Coanie hatch, Fryarne Barnet, and so to Whetstone, which is now the common high way to high Bernet. This auncient high way, was refused of wayfaring men, and carriers, by reason of the deepenes and dirtie passage in the winter season: In regard whereof it was agreed betweene the Bishop of London, and the Countrie, that a newe waie shoulde bee layde forth through the said Bishops parks, beginning at Highgate hill, to leade (as nowe is accustomed) directly to Whestone: for which newe waie all cartes, carriers, packmen, and such like tra∣uellers, yeelde a certaine tole vnto the Bishop of London,* 1.3 which is fermed (as is said at this daie) at 40. li. per annum. and for that pur∣pose, was the gate erected on the hill, that through the same all traueilers shoulde passe, and be the more aptlie staide for the same tole.

Another auncient high waie which did leade to Edgworth, and so to Saint Albons, was ouer Hampsted heath, and thence to, and through an old lane, called Hendon wante, neere Hendon,* 1.4 through which it passed to Edgwoorth, whence it passed ouer Brokeley hilles, through part of Hertfordshire, by Radnet, Colnestreete, Saint Stephens, and Saint Mychaels, leauing Saint Albons, halfe a mile in the east. This way of some is helde to be Watlingstreete, one of the fower high waies, which Bellinus caused to be made, & leadeth (as some affirme) through Watlingstreete in London.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Port Poole.
• * 1.2

  Tallingdon lane.
• * 1.3

  Highgate tole.
• * 1.4

  Hendon want.