furthest part South 39. miles and the bredth from Ashridge East to the Forest of Brenwood West 18. miles whereby the whole circuit is about 138 miles The bounds of this Shire are Northampton and Bedfordshires on the North part of Bedford and Hertford-shires on the East Barkeshire on the South and Oxfordshire on the West This Prouince is parted into 8 Hundreds which are furnished with 185 Parish-Churches It is watered with two Riuers which haue 14 Bridges for passage And for conuenient traffique of their commodities it is interspersed with 11 Market Townes whereof the chiefe is Buckingham the Shire-Towne which is situated vpon the Riuer Ouse which compasseth the Towne on all sides but the North. In times past it hath beene fortified by King Edward the elder with Sconces on both sides of the Riuer ouer which are built three faire stone Bridges and vpon a high hill in the middest of the Towne was sometime raised a strong Castle which is now vtterly rased to dustie ruines A Bailiffe with 12 Burgesses doe now very orderly gouerne this Towne where the eleuation of the Pole is 52. 2. and the Longitude 23. 30. At Stony Stretford an ancient Towne in this Shire standing vpon the Causey called Watling-street which passeth thorow England is a Crosse built by King Edward the first for a memoriall of Eleanor his Queene because there her dead corps rested as it was brought from Herdby in Lincolne-shire to be buried at Westminster and the like did he doe in euery place where it rested This Shire hath beene strengthned with 4 Castles viz. at Buckingham Newport Launden and Hampsleepe and was also beautified with many Religious Houses which time hath now ruined and conuerted to other vses The Aire in this County is temperate wholesome and pleasant and the Soile by reason of his fatnesse is both rich and fruitfull yeelding Corne Grasse and Marle in abundance The middle part of the Shire being high called the Chilterne Hills hath beene and still is well stored with woods and the Vallies lying plaine are very fruitfull for medowes tillage and pastures feeding infinite numbers of fleecie sheepe BVCKINGHAM SHIRE Oxford-shire THe Histories of our English-Saxons say that the Citie of Oxford deriueth the name from the Foord of Oxen from which Citie the whole County is called Oxfordshire which is enuironed on the North side with Warwicke and Northampton-shires on the East with Buckingham the West with Glocester and the South by Barkshire It containeth in length from Cleydon North-west to Cauersham South-east neere forty miles and in bredth from the aforesaid Cleydon North to Farringdon vpon the Riuer Isis in the South which is the broadest of the Shire almost 26. miles causing the circumference to come neere to 130 miles This County is diuided into 14 Hundreds and they haue 280 Parish Churches contained in them It is interlaced with 3. Riuers which are fitted with 26. Bridges Foure Forests and 9 Parks doe also beautifie this County and for commerce and traffique of commodities there are dispersed 10 Market Townes the chiefe whereof is the faire Citie and euer renowned Vniuersitie of Oxford which for the infinite numbers of most learned reuerend and famous Fathers Doctors Scholers it hath produced and enriched this Kingdome withal hath made it selfe not only glorious in this our Nation but purchased an euer-liuing fame and memorie thorow all the Kingdomes of Christendome This Citie hath beene walled and strongly fortified with a Castle which though time hath now vtterly ruined yet is it adorned with 17 most stately Colleges 8 Halls and many other most beautifull buildings The Pole is there eleuated 51. 47. and the Longitude 23. 15. About six miles from this Citie is seated Woodflocke where King Hen. 2. built a Labyrinth to keepe his faire Concubine Rosamond who was afterward poisoned by the Queene and buried in the Nunnery at Godstow neere thereto adioyning This County is adorned with many faire Mannors and beautifull buildings wherein as by their ruines doth appeare haue beene many stately and richly endowed Religious Houses as Oseney Godstow Tame Burchester Euisham Beuerne and diuers others The Aire in this County is both sweet pleasant and healthfull The Soile rich commodious and fruitfull yeelding to the Inhabitants great plenty of Wood Wooll Cattell Corne Pasture and in a word almost all vsefull commodities in abundance OXFORD SHIRE Glocester-shire GLocestershire in the Saxon tongue was called Gleaucesderschyre fetching the name from the chiefest Towne the Citie of Glocester It is ingirt with Worcester and Warwickeshires on the North Somersetshire on the South Oxford and Wiltshires on the East and Hâ—refordshire on the West The length of it reaching from Bristow vpon Auon South to Clifford vpon Auon North is much vpon 48 miles and the bredth extending from Lechlad East to Preston West 28. which causeth the whole compasse to containe about 138 miles The ancient Inhabitants of this County were the Dobuni and in some part the Silures This Prouince is diuided into 30 Hundreds which containe in them 280 Parish-Churches It hath three faire Riuers ouer which a man may passe by 22 Bridges the chiefe whereof is Seuerne which for store of Fish bredth of Channell and swiftnesse of Streame excelleth any other in the Land It is conueniently sprinkled with 25 Market-Townes for trade and traffique whereof two are famous Cities whereof the first and most ancient is Glocester which about the middle of the Shire is situate vpon the Riuer Seuerne It was built by the Romans and was the Garrison Towne for their Colonia Gleuum It hath beene strongly walled on all parts but that towards the Riuer as may appeare by the ruines yet remaining in many places There was the stately Nunnerie built by Osrick King of Northumberland wherein three of the Mercian Queenes succeeded one another being Prioresses The Cathedrall Church first built by Edelsâ—ed King Edward the elders sister was ruinated by the Danes but afterwards reedified and dedicated to S. Peter where King Edward the second who was murdered at Barkley Castle lies intombed The Graduation of the Pole in this Citie is 51. 54. and Longitude 22. 17. The other Citie which standeth but part in this Shire and part in Somersetshire is Bristow seated vpon the two Riuers Froome and Auon and as is formerly said the quantitie excepted for qualitie is parallel to the chiefest in England In the Iland Alney neere Glâ—cester Edmund Iron-side combatted hand to hand with Canutus the Dane And at Barkley Castle King Edward the second had a red hot spit thrust thorow his fundament into his belly The foundations of many Religious Houses haue beene both raised vp and rased downe in this County where the Aire is very pleasant and delectable the Soile being so fruitfull by nature that the very Hedge-rowes of their owne accord bring plenty of excellent fruits and in times past hath yeelded abundance of most pleasant Vines but now it produceth store of Corne Fruits Fâ—ne Wools and Iron
West by the Irish Sea on the South by Towy and Tiuy is diuided from Caermarden-shire and on the North by the Riuer Douy from Merioneth-shire It containes from Cardigan Towne in the South to the Riuer Douy on the North 32. miles and stretcheth her widest part from Clarwen head in the East to Aberystwyth on the West but fifteene the whole content of the compasse being about 103. miles It is diuided into fiue Hundreds which are subdiuided into 64. Parishes 26. Riuers and Riuerets with nine Bridges are pleasantly interspersed in it And for negotiating of businesse for the Inhabitants foure Market Townes whereof Cardigan the Shire Towne is the principall which on the North side of the Riuer Tyuy on a high banke is pleasantly seated which Gilbert de Clare to whom King Henry the First gaue this County encompassed with a wall that hath three waies for passage into the Towne and built there also vpon a Rocke a faire large and strong Castle which the bitter stormes of time haue now transformed into a monument of ruines vnder which Castle is the Bridge which is the onely passable way ouer the Riuer Tyuy The eleuation of the Pole is here 52. 16. and the Longitude 19. 55. The ancient Inhabitants of this Countie that Ptolemie makes mention of were the Dimetiae who vnder the conduct of their King Caractacus were most valiant opposers of the Romans till Iulius Frontinus ouercame and subdued them This small Shire I finde was furnished with few Religious Houses namely at Cardigan Istradfleet Llan-Badern-Vaur which sometime was a Bishops Sea and yet these few could not escape the force of Fortune and Time the deuourer of all things The Aire is here open sharp and piercing and yet withall wholesome The Soile hilly and vneuen except towards the Sea-side where it is more plaine hauing pleasant valleyes and rich pastures And the chiefest Commodities of this Countie are Corne Cattell Fowle and Fish and in some places are Mines of Lead CARDIGAN SHIRE Montgomery-shire THis County which we call Montgomery-shire by the Britaine 's was called Sire-Trefaldwin and on the East is inclosed with Shropshire on the West with Merioneth-shire Radnor and Cardican-shires border on the South and the North is bounded with the Countie of Denbigh The measure of the length from Hyssyngton East to Machenlett West is about 26. miles and the broadest betweene the Riuers of Dulas South and Riader North much vpon 22. The diuision of it is into seuen Hundreds wherein are in diuers places dispersed 47. Parish Churches and with many sweet Riuers that have six Bridges for passage is this Countie accommodated whereof Seuerne the second of all the Land hath the head rising and issuing from the high Hill Plymllymon whence also descend from their heads the Riuers of Wye and Rydall The Inhabitants of this Countie haue for Commerce and Traffique six Market Townes whereof the chiefest is the Shire Towne Montgomery which vpon the side of an hill is pleasantly situated in a very healthfull Aire neare to which vpon a higher mount is seated a faire and strong Castle that is yet kept and maintained in very good repaire hauing a most pleasant Plaine vnder it It was built by Roger de Montgomery Earle of Shrewsbury and called by the Latins Mons Gomericus The Pole is here eleuated 52. 43. and the Longitude 21. 17. The hardy Ordouices were the ancient Inhabitants that possessed this Countie who were a warlike people that valiantly a long time withstood the Romane Forces and held out from the subiection of the English till the reigne of King Edward the First but since that time haue euer beene found most firme and faithfull to the Crowne The Aire is here very delightfull and healthfull The Soyle Hilly and vneuen but plentifull of faire and fresh water Springs The East part of this Shire being as fruitfull as any part of England and the West breeding abundant store of Cattell but especially of excellent Horses MOUNTGOMERIE SHIRE Merioneth-shire THe Latines call this Countie Meruinia which the Britaines termed Syre-Verioneth and wee now call Merioneth-shire Which boundeth thus Montgomery-shire bordereth the East and the Irish Seas doe wash upon the West Cardigan-shire is diuided from it by the Riuer Dowy on the South and the North is limited by the Counties Carnarnan and Denbigh It contains in length from Aber-Dowy South-west to Llansansfred North-East about 33. miles and in bredth from Maynlloyd South-east to Bethkelert Bridge 22. It is diuided into six Hundreds wherein are contained 37. Parish Churches and 26. Riuers passable by seuen Bridges And for Commerce and Traffique in this Countie are but three Market Townes viz. Bala Dolgelhe and Harlech which is accounted the principall though it be much defectiue both of building or any other ornaments befitting a Shire Towne for in a barren place it stands but bleake and cold where there is little plentie of any thing but of Fowle and Fish Yet is there a strong and faire Castle situate vpon a Mount encircled with a double Bulwarke which is a sure defence against the entrance there of any forren inuaders And though the Constable of this Castle by Patent is also Maior of the Towne yet doth the want of repaire thereof threaten a sudden decay The Pole is here eleuated to 52. 58. of Latitude and the Longitude 20. 9. Neare Bala is a great Pond called Pimble-meare containing 160. Acres in quantitie which neuer by any land-flouds falling into it is any whit increased but by stormes of violent winds ouerfloweth and rageth in a wonderfull manner The Ordonices were the ancient Inhabitants of this County who very stoutly opposed the Romanes And after they were subiugated to the English by the meanes of Owen Glendour made many rebellious quarrels to free themselues againe from the English yoake Many Wolues in ancient times did abound in the Mountaines of this Countie which by meanes of King Edgar were vtterly destroyed The Aire here may be healthfull to the Natiues but it is so continually troubled with violent winds as it is nothing pleasant And the Soile so rough and mountainous that though Corne can thriue there yet for Grasse and feeding for sheepe and other Cattell it is no way defectiue Herrings are caught also on those Coasts in abundance and the whole Countie sufficiently stored with Fish and Fowle MERIONYTH SHIRE Carnaruon-shire and Anglesey HEre am I confined to a narrower limit than in the former being to describe two Prouinces in this one page Briefly therefore thus The Britaines called this County Caer-aruon the Bounds whereof are Denbigh-shire on the East Mâ—riâ—â— on the South the Irish Seas on the West and North. The length from South to North containes 40 Mâ—les the bredth 20 and the whole compasse 110. There are in it 68 Parishes one Bishopricke 17. Riuers with 6 large Bridges And for Commerce and Traffique 5 Market Townes whereof the chiefest is the Shire-Towne Carnaruon situate very pleasantly on the Sea side and enclosed with
Topographie Againe euery part and place of the earth is considered either in it selfe according to its adiuncts In it selfe and so it is Continent Iland A Continent is a great quantitie of land in which many kingdomes and principalities are conioyned together none of them being separated from the rest by any Sea An Island quasi an eie of land called in Latine Insula quasi in salo is a part of land compassed and enuironed round about with waters of which Great Britaine and Iapan are the most spacious These againe are obseruable parts both of Continents and Islands Peninsula Isthmus Promontorium Peninsula quasi pene Insula is a tract of land which being compassed almost round with waters is ioyned by some little necke or Isthmus to the firme land as Peloponesus in Greece An Isthmus is a narrow peece of land which ioyneth the Peninsula to the Continent or greater Islands as the straights of Dariene and Corinth Promontorium is a high mountaine shooting it selfe much farther into the Sea than the Adiacent land The extremest point or nooke hereof is called a Cape as Cape-verde in Africa c. The adiuncts of a place are either such as respect the earth it selfe the heauens Those that agree to a place in respect of the earth are three in number viz. 1 The magnitude or extent of a Country 2 The bounds and limits 3 The qualitie 1 The magnitude comprehendeth the length and bredth of any place The length of a place is measured East and West what figure soeuer the place is of the bredth thereof North and South It is to be obserued that those places that are vnder the Aequinoctiall haue no bredth because that the measuring of latitude is begunne from this circle 2 The bounds of a Country is a line terminating it round about and distinguishing it from the bordering lands or waters 3 The qualitie of a place is the naturall temper and disposition thereof A place in regard of the heauens is either East West North. South Those places are properly said to be Northerne which lie betwixt the Aequinoctiall and the Arctick Pole Those Southerne which are betwixt the Aequinoctiall and the Antarcticke Pole Those places likewise are said to be Easterne which lie in the Easterne Haemisphaere terminated by the first Meridian which passeth thorow the Azores and those the Westerne which lie within the Haemisphaere which lieth Westernly of the same Meridian And thus much of the vniuersall Notions of Geography A TIPE OF ENGLAND OF ENGLAND THis farre famoused Kingdome is bordered on the North with Scotland on the South with the British Sea on the East with the German Ocean and on the West with the Hybernian Seas It is situate in the temperate Zâ—ne and eighth Climate watered with a multitude of Crystall streames Currents and Nauigable Riuers the banks whereof are crowned with Flowrie Meadowes the Meadowes replenished with abundance of Cattell and accosted with all manner of fertile fields of all manner of Corne and Graine and besides all these affords many other both Commodities and Rarities which hereafter are particularly expressed in their proper places This kingdome was first inhabited by some Colonies which transplanted themselues from the neighbouring coasts of France Lower Germanie as the affinity of their Language Policie Religion and Manners doe vnquestionably proue being the ofspring of Gomer of Iaphets progenie as their owne appellation doth witnesse calling themselues Komery who possessed and gouerned this Iland aboue one thousand yeares About fifty foure yeares before the Natiuitie of our Lord and Sauiour Iulius Caesar entred this land which within one hundred and fifty yeares after was subiugated by the Romans vnder whose commands they liued till the 430 yeare after Christ when the Roman Empire declining was forced to call home their Garrisons and hauing before exhausted the strength of this Kingdome left it a prey to the enemie whereupon the Picts assaulting this land thus disfurnished weakned they were compelled to craue the aid of the Saxons and Anglies a warlike nation inhabiting neare the confines of Denmarke who being ariued chased away their enemies and allured with the temperature fertilitie and pleasantnesse of the Country flowing in great numbers expelled the Britaines or Komeros that would not liue vnder their lawes and subiection and so held it till the yeare 1066. when William the Conquerour with his Normans subdued them whose successors haue continually enioyed it to this present time It was anciently diuided by the Romans into three parts Britanniam primam from the South parts to Trent Maximam Caesariensem from thence Northward and Britanniam secundam which we call Wales After by the Saxons it was diuided into an Heptarchie which at last reduced to a Monarchie was by Elfred diuided into Shires Wapentakes and Tithings with Iustices and Sheriffes appointed for ministring of iustice which partly confirmed partly altered by William the Conquerour was at last diuided into 39 Shires of the English with the addition of 13 of Wales In which are at this present two famous Vniuersities the Seminaries of vertue and learning 26 Bishopricks 641 Market Towees 186 Castles 9725 Parish Churches 555 Riuers 956 Bridges 13 Chases 68 Forests and 781 Parkes Tribunalls or Courts of iustice temporall nine viz. Parliament Starchamber Chancerie Kings Bench Exchequer Common pleas Court of Wards Admiraltie and Court of Requests besides Court Leet and Baron Spirituall seuen of Conuocation Synods Audience Arches Prerogatiue Faculties and Peculiar Iurisdictions Rankes of Nobilitie nine that is Dukes Marquesses Earles Viscounts Barons Baronets Knights Esquires and Gentlemen And of Inferiour Ranke or Communaltie three Yeomen Husbandmen and Tradesmen The Battells by Sea and Land since the Conquest fought by the Kings Nobilitie and Commons against forraine inuasions and Domestique and Intestine warres 76. The last and most Admirable being in the Chase of the Spanish Armado Ann. Dom. 1588. ¶ A Table containing the prouisions of the Spanish Armado against ENGLAND in Anno Domini 1588. and Anno ELIZ. REGINae XXX Leaders Prouinces aiding Galliasses and Gallions Ships and Hulks Pinaces and Carauals Great Ordnance Saylers Souldiers Galley-slaues D. Medina Sydonia Portugal 10 2  300 1300 3300  Diego de Mandranae Portugal 4   20 360  888 Io. Martynes de Richaldes Biscaâ— 10  4 250 700 2000  Michael de Oquendo Guiapusco 10  4 310 700 2000  Pedro de Valdez Andolozia 10  1 280 800 2400  Martyn de Vertendona Italie 10   310 800 2000  Diego Floris de Valdez Castile 14  2 380 1700 2400  Iohn Lopez de Medina Medina  23  400 700 3200  Hugo de Moncade Naples 4   200 460 870 1200 Antonio Buccade Mendoza  22  193 574 488  ESPECIALL NOTES worthy of obseruation 13 H. 1. The first Parliament was in Anno 1112 19 H. 2. Ireland was conquered in Anno 1172 4 Ioh. Normandy was lost by King Iohn and the title thereto
was once nauigable till Grey the Kings Fauourite stopt vp the passage and by Charter from K. Iohn is the gouernment hereof coÌ„mitted to 2 yeerely elected Bailiffes a Recorder with some other Assistants The Pole being eleuated 52. 23. and the Longitude 24. 21. The many rich and stately Monasteries and Religious Houses in this County were by K. Hen. 8. laid leuell with their foundations and in their owne ruines entombed This Prouince on the West side is more hillie and healthfull than the other toward the Fenns and Marshes and yeeldeth store of corne and other vsefull commodities and the lower watery grounds are equall to any part of England for goodnesse of feeding and the best pasturage besides plenty of Turfe and Fuell from the Moores and Marish grounds So as well as any other Shire is this County accommodated with Corne Flesh Fowle and Fish and wants almost nothing that is necessary HVNTINGTON SHIRE Cambridge-shire THe English Saxons called this County Grentbrig-scyre which wee call Cambridge-shire and is bordered vpon on the East with Suffolke and Norfolke on the West with Huntingdon and Bedford shires on the North with Norfolke and Lincolne-shire and on the South with Essex and Hartford-shire The length of it from the furthest of the Fenns in the North to Royston South containes 35 miles and the bredth at the broadest from East to West is scarce 20. and the whole compasse being measured with her many turnings amounts to 128 miles It is but a small Shire and yet is diuided into 17 Hundreds which haue in them 165 Parish-Churches and eight Market Townes whereof the most famous and euer flourishing Vniuersitie of Cambridge is the principall which is situate on the East side of the Riuer Caine from whence as some hold she hath her name although other Histories of antiquitie deriue it from Cantaber who 375 yeeres before the Incarnation had there setled the Muses seat And albeit in many Ages this Citie like many others hath tasted many wofull fortunes yet now is it beautified and fairely adorned with sixteene most magnificent Colleges and Halls full stored with painfull Students and as euer it hath so still it doth with abundant increase of most learned and famous Doctoâ—s Teachers and Professors of all Arts and Sciences enrich not only this our Land but all others whereto they are dispersed The Eleuation of the Pole is here 52. 17. degrees and Longitude 24. 46. Another Citie in this Shire was sometime also of great note called by the Saxons Elg but now by vs Ely which grew first famous for one Audrey a Princesse and wife to Egbert King of Northumberland who there built a Nunnery and leauing her husband was the first Abbesse of it her selfe Yet this also escaped not the fury of misfortune for afterwards by the Danes was it vtterly ruinated till Ethelwold the Bishop of Winchester repaired it and built there a Monasterie for Monkes And though it be now also dissolued yet is there remaining the stately Cathedrall of that Diocesse This County hath had many faire foundations of rich Religious Houses as at Beach Barnwell Charteres Denny Elsey Shengey Swasey and Thorney but these as well as the rest were supprest and deprest with the weight of King Henry the Eighths hand Amongst the remarkable things in this County Gogmagog Hills is one which is neere vnto Cambridge and was a Fort with a Treble Trench raised there by the Danes whose Station it then was And another was a long and large Trench passing quite thorow Newmarket Heath which is commonly called The Deuils Ditch but at first was made there to defend the East-Angles against the Mercians as our ancient Histories doe record The Fenns on the North of this County doe make the Aire neither so pleasant nor wholesome as it is in other Shires but more Southerly it is much more delectable And as in it so is there a difference in the Soile which on the South is Feilden and being watered with the Riuer Came is fraught with faire Medowes and Pastures and yeeldeth plenty of Corne some Saffron and Woods The Fenny part being exceedingly replenished with abundant store both of Fish and Fowle CAMBRIDGE SHIRE AND ISLE OF ELY Suffolke THis County was tearmed by the Saxons Suthfole and is bounded on the East with the German Seas on the West with the County of Cambridge the South side by Stowre is seuered from Essex and the North from Norfolke by the Riuers of Waueney and the lesser Ouse The length being from Easton point East to the Riuer of great Ouse West 45 miles and at the broadest part betweene North and South hath but about 20. which causeth the whole compasse to containe much vpon 146 miles The diuision of this Shire is in three parts viz. Celdable S. Edmunds and S. Audries which are subdiuided into 22 Hundreds and containe in them 575 Parish-Churches Besides small Streames it is watered but with two Riuers which haue ouer them 32 Bridges The Inhabitants doe trade for commodities in this County in 28 Market Townes the chiefest whereof is Ipswich a faire and stately Towne for buildings being seated most pleasantly in a fruitfull Soile and well traded with all kinde of merchantable commodities It seemes to haue beene walled about in times past and to haue had Gates for entrance where is now but small appearance thereof being cast downe by the Danes who rased the whole Towne to the ground but afterwards it reuiued and was beautifully rebuilt with many large streets and diuers faire Churches whereof 12 doe yet remaine besides those that are dissolued It is a Corporation orderly gouerned by two yeerely elected Bailiffes 10 Portmen 24 of the Common Counsell and a Recorder And the height of the Pole is there 52. 4 and Longitude 25. 52. And their ancient Towne of note in this County is that which euer since the buriall of King Edmund who was shot to death at Hoxon is therefore called S. Edmunds Bury where for that Kings perpetuall memory was built one of the most magnificent Abbies that euer was founded yet now like the rest it lies ouerwhelmed with the huge heapes of her owne ruines Betweene Alborough and Orford Anno 1555 in the time of a violent famine miraculously sprung vp great plenty of Pease on the Rocks without either sowing or tillage to the wonderfull releefe of the distressed Inhabitants of this County Diuers most magnificent and faire Religious Houses haue beene in diuers places situate in this Shire which are depressed And many other places and accidents remarkable doth this County afford which to keepe my selfe within my limited bounds I am forced to omit The Aire is here fresh pleasant and healthfull the Soile rich fat and fruitfull producing Pasture Corne Cattell Woods Wools Cloth and Fish and Fowles in abundance SUFFOLKE Norfolke BEcause this County was the furthest North part of the Kingdome of the East-Angles it was tearmed Northfolke which wee call Norfolke and is bounded on the East and North
Eâ—gland besides Richard the Second granted that a Sword should be carried before the Maior and Henâ—y the Sixth made it a Country within it selfe It hath a strong wall with eight Gâ—tes for entrance about it and halfe so many Churches within it And from thence or rather from Tyâ—e Mâ—â—th beginneth that famous wall called Thâ— Picts wall built first of earth but afterwards of stone by the Romans containing as Beâ—a saith eight foot in breadth and twelue foot in height reaching in length from the German Seas East to the Irish Seas West cutting thorow the County of Cumberland as well as this Prouince Another chiefe Towne here is Barwâ—cke the furthest and strongest of all this Land of England It is situate on the Sea side and on the North of the Riuer Tweede betweene England and Scotland and hath many times beene tossed by Fortune sometimes to the subiection of the Scots and then againe to the English till Edward the Fourths time who with his Successors from time to time so fortified it as it hath euer since remained in the possession of the English The Pole being there eleuated 55. 51. 1 â— and the Longitude 23. 0. In Ptolemies time the Ottadini were the Inhabitants of this County which then were since haue beene and still are a stout hardly and warlike people being very excellent Light Horse-men as they haue often tried themselues in their many Battells and Encounters betweene them and the Scots Very many remarkable and notable Roman Antiquities as old decayed Altars Inscriptions Coynes c. haue beene and yet are found as well along the Wall as in other places of this County The Aire here as well as in other Northerne parts is sharpe cold and piercing The Soile sterile and barren except in those places next the Sea and on the bankes of the Riuer Tyne Their chiefest commoditie being Sea-Cole wherewith they not only profit and pleasure themselues but doe the like to others abundantly by transporting them to other remote places NORTHVMBER LAND Cumberland THis County of Cumberland which is situate in the North-west part of this Realme and is the furthest part of the Land on that point was named Cumber of those Britaines that called themselues Cumbri and Canbri It is bordered vpon on the North side with Northumberland and part of Scotland on the South with part of Lancashire on the East with Westmorland and on the West with the Irish Sea It is long and narrow containing in length 54 miles and at the broadest is not much aboue 30. And though as other Shires bordering on Scotland are it is exempted from Subsidie and therefore wants the diuision of Hundreds yet are there besides Chapels of ease 58 Parish-Churches contained in it and also there are 20 Riuers in it hauing 33 Bridges There is one Citie one Bishopricke three Forests and eight Parkes And for traffique and commerce amongst men there are dispersed in it nine Market Townes whereof the ancient Citie of Carlile is the principall which by the Romans was called Luguuallum by Ptolemie Leucoipibia and by Ninius Caer-Lualid It is situate very commodiously and delectably betweene the Riuers of Eden Petterell and Cand. It was strong faire and famous in the time of the Romans but was ruinated by the Scots and Picts after their departure till Northumberlands King Egsrid reedified and inclosed it in a wall And afterwards when againe the Danes had destroyed it King William Rusus built the Castle and restored it so as now besides the naturall helps of the Riuers which encompasse three parts of it it is fortified with a strong stone wall a Castle and a Citadell betweene which almost in the midst stands the Cathedrall Church The Eleuation of the Pole being there 55. 18. and the Longitude 21. 41. In Ptolemies time the Brigantes were the ancient Inhabitants of this County but afterwards those Britaines that were called Cumbri possessed it And when the Danes had sore troubled the Saxons this County of Cumberland was accounted a Kingdome of it selfe which King Stephen in his time gaue to the King of Scots but Henry the Second both claimed and got it againe from that Crowne In this Shire there haue beene and still are found many Antiquities of the Romans whose furthest bounds are accounted no further than this County as witnesseth the tract of that admirable wall called The Picts wall which was built by Seuerus and whereof diuers parts doe yet remaine where as also in diuers other places are still remaining the ruines of Altars and Inscriptions of seuerall Colonies and Captaines c. At Salkelds in this County are 77 stones containing ten foot in height aboue ground and one of them fifteene which aâ—e commonly called Long Megg and her Daughters but were erected there for the memoriall of a victorie there obtained This Prouince as it hath beene strengthned with 25 strong Castles so hath it beene beautified with many faire Religious Houses which by King Henry the Eighth were vtterly suppressed The Aire though bitter and sharpe is yet healthfull The South part of the County is hillie the midst leuell and more populous and yeeldeth sufficient prouision for the Inhabitants but the North is hillie wilde and desolate The commodities here are Corne Grasse Sheepe Cattell Fish and Fowle with blacke Lead and mines of Copper which yeeld much profit to the Country CVMBER LAND Westmorland THis County called in Latine Westmorlandia and Westmaria we in English call Westmorland for the store of Moores and Hills contained in it It is bordered vpon on the East side by Yorke-shire and The Bishopricke of Durham on the West and North sides with the County of Cumberland and Lancashire on the South It extendeth from Kirkland North to Burton South 30 miles and stretcheth in widenesse from Eden East to Dunbalrase stones in the West 24 miles making the measure of the whole circuit much vpon 112 miles in which compasse are contained 26 Parish-Churches This Shire is well watered with eight Riuers which haue fifteene Bridges ouer them And in it also are two Forests and nineteene Parks And for intercourse of people for commerce and traffique there are but foure Market Townes whereof that of the greatest account is Kendale which is also called Kirkby Kendale being situate on the Riuer Can and for that cause so called It is famous for the making of woollen clothes whereby it is become very populous and very wealthy hauing good vtterance for them thorow all the other parts of this Land It is ciuilly and orderly gouerned by an Alderman annually elected out of his twelue brethren which are his Assistants and are knowne from others by their Purple Habits with whom is ioyned a Recorder and two Chamberlaines The Pole is here eleuated 54. 40. and the Longitude 21. 53. The Brigantes were also the ancient Inhabitants of this County where at a place called Apleby are often found peeces of antique Coyne and some Inscriptions shewing that the Aurelian Maures kept there a station
the broadest betweene Tong in the East and Oswestre West 25 making the whole circumference to containe about 134 miles The diuision of this County is shared into 15 Hundreds whose subdiuision into Parishes is 170. It is well watered with 18 Riuers which haue 13 large Bridges for passage And in this Shire are found 7 Forests and 27 Parks In 14 Market Townes haue the Inhabitants commerce and traffique wherof that of most note is the ancient Shire-Towne of Shrewsbury which is both large and wealthie containing many faire Streets adorned with beautifull buildings wherein are many rich and wealthie Inhabitants who honestly attaine thereto by their trading for the most part in Wools Cloth and Freese It is strongly walled hauing a Bulwarke descending from the Castle to the side of Seuerre on the North banke whereof is the Towne most pleasantly situate and for passage on the East and West sides are built two faire Bridges of stone and another entrance on the North ouer which stands the ruinous remainder of the old Castle The gouernment of this Towne is committed to two annually elected Bailiffes with 24 Burgesses and a Recorder The height of the Pole is here 52. 49. and the Longitude 21. 38. This County in times past hath beene much troubled with many grieuous broiles which caused the Inhabitants to fortifie themselues with diuers walled Townes and 32 strong Castles whereof now most of them are vtterly decayed but that at Ludlow was made by King Henry the Seuenth the Court of his eldest Palace for the Lord President who with diuers Counsellors a Secretary Atturney Sollicitor and foure Iustices of the Welch Counties he appointed in their Termes to plead heare and determine of causes Neere Clune Castle in this Shire is yet remaining the Fort of Caraâ—tacâ—â— a Prince of the Sâ—lures about the yeere of our Lord 53 which was won by P. Ostorius the Româ—n In which Towne of Clune amongst other memorable passages I saw a Pardon for one Iohn Clune Esquire seruant to King Henry the Eighth for reseruation of his name and bloud who accidentally slew one of the Burgesses thereof in the Church-yard which Pardon was granted and signed by Pope Iulian the second and was shewed to mee by mâ— good friend Master Edmund Clunâ— the sonne of Maurice Clunâ— of the same House and Familie â—â— eally descending The Aâ—re in this County is both healthfull and pleasant the Soâ—le rich and fertile yâ—â—lding Wheat Barly Pit-cole Iron and Woods in abundance SHROPSHIRE Hereford-shire THis County which wee call Hereford-shire was named by the Britaines Ereinuc It is bordered vpon on the North with Worcester and Shropshires on the South with Monmouth-shire on the East it is diuided from Glocester-shire by Maluerne Hills and the West is bounded by Brecknock and Radnor-shires The forme of it is circular containing in length from Maluerne Hills on the East to Michael Church West about 26 miles and in bredth from Lanruthell South to Ouer Sapie North 24 miles causing the whole circumference to amount to 102 miles or thereabouts It is diuided into 11 Hundreds and those are subdiuided into 176 Parishes It containes one Citie one Bishopricke thirteene Riuers passable by eleuen Bridges one Chase two Forests and eighteene Parks And for commerce and trade the Inhabitants haue eight Market Townes whereof the principall is the Citie of Hereford which worthy M. Camden is of opinion to haue sprung from the ruines of old Ariconium but is delectably seated amongst pleasant Medowes and plentifull Corne-fields and almost round about encircled with the Riuer of Wye and another on the North side whose name is not knowne It grew first famous for the supposed sanctitie of King Ethelbert who was there entombed after he had beene murthered by King Offaes wife when he came to wooe her daughter and in honour of him did Mildred a petty King of that County build the Cathedrall Church which afterward was consumed by fire but reedified by Bishop Reiuelin and the Towne inclosed in a wall with six Gates and fifteene Towers and is ciuilly gouerned by a Maior yeerely elected out of 13. Citizens and his Brethren whereof foure of the ancientest are Iustices of Peace and a Recorder The Latitude being there 52. 7. ½ and the Longitude 21. 50. In this Citie King Athelstane as Malmesbury reports caused the Lords of Wales to pay an annuall Tribute besides Hawkes and Hounds of twenty pounds of Gold and 300 pounds of Siluer by weight The ancient Inhabitants of this County were the Silures a fierce hardy and valiant people as appeares by their nine yeeres opposition to the Romans And afterwards the Saxons made this County a part of their Mercian Kingdome and Sutton was their Royall Court kept of their great King Offa. Before the Conquest this County was accounted vvith those of Wales against England but when it was ioyned to the English with diuers Castles was it fortified against the Welch for wee reade that in times past it hath beene strengthned with 28 strong and faire Castles most of which are now low buried in the heapes of their owne ruines Of remarkable things in this Shire the Spring called Bone Well neere Richards Castle is famous for Fish-bones and no Fish which though it be cleerely cleansed thereof will shortly after be furnished afresh with the like But the great wonder was the admirable motion of Marcley Hill containing about 26 acres within our owne memorie Anno 1571 which with a great noise remoued it selfe from its owne place and went continually for three dayes together carrying with it sheepe in their coats hedge-rowes and trees and ouerthrowing Kinnaston Chapell and diuers trees turning two high waies neere 100 yards from their vsuall Road and bearing the earth before it the space of 400 yards With very many Religious Houses hath this Shire beene adorned but in the time of King Henry the Eighth were vtterly ruinated as many others in all other Counties The Aire is here pleasent healthfull and temperate and the Soile as fertile and fruitfull as any other in England yeelding Corne Cattell Wooll Wheat and almost all other necessary commodities for the vse of the Inhabitants HEREFORD SHIRE Radnor-shire RAdnor-shire in the British Sire Maiseueth being in forme threesquare is on the South side separated from Brecknok-shire by the Riuer Wy on the North it bordereth vpon Montgomery-shire on the South-east vpon Hereford-shire The East and South parts of this Shire be farre more fruitfull than the rest It hath in it two and fiftie Parishes and three Townes of note the principall whereof is Radnor in British Maiseueth which in times past was firmely fenced with a wall but after that Owen Glendowre had burnt it it began to grow to decay It is probable that this Maiseueth or Radnor was that ancient Citie Magi which Antonine the Emperour calleth Magnos where the Gouernour of the Pacensian Regiment lay in garrison vnder the Lieu-tenant of Britaine in the reigne of Theodosius the younger for