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 ...

The Reign of EDWARD the Second (usually called Edward of Carnarvan.)

EDWARD the Second Succeeded his Father in the Throne; but having been brought up tenderly, and given too much to Flatterers and loose Company,

he very early gave the Nobles cause to distast his Go∣vernment; for tho' his Father in his Last Will had strictly Prohibited his Recalling Peirce Gaveston from Banishment, a Person who by his evil Example and per∣nicious Counsels had been the great Debaucher of his Younger Years, yet he did it, tho' contrary to the Mind of his People in general; and to despite them the more, took him into his particular Favour, Vowing if it lay in his power he would willingly share the Kingdom with him, heaping Honours on him, and Liberally opening his Coffers to him; so that he no sooner asked, but his desires were granted. This much perplexed the Nobles, and made them Remonstrate to the King the ill consequences that were likely to follow on such his Proceedings, putting him in mind of his dying Fathers charge to him, and urging many other things; but he little regarded them; so that perceiv∣ing the King entirely to doat on this upstart Favourite, who thereupon grew very Proud and Insolent, advan∣cing him to the Barony of Wallingford, and Earldom of Cornwal, making him Master of his Jewels and Trea∣sure, a great part of which he sent beyond the Seas, to provide for himself against such a Storm as he might reasonably expect, They for a time held their peace; tho' they inwardly grieved at the Miscarriage of things.

The King was now Married to Isabel Daughter to Philip the French King, a Lady of admirable Beauty, but of a haughty Mind, impatient of Injuries; yet this Loose Favourite, to cross her, because he stood not high in her esteem, laboured by introducing fresh Beau∣ties to the King, to Alienate him from her Society and Bed, carried him often to Revellings, and made him Drink to Excess, that his Conscience might not find any deliberate time to Check him for his Lawless En∣terprizes.

The Queen at this was both Grieved and Angry, labouring however, by all mild ways and endearing perswasions to Reclaim the King, laying before him his Unkindness to one that so tenderly Loved and Honoured him, and the Scandal and Contempt he would cause of himself among his People, if he who was placed in so eminent a Station, to give good Ex∣amples to others, as Patterns for them to follow, shewed in himself such an evil one; Intreating him to follow the Prudence and Heroick Virtues of his Father, and not despising the sober Advice of his Grave Coun∣sellors, harken to and be lead away by base Parasites and Flatterers. But the King, not regarding what she said, tho' the People at the same time greatly Mur∣mured and spoke evil of him for his Loose and Un-Princely manner of Living, as also of Gaveston to whom they bore an irreconcileable hatred: The No∣bles found themselves constrained (for redressing these Mischiefs) and preventing greater, that threatened the Kingdom, To Petition the King for Gaveston's Banish∣ment; wherein they set forth his evil Practices and Faults, with the Sorrow of his Majesties best affected Subjects, for that he (more than was fit or comely) was Guided and Governed by that unworthy Favourite; earnestly entreating his Highness he would be pleased (for preventing such Mischiefs as were otherwise like∣ly to ensue) To Banish that Lewd Person from his Court and Kingdom.

The King upon this, fearing some danger threatned if he refused to comply with his Nobles, whom he found resolutely bent no longer to suffer such Indignities as Gaveston had put upon them; tho' much against his will, agreed he should be sent into Ireland; which ac∣cordingly was done; yet the King sent after him many comfortable Messages, and at length constituted him

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his Lieutenant of that Kingdom, sending him store of Plate, Jewels, and Corn to maintain his State and Gran∣••ure; by which he might conclude his Banishment but ••n Honourable Embassy, and an occasion presented ••hereby to the King to make him more Rich and Po∣••ent.

Besides all this, the Kings discontents and passions ••or his Absence, appeared to be so many and great, That the Nobles were grieved for the perplexities of ••is Mind; which made them (in hopes of his Favourites ••••ture amendment of all things that had been found ••miss in him, after this Humbling) of their own accord Petition the King that he might be Recalled: But ••ike the Leopards Spots, his Vices were so natural to him, and so inherent in him, that he was nothing chan∣ged; but upon his return grew more Insolent than ••ever, which occasioned him but a short time; for at the ••ncessant Importunities of the Nobles, he was again Banished into Flanders; yet remained not long, ere the King (impatient of his Absence) Recalled him without the consent of his Nobles; and to Agrandize him the more, Married him to his Kinswoman the Earl of Glocesters Daughter, a Virtuous and Honourable Lady; when bearing himself much on this Alliance, he grew to such a height, that he scorned the greatest Peers in England; and in his State, Attendance, and Table, out∣••ied even the King; Glorying and openly boasting how he Ruled the King; and by what ways he had misle•• him. This however did him no kindness, for the King ••••••ding he could no longer Protect him against the potent Nobles and the clamours of the Common People, which ••hreatned ruin in his stay, he was con∣strained to part with him a Third time. But the ••oise and discontents by his Absence was no sooner pacified and alay'd, but the King sent to him privately

to Return, tho' very fatal to him; for upon his Lan∣ding, entering into the Castle of Scarborough, he was there Besieged and taken by the Earl of Warwick, and with the consent of the Earls of Lancaster and Hereford, carried to Warwick-Castle, and Beheaded.

The King had no sooner notice of the untimely end of his Favourite, but in a vehement passion he Cursed those Noblemen, and expressed his Anger and Vows of Revenge in many threatning terms: But Time ren∣dering him cooler, and the Reasons that were given for their hasty Proceedings, he Pardoned them, in con∣sideration that all which belonged to Gaveston, should be put into his hands. However his inclinations were such that he could not be long without a Favourite, to whom he might impart his Secrets on all occasions; wherefore he made Sr. Hugh Spencer, and Hugh his Son, of his Cabinet Council; raising them from a mean Estate, to Lord it over the Nobles; and whatever he did of any importance, was by their Advice and Di∣rection; he made the Elder of them Earl of Winchester, and gave to both of them many Honourable Places and Offices, which caused them to become more Insolent than Gaveston, and altogether as much hated in a little time.

Robert Bruce, mentioned in the foregoing Reign, up∣on notice of these Disorders in England, thought it was now a fit time for him to possess himself of the Crown of Scotland; and therefore returning from Norway, he was Joyfully received by the Scots, as well Nobles as Commons; and was by them a second time Crowned King; whereupon he Levied a great Army, and entered into the English Marches, miserably wast∣ing the Country as he passed, with Fire and Sword; which made King Edward shake off his soft repose, and hasten to the Field; whose coming put a stop to the

torent, and made the Scots retire beyond the Tweed. Whereupon King Edward having strengthened his Army, entered Scotland, doing great Damage; but was at Bannocks Bourn Encountered by King Robert, who Surprisingly fell upon the English, by reason of their remissness, and the unwillingness of some of the No∣bles to Engage, because King Edward had given the great Commands into the hands of mean Persons by the Advice of the Spencers; and after a bloody and long Fight, totally Routed them. And here King Ed∣ward, through bad conduct, having been a Spectator of the slaughter of many Valiant Men, (among which were Gilbert D' Clare Earl of Glocester, and 42 other Lords, with more than 60 Knights and Baronets, be∣sides 22 of Note, who were taken Prisoners) he was compelled for his own safety to hasten back for England (leaving all his Treasure, Amunition and Baggage be∣hind him, and 22000 common Soldiers Slain and made Prisoners) exceedingly disconsolated and perplexed; where he soon found new Troubles: For one John Poldras, a Tanners Son of Exeter in Devonshire, boldly affirming himself to be the truly begotten Son of Ed∣ward the First, aledging that he was changed by his Nurse in his Cradle for a Carters Child, raised by this Chimera strange Commotions, many People believing by King Edwards proceedings, so disagreeable to those of the preceding King, that there was some ground of truth in it. He also offered divers colourable Proofs for what he said, and among others he strongly insisted on the unworthy and sordid conditions of the King, sorting to none so fitly as to one of obscure and com∣mon Birth; so that a great many of the Commons in those parts unadvisedly flocked to him, and owned him for their True King, looking on Edward as a Changling; but they in a hot Skirmish being Defeated,

the Impostor was taken Prisoner, and confessed his Treason and Folly, but not any one that set him on work, and encouraged him to it; so that being con∣victed by his Confession, he was Condemned and Exe∣cuted, and the rest Pardoned; which at this time put an end to the Western Troubles.

But in the North, the Scots pursuing theis Success, taking many Places Garisoned with English, by force, and had the strong Castle of Berwick betrayed into their hands by the Deputy-Governor, who let them in, in the dusk of the Evening, at a Sally-Port he had pur∣posely left open; yet in the dark scuffle he had his Re∣ward, for going with the appointed Signal of safety, and in the dark, it not being discerned by the Scots, they Slew him.

Nor was this all the misery at this time the Nor∣thern County suffered, their Cattle Dyed of a grievous Murrain, and Famine was exceeding amongst them. Moreover divers notorious Thieves and Robbers (to the number of 200) taking the advantage of these stirs, put themselves into Friars Weeds, and Robbed, Ravi∣shed, Burned, and laid Waste where they came, Mur∣thering divers who Resisted them; but in a few Months most of them were taken and put to Death by sundry Torments. The Famine was likewise succeeded by a Plague; so that the Living were scarce able to Bury the Dead.

These Calamities and daily cries of his People made the King advance Northward with an Army; yet bad success attended him, for giving the Scots Battel, he was Overthrown, and a great part of his Army Slain; and so in much vexation returned home. This made the Nobles grievously complain of the Spencers, and others, the Kings Favourites, by whose bad Mannage∣ment of Affaires the Realm was at a point to be over∣whelmed

in Misery, laying before the King their Mis∣demeanours and ill treatment of his Subjects; how many Thousands suffered by the Male-Administration of Government, and the great Callamities approach∣ing, if speedy Redress was not had, even to the sub∣version of the State; and then became Importunate Suitors to him, that he would be pleased to put those from him that had caused so many Grievances, and made him careless of those Duties which by Almighty God were required at his hands. They told him likewise, As Subjection belonged to the People, so the King was bound to Protect them; and that most dis∣honourably he had left his Commons in the North a Prey to the Scots, and grievously oppressed with Wants and Extremities; and that if he pleased not (upon their humble Entreaty and Request) to dismiss the Spencers from their Places and Service, They must and would presume to do it, tho' with the hazard and per∣ril of their own Lives.

At this, tho' the King in Conscience could not but hearken to it, being an apparent Truth, yet it so highly displeased him (who preferred his Favourites before the Good of all his People) That he bit his Lip, and with an austere Countenance turned at first from them, without speaking; but considering the ill consequences that might attend his slighting them in a business wherein all his good Subjects were concerned, he tur∣ned again, and gave them a pleasing Answer, viz. That since things were come to such extremity, there could be no suitable Redress but in a Parliament, which he speedily intended to call, and would submit to what that Assembly should determine most Necessary for the good and wellfare of the Kingdom.

However, the Nobles afterward seemed dissatisfied, as fancying the King (when they were so Assembled)

designed to Seiz them, and forcibly make them com∣ply with his Terms; yet finding such a meeting was necessary, they came strongly Guarded with a nume∣rous Train, all in one Livery; this much startled the King, but most of all it grieved him he now saw he must part with the Spencers, whom in the Extasie of his Expressions he had declared to Love dearer than his Queen or Children; and accordingly they were Banished during their Lives, the King being bound not to Recal them upon any pretence whatever. But this caused a hatred in him against the Barons, so that he expressed it in Threats, and that he ought not to be forced to do any thing against his Mind. So that al∣though the Younger Spencer, geting a Squadron of Ships turned Pirate, Robbing the English Merchants and Strangers, The King would not consent to their Intreaties that a Fleet might be sent out to surpress those apparent Injuries and Disgraces, but Laughed at them when they proposed it, as inwardly pleased at the News they had brought him; and soon after, con∣trary to the expectation of all Men, Recalled them from Banishment, restoring them to their Honours and Offices, wherein they became more Insolent than ever.

The Barons grieved at these Proceedings, and Ex∣pecting no Redress from the King, immediatly took up Arms, and the King did the like; so that after many sharp Bickerings and Encounters, both Armies joyned in Battel, and Fought cruelly; Kindred against Kindred, making no distinction of Relations, in the bloody Field: But when many of the Barons and other Leaders were Slain, their Party gave way, and the King Pursued very furiously, so that a miserable Slaughter happened, and at Burrow-Bridge, near where this Battel was Fought, The Earl of Lancaster (the Kings Unkle) and 90 other Nobles were taken Pri∣soners,

and sent to Pontfract-Castle, where the Noble Earl staid on a Scaffold Seven Hours before they could procure an Executioner to Behead him, so greatly was he Beloved by all sorts of People; but at length a vile Wretch was procur'd out of a Goal, for a sum of Money, to perform that Office. Five others were put to Death there, and at York the next day the Lords Clifford, Mobray and Derwell were Hanged in Iron-Chaines. The Earl of Hereford likewise lost his Head; in all (at several places) Twenty Noblemen; so that in no Reign so much Noble Blood, by Executions, wet the English Earth.

These terrible Executions astonished the rest, and broke their Strength, which greatly puffed up the Spen∣cers, by whose Instigation, more than any cruel incli∣nation in the King, it was thought to be done, to se∣cure their own State, which after this they imagined could not be shaken: For soon after, some Courtiers Intreating the King for the Life of a Person of mean Rank, who had committed a Murther, he broke out into a violent Passion in these words, viz. A Plague overtake you all, for Flatering Knaves; you make much Suit for the Life of an errand Caitiff, but which of you spoke a word for the good Knight Lord Thomas my Ʋnkle? By the Bread of God this Varlet shall Dye the Death he deserves; and so in a Rage he turned from them, and soon after he called a Parliament at York, in which Prince Edward his Son was Created Prince of Wales and Duke of Aquitain; and Sir Andrew Harkly, whose extraordi∣nary Service was a principal means of the Barons Over∣throw, Earl of Carlisle; and demanded the Sixth Penny of all Temporalities in England, Wales and Ireland, to defray the Charges of his intended War against the Scots, which he obtained; yet the People grievously Murmured at Paying it, affirming they were alto∣gether

Impoverished by the late Wars and Famine.

And now the Scots geting secret Inteligence of what the King intended against them, resolved to be∣gin first, and well knowing they had Impoverished the Northern parts, and that no further Booty was there to be had, they crossed over the Narrow Straights, and fell very furiously on Ireland; but by the Courage and prudent Conduct of the Bishop of Armagh and the Lord Brinningham, they were Overthrown, their King Slain, and most of them Cut in Pieces; upon this advantage, King Edward Marched into Scotland, which he found full of Terror and Confusion, the People every where flying before him into the Woods, Mountains, and o∣ther Fastnesses; thinking by that means to weary out the English; and indeed their Project failed not, for Snows, Rains, and bitter Frosts ensuing, the English were unable to keep the Field, especially their Pro∣visions being near spent, and a great Mortality (by rea∣son of the raw Damps and Colds) grievously afflicted the Camp; so that, contrary to the mind of the King, they were forced to return; which the Scots perceiv∣ing, crept from their lurking Holes, and carried Fire a cross, which is the usual Signal for the Alarum, or raising the Country, and soon gathered into such Mul∣titudes, that following and wasting his Rear, at last they boldly set on his main Battel and discomfited it; so that he was constrained to fly, and leave them Ma∣sters of his Treasure, and Baggage. This Defeat is said to be occasioned by the Treachery of Sr. Andrew Harkley, who had been lately Created Earl of Carlisle; who being Bribed by the Scots, betraied his trust in the Battel. But however it happened, it was charged up∣on him, and for it he lost his Head.

Upon the Kings return, there happened a Quarrel between the Queen and the Spencers; she charging

them to have Alienated the Kings affections from her, and to cause him to place it on Harlots, and the King seeming to excuse or take part with them, she so highly resented the Affront, that under pretence of visiting her native Country, she obtained leave to go over with the Prince her Son, where she was received by King Charles her Brother (Philip her Father being Dead) with many expressions of kindness, and shewing her dislike to return unless matters might be Reformed at home, some of the Barons in England sent secretly by Letters, to Advise her, That if she could procure one Thousand Valliant Strangers, they would joyn her on her Landing with a considerable Force, and endeavour once more to Redress the Disorders of the State: This she made known to her Brother, who comforted her by earnest Promises and Oaths, That by his Assistance, and at his Cost, her Wrongs and the King∣doms Injuries, should be Repaired; but kept not his Word, for being Bribed by the Spencers, who by their Spies had notice of her tampering in the French Court, when she demanded his Performance, he grew cold upon it, and chid her for such Intentions; saying She was foolishly afraid of her Shaddow, since she had Ʋndutifully forsaken the company of her Lord and Husband.

The Pope also, and chiefest Cardinals, being En∣gaged by great Rewards, strictly required the French King, upon pain of the Apostolick Curse, to send home the Queen and Prince, so that she perceiving he inten∣ded to deliver her into the hands of such as would have Forcibly brought her over, she secretly retired with her Son into the Empire; however during her stay at the French Court, she had done England a kindness, in causing by her Mediation the Troubles in Gascoyne to cease; and making an Agreement in other matters relating to the King her Husband: In consideration

of which, he was to confer the Dutchy of Aquitain and Earldom of Poictou on the Prince his Son, which he did, under his Seal; and he did Homage for it to his Unkle the French King; but upon his sending for her home, she refused to come, unless hers and others Grievances were Redressed by Parliament; which oc∣casioned his trying by other means to make her return; but as is said, she retiring into the Empire, upon su∣spicion of what was Intended, went to Hainalt, where she was kindly received; and to make her Interest strong at that Court, she without the consent of her Husband, or the Peers of England, Married the Prince to Phillipa, the Earl of Hainalts Daughter; upon which account, and the means of what Treasure she had brought, she raised 2700 Soldiers, Commanded by Sr. John of Hainalt, and the Lord Beamont, to whom Joyned the Young Lord Mortimer, who had escaped out of the Tower of London, and got beyond the Seas, with some other Exiled English Noblemen and Stran∣gers, so that having all things in a readiness, she Sayled for England, and Landed at Orwell in Sussex, whither a great Number of English resorted to her; and the fur∣ther she went, her Army greatly encreased.

King Edward having notice of this, left his Court, and retired hastily into the West to raise Forces; pro∣mising 1000l. to any that should bring him the Lord Mortimer's Head; The King was no sooner retired, but the Londoners taking the Advantage of his Absence, seized upon the Bishop of Exeter, who was appointed to Govern the City, and without any Legal Proceed∣ings or Judicial Sentence, caused his Head to be stricken off at the Standard in Cheapside; and then with great violence broke down the Tower Gates, killing all they found in it, and secured that and the City to the use of the Queen, and of the Prince her Son.

The King being Informed of these Proceedings, his Heart failed him; so that desisting from his intent of raising Forces, he Posted to Bristol and Fortified it, committing the Defence thereof to the Earl of Arun∣dale, and the Spencer's, Father and Son, entered with him into the Castle, which they determined as a last Refuge to defend with all their Strength; but within a few days after, the City was Besieged, Assaulted and Taken by the Queen and Barons, who took and Com∣mitted the Earl and divers others of Note to safe cu∣stody; the King and his two Favourites dispairing of Safety there, got out to Sea in a small Fisher Boat, in∣tending for Ireland; but so Providence ordered it, that it was thrice (when put out) driven by the shifting of the Wind near the Castle; so that the last time the Lord Beamont Manning out a Vessel seized it, and found there the King and the Elder Spencer, the other having got on Shore, and shifted away for a time: These the Queen presented before the Castle, which the Ga∣rison no sooner perceived, but they Surrendered; and here the Lord Arundel was Beheaded, and the King sent Prisoner to Kenelworth Castle; and by the way they contrived to Shave him, to Disguise him, least being known he should be Rescued; when the Impudent Fellow of a Shaver set him on a Molehill, and told him That Cold Water must now serve his turn, pointing to the Ditch; at which Indignity, the King burst out in Tears, saying, There should be Warm Water whether he would or no. The Queen having thus far proceeded, de∣termined the Death of her Capital Enemy, dooming him to be Quartered Alive; which was done, and his Head and Quarters set up in divers places; she gave a considerable Reward to the Person who brought her the Head. Young Spencer, soon after was taken with the Lords Baldock and Reading, carried to Hereford, and

Hanged on a Gallows 50 Foot high: And thus fell these Favourites, who put too much trust in their own Strength and Pollicy, little expecting such suddain turns of Fortune to alter their conditions, by throwing them from the Pinacle of Honour into the Gulf of Misery and Disgrace, which ought to be a Warning to all who undeservedly aspire, cautiously to behave themselves.

Upon this, a Parliament was called to settle the dis∣ordered Affaires of the Kingdom, who Resolved to transfer the Crown from Edward to his Son; where∣upon three Bishops, three Earls, two Barons, two Ab∣bots, and two Justices, were appointed to demand (in the Name of the Parliament) a surrender of it; which if he refused, they would perhaps take other measures and give it from his Family, to one more worthy. This he took so grievously, that after many complainings of his hard Usage, and a confession of his Failures in Go∣vernment, he fell in a Swoon, which moved the Lords to pitty him; but being brought to himself, after some time bemoaning his hard Fate, seeing there was no o∣ther Remedy, he Signed and Sealed the Instrument tendered him, by which he passed over his Crown, and Right and Title to all his Dominions, to Prince Edward his Son; whereupon Sr. William Trussel, one of the Judges or Justices, in the name of the whole Realm, renounced Homage to the King in these words, viz.

I William Trussel in the name of all Men of the Land of England, and of all the Parliament, Procurator, do re∣sign to thee Edward, the Homage that was made to thee some times; and from this time forward I defie thee, and deprive thee of all Royal Power and Authority; I shall ne∣ver be tendant to thee, as for King, after this time.

Edward being thus Unkinged, the Strangers were dismissed with large Pay, and many things were Re∣formed.

[illustration] map of Somersetshire

SOMERSET SHIRE

But as it is a true saying, There are but a few Steps between the Prisons and Graves of Princes, so here it fell out; for the King being taken from Kenelworth by Sr. John Matravers and Thomas Gourney, and carried to Bracklay Castle, he was in a most Inhumane manner Murthered, by running a Red-hot Spit through a hollow Horn they had placed in his Fundament, up into his Body; for which they afterwards fled, and dyed miserably in Banishment. Thus fell the Deposed King, whose Reign is accounted but 19 Years, 6 Months, and 18 Days, tho he Lived some time longer; being 40 Years of Age, and was Buried at Gloucester.

In this Kings Reign, Anno Dom. 1311, The Order of the Knights Templers that Fought so long in the Holy Land, was Abolished in all Nations. Anno 1318, happened such a grievous Famine, That the Poorer sort Eat Dogs, Cats, Rats, and other Unclean things. The Prisoners in Goals Murthered divers fresh commers, and Eat them, and yet many Thousands Dyed for want of this Nauseous Food. This was succeeded by a Pesti∣lence, and Rot of Cattle, Breaking in of the Sea, Huge Land-Floods, Fiery Armies Fighting in the Air, and a Terrible Blazing Star.

Remarks on Somersetshire, &c.

SOmersetshire abounds in Corn, Cattle, Wooll, Woollen-Cloath, Serges and many other valuable Commodities: On the North-West it opens to the Irish Sea, and for the rest it is Bounded by Devonshire, Dorsetshire, Wiltshire, and Gloucestershire; it containes 42 Hundreds, 2 Bishopricks, viz. Bristol, Bath and Wells, which are accounted Cities, 385 Parishes, 35 Market Towns, 9 Rivers, 45 Bridges, 2 Forrests, and 18 Parks: It sends Members to Parliament 18, viz. Bath 2, Bridgwater 2, Bristol 2, Ilchester, 2

Milborn Port 2, Minhead 2, Taunton 2, Wells 2, and 2 Knights of the Shire.

Bath, in this Shire, is very Antient, famed for its Min∣eral Waters, Curing Diseases in many People; said to be First found out by Bladud an Antient British King; Bath and Wells joyntly together make one Bishoprick, tho' Wells is principally esteemed for its curious Cathedral, held to be Built by Inas King of the West Saxons. At Pen the Bri∣tains were Overthrown by Kenwald, King of the West Saxons, and afterward the Danes by Edmund Ironside; Bridgwater is noted for a great defeat given the Danes Anon Dom. 845: And for the Battel of Sedgmore near it, beeween the late King James's Forces and the Duke of Monmouth, Anno 1685; wherein the latter was totally Routed.

Glassenbury, the Avalonia of the Romans, is famed for the Burying Place of Joseph of Arimathea, the first Preacher of the Gospel in this Island, and here it is thought King Arthur was brought and Buried; Cadburn is remarkable for a greak Defeat King Arthur there gave the English-Saxons; Banesdown (Mons Bandonicus) was doubtless some Encampment of the Romans, as appears by the Coins found there; and on the Top there remains the Ruins of some Noble Castle, said to be one of the Palaces of King Arthur, tho' some Writers have placed this Town in Cornwal; Ilchester is of good repute; Taunton for its Memorable Siege in the Civil Wars, and Bristol for the great Trade it drives, and the many Sieges it has endured.

On Mendip Hills, and several Places on the Shoar of the River Froom, is store of Pit-Coal: In the Quarrey at Kingh•••• are found Spiral Stones in the form of Snails; at Ochyhale near Wells is a deep Cave, in which are many Rivulets and hollow Recesses, The Monument of Stones near Stanton Drew near Pensford is very remarkable, being great Tracts of some vast Foundations; St. Vincent's Rock

is famous for the Stones found there, nearly resembling Dia∣monds, being equal to those of India in lustre but not hardness.

The Seats of the Nobility are Clevedon Court, belong∣ing to the Earl of Bristol; Hinton St. George, Court of Ewick, Lenn Court and Walton, to the Lord Paulet; Connington, to the Lord Clifford: Wells Palace and Banwell, to the Bishop of Bath and Wells; Bristol Palace, to the Bishop of Bristol: With divers Houses of the Gentry pleasantly Sighted, &c.