England's remarques giving an exact account of the several shires, counties, and islands in England and Wales. In every of which you have I. How the county is bounded. II. The length, breadth, and circumference. III. The temperature of the air, and fertility or barrenness of the soil. IV. What commodities each shire or county affordeth. V. In what dioces, and how many parishes in it. VI. The number of Parliament-men, hundreds, and market-towns. VII. In every shire you have the name of the city or shire-town, with the latitude thereof, and how it bears, with the reputed and measured distance of the same from London, the road to the same; how governed, and the coat of arms, and what other things are therein remarkable. VIII. You have the names of such noble families as have been dukes or earls of each county since their first constitution. IX. Whatsoever is eminent or remarkable thorow-out the whole kingdom. To which is added a travelling map, describing the principal roads thorow-out England.

Things remarkable in this Shire.

Towards Dee, an Arm of the Sea, the Fields bear in some places Barley, in others Wheat, but generally throughout Rye, with better than a twenty fold increase (especially the first year they be broken up and sowen) and afterwards 4 or 5 crops together of Oats.

At the mouth of the River Clind, the Valley on the Land seemeth to be lower, and to lie under the Sea, and yet the Water (to the admiration of all beholders) never overfloweth into the Valleys.

Near unto Holy Well, was formerly found a very rich Mine of Silver, of which Money (small pieces) was coyned, and had stamped upon it the Plume of Feathers, being the Arms of the Princes of Wales.

Hard by Kilken is a little Well, (which (at certain times) Ebbs and Flows.

In this Shire is that excellent Well called St. Winifrids Well, or Holy Well, so famous for the strange Cures of Aches and Lamenesses as is wonderful and much to be admired. The Water of it is extream cold, and the Brook which flows from it hath so plentiful and violent a Stream, that it is presently able to drive a Mill. The Stones about it are (as it were) spotted with bloody Spots; and there are many red Stones in the bottom of it. The Moss which grows on the sides of it, is of an excellent sweet smell, and they say that (though some of it be given away to all Strangers that come, yet) it never wasteth.

Antiquity (saith Speed) reports concerning this Well, thus.

That Winifrid a chaste Christian Virgin, very fair and virtuous; was doated upon by a young Lustful Prince (or Lord) of the Country, who not long able to rule his head-strong affe∣ctions, having many times (in vain) attempted her Chastity, both by rich Gifts and large Pro∣mises, could not by any means obtain his de∣sires; he therefore (in a place of advantage) suddenly surprized and ravished her weak (yet resisting) Body. After the Deed done, the cruel Tyrant (to stop her cries and acclama∣tions) slew her, and cut off her head; out of which place did suddainly arise a Spring which continueth to this day, carrying from the Foun∣tain such a forcible Stream and Current, as the like is not found in Christendom.