the third Dynasty when the Succession seems so clear and so certain an Epocha as the Building of Rome to deduce their accounts from their Chronology be yet uncertain for several of their best Historians make no scruple to confess That no certain account can be given of Rome which was 25 Years after the Olympiads and but 752 Ante Christum till the Regisugium which was 268 Years Ante Christum 384. A fair account then we are like to expect concerning the first rise of our own Nation after so many revolutions of Ages wherein Truth seems as it were more and more to have withdrawn her self from us which to trace out we must again return to the Romans who are the best able to satisfy us in this case This is most certain that the account of Times before the Romans either in Italy Germany Old Gallia or Brittain is scarce sit to be discoursed of under any other Head than that of Impostures not that I think that these Nations had lain in a perpetual sleep till the Romans rous'd them with their Swords and waken'd them as I may say into some kind of Civility but that they had no certain uniform way of conveying the Transactions of their own and former times to the view of Posterity On which account we may very justly reject all those pretended Successions of Gomer and Brute as Fabulous as also that this Island was Inhabited by Giants with a great many other I know not what pretty Stories adapted to the Ignorance of those times However all Historians agree in this That it is highly probable that the first Inhabitants of this Island were Originally descended from the ancient Gauls that part of the World being long Inhabited before this which is sufficiently apparent from the resemblance of their Government Manners Conditions Buildings Habits and the Community of their Language which is the surest proof a Nations Original As for its Name the most probable Conjecture is That it was termed Brittain from Brit which in the ancient Brittish Language signifies Painted and the word Tain which denotes a Nation agreeable to the Custom of the ancient Brittains who used to discolour and paint their Bodies that in their Wars they might seem more Terrible to their Enemies We are inform'd by Julius Caesar in his Commentaries That it was Governed at first by several petty Rulers and Princes of different Interests and Counsels He Landed in Brittain A. M. 3095. or thereabouts but was repuls'd by Câ—ssibelan a Bold and Warlike Prince who was Chosen King or rather Generalissimo by the Unanimous Consent of the other Roytelets to repel the common Enemy He afterwards made several Inroads into it but without any great Success he in the end being forc'd to leave it to the Government of its own Kings Augustus Tiberius and Caligula seemed with good Advice to have neglected it but in the Reign of the Emperor Claudius Plautius the Praetor and after him Ostorius subdued a great part of it Nero being Emperor Suetonius his Lieutenant gained a memorable Victory over Bonduce the Wife of Prasutagus King of the Iceni After which time the Romans still gaining ground the Island was at last totally Conquered in the Reign of the Emperor Domitian and by his Command first made a Province under Agricola who much about that time subdu'd Scotland and Ireland The Romans after they had kept it in Subjection several Hundred Years were upon the Northern Nations sacking Rome under the Command of Alaricus King of the Goths and Vandals recalled by the Emperor Honorius at which time Brittain being left in a manner naked and destitute of help the Picts and Scots presently invade it The Brittains after they had repelled them for several Years being at length much weakned they Counsel their King Vortigern to call the Saxons to their Assistance by whose Aid under the Commands of their Captains Hengist and Horsa they overcame their Enemies in a pitch'd Battel near Stamford in Lincolnshire They rewarded the Saxons for this Victory first with the Isle of Thanet and afterwards with the whole County of Kent who growing daily more Powerful dispossessed at length their Benefactors of their Native Habitations so that in the Reign of Cadwallader the last of the Brittish Kings they were compleat Masters of the whole Island parcelling it out into seven Kingdoms generally called the Saxons Heptarchy The Saxon Kings striving amongst themselves for Sovereignty were at last after they had Ruled separately 129 Years reduced under subjection by Egbert King of the West-Saxons A. C. 818. who caused this Land to be called England by a Parliament held at Winchester From Egbert England continued under the Government of its own Kings till the Year 1017 which was 199 Years about which time Edmund surnamed Ironside being Murther'd the Danes having for a long time infessed our Coasts hoping to succeed as the Saxons before them had done Canutus King of Denmark seiz'd into his hands the Regal Government The Danish Kings having Rul'd England 29 Years Edward the Confessor the Brother of Edmund Ironside succeeded in the Kingdom A. C. 1046. who out of the Saxon Mercian and Danish Laws Compil'd one Universal Body of the Law from whence our Common Law is thought to have its Original He Reigned 20 Years and died A. C. 1066. to whom succeeded Harold who having Reigned near a Year was slain in a pitch'd Battel near Hastings in Sussex A. C. 1067. by William the Conqueror from whom begins the most exact Computation of the Kings of England Thus much I thought necessary to give the Reader some insight into the first Ages of our Nation which I have endeavoured to perform in as concise a manner as the Subject could possibly admit of I shall now proceed in the Description of England as it stands divided by King Alfred into Shires or Counties which I have placed in that order as they are afterwards Treated of beginning with the Learned Cambden First in the furthest Western Parts and so from thence pass over the other Countries in order imitating herein as he judiciously Observes Strabo Ptolomy and others the most ancient Geographers who always begin their Descriptions in the Western Countries as being first from the first Meridian The Shires of England are generally computed to be 39 to which if we add 13 more in Wales reckoning the Isle of Anglesey to be one the whole makes 52. 6 of which were first Ordained in the Reign of Edward the First A. C. 1280. the rest were constituted in the Reign of Henry the VIIIth by a Parliamentary Authority An. Dom. 1510. The Names of the Shires in England Cornwall Devonshire Dorsetshire Somersetshire Wiltshire Hampshire Barkshire Surrey Sussex Kent Glocestershire Oxfordshire Buckinghamshire Bedfordshire Hartfordshire Middlesex Essex Suffolk Norfolk Cambridgeshire Huntingtonshire Northamptonshire Leicestershire Rutlandshire Lincolnshire Nottinghamshire Darbyshire Warwickshire Worcestershire Staffordshire Shropshire Cheshire Herefordshire Radnorshire Brecknockshire Monmouthshire Glamorganshire Caermarthenshire
of Winchester 6. Lincoln a place in former days of great Strength and Note being one of the best Peopled Cities in all the Saxon Heptarchy and of great Merchandise and Trassick both by Sea and Land it had formerly Fifty Churches but is now much decay'd it having suffered much damage in the Wars of King Stephen and of Henry the IIId with his Barons as also both by Fire and Earthquakes the chief Fame it now hath is for its Minster one of the stateliest Piles in England and perhaps in Christendom high seated on an Hill and from thence discern'd over all the Country The City is seated on the side of an Hill where the River Witham bendeth his course Eastward famous it is in respect that Vortimer the Warlike Briton who often discomfited the Saxon Armies ended his days and was here contrary to his Commandment Buried 7. Wainfleet a Town deservedly remarkable in that it Bred William Wainfleet Bishop of Winchester the Founder of Maudlin College in Oxford Nottinghamshire IN Latin Nottingamia hath on the East Lincolnshire on the North Yorkshire on the West Derbyshire and on the South side Leicestershire The Air is pleasant and healthful the Soil rich and clayey and for Corn and Grass so fruitful that it claims the second place before any other in the Realm The Principal Towns are these 1. Stoke a little Village famous for the Victory obtain'd by King Henry the VIIth against Sir John de la Pool Earl of Lincoln who being by King Richard the IIId declared Heir apparent to the Crown Rebelliously opposed himself against his Sovereign and in this place sighting Manfully both he and most of his Followers lost their lives 2. Nottingham a fair Town seated on the Trent but very high upon an Hill which overlooks it for Buildings fair Streets and a spacious Market-place not giving way to many Cities but of most fame for a Royal and magnificent Castle which for Strength Stateliness and Prospect may justly challenge the Precedency of most in England it is mounted upon an huge steep work on the West side of the City it was Built by William the Conqueror to bridle the English David the IId King of Scots and Roger Mortimer Earl of March were detain'd a long time Prisoners in this Castle Memorable it is for that King Charles the I st first set up his Standard in this place occasion'd on the unhappy Differences between him and his Parliament August 22. 1642. 3. Southwell it is adorn'd with a very beautiful Church Consecrated to the Virgin Mary 't is a Town not very fair to outward view but strong ancient and of great fame the Archbishop of York has a stately Palace in this place Derbyshire IN Latin Darbia hath on the East Nottinghamshire on the South Leicestershire on the West Steffordshire and on the North-side Yorkshire it resembles the Form of a Triangle but not with equal sides The Air is good and healthful and the Soil rich and fertile especially in the South and East Parts The Principal Towns are these 1. Derby a fair Town well traded and resorted situated on the River Darwent which on the East side of it affords to the Eye a pleasant and delightful Prospect running down and carrying a full and chearful Stream under a beautiful Stone-Bridge upon which formerly a fair Chappel was Erected which is now gone to decay it is adorn'd with Five Churches the greatest of which named Alhallows and Dedicated to the Memory of All Saints is peculiarly remarkable for its lofty Spire and the Tomb of the Countess of Shrewsbury 2. Peak so called from its Hills and Mountains from this place we have our Lead and Milstones and the Apothecaries their Antimony 3. Buxton a Town memorable for Nine Water-springs which arise out of a Rock within the compass of Eight Yards Eight of them are Warm but the Ninth is very Cold these run under a very fair square Building of Free-stone and about Sixty Paces off receive another Hot Spring from a Well inclos'd with Four flat Stones called St. Anns near unto which another very Cold Spring bubbles up The Inhabitants report that great Cures have been effected by these Waters and daily experience sheweth that they are good for the Stomach and Sinews and very pleasant to Bathe the Body in The Town is lately adorn'd with very beautiful Buildings Having now Describ'd the Regions of the Coritani we will next survey the Provinces of the Cornavii who if we may believe Ptolomy seem to have Possessed Warwickshire Worcestershire Staffordshire Shropshire and Cheshire Warwickshire Cornavii IN Latin Warwicus hath on the East Northamptonshire and Leicestershire on the South Oxfordshire and Glocestershire on the West Worcestershire and on the North Staffordshire It s Air and Soil are equally desirable the Air is extreamly healthful and the Soil in the South part yieldeth such a plentiful Harvest that the Husbandman smiles to behold his pains so well rewarded The Principal Towns are these 1. Warwick this Town was the ancient Praeciduum of the Romans it standeth on the River Avon upon a steep and high Rock and all the Passages to it are wrought out of the very stone it is yet apparent that it was formerly Fortified with a Wall and Ditches towards the South-West it sheweth a Castle strongly Fortified both by Art and Nature 't was in a good state upon the entrance of the Normans but hath lately suffered much by Fire 2. Henly a pretty Market-Town which had formerly a Castle adjoining to it belonging to the Family of the Montforts 3. Killingworth a beautiful strong Castle encompassed with Parks given by Queen Elizabeth to Robert Dudley Earl of Leicester 4. Bremicham a Town full of Inhabitants resounding always with Hammers and Anvils they being most of them Smiths 5. Coventry a City so called from an old Convent and Religious House which gave Name to it beautified it is with a well-Built Wall large Streets handsome Houses and two fair Churches Dedicated to the Holy Trinity and St. Michael it was formerly the only Mart and City of Trade in all these Parts notwithstanding that it is destitute of all the advantages which a Navigable River might afford it 6. Edgehill a small Village famous for the Battel fought between the Forces of King Charles the I st and those of the Parliament in which both sides claim'd the Victory Worcestershire IN Latin Wigornia hath on the East Warwickshire on the South Glocestershire on the West Herefordshire and Shropshire and on the North Staffordshire The Air of this Shire is temperate and the Soil fertile abounding with Corn Woods Pasture and every thing that is necessary for the Life of Man The Principal Towns are these 1. Kidderminster a fair Town hath a great Market it is well frequented divided into two parts by the River Stour it is adorn'd with a very beautiful Church 2. Worcester the principal City of this Shire it being truly admirable both in respect of its Antiquity and Beauty
into the Thames on the West 't is bounded by Wiltshire and on the East by Surrey On the West part it hath plenty of Command Fruit but on the East part where it consineth with Surrey the Soil is very barren and unfruitful 1. Farendon a Town seated on a rising ground famous for a Market kept there but in times past for a certain Fort which Robert Earl of Glocester Built and defended against King Stephen who having won it by many bloody Assaults levelled it to the ground so that now it is not to be seen 2. Abington a Populous Town pleasantly seated on the plain of an Hill since the Year 1416. in which King Henry the Vth Built a Bridge over the River and turned the Kings high-way hither to make a shorter passage it began to be so frequented that it is now the chief Town of the whole Shire it is famous for its great Trade in Malt. 3. Wallingford in old time it was compass'd about with Walls it had a very large Castle situate upon the River which was thought to be invincible it was oftentimes Besieged by King Stephen but all in vain This Town was so dispeopled by reason of a grievous Pestilence which happened in the Year 1348 that whereas before it was well Inhabited and had Twelve Churches it can shew now no more than One or Two 4. Newbury a famous Town raised out of the Ruins of Spine which was formerly a place of great repute it is situated in a champion plain being watered throughout with the River Kenet 't is well Inhabited and is very remarkable for its Trade in Clothing 5. Reading a Town famous for fair Streets well built Houses as also for the Riches of the Townsmen and for their Name in making Cloth it hath lost the greatest Ornaments it had viz. a beautiful Church and a most ancient Castle which was razed by King Henry the IId because it was a Refuge for King Stephen's followers 6. Maidenhead a large spacious Town fill'd with good Inns for the reception of Strangers it is well frequented 7. Windsor-Castle 't is situated on an Hill that riseth with a gentle Ascent and enjoyeth a most delightful Prospect round about on the front it overlooketh a spacious Vale behind it arise Hills every where neither rough nor high so that 't is dedicated as one would say to Hunting-Game it was Built by King Henry the Ist An. 1100. and enlarg'd by King Edward the IIId who was Born here 't is in bigness equal to a pretty City Fortified with Ditches and Bulwarks made of Stone in this place King Edward the IIId Instituted the Noble Order of the Garter to increase Virtue and Valour in the Hearts of his Nobility or as some report in honour of the Countess of Salisbury of which Lady the King had formerly been Enamour'd The Garter was given to it in Testimony of that Love and affection wherewith the Knights of it were bound one to another and all of them jointly to the King as Sovereign there are of it Twenty six Knights of which the King of England is always Chief the Ensign is a Blew Garter Buckled on the Left Leg on which these words are Embroider'd Honi Soit qui mal y Pense about their Necks they wear a Blew Ribbond at the end of which hangeth the Image of St. George upon whose Day the Installations of the new Knights are commonly Celebrated THese Regions which I have hitherto Describ'd viz. of the Danmonii Durotriges Belgae Attrebatii when the Saxons Rul'd in Brittain fell to the Kingdom of the West-Saxons who under the Command of their King Egbert United the English Heptarchy into a Monarchy which afterwards through the Cowardise of their Kings soon vanished For after this the Danes brake in upon the Northumbers and though often Vanquished yet being as often Victorious they at last seiz'd on the Monarchy of England which was sometime held by the Danes sometimes by the Saxons till William Duke of Normandy took it from Harold and established the Monarchy which hath ever since continued in a Succession of Twenty eight Princes down to our Gracious Sovereign King William REGNI NEXT unto the Attrebatii Eastward those Regions which we commonly term Surrey Sussex with the Sea-Coast of Hampshire were Inhabited by the Regni Surrey IN Latin Surria is bounded on the West by Barkshire and Hampshire on the South by Sussex on the East by Kent on the North 't is Water'd by the River Thames and by it divided from Middlesex It is a plain and Champion Country yielding Corn and Forage in abundance especially towards the South The Principal Towns are these 1. Farnham a Market-Town so named from the great quantity of Fern growing near it near this place Hâ—nry of 〈◊〉 erected a noble Castle which being afterwards demolished by Henry the IIId was again rebuilt by the Bishops of Winchester 2. Guildford a Market-Town well frequented full of fair Inns in old time it was a Royal Mansion of the English Saxon Kings 3. Kingston a Market-Town well Inhabited famous in old time by reason of a Castle therein belonging to the Clares Earls of Glocester it took its name from a little Town which stood near it in which when England was almost ruined by the Danish Wars Athelstan Edwin and Etheldred were Crowned Kings in the Market-place 4. Richmond a Town very beautiful and glorious in respect of its Buildings famous for the Death of several Kings but in particular of that most Mighty Prince King Edward the IIId Here also Died Ann Wife to King Richard the IId Daughter to the Emperor Charles the IVth who first taught English Women the manner of sitting on Horseback which is now in use whereas before they rode very unseemly astride as Men do Memorable it is likewise for that King Henry the VIIth and Queen Elizabeth of glorious Memory yielded unto Nature in this place 5. Croidon a Market-Town well frequented whose Inhabitants gain to themselves great advantages by selling of Char-Coal 6. Lambeth a Town famous in former times for the Death of Canutus the Hardy King of England who there Revelling with his Lords amidst his Cups yielded up his Breath but at this time 't is much frequented by reason of the Archbishop of Canterbury's Palace which is in this place 7. Southwark the most famous Market-Town and place of Trade in all this Shire 't is so large and populous that it gives place to few Cities in England in the Reign of King Edward the VIth it was annexed to the City of London and is at this day reckoned as a part of it Sussex IN Latin Sussexia is bounded on the West by Hampshire on the North by Surrey and part of Kent on the East by Kent on the South it lieth upon the Brittish Ocean on the Sea-Coast it hath many green Hills of an exceeding heighth called the Downs which standing on a Chalky sort of Mould yield great plenty of Corn the middle part of it is
Shires of Wales but those Two also beyond the Severn viz. Herefordshire and Monmouthshire which are now reckoned among the Counties of England according to Ptolomy the Silures inhabited the South part called by one Name Dehubarth but now Herefordshire Radnorshire Brecknockshire Monmouthshire and Glamorganshire The Inhabitants are generally impatient of Servitude very Valiant and given to War Herefordia is bounded on the East with Worcestershire and Glocestershire on the South with Monmouthshire on the West with Radnor and Brecknockshires and on the North with Shropshire This Counties Climate is healthful and temperate and the Soil so fertile for Corn and Cattel that no place in England yieldeth more The Principal Towns are these 1. Hereford the principal City of this Shire seated on the Banks of the River Wye in the middle of most flourishing Meadows and no less plentiful Corn-Fields it was raised out of the ruins of the ancient Ariconium 't is encompass'd almost round with Rivers it was Walled about in the Reign of Henry the First who Founded in this place a most beautiful Cathedral Church 2. Lemster a Town famous for exceeding fine Wool Radnorshire IN Latin Radnora hath on the North Montgomeryshire on the East Herefordshire on the South Brecknockshire on the West where 〈◊〉 groweth very narrow Cardiganshire The Air of this Province is very sharp and Cold and the Soil lean and barren its riches consists chiefly in the brood of Cattel The Principal Towns are these 1. Radnor the principal Town of this Shire fair Built after the manner of the Country with thatch'd Houses in times past it was fenc'd with a Wall and Castle which are now grown to decay 2. Prestan a Market-Town so fair and beautiful that it in a manner putteth down Radnor it is of late Years wonderfully frequented 3. Knighton a Town scarce inferior to Prestian near this place is King Offa's admirable Ditch reaching from Dee Mouth up to Wy Mouth by this Town for the space of Fourscore and ten Miles made by him to separate the Brittons from his Englishmen Brecknockshire IN Latin Brechinia is bounded on the East with Herefordshire on the South with Monmouth and Glamorganshires on the West with Caermardhenshire and on the North with Radnorshire The Air is very Temperate the whole County is full of Hills and uneven for Travelling but the Soil is very fertile yielding in the Vallies both plenty of Corn and Pasture The Principal Town is 1. Brecknock the Shire-Town seated in the very heart of the Country its Walls are strong and of good repair it hath Three Gates for entrance with Ten Towers for its defence on the West side it hath a stately Castle that it was Inhabited in the Romans time is evident from the Coins of the Roman Emperors oftentimes digged up here Monmouthshire IN Latin Monumethia is bounded on the North by the River Munow that separateth it from Herefordshire on the East the River Wye divideth it from Glocestershire on the West the River Remney severeth it from Glamorganshire on the South 't is bounded by the Severn Sea The Air is healthful and clear the Soil is Hilly Woody Rich and in all places very Fruitful The Principal Towns are these 1. Monmouth the chief Town of this Province 't is encompassed almost round with the Rivers Munow and Wye on the North side where it is not defended with Rivers it was formerly Fortified with a Wall and Ditch 2. Chepstow a Town situate on the side of an Hill rising from the very River Fortified round about with a Wall of a large Circuit it hath a very fair Castle situate over the River Wye the Town generally speaking is of good resort 3. Abergevenny a Town well frequented Fortified with Walls and a Castle which of all the Castles in Wales as Giraldus says has been most defam'd on the account of Treason 4. Newport a Town lately Built not unknown upon the account of its Castle and the Commodiousness of its Harbour Glamorganshire IN Latin Glamorgania on the South it has the Severn Sea on the East Monmouthshire on the North Brecknockshire and on the West Caermardhenshire The Air is temperate and giveth more content to the Mind than the Soil doth fruit or ease to Travellers The Principal Towns are these 1. Cardiffe a proper fair Town having a commodious Haven Fortified by a strong Wall and Castle by Fitz-Haimon memorable it is for that Robert Curthouse William the Conqueror's Eldest Son being quite put by his hopes of the Crown of England and depriv'd of both his Eyes by his Brother King Henry the First lived until he was an Old Man in this Castle 2. Cowbridge a fair Market-Town well frequented 3. Landaffe a small City and of as small reputation situate somewhat low but adorn'd with a Bishops's See and a Cathedral Consecrated to St. Gelean Bishop of the place West-Wales Caermardhenshire Dimetae IN Latin Maredunum is limited on the East with Glamorganshire and Brecknockshire on the West with Pembrokeshire on the North 't is severed from Cardiganshire by the River Tovy and on the South it hath the Ocean The Air is pleasant and delightful the Soil being not so full of Hills as its neighbouring Counties is therefore much better for Corn and Pasturage The Principal Town is Caermardhen the chief Town of this County compass'd about with Brick Walls part of which is yet standing upon the River Tovy which is able to bear small Ships although there be now a Bar of Sand cast up against the mouth of it 't is pleasant for its Woods and Meadows and venerable for its Antiquity memorable it is for the Birth of the Sage Merlin Pembrokeshire IN Latin Pembrocia the Sea presseth upon every side of this County unless it be on the East where Caermardhenshire and on the North where a part of Cardiganshire boundeth upon it The Air is passing temperate and the Soil very fruitful The Principal Towns are these 1. Tenby a fair Town strongly Walled towards the Land it looketh into the Sea from a dry Cliff famous it is for its commodious Roads for Ships and for an abundance of Fish taken there 2. Milford-Haven than which there is not another in all Europe either nobler or safer there are reckoned within it Sixteen Creeks Five Bays and Thirteen Roads known every one by its several name 't is particularly famous for the arrival of King Henry the Seventh who released England from the Domestick Calamities and Civil Miseries it then groan'd under 3. Pembroke the principal Town of this Shire it standeth on the East Creek of Milford-Haven it was formerly Fortified with Walls and a Castle which are now decayed 4. Haverford situate in the Demy Island of this County by the Welsh called Ross by the English Little England beyond Wales by reason of the English Tongue there spoken it is a Town the best Traded and frequented of all South-Wales it was Fortified with a Rampier and Wall on the North side by the Earls of
Castle of the Kings which in the Reign of King Henry the Sixth was repaired out of the Ruins of a Roman Fort 't is adorn'd with a fair Church and a beautiful Market-place 6. Carlisle a City commodiously and pleasantly seated 't is guarded on the North with the Channel of Eden on the East with Deterill on the West with Caud besides these natural Fences 't is Fortified with strong Walls of Stone with a Castle and Cittadel in fashion it lieth out somewhat long running out from West to East on the West side standeth the Castle repair'd by King Richard the Third in the midst of the City standeth the Cathedral Church the upper-part of which being the newer is very artificially and curiously wrought but the nether part is much more ancient That this City flourished in the times of the Romans divers tokens of Antiquity now and then digged up there and the famous mention of it in those days do sufficiently prove The Picts Wall THrough the higher part of Cumberland shooteth that famous Wall which was the limit of the Roman Province for when the Romans had enlarg'd their Empire even so far beyond their Wishes that the unwieldiness thereof began to be of its self fearfully suspected the Emperors thought it the safest way to limit the same with certain bounds In this Islaâ—d therefore the Romans when they perceived that the further parts of Brittain lying Northward were Cold of a rough and barren Soil and Inhabited by the Caledonians Britons and barbarous Nations in subduing which they were sure to take much pains and reap very small Profit built at several times divers Fences as well to bound as to defend the Province the first Wall or Fence is thought to have been raised by Julius Agricola it being made of Turfs between Edenborough and Dunbritton Frith the second Fence was by the River Tine where a Stone Wall Fight Foot broad and Twelve Foot high was Built being an Hundred Miles long reaching from the German Sea to the Irish Ocean It was begun by the command of Adrian the Emperor and was finished by Severus who hereupon was stiled Britannicus Some report that this Wall was only of Turfs and that the Stone Wall was erected afterwards by the Romans when they left Brittain Lollius Urbicus Lieutenant of Brittain under the Emperor Antoninus Pius enlarged the bounds again as far as to the first Frontier Fence that was raised by Agricola The first that was ever blamed for neglecting these limits was Constantine the Great for he it was that was the first and principal cause that the state of the Empire ran to ruin however this admirable work could not divert the tempestuous storms of Foregin Enemies for when the Romans retired out of Brittain the Picts and Scots aâ—â—â—ulting the Wall broke down the Fences with their Engines and over-ran Brittain being then disarm'd and shaken with Civil Broils and most miserably afflicted with extream Famine Northumberland Ottadini IN Latin Northumbria it lieth enclosed in fashion of a Triangle but not with equal sides the South side is shut in with Darwent running into Tine and with the River Tine its self where it confineth on the Bishoprick of Durham the German Sea beateth on the East side on the West it hath Cumberland on the North it fronteth Scotland with the River Tweed which was the ancient limit of both Kingdoms The Air must needs be subtle and piercing these Northern parts being very much exposed to extremity of Weather The Soil is neither rich nor fruitful it having neither fertility of ground for Corn or Cattel the most part of it being rough and in every place hard to be Manured The Principal Towns are these 1. Newcastle the Principal Town in all these parts ennobled by a notable Haven which the River Tine makes it being of that depth that it beareth very Tall Ships and so defendeth them that they can neither be easily toss'd with Tempestâ— nor driven upon the Shelves and Rocks 't is situate on the rising of an 〈◊〉 very uneven on the North bank of the River which hath a fair Bridge over it on the left hand standeth the Castle and on the right the Market-place and the better part of the Town it was Built by Robert the Son of William the Conqueror and named by him Newcastle the Buildings are beautiful it is adorn'd with Five Churches the Inhabitants are extream Wealthy partly by intercourse of Traffick with the Germans and partly by carrying out Seacoals both into Foreign Countries and also into other parts of England it was Fortified with very strong 〈◊〉 having Eight Gates in the Reign of King Edward the First Before the Conquest it was called Monkchester it having been in possession of the Monks and Chester being added which signifying a Bulwark or place of defence Shews that in ancient time it had been a place of Fortification It was taken by the Scots An. 1642. who enter'd England in an Hostile manner under pretence of delivering a Petition to King Charles the First 2. Tinmouth a very ancient and strong Castle on the East and Northside 't is impossible to be enter'd by reason of a mighty high Rock hanging over the Sea and in other places such is the heighth of it that it needs but small defence 3. Morpeth a famous little Town situate on the North bank of the River Wentsbeck on the South bank standeth the Church and the Castle by it all beset with Trees this Town An. Dom. 1215. was set on Fire by its own Inhabitants out of spite and malice to King John Near this place was Born John Duns called Scotus because he was descended of Scottish Blood who being brought up in Merton College in Oxford became wonderfully Learned in Logick and in the intricate Divinity of those times yet as one still doubtful and unresolv'd he overcast the truth of Religion with mists of obscurity and with so profound and admirable Subtilty he wrote many Books in a dark and rude Stile that he deserved the title of the Subtle Doctor and after his own Name he erected a new Sect of Scolists but he Died pitifully for being taken with an Apoplexy and over-hastily Buried for Dead whilst upon the return of Life Nature was about to discuss the violence of the Disease he endeavouring in vain by a lamentable noise to call for help after he had a long time knock'd his Head against the Gravestone he dash'd out his own Brains and at last yielded up his vital Breath 4. Barwick the utmost Town in England and the strongest Hold in all Brittain 't is situated between two most mighty Kingdoms as Pliny has reported of Palmyra in Syria it was the first thing always that both Nations took care of whenever they were at discord it having had different fortunes being one time under the power of the Scots and another time of the English Our Kings have oftentimes Fortified and Fenc'd it with new Works but especially Queen Elizabeth who enclos'd
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