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 King EDWARD the Sixth.

EDWARD the Sixth, the only Son of Henry the Eighth, was Crowned at Westminster, January 28, Anno Dom. 1547, and Edward Seymour, Created Duke

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of Somerset, Unkle to the King by the Mothers side, constituted Protector of the King's Person and of the Realm, during his Minority; and was sent by the Estates into Scotland, to require their Young Queen in Marriage with Edward, as had been agreed between them and the King's Father; but they refusing, a Bat∣tel was fought, in which the Scots were Routed, and 14000 of them Slain, among which were divers of the Nobility; whereupon a great many Towns and Castles fell into the hands of the English. This Battel was fought at Musselburg the 10th of September, in which the whole Power of that Kingdom was so broken, that in many Years they could not recover their former Strength. However the Winter coming on, the Eng∣lish Army retired into the Northern Borders.

The next thing taken in hand was to reform Re∣ligion; and after some contests, King Henry's disan∣nuling the Pope's Supremacy, was confirmed, and whatsoever in his time had been Enacted against the Authority of the See of Rome: Images and Statues were cast out of the Churches; The Clergy allowed to Mar∣ry; The Liturgy, or Common Prayer, turned into English; The Sacrament administred in both kinds; Auricular Confession abrogated; The Scriptures per∣mitted publickly to be Read in English; Mass and Praying for the Dead silenced; and such of the Popish Clergy as would not Conform to this, outed; as Gardner Bishop of Winchester, Bonner of London, Tanstall of Durham, Day of Chichester, and some others; Gardener for contempt was Imprisoned; and most of the Bishop∣ricks seized into the King's hands, and bestowed on such as would Conform, tho' the Nobles much fleeced the Churches Patrimony to enrich themselves.

The Scots by this time having taken breath, surprised Humes and Fas-Castle, Garisoned by the English, and

slew most they found therein, through the carelesness of the Centinels; which made the Earl of Rutland de∣molish Haddington, as a place not tenable, and so reti∣red with the Garrison into England. And a contention arising between the Duke of Somerset Protector, and Sir Thomas Seymour his Younger Brother, who was Lord Admiral, upon a Quarrel happening between their Wives, the latter having Married Queen Catha∣rine Par, Widow to Henry the Eighth, it went so far, that the Admiral was Accused in Parliament of High Treason, in Conspiring to get the King into his hands, and by Marrying the Lady Elizabeth, to whom indeed he formerly made Courtship, in her Right, when the King should be made away, to Claim the Kingdom; and so unheard, being Attainted, he was Executed on a Scaffold at Tower-Hill, protesting to the last his Inno∣cency touching the matter laid to his charge; and his Brother was by most blamed, for permitting him so easily to be cut off, and found, in the end, that it was chiefly contrived by his secret Enemies, to lay him the opener to Destruction, which he Escaped not.

In these times of Reformation, Bucer, Phagus, and Peter Martyr, three Learned German Divines, came over, but the two former soon Dying, Martyr Dispu∣ted at Oxford about the Sacraments, and other material Points; and caused a Book of the Disputation to be Printed, which opened the Eyes of many to see God's Truth, that by Popish Superstition, Error and Igno∣rance, had a long time been darkened. However the Popish Clergy stirred up divers to Rebel in Devonshire, Cornwal, and other parts of the Kingdom; and especial∣ly to the City of Exceter, which City for its Loyalty and stout Resistance, had not long after the Manner of Exilond bestowed upon it by the King, and in memory of their deliverance from a Sack that time, the Citizens

keep the 6th of August, on which the Rebels were Bea∣ten off, yearly Holyday; and indeed they were so ob∣stinate, that till they had been four times worsted by the Lord Russel, they gave not over, tho' the King offe∣red them pardon; however many of the Ringleaders being Taken, were Executed; and among others the Mayor of Bodmin was Hanged; also a Millers Man, who took upon him his Masters Name and Cause, till seeing he was about to Suffer, he recanted and cryed out, He was not the Miller but his Man, and that his Master Order∣ed him to do what he had done. To which Sir Anthony Kingston, Marshal of the Field, told him, He could never do his Master better Service than to Hang for him; and so not being credited, he was turned off.

Long these Western Troubles had not been alayed, but others broke out as dangerous in the north, under pretence of throwing down Inclosures and Parks, that had been taken from the Waste, which the Common sort of people claimed as their Right. This was chiefly Headed by Robert Ket, who took the City of Norwich. But the Lord Dudley put them to the Rout, caused Ket to be Hanged in Chaines on the top of the Castle, and 60 others in divers places, 9 of them in the Oak of Refor∣mation, a Tree in which Ket used to sit to Judg and Determine of their intended purposes and proceeding, as also to order Parties out to Plunder the Houses of such as he judged not well affected to their Cause. In Yorkshire others Rose under the Leading of William Omble, a Yeoman, Thomas Dale, a Parish-Clerk, and one Stephens a Postmaster; but the King sending down his Pardon, the common sort left their Leaders to be Lead to York, where they were Executed.

The French taking the Advantage of these Tumults, Besieged Bullen, and sent a Fleet to pillage the Islands of Jersey and Guernsey; from the Islands they were

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beaten with the loss of 1000 Men, and few on our side; but on the Main Land having won the out-works of Bullen, whilst they pretended to Parley with the Eng∣lish, they forcibly entered the Town, and after that, soon reduced all the Forts and Castles near it, except Guisness, which held out till the Winter made them raise the Siege.

You have heard how the Lord Admiral was re∣moved out of the way, and now the Duke of Somerset his Brother is to go next: For his greatest Enemy, Budley Earl of Warwick, delay'd not to make a strong Party against him; upon secret notice of which, he be∣ing with the King at Hampton Court, sent dispatches to the Lord Mayor and Aldermen of London, immediately to send him 1000 Armed Men to defend the King's Person, and himself, against the Treachery and Vio∣lence that threatened them; and that Night removed with the King to Windsor Castle; upon this, the Earl of Warwick Assembled the Privy Counsellours, and other Nobles, at London, making grievous complaints against the Duke, and amongst others, That he had laid wait for his Head; and so Inveagled them, that they joyned with him to send their Letters to the Citizens to Levy Forces for their use, in order to Rescue the King out of the hands of his Enemies; and as the chief of them, they named the Protector; sending abroad Proclama∣tions wherein they lay'd many grievous Crimes to his charge, as his Male Administration of Government, and the great Mischiefs that had thereby befallen the Kingdom; his converting the Publick Treasure to his Private Ʋse, his endeavouring to set the Peers at Variance, &c.

The Duke upon this, finding ••he Londoners denyed him Aid, but on the contrary had assisted his Adver∣sary Warwick with 400 Armed Men, who had drawn most of the Peers to his side, and that contrary to

his expectation, he was left in a manner alone; he now too late saw his Brothers Fall was contrived to usher in his: However putting the best construction on the matter, he sent a Messenger to them, desiring they would forbear all rough proceedings, and deal with him according to Law and Right; which they promising to do, he yielded himself and the King's Person into their hands; and was committed to the Tower, together with Sir Thomas Stanhop, Sir Thomas Smith, and others, his Favourites; but having been a Prisoner 3 Months, and nothing made out against him, upon acknowledging himself worthy of the punish∣ment he suffered, and begging the King's Pardon, he was set at Liberty, but deposed from his Protector∣ship; and by the more Peaceable Nobility, the Earl of Warwick and he were made Friends; and to bind it the firmer, the Earls Eldest Son was Married to the Dukes Daughter; and new Honours bestowed on persons that had well deserved, viz, John Lord Russet, was cre∣ated Earl of Bedford; William Lord St. John, Earl of Wiltshire, Sir William Paget Lord Paget; and soon after the King called a Parliament at Westminster, wherein was Enacted a Statute for the punishment of Rebells and Riotous Assemblies; upon which ensuing Statute, the Duke was about two Years after Condemned. The Parliament being ended, the Earl of Bedford and Lord Paget were sent Ambassadors with other Assistants, to France, and the Emperour; by whose means a Peace was concluded upon divers Articles advantageous to the English, and the Queen of Scots was included in it; and it was Proclaimed with great Joy in the City of London. Now all the high Altars being taken down in the Churches, Tables were placed in their stead, for receiving the Communion; and Sir Andrew Jude Builded the Free-School at Tunbridge, and six Alms-houses

in St. Hellins within Bishopsgate: And the Book of Common Prayer, which had in some part been Cor∣rected and Amended, was appointed by Parliament to be Read in all Churches and Chappels.

In Aprill Anno 1551. An unaccountable Sweating Sickness happened, and held till October; of which vast numbers of people dyed: Most that were taken with it dying in 24 Hours, or sooner; it seizing mostly on lusty young Men, and very little on Women, Children, or aged people; and of it dyed Henry Duke of Suffolk, and his brother, Sons to Charles Brandon Duke of Suffolk; both of the Royal Blood by the Mothers side, viz Mary younger Sister to Henry the 8th: So that the Dukdome fell to Henry Grey Marquess of Dorset, who had marry∣ed the Lady Frances, Eldest Daughter to Brandon, and Mary his Wife.

And now the Duke of Northumberland growing pow∣erful, and labouring to get the King at his disposal, to bring his purposes about, found he could not do it unless the Duke of Somerset were Removed: And the feud growing hot between them, the Duke of Somerset (by the perswasion of some private Enemies, Employed by his Adversary) went Armed to the Council under his Surcoat; where the Duke of Northumberland feign∣edly pretending to Clasp him about, as in Friendship, discovered his Coat of Male, and found Weapons about him. Whereupon Northumberland laying hold on the opportunity, Charged him with an Intention to have Murthered some of the Kings Privy Counsellors, and afterwards produced Witnesses to aver, he had before come with Armed Men to attempt his Life, but that his Courage failed him; and one of his followers, when he returned, demanding if he had done it, and he saying No, replyed, then you are undone: Upon this, with di∣vers of his Favorites, he was sent to the Tower; and

process being drawn up against him, he was Tryed by his Peers in Westminster Hall, on two Articles.

1. For High Treason, viz. That he had not only Impru∣dently but Treacherously administered the weighty affairs of Government.

2. For Conspiring the Death of Northumberland, who was a Privy Counsellor, which by the new Law was Fellony;

Of the former he Acquitted himself; wherupon the Ax being taken away, such a shout arose in the Hall among the Common People, that it was heard to Cha∣ring Cross; but on the other Article he was found Guilty and Condemned; but it was a considerable time before they could constrain the King to Sign the Warrant for his Execution: which he did, not without Tears; Say∣ing he was the unhappyest Creature Living: For at his Birth he had been the Death of his Mother: And had since (tho, against his Inclination) signed the Death of one of her Bro∣thers; and now they urged him to do the like for the Noble Duke his Ʋncle; and therfore concluded, the Lord Judge between me and you, that Constrain me to do this against my mind. However having got the Warrant signed, they hastened the Duke's Execution; and diverted the Kings Melancholly (the mean while) with Balls, Plays, and Musick. And so infatuated was this Great Man, that according to the opinion of divers, had he thought upon demanding his Clergy, he might have saved his Life, his Crime by the new Act being only Fellony. However he made a very Pennitent and Christian-like end, much bewailing he had forwarded his Brothers Destruction, and now saw it brought his own upon himself, by opening a way to his Enemies. He lost his Head on Tower-Hill, and was much Lamen∣ted by all sorts of people, except his enveterate Ene∣mies, who Rejoyced at his removal to another World; and in his fall many of his Favourits bo••e their part,

by Northumberland's contrivance, viz. Sir Ralph Vane and Sir Thomas Arundel, Beheaded for Conspiring with Somerset to Kill Northumberland, the latter of which declared his Blood should be a Bolster for the Duke of Northumberland as long as he Lived, (intimating there∣by he should have a troubled Conscience) and all of them professed their Innocency to the last, as to the Crimes they were charged with.

Doctor Ridley, Bishop of London, Preaching before the Young King of the excellency of Charity and Alms∣deeds, he was so affected with his Sermon, that thin∣king he directly pointed at him, who was in the highest Station, after the Sermon was ended, he held a private Conferrence with him how he might effectually bestow his Charity; who advised him to send for the Mayor and Aldermen of London, who would give him satisfa∣ction in that matter, as being most acquainted with the needs of the Poor; which he did; and after con∣sulting with them, allotted them Christs Hospital (for∣merly the Grey Fryars of St. Francis Order) St. Thomas's Hospital, and Bridewel, dividing the Poor into three Ranks, 1. Poor by Impotency. 2. The Poor by Casualty. 3. The Thriftless Poor. And soon after this, the King fell Sick of a Languishing Disease, which began with a Hectick Feaver, and by degrees inclined to a Consump∣tion: When Northumberland who had gotten the power into his hands, was Plotting how (if the King Dyed) he might get the Crown into his Family, and at last concluded to lay his Project with the Duke of Suffolk, which was, That his Youngest Son Dudley Lord Gilford, should Marry the Duke of Suffolk's Eldest Daughter, the Lady Jane, who was of the Blood Royal; and that they would prevail with the King to Disin∣herit his two Sisters, and by his Will appoint her Queen, if the Dutchess of Suffolk would be so contented,

whose Right was before her Daughter. And indeed, this Northumberland prevailed with the Languishing King to do, under a specious pretence of securing the Reformed Religion; on which, to serve his ends, he laid a mighty stress, tho' himself was not much con∣cern'd for any, as will appear in the next Reign.

Upon this account divers Marriages were contra∣cted, and the Nuptials celebrated, viz. The Pious and Virtuous Lady Jane, Eldest Daughter to the Duke of Suffolk, in a fatal hour was Married to the Lord Guilford Dudley, Fourth Son to the Earl of Northumberland; for all his other Sons were Matched before: Catharine, another Daughter of the Earl of Suffolk's, was Marri∣ed to the Earl of Pembrooks eldest Son; and Mary a third Daughter, some what deformed, to Caies, the Kings Master Porter; and the Duke of Northumberland gave Catharine, his youngest Daughter, to the Lord Hastings, Son to the Earl of Huntington.

Whilst these things were doing, the Kings Sickness much encreased; for Northumberland had displaced his Physitians, and put him into the hands of a Woman to cure, who it is thought hastened him to his Grave; for no sooner had they procured him by his Will, which was read in the hearing of the Counselors, Judges, &c. And confirmed by their Assents, to Disinherit Mary and Elizabeth his Sisters, whose Interest (as Northum∣berland said) was so closely Joyned, that if the Crown fell to either of them, it must first come to the Lady Mary, who was a professed Papist, and not by any en∣treaties to be brought over to the Reformed Religion, and by his said Will to appoint the Lady Jane his Successor; but plain Symptoms of Death appeared. And not above Three Hours before he Dyed, thinking no body had been near he thus Piously Prayed.

Lord God deliver me out of this Miserable and Wretched Life; Take me amongst thy Chosen; howbeit not my will, but thy will be done. Lord I Commit my Spirit to Thee; O Lord, thou knowest how Happy it were for me to be with thee; yet for thy Chosens sake, if it be thy will, send me Life and Health, that I may truly Serve thee. O my Lord Bless thy People, and save thine Inheritance: O Lord God, save thy Chosen People of England: O my Lord God, defend this Realm from Popery, and maintain thy True Religion; that I and my People may Praise thy Holy Name. Amen.

About three hours afterward, he said, I faint; Lord, have mercy upon me, and receive my Spirit; and so yield∣ed up the Ghost. The Conjectures how this Sickness came upon the King, were various among the People; some that it was caused by his smelling to an Impoison∣ed Nosegay, presented him for a New-Years-Gift; o∣thers, That Northumberland's Woman purposely de∣stroyed him; and such indeed was then that Dukes power, that though the King's Physitians shook their Heads, as much grieved, yet they durst not utter their Minds. He was a Prince exceeding Pious, and Learned to a Miracle, considering his Years, in Latin, Greek, French, Italian, Spanish; Musick, Logick, &c. He Dyed the 6th of July, Anno Dom. 1553, in the 7th Year of his Reign, and the 16th of his Age; having Reigned 6 Years, 5 Months, and 8 Days; and was Buried with∣out any great Solemnity at Westminster.

In this Kings Reign one George Paris, a German, was Burnt in Smithfield for Arianisme, in denying the Di∣vinity of our Saviour. Three Whales and divers Dol∣phins were taken in the Thames, and on the Coast. A Woman at Middleton near Oxford brought forth a Monstrous Child with two Heads, and two Bodies joyned together, of the Female Sex, and all other Members proportionable, the Bodies being as it were

Head and Tail, one Head at one end, and the other at t'other; it Lived 14 Days, and was killed at last by Cold, in being too often exposed naked, to satisfy Peoples curiosity. A great blow of Gunpowder was given in a House near the Tower, which killed Fifteen Gunpowder-Makers, shattered divers Houses, and wounded many Persons in them.

Remarks on the Principallity of Wales.

THE Principallity of Wales does strictly contain but Twelve Counties, and is commonly Divided into North-Wales and South-Wales;

North-Wales Contains

• ...Flimshire,
• ...Merionethshire,
• ...Anglesey,
• ...Montgomeryshire,
• ...Carnarvanshire,
• ...Denbeighshire.

South-Wales Contains

• ...Cardiganshire,
• ...Glamorganshire,
• ...Pembrookshire,
• ...Brecknockshire.
• ...Caermarthenshire,
• ...Radnorshire.

Of each of which I shall give you a brief Account Alphabetically.

1. ANGLESETY Island, called Mam Cimbiae, or The Mother of Wales, for its Fertility, Rich Pastures, breeding store of Cattle, &c. It is divided from Carnarvanshire by the Water or River Mennay, the rest incompassed with the Irish Sea. It contains 6 Hundreds, 74 Parishes, 2 Market Towns, 4 Rivers, 8 Bridges, and 2 Chases; It sends Members to Parliament 2, viz. Beaumaris 1, and a Knight of the Shire. This Town was Built by King Edward the First, and stands advantageous for a Passage to Ireland, Newborough is a place of Antiquity, and once a Court of the British Princes; The chief Rivers are Llinnon, Guynt, Keveny, Alow, and Brant:

2. BRECKNOCKSHIRE, tho' full of Hills, yet is accom∣modated with very fruitful Plaines, and Watered with pleasant Ri∣vers, producing Cattle, Wild and Tame Goats, some Venison, store of Fish, and Fowl. It is Bounded with Cardiganshire, Carmarden∣shire, Glamorganshire, Monmouthshire, and Radnorshire: It contains 6 Hundreds, and 4 Market Towns. It sends 2 Members to Parli∣ament, viz. Brecknock 1, and 1 Knight of the Shire. At Linsauathan is a Meer that is said to have swallowed up a City that stood in the

[illustration] map of Wales

THE PRINCIPALITY OF WALES By John Seller.

place of it, and through it runs the River Levenney, keeping its own Stream unmixed; Hay was once a Memorable Place, but Ruined in the Rebellion of Owen Glendour. Best is renouned for being the Seat of Aurelius Ambrosius. The Seats of the Nobility are Crickhowel Castle and Tretonor Castle, belonging to the Duke of Beaufort.

3. CARDIGANSHIRE lies (on its West part) commo∣dious to the Irish Sea, and the rest Bounded by Caermardenshire, Pembrookshire, Brecknockshire, Radnorshire, Montgomery and Monmouth∣shire: It is very Hilly, tho' well Watered with Rivers, and has in divers places large Mears and Pools. It containes 5 Hundreds, 64 Parishes, 4 Market Towns; and has a Bishop belonging to it: Its principal River is Tivy, which Waters its South Borders, and bran∣ches into the County, and in it are 13 Bridges, and 1 Park. It sends Members to Parliament 2, viz. Cardegan 1, and 1 Knight of the Shire. Cardigan, the Shire Town, was Walled about and For∣tified with a Castle by Gilbert D' Clare, who was Lord of the whole County, by the Gift of King Henry the First.

4. CARNARVANSHIRE has in it divers Meers and Pools, some branching Rivers, and a sprinkling of Hills: It affords some Corn, store of Pasture, and a considerable quantity of Cattle. It is Bounded on the West by the Irish Sea and the Isle of Anglesey, and the South has the Sea flowing to it, as likewise the North; so that what remaines to the Land-ward, is Bounded by Denbighshire, and Merionethshire. It contains 7 Hundreds, 68 Parishes, 6 Market Towns, 17 Rivers, and 3 Castles. Carnarvan was Built by Edward the First, on the Ruins of the Antient Segontium, where was said to be found the Body of Constantius, Father to Constantine the Great, Anno 1285. And here Edward the Second was Born. It sends Members to Parliament 2, viz. Carnarvan 1, and 1 Knight of the Shire. The Seats of the Lord Vaughan, Baron of Emlyn, &c. are Golden Grove and Emlyn. The Bishop of Bangor's Seat, Bangor Place.

5. CAERMARTHENSHIRE is Watered by the River Towy and others. It abounds in Hills, tho' mostly of a moderate height; and in some places is Woody, and a great many Cattle are bred up in it. It is Bounded with the Sea, Glamorganshire, Breck∣nockshire, Cardiganshire, and Pembrookshire. Carmarden is strongly Walled and Defended by a Castle. Here was Born Merlin, the famous British Prophet, who foretold in the several Ages Changes of Government. On the high Hills of this Shire are two Meers, in one of them is bred a Fish that has but one Eye; and the other has in

it a floating Island, in which one no sooner sets his Foot, but it seemes in all appearance to drive further off from Shoar. This Shire co•••• in•• 6 Hundreds, in which are 87 Parishes, 8 Market Town••, 28 Rivers great and small. It sends Members to Parlia∣ment 2, viz. Carmarden 1, and 1 Knight of the Shire. The Seat of the Bishop of St. Davids, Abergwilly.

6. DENBIGHSHIRE is pretty well stored with Hills, tho it has Valleys that produce good Pasture, and Corn, and breeds up store of Cattle. It is pleasantly Watered with the Rivers Cluyd, Alen, and Dee; Bounded by Flintshire, Cheshire, Shropshire, ••erion••th∣shire, Carnarvanshire, and the Sea; It contains 12 Hundreds, 57 Parishes, 4 Market Towns, and 24 great and small Rivers, 6 Bridges, 3 Castles, and 6 Parks. It sends Members to Parliament 2, viz. Denbigh 1, and 1 Knight of the Shire. Denbigh, the Shire Town, was Walled about and Fortified with a Castle by Henry Lacy, Earl of Lincoln, in the Reign of Edward the First. On the top of high Hills, called Moilealy Hills, are very large Springs: Luth•••• and Wrex∣ham are places of great Antiquity, and Memorable for having been the Seats of British Princes.

7. FLINTSHIRE, tho' small, is yet a pretty pleasant County, Watered by the flowing of Dee; Cluyan, and other Rivers. It pro∣duces Corn, Cattle, Fish, Fowl, Wooll, Butter, Cheese, &c. It is Bounded by Denbighshire, Shropshire, Cheshire, the River Dee, and the Ocean. It contains 5 Hundreds, 28 Parishes, 3 Market Towns, 4 Castles, 2 Bridges, and 2 Parks. The Castle of Flint, Founded by Henry the Second, and Finished by Edward the First, gave reception to King Richard the Second when he came out of Ireland and lost his Crown. This County is famous for St. Winifrid's Well, called Holy Well, formerly much frequented, partly by way of Pilgrimage, and partly for the great Virtue its Waters was reputed to have in the Cure of many Distempers. This Spring is held by some to have risen upon the falling of the Virgin Winifrid's Blood, when to save her Chastity she lost her Head, by a Pagan Prince; and that the Stones that look ••ed at the bottom, still bear a tincture of it. Many Miracles have been held to have been done by this Water; but these I look on as Monkish Fables; yet certain it is, that out of this Well runs a very pleasant Stream, and that the Water is Medicinal. This Shire sends Members to Parliament 2, viz. Flint 1, and 1 Knight of the Shire. At Kilben in this Shire is a little Well that keeps a constant Ebb and Flow like the Ocean. The Seat of the Bishop of the Diocess is St. Asaph.

[illustration]

[illustration] map of Monmouthshire

MONMOUTH SHIRE by John Seller

8. GLAMORGANSHI•••• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 its South and West part open to the Sea, and the rest 〈◊〉〈◊〉 with Carmarden, Brecknock, and Monmouthshires. It is mostly accomodated with hills and Val∣leys, branched with some pleasant Rivers. Llandaff in this Shire is a Bishops See; Glamorganshire contains 10 Hundreds, 118 Pa∣rishes, 10 Market Towns, 16 Rivers, 5 Castles, 6 Bridges, and 5 Parks. It sends Members to Parliament 2, viz. Cardiff 1, and 1 Knight of the Shire. The chief Town and Episcopal See is Llandaff, tho' Cardiff is famous, as having been the residence of the renow∣ned Fitz Hamon, who with his Norman Knights, in the Reign of W. Rufus, beat Rhesus Prince of Wales out of his Country, and kept his Court in the strong Castle he built, in the Hall whereof are yet to be seen the Ensigns of him and his Knights; and in this Castle is held the Audit for the Earl of Pembrook's Estate in Wales. Llandaff contains a Castle and fi••e Cathedral. At Ab••erbarry is a Cave at the bottom of a Hill, the Mouth whereof is a gaping Cleft or Chink, into which the Wind entering, makes harmonious Musick, like the sound of Cymballs. And near Barry on the Cliffs is often a sound as if Smiths were at work. The Seats of the Nobility are Swanzy Castle, belonging to the Duke of Beaufort; Cardiff Castle, Caer∣plilly Castle, to the Earl of Pembrook; Coyty Castle, to the Earl of Leicester; Llandaff Palace, to the Bishop, &c.

9. MERIONETHSHIRE, is partly Watered with the Ri∣ver Dee, which entering the North-East point, falls into a Lake or Meer, at Bala; as does the River Trowryn, Riauder proceeds from Dee. There are some very large Hills in this Shire, yet the Plains afford Wood, Pasture, and a good sprinkling of Corn and Cattle. It is divided into 6 Hundreds, containing 37 Parishes, 3 Market Towns, 26 Rivers small and great, 2 Castles, 7 Bridges; It is Boun∣ded with Cardigan, Carnarvan, Denbigh, and Montgomeryshires, and the Irish Sea. It sends to Parliament only 1 Knight of the Shire. Harlech, the principal Town of this Shire, is more noted for its stately Castle, than any other Ornament. The Pool or Lake at Bala is never observed to be fill'd by Land Floods, though rising never so high; yet in Tempestuous Weather swelleth above its Banks.

10. MONMOƲTHSHIRE did formerly belong to the Principality of Wales, and is therefore now brought in amongst them; tho' in the Reign of King Charles the Second it was made an Eng∣lish County, the Judges keeping the Assizes there, as in other English Counties. But being omitted in its proper place, I thought it bet∣ter to place it among the Welsh Counties, than to leave it quite out;

For being a pleasant County 〈◊〉〈◊〉 having the advantage of the Ri∣ver Severn to Water it, produces much Corn, Cattle, Pastures, Wooll, &c. It is Bounded by Severn, (a River to which Severus the Roman Emperour gave Name, on a memorable Battle fought on its Banks) Brecknock, Hereford, Glamorgan, and Gloucestershires. It is divided into 6 Hundreds, containing 127 Parishes, 15 Rivers, 7 Market Towns, 7 Castles, 14 Bridges, and 8 Parks. It sends Members to Parliament 2. viz. Monmouth 1, and 1 Knight of the Shire. The Town of Monmouth is held to be the place where King Arthur kept his Court; and that it has been an Accademy of Phi∣losophy and Arts, The Birth-place of Amphibalus, whose Disciple our Proto Martyr St. Alban was; and here King Henry the Fifth was Born. Ʋsk is a place of Antiquity, and considerable in this Shire. Abergavenny, &c. The Seats of the Nobility are Troy House, Monmouth Castle, Ragland Castle, Chepstow Castle, Tintorn Abby, and Chepstow Grange, belonging to the Duke of Beaufort; Abergavenny Castle, to the Lord Abergavenny; St. Julian, to the Lord Herbert, Baron of Cherbury; Matherne Palace, to the Bishop.

11. MONTGOMERYSHIRE receives great advantage from the River Severn, over which are divers considerable Bridges, This River in many branches winds very pleasantly among the Hills, Fertilizing the Valleys and Plaines, so that the Earth produces sufficient Plenty where the barren Hills are not Interposing. It is Bounded with Cardiganshire, Radnorshire, Shropshire, Denbighshire, and Merionethshire. It contains 7 Hundereds, in which are 47 Parishes, 6 Market Towns, 25 Rivers, 3 Castles, 6 Bridges, and 1 Chase. It sends Members to Parliament 2, viz. Montgomery 1, and 1 Knight of the Shire. Montgomery is pleasantly Situated, and has a very strong Castle appertaining to it. Dolevere is founded on large Antiquity, and some others. The Seats of the Nobility are Powis Castle and Buttingto, belonging to the Marquess of Powis; ••limore Lodg and Llyslin, to the Lord Herbert, Baron of Cherbury.

12. PEMBROOKSHIRE lies very advantageous to the Sea, St. David's being the extream point of Land, from which in the Sea are those dangerous Rocks called The Bishop and his Clerks. This County is not much Mountanous unless to the North-East part. It is Bounded by Cardiganshire, Carmardenshire, and the Sea. Milford Haven opening with a large Stream to its Southward, and the River Dougledy makes the other branches. It is thereby pretty Fruitful, and much subject to Seafaring Trade; It contains 7 Hun∣dreds, 145 Parishes, 9 Market Towns, 6 Rivers, 1 Bishoprick, 5

Castles, 7 Bridges, 2 Forrests, 〈…〉〈…〉. It sends Members to Parliament 3, viz. Haverford-W•••••• Pembrook 1, and 1 Knight of the Shire. And tho' here Pembrook is accounted the County Town, yet St. Davids is more remarkable, as having been an Archiepisco∣pal See, translated from Is••a Legionum, by the great Archbishop Devi, now stiled St. David; whose Day is kept by the Native ••ri∣tains the First of March, in memory of a great Battel he gained over the Saxons; and the wearing the Leek comes from his order∣ing the Soldiers on his part, the better to be distinguished in Battel, every one to place a Leek in his Cap. The Isle of S••laney in this County is almost all over-grown with Wild Thime.

13. RADNORSHIRE has many pleasant Valleys in the Mid-land parts, producing Corn, and breeds plenty of Cattle, unless where the Hills hinder; It is pleasantly Watered by the River Wye, which winds on the Southern side of it, and spreads branching into it, receiving other Rivers as Ithon, Weverly, D••las, &c. It abounds in Fish, and particularly store of Salmon. This Shire is Bounded by Montgomeryshire, Shropshire, Herefordshire, Breknockshire, and Car∣diganshire. It contains 6 Hundreds, 52 Parishes, 4 Market Towns, 1•• Rivers, 5 Castles, 5 Bridges, and 3 Forrests. It sends Members to Parliament 2, viz. Radnor 1, and 1 Knight of the Shire. Radnor is the Antient Magnus of Antonie, and the station of the Roman Re∣giment called the Pacentine, tho' in Beauty and Building it is In∣feriour to Prestain.

And thus much shall suffice to be said of the Principality of Wales.