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

HERTFORDSHIRE.

UPON the Confines of Bedfordshire, toward the East and partly toward the South, lieth Hertfordshire, the third of those Counties (as I said before) which were possessed by the Catti∣euchlani. Its West-side bordereth up∣on Bedfordshire and Buckinghamshire; the South-side of it wholly upon Middlesex; the East upon Essex, and the North upon Cambridgeshire. It is well furnish'd with corn-fields, pasture-ground, meadows [a], little woods; and small, but very clear streams. And so eminent is it for several famous ancient places, that as to that point, it may justly dispute the preemi∣nence with its neighbours. For scarce is there any one County in England that can shew more footsteps of Antiquity.

Upon the very edge of this County to the North,* 1.1 where it toucheth upon Cambridgeshire standeth Roy∣ston, a town of much note, but not ancient; as ha∣ving risen since the Norman Conquest. For in those days, there was a famous Lady named Roysia (by some supposed to have been Countess of Norfolk,* 1.2) who erected a Cross upon the Road-side in this place1 1.3, from thence for many years call'd Royses-Cross; till such time as Eustachius de Marc founded just by it a small Monastery to the honour2 1.4 of St. Thomas. Upon this occasion Inns began to be built, and by degrees it came to be a town, which instead of Royse's-Cross,

[illustration] map of Hertfordshire

[illustration]

[illustration]

HERTFORD¦SHIRE By Rob^t. Morden.

took the name of Royse's-town, contracted into Royston. Richard the first granted it a Fair, to be kept at a set time, as also a Market, which in our days is very famous and much frequented upon the account of its Malt-trade. For it is almost incredible what a multitude of Corn-merchants, Maltsters, and the like dealers in Grain do weekly resort to this Market; and what a vast number of horses laden with corn, do on those days fill all the roads about it.

From hence Southward, Tharfield* 1.5 amongst the tops of some small hills hangs over Royston. Here was the seat of the most ancient Family of the Berners,* 1.6 descended from Hugh de Berners, upon whom, as a reward for the valour he had shown in the Norman Conquest, William the Conqueror bestow'd a fair estate in Eversdon in Cambridgshire. And to that degree of reputation did his posterity arrive, that Sir3 1.7 John Bourchier, who married the sole heiress of this family, had the title of Lord Berners, upon his being crea∣ted a Baron by King Edward the fourth.

Not far from hence lyeth Nucelles,* 1.8 a place former∣ly belonging to the Roffes or Rochesters.* 1.9 But all its reputation was took from the Barons de Scales, who were originally of Norfolk, but heirs to the Roffes. For King Edward the first, for the great services he had performed in the Scotch wars, granted to4 1.10 Ro∣bert de Scales certain lands then worth 300 marks per annum, and summoned him amongst his Barons to Parliament.* 1.11 The Arms of this family are Gules with six Escallops Argent, which I have seen in several pla∣ces. They flourish'd till the reign of Edward the fourth, when the only daughter and heiress thereof was married to5 1.12 Anthony Widevile Earl* 1.13 Rivers. Whom as his sister's marriage with the King, and his own most signal valour raised; so the malice of his enemies never left pursuing him, till they brought him to his end. For Richard the third be∣headed him, though he had no way deserved it. After the death of this Earl's Lady, who left no issue, the inheritance was divided in the time of Henry the seventh, between John Earl of Oxford and Sir William Tindale Kt. who were found to be next in blood and coheirs; the former by the How∣ards, the latter by the Bigods of Felbridge6 1.14.

Lower eastward standeth Ashwell,* 1.15 that is, the Foun∣tain among Ashes, a good large country village, and full of houses. It stands just upon the northern bor∣der of the County in a low ground, and is famous for Springs which here break forth out of the side of a stony bank or creek, covered all over and shaded with tall Ashes. Hence the water flows continually in so large a quantity, that it's whole current being at a small distance collected into a chanel, serves to drive a Mill, and quickly after becomes a considera∣ble river. From these Wells and Ashes together, as it is most certain that the English-Saxons imposed this modern name of Ashwell, so I was formerly of opinion, that the ancient Britains, who were wont to give divine honours to mountains, rivers, foun∣tains, and groves, as Gildas hath observed, had ac∣cordingly on the same account, and in the very same sense, given to this place the name of Magioninium, and that it was the old Magioninium of Antoninus. Buta 1.16 time hath now informed me better; and I am not asham'd to change my opinion in this point: it is not my humour to be fond of my own mistakes. And yet this place has its Antiquity evidenc'd by a large square fortification hard by; which by the Ro∣man coins there frequently found, shows whose work it has been. Also in Domesday-book (which contains the Survey of all England, taken by William the Conquerour above 500 years ago) it is expresly termed a Borrough.

More to the South I saw Baldoc* 1.17 a Market-town, seated upon a whitish sort of soil; concerning which place, as well as its neighbour Hitching, Antiquity is wholly silent [b].

From thence is Wimondley,* 1.18 seated in a well-c••ltiva∣ted and rich soil, an ancient and famous Manour, which is held by the most honourable tenure in this Kingdom, (the Lawyers call it Grand Serjeanty,* 1.19) by which the Lord thereof is bound upon the Corona∣tion-day to present the first Cup to the King of Eng∣land, and for that time to be as it were the Royal Cup-bearer. This Honour with respect to the Lordship, was enjoyed, towards the beginning of the Norman times, by a noble family who had the name of Fitz-Tecs;* 1.20 from whom it came by a daughter to the Ar∣gentons.* 1.21 These derived both their name and pedigree from David de Argenton, a Norman Souldier, who served in the wars under William the Conquerour; in memory whereof they long time gave for their Arms Three Cups Argent in a field Gules. But at length, upon failure of issue male in the reign of Henry the sixth, Elizabeth Argenton, who was sole inheritrix, brought to her husband Sir William Allington Kt. a very fair estate together with this honour; from whom the seventh in the lineal descent is the present7 1.22 Giles Allington, a young Gentleman of an obliging and truly generous temper, whose many vertues are like to add a new lustre to the ancient reputation of this family.

Hard by, near the high-road between Steven∣haugh, and Knebworth the seat of the famous family of the Littons8 1.23, I saw certain hills cast up of a con∣siderable bigness; which are such as the old Romans were wont to raise for Souldiers slain in battel, where the first turf was laid by the General. Unless one should rather suppose them to have been placed as limits: for it was an ancient custom to raise such little hills to mark out the bounds of places, and un∣derneath them to lay ashes, coals, lime, broken pot∣sherds, &c. as I will shew more at large in another place [c]† 1.24

Lower, but more to the South, lyes the head of the river Lea,* 1.25 heretofore by our Ancestors call'd Ligean, which with a very gentle stream passeth first by Whet∣hamsted, a place very fruitful in wheat, from whence also it took its name. John of‖ 1.26 Whethamsted* 1.27 there born, and thence so named, was by his learning a great ornament to it, in the days of Henry the sixth. From thence it runs by Broket-hall, the seat of the Knightly-family of the Brockets; and Woodhall,* 1.28 the seat of the Butlers, who being descended from the Ba∣rons of Wem, by marriage came to enjoy the estate of the Gobions. Thence it comes near to Bishops-Hatfield,* 1.29 a town seated upon the side of a hill, on the upper part whereof standeth a very fair house, which now belongs to the King, as it did before to the Bishops of Ely; which was re-built and much beau∣tified by John Morton Bp. of Ely. For K. Edgar gave 40 hides in this place to the Church of Ely [d]. Hence Lea passeth on to Hertford,* 1.30 which in some copies of Bede is written Herudford, in that place where he treats of a Synod there holden A. D. 670. which name some will have to signifie the Red Ford, others the Ford of Harts [e]. This town in the time of William the Conquerour, as we find in Dooms-day book, discharg'd it self for ten hides, and there were in it 26 Burgesses9 1.31. But in our days it is neither well peopled, nor much frequented; and only considera∣ble for its antiquity: for the whole County hath taken its name from it, and it still continues the Shire-town. It hath a Castle seated upon the river Lea, which is thought to have been built by Edward the elder, and enlarged first by the family of Clare, to whom it belonged. For Gislebert de Clare about the time of Henry the second, had the title of Earl from this Herudford, and Robert Fitz-walter, who was of the same house of Clare, when King Stephen seiz∣ed

into his hands all the Castles of England, confi∣dently told the King himself (as we read in Matthew Paris) that by ancient right the custody of that Ca∣stle belong'd to him. Afterward it came to the Crown, and King Edward the third granted to his son John of Gaunt, then Earl of Richmond, after∣ward Duke of Lancaster, this Castle, together with the Town and Honour of Hertford; that there (as the words run in the Grant) he might keep a house suitable to his quality, and have a decent habitation.

From hence the river Lea in a short course reach∣eth Ware,* 1.32 so named from a sort of damm anciently made there to stop the current, commonly call'd a Weare or a Ware [f]. This Town was from the first very prejudicial to Hertford, and now by its populousness hath as it were eclips'd it. For in the time of the Barons Wars with King John, under the countenance and protection of it's Lord the Baron of Wake, it presumed to turn the high-road thi∣ther11 1.33; for before that time no wagons could* 1.34 pass thither over the river, by reason of a chain drawn cross the bridge, the key whereof was always in the custody of the Bailiff of Hertford. Much about the same time Gilbert Marshal Earl of Pem∣broke, then the principal Peer of England, proclaim∣ed a Tournament at this place under the name of a Fortuny,* 1.35 designing thereby to affront, or at least to elude the force of the King's Proclamation, by which Tournaments had been prohibited. This drew hi∣ther a very great concourse of Nobility and Gentry; and when he came himself to make his Career, his horse unfortunately broke the bridle and threw him, [ 1241] and he was in a miserable manner trampl'd to death. These Tournaments* 1.36 were publick exercises of Arms practis'd by Noblemen and Gentlemen; and were more than meer sports or diversions. They were first instituted (if we may believe Munster) in the year of our Lord 934. and were always managed by their own particular laws, which may be seen in the same Author. A long time, this practice was continued in all parts to that degree of madness, and with so great a slaughter of persons of the best qua∣lity,* 1.37 especially here in England, where it was first brought in by King Stephen; that the Church was forced by several Canons expresly to forbid them,* 1.38 with this penalty annexed, That whoever should happen therein to be slain, should be denied Chri∣stian Burial. And under King Henry 3. by advice of Parliament it was also enacted, that the Offenders estates should be forfeited, and their children be dis∣inherited. And yet in contempt of that good law, this evil and pernicious custom long prevailed, and was not wholly laid aside till the Reign of King Edward 3. [g].

Betwixt these two towns, Ware and Hertford, which are scarce two miles asunder, Lea is augmented by two small rivers, that fall into it from the north. Asser names themb 1.39 Mimera and Beneficia. I should guess that to be the Beneficia upon which stands Ben∣nington, where the Bensteds, a noted family, had for∣merly a small Castle12 1.40. And that to be the Mimera which passeth by Pukerich, a place that obtain'd the privilege of a Fair and Market by the Grant of Edward 1. procured by the interest of William le Bland13 1.41. Behind Puckerich Munden Furnivall pre∣sents it self, which deserves mention on this account,14 1.42 that it had for its Lord Gerard de Furnivall* 1.43 (from whom also it took it's name) a younger son of Ge∣rard Furnivall of Sheffield. But now let us return to the river Lea and the town of Ware, as far as which place the Danes came up the river in their light Pin∣naces, as Asser relateth it, and there built a Fort: which when King Alfred could not take by force, he digged three new Chanels, and so turned the wa∣ters of the Lea out of their old course, to cut off their fleet from returning, that from that time the river was of no great use to the neighbourhood; untill it was not long since restored to it's ancient Chanel, and made more commodious for the conveyance of wares, corn, &c. The Lea, soon after it hath left Ware, takes into it from the east a small river named Stort, which first runneth by Bishops Stortford,* 1.44 a little town, fortified formerly with a small Castle standing upon an hill, raised by art within a little island [h].* 1.45 Which Castle William the Conquerour gave to the Bishops of London; whence it came to be called Bishops Stortford. But King John out of hatred to Bishopc 1.46 W. demolish'd it15 1.47. From thence it passeth on to Hunsdon, which place, by the favour of Queen Elizabeth,* 1.48 gave the title of Baron to Sir Henry Cary then Lord Chamberlain. For besides that he was descended from that family of the Dukes of So∣merset which was of the Blood Royal, he also was by his mother Mary Bolen, Cousin-German to Qu. Elizabeth. The Lea having now receiv'd this small river, hast'neth on with a more full and bri••k current toward the Thames16 1.49; and in it's passage thither, as it were chearfully salutes Theobald-house* 1.50 commonly called Tibauld's, a place, than which, as to the Fa∣brick, nothing can be more neat; and as to the Gar∣dens, the Walks, and Wildernesses, nothing can be more pleasant [i]. This House was built by that Nestor of Britain, the right honorable Baron Bur∣leigh Lord Treasurer of England, to whom more particularly this river owns it self obliged for the re∣covery of it's ancient Chanel.

But now let us return to the heart of the County, where are places more ancient. Twelve miles west∣ward from Hertford stood Verolanium, in old time a very famous City. Tacitus calls it Verulamium;* 1.51 Pto∣lemy Urolanium, and Verolamium. The situation of this place is very well known to have been close by the town of St. Albans* 1.52 in Caisho Hundred, (which Hundred was, without doubt, in old time inhabited by those Cassii, of whom Caesar makes mention.) The Saxons call'd it Watlinga-cester, from the famous high-way named Watlingstreat; and Werlam-ceaster. Neither hath it as yet lost it's ancient name; for it is still commonly call'd Verulam, altho' nothing of it now remains but ruins of walls, checquer'd pave∣ments, and Roman Coins now and then digg'd up there [k]. It was seated upon the side of an easie hill, which faced the east; and was fortified with very strong walls, a double rampire, and deep trenches toward the south. And on the east part it had a small rivulet, which formerly made on that side a large Mere or standing water: whereupon, it has been conjectur'd that this was the town of Cassibelinus* 1.53 so well defended by the woods and marshes, which was taken by Caesar. For there is not (that I know of) any other Mere hereabouts. In Nero's time it was esteemed a Municipium, which occasion'd Nini∣us, in his catalogue of Cities, to call it Caer-Municip. So that there is no doubt but this was that Caer Muni∣cipium which Hubert Goltzius found in an old In∣scription. These Municipia* 1.54 were Towns, whose in∣habitants enjoyed the rights and privileges of Roman citizens. And the name was framed à muneribus ca∣piendis, i.e. from their capacity to bear publick Offi∣ces in the Commonwealth. These Municipia, as to orders and degrees, had their Decuriones, their Equites or Gentlemen, and their Commons; as to their pub∣lick Council, a Senate and People; as to their Magi∣strates and Priests, their Duumviri and Triumviri to administer justice; and also their Censors, Aedils, Quaestors, and Flamins. But whether this our Veru∣lam was a Municipium with Suffrages; or without, is not easie to determine. A Municipium with Suffrages they call'd that, which was capable of publick ho∣nours, as they called the other which was uncapable

a Municipium without Suffrages. In the reign of the same Nero, when Bunduica or Boadicia, Queen of the Iceni, out of an inveterate hatred had raised a bloody war against the Romans, this town (as Taci∣tus writeth) was by the Britains entirely ruined. Of which Suetonius makes mention in these words: These miseries, which were the effects of that Prince's in∣humanity, were attended with a massacre in Britain, where‖ 1.55 two of the chiefest towns in that Island were taken and sack'd, with a dreadful slaughter both of Roman Ci∣tizens and their Allies. Yet afterward this City flou∣rished again, and grew to a very great eminency. And I have seen several pieces of ancient money, which in all probability were coined at this place, with this Inscription, TASCIA; and on the reverse VER. which that most inquisitive and learned An∣tiquary David Powel S. T. D. interpreteth to be the Tribute of Verulam.* 1.56 For Tasc (as he tells me) in the British tongue signifies Tribute, Tascia a Tribute-penny, and Tascyd the chief Collector of Tribute. But you may here, if you please, view the Coyn once more; for I have given you a sight of it before.

[illustration] obverse and reverse of a coin

Some will have it, that these pieces were coyned before the coming in of the Romans. But I am not of their mind. For I have always thought them to have been the Tribute-money which the Romans (as I observ'd before) were wont every year to raise by Poll, and by a Land tax together. For before the Romans coming, I can scarce think that the Bri∣tains ever coyned money. And yet I am not un∣mindful of what Caesar writes of them: They use, saith he,* 1.57 brass-money, or rings of iron made to a certain weight; where ancient Copies have Lanceis ferreis, for which the Criticks have substituted Laminis fer∣reis, i.e. Plates of iron. But it would be impertinent here to repeat my former discourse upon this subject. Let us therefore return to the business in hand. Now as to Verulam, no one thing ever reflected so much honour upon it, as that once it brought forth St. Alban, a man justly eminent for his piety and stea∣diness in the Christian Faith: who, when Dioclesian by all sorts of torments endeavoured the total extir∣pation of the Christian Religion, with an invincible constancy of mind suffered Martyrdom the first man in all Britain. For which reason he is called Our Stephen,* 1.58 and the Protomartyr of Britain; and Fortu∣natus Presbyter thus mentions him:

Albanum egregium foecunda Britannia profert. And fruitful Britain holy Alban shews.

Also Hiericus a Frenchman, who flourished 700 years since, gives an account in verse of the same St. Alban's Martyrdom;* 1.59 and also how his Execu∣tioner was by a miracle stricken blind.

Millia poenarum Christi pro nomine passus, Quem tandem rapuit capitis sententia caesi. Sed non lictori cessit res tuta superbo, Utque caput Sancto, ceciderunt lumina saevo. After a thousand sufferings for the Faith, When judg'd at last to end them all with death; The bloody Lictor did just heav'n surprise, And as the Saint his head, the villain lost his eyes.

In an old Agonal, or History of his passion, we are told that the Citizens of Verulam caused an account of his suffering to be expressed on a marble; which they plac'd in their town walls, as a publick disgrace to him, and a terror to all Christians. But after∣wards, when the blood of Martyrs had overcome the cruelty of Tyrants, the Christians built a Church here to his memory, which, as Bede tells us, was a piece of most admirable workmanship. And now Verulam came to be so much reverenced for it's san∣ctity, that An. Dom. 429. a Synod was here held up∣on occasion of the Pelagian Heresie, which was spread a-new over this Island by Agricola, son to Severianus a Bishop; and had so generally infected the British Churches, that to make good the Orthodox Faith, they were forced to send into France for German Bishop of Auxerre, and Lupus Bishop of Troies; who confuting the heresie, thereby rendred themselves ve∣ry venerable to the Britains; especially St. German, as appears by the many Churches dedicated to him in this Island. Particularly, there is still standing near the walls of this ruined city, a small Chapel, that bears that Saint's name,* 1.60 tho' otherwise but ill employed. It stands just in the place where St. Ger∣man preached to the people; for which tradition we have the authority of some ancient Records of St. Al∣ban's Church. We are told farther by Constantius (who lived at the same time) in the life of St. Ger∣man, that he caused the Sepulchre of St. Alban to be opened, and placed therein the Reliques of cer∣tain Saints, that so they whom one heaven had received, might also be laid in one sepulchre. By the way I take notice of this, that we may thence collect what was the custom of that Age. Not long after, Verulam fell into the hands of the Saxons. But Uther the Bri∣tain, for his serpentine subtilty sirnam'd Pendrago, with much difficulty, after a very tedious siege, re∣covered it. After whose death it quickly fell again into the same hands. For Gildas's words do plainly enough intimate, that the Saxons in his days were possessed of this City. God, saith he, hath lighted up unto us the most clear Lamps of his Saints, whose burial-places, as well as the places of their passion, might excite in our souls a great fervour of divine love every time we had cast our eyes upon them, if as a punishment to our great wickedness, the Barbarians had not been suffered to rob us of them. I particularly mean St. Alban at Veru∣lam, &c. Verulam was now quite ruined by these wars, when about the year of our Lord 793. Offa, the most potent King of the Mercians, founded just over against it, in a place then called Holmehurst, a very large and stately Monastery to the memory of St. Alban, or as the Charter it self expresseth it, unto our Lord Jesus Christ, and to St. Alban the Martyr, whose Reliques the divine Grace hath discovered, as an hopeful pledge both of our present prosperity, and also of our future happiness. Presently hereupon, together with the Monastery, there grew up a town, which from the Saint took the name of St. Albans.* 1.61 This King Offa, and several other Kings of England his succes∣sors, bestowed upon this Monastery very large pos∣sessions, and obtained for it also from divers Popes very ample privileges. I will here recite a passage to that purpose out of Florilegus, that you may therein observe the extraordinary liberality of our Princes to the Church. Thus therefore he.

The most mighty K. Offa gave to S. Alban the Protomartyr a town of the Royal Demesne, which is distant about 20 miles from Verulam, and is called† 1.62 Uneslaw, and many o∣ther lands round about it, as may be seen in this K.'s Charter, kept to this day in the said Monastery. The immunities also and privileges of this Monastery are so large and peculiar, that it is exempt from pay∣ing the Apostolical duty or tax to the Pope, common∣ly called‖ 1.63 Romescot; whereas neither the King, nor the Archbishop, nor any Bishop, Abbot, or Prior, or any other person whatsoever in the whole King∣dom, is exempted from this payment▪ this alone is exempt. Furthermore, the Abbot, or a Monk that acts as Archdeacon under him, exerciseth Episcopal Jurisdiction over all the Clergy and Laity residing upon any of the lands appertaining to this Monaste∣ry; so that the Abbot hereof is not subject to any Archbishop, Bishop, or any Legate whatsoever, but to the Pope alone. This also deserves our Observa∣tion, that when that great Prince Offa made a gift to the Pope of the Peter-pence, commonly called Romescot, out of his Kingdom; he obtained of the Pope this particular privilege for the Church of St. Alban the Protomartyr of England, that that Church might col∣lect, and retain to it's own use when collected, all the Romescot or Peter-pence throughout Hertfordshire,

in which County that Church standeth. Where∣fore as the Church it self, by the King's grant, enjoys all manner of Royalties, so the Abbot of the place for the time being hath all Episcopal Ornaments.

Also Pope Hadrian 4 who was born near Verulam, granted to the Abbots of this Monastery (these are the words of the Privilege) That as St. Alban is well known to be the Protomartyr of the English Nation, so the Abbot of his Monastery should in all times be reputed the first in dignity of all the Abbots in England. Neither afte••wards did the Abbots neglect any particular that might be either useful or ornamental to it; filling up with earth that very large Pool or Mere, which lay under the town of Verulam. The memory of this Pool remains in a certain street of the town still called Fishpool-street.* 1.64 Near which when certain Anchors in this age happen'd to be found in digging, some men (led into that mistake by a corrupted place in Gildas) presently concluded, that the Thames had formerly had it's course this way. But concerning this Mere or Fishpool, take, if you please, what is written by an ancient historian. Alfricus the Abbot purchased for a great sum of money a large and deep pond called Fishpool, which was very prejudicial by it's vicinity to the Church of St. Alban. For the Fishery belonged to the Crown, and the King's Officers and others that came to fish in it were troublesome and chargeable to the Monastery and the Monks. The said Abbot therefore drein'd all the water out of this Pool, and reduc'd it to dry land.

If I should lay any great stress on the Stories com∣mon amongst the people, and should upon that bot∣tom tell you what great store of Roman Coins, how many images of gold and silver, how many vessels, how many marble pillars, how many capitals, in fine, how many wonderful pieces of ancient work have been here fetch'd out of the earth; I could not in reason expect to be credited. However, this short account which follows take upon the credit of an ancient Historian.* 1.65 Ealred the Abbot, in the reign of K. Edgar, searching out the old subterraneous vaults of Ve∣rulam, broke them all down, and stop'd up all the ways and subterraneous passages which were arched over head very artificially, and very firmly built; some whereof were carried under the water, which in old time almost encom∣passed the whole city. This he did, because these were ordinary lurking places of thieves and whores. He also filled up the ditches of the city, and stopt up certain caves thereabouts, whither malefactors use to fly for shelter. But he laid aside all the whole tiles, and all such stones as he found fit for building. Hard by the bank they happen'd upon certain oaken planks, which had nails sticking in them, and were covered over with pitch, as also some other ship∣ping-tackle, particularly, Anchors half eaten with rust, and Oars of f••r. And a little after,

Eadmer his Successor went forward with the work which Ealdred had be∣gun, and his diggers levelled the foundations of a pa∣lace in the middle of the old city, and in a hollow place in the wall, contrived like a small closet, they happen d upon books having covers of oak, and silk strings to them; one whereof contain'd the life of St. Alban written in the British language; the rest certain Pagan Ceremonies. And when they had open'd the earth to a greater depth, they met with old stone-tables, tiles also and pillars, pots, and great earthen vessels neatly wrought, and others of glass containing the ashes of the dead, &c. And at last, out of these remains of old Verulam, Eadmer built a new Monastery to St. Alban

. Thus much as to the Anti∣quity and Dignity of Verulam. Now as to the prai∣ses of the place, give me leave to add this Hexastic of Alexander Necham, who was born there 400 years ago.

Urbs insignis erat Verolamia, plus operosae Arti, naturae debuit illa minus. Pendragon Arthuri Patris haec obsessa laborem Septennem sprevit cive superba suo. Hic est Martyrii roseo decoratus honore Albanus civis, inclyta Roma, tuus. To ancient Verulam a famous town Much kindness art hath show'd, but nature none. Great Arthur's fire Pendragon's utmost power For seven long years did the proud walls endure. Here holy Alban citizen of Rome, Obtain'd the happy crown of martyrdom.

And in another place;

Hic locus aetatis nostrae primordia novit Annos foelices, laetitiaeque dies: Hic locus ingenuus pueriles imbuit annos Artibus, & nostrae laudis origo fuit. Hic locus insignis, magnósque creavit alumnos, Foelix eximio Martyre, gente, situ. Militat hic Christo, noctéque dieque labori Invigilat sancto Religiosa cohors. Here my first breath with happy stars was drawn, Here my glad years and all my joys began. In gradual knowledge here my mind increast, Here the first sparks of glory fir'd my breast. Hail noble town! where fame shall ne're forget The Saint, the citizens, and happy seat. Here heaven's true Soldiers with unwearied care And pious labour wage the Christian war.

But now the old Verulam is turned into Corn∣fields, and St. Albans* 1.66 flourisheth, which rose up out of the ruins of it; a neat and large town. The Church of the said Monastery is still in being; a pile of building, which for its largeness, beauty, and antiquity, may justly challenge a particular re∣gard. When the Monks were turned out, it was by the towns-men purchased for four hundred pound (otherwise it had been laid even with the ground;) and was converted into a parochial Church. It hath in it a very noble Font of solid brass, wherein the Children of the Kings of Scotland were wont to be baptized. Which Font Sir Richard Lea,* 1.67 Master of the Pioneers, brought hither amongst the rest of the spoils taken in the Scotch wars, and gave it to this Church; whereon is to be read this proud In∣scription:

CUM LAETHIA OPIDUM APUD SCO∣TOS NON INCELEBRE, ET EDIN∣BURGUS PRIMARIA APUD EOS CIVI∣TAS INCENDIO CONFLAGRARENT, RICHARDUS LEUS EQUES AURA∣TUS ME FLAMMIS EREPTUM AD AN∣GLOS PERDUXIT. HUJUS EGO TAN∣TI BENEFICII MEMOR NON NISI REGUM LIBEROS LAVARE SOLITUS, NUNC MEAM OPERAM ETIAM INFI∣MIS ANGLORUM LIBENTER CON∣DIXI. LEUS VICTOR SIC VOLUIT. VALE. ANNO DOMINI. M.D.XLIII. ET ANNO REGNI HENRICI OCTA∣VI XXXVI.

When Leith, a town of good account in Scotland, and Edinburgh the principal city of that Nation were on fire, Sir Richard Lea Knight saved me out of the flames, and brought me into England. In gratitude to him for this his kindness, I who heretofore served only at the baptism of the Children of Kings, do now most wil∣lingly offer the same service even to the meanest of the English Nation. Lea the Conquerour hath so commanded. Adieu. A. D. 1543. in the 36th year of King Henry the 8th [l].

But to return to our business. As Antiquity hath consecrated this place to Religion, so Mars seems to have made it a seat of war. To pass by others; when our Nation had now almost spent as it were its vital spirits, in the Civil wars between the two Houses of York and Lancaster; there were two battels fought within this very town, by the heads of the two par∣ties, with various success. In the first fight, Richard Duke of York defeated the Lancastrian party, took King Henry the sixth prisoner, and slew a great many persons of the best quality. But four years af∣ter, the Lancastrians had the advantage under the con∣duct of Queen Margaret, routed the Yorkists, and recovered their King [m].

About this town (to omit a certain fort in the neighbourhood, which the vulgar call the Oister-hills, but I am apt to think was the Camp of Ostorius the

Propraetor) the Abbots erected several pious and cha∣ritable foundations; as a little Nunnery at Sopwell, and St. Julian's Hospital for Lepers; and another na∣med St. Mary* 1.68 de Pree for infirm women. Near which they had a great Manour named Goram∣bery, where17 1.69 Nicholas Bacon, Lord Keeper of the Great Seal of England, hath erected a structure be∣coming his character. Near to this place lyeth Red∣borne,* 1.70 which in modern language signifieth a Red-water. And yet the water that runneth by this place18 1.71 is no more red, than that of the Red-Sea. It was a place in old time very famous for the Reliques which were there found of Amphibalus the Martyr, who was the person that first instructed St. Alban in the Christian Faith; for which faith he also suffer'd under Dioclesian. At present it is most remarkable for the old military high-way, commonly calld Wat∣lingstreet, upon which it is seated; and also for a cer∣tain brook near it, call'd* 1.72 Wenmer, which (as the vulgar believe) when ever it breaks out and swells higher than usual, always portends dearth or trou∣blesome times [n]. Near unto this, we have reason to look for Duro-co-brivae,* 1.73 a station of which Antoni∣nus makes mention, though indeed the distance would perswade us otherwise. For Redborne in our lan∣guage, and Dur-coh in the British or Welch tongue, sig∣nifie one and the same thing, to wit Red water. Now to search after the situation of ancient places, we have no better guides than ancient Inscriptions, the course of the great roads, the reason and similitude of names, and rivers or lakes adjoyning; although they do not exactly correspond to the several distances that are assign'd in the Itinerarie; which may very well be since corrupted, and the passage from one place to ano∣ther cut shorter. Certainly the old Duro-co-brivae must needs have been seated in the same place where that Roman high-way crossed this water, to wit, below Flamsted. For just at this place, at seven miles di∣stance from Verulamium, (though now through the negligence of transcribers the number is chang'd to twelve,) a good large spring riseth at the road-side, and crosseth it with a small stream; which though here it have no name, yet below St. Albans it is call'd Col.* 1.74 And as to that termination Briva, which is an adjunct to the names of very many places, it signi∣fied (as I suppose) among the ancient Britains and Gauls a Bridge, or the passage over a River; since we find it no where us'd but at rivers. In this Island there were one or two Durobrivae, that is (unless I am much deceiv'd) passages over the water. In Gaul there was Briva Isariae, now Pontoise, where was the passage over the Isara or Ysore: Briva Oderae, over the Odera: and Samarobriva (for that is the right name) over the river Soain.

Somewhat higher, upon a small hill, standeth Flamsted,* 1.75 which in the time of Edward the Confessor, Leofstan Abbot of St. Albans gave to three Knights, Turnot, Waldef, and Turman, upon condition that they should secure the neighbouring country from robberies. But William the Conquerour took it from them, and gave it Roger de Todeney or Tony, an emi∣nent Norman, with the title of Barony. But in time it was by a daughter transferr'd to the Beauchamps, Earls of Warwick.

Hence I passed southwards to Hemsted,* 1.76 a small Market-town, call'd Hehan-hamsted, when King Offa made a grant of it to the Monastery of St. Albans. It is seated among hills by the side of a small river, which a little lower runs into another that goes through Berkhamsted.* 1.77 In this place the Nobles of England had a meeting, when by the perswasion of Fretheric then Abbot of St. Albans, they were plot∣ting to throw off the new Norman Government;

And thither came William the Conqueror in person, (as we read in the life of this Fretheric) much con∣cern'd for fear he should, to his great disgrace, lose that Kingdom which with so much blood he had purchas'd. And after many debates in the presence of Lanfranc the Archbishop, the King to settle a firm peace, took an Oath upon all the Reliques of the Church of St. Alban, and upon the holy Evan∣gelists, which the Abbot Fretheric administred, That he would inviolably observe all the good, approv'd, and ancient Laws of the Kingdom, which the most sacred and pious Kings of England his Predecessors, and especially King Edward, had established

. But most of these Noblemens estates he soon after seized and confiscated, and bestowed this town upon Ro∣bert Earl of Moriton and Cornwal19 1.78, who accord∣ing to the common tradition, built here a Castle with a rampart and a double ditch to it. In which Castle Richard King of the Romans and Earl of Cornwal dy'd full of years, and honours. Upon default of issue of that Earl, King Edward the third gave this town and castle to Edward his eldest son, that most renown'd and warlike Prince, whom he created Duke of Cornwal; from whence, even in our times, it continues to be part of the possessions of the Dutchy of Cornwal. This castle is now nothing else but ruin'd walls, and one rude heap of stones; above which upon a small hill Sir Edward Cary Kt. Master of the Jewels to the King, descended from the house of the Carys in Devonshire20 1.79, hath lately built a very noble and extraordinary pleasant Seat. Within the town it self there is nothing worth seeing, except a School founded there by J. Incent, Dean of St. Pauls in London, who was a native of this town. More to the South lyeth Kings-Langley,* 1.80 heretofore a Seat of the Kings, where Edmund of Langley, son to Edward the third, Duke of York, was born, and thence also named. Here was a small Cell of Friers Praedicants, in which that unhappy Prince Richard the second was first buried, who was barbarously de∣priv'd both of his Kingdom and his Life; but not long after, his body was remov'd to Westminster, and had a monument of brass bestow'd upon it, to make amends for his Kingdom. Just almost over-against this, there lyeth also another Langley, which (because it did belong to the Abbots of St. Albans) is call'd Abbots-Langley,* 1.81 the place where Nicholas Breakspeare was born, afterwards Pope by the name of Hadrian* 1.82 the fourth, who first preach'd the Christi∣an faith to the people of Norway, and quieted the tumults of the people of Rome, at that time endea∣vouring to recover their ancient liberties. Frederic the first, Emperour of the Romans, held this Pope's stirrup as he alighted from his horse, and at last he lost his life by a fly that flew into his mouth and choaked him.

Lower I saw Watford* 1.83 and Rickemanesworth,* 1.84 two Market-towns, touching which we have no account, until we find that King Offa bestowed them upon St. Alban, as also he did Caishobery* 1.85 that lyes next to Watford.* 1.86 At which place a house was begun by Sir Richard Morison, a man of great learning, and em∣ployed by Henry the 8th and Edward the 6th in se∣veral Embassies to the greatest Princes in Europe; but he left it to his son21 1.87 Charles to finish, who made it a neat and curious Seat.

More toward the east, the Roman military way pass'd in a direct line from London to Verulam over Hamsted-heath, and so by Edgworth and Ellestre, near which place, at the very same distance that Antoninus in his Itinerary placeth the Sulloniacae* 1.88 (to wit, twelve miles from London and nine from Verulam) there remain yet some marks of an ancient station, and there is much rubbish digg'd up upon a hill, which is now call'd Brockley-hill [o]. But when the Roman Empire in this land expir'd, and barbarism by de∣grees got ground, whilst the Saxon wars put all things in a perpetual hurry, this great road, as all other things, lay quite neglected for a long time, until a a little before the Norman Conquest, Leofstan Ab∣bot of St. Albans repaired and restor'd it. For he (as we read in his life) caused the great woods all along from the edge of the† 1.89 Chiltern as far as London to be cut down, especially upon the King's high-way, commonly call'd Wat∣lingstreet, all high and broken grounds to be levell'd, bridges to be built, and the ways made even for the conve∣nience of passengers. But above 300 years ago this road

was again in part deserted, by reason that another road was laid open thro' Highgate and Barnet, by li∣cence from the Bishop of London. Barnet begins now a-days to be an eminent market for cattel, but was much more so for a great battel fought there in those furious wars between the two houses of York and Lancaster: in which wars England suffer'd whatever aspiring Treachery durst attempt. For atd 1.90 Gledsmore hard by, the two parties, upon an Easter-day, had a sharp encounter, an•• for a long time, by reason of a thick Fog, fought with dubious success. But at last King Edw. 4. happily gained the Victory, and Richard Nevill Earl of Warwick was there slain; a man whom as the smiles of Fortune had render'd strangely insolent, and a particular enemy to crown'd heads; so by his death he freed England from those apprehensions of continu'd civil wars they had long labour'd under [p]22 1.91.

* 1.92This County of Hertford had Earls that were of the family of Clare, and therefore more commonly were call'd Earls of Clare, from Clare their principal seat in the County of Suffolk. The first that I have met with was Gilbert, who writes himself Earl of Hertford, as a witness to a Charter of King Stephen. Likewise Roger de Clare, in the Red-book in the Ex∣chequer, bears the title of Earl of Hertford in the reign of Henry 2. as also his successors,* 1.93 whom you may see in their proper places. But when this fa∣mily, by right of inheritance as well as by their Prince's favour, came to be also Earls of Glocester, they bore joyntly the two titles, and were summon∣ed to Parliament by the name of Earls of Glocester and Hertford. And accordingly Richard de Clare, who died An. Dom. 1262. is by Matthew of West∣minster expresly called Earl of Glocester and Hert∣ford, upon the recital of this his Epitaph:

Hic pudor Hippoliti, Paridis gena, sensus Ulyssis, Aeneae pietas, Hectoris ira jacet. Here Hector's rage, Ulysses wisdom lays, Hippolitus his blush, and Paris face.

But within the memory of our fathers, K. Hen. 8. honoured23 1.94 Edward de St. Maur or Seymor with the title of Earl of Hertford, who was afterward created also Duke of Somerset24 1.95; to whom succeeded in this Earldom his son of the same name, a person of great honour, and a true friend to learning.

This County hath in it 120 Parishes.

ADDITIONS to HERTFORDSHIRE.

THE County of Hertford, as to Vicountile Jurisdiction, both before and long after the time of Edward 3. was annex'd to Essex; and one Sheriff supply'd both Counties, as did also one Escheator.* 1.96 The Justices, for the greater ease both of themselves and the common people, have by consent divided the whole Shire into three parts or divisions, and accordingly have three several Courts for determination of lesser matters; the more considerable being referr'd to the general meeting at Hertford.

[a] Notwithstanding what our Author has affirm'd of it's corn-ground, pastures, and meadows; those who have made particular enquiries into the affairs of this County, rather refer it's flourishing condition partly to the many thorow-fares to and from Lon∣don, which has been the cause of the improvement of their towns; and partly to the healthfulness of the air, which has induc'd several of the Gentry to settle in this County, and given occasion to this saying,† 1.97 That they who buy a house in Hertfordshire, pay two years purchase for the air of it. But as for the pastures, Norden tells us, there are but few to be met withall; and that their meadows, tho' here and there dispers'd, are many of them cold and mossy. And as to the soil in general, he adds, That in respect of some other Shires, it is but a barren Country, without the great toil and charge of the husbandman.

[b] In the north-west part of the Shire is Hitching,* 1.98 which, according to Mr. Norden, had it's name from lying at the end of a wood call'd Hitch, that former∣ly came up to it; so that it's true name must be Hitchend. The main business of the inhabitants is Maulting, and their market chiefly noted for Corn.

[c] Going from hence to the south-east we find the Barrows* 1.99 mention'd by our Author, which I am not willing to imagine were either Roman burying-places, or bounds, but am apt to think they had some relation to the Danes. For the Hundred at a little distance, call'd Dacorum-Hundred, and the place within it Dane-end, seem to be an evidence of some remarkable thing or other the Danes either did or suffer'd in this place. And Norden tells us (but upon what grounds I know not,) that the incursions of the Danes were stop'd in this place, where they receiv'd a signal overthrow: which if true, and built upon good au∣thority, makes the conjecture so much the more plausible.

[d] Near the river Lea lies Hatfield,* 1.100 now neither a Royal nor Bishop's seat; but‖ 1.101 belongs to the Right Honorable the Earl of Salisbury, being a place of great pleasure upon the account of it's Parks and other conveniences. For situation, contrivance, building, prospect, and other necessaries to make a compleat seat, it gives way to few in England.

From this place most of our Historians affirm that William de Hatfeld, son to King Edw. 3. took his name; tho' 'twas really from Hatfield in Yorkshire; where, to the neighbouring Abbot of Roch Qu. Phi∣lippa gave 5 marks, and 5 nobles per An. to the Monks, to pray for the soul of this her son; and the sums be∣ing transferr'd to the Church of York, are now paid by the Earl of Devonshire. See the Additions to Yorkshire.

[e] Next, the river runs to Hertford,* 1.102 call'd in Saxon Heortford, a name, no doubt, took from a Hart, with which one may easily imagine such a woody County to have formerly abounded. What our Author says of the Rubrum vadum, would indeed agree well enough to the south and west parts of the County, where the soil is a red earth mix'd with gra∣vel: but the Hartingford adjoyning makes for the former opinion; and the Arms of the Town, which (if rightly represented by‖ 1.103 Spede) are a Hart couchant in the water, put it beyond dispute. There is a very fair School, founded by Richard Hale Esq; a native of this County, who endow'd it with 40 l. per An.

[f] From hence the river runs to Ware,* 1.104 the deno∣mination whereof from the Weares (and not, as some imagine, from Wares or merchandise) as it is con∣firm'd by the abundance of waters thereabouts which might put them under a necessity of such contrivan∣ces; so particularly, from the inundation in the year 1408. when it was almost all drown'd; since which time (says Norden) and before, there was great provi∣sion made by wayres and sluces for the better preservation of the town, and the grounds belonging to the same. The plenty of waters hereabouts, gave occasion to that useful project of cutting the chanel from thence to London, and conveying the New-river to the great advantage and convenience of that City.

[g] North from hence is Burnt-Pelham,* 1.105 from some great fire or other that has happen'd there.* 1.106 There were some fragments and foundations of old build∣ings, which appear'd plainly to have been consum'd by fire, and so to have given name to the place. In

the walls of the Church was a very ancient monu∣ment, namely, a man figur'd in a stone, and about him an eagle, a lion, and a bull, all winged, and a fourth of the shape of an angel; possibly, contriv'd to represent the four Evangelists. Under the feet of the man a cross-flowry, and under the Cross a ser∣pent: but whether the monument be still there, I cannot certainly tell.

[h] Next is Stortford,* 1.107 since our Author's age grown into a considerable place; well stock'd with inns, and a good market-town. The castle there seems to have been of great strength, having within it a dark and deep Dungeon, call'd the Convict's prison: but whether that name denotes some great privileges formerly belonging to it, I dare not (with a late Author) affirm.

[i] But to return to the Lea; Tybaulds* 1.108 in our Au∣thor's time seems to have been one of the most beau∣tiful seats in the County. As it was built by Sir Wil∣liam Cecil, so was it very much improv'd by his son Sir Robert, who exchang'd it with King James 1. for Hatfield house.* 1.109 In the year 1651. it was quite de∣fac'd, and the plunder of it shar'd amongst the soldiers.

* 1.110[k] But to go from hence toward the west; the ancient Verolamium first offers it self, the Antiquities whereof are so accurately describ'd by our Author, that little can be added.* 1.111 Some ruins of the walls are still to be seen; and some of the Roman bricks still appear. The great Church here was built out of the ruins of old Verulam; and tho' time and weather have made the out-side of it look like stone, yet if you break one of them, or go up to the tower, the redness of a brick presently appears.

About 1666. there was found a copper coin, which had on one side Romulus and Remus sucking the Wolf, on the other, Rome, but much defac'd.

[l] The brazen Font, mention'd by Camden to have been brought out of Scotland,* 1.112 is now taken away; in the late civil wars▪ as it seems, by those hands which let nothing stand that could be convert∣ed into money.

[m] In the middle of this town, K. Edw. 1. erect∣ed a very stately Cross, about the year 1290. in me∣mory of Qu. Eleanor, who d••ing in Lincolnshire, was carry'd to Westminster. The same he did in several other places thro' which they pass'd, some whereof are mention'd by our Author under their proper heads.

* 1.113The place hath given Title to several persons of quality; that of Viscount to the famous Francis Bacon, Lord Verulam and Lord Chancellour of England, created Viscount of this place Jan. 18. 1620. After∣wards Richard de Burgh, Earl of Clanrikard in the kingdom of Ireland, was created Earl of St. Albans by K. Charles 1. and was succeeded in that honour by Ulick his son, with whom that title dy'd for want of issue male. A little before the Restoration, this honour was conferr'd upon Henry Jermin Baron of S. Edmundsbury, for his faithful Services to King Charles 2. It is since erected into a Dukedom, and is enjoy'd by Charles Beauclair.

[n] North-west from hence is Markat, or more truly Meregate,* 1.114 i.e. (says Norden) an issue or out-gate of water, which seems to refer to the river Womer men∣tion'd by our Author.* 1.115 This is said to have broke out in the time of Edw. 4. and to have run from the 19. of February till the 14. of June following.

[o] The old Sulloniacae is plac'd by our Author at Brockley-hill in this County; whereas that hill is real∣ly in Middlesex, into which County the Roman Sta∣tion ought also to be translated. For tho'† 1.116 Mr. Bur∣ton seem inclin'd to think Ellestre the old Sulloniacae, yet it does not appear that any thing of Antiquity has been discover'd thereabouts, nor does the old Roman way run through it (as our Author affirms;) that place lying near a mile to the right hand of it. Thro' Edgware indeed, a mile south of Brockley, the way passes towards London; so that Mr. Talbot when he settl'd the Sulloniacae there, had at least some shew of probability on his side. But not any remains of An∣tiquity appearing, there's no reason why it should be remov'd from Brockley-hill; especially, since of late, Coins, Urns, Roman Bricks, &c. have been dug up there, in the place where Mr. Napier has built him a fair new seat; as well in laying the foundation of the house, as levelling the gardens. Rarities of this kind have been also turn'd up with the plough for about seven or eight acres round.

[p] Upon the south-border of this County is Bar∣net,‖ 1.117 where was discover'd a medicinal spring, sup∣pos'd by the taste to run through veins of Alom. It coagulates with milk, the curd whereof is an excel∣lent plaister for any green wound.

Continuation of the EARLS.

Edward, son to the Duke of Somerset of the same name, being dispossest of all by the attainder of his father; was restor'd, the first of Q. Elizabeth, by Letters Patent bearing date the 13th of January, to the titles of Lord Beauchamp, and Earl of Hert∣ford. Edward the son dy'd in the life-time of his father, and so did his eldest son of the same name. Whereupon he was succeeded by William his grand∣child, who by K. Ch. 1. for his eminent services, was advanc'd to the title of Marquess of Hertford, as af∣terwards, upon the restoration of K. Charles 2. to that of Duke of Somerset. Since which time the same persons have successively had both titles, which are at present enjoy'd by Charles of that name.

More rare Plants growing wild in Hertfordshire.

Alsine montana minima Acini facie rotundifolia. An Alsines minoris alia Thal. Harcyn? Small moun∣tainous round-leaved Chick-weed, resembling Stone-Basil. In the mountainous parts of this County on the borders of Buckinghamshire near Chalfont S. Peter. Found by Dr. Plukenet.

Gentianella Autumnalis Centaurii minoris foliis Park. Not far from the ruins of old Verulam. Park. p. 407.

Hieracii seu Pilosellae majoris species humilis, so∣liis longioribus, rariùs dentatis, pluribus fimul, flore singulari nostras, On a dry bank at the edge of a wood in a lane leading from Hornhill to Reickmeersworte. Dr. Plukenet.

Lysimachia lutea flore globoso Ger. Park. Yellow Loosestrife with a globular tuft of flowers: said to be found near Kings-Langley by Phyt. Brit.

Mentha piperata. Pepper-mint, or Mint having the taste of Pepper. Found in this County by Dr. Eales.

Militaris aizoides Ger. See the other Synonymes in Cambridgeshire. Fresh-water-Souldier, or Water-Aloe. In the new ditches of Hatfield P. D.

Ophris sive Bifolium palustre Park. Marsh Tway∣blade. On the wet grounds between Hatfield and S. Al∣bans. Park. p. 505.

Orchis myodes major Park. major flore grandius∣culo J. B. muscam referens major C. B. The greater Fly-orchis. Found by Dr. Eales near Welling in Hertford∣shire.

Helleborine latifolia flore albo clauso. Broad-leav'd Bastard-Hellebore with a white close flower. Found by Dr. Eales near Diggeswell in this County.

Sphondylium montanum minus angustifolium te∣nuiter laciniatum. Jagged Cow-Parsnep. Observed by Mr. Doody near Tring in this County.

Campanula Alpina minor rotundifolia C. B. About Reickmeersworth in Hertfordshire, in an old Gravel-pit there, observed by Dr. Plukenet.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Royston. Chronicle of Dunsta∣ble.
• * 1.2

  Others say she was ••he wife of R••∣chard de Clare.
• 1 1.3

  Which was thought in that age a pious work, to put passengers in mind of Christ's passion.
• 2 1.4

  Of T••omas of Cant••rbury.
• * 1.5

  Tharfield.
• * 1.6

  B••rners.
• 3 1.7

  Sir John.
• * 1.8

  Nucelles.
• * 1.9

  Family of R••ffes or R••chesters.
• 4 1.10

  Sir Robert.
• * 1.11

  Barons de ••••les.
• 5 1.12

  Sir Anthony.
• * 1.13

  De Ripa∣••iis.
• 6 1.14

  The Manour of Barkway hereby appertain'd also to those Lords Scales, a well known through-fare. Beyond which, is Barley, that imparted sirname to the ancient and well ally'd family of the Barleys; and on this side Anestie, which was not long since the inheritance of the house of York: and in elder times, the Castle there was a nest of rebels; wherefore Nicholas of Anestie Lord thereof, was expresly commanded by Henry 3. to demolish so much of it as they rais'd since the Barons wars against his father King John. But now time hath wholly rased it all.
• * 1.15

  ••••hwell.
• a 1.16

  He has upon second thoughts plac'd it at Dunstaple in Bedfordshire.
• * 1.17

  B••••doc.
• * 1.18

  Wimondl••y
• * 1.19

  Grand Ser∣jeanty.
• * 1.20

  Fitz-Tecs.
• * 1.21

  Argentons.
• 7 1.22

  Sir Giles.
• 8 1.23

  Descended from Litton in Darbyshire.
• † 1.24

  In the County of Northamp∣ton.
• * 1.25

  Lea.
• ‖ 1.26

  De loco frumenta∣rio.
• * 1.27

  Whetham∣sted.
• * 1.28

  Woodhall.
• * 1.29

  Bishops Hatfield.
• * 1.30

  Hertford.
• 9 1.31

  And at that time Ralph Limsey a noble man built here a Cell for St. Alban's Monks.
• * 1.32

  Ware.
• 11 1.33

  And at that time Ralph Limsey, a Nobleman, built here a Cell for S. Albans Monks.
• * 1.34

  Inspexi∣mus H. 6.
• * 1.35

  Fortunium.
• * 1.36

  Tourna∣ments.
• * 1.37

  Neubrigen∣sis l. 5. c. 4.
• * 1.38

  Matth. Par. An. 1248.
• b 1.39

  These two rivers are call'd by the Saxon Chronicle Memera and Benefica.
• 12 1.40

  And also Woedhall, an habitation of the B••tlers, who being branch'd from Sir Ralph Butler Baron of Wem in Shropshire, and his wife heir to William Pantulfe Lord of Wem, were Lords of Pulre-bach, and enrich'd much by an heir of Sir Richard Gobion, and another of Peletot Lord of this place in the time of K. Edw. 3.
• 13 1.41

  Whereupon also neigh∣boureth Standon, with a seemly house built by Sir Ralph Sadleir, Chancellour of the Dutchy of Lancaster, Privy-Couns••llor to three Princes, and the last Knight Banneret of England; a man so advanc'd for his great Services and stay'd wisdom.
• 14 1.42

  That Geffrey Earl of Britain gave it to Gerard, &c.
• * 1.43

  Furnivall.
• * 1.44

  Bish••ps Stortford.
• * 1.45

  Castle of Waymore
• c 1.46

  William de S. Maria, made Bishop An. 1199. the same year that King came to the Crown.
• 15 1.47

  From thence it maketh his way by Sabridgworth, a parcel of the honour of Earl William Mandevile, and sometime the poss••ssion of Geffry Say, near Shingle-hall, honested by the owners the Leventhorpes of ancient G••ntry. So on, not far from Honsdon, &c.
• * 1.48

  Baron of Hunsdon.
• 16 1.49

  Under Hodsdon, a fair through-fair, to which H. Bourchier Earl of Essex, having a fair house at Baise thereby (w••ile it stood) procur'd a market.
• * 1.50

  Theobalds.
• * 1.51

  Verolamiu••
• * 1.52

  St. Albans.
• * 1.53

  Cass••belinus his town.
• * 1.54

  M••ni••ip••a.
• ‖ 1.55

  Verulam and Mal∣d••n.
• * 1.56

  Ta••c, what magnifies.
• * 1.57

  British mo∣••••••. O••h••rs An∣••••••••••.
• * 1.58

  ••••••en the Martyr.
• * 1.59

  I•• the Life of St. Ger∣man.
• * 1.60

  S. German's Chapel.
• * 1.61

  St. Albans.
• † 1.62

  Perhaps Win••slow.
• ‖ 1.63

  That is, of every house a penny.
• * 1.64

  Anchors digg'd up.
• * 1.65

  About the year 960.
• * 1.66

  St. A••••••••••
• * 1.67

  A F••••••a∣••en 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the Sc•••••• spo••ls.
• * 1.68

  ••f the ••••dow.
• 17 1.69

  Sir Nicholas.
• * 1.70

  ••••••borne.
• 18 1.71

  From Mergrate, sometime a Religious House, now a Sea•• of the Ferrers, out of the House of Groby.
• * 1.72

  ••t is also ••d We∣••r.
• * 1.73

  ••o-co∣••a.
• * 1.74

  ••ra, what 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.75

  ••msted.
• * 1.76

  ••••••••ted.
• * 1.77

  ••••••kham∣••••••••.
• 19 1.78

  His halfbrother.
• 20 1.79

  And the Beauforts Dukes of Somerset.
• * 1.80

  Kings-Langley.
• * 1.81

  Abbots-Langley.
• * 1.82

  Pope Ha∣drian 4.
• * 1.83

  Watford.
• * 1.84

  Rickmans∣worth.
• * 1.85

  Caishobory.
• * 1.86

  Watford.
• 21 1.87

  Sir Charles.
• * 1.88

  Sulloniacae.
• † 1.89

  Ciltria.
• d 1.90

  This Gledsmore is in the County of Middlesex, tho' Barnet it self be▪ in this, and the battel from it commonly call'd Barnet-field.
• 22 1.91

  Barnet hath for his neighbours Mimmes, a seat of the worshipful family of the Coningsbies, descended to them by Frowick from the Knolles, an∣cient possessors thereof; and North-hall, where Ambrose Dudley, last Earl of Warwick, rais'd a stately house from the Foundations.
• * 1.92

  Earls of Hertford.
• * 1.93

  See the E•• 〈…〉〈…〉 G•• 〈…〉〈…〉 and i•• S••¦folk.
• 23 1.94

  Sir Edward.
• 24 1.95

  By King Edward 6.
• * 1.96

  Nord. p. 5.
• † 1.97

  Full. Wor. p. 17.
• * 1.98

  Hitching.
• * 1.99

  ••arrows.
• * 1.100

  Hat••••••••d.
• ‖ 1.101

  B•• p. 1••.
• * 1.102

  He••••••••rd
• ‖ 1.103

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 M••ps.
• * 1.104

  Ware.
• * 1.105

  Burnt-P••••¦ham.
• * 1.106

  N••rd p••
• * 1.107

  ••••ortf••rd.
• * 1.108

  ••ybaulds.
• * 1.109

  Fail. Wor. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 1••.
• * 1.110

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 Albans.
• * 1.111

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 A••br. MS.
• * 1.112

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 Full. Wor. ••. 32.
• * 1.113

  Viscounts, ••arls, and Marquesses.
• * 1.114

  ••••••gate.
• * 1.115

  Nord. p. 20
• † 1.116

  ••n. p. ••53.
• ‖ 1.117

  Full. Wor. p. 18.