was once nauigable till Grey the Kings Fauourite stopt vp the passage and by Charter from K. Iohn is the gouernment hereof coÌ„mitted to 2 yeerely elected Bailiffes a Recorder with some other Assistants The Pole being eleuated 52. 23. and the Longitude 24. 21. The many rich and stately Monasteries and Religious Houses in this County were by K. Hen. 8. laid leuell with their foundations and in their owne ruines entombed This Prouince on the West side is more hillie and healthfull than the other toward the Fenns and Marshes and yeeldeth store of corne and other vsefull commodities and the lower watery grounds are equall to any part of England for goodnesse of feeding and the best pasturage besides plenty of Turfe and Fuell from the Moores and Marish grounds So as well as any other Shire is this County accommodated with Corne Flesh Fowle and Fish and wants almost nothing that is necessary HVNTINGTON SHIRE Cambridge-shire THe English Saxons called this County Grentbrig-scyre which wee call Cambridge-shire and is bordered vpon on the East with Suffolke and Norfolke on the West with Huntingdon and Bedford shires on the North with Norfolke and Lincolne-shire and on the South with Essex and Hartford-shire The length of it from the furthest of the Fenns in the North to Royston South containes 35 miles and the bredth at the broadest from East to West is scarce 20. and the whole compasse being measured with her many turnings amounts to 128 miles It is but a small Shire and yet is diuided into 17 Hundreds which haue in them 165 Parish-Churches and eight Market Townes whereof the most famous and euer flourishing Vniuersitie of Cambridge is the principall which is situate on the East side of the Riuer Caine from whence as some hold she hath her name although other Histories of antiquitie deriue it from Cantaber who 375 yeeres before the Incarnation had there setled the Muses seat And albeit in many Ages this Citie like many others hath tasted many wofull fortunes yet now is it beautified and fairely adorned with sixteene most magnificent Colleges and Halls full stored with painfull Students and as euer it hath so still it doth with abundant increase of most learned and famous Doctoâ—s Teachers and Professors of all Arts and Sciences enrich not only this our Land but all others whereto they are dispersed The Eleuation of the Pole is here 52. 17. degrees and Longitude 24. 46. Another Citie in this Shire was sometime also of great note called by the Saxons Elg but now by vs Ely which grew first famous for one Audrey a Princesse and wife to Egbert King of Northumberland who there built a Nunnery and leauing her husband was the first Abbesse of it her selfe Yet this also escaped not the fury of misfortune for afterwards by the Danes was it vtterly ruinated till Ethelwold the Bishop of Winchester repaired it and built there a Monasterie for Monkes And though it be now also dissolued yet is there remaining the stately Cathedrall of that Diocesse This County hath had many faire foundations of rich Religious Houses as at Beach Barnwell Charteres Denny Elsey Shengey Swasey and Thorney but these as well as the rest were supprest and deprest with the weight of King Henry the Eighths hand Amongst the remarkable things in this County Gogmagog Hills is one which is neere vnto Cambridge and was a Fort with a Treble Trench raised there by the Danes whose Station it then was And another was a long and large Trench passing quite thorow Newmarket Heath which is commonly called The Deuils Ditch but at first was made there to defend the East-Angles against the Mercians as our ancient Histories doe record The Fenns on the North of this County doe make the Aire neither so pleasant nor wholesome as it is in other Shires but more Southerly it is much more delectable And as in it so is there a difference in the Soile which on the South is Feilden and being watered with the Riuer Came is fraught with faire Medowes and Pastures and yeeldeth plenty of Corne some Saffron and Woods The Fenny part being exceedingly replenished with abundant store both of Fish and Fowle CAMBRIDGE SHIRE AND ISLE OF ELY Suffolke THis County was tearmed by the Saxons Suthfole and is bounded on the East with the German Seas on the West with the County of Cambridge the South side by Stowre is seuered from Essex and the North from Norfolke by the Riuers of Waueney and the lesser Ouse The length being from Easton point East to the Riuer of great Ouse West 45 miles and at the broadest part betweene North and South hath but about 20. which causeth the whole compasse to containe much vpon 146 miles The diuision of this Shire is in three parts viz. Celdable S. Edmunds and S. Audries which are subdiuided into 22 Hundreds and containe in them 575 Parish-Churches Besides small Streames it is watered but with two Riuers which haue ouer them 32 Bridges The Inhabitants doe trade for commodities in this County in 28 Market Townes the chiefest whereof is Ipswich a faire and stately Towne for buildings being seated most pleasantly in a fruitfull Soile and well traded with all kinde of merchantable commodities It seemes to haue beene walled about in times past and to haue had Gates for entrance where is now but small appearance thereof being cast downe by the Danes who rased the whole Towne to the ground but afterwards it reuiued and was beautifully rebuilt with many large streets and diuers faire Churches whereof 12 doe yet remaine besides those that are dissolued It is a Corporation orderly gouerned by two yeerely elected Bailiffes 10 Portmen 24 of the Common Counsell and a Recorder And the height of the Pole is there 52. 4 and Longitude 25. 52. And their ancient Towne of note in this County is that which euer since the buriall of King Edmund who was shot to death at Hoxon is therefore called S. Edmunds Bury where for that Kings perpetuall memory was built one of the most magnificent Abbies that euer was founded yet now like the rest it lies ouerwhelmed with the huge heapes of her owne ruines Betweene Alborough and Orford Anno 1555 in the time of a violent famine miraculously sprung vp great plenty of Pease on the Rocks without either sowing or tillage to the wonderfull releefe of the distressed Inhabitants of this County Diuers most magnificent and faire Religious Houses haue beene in diuers places situate in this Shire which are depressed And many other places and accidents remarkable doth this County afford which to keepe my selfe within my limited bounds I am forced to omit The Aire is here fresh pleasant and healthfull the Soile rich fat and fruitfull producing Pasture Corne Cattell Woods Wools Cloth and Fish and Fowles in abundance SUFFOLKE Norfolke BEcause this County was the furthest North part of the Kingdome of the East-Angles it was tearmed Northfolke which wee call Norfolke and is bounded on the East and North
Dorset and Wilt shires with the I le of Wight opposing his West The length of this County from Bascomb South to Blaâ—kwater North containeth 54. Miles the bredth from Petersfield East to Tedworth West about 29. or 30. Miles making about 155. the whole circumference It is diuided into 37. Hundreds wherein are contained 253. parish Churches It is watered with 4. Riuers ouer which for passage are 31. Bridges and it is commodiously furnished with faire Hauens for ships as at Southampton Portsmouth Tichfield and Hamble c. It is fortified with diuers strong Castles as at Southampton Calshot Hurst Saint Andrewes Porchester Worth and the South Castle with diuers other places of strength which are situate on the Sea coast for defence of the County Besides at Winchester Malwood and Odiam which are seated within Land Marker Townes for commerce are in this Shire 18. wherof the Citie of Winchester is the chiefe which by the Britans was called Caer Gwent by the Romans Venta Belgarum and the Saxons Windanearder it was built by Rudbudibras before our Sauiours natiuitie 900. yeares and after it had beene twice consumed by fire in the time of the Saxons was reedified the walls raised and made the chiefe seat of the West-Saxon Kings and the Metropolitane Sea of their Bishops wherein were crowned Egbert and Elfred and Henry 3. was borne In the time of King Edward 3. this Citie was made the staple for Cloth and Wooll and in the Cathedrall Church of this Citie haue diuers English Kings beene interred The situation of this City is in a bottome vnder hills very pleasant and fruitfull hauing the Castle on the one side and the Riuer on the other the walls which ingirt it containing neare two English Miles hauing 6. Gates for entrance and 7. Churches within it besides the Cathedrall but heretofore it hath beene adorned with many others which now remaine nothing but Ruines The graduation of this Citie for Latitude is 51. 5. and for Longitude 23. 10. The next to this in this Shire is the Towne of Southampton from which the whole Shire hath the name it is both beautifull and rich walled with a strong stone wall wherein are 7. gates and 29. Towers and two faire Hauens for ships 5. Churches and an Hospitall and on the West side of this Towne standeth a fairâ— strong double walled Castle vpon the Top of a very faire high hill making a most delightfull prospect both by Sea and Land The aire in this Shire is very temperate though sometimes somewhat foggy which proceeds from the Seas adioyning to it and the Riuers passing thorow it which notwithstanding doe store the Countrey with plentie of fish And for the soile it is both rich and pleasant producing plenty of Corne Cattell Woods and Pasture bountifully storing the Inhabitants with Woolls Cloths Iron and almost all kinde of profitable commodities both by Sea and Land HANT SHIRE Barke-shire THe English Saxons called this Shire Berrocscyre which on the North is diuided from Buckingham and Oxford-shires by the Riuer of Thames on the South it butteth on Hamp-shire the East is bounded with Surrey and the West with Wilt-shire and Glocester-shire The length from Inglesham West to old Windsor in the East being about 40. Miles and the bredth from Inkpen South to Wightham North 24. Miles maketh the compasse much vpon 120. Miles This County is parted in 20. Hundreds which containe in them 140. Parish Churches It is interlaced with 3. Riuers which for conuenient passage haue 7. Bridges 13. Market Townes are also dispersed in it for the commoditie commerce of the Inhabitants whereof Reading is the chiefe where the Danes An. 866. setled and fortified themselues But it was built by King Henry 1. who adorned it both with a faire Monasterie and strong Castle which the first Henry raised and the 2. Henry razed and turned to Ruines The Latitude here is 51. 31. degrees and Longitude 23. 34 In this Shire is seated that famous and stately Castle of Windsor which sometimes did belong to the Abbot of Westm till William the Conquerour by composition obtained it and made it his Regall Palace In it was borne King Edward 3 who afterwards held there as his prisoners Iohn King of France and Dauid King of Scots In this Castle is also celebrated the famous and memorable institution of that most honourable order of the Garter and in the Chappell thereof lie interred the bodies of K. Henry 6. Edward 4. and Henry 8. Wallingford Watham in the East and Sinodum in the North in this Shire were all places of residence for the Romans as appeareth by their moneys which very often are found in those places And Mr Stow writeth that at Finchamsted in the yeare of grace 1100. did a wonderfull spring boyle vp for the space of 15. dayes sending forth streames of bloud This County is adorned with many faire and stately buildings 6. faire Castles 3. of his Maiesties houses and in times past had diuers Religious houses and Monasteries at Aâ—â—â—gton Reading Bysham Bromhall Hernly Hamme and Wallingford The aire is pleasant temperate and wholsome the soyle bringing plenty of Corne and pasturage yeelding an abundance of increase especially in the Vale of Whâ—â—ehorse But generally the whole County both for profit and pleasure producing Corne and Cattell with woods waters and very delightfull prospects is inferiour for the quantitie to no other Shire in England BARKE SHIRE Surrey SVrrey was called by the Saxons Suthrea and by Beda Suthri It is bounded on the North with the Counties of Buckingham and Middlesex and diuided from them by the River of Thames Sussex and Hampshire inclose it on the South Kent on the East and Hampshire and Barkshire on the West This Shire is as it were square in forme yet the length extending from Frensham to Redrith containeth 34. miles and the bredth from Aufold Southward to the Thames by Stanes Northward is 22. miles which makes the Shires circuit about 112. miles It is diuided into 13. Hundreds which containe in them 140. Parish Churches and 8. Market Townes for traffique and commerce In this County is no Citie nor great Towne and yet may it compare with any for faire buildings and stately houses whereof 5. are his Maiesties magnificent Palaces Ptolemy affirmeth that in this County an ancient people called the Regni had their residence and after that Ella with the South-Saxons made it their Kingdome At Lambeth which was founded by Archbishop Baldwin and is now a Palace for the Archbishops of Canterburie and famous for being the seat of the Metropolitans of England Canutus died who was the last King of the Danes And at Kingston in this County were crowned King Athelstan Edwin and Ethelred And at the ancient Towne of Guildford whose Pole for Latitude is eleuated 51. 15. and Longitude 24.59 was seated the royall Palace of the English-Saxon Kings This Shire hath beene adorned with the foundations of many faire and rich Religious Houses as at
Shene Chertsey Newarke Rigate Merton Wauerley and diuers others And also 8. strong Castles at Brenchingley Goseford Guilford Farnham Rigate Darking Starburg and Addington but of most of them is nought now to be seene but heaps of old ruines This County is seated in a very delectable pleasant and wholesome aire and though it be not large and altogether so commodious as others for profit yet is it pleasurable and healthie yeelding sufficient store of corne fruit and pasture SURREY Middlesex THis County was so called for being seated betweene the East and West Saxons and is bounded on the East by the Riuer Lea where it butteth vpon Essex and on the West by Colne is diuided from Buâ—kingham The Thames parts Surrey from it on the South and Hartford-shire incloseth it on the North. The length from Stratford in the East to Moâ—ehall in the West containes of our English Miles 19. and the bredth from Hampton Court South to South-Mines in the North about 16. measuring the whole circumference about 90. Miles It is distinguished into these 7. Hundreds viz. Edmonton Osulslon Finnesbury Gâ—re Isâ—eworth Spelthorne and Elthorne in all which are contained 73. Parish Churches besides those in London This County though smaller in quantitie than many other is the chiefest of all the Land both for beauty and ability wherein are 2. Cities and is watered with the most famous Riuer of Thames being plentifully stored with Ships of great burthen which continually send out and bring in all manner of wealthy commodities for the abundant enriching of all these his Maiesties Dominions which Riuer carries her course all along the South side of the farre renowned and euer famous Citie of London which for antiquity hath almost worne out her Records yet we reade she was first called Troy-Nouant from Bruâ—e and Ludstone from King Lud by the Britans Londaine by the Saxons London Cearder and now by vs London It is the rich Seat and Royall Chamber of the English Kings whereto from all parts of the world are brought all sorts of commodious Merchandize Shee was first compassed with walls by the first Christian Emperour Constantine the Great wherein besides other passages are now built 7. most Magnificent Gates for entrance and in it with the Suburbs are contained 121. Churches besides the Cathedrall of Saint Paul which as by tradition is receiued was first the Temple of Diana This Cities graduation is 51. 32½ of Latitude and in Longitude 24. 27. It is diuided into 26. wards which by a Lord Maior two Sherifes and 26. Aldermen is most religiously in all good order gouerned In the time of King Iohn was the stone Bridge built ouer the Thames which for strength length bredth and beauty exceeds all others in the world Close adioyning to this London is the Citie of Westminster famous as well for the seats of Iustice as for the rich and stately Sepulchers of many Kings Queenes and other the Nobilitie of England But if I should insist any longer in the particular descriptions of these Cities I should exceed my limits and therefore generally for the County thus It is adorned with very many rich and magnificent edifices whereof 5. are his Maiesties princely Palaces The forme of this Shire is square-like The Aire delightfull pleasant and healthfull and the Soile rich and fruitfull yeelding great plenty of full Corne of all kindes anâ— fat Pasture in abundance MIDDLESSEX Kent THis County of Kent which by Ptolemy and diuers other Writers was called Cantium is bounded on the East with the Germane Sea on the West with Sussex and Surrey on the North with the Riuer of Thames and on the South with the narrow Seas and Sussex It runneth in length from Langley West to Ramsgate East about 53. Miles from Rother South vnto the Northern Isle of Graine about 26. Miles whereby the whole circuit containeth much vpon 160. Miles It is diuided into 5. Lathes and they into 66. Hundreds wherein are counted 398. Parish Churches The Inland of it is watered with 11. faire Riuers ouer which is passage by 14. Bridges and diuers of them are nauigable whereof Medwey which diuideth the Shire in two parts is principall It is fortified with 27. Castles and hath in it 2. Cities 2. Bishops Seas and for commerce and traffique 24. Market Townes bâ—ing besides garnished and fairely adorned with diuers stately and sumptuous buildings whereof 8. of them are his Maiesties Houses The chiefest Citie is Canterbury which is the Metrapolitan and Archbishops Sea It was built 900. yeares before the birth of our Sauiour as we read in the ancient Brittish Histories but afterwaâ—d it became most famous by Austen the Monke his conuerting the Saxons to Christianity and for the Cathedrall Church wherein is the Tombe of Thomas of Becket which in the time of Idolatrie became infinitely rich by superstitious offerings In it was King Iohn with Queene Isabel his wife crowned King Henry the 3. maried and Henry the 4. buried Henry the 3. granted it afterwards priuiledges and Charters Richard the 2. fortified and entrenched it and Archbishop Sudbury walled it The graduation for Latitude being there 50. 18. and the Longitude 25. 41. This Shire is well stored with faire Hauens for ships some of them being strongly fortified as Winchelsey Rumney Sandwich and Douer which with the Castle there is accounted the Locke and Key of the Realme The Inhabitants of this County doe account themselues the freest of any other in England because they were neuer conquered but by Conquering Williâ—m were compounded withall The Christian faith was first planted in this County and as ancient Records doe testifie the fiâ—st Church dedicated to the seruice of Christ was founded in Douer Castle by Lucius the first Christian King of the Brittaines In this Shire haue beene seated 23. Religious Houses which now by time are conuerted to Ruines The Aire of this County is temperate and healthfull though sometimes mist-clouded with vapours from the Sea The East side of the Shire is Hilly but the West more plaine euen wooddy yeelding generally great store of all profitable commodities but is most remarkable for Broad cloths fruits and feedings for Cattell KENT Sussex THis Shire which of vs is called Sussex was written by the Saxons Suthrex sâ—gnifying as if it were their South Kingdome in the time of their Heptarchie It is confined on the North with Surrey and Kent on the West with Hampshire the Brittish Seas ingirting both the East and South It is formed long and narrow stretching in length from West-harting in the West to the Ditch that diuides it from Kent called Kent Ditch 64. Miles but where it is broadest it containes not aboue 20. making the compasse of it about 158. Miles This Shire diuideth it selfe into 6 Rapes viz. Chichester Arundell Bramber Lewes Peuenscy and Hastings and euery of these haue seuerall Hundreds an cunting in all to the number of 65. which containe in them 312. Parish Churches Industrious Mr. Speed also
released Anno 1202 43 H. 3. Normandy was lost by King Iohn and the title thereto released Anno 1258 11 E. 1. Wales was subdued Anno 1283 19 E. 3. The order of the Garter deuised Anno 1344 14 E. 3. England first quartered the Armes of France Anno 1339 21 E. 3. Calice was wonne in Anno 1346 5 Mariae Calice was lost Anno 1557 5 H. 5. Normandy was wonne in Anno 1416 8 H. 5. King Henry the fifth was proclaimed heire Apparant and Regent of France in Anno 1419 10 H. 6. Henry the sixth was crowned King of France in the Citie of Paris Anno 1431 27 H. 6. France was lost in Anno 1449 28 H. 6. Normandy was lost in Anno 1449 31 H. 6. Acuitaine c. were lost in Anno 1453 4 R. 2. Wat Tylors Rebellion Anno 1380 29 H. 6. Iack Cades Rebellion Anno 1450 4 H. 8. Nauarre surprised by the Spaniards Anno 1512 At the time of the first dissoluing of Religious Houses in ENGLAND there were ARchbishopricks and Bishopricks 21 Deanries 11 Archdeaconries 60 Dignities and Prebends in Cathedrall Churches 364 Benefices 8803 Religious Houses 65 Hospitalls 110 Colledges 96 Chauntries and free Chappell 's 2374 Their Rates were per annum 320180 In the Prouince of Canterbury  Dioceses Parish-Churches Churches appropriated In the Diocese Of Canterbury 257 140 Of London 623 189 Of Winchester 362 131 Of Couentrey and Lichfield 557 250 Of Salisburie 248 109 Of Baâ—h and Wellâ— 388 160 Of Lincolne 1255 577 Of Peterborough 293 91 Of Exeter 604 239 Of Glocester 267 125 Of Hereford 313 166 Of Norwich 1121 385 Of Elie 141 75 Of Rochester 98 36 Of Chichester 250 112 Of Oxford 195 88 Of Worcester 241 76 Of Eristol 236 64 Of S. Dauids 308 120 Of Bangor 107 36 Of Llandeffe 177 98 Of S. Asaph 121 19 Peculiar in the Prouince of Canterbury 57 14 The summe of the Prouince of Canterbury 8219 3303 In the Prouince of Yorke In the Diocese Of Yorke 581 336 Of Durham 135 87 Of Chester 256 101 Of Carlisle 93 18 The summe of the Prouince of Yorke 1065 592 The totall summe in both Prouinces 9284 3845 Shires in ENGLAND COrnwall Deuonshire Dorcetshire Somersetshire Wiltshire Hampshire Barkshire Surrey Sussex Kent Middlesex Essex Hartfordshire Buckinghamshire Oxfordshire Glocestershire Worcestershire Warwickshire Northamptonshire Bedfordshire Huntingtonshire Cambridgeshire Suffolke Northfolke Lincolneshire Rutlandshire Leicestershire Staffordshire Darbishire Nottinghamshire Yorkeshire Durham Bishoprick Northumberland Cumberland Westmerland Lancaster Cheshire Shropshire Herefordshire Shires in Wales RAdnorshire Brecknocksh Monmouthsh Glamorganshire Carmardenshire Pembrookeshire Cardiganshire Montgomerishire Merionethshire Carnaruanshire Anglesey Denbighshire Flintshire THE MAPS AND DESCRIPTIONS OF THE SEVERALL SHIRES OF ENGLAND AND WALES Deuon-shire DEuon-shire which the Cornish-Britaines named Deuinan and the Welsh-Britaines Duffneint signifying low Valleys abbutteth on the West vpon Cornwall being diuided from it by the Riuer Tamar On the South and North sides it is walled with the Sea and on the East with Sommerset-shire The Dimension being from Canshere North to Salcombe South 55. Miles and from Thornecombe East to Hartland-point West 54. Miles the compasse being about 200. Miles It is diuided into 33. Hundreds wherein are contained 394. Parish Churches and it is interspersed with 29. Riuers being fitted with 166. Bridges It hath the foundations of 9. notable Religious Houses and Monasteries which now remaine but ruines It is well traded with 37. Market Townes for commerce the principall whereof is the famous Citie of Exeter which is seated vpon the Riuer Ex and thereof hath the name but by Ptolomy it was called Isea and by the Welsh Pencaer It is very pleasant situated on the rising of a Hill adorned with stately buildings and is plentifully furnished with all kinde of prouision as well for pleasure as necessary vse It was compassed about by King Athalstane with a circular wall except on the side towards the Riuer Ex where it is built in a strait line and is beautified with faire Battlements diuers Towers and 6. Gates for passage On the East side of this Citie stands the Castle which in former times was the resident seat of the West-Saxon Kings In it also are many faire Churches but the chiefe is Saint Peters the Cathedrall which was made a Bishops Sea by Edward the Confessor It is gouerned by a Maior 24. Brethren and a Recorder hauing Latitude 50. 45. degrees and Longitude degrees 20. 39. This Shire hath many hills and dales hauing store of woods And though the soile be somewhat fruitfull of it selfe yet it is very much amended by the industry of the Inhabitants with the sand that they feâ—ch from the Sea side The Aire is sharp and healthfull the commodities are generally Wooll Cloth Kearsies Lead Corne and Cattell with abundance of Fish and Fowle This Countrey hath many fitter Hauens for intercourse of ships than Cornwall whereof Totnes Plimouth and Dartmouth are accounted the most famous In Exmore in this Shire are sandy stones set in diuers formes some circular and some triangle wise which are said to be the ancient memorable markes of Victories obtained there by the Romans Saxons and Danes And at a place called Hubstow not farre from the mouth of Tawe in the yeare of Christ 879. was the Dane Hubba who in many places persecuted the English encountred slaine and buried DEVON SHIRE Dorset-shire DOrset-shirs the Inhabitants wherof by Ptolomy were called Durotriges by the Britâ—ines Dur-Gwgr and by the English Saxons Dor-Seddar It hath Sommerset and Wilt-shires on the North Deuâ—n-shire and another part of Sommerset-shire on the West Hamp-shire on the East and the Brittish Seas on the South It is extended in length 44. Miles in bredth 24. and makes his circumference about 150. Miles It is shared into fiue diuisions viz Sherborne Bridport Shastâ—r Dorchâ—â—tâ—r and Blanford and these are subdiuided into 34. Hundreds which containe in them 248. Parish Churches It is interlaced with the currents of many cleare and fresh-water Springs hauing 4. Riuers and 24. Bridges in former times hath beene guarded with 8. strong Castles which time hath now almost quite deuoured It hath entercourse and trastique with 8. Market Townes the principall whereof is Dorchester which in the Itinerarium of Antoninus was called Durnouaria signifying the Ferry it is seated on the South side of the Riuer Frome and Fosse-way the Romane Cawsy In times past this Towne was walled and much greater than it is but by the Danes who quite rased downe the walles it was brought low and of a lesse quantitie It is now gouerned by two Bayliffes one Alderman and a Recorder The height of the Pole being there 50. 38. degrees for Latitude and the Longitude 21. 51. degrees Not farre from this Towne on the South side is a small plot of ground raised some 30. paces higher than the rest of the Plaine and compassed about with 5. Trenches containing 10. Acres in quantitie and is called by the Country people The Maydâ—
furthest part South 39. miles and the bredth from Ashridge East to the Forest of Brenwood West 18. miles whereby the whole circuit is about 138 miles The bounds of this Shire are Northampton and Bedfordshires on the North part of Bedford and Hertford-shires on the East Barkeshire on the South and Oxfordshire on the West This Prouince is parted into 8 Hundreds which are furnished with 185 Parish-Churches It is watered with two Riuers which haue 14 Bridges for passage And for conuenient traffique of their commodities it is interspersed with 11 Market Townes whereof the chiefe is Buckingham the Shire-Towne which is situated vpon the Riuer Ouse which compasseth the Towne on all sides but the North. In times past it hath beene fortified by King Edward the elder with Sconces on both sides of the Riuer ouer which are built three faire stone Bridges and vpon a high hill in the middest of the Towne was sometime raised a strong Castle which is now vtterly rased to dustie ruines A Bailiffe with 12 Burgesses doe now very orderly gouerne this Towne where the eleuation of the Pole is 52. 2. and the Longitude 23. 30. At Stony Stretford an ancient Towne in this Shire standing vpon the Causey called Watling-street which passeth thorow England is a Crosse built by King Edward the first for a memoriall of Eleanor his Queene because there her dead corps rested as it was brought from Herdby in Lincolne-shire to be buried at Westminster and the like did he doe in euery place where it rested This Shire hath beene strengthned with 4 Castles viz. at Buckingham Newport Launden and Hampsleepe and was also beautified with many Religious Houses which time hath now ruined and conuerted to other vses The Aire in this County is temperate wholesome and pleasant and the Soile by reason of his fatnesse is both rich and fruitfull yeelding Corne Grasse and Marle in abundance The middle part of the Shire being high called the Chilterne Hills hath beene and still is well stored with woods and the Vallies lying plaine are very fruitfull for medowes tillage and pastures feeding infinite numbers of fleecie sheepe BVCKINGHAM SHIRE Oxford-shire THe Histories of our English-Saxons say that the Citie of Oxford deriueth the name from the Foord of Oxen from which Citie the whole County is called Oxfordshire which is enuironed on the North side with Warwicke and Northampton-shires on the East with Buckingham the West with Glocester and the South by Barkshire It containeth in length from Cleydon North-west to Cauersham South-east neere forty miles and in bredth from the aforesaid Cleydon North to Farringdon vpon the Riuer Isis in the South which is the broadest of the Shire almost 26. miles causing the circumference to come neere to 130 miles This County is diuided into 14 Hundreds and they haue 280 Parish Churches contained in them It is interlaced with 3. Riuers which are fitted with 26. Bridges Foure Forests and 9 Parks doe also beautifie this County and for commerce and traffique of commodities there are dispersed 10 Market Townes the chiefe whereof is the faire Citie and euer renowned Vniuersitie of Oxford which for the infinite numbers of most learned reuerend and famous Fathers Doctors Scholers it hath produced and enriched this Kingdome withal hath made it selfe not only glorious in this our Nation but purchased an euer-liuing fame and memorie thorow all the Kingdomes of Christendome This Citie hath beene walled and strongly fortified with a Castle which though time hath now vtterly ruined yet is it adorned with 17 most stately Colleges 8 Halls and many other most beautifull buildings The Pole is there eleuated 51. 47. and the Longitude 23. 15. About six miles from this Citie is seated Woodflocke where King Hen. 2. built a Labyrinth to keepe his faire Concubine Rosamond who was afterward poisoned by the Queene and buried in the Nunnery at Godstow neere thereto adioyning This County is adorned with many faire Mannors and beautifull buildings wherein as by their ruines doth appeare haue beene many stately and richly endowed Religious Houses as Oseney Godstow Tame Burchester Euisham Beuerne and diuers others The Aire in this County is both sweet pleasant and healthfull The Soile rich commodious and fruitfull yeelding to the Inhabitants great plenty of Wood Wooll Cattell Corne Pasture and in a word almost all vsefull commodities in abundance OXFORD SHIRE Glocester-shire GLocestershire in the Saxon tongue was called Gleaucesderschyre fetching the name from the chiefest Towne the Citie of Glocester It is ingirt with Worcester and Warwickeshires on the North Somersetshire on the South Oxford and Wiltshires on the East and Hâ—refordshire on the West The length of it reaching from Bristow vpon Auon South to Clifford vpon Auon North is much vpon 48 miles and the bredth extending from Lechlad East to Preston West 28. which causeth the whole compasse to containe about 138 miles The ancient Inhabitants of this County were the Dobuni and in some part the Silures This Prouince is diuided into 30 Hundreds which containe in them 280 Parish-Churches It hath three faire Riuers ouer which a man may passe by 22 Bridges the chiefe whereof is Seuerne which for store of Fish bredth of Channell and swiftnesse of Streame excelleth any other in the Land It is conueniently sprinkled with 25 Market-Townes for trade and traffique whereof two are famous Cities whereof the first and most ancient is Glocester which about the middle of the Shire is situate vpon the Riuer Seuerne It was built by the Romans and was the Garrison Towne for their Colonia Gleuum It hath beene strongly walled on all parts but that towards the Riuer as may appeare by the ruines yet remaining in many places There was the stately Nunnerie built by Osrick King of Northumberland wherein three of the Mercian Queenes succeeded one another being Prioresses The Cathedrall Church first built by Edelsâ—ed King Edward the elders sister was ruinated by the Danes but afterwards reedified and dedicated to S. Peter where King Edward the second who was murdered at Barkley Castle lies intombed The Graduation of the Pole in this Citie is 51. 54. and Longitude 22. 17. The other Citie which standeth but part in this Shire and part in Somersetshire is Bristow seated vpon the two Riuers Froome and Auon and as is formerly said the quantitie excepted for qualitie is parallel to the chiefest in England In the Iland Alney neere Glâ—cester Edmund Iron-side combatted hand to hand with Canutus the Dane And at Barkley Castle King Edward the second had a red hot spit thrust thorow his fundament into his belly The foundations of many Religious Houses haue beene both raised vp and rased downe in this County where the Aire is very pleasant and delectable the Soile being so fruitfull by nature that the very Hedge-rowes of their owne accord bring plenty of excellent fruits and in times past hath yeelded abundance of most pleasant Vines but now it produceth store of Corne Fruits Fâ—ne Wools and Iron
Parkes in this County and but two Market Townes for commerce of commodities which causeth the Inhabitants for their better aduantage to trauell to others in the Shires next adioyning but of the two Okâ—ham is the best and fairest which stands not farre from Burley that famous and stately house of the right honourable the Lord Harrington who in this Lordship of Okeham had such an extraordinary Royaltie that if any Noble man came at any time within the precinct of it he was to forfet an homage horse-shooe from the Steed whereon he rode or else to redeeme it at a price in money and for a true confirmation thereof a man may see many horse-shooes fastened on the doore of the Shire-Hall whereof some are large and of ancient fashion The Towne is large and the Church faire And here also hath beene a Castle of defence which seemes by the ruines to haue beene of great strength The Eleuatiâ—n of the Pole is here 52. 45. and the Longitude 23. 48. King Edward the Confessor gaue this County to Eâ—dgâ—th his Queene and after her death to the Monasterie at Westminster but William the Conqueror cancelled it and bestowed the lands vpon others The Coritani according to Ptolemy were the ancient Inhabitants of this County which for aire and health is as good pleasant and delightfull as any other place of the Land and for the quantitie hath as fertile a Soile which for tillage may compare with the best Woods are here good store and both hills and pleasant bottomes watered with many fresh Springs are not wanting which bring forth abundance of Corne and with stocks of sheepe and herds of Neat are plentifully stored RUTLAND SHIRE Leicester-shire THis Shire for the bounds hath Lincolne and Rutland-shires on the East and on the West the way called Watling-street diuides it from Warwicke-shire Nottingham-shire imbordereth on the North and Northampton-shire on the South It is neere as broad as long for the full length in her greatest Longitude from East to West is not altogether thirty miles and the bredth from North to South is twenty foure which makes the whole circumference much vpon 196 miles The diuision of it is into six Hundreds namely Sparkingho Framland Goodlaxton Gartrey East Goscote and West Goscote which doe containe in them 200 Parish-Churches This Shire is watered but with one Riuer of note besides small brookes namely Stowre yet hath ten Bridges and in it are also contained two Forests and fifteene Parkes A dosen of Market Townes are here and there dispersed in this County for the Inhabitants traffique and commerce whereof the chiefest is the Shire-Towne Leicester which as our old Histories record in ancient times was called Legecestria and by Ninus Caer-Leriâ—n being built 844 yeeres before the birth of our Sauiour by King Leir who there erected the Temple of Ianus and in it placed a Flamine and after as it is recorded was therein himselfe interred But long after this did Ethelred the King of the Mercians make it an Episcopall Sea wherein he made Sexwulph the first Bishop But in processe of time the Bishopricke being thence translated and the Towne brought to a low ebbe Edelfred repaired and fortified it with a strong wall whereof there is now no memoriall but by some of the old ruines for Henry the second both vtterly rased the Castle and fired the Towne It is situate on the Riuer Stowre neere the very midst of the Shire And the Eleuation of the Pole is there 52. 41. and the Longitude 23. 32. In the yeere 1485 the 22 day of August neere Market Bosworth was King Richard the Third slaine with 4000 men in a battell fought by King Henry the seuenth who thereby happily ended the long and wofull contention betweene the two Houses of Yorke and Lancaster and the Vsurpers body despightfully mangled laid naked on a horse backe and so carried to Leicester and was there buried in the Gray Friers The Aire in this County is milde pleasant and healthfull The Soile towards the South and East which is most Champion is not so wooddie as the North where Pit-cole for fuell is gotten in abundance yeeldeth great store of Corne So as the chiefe commodities here are Cattell Corne and Pit-cole And yet for other necessaries they are nothing wanting LEICESTER SHIRE Stafford-shire THis County which wee call Staffâ—rd-shire was so called also by the Englâ—sh Saxons and is inclosed on the East with the Riuers of Dowâ— and Trent which diuide it from Darby-shire and on the West with Shroâ—shire Châ—shire and Daâ—by-shires confine it on the North and Warwicke and Worcester-shires on the South The length is measured from North to South 44 miles and the bredth from East to West 27 making the whole circumference to containe 140 miles It is diuided into fiue Hundreds and they are subdiuided into 130 Parishes There is in it also one Citie one Chase one Forest and 38 Parkes Thirteene Riuers doe irriguate this County which haue ouer them nineteene Bridges And for commerce and traffique it is traded in thirteene Market Townes whereof Stafford the Shire-Towne is accounted one of the chiefest which was anciently called Bethâ—ney from the holy Hermite Bertlin that there liued It hath in times past on the East and South sides beene fortified both with a Wall and Trench and on the opposite sides had a stâ—ange defence of water which now by time is transformed into faire and pleasant meadowes Foure Gates according to the foure Cardinall points doe make way for passage into this Towne which is seated on the North side of the Riuer Sowe and is ciuilly and orderly gouerned by two yeerely elected Bailisses out of the Common Counsell consisting of 21 Assistants The Pole is here eleuated to 52. 53. and the Longitude 22. 29. In this Shire also is seated Lichfield which is both of greater antiquitie and farre more famous than Stafford and which by Beda was called Licedfeld signifying a field of dead carkasses which as some hold was so termed of a great number of Saints there slaine by Dioclesian In this Citie did Oswn King of Northumberland build a Church and made it a Bishops Sea which afterwards was by meanes of King Ossa and Adrian the Pope aduanced to the dignitie of an Archbishopricke and in this Church were the bodies of Wolphere and Celred two Mercian Kings interred This Citie at this day is gouerned by two Bailiffes and one Sheriffe which from 24 Burgesses are annually elected By Ptolemy the ancient Inhabitants of this County were the Corâ—aâ—ij but afterwards it became part of the Mercian Saxons possession whose Kings palace was then seated at the Towne of Tamworth Many famous and faire Religious Houses that a long time flourished haue beene raised vp in this County but in continuance of time as well as others in other Shires haue beene rased downe and buried in their owne â—uines And with thirteene strong Castles also was it once guarded whereof now but few remaine so much as for an
in the time of the Romans The Records of this County speake but of one Monasterie founded in it which was built by Thomas the sonne of Gospatrick neere to the Riuer Loder where is a Spring that diuers times a day both ebbes and flowes And there are also a row of stones set equidistant reaching a mile in fashion of Piramides wherof some of them are nine and some thirteene or fourteene foot high which are supposed to be the memorable monument of some notable act performed in that place In the Riuer Can neere Kendale are two such violent Water-falls where in the descent it makes such a noise that the Inhabitants adioyning can thereby fore-iudge of the weather for if that which is North from them sound cleare and loud they expect faire weather but if that on the South doe so they then looke for and finde the contrary The Aire is cold and sharpe but very healthfullâ— and the Soile also but barren and vnfruitfull Their chiefest commodities consist vpon Cloathing WESTMOR LAND Lancashire THis in the Saxon language was called Loncasderscyre which we call Lancâ—shirâ— and The County Palatine of Lancaster It is bounded on the East with Darby-shire on the West with the Irish Seas Cheshire confines it on the South and Westmorland Camberland and Yorke-shire border on the North. The full length of it is from Hallwood South to Brathey North 57 miles and the widenesse betweene Denton East and Formby neere Altmouth West 31 miles making the measure of the whole compasse to containe about 170 miles The diuision is into six Hundreds containing besides many Chapels of ease 36 Parishes so large and populous as the like are not in any other part of the Land In this County are interspersed 33 Riuers where ouer a man may passe by 24 Bridges and one Chase and 30 Parkes And for concourse of people for trade and traffique in this Shire are seated fifteene faire Market Townes whereof that of greatest account is the Shire-Towne Lancaster which is most pleasantly situate on the South side of the Riuer Lâ—n and is adorned with a faire Church a strong Castle and a stately Bridge Ciuilly and orderly doth a Maior yeerely chosen out of twelue of his Brethren with the assistance of two Bailâ—ffes 24 Burgesses two Chamberlaines and a Recorder gouerne this Towne where the Eleuation of the Pole is 54. 18. and the Longitude 21. 36. The ancient Inhabitants of this County were also the Brigantes of whom I haue spoken in other former Shires and whom the Emperour Claudius subiugated to the Romans But afterwards was this County made part of Northumberlands Kingdome till the Danes and after them the Normans conquered it In this Shire Manchester is notable for the Church Colledge and Market-place And Riblechester sometimes the seat of the Romans for that it was once held to be the richest Towne in all Christendome Here also neere Furnesse Fills is Wynander-mere being very deepe and ten miles in length accounted for the greatest standing water in all this Land and yet is all paued with stone in the bottome This County is also famous for the foure Henries viz. the Fourth Fifth Sixth and Seuenth which descending from Iohn of Gaunt Duke of Lancaster were all afterwards renowmed Kings of England Diuers Castles and foure Religious Houses are now suppressed that sometimes adorned this County The Aire is here healthfull though cold and searching And the Soile though not so fertile as in other places yet produceth large Cattell good Corne with Grasse Ilax Cole and almost all other necessary commodities LANCASHIRE Ches-shire THis Shire which we call the County Palatine of Chester was by the Saxons both called and written Cestenscire and is diuided from Darby Stafford-shires on the East by the Riuers of Goit Dane and Mercey and on the West by Dee from Denbygh On the Northside lies Lancashire and the South is confined with Flint and Shrop-shire It containeth in length from East to West 47. miles and at the broadest betweene North and South 26. which causeth the measure of the whole circumference to contain about 142. miles This County is diuided into 7. HuÌ„dreds which containe in them besides 38. Chapels of ease 86. Parish Churches It hath also in it one Citie one Bishopricke and is watered with 9. Riuers ouer which men doe passe by 19. Bridges Two Forests and 18. Parkes are also in this Shire And for traffique and commerce amongst the Inhabitants there are dispersed in conuenient places 15. Market Townes the chiefe whereof is the faire and famous Citie of Chester of which the whole Countie carries the name and was sometimes the strong Fort of Ostorius who was Claudius the Emperours Lieu-tenant It is pleasantly situate on the North side of the Riuer Dee ouer which a faire and strong stone Bridge built on 8. arches and beautified two faire gates at each end giue passage to the Towne which is incircled with a high and strong wall containing besides seuen Towers and three Posternes foure faire Gates at the foure Cardinall points of the Compasse On the North side of this Citie Earle Leofrick built the Minster which by Hugh the first Normaine Earle of Chester was afterward both repaired and fairely beautified And in it as we haue it by tradition Henry the fourth Emperour of Almane after he had there a long â—ime led a Hermits life was interred and on the South side stands the Castle incompassed with a circular wall This Citie was first ruined by the Northumberland King Egfrid who there slew 1200. Monkes and afterwards by the Danes but by Edelsteda was both reedified and beautified In this Citie King Edgar was towed from Saint Iohns to his Palace by eight other Kings who did him homage and himselfe as Supreme steered the Helme And Henry the seuenth made it a Countie of it selfe which is now gouerned by an annually elected Maior two Sheriffes foure and twenty Aldermen and a Recorder It hath had in it diuers Religious houses which time hath now transformed to ruines The Pole is there eleuated 53. 15. of Latitude and the Longitude 21. 27. This Shire hath beene fortified with eight other Castles and as many famous Religious Houses which were suppressed by King Henry the eight The Aire in this Countie is both pleasant and healthfull the Soile fat rich and fruitfull bringing abundance both of profit and pleasure to the Inhabitants And for Commodities it yeelds plentifull store of Corne Cattell Fowle Fish Salt Mines Metalls White-meats and most of all other necessary and vsefull commodities CHESSHIRE Shropshire THis Shire by the old Saxons was written and termed Sciripscyre which at this day we call Shropshire It is bordered vpon on the East with Stafford-shire on the West with Denbigh and Montgomery Radnor Hereford and Worcester-shires doe bound vpon the South and the County Palatine of Chester on the North. From Wooferton South to Ouer neere Trent on the North which is the full length it containes 34 miles and at
Writers of the middle age call the Inhabitants of this coast Magesetae and make mention of Earles Magesetenses also the distance if it be counted from Gobannium or Abergeuenny or from Brangonium i. Worcester differeth not from Antonines computation Three miles Eastward from this Towne lieth Prestaine in British Lhan Andrew i. St. Andrews Church which of a very little Village by the meanes of Richard Martin Bishop of St. Davids is of late yeares growne to be so great and faire a Mâ—rket Towne that it dimmeth the light of Radnor Scarce foure miles from Prestaine standeth Knighton a Towne not inferiour to the former it is called in the British Trebuclo in stead of Trefyclaudh of a famous Ditch lying vnder it which Offa King of the Mercians caused to be cast from Dee mouth to Wye mouth to separate the Britaine 's from his English-men In the South-west of this Countrey lieth a wide wildernesse into which Vortigerne whose memory the Britaines may wish damned withdrew himselfe when he had called the Saxons into this Land and in horrible incest married his owne daughter and here was he with his Citie Treguortigâ—rn burnt with fire from heauen And not farre from the place where this Vortigerâ— the last absolute Monarch of the Britaines perished was Lhewellin the last Prince of Wales of the British race slaine by Roger Francton The Mortimers not long after the Conquest wonne a great part of this little countrey and after that they had beene a long time eminent aboue others in these parts King Edward the Third created Roger Mortimer Lord of Wigmore Earle of these Welsh limits or according to the common speech Earle of March RADNOR SHIRE Brecknock-shire THis Countie of Brecknock was called Brechineau in the British tongue of one Brichauius a Prince that as the Inhabitants report had foure and twentie daughters and all of them Canonized for Saints It is bounded on the East with Monmouth and Radnor-shires on the West with Carmarden and Cardigan on the South with Glamorgan and the North side by the Riuers Wye and Clarwen is diuided from Radnor The length of it from Istragunles South to Llanuthel North is 28. miles and the extent of the broadest part from Pentrisso East to Llywell West 20. the whole compasse containing much vpon 102. miles Into six Hundreds is this Shire severed and those are subdiuided into 61. Parishes with 27. Riuers is it interlaced ouer which in diuers places are 13. Bridges for passage And for Traffique and trade amongst the Inhabitants it is stored but with three Market Townes namely Hay Bealt and the Shire Towne Brecknock which is now accounted the principall though the other two in former times would haue beene preferred Hay pleasantly seated on Wye and Dulas in Owen Glendowrs rebellion was vtterly ruinated and Bealt though still in some frequencie yet is now nothing to what in antique Ages it hath beene but Brecknock at this time is the best which being pleasantly seated on the Riuers Vske and Howthy is fortified with a faire strong wall that besides ten Towers hath 3. Gates for entrance with a stately Castle situate on the West part of the Towne and is moreouer beautified with diuers faire buildings It is ciuilly gouerned by two Bayliffes fifteene Aldermen two Chamberlaines two Constables where the Pole is eleuated 52. 8. and the longitude 21. 11. The Inhabitants of this Countie that anciently possessed it were the Silures who greatly opposed the Romans whereto they were much aduantaged by the huge Mountaines wherewith the Shire is replenished one of them neere Brecknock which in Welsh they call Mounch-denny is of an vncredible height in so much as nothing without it be some metalline substance or stone can be cast from the top of it but with the aire and wind it will be blowne vp again and neuer fall to the ground Llynsauathan also which is neare to Brecknock is also admirable for there by report stood a sumptuous Citie which suncke downe in an earthquake And with nine Castles hath this Countie beene accommodated The Aire being cold sharpe and piercing and the Soile though for the most part hilly sterill and barren yet the fresh Riuerers issuing from the Mountaines make the Valleyes so fruitfull as they yeeld both Corne and Grasse in abundance BRECKNOCK SHIRE Monmouth-shire FOr the Riuer Mounowe is this Towne Monmouth so termed and from that Towne we call this Countie Monmouth-shire which on the East is bordered vpon by Glocester-shire on the West by Brecknock and Glamorgan-shires The South is bounded by the Seuerne Sea and the North by the Riuer Monnowe diuided from Hereford-shire The extent of the greatest measure between North and South is about twenty foure miles in length and at the widest between East and West not aboue nineteen the whole circumference being much vpon 76. miles The diuision of it is into six Hundreds wherein are contained 127. Parish Churches and with the pleasant streames of fifteene Riuers passable by fourteene Bridges is it interlaced besides which for more delight in this Shire is there one Chace and eight Parks and for Trade and Traffique of buying and selling six Market Townes whereof that of the greatest note is the ancient Shire Towne of Monmouth which betweene the two Riuers Wye and Monnowe is very delectably situate wherein is yet remaining a faire Church and thirteene Gates besides the Towre vpon the Bridge But that which was called the Monkes Church and was in times past most curiously edified in the East end of the Towne is now vtterly ruined as well as the Castle on the North which yet will be euer memorable for the birth of the famous and victorious King Henry the Fifth The gouernment of this Towne is committed to a Maior two Bayliffes fifteene common Councellours and a Towne Clerke The eleuation of the Pole being there 15. 53. and the Longitude 21. 39. The Silures were the ancient Inhabitants of this Countie who had Caerwent for their principall place of abode where the British St. Tathaie made an Academie And at Caer-Lion lay the second Romane Legion called Augusta whereof yet are found many antique Romane testimonies And here also did the great King Arthur keepe his Royall Court which then was a most magnificent Citie but is now intombed in the heapes of her owne ruines And so also are diuers Religious Houses sometime that beautified and fourteene strong Castles that someâ—â—me fortified this famous Prouince where the Aire is pleasant and healthfull and the Soile though hilly yet rich fruitfull and full of Woods yeelding plenty of Corne Grasse Cattell and many other nenessary Commodities MONMOUTH SHIRE Glamorgan-shire THis Province which is called Glamorgan-shire is supposed by some to deriue the name from one Morgan a Prince that possessed it but others hold that it hath it from the Abbey Morgan which on the South side of this Shire neare the Sea did Earle William of Glocester build And it is seuered by the Riuer Remner on the East from