Of the Isle of Man.
Isle of Man

The Isle of Man, lying most of it opposite to Cumberland, between this County and the North of Ireland, this I think therefore to be the most proper Place to take notice of it.

This Island runs in Length, from North to South, about 30 miles; and in Breadth, where it is broadest, 10 miles. The Whole divided into two Parts, North and South; the Inhabitants of the one having affinity with the Scotch, and the other with the Irish. And in these Parts, de∣fended by Two Castles, are reckoned 17 Parishes, and but 5 Market Towns.

It is generally an High-land on the Sea-Coast, and that well garded with Rocks. The middle part of it runs up into high Hills. The highest of all, called Seafull, has this very re∣markable in it, That from the Top of it, on a clear Day, one may easily behold three King∣doms at once, viz. England, Scotland, and Ireland; England Eastward, Scotland Northward, and Ire∣land Westward.

The Air of this Island is sharp, and subject to high Winds; but 'tis healthful. And, as sharp as it is in Winter, yet the Frosts are short, and the Snow does not ly very long in the Val∣leys.

The Soil is pretty fruitful, both in Corn and Pasture; affording good store of Wheat and o∣ther Grain, and feeding good Flocks of Sheep and Herds of Cattle, but none of the biggest size. Here are also red Deer, abundance of Conies, and Fowl of sundry sorts. In a little adjacent Island, called the Isle of Calf, is abun∣dance of Puffins, a sort of Sea Fowl that breeds in Cony-holes, chiefly used for their Feathers, and Oyl made of them. But their Flesh being pickled or salted, as it has a Fish-like taste, so it comes little short of Anchoves. And as for Fish, both the Sea and Rivers yield great plenty of it.

Its chief Places are Douglas, Laxi, and Ram∣s•y on the East Shore; Rushin, on the South, and Peel, with its strong Castle, on the West Shore.

'Twas about the Year 1340, that this Island was conquered from the Scots by William Mon∣tacute, Earl of Salisbury, who was thereupon honoured with the Title of King of Man. Af∣terwards it was sold to the Lord Scrope; who, being convicted of Treason, forfeited it to the Page  53Crown. Henry IV. gave it to Henry Pierce Earl of Northumberland, the last that kept it with the Title of King. But, he proving also false to his Sovereign, the King gave it to William Lord Stanley; whose Grandchild Thomas Lord Stanley was created Earl of Derby. In whose House this Estate has continued hitherto, with the Title of Lord of Man, though a King in effect.

For he has here all kind of Civil Power and Jurisdiction over the Inhabitants, and the very Nomination of the Bishop of Man; but still under the Fief and Sovereignty of the Crown of England. And as to the Bishop, he must be presented to the King for his Royal Assent, then to the Archbishop of York for his Conse∣cration. Which is the Reason why the Bishop of Man is no Lord of Parliament, none being admitted to that Honour, but such as hold im∣mediately of the King himself.