Britannia, volume the first, or, An illustration of the Kingdom of England and dominion of Wales by a geographical and historical description of the principal roads thereof, actually admeasured and delineated in a century of whole-sheet copper-sculps : accomodated with the ichnography of the several cities and capital towns, and compleated by an accurate account of the more remarkable passages of antiquity : together with a novel discourse of the present state / by John Ogilby ...

[illustration]

The Road from BRISTOL com. Glo•• to West CHESTER By IOHN OGILBY Esq^r His Ma^ties Cosmographer Containing 245 mile•• 5 Furlongs viz.^t From the high cross in BRISTOL to Aust Ferry 12 to Chepstow including y^e: ••edth of y^e: Riuer 6 mile to MONMOVTH 13:7: to HEREFORD 18:6 to Le^omin∣ster 14:3:to Ludlow to 6•• to ••HESTER 69 m 7 Furl:

The Road from Bristol to West-Chester.

• 1. THE Point of Bearing N.
• 2. The direct Horizontal Distance 112 M.
• 3. The Vulgar Computation 102 M.
• 4. The Dimensuration 145’5.

From BRISTOL	Comp.	Measure.
to Aust-Ferry	10	10	12’0	12’0
Chepstow	05	15	06’0	18’0
Monmouth	10	25	13’7	31’7
HEREFORD	12	37	18’6	50’5
Leominster	10	47	14’3	65’0
to Ludlow	08	55	10’6	75’6
Church Stretton	10	65	15’4	91’2
Shrewsbury	09	74	13’7	105’1
Whitchurch	14	88	20’0	125’1
CHESTER	14	102	20’4	145’5

Glocestershire, Monmouthshire, Herefordshire, Shropshire and Cheshire Include the whole Road; and the Froom, Seavern, Wye, Trothy, Monow, Arrow, Lugg, Temd, Corue, Oney, Mele, Roddon and Dee are the Principal Rivers crost over: Affording no pleasant way to Mon∣mouth nor indeed throughout, being generally rough hard and uneasie even to the very end, yet somewhat recompenc't by the goodness of the Towns past through, though not for their frequency.

Forward Turnings to be avoided.

• At 1 Mile the Right to Ridland.
• At 16’4. The forward to Micheldean.
• At 17’4. The Right to Covert at Chepstow-Bridg.
• At 18’2. The forward to Newport at the end of Chepstow.
• At 24’2. The Left to Ragland.
• At 28’3. The Left acute.
• At 31’5. The Left in Monmouth to Abergeveny
• At 32’1. The Right to Coverd.
• At 36’4. The Left to Treworgan.
• At 46’5. The Left acute.
• At 51’3. The Left to Peon vulgo Pewn.
• At 67’7. At the end of Lyston, the Left acute.

FRom BRISTOL through St. John's Gate and over Froom Bridg you go up a steep ascent, leaving the Gallows on your Right, passing by several scattering Houses, and at 3 Miles descending into Westbury a small Village, you ascend again, whence an Inclos'd way by several stragling Houses leads you at 7 Miles to Comp∣ton a scattering Village; then over Swansey Common, leaving Knowl House and Auns∣bury Church 6 Furlongs on the Right, an open way over several Dikes, and by se∣veral repeated Houses brings you at 10’3. to Aylberton, and at 12 Miles to Aust-Ferry (where on your Right are 2 Houses for Entertainment of Passengers when the Boats are not ready) a Passage near three Miles over, conveying you cross to Batesley vulgo Beachley a small Village with 2 very good Inns in it.

Hence between the Seavern and Wye at 16’4. you omit the forward way to Micheldean, and bearing to the Left pass by several scattering Houses, then at 17’2. you descend, and at 17’6. cross the Wye over a large Wooden Bridg and at once enter Monmouthshire; and Chepstow, in Brittish Castle-Went, an Antient Townsaid to be Rais'd out of the Ruins of Venta silurum: It is seated in a botton on the Bank of the said Wye near it's Confluence with the Seavern; was formerly Wall'd, is at present Fortifi'd with a Castle and Garrison, has a Market on Saturdays (formerly very Considerable, but now with the Town much Decay'd) and 3 Fairs annually, Friday in Whitson Week, first of August, and Friday afore St. Luke.

The aforesaid Wye rises on Plinillimon Hill in Montgomerysh. passes by Ryadergowye, Bealth, Hay, Hereford, Ross, Monmouth and this place, and by Batesley falls into the Seavern Sea, receiving into it 1st. the Darwen, 2d. the Clarwen and therein the Clarthy and Eland, 3d. the Ithon and therewith the Comaron, Clawedok and Hawye, 4th. the Weverny, 5th. the Irvon, and therein the Dilas, Camarch and Delas, 6th. the Edwie, 7th. the Machwie, 8th. the Lleveny 9th. the Dulas, 10th. the Lug and therewith the Somergil, Wadels, Oney, Arro and Frome, 11th. the Garra and therein the Gamer, 12th. the Monow and therewith the Escle, Olcon, Hothny and Doier, Lastly, the Trothy.

Where at the end of the Town you omit the forward Way to Newport, and bearing to the Right ascend 4 Furlongs, and at 20 Miles pass by St. Ann's Ash on the Left, and 2 Furlongs beyond ascend again 4 Furlongs, then at 21’6. you descend 6 Furlongs, and over Tintern Bridg, leave the Iron Mills on the Right; thence through Part of Wise Wood, at 23’3. you pass through Trelagh Grange a scattering Village, and by several separated Houses, and an open Way on the Right, come at 25’5. to Trelagh of 2 Furlongs Extent; whence a Hilly and for the most part open Way, leaving the Gogheker on the Left, and Lediard House on the Right, where you descend 8 Furlongs, brings you to a Stone-Bridg in the Bottom over the River Trothy, leaving Troy House on the Right about 2 Furlongs.

At 31’1. you enter Monmouth extending a Mile on the Road, [for which vid. LONDON to St. Davids, pag. 31.] Whence at 33 Miles you pass by the Gal∣lows on the Left, and a Mile farther by Buccol Wood on the same Hand: enter He∣refordshire, and at 36 Miles leave Welsh-Newton Church on the Right, and Lady-well on the Left; at 37 Miles you descend 3 Furlongs, and at 39 Miles pass by Trepen∣bennet House on the Right and cross the Garran, passing at 40 Miles between Triago House and St. Wannerds Church; and at 41’2. by Hendry House on the Right, a straight Way bringing you to Lyson Hill an Ascent of 2 Furlongs; whence by Grove House on the Left at 42’5. Callow House on the Left at 46’5. and Callow Hill and Aconbury Hill on the Right, and Callow Church on the Left at 47 Miles; you come to Red Hill on the Left at 48’6. and at 50’1. enter the City of HEREFORD by the Way of Wye-Bridg Gate.

HEREFORD, rais'd out of the Ruins of the antient Ariconium, seated on the Wye, had formerly a strong Castle now Ruinous, hath several good Buildings both Publick and Private; is Govern'd by a Mayor, Recorder, 5 Justices, 26 Com∣mon-Councel; sends Burgesses to Parliament; Gives Title to the Right Honorable Leicester d'Evereux Viscount Hereford, &c. Has 3 good Markets Weekly, viz. Wedns∣days Fridays and Saturdays, and 3 Fairs yearly, [whereof vid. more in GLOCESTER to Montgomery, pag. 141.]

At the End of HEREFORD you pass by Mr. Conisby's Hospital on the Right, and at 52’6. by Holmers Church on the Left, and a little farther have Brundles Oak in the Road; at 53’6. you leave Pipe Church on the Right, and at 55 Miles pass by Morton upon Lug on the same Hand; whence between Wellington and Marden, each distant about 6 Furlongs: at 58 Miles you come to the Foot of Dinmore Hill, ascending 5 Furlongs and descending again 7 Furlongs; whence by Hope Church and Hampton Court on the Right, you touch upon the Banks of the Lug, and come to Wharton a small Village at 61’2. and leaving Mr. Whitehal's House on the Right, at 62’1. pass through Evington another small Village, and 2 Furlongs farther cross the Arrow, and at 64’3. enter Leominster, vulgo Lemster, extending a Mile on the Road, [for which vid. LONDON to Aberistwith, pag. 5.]

From Lemster crossing the Lug at the End of the Town, you at 67’2. enter Lys∣ton of 4 Furlongs Extent; at 70 Miles leave Orleton on the Right 3 Furlongs, and by the Maidenhead Inn and some other Houses contiguous on the Left, and Richard's Castle and Church 4 Furlongs distant on the same Hand; at 73’2. pass by More House, and afterwards Overton, Hitchbarn and Charlton Orchard successively on the Right; and at 75’3. entring Shropshire, crossing the Temd and arriving at Ludlow, a large, strong and well-inhabited Corporation and Market-Town, as in the next Plate.

Backward Turnings to be avoided.

• 1. 2 Furl. beyond Moor House the Left.
• 2. 4 Furl. short of Ladywel the left to Ross
• 3. 3 Furlongs beyond Monmouth the Left to Troy House.
• 4. 2 Furlongs beyond Trothy Bridg, the Right to Michel Troy.
• 5. At the entring Trelagh the Right to Ragland.
• 6. At the end of Aylberton the Left to Tuckington.
• 7. 2 Miles short of Westbury the Right to Shire-Hampton.

[illustration]

The Continuation of ••he Road from BRISTOL to CHESTER Commencing at LVD••••W com̄ SHREWS and extending•• CHESTER By IOHN OGILBY Esq^r. His Ma.^ties Cosmographer. Containing 69 mile •• Furlongs viz^t. From Lvdlow to Church Stretton 15 m 4 Furl: to Shrews bvry 13:7 to Whit••••hvrch 20: to Chester 20:••

The Continuation of the Road From BRISTOL to West-CHESTER.

PLATE II. Commencing at Ludlow in Shropshire, and Extending to West-CHESTER aforesaid. Containing 69 Miles 7 Furlongs.

Wherein these following Turnings are to be avoided.

• At the end of Ludlow, the Right to Henley and Sutton.
• At 76’4. The Left to Lady Chaulton.
• At 77’4. The Right to GLOCESTER, the Left to Bromfield.
• At 79’1. The Left to Watton.
• At 83’4. The Left to Bishops Castle.
• At 96’2. The Right to Longnor.
• At 110’2. The Right to Astley.
• At 118’6 & 7. The Right to Stanford Hall and Newport.
• At 125’4. At the end of Whitchurch, the Right to Hinton Hall.
• At 128 M. the Right to Willowmore.
• At 135 M. the Left acute.
• At 137 M. the Left to Thouley.
• At 142’5. The Left acute.
• At 143’0. The Right acute.

VVE brought you to Ludlow in Plate the 1st. which We here thus briefly Describe: Ludlow seated on the Banks of the Temd and Corve, a large well built, well Inhabited and frequented Corporation and Market Town; contain∣ing 4 Wards, viz. Castle-Street, Broad-Street, Old-Street, and Garford and Corve-Street: Enjoying several Privileges as sending Burgesses to Parliament, being the place where the Court for the Marches of Wales is Kept; and having Liberty of Hanging and Drawing within themselves distinct from the County; Is Fortifi'd with a Wall having 7 Gates, viz. Garford-Gate, Corve-Gate, Liney-Gate, Dinam-Gate, Mill-Gate, Broad-Gate and Old-Gate, and a strong Castle, is beautifi'd with a fair large Church former∣ly Collegiate, hath an Alms-House for 30 Poor People: Is Govern'd by 2 Bailiffs, a Recorder, 12 Aldermen, 25 Common-Council, &c. hath a grand Market on Mun∣days, and 3 petty, Wednsdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, with 4 Fairs annually, Wednsday in Whitson Week, 10th. of August, 17th. of September and 25th. of November.

Leaving Ludlow you cross the Corve and pass by Stanton-Lacy on the Right and Bromfield on the Left, and through Onibury at 80’5. then by Stoak Church, Castle and Park on the Left, and through Newton at 83’4. whence at 84’1. you pass by the Red-Lyon Inn on the Right, and crossing the Ony at 84’6. you are convey'd at 85’3. by Wistanstow Church on the same hand; then by a Wood on the Left and some scattering Houses on the Road, a straight way leads you at 89’5. through Little Stretton, (several great Hills accompaning you on your Right and Left) and at 91 Miles to the entrance of Church Stretton which Extends 4 Furlongs on the Road, and Enjoys a good Market for Corn, &c. on Thursdays.

At the end of the Town you leave Sr. George Norton's House on the Left, and at 92’3. pass through All-Stretton a small Village, thence at 94’3. you pass through Leborwood a Village most on the Right, and in it cross the small River Quenny; at 96’3. you leave Sr. R. Corbet's House on the Right, and at 98 Miles you pass through Dedington a small Village; then by Stapleton Church on the Left, and over Puley Common, at 103’3. you cross the River Mele near its Conjunction with the Sea∣vern, leaving Bracemeal Church on the Left, and are convey'd at 104’5. to Shrewsbury Extending this way 10 Furlongs on the Road, but more transverse; Is a large well built Corporation Market and Shire-Town, the account of which you have in LON∣DON to Shrewsbury pag. 46. Adding that it was of Note formerly for its Stately Abby, that and the Castle being built by Roger Earl of Montgomery: Is well Forti∣fi'd both by Art and Nature, having a strong Wall and Bulwark, with Gates, Towers and Barrs; Is well Inhabited both by English and Welsh, and drives a great Trade in Cottons, Frizes, Cloths, &c. which from hence are sent to LONDON.

Leaving Shrewsbury you have Battlefield at 108’4. Hadnal at 110’2. Acton Rynol,

Sr. Vincent Corbet's at 112’6. and Lee at 115’2. all on your Left, little else occurring, but passing over Hadnal Heath and by Bosford Wood at some distance on the same hand, till at 115’2. aforesaid you cross the River Roddon which rising on the edg of Flintshire where it joyns to this County, passes by Wem, Morton Corbet and Charlton Castle and receiving the Tern and several other smaller waters, near Accham falls into the Seavern.

At 115’4. you have a Road on the Left to Wem a Market Town about 2 M. distant, whence over Prees Heath at 120’1. you pass through part of Prees, the main body of the Town lying on the Right; thence by Prees Lodg on the Right also, at 125’2. you enter Whitchurch of 2 Furlongs Extent, seated near the Con∣fines of the County, and Enjoys a good Market on Fridays; whence at 126’7. you cross Crinsley Bridg over a Brook and enter Cheshire, and passing by some scattering Houses you have Mr. Dod of Bellow-Hill his House on the Left, and the Bell Inn on the Right.

At 129 Miles you ascend Callow Hill, and pass by Masson and Birch Houses on the Left, and leave Coffir Hill on the Right, and at 131’3. have Hampton Post on the Right and the Black Griffon Inn on the Left; then by Varne and Butterton Hills on the Right, and Mr. Bird and Mr. Dod of Broxon their Houses on the Left, at 136 Miles you have Puck House on the Left, and 4 Furlongs farther crossing Thouley Green, you leave the Plum of Feathers Inn on the Right and Thouley Oak on the Left.

At 138’1. you have Hanley Church on the Right, then over Milton Green, Gol∣born Bridg, Hatton Heath, and by Routon a Village on the Left, and Glass-house Inn on the same hand, you fall in with the Road from LONDON at 144’6. and 2 Furlongs farther enter the Suburbs of the City of CHESTER, and 4 Furlongs beyond the City it self, which we have Illustrated in LONDON to Holyhead pag. 46. Adding this that it is Commodiously seated on the River Dee or Deva, over which it hath a fair large Stone-bridg Sustein'd by 7 Arches, at each end of the said Bridg is a Gate, the chief of which is call'd Water-Gate, to which Veslels of Considerable Burthen did formerly Arrive; but since the Choaking up of the Chanel, it will scarce∣ly carry small Boats, which occasions the Ships to come no farther than New-Key, a place about 6 Miles distant: Besides its 4 Gates it hath 3 Posterns, and on the Wall several Watch Towers and Battelments for the placing of Ordinance; The Cathedral was Founded by Leofricus an Officiary Count in these Parts, who Dedi∣cated it to St. Wereberg, Repair'd and Beautifi'd by Hugh Lupus; This City was made a County Corporate by King Henry the 7th.: And in the days of King Edgar was in good Esteem, when 7 Kings of the Scots and Britans (in Paying him Homage) Row'd his Barge from St. John's to his Palace, Himself as Supream Lord holding the Helm.

Not far from this City is the Famous Forest of Delamere, in which Edelsted the Re∣nown'd Mercian Lady built a small City, long since Reduc'd to Ruin; the Place is now call'd by the Inhabitants the Chamber in the Forest.

Backward Turnings to be avoided.

• 1. 2 Furl. from CHESTER the Right acute, the Left to Namptwich, &c.
• 2. A Mile beyond Glashouse Inn, the Left to Warton.
• 3. Against Thouley Oak, the L. to Tatton Hall.
• 4. 10 Furlongs short of the Way-Post, the Left to Nantwich.
• 5. Against the Black Griffon Inn, the Left acute, and a Furlong farther the Right to Malpas.
• 6. 4 Furl. short of Birch House, the Right to Malpas.
• 7. Against Birch House, the Left acute.
• 8. 6 Furlongs short of Crinsley Bridg, the Right to CHESTER a different way.
• 9. The Left in Whitchurch to Eightfield.
• 10. A Furl. beyond Whitchurch, the Right to Wrexham.
• 11. 3 Furl. beyond Whitchurch, the Left to Ash.
• 12. At Prees the Left to Drayton.
• 13. 2 Furl. short of Roddon Fluv. the Right to Wem.
• 14. Against Sr. Vincent Corbet's House, the Left to Shobury.
• 15. Against Hadnal Chapel, the Left to Hadnal Green.
• 16. At Ony Fluv. the Right to Wigmore.
• 17. In Onibury the Right acute.

Notes

• Counties past through.
• Rivers crost over.
• Quality of the Way.
• Acute Turnings to be avoided.
• BRISTOL W.N.W. [1’5. N. b W.] Westbury. 3’2. Compton 6’7.
• Aylberton 10’3.
• Batesley 14’7.
• [16’4. W. N. W.] [17’4. S. W. b W.]
• Chepstow 18 m.
• [18’2. N. W. b W.]
• [19’4. N. N. W.]
• Trelagh Grange, 23’3. [24’2 N.] Trelagh, 25’6.
• [31’5. E.] Monmouth, 31’7. [32’1. N. by E.] 34’2. N. by W.]
• HEREFORD, 50’7.
• [58’4. N. by E.]
• Wharton, 61’2. N.N.W
• Evington, 62’1. Lemster, 65’0. N.b.E.
• Lyston, 67’4.
• [73’1. N.E.]
• Ludlow, 75’6.
• Acute Turnings to be avoided.
• Ludlow N. W.
• [79 m. W. b N.] Onibury 80’5. N.W. b N. Nowton 83’4. N.
• [86’6. N. N. E.]
• Little Stretton 89’5.
• Church Stretton 91’2.
• All-Stretton 92’3. [94. m. N. b W.] Leborwood 94’7.
• Dedington 98 m. [99 m. N.]
• Shrewsbury 105’3.
• [112’6. N. N. E.]
• [118’4. N. b W.
• Prees 120’1.
• Whitchurch 125’3.
• [131 m. N. N. E.]
• [134 m. N.]
• [141 m, N. W.]
• CHESTER 145’4.