English Tongue and the Bishop of Romes Power was by several Statutes abolished in England howeuer divers of the Popish Bishops and Clergy privately endeavoured to restore it again which he was alwaies aware of and therefore calling his Servants together he discovered to them in what a slippery condition he stood considering the variable affections of the King and the malice and subtlety of his Popish Adversaries and therefore required them to be very circumspect least by their default any quarrel might be pickt against him and soon after some false witnesses accused him of Heresy and of speaking some words against the King yet his Enemies durst not bring him to his answer nor try him by his Peers but procured an Act of Attainder whereby he was condemned before he was heard and the King not long after his death repented his hast wishing That he had his Cromwell alive again When he came upon the Scaffold at Towerhill he spake thus to the People I am come hither to die and not to purge my self as some perhaps may expect I should I am by the Law condemned to dye and I thank my Lord that hath appointed me this death for mine offences for I have alwaies lived a Sinner and offended my Lord God for which I ask him hearty forgiveness It is not unknown to many of you that I was a great Traveller and being but of mean Parentage was called to high Estate and now I have offended my Prince for which I heartily ask him forgiveness beseeching you to pray with me to Almighty God that he will forgive me And once again I desire you to pray for me that so long as life remaineth in this flesh I may waver nothing in my Faith Then kneeling down on his knees he made an excellent Prayer concluding thus Grant O most merciful Father that when death shall shut up the Eyes of my Body yet the Eyes of my Soul may still behold and look upon thee and when death hath taken away the use of my Tongue yet my heart may cry and say unto thee Lord into thy hands I commend my soul Lord Jesus receive my soul Amen Having ended his Prayer he made a Divine exhortation to those on the Scaffold and then quietly gave up his Spirit 1541. Upon his Monument was Ingraven Cromwell surnamed the Great whom Wolsey first raised from the Forge to eminent good Fortunes whom Henry 8. used as his Instrument to suppress the Popes Supremacy and to dissolve Religious Structures whom he advanced to the highest pitch of Honour and Authority whom he cast down suddenly and bereft both of Life and Dignities lies here Interred Surrey is divided into 13 Hundreds wherein are seven Market Towns besides Southwark which keeps the same with London 140 Parish Churches and is in the Diocess of Winchester It elects 14 Parliament Men and gives the Title of Earl to Henry L. Howard who is also Duke of Norfolk SVSSEX hath Surrey on the N. Kent on the E. the Sea on the S. and Hantshire on the W. The Soil is rich but ill for Travellers in the Winter the Land lying low and the ways being deep the middle Tract is adorned with Meadows Pastures and Cornfields the Sea-Coast with Hills called the Downs abundantly yielding both Corn and Grass and the Northside is overshadowed with Groves and thick Woods called the Weald where sometimes was the famous Wood called Andradswald 120 miles in length memorable for the death of Sigebert King of the West Saxons who being deposed was stabbed in this place by a Swine-heard Chichester in this County is a large and beautiful City very well walled about a little River running hard by it on the West It hath four Gates from whence the Streets lead directly and cross themselves in the middle where in a fair Market House of Stone supported with Pillars round about the Market is kept between the West and South Gates stands the Cathedral Church not very great but handsom and neat having a Spire Steeple of Stone rising a great height It is the residence of the Bishop and has often suffered by Fire It was first built by Cissa the second King of the South Saxons wherein he kept his Royal Court Lewes seems to contend with Chichester for Populousness largeness and buildings where King Athelstan appointed a Mint for his Money and William de Warren Earl of Surrey who came into England with William the Conqueror built a strong Castle and founded an Abby there It is recorded that Edw. 1. in the 8th year of his Reign 1282. sent out his Writ of Quo Warranto through England to examine by what Title men held their Lands and Estates which brought him in much mony till John E. Warren Successor to this William being called to shew his Title drew out an old rusty Sword and then said he held it by that and by that he would hold it till death which caused the King to desist from proceeding any further in that Project In King Henry 3. time the same John Earl Warren had the confidence to kill Zouch Allen Lord Chief Justice with his own hands upon the Bench in Westminster-Hall so much did he presume upon his great favour with the King In the Barons Wars with this King the Lords got into this Castle of Lewes and not far off fought a great Battle wherein the King had his Horse shot under him and was taken Prisoner with his Brother and Son In the year 1058. Harold putting to Sea in a small Boat for his pleasure from Boseham his Mannor in Sussex and having unskilful Marriners was driven upon the Coasts of Normandy where by Duke William he was detained till he had sworn to make him King of England if Edward the Consessor died without Children yet afterward without any regard to his Oath he placed himself on the Throne Duke William hereupon arrived at Pemsey and with his Sword revenged the Perjury of Harold at Battle in this County with such severity that there fell 67974 English Men that day the Conqueror putting himself thereby into full possession of the whole Kingdom over which he Reigned 22 years being victorious both at home and abroad but to discover the vanity of all earthly things it sometimes happens that some great Persons are not suffered to go to rest when their Bed is made and others are pulled out of those Lodgings whereof they had once taken peaceable possession as appears very fully in the following Relation No sooner had the soul of this victorious Prince William the Conqueror left his Body but that his dead Corps was abandoned by his Nobles and Followers and by his meaner Servants he was stript of Armour Vessels Apparel and all Princely Furniture his naked Body left upon the floor and his Funerals wholly neglected till one Harlwin a poor Country Knight undertook to carry his Corps to St. Stephens Church at Caen in Normandy which the dead King had formerly founded At his entrance into Caen the
Prime the the Batchelors Beadle who was present at the opening of the Fish was carried to the Vice-Chancellor who took special notice of it examining the particulars before mentioned the leaves of the Book were carefully opened and cleansed the Treatises contained in it were A Preparation for the Cross a Preparation for Death the Treasure of Knowledge a Mirrour or Looking-glass to know themselves by a brief Instruction to teach one willingly to die and not to fear death they were all re-printed and how useful the reviving of these Treatises by such a special Providence hath been may be easily discerned by such as have lived since these times In the Year 1640. a Pond in Cambridge became red as Blood the water whereof being taken up in Basons remained still of the same colour and many strange sights were seen in the Air as Armies fighting against each other which were lookt on as sad Presages of our ensuing Troubles Ely another City in this County was formerly a place very famous for a Nunnery there founded by Audrey Wife to one Tombret a Prince in this Province who had this place as a part of her Dowry and she after his death Marrying with a King of Northumberland in a short time left her Husband and the Rights of Marriage and according to the Superstition of those dark times built this Monastery and became her self first Abbess thereof this in the Danish Desolations was destroyed but soon after re-built by Ethelwold Bishop of Winchester who stored it with Monks to whom K. Edgar granted the Jurisdiction over four Hundreds and an half within these Fenns which to this day are called The Liberties of St. Audrey after whose example many Nobles so inriched it with Revenues that the Abbot thereof laid up yearly in his own Coffers 1400 pounds and soon after the Monks thereof repaired their old Church with new and stately buildings which now is the Cathedral of the Diocess and for beauty gives place to no other in the Land Ely Minster presenteth itself afar off to the Eye of the Traveller and on all sides at a great distance not only promiseth but giveth earnest of the magnificence thereof the Lanthorn therein built by Bishop Hotham wherein the labour of Twenty Years and Five Thousand ninety four pounds eighteen Shillings ten pence half penny farthing was expended is a Master-piece of Architecture when the Bells ring the Wood-work thereof shaketh and gapeth which is no defect but the perfection of Architecture and exactly falleth into the joints again rare also is the Art in the Chappel of St. Maries and the other of Bishop West wherein the Master Masons in King James his time on serious inspection sound finer Stonework than in K. Henry 7. Chappel at Westminster In 1190. K. Richard 1. went into the Holy Land and at his going left in chief place of Authority at home William Longshamp Bishop of Ely who carried himself so that though the things he did were justifiable yet the pride wherewith they were done was unsufferable seldom riding abroad without 500 or a 1000 Men in his Train not for safety but for State and though others were left in power besides yet he made but Ciphers of them ruling all as he pleased this insolency was insufferable so that some holding for and others against him the Kingdom was in danger to be rent in sunder till at last the Bishop finding himself too weak for his Enemies thought it best to fly out of the Kingdom whereupon for his greater safety disguising himself in Womens Apparel and carrying a piece of Linnen Cloath under his Arm he designed in this manner to take Shipping and go beyond Sea but being discovered and known the Women in revenge of the abuse done to their Cloths in making them the instruments of his deceit fell upon him and beat him so that it might have beaten Humility into him for ever after this disgrace made him glad to get into France his Native Country where to little purpose he woed the King and Queen for Reparation Edward Norgate Son of Dr. Robert Norgate was born in Cambridge and being very judicious in Pictures was imployed into Italy to buy some for the E of Arundel returning by Marseilles he missed the money he expected and being unknown neither knowing any man there he was observed by a French Gentleman deservedly so stiled to walk in the Exchange as we may call it of that City many hours every morning and evening with swift Feet and sad face forward and backward to him the civil Monsieur addressed himself desiring to know the cause of his discontent promised if it were in his power to help him with his best advice and assistance Norgate communicated his condition to whom the other answered Pray Sir take my Counsel I have taken notice that you have walked at least twenty miles a day upwards and downwards which if it had been spent in going forward would in a few days have brought you into your own Countrey I will if you please furnish you with a light habit and a competent sum of Mony for a Footman to enable you to walk home Norgate very chearfully consented being accommodated accordingly footed it through the body of France being more than 500 English miles and so leisurely with ease safety and health returned into England he became after the best Limner in our Age was an excellent Herald and which was the Crown of all a right honest man he died in 1649. I may here insert saith Dr. Fuller an artificial wonder of what is commonly called Devils Ditch Country People conceiting that it was made by the Devil the lie to be sure was whereas it was the work of some King or Kings of the East Angles see the laziness of posterity who are so far from imitating the industry of their Ancestors that they even libel the pure effects of their pains as Hellish Atchievements probably it was made to divide and defend their Dominions from the King of Mercia or possibly to keep the People in imployment and for diverting mutinous thoughts Laziness being the Mother of disloyalty industry of obedience this County by reason of the Fens hath but a sickly air the soil yeilds good Barly and store of Saffron the Herb called Scordium or Water Germander groweth very plentifully in this County of which Diascordium is made in the Country about the Fenns saith Speed Water-Fowl is so plentiful and cheap that five men may be well satisfied with that kind of Fare for less then an half penny when they have mowen their grass in the Fenns as much as will serve they set fire on the rest in November that it may come up again in abundance This County is divided into 17 Hundreds wherein are eight Market Towns and 163 Parishes and elects 6 Parliament Men that is for the County 2 University 2 Town of Cambridge 2 and has given the Title of Duke to four Sons of the Duke of York successively who
at lawful distance But now he resolved to eat grass with Nebuchadnezzar till it pleased the Queen to restore his senses she being overjoyed with these Speeches Would to God said she his deeds would be answerable to his words he hath long tried my patience I must now make tryal of his Humility Upon which the Earl became so confident of the Queens favour that being denyed a Suit about farming sweet wines he conspired with others to seize her Person and which more alienated her affections than any thing else she heard he despised her Person and that he had said That the Queen was now old and decrepit and withered as well in mind as in body After this he made an Insurrection in London which not succeeding he was sent to the Tower and being arraigned together with the Earl of Southampton by his Peers was found guilty and Feb. 25. 1601. was to be the fatal day in the mean time divers Ministers were sent to comfort him The Queen now wavered in her self one while remembring former kindnesses she would not and then again she would have him die because of his stubborness in not asking her mercy and his openly saying That he could not live but she must perish So that she gave order for his death within the Tower where he spake to this Purpose My Lords and Christian Brethren who are present witnesses of my just punishment I confess to Gods Glory my self a most wretched Sinner and that my sins in number exceed the hairs of my head that good which I would have done I did not and the evil which I would not that did I for all which I beseech my Saviour Christ to be a Mediator but especially for this my last crying sin I beseech God Her Majesty and the State to forgive me and bless her with a prosperous Reign with a wise and understanding Heart to bless the Nobles and Ministers of the Church and State I likewise beseech you and all the world to have a charitable opinion of me foâ— my intention toward her Majesty whose death I protest I never intended nor any violence toward her Person I thank God I never was an Atheist in not believing the Scriptures nor a Papist to trust in my own merits but am assured to be saved by the merits and mercies of Jesus Christ my Saviour This Faith I was I brought up in and herein I am now ready to die beseeching you all to join your souls with me in Prayer that my soul may be lifted up by Faith above all earthly things and lastly I desire forgiveness of all the world even as freely as from my heart I forgive all the world And then kneeling down said I have been divers times in places of danger where death was neither so present nor so certain and yet even then I felt the weakness of my flesh and therefore now in this last and great conflict I desire the assistance of Gods Holy Spirit and so saith Mr. Speed with a most Heavenly Prayer and faithful constancy as if his soul had been already in heavenly fruition he laid himself on the block and spreading abroad his arms the appointed sign with three strokes his head was severed from his body for which the Executioner was in danger of his life at his return if he had not been secured by the Sheriff of this great Favourite Dr. Fuller concludes That his failings were neither so foul nor so many but that the Character of a right worthy man most justly belongs to his memory It is recorded that Walter E. of Essex his Father having wasted his Spirits with grief fell into a Dysentery whereof he dyed after he had requested such as stood by him That they would admonish his Son who was then scarce ten years old that he should alwaies propound and set before him the 36th year of his life as the utmost he should ever attain to which neither he nor his Father had gone beyond and his Son never reached to being beheaded in the 34th year of his Age so that his dying Father seemed not in vain to have admonished him as he did but to speak by Divine inspiration and suggestion Hereford is the chief City of this County seated amongst pleasant Meadows and Cornfields Lemster is another Town which hath the greatest fame for Wool which they call Lemster Oar of which Mr. Drayton thus writes Where lives the man so dull on Brittains furthest shore To whom did never sound the name of Lemster Oar That with the Silkworms web for smallness may compare Wherein the winder shews his Workmanship so rare So doth this Fleece excell all others in the Land Being neatly bottom'd up by natures careful hand This County is divided into 11 Hundreds wherein there are 8 Market Towns 176 Parish Churches and is in the Diocess of Hereford Out of it are elected 8 Parliament Men for the County 2. for Hereford 2. for Lemster 2. for Webly 2. and gives the Title of Earl to Leicester L. D' Eureux HVNTINGTONSHIRE is surrounded with Northampton Bedford and Cambridgeshires being small in extent hardly stretching 20 miles outright though measured to the most advantage it is good for Corn and Tillage and toward the East very plentiful for feeding Cattle Huntington is the chief Town of all the County called in their publick Seal Huntersdune The Hill or Down of Hunters and gives name to all the Shire Godmanchester is a very great Country Town and of as great repute for Tillage no place having more Ploughs or more stout Husbandmen for they boast that in former times they have received the Kings of England as they passed in their progress this way with ninescore Ploughs brought forth in a rustical kind of Pomp as a Gallant show when K. James came first into England the Bayliffs of this Town presented him with 70 Team of Horses all traced to fair new Ploughs to shew their Husbandry of which when the King demanded the reason they told him That it was their ancient Custom whensoever any King of England passed through their Town so to present him And added further That they held their Lands by that Tenure being the Kings Tenants The King was much pleased herewith bidding them use well their Ploughs and said he was glad he was Landlord of so many good Husbandmen in one Town St Ives is another Town in this County reported to be so named from Ivo a Persian Bishop who it 's said about the Year of Christ 6â—0 travelled through England Preaching diligently the Christian Religion and dying in this place left his name thereunto There are two little Springs at Ayleweston in this County the one fresh and the other somewhat brackish the latter they say is good for Scabs and Leprosie and the other for dim sights The Lake of Wittlesmere and other Meers near it in this Shire do sometimes rise tempestuously in calm and fair Weather and make Water-quakes by reason the ground near it is rotten and hollow
as some think which occasions vapours to break violently out of the Earth The Natives who dwell about these Meers are healthy and live long but strangers are subject to much sickness In the Year 1580. Sept. 23. at Fennystanton in this County one Agnes Wife to William Linsey was delivered of an ugly strange Monster with a black Face Mouth and Eyes like a Lion which was both Male and Female In 1584. there happened a strange thing at Spaldwick in this Shire Mr. Dorrington one of the Gentlemen Pensioners to Q. Elizabeth had a Horse which died suddenly and being opened to see the cause of his Death there was found in his heart a Worm of a wondrous form as it lay together in a kall or skin it resembled a Toad but being taken thence the shape was hard to be described the length of it divided into 80 Grains which spread from the Body like the branches of a Tree was from the snout to the end of the longest grain 17 Inches having 4 Issues in the grains from whence dropped a red Water the Body was 3 Inches and an half about the Collar being like that of a Mackrel this prodigious Worm crawling about to have got away was killed with a Dagger and being dried was shewed to many Honourable Persons as a great rarity We read that Henry Holland Duke of Exeter and E. of Huntington who married the Sister of K. Edward 4. was driven to such want that passing into Flanders Philip de Comines saith he saw him running on Foot and bare leg'd after the Duke of Burgundy's Train begging his Bread for God's sake whom the Duke of Burgundy at that time did not know though they had married two Sisters but hearing afterward who it was allotted him a small pension to maintain him till not long after he was found dead upon the shore of Dover and stripped all naked but how he came by his death could never by any inquiry be brought to light It is observed by Mr. Speed that the ancient Families of this County have been more outworn proportionably than in any other few now remaining whose Sir-names were eminent in the Reign of K. Hen. 8. the reason whereof may probably be because this Shire being generally Abby Lands after their dissolution many new purchasers planted themselves therein But Let 's not repine that Men and Names do die Since Stone-built Cities dead and ruin'd lie This County is divided into 4 Hundreds wherein are 6 Market Towns and 69 Parish Churches and is in the Diocess of Lincoln out of it are elected 4 Parliament men for the County 2. for Huntington 2. It gives the Title of Earl to Theophilus L. Hastings KENT in the Saxon Heptarchy was an entire Kingdom by itself an honour which no other County attained to it hath the Thames on the North the Sea on the East and South Sussex and Surrey on the West from East to West it is 53 Miles and from North to South 26. The upper part of it they say is healthful but not so wealthy the middle they account both healthful and wealthy the lower they hold to be wealthy but not healthy as which for a great part thereof is very moist It is every where almost full of Meadows Pastures and Corn fields abounding wonderfully in Apple-trees and Cherry-trees the Trees are planted after a very direct manner one against another by square most pleasant to behold It is plentiful of Fowl Fish and all sorts of grain It hath Villages and Towns exceeding thick and well peopled safe Roads and sure Harbours for Ships with some Veins of Iron and Marble The Air is somewhat thick and foggy by reason of Vapours arising out of the Waters This County hath 2 Cities and Bishops Seas was strengthened formerly with 27 Castles graced with 4 of the Kings Houses The Kentish People in Caesars time were accounted the civilest among the Brittains and had the Priviledge to lead the Van in all Battles for their valour shewed against the Danes and those of Cornwall Devonshire and Wiltshire the Rear They esteem themselves the first Christians since their King and People received the Christian Faith before any other of the Saxons in 596. yea and long before that time Kent received the Gospel for it is recorded that Lucius the first Christian Brittish King in this Island built a Church for the service of Christ at Dover endowing it with the Toll of that Haven They glory that they were never conquered but were compounded with by the Norman Conqueror of whom our English Poet writes thus Stout Kent this praise to thee doth of most right belong Thou never wast enslaved impatient wert of wrong Who when the Norman first with Pride and Horrour sway'd Threwst off the servile Yoak upon the English laid And with a Courage great most bravely didst restore That Liberty so long enjoy'd by thee before Not suffering foreign Laws should thy free Customs bind And thereby shewedst thy self o' th noble Saxon kind Of all the English Shires be thou sirnam'd the free And foremost ever placed when they shall marshall'd be Of their throwing off the Norman Yoke Mr. Sâ—â—den thus explains it When the Norman Conqueror had the day he came to Dover Castle the Look and Key of the Kingdom that he might with safety subdue Kent also a most strong and populous Province and secure himself from the Invasion of Enemies which when Stygand Archbishop of Canterbury and the Abbot of St. Austins who were the chief Lords and Governours of Kent understood they assembled the Commons and told them of the dangers of their Country the miseries of their Neighbours the Pride of the French and that the English till then were born free and the name of Villains or Bondsmen not heard among them but now slavery only attends us said he if we submit to the insolency of our Enemies And therefore these two Prelates offered to command them and to dye with them in the defence of their Freedom and Country whereby the People were so extreamly encouraged that they concluded to meet at a day appointed at Swanscomb two Miles West from Gravesend where being come accordingly and keeping themselves private in the Woods they waited the coming of William the Conqueror filling up all the way by which he was to pass with each of them a great green Bough in his hand whereby they might hide their number from being discovered and if occasion were fall upon the Normans the next day the Duke came by Swanscomb and was much amazed to see a Wood as it were marching toward him for being as he thought free from the Enemy he was now beset on all sides with Trees and knew not but all the other vast Woods thereabout were of the same nature neither had he leisure to avoid the danger for the Kentish men immediately enclosing his Army about displayed their Banners and throwing down their Branches at the sound of a Trumpet prepare their Bows and Arrows ready for
suspence what to do yet at last her fear prevailing she delivered Secretary Davison Letters under her Hand and Seal to get a Commission under the great Seal ready drawn upon occasion who telling her it was ready and the Seal put to it she was very angry rebuking him sharply for his hastiness yet Davison though charged with secrecy imparteth the matter to some Privy Counsellors and persuade them that the Queen commanded the Commission should be put in Execution Hereupon Beal Clerk of the Council is sent down with Letters without the Queens knowledge wherein the Earl of Shrewsbury and others are ordered to see her put to death according to Law The Battell of Bosworth with the Miserable Death of Crookbackt Richard Pa. 129. The County of Northampton is divided into 20 Hundreds wherein are 13 Market Towns 326 Parish Churches and is in the Diocess of Peterborough It elects 9 Parliament Men and gives the Title of Earl to James L. Compton NOTTINGHAMSHIRE hath Yorkshire on the North Lincolnshire on the East Leicestershire on the South and Derbyshire on the West It abounds in Liquorice Fish Fowl Corn Coals Water and Grass Nottingham the principal Town which giveth name to this Shire is seated on the side of an Hill it is pleasantly fighted having on the one hand fair and large Meadows by the Rivers side and on the other Hills with a gentle and easie ascent It is large and well built standing on a stately climbing Hill and for a spacious and fair Market-place compares with the best Many strange Vaults hewed out of the Rock are seen in this Town whereof those under the Castle are of special Note one for the story of Christs passion engraven on the Walls by David a K. of Scots while he was Prisoner there another wherein the L. Mortimer was surprised in the minority of K. Edward 3. still called Mortimer's Hole these have stairs and rooms artificially made out of the Rocks Also in that Hill are Dwelling-Houses with winding Stairs Windows Chimneys upper and lower Rooms all wrought out of the hard Rock The Castle was strong and kept by the Danes against the Mercians and West Saxons who jointly beseiged it and for the further strengthening of this Town K. Edward the elder walled it about whereof some parts yet remain from the Castle to the West-gate and thence the foundation may be perceived to the North where in the midst of the way ranging with the Bank stands a Gate of Stone Its Circuit contained about 2220 paces In the Wars between K. Stephen and Maud the Empress these Walls were thrown down by Robert Earl of Glocester and the Town also suffered much by Fire but recovering its former estate it hath ever since encreased in Beauty and Wealth Robbin Hood if not by birth yet by his chiefest abode was this Countryman Camden saith he was the gentlest Thief that ever was This Gallant accompanied with little John and 100 stout Fellows more molested all Passengers on the highway of whom our Poet gives this Character From wealthy Abbots Chests and Churls abundant store What oftentimes he took he shar'd amongst the poor No Lordly Bishop came in lusty Robbin's way But that before he went his pass to him must pay The Widdow in distress he graciously reliev'd And remedi'd the wrongs of many a Virgin griev'd But I cannot tell who made him a Judge or gave him Commission to take where it might best be spar'd and give where it most wanted His Principal residence was in Sherwood Forrest in this County though he had another haunt near the Sea in the North-riding in Yorkshire where Robbin Hood's Bay still retaineth his name not that he was a Pyrate but a Land-Thief and retired to these unsuspected Parts for security One may wonder he escaped the hands of Justice dying in his Bed for ought we find to the contrary for the King setting forth a Proclamation to have him apprehended it happened he fell sick at a certain Nunnery in Yorkshire called Birkleys and desiring there to be let Blood was betrayed and made bleed to death It is said that he was of Noble Blood at least made Noble no less than an Earl for some deserving services but having wasted his Estate in riotous courses meer penury forced him to take this course in which he was rather a merry than mischievous Thief and may be said to be honestly dishonest complementing Passengers out of their Purses and never murdered any thing but Deer and this popular Robber generally feasted the Neighbours with his Venison he seldom hurt any man never any Woman spared the poor and made prey only of the rich He played his pranks in the Reign of Richard 1. about 1195. We must not forget that two Ayrs of Lannards were lately found in Sherwood Forrest these Hawks are the natives of Saxony and it seems being old and past flying at the Game were let or did let themselves loose where meeting with Lanarets enlarged on the same Terms the did breed together and proved as excellent in their kind when as managed as any which were brought out of Germany In the last Year of Q. Mary 1568. such a marvellous Tempest of Thunder happened within a Mile of Nottingham that it beat down all the Houses and Churches in two Towns thereabout cast the Bells to the outside of the Church-Yards and some Webs of Lead writhen as if it had been Leather were thrown 400 Foot into the Field The River of Trent runs between the 2 Towns the water whereof with the mud at the bottom was carried a quarter of a Mile and cast against Trees with the violence whereof Trees were pulled up by the roots and cast 12 score off also a Child was taken out of a Mans Hand and then let fall 200 Foot off of which fall it died five or six men thereabout were slain and neither flesh nor skin perished also there fell some Hail-stones that were 15 Inches about Upon Jul. 6. 1662. several Persons being in a field near Nottingham in Thundring Weather saw a Wind-Mill at some distance from them which seemed to be all in a flame insomuch that the spectators thought it had been burnt and consumed but when they came near it they found that it was not in the least prejudiced by the Fire only one Rake head was burnt in the Mill. This County is divided into 8 Hundreds wherein are 9 Market Towns 168 Parish Churches and is in the Diocess of York It elects 8 Parliament men and gives the Title of Earl to Charles L. Howard NORTHUMBERLAND hath Durham on the South Cumberland on the South-West the Germane Ocean on the East and Scotland on the North and East the soil is not very fruitful it chiefly abounds in Fish Fowl and Sea-coal This County was formerly reckoned a Kingdom and several Kings reigned therein among whom we read of Ethelburg who in the year 617. was King thereof and married his Daughter to one Edwin a Pagan this Edwin
above 1400 years old they contained the whole History of the Roman Empire from Julius Caesar till after Constantine the great each of the Silver pieces weighed about 7 d. and each of the Gold about 15 or 16 shillings I took some few of the Silver and one of the Gold pieces and sent the rest to the Lady of Robert L. Brook who is Lord of the Town At Shugbury in this County at a place called Barnhill the precious stone Astroites is found in great plenty which being put into Vinegar will move up and down till they have composed themselves into a Triangle At Offchurch was the Palace of Offa the great Mercian King At Lemington though far from the Sea a spring of Salt-Water boileth up and at Newnham is a Fountain whose Waters are very sovereign against the Stone Green-Wounds Ulcers and Impostumes and being drunk with salt loosens but with sugar binds the Body it was found out by one Charles Daws in 1579. who having received a great wound in his Arm by a Hatchet it was perfectly cured in a few days by washing it in this Water one special effect thereof is that it turneth wood into stone Not far from Warwick is Guy Castle where the famous Guy Earl of Warwick after many valorous exploits retired and led an Hermits Life and was at last buried in a Chappel there which remains to this day Michael Drayton the famous English Poet was born at Athelston in this County and died 1621. of whom this Epitaph was made Do pious Marble let thy Readers know What they and what their Children owe To Drayton's name whose sacred Dust We recommend unto thy Trust Protect his memory and preserve his story Remain a lasting Monument of his Glory And when thy Ruines shall disclaim To be the Treasurer of his Name His Name that cannot fade must be An everlasting Monument to thee The County of Warwick is divided into 5 Hundreds wherein are 15 Market Towns 158 Parish Churches and is in the Diocesses of Litchfeild and VVorcester it elects 6 Parliament Men and gives the Title of Earl to Edward L. Rich. WESTMORELAND hath Cumberland on the West and North Lancashire on the South Yorkshire and Durham on the East It is Western Moorish Country from whence it hath its Name The soil thereof for the most part is barren and can hardly be made fruitful by the Industry of the Husbandman Kendal the chief Town hath a very great Trade and Resort with two broad and long streets crossing each other herein are made excellent cloths which are very well esteemed of throughout the Kingdom Places most memorable are Verterae and Appleby famous in the time of the Romans but since very much decayed There is mention but of one Monastery in this County near the River Loder where there is a Spring that Ebbs and Flows many times a day and it is thought that some notable and famous Exploit hath been performed in that place there being many huge stones in the form of Pyramids some 9 Foot high and 14 Foot thick ranged directly on a Line at an equal distance for a Mile together which seems to have been Placed there as a memorial but of what Action there is not the least remembrance At Ambleside near the upper corner of Winander Meer which is a great Water there appears at this day the Ruines of an ancient City which by the Brittish Bricks the Roman Money often there sound by paved High-ways leading to it and other circumstances seems to have been a work of the Romans The Fortress fenced with a Ditch and Rampart was in length 132 Ells and in breadth 8. In the River Can near Kendal are two Waterfals where the Waters descend with so great a downfall as causes a mighty noise from whence the neighbouring Inhabitants prognosticate of the Weather for when that on the North sounds more clear and with a louder Eccho in their Ears they certainly look for fair Weather to follow but when that on the South doth the like they expect foggy Mists and Rain Henry Curwin was born in this County and made by Q. Mary A. B. of Dublin It is observable that though many of the Protestant Clergy in Ireland were imprisoned and much molested yet no one Person of what quality soever did suffer Martyrdom therein and hereon depends a remarkable story which hath been solemnly avouched by the late Reverend Dr. Vsher A. B. of Armagh that about the 3d of Q. Mary a Pursivant was sent with a Commission into Ireland to impower some eminent Persons to proceed with Fire and Fagot against poor Protestants It happened by Divine Providence this Pursivant coming to Chester lodged in the House of a Protestant Inn-keeper who having some secret notice of his business privately took the Commission out of his Cloak-Bag and put the Knave of Clubs in the room of it some Weeks after the Pursivant appeared before the Lords of the Privy Council at Dublin of whom Bishop Curwin was Principal where he produced a Card instead of a pretended Commission for which affront they caused him to be committed to Prison as supposed to be done on design to deride them where he lay 4 Months and at last with much ado got his Inlargement then over he returned into England and quickly getting his Commission renewed goes with all speed into Ireland again but before his Arrival there he is prevented with the News of Q. Marys Death and so the Lives of many and the Liberties of more poor Servants of God were preserved This Bishop Curwin died 1567. Westmoreland is divided into 4 Wards wherein are 8 Market Towns 26 Parish Churches and is in the Diocesses of Chester and Carlile it elects 4 Parliament Men and gives the Title of Earl to Charles L. Fane WILTSHIRE hath Glocestershire on the North Berkshire and Hampshire on the East Dorsetshire on the South and Somersetshire on the West both for Hills and Valleys abounding in Wood Sheep Wool and all things else Salisbury is the chief City therein in which there is a stately and beautiful Cathedral with an exceeding high spired Steeple not founded on the ground but on 4 Pillars The Windows of the Church as they reckon them answer just in number to Days the Pillars great and small to the Hours and the Gates to the Twelve Months of the whole Year according to the Poet. How many Days in one whole Year there be So many Windows in one Church we see So many Marble Pillars there appear As there are hours throughout the fleeting Year So many Gates as Moons one Year doth view Strange Tale to tell yet not so strange as true It hath a Cloister beside on the South side for largeness and fine Workmanship inferiour to none joined to the Bishops Pallace on the other side is an high Bell-Tower exceeding strong standing by itself There are Rills and Sewers of Water run through every street of the City which is very well inhabited and accomodated with
most Terrible a fiery Dragon was seen flying near the Earth and vomiting out Fire both day and night which continued a long time and so affrighted the People that they were fain to watch their Houses and Cornyards continually for fear they should have been burnt About which time the Qu. Mother of Scotland having received aid from France forced the Protestants for a while to retire toward the Highlands whereupon she scoffingly said Where is now their God my God is stronger than theirs even in Fife but her boasting lasted not long for within a few days 600 Protestants beat above 4000 French and Scots This same Qu. Mother when some English and Scotch attempted to take Leith by Storm and many of them were slain because the Scaling Ladders were too short beholding the slaughter from Edenburgh Castle she burst forth into a great Laughter saying Now will I go to Mass and praise God for what mine Eyes have seen And when the French had stripped the flain and laid the naked bodies along the Walls the Queen looking on them jeeringly said Yonder are the fairest Tapestries that ever mine Eyes beheld I wish that all the Fields which are between Leith and this place were all strewed with the same Stuff But her Joy was very short for presently after a Fire kindled in Leith which burnt up all her Store-houses aad Provisions for her Army and the Queen Mother for grief fell sick and died And thus much for Scotland IRELAND THis Kingdom is invironed on all sides by the Ocean parted from Brittain by a violent and Tempestuous Sea called St. Georges Channel scituate on the West of Brittain next to which it is the biggest Island of Europe containing in length 300. and in breadth 120 miles They discourse that the Christian Faith was first Preached to them by St. Patrick who is therefore very considerable among them and their Titular Saint In one of those little Islands in Loughdirg there is a place very famous called St. Patricks Purgatory into which whosoever had the courage to enter remain there the appointed time did see and suffer very strange and terrible things and to beget the greater reputation to this fictitious Purgatory the People were made to believe that St. Patrick 400 years after Christ had obtained the same by his Prayers to convince unbelievers of the immortality of the Soul and the Torments the wicked suffer after this life though it is certain nothing of this was known till long after the death of this Holy Person but about the latter end of K. James the truth of the matter was discovered by the E. of Cork and the L. Chancellor who desirous to know the truth sent some Persons of Quality to inquire exactly into it who found that this miraculous Cave descending down to the bottom of Hell was no other but a little Cell digged out of the Rocky ground without any Winnows or holes so as the door being shut it was utterly dark being of so little depth that a tall man could not stand upright in it and of no greater capacity than to hold 6 or 7 Persons Now when any desired to go this Pilgrimage he was kept fasting watching by the Fryers and told wonderful stories so that being throughly affrighted and then put in he came out in a few hours all amazed and told strange stories of his going underground c. To prevent this delusion for the future the Lords Justices caused the Fryars to depart and laid the hole open and exposed to the Air. The Earl of Kildare being charged before K. Henry 7. for burning the Cathedral of Cassiles many witnesses ready to prove it he suddenly confessed it to be true to the great surprize of the Council wondring how he would justify it By Jesus saith he I would never have done it if it had not been told me the Archbishop was within it and because the Bishop was one of the chief Accusers the K. laughed at the plainness of the man to hear him alledge that foâ— excuse which did chiefly aggravate his Crime Ireland is divided into 4 Provinces Monster Lemner Cornaught Vlster wherein are 33 Counties Dublin is the Metropolis seated on the River Liffie in which is an University It hath 4 Archbish 19 Bish FINIS The Names of all the Counties in England with the pages where each is to be found BArkshire p. 8 Bedfordshire p. 13 Buckinghamshire p. 17 Cambridgshire p. 19 Cheshire p. 24 Cornwall p. 28 Cumberland p. 38 Derbyshire p. 41 Devonshire p. 47 Dorsetshire p. 57 Durham p. 61 Essex p. 65 Glocestershire p. 72 Hantshire p. 82 Hartfordshire p. 92 Herefordshire p. 102 Huntingtonshire p. 109 Kent p. 111 Lancashire p. 126 Leicestershire p. 129 Lincolnshire p. 134 Middlesex p. 141 Norfolk p. 145 Northampton p. 153 Nottinghamshire p. 166 Northumberl p. 168 Oxfordshire p. 173 Rutlandshire p. 183 Shropshire p. 185 Somersetshire p. 189 Staffordshire p. 194 Suffolk p. 196 Surrey p. 199 Sussex p. 204 Warwickshire p. 207 Westmoreland p. 210 Wiltshire p. 212 Worcestershire p. 215 Yorkshire p. 218 Wales p. 221 Scotland p. 228 Ireland p. 231 There are lately published Three very useful pleasant and necessary Books which are sold by Nath. Crouch at the Bell next door to the Widow Kemp's Coffee-House in Exchange-Alley over against the Royal-Exchange in Cornhill I. VVOnderful Prodigies of Judgment and Mercy discovered in above Three Hundred Memorable Histories containing 1. Dreadful Judgments upon Atheists Blasphemers Perjured Villains c. As of several forsworn Wretches carried away by the Devil and how an horrid Blasphemer was turned into a black Dog c. 2. The Miserable ends of many Magicians Witches Conjurers c. with divers strange Apparitions and Illusions of the Devil and several real discourses between 4 or 5 famous Divines and Satan With the strange feats of the Devil of Mascon 3. Remarkable Predictions and Presages of approaching Death and how the event has been answerable particularly as to A. B. Laud the late D. of Buckingham and others With an account of some Appeals to Heaven against Unjust Judges and what vengeance hath fallen upon them 4. The Wicked Lives and woful deaths of several Popes Apostates and Persecutors with the manner how K. Henry the 2. was whipt by the Popes Order by the Monks of Canterbury and how the Queen of Bohemia a desperate Persecutor of the Christians was swallowed up in the Earth alive with all her followers c. 5. Fearful Judgments upon bloody Tyrants Murderers c. with the terrible Cruelties used by those Monsters of Men Nero Heliogubalus Domitian and others upon the Christians and of the constancy of several famous Martyrs under all their Tortures also how Popiel K. of Poland a Cruel Tyrant his Queen and Children were devoured by Rats and how a Town near Tripoly in Barbary with the Men Women Children Beasts Trees Walls Rooms Cats Dogs Mice and all that belonged to the place were turn'd into perfect