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 Wiltshire, &c.

WIltshire is Renowned for the Frugal Industry of the Inha∣bitants: It produces numerous Flocks of Sheep, of whose Wooll Cloath is made, and many Thousands of People set on Work; as also large Cattle, store of Corn, and Pastures, Venison, Fish, Fowl, &c. It is Bounded with Barkshire, Hampshire, Dorsetshire, Somersetshire, and Gloucestershire; It contains 29 Hundreds, in which are 304 Parishes, 23 Market Towns, 5 Rivers, 1 City, viz. Salisbury, which is a Bishops See. 3 Bridges, 1 Castle, 1 Chace, and 2 Parks.

The River Avon branches its Southern parts, and Wilby-Bourn ex∣tends to the West; as also does a part of Avon; and in other parts it is pleasantly Watered; the Castle is that of Castlecomb.

It sends Members to Parliament 34, viz. Bedwin 2, Caln 2, Chipenham 2, Cricklade 2, Devizes 2, Downton 2, Heitsbury 2, Hin∣don 2, Ludgarsale 2, Malmsbury 2, Marleborough 2, New Sarum 2, Old Sarum 2, Westbury 2, Wilton 2, Wooton Basset 2, and 2 Knights of the Shire.

At Willton, Egbert King of the West Saxons Overthrew and Slew Bernulf King of Mercia, but afterward the Danes gave him there a great Overthrow: At Edington King Alfred Defeated the Danes: At Bradford a great Battel was Fought among the Saxon Competitors: At Wodensbury, Cheulin King of the West Saxons, Overthrew the Britans. Old Sarum was a Station of the Romans, and here the Britains were Overthrown by Kenrick the Saxon. At Caln, Dunstan opposed the Married Priests, and the Controversy was ended by the fall of the

[illustration] map of Wiltshire

WILTSHIRE

[illustration]

Floor, whilst his Chair remained fixed. Brokenbridge and Cosham were seats of the Romans, and of some Saxon Kings. Creiclade is held to be the first University, and thence removed to Oxford. At Malms∣bury were Born William, thence Sirnamed Malmsbury, a famous Hi∣storian; and Thomas Hobbs of this Age. It took its Name from Ma∣dulphus, who Erected a Monastery there. Caln is noted for its fair Church. Salisbury for its stupendious Minster and Cathedral.

On Salisbury Plain, is the memorable Wonder called Stone Henge, supposed to be Erected as a Monument to Hingest the first Saxon Invader; its Stones are of a prodigious bigness, some 28 Foot long, and 7 broad, Morticed one within another; tho' wasted by time, some are falln. Near Sawerth are Cockle-stones, and those called the Grey Weathers near Marlborough. On the Borders of this Coun∣ty, between Great Bedwin and Lockington, are certain deep Holes called the Giants Caves; The Water breaking out of certain Stones near Knet, is accounted a presage of Dearth. At Luckington is a Well whose Virtue is to Cure Sore Eyes. At Aubury is cast up a Ditch of a prodigious depth, near Circular, set round with large Stones, supposed once a strong Encampment of the Romans, as Yarn∣borough Castle on Salisbury Plain is supposed to have been one of their Fortresses.

The Seats of the Nobility are Marleborough-House, and Allington-House, belonging to the Duke of Somerset; Wilton and Falstone, alias Fallerdown, to the Earl of Pembrook; Clarlton, to the Earl of Bark∣shire; Stourton-Castle, to the Lord Stourton; Wardour-Castle, to the Lord Arundel of Wardour; Long Leats, to the Viscount Weymouth, Baron of Warmister; the Bishops Seat in Salisbury.