Camden's Britannia newly translated into English, with large additions and improvements ; publish'd by Edmund Gibson ...

HEREFORDSHIRE.

HErefordshire, call'd by the Britains Erei∣nuc, is, in a manner, of a circular form: bounded on the East with the Counties of Worcester and Glocester; on the South with Monmouth; on the West with Radnor and Breknock; and on the North with Shropshire. A Country (besides its pleasantness) both for feeding of Cattel, and pro∣duce of Corn, every where of an excellent soil; and admirably well provided with all necessaries for life. Insomuch, that it may scorn to come behind any County in England for fruitfulness of soil1 1.1. To which excellencies are to be added, its fine rivers, the Wye, the Lug, and the Munow, which after they have water'd the verdant flow'ry meadows, and rich and fruitful corn-fields, at last have their conflux, and in one chanel pass to the Severn-Sea [a].

* 1.2The Munow has its rise in Hatterell-hills, which shooting up aloft, look, as it were, like a Chair, and are a sort of wall to this Shire on the South∣west-side. Hence the river descending, first struggles Southward along the foot of these hills,* 1.3 to Blestium, a town so plac'd by Antoninus, that both for situation and distance, it can be no other than that, which standing upon this river,* 1.4 is by the Britains call'd Castle Hean, that is, the Old Castle, by us The old Town. An inconsiderable village, but nevertheless this new name makes much for its antiquity, for in both tongues it sounds an Old Castle or Town. Next to this lyes Alterynnis surrounded with water,* 1.5 as it were an Island in a river, the seat in former ages of the anci∣ent and knightly family of the Sitsilters or Cecils, whence my right honourable Patron, highly accomplisht with all the Ornaments of Virtue, Wisdom, and No∣bility, Sir William Cecil, Baron of Burghley, and Lord High Treasurer of England, is descended.

From hence the Munow turning Eastward, for a good way parts this Province from Monmouthshire, and is augmented by the river Dore at Map-Harald or Harald Ewias,* 1.6 a Castle. This Ewias-Castle (to give you the words of King William the first's Book) was repair'd by Alured of Marleberg.* 1.7 Afterwards it belong∣ed to one Harald a Nobleman, who,* 1.8 in a Shield Ar∣gent, bore a Fess, Gules, between three Estoiles, Sable; from whom it first took the name of Harold Ewias: but Sibyll his Great-grand-daughter, and one of the heirs, transferr'd it by marriage to the Lords Tregoz,* 1.9 from whom it came at length to the Lords of Gran∣dison, originally of Burgundy; of whom else∣where.

Now the Dore above-mentioned (falling down from the North, by Snotthill a castle,* 1.10 and sometimes the Ba∣rony

of Robert Chandois, where there is a Quarry of excellent Marble) cuts through the middle of the valley, which the Britains from the river call Diffrin Dore; but the English, that they might seem to express the force of that word, have term'd it The Golden Vale. Which name it may well be thought to deserve, for its golden, rich, and pleasant fertility. For the hills that encompass it on both sides, are clothed with woods, under the woods lye corn-fields on each hand, and under those fields lovely and gal∣lant meadows. In the middle between them glides a clear and crystal river, on which Robert Earl of Ewias erected a fine Monastery, wherein most of the Nobility and Gentry of these parts were buried.

Part of this County, which bends towards the East, now call'd Irchenfeld,* 1.11 in Domesday Archenfeld, was (as Historians write) laid waste with fire and sword by the Danes in the year 715; Camalac, a British Bishop, being then carried away captive. Herein, once stood Kilpec a noted castle, the seat of the noble family of the Kilpec's,* 1.12 who, as some report, were Champions to the Kings of England, in the beginning of the Normans; which I am very willing to believe. In the reign of Edward the first, Robert Wallerond liv'd here, whose‖ 1.13 nephew Alane Plugenet was honourd with the title of a Baron. In this Archenfeld likewise, as we read in Domesday-book, certain Revenues by an old custom were assigned to one or two Priests, on this condition, that they should go in Embassies for the Kings of England into Wales; and to use the words of the said Book, The men of Archenfeld, when∣ever the Army marches forward against the Enemy, by cu∣stom make the Avauntward, and in the return homeward, the Rereward.

As the Munow runs along the lower p••rt of this County,* 1.14 so the Wye with a winding course cuts it in the middle: upon which, in the Western bounds, stands Clifford-castle,* 1.15 which William Fitz-Osborn Earl of Hereford built upon his own Waste (these are the very words of Domesday-book) but Ralph de Todeny held it.* 1.16 It is suppos'd that it came afterwards to Walter the son of Richard Punt a Norman, for his sirname was de Clifford, and from him the illustrious family of the Cliffords, Earls of Cumberland, are originally descended. But in King Edward the first's time,* 1.17 John Giffard held it, who married the heir of Walter Clifford. Thence the Wye, with a crooked and winding stream rolls by Whitney, which has gi∣ven name to a noted family; next by Bradwardin-Castle, that gave both original and name to the fa∣mous Thomas Bradwardin Archbishop of Canterbury, who for the great variety of his studies, and his ad∣mirable proficiency in the most abstruse and hidden parts of learning, was in that age honour'd with the title of* 1.18 Doctor profundus. At length it comes to He∣reford, the Metropolis of this County [b].

How far that little Tract Arcenfeld reach'd, I know not; but the affinity between these names, Ereinuc, Arcenfeld, the town Ariconium mention'd by Antonine in these parts, and Hareford or Hereford,* 1.19 the present Metropolis of this Shire; have by little and little in∣duc'd me to this opinion, that they are every one deriv'd from Ariconium. And yet I do not believe that Ariconium and Hereford were the same; but as Basle in Germany has challeng'd the name of Augusta Rauracorum, and Baldach in Assyria that of Babylon, (because, as this had its original from the ruins of Babylon, so that had its birth from those of Augusta;) so our Hariford (for thus the common people call it) had its name and beginning from its neighbour Ari∣conium, as I am of opinion; which at this day has no clear marks of a town, having been destroyed, as 'tis reported, by an Earthquake. Only it still retains a slight shadow of the name, being call'd Kenchester,* 1.20 and shews some ruins of old Walls call'd Kenchester Walls, about which are often dug up stones of inlaid Checquer-work, British bricks, Roman coyns, &c. [c] But Hareford her daughter, which carries more ex∣press remains of the name [d], stands eastward scarce three Italian miles from it, amongst meadows ex∣tremely pleasant, and corn-fields very fruitful; en∣compass'd almost round about with rivers; by an anonymous one on the north and west sides, on the south by the Wye, which hastens hither out of Wales. It is supposed to have first sprung up when the Saxon Heptarchy was in its glory; founded, as some write, by Edward the ••lder: and indeed there is no mention of it more ancient. For the Britains, before the name of Hereford was known, called the place Trefawith, from Beech-trees; and Henford, from an Old way: and the Saxons themselves Fern-leg, of Fern. It owes, if I mistake not, it's greatest encrease and growth to Religion, and the Martyrdom of Ethelbert, a King of the East-Angles; who (whilst in person he courted the daughter of Offa King of the Mercians) was villanously way-laid and mur∣murder'd by Quendreda, Offa's wife, who longed more for the Kingdom of the East-Angles, than to have her daughter honestly and honourably married. He was hereupon registred in the Catalogue of Mar∣tyrs,* 1.21 and had a Church here built and dedicated to him by Milfrid a petty King of the Country; which being soon after adorn'd with a Bishop's See, grew very rich, first by the liberality of the Mercian, af∣terwards of the West-Saxon Kings. For they at length were possessed of this City, as may be gather∣ed from William of Malmesbury, where he writes, that Athelstan the West-Saxon forc'd the Princes of Wales in this City to comply with such hard condi∣tions, as to pay him tribute (besides hounds and hawks) 20 pound weight of gold, and 300 pound of silver every year. This city, as far as I have observ'd by reading, had never any misfortune, unless it were in the year of our Lord 1055. when Gryffin Prince of South-Wales, and Algar an Englishman, rebelling against Edward the Confessor, after they had routed Earl Ralph, sacked the City, destroy'd the Cathe∣dral, and carried away captive Leofgar the Bishop. But Harold, having soon quieted their bold rebellion, fortified it, as Floriacensis informs us, with a broad and high Rampire. Upon this account it is that Malmesbury‖ 1.22 writes thus; Hereford is no great City, and yet by the high and formidable ruins of its steep and broken Bulwarks, it shews it has been some great thing: and as it appears by Domesday book, there were in all but 103 men within and without the walls. The Normans afterwards built a very large and strong Castle (on the east-side of the Cathedral, along the river Wye) the work, as some report, of Earl Miles; but now ruin'd by time, and falling to decay [e]. Afterwards they wall'd the City about. In the reign of King Hen. 1. was founded by Bishop Reinelm that beautiful Church now to be seen, which his successors enlar∣ged by adding to it a neat College, and fine houses for the Prebendaries. For besides the Bishop, (who has 302 Churches in his Diocese) there are in this Church, a Dean, two Archdeacons, a Praecentor, a Chancellour, a Treasurer, and 28 Prebendaries. I saw in it scarce any monuments besides those of the Bishops: and I have heard that Thomas Cantlow the Bishop, a person nobly born, had here a stately and magnificent tomb; who being canonized for his ho∣liness, wanted little of out-shining the Royal Martyr Ethelbert: so great was the opinion of his piety and devotion [f]. According to Geographers, the Longitude of this City is 20 degrees, 24 minutes. Lat. 52 degrees, 6 min. [g].

The Wye has scarce gone three miles from this City, when he intercepts the river Lug; which having run with a rapid stream down from Radnor-Hills, with a still course glides through this Province from the north-west to the south-east [h]. At the first entrance, it has a distant prospect of Brampton Brian, a Castle which a famous family (hence sirnam'd de Brampton,* 1.23 whose christian name was usually Brian) held by a continual succession to the time of King Edward 1. then by female-heirs it came to R. Harley. But it has a nearer view of Wigmore,* 1.24 in Saxonb 1.25 Wyn∣ginga-mere, repair'd in ancient times by King Edw. the elder, afterwards fortify'd with a Castle by Wil∣liam Earl of Hereford, in the wast of a ground (for so it is in Domesday book) which was called Marestun,

in the tenure of Randulph de Mortimer, from whom those Mortimers that were afterwards Earls of March were descended. Of these more in Radnorshire. Three miles off there is another neighbouring Castle call'd Richard's-Castle,* 1.26 possessed first by the Sayes, then by the Mortimers, and afterwards by the Talbots. At length, by the daughters of J. Talbot, the inheritance was divided betwixt Guarin Archdeacon and Matthew Gurnay [i]. Beneath this Castle, Nature (which no where sports her self more in shewing wonders than in the waters) hath brought forth a little Well, which is always full of small fish-bones (or as others think, small frog-bones) notwithstanding it is ever now and then emptied and clear'd of them; whence 'tis commonly call'd Bone-Well.* 1.27 And not far off stands Croft-Castle, belonging to the famous and very ancient and knightly family of the Crofts [k].

Thence the Wye bends his course to Lemster, called also Leonminster and Leonis Monasterium, from a Lion thatc 1.28 appear'd in a Vision (as some have dream'd,) but by the Britains Lhan-Lieni; which signifying a Church of Nuns, and it being certain that Mere∣walch a Mercian King founded here a Church for Nuns, (which was afterwards a Cell belonging to the Monastery of Reading;) to seek after another Original of the name, what were it else but labour∣ing to no purpose? And yet there are some which derive it from Linum Flax, the best kind of which grows here. But it now glories chiefly in it's Wool in the neighbouring parts round about (commonly call'd Lemster Ore) which (excepting that of Apulia and Tarentum) is by all Europe accounted the best.* 1.29 It is also so famous for Wheat, and the finest White bread,* 1.30 that Lemster-Bread and Weabley-Ale (a town belonging to the noble family of D'Eureux) are grown a common Proverb. By reason of ••••ese Com∣modities, the markets of Lemster were very much frequented; and they of Hereford and Worcester observing it, were so invidious, that they oblig'd them, by virtue of the King's authority, to alter their Market-day, complaining that the confluence of people thither impaired their markets. I have nothing more to add concerning Lemster, but that William Breosa Lord of Brecknock, when he revolt∣ed from King John, set it on fire, and defac'd it [l]. As for Webley,* 1.31 it is seated more within the Country, and was the Barony of the Verdons; the first of which family,* 1.32 Bertram de Verdon, came into England with the Normans, whose posterity, by marriage with one of the heirs of the Laceys of Trim in Ireland, were for some time hereditary Constables of Ireland: but at last the estate devolved, by daughters, to the Furnivals, Burghersh, the Ferrers of Groby, Crophull, and from the Crophulls, by the Ferrars of Chartley, to the D'Evereux's Earls of Essex. Near neighbours unto Webley, but more westward, are Huntingdon-Castle, formerly belonging to the Bohuns Earls of Hereford and Essex; Kinnersley, to the ancient house of De-la-bere; and Erdsley, where the famous and ancient family of the Baskerviles have long inhabited,* 1.33 which bred in old time so many noted Knights: they deduce their original from a Niece of Gunora, that most celebrated Norman Lady, who long ago flourished in this County, and its neighbour Shrop∣shire; and held (to note so much by the by) the Hamlet of Lanton in Capite,* 1.34 as of the Honour of Mont∣gomery by the service of giving the King one barbed Arrow as often as he came into those parts to hunt in Cornedon-Chace.

The Lugg now hastens to the Wye, first by Hamp∣ton, where Rowland Lenthall, Master of the Ward∣robe to King Hen. 4. who married one of the heirs of Thomas Earl of Arundel, built a very fine house, which the Coningsbeys, a family of note in this tract, have for a good while inhabited.* 1.35 Thence by Mar∣den,* 1.36 and Southon, or Sutton: of which, Sutton shews some small remains of King Offa's palace, infamous for the murder of K. Ethelbert; and Marden is noted for the tomb of the said K. Ethelbert, who for a long time lay bury'd here in obscurity, before he was translated to Hereford [m]. Near the conflux of the Lugg and the Wye, eastward, a Hill, which they call Marcley Hill,* 1.37 in the year 2 1.38 1575. roused it self up, as it were out of a sleep, and for three days together shoving its prodigious body forward with a horrible roaring noise,* 1.39 and overturning all that stood in its way, advanced it self (to the great astonishment of the beholders) to a higher station: by that kind of Earthquake, I suppose, which the Naturalists call Brasmatia [n]. Not far from hence, towards the East likewise, under Malvern-hills (by which the east-side of this County is here bounded) stands Ledbury* 1.40 upon the river Ledden, a town of note, which† 1.41 Edwin the Saxon, a man of great power, gave to the Church of Hereford, being persuaded that he was cured of the Palsie by the intercession of St. Ethelbert. As for the Military works on the neighbour hill, I need say nothing of them, since in this tract (which was the marches, and the seat of war, first between the Romans and the Britains, afterwards between the Britains and the Saxons) such [Forts and Entrenchments] are to be seen in ma∣ny places [o]. Now the Wye enlarg'd by the influx of the Lugg, fetches a more winding compass, first by Holme Lacy, the seat of the ancient and no∣ble family of Scudamores,* 1.42 which much advanced it self by matching with an heiress of the House of Ewias in this County, and Huntercombe, &c. else∣where. From hence the Wye runs down between Rosse3 1.43 noted for Smiths, and Wilton* 1.44 over against it, a very ancient Castle of the Greys,* 1.45 from which family so many famous persons of that sirname have de∣scended. It was built, as common report goes, by Hugh Long-champ. But publick records assure us, that King John gave Wilton, with the Castle, to Henry Long-champ, and that it fell by marriage to William Fitz-Hugh, and likewise not long after (in King Edward the first's time) to Reginald Grey. Now, after the Wye has run a little lower and saluted Goderich Castle,* 1.46 which King John gave to William Earl Marshal, and which was afterwards the principal seat of the Talbots; it takes leave of He∣refordshire, and bends its course to the County of Monmouth [p].

In the declension of the Saxon Government,* 1.47 Ralph son to Walter Medantin by Goda King Ed∣ward the Confessor's sister, govern'd this County as an Official Earl. But the Normans divested him of this honour, and substituted in his room William the son of Osbern of Crepon, or as the Normans call'd him, Fitz-Osbern, a person very nearly allied to the Dukes of Normandy. He being slain in the4 1.48 wars in Flanders, was succeeded by his son Roger sirnam'd de Bretevill, who died5 1.49 out-law'd,* 1.50 leaving no legiti∣mate issue. Then King Stephen restor'd to Robert le Bossu Earl of Leicester6 1.51, son of Emme de Bre∣tevill's heir, (I speak out of the original it self) the Borough of Hereford, and the Castle, and the whole County of Hereford to descend by inheritance; but to no purpose. For Maud the Empress, who contended with Stephen for the Crown, advanced Miles, the son of Walter Constable of Glocester, to that honour, and7 1.52 made him high Constable of England.* 1.53 Ne∣vertheless, King Stephen afterwards divested him of these honours. This Miles had five sons, Roger, Walter, Henry, William, and Mahel, all persons of great note, and who died untimely deaths, after they had all, but William, succeeded one another in their father's inheritance, having none of them any issue. King Henry, amongst other things, gave to Roger, The Mote of Hereford, with the whole Castle,* 1.54 and the third penny of the revenues of the Pleas of the whole County of Hereford, whereof he made him Earl. But upon Roger's death, if we may credit Robert

Montensis, the same King kept the Earldom of Here∣ford to himself. [ 1156] Margaret the eldest sister of these, was married to Humphrey Bohun, the third of that name, and his Posterity were High Constables of England, viz. Humphrey Bohun the fourth, Henry his son,* 1.55 to whom King John granted "Twenty pound to be received yearly of the third penny of the County of Hereford, whereof he made him Earl". This Henry married the sister and heir of William Mandevill Earl of Essex, and died in the fourth year of King Henry the third. Humphrey the fifth his son, who was also Earl of Essex, and had Humphrey the sixth, who died before his father, having first begot Humphrey the seventh upon a daughter and one of the heirs of William Breos Lord of Brecknock. His son Humphrey the eighth was slain at Boroughbrigg, leaving by Elizabeth his wife, daughter of King Edward the first, and dowager of the Earl of Holland, a numerous issue, viz. John Bohun, Humphrey the ninth, both Earls of Hereford and Essex, who dyed issueless; and Willi∣am Earl of Northampton, who had by Elizabeth,8 1.56 sister and one of the heirs of Giles Lord Badles∣mer, Humphrey Bohun (the tenth and last of the Bohuns) Earl of Hereford, Essex, and Northamp∣ton, as also Lord High Constable of England. He left two daughters, Eleanor the wife of Tho∣mas de Woodstock Duke of Glocester, and Ma∣ry married to Henry of Lancaster Earl of Derby,* 1.57 who was created Duke of Hereford, and was af∣terwards crowned King of England. After this the Staffords Dukes of Buckingham, had the title of Earls of Hereford, who were descended from a daughter of Thomas of Woodstock, which daughter was afterwards married to William Bourchier, called Earl of Ew. But in our memory King Edward the sixth honour'd Walter D'Eureux, descended by the Bourchiers from the Bohuns, with the title of Vis∣count Hereford, whose grandchild by a son was after∣wards created Earl of Essex by Queen Elizabeth.

This County contains 176 Parishes.

ADDITIONS to HEREFORDSHIRE.

[a] THE County of Hereford being as it were a Frontier in all the wars between the English and Welsh, has upon that ac∣count been very remarkable for its number of Forts and Castles (no fewer than 28.) the greatest part whereof have now little to show be∣side the name. Our Author observes it to be a very good Corn-Country; but its present peculiar emi∣nence is in Fruits of all sorts, which give them an opportunity particularly of making such vast quan∣tities of Syder, as not only to serve their own families, (for 'tis their general drink) but also to furnish Lon∣don and other parts of England; their Red-streak (from a sort of Apple they call so) being exrtemely valu'd.

[b] Upon the river Wye, two miles from Here∣ford, is Eaton-wall,* 1.58* 1.59 a Camp containing about thirty or forty acres. The works of it are single, except a little on the West-side.

And about two miles from hence, and a mile from Kenchester, is Creden-hill; upon which is a very great Camp and mighty works: the graff here is inwards as well as outwards; and the whole contains by esti∣mation about forty acres.

[c] Near which is Kenchester,* 1.60† 1.61 where about the year 1669. was found in a wood a great vault, with tables of plaster in it. The vault it self was pav'd with stone; and thereabouts were dug up also many pieces of Roman Coins, with large Bones, leaden Pipes, several Roman Urns with ashes in them, and other vessels, the use whereof was un∣known.

[d] A little lower stands its daughter Hereford,* 1.62 in which name our Author would find some remains of the old Ariconium, whereas it is of a pure Saxon ori∣ginal, implying no more than a ford of the army: nor ought the vulgar's pronouncing it Hariford be of any weight, when it appears by* 1.63 our most ancient Annals that it was constantly written hereford. Which interpretation doth also suit the situation of the place exceeding well: the Severn being for many hundreds of years the frontier between two Nations almost always at war.

[e] Leland† 1.64 has told us that the Castle by the ruins appear'd to have been one of the fairest, largest, and strongest in all England. The walls were high, firm, and full of great towers; and where the river was not a sufficient defence for it, there it was strong∣ly ditch'd. It had two wards, each of them sur∣rounded with water: the dungeon was high and ex∣ceeding well fortify'd, having in the outward wall or ward ten towers of a semici••cular figure, and one great tower in the inner ward. As to the building of it, the s••me Leland has left us what tradition was on foot in his time, without taking any notice of our Author's Earl Milo. Some think (says he) that Heraldus ••gan this Castle, after that he had conquer'd the rebellion of the Welshmen in King Edward the Confessor's time. Some think that the Lacies Earls of Hereford were the great makers of it, and the Bohuns Earls of Here∣ford.

[f] The City is pretty large, and numbred once six Parish Churches; but two of these were demolisht in the late Civil wars. It is govern'd by a Mayor and six Aldermen, a Recorder, &c. and has an Ho∣spital liberally endow'd for the maintenance of 12 poor people,‖ 1.65 which had like to have gone to ruin, had not the care of William Gregory Esq and Mr. Humphrey Diggs prevented it.

[g] Above the City of Hereford, in the Parish of Dinder,* 1.66 is a Roman Camp call'd Oyster-hill;* 1.67 which name may perhaps retain some vestigia of Ostorius Scapula, who commanded in those parts; un∣less it appear to have some particular relation to the Shell-fish of that name.

[h] About the borders between Shropshire and this County, near Lanterdin,† 1.68 is a perfect Roman Camp call'd Brandon,* 1.69 very commodiously situated for Aquation by reason of the nearness of the river Teme. It is a single square work with four ports. And about half a mile from hence, on the other side of the river, was the British Camp, now cover'd with great Oaks, call'd Coxall. The curious Antiquary Mr. John Aubrey did observe in some old Deeds of Sir Edward Harley's (of Brampton-Bryan-castle hard by) that it is written Coxwall, not Coxall or Coxhall; so that the place seems to have had the latter part of its name from this vallum or wall, in like manner as the Wall in Wiltshire, Walton in Surrey, Eaton's-wall, and Walford under Brandon.

A quarter of a mile from Brandon,‖ 1.70 there are two barrows: one of them was caus'd to be digg'd by Sir Edward Harley in the year 1662. wherein they met with a great deal of coals and some pieces of burnt bones. But in the middle they found an Urn about two foot and a half high, full of coals and ashes, with some pieces of burnt bones.

[i] Not far from hence is Richards-castle,* 1.71* 1.72 which stands on the top of a very rocky hill, well wooded; but even in Leland's time the walls and towers of it were going to decay.

[k] More to the South, is Castle-park† 1.73, wherein is a large Camp with two great ditches, call'd the Ambry: from it there is a very lovely respect.

[l] And then upon the river, Lemster,* 1.74 where (‖ ac∣cording to tradition) the King Merwald or Merwalsh (mention'd by our Author) and some of his Succes∣sors had a Castle or Palace on a hill-side by the town; the place (says Leland) is now call'd Comfor-castle, and there are to be seen tokens of ditches where buildings have been.

[m] Between Sutton and Hereford, in a common meadow call'd the Wergins,* 1.75 were plac'd two large stones for a water-mark;* 1.76 the one erected upright, and the other laid athwart. In the late Civil wars, about the year 1652. they were remov'd to about twelve score paces distance, and no body knew how; which gave occasion to a common opinion, That they were carry'd thither by the Devil. When they were set in their places again, one of them required nine yoke of oxen to draw it.

* 1.77[n] Below Hereford, is Brockhampton, * near which on Capellar-hill* 1.78 there is a very large squarish Camp call'd Wobury. It is double-trench'd and near half a mile long; tho' 'tis but narrow.

[o] Not far from Lidbury is Colwal,* 1.79 near which upon the Waste, as a Countryman was digging a ditch about his Cottage, he found a Crown or Coronet of gold, with gems set deep in it. It was of a size large enough to be drawn over the arm, sleeve and all. First it was sold to a Goldsmith in Glocester for 37 l. afterwards by him to a Jeweller in Lombard-street for 250 l. by whom (as a Goldsmith in Lombard-street reported) the stones were sold for 1500 l.

[p] In the South limit of this County is Doward* 1.80 (in the Parish of Whitchurch) a pretty high hill, on the top whereof one would guess by the ditches there had been an ancient fortification; and what makes it more probable, in digging there for Iron-ore and Lime-stone, broad Arrow-heads have been found of late years; and not along ago, the greatest part of the bones of a Gigantick person were found here in∣terr'd in a place that seem'd to be arch'd over. The length of all the joints were twice the length of others of this age. Captain Scudamore of Kentchurch had the skull, and Mr. White of the New-wear near the place, had the remaining bones, and gave them to a Chirurgeon in Bristol.

Continuation of the VISCOUNTS.

Since this title came into the family of D'Eureux by Walter of that name, it has been possessed by two Roberts, both Earls of Leicester. But upon the death of the latter (who was also the last Earl of that family) Sir Walter D'eureux succeeded in the title of Viscount Hereford. After him it was enjoy'd by his son and grandson (both Leicesters) and the place at present gives this title to Edward of that name.

The following LETTER I receiv'd from Mr. Lhwyd, along with his Translation of the Welsh Counties, and his Additions to them. As it contains the method he has observ'd, with some general Rules relating to the Orthography and Pro∣nunciation of the Welsh Tongue, it will be for the Reader's advantage to have it entire.

SIR.

I Have herewith sent you the Translation of that part of the Britannia that relates to Wales; together with some Annotations on each County. I was always sensible there were several persons better qualified for this task than my self; and therefore (as you know) for some months declin'd the undertaking. But finding af∣terwards, that those Gentlemen who were fittest for it, could not have leisure to attend it; I thought it better (with the assistance and advice of Friends) to offer my best endeavours, than to leave it wholly to the ma∣nagement of some person less acquainted with the Language and Country. Thus having not enter'd upon this Province, till such as were more capable had declin'd it, as inconsistent with their private occasions; I hope what faults I have committed in the performance, may be something more excusable.

In the Translation, I have, without favour or prejudice, endeavour'd to retain the sense of the Author: but whereas I have sometimes differ'd in writing the Welsh names of Persons and Places; I presum'd few Readers would scruple to allow me that liberty. Nor can it derogate any thing from our excellent Author's character; that a native of that country should pretend to a more comprehensive knowledge of the British than himself. However in this case, as I have not wholly written the Welsh words according to the English Custom; so neither have I kept strictly to the com∣mon method of writing Welsh; but have us'd a more general Alphabet, whereby such as are unacquainted with that Language will pronounce the words much truer; and they that understand it will find no occasion of mistakes. For example, in regard the letter C. in the Welsh and Irish, is before all Vowels pronounced like K. (as Cilcen is read Kilken,) but in every other language, obtains that Pronunciation only before a. o. and u. I have in such words as are purely Welsh substituted K. for it; in the pronunciation whereof, all Languages agree. Nor can the Criticks in the Welsh call this an Innovation, the Letter K. being common in ancient MSS. though never used in printed Books. I have also for the like reasons taken the same liberty in writing V for F, and F for Ff, Lh for Ll, and Dh for Dd. And whereas the word Lhan in the names of Churches is commonly joyn'd with that which follows; as Lhanèlian, Lhaniestin, &c. I thought it better Orthography to separate it; writing Lhan Elian, which signifies St. Aelian's Church; and Lhan Iestin, i.e. St. Justin's. As for the Annotations I have added at the end of each County, such as have the Letters of direction prefix'd, are Notes on those places they refer to in the Text, with occasional Additions. And whereas in some Counties I had Notes to add which did not refer at all to any part of the Text; I have inserted them after the Annotations, with this mark ¶ prefixt. What I have added, are generally observations of my own; and where they are not so, I have taken care to inform the Reader. I find upon perusal of Cornwall and those other Counties you lately sent me, that the additional Notes on the English Counties are much more compleat than these, and somewhat in a different method. But my task was too large to be well perform'd by one hand, except more time had been allow'd. And having receiv'd no pattern for imitation, but only some general Instructions, I knew not how far I might enlarge; and to have jump'd into the same method, must have been a great accident. However, I find the difference is not very material: nor is it of any great moment, what method we use in Annotations, so we take care to add nothing but what may seem, to the best of our apprehension, pertinent and instructive. What faults you find in the Orthography, I desire you would be pleas'd to correct; and also in the Phrase, where you suppose it conveni∣ent. And where we disagree in the sense, I shall upon notice thereof, either give directions to alter it, or offer some reasons to the contrary.

Oxford, Sept. 13. 1694.

I am, SIR,

Your obliged Friend and Servant, EDW. LHWYD.

Notes

• 1 1.1

  And therefore says that for three W. W. W. Wheat, Wooll, and Water, it yieldeth to no Shire of England.
• * 1.2

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 River 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.3

  〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.4

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 Town.
• * 1.5

  Alterynnis, the Seat of the Cecils.
• * 1.6

  Harald-Ewias.
• * 1.7

  The Family of Ewias.
• * 1.8

  Their Arms.
• * 1.9

  Tregoz and Grandison.
• * 1.10

  Gidden Vale.
• * 1.11

  Irchenfeld.
• * 1.12

  Kilpec.
• ‖ 1.13

  Nepos.
• * 1.14

  The river Wye.
• * 1.15

  Cliff••rd-Castle.
• * 1.16

  Clivus for∣tis.
• * 1.17

  Inq. 26 E. 1.
• * 1.18

  The Pro∣found D••∣ctor.
• * 1.19

  Hereford.
• * 1.20

  Kenchester.
• * 1.21

  S 〈◊〉〈◊〉 M••••••••
• ‖ 1.22

  Lib •• P••••••••
• * 1.23

  Brampton Brian.
• * 1.24

  Wigmore.
• b 1.25

  Wigingamere in the Saxon Annals.
• * 1.26

  〈…〉〈…〉.
• * 1.27

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 W••ll.
• c 1.28

  The Lion is said to have appear'd to King Merwald, and that upon this he began to build the Nunnery. Lel. Itin. MS.
• * 1.29

  〈…〉〈…〉 Wool.
• * 1.30

  〈…〉〈…〉 and 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.31

  ••••••ey.
• * 1.32

  ••••cs Ver∣••.
• * 1.33

  ••••••••le. •• G••∣••••••••.
• * 1.34

  〈…〉〈…〉. 3.
• * 1.35

  〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.36

  〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.37

  Marcley-Hill.
• 2 1.38

  1571.
• * 1.39

  A moving Mount••in.
• * 1.40

  Ledbury.
• † 1.41

  Walter Mapes calls him Alvo∣dus, and says he was the son of Edricus Syl∣vester. Lib. de Nug. Curial. 2. cap. 11.
• * 1.42

  Scudamore, or Escuda∣mor.
• 3 1.43

  Made a free Borough by King Hen. 3.
• * 1.44

  Wilton.
• * 1.45

  Baron Grey of Wilton.
• * 1.46

  Goderich-Castle.
• * 1.47

  Earls of Hereford.
• 4 1.48

  Assisting the Earl of Flanders.
• 5 1.49

  Condemn'd to perpetual prison for a Conspiracy against the Conquerour.
• * 1.50

  Proscriptus.
• 6 1.51

  Who had marry'd Emme or Itta heir of Bretevill.
• 7 1.52

  Also granted to him Constabulariam Curiae suae, the Constable∣ship of her Court, whereupon his posterity were Constables of England, as the Marshalship was granted at the first by the name of Magistratus ••lariscal••iae C••riae nostrae.
• * 1.53

  Constables of England.
• * 1.54

  Girald. Cambriae Itin. l. 1. c. 2.
• * 1.55

  2 Par. Chart. An. 1 Reg. Joan. Matth. Paris Lib Wal∣densis. Lib. Mona∣sterii Lan∣thony.
• 8 1.56

  Daughter.
• * 1.57

  Henry 〈◊〉〈◊〉 four•••• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of E••g••••••••
• * 1.58

  Eaton.
• * 1.59

  Aubr. MS.
• * 1.60

  Kenchester.
• † 1.61

  Blome.
• * 1.62

  Hereford.
• * 1.63

  See the Glossary, and the se∣veral places wherein 'tis mention'd.
• † 1.64

  Itinerar. MS.
• ‖ 1.65

  B••o••••
• * 1.66

  A••••••••
• * 1.67

  Oy••te••-••••••••
• † 1.68

  Io d.
• * 1.69

  Brando••
• ‖ 1.70

  A••••••.
• * 1.71

  Ri•••••••••• ca t••••.
• * 1.72

  Le•••••• I••••••••••
• † 1.73

  A••••••
• * 1.74

  ••••m••ter. 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.75

  ••••••g••••s.
• * 1.76

  ••ee. 〈…〉〈…〉 Coun∣••••
• * 1.77

  ••••br. MS.
• * 1.78

  ••••pel••ar-••••••••.
• * 1.79

  ••••••wal.
• * 1.80

  Doward.