The merchants map of commerce wherein the universal manner and matter relating to trade and merchandize are fully treated of, the standard and current coins of most princes and republicks observ'd, the real and imaginary coins of accounts and exchanges express'd, the natural products and artificial commodities and manufactures for transportation declar'd, the weights and measures of all eminent cities and towns of traffick in the universe, collected one into another, and all reduc'd to the meridian of commerce practis'd in the famous city of London / by Lewis Roberts, merchant.

CHAP. CCLXIX. Of England, and the Trade thereof.

* 1.1ENGLAND is the principal part of Britain, and now the last in my labours, bounded on the East with the German, on the West with the Irish, on the South with the British Oceans, and on the North with Scotland, as is afore-mentioned. The ornaments of this Country hath in times past been expressed unto us by this verse,

Anglia, Mons, Pons, Fons, Ecclesia, Foemina, Lana.

England is stor'd with Mountains, Bridges, Wooll, With Churches, Rivers, Women beautiful.

But these are not the Commodities that Merchants look after, therefore I will shew you in his proper place, those Commodities which England doth naturally afford for Merchandise, and in the mean season it will not be improper that I run over the Provinces of this Kingdom, and therein see what particulars may be gathered out of each, conducing either to Traffick or to the honour and commodity of the Country, and thereto add also the Provinces of VVales, pur∣posely omitted for this place. The Provinces, or more properly the Shires of England and Wales, according to Cambden, whom I gladly follow in this description, are these.

* 1.2The first is Cornwal, in it self a barren and mountainous Country, but the bosom thereof incloseth rich Mines of Tin, which for the excellence thereof is famous throughout the world, also therewith is digged Gold and Silver, and a certain Stone is found upon the earth of it self transparent, and naturally formed into angles and points, which if found in foreign Countries, would be held admirable: here is also upon this Coast taken Pilchards and Herrings in great abundance, which the Inhabitants do salt and dry in the smoak, and so transport into France, Spain, and Italy, to good advantage: the Sea-coast is beautified with many Towns and Ha∣vens, capable of many Ships, Falmouth being the chief, and here is found that famous Mount Michael, by the Inhabitants called Cana, which hath for many ages been noted for its steepness and antiquity.

* 1.3The situation of the Town of St. Ives is on the the Sea-side, with a good Road before it for any Vessel whatsoever to ride in it within one league, half league, or quarter of a league of the Town, with a Peer or dry Key belonging unto it, which will admit the entring a Vessel of 200 Tuns bringing their Tide with them. The situation of the Road, and how it lies, and in what degrees, is in a Paper hereunto annexed. There may be a Mould made for the preservation of Vessels with small cost. That Ships of 50 Tuns, or 100 Tuns, may ride a float on a Neap-Tide within it in safety. The Town consists only of one Parish belonging to it, about some three miles round of it, with at least 500 Families, or above 3000 souls in it.

What the place naturally affords, is Pilchards, Herring, Congerdoust, Ray-fish, and other sorts of Summer-fish. The materials which they mostly use for it, is Salt supplied from France; The quantity it affords yearly more or less, as pleaseth God, may be 3, 4, or 5000 Hogsheads of Pilchards yearly, 3, 4, or 500 Barrels of Herring, good quantity of Congerdoust, 4 or 5 Barks loaden of about 20 or 30 Tuns, each Bark of Ray-fish yearly, some years more, some less.

These Commodities, as Pilchards, are sold by the Hogshead, four of them make a Tun: but commonly by the 1000; (1200 small tale they sell the Merchant in the Cask to the 1000) the Barrel of Herring about 30 Gallons, sold commonly at 18 s. 20 s. 22 s. per Barrel; a Conger∣doust by the Kintale, that is to say•• 112 l. to the Kintale. Ray fish constantly sold by the do∣zen fresh, at 2 s. 4 d. 2 s. 6 d. or 3 s. per dozen. They have to their dozen 20, 30, 40, 50, sometimes 60 fishes to the dozen, according to their custom the Merchant hath that buys it, per dozens.

Their Weight is 12 l. according to the Standard; likewise is their Yard or Ell, according to the Standard by Law.

Their Measure is a Bushel for all Grain and Salt to be measured, imported, containing 28 Gallons water-measure, their ancient standing measure. The places for venting these Commo∣dities are in the Straights, Spain, France, and other foreign parts beyond the Seas. The prices are commonly on Pilchards 7, 8, or 9 s. per thousand, 30, 35, or 45 s. per Hogshead.

The Measures used in the publick Market for Corn are a Bushel containing 20 Gallons, the half Bushel 10 Gallons, the Peek 5 Gallons, the Gallon agrees with the Winchester Gallon. Salt is sold in the publick Market by the Gallon; and it is a good Country for victualling of Ships.

The quantity of Shipping or Barks belonging to the place are but few, and in number seven,

they were many more, but are taken and lost. The Burthen of these are from 60 tuns to 20 Tuns: divers other Vessels of forein parts do frequent the Road yearly, and Port like∣wise.

The Trade they drive with forein Nations are the Commodities formerly expressed out of this Port exported; with great quantities of Tin, which this Country round about us affords, and that the best in England, which we usually export.

The Commodities imported, or usually expended on the place or parts adjacent, are great quantities of Salt, at least 10000 bushels of Salt yearly, with all other sorts of Commodities being small quantities.

The manner of taking Pilchards and Herrings is by Nets, the other Fish by Hooks: they likewise use great quantity of Netting and Rope yearly for their Fishing craft, which cost them great Sums of Money. The Season for taking of Pilchards is between the first day of July and the first of January following. The Herrings they take from Michaelmas to Christmas following. The other Fish are taken in the Summer. The quantity of Boats belonging to the place are about 60; the Men a great number imployed to Sea in Ships; and at least four hundred Men all the Fishing-season are imployed about the Pilchard-catching and Herring-fishing.

And for the better encouragement of Trade there might be a Mould erected from the Castle whereon the Colours stand in the Map towards the Church, which hath been profer'd to be done for 3000 l. which, if done, would be the preservation of many thousand pounds per Annon, and many Mens Lives, who by extremity of Weather and contrary Wind are forced this side the Lands-end, having no place else to preserve themselves, unless they can get the Harbour of Milford, which is 32 Leagues from this place, being the only place on this North side for preservation of Ships.

General Blake, when he beleaguer'd the Island of Scilly, which lies 13 Leagues from this place was put off by a Storm from the Island of Scilly with his Fleet which came into this Road, and here anchor'd with his Fleet till the Storm was over, which continued five days in Safety; it is a good Road, and with good Ground-tackle a Ship may safely ride with all Weather.

This Bay is from the Lands-end 5 Leagues, and from the Lands-end to Scilly is 8 Leagues:

The Inhabitants of this place are poor, and have often made it their Request to have a Mould erected for the greater Safety of Ships that come here. But by reason of the late Trou∣bles, and through the negligence of such as were intrusted for the prosecuting thereof, it has been neglected, which (if erected) Ships of 300 tuns might be secured within the Mould at any time, and then it would be one of the best dry Peers in England.

* 1.4The second is Devonshire, no less rich in Veins of Tin, and withal beautified with many more Towns and good Havens than the former, Exon being the principal Town, and an Inland City, but Datmouth and Plimouth the best Havens; this last being, from a poor fishing Village, become a fair Town, by reason of the Castle and Commodiousness of the Haven; and the rather it is to be mentioned, as giving birth to Sir Fruncis Droke Kt. who in our Fathers days accomplished so many notable Exploits at Sea, and was the chief Glory of that Age for Navigation.

* 1.5The third is Dorsetshire, Dorchester being the chief Town, and Weymouth the chief Haven.

* 1.6Somersetshire is the fourth, happy in the fruitful Soil, rich Pastures, Multitude of Inhabi∣tants, and Commodiousness of Havens: the chief Towns are Bridgwater, next Bath famous for those medicinal Baths there found; and lastly Bristol, incompassed with a double Wall feate•• on the River Severn, beautified with many fair private and publick Buildings, and next to London and York it is preferred to all other Cities of England, but in Amplitude of Traffick, Shipping, and Eminence of Merchants, next to London it self, and else in my opinion second to none.

* 1.7 [ 1] The Town of Taunton, being a Corporation governed by a Mayor and 24 of the Society, is situate in a very fruitful Valley between 2 Hills, one of the Hills is 4 miles off the Town on the South, the other 2 miles distant from the Town on the North. In the Town are 2 Pa∣rish Churches, St Mary Magdalen and St. James, and in these Parishes are 700 Dwelling-house; and upward, being fully inhabited and very populous: through which Parishes run∣neth a great River of Fresh-water called Tone, into which run divers small Rivulets before it comes to the Town; this Town is incompassed round; within 5 miles, with 32 Parishes, which are very populous. Market-towns near it are, Bridgwater a Haven Market-town 7 mil••s off, Chard a Market-town 8 miles, Wellington a Market-town 5 miles, Stoy a Mar∣ket town 9 miles, Wilvescome a Market-town 7 miles, Ilminster a Market-town 8 miles from this Town.

[ 2] In the Town there are 32 Mercers and Drapers, also Smiths, Shoe-makers, Wool combers, Weavers, Fullers, Goldsmiths, and Taylors, with others of manual Occupations, of which

there are a considerable Number: the chiefest Commodities that it affords for Merchandize, being at present mixt Serges and white Serges (in the Town and places adjacent) made of clean Wool, out of which are sent to London and other places every week 700 pieces and upward: the Town was furnish'd with Wool in former times from Ireland, but now little comes from thence by reason of the Wars: but at this instant (what this fruitful Valley, being full of Pa∣sture doth not afford) is supplied with Wool from the North, viz. Buckingham, Oxford, War∣wick and Leicester shires: Besides, here is made a sort of Bays called Taunton Bays, for making of which Serges and Bays aforesaid, are kept at work weekly 8500.

The Yard, Ell and Bushel, are according to the Standard and Measure of Winchester.

[ 3] The Measure in the Market for Corn is the Peck, 4 Pecks to the Bushel, which is 8 Gallons, agreeing with Winchester.

[ 4] In the Town is no Port, but 17 miles from the Town North is a Port called Minhead, with a sure Key, where may ride 30 Ships of 60 Tuns and downward: also another Port 12 miles off called Watchet of the same bigness, only the Key is ruined: and another Port 7 miles from the Town called Bridgwater, in which Town cometh a Salt-water River, in which may come in at a full Tide Vessels of 60 Tuns, and the River from the main of Severn is above 10 miles, by which you may judg how many Vessels may arrive to these Ports; there are but few Ships belonging to these Ports: their Trade is to Ireland, to Wales for Coals; and Bristol, and some∣times to France and Spain. The Ports he against the Sea that runs to Bristol, called the Se∣vern.

[ 5] What Trade they drive is set forth in the former Articles.

[ 6] As for Fishing there is very little, not worth mentioning.

* 1.8Wiltshire is the 5. altogether an inland Country; the chiefest Towns are Malmesbury, fa∣mours for the Cloths of Wool made here; Salisbury for the Bishoprick; and Wilton, of old the chief of this County, now a little Village.

* 1.9Hampshire is the 6. wherein are found the little fair City of Southampton, Winchester the plea∣sant, and Portsmouth the only now Garrison Town of England.

* 1.10Berkshire is the 7. wherein are found the Towns of Newbery famous for Clothing, and Windsor for the King's Castle, and where the Ceremony of the Knights of the Garter is solem∣nized.

* 1.11Surrey is the 8. wherein are seen Oatlands and Richmond, two beautiful and stately Palaces, belonging to the Kings of England.

* 1.12Sussex is the 9. Chichester being the chief City, and Rhy the chief Sea-Town.

* 1.13Kent is the next, rich in Meadows, Pastures, Groves, Apples and Cherries, wherein are found seated the Cinque-Ports, Deptford the King's Yard for building of his Ships, Rochester the Seat of a Bishop, Eltham and Greenwich two Palaces of the Kings, Dover a famous Sea-Port and one of the Keys of this Island; and lastly, Canterbury the prime of this County, and the Seat of the Archbishop and Metropolitan of all England.

* 1.14Gloucestershire is the 11. the principal Towns are Tewksbury famous for Cloth-making, and Gloucester the chief of the County; here are also found the famous Hills of Cotswold, upon which great Flocks of Sheep are found to feed, yielding that excellent Wool so much esteemed amongst all Nations.

* 1.15Oxfordshire is the 12. which is a fruitful County both in Corn and Pasture, and wherein is found Woodstock a House of the King's, an inclosed Park with a Stone Wall, imagined the the first of this Land, and Oxford an University famous through the World, and chief of this Island.

* 1.16Buckinghamshire is the 13. wherein are found the good Towns of Ailsbury, Stony-stratford, and Buckingham the principal of the County.

* 1.17Bedfordshire is the next, and shews the Town of Bedford for the first of the County.

* 1.18Hertfordshire is the 15. wherein is the stately House of Theobalds, a House of the Kings, St. Albans, a fair Thorough-fare, and Hertford the principal of the County.

* 1.19Middlesex is the 16. wherein are found the King's Palace, Hampton Court, and London, the prime City of this Kingdom, and the Chamber of the Kings of England, so famous abroad in fo∣rein Countries that it needs no Mans Commendation: it is beautified with sundry Colleges for the Study of the Municipal Laws, with the Churches of Westminster and London, besides divers others, with the Hall of Westminster, where the Parliaments extraordinary, and Courts of Chancery, Kings-Bench, and other Courts are ordinarily kept, with the 2 Palaces of White∣hall and St. James, with an Exchange or Burse for Merchants to meet in, with a sumptuous and wonderful Bridge of Free stone, besides many other excellent private and publick Edi∣fices.

* 1.20Essex is the next, abounding in Pasturage, Corn and Saffron, and in which are found Chelms∣ford the chief Town, Colchester, Coxal, and others abounding with Bays, Says, and other new Drapery; and lastly, Harwich a safe Haven for Ships.

* 1.21Suffolk is next, which affords quantity of Butter, Cheese and Cloths, known by the names of Suffolk-cloth, wherein is found St. Edmunds bury and Ipswich, which hath a commodious Haven.

* 1.22Norfolk is the 19. a large champain Country, abounding in Conies and Sheep, affording the two good Haven Towns of Lin and Yarmouth, and Norwich, the first of the County, which deserves to be numbred amongst the chiefest Cities of England.

* 1.23It is seated in the County of Norfolk, and is situate upon the River Yare, (which runs to Yarmouth, and gives name to that Town) passable for small Boats only, on which River are 5 Bridges; the City is well walled with many Turrets, and hath 12 Gates for Entrance, con∣taining 36 Parishes, in the midst whereof is a very fair Market-place, ••and Town-Hall for the City Courts and Elections, and one other Hall wherein the Citizens keep their great Feasts. This City is also beautified with a fair Cathedral and Cloister not much inferior to any in the World, tho now much ruinated by these unhappy Times. There is also in this City the Ru∣ines of an old Castle, 3 Palaces, viz. one belonging to the Dukes of Norfolk, one formerly belonging the Earls of Surrey, and one other for the Bishop of Norwich. Here are also 3 Hospitals, one for aged Persons, one for Boys, and one for Girls. The Government of this City is by a Mayor, 2 Sheriffs, 24 Aldermen, and 16 Common Council-Men. This City being an Inland Place, about 30 miles from the Sea by Water (tho not above 16 by Land) hath little forein Trade, save only with Holland, and that not considerable or worth taking no∣tice of, the chief Trade of this City being to London, and that in these two Commodities es∣pecially, viz. Stuffs and Stockings: the Stuffs here vended in a time of Free Trade, may be estimated at 100000 l. per annum, and upward; which said Stuffs are under the Government of two Companies, one called the Worsted Company, and the other the Russel Company; those Manusactures under the Government of the Worsted Company (and approved by the Wardens thereof) have a Seal affixed to each End thereof, the one Seal having this Word (Norwich) on one side, and certain Letters on the other, which stand for such of the Wardens Names as are present at the Sealing thereof: the other Seal hath on one side these Words (Worsted reformed,) and on the other side thereof (in Figures) the Quantity of Yards the Piece con∣tains; and those Manufactures under the Government of the Russel Company, and approved by them, have but one Seal, which hath on one side the Representation of a Castle, and on the other side these Words (Fidelitas Artes alit.) This Stuff Trade is chiefly managed in Partnership between the London and Norwich Merchants, great Quantities whereof have in for∣mertimes, in a Free Trade with other Nations, been exported beyond the Seas to several pla∣ces, but especially to Spain, and from thence to the West Indies. The Stockings here vended may, in time of Free Trade, be estimated at 60000 l. per annum, and are not under any Com∣pany or Government, but are here put out to knitting by certain Citizens brought up thereto, and so sent up to London to their Factors, which sell them to Merchants, who transport them to Spain, France, Portugal. The Advancement of these Manufactures is Peace and Free Trade with those Nations whither they are exported; and the chiefest Prejudice to the Makers of these Manufactures is the Decay of Sheep by the Rot and Casualties, and the suffering our Wools to be exported unwrought into Holland and other places. The Country hereabouts af∣fords great quantities of Sheep and Conies, and is well stored with Corn of all sorts, especially Barly which is here converted into Malt, whereof in former times great quantities have been lent to London and Scotland. All Grain, according to the Custom of the Country, is here sold by the Score (which is 20 Cooms, every Coom being 4 Bushels) and have 1 Coom allowed to every Score, as in Measure or Courtesie.

The Weights and Measures both dry and wet here used, and other things enquirable, accor∣ding to the Articles of Instruction not herein before expressed, are agreeable and do corre∣spond with London.

* 1.24Cambridgeshire is the 20. which is found to abound in Corn, and wherein is seen the Univer∣sity of Cambridge, and Ely famous for being the Seat of a Bishop.

* 1.25Huntingtonshire is the 21. the chief Town being Huntington.

* 1.26Northamptonshire is the 22. abounding in Corn, Peterborough being here the Seat of a Bishop, and Northampton the chief City.

* 1.27Leicestershire is the 23. abounding in Corn, Leicester the chief Town is more famous for the Antiquity than for the Beauty thereof.

* 1.28Rutlandshire is the 24. and accounted the least County in this Kingdom, Uppinham being the chief Town.

* 1.29Lincolnshire is the 25 rich in Corn and Pasture, abounding in Fish and Fowl; Lincoln, once a great City, is yet the greatest in this County.

* 1.30Nottinghamshire is the 26. wherein is Nottingham the chief Town, and the Forest of Sherwood seeding many fallow and red Deer.

* 1.31Darbyshire is the 27. the chief City is Darby, famous for the Ale thereof; in this County are many Mines of Lead and other Minerals:

* 1.32Warwickshire is the 28. wherein is found Warwick the chief Town, and Coventry a fair walled City, and accounted the fairest Inland City of this Island, wherein no great quantity of Cloth is made.

* 1.33Worcestershire is the 29. wherein is sound the City of Worcester, famous now for Clothing, and the Seat of a Bishop.

* 1.34Staffordshire is the 30. which affords Salt-pits and Wells, and Coals taken out of the Earth, Stone and Lichfield being the principal Towns in this County.

* 1.35Shropshire is the 31. wherein is found Ludlow, of more Beauty than Antiquity, honour'd with a Council and Court of Justice for Wales, and a Palace for the Princes thereof. Shrewsbury the chief of this County, much inriched by their Trade for Cottons and Frizes with their Neigh∣bours the Welsh, whom yet notwithstanding they greatly affect not.

* 1.36Cheshire is the 32. abounding in Pastures and excellent Cheeses, hence transported through∣out England; it hath Chester for the chief City, seated on the River Dee.

* 1.37Herefordshire is the 33. and boasteth to be, for its Fertility and Abundance of all things, the first Shire in England; Hereford is the chief City, and Lemster justly boasteth of the Sheeps Wool, feeding in those Grounds, with which no part of Europe can equalize.

* 1.38Yorkshire is the 34. and largest County in all England, abounding in Corn, Pasture and Meadows, yielding Clothing, by the Industry of the Inhabitants, in abundance; York is the chief City, and the second in England, also the Seat of an Arch-bishop; here is a Court of Ju∣stice held for the neighbouring Marches, like that of Ludlow. In this County is also the Town of Hull, seated on the River Humber, where are found Merchants of good quality; and here is also the Castle of Scarborough, where, in the adjoining Sea, is the great Fishing found an∣nually for Herrings.

* 1.39Richmond is the 35. in which are found Mountains to yield plentifully Lead, Pit Coals and some Brass, and the chief City is called Richmond.

* 1.40The Bishoprick of Durham is the 36. pleasant in Meadows, Pastures and Groves, and a∣boundeth in Sea-Coal, which is dig'd out of the Earth. Durham is the chief City.

* 1.41Lancashire is the 37. wherein is Manchester, an old Town, inriched by the Industry of the Inhabitants, by Cloth of Linen and Woollen, the City of Lancaster being the first of the Shire.

* 1.42Westmerland is the 38. the chief Town whereof is Kendal, famous for making of Woollen Cloth.

* 1.43Cumberland is the 39. affording Mines of Brass, and some Veins of Silver, and Black Lead in abundance: also there is made much Linen Cloth in this County. Carlisle is the principal Town, where they are lately set to the making of Dimities, which may in time prove a very considerable Manufacture. Here are found apparent Ruines of that Wall which the Romans built, to keep out the Picts from making incursions upon the Britains, being as it seems then so poor, that they cared not to subdue them.

* 1.44Northumberland is the 40. wherein is found the Sea-Town of Newcastle, which affords such abundance of Sea-Coal, that the same is thence transported into many Kingdoms of the World: * 1.45here is also Berwick one of the strongest fortified Towns of England, formerly strengthned against the Incursions of the Scots, by a strong Garrison of Souldiers, and now dismissed by the Happy Union of England and Scotland.

The Measures used in Morpeth, 12 miles beyond Newcastle for hard Corn (viz. Wheat, Rye, Pease and Beans) is the Bole, containing 2 Bushels, every Bushel makes 2 Canings; a Caning makes 2 Pecks, every Peck 2 Houps, each Houp 4 Fourth Parts. This Morpeth Bole makes 3 Bushels, or the Bole and half of the hard Corn Bole of Newcastle.

There is another Bole used for Barley, (there called Big) and Oats, which is bigger than the former Bole by one fifth part.

The Bole of Alnwick, 12 miles beyond Morpeth, for hard Corn contains a Morpeth Bole and a Houp or 1/10 part more. The Bole for Oats (with the Alnwick Charity, as they call it) which is a Houp, makes the Bole for Big and Oats of Morpeth. Their Bole for Big is less than the Morpeth Bole for Big 1/8 part. The Bole of Wooll, 20 miles beyond Alnwick for all Corn is big∣ger than that of Alnwick by ⅛ part, or a Peck. The Measure for Salt all the County over is the same.

* 1.46Having thus briefly run over the Shires of England, it will be necessary I should here add the like cursory View of Wales, comprehended under the Government of England, and included within the same Limit, and omitted to this place, as having parts of the said Kingdom, which I find to be in number these.

* 1.47Anglesey I account the first, which is toucht amongst the Islands, being esteemed a County of Wales, Beaumaries being the principal Town of the County.

* 1.48Flintshire is the second, plentiful in Corn and Pasture, famous for the Spring of Holy Well, called here St. Winifreds Well, and Flint Town being the chiefest of the County.

* 1.49Denbighshire is the next, affording some Mines of Lead, wherein are found Wrexham that boasts of its Holy Tower, and Musical Organs, and Denbigh the chief of the County.

* 1.50Canarvanshire is the next, antiently called Snowden Forest, before that Wales was reduced to Counties, wherein are found the high Hills, the Alps of Britain; also Aberconway, a strong and fair little Town; Bangor, the Seat of a Bishop, and Canarvan, the chief of this Province, Famous for the Birth-place of Edward II. the first Prince of Wales of English Blood.

* 1.51Merionethshire is the next, a mountainous Country, affording notwithstanding good Pasture for Cattel. The chief Town is Balla, tho poor yet principal of these Mountaincers.

* 1.52Montgomeryshire is the next, having its chief Town of the same Name.

* 1.53Cardiganshire is the seventh, and hath the Town of Cardigan for the chief of the County.

* 1.54Pembrokeshire is the eighth, Pembr•…•… is the chief Town, and here a long Neck of Land makes a Haven, called Milford Haven, than which Europe hath not a more noble, more safe, and more large, with many Creeks and safe Roads, wherein 1000 Sail may ride out of sight one of another, and made more famous by the Landing of Henry VII.

* 1.55Caermardenshire is the next, abounding in Corn, Sheep, and Pit-Coal, Caermarden being the chief Town.

* 1.56Glamorganshire is the next, Cardiff is the chief Town, having a commodious Haven for Shipping.

* 1.57Monmouthshire is the next, wherein are found Chepstow and Monmouth, the last is glorious in giving Birth to Henry V. Conqueror of France.

* 1.58Brecknockshire is the next, Brecknock being the chief Town.

* 1.59Radnorshire is the last, wherein is sound Radnor the chief. These are in brief the Shires of Wales.

* 1.60To observe now my former Method, having thus particularly survey'd the Continent, let me now search into those Commodities which England in general affords for Merchandize, and is thence exported into forein Regions, as being the principal Motives of Trade in all King∣doms, which it produceth several ways. First, by Manufactures it yieldeth Woollen Cloths of all sorts, broad and narrow, known and called by the name of several Shires, also Perpetuanos, Bays, Says, Scrges, Cottons, Kersies, Buffins, Mocados, Grograms, Sattins, Calimancas, Velvets, Pl••shts, Worsteds, Fustians, Durances, Tukes, and infinite others: there is made in this Island yearly 250000 Cloths by computation, and by this may be guess'd the Quantity of the res•• of other sorts; also Furs and Skins, as Coney-skins, Squirrel-skins, Fitches, Calf-skins, Hides, and sundry others.

Also it produceth by Mines out of the Earth, 1. Tin 1200000 l. yearly, Lead 800 Foders yearly, Allom 800 Tuns yearly, Copper 500 Tuns yearly, Iron of all sorts, 800 Furnaces daily set on work, besides Ordnance of Iron and such like, Sea-coal yearly (…) Chaldrons, Salt (…) Tuns; also all manner of Grain, Oats, Pease, Barly, Rye and Wheat in great plenty; also Linen Cloth, all Iron Wares, Tallow, Leather, Glass, and Glasses of all sorts, Venice Gold and Bilver, Train-Oyl, Salmons, Pilchards and Herrings, Hake, Conger and Haberdine, Hops, Wood, Butter, Cheese, Beer, Salt-petre, Gun-powder, Honey, Wax, Alabaster, and some other Stones, Wools, Woolfels, Yern, Yernsey, &c. and to conclude, many other good and rich Commodities is here found.

* 1.61The Beauty and Wealth of this Kingdom is demonstrated in 325 Rivers, 8 thereof being great and navigable for some Miles, whereon are found 857 Bridges, 30 Chases, 55 Forests, 745 Parks; here are also reckoned 26 Deanries, 60 Archdeaconries, 504 Dignities and Prebends, 5439 Parochial Benefices, besides Impropriations and Vicarages, and the whole divided into 6 Cir∣cuits for the Administration of Justice, into 22 Episcopal Dioceses for Ecclesiastical Discipline, and into 2 Archbishopricks under whom the rest are subordinate: and lastly, into 40 Shires, over each of which is yearly a Sheriff appointed, who is to assist the Itinerary Judges in execu∣ting Justice, and to gather in the King's Amercements: and these Shires are divided into Hundreds, and these Hundreds into Tithings; and to conclude, in England are found 145 Castles, 9527 Parishes besides Chappels, whereof 585 are Market Towns, and 22 Cities, the principal whereof are these, 1. Oxford, 2. Cambridge, both being Universities, 3. Exeter in Devonshire, 4. Norwich in Norfolk, 5. Bristol watered by Severn, accounted the second for Trade in this Country, 6. York, on the River Ure, accounted the second City for Beauty and Greatness in England; and lastly London, under which I will comprise the Trade of this whole Island.

Notes

• * 1.1

  England and the Cities thereof.
• * 1.2

  Cornwal.
• * 1.3

  St. Ives in Cornwal, and the Trade thereof.
• * 1.4

  Devon 2.
• * 1.5

  Dorset 3.
• * 1.6

  Somerset 4.
• * 1.7

  Of Taunton.
• * 1.8

  Wiltshire 5.
• * 1.9

  Hampshire 6.
• * 1.10

  Barkshire 7.
• * 1.11

  Surrey 8.
• * 1.12

  Sussex 9.
• * 1.13

  Kent 10.
• * 1.14

  Gloucester 11.
• * 1.15

  Oxford 12.
• * 1.16

  Buckingh. 13.
• * 1.17

  Bedford 14.
• * 1.18

  Hertford 15.
• * 1.19

  Middlesex 16.
• * 1.20

  Essex 17.
• * 1.21

  Suffolk 18.
• * 1.22

  Norfolk 19.
• * 1.23

  A Description of the City of Norwich, and the Trade thereof.
• * 1.24

  Cambridge 20
• * 1.25

  Huntington 21
• * 1.26

  Northamp. 22
• * 1.27

  Leicester 23.
• * 1.28

  Rutland 24.
• * 1.29

  Lincoln 25.
• * 1.30

  Nottingh. 20.
• * 1.31

  Darby 27.
• * 1.32

  Warwick 28.
• * 1.33

  Worcester 29
• * 1.34

  Stafford 30.
• * 1.35

  Shropshire 31
• * 1.36

  Chester 32.
• * 1.37

  Hereford 33.
• * 1.38

  Yorkshire 34.
• * 1.39

  Richmond 35
• * 1.40

  Durham 36
• * 1.41

  Lancashire 37
• * 1.42

  Westmerl. 38.
• * 1.43

  Cumberlan. 39.
• * 1.44

  Northumb. 40
• * 1.45

  Berwick.
• * 1.46

  Shires of Wales.
• * 1.47

  Anglesey 1.
• * 1.48

  Flint 2.
• * 1.49

  Denbigh 3.
• * 1.50

  Canarvan 4.
• * 1.51

  Merioneth 5.
• * 1.52

  Montgomery 6
• * 1.53

  Cardigan 7.
• * 1.54

  Pembroke 8.
• * 1.55

  Caermarden 9
• * 1.56

  Glamorgan 10
• * 1.57

  Monmouth 11
• * 1.58

  Brecknock 12.
• * 1.59

  Radnor 13.
• * 1.60

  Commodities of England.
• * 1.61

  Beauty of England.