The history of England giving a true and impartial account of the most considerable transactions in church and state, in peace and war, during the reigns of all the kings and queens, from the coming of Julius Cæsar into Britain : with an account of all plots, conspiracies, insurrections, and rebellions ... : likewise, a relation of the wonderful prodigies ... to the year 1696 ... : together with a particular description of the rarities in the several counties of England and Wales, with exact maps of each county / by John Seller ...

Remarks on Herefordshire, &c.

HErefordshire is famed for abundance of Fruit-Trees, producing great quantities of Cider, and other wholsom Liquors; Its Wooll is held to be the finest in England, especially from those numerous flocks of Sheep that feed on the pleasant Hills about Lempster. It also yields abundance of Cheese, Butter, Swine, and all necessary Provisions for the support of Mans Life; and has some considerable Forrests and Woods. It is Bounded with Shropshire, Worcester∣shire, Glocestershire, Monmouthshire, Radnorshire and Brecknockshire; It gives denomination to a Bishoprick, the Diocess containing this County and part of Shropshire; It is divided into 11 Hundreds, containing 176 Parishes, 8 Market-Towns, and 13 Rivers; and sends 8 Members to Parliament, viz. Knights of the Shire 2, Hereford 2, Lempster 2, and Weobley 2.

The City of Hereford is noted for its Cathedral, of Anti∣•••• but Curious Building; it gave Birth to Ada•••• D'

[illustration] map of Herefordshire

HEREFORD SHIRE

[illustration]

Orleton Bishop of Hereford, and Roger of Hereford, a learned Astrologian; Bradwarden-Castle gave Birth to Thomas D' Bradwardine Arch Bishop of Canterbury; also to John Guillim, a famous Herald, whose Systeme of Heraldry is accounted the best on that subject. This County gave Birth to the Renowned Robert Devereux Earl of Essex, who lost his Head in Queen Elizabeths Reign. The next Towns of note are Stanton, Lempster, Weobly, Ludbury, Rosse, Orleton, Pembridg and Wormbridg.

Marsley-Hill in this County is Celebrated by all Writers for its wonderful Travel, on Saturday the 7th of February, 1571. which was indeed exceeding strange and surprizing, and must not be here omitted: It happened thus, About six of the Clock in the Evening the Earth began to move, with a mighty rooring and bellowing Noise, which was heard several Miles off, and then it lifted it self up a great height, and began to Travel; carrying along with it the Trees that grew upon it, the Sheepfolds and Flocks of Sheep continuing still thereon, and from the place whereon it first stood, by seven a Clock the next Morning, had gone about 200 Foot, and so continued its Travel three Days together, and then stood still; in its passage it overthrew Kinnaston-Chappel. and removed an Yew-Tree growing in the Church-Yard from West to East; throwing down also several Houses, Trees and Hedges: But that which adds more to the wonder is, That two High-ways were turned about 300 Foot from their former Pathes, the East part to the West, and the West to the East, Pasturage being left in the place of Tillage, and likewise Tillage in the place of Pasturage.

As for the Seats of the Nobility, tho' not many, they are mostly of curious Antient Building, viz. Goodrick-Castle, Penyard-Castle, and Eccleswald-Castle, belonging to the Earl of Kent; Wilton, Aconsbury, and Dewswell, be∣longing to the Lord Chandois; and Hereford Palace, be∣longing to the Bishop of the Diocess. There are divers

Quarries of Stone found in this County, which stand the Peo∣ple in great stead; also some Minerals; much Fuel is like∣wise got out of the Ground.