Hundreds wherein 660 Parishes and 31 Market-Towns Which is an Argument of its Populousness Here the Air is sharp and piercing especially near the Sea and in the Champain Part which occasions a later Spring and Harvest The Soil in many Places but chiefly along the Sea-Coast which is a Champain Country affords plenty of Corn. The Heaths feed a World of Sheep and breed abundance of Conies And the Woodland Part serves for Grazing of Cattel yet not without Corn-ground The Sea and the Rivers besides that glide through this Country strive as it were to furnish it with their plenty of Fâ—sh And among these besides those above-named viz. the two Ouses and the Waveney there are two of chief note called the Yare and the Thryn The Yare particularly noted for its great plenty of a certain Fish called Ruff whose body is all Prickled over the tail and fins spotted with black Specks This Fish eats tender and short as a Perch and is counted a wholsom Fish It delights in sandy Places and is rarely seen in any other River One Thing is observable of it that when the Fish is angry the fins stand up stiff and after its Anger is over they fall flat again In short the Soil of this Country according to the Variety of Places is of different nature In some Parts it is fat rank and full of moisture in others very light and sandy Yet so that one contributing to the other and the Sea giving help to both it is a very plentiful Country for Corn Sheep and Fish Norwich the chief Place hereof and a Bishops See bears from London North-East and by North and is distant therefrom 90 miles thus From London to Ware 20 to Barkway 11 more thence to Witleâ—ford-Bridge 10 and to New-Market 12 more from Newmarket to Theâ—ford 16 to Attleborough 10 more thence to Windham 5 and to Norwich 6 more A City seated on the River Yare which runs thence to Yarmouth and over which it has several Bridges It was formerly the Seat of the East-Angles and then a Place of great splendour But it has since undergone so many Calamities by Sword and Famine by Fire and Pestilence that it is much it should prove to this day a fair large populous and well frequented City Insomuch that it ly's out a Mile and a half in length and half as much in breadth containing in that Circuit about 20 Parishes well walled about with several Turrets and 12 Gates for entrance but not without much waste Ground within it It s chief Buildings are the Cathedral beautified with a lofty Spire then the Bishops and the Duke of Norfolk's Pallaces the Market-House the Cross and the House of Correction made of free Stone and so well cemented that no Mortar is seen Here is also an Hospital where 100 poor Men and Women are maintained and the Ruins of an ancient Castle of the Saxons building In short here is so pleasant an Intermixture of the Houses with Trees that it may not improperly be called an Orchard in a City or a City in an Orchard the populousness of a City and the pleasure of the Country meeting here together Of some Note besides for giving the Title of Earl to his Grace the Duke of Norfolk Earl of Arundel Surrey and Norwich Finally this City do's injoy a great Trade but chiefly for its Stuffs Stockings and other Manufactures here made for the learning of which it is beholding to the Dutch that came to inhabit here It has three Markets a Week Wednesdays Fridays and Saturdays the first and last very great for all sorts of Provisions The other Market-Towns are Lyn Sat. Mund. Yarmouth Sat. Thetford Sat. Hingham Sat. New-Buckenham Sat. Swafham Sat. Downham Sat. Holt Sat. Burnham Sat. Cromere Sat. Repcham Sat. Alesham Sat. Worsted Sat. Sechy Mund. East-Herling Tue Fulcham Tue Caston Tue Harlston Wedn. Watton Wedn. North-Walsham Thu Attlebury Thu Fakenham Thu Windham Frid East-Derham Frid Diss Frid Snetham Frid Walsingham Frid Besides Southwold and Winfield two new Markets and Hickling whose Market-Days I am ignorant of â—yn formerly called Bishops Lyn as appertaining to the Bishops of Norwich till King Henry VIII gave it the Name of â—yn Regis or King's Lyn is seated in the Western Part of the Country upon the Banks of the Ouse near its fall into that Part of the Sea which is called the Washes Watered besides by two little Rivers that fall there into the Ouse which are passed over by about 15 Bridges A Town of good antiquity large and well built containing 3 Parish-Churches and for its Defence incompassed with a Wall and a good Ditch Well Inhabited by Merchants and Tradesmen who drive a considerable Trade and the more by reason of its commodious Haven Yet it is much eclipsed in its Trade to what it was formerly because of the stoppage of a Sluce upon the Ouse which do's so obstruct the Current of salt Water that the River is scarce navigable to Cambridge Nigh unto this Town on the other side of the Ouse is a little Marsh Country called Marsh-Land very subject to the Inundations of the Sea and therefore very moist and aguish But in recompence its Soil is exceeding fat and feed abundance of Cattel In this Marsh are seated several Towns but so destitute of fresh Water for houshold Use that many of 'em are fain to get a supply thereof at 4 miles distance About 3 miles from Lyn towards the Sea stands a decayed Town called Castle-Rising It s Decay occasioned by its Haven's being many years since choakt up with Sands whereby 't is become useless Which has done a Kindness to Lyn. Yarmouth the best Harbour in all this County and the Key of this Coast is seated at the Mouth of the River Yare from whence it is called Yarmouth A Town of good Strength as well by Nature as Art well built and pretty large and yet it has but one Church which is beautify'd with a lofty Spire The same is well inhabited and much resorted unto by Seamen affording a ready Passage to Holland and being a frequent Shelter to the New-castle Fleets when distressed by Weather Of special note besides for Herring-fishing in the Seas adjacent in the Month of September Which draws a great Concourse of People hither and makes the Town much richer all the Year after Lastly 't is dignified with the Title of Earl in the person of the Right Honourable William Paston the present Earl of Yarmouth Thetford is an Inland Town situate on the Confluence of the Thet and the little Ouse over wich it has a Bridge leading to Suffolk A Place of great Antiquity built out of the Ruins of the ancient City Sitomagus which was destroyed by the merciless Danes The Bishop's See of the East Angles was from North-Elmham removed hither and from hence to Norwich It is not very well Inhabited to what it has been However this is the Town where the Lent-Assizes for the County are usually kept Herling and
Indignation Your Majesty answered the Lord Mayor calmly may do what you please therein and your City of London will prove still dutifull but she comforts her self with the Thoughts that your Majesty will leave the Thames behind you This River besides is so Kind that it seldom indamages any Part of this City by its Overflowings Here the highest Tides are upon a Land-floud and the Moon at full when sometimes it does swell over its Banks But then Westminster lying low feels alone the effects of it and that seldom further than the Cellars Whereas the Chambers and Upper Rooms at Rome and Paris are sometimes overflowed Rome by the Tiber and Paris by the Seine From this River the City by Water-Engines is in many places supplied with good Water But to serve with Water the North Parts of the City as the Thames does the South Parts it has the Conveniency of an artificial River commonly called the New River which was begun Anno 1608 and finished in five Years time A noble Undertaking of Sir Hugh Middleton who for this great Work deserves his Statue in Brass This River he brought from Amwell and Chadwell two Springs near Ware in Hartfordshire from whence in a turning and winding Course it runs near upon 60 miles before it reaches this City In this Undertaking fitter indeed for a Prince than any Subject there have been six hundred Men at once imployed which was a prodigious Charge The Channel in some Places 30 foot deep in others carried over Valleys 20 foot at least above Ground in open Troughs And over this River are 800 Bridges some of Stone some of Wood and others of Brick This City besides has the Conveniency of several Conduits of Spring-Water so commodiously placed that they serve all the chief Parts of it And it is so situated that in all Parts though on the highest Ground 't is abundantly served with Pump-Water the Pumps in many Places not six foot deep in the Ground For a constant Supply of Provisions besides the fruitfull County of Middlesex in which it stands and that of Surrey on the other side of the River both which are ready at hand to furnish it with their Provisions it is neighboured with many other plentifull Counties out of whose abundance this City lives in great plenty and seldom knows what Scarcity is The Conveyance so easy both by Land and Water that no City in Europe has better Conveniencies So large fair and smooth are the High Ways that lead from all Parts to it and so convenient is the River that almost all the Fewel for firing is brought up that Way to Town The Coals from Newcastle and the Wood from Kent and Essex some of which last comes also down the River from Surrey and Middlesex Lastly as it has the Command of the Sea so there is scarce any Blessing in the Terrestrial Globe but this City has her Share in it Moreover its Distance from the Sea which is about 60 Miles is a great Argument of the Founder's Wisdom For by that Distance as it is not so near as to be annoyed by the unwholsom Vapours of the Sea or to be suddenly surprised by an Enemies Fleet so it is not so far but that by the help of the Tide which comes up every 12 hours Ships of great burden may be brought into her bosom In point of Latitude 't is in 51 Degree 30 Minutes I come now to its full Extent with its Suburbs and Places adjacent It s Length from East to West that is from Lime-house to the further end of Mill-Bank in Westminster is above 7500 Geometrical Paces which comes to seven measured miles and an half at 1000 paces a mile that is about five computed miles or two Parisian Leagues and a half The Breadth indeed is not proportionable the City being built in Length for the Conveniency of the River And yet taking Southwark in on the other side of the River as it is under the Lord Mayor's Jurisdiction and joyned to London by the Bridge this vast City reaches there in Breadth from North to South that is from the further end of White-Chappel Street to St. George's Fields in Southwark near upon 3 miles So that I cannot but conceive that if London were cast as Paris into an orbicular Form the Circumference of it would be much larger than that of Paris So much it is increased in Buildings since the dismal Conflagration in the Year 1666. But whether it is profitable to the Body of the State or not to have so vast a Head may be made a Question And if Dr. Heylin had cause to complain in his time of its being grown then too big for the Kingdom he might with much more reason do it now Great Towns says he in the Body of a State are like the Spleen or Milt in the Body natural The monstrous Growth of which impoverishes all the rest of the Members by drawing to it all the animal and vital Spirits which should give nourishment unto them and in the end cracked or surcharged by its own fulness not only sends unwholsom Fumes and Vapours to the Head and heavy Pangs upon the Heart but draws a Consumption on it self He adds further that the Overgrowth of great Cities is of dangerous consequence not only in regard of Famine such Multitudes of Mouths not being easy to be fed but in respect of the irreparable Danger of Insurrections if once those Multitudes sensible of their own Strength oppressed with Want or otherwise distempered with Faction or Discontent should gather to a head and break out into Action These are all I confess very plausible Arguments But if we consider London as it is in a manner the Head of three Kingdoms at least the Seat of their Monarch I see nothing of Monstrousness in it On the other side London having the Conveniency of the Sea and of a navigable River is so much the less subject to a Famine for that in case of Scarcity at home it may be supply'd from abroad And as in so great a Body there be commonly different Parties led by opposite Interests so there is the less Cause to fear Insurrections because one Party keeps still another in aw Just so Geneva and Hamburg two free Cities do not subsist so much by their own Strength as by the Jealousy of the several States that neighbour upon ' em But the greatest Danger incident to great Cities and omitted by Dr. Heylin is in Case of Contagious Diseases Which the more Matter they find to work upon make so much the greater havock and like a raging Fire get strength by their Motion Witness the Year 1665 when at London there died of the Plague in one day no less than 1200. When all is done I have this to urge in the behalf of great Cities that they are a visible Sign of a flourishing State and such as draws Respect from its Neighbours who look upon it as the Luxuriancy and Result of its Wealth
HONI SOIT QVI MAL Y PENSE XXX RR IE MAINTIENDRAI THE NEW STATE OF ENGLAND BRITANNIA I Sturt Sculp in ye Old Change THE New State OF ENGLAND Under Their MAJESTIES K. William and Q. Mary In THREE PARTS CONTAINING I. A Geographical Description of England in General and of every County in Particular with Usefull and Curious Remarks II. An Account of the Inhabitants their Original Genius Customs Laws Religion and Government of Their Present Majesties Their Court Power Revenues c. III. A Description of the several Courts of Judicature Viz. the High Court of Parliament Privy Council and all other Courts With a Catalogue of the present Officers in Church and State By G. M. LONDON Printed by H.C. for Ionathan Robinson at the Golden Lion in St. Paul's Church-yard 1691. To the Most Honourable THOMAS Marquess of CAERMARTHEN Earl of DANBY Viscount LATIMER Baron OSBORN OF KIVETON Lord President of His Majesties Most Honourable PRIVY-COUNCIL And Knight of the most Noble Order of the Garter This New State of England is humbly Dedicated by the Author TO THE READER 'T IS the late Revolution that has given birth to this new Piece of Work a New Face of Things required a New State of England And of all the Changes this Kingdom has gone through as this was the most sudden so it is the most wonderfull To see Popery in so few days crowing upon the Throne and groaning under its Ruins but t'other day upon the Pinnacle and now stunned with its sudden Fall is such a Change as may deserve the Admiration of this and future Ages In short such is our present Settlement upon Their Majesties happy Accession to the Crown that the Popish Party may assoon see a Protestant Pope of Rome as a Popish King of England Now to make this Work the more acceptable and usefull to the Publick I have divided it into three several Parts In the First you have a particular Description of ENGLAND in its several Counties of every County-Town with the Distance and the common Road to it from London the Metropolis and of all other Places of note in each County Here you have particularly a List of the Market-Towns in every Shire with the Days pointed when their Markets are kept also an account of most other Remarkable Things either of Nature or Art Besides the Honours or Noblemens Titles from Counties Cities Towns Mannors c. And the Number of Men each City or Borough sends to serve in Parliament I conclude this Part with a particular Description of London Oxford and Camidge London as the Capital City of England the Seat of its Monarchs and the Center of Trade Oxford and Cambridge as being the two famous Vniversities of the Land and the glorious Seats of the Muses The Second Part treats of the INHABITANTS of England their Complexion Temper Genius Language c. Of the English Way of Living Commerce Laws Religion and Government Of the King of England and the Royal Family particularly of the present King WILLIAM and Queen MARY with a brief Relation of their Accession to the Crown and the Vnreasonableness of the Disaffected Party under their Government Of Their Majesties Court Forces and Revenues Of the Queen Dowager the Prince and the Princess of Denmark Of the Nobility Gentry and Commonalty Of the Episcopal Dignify'd and Inferiour Clergy And lastly of Women Children and Servants All of them with their respective Priviledges The Third and last Part is about the COURTS of JUDICATURE Viz. The High Court of Parliament with a large Account of their Proceedings Orders Debates Passing of Bills and Acts c. Of the Privy-Council and there particularly of the Principal Secretaries of State Of the Chancery Kings-Bench Common Pleas Exchequer Dutchy of Lancaster and all other Courts To which is annexed a Catalogue of the chief Persons of the Realm both in Church and State Magistrates and Officers Civil and Military Who being subject to Change though the Offices continue the same I thought it improper to mix Certainties and Vncertainties together Therefore I chose rather to place the Officers together by themselves as I have done here than to have them dispersed where I speak of their Offices And from this Method you will reap this Conveniency that by Interleaving of the Catalogue only you may fill up Vacancies as they become void Thus you have as it were a Scheme of the whole Drift of this Book The Foundation whereof is that Ingenious Piece De Republica Anglorum written in Latin by Sir Thomas Smith Improved as you see and fitted to the present Times The Matter of it self is of a general Vse both for English and Foreiners and the Variety so great that it cannot but be Pleasant and Vsefull to the Reader THE TABLE For the First PART This Table contains the Names of the Towns and Cities Hills Islands Meers and Rivers and other Curiosities mentioned in the first Part of this Book And for such as desire only to know what County any of them lies in the Table it self will give them that Satisfaction without any further Trouble it being so contrived that it is in a manner a Geographical Dictionary for England A ABberforth in Yorks 259 Abbey-holm in Cumb 49 Abbey of Westminster 317 Abbots-bury in Dors 67 Abergavenny in Mon. 148 149 Advantages of England 7 Agmundesham in Buck. 30 Ailesbury in Buck. 30 31 Air of England 13 Alborough in Suffolk 204 208 Aldborough in Yorks 273 Aldermen of London 324 Alford in Lincolns 136 140 Alfreton in Derbysh 57 Alisford in Hampsh 95 Almondbury in Yorks 264 Alnewick in Northumb 168 170 Alney-Isle in Gloc. 87 Alston-Moor in Cumb. 49 Altrincham in Chesh 39 Ambleside in Westm 238 Amersbury in Wilts 246 247 Ampthill in Bedf. 27 28 Andover in Hamps 95 96 Antiquity of Oxf. and Cambr. 350 Appleby in Westm 238 Appledore in Kent 112 Are a Yorks River 256 Arrow a River of Heref. 103 Artillery Company in London 329 Arun a Sussex River 224 Arundel in Sussex 225 227 Ashbourn in Derbysh 57 Ashburton in Devonsh 61 Ashby in Leicest 131 Ashford in Kent 112 Aspley in Bedf. 28 Atherston in Warw. 234 235 Attlebury in Norf. 153 Auburn in Wiltsh 246 Aukland in the Bishoprick of Durham 76 77 Aulcester in Warw. 234 Avon the Name of several Rivers 85 92 c. Axebridge in Somers 192 194 Axholm an Isle in Lincolns 139 Axminster in Dev. 61 B BAkewell in Derbysh 57 Baldock in Hartf 100 Bampton in Oxf. 178 179 Banbury in Oxf. 178 179 Banquetting House at Whitehall 316 Barkin in Essex 81 BARKSHIRE 22 Barnesly in Yorks 259 Barnet in Hartf 100 102 Barnstaple in Dev. 61 63 Barnwel in Linc. 136 Barristers in Lond. 304 Barton in Linc. 136 139 Barwick in Northumb. 168 Basingstoke in Hamps 95 96 Bath in Somers 189 Battel in Sussex 225 228 Battersea in Surrey 221 Bautrey in Yorks 259 Beaconfield in Buck. 30 32 Beckles in Suffolk 204 209 Bedal in Yorks 273 Bedford 26
handsom Town flands pleasantly among fertile Meadows near the Forest of Charwood on the Banks of the River Stowr over which it has a Bridge Lutterworth a goodly Town also beautified with a large and fair Church with a neat and lofty Spire-Steeple is seated in a good Soil on the River Swift which at a small distance from hence falls into the Avon in Warwickshire Of this Town the famous Wicless was Parson an okl Champion against the Corruptions and Errours of the Church of Rome This County now in the Diocese of Lincoln was part of the ancient Kingdom of Mercia in the Time of the Heptarchy and its Inhabitants with several of their Neighbours went among the ancient Romans under the Name of Coritani Out of it are elected besides the two Knights of the Shire but two Members of Parliament chosen by the Town of Leicester Lincolnshire LINCOLNSHIRE a large Maritime County is bounded on the East with the German Ocean on the West with the Counties of York Nottingham and Leicester on the North with the River Humber which parts it from Yorkshire on the South with the Counties of Cambridge Northampton and Rutland It contains in Length from North to South almost 60 miles in Breadth from East to West 35. The Whole divided into 3 Parts called Lindsey Kesteven and Holland And these 3 Divisions contain 30 Hundreds wherein 630 Parishes and 35 Market-Towns This Country being Fenny especially in the East and South Parts makes the Air something unhealthful because it is apt to be thick and foggy The Soil in the North and West Parts is exceeding pleasant and fertile stored with Pasturage Arable and Meadow Grounds But the East and South Parts that are full of Fenny Grounds and something brackish by reason of the Salt Waters that come in from the Sea through several Inlets are barren and unfit for Corn. 'T is true in recompence thereof there is such a plenty both of Fowl and Fish that no County in the Kingdom can compare with it And there goes a Story that at one draught with a Net 30â—0 Mallards have been taken besides other sorts How true it is I am as yet to seek but am apt to think there 's one Cypher too much As for Rivers no County in England is better irrigated nor Rivers any where more plentifull of Fish Northward is the Humber which as I said before parts it from Yorkshire and Westward the Trent which severs Part of it from Nottinghamshire Cross the Country you will find the Witham River Southward the Weland and the Nen. That Part of the County which goes by the Name of Lindsey lies to the Northward and is so named from Lindissi the ancient Name of Lincoln according to Beda This Part is so surrounded with Water that it is an Island and its Extent so great in proportion to the rest that it takes up at least one half of the County Noted for giving the Title of Earl to the Right Honourable Robert Bertie the present Earl of Lindsey Lord Great Chamberlain of England Kesteven and Holland take up the South Parts from Lindsey Holland lying towards the Sea and Kesteven West from it Of Holland there has been 3 Earls Henry Robert and Edward Rich. The first created Earl of Holland by King James I. Anno 1624. Robert his Son succeeded not only in this Title but also in that of Earl of Warwick upon the Death of his Cousin-german Charles Rich Earl of Warwick who died without Issue So that both Titles are now injoyd by his Son and Heir the Right Honourable Edward Rich the present Earl of Warwick and Holland Lincoln the principal Place in this Shire and a Bishops See bears from London North by West and is distant from it by common Computation 103 miles thus Viz. from London to Huntington 48 miles for the Particulars whereof I refer you to Huntingtonshire from thence to Stilton 9 to Peterborough 5 more to Market-Deeping 8 to Sleaford 18 more and thence to Lincoln 15. A City seated on the side of a Hill the lower part whereof is watered by the River Witham over which there are several Bridges for the Conveniency of Passengers A Place of great Antiquity whose ancient ruinated Places are still an Argument of its former Greatness In the Time of the Romans 't was a Town of great strength and fame and in the Time of the Normans a Place of great Trading Whose flourishing Condition occasioned the Episcopal See then at Dorchester near Oxon to be removed hither But this City has gone through all the Calamities of Fire Sword and Earth-quake Which has so much weakned and impaired it that of 50 Churches it is said to have had for divine Worship there remains but 15 besides the Cathedral In the Time of the Saxons King Arthur drove away their Forces from this Place The like did Edmund Ironside to the Danes who had made sore havock thereof On the 5th of Sept. 1140. here was a great Battel fought between King Stephen and Maud the Empress in which the King was taken Prisoner and afterwards laid in irons in Bristol On the 19th of May 1217. here was another sore Battel fought betwixt King Henry III. and his disloyal Barons who stood for Lewis the Dauphin of France in which the King got the day But whatever Disasters and Calamities this City has gone through still 't is a large populous and well frequented Place Dignified not only with an Episcopal See whose Diocese to this day is the greatest of any in the Kingdom but also for many Ages with the Title of an Earldom Which having passed through severall Families with frequent Interruptions came at last to be in the possession of Edward Fiennes Lord Clinton who being Lord Admiral in Queen Elizabeth's Time was by her Majesty created Earl of Lincoln Anno 1565. From whom the Title is now devolved in a direct Line to the Right Honourable Edward Clinton the present Earl of Lincoln The Cathedral or Minster as now standing is one of the stateliest Piles in England and perhaps in Christendom high seated on a Hill and from thence discerned over all the Country In short this City is a County of it self whose Liberties extend about 20 miles in compass and is called the County of the City of Lincoln It s Market kept on Fridays is well served with Provisions and Country Commodities The other market-Market-Towns are Grantham Sat. Kirkton Sat. Thongcaster Sat. Waynfleet Sat. Horn-Castle Sat. Dunington Sat. Burton Sat. Bourn Sat. Spilsby Mun. Salsby Mun. Sleaford Mun. Market-Stanton Mun. Stamford Mund. Frid. Ganesborough Tue. Barton Tue. Market-Rasen Tue. Bullingbrook Tue. Spalding Tue. Alford Tue. Grinsby Wedn. Binbrook Wedn. Lowthe Wed. and Sat. Boston Wed. and Sat. Glamford Thu. Burgh Thu. Market-Deeping Thu. Folkingham Thu. Holbich Thu. Wragby Thu. Naverby Thu. Tatershall Frid. Saltfleet Crowland Barnwell Among which Stamferd in Kesteven Division and the hithermost Town of Lincolnshire is the most considerable Seated on both sides of the
for the Education of Youth a free School and for decay'd Gentlemen a well indowed Hospital But the chief Beauty of it as heretofore so now is a most stately and magnificent Castle the Seat of Sir Fulk Grevill the late Lord Brooks by whom it was repaired at his great cost and charges In short this Town injoy's a good Trade chiefly for Mault and the rather as being the Place where the Assizes and general Sessions for the County are kept It s Market which is kept on Saturdays is great and well furnished with all sorts of Provisions But that which has added the most Lustre to this Town is the honourary Titles wherewith it has been dignify'd for several Ages Of Earl first in the person of Henry de Newburg Created Earl of Warwick by Wisliam the Conquerour Anno 1076 and continued in five more of his name viz. Roger William Waleran Henry and Thomas de Newburg From whom it passed through several Families either by Marriage or Bloud allied to the former Till at last the Title of Earl was by King Henry VI turned into that of Duke in the person of Henry Beauchamp who was made and crowned King of the Isles of Wight Jersey and Garnsey and soon after created Duke of Warwick 'T is true the Title of Duke went no further and that of Earl was renewed in the person of Richard Nevil who married Ann the Duke's Sister From him it went to George Duke of Clarence who married Ann Daughter of Richard Nevil and from George to Edward Plantagenet his Son From these it came to two Dud eys successively to wit John and Ambrose descended from the Lady Margaret Daughter of Richard Beauchamp Earl of Warwick And in the Year 1618. King James I. conferred it upon Robert Lord Rich of Leeze in whose Line it continued till Charles his great Grandson died without Issue Upon whose Death Robert Rich Earl of Holland his Cousin german succeeded in the Earldom of Warwick and so injoy'd both Titles Which fell by his Death to his Son the Right Honourable Edward Rich the present Earl of Warwick Near Warwick is a Cliff most delectably seated among Groves and fresh Streams and called Guy-Cliff from the Hercules of England Guy of Warwick Who having left off his noble and valiant Exploits betook himself as the Story say's to this Place where he led a kind of Hermetical Life and built a Chappel wherein he was interred But though Warwick be the County-Town and a considerable Place upon other accounts yet here is another of greater importance which therefore doth deserve a particular Description in this place before we proceed to the List of the Market-Towns And that is Coventry a City so called from an old Convent or Monastery founded by King Canute It stands upon a small Stream called Sherborn which joyning with another Stream runs not far from thence into the River Avon 'T is a fair neat and large City beautify'd with handsom Houses and spacious Streets besides a Cross of curious Workmanship and its two Churches of St. Michael and of the Holy Trinity that are loftily built It was formerly begirt with a fine Wall with 13 Gates giving entrance into the City and what with the Convent and the translating the See Episcopal from Lichsield hither it grew exceeding rich and wealthy 'T is true now it has neither Convent nor Episcopal See more than in the Ruin and Title and yet it does still continue its old Wealth being the best City for Trade in all these Parts and more than ordinarily frequented for an Inland Town Among other its Manufactures here are great quantiâ—ies of Cloths made and vended And its Market for Provisions is kept on Fridays It belonged once unto the Earls of Chester and after wards by many Conveniances to John of Eltham Earl of Cornwal whereby it became annexed to that Earldom Nor did it lose any thing but rather gain much by that Annexation Henry the VI laying unto it several adjacent Towns and Villages and making it with them a County Corporate clearly distinct from that of Warwick Thus Coventry though within the Confines of Warwickshire became exempted from its Jurisdiction And in the very first Year of the Reign of William the Conquerour it was honoured with the Title of an Earldom in the Person of Edwin a Saxon with whom the Title died and lay buried till the Reign of King James I when George Villiers the late Duke of Buckingham's Father was created Duke of Buckingham and Earl of Coventry Anno 1623. The other Market-Towns are Shipton Sat. Rugby Sat. Tamworth Sat. Nun-Eaton Sat. Henley Mun. Southam Mun. Sutton Cofield Mun. Aulcester Tue. Kyneton Tue. Atherston Tue. Coleshill Wedn. Stratford Thu. Bromicham Thu. Among which Stratford seated upon the Avon is one of the prsncipal it being a good Town well inhabited and driving a good Trade of Malt. It contains two Parish Churches and has over the River a fair Stone-bridge with several Arches Tamworth stands part in this County and part in Staffordshire where you will find it described Aulcester is seated on the Confluence of the Alne and the Arrow and not far from their fall into the Avon Shipton on the Stower Coleshill on the Cole Kyneton on a small River that runs into the Avon Rugby upon the Avon Nun-Eaton and Atherston near the Auker Henley on the Alne and Bromicham on the Rea. Among which Henley is called Henley in Arden to distinguish it from Henley in Oxfordshire Bromicham is a large and well built Town very populous and much resorted unto particularly noted few years ago for the counterfeit Groats made here and from hence dispersed all over the Kingdom It drives a great Trade of Iron and Steel Wares Saddles and Bridles which find good vent at London Ireland and other Parts But besides those Market-Towns there are three Places Shughury Lemington and Menham Regis of note for some particular Things The first for the Astroits or Star-Stones found about it Lemington for two Springs of Water that issue out there within a stride of each other but of different taste and operation the one being fresh and the other salt though at a great distance from the Sea Menham Regis for a Spring the Water whereof looks and tasts like Milk If drunk with Salt it loosens if with Sugar it binds the Body Said to be Sovereign against the Stone good to cure green Wounds Ulcers and Imposthumes and apt to turn Wood into Stone To conclude this County which formerly was part of the Kingdom of Mercia and its Inhabitants part of the Cornavii as the Romans called them is now in the Diocese of Lichsield Out of it are elected besides the two Knights of the Shire but four Members to sit in Parliament Viz. 2 by Warwick and 2 by Coventry Westmorland WESTMORLAND one of the worst Counties in England lies in the North-West and is called Westmorland as lying among Moors and Fells or high Hills for the most part unmanured
the Prince of Orange's Forces coming this way from the West Which two days after was followed by his Desertion of that Place and soon after by the Desertion of the Crown and Government Moreover this City has been for several Ages honoured with the Title of an Earldom 1. in the persons of Patrick and William D'Evreux successively 2. In two Williams surnamed Long-Espèe the first a base Son of King Henry II. by Rosamond 3. In two Nevils both Richards by their Christen-names 4. In the person of George Duke of Clarence who married Isabel Daughter of Richard Earl of Warwick 5. In Edward eldest Son of King Richard III. 6. In Margaret Daughter of George Duke of Clarence created Countess of Salisbury by King Henry VIII And lastly in the Family that now injoy's it the first being Robert Cecil Lord of Essendine and Viscount Cranborn created Earl of Salisbury by King James I. Anno 1605. From whom is descended the present Earl James Cecil Lastly this City is a Place well inhabited and frequented injoying a good Trade And its Markets on Tuesdays and Saturdays are very considerable for all sorts of Provisions The other market-Market-Towns are Marlborough Sat. Malmsbuâ—y Sat. Chippenham Sat. Werminster Sat. Troubridge Sat. Cricklade Sat. Bradford Mund. Swindon Mund. Calne Tue. Auburn Tue. Lavington Wedn. Wilton Wedn. Highworth Wedn. Devizes Thu. Hindon Thu. Wooten-Basset Thu. Downton Frid. Amersbury Frid. Westbury Frid. Mere Marmister Among which Marlborough or Marleburgh is next to Salisbury the most considerable Town in this County The Town called anciently Cunetio in Antonine's Itinerarium as the River Kennet was upon which it stands but by the Normans in whose Time this Town revived out of the Ruins of the old it was named Marleburgh as being seated in a chalky Soil which in some Places is still called by the name of Marl. A Town stretched out from East to West upon the ascent of a Hill watered by the Kennet not far from the head of it and having the conveniency both of a Forest and Chase in its Neighbourhood the first called Savernake-Forest and the other Aldburn Chase It had once a Castle belonging unto John surnamed Sans Terre who afterwards was King of England The Castle still famous in our Law-Books for a Parliament there held in the Reign of King Henry III. in which were made the Statutes from hence called of Marleburgh for the suppressing of Tumults But King Charles 1. at this Coronation made it yet more notable in making it the Honour as it was the Neighbour of James Lord Ley Lord Treasurer created by that King Earl of Marlbourough Anno 1625. Which Title continued in three Persons more of his Name and Family and since the late Revolution was conferred by our present King upon the Right Honourable John Churchill the present Earl of Marlborough This Town has suffered very much by the frequent Misfortune of Fire under which it groans to this day Near unto this Place is a Village called Rockley from divers Stones like Rocks pitcht up on end Among which there sometimes breaks forth a violent Stream of Water called Hungersbourn by the Country-people by whom 't is reputed as the fore-runner of a Dearth Malmesbury another good Town stands in the North-West Parts of the County pleasantly seated on a Hill near the Spring of the River Avon over which it has six Bridges being almost incircled with that River Chippenham and Bradford are also seated on the Avon and Troubridge near it Amersbury or Ambresbury commonly pronounced Ambsbury on the other Avon near the Stone-henge and but 6 miles North of Salisbury Upon which River near the Confines of Hampshire you will find also the Town called Downton or Duncton Calne is situate on a River so called which runs from East to West into the Bristol Avon This Town is noted for the Provincial Synod held here in the Year 977 to determine the hot Disputes in those Times between the Monks and the Priests concerning Celibacy But whilst they were debating the Matter in hand the Convocation-house suddenly fell down by which Fall several were slain and many cruelly wounded Wilton is seated between two Rivers the Willy Northward and the Nadder Southward From the first it took its Denomination as the whole County from Wilton Once the chief Town thereof and a Bishops See honoured with the Residence of nine several Bishops But by translating the See to Salisbury and carrying thither withall the Thorough-fare into the West-Country which before was here it fell by little and little to decay So that it is at present but a mean Town Yet still a Borough-Town the Place where the Knights of the Shire are chosen and where the Sheriff keeps his monthly County-Courts Werminster of old Verlucio a Town in former Time of very good account is seated at the Springs of the River Willy otherwise called Willybourn Westbury and Devizes are two Borough-Towns that is such Towns as fend Burgesses to Parliament The first situate on the Broke a small River that falls into the Avon Devizes at the very head of another Stream bearing the Name of the Town which likewise do's empty it self into the Avon I pass by the rest as Inconsiderable to take notice of Clarendon a fine spacious Park lying near to and Eastward of Salisbury 'T is seated upon a Hill on which stand twenty Groves severally inclosed and each a mile in compass Adorned in Times past with a Royal House which in process of time is falnto ruin But more remarkable for that in the Reign of Henry the Second Anno 1164 here was made a certain Recognition and Record of the Customs and Liberties of the Kings of England before the Prelates and Peers of the Kingdom for the avoiding Dissentions between the Clergy the Judges and Barons of the Râ—â—lm Which Act was called The Constitutions of Clarendon whereof so many as the Pope approved have been set down in the Tomes of the Councils and the rest omitted But that which has added more lustre to Clarendon is its being Dignify'd with the Title of an Earldom first in the person of Edward Hyde sometime Lord Chancellour of England who was created Viscount Cornbury in Oxfordshire and Earl of Clarendon by King Charles II Anno 1661. Upon whose Death at Rouen in Normandy Dec. 19th 1674 he was succeeded in his Title by his eldest Son Henry Hyde the present Earl of Clarendon To conclude this County which formerly was Part of the Kingdom of the West-Saxons and its Inhabitants part of the Belgae as the Romans called them is now in the Diocese of Salisbury Out of it are chosen besides the two Knights of the Shire no less than 32 Members to fit in Parliament Viz. two out of each of these following Towns New Sarum or Salisbury Wilton Downton Hindon Westbury Heytesbury Calne the Devizes Chippen ham Malmesbury Cricklade Great Bedwin Lurgershal Old Sarum Wootton Basset and Marlborough But we must not omit the famous Caves that ly in
was part of the ancient Kingdom of Mercia and its Inhabitants part of the Cornavii in the Time of the Romans Out of it are elected besides the two Knights of the Shire seven Members of Parliament Viz. 2 by Worcester 2 by Droitwich 2 by Evesham 1. by Bewdley And so much for Worcestershire Yorkshire YORKSHIRE a Maritime County and the greatest in the whole Kingdom is bounded Eastward by the German Ocean Westward by Lancashire and Westmorland Northward by the said Ocean and the Bishoprick of Durham from which parted by the River Tees and Southward by Lincoln Nottingham and Derby Shires It s Length from East to West is 80 miles its Breadth from North to South 70. The Whole divided first into three Parts called Ridings viz. the East West and North Riding Which together contain 26 Wapentakes or Hundreds wherein 563 Parish-Churches and 49 Market-Towns A small number of Parishes for such an Extent of Ground but that there are great many Chappels of Ease equal for bignesss and resort of people to any Parish elsewhere The East-Riding which is by much the least of the three takes up only that part of Yorkshire which lies between the River Derwent went and the Sea The North-Riding takes up the North Parts as far as Westmorland And the West-Riding the largest of the three is bounded on the North by the two former Ridings on the South by the Counties of Derby Nottingham and Cheshire Eastward by Lincolnshire and Westward by Lancashire The Soil is generally fruitfull in a very good measure And as says Speed if one Part thereof is stony and barren Ground another is as fertile and richly adorned with Corn and Pasturage If here you find it naked and destitute of Woods in other Places you shall find it shadowed with most spacious Forests If it be somewhere moorish miry and unpleasant elsewhere it is as pleasant as the Eye can wish As for Rivers here are many of good note For besides the Tees which parts this County from Durham here you will find the Swale the Youre and the Nyd of which the Ouse at York is a Compound Besides the Warfe the Are the Calder and Derwent which from several Parts fall into the Ouse below York To which add the Dun which severs part of this County from Lincolnshire and the Hull which falls into the Humber at Hull As for the Humber which is the largest of all it cannot be said properly to be a distinct River but rather a Compound or a Mouth of several Rivers joyning into one Stream as I have already hinted in the beginning of this Part. York in Latin Eboracum the chief Place of Yorkshire bears from London North-by-West and is distant therefrom 150 miles thus From London to Huntington 48 miles for the particulars of which I refer you to Huntingtonshire from Huntington to Stamford 21 to Grantham 16 more thence to Newark 10 to Tuxford 9 more from Tuxford to Duncaster 18 to Wentbridge 7 more thence to Tadcaster 12 and to York 9 more A City which for fame and greatness is the second City of England It is in the North-Riding situate on the River Ouse which divides it into two Parts but joyned together by a stately Stone-Bridge Of which two Parts that towards the East is the most populous the Houses standing thicker and the Streets narrower In general 't is a fair large and beautifull City adorned with many fair Buildings both publick and private and inclosed with a strong Wall with several Turrets upon it A City rich and populous well inhabited by Gentry and wealthy Tradesmen and containing about 30 Parish-Churches and Chappels besides its Cathedral dedicated to St. Peter First built by Edwyn the first Christian King of the Northumbers Anno 627 and finished by King Oswald his next Successor but one But being afterwards destroyed by Fire and by the fury of the Danes that which now stands was erected in the place thereof by Archbishop Thomas the 25th of this See and after by degrees adorned and beautify'd by his Successors Of that magnificent Structure which may justly put her in the first Rank of the Cathedrals in Europe In short the Romans of old had this City in such great esteem that Severus their Emperour had his Palace here where he ended his Days Here also upon the Death of Fl. Valerius Constantius surnamed Chlorus his Son Constantine was forthwith proclaimed Emperour Nor did this City flourish only under the Romans for it has been of as eminent Reputation in all Ages since and in the several Turns and Changes which have befallen this Kingdom under the Saxons Danes and Normans has still preserved its ancient Lustre Adorned it was with an Archbishops See in the time of the Britains nor stooped it lower when the Saxons imbraced the Gospel Richard II laying unto it a little Territory on the West-side thereof made it a County Incorporate as our Lawyers term it in which the Archbishops of York injoy the Right of Palatines It is governed as London by a Lord Mayor London and York being the only Cities whose Mayors bear the Title of Lord. But not so much famed by that as by the Title of Duke it has given to divers Princes of the Royal Bloud and particularly to the late King James before he came to the Crown As for its Markets it has two a Week viz. on Thursdays and Saturdays The other Market-Towns are 1. In the East-Riding Heydon Sat. Howden Sat. Burlington Sat. Pocklington Sat. Hull Tue. and Sat. Wighton Wedn. Beverley Wedn. and Sat. Kilham Thu. 2. In the West-Riding Duncaster Sat. Sherburn Sat. Tickhill Sat. Bautrey Sat. Pontefract Sat. Boroughbridge Sat. Skipton Sat. Rotheram Mund. Selby Mund. Otley Tue. Settle Tue. Sheffield Tue. Leeds Tue. and Sat. Wakefield Thu. Frid. Ripley Frid. Snathe Frid. Thorne Barnesley Wedn. Knaresborough Wedn. Hallifax Thu. Bradforth Thu. Tadcaster Thu. Weatherby Thu. Rippon Thu. 3. In the North-Riding Richmond Sat. Whitby Sat. Stokesly Sat. Malton Sat. Helmley Sat. Pickering Mun. Middleham Mun. Gisborough Mun. Thirsk Mun. Bedal Tue. Masham Tue. North-Allerton Wed. Abberforth Wed. Kirby-Moreside Wed. Scarborough Thu. Yarum Thu. In the East-Riding the Town of chief note is Hull otherwise called Kingston upon Hull seated at the very fall of the Hull into the Humber A Town of no great Antiquity being first built by King Edward I who called it Kingston made an Harbour tâ— it and gave such Incouragements to its Inhabitants by the Priviledges he granted them that it grew up quickly to what it is A large Town to this day though containing but two Parish Churches graced with faiâ— Buildings and well ordered Streets with a Custom-house and Key by the Water-side Here Ships come to lade and unlade their Merchandises and in the next Street to it not unlike Thames-street in London they find all Necessaries for Shipping such as Pitch Tar Cordage Sails c. A Town so fortified withall with Walls Ditches Forts Block-houses and Castles that with
Rent of the Shops above and below Stairs and the vaulted Cellars under Ground Which comes to about 4000 l. a Year besides 30 l. Fine which is paid for every Shop And as Dr. Chamberlain observes this goodly Fabrick not taking up quite an Acre of Ground is perhaps the richest piece of Ground in the whole World In our Way towards Westminster before we come to St. Pauls Cathedral are three Things worth taking notice of On the left hand a Statute of King Charles II. on Horseback in Stock-Market with a fine Conduit to it Bow steeple in the middle of Cheapside and on the right hand the Guild-hall The first done in white Marble at the Cost and Charges of Sir Robert Viner The other a solid and beautifull Structure composed of four of the Orders of Building which shews the rare Invention of the Architect The whole Height of it from the Ground is 225 foot and yet is but half so high as the intended Dome of St. Pauls Cathedral is designed to be Noted besides for its Ring of Bells reputed to be the best in all England Guildhall where the the City Courts of Judicature are held and where the Lord Mayor Aldermen and Common-Council meet for the Management of the City-Concerns is a spacious Building but more glorious within than without At the first coming in is a spacious Hall set out among other Things with the Pictures of Their Majesties King William and Queen Mary with those of several Judges Here are also two Giauts that stand up in their bulky Figures Blackwell-Hall is so near this Place and so famous for the Sale of Woollen-Cloths that I cannot pass it by in Silence The same was purchased by the Lord Mayor and Commonalty in the Beign of Richard II and has been since imployed as a Weekly Market-Place for all sorts of Woollen-Cloth broad and narrow brought from all Parts of the Kingdom there to be sold And it is to this day the greatest Market and Store-house for all sorts of Woolen-Cloth And now we come to St. Pauls Cathedral seated on the highest Part of all the City and first built by Sebert the first Christian King of the East-Saxons Before the Fire it was in Length 690 Foot that is 20 foot longer than St. Peter's in Rome which for beauty proportion and divers other Things excels all other Churches It s Breadth and Height were proportionable to the Length so that it stood upon so much ground as contained above 3 Acres and a half This famous Church as vast and solid as it was was devoured by that dreadfull Fire in the Year 1666. But some Years after Sir Christopher Wren having by the King's Command designed a new Model of it a new Foundation was laid accordingly And ever since this stately Fabrick has been carried on to that height we see it now So that for Greatness and Figure for Solidity Magnificence and curious-Architecture 't is like to excel all Churches in Christendom except in some particulars St. Peter's Church in Rome To this Cathedral belongs a Dean and thirty Prebendaries c. Within the Liberties The Two Sergeants Inns one in Fleetstreet and the other in Chancery-Lane Two Inns of Court the Inner and the Middle-Temple in Fleetstreet Five Inns of Chancery viz. Clifford's-Inn in Fleetstreet and these four in Hoâ—born Thavies Furnivals Bernards and Staple-Inns Without the Liberties Two other Inns of Court viz. Grays Inn in Holborn and Lincolns Inn in Chancery Lane Three Inns of Chancery viz. Clements Inn New Inn and Iyons Inn. The Sergeants Inns are so called because divers Judges and Sergeants at Law keep their Commons and Lodge there in Term-time The Number of these is about 26 who being arrived to the highest Degree in the Study of the Common Law have here their Lodging and Diet. Out of these are all the Judges of the Kings Bench Common Pleas and Exchequer elected by the King â—t being a Degree in the Common Law anâ—werable to that of Doctor in the Civil Law But whereas Doctors of Law are allowed to it covered within the Bar the Sergeants stand â—are-headed without the Bar only with Coifs â—or Caps on For they are called Servientes 〈◊〉 Legem and Servitutis Appellatio-est Ministeâ—ii Doctoris vero Magisterii The Degrees by which the Student in the â—ommon Law rises to that of a Sergeant are first by being bred 2 or 3 years in the University in the Study of Logick and Rhetorick with some Insight into the Civil Law Upon which he is admitted to one of the four Inns of Court where he is first called a Student or Inner-Barrister till after 7 Years Study he becomes a Mootman or Utter-Barrister and some Years after a Bencher Those are Utter-Barristers who from their Learning and Standing are called by the Benchers in the Mooting Time to plead and argue Moots that is doubtfull Cases and Questions And whilst they argue the said Cases they sit uttermost on the Forms of the Benchers Out of these Mootmen are chosen Readers for the Inns of Chancery where in Term-Time and Grand Vacations they argue Cases in the presence of Attorneys and Clerks In the four Inns of Chancery seated in Holbourn the Moots are read either by those of Grays-Inn or Lincolns-Inn and in the others by those of the two Temples The Benchers so called from the Bench whereon they sit at the upper end of the Hall are the Seniors to whom is committed the Government of the whole House and out of whose Number is yearly chosen a Treasurer who receives disburses and accounts for all Moneys belonging to the House Out of these are also chosen those Readers whose Reading is kept with so much feasting and solemnity To which are invited the chief Nobles Judges Bishops great Officers of the Kingdom and sometimes the King himself Such a Feasting as has cost some Readers 1000 l. After which the Reader wears a long Robâ—different from other Barristers and is then in a capacity to be made a Sergeant at Law the Sergeants being usually chosen out of these Readers The Manner of their Choice is thus When the Number of Sergeants is small the Lord Chief-Justice of the Common Pleas by the advice and consent of the other Judges makes choice of some of the most grave and learned of the Inns of Court and presents their Names to the Lord Chancellour or Lord Keeper Who sends by the King 's Writ to each of them to appear on such a day before the King to receive the State and Degree of a Sergeant at Law At the appointed Time they being habited in party-coloured Robes come to Westminster-Hall accompany'd with the Students of the Inns of Court and attended by a Train of Servants and Retainers in their Cloth Liveries Where they take in publick a solemn Oath and are cloathed with Coifs which they wear always in publick After this they feast the great Persons of the Nation in a most splendid manner and present them with gold Rings
Civil Affairs by a MAYOR with the Title of Lord prefixt given to no Mayor in England but that of London and of late to the Mayor of York In the Time of the Romans he was called Prefect of London in the Saxons time Port-greeve and sometimes Provost of London and after the Coming in of the Normans Bayliff 'T was King Richard I who in the Year 1189 being the first of his Reign changed the Name of Bayliff into that of Mayor a French Word originally which has continued ever since This great and mighty Magistrate is yearly chosen by the Citizens upon Michaelmas Day the 29th of September The Body out of which he is chosen are the 26 Aldermen all Persons of great Wealth and Wisdom at least ought so to be Those that chuse him are first the Livory-men or Members of the several Companies of Tradesmen within the City and at last the Aldermen which is done in this manner First the Livery-Men do usually put up four Candidates out of which they chuse two by the Plurality of Voices and out of these two the Court of Aldermen select whom they think fit And though they be free in their Choice yet commonly they have a regard for the Senior Alderman that has not been Lord Mayor and give him the Precedence The Mayor Elect being Proclaimed is sworn first at Guildhall and afterwards at Westminster There he swears to maintain the Priviledges of the People and here to be True to the King The Installation-Day is the 29th of October a Month after the Election The Solemnity of which Day upon his Account is so great that no Magistrate in Europe appears with so much state and grandure as the Mayor of London upon his Installation First he go's by water to Westminster in his Barge of state accompanied with the Aldermen in all their Formalities with their Scarlet Robes and Chains of gold hanging before their Breasts The Twelve Companies also in their several Barges â—et out with their Arms Colours and Screamers on both sides attend him in their furred Gowns In his way he is saluted from the Shore with the noise of great Guns and as he passes by Whitehall the King from thence viewing the Solemnity gives him and his Brethren a Mark of his Respect At last being landed at Westminster Bridge the several Companies march in order to their Hall and after them the Mayor and Aldermen with the Sword and Mace before them the Sword-bearer with his Cap of Maintenance on his head At their Entrance into the Hall the Hall is Intertained with the harmonious Musick of a Set of Hoboys marching in order before them and playing all the Way First they walk round the Hall where they pay their respects to each Court of Judicature and from the Hall they proceed to the Exchequer-Chamber where the New Lord Mayor is Sworn by the Barons This done they walk again in Procession round the Hall to invite the several Judges of each Court to Dinner at Guildhall And after this the whole Procession returns in the same manner by Water to Black-Friars From whence the Lord Mayor and Aldermen make their Cavalcade to Guildhall all mounted upon Horses richly Caparisoned the Livery-Men marching before in good order And now the Artillery men make their best appearance with their Buff-coats and Head-pieces But the most diverting Sight is that of the Pageants here and there in motion to divert the Spectators At last a most splendid Dinner to which besides the Judges many of the great Lords and Ladies the Privy Counsellours the forein Embassadors and oftentimes the King and Queen are invited concludes the Solemnity Such is the Magnificence of the Lord Mayor of London though always a Citizen and Tradesman being a Member of one of the 12 Companies Who for his great Dignity is usually Knighted by the King before the Year of his Mayoralty be expired unless he had received that Honour before whilst he was an Alderman as of late has been â—shal His Authority reaches not only all over this great City and part of the Suburbs except some particular Places but also on the Thames as far as the Mouth of it and Westward as far as Stanes-Bridge And so great is his Power that he may cause any Person inhabiting within London or the Liberties thereof to be Summoned to appear before him upon the Complaint of any Citizen and for Non-appearance may grant his Warrant to bring such Person before him For he has Power to determine Differences between Party and Party His Attendance whilst he is a Mayor is very considerable For besides his proper Servants first he has four principal Officers that wait on him as Lord Mayor who are reputed Esquires by their Places And those are the Sword-bearer the Common Hunt the Common Crier and the Water-Bayliff whose Places are very advantageous and purchased when vacant at a great rate from the Lord Mayor for the time being Besides them there is the Coroner 3 Sergeants Carvers 3 Sergeants of the Chamber 1 Sergeant of the Channel 4 Yeomen of the Waterside 1 Vnder Water-Bayliff 2 Yeomen of the Chamber 3 Meal-Weighers 2 Yeomen of the Wood-Wharf and several others Most of which have Servants allowed them with Livories Among which the Sword-bearer has a 1000 l. a Year allowed him for his Table in the Lord Mayor's House When he appears abroad on horseback which is his usual Appearance 't is with rich Caparison and always in long Robes sometimes of fine Scarlet-Cloth richly furred sometimes Purple and sometimes Puke with a black Velvet Hood over his Robes and a great Chain of Gold with a rich Jewel to it hanging from his Neck downwards Attended by several Officers walking before and on both sides of him He keeps an open Table all the Year to all Comers of any quality and so well furnished that it is always fit to receive the greatest Subject of England or of any other Potentate He has a Priviledge to hunt not only in Middlesex but also in Essex and Surrey and for this purpose has a Kennel of Hounds always maintained On the King's Coronation-Day he claims to be the chief Butler and bears the King's Cup among the highest Nobles of the Kingdom which serve on that Day in other Offices And upon the King's Death he is said to be the prime Person of England Therefore when King James I was invited to come and take the Crown of England Robert Lee then Mayor of London subscribed in the first place before all the Officers of the Crown and all the Nobility One Thing is observable which hapned not long since I mean four Mayors the City had in little more than half a Year viz. Sir John Shorter Sir John Eyles Sir John Chapman and Sir Thomas Pilkington For upon the Death of the first in September 1688 Sir John Eyles was made Lord Mayor and in October following the Charter being restored Sir John Chapman was chosen Lord Mayor Who dying in March following
Warranto brought in at the latter end of Charles II his Reign and a new Charter granted the City but with several Restrictions of great moment yet that Judgement was Reversed upon their late Application to the Parliament and their ancient Charter Confirmed So that Things run now as they did before that Judgment in their proper Channel For Military Affairs the City of London is a Lieutenancy of it self So that the Power of a Lord Lieutenant is in the Lord Mayor and Aldermen and other principal Members of the City for the Time being Who by a peculiar Commission from His Majesty are authorized to act as his Lieutenants in London for the ordering the City-Militia with the same Power that the Lord Lieutenants have in their respective Counties Now the City-Militia consists of 6 Regiments of Foot making about 90000 men besides the Hamlets of the Tower 2 Regiments and the Regiment of Southwark To which if we add the Militia of Westminster consisting of 2 Regiments called Holborn and Westminster each of 2000 men we find in all eleven Regiments But in case of Necessity the Auxiliaries are raised consisting of Apprentices which make up six Regiments more every Freeman that has two Apprentices finding one for that purpose To supply the City Train-Bands and Auxiliary men with Commanders there is a Nursery of Souldiers called the Artillery Company of above 60 Years standing This Company consists of 600 choice men commanded in chief by the King and under his Majesty by a Leader Who exercises this Company every Tuesday fortnight in the Artillery-Ground a spacious Place near Moorfields inclosed for that purpose with a fair Brick-Wall And the other Tuesday the Exercise is performed by the several Members of the Company who are there trained up to command most of them being Commanders of the Train-Bands They have a Court-Marshal consisting of a President Vice-President Colonel and 24 Members of the Company On the second Tuesday in February is their general Rendezvous every Year when they chuse their Officers Which besides the Leader are two Lieutenants 2 Ensigns 2 Sergeants a Provost Marshal 3 Gentlemen of Arms c. The Church-Government is by the Bishop of London The Parishes whereof for the most part provided with able and eminent Divines under the Title of Rector or Vicar are under his Jurisdiction And for maintaining these Divines with their Families there is in most Parishes a Parsonage or Vicarage-House with a yearly Allowance besides the Perquisites arising from Christenings Marriages and Burials Which Allowance since the Reformation falls much short of what it was in the time of Popery when besides the Tythes of the Tradesmens Gains the Mortuaries Obits c. the Priest tho' in a state of Celibacy had 3 shillings and 5 pence in the pound of the yearly Rent of all the Houses and Shops in his Parish Which afterwards was brought to 2 shillings 9 pence in the pound by an Act of Parliament under the Reign of Henry VIII and that confirmed by a subsequent Act. But since the Reformation this being lookt upon as too large an Allowance it has been so curtailed that 't will be hard to bring back that golden Age. 'T is true under the Reign of Charles II. a Regulation was made by Act of Parliament but it concerned only those Parishes whose Churches had been demolished by the dreadfull Fire And according to the several Extents of Parishes the Parsons thereof by virtue of that Act have a certain yearly Allowance none under 100 Pounds and none above 200 but most between one and two hundred Pounds The same to be raised in lieu of Tythe within the said respective Parishes by rating the Houses and Shops therein proportionably to their respective Rents As to those Parishes all over the City and Suburbs where there is besides the Parson a Lecturer he has his maintenance no otherwise than by a voluntary Contribution from the Parishioners As for the City of Westminster the Dean and Chapter are invested with all mander of Jurisdiction both Civil and Ecclesiastical not only within the City of Westminster but also in other Places of their Jurisdiction as the Precincts of S. Martin le Grand within the Walls of London and some Towns in Essex The Dean in particular has a Commission of Peace within the City and Liberties of Westminster The principal Officer in it called the High Steward of Westminster is usually one of the prime Nobility Under whom there is a Deputy Steward then the Bayliff and the two high Burgesses these chosen every Year Within the Precincts of Westminster but chiefly near the Court the Nobility and Gentry take up for the most part their Quarters But the proper Station of the Lawyers is in their Inns between the City and the Court and that of Merchants and Seamen in and about the East-end of the City Thus you have a short Description of the famous City of London the Metropolis of England the Seat of the British Empire the Epitome and Glory of this Kingdom A City which for Greatness Beauty Conveniencies Plenty of Provisions Commerce Riches and good Government is inferiour to none beyond Sea 'T is a Magazine of all sorts of Commodities necessary or expedient for the Use or Pleasure of Mankind The great Rendez-vous of the Nobility Gentry Courtiers Divines Lawyers Physicians Merchants Seamen of the best Artificers the most refined Wits and the greatest Beauties of the Land For a constant Supply of Provisions here are abundance of Markets the best furnished of any in Christendom but especially Leaden-Hall-Market near the Royal Exchange in the City the greatest Flesh-Market about the City and a great Magazine of Corn. So that there is scarce a great City in Europe where poor People or such as love a frugal Life may live cheaper or the splendid Liver gallanter To get a Livelyhood and raise himself in the World no Place like this by Mechanick or Liberal Arts by Merchandizing Offices Preferments c. For Conveniencies and Delight here all is at hand and scarce any Thing wanting that Money can purchase In point of Society here learned and unlearned high and low rich and poor good and bad may fit themselves any where And this I must needs say to the Praise of London that there is not a Place in Europe of such a vast Confluence of all sorts of People where Murders and Outrages so frequent in great and populous Cities beyond Sea are so seldom heard of Which argues a great deal of Wisdom in the Magistrate that so great a Body should be kept in so good Order William the Conquerour to prevent Disorders and Mischiefs in the Night commanded that in every Town and Village a Bell called Curfew-Bell a Corrupt Word from the French Couvre-feu should be rung every Night at 8 of the Clock and that all people should then put out their Fire and Candle This continued in his Reign and that of his next Successor William Rufus But Henry I. revoked
absence to do whatever almost the Chancellour might do if he were present He keeps Judicial Courts wholly ruled by the Civil Law which all Members of the University are subject to And by Charter of Henry IV it is left to his Choice whether any Member in the University there inhabiting accused for Felony or High Treason shall be tried by the Laws of the Land or by the Laws and Customs of the University Though now where Life or Limb is concerned the Criminal is left to be tried by the Laws of the Land But in all Suits for Debts Accounts Contracts Injuries c. betwixt the Students he is the proper Judge and has Power to determine such Causes to Imprison to give corporal Punishment to excommunicate to suspend and to banish 'T is the Vice-Chancellor's Business to see that Sermons Lectures Disputations and other Exercises be performed that lewd people Hereticks c. be expelled the University and the Converse with Students that the Proctors and other Officers of the University duly perform their Duty that Courts be duly called and Law-Suits determined without delay In a word that whatever is for the Honour and Benefit of the University or may conduce to the Advancement of good Literature may be carefully obtained Next to the Vice-Chancellor are the two Proctors yearly chosen by turns out of the several Colledges These are to assist in the Government of the University more particularly in the business of Scholastick Exercises and taking Degrees in searching after and punishing all Violaters of Statutes or Priviledges of the University all Night-Walkers c. They have also the Oversight of Weights and Measures that Students may not be wronged Next in order is the Publick Orator Whose Charge is to write Letters according to the Orders of the Convocation or Congregation and at the Reception of any Prince or great Person that comes to see the University to make proper Harangues c. Then there is the Custos Archivorum or Keeper of Records Whose Duty is to collect and keep the Charters Priviledges and Records that concern the University to be always ready to produce them before the chief Officers and to plead the Rights and Priviledges of the University Lastly there is a Register of the Univerfity whose Office is to register all Transactions in Convocations Congregations Delegacies c. Besides the foresaid Officers there are certain publick Servants the chief whereof are the six Beadles and the Verger Three of the first are called Squire Beadles who carry large Maces of Silver gilt and the other three Yeomen Beadles whose Maces are of Silver but ungilt Their Office is always to wait on the Vice-Chancellor in publick doing what belongs to his Place and at his Command to seize any Delinquent and carry him to Prison to summon and publish the Calling of Courts or Convocations to conduct Preachers to Church and Lecturers to School c. But upon Solemnities the Verger appears with a Silver Rod in his hand and walking with the other six before the Vice-Chancellor is to observe his Commands and to wait on Grand Compounders c. I have already mentioned several great Priviledges granted by former Kings to this University That of sending two Burgesses to Parliament they hold from King James I. Another that no Victuals be taken by the King's Purveyors within 5 miles of Oxford unless the King himself comes thither is of a much more ancient Date But one of the most considerable is That granted by Charter of King Edward III whereby the Mayor of Oxford is to obey the Orders of the Vice-Chancellor and be in subjection to him Accordingly the Mayor with the chief Burgesses in Oxford and the High-Sheriff of Oxfordshire besides every Year in a solemn manner take an Oath given by the Vice-Chancellor to observe and conserve the Rights Priviledges and Liberties of the University of Oxford And every Year on the tenth of February being the Day of S. Scholastica a certain Number of the principal Burgesses publickly and solemnly do pay to each Colledge a Peny in token of their Submission to the Orders and Rights of the University Thus you have a short Description of Oxford as a City and an University My next Business is the Description of Cambridge Cambridge CAMBRIDGE the chief Town of Cambridgeshire and that from whence the Country is denominated bears from London North by East and is distant therefrom 44 miles thus From London to Waltham 12 to Ware 8 more thence to Puckeridge 5 to Barkway 7 and to Cambridge 12 more 'T is seated at the Confluence of two Rivers the Cam and the Grant which running from thence Northward in one Channel empty themselves in the Ouse 3 miles above Ely By these Rivers it is separated into two but unequal Parts but they have Communication by a Bridge It is a Place of a large Extent numbering 14 Parishes And according to Doctor Fuller's Observation in his Worthies of England 't is a Town within an University whereas Oxford is an University within a Town For in Cambridge the Colledges are not so surrounded with Streets as in Oxford but for the generality seated in the Skirts of the Town which afford them the better and more delightfull Walks and Gardens about them There are in Oxford as I said before 18 Indowed Colledges and 7 Halls In Cambridge there is but 12 Colledges and 4 Halls 'T is true they are all Indowed and generally so large that the Number of Students is commonly little different from that of Oxford The Names of them and of their Founders together with the Time of their Foundation you have in the following Table Colled Halls Founded by Anno. S. Peter's Colledge Hugh de Balsham Bishop of Ely 1284 Clare-Hall Rich. Badow Chanc. of the University 1326 Pembroke-Hall Mary S. Paul 1343 Gonvile Cajus Edmund de Gonvile and Cajus 1348 Trinity-Had Wil. Bateman Bishop of Norwich 1350 Corpus Christi H. of Monmouth D. of Lancaster 1351 King's Colledge King Henry VI. 1441 Queen's Colledge Margaret Wife to King Henry VI. 1448 Catharine Hall Robert Wood Lord Chancellor of the University 1475 Jesus Colledge John Alcock Chanc. of England 1496 Christs Colled S. John's Coll. Margaret Countess of Richmond 1505 Christs Colled S. John's Coll. Margaret Countess of Richmond 1508 Magdalen Coll. Tho. Audley Chanc. of England 1519 Trinity Colledge King Henry VIII 1546 Emanuel Colledge Sir Walter Mildmay Chancellor of the Exchequer 1582 Sidney and Sussex Francis Sidney Chancellor of Sussex 1598 The Degrees at Cambridge are usually taken as at Oxford except in Law and Physick For at Cambridge six Years after one has taken the Degree of Master of Art one may take the Degree of Batchelor and after five Years more that of Doctor The Batchelors of Arts compleat their Degree in Lent beginning at Ash-Wednesday And the first Tuesday of July is always Dies Comitiorum there called the Commencement wherein the Masters of Arts and the Doctors of all Faculties compleat
Parliament dispenses with that Act. Neither can any be legally chosen that is not of full Age that is 21 Years old at least And reason good for if no Man under that Age can dispose of his Estate much less should he have any share in the supream Power of the Nation to judge vote or dispose of the Estate of the Realm Yet the Practice in the House of Commons has often been otherwise in the House of Lords but seldom Whoever stands to be Elected must be a Native Englishman or at least must be Naturalized by Act of Parliament No Alien Denizated ought to sit here None of the Judges can be chosen that sit in the Bench Common Pleas or Exchequer because they are Assistants in the Lords House But any that have Judicial Places in other Courts Ecclesiastical or Civil being no Lords of Parliament are Eligible No Sheriff nor Clergy-man can be chosen a Member of Parliament Not the first because his personal Attendance is required within his Bayliwick during the time of his Sheriffalty Nor the last because he is of another Body viz. the Convocation and the Clergy of the Convocation-House are no Part or Member of the Parliament A Man attainted of Treason or Felony c. is not Eligible For he ought to be magis idonâ—us discretus sufficiens But a Person Outlawed in a Personal Cause may be a Burgess And tho the Common Law do's disinable the Party yet the Priviledge of the House being urged prevails over the Law Anciently the Elected Members had a competent Allowance from the respective County City or Borough for which they served in Parliament A Knight of the Shire was allowed 4 shill and a Citizen or Burgess 2 shill a Day which in those Days was a considerable Sum. But then the Sessions were but short sometimes but eight Days sometimes less seldom above three or four Weeks and yet during that short space of time several great and weighty Affairs were dispatched Which as some think were prepared to their hand by the King and Council as it is now practised in Sweden by the 40 Counsellors of State and in Scotland by the Lords of the Articles And if they did only debate upon such Things as the King did propose a little Time might serve well enough to do it But it do's not appear to be so by what passed Feb. 9. 1597 39 Eliz. When the Queen gave her Royal Assent to 24 publick and 19 private Bills but refused 48 Bills more which had passed both Houses Certain it is that there was less Canvassing and more Plainness in those Days than there is at present The Place of Meeting for this honourable Assembly is in whatsoever City Town or House the King pleases But of latter times it has been ufually at the Kings ancient Palace at Westminster the Lords in a Room by themselves and the Commons not far from them in another Room which formerly was S. Stephens Chappel When the Day prefixt by the King in his Writs of Summons is come His Majesty usually comes in person to the House of Lords cloathed with his Royal Robes the Crown upon his head and the Sword of State before Him At the upper end of the Room is placed a Chair of State under a Canopy upon which His Majesty sits Then all the Temporal Peers appear in their Scarlet Robes every one according to his Degree and the Spiritual Lords in their Episcopal Habit which they do all the Sessions On the Kings right hand next the Wall are placed on a Form the two Arch-Bishops next below on another Form the Bishops of London Durham and Winchester then upon other Forms on the same side all the rest of the Bishops sit according to the priority of their Consecration The Lord Chancellor or Keeper when there is one stands behind the Cloth of State or fits on the first Wool-sack before the Chair of State with his Great Seal and Mace by him On the Kings left hand are placed the Treasurer President of the Council and Lord Privy Seal of they be Barons above all Dukes but those of the Royal Family if not Barons then they sit uppermost on the Wool-sacks And on the same side sit the Dukes Marquesses or Earls according to their Creation Cross the House below the Wool-sacks the first Form is that which the Viscounts sit upon and upon the next Forms the Barons all in order The King being thus seated in his Throne with this noble Appearance of the Peers of the Realm all standing uncovered his Majesty sends for the Commons from their Room where they are assembled Who being come at least part of them stand at the Bar of the Lords House Whereupon the King makes a short Speech to both Houses concerning such Matters as He thinks fit to lay before them for the Good of the Kingdom Amongst which that of a Supply of Mony is most commonly one in order to answer the extraordinary Charges of the Crown The King having ended his Speech the Chancellor or Lord Keeper did formerly use by the Kings Appointment to inlarge upon it with all the Rhetorick and Logick the Matter could bear to dispose both Houses to a Compliance with the King But His present Majesty has declined that Method and being a Prince of few Words gains more upon rational Men by his concise and plain Way of Delivery as the more agreeable to a true generous Nature than perhaps he might with all the Windings and Turnings of artificial Rhetorick Then the Speaker of the House of Lords commands in the Kings Name the Commons to assemble in their House there to chuse one of their Members for their Speaker and to present him such a Day to His Majesty Upon which the King withdraws and the Commons presently re-assemble themselves in the Lower House in order to chuse one of their Members for Speaker Sometimes as in the last Session the Speaker is chosen by the Kings Command before fore His Majesty delivers his Speech to both Houses of Parliament After the Speaker is chosen and the Choice approved by the King His Majesty leaves both Houses to their private Debates upon the Subject of his Speech and do's no more appear amongst them that Session in his Royal Robes except upon the passing of any Act or at the Close of the Session whether it be by Adjournment Prorogation or Dissolution 'T is true upon any extraordinary Debate in the House of Lords 't is customary with the Kings of England to assist at the same not to argue upon it or to influence the House one way or other but only to hear the Arguments of the House upon the Matter in Debate But then the King appears without his Crown and Robes and every Peer sits except when he speaks to the House as if the King were not there The House of Lords otherwise called the House of Peers or the Vpper House consists of 189 Members Viz. 163 Temporal Lords whereof 14 Dukes 3 Marquesses
of Maldon Sir Thomas Darcy Bar. Charles Mountague Es Borough of Harwich The Right Honourable Charles Lord Chyne Sir Thomas Middleton Kt. Glocestershire 8. Sir John Guise Bar. Sir Ralph Dutton Bar. City of Glocester William Cooke Esq William Try Esq Borough of Cirencester The Right Honourable Henry Powle Esq Richard Howe Esq Borough of Tewksbury Rich. Dowdeswell Esq The Right Honourable Sir Henry Capell Kt. Herefordshire 8. Sir John Morgan Bar. Sir Herbert Croft Bar. City of Hereford Paul Foley Esq Henry Cornwall Esq Borough of Lempster Tho. Conyngesby Esq John Dutton Colt Esq Borough of Weobly John Birch Esq Robert Price Esq Hertfordshire 6. Sir Tho. Pope Blount Bar. Ralph Freeman Esq Borough of St. Albans Sir Samuel Grimston Bar. George Churchill Esq Borough of Hertford Sir Will. Cowper Bar. Sir Will. Leman Bar. Huntingtonshire 4 The Honourable Robert Mountague Esq John Driden Esq Borough of Huntington The Honourable Sidney Wortly alias Mountague Esq The Honourable Richard Mountague Esq Kent 10. The Honourable Sir Vere Fane Knight of the Bath Sir John Knatchbull Bar. City of Canterbury Sir William Honywood Bar. Henry Lee Esq City of Rochester Sir Joseph Williamson Kt. Francis Clarke Esq Borough of Maidston Sir Tho. Taylor Bar. Thomas Ryder Esq Borough of Queenborough Sir John Bankes Bar. Robert Crawford Esq Lancashire 14. The Right Honourable Charles Lord Brandon Gerrard The Honourable James Stanley Borough of Lancaster Roger Kirby Esq Thomas Preston Esq Borough of Preston in Amounderness Christopher Greenfeild Esq Borough of Newton The Honourable George Cholmondely Esq Sir John Chichley Kt. Borough of Wiggaâ—â— Sir Rich. Standish Kt. Peter Shakerly Esq Borough of Clitheroe Anthony Parker Esq Roger Kenyon Esq Borough of Leverpool The Kight Honourable Richard Lord Colchester Tho. Norris of Speak Esq Leicester 4. The Right Honourable Bennet Lord Sherrard Sir Thomas Hesilridge Bar. Borough of Leicester Sir Edward Abney Kt. Lawrence Carter Esq Lincoln 12. The Right Honourable George Viscount Castleton Sir Tho. Hussey Bar. City of Lincoln Sir John Bolles Bar. Sir Edw. Hussey Bar. Borough of Boston Peregrine Berty Esq Sir William Yorke Kt. Borough of Great Grimsby Sir Edw. Ayscogh Kt. John Chaplin Esq Town of Stamford The Honourable Charles Bertie Esq William Hyde Esq Borough of Grantham Sir John Brownlowe Bar. Sir William Ellis Bar. Middlesex 8. Sir Char. Gerrard Bar. Ralph Hawtery Esq City of Westminster Sir Will. Poultney Kt. Sir Walter Clarges Bar. London Sir Will. Pritchard Kt. Sir Sam. Dashwood Kt. Sir Will. Turner Kt. Sir Tho. Vernon Kt. Monmouth 3 The Right Honourable Charles Lord Marquess of Worcester Thomas Morgan Esq Borough of Monmouth Sir Charles Kemeys Kt. Norfolk 12. Sir Jacob Astley Kt. and Baronet Sir William Cooke Bar. City of Norwich Thomas Blofeild Esq Hugh Bokenham Esq Town of Lyn Regis Sir John Turner Kt. Daniel Bedingfeild Esq Town of Great Yarmouth George England Esq Samuel Fuâ—ler Esq Borough of Thetford Baptist May Esq Sir Francis Guybon Kt. Borough of Castlerising Right Honourable Sir Robert Howard Kt. Robert Walpole Esq Northampton 9. Sir St. Andrew St. John Bar. John Parkhurst Esq City of Peterborough Will. Brownlowe Esq Gilbert Dolben Esq Town of Northampton Sir Tho. Samuel Bar. Sir William Langham Kt. Town of Brackley The Honourable Sir William Egerton Knight of the Bath John Blencowe Sergeant at Law Borough of Higham-Ferrers Thomas Andrews Esq Northumberland 8. William Forster Esq Philip Bickerstaff Esq Town of Newcastle upon Tine Sir Ralph Carr Kt. William Carr Esq Borough of Morpeth The Right Honourable Charles Lerd Morpeth Roger Fenwick Esq Town of Berwick upon Tweed Sir Francis Blake Kt. â—amuel Ogle Esq Nottingham 8. Sir Scroop How Kt. Will. Sacheverel Esq Town of Nottingham Char. Hutchinson Esq Richard Slater Esq Borough of Eastretford John Thornehagh Esq Town of Newark upon Trent The Right Honourable William Lord Eland The Honourable Nicholas Sanderson Esq Oxon 9. The Right Honourable Mountague Lord. Norreys Sir Robert Jenkinson Bar. University of Oxon. The Honourable Heneage Finch Esq Sir Tho. Clerges Kt. City of Oxon. The Honourable Henry Bertie Esq Sir Edw. Norreys Kt. Borough of New-Woodstock Sir Tho. Littleton Bar. Thomas Wheate Esq Borough of Banbury Sir Robert Dashwood Kt. and Bar. Rutland 2. Sir Tho. Mackworth Bar. Bennet Sherrard Esq Salop 12. The Honourable Richard Newport Esq Edward-Kynaston of Oately Esq Town of Salop. The Honourable Andrew Newport Esq Richard Mitton Esq Borough of Bruges alias Bridgenorth Sir William Whitmore Bar. Sir Edward Acton Bar. Borough of Ludlow Thomas Hanmer Esq William Gower Esq Borough of Wenlock Sir Will. Forester Kt. George Weld Esq Town of Bishops-Castle William Oakeley Esq Somerset 18. Sir Edward Phillips Kt. Nathaniel Palmer Esq City of Bristol Sir Richard Hart Kt. Sir John Knight Kt. City of Bath Sir William Basset Kt. Joseph Langton Esq City of Wells Edward Barkeley Esq Hopton Wyndham Esq Borough of Taunton John Speke Esq Edward Clark Esq Borough of Bridgwater Sir Francis Warr Bar. Henry Bull Esq Borough of Minehead Borough of Ilchester Sir Edw. Winham Bar. John Hunt Esq Borough of Milborn-Port Sir Thomas Travel Kt. Sir Charl. Carteret Kt. Southampton 26. The Right Honourable Charles Lord Marquess of Winchester Richard Norton Esq City of Winchester The Right Honourable William Lord Pawlet Frederick Tilney Esq Town of Southampton Sir Char. Windham Kt. Sir Benj. Newland Kt. Town of Portsmouth The Honourable Edward Russel Esq Nicholas Hedger Alderman Borough of Yarmouth The Right Honourable Sir John Trever Kt. Speaker Charles Duncombe Esq Borough of Petersfield Robert Michel Esq Richard Holt Esq Borough of Newport alias Medona Sir Robert Holmes Kt. Sir Will. Stephens Kt. Borough of Stockbridge Will. Mountague Esq Richard Whithed Esq Borough of Newtown The Right Honourable Richard Earl of Ranelagh Thomes Done Esq Borough of Christ-Church Francis Gwyn Esq William Ettrick Esq Borough of Whitchurch Henry Wallop Esq The Honourable James Russel Esq Borough of Lemington John Burrard Esq Thomas Dore Esq Borough of Andover The Honourable Francis Pawlet of Amport Esq John Pollen Esq Staffordshire 10. The Honourable John Grey Esq Walter Chetwind Esq City of Lichfield Robert Burdet Esq Richard Dyot Esq Borough of Stafford John Chetwind Esq Jonathan Cope Esq Borough of Newcastleunder Line Sir William Levison Gower Bar. Sir Thomas Bellot Bar. Borough of Tamworth Sir Henry Gough Kt. Michael Biddulph Esq Suffolk 16. Sir Samuel Barnardiston Bar. Sir Gervas Elwes Bar. Borough of Ipswich Sir John Barker Bar. Sir Charles Blois Bar. Borough of Dunwich Sir Robert Rich Kt. and Bar. Sir Philip Skippon Kt. Borough of Orford Thomas Glemham Esq Thomas Felton Esq Borough of Alborough Sir Henry Johnson Kt. William Johnson Esq Borough of Sodbury John Robinson Esq Borough of Eye Henry Poley Esq Thomas Davenant Esq Borough of St. Edmonsbury Sir Robert Davers Bar. Henry Goldwell Esq Surrey 14. Sir Rich. Onslow Bar. Sir Franc. Vincent Bar. Borough of Southwark Anthony Bower Esq John Arnold Esq Borough of Blechingly Thomas Howard Esq Sir Robert
Trade for the Stuffs here made and of some note for its excellent Oysters In short 't is the richest fairest and best traded Town in the whole County from whence the Earl Rivers takes his Title of Viscount Yet in regard it stands in the extremity of all the County the Sessions and Assizes are held most commonly at Chelmsford which is almost in the middle of it It s Market is kept on Saturdays and is well served with Provisions The other Market-Towns are Maldon Sat. Harwich Tue. Cogshall Sat. Manytre Tue. Walden Sat. Billerakey Tue. Dunmore Sat. Waltham Abbey Tue. Hatfield Sat. Braintre Wedn. Raleigh Sat. Rumford Wedn. Hornden Sat. Buntwood Thu. Barkin Sat. Epping Thu. and Frid. Cheping-Onger Sat. Hâ—ulsteed Frid. Cheping-Onger Sat. Chelmsford Frid. Cheping-Onger Sat. Thanted Frid. Among which Maldon and Harwich are two noted Harbours The first by the Romans called Camelodunum a Town of great antiquity and the Seat of Cunobelin King of the Trinobantes about the Time of Christ's Birth 'T is seated on the River Chelmer about 7 miles from the Sea between which and the Sea ly two small Isles called Northey and Osey It has one Street about a mile in length and is well inhabited In short 't is one of the chief Places in the whole County particularly noted for giving the Title of Viscount to the Earl of Essex In the Parts adjoyning to this Town are excellent Pastures which feed store of Sheep amongst other Cattel of whose milk they make Cheese And on the utmost Promontory stood an ancient City of the Romans called Ithancester where the Fortenses with their Captain kept their Station or Gard in the Dedination of the Roman Empire for the Security of these Parts against the Saxon Rovers Nothing of which is now remaining but the Ruins of a thick Wall where many Roman Coyns have been found And out of the Ruins of this City was built S. Peters upon the Wall Harwich lies the furthest East of any by the Sea-side and at the mouth of the River Stower So that 3 Parts of it are surrounded with Water The Town is not large but well inhabited and frequented not only for the commodiousness and safety of its Harbour but because it is the readiest Passage for Holland and the Station for the Packet-Boats imploy'd for that purpose But there is a great Inconveniency to the Inhabitants the Brackishness of its Waters Which puts the Inhabitants upon the necessity of being supplied with sweet Water from other Places The Towns of chief note besides are Chelmsford where the Assizes for the County are usually held Burntwood or Brentwood a Place of good Antiquity Rumford a great Thorough-fare and Walden or Saffron-Walden seated on an Ascent among pleasant Fields of Saffron from which the Owners reap good Profit Not far from Walden is one of the Royal Houses called Audley-end a very stately Building built by the Right Honourable Thomas Howard Earl of Suffolk then Treasurer of England And upon the Thames over against Gravesend in Kent stands Tilbury Fort which commands that Passage This County which formerly was part of the Kingdom of the East-Saxons from whence it came to be called Essex and its Inhabitants together with those of Middlesex known among the ancient Romans by the Name of Trinobantes is now in the Diocese of London Famous among other things for giving the Title of Earl to several Families as the Mandeviles the Bohuns the Bourchiers Thomas Lord Cromwel William Lord Parre and three D'Evreux before it came to the present Family of the Capels And the first Earl of this Name was Arthur Capel the late Earl of Essex advanced to this Title by King Charles II. Anno 1661 afterwards made Lord Lieutenant of Ireland and some years after his Return sent to the Tower in order to make him a Sacrifice with the Lord Russel and others to the Popish Faction But his Title is revived in the person of his Son and Heir the Right Honourable Algernon Capel the present Earl of Essex Lastly out of this County are elected besides the two Knights of the Shire six Members of Parliament Viz. two from Colchester two from Harwich and two more from Maldon CHAP. IX Of Glocestershire Hampshire and Hartfordshire Glocestershire GLOCESTERSHIRE a large Inland County is bounded on the East by Warwickshire and Oxfordshire on the West by Monmouthshire and part of Herefordshire Northward by Worcestershire Southward by Wiltshire and Somersetshire It contains in Length from North to South 50 miles and in Breadth from East to West about 25. The Whole divided into 30 Hundreds wherein 280 Parishes and 26 Market Towns This is in general a most pleasant and fruitful Country blessed with a full Course of the River Severn That Part thereof which is beyond the River is overspread with Woods all which included in one Name made the Forest of Dean That part which buts upon Oxfordshire is swelled up with Hills called the Corswold Hills but these are in a manner covered with Sheep which yields a Wool of a notable fineness Whereof great Quantities of Cloth are here made that find vent throughout all England and divers forein Countries Between these two I mean the Forest and the Hills is seated a most fruitful Vale yielding most sorts of Grain to admiration and formerly stock'd with Vines and Vineyards The want of which is now supplied with Cider which they make here in great abundance Next to the Severn which crosses the Country from North to South here 's the Avon which parts it from Somersetshire the Wye which severs it in part from Monmouthshire besides the Stroud and the Isis All which afford great plenty of Fish and the Severn particularly abundance of Salmon The Forest of Dean which ly's in the West-side of the County between the Severn and the Wye is reckoned to be 20 miles long and 10 broad A Place formerly much more woody than it is at present the Iron Mines that are here having consumed a good part of the Wood. Glocester the County Town is 81 miles distant West and by North from London Viz. from London to Colebrook 15 to Maidenhead 7 more and 11 from thence to Nettlebed from Nettebed to Abington 12 to Faringdon 10 more to Perrors Bridge 14 more and 12 from thence to Glocester A City of good Antiquity and first built by the Romans to whom it was known by the Name of Glevum It ly's stretched out in length on the Severn over which it has a fine Bridge and on the Banks thereof a large Key or Wharf very commodious for the Merchandize and Trade of the Place The Streets are generally fair and the Town well built upon an easy Ascent the Streets descending every way from the Cross It has been formerly walled about with a strong Wall except on the Rivers side and some Remains of its Walls are still in many places to be seen which shew what strength they were of The City is not very large but very well inhabited
and frequented and enjoying a good Trade It has two Markets a Week viz. Wednesdays and Saturdays which are very great for Corn and Cattle and well served with all Provisions And for Divine Worship here are twelve Parish-Churches besides the Cathedral a fine piece of Architecture noted amongst other things for its Whispering Place which is in an Arch of the Quire but chiefly for being the Burying-place of Lucius the first Christian King and of the unfortunate King Edward II. who at Barkley-Castle was barbarously murdered by the Cruelty of Isabel his Wife Lastly this City is both a Bishops See and a County of it self being made a County by King Richard III once Duke of Glocester And as it has the advantage of denominating so rich a Country as this so it has been often dignified with the Title of a Dukedom sometimes that of an Earldom in those eminent Persons who in their several Times and Ages have been either Dukes or Earls of Glocester The Number of 'em is too great for me to produce 'em all here Therefore I shall only say that the last Duke of Glocester was Henry the third Son of King Charles I declared by his Royal Father Duke of Glocester and Earl of Cambridge and so Intituled Anno 1641 but not so created till the Year 1659. He lived to see the Restauration of the Royal Family and died the same Year it hapned viz. Sept. 13. 1660. With him the Title has lain dormant till it was lately revived in the person of the young Prince William the Son of the Illustrious Prince George of Denmark Nigh to this City is Alney-Isle so made by the Severn In which Edmund Ironside King of the English Saxons and Canute the Dane after many Conflicts and bloody Battels fought a single Combat hand to hand for the Crown of England The Issue of which was that they agreed to part the Kingdom which they joyntly governed till Treason took away the Life of King Edmund and left Canute sole Monarch of England At Lassington a mile from Glocester is found a sort of Stone called the Star-Stone being about the breadth of a Silver Peny and the thickness of a Half-crown These Stones are flat and like a Star five-pointed of a grayish colour and on the flat sides naturally ingraven in fine Works as one Mullet within another The other Market-Towns besides Glocester it self are Bristol Sat. and Wedn. Tewksbury Sat. Winchcomb Sat. Leonards Stanley Sat. Thornbury Sat. Wickware Mun. Dean Magna Mun. Cirencester Mun. Frid. Panswick Tue. Horton Tue. Minching-hampton Tue. Marshfield Tue. Letchlade Tue. Campden Wedn. Blackley Wedn. Tedbury Wedn. Stow on the Wold Thu. Cheltenham Thu. Dursbey Thu. Chipping Sudbury Thu. Fairford Thu. Stroud Frid. Wotton Frid. Newent Frid. Newham Frid. Amongst which Bristol being not only the greatest Place of Trade in England next to London but also a Bishops See and a County of it self deserves a particular Description It is both pleasantly and commodiously seated at the fall of the Frome into the Avon which five Miles from thence empties it self into the Severn By this River the City is divided into two Parts the chief Part in Glocestershire and the other in Somersetshire but with the conveniency of Communication by means of a fair Stone Bridge Which like London Bridge is so covered with Houses that it looks more like a Street than a Bridge Its Streets are neatly ordered and set out with many fine Edifices Among which may be reckoned the Cathedral and most of the Parish Churches which are 18 in Number The City is begirt with a Wall besides other Fortifications At the East end of it stood a Castle wherein King Stephen was kept a Prisoner by Maud the Empress But it was demolished by Oliver Cromwel and is now built into Streets called Castle-street and Castle-Green But that which has chiefly made Bristol so considerable is the goodness of its Port. The principal Key whereof stands on the Frome which at Spring-Tides does flow about 40 Foot and so brings Ships in of a great Burden Thus Bristol by its Commodiousness for Shipping is become a Place of great Resort both for Merchants and Tradesmen those driving a great Trade to most Parts of the Known World these a Home-Trade especially to Wales to Shropshire and other Counties About Bristol is great store of Coals also a sort of Precious Stone called from thence Bristol-Stones taken out of S. Vincents Rock At the bottom whereof is a hot Well of a Medicinal nature Lastly though Bristol stands partly as I said before in this County and partly in Somersetshire yet as it is a County of it self it yields Obedience to neither And considering its Beauty Trade Riches Extent and Populousness it may be counted the chief Place in England next to London 'T is but about 150 Years since this Town came to he a Bishops See this being one of the six new Sees erected by Henry VIII by virtue of an Act of Parliament made in order to it But it is less since it became a Title of Nobility which was not till King James I. conferred the Honour of Earl of Bristol upon John Lord Digby of Sherburn Anno 1622. From him devolved by his Death to his Son George in the Year 1650 and from him to the Right Hononrable John Digby the present Earl of Bristol Cirencester commonly pronounced Circester is seated on the River Churn over which it has a Bridge It has been a Place of great account in the time of the Romans and without insisting upon the Roman Coyns Checker-work Pavements and engraven Marble Stones that have oft been digged up here it s very ruinous Walls still to be seen and about 2 Miles in Circuit are a sufficient proof of its former Greatness This City was taken from the Britains by the West-Saxons and afterwards possessed by the Mercians till laid in Ashes by a Stratagem of the merciless Danes in tying fire to the Wings of Sparrows from whence it came to be called the Sparrows City Since which Desolation it could never recover it self to any thing beyond the Name of a good Borough Town Tewksbury is a goodly Town situate at the fall of the North-Avon into the Severn and watered besides with two Rivulets A Town of good account for making of Woollen Cloth and for the best Mustard in the Kingdom as Dijon is in France But most of all memorable for the Battel fought here Anno 1471. between King Henry VI. and his immediate Successor Edward IV that is between the House of Lancaster and York where the Lancastrians were intirely defeated and the young Prince Edward the only Son of King Henry slain Stroud situate on the River so called is a well-built Town whose Houses for the most part are of Stone It has a Bridge over the River on the Banks of which are placed abundance of fulling Mills Here they die Scarlet the Stroud Water having a peculiar quality to give the right Tincture Near the
afford excellent Fish and wild Fowl in great plenty A noted Place in former time for its wonderfull rich Abbey which continued in its glory till its Dissolution by King Henry VIII This County which formerly was Part of the Kingdom of Mercia and its Inhabitants Part of the Iceni as the Romans called them is now in the Diocese of Lincoln Out of it are elected besides the two Knights of the Shire but two Parliament Men and these out of Huntington Kent KENT in Latin Cantium so called as being seated in a Canton or Corner of the Kingdom is a large rich and pleasant Country â—â—ying between the Thames and the Narrow Seas So that it is invironed on all sides with the Sea except Westward where it borders both upon Surrey and Sussex It contains in Length from East to West 60 Miles in Breadth from North to South 30. The Whole divided into five Lathes called Sutton Aylesford Scray St. Augustine and Shepway Lathes and these into 67 Hundreds wherein 408 Parishes and 30 Market Towns Which is an Argument of its Populousness But the Air is neither so serene nor so healthful here as in other Counties especially near the Sea and Marshes which makes this Country so noted for its Kentish Agues Now that you may know in few words the Nature of this Country both as to its Air and Soil I shall bring in the Remark made upon it which is that there are 3 Ridges of Hills in Kent one called Health without Wealth the second Health and Wealth and the third Wealth without Health Others as to the Soil give this different Character of it The Weald for Wood East Kent for Corn Rumney for Meadow Tenham for an Orchard Shepey and Reculver for Wheat Thanet for Barley and Hedcorn for Capons In general this may be said of Kent that it is a Country very good for Corn and fit for Pasturage according to the several Plots and Parts thereof and wondrous full of fruitful and well-ordered Orchards from whence the City of London is supplied with most sorts of Fruit but chiefly with Pippins and Cherries which are counted the best in England On the Cliffs between Deal and Dover there grows a great store of Samphire The same is well watered with Rivers For besides the Thames that washes its North Parts here is the Medway which in a manner parts it in the middle the Stower that runs by Canterbury the Tun through Tunbridge and the Rother upon which Appledore is seated not to mention the lesser Streams Of all the Counties in England this was the first Kingdom of the Heptarchy and had a particular King to it self which no other County ever had Neither was it conquered by the Normans the Kentish Men yielding upon Articles and having their ancient Franchises and Customs confirmed to 'em by William the Conqueror One of which is the Cavelkind whereby they are not so bound by Copy-hold as in other Parts of England Lands of this nature being equally divided here among the male Children and for want of Males among the Females By the same Law they are at age at 15 years old and they may sell or make over the Land without the consent of the Lord. Also the Son tho of a convicted Father for Felony or Murder succeeds him in such Kind of Lands The Kentish Men besides have this to glory in that they were the first Christians of this Island And this is the only County at this time that has two Cities or Episcopal Sees namely Canterbury and Rochester Canterbury the chief Place of this County is 46 miles East of London Viz. from London to Dartford 12 to Rochester 11 more from thence to Sittingborn 10 and to Canterbury 13 more A City of great Antiquity if it was built as some Authors aver 900 years before Christ 'T is seated on the River Stower noted for breeding the best Trouts in the South East Parts of England and is counted in the Lath of S. Augustine The Buildings of it but mean and the Wall which encompasses it in a decayed condition The greatest Ornament of all is the Cathedral wherein ly interred the Bodies of eight Kings For this City had been the Seat of the Kings of Kent till given by Ethelbert the first Christian King of this Country to Augustine the first Archbishop thereof and his Successors Whereupon the King removed his Seat to Reculver a Town by the Sea-side In this Cathedral is also interred the Body of Thomas Becket once Archbishop hereof that famous Saint so reverenced by the Romanists In this City and its Suburbs are reckoned 14 Parish Churches besides a Meeting-place under the Cathedral for the Walloonâ— that dwell in this City who are very numerous and drive a considerable Trade of the Stuffs they make here It has two Markets a Week Wednesdays and Saturdays the latter of which is the most considerable But to the honour this City has had of being the Regal Seat of the first Kings of Kent and of being to this day the See of the Primate of England let us add the Coronation of King John and Queen Izabel his Wife the Marriages of Henry II. and Edward I and the Interments of Edward the black Prince King Henry the Fourth and Queen Joan his Wife all which was performed in this Place The other Market-Towns are Eltham Mund. Wrotham Tue. Lenham Tue. Westram Wedn. S. Mary Cray Wedn. Goldburst Wedn. Gravesend Wedn. Sat. Feversham Wedn. Sat. Dover Wedn. Sat. Sandwich Wedn. Sat. Wye Thu. Rumney Thu. Lyd Thu. Folkstone Thu. Maidstone Thu. Bromley Thu. Rochester Frid. Tunbridge Frid. Tenderden Frid. Woolwich Frid. Smarden Frid. Malinge Sat. Milton Sat. Cranbrook Sat. Hythe Sat. Ashford Sat. Sevenoke Sat. Dartford Sat. Appledore Among which Rockester requires the preeminence as a Bishops See and the second for Antiquity in all the Island It is seated upon the Medway over which it has a stately Stone-bridge one of the fairest in England It consists most of one principal Street which extends it self a long way the Houses being but ordinary as they are inhabited for the most part but by Trades-men and Inn-keepers Yet besides the Honour it has of being a Bishops See it is dignify'd with the Title of an Earldom in the Person of the Right Honourable Laurence Hyde Earl of Rochester Viscount Hyde c. Which Title was formerly enjoy'd by three Wilmots And before them there was a Viscount of this Place Sir Robert Carr being created Viscount of Rochester Anno 1611. and afterwards Earl of Somerset Adjoyning to this City is Chatham also seated on the Banks of Medway A long Thorough-fare Town well inhabited by Seamen and Shipwrights as being the principal Station of the Royal Navy and having a good Dock and Store-houses for the building and equipping of his Majesties Ships Maidstone is seated also on the Medway but near the head of it This is the Town where the County-Goal Sessions and Assizes are kept being conveniently seated for
Division stands on both sides of the River Witham within few Miles of its fall into the Sea This is a considerable Town of good Antiquity and a Place of Trade well inhabited and resorted unto Over the River it has a very fair high wooden Bridge It s Market Place is fair and spacious And the Church of special Note for its fine-built Tower exalted to that height as to serve as a Land-mark to Mariners Kirkton is situate on a sandy Ground rising in that flat Country A Town so called from its Church which is a fair Structure built Cathedral like in the form of a Cross with a broad Steeple in the middle Of some note besides for its excellent Pippins But there is another Kirkton in Lindsey Crowland ly's some Miles East of Market-Deeping and upon the same River which is the Weland A Town seated so low among Fenâ— and miry Ground that there is no coming to it but by the North and East side and that by narrow Causeways not admitting oâ— Carts Hence came the Proverb that 〈◊〉 the Carts that come to Crowland are shod wiâ—â— Silver It consists of 3 Streets severed each from other not unlike Venice by Water-Courses running between and on the Banks which are raised up and preserved by Piles are set Willow-Trees Their Cattel are kept a good distance from the Town and when they go to milk their Cows they go in small Skerries or Boats Here they take in the Pools or watery Places a world of Fish and Fowl of which they make good profit In short the Ground about this Town is so very rotten that one may thrust a Pole in to it 30 foot And in a Place called Hollanâ— there it is so wet that as one stands upoâ— it the Earth will shake under his Feet anâ— he will be ready to sink into it Here are alâ— many Quick-sands which have a wonderful force both to draw to them and to holâ— fast whatever they draw Spalding a pretty Town and a Place oâ— good Trade stands also on the Weland buâ— nearer its Influx into the Ocean some mileâ— North of Crowland That is not far from the Washes the neighbouring Sea so calleâ— for its frequent Inundations in these Parts Dunington also situate in a Flat and waterish like Spalding is a considerable Place foâ— the great quantities of Hemp and Provisionâ— here sold To conclude this County which now is in the Diocese of Lincoln was part of the â—ncient Kingdom of Mercia in the Time of the Heptarchy and its Inhabitants part of the Coritani in the Time of the Romans Out of it are chosen besides the two Knights of the Shire ten Members of Parâ—iament Viz. Two out of each of these following Towns Lincoln Stamford Grantham Boston and Grimsby CHAP. XII Of Middlesex Monmouthshire Norfolk and Northamptonshire Middlesex MIDDLESEX a small Inland County is bounded on the East with Essex from which 't is parted by the River Lea on the West with Buckinghamshire from which 't is severed by the Coln and the Shire-Ditch on the North with Hartfordshire and on the South with the Thames which parts it from Surrey and Kent Called Middlesex from its Situation as lying between the East-Angles and the West-Saxons It contains in Length from East to West about 24 miles in Breadth from North to to South 18. The Whole divided into seven Hundreds wherein 203 Parishes and 6 Market-Towns For Sweetness of Air or Fruitfulness of Soil this County may compare with any Shire iâ— England From the Hills that are about it as Hampsted Highgate Harrow-Hill c. thâ— Prospect of the whole is seen in this not unlikâ— to Zoar in Egypt London the chief Place hereof but withal the Metropolis and the Glory of the Kingdom is too great to be crowded here withiâ— the narrow Compass of these short Descriptions Therefore I refer you to the Conclusion of this Part and so proceed to The Market-Towns besides London and Westminster Brentford Tue. Stanes Frid. Vxbridge Thu. Edgeware Thu. Brentford in the Western Road 7 or 8 mileâ— from London is divided into Old and New Brentford both so called from Brent a smalâ— River that falls here into the Thames Oâ— most renown in former times for the gooâ— Success Edmund Ironside King of England haâ— here against the Danes Anno 1016 which comâ— pelled them to raise the Siege of London Noâ— of most note for being the Thorough-fare bâ— twixt London and the Western Countries thâ— Passage up and down by Water for the eaâ— of Travellers and a well frequented Market Once dignify'd with the Title of an Earldoâ— in the person of Patrick Ruthen Earl of Forâ— in Scotland Created Earl of Brentford by Kinâ— Charles I. Anno 1644. Stanes upon the Thames is a large weâ— inhabited and frequented Town It lies oâ— the West Road of England and has a Bridgâ— over the River that leads into Surrey Vxbridge is another good Town that lies North of Stanes on the River Coln which parts as I said before this County from Buckinghamshire And as it is seated in the high Road from London to Oxford so it is well accommodated with Inns and Houses of Intertainment As for Edgeware 't is but a small Town But besides these four Market-Towns the flourishing City of London has such an Influence over all its Neighbourhood that it swarms all over with pretty Towns not only in Middlesex but even in Surrey In Middlesex as Islington Highgate Hampsted Chelsey Kensington Fulham Hamersmith Thistleworth Hounslow c. most of them graced with the Seats of divers Noblemen Gentlemen and Citizens Among which Kensington of late has the honour of injoying some part of the Year Their Majesties Presence as Hamersmith the Queen Dowager's Hounslow famous for its adjoyning Heath and the notable Incampments made there in the late Reign in order to bring in Popery But as Providence was pleased to order it the Thames swallowed the Tiber and the cold Northern Heresy proved too hard for the hot-headed Jesuit Besides Kensington-House here are in this County no less than five Royal Houses viz. Whitehall and S. James in Westminster Hampton-Court Enfield and Hanworth Lastly this County which formerly was Part of the Kingdom of the East-Saxons and its Inhabitants part of the Trinobantes as the Romans called them is now in the Diocese of London Out of it are elected besides the two Knights of the Shire six Members of Parliament viz. 4 out of London and 2 out of Westminster As for honourary Titles I know not by what popular Errour the Citizens of London reckoned the Lord Mayor elect for Earl of Middlesex But whatever Ground it had now it has none to stand on since that Title was bestowed first on Lionel Lord Cranfield Lord Treasurer of England created Earl of Middlesex by King James I. Anno 1622. Which continued in his Son James and died with Lionel Brother of James But in the Year 1675. it was revived by King Charles II. in the person
of the Right Honourable Charles Sackvil Lord Buckhurst who was created Earl of Middlesex during the Life of his Father Richard Earl of Dorset Upon whose Death two years after he succeeded in the Earldom of Dorset Neither is it to be omitted that betwixt Brentford and Colebrook is a small Town reckoned as 3 Mannors viz. Arlington Shepston and Dawling From the first of these Mannors Henry Bennet the late Earl of Arlington took his Title Who was created first Baron of Arlington by King Charles the Second Anno 1664 afterwards Viscount Thetford and Earl of Arlington his Birth-place Anno 1672 and sworn Lord Chamberlain of his Majesty's Houshold in the Year 1674. Monmouthshire MONMOVTHSHIRE formerly a Welch County and now reckoned among the English is bounded on the East by the River Wye which parts it from Glocestershire on the West by two Welch Counties Brecknockshire and Glamorganshire Northward by Herefordshire and Southward by the Mouth of the River Severn It contains in Length from North to South about 25 miles in Breadth from East to West 20. The Whole divided into six Hundreds wherein 127 Parishes and 7 Market Towns It is blest not only with a healthfull and temperate Air but also with a rich Soil And though the Country be both hilly and woody yet all Parts thereof are fruitfull and scarce any barren The Hills are grazed upon by great and small Cattel and the Valleys laden with Corn and Grass It s fertility is much furthered by its being plentifully watered with so many Rivers the principal whereof are the Vske and the Wye the Rumney and the Monnow all which fall into the Severn Among which the first two are full of Salmon and Trouts Monmouth the County-Town bears from London West by North and is distant therefrom 99 miles thus Viz. from London to Glocester 81 miles as in Glocestershire and from Glocester to Monmouth 18. The Situation of it between two Rivers the â—onnow and the Wye is both very pleasant â—nd commodious The Town it self large and â—air well inhabited and frequented having â—he Conveniency of two Bridges one over the â—ye and the other over the Monnow Once â—rtified with a Wall and Ditch and in the â—ldst of the Town with a stately Castle the â—uins whereof are still to be feen In this Castle was born the renowned King Henry V â—he Conquerour of France from hence called â—enry of Monmouth Of some note besides â—r being the Birth-place of Geofry surnamed of Monmouth who wrote the History of Great Britain But of late times especially for being dignify'd with the Title of a Dukedom in the person of James the late Duke of Monmouth and since the late Revolution with the Title of an Earldom in the person of the Right Honourable Charles Mordant Earl of Monmouth c. It s Market kept on Saturdays is considerable for Corn and other Provisions The other Market-Towns are Chepstow Sat. Newport Sat. Ponâ— Pool Sat. Vske Mund. and Frid. Abergavenny Tue. Caer-Leon Thu. Chepstow stands upon the side of a Hill on the Banks of the Wye near its fall into the Severn A Town in former times famous and of great resort supposed to be raised out of the Ruins of Venta Silurum 4 miles distant the ancient and chief City of the Silures which flourished in the Days of Antonine the Emperour This Town says Cambden was fortified about with a Wall of a large Circuit and had a very spacious Castle once fronted by a Priory the better part of which being pulled down the rest was converted to a Parish Church At this present time the Town is large and well built well inhabited and frequented having a fair and high Bridge over the Wye And so it needs for here the River rises to a great height In the Year 1606. the Moor or Marsh near Chepstow was very much indamaged by the Severn For that Year at the Change of the Moon in February this River at a Spring-tide was driven back for 3 days together with a South Wind. Which made it swell so high that it came rushing in a main upon this Tract and carried all before it Newport a goodly Town is seated on the Uske over which it has a fair Bridge the Uske discharging it self not far off into the Severn where it has a good Haven bearing the Name of the Town Some miles East from this Haven is the Gold-Cliff so called from the golden Colour of the Stones that lie hereabouts which makes some suspect a Mine to be there And opposite to that Cliff about the midst of the Severn lieth a small Isle called Denny-Island Pont-Pool is but a small Town seated betwixt the Hills Of chief note for its Iron-Mills Vske a good large Town is so called from the River Uske on which it is situate with a Bridge over it 'T is beautified with well built Stone-houses and formerly was fortified with a large and strong Castle now ruinated According to Antonine here stood the little City Burrium But not far from it Northward is Ragland Castle a noble Seat belonging to the Duke of Beaufort Abergavenny by Antonine called Gobanium stands also upon the Uske where a small River Keveny by name empty's it self into it This is a Place of some strength being fortified with Walls and a Castle of great note in former times The Town is large the Houses well built and injoy's a good Trade for Flannels especially Caer-Leon by the Romans called Isca Silurum stands also upon the Uske a little above Newport and has a large wooden Bridge over the River This Town was once a famous and flourishing City in the time of the Romans where lay the second Roman Legion called Augusta to keep the Silures in aw The Ruins of its stately Buildings Palaces Temples Theaters together with the Water-pipes Vaults Hot-Houses Altars and Roman Coyns often digged up here do sufficiently evidence its former Antiquity and Greatness Here King Arthur kept his Court and in this City was a famous School or Colledge to learn Astronomy and other Arts. As for its present State the Town is pretty large and the Houses for the generality built of Stone It has yet the Ruins of a Castle standing To conclude this County formerly the Habitation of the Silures is in the Welch Diocese of Llandaff Besides the two Knights of the Shire there 's but one Member elected to serve in parliament and that 's out of Monmouth Norfolk NORFOLK a Maritime County of a large extent is bounded Eastward and Northward with the German Ocean Westward with the River Ouse which severs it from the County's of Lincoln and Cambridge Southward with the little Ouse and the Waveney which part it from Suffolk Thus Norfolk what with the Sea and what with the Rivers is so incompassed with Waters that it wants very little of being an Islland of it felf It contains in Length from East to West 50 miles in Breadth from North to South about 35. The Whole divided into 31
that what is worse for the Rider is best for the Abider And besides Corn and Cattle wherewith this Country is plentifully stored here are insome Parts especially towards Wiltshire rich Lead-Mines to the great benefit not only of the County but of the whole Kingdom These Mines are found particularly in the Hills called Mendip-Hills of no small Profit to the Owners As for its Diamonds commonly called Bristol-Stones I refer you to Bristol in Glocestershire Besides the Severns Mouth whereby the North-West Part of this Country is watered here is the Avon which parts this County from Glocestershire the Parret the Tor Tone Frome and others well stored with excellent Fish In this County are three Cities Bristol Bath and Wells Bristol indeed stands also in Glocestershire and as I have already described it there I shall pass it over here Bath bears West and by South from London and is distant therefrom 94 miles Viz. from London to Reading 32 miles as you may see in Parkshire from thence to Newbery 15 and to Marlborough 15 more thence to Chipenham 15 and to Bath 13 more It is so called from its Medicinal hot Baths much resorted unto from all Parts as being found by long experience to be of great virtue in the curing of Aches and other Distempers It s Situation is on the River Avon over which it has a Stone-Bridge and there it lies in a low and small Plain surrounded with Hills very high and steep out of which issue forth several Springs of Water which pay Tribute to it This is a Place of great Antiquity as does appear by many Roman Inscriptions and Images commonly found in the Walls which incompass it And where the Abbey now stands 't is said there was of old a Temple consecrated to Minerva the Goddess of Fountains and Baths In short 't is a fine City graced with well-built Houses and for divine Worship havâ—â—â— a Parish Church besides its Cathedral The Baths in it are four in number viz. the Cross and the hot Bath in the West Parts of the City the King 's and the Queen's-Bath in the middle The Cross Bath so called from a Cross that formerly stood in the midst of it is Triangular about 25 foot long and as broad at one end This is of a more gentle heat than the rest because it has fewer Springs About 100 foot from it is the Hot-Bath so called because formerly it was much hotter than the rest when it was not so large as now it is The King's Bath is about 60 foot square and has about the middle of it many hot Springs rising whence it has the greater heat The Queen's Bath has no Spring in it but only receives the Water from the King's Bath from which it is only divided by a Wall and so it is more temperate than the King 's In these two Baths is a Pump to pump Water upon the Diseased where strong Embrocations are required In every one of the Baths are Seats of Stone for the conveniency of those that use ' em But from 8 a Clock in the morning till about 3 in the afternoon these Baths are shut up and none permitted entrance being then so very hot that they work and cast up a filth from the bottom The Inhabitants of Bath do not only find a great advantage by these Medicinal Springs but also by their Cloth Manufacture wherein they drive a considerable Trade And for Provisions they have two Markets a Week viz. Wednesdays and Saturdays This City is Partner with Wells the Bishops See in the Title Episcopal Noted besides for giving the Title of Earl to the Right Honourable John Granvile created Earl of Bath by King Charles the II. Anno 1661. Which Title was formerly injoy'd by the Heirs of John Bourchier who was created Earl of Bath by King Henry VIII Anno 1536 but went away from that Family by the Death of Henry Bourchier dying without Issue male Wells seated at the foot of a Hill is so called from the Springs and Wells that spring about it 'T is a small City but well inhabited and adorned with fair Buildings both publick and private The Cathedral among the rest is a stately Pile of building having in the West End a Frontispiece of excellent Imagery and carved Stone-work dedicated to S. Andrew and said to be first built by Ina King of the West-Saxons Adjoyning to it is the Bishops Pallace built in the manner of a Castle and fortified with Walls and a Mote and on the other side are the Prebends Houses c. The Market-house is also a neat Building supported by Pillars Lastly this City has two Markets a Week on Wednesdays and Saturdays as Bath The other market-Market-Towns are Bruton Sat. Langport Sat. Crokehorn Sat. Ilmister Sat. Watchet Sat. Dulverton Sat. Chard Mun. Somerton Mun. Glassenbury Tue. Wivescomb Tue. Pensford Tue. Wrinton Tue. N. Petherton Tue. N. Curry Tue. Sat. Wincaunton Wedn. Ilchester Wedn. Froumselwood Wedn. Taunton Wedn. Sat. Axebridge Thu. S. Petherton Thu. Bridgewater Thu. Wellington Thu. Canesham Thu. Evill Frid. Dunster Frid. Shepton-Mallet Frid. Philip-Norton Minehead Among which Bruton seated on the River Brue is a well-built and inhabited Town that drives a good Trade for Clothing Serges and Maulting 'T is graced with a beautifull Church has a Free School founded by King Edward the Sixth and a very fine Alms-house Langport stands on the top of a Hill in a miry and moorish Country and near the River Parret which next to the Avon is the most considerable South-Petherton Crokehorn Chard and Ilmister ly not far asunder near the West-Borders of Dorsetshire the first two on the Banks of the Parret Dulverton on the Ex borders upon Devonshire Wivescomb Wellington North Curry and Taunton are seated on the River Tone Taunton the chief of all the List is a neat and populous Town graced with spacious Streets and a fine Bridge over the River Inhabited chiefly by Clothiers who drive a considerable Trade with the Cloths and Serges made here and in the adjacent Parts It contains two Parish Churches Bridgewater and Glassenbury are the two Places of chief note next to Taunton the first seated on the Parret the laft on the Tor and each with a Stone-Bridge over its proper River The first is a large well-inhabited and frequented Town adorned with the Title of an Earldom in the person of the Right Honourable John Egerton the present Earl of Bridgewater Derived to him from his Father John Egerton created Earl of Brigewater by King James I. Anno 1617. Which Title was formerly injoyed by Henvy Lord Dawbeney advanced from a Knight to this Dignity by King Henry VIII he being Son of that Giles Dawbeney who came in with King Henry VII from Bretagne in France But he dying without Issue this Title died with him till revived as aforesaid Glassenbury of old called the Island of Avalon is of chief note for its once famous and stately Abbey the Monks whereof for the Credit of
as you may see in Essex and 12 from thence to Ipswich This is one of the best and most thriving Towns in England seated in the South-East Parts of the County on the Banks of the Orwell about 20 miles from its fall into the Sea A Place of great Antiquity formerly walled about by a Rampire of Earth which in the Year 991 was thrown down by the Danes who grievously harassed these Parts and some years after came with such a fury that they left scarce any thing of Ipswich but the Ruins of its Buildings But that Storm being over it began in the Normans Time to recover it self So that at this present whether we consider its Extent Populousness or Trade it yields to very few Cities in England It reaches a mile in length and above a mile in breath with no less than 12 Parish Churches which shews its Populousness Within that Compass are several fair Buildings both publick and private and among those the Place of Judicature a free School with the Conveniency of a good Library and for the Relief of the Poor an Hospital And as for Cleanliness 't is counted next to Bristol one of the cleanliest Towns in England It s chief Trade consists in the Manufacture of Cloth both Linnen and Woollen besides Fishing and Ship-building For Provisions c. it has 3 Markets a Week Wednesdays Fridays and Saturdays And to conclude it is of some note for being the Birth-place of Cardinal Wolsey who began here to build a stately Colledge bearing his Name to this day The same gives the Title of Viscount to his Grace the Duke of Grafton The other Market-Towns are Orford Mun. Hadleigh Mun. Lavenham Tue. Mendlesham Tue. Halesworth Tue. Bury Wedn. Iestoft Wedn. Woodbridge Wedn. Haveril Wedn. Bilston Wedn. Needham Wedn. Stow. Market Thu. Tansdale Thu. Saxmundsham Thu. Swold Thu. Buddesdale Thu. Bungay Thu. Newmarket Thu. Iksworth Frid. Mildenhall Frid. Clare Frid. Neyland Frid. Debenham Frid. Dunwich Sat. Eye Sat. Sudbury Sat. Framlingham Sat. Beckles Sat. Alborough Sat. Among which Bury or S. Edmunds Bury is the most remarkable being so called from King Edmund the Martyr here interred Who for not renouncing the Christian Faith was shot to death at Hoxon by the Danes and his Body stuck by degrees with Arrows In this Town was erected the first Christian Church by Sigebert King of the East-Angles in which King Edmund was buried And in Memory of him here was erected a most stately Abbey of which and the Town it self take this Description from an ancient Author The Sun says he has not seen a Town more finely or delicately seated upon the East Ascent of a Hill with a River running on the East side Nor a more stately Abbey incomparable either for Magnificence or Revenues in whose prospect appeareth rather a City than a Monastery So many Gates it has for entrance and many of them Brass so many Towers and above all a most glorious Chuch Upon which attend three others standing all in the same Church-yard all of them very fine and of curious Artifice The Town at present do's consist of two Parish-Churches the Houses pretty well built the Market-hill Fair-stead and Corn-Cross spacious and handsom And for what remains of the Abbey it self in whose Yard stands an old Shire-House 't is far more majestick than any other Ruins of its kind The Market is of special note for the extraordinary Quantities of Corn brought to it for which 't is usually the Standard of the Country Lastly not far from this Town was that great Battel fought against King Henry the Second where this King had the good fortune to overthrow Robert Earl of Leicester with his Rabble of Flemings who joyned with the rebellious Son of King Henry the Earl himself and his Wife being taken Prisoners Stow-Market and Needham are both seated upon the Orwell The first as it were in the Center of the County having a fair Prospect down the River Eastward 'T is a large and beautifull Town graced with a spacious Church and its Steeple adorned with a huge and lofty Pinnacle not easy to be parallelled The grand Trade of this Town is in Tammeys and other Norwich Stuffs this being the only Town in Suffolk considerable for such Things Needham an ominous Name drives still a Trade but less than formerly in the Suffolk blue and broad Cloths for Russia Turky and orher Countries Which creates spinning Work for the poorer sort of Women whilst others get a Livelyhood by making of Bone-lace Debenham and Woodbridge are on the River Deben The last a large Town seated on the East-side of a sandy Hill watered with several Streams and having a pleasant Prospect down the River Deben which about 12 miles lower discharges it self into the Sea Here is a fair Church with several Monuments in it In the midst of its Market-Place is also a fair Pile of brick in a Chamber whereof are held the Quarter-Sessions for the Liberty of S. Ethelred and Audry The Market well traded unto especially for Hemp. In this Town are four or five good Docks for building of Ships most of 'em well imploy'd and noted among Seamen for good Workmanship The Inhabitants for their part drive a considerable Trade by Sea for which they are furnished with several Ships of burden And the principal Commodities they deal in are Butter Cheese Pouldavis Sackcloth Planks c. besides their refining of Salt Orford a few miles East and by South from Woodbridge is seated between the River Ore on the East and a smaller Stream on the West within two miles from the Sea Here is a Church well mounted but unsightly within and hard by it the Ruins of a high close-built Castle Which together with the Church-Steeple are good Directions to Seamen as the Light-house at the Ness is by night In the Reign of Henry the Second say's Sir Richard Baker there was taken near Orford a Fish in the Shape of a Man which was kept in the Castle above 6 months This Fish eat all manner of Meat but delighted chiefly in Fish An Author that comments upon it says very seriously that he spoke not one Word and Reason good for it was a Fish and that the People brought him sometimes to Church but he never shewed any Sign of Adoration which is no wonder of a Fish At length for want of looking to this Man-Fish stole into the Sea and was never more seen because I guess the Water was his Element But here is something more admirable On the narrow stony Beach that shoots Southerly betwixt the Town and the Sea 't is said that in the Year 1555 when there was a great Dearth there sprang up among the Meer-shingle such Quantities of Pease that the People gathered of 'em above 100 Quarters which both abated the price of Corn and preserved many from famishing And at the South Point of it there still comes up yearly certain course gray Pease and good Coleworts out of the Stone-heaps Alborough
the edge of this Shire between Luckington and great Badminton They are about nine in Number all lying in a Row but of different Dimensions The Manner of them is two long Stones set upon the sides and broad Stones on the top to cover them The least of these Caves is 4 foot broad and some of them 9 or 10 foot long They are credibly thought not 〈◊〉 be Gyants Caves as the Country-people give it out but rather the Tombs of some heroick Men among the ancient Romans Saxons or Danes And that which makes it so much the more probable is that Spurs and pieces of Armour c. have been found there not long since by those who digged into them Lastly this County has given the Title of an Earl to several Families which now belongs to his Grace Charles Pawlet Duke of Bolton Marquess of Winchester Earl of Wiltshire and Baron S. John of Basing All which Titles except that of Duke devolved to him from his Ancestor William Pawlet Created Earl of Wiltshire and afterward Marquess of Winchester by King Edward VI. And that of Duke was lately conferred upon him by his present Majesty CHAP. XVII Of Worcestershire and Yorkshire Worcestershire WORCESTERSHIRE an Inland County is bounded on the East by Warwickshire and part of Glocestershire on the West by Herefordshire and part of Shropshire on the North by Staffordshire and on the South by Glocestershire It contains in Length from North to South about 35 miles in Breadth from East to West about 25. The Whole divided into seven Hundreds wherein 152 Parishes and 11 Market-Towns A County of an Air so temperate and a Soil so fortunate that it gives place to none about it either for health or plenty Abundant certainly it is in all sorts of Fruits this Climate can afford Pears and Cherries especially insomuch that here is made abundance of Perry Here are also many Salt-pits called Wiches which yield excellent Salt and such as for whiteness and hardness imitateth Loaf-Sugar 'T is true this County is pretty full of Hills but such Hills as are not barren yielding plenty of Wood and store of Pasturage whilst the Valleys on the other side feed abundance of Cattle and bear good Crops of Corn. Through these Valleys run so many Rivers that few Counties are better watered with fresh Streams Here we meet again that noble River the Severn which runs quite through the Country from North to South and affords here great store of fresh-Water Lampreys Besides the Avon the Team the Salwarp c. which run into the Severn and yield abundance of Fish Worcester the chief Place hereof and from whence the County is denominated bears from London West-North-West and is distant therefrom near upon 90 miles thus From London to Oxford 47 miles as you may see afterwards in my Description of Oxford from thence to Chipping-Norton 12 and to Campden 12 more thence to Pershore 10 and to Worcester 6 more Pleasantly seated on the East Bank of the Severn over which it has a fair Stone-Bridge with a Tower upon it and thence arising with a gentle ascent affords to the upper Parts a very goodly Prospect in the Vale beneath A City every way considerable for Situation neat Buildings Number of Churches and Wealth of the Inhabitants by reason of their Cloth-Trade which does here flourish very much This City called by Antonine and Ptolomy Branonium and by the Romans Vigornia is said to have been first built by the Romans the better to secure themselves from the Britains beyond the Severn But in the time of King Canute it suftered much from the Danes and afterwards by frequent Conflagrations which laid it almost waste and despairing of a Recovery Yet it rose at last out of its Ashes and by degrees so improved as to contain at present nine Parish-Churches besides the Cathedral This is a stately Structure in whose Quire are the Monuments of King John in white Marble and of Arthur Prince of Wales and Son to Henry VII in blak Jeat The Castle I shall say nothing of as having nothing left of it but the Name and Ruins But Worcester is particularly memorable for the Battel fought there Sept. 3. 1651. betwixt the late King Charles and the Parliament Forces wherein the King's Army was totally defeated So that he was fain to shift for himself and to wander six Weeks in Disguise about the Country till he was at laft transported from a Creek near Shoram in Sussex to Feccam near Havre de Grace in France Lastly this City has a long time given the Title of Earl and at last that of Marquess to the Family of the Somersets extracted by the Beauforts from John of Gaunt For Charles Somerset who was created Earl of Worcester by King Henry VIII was base Son of Henry Beaufort the 8th Duke of Somerset beheaded in Edward the fourth's Reign Lastly this City keeps 3 Markets a Week viz. Wednesdays Fridays and Saturdays The other market-Market-Towns are Bewdley Sat. Evesham Mund. Pershore Tue. Bromes-grove Tue. Tenbury Tue. Vpton Thu. Kidderminster Thu. Sturbridge Frid. Shipton Frid. Droitwich Frid. Among which Bewdley and Vpton stand upon the Severn the first in the North the other in the South Parts of this County Bewdley near the Forest of Wire was in former time a Place of great delight and of good account in the Reign of Henry VII where he built a retiring House for Prince Arthur and called it Ticken-Hall The Town at present is neat and well-built and injoys a good Trade for Barley Malt Caps and Leather Vpton is also a well-built Town and was of great account in the time of the Romans Not far from which are the Malvern-Hills and opposite to 'em Eastwards the Bredon-Hills Evesham or Evesholm and Pershore are both seated on the Avon over which they have each a Bridge The first esteemed the best Town in the County next to Worcester containing two or three Parish-Churches and driving a good Trade of Stockings especially The other a great Thorough-fare betwixt London and Worcester but somewhat decayed in its Trade since the Dissolution of its ancient Abbey Droitwich and Bromes-grove are both situate on the Banks of the Salwarp The first noted for its Salt-pits and the last for its Clothing Trade Not far from Droitwich is Fakenham-Forest and Norton-Wood which stand commodious for the Salt-Works to supply them with Wood for the boyling the brine in their Coppers Sturbridge and Kidderminster two goodly Towns stand both on the River Stower over which they have each a Bridge The first is situate on a Flat and has the accommodation of a Free-Shool with a Library Kidderminster is well inhabited much traded unto for its Stuffs and beautify'd with a very fair Church As for Tenbury and Shipton the first stands on the very edge of Shropshire upon the Banks of the River Tent. And Shipton upon Stower in a slip of the County taken off from Warwickshire To conclude this Connty now in the Diocese of Worcester
three are all seated on small Rivers which after some small Course joyn together into one Stream and so fall into the Derwent a little below New Malton To conclude this County formerly a Part of the Kingdom of Northumberland and its Inhabitants Part of the Brigantes as the Romans called them is now in the Diocese of York Out of it are elected besides the two Knights of the Shire 28 Members of Parliament Viz. Two by each of these following Towns York Kingston upon Hull Knaresborough Scarborough Rippon Richmond Heydon Borough-bridge Malton Thirsk Aldborough Beverly North-Allerton Pomfret And which is remarkable it yields at this time two Dukes and one Dutchess one Marquess and nine Earls The Dukes are of Richmond and Bolton the Dutchess of Cleveland the Marquess of Halifax the Earls of Mulgrave Kingston Strafford Craven Burlington Holderness Derwentwater Faulconberg and Scarborough Thus I have compassed a very difficult Task the Description of forty Counties with so much variety of Matter in so short a Compass The Reader perhaps expects in the next place I should give an Account of the Twelve Counties of Wales as being Incorporated with England at least in point of Government But what Union soever it may have with England 't is but like those remote Cities conquered by the Romans whose Inhabitants were Civitate donati that is made Citizens of Rome England and Wales are naturally so distinct from each other both as to the Country and the Inhabitants that they cannot possibly fall under the same Character And so I lay Wales aside to present you by way of Precapitulation with a Table shewing by distinct Columns the Number of Hundreds Parishes and Market-Towns belonging to every County of England with the Names of the Shire-Towns Only 't is to be observed that instead of Hundreds Durham is divided into Wakes Cumberland Westmorland and Northumberland into Wards Also that some Counties are more generally divided than into Hundreds as Yorkshire first into three Ridings Kent into five Lathes Sussex into six Rapes Linconshire into these three Parts Lindsey Kesteven and Holland The TABLE Shires Hun Par. Shire-Towns Mark T. Barkshire 20. 140. Reading 12. Bedfordshire 9. 116. Bedford 10. Buckinghamsh 8. 185. Buckingham 15. Cambridgeshire 17. 163. Cambridge 8. Cheshire 7. 85. Chester 13. Cornwal 9. 161. Lanceston 21. Cumberland 5. 58. Carlisle 15. Derbyshire 6. 106. Derby 10. Devonshire 33. 394. Exeter 32. Dorseishire 29. 248. Dorchester 19. Durham 4. 118. Durham 6. Essex 20. 415. Colchester 21. Glocestershire 30. 280. Glocester 26. Hampshire 39. 253. Southampton 16. Hartfordshire 8. 120. Hartford 18. Herefordshire 11. 176. Hereford 8. Huntingtonshire 4. 79. Huntington 6. Kent 67. 408. Canterbury 30. Lancashire 6. 61. Lancaster 26. Leicestershire 6. 192. Leicester 12. Lincolnshire 30. 630. Lincoln 35. Middlesex 7. 273. LONDON 6. Monmouthshire 6. 127. Monmouth 7. Norfolk 31. 660. Norwich 28. Northamptonsh 20. 326. Northampton 13. Northumberland 6. 460. Newcastle 6. Nottinghamsh 8. 168. Nottingham 9. Oxfordshire 14. 280. Oxford 15. Rutland 5. 48. Okeham 2. Shropshire 15. 170. Shrewsbury 15. Somersetshire 42. 385. Bath 30. Staffordshire 5. 130. Stafford 18. Suffolk 22. 575. Ipswich 30 Surrey 13. 140. Guilford 8. Sussex 65. 312. Chichester 16. Warwickshire 5. 158. Warwick 15. Westmorland 4. 26. Kendal 8. Wiltshire 29. 304. Salisbury 23. Worcestershire 7. 152. Worcester 11. Yorkshire 26. 563. York 49. CHAP. XVIII Of LONDON and WESTMINSTER I Joyn these two together because contiguous And tho' they be two distinct Cities both by their Foundation and distinct Government yet as they make together one compact Body the City of Westminster under that Notion is generally comprehended under the Name of London and lookt upon as a Part of it In the Description whereof I shall joyn and part them as occasion shall offer My Design is not to make a long Preamble about the uncertain Original of LONDON which as some write was built above eleven hundred Years before the Birth of our Saviour That it is a most ancient City is a thing past all doubt For History tells us that the British King Lud above 60 Years before our Saviours Birth repaired and improved it The Romans in whose Time it was an Archbishop's See gave it the Title of Augusta And Animianus Marcellinus who wrote near 1300 Years ago calls it then an ancient City As for its Name the most probable Conjecture in my Judgment is that of those who derive it from the British Word Llongdin a Town of Ships It s Situation is upon all accounts very advantageous whether we consider the Soil on which it stands the River that waters it the Fruitfulness of the Country about it the Roads that lead into it or its convenient Distance from the Sea The Soil is gravelly and therefore so much the wholsomer And as it stands upon a gentle rising Bank on the North-side of the River this adds much to the healthfulness of the Place the South-side being counted something unhealthy by reason of the Vapours the Sun draws upon it The Thames that waters it I have already described as the chief River of England and an excellent navigable River This City stands where the River is cast into the form of a Crescent and stretches it self in length along the Shore as Cologne does upon the Rhine Which is a great Advantage upon several Accounts especially to a great City First because it ly's the more convenient for the several Uses and Benefits of the River Secondly for the Freeness of the Air which makes it so much the healthfuller lying open to the Fields Northward and to the River Southward Whereas Paris and all other Cities of an orbicular Form ly close together and the middle Parts half choackt for want of Air. To which add another Conveniency in London by its Situation along the River that by the Course of it one may sooner find out any Place than is possible in Paris which is a very Labyrinth in comparison This River besides is full of excellent Fish such as Barbels Trouts Chevins Pearches Smelts Breams Roaches Daces Gudgeons Flounders Shrimps Eels c. And after the Smelt-time is past it yields also sweet Salmons But Carps it is scarce of except upon Land-flouds when they get out of Gentlemens Ponds Great number of Swans are daily seen upon this River Besides a perpetual Motion of Wherries and small Boats above 2000 in Number whereby 3000 Watermen are maintained by carrying Goods and Passengers thereon Not counting those large Tilt-Boats Tide-Boats and Barges which either carry People or bring Provision from most Parts of the neighbouring Counties For Navigation no River more commodious as may appear by a Passage in the Reign of King James I. Who being displeased with the City for refusing to lend him a Sum of Mony he required threatned the Lord Mayor and Aldermen that he would remove his Court with all the Records of the Tower and the Courts of Westminster-Hall to another Place with further expressions of his
And of all the Cities of Europe none can so justly challenge the Preeminency in this Point as London the Metropolis of England being not only perhaps the most ancient but also the wealthiest and reckoning all its Annexes the greatest City now extant in Europe Such a City as contains above 600 Streets Lanes Courts and Alleys and in them all by a late Computation at least a hundred thousand Houses So that allowing only 8 Persons to each House one with another which I think is moderate the Number of the Inhabitants will amount at that rate to above eight hundred thousand Souls Befides a World of Seamen that live and swarm in that constant tho' moving Forest of Ships down the River on the East side of the Bridge The Dwelling Houses raised since the Fire are generally very fair and built much more convenient and uniform than heretofore Before the Fire they were most Timber Houses built with little regard to Uniformity but since the Fire Building of Bricks has been the general Way and that with so much Art and Skill in Architecture that I have often wondered to see in well-compact Houses so many Conveniences in a small compass of Ground In short our English Builders have built so much of late Years that no Nation perhaps at this time can vy with them for making much of any Ground tho' never so little and contriving all the Parts of it to the best advantage in the neatest and most regular way with all the Conveniences the Ground can possibly afford And that which adds much to the Neatness of the late Buildings is the Wainscot now so much in use Which as it is the cleanest Furniture so it is the most durable and indeed the most proper for so moist a Country If we come to Stateliness I confess the Noblemens Houses at Paris being built of free Stone as most of that City are with large Courts before 'em for the Reception of Coaches make a fine outward Appearance But for uniformity state and magnificence we have some here and chiefly Montague-House that exceed by far most of ' em As for great Merchants Houses and fair Taverns scarce any City surpasseth London in this particular For publick Buildings as Halls Inns of Court Exchanges Market-Places Hospitals Colledges Churches besides the Bridge upon the River the Monument Custom-House and the Tower they are Things worth any Strangers Curiosity to view at least a good part of them Most of which have indeed the disadvantage of being built backward and out of the way to make room for Tradesmens Shops in the Streets Whereas if they had been all built towards the Street as generally they are in other Countries few Cities could make so great an Appearance But for stately strait and spacious Streets to pass by many curious Courts where shall one see finer than Cheapside Cornhill â—ombard-Street Fleet-Street Hatton Garden Pallnall and several others especially near the Court What forein City can shew so many Piazzas or fine Squares such as Lincolns-Inn-Fields Lincolns-Inn-Square Grays-Inn Red Lion and Southampton-Squares the Golden Square King 's Square in Sohoe S. James's Square Leicester-Fields and Covent-Garden The first of which is chiefly noted for its Spaciousness and King 's Square for its Stateliness Lastly when I reflect upon that disinal Fire which in three Days time consumed above thirteen thousand Houses besides 89 Parish Churches the vast Cathedral of S. Paul divers Chappels Halls Colledges Schools and other publick Edifices it is a matter of amazement to me to see how soon the English recovered themselves from so great a Desolation and a Loss not to be computed At 3 Years end near upon ten thousand Houses were raised up again from their Ashes with great Improvements And by that time the fit of Building grew so strong that besides a full and glorious Restauration of a City that a raging Fire had lately buried in its Ashes the Suburbs have been increased to that degree that to speak modestly as many more Houses have been added to it with all the Advantages that able and skilfull Builders could invent both for Conveniency and Beauty But it is time to come to Particulars The City properly so called is begirt with a Wall which gives entrance at seven principal Gates besides Posterns of later erection Viz. on the West-side Ludgate and Newgate both which serve for Prisons the first for such Debtors as are Freemen of the City the other for Malefactors both of the City and Country and is besides the County Goaâ— for Debt Northwards those of Aldersgate Cripglegate Moorgate and Bishopsgate And Eastward Aldgate Within the Compass of the Walls there are reckoned 97 Parishes and in relation to the Civil Government the City within the Walls and Freedom is divided into 26 Wards or Aldermanries of which more hereafter As to the publick Buildings here I shall begin with the Tower a Fort upon the Thames which commands both the City and River Called the Tower from the great white Tower in the middle which gives Name to the Whole 'T is all surrounded with a Wall and Ditch about a mile in compass with Cannon planted on the Walls and the Turrets thereof But it is besides the principal Store-house of England for Arms and Ammunition such as is said to contain Arms for about 60000 Men. Here are also kept the Jewels and Ornaments of the Crown and the ancient Records of the Nation As among others the Original of all the Laws that have been enacted or recorded till the Reign of Richard II. The Grants of several Kings to their Subjects at home and abroad and the Confirmations thereof The several Treaties and Leagues with forein Princes The Dominion of the British Seas The Title of the Kings of England to the Kingdom of France and how obtained All the Atchievements of this Nation in France and other forein Parts The Homage and Dependency of Scotland upon England The Establishment of Ireland in Laws and Dominions These and many other Records are reposited in Wakefield Tower near the Traytors Gate under the Custody of an Officer called the Keeper of the Records and whose Salary is 500 l. per Annum This Place is properly in the Master of the Rolls his Gift Every day of the Week except Sundays Holy-Days publick Fasting and Thanksgiving-Days and Times of great Pestilence they that have occasion to look into the Records have admittance In the Morning from 7 to 11 a clock and in the Afternoon from one till five Except in the Months of December January and February where Attendance is not given till 8 in the Morning and in the Afternoon not beyond 4 a clock In the Tower is the only Mint of England for Coyning of Gold and Silver To which belong several Offices which I intend to muster in my second Part where I shall speak of the English Coyns Lastly the Tower which has been formerly honoured with the Residence of several Kings who kept their Courts here is
now the chief Prison where Persons of quality that are charged with Crimes against the Government are kept in Custody Here are also many Dwelling-Houses foâ— the Officers that belong to it either as aâ— Arsenal or a Mint c. And as an Arsenal here is kept the Office of his Majesties Oâ—dinance to be explained in my second Part For the publick Devotion of all the Dwelleâ—â— in the Tower there is within its Walls onâ— Parochial Church called S. Petri ad Vinculâ— infra Turrim being the Kings Donative without Institution and Induction and exempâ— from all Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction of the Archbishop The Government of the Tower as it is a Place of great Trust so it has been usually put in the hands of two Persons of great worth the one called Constable and the other Lieutenant of the Tower The Constable has the chief Command and is Lord Lieutenant of the 21 Hamlets belonging to it which ly in several Parishes of large extent Whose Train-bands making two intire Regiments of Foot and above 3000 Men are to attend the Kings Person when commanded but are to march no farther than the King They were sometimes the Gards of the Tower and are bound if occasion be to reinforce the Garrison upon the Constable's Command Who by his Place is to be in the Commission of the Peace for the City of London and the Counties of Middlesex Kent and Surrey And so is the Lieutenant who is subordinate to the Constable for the time being but in his absence commands with the full Power of both His Salary is 200 l. per annum with all the Fees and Perquisites which are very considerable both from the Prisoners that happen to be in the Tower and from the Warders Places which are all at his Disposal Under the Command of the Constable and the Lieutenant of the Tower in his absence are the Gentleman Porter the 24 â—eomen Warders and the Gunners of the Tower The Gentleman Porter who holds his Place by Patent has the Charge of the Gates The Keys whereof he is every night to deliver to the Constable and in his absence to the Lieutenant and to receive them of him the next morning He commands the Warders that are upon duty and claims for his Fee at the entrance of a Prisoner his Upper Garment or else a Composition for the same The Warders are accounted the King's Domestick Servants and sworn accordingly by the Lord High Chamberlain or by the Clerk of the Check Their Duty is to wait at the Gates and by the Lieutenant of the Tower's appointment to attend Prisoners of State which is the most profitable and beneficial part of their Station At the Gates they examine every Stranger that offers to go in and before admittance according to the Rules of Military Discipline those that â—ear Swords must leave 'em in their hands â—ill they go out Ten of them are usually upon the Days Wait and two upon the Watch â—very night The Gunners are to look after the Ordâ—ance mounted on the Batteries and Lines â—nd ready for Service on the shortest Warning One or more of them are upon Duty â—ay and night to wait for Orders For the Liberty of the Tower to which â—as been annexed the old Artillery Garden â—y Spittle-Fields and the little Minories here is an ancient Court of Record held by a Steward every Monday by Prescription for Debts Trespasses c. And in the said Liberty the Gentleman Porter has the same Power and Authority as Sheriffs have within their respective Counties He constitutes Bayliffs thereof to execute all Process and Warrants directed to them by the Steward of the Court and has all Escheats Deodands and Goods of all Felones deâ—se For Ecclesiastical Causes and Probate of Wills the Tower and Liberties thereof have a Royal Jurisdiction From which there is no Appeal but to the King in his Court of Chancery who thereupon issues out a Commission under the Great Seal as in Appeals from the Arches or Prerogative Courts But whether the Tower be in the County that is under the Jurisdiction of Middlesex or in the Liberty of the City 't is undetermined to this day Some will have it to be part of it in Middlesex and part in the Liberty of the City And in the Case of Sir Thomas Overbury's Murder the Judges Opinion was that the Trial must be made in the City the Fact being done in that Part of the Tower held to be in the City Liberties Next to the Tower I come to the Custom House placed between the Tower and thâ— Bridge Which having been destroy'd by the Fire in the Year 1666 was soon afteâ— rebuilt much more commodious uniform anâ— magnificent and the Building cost the Kinâ— 10000 pounds Here are received and managed all the Impositions laid upon Merchandise Imported and Exported from this City Which are so considerable that of all the Customs of England divided into 3 Parts the Port of London pay's two Thirds that is when Trade flourishes about 400000 l. yearly In this Office are imploy'd a great Number of Officers an Account whereof you will find in my Second Part where I speak of the King's Revenues The Bridge of London offers it self in the next place to our Consideration Which considering the constant great Flux and Reflux at that Place was certainly a very difficult and costly piece of Work It consists of 19 Arches at 20 foot distance of each other with a Draw-bridge almost in the middle 'T is about 800 foot long and 30 broad Set out with a fine Row of Houses all along with Shops furnished with most sorts of Commodities So that it looks more like a Street than a Bridge the Street being widened in the late Reign from 12 to 20 foot It was built in the year 1200 in the Reign of King John And so great are the Charges of keeping it in repair that there is a large Revenue in Lands and Houses set apart for that purpose and two Bridge-Masters besides other Officers chosen out of the Liverv-men on Midsummer-Day to look after the same Near this Bridge is the fatal Place where the dreadful Fire afore-mentioned first began In perpetualâ— Memory whereof was erected by virtue of an Act of Parliament that â—aster-piece of Building called the Monument begun Anno 1671 in the Mayoralty of Sir Richard Forde Knight and finished Anno 1677 Sir Thomas Davies being Lord Mayor of London This Pillar not unlike those two ancient white Marble Pillars at Rome erected in honour of the Emperours Trajan and Antonius is all built of Portland Stone as durable almost as Marble and is of the Dorick Order 202 foot high and 15 foot Diameter Within-side is a fair winding Stair-case with Iron rails up to the top where this stately Pile is surrounded with an Iron-Balcony yielding a pleasant Prospect all over the City The Pedestal is 40 foot high and 21 foot Square the Front of it adorned with ingenious Emblems and the North and
Sir Thomas Pilkington was chosen in his room In whose Person the Chance is turned almost quite contrary For if he do's outlive the Time appointed for his Mayoralty by his late Re-election instead of being Mayor but one Year according to the usual Course his Mayoralty will reach near two Years and a half Next to the Lord Mayor there are 26 Aldermen A Recorder Two Sheriffs A Chamberlain Besides the Vnder-Sheriffs the Town-Clerk or Common Clerk and a Remembrancer these two last being both Esquires by their Places The 26 Aldermen preside over the 26 Wards of the City a peculiar Alderman being assigned to every Ward Who has under him a certain Number of Common-Council-Men and one of them his Deputy besides Constables Scavengers Beadles c. Now the Aldermen who have been Lord Mayors and the three eldest Aldermen that have not yet arrived to that honourable estate are by the City-Charter Justices of Peace of the City Upon the Death of an Alderman the Lord Mayor issues out his Precept to the Ward whereof he was Alderman to chuse two substantial Men of the City and return their Names to the Court of Aldermen Which being done the Lord Mayor and Court of Aldermen select one of the two such as they judge fittest for that Station The Recorder is usually a grave and learned Lawyer well versed in the Laws and Customs of the City and in that Capacity is an Assistant to the Lord Mayor He takes his place in Councils and in Court before any Man that has not been Mayor and 't is he that delivers the Sentences of the whole Court The two Sheriffs of this City are also Sheriffs of the County of Middlesex They are yearly chosen in the Guildhall on Midsummer-Day by the Livery-Men of the respective Companies that is by the Citizens from among themselves A high Priviledge considering the Importance of this Magistracy especially in their power of Impanelling Juries Yet my Lord Mayor by his Prerogative may drink to any Citizen and nominate him to be one of the Sheriffs In which Case the Usage has been for the Commons to confirm such a Person and to elect another to serve with him However the new-chosen Sheriffs are not sworn till Michaelmas Eve and till then they do not enter upon their Office If any of the Parties chosen refuse to hold he inours a Penalty of 450 l. unless he do take his Oath that he is not worth ten thousand pounds Each Sheriff has under him an Vnder-Sheriff and six Clerks viz. a Secondary a Clerk of the Papers and four other Clerks He has also a certain Number of Sergeants and every Sergeant a Yeoman The Vnder-Sheriffs have also Clerks under them The Chamberlain is an Officer of great Power in the City For without him no man can set up Shop or follow his Trade without being sworn before him neither can one be bound an Apprentice to any Tradesman but by his Licence He may Imprison any that disobey's his Summons or anv Apprentice that misdemeans himself or else he may punish him in another manner But these are only general Notions of the chief Officers and Magistrates of London for the Particulars I refer you to the Courts of Judicature in my Third Part. In relation to Trade which is the Life of this City the Traders thereof are divided into Companies which are so many Bodies Politique all injoying large Privileges granted by former Kings unto them Those Companies are in all about 70 twelve whereof are called the Chief Companies Viz. The Mercers The Grocers The Drapers The Fishmongers The Goldsmiths The Skinners The Merchant Taylors The Haberdashers The Salters The Iron-Mongers The Vintners The Cloth-Workers Each Company or Mystery has a Master yearly chosen from among themselves and other subordinate Governours called Wardens and Assistants Such is the Harmony of this Government that these Companies do exactly correspond to the general Government of the City by a Lord Mayor and Common Council who are selected out of these several Companies For he that is chosen Lord Mayor must be free of one of these 12 Companies and if he be of any other Company he presently removes to one of these Which have got so great Credit and Reputation in the World that several Kings have honoured some of them by taking their Freedom thereof The present King was lately pleased to accept of the Freedom of the Company of Grocers presented to Him in a golden Box in the Name of the City by Mr. Box upon which he was Knighted by His Majesty In short such are the Priviledges of the Citizens of London that they are Toll-free throughout England And the Lord Mayor usually at the Request of any Citizen that trades in remote Parts grants him his Warrant or Certificate They have also the Priviledge to keep out all Artificers and Handicraftsmen not free of the City So that if a Freeman of London do imploy any such to work within the City or Liberties he is liable to the Forfeiture of 5 l. a Day and an Action lies against him for the same An Alien indeed may be imploy'd six Weeks but no longer And how severe soever this may seem to Foreiners yet it is grounded upon Equity For were it not for that Priviledge here would be such a Concourse of Foreiners that it would prove as it has by Experience the utter undoing of a great Number of poor Citizens and Freemen whose Livelyhood depends upon their Handicrafts Another great Priviledge they have is their sending no less than four Members to Parliament which is twice the Number of other Cities and borough-Borough-Towns in England And it is observable that their Members do usually appear in their Scarlet-Robes the first Day the Parliament sits when all other Members except the Speaker of the House appear in their usual Habit. Thus the Lord Mayor of London under the gracious Influences of the English Monarchs makes a Figure more like a Prince than a Subject And the Citizens of London though under the same general Government as all the rest of the Kings Subjects yet live within themselves blest with so many Advantages that I can compare them no better than to the old Citizens of Rome under the best of their Emperours And indeed the main Thing which has incouraged Trade here to that degree as to render this Place so rich and flourishing is the great Charters Priviledges and Immunities it is invested with by the Munificence of several of the former Kings Whereby the Londoners are Impowered to chuse their own Magistrates to do themselves Justice to maintain their own Peace and pursue all the good and advantagious Ends of Trade with the better Success and greater Security In order to which they keep within themselves many Courts and Councils where they make Laws for the better Government of the several Ranks and Orders of Men among them And though these grand Priviledges were judged to be forfeited by the Court of Kings Bench upon the Quo
was wont to be pictured naked with a pair of Sheers in his hand a piece of Cloth under his Arm and Verses annext intimating that he knew not what fashion of Cloaths to have In Q. Elizabeths Time sometimes they took up the German and sometimes the Spanish Mode But the French Fashion has prevailed for the most part since Only there was a Time in King Charles the second his Reign that is about 23 Years since when Men took up a grave sort of Habit something like that of the Oriental Nations But it was soon laid aside and the French Mode taken up again which has continued ever since Cloth amongst Men is the general and almost the only Wear And that with so much plainness and comeliness with so much modesty and so little prodigality that the English formerly so apish in imitating forein Nations in their Garb might go now for a Model The Women indeed who value themselves most upon a fine outward Appearance cannot keep within those Bounds Whether it be to make a Figure in the World or out of Emulation amongst themselves or out of Design upon Men they go still in rich Silks with all the Set-offs that Art can possibly invent from time to time They know that Love do's love Toys and that Men love to be caught in a fine Net And herein the Citizens Wives and Maid-Servants do run into such Excess as makes a Confusion So hard it is sometimes to know a Tradesmans Wife from a Lady or the Maid from the Mistris As for the English Exercises and Recreations some they have common with other Nations as Hunting Hawking Fowling Fishing Tennis Bowling Shooting at Bow and Arrows Leaping Wrestling Dancing Musick Stage-Plays Operas Mascarades Balls Ballets c. Amongst which their Way of Bowling in fine Greens contrived and kept for that purpose is beyond any Thing that forein Countries do afford Wrestling is an Exercise wherein they have a peculiar Skill but chiefly the North and Western People Their Musick like their Temper inclines to gravity And if France outdo's the English in Comedies England may be said to outdo all Europe in Tragedies But besides those Exercises and Recreations usual with other Nations they have some more peculiar to themselves such as Paddock-Courses Horse-races Cock-fighting Bear-baiting Bull-baiting Prizes Cudgels Foot-ball Throwing at Cocks and their Way of Ringing of Bells Amongst which the Races shew the Swiftness of English Horses brought up for that purpose which to Foreiners unacquainted with it go's almost for a Romance Cock-fighting shews the Courage of their Cocks Bear-baiting and Bull-baiting that of their Dogs and Prizes the dexterity of some Men in handling of Weapons tho' with some effusion of Bloud Foot ball is a rude Diversion for the common sort of People in frosty Weather Throwing at Cocks is not only rude but cruel And as to the Musical Way of Ringing the Bells in England the frequency of it makes it rather a Recreation to the Ringers than others The Publick Days for Feasting amongst the English are first the Holy Daies at Christmas Easter and Whitsuntide but chiefly Christmas Holy-Days When 't is usual for Landlords to treat their Tenants for Relations and Friends to invite each other and pass the Time in Merriments And though those Holy-Days are not kept of late Years with that Profuseness as formerly they were yet I could wish they were kept with more devotion and less intemporateness From All-Saints Day to Candlemas 't is usual for each Inn of Court to have Revels on Holy-Days that is Musick and Dancing and for this they chuse some young Student to be Master of the Revels Before Christmas the Students who are for the most part Gentlemen of quality that come hither only to learn so much Law as may serve their turn to preserve their Estates meet together in order to keep a solemn Christmas At this Meeting which they call a Parliament Officers are chosen from among them to bear Rule in the House during the whole Christmas as a Comptroller Treasurer c. Sometimes when their publick Treasury can reach it they make a Prince among themselves who keeps a Court accordingly By whom many of the chief Nobility and great Officers of State are feasted and intertained with Interludes c. But whether a Prince or no the whole Christmas-time except Sundays is devoted here to Feasting Musick Dancing and Diâ—ing This last being allowed to all Comers is so excessive that the Box-mony do's usually amount to about 50 l. each 24 hours Which Mony go's a great way towards the defraying the Charges of the whole Christmas the rest being made up by a Contribution from each Student But besides Christmas Holy-Days which may be called the Carnaval of England there are other Days of publick Rejoycing As the King and Queens Birth and Coronation-Days the present Kings Birth-Day being the 4th of November the Queens the 30th of April and their Coronation Day April the 11th The 5th of November being Gun-powder Treason Day when the Popish Conspirators had prepared all Things to blow up King James I. and his Parliament then sitting is a Day of Thanksgiving solemnly kept to the eternal Confusion of Popery This is the Day when the Pope by way of Retaliation used solemnly to be burnt in Effigie at Temple-Bar in King Charles the Seconds Time with so much State and Pomp that the Undertakers spared for nothing to have it done sutable to the Subject But this being discontinued since the late King came to the Crown and being lookt upon besides by sober people as a Piece of Exorbitancy I have done with it and hope it won't be renewed My Lord Mayors Day being the 29th of October is also a solemn Day of publick Rejoycing and Feasting for the City of London Societies have likewise their Feasting Days when they meet in a Body either upon the Election of a new Officer or on some other account But of all the Societies there is none to be compared in this point to the Inns of Court for state and magnificence As to private Families 't is usual with many to celebrate their Birth and Marriage-Days with their most intimate Friends To improve Society the life of Recreation the English have besides their usual and friendly Meetings called Clubs the Conveniency of Coffee-Houses more common here than any where else In these all Comers intermix together with mutual freedom and at the small Charge of a peny or two pence of such Liquours as are sold there Men have the Opportunity of meeting together and getting Acquaintance with choice of Conversation and the advantage of reading all forein and domestick News S. Bartholomew's vulgarly called Bartelmy Fair is a particular Time for Diversion to the City of London It begins on S. Bartholomew's Day the 24th of August and continues 14 Days in West-Smithfield at the end whereof it removes for so many Days more to Southwark on the other side of the River Then is the dead
Time of the Year which amongst Citizens is the most proper for their Diversion This Fair is famous not so much for Things bought or sold as for its great Variety of Shews either of Nature or Art So that one may apply to it what the Romans of old used to say of Africk Quid novi fert Africa For here is always to be seen strange sorts of living Creatures And for such as love Feats of Activity Comical or Tragical Shews here they are to be seen in the utmost persection Which draws daily during the Fair a great Concourse of people to the benefit of the Shewers and the satisfaction of the Beholders And now amongst the English particular Customs I shall in the first place take notice of their Way of Pledging one another whereof this is the Original When the Danes Lorded it over England they used when the English drank to stab them or cut their Throats To avoid which Villany the Party then drinking requested some of the next to him to be his Surety or Pledge for his Life From whence came the Expression used to this day of Pledging one another when the Party drunk to takes his turn and drinks next after him Another Custom the English had formerly upon the Danes account which Time has so corrupted that there remains no sign of the first Institution except in the Name Hock-tide an old Saxon Word which signify's the Time of Scorning or Triumphing The English in the Reign of King Ethelred were so oppressed and broken by the Danes that Ethelred was fain to buy his Peace of them at the yearly Tribute of 10000 pound soon after inhaunced to 48000 which Monies were raised upon the Subjects by the Name of Danegelt But the King weary of this Exaction plotted with his Subjects to kill all the Danes as they slept in their Beds Which was accordingly done on S. Brice's Night Nov. 12.1012 The joyfull English having thus cleared their Country of the Danes instituted the annual Sports of Hock tide in Imitation of the Romans Fugalia at the expulsion of their Kings This Solemnity consisted in the merry Meerings of the Neighbours in those Days during which the Festival lasted and was celebrated by the younger sort of both Sexes with all manner of Exercises and Pastimes in the Streets At Coventry they yearly acted a Play called Hock-Tuesday till Q. Elizabeths Time The 14th of February being S. Valentines Day has been kept Time out of mind and is so to this day both by the English and Scots with some relation to the Instinct of Animals For Nature teaches us that about this time of the Year the Beasts of the Field and Fowls of the Air feeling a new heat by the approach of the Sun the Males chuse their Females and begin to couple From whence it is probable young Men and Maidens took occasion to meet together at this time to an equal Number and having their respective Names writ down severally upon pieces of paper rolled up the Men draw the Maidens Names and these the Mens So the Lot gives every Man a She Valentine and every Maid a He one the Men wearing their Lots for some Days rolled up about their Hat-bands and the Women before their Breast Whereupon they make each other a Present and sometimes it comes to be a Match in good earnest These Particulars so well known to the whole Nation I would not have insisted upon but for the satisfaction of Foreiners Upon whose Account I shall likewise explain but in few Words the Story of the Welsh Custom of wearing Leeks on their Hats the first day of March being S. David's Day Once upon a time to use the old English Style the Welsh Liberty lay grievously at stake and they must either be victorious or lose it In that Extremity they called for help upon S. David their Patron Armed with Confidence in that Saint they crossed Fields sowed with Leeks before they came to ingage and for distinction sake each Souldier took up a Leek The Welsh got the Victory and to perpetuate the Memory thereof as well as out of respect to the Saint they made a Law amongst themselves that on S. David's Day every Man should wear a Leek about his Head Which is religiously by them observed every Year the common people wearing but Garden Leeks and the better sort wrought ones The King himself out of Complacency to that People wears one upon that Day The Scots on their fide wear a blue Cross on the fore-part of their Hats upon S. Andrew's Day their Patron And the Irish a red Cross on one side of their Hats to the Memory of their old Patron S. Patrick CHAP. IV. I. Of the English Way of Travelling by Land either Horseback or in Coaches II. Of the general Post for Intercourse of Letters III. Of the English Coins Weights and Measures in relation to Trade IV. Of the great Trade of England in foreign Parts BEsides the Conveniency of Travelling by Water either by Sea or here and there upon Rivers I may say the English Nation is the best provided of any for Land-Travel as to Horses and Coaches And the Truth is there is not perhaps a Country so proper for 't 't is generally so open and level Travelling on Horseback is so common a Thing in England that the meanest sort of People use it as well as the rest Which sometimes fills the Roads with Riders not without frequent Disputes about giving the way which is unusual beyond Sea And as English Horses are the best for Expedition so 't is rare upon the Road to see an Englishman but upon the Gallop But for Persons that are tender or disabled England excels all other Nations in the Conveniency of Coaches but especially in that of Stage-Coaches a very commodious and easy Way of Travelling Here one may be transported without over-violent Motion and sheltered from the Injuries of the Air to most noted Places in England With so much speed that some of these Coaches will reach above 50 Miles in a Summer Day and at so easy Rates that it is in some Places less than a Shilling for every Five Miles As to the Post for Intercourse of Letters there is a general Office in the City of London from whence Letters and Pacquets are dispatched to all Parts and the Returns according to their respective Directions This Office now in Lombard-street London is managed in chief by the Post-master General who is constituted thereto by the King's Letters Patents under the Great Seal of England whose Place is counted to be worth 2000 l. a Year Under him he has a Deputy and other Officers to a great Number who give their actual attendance respectively in the Dispatch of Business Upon this General Post-Office depends 182 Deputy Post-Masters in England and Scotland most of which keep regular Offices in their Stages and Sub-Post Masters in their Branches So that there is no considerable Market-Town but has an easy and certain
Goâ—ernment nine and twenty of the Lords Spiâ—â—al and Temporal such as â—â—â—ned to be at â—t time in and about the Cities of London â—d Westminster immediately assembled at â—ildhall Where they unanimously Reâ—â—ved to apply themselves to His Highness 〈◊〉 Prince of Orange and to assist Him â—â—th their utmost Endeavours in the obâ—â—ing with all speed such a free Parliament 〈◊〉 the security of our Laws Liberties and â—operties as thereby the Church of England 〈◊〉 particular with a due Liberty to Proteâ—â—nt Dissenters and in general the Protestant â—eligion and Interest over the whole World â—ight be supported and incouraged to the â—lory of God the Happiness of these Kingâ—oms and the Advantage of all Princes and â—ates in Christendom Whereof they made publick Declaration signed by every one of 〈◊〉 Lords amongst which the Earl of Pemâ—ke the Lord Viscount Weymouth the Bishop 〈◊〉 Ely and the Lord Culpeper were chosen to â—tend forthwith His Highness with the said â—eclaration and at the same time acquaint 〈◊〉 with what they had further done at that â—eeting Few days after this the Lord Mayor Alderâ—en and Commons of the City of London in â—mmon Council Assembled made an humble â—ddress to the Prince wherein they returned 〈◊〉 Highness their Thanks for his glorious Unâ—rtaking to rescue these Kingdoms from Poâ—ry and Slavery look'd upon him as their Reâ—â—e implored his Protection and humbly beâ—ght Him to repair to this City where he should be received with Universal Joy and Sâ—tisfaction The Prince was then at Henley where he râ—ceived the Addressers in the most obliging maâ—ner with Aâ—â—rances of his Protection aâ— of his Readiness to comply with their Dâ—fires In the mean time King James was unhappiâ— taken in a Disguise at Feversham in Kent as 〈◊〉 was going for France Where being soon Dâ— covered he was at last prevailed upon to Return so that his Guards and Coach being seâ— for Him he came back to Whitehall Sundâ—â— Dec. 16 and reassumed the Government Whilâ— King James came up to London from the South the Prince made his Way thither from tâ—â— West in hopes that his Majesty would come 〈◊〉 an amicable and equitable Accommodation by referring all Grievances to a free Parlâ—â—ment But the King not being able to bear the hâ—â— of a Free Parliament after so many notoriâ—â— Violations of the Laws of the Realm grew foâ— uneasy at Whitehall and his Heart beat agâ— for France as his only Place of Refuge 〈◊〉 Rochester he goes from whence few Days â—â—ter he privately Withdrew himself the secâ—â— time but with more success than the 〈◊〉 For he got clear to France where the Quâ—â— and the supposed Prince of Wales had soâ— time before taken Sanctuary Mean while the Prince of Orange was 〈◊〉 to St. James's Dec. 19th where his Highâ—â— received the Compliments of all the Nobiâ—â— and other Persons of the chiefest quality Town and at Night the Streets were 〈◊〉 with Bonfires with Ringing of Bells and ther publick Demonstrations of Joy Then the Scene of Affairs was so very much â—ered that nothing but a new Settlement â—â—uld Resettle us In order to which a great Assembly of Lords and Commons Members of â—rmer Parliaments besides the Lord Mayor â—ldermen and Common Council of the City of London was held at Westminster to consult â—hat was fit to be done Who after some Deâ—â—tes upon the present Juncture came to this resolve that his Highness the Prince of Oâ—â—nge should be humbly Intreated to Summon 〈◊〉 Convention of Lords and Commons by his Cirâ—ular Letters these to be chosen by the People in a Parliamentary Way to meet at Westminster on â—he 22th of January following And that His sighness in the mean time would be pleased â—o take upon Him the Administration of pubâ—ick Affairs both Civil and Military and the disposal of the publick Revenue Which was â—one accordingly The Convention being met at the Time â—ppointed the House of Commons broke the 〈◊〉 Voted the Abdication of the Governâ—ent by King James and the Vacancy of the â—â—rone that is in short a Dissolution of the whole Frame of Government The House of Lords being divided as to the Word Abdicate â—â—d several Conferences about it with the Comâ—ons till at last their Lordships Concurred with them by Plurality of Votes Which hapâ—ed on the 6th of Febr the same Day upon which King James had ascended the Throne The Government being thus declared in a â—ate of Dissolution and the Throne Vacant â—he next Business was to Resettle the first by â—lling up the last It was then in their power 〈◊〉 bestow the Crown upon whom they pleased 〈◊〉 after several Debates the Two Houses at last fully agreed upon a joynt Declaration concerning the Misgovernment of King James the Offer of the Crown to the Prince and Prince of Orange the Abrogation of the Oaths of Allegiance and Supremacy and the new Oaths tâ— be taken instead of them All this was done by the 12th of February upon which Day Her Royal Highness the Princess of Orange arrived at Whitehall about twâ— in the Afternoon the welcome News whereoâ— was received with universal Demonstrations oâ— Joy The next Day Febr. 13th both Houses being Assembled at Westminster came to thâ— Banqueting House where they presented tâ— the Prince and Princess of Orange the Instrument in Writing agreed upon for Declarinâ— Their Highnesses KING and QUEEN oâ— England France and Ireland with all the Dominions and Territories thereunto belonging and received Their Consent Whereupon Their Majesties were immediately Proclaimed in thaâ— solemn Manner as I have already described iâ— the Seventh Chapter And thus was accomplished the Curse of King James J a Prince whose Learned Pen baffleâ— all the Conclave which he solemnly pronounced on any of his Posterity that should turn Papists I am heartily sorry that it should fall 〈◊〉 heavy upon the late King but it is better so than that three Kingdoms should perish And yet had he kept within some reasonable Bounds and his Religion to himself withouâ— his open Violations of the Laws as it were iâ— defiance 't is very likely the Nation would haâ—â— been upon his account very indulgent to thâ— Roman Catholick Party They might have gâ— by this means some legal Toleration which 〈◊〉 the space of few Years would have Incouraâ—â—d and Strengthned their Party here consideâ—bly So quick of growth are the Roman â—atholicks where they find Incourageâ—ent Therefore the very Court of France did oâ—enly declare his Errors to the World and â—ssed this Verdict upon him That his whole â—onduct had been very little Judicious The â—mperour on the other side in his Letter to â—ing James from Vienna Apr. 9. 1689 could â—â—t forbear amongst his tender condoling â—xpressions to tell him the Cause of his â—in But King James would never be advised to Moderation and no Counsellors were welcome 〈◊〉 him but such as prompted him to Vioâ—nce The Issue whereof proved accordingly â—ll Covet all Lose I conclude with a Character of Their
600 Years ago viz. in the Reign of William the Conquerour and was six Years a making The same is Kept under three Locks and Keys not to be lookt into under 6 s. 8 d. and for every Line transcribed is to be paid 4 d. Under the two Chamberlains are their Deputies who sit in the Tally-Court where they examine the Tallies and there is also a Tallyâ—utter attending this Way of Tallies being found by long experience to be absolutely the best Way to avoid all Cozenage in the Kings Revenue Which is after this manner He that pays any Monies into the Exchequer receives for his Acquittance a Tally that is a stick with Words written on it on both sides containing the Acquittance proper to express what the Mony received is for This being cloven asunder by the Deputy-Chamberlains the Stock is delivered to the Party that paid the Mony the Counter-stock or Counter-foil remaining with them Who afterwards deliver it over to other Deputies to be Kept till it be called for and joyned with the Stock After which they send it by an Officer of their own to the Pipe to be applied to the Discharge of the Accomptant Next to the two Chamberlains is the Auditor of the Receipts who files the Bills of the Tellers whereby they charge themselves with all the Monies received and upon the Lord High Treasurer's Warrant or the Lords High Commissioners draws all Orders to be signed by him or them for Issuing forth all Monies by virtue of Privy Seals Which Orders are recorded by the Clerk of the Pells and are entred and lodged in the said Auditor's Office He also by Warrant of the Lord Treasurer or Commissioners makes Debenturs to the several Persons who have Fees Annuities or Pensions by Letters Patents from the King out of the Exchequer and directs them for Payment to the Tellers He daily receives the state of each Teller's Account and weekly certifies the Whole to the Lord High-Treasurer or Lords Commissioners who immediately present the Ballance to the King Twice a Year viz. at Lady-Day and Michaelmas he makes an Abstract of all Accounts made in the preceeding Half-Year whereof he delivers a Copy to the Lord Treasurer and another to the Chancellour of the Exchequer He keeps the several Registers appointed for paying all Persons in course upon several Branches of the Kings Revenue Lastly he has five Clerks to manage under him the estate of Monies received disbursed and remaining Next there are four Tellers whose Office is to receive all Monies due to the King And though their Salary from the King be small and inconsiderable yet they are bound to His Majesty in 20000 l. Security and Keep each of them two Clerks who constantly attend their Offices There is moreover a Clerk of the Pells so called from Pellis a Skin his Office being to enter every Teller's Bill into a Parchment Skin He has two Clerks under him one for Incomes the other for Issue Lastly there are three Ushers of the Receipt a Tally-cutter and four Messengers The Ushers Office is to see the Exchequer secured Day and Night and to find Paper Books c. for the Use of the Exchequer 'T is observable that in case of a Gift from the King or Pension out of his Exchequer he that receives it pays but 5 l. per Cent. amongst all the Officers And out of publick Payments as for the Navy Ordnance Wardrobe Mint c. there goes not amongst them so much as 5 s. per Cent. On the other side for Monies paid in by any of the King's Tenants it costs them at the most but 3 s. for every Payment under a thousand pounds and that goes only to the Clerks for their Pains in writing and attending CHAP. XVIII Of the Queen Dowager the Princess Ann of Denmark Prince George and the Duke of Glocester QUeen Catharine the Widow of the late King Charles and now the third Person in the Kingdom is the only Sister of Pedro the present King of Portugal Where she was born Nov. 14th 1638 and marrried to the late King Charles in the Year 1662. The Portion she brought with her was about 300000 pounds Sterling besides Tangier in the Streights upon the Coast of Africk and the Isle of Bombay near Goa in the East-Indies To which was added a Priviledge for any Subjects of England to Trade freely in the East and West-India Plantations belonging to the Portugueze Her Majesties Joynture by the Articles of Marriage is 30000 pound a Year To which King Charles added 10000 l. more which he settled on her Majesty for her Life So that the Queen Dowager has 40000 pound a Year wherewith she keeps a Court suitable to Her Majesty The Princess Ann of Denmark second Daughter to the late King James and only Sister to our Gracious Queen Mary was born in Febr. 1664. And July 28th 1683 being S. Anns Day she was married to the Illustrious Prince George the only Brother to Christiern V the present King of Denmark His Royal Highness was born at Copenhagen the chief City of Denmark in April 1653. At 15 Years of age he began his Travels into Holland England France and Italy which lasted about two Years Being 20 Years old in the Year 1673 he travelled into Germany where he saw the Imperial and the French Armies near the Rhine Anno 1675 his Royal Highness served in the War against the Swedes and was at the taking of Wismar The next Year he commanded a part of the Danish Army at the Battel of Lunden in Schonen against the King of Sweden And in the Year 1677 he commanded again a part of the Danish Army at the famous Battle of landscroon where he signalized his Valour Afterwards His Royal Highness made several Voyages into Germany and continued some Years abroad And after his Return into Copenhagen the Treaty of Marriage with Him and the Lady Ann being set on foot was happily brought to Conclusion By which Treaty His Royal Highness is declared to be received as one of the Princes of the Bloud Royal of England all his Officers and Servants to be from time to time appointed by and with the Approbation of the King of England and his Revenue coming from Denmark to be 17500 pounds sterling Yearly which is a great Revenue in that Country The Princesseâ— Portion is 30000 l. a Year to be paid by thâ— King To which 20000 l. per Annum being lately superadded and payable out of the Excise the whole Yearly Revenue of the Prince and Princess amounts to 67500 l. sterling Wherewith they Keep a Court suitable to their Royal Highnesses The Prince has four Sisters The first married to John George the present Elector of Saxony The second to Christian Adolph Duke of Holstein Gottorp The third to the late Elector Palatine of the Rhine who died without Issue And the fourth to the present King of Sweden Charles XI His Brother the present King of Denmark has three Sons and two Daughters The
eldest Son is Frederick the Heir apparent born in the Year 1671 and the two others are Christiern and Carolus The Duke of Glocester is the only Son and Heir of their Royal Highnesses the Prince and Princess of Denmark He was born July 24th 1689 and on the 27th he was Christened at Hampton-Court by the Lord Bishop of London and named William the King and the Earl of Dorset Lord Chamberlain of His Majesties Houshold being Godfathers and the Lady Marchioness of Hallifax Godmother CHAP. XIX Of the Nobility of England THE English Nobility is divided into five Degrees Viz. Duke Marquess Earl Viscount and Baron And they are called the Peerage of England because they are all Peers the Barons as well as the rest They have also all of them the Title of Lord. All these Honours are given by the King who is the sole Fountain of Honour and whatever Title a Subject of England receives from any forein Prince is not only Insignificant here but Unwarrantable by Law All Noblemen at their Creation have two Ensigns which signify two Duties Their Heads are adorned in token that they are to assist their King and Country with good Counsel in time of Peace and they are girt with a Sword as being to support the King and defend the Kingdom with their Lives and Fortunes in time of War A Duke is created by Patent Cincture oâ— Sword Mantle of State Imposition of A Cap and Coronet of gold on his head and a Vergâ— of gold put into his hand A Marquess and aâ— Earl by Cincture of Sword a Mantle of State with a Cap and Coronet put upon him by the King himself and a Patent delivered into his hand Viscounts and Barons are made by Patent and these sometimes by Writ whereby they are called to sit in the House of Lords All the Peers have Coronets but with these Distinctions A Baron has six Pearls upon the Circle a Viscount the Circle of Pearls without number an Earl has the Pearls raised upon Points and Leaves low between a Marquess a Pearl and a Strawberry-leaf round of equal height and a Duke Leaves without Pearls Only the Dukes of the Royal Blood bear like the Prince of Wales a Coronet of Crosses and Flower de Luce. Which is the same with the King 's excepting the Arches Globe and Cross on the top of the King's Crown But the greatest Distinction amongst the Nobles is their Parliament Robes in their several Gards on their Mantles and short Cloaks about their Shoulders For a Baron has but two Gards a Viscount two and a half an Earl three a Marquess three and a half and a Duke four Besides that the Mantle of a Duke Marquess and Earl is faced with Ermine that of a Viscount and Baron with plain white Furr Dukes were at first so called a ducendo being anciently Generals and Leaders of Armies in time of War Marquesses from their Government of Marches and Frontire-Countries Earls in Latine Comites because they had the Government of Counties Viscounts in Latine Vice-Comites as being Assistants or Deputies in the Government of Counties Barons according to Bracton quasi Robur Belli the safety of the King and People in Time of War depending upon their Courage and Skill in Martial Affairs Anciently a Duke was made so for Term of Life then held by Lands and Fees till Dukes came to be Titular and Hereditary In those Times likewise there was no Earl but had a County or Shire for his Earldom who for the support of his State had the third Peny out of the Sheriffs Court issuing out of all Pleas of that County whereof he was Earl Also those Barons only were accounted Peers of the Realm that held of the King per integram Baroniam which consisted of 13 Knights Fees and one third part that is of 400 Marks each Knights Fee being 20 l. And whoever had so much was wont to be summoned to Parliament But then 100 Marks was as much as 2000 pounds at this day as may be guessed by comparing the Prices of Things 'T is true King Henry III after he had with much ado suppressed his Barons called by Writ unto Parliament only such great Men as had continued loyal or were like so to be Which Example being followed by his Successors they only were accounted Peers of the Realm that were so called by the King 's special Writ Till Barons came to be made by Patent as well as by Writ and at last most by Patent which makes it hereditary But there are Barons in England that have noâ— share in the Peerage as such viz. the Barons of the Exchequer and the Barons of the Cinque-Ports Such as these the Earls Palatines and the Eath of England Marches had anciently under them and such there are yet in Cheshire The chieâ— Burgesses of London were also called of oâ— Barons All Dukes Marquesses and Earls at this day have their respective Titles from some Shire or part of a Shire Town or City Castle Park or Village Except two Earls whereof one is Officiary and the other Nominal the first being the Earl Marshal of England and the last the Earl Rivers who takes his Denomination from an Illustrious Family Barons are so denominated from their chief Seat or a Castle belonging to the Family Which is not to be divided amongst Daughters if there be no Sons but must descend to the eldest Daughter None of these Honours can be lost but these two Ways Either by want of Issue male except where the Patent extends to Issue female as sometimes it does Or else by some heinous Crime and then it cannot be restored to the Bloud but by Act of Parliament A Duke has the Title of Grace given him and the other Peers that of Lordship on Honour Accordingly we commonly give to these the Epithet of Right Honourable All Dukes and Marquesses Sons are called Lords by the Courtesy of England and the Daughters Ladies I say by the Courtesy of England for the Law makes no such Distinction but looks upon all as Commoners that have no Right to sit in the House of Peers Of an Earl none but the eldest Son is called Lord though all the Daughters be Ladies And as for the Issue of Vicounts and Barons none of their Sons is Lord nor of the Daughters Lady A Dukes eldest Son is called Lord Marquess and the younger Sons by their Christen-names with the Title of Lord prefixt as Lord William Lord Thomas c. A Marquesses eldest Son is called Lord of a Place and the younger Sons as those of a Duke that is by their Christen-names with the Title of Lord prefixt as Lord William Lord Thomas An Earl's eldest Son is born as a Viscount and called Lord of a Place In point of Precedency this is the Rule Af-the Princes of the Bloud the first amongst the Nobility are the Dukes and these are thus followed Viz. Dukes Marquesses Dukes eldest Sons Earls Marquesses eldest Sons Dukes younger Sons Vicounts Earls
by many Records anâ— Precedents touching this Matter in the Appendix to Petyt's Miscellanea Parliamentaria Which does not quadrate with the Opinion of those who have affirmed that there was never any Parliament in England according to the present Constitution thereof till the Reign of Henry III that is betwixt four and five hundred Years since and that the grand Council consisted only of the great Men of the Nation till that King was pleased to call the Commons to sit also in Parliament The Power of Convening or Calling a Parliament is solely in the King But if the King be under Age or not Compos Mentis or Absent out of the Realm upon some Expedition 't is lodged in the Protector or Regent who then summons the Parliament but still in the King's Name The Summons ought to be at least 40 Days before the Day appointed for the Meeting and it is done by Writ in Law-Latin expressing that it is with the Advice of the Privy Council Which Writ is a kind of short Letter directed and sent by the Lord Chancellour or Commissioners of the Chancery to every Lord Spiritual and Temporal to appear at a certain Time and Place to treat and give their Advice in some important Affairs concerning the Church and State c. And as for the House of Commons Writs are sent to all the Sheriffs commanding them to summon the People to elect two Knights for each County two Citizens for each City and one or two Burgesses for each Borough according to Statute Charter or Custom And whereas there are some Cities and Towns that are Counties of themselves or that have each within it self the Priviledge of a County the Writ is directed to them as it is to Sheriffs of other Counties At every County after the Delivery of the Parliament Writ to the Sheriffs Proclamation is made in the full County of the Day and Place appointed for the Parliament to sit and for all Freeholders to attend such a Time and Place for the Election of the Knights for that County But the Sheriff ought to give a convenient Time for the Day of Election and sufficient Warning to those that have Voices that they may be present Otherwise the Election is not good if for want of due Notice part of the Electors be absent Now by an Act in the Reign of Henry VI it was Ordained that none should have any Suffrage in the Election of the Knights of the Shire but such as were Freeholders did reside in the County and had a yearly Revenue at least to the Value of 40 Shillings which before the Discovery of the Gold and Silver in America was as much as 30 l. now And the Sheriff has Power by the said Act to examine upon Oath every such Chuser how much he may expend by the Year if he doubt the value of it If any Man keep a Houshold in one County and remain in Service with another Family in another County yet he may be at the Chusing of Knights of the Shire where he Keeps his Family for it shall be said in Law a Dwelling in that County The Election ought to be in full County between 8 and 9 of the Clock according to Statute And no Election says the Lord Coke can be made of any Knight of the Shire but between 8 and 11 of the Clock in the Forenoon But if the Election be begun within the Time and cannot be determined within those Hours the Election may be proceeded upon Before Election can be made or Voices given the Precept directed to the Sheriff ought to be read and published And if the Party or Freeholders demand the Poll the Sheriff ought not to deny the Scrutiny for he cannot discern who be Freeholders by the View In short of so many as stand for Competitors the two that have most Voices are declared to be duly elected for the insuing Parliament Plurality of Voices does likewise carry it for Citizens that stand for Cities and Burgesses for Boroughs Where in some Places none but Freeholders have a Right of Election in others all Housholders have a share in it And though no Alien can be a Parliament Man yet if he be a Housholder his Voice is good as in the Election of the Members for the City of Westminster A Burgess elected for two several Boroughs as it sometimes happens must wave one Election when he comes to the House and chuse for which Place of the two he will serve so as a Writ may issue for a new Election that the Number may be full All Elections ought to be freely and indifferently made notwithstanding any Prayer or Command to the contrary Or else the Parliament is not as it should be free 'T is true the Elections can never be so free as not to be liable to the Temptations of private Interest or the Influence of Feasting two unavoidable Evils Yet it does not follow but that a Parliament may be called Free when the Court has no hand in the Elections by such unlawful Methods as were used in the late Reign by Closetting by fair Promises and foul Threats The Returns concerning the Parties chosen are made in the Crown-Office by the Sheriffs Mayors or Bayliffs whom the Writs were sent to and to whom it belongs to manage the Elections Upon a false Return which happens but too frequently the Sheriff who made the Return is liable to the Forfeiture of 100 l. to the King and 100 l. more to the Party injured and to be Imprisoned for a Year without Bail or Mainprize And every Mayor or Magistrate of a Town so offending is to pay 40 l. to the King and as much to the Party This Action to be within 3 Months after the Parliament commenced by the Party injured or by any other Man who will In the mean time the Party returned remains a Member of the House till his Election be declared void by the same For denying the Poll when required also for advising and abetting the same the guilty Party has been adjudged by the House to stand Committed to the Sergeant during Pleasure to pay all due Fees to defray the Charge of Witnesses to be Assessed by four of the Committee to acknowledge his Offence upon his Knees at the Bar and read a Submission This was the Case of Thomson Sheriff of York and his Abettor Alderman Henlow in the Reign of Charles I. The Persons to be Elected as the fittest to answer the true Interest of the Nation ought to be Sober Understanding Well-principled and Well-affected to the establish'd Government by Law If Men of Estates it is so much the better such Men being supposed to be less Corruptible But this is left to the Peoples Choice 'T is true that by Law such as stand for Knights of the Shire ought to be Knights Esquires or Gentlemen fit to be made Knights By the Statute none ought to be chosen a Burgess of a Town in which he do's not inhabit But the Usage of
72 Earls 9 Viscounts 65 Barons and 26 Spiritual Lords whereof 2 Arch-bishops and 24 Bishops But the King may by virtue of his Prerogative increase the Number of the Peers to sit and vote in their House as Barons by sending his Writs for that pupose to whomsoever His Majesty thinks fit for that Service The Lord Chancellor or Lord Keeper when there is one is of course the Speaker of this House Otherwise they may appoint any of their own Members or else one of the Judges for that Place as in the Case of their late Speaker the Right Honourable the Marquis of Hallifax and that of Sir Robert Atkins Lord Chief Baron of the Exchequer the present Speaker of the House of Lords Besides the first Wool-sack which is the usual Seat for the Lord Chancellor or Lord Keeper there are other Wool-sacks Upon which the Judges the Kings Council at Law and the Masters of Chancery not being Barons sit not to give their Suffrage but only their Advice when required thereto The Use of which Wool-sacks is probably to put them in mind of the great Advantages the English Wool has brought to this Nation so that it may never be neglected On the lowermost Wool sack are placed the Clerk of the Crown and Clerk of the Parliament The first being concerned in all Writs of and Pardons in Parliament and the other in keeping the Records of all Things passed therein Under this there are two Clerks who kneeling behind the Wool-sack write upon it Without the Bar of the House sits the Black Rod so called from a black Stick he carries in his hand who is as it were the Messenger of this House For he is imploy'd amongst other Things to call for the House of Commons to the House of Lords upon His Majesties Command and to his Custody are Committed all such Peers as the House things fit to Commit upon any Trespass Under him is a Yeoman Vsher that waits at the Door within a Crier without and a Sergeant at Mace always attending the Speaker The House of Commons otherwise called the Lower house is by much the greater Body of the two For as England consists of 40 Counties in which there are 25 Cities 8 Cinque-Ports 2 Universities and 168 borough-Borough-Towns all which are Priviledged to send Members to Parâ—ament if we reckon two Members from each the Whole amounts to 486 Members To which adding 24 from Wales the Whole is 510. 'T is true there are three Boroughs in England each of which sends but one Member viz. Abington in Oxfordshire Higham-Ferrers in Northamptonshire and Bewdley in Worcestershire But these three wanting of the Number are made up by the City of London which sends four Members and by the City of Bath which sends three Of all this great Number many are usually absent upon Business or Sickness c. So that if they be three hundred met together 't is counted a pretty full House And if they be but forty Members in all they make a house This House representing the whole Commons of the Realm do's generally consist of the Flower of the Gentry some of them Noblemens Sons Privy Counsellors Courtiers Men learned in the Law Officers and Commanders Merchants c. but most of them Gentlemen of good Estates with the advantage of a liberal and genteel Education This is an aggregate Body from all Parts of the Nation whose Learning and Eloquence Wit and Policy strive to outdo each other A â—oble School for young Gentlemen chiefly to be versed in Things relating to the English Government Here they Sit promiscuously except the â—peaker who has a Chair placed about the middle of the Room with a Table before him the Clerk of the House sitting near him at the Table But none wears a Robe but the Speaker except as I hinted before the Members of Parliament for the City of London who at their first Meeting appear in their Scarlet Robes Every Member wears what he fancies most and so do the Temporal Lords in their House on all Days when the King comes not thither in State To Strangers I confess it looks something odd that so august an Assembly vested with a Legislative Power and met together for the Exercise of the same should have no proper Garb for so great a Council but appear in their usual Dress But Custom has so far prevailed against the Inconveniencies that attend those Formalities which the English Nebility and Gentry are generally averse from that they are not like to be ever ballanced by the Respect and Veneration that might be gained as in forein Countries by the small trouble of them The usual Time for the Meeting of each House is in the Forenoon from eight or nine a clock till twelve or one except Sundays high Festivals and Fast-Days These Things being premised my next Business is to speak about the Choice of the Speaker of the House of Commons Who is the Mouth of the House and so necessary a Part thereof that they can do no Business without him For 't is the Speakers Part to see the Orders of the House observed to state the Bills that are brought in to collect the Substance of the Debates and the Sense of the House upon them The fitst Day each Member is called by his Name every one answering for what Place he serveth That done a Motion is made to chuse their Speaker who ought to be a Person of great Ability and is usually one of the long Robe And to avoid all Delays the Choice is commonly such as the King approves of This Choice is made by the Plurality of Votes Upon which the Party chosen desires according to ancient Custom to be excused from so weighty an Office and prays the House to proceed to a new Election But he is commonly answered with a full Consent of Voices upon his Name And then two of the principal Members go to him and lead him from his Place to the Speakers Chair where being set they return to their Places Then the Speaker rises and makes a short Speech to the House consisting of his humble Thanks for their good Opinion of him with Promises of his best Indeavours for their Service At the Day appointed for his Presentation to the King which is usually the next Day His Majesty being come to the House of Lords in his Royal Robes and the Lords also in their Robes the Commons are called in Who being come the Speaker is brought between two of them with low Obeysance to the Bar and so presented at the Bar to His Majesty where he makes likewise a modest Refusal But the King approving the Commons Choice and not allowing of his Excuse the Speaker nakes an Oration to His Majesty the Matter whereof is left to his own Thoughts having â—o Direction about it from the Commons But it usually ends with these three Petitions First that the Commons may have during their Sitting a free Acess to His Majesty Secondly Freedom of Speech in their
Commissions Deeds and Recognizances which being made up in Rolls of Parchment gave Occasion for that Name From whence the verâ— House where the same are Kept is also called 〈◊〉 Rolls which being founded at first for the converted Jews was after their Expulsion out of England annext for ever to the Office of Master of the Rolls Here are kept all the Rolls since the beginning of Richard the Third's Reign and the former Rolls in the Tower In this House the Master of the Rolls may Jure Offâ—cii and by vertue of a Commission hear Causes with two Masters and without the Chancellour He has in his Gift those considerable Offices of the Six Clerks in Chancery the Examiners Offices three Clerks of the Petty-bag and the six Clerks of the Rolls Chappel where the Rolls are kept In Parliament-time when he sits in the House of Lords he sits upon the Second Woolsack next to the Lord Chief Justice of Engand Next in degree to the Twelve Masters in Chancery are the Six Clerks aforesaid who keep their several Offices at a Place called the Six Clerks Office in Chancery-Lane and constantly Keep Commons together in Term-time Their Business is for the English part of this Court to inroll Commissions Pardons Patents Warrants c. that are passed the Great Seal They are also Attorneys for Plaintiffs and Defendants in Causes depending in this Court Under these are Sixty other Clerks viz. ten to each amongst which some get four or five hundred Pounds a Year and some more These also have their Under-Clerks who dispatch with them the Business of this Office For the Latine Part there is the Cursitors Office Kept near Lincolns Inn. Of these there are 24 whereof one Principal and two Assistants Their Business is to make out Original Writs for which purpose each of them has certain Counties and Cities allotted to him into which he makes out such Original Writs as are required These Clerks are a Corporation of themselves who execute their Offices by themselves or Deputies There are several Officers besides belonging to the Chancery As the Clerk of the Crown Who either by himself or Deputy is continually to attend the Lord Chancellour or Lord Keeper for special Marters of State and has a Place in the House of Lords He makes all Commissions of Peace of Oyer and Terminer Goal-Delivery and upon the Death or Removal of any Members of Parliament sitting makes all Writs for New Elections There is also a Protonotary whose Office is chiefly to dispatch Commissions for Embassies A Register of the Court of Chancery and two Registers for the Rolls The Clerk of the Hamper or Hanaper Who receives all the Mony due to the King for the Seals of Charters Patents Commissions and Writs In Term-time and at all times of Sealing he attends the Chancery-Court with all Sealed Charters Patents c. put up in Leathern Bags Instead of which Hampers were probably used in our Fore-fathers time and the Clerk called from thence Clerk of the Hamper Those Bags are delivered by the Clerk to the Comptroller of the Hamper Three Clerks of the Petty-Bag whose Office is to make all Patents for Customers Comptrollers all Conge d'Eslires first Summons of Nobility Clergy Knights Citizens and Burgesses to Parliament c. The six Clerks of the Rolls Chappel which togetheâ— with the Clerks of the Petty-bag are under the Master of the Rolls And so are the Two Eâ—â—caminers whose Office is to examine the Witnesses on their Oaths in any Suit on both sides A Clerk of the Patents another of the Reports and a Clerk or Secretary of the Presentation of Spiritual Benefices There is besides a Subpoena Office to issue out Writs or Summons for Persons to appear in Chancery Another Office for filing all Affidavits in the Court of Chancery Besides the Alienation Office to which are carried all Writs of Covenant and Entry whereupon Fines are levied and Recoveries suffered to have Fines for Alienation set and paid thereupon This Office is executed by 3 Commissioners who set those Fines The Warden of the Fleet or Keeper of the Fleet-Prison is a considerable Office His Business is to take care of the Prisoners there who are commonly such as are sent thither from this Court for Contempt to the King or his Laws though there are others upon the Account of Debts c. There is also a Sergeant at Arms whose Office is to bear a gilt Mace before the Lord Chancellour or Keeper Lastly whereas other Courts of Justice are never open but in Term-time this is at all times open For if a Man be wrongfully Imprisoned in the Vacation the Lord Chancellour may grant a Habeas Corpus and do him Justice according to Law as well in Vacation as in Term-time Which is not in the Power either of the King's Bench or Common-Pleas to do in the Vacation This Court likewise may grant Prohibitions at any time either in Term or Vacation CHAP. IV. Of the Court of Kings Bench. THis Court is called the Kings Bench because in it are handled all Pleas of the Crown as all manner of Treasons Felonies Misprision of Treason c. But it has Power besides to examine and correct all Errours in fait and in Law of all the Judges and Justices of the Realm in their Judgements and Proceeding in Courts of Record and this not only in Pleas of the Crown but in all Pleas real personal and mixt the Court of Exchequer excepted This Court has also Power to correct other Errours and Misdemeanors extrajudicial tending to the Breach of the Peace or Oppression of the Subject It grants Prohibitions to Courts Temporal and Ecclesiastical to Keep them within their proper Jurisdiction and may bail any Person for any Offence whatsoever If a Freeman in City Borough or Town Corporate be Disfranchised unjustly this Court may relieve the Party although he has no Priviledge in it This Court moreover has power to hold Plea by Bill for Debt Detinue Covenant Promise and all other personal Actions against any that is in the Marshals Custody or any Officer Minister or Clerk of the Court. For if they should be sued in any other Court they would be allowed the Priviledge of this in respect of their necessary Attendance here and lest there should be a failure of Justice they shall be Impleaded here by Bill though these Actions be common Pleas. Likewise the Officers Ministers and Clerks of this Court priviledged by Law may Implead others by Bill here in the foresaid Actions In short the Jurisdiction of this Court is general and extends all over England 'T is more uncontrolable than any other Court because the Law presumes the King to be there in person For anciently the Kings of England sat sometimes in this Court and that on a high Bench his Judges at his Feet on a low Bench. From whence some think this Court came to be called the King's Bench. However the Judicature always belonged to the Judges and in the King's
Office at Westminster are preserved all the Counterfoils of the Tallies ranged by Months and Years and by that means easily found out to be joyned with their respective Stock or Tally There is also the chief Vsher of the Exchequer an Office of Inheritance four Vnder-Vshers a Marshal and six Messengers As to the Court of the Dutchy of Lancaster also kept at Westminster it concerns particularly the Revenue belonging to that Dutchy long since annexed to the Crown The chief Judge of this Court is the Chancellour of the Dutchy assisted by the Attorney of the same Next to whom is the Receiver General the Vice-Chancellor of the Dutchy the two Auditors the Clerk of the Dutchy and a Messenger CHAP. VII Of the Sheriffs and their two Courts called the County-Court and the Sheriffs Turn of Justices of Peace and their Quarter-Sessions with an Account of the Grand Jury of the Coroners Clerks of the Markets and their Courts FOR the Civil Government of Counties Cities Towns and Villages there are divers Officers to whom belong several Courts for the due Administration of Justice First in every County except Durham and Westmorland there is a Sheriff which is a yearly Office the Power whereof extends all over the County except such Cities and Towns as are Counties of themselves that is which have the Priviledge of Counties In Middlesex only there are two Sheriffs upon the account of London the Capital City of the Kingdom The Sheriffs were heretofore chosen as Knights of the Shire by the Suffrages of the People But now they are appointed by the King after this manner First the Judges nominate six fit Men of each County that is Knights or Esquires of good Estates Out of that Number three are chosen by the Privy Counsellors and the twelve Judges assembled in the Exchequer and there sworn in order to it And out of this Number the King himself chuses whom he thinks fit Heretofore the same Sheriff served many years together and to this day this Office is hereditary to the Cliffords in the County of Westmorland by Charter from King John The Sheriffs Office is both Ministerial and Judicial As Ministerial he is to execute the Kings Mandates and all Writs directed to him out of the Kings Courts to Impannel Juries to bring Causes and Criminals to Trial and to see the Sentences executed In short there is no Execution of the Law but by the Sheriff for by him all Suits begin and all Process served He is likewise to collect all publick Profit as Taxes Fines Distresses and Amerciaments into the Kings Exche quer or where-ever the King shall appoint and to make such Payments out of it as he shall have due Order for At the Assizes he is to wait on and gard the Itinerant Judges so long as they continue within the County As to the Judicial Part of his Office he holds by virtue thereof two several Courts the one called the County-Court and the other the Sheriffs Turn The County-Court is held every Month by the Sheriff himself or his Deputy the Vnder Sheriff wherein he hears and determines Civil Causes of the County under 40 shillings which anciently was a considerable Sum. But this is no Court of Record The Sheriffs Turn is held twice a Year viz. within a month after Easter and within a montâ— after Michaelmas In this Court he inquire of all Criminal Offences against the Common Law wherein he is not restrained by any Statute For all the Bishops Earls Barons and all such as have Hundreds of their own to be kept are exempted from the Jurisdiction of this Court. In short this is a Court of Record in all Things that belong to it 'T is the Kings Leet through all the County whereof the Sheriff is Judge this Court being incident to his Office The Justices of Peace anciently called Wardens or Gardians of the Peace are such amongst the Gentry and sometimes amongst the Clergy as are appointed by the Kings Commission to attend the Peace of the County where they dwell Their Original is from the first year of Edward the III but they were not called Justices till the 36th Year of his Reign Their Office is to call before them examine and commit to Prison Rioters wandering Rogues Thieves Murderers false Moneyers those that hold Conspiracies and almost all Delinquents that may occasion the Breach of Peace and Quiet to the Kings Subjects and to see them brought forth in due time to Trial. If any one Swears himself to be in danger of his Life upon the Threats of another he may bind him over to his good Behaviour and the Justice shall commit him to Prison unless the finds good Security for his good Behaviour during a Year and a Day Among the Justices of Peace the Number whereof is as His Majesty thinks fit there are some particularly called Justices of the Quorum from these Words in the Commission Quorum A.B. unum esse volumus As for Example Where a Commission is directed to seven Persons or any three of them Whereof A.B. and C.D. to be two these are said to be of the Quorum because the rest cannot proceed without them So that a Justice of Peace and Quorum is one without whom the rest of the Justices in some Cases cannot proceed Every Quarter or three Months the Justices of each County meet at the chief or Shire Town from whence this Court came to be called the Quarter Sessions Where the Grand Inquest or Jury of the County is summoned to appear who upon Oath are to inquire of Malefactors Rioters and suspected Persons The G and Jury do's commonly consist of 24 grave and substantial Gentlemen or some of the better sort or Yeomen chosen indifferently or at least ought so to be by the Sheriff out of the whole Shire to consider of all Bills of Inditement preferred to the Court. Which Bills they do either approve by Writing upon them Billa Vera or disallow by indorsing Ignoramus Presently upon the Allowance of a Bill the Party concerned is said to be Indited and is committed to Prison But what Bills are Disallowed are delivered to the Bench by whom they are forthwith cancelled or torn If the approved Bills touch Life and Death they are further referred to another Jury to be considered of because the Case is of such Importance but others of lighter moment are proceeded upon by fining the Delinquents without any more ado Unless the Party traverse the Inditement or challenge it for Insufficiency or remove the Cause to a higher Court by Certiorari in which two former Cases it is referred to another Jury and in the latter transmitted to a higher Court. In short the Trial is usually referred to the next Assizes when the Judges at Westminster go their Circuits Originally this Court seems to have been erected only for Matters touching the Peace but now it extends much further The Sheriff or his Under-Sheriff is bound to attend upon this Court with his Constables Bayliffs
Court of Goal Delivery is usually held 8 times a Year at the Old-Baily both for the City of London and County of Middlesex for the Trial of Criminals The Lord Mayor is the chief Judge of this Court assisted by some of the Judges besides the Recorder and the two Sheriffs He has the Power of Reprieving condemned Persons The Two Sheriffs Courts are held in Guild-hall the one by one Sheriff every Wednesday and Friday for Actions entred at the Woodstreet Compter the other by the other Sheriff every Thursday and Saturday for Actions entred at the Poultry Compter To these Courts belong 8 Attorneys whose Business here is not to keep any Record but only to assist their Clients and take their Fees due to them in every Cause Two Secondaries who allow and return all Writs brought to remove Causes out of these Courts Two Clerks of the Papers whose business is to draw the Subpoenas for Witnesses to appear and to file and copy all Declarations upon Actions in these Courts Two Protonotaries who draw and ingross all such Declarations Eight Clerk-sitters who enter Actions and Attachments and take Bails and Verdicts In these Courts may be tried Actions of Debt Case Trespass Accompt and Covenants broken Attachments and Sequestrations And if either Party shall have a Witness that cannot stay in London till the Day of Trial his Testimony may be taken in writing which will be allowed as good Evidence As to the Chamberlain's Court or Office 't is Kept in the Chamber of Guildhall As he is intrusted with the Cities Cash and the Orphans Mony so when he takes this Office upon him he must give good Security to the Court of Aldermen and he is accountable to Auditors appointed and chosen for that purpose To him belongs the Business of Apprentices over whom he has a great Authority Therefore he attends at Guildhall usually every Forenoon to Inroll and turn over Apprentices and to make such Free as have duly served the full Term of 7 Years and have not married nor taken Wages in that Time When any Difference happens betwixt a Master and his Apprentice the most prudential Way is to refer the matter before the Chamberlain who will freely hear both Parties and decide the Controversy for 3 Shill Charge viz. 1 Shill to the Officer for the Summons and 2 Shill to the Clerk for the Order Whereas if they proceed at Law for Relief it may cost both Parties five or six pounds in Charges and the Conclusion may be less satisfactory than if decided by such Reference as aforesaid If an Apprentice shall be unruly or disorderly in his Master's House or commit any notorious Fault Mr. Chamberlain upon Complaint made thereof will send one of his Officers for such Apprentice and send him to Bridewell or punish him otherwise according to the nature of the Offence And if any Master shall misuse his Apprentice by beating him unreasonably or with unlawful Weapons or by neglecting to instruct him or to find him Necessaries Mr. Chamberlain upon Complaint thereof made will send a Summons for the Master to appear before him and upon hearing both Parties will relieve the Apprentice or leave him to take his Remedy against his Master in the Lord Mayor's Court. And if the Master shall refuse to appear before the Chamberlain being duly Summoned My Lord Mayor or Mr. Recorder upon Complaint made thereof will grant a Warrant to apprehend such Freeman and compel him to appear When an Apprentice is by Consent of his Master to be turned over to another Master of the same Trade it must be done first before the Company where he was bound and then before the Chamberlain For hereby the first Master is discharged from him and the second obliged to keep him as the Apprentice on his side is obliged to serve him the full Term of the Indentures Otherwise there is no Obligation upon the second Master to Keep such Apprentice nor upon this to serve him so that the Apprentice may sue out his Indenture against his first Master If any Master shall refuse to make his Apprentice free when the Term in his Indenture 〈◊〉 expired upon Complaint thereof made Mr. Chamberlain will cause the Master to be Summoned before him and if he cannot shew good Cause to the contrary will make the Apprentice free Lastly if any Freeman to make an Apprenâ—ice Free of London do testify that he has â—eally served him the full Term of 7. Years when he has not served him so long both he 〈◊〉 the Apprentice may be Disfranchised and â—ined at the pleasure of Mr. Recorder and Mr. Chamberlain will in such Case cause the Freemans Shop to be shut up CHAP. XV. Of the Orphans Court the Court of Conscience or Requests the Court for the Conservation of the River and the Pie-powder Court THE Orphans Court is held before the Mayor and Aldermen who are Guardians to the Children of all Freemen of London that are or shall be under the Age of 21 Years at the time of their Father's Decease This Court meets at Guildhall but once a Year viz. on the Munday morning after Midlent Sunday which is termed Call-Day For then they meet purposely to hear the Name called over of all the Securities that stand bound for Orphans Portions and upon that Day on of every of the Sureties ought to appear to give an Account whether the other Securities are living and in good Condition anâ— whether the Orphans are living and married If none of the Securities appear upon thâ— Day they forfeit their Bonds and Recognâ—zances Then the Clerk of this Court whâ— is always the youngest Attorney in the Loâ— Mayor's Court makes out Process against theâ— forces 'em to an Account and they must pay the Charges of the Process But that you may Know more fully how this great Concern of the Orphans is managed for their benefit and what Care is taken of their Welfare I shall make bold to inlarge a little upon this Subject out of Lex Londinensis When a Freeman of London dies leaving Children under Age the Clerks of the respective Parishes within the Bill of Mortality ought to give the Name of such Freeman to the common Crier of the City Who is thereupon to summon the Widow or Executor of such Freeman to appear before the Court of Aldermen there to be bound to bring in an Inventory of the Testator's Estate within the space of two Months And that the Inventory may be given in due time the Court of Aldermen have made an Order not to allow any finding Mony or Interest for any Mony that shall be paid into the Chamber of London by any Executor or Administrator belonging to any Freemans Estate until such time as the Executor or Administrator do bring in and exhibit upon Oath a true and perfect Inventory to the best of his Knowledge If the Party summoned do not appear the Lord Mayor sends his Warrant and forces an Appearance And if any Executor resuse to
Carteret Lord Carteret John Bennet Lord Ossulston George Legg Lord Dartmouth Giles Allington Lord Allington John Stawell Lord Stawell Francis North Lord Guilford â—idney Godolphin Lord Godolphin â—lenry Jermin Lord Dover â—ohn Jeffreys Lord Jeffreys â—enry Waldegrave Lord Waldegrave â—dward Griffin Lord Griffin Hugh Cholmondley Lord Cholmondley John Ashburnham Lord Ashburnham Archbishops 2 and Bishops 24. Dr. William Sandcroft Lord Archbishop of Canterbury Dr. Thomas Lampleugh Lord Archbishop of York Dr. Henry Compton L. Bishop of London Dr. Nathaniel Crew L. Bishop of Durham Dr. Peter Mew L. Bishop of Winchester Dr. Herbert Crofts L. Bishop of Hereford Dr. Thomas Wood L. Bishop of Lichfield and Coventry Dr. William Lloyd L. Bishop of Norwich Dr. Thomas Barlow L. Bishop of Lincoln Dr. William Beau L. Bishop of Landaff Dr. William Lloyd L. Bishop of S. Asaph Dr. Robert Frampton L. Bishop of Glocester Dr. Francis Turner L. Bishop of Ely Dr. Thomas Smith L. Bishop of Carlisle Dr. Thomas Sprat L. Bishop of Rochester Dr. Thomas Ken L. Bishop of Bath and Wells Dr. Thomas White L. Bishop of Peterborough * Dr. Jonathan Trelawney L. Bishop of Exeter Dr. Thomas Watson L. Bishop of S. Davids * Dr. Gilbert Burnet L. Bishop of Salisbury * Dr. Humphry Humphrys L. Bishop of Bangor * Dr. Nicholas Stratford L. Bishop of Chester * Dr. Edward Stillingfleet L. Bishop of Worcester * Dr. Simon Patrick L. Bishop of Chichester * Dr. Gilbert Ironside L. Bishop of Bristol * Dr. John Hough L. Bishop of Oxford 1. Note That the Lord President of the Council takes place of all Dukes not of the Royal Bloud 2. That the Lord Great Chamberlain of England the Lord Steward of the Kings Houshold and the Lord Chamberlain of the Houshold take place above all of their Degree 3. That the Archbishop of Canterbury takes place next to the Princes of the Blood and above all the Nobility and Great Officers The Archbishop of York above all the Nobility and Great Officers except the Lord Keeper and the rest of the Bishops next after the Viscounts and above the Temporal Barons Whereof the Bishops of London Durham and Winchester do always precede the other Bishops the rest taking place according to the Seniority of their Consecrations A True List of the Knights Citizens and Burgesses of the Parliament at Westminster in October 1690. Bedfordshire 4. THE Honourable Edward Russel Esq Thomas Browne Esq Town of Bedford Thom. Hillersdon Esq Thom. Christie Esq Berks 9. Sir Hen. Winchcombe Bar. Sir Humfrey Forster Bar. Borough of New-Windsor Sir Charles Porter Knt. William Adderly Esq Borough of Reading Sir William Rich Bar. Sir Henry Fane Kt of the Bath Borough of Wallingford William Jennens Esq John Wallis Esq Borough of Abington Simon Harcourt Esq Bucks 14. The Right Honourable Tho. Wharton Esq The Right Honourable Rich. Hambden Esq Town of Buckingham Sir Richard Temple Knight and Baronet Alexander Denton Esq Borough of Chipping-Wicomb William Jephson Esq Thom Lewes Jun. Esq Porough of Ayliâ—bury Sir Thomas Lee Bar. Thomas Lee Esq Borough of Agmondesham Will. Mountague Esq Edmond Waller of Beconsfield Esq Borough of Wendover Richard Beake Esq John Backwell Esq Borough of Great Marlow James Chase Esq Sir Will. Whitelocke Knt. Cambridge 6. Sir Levinus Bennet Bar. Sir Robert Cotton Knt. University of Cambridge Sir Robert Sawyer Kt. The Honourable Edward Finch Esq Town of Cambridge Sir John Cotton Bar. Granado Pigott Esq Chester 4. Sir John Mainwaring Bar. Sir Robert Cotton Kt. and Bar. City of Chester Sir Thomas Grosvenor Bar. Richard Leving Esq Cornwal 44. The Honourable Francis Robert Esq The Right Honourable Hugh Boscowen Esq Borough of Dunhivid alias Launceston The Right Honourable Will. Harbord Esq The Honourable Bernard Granville Esq Borough of Leskard Sir Bourchier Wray Kt. of the Bath and Bar. Emanuel Pyper Esq Brough of Lestwithiel Sir Bevill Grenville Kt. Walter Kendall Esq Borough of Truro Sir Henry Ashurst Bar. Henry Vincent Esq Borough of Bodmin Sir John Cutler Kt. and Bar. Nicholas Glynn Esq Borough of Helston Sir John St. Aubin Bar. Charles Godolphin Esq Borough of Saltash Sir John Carew Bar. Richard Carew Esq Borough of Camelford Ambrose Manaton Esq Henry Manaton Esq Borough of Port-Higham alias Westlow Edward Sevmour Esq Jonathan Trelawny Es Borough of Grampound John Tanner Esq Walter Vincent Esq Borough of Eastlow Charles Trelawny Esq Henry Trelawny Esq Borough of Peryn Sidney Godolphin Esq Alexander Pendarvi Esq Borough of Tregony Sir John Tremaine Kt. Serjeant at Law Hugh Fortescue Esq Borough of Bossiny Samuel Travers Esq Sir Peter Colleton Bar. Borough of St. Ives James Praed Esq William Harris Esq Borough of Foway Jonathan Rashleigh Esq Shadrach Vincent Esq Borough of St. Germans Daniel Elliot Esq Henry Fleming Esq Borough of St. Michael Francis Scobell Esq Humph. Courtney Esq Borough of Newport The Right Honourable Charles Lord Cheyne John Speccot Esq Borough of St. Maws Sir Joseph Tredenham Kt. John Tredenham Esq Borough of Kellington Francis Fulford Esq Cumberland 6. Sir George Fletcher Bar. Sir John Lowther of Whitehaven Bar. City of Carlisle Jeremiah Bubb Esq Christopher Musgrave Esq Borough of Cocker-mouth Sir Orlando Gee Kt. Sir Wilfred Lawson Bar. Derby 4. Sir Gilbert Clarke Kt. Henry Gilbert Esq Town of Derby The Honourable Anchitel Gray Esq Robert Wilmot Esq Devonshire 26. Francis Courtney Esq Samuel Rolle Esq City of Exeter Sir Edward Seymour Bar. Christopher Bale Esq Borough of Tornes Sir John Powell Bar. Henry Seymour Esq Borough of Plimouth The Honourable John Greenville Esq Borough of Oakhampton William Cary Esq Henry Nortleigh Esq Borough of Branstable The Right Honourable Sir George Hutchins Kt. Arth. Champneys Esq Borough of Plimpton Sir George Treby Kt. John Pollexsen Esq Borough of Honiton Sir William Drake Kt. and Bar. Sir Walter Yonge Bar. Borough of Tavistock The Honourable Robert Russel Esq Sir Francis Drake Bar Borough of Ashburton Sir Richard Reynel Kt. and Bar. William Stawell Esq Borough of Clifton Dartmouth and Hardness Sir Joseph Herne Kt. William Hayne Esq Borough of Beralston Sir Francis Drake Bar. John Swinfen Esq Borough of Tiverton Samuel Foote Esq Thomas Bere Esq Dorsetshire 20. Thomas Strangeways Esq Thomas Freke Esq Town of Pole Sir Nathaniel Napier Kt. and Bar. Sir John Trenchard Kt. Borough of Dorchester Sir Robert Nappier Kt. and Bar. James Gould Esq Borough of Lime Regis Henry Henley Esq John Burridge Esq Borough of Weymouth Sir John Morton Bar. Michal Harvey Esq Borough of Melcomb Regis Henry Henning Esq Nicholas Gould Esq Borough of Bridport John Michel Esq Sir Stephen Evance Kt. Borough of Snafton alias Shaftsbury Sir Matthew Andrews Kt. Edward Nicholas Esq Borough of Wareham Thomas Erle Esq William Okeden Esq Borough of Corf-Castle Richard Fownes Esq William Culliford Esq Durham 4. Sir Robert Eden Bar. William Lambton Esq City of Durham William Tempest Esq George Morland Esq Essex 8. Henry Mildmay Esq Sir Fran. Masham Bar. Borough of Colchester Samuel Reynolds Esq Edward Cary Esq Borough
Clayton Kt. Borough of Rygate Sir John Parsons Kt. John Parsons Esq Borough of â—uilford Morgan Randyll Esq Foot Onslow Esq Borough of Gatton Sir John Thompson Bar. Thomas Turgis Esq Borough of Haslemere Geo. Rodeney Bridges Esq Denzill Onslow Esq Susser 20. Sir John Pelham Bar. Sir Will. Thomas Bar. City of Chichester Sir Thomas Miller Kt. Thomas May Esq Borough of Horsham John Machell Esq Thomas White Jun. Gent. Borough of Midhurst Sir William Morley Knight of the Bath John Lewkner Esq Borough of Lewes Thomas Pelham Esq Richard Bridger Esq Borough of Shoreham Sir Edward Hungerford Knight of the Bath John Pery Esq Borough of Bramber Nicholas Barbon Esq Dr. John Radcliffe Borough of Steyning Sir John Fagge Bar. Robert Fagge Esq Borough of East-Greensted The Honourable Thomas Sackvile Esq Sir Thomas Dyke Bar. Borough of Arundel William Morley Esq James Butler Esq Warwickshire 6. William Bromely Esq Andrew Archer Esq City of Coventry Richard Hopkins Esq John Stratford Esq Borough of Warwick The Right Honourable William Lord Digby William Colemore Esq Westmorland 4. The Right Honourable Sir John Lowther of Lowther Bar. Sir Christopher Musgrave of Musgrave Kt. and Bar. Borough of Appleby The Honourable William Cheyne Esq Charles Boyle Esq Wilthshire 34. The Right Honourable Edw. Viscount Cornbury Sir Walter S. John Bar. City of New Sarum Thomas Hoby Esq Thomas Pitt Esq Borough of Wilton Sir Richard Grubham How Kt. and Bar. Thomas Windham Esq Borough of Downton Sir Charles Raleigh Kt. Maurice Bockland Esq Borough of Hindon Robert Hide Esq Thomas Chaffyn Esq Borough of Westbury The Honourable Peregrine Bertie Esq Richard Lewys Esq Borough of Hytesbury William Ash Esq Will. Trenchard Esq Borough of Calne Henry Baynton Esq Henry Chivers Esq Borough of the Devizes Sir Tho. Fowles Kt. Walter Grubb Esq Borough of Chipenham Richard Kent Esq Alexander Popham Esq Borough of Malmesbury The Honourable Goodwin Wharton Esq Sir James Long Bar. Borough of Criclade Edmund Webb Esq Charles Fox Esq Borough of Great Bedwin The Right Honourable Anth. Viscount Falkland Sir Jonath Raymond Kt. Borough of Ludgersale Thomas Neale Esq John Deane Esq Borough of Old Sarum Sir Thomas Mompesson Kt. William Harvey Esq Borough of Wootton-Basset Henry St. John Esq John Wildman Jun. Esq Borough of Marlborough Sir John Ernle Kt. Sir George Willoughby Kt. Worcestershire 9. Sir John Packington Kt. Thomas Foley Esq City of Worcester Sir John Somers Kt. William Bromely Esq Borough of Droitwich The Right Honourableâ— Richard Earl of Bellemont â—hilip Foley Esq Borough of Evesham Sir James Rushout Bar. Edward Rudge Esq Borough of Bewdley Henry Herbert Esq Yorkshire 30. The Right Honourable Thomas Lord Fairfax Sir Joyn Kay Bar. City of York Robert Waller Esq Henry Thompson Esq Town of Kingston upon Hull John Ramsden Esq Charles Osborne Esq Borough of Knaresborough William Stockdale Esq Thomas Fawkes Esq Borough of Scareborough Will. Thompson Esq Francis Thompson Esq Borough of Rippon Sir Edm. Jenings Kt. Sir Jonath Jenings Kt. Borough of Richmond Sir Mark Milbanck Bar. Theodore Bathurst Esq Borough of Heydon Henry Guy Esq Matth. Appleyard Esq Borough of Boroughbrig Sir Henry Goodrick Kt. and Bar. Sir Bryan Stapleton Borough of Malton Sir William Strickland Bar. William Palmes Esq Borough of Thriske Thomas Frankland Esq Richard Staines Esq Borough of Aldborough Sir Mich. Wentworth Kt. Christopher Tancred Esq Borough of Beverly Sir Michael Wharton Kt. William Gee Esq Borough of North-Allerton Sir William Robinson Bar. Thomas Lascells Esq Borough of Pontefract The Honourable Henry Dawney Esq Sir John Bland Bar. BARONS of the Cinque-Ports 16. Port of Hastings The Honourable John Beaumont Esq Peter Gott Esq Town of Winchelsea Sir Robert Austin Bar. Samuel Western Esq Town of Rye Sir John Austen Bar. Sir John Darrel Kt. Port of New Rumney Sir Charles Sidley Kt. John Brewer Esq Port of Hythe Sir Philip Butler Bar. Will. Brockman Esq Port of Dover Thomas Papillon Esq James Chadwick Esq Port of Sandwich John Thurbarne Serjeant at Law Edward Brent Esq Port of Seaford William Campion Esq Henry Pelham Esq WALES 24. Anglesey 2. The Right Honourable Rich. Viscount Bulkely Town of Beaumaris Thomas Bulkely Esq Brecon 2. Sir Rowland Gwyn Kt. Town of Brecon Jeossery Jeffreys Esq Cardigan 2. Sir Carbety Price Bar. Town of Cardigan Hector Philips Esq Carmarthen 2. Sir Rice Rudd Bar. Town of Carmarthen Richard Vaughan Esq Carnarvan 2. Sir Wil. Williams of Vaynal Bar. Town of Carnarvan Sir Robert Owen Kt. Denby 2. Sir Richard Middleton Bar. Town of Denby Edward Brereton Esq Flint 2. Sir Roger Puleston Kt. Town of Flint Thomas Whitley Esq Glamorgan 2. Bussey Mansel Esq Town of Cardiffe Thomas Mansell Esq Merioneth 1. Sir John Wynne Kt. and Bar. Montgomery 2. Edward Vaughan Esq Town of Montgomery Charles Herbert Esq Pembroke 3. Sir Hugh Owen Kt. Town of Haverford-west Sir William Wogan Kt. Town of Pembroke Arthur Owen Esq Radnor 2. Richard Williams Esq Town of New Radnor Robert Harley Esq In all 513. A List of the Lords and others of His Majesties most Honourable Privy Council with the Clerks of the Council HIS Royal Highness Prince George Thomas Marquess of Camarthen Lord President Henry Duke of Norfolk Earl Marshal Charles Duke of Bolton Robert Earl of Lindsey Lord Great Chamberlain of England William Earl of Devonshire Lord Steward Charles Earl of Dorset Lord Chamberlain Aubrey Earl of Oxford William Earl of Bedford Thomas Earl of Pembroke and Montgomery John Earl of Bath Charles Earl of Macclesfield Daniel Earl of Nottingham Secretary of State William Earl of Portland Thomas Earl of Faulconberg Charles Earl of Monmouth John Earl of Marlborough Richard Earl of Scarborough Henry Earl of Warrington Ralph Earl of Montague Henry Viscount Sidney Henry Lord Bishop of London Francis Lord Newport Marquess of Winchester Lord Chief Justice Holt. Sir Robert Howard Sir Henry Capel Sir Henry Goodrick Sir John Lowther Vice-Chamberlain Richard Hampden Esq Hugh Boscawen Esq Thomas Wharton Esq Comptroller of the King's Houshold Edward Russel Esq William Harbord Esq Henry Powle Esq Master of the Rolls Lords Commissioners of the Privy Seal William Cheyne Esq Sir John Knatchbull Bar. Sir William Palteney Kt. The Clerks of the Council Sir John Nicholas Kt. Mr. Blathwait Mr. Mountague Mr. Coleing A List of the Lords Commissioners and other Officers of the Court of Chancery The Lords Commissioners Sir John Trevor Knight Sir William Rawlinson Knight Sir Geo. Hutchins Knight Masters of Chancery Henry Powle Esq Master of the Rolls whose Sâ—cretary is Mr. John Rawlinson Sir William Child Sir John Hoskins Sir John Franklyn Sir Adam Oatley Sir Robert Legar Sir John Edgeburg Sir James Astrey Sir Miles Cook Roger Meredith Esq John Methwyn Esq Samuel Keck Esq The Six Clerks in Chancery Sir Rob. Marsham Kt. Sir W. Perkins Kr. â—hem Bridges Esq Littleton Powel Esq Rich. Garth Esq Basil Herne Esq The Cursitors Mr. Abraham Nelson Principal Mr. Mich. Terry Assistants Mr. Geo. Davies Assistants For Suffolk and
Huntingt Mr. Nelson For Nottingh Northamp Mr. Terry For Devon and Kent Mr. Davies For Devon and Kent Mr. Shorthose For Essex and Berks. Mr. Abr. Skinner For Hartf and Derbysh Mr. Mat. Colborn For Lond. and Middlesex Mr. S. Laytow For Lond. and Middlesex Mr. Hen. Martin For Lond. and Middlesex Mr. Wil. Fish For Lincoln and Somers Mr. Hen. Caesar For York and Westm Mr. J. Hawkins For York and Westm Mr. Jo. Paget For Glocester and Camb. Mr. J. Hungerford For Glocester and Camb. Mr. Fra. King For Southampt and Warw. Mr. J. Reynolds For Norfolk and Cumb. Mr. Cha. Pickering For Dors and Northumb. Mr. Will. Finch For Leicest and Cornwal Mr. John Hussey For Surrey and Salop. Mr. Steph. Terry For Heref. and Monm Mr. Osb. Newman For Oxon and Rutl. Mr. Rob. Hart. For Staff and Wiltsh Mr. Jer. Hale For Bedf. and Buck. Mr. Ric. Plompton For Sussex and Glocest Mr. Wil. Wickliff Clerk of the Crown in Chancery Henry Barker Esq His Deputy Tho. Milton Esq Clerk of the Office Mr. Ralph Hale The Register Deputy-Registers Mr. Geo. Edwards Mr. Carew Guidot Mr. Edw. Goldsborough Mr. Richard Price The Deputy-Register for filing the Reports and Keeper of the Books of Entry Mr. Richard Bournford The Entring Clerks in the Register's Office Mr. Robert Davenish and Mr. Henry Davenish Secretary of the Presentation of the Spiritual Benefices Mr. Richard Brook Clerk of the Patents I Richard Pigot Clerk of the Affidavits Mr. Samuel Poynter Clerk of the Hanaper Mr. Edward Seymore The Principal Clerks in the Petty-Bag Office Mr. Aaron Pingrey Mr. John Lloyd Mr. John Dauling Clerks in the Rolls Chappel Mr. William Grimes Mr. Woodford Mr. Sam. Killingworth Mr. Henry Watson Mr. Vincent Mr. Haley Clerks in the Inrollment Office Mr. Andrew Young Mr. Edw. Portington Master of the Subpoena Office Sir Walter Vane Kt His Deputy Mr. Nich. Hook Master of the Patent Office Sir Richard Pigot Kt. His Deputy Mr. Brook The two Clerks Mr. Richard Pickering and Mr. Nicholas Nichols In the Alienation Office The Commissioners Peregrine Bertue Esq The Commissioners John Sanderson Esq The Commissioners William Glandvil Esq The Civilian formerly a Doctor Mr. George Morley His Clerk to indorse the Writs Mr. Bernard Halfpeny Receiver of the Fines Edward Nicholas Esq The Register Mr. Thomas Web. Porter Charles Brook Examiners in Chancery William Adderly Esq Francis Twisden Esq To which add the Usher to the Court of Chancery Mat. Bluck Esq Cryer Mr. James Sparrow Warden of the Fleet Richard Manlove Esq Sergeant at Arms George Charnock Esq A List of the Judges and Officers of the Court of Kings Bench. The Judges Sir John Holt Lord Chief Justiee Sir William Dolben Justices Sir William Gregory Justices Sir Giles Eyres Justices Clerk of the Crown in the Kings Bench. Sir Samuel Astrey Kt. His Secondary Simon Harcourt Esq The Entring Clerks Mr. Rob. Seyliard Chief Clerk Mr. Rich. Horton Mr. John Weekely Mr. John Cook Mr. William Eyre Mr. Lionel Fanshaw Mr. Rice Foulks Mr. Benedict Brown Mr. Rob. Wintour Mr. Wil. Leighton Mr. Edward Croke Praenotary or the Kings chief Clerk on the Plea-side Sir Robert Henley Kt. His Secondary Mr. Richard Aston Receiver and Signer of Writs Mr. Thomas Bromfield To which add the Masters of the Nisi-Prius Office Custos Brevium and Recordorum Thomas Goodwin Esq Masters of the Nisi-Prius Office Custos Brevium and Recordorum Simon Foulks Esq Clerk of the Rules Robert Pugh Esq His Deputy Mr. Barth Pickering Clerks of the Papers on the Plea-side Mr. Robert Stone Mr. Giles Clark Clerk of the Errors Mr. Thomas Waerg Clerk of the Bills of Middlesex Mr. Fr. Rouse Clerk for filing Declarations Mr. John Slater Clerk of the Remembrances and Dockets Mr. Robert Walker Clerk of the Bails and Posteas Mr. Fr. Thacker Filazers and Exigenters For Bedf. Mr. Child For Berks. Mr. Rob. Hastings For Kent Cornwal Nott. Warw. Cumberl Rutland Northumb Suff. Mr. James Fuller For Darbyshire Mr. Tho. Statham For Devon Mr. John Green For Dors Mr. John Martin For Essex Mr. Geo. Woodson For Gloc. London Middesex and Surrey Mr. John Teye For Hartf Mr. Wil. Ravenhill For Heref. Mr. Wil. Hastings For Huntingt Mr. For Kent Mr. Tho. Bathurst For Leicest Mr. William Benson For Lincoln Mr. John Browning For Monmouth Mr. John Smith For Norfolk Mr. William Avery For Northampt. Mr. Godfrey Wildbore For Oxon Mr. Henry Dod. For Salop Mr. Basil Herne For Somers Mr. Rob. Randal For Southampton Town and County Mr. Francis Caplyn For Staff Mr. Michael Martin For Sussex Mr. Rich. Aylwin For Westmorl Mr. John Hind For Wiltshire Mr. Sam. Porter For Worcest Mr. For Yorksh Mr. George Woodson For Canterbury Mr. For Coventry Mr. For Bristol Mr. John Ayres For Exeter Mr. For Glocester Mr. Henry Ewen For Kingston upon Hull Mr. William Osborn For Lincoln Mr. For Newcastle upon Tine Mr. For Norwich Mr. For Nottingham Mr. William Bennet For Pool Mr. For York Mr. Marshal hereditary of the Kings Bench William Lenthal Esq Marshal sworn William Brigs Esq Sealer of Writs Keeper of the Stamp Head-Cryer Mr. Coling Under-Criers Mr. John Partridge Mr. Ushers Tipslaves Mr. William Atton Mr. Weaver Mr. John Hopper Mr. Fielder A List of the Judges and Officers of the Court of Common Pleas. The Judges Sir Henry Pollixfen Lord Chief Justice Sir John Powel Justices Sir Tho. Rokesby Justices Sir Peyton Ventris Justices Custos Brevium Sir Joseph Ash Kt. His Deputy William Thursby Esq Chief Praenotary John Cook Esq His Secondary Mr. Richard Cook Clerk of the Jdgments Mr. Leyton Second Praenotary Thomas Winford Esq His Secondary Mr. Charles Cox Clerk of the Judgments Mr. Will. Winford Third Praenotary Charles Tempest Esq His Secondary Mr. George Walker Clerk of the Judgments Mr. George Wheeler Clerk of the Warrants Mr. William East His Deputy Mr. Robert Fish Clerk of the Essoins Mr. William Hall Clerk of the Juries Mr. Sympson His Deputy Mr. Rich. Hamden Chirographer Francis Lane Esq Secondary John Storer Esq Register Francis Blake Esq Clerk of the Proclam Mr. Tho. Basket Clerk of the King's Silver Henry Ludlow Esq Clerk of the Seal Clerk of the Treasury Mr. Green Keeper of the Treasury Mr. Williams Clerk of the Inrolment of Fines and Recoveries Mr. Edw. Mills Clerk of the Outâ—â—wries Mr. Franklyn Clerk of the Errors Mr. Halse Clerk of the Supersedeas Mr. Rich. Abbot Chief Proclamator Marshal and Barrier John Walker Esq Filazers For Bedford Berks Bucks and Oxon. Mr. Francis Child For Lond. Middlesex Cambr. and Huntington Mr. Philips For Devon Dorset Somerset Exeter Bristol and Pool Mr. Guy Fuller For Glocestersh Worcestersh and their respective Cities Corn. and Heref. Mr. Henry Dottin For Warwicksh Leicestersh Nottinghamsh and Nottingham Town Derby and City of Coventry Mr. Spicer For Salop Staff Northamptonsh Rutland and City of Litchf Mr. Shephard For Suffolk Mr. Ric. Middlemore For Norfolk and Norwich Mr. Caunter For Essex and Hartf Mr. Herbert For Kent Surrey and Sussex Mr. Hodgson
For Wiltsh Southampton and South-hampton Town Mr. Nath. Ryder For York City of York and Kingston upon Hull Mr. Tho. Stringer For Lincolnsh and City of Lincoln Mr. Lydel For Northumb. Westmorl Cumberl and Newcastle upon Tine Mr. Farrington For Monmouthsh Mr. Yates Exigenters Charles Broughton Esq Mr. John Faringdon Mr. Thomas Gouge Mr. Norcliffe Mr. Yates one of the Filazers Cryers Mr. Whorhood Mr. Holmes Mr. Booth Mr. Gray Court-Keeper Mr. Smith A List of the Judges and Officers of the Court of Exchequer The Barons Sir Robert Atkins Lord Chief Baron Sir Edward Nevil Barons Sir Nich. Lechmore Barons Sir John Turton Barons The Cursitor Baron Bradbury Esq King's Râ—â—embrancer Ayloff Esq in right of Charles Lord Viscount Fanshaw Deputy Remembrancer Tobias Eden Esq His Secundary Robert Den Esq Eight Attornies in the Kings Remembrancer's Office Tho. Hall Esq first Secondary and Butler Buggin Esq second Secondary Mr. George Watts Mr. Francis Butler Mr. Gabr. Armiger Mr. William Bathurst Mr. William Walker Mr. John Eyres Lord Treasurer's Remembrancer Sir John Osborn Kt. Remembrancer of the First-Fruits and Tenths Sir Charles Porter Kt. His Deputy William Porter Esq Two Clerks Mr. William Prittiman and Mr. Walter Smith Pipe Office Clerk of the Pipe Robert Russel Esq Comptroler John Potenger Esq Secondaries Walter Wallinger Esq and Mr. Tho. Cole Attorneys Joseph Cranmer Simon Musgrave Charles Milborne Peter Frowd Philip Tulley William Wroth. Office of Pleas. Master of the Office Richard Beresford Esq Secondary and first Attorney Tho. Arden Esq The other Attorneys Mr. Charles Hayns Mr. Samuel Anderson and Mr. David Feilder Forein Opposer Charles Whitacre Esq Clerk of the Estreats John Hastings Esq Auditors of the Imprest Thomas Done Esq Brook Bridges Esq Auditors of the Revenue Sir Jos Seymour Kt. John Philips Esq Anthony Stevens Esq John Shales Esq Anthony Parsons Esq VVilliam Aldworth Esq Herbert Esq Auditor for VVales Receiver of the first Fruits Revenue and Clerks of the Nichils Mr. Thomas Squib Chief Usher John VValker Esq His Deputies or Under-Ushers Mr. Samuel Brewster Mr. August Brewster Mr. VVilliam Ballow Mr. VValter Peirce Marshal Mr. Michael Baker Of the Dutchy of Lancaster The Chancellour Robert Lord Willoughby Baron of Eresby Vice-Chancellour James Lighboun Esq Attorney General Edward Northey Esq Clerk of the Dutchy Cheek Gerard Esq Receiver General Sir John Elwes Kt. Auditors John Fanshaw Esq for the North. Tobias le Gros Esq for the South Deputy Clerk Mr. Benjamin Ayloff Deputy Register Mr. John Baker Attorneys Mr. Richard Husbands who is likewise Deputy Auditor for the North and Mr. Thomas Asheton Usher Mr. Thomas Desborough Messenger Mr. Abraham Millen Their Majesties Attorney and Sollicitor General Sergeants and Council at Law Attorney General Sir George Treby Kt. Sollicitor General Sir John Somers Kt. Sergeants at Law Their Majesties Sergeants Sir Ambrose Philips Sir William-Tomson Sir William Wogan Sir Nathaniel Bond Sir John Tremain Sir John Trenchard The other Sergeants Sir Robert Shaftoe Kt. Sir Francis Pemberton Kt. Thomas Rawlins Esq Thomas Stroude Esq Edward Bigland Esq Sir Creswel Levinz Kt. John Windham Esq Edwyn Wyat Esq Edward Birch Esq Anâ—hony Farrington Esq John Jeffreson Esq Thomas Powel Esq John â—ate Esq William Killingworth Esq Hugh Hodges Esq Thomas Geers Esq Christopher Milton Esq John Powel Esq Sir Francis Withins Kt. William Leffant Esq John Rotheram Esq Vâ— Denn Esq Salathiel Lovell Esq Sir Henry Chancy Kt. Henry Trinder Esq Henry Fuller Esq John Thurburn Esq William Pawlet Esq Henry Hatsell Esq John Blencow Esq Roger Bellwood Esq Council at Law Sir William Williams Kt. and Bar. Mr. Conyers Sir Charles Porter Kt. Mr. Trevor Sir William Whitlock Kt. Mr. Cooper A List of the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury and other Officers appointed for Managing Their Majesties Revenue The Lords Commissioners of the Treasury Sidney Lord Godolphin Sir John Lowther Kt. Richard Hambden Esq Sir Stephen Fox Kt. Thomas Pelham Esq Their Seâ—retary William Jephson Esq Chancellour of the Exchequer Richard Hampden Esq one of the Lords Commissioners The Chamberlains Sir Nicholas Steward Hilliard Esq Deputy Chamberlains Mr. John Low Mr. Peter Le Neve Auditor of the Receipts Sir Robert Howard The four Tellers Henry Maynard Esq Francis Villiers Esq John Loving Esq Thomas Howard Esq Clerk of the Pells William Wardour Esq Ushers of the Receipt Mr. Packer c. Tally-Cutter Mr. Samuel Langford Officers of the Custom Revenue The Commissioners of the Custom-House The Honourable George Booth Esq The Honourable Sir Richard Temple Baronet and Knight of the Bath The Honourable Sir John Woorden Bar. The Honourable Sir Robert Southwell Kt. The Honourable Sir Robert Clayton Kt. The Honourable Sir Patience Ward Kt. The Honourable Henry Guy Esq Collector Inwards Sir John Shaw Collector Outwards Sir Nicholas Crisp Customer of the Cloth and petty Customs Customer of the great Customs Edward Bertie Esq Comptroller general of the Accompts Giles Litcot Esq Comptroller of the Cloth and. petty Customs Richard Breton Surveyor general George Nicholas Surveyor of the Out-Ports Register of the Seizures John Earl Surveyors of the Land-Waiters George Talbot Thomas Blechynden Robert Burgoine Henry Serpant John Ward Isaac Manley William Parsons Surveyor of the Searchers Peregrine Bertie Esq The Searchers Henry Canby Richard Boys Edward Le Neve Laurence Prior John Man John Greathead Usher of the Custom-House Matthew Humburston Officers of the Excise The present Commissioners Sir Henry Ashurst Baronets Sir John Morden Baronets Sir Samuel Dashwood Knights Sir Humphrey Edwin Knights William Strong Esquires John Foche Esquires Stephen Evans Esquires The Register and Secretary Edward Noel Esq Auditor John Birch Esq Comptroller Elias Ashmole Esq House-Keeper Richard Ferguson Officers of the General Post-Office Post-Master General Major Wildman Comptroller of the Outland Office John VVildman Junior Esq Comptroller of the Inland Office Thomas Gardener Esq Receiver General Mr. Stephen Lilly Accomptant General Mr. George Serle Six Clerks of the forein Office Mr. John Leeson Mr. Ashburnham Frowd Mr. John Saladine Mr. William Sweeting Mr. Francis Clewitt Mr. Ferand Spence Six Clerks of the Roads of the Inland Office Mr. John Salter For Chester Road. Mr. John Middleton For the North Road. Mr. Richard Minors For Bristol Road. Mr. William Serle For the Western Road. Mr. Francis Garret For the Kentish Road. Mr. James Cumber For Yarmouth Road. Of the Peny-Post Office The Comptroller Nathan Castleton Esq The Accomptant Mrs. Thomas Lawe The Receiver Mr. Francis Gelling A List of the Officers of the Mint in the Tower of London Warden of the Mint Benjamin Overton Esq Master and Worker Thomas Neale Esq Comptroller James Hove Esq Assay-Master Sir John Brattell Auditors Thomas Dove and Brook Bridgeâ— Esq Surveyor of the Melting George Evans Esq Weigher and Teller Thomas Fitch Esq King's Chief Clark Thomas Hall Esq Engineer of the Mint Mr. Thomas Doyley Graver Henry Harris Esq Provost Mr. Thomas Anderson Mâ—â—ter Mr. Jonathan Ambrose A List of the Officers of the Ordnance The Master General of the Ordnance