landed his Army there and obtained the Regal Dominion thereof which being passed over unto him by their Nobles and Commonalty their Charter so signed was transmitted to Rome and was confirmed by a Patent of Pope Hadrian by a Ring delivered unto him in token of his investure and was farther confirmed by the Authority of certain Provincial Synods and ever since that time it hath remained in the possessions of the Kings of England The Temporal Government of Ireland The Temporal Government since the English became Masters thereof hath most commonly been by one Supream Officer sent over by the Kings of England and called Lord Deputy or Lord Lieutenant who for Majesty State and Power is not inferiour to any Vice-Roy in Christendom living in great grandure and having ample and Royal Power and Authority granted unto him and as Assistant unto him in so weighty a concern he hath his Privy Council being a select number of honourable and prudent persons chosen out of the Nobility Clergy and Capital Officers of State for their Degrees of Honour and Offices of State they are the same with those of England already treated of The present Lord Lieutenant is the Right Noble his Excellency Arthur Capell Earl of Essex Viscount Maldon Baron Capell of Hadham c. Its Laws and Courts of Judicature The Laws of this Kingdom have correspondency with those of England and have likewise there several Courts of Judicature as the Chancery Common-Pleas Kings-Bench Exchequer c. but above all the High Court of Parliament There are likewise in each County Justices of the Peace for the quiet governing and well ordering the Inhabitants as in England The Archbishops and Bishops As to the Ecclesiastical Government of this Kingdom it is committed to the care of four Archbishops under whom are divers Suffragan Bishops whose names are as followeth Under the Archbishop of Armagh who is Primate of Ireland are the Bishops of Meath or Elnamirand Conuer Rathluc Dune or Dundalethglas Ardachad Derry Dal-Liquir Chlocor or Lugundum and Rathbot Under the Archbishop of Dublin those of Ferne Lechlin Glendalach Ossery and Kildare Under the Archbishop of Cassile those of Limrick Waterford Corke Laonie or Kendalnan Gellumabrath Lismore Ardefret the Isle of Gathay Clon De Rosalither Melite or Emilech and Ross or Roscree And under the Archbishop of Tuam those of Elphin Gonany Clonfred Enachdun Achad Duac or Killmacduoc Mage Killmundâ—ach Cellaiar Roscomon and Lade or Killaleth According to the Temporal Government of this Kingdom it is severed into four Provinces to wit Leimster Vlster Connaugh and Mounster which are again subdivided into several Counties which comprehend several Baronies in which are seated several Towns And of these Provinces in order LEIMSTER It s fertility THis Part of Ireland for the generality is of a fertil Soil affording great plenty of Corn Cattle Fowl and Fish enjoyeth a wholsom and temperate Air is well watered with Rivers the chief amongst which are the Shour Neor and Barraeo It s Bivers which have their rise out of that great Mountain called by Giraldus Bladinae Montes It is very well inhabited as well by the Gentry as the Commonalty and the rather by reason of Dublin the Metropolitan City of this Kingdom therein seated It s form may be said to be triangular for from South-east to the West-point is above 80 miles from thence to the North-west about 70 and her East-Coast about 18 the circumference making about 270 miles And for its bounds it hath on the West the Province of Connough on the North that of Leimster and on the East and South the Sea which regards England from which that is from Holy-head in the Isle of Anglesey it is distant about 50 miles a Sea very dangerous for Saylers by reason of the Flats and Shallows that lie over against Holy-point which are called the Grounds And as to its division it is severed into ten Counties to wit Dublin East-Meath West-Meath Longford Kildare Kings County Queens County Caterlough Weixford and Kilkenny all which are again subdivided into several Baronies and of these Counties in order County of Dublin described DVBLIN or Divelin a fertil County for Corn and Cattle but ill provided with Wood which defect is supplied by Peat or Turff dug up in the clammy places as also by Sea-Coal brought from England It is severed into seven Baronies viz. New-Castle Vpper-Cross Rath-down Castle-knock Coolock Balrudery and Nether-Cross and by reason of its City Dublin the Metropolis of Ireland is very well furnished with Towns and inhabited by Gentry It s chief places are Dublin Dublin the capital City in the Island by Ptolomy called Eblana by the Latinists Dublinium and Dublinia by the West Britains Dinas Dulin and by the Irish Balacleigh that is the Town upon Hurdles by reason that when it began to be first built the ground being wet and moorish the Foundation of its Houses were laid upon Hurdles It is a City of great Antiquity and said to be built by Harold the first King of Norway who brought most of the Kingdom under his obedience though not without great Spoils and after the Conquest of the English was Peopled by a Colony of Bristol-men It is no less pleasantly than commodiously seated on the River Liffie which after a small course emptieth it self into a capacious Bay of the Sea where it hath a good Haven and a fair prospect and on the South it hath delightful Hills which with the several Parks here adjacent afford great Recreation to the Gentry It is a City dignified and enriched with the residence of the Lord Lieutenant as also with the See of an Archbishop with an Vniversity and the Courts of Judicature by reason of which it is a place of good Traffick being well inhabited and frequented by Nobility and Gentry as also by abundance of wealthy Merchants and Shop-keepers It is beautified with many fair Buildings both publik and private the principal amongst which are the Lord Lieutenants Palace a stately Structure built by order of King Henry the Second in the East-Suburbs then the Cathedral Church dedicated to St. Patrick consisting of a Dean Chanter Chancellor Treasurer two Arch-Deacons and twenty Prebendaries Nigh unto which is the Archbishops Palace both which are without the City in the Suburbs called St. Patricks Then the Collegiate Church consecrated to the Holy Trinity commonly called Christ-Church seated in the midst of the City which Queen Elizabeth dignified with the Priviledges of an Vniversity and not far from this is the Town-Hall called Toles-tale a fair Stone-building of a quadrangular form and here the Lord Major Sheriffs Aldermen and other the Magistrates of the City assemble together for the management and consulting on the publick Concerns of the City as to hear Causes hold Sessions c. Then a beautiful Colledge with several other fair Edifices It is at present a City of a large Extent to what it formerly was and doth daily increase in
Isle called Mahatan regarding the Sea made so by Hudsons River which separates it from Long Island The Town is large containing about 500 well built houses and for Civil Government it hath a Major Aldermen Sheriff and Justices of the Peace for security of the Town here is raised a Fort called James Fort a place of considerable strength The Town is Inhabited by Dutch as well as English and hath a considerable Trade with the Indians and is like to be a place of considerable Account Province of Maryland described MARYLAND is South of Virginia from which it is severed by the River Patowmeck The Bay of Chesopeak giving entrance to Ships into Virginia and Maryland passeth through the heart of this Province and is Navigable for about 200 miles into which fall the Rivers of Patowmeck Patuxent Severn and Sasquesahanough which lie on the West side of the Bay and to the East those of Choptanke Nantecoke Pocomoke with some others to the great improvement of the soil The Country of late years since the felling the Woods and the people accustoming themselves to English dyet is very healthful and agreeable to their Constitutions few dying at their first coming of the Countreys disease or seasoning and as to temperature of the Air the Heats in Summer nor the Colds in winter are offensive to its Inhabitants It s soil The soyl is rich and fertil naturally producing all such Commodities as are found in New England and doth abound in the said several sorts of Beasts and Fowl both tame and wild hath also the same Fish Fruits Plants Roots Herbs Trees Gums Balsams c. but the Fruits are more excellent and in greater plenty here Mulberry trees grow wild and were the people industrious the Silk trade might be soon brought to perfection but their imployment is altogether taken up in planting and ordering their Tobacco Trade which is the only and Staple Commodity of the Countrey which they vend for such necessaries as they have occasion for They yearly freighing about one hundred sail of Ships there with People The Natives as to their Complexion Stature Costoms Laws Religions Dispositions Habit Dyet c. are much the same with the Indians in the other parts of America and are of divers Tribes or sorts of People and each governed by their particular King This Province of Maryland is by Patent granted to the Right Honourable the Lord Baltimore and to his Heirs and Assigns being absolute Lord and Proprietor of the same having Royal Jurisdictions and Prerogatives both Military and Civil as making of Laws pardoning of Offences conferring of Honours Coyning of Money c. and in acknowledgment thereof paying yearly to his Majesty and his Successors two Indian Arrows at Windsor Castle on Easter Tuesday This Province is severed into ten Counties viz. five Eastwards Division of the Province into Counties and five Westwards of Chesopeak Bay and in every County there is held an inferiour Court every two months for small matters from which there lyeth Appeals to the Provincial Court at St. Maryes and each County have their Sheriffs Government and Justice of the Peace The English which are reckoned about 16000 have begun of late to build some Towns which 't is hoped in few years will come to good perfection as Calverton Herrington and Harvy-Town all commodiously seated for the benefit of Trade and conveniency of Shipping but the principal Town is St. Maryes seated on St. Georges River beautified with several well built houses where his Lordship Charles Lord Baltimore hath his House and where the general Assemblies and Provincial Courts are held and publick Offices kept But his Lordship 's general Residence is at Mattapany about eight miles distant where he hath a fair and pleasant house Virginia by whom first descovered VIRGINIA is said to be first discovered by Sir Francis Drake as indeed all this tract of Sea Coast and was so named by Sir Walter Rawleigh in honour of Queen Elizabeth who then Reigned but before it was brought to any perfection much time was spent with no small expence and loss of mens lives And about the Reign of K. James a Patent was granted to certain persons as a Corporation and called the Company of Adventurers of Virginia but upon divers misdemeanours and miscarriages about the year 1623 the Patent was made void and hath been since free for all his Majesties Subjects to Trade unto It is scituate Southwards of Maryland Its Bounds and hath for its Eastern limits the Atlantick Ocean It is blest with a good Air and the Clime of late since the clearing of woods is found very agreeable to the English so that few die of the Country disease called seasoning It s Fertility The soil is so fertil that an Acre of ground commonly yields 200 bushels of Corn and is very apt to produce what is put therein as English Grains Roots Seeds Plants Fruits c. besides those appropriate to the Country and other adjacent parts of America and it is observed that their Fruits which are in great abundance and of various sorts for goodness may compare with those of Italy or Spain which are esteemed the best in Europe They have great abundance of Beasts Fowl and Fish It s Beast Fowl and Fish much the same as in New England which I have taken notice of in New England and their Turkeys are said to weigh about six stone amongst their small Birds is the Mock-Bird which counterfeiteth the notes of all Birds for which it is esteemed excellent Its Commodities The Commodities which this Country doth or may produce are Flase Hemp Woad Madder Pot-Ashes Hopps Honey Wax Rapeseed Anniceseed Silk if they would make it Mulberry Trees here growing in so great plenty several sweet Gums and excellent Balsomes Alome Iron Copper several sorts of Woods Plants c. used by Dyers Pitch Tarr Rosin Turpentine sundry sorts of rich Furrs Elk-skins and other Hides but above all Tobacco which is their principal Commodity and the standard by which all other Commodities are prized but it were to be wished the Inhabitants would imploy their time about other Commodities as well as Tobacco and they would soon find the profit and their Tobacco would not be such a drugg as now it is Its Rivers This Countrey is well watered with several great and strong Rivers which loose themselves in the Gulph or Bay of Chesopeak which gives entrance for Shipping into this Countrey as well as to Maryland and is a large and capacious Bay found very commodious for Shipping being said to run up into the Country Northwards above 200 miles amongst the Rivers those of most note are Pawhatan now James River found Navigable about 150 miles Pamaunke now York River also large and Navigable about 60 miles and Rapahanock which is long and Navigable about 120 miles And near or adjoyning to these Rivers for the conveniency of Shipping the English are seated
from hence furnished with Coals Ramsey Ramsey seated in the Fenny part amongst rich grounds both for Tillage and Pasturage and near the Meers of Ramsey and Whitlesey which with the Rivers that plentifully water it afford excellent Fish and wild Fowl in great plenty It is a good Country Town which was held in great esteem for its rich Abby so called and its Market on Wednesdays is well frequented County of Kent described KENT a County of a large extent and although very hilly for the generality is of a rich and fertil Soil both for Corn and Pasture and is well stored with Cattle Fish Fowl and Fruits The Air is temperate and good except in the Weald and Marshes which are Aguish It is well watered with Rivers many of which are Navigable as the Thames which washes its Northern parts the Medway which in a manner divideth the Shire in the midst and is the station for his Majesties Navy Royal which said River loseth it self under ground and riseth again near Cox-heath besides 10 others of considerable account which opening with several Creeks and Havens are found commodious for Ships to ride in of which four bear the name of Cinque Ports viz. Dover Sandwich Rumney and Hith and on the banks of these Rivers which are crossed by divers Bridges are seated several good Towns This County boasteth it self for being the first Kingdom of the Heptarchy of having a particular King to it self that it was never subdued but yielded upon Articles to the Normans and to keep their ancient Customs That their Kings and Commons amongst all the Saxons were the first Christians This County is enriched with two Cities and Episcopal Sees is strengthned with several Castles is graced with 4 of the Kings Palaces beautified with many splendid Buildings well replenished with Gentry sufficiently stored with safe Roads and secure Harbours for Ships plentifully garnished with good Towns is a place of a considerable Trade affording Corn and other Grains Cloth and several Draperies Fullers-Earth Madder Flax Iron Wood Fruits both Apples and Cherries in great plenty and by reason of its vicinity to France is well known and frequented by Strangers As to its division it hath 14 Bailywicks 17 Franchises and Liberties which have Courts of Record to hold plâ—a of all Actions real personal and mixt and 14 Corporations For the names of all which see the Volume of Britannia pag. 122. lately published by me It is severed into 5 Laths and 64 Hundreds in which said Hundreds are numbred 400 and odd Parishes and hath intercourse of Traffick with 28 Market Towns Lath of Sutton with its chief places The Lath of Sutton or SVTTON at Hone is severed into 8 Hundreds hath two divisions of Justices of the Peace and for its chief places hath Sevenoke Sevenoke a Town of good resort so called from its Founder Will. Sevenoke Lord Major of London Anno 1418. who erected a Free School and an Hospital hath a Market on Saturdays which is well served with Corn and Previsions Dartford Dartford seated on the Darent not far from its influx into the Thames and on the high Road from London to Canterbury 't is a good large Town full of Inns and Houses of Entertainment and hath a Market on Saturdays which is well stored with Corn and Provisions and is much frequented by Corn-Chandlers and Meal-men Greenwich Greenwich a large well built and very pleasant Town seated on the Bank of the Thames being much inhabited and frequented by Gentry and enobled with a once stately Palace of the Kings out of the Ruins of which is now erecting a curious Pile of Buildings and adjoyning to this Palace is a small but pleasant Park which affords a delectable prospect And here it was that Queen Elizabeth with divers other Princes were born Adjoyning to Greenwich is Black-heath a place of note in former times for Military Affairs and it is supposed that here might be dug excellent Sea-Coals but is not encouraged for fear of hindring the Newcastle-Trade Eltham seated on the South-side of Shooters-Hill amongst Woods Eltham a well built Town neatly scituated well inhabited by Gentry and was once honoured with a Palace of his Majesty said to be built by Anthony Beck Patriarch of Jerusalem who gave it to Queen Eliantor wife to King Edward the First Aylesford Lath described The Lath of AYLESFORD is of a large extent reaching from North to South is serveed into 15 Hundreds is divided into 3 divisions of the Justices of the Peace and hath for its chief places Rochester an ancient City and once larger than now it is Rochester being at present but small having but one principal Street which is of a good length and for the most part inhabited by Tradesmen and Inn-keepers and graced with well built Houses besides its Cathedral built by Ethelbert King of Kent dedicated to St. Andrew a fair structure to which belongeth a Deanary and 6 Prehendaries It is a City no less pleasantly than commodiously seated on the banks of the Medway over which it hath a stately Stone-bridge sustained by divers Arches which leadeth unto Stroud a good fair and well inhabited thorough-fare Town from London to Canterbury as is Rochester This City enjoyeth several Immunities is dignified with the Title of an Earldom governed by a Major Court of Aldermen with other sub-Officers hath the election of Parliament men is well resorted unto and its Market on Friday is well served with Provisions Adjoyning to this City is Chetham also seated on the banks of the Medway a long thorough-fare Town which is chiefly inhabited by Sea-men and those that have alliance thereunto and the more as being the station of the Navy-Royal and where there is a stately Dock for the building and equipping of his Majesties Ships Graves-end Graves-end seated on the banks of the Thames a place of great resort as being the common Landing-place for Strangers and Sea-men in their passages to London as likewise the accustomary place for the taking of Shipping and the ready Road to France which doth occasion it to be well furnished with Inns Taverns and Houses of entertainment and its Market on Wednesdays and Saturdays to be well provided with Victuals yet all things here want for no price And here is seated one of the Block-houses the other being opposite unto it in the County of Essex which said Blockhouses are for the securing the passage of the Thames up to London Maidstone Maidstone seated on the Medway over which it hath a fair Bridge which with the branch it sendeth forth severeth the Town It is a large fair sweet populous and well built and frequented Borough Town which electeth Parliament men enjoyeth several Priviledges and as the Shire-Town here is one of the Prisons for the County and where they keep their Sessions and Assizes It s Market is on Thursdays which is very considerable and well provided with Corn and all sorts
of Provisions Tunbridge Tunbridge seated on a branch of the Medway over which it hath a Bridge and is said to take its name from its many Bridges It is a well frequented Market Town which is on Fridays for Corn and Provisions and is of chief note for its healthful and Medicinal Waters near adjoyning which are much visited by the Gentry in the Summer season Lath of Scray described The Lath of Scray taketh up the mid-part of the County is divided into 16 Hundreds hath two divisions of Justices of the Peace and hath for its chief places Feversham Feversham not far from the Isle of Shippey so made by the Medway which with the Sea encircleth it out of which said River there cometh a Creek up to the Town by reason of which it is well frequented by Hoyes and such like small Vessels which here drive a good Trade it being the principal Port-Town for all this part of Kent The Town is large well built and inhabited by Tradesmen Inn-keepers and Victualers and its Markets on Wednesdays and Saturdays are well served with Provisions Near this Town are very deep Pits which are narrow at the mouth and broad below with Chalk Pillars as it were to support them and have partitions or rooms within them Queenborough Queenborough seated in the Isle of Shippey which is about 21 miles in circuit and of an exceeding fertil Soil feeding great flocks of Sheep from whence 't is said to take its name a Borough Town of great antiquity but is very small and mean For the defence of the passage up the River of Thames here was a very strong Castle now reduced to ruin but of late his present Majesty hath caused a powerful Fort to be raised at Shyreness the better to secure the passage up the Medway to Gellingham and Chetham where the Navy Royal rideth In the Isle of Shippey there are no Moles and if any be carried thither they are said to die Ashford Ashford not far from the Stower hath a well frequented Market on Saturdays and in this Town is kept a Court of Record upon every Tuesday three weeks for Actions wherein the debt or damages do not exceed 20 Marks Lath of Shepway The Lath of SHEPWAY is severed into 13 Hundreds hath one division of Justices of the Peace and for its chief places hath Hyth Hyth once a place of good note and largeness as being one of the Cinque-Ports but now not much frequented by reason of the Seas forsaking it and its Haven being choaked up yet doth it still retain its priviledges as other Cinque-port Towns and hath a Market on Saturdays which is indifferently well furnished with Provisions and here are yet two Hospitals which are both under the government of the Major and Jurats of the Town Rumney another of the Cinque-Port Towns seated in a Marsh so called Rumney of about 14 miles in length and 8 in breadth now more famous for the fertility of the Marsh in grasing of Cattle than for the goodness of the place by reason of the Seas leaving it and for its unwholsom Air the Town being not large nor the Buildings good yet is it the chiefest Market Town in the Marsh which every Thursday is indifferently well served with Provisions yet doth it still enjoy the priviledges of other Cinque-port Towns Lath of St. Augustine The Lath of St. AVGVSTINE is washed on the North and East with the Sen it is severed into 12 Hundreds hath one division of Justices of the Peace and for its chief places hath Canterbury a City of great antiquity Canterbury being said to be built 900 years before the birth of Christ and in former time was held in great fame and much resorted unto and the more for being the Burial-place of St. Thomas Becket there slain a person so greatly reverenced by the Romanists This City is encompassed with a Mote and Wall on which are or were several Cittadels or Watch-Towers without which are its Suburbs in which and within the City are numbred 14 Parish Churches besides its Cathedral a large and superb structure not inferiour to St. Pauls at London when in its pristine grandure and splendour having two lofty Towers which much add to the prospect of the City and within its bounds or limits are several fair Edifices belonging to the Dean and Prebends as also a Free School called the Kings School It is a City graced with divers good Buildings and a fair Market-house over which are Rooms made use of by the Major and Aldermen for the publick concerns of the City It is dignified with an Episcopal See who is Primate of all England is governed by a Major and Court of Aldermen and hath a Recorder and other sub-Officers It enjoyeth several Immunities electeth Parliament men is well inhabited and traded unto for its Stuffs made by Walloons there inhabiting and is well provided with Provisions for besides its Shambles it hath weekly two Markets on Wednesdays and Saturdays which it the most considerable Dover commodiously seated on the Sea-shoar Dover which together with its strength as well by Nature as Art being loftily scituated between high Cliffs commanding both Sea and Country adjacent and defended by a strong Castle and other Fortifications as also the commodiousness of its Haven for being one of the Cinque-port Towns and for its short and ready passage into France being about 21 miles makes it a place of considerable note It also enjoyeth a good Trade and its Markets on Wednesdays and Saturdays are well frequented and furnished with Provisions It is a Town Corporate governed by a Major and other Officers enjoyeth ample Immunities and was of a larger extent than now it is having formerly 7 Parish Churches which are reduced to 2. It s Castle built by Julius Coesar is esteemed a place of great importance to the Nation and is strongly guarded At the west part of the Peer is a Fort called Archliff-Fort and in the Cliff under the Castle is a Fort called Motes Bulwark and at the other side of the Castle-hill is a Tower or Light-house made use of for direction of Ships called Breden-stone and by some the Devils drop of Mortar Along the Shoar going towards Sandwich are St. Margarets-bay Kingsdown Walmer Castle Deal Castle and Sandown Castle Sandwich another of the Cinque-port Towns being incorporated Sandwich and amongst its Immunities electeth Burgesses It is a place of good strength both by Nature and Art but by reason of the ill-commodiousness of the Harbour is not well frequented yet hath it weekly 2 Markets on Wednesdays and Saturdays Isle of Thanet The Isle of THANET doth here present it self which is about 9 miles long and about the same breadth where broadest It is very populous and plentifully stored with Provisions especially Corn and hath in it several Towns whose names appear in the Map County of Lancaster described The County Palatine of LANCASTER for
those under the seventh which is subject to the Moon passeth through Germany the Low Countries and England which said Planets have their Operations or Influences on the Inhabitants dwelling under each of the said Climes So that although the glorious and eternal Luminaries of Heaven have an efficacious operation yet notwithstanding the Disposition of the Earth hath a far greater prevalency seeing that through the various scituation of Hills and Vallies we experimentally find more great and different effects of the Celestial Rays which are also contemporated by the Rivers and Lakes This can be denied by no man that Nature is admirable in her Works sometimes as it were on set purpose deluding the curiosity of Humane wisdom by receding from the ordinary Laws of Causes Who can render a sufficient reason of that which is testified by Mariners concerning the Region of Maliapur in which is seated Calicut an exceeding high Mountains topping the Clouds dividing this Province throughout and ending in a Promontory which is now called Comorium which although it hath the same Altitude of the Pole yet when the Winter rageth and the Waters swell on the one side on the other side the Fields and Towns are schorched with excessive heat and the Sea calm Wherefore this diversity which is discovered in the Climates the scituation of Provinces Contemporation of the Air and Elements do variously discriminate the Constitutions of Men and those Constitutions their Natures for the manners of the Mind follow the temperament and disposition of the Body The Septentrional or Northern People being remote from the Sun and by consequence inhabiting in cold Countries are Sanguine Robust full of Valour and Animosity hence they have alwaies been Victorious and predominant over the Meridional or Southern Nations as the ASSYRIANS over the CHALDEANS the MEDES over the ASSYRIANS the PARTHIANS over the GRECIANS the TVRKS over the ARABIANS the GOTHS over the GERMANS the ROMANS over the AFRICANS and the ENGLISH over the FRENCH They love Freedom and Liberty as those also do which are Mountaineers as the Helvetians Grissons and Cantabrians The Nations proximate to the Sun have their Blood wholly exsiccated by immoderate Heat hence the Inhabitants of those Places are melancholy and profound in the penetrating of the secrets of Nature For all the Northern Nations receive the Mysteries of the Sciences from the AEGYPTIANS and ARABIANS The Provinces which are immediately between both Torrid Zones enjoy a a Benign Heaven so that they Florish in Religion Justice and Prudence The Mutations of Governments the Transmigration and Emission of Colonies Converse Matrimony War and Peace also the Motions of the Celestial Spheres which drive from the Poles and the Zodiack of the Primum Mobile the Heavenly Images on these Inferiour Bodies do change and alter the Habits Manners and also Nature it self If we have recourse unto History we shall find the GERMANS noted of old for lofty Minds and the ITALIANS on the contrary too abject and low which difference now cannot be discerned Nations have Swayed and been Predominate by turns and as long as the Monarchy hath had duration amongst them Vertue hath flourished Arts and Arms have gone hand in hand which afterwards with the Ruine of the Empire hath been smother'd in its Ashes and received Vivification in another place yet notwithstanding these Obstacles every Nation hath certain Propensions and fixed Affections appropriate to every one which will adhere to Forrainers if that they long remain amongst them The Intelligent Reader who desireth a Knowledge in these and other Particulars with a throughout Prospect of the Vtility of COSMOGRAPHY and GEOGRAPHY may consult the Work it self RICHARD BLOME The Contents of the SECTIONS and CHAPTERS GENERAL GEOGRAPHY which may be divided into III. Parts 1. The Absolute Part divided into Five Sections The first Section of things to be foreknown Chap. 1. Of the Precognita's Pag. 1 Ch. 2. Things necessary to Geometry and Trigonometry p. 6 The Second Section explaineth the Affections of the whole Earth Chap. 3. Of the Figure of the Earth p. 11 Chap. 4. Of the Dimension and Magnitude of the same 15 Chap. 5. Of the Motion of the same p. 23 Chap. 6. Of its Place in the System of the World p. 27 Chap. 7. Of its Substance and Constitution p. 30 The Third Section in which the Constitution and Parts of the Earth are explained Chap. 8. Of the division of the Earth by Waters p. 35 Chap. 9. Of Mountains in general p. 40 Chap. 10. Of the difference of Mountains p. 46 Chap. 11. Of Woods Deserts and Mines p. 54 The Fourth Section of Hydrography in which the Waters and their Properties are explained Chap. 12. Of the division of the Ocean throughout the Earth p. 57 Chap. 13. Of the Ocean and its Parts p. 65 Chap. 14. Of the Motions of the Sea especially of the flux and reflux p. 83 Chap. 15. Of Lakes Pools and Marishes p. 102 Chap. 16. Of Rivers p. 108 Chap. 17. Of Mineral Waters Baths Spaws c. p. 130 Chap. 18. Of the mutation of Dry places into Watery and the contrary p. 142 The fifth Section of the Atmosphere and Wind Chap. 19. Of the Atmosphere and Air p. 154 Chap. 20. Of the Winds in general p. 179 Chap. 21. Of the differences of Winds and of them in particular p. 187 2. The Respective Part â—xplaining the Celestial Affections Chap. 22. Of the Celestial Affections in general p. 2â—3 Ch. 23. Of the Latitude of a Place and the Elevation of the Pole p. 207 Chap. 24. Of the division of the Earth into Zones p. 213 Chap. 25. Of the Longitude of the Days and division of the Earth into Climates p. 220 Chap. 26. Of the Light Heat Cold Rains with other Properties of the Zones according to the Season of the Year p. 231 Chap. 27. Of Shadows and the division of the Inhabitants in respect of the Shadow p. 259 Chap. 28. Of the Comparation of the Celestial Affections in divers places where is treated concerning the Antoeci Perioeci and Antipodes p. 269 Chap. 29. Of the diversity of Time in divers Places p. 275 Chap. 30. Of the divers Rising of the Sun and Moon and of the other Appearances p. 280 3. The Comparative Part considering the Affections which do arise from the comparing of one place to another Chap. 31. Of the Longitude of Places p. 291 Chap. 32. Of the Scituation of Places one to another p. 309 Chap. 33. Of the mutual distances of Places p. 335 Chap. 34. Of the visible Horizon p. 342 Chap. 35. Of the Art of Navigation in general and of the Building of Ships p. 344 Chap. 36. Of the Lading or Ballacing of Ships p. 345 Chap. 37. Of the Directory of the Nautick Art in the first part the knowâ—edge of the Distance p. 347 Chap. 38. Thâ—â—â—â—ond part the knowledge of the Quarters p. 348 Chap. 39. The third part of Histiodromia or the Course of a Ship p. 353 Chap. 40. The fourth part of the
Pulhely and Krekyth Bardesey Island ISLE of ANGLESEY with its Hundreds of Tallibollion Holyhead Llyfon Llandrogarn Tyndaythwy Bewmatis Twrkelyn Llandourodok Meney Newburgh Maltracth Aberfraw MERIONETHSHIRE where are the Hundreds of Ardydwy Harlech Talibout Dolgelhe Ystymanale Abeâ—dowyâ— Mowthy Maynloyd Penlyn Bala Ydeirmon Corwen MONTGOMERYSHIRE in which are the Hundreds of Mechavy Llanvilling Ystrondmarchel Montgomery Welshpoole Kery Kery Kidriorn Newtown Kare Eynion Llandaguan Kyfy Log. Machenlet Yriostly Llanidios SOUTH WALES in which are the Counties of RADNORSHIRE where are the Hundreds of Rayadergowy Rayadergowy Knighton Knighton Kevenlice Llanbadern Radnor New Radnor Prestaine Painscastle Llanhedder Collowini Dyssart BRECKNOCKSHIRE with its Hundreds of Bealt Bealt Talgarth Hay Merthye Merterkynok Dyvynnock Divynock Penkelly Brecknock Crickhole Crecowell CARDIGANSHIRE with its Hundreds of Tredvoir Cardigan Cardigan Island Moythen Llanbeder Pennarth Tregaron Llanylar Llanrusted Llanbadarn Aberysthwyth PEMBROOKSHIRE which is divided into the Hundreds of Kemes Newport Kilgarvan Kilgarvan Dewysland St. Davids Ramsey Island the Bishop and his Clerks Dungledy Lauhaden Wiston Rowse Haverford west Rosemarket Scaline Island Stockholme Isle Nerberth Tenby and Narberth Castle Martin Pembroke Caldey Island CAERMARDENSHIRE where are the Hundreds of Derllys Kancharne Elluet Caermarden and Newcastle Kidwellye Kidwyly Llannelthye Perue Llanymdofry Llangadok Cayo Llandilouawre Cathinok Abergerlech GLAMORGANSHIRE in which are the Hundreds of West Gowre Swansey and Penrise Mumbles point Pennarth point Oxwich point Wormshead point Llangevelach Llansamled Neath Aberavon and Neeth Newcastle Bridgend Ogmore Ogmore Castle Nash point Cowbridge Cowbridge Denispowis Porkerry Castle Barry Island Sylye Isle Cardiff Cardiff Landaff Caerfily Caerphilly Lantrissent Lantrissent MONMOUTHSHIRE now an English County where are the Hundreds of Bergaveny Abergavenney Skenfrith Mounmoth Ragland Ragland Caldicot Chepston Goldeclyffe Uske Uske Carlion Wealooge Newport ENGLAND Small Isles belonging to Great Britain THE Kingdom of England with that of Scotland forms an Island which bears the name of Great Britain unto which belongeth a vast number of lesser Isles which may be considered under four heads or forts viz. the Orcades the Hebrides the Sorlings and the Isles of Scilly with those of the Sporades All which said Isles with that of Ireland are scitâ—ate between the 9th and the 23th degrees of Longitude and the 50th and 59th of Latitude England is divided from Scotland by the River Tweed and Solway a line being drawn from the one to the other and on all other sides it is begirt with the Sea It s extent and division The extent and form of these Isles with their scituation to each other doth appear in the Map to which I refer the Reader But 't is probable that some may judge the Maps false for that the true Geographical distances of places are lesser than the Itinerary But these Reasons are sufficient to satisfie any to the contrary 1. The unpassable Woods which 〈◊〉 between places 2. the high Mountains and low Vallies 3. the Marishes or Boggs 4. the Rivers or Ponds and 5. the Parks or other enclosures which cause the Traveller to leave his direct line and go about It may be divided into two though unequal parts to wit England and Wales separated each from other by the Severn and a line drawn to the Wye but the more certain division was by a huge Ditch which beginning at the Influx of the Wye into the Severn reached to Chester where the Dee disâ— burthens its self into the Sea 80 miles in length made by Offa King of the Mercians and called Claudh Offa. This Kingdom of England is severed into 52 Shires or Counties of which 12 make the Principality of Wales and these Counties are subdivided into Hundreds Wapentakes or Wards and those again into Parishes which comprehend Boroughs Villages Hamlets Endships or Trthings It s division according to the Circuits of the Judges England is also divided into six parts for the Circuits of the 12 Itinerary Judges two of which twice every year are alotted for each Circuit iâ— the chief Town or Towns of each County in the said Circuit to sit and hear Causes and to administer Justice for the ease of the Subject and according to this division one Circuit doth contain the Counties of Wilts Somerset Devon Cornwall Dorset and Hantshire Another those of Berks Oxford Gloucester Monmouth Hereford Worcester Salop and Stafford Another those of Kent Surry Sussex and Hartford Another those of Bedford Bucks Cambridge Huntington Norfolk and Suffolk Another those of Northampton Rutland Lincoln Derby Nottingham Leicester and Warwick And another those of York Durham Northumberland Cumberland Westmoreland and Lancaster The two remaining Counties viz. Middlesex and Cheshire being exempted the one for its vicinity to London and the other as having its peculiar Judges for the administration of Justice It s division according to the Spiritual Jurisdiction For Spiritual or Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction this Kingdom is divided into two Archbishopricks viz. Canterbury and York under which are 25 Bishops of which 22 belong to that of Canterbury who is Primate and Metropolitan of all England and but 3 to that of York Now what these Bishopricks are this following Table will declare unto you A GENERALE MAPP OF THE ISLES OF GREAT BRITTAINE DESIGNED BY MONSIEUR SANSON GEOGRAPHER TO THE FRENCH KING RENDERED INTO ENGLISH ILLUSTRATED BY RIC BLOME BY HIS MAIESTIS ESPECIALL COMMAND London Printed for Ric Blome The most August Charles the 2d by the grace of God â—ing of England Scotland France and Ireland defendor of the Faith c 〈◊〉 this Mapp with all humility is Concecrated by your Majestes Obedient subiect Servant Ric Blome A Catalogue of the Archbishopricks and Bishopricks of England and Wales together with what Counties are under their Jurisdictions and what Parishes and Impropriations are in each Diocess Archbishopricks and Bishopricks Counties under each of their Jurisdictions Parishes in each Diocess Impropriations in each Diocess Canterbury hath Canterbury and part of Kent 257 140 York hath Yorkshire and Nottinghamshire 581 336 London hath Essex Middlesex and part of Hartfordshire 623 189 Durham hath Durham and Northumberland 135 87 Worcester hath Worcestershire and part of Warwickshire 241 76 Winchester hath Hantshire Surrey Isles of Wight Garnsey and Jersey 362 131 Bath Wells hath Somersetshire 388 160 Oxford hath Oxfordshire 195 88 Bangor hath Carnarvanshire Anglesey Merionethshire and part of Denbighshire 107 36 Rochester hath part of Kent 98 36 Ely hath Cambridgshire 141 75 Chichester hath Sussex and part of Hartfordshire 250 112 Salisbury hath Wiltshire and Berkshire 248 109 Lincoln hath Lincolnshire Leicestershire Bedfordshire Huntingtonshire Buckinghamshire and part of Hartfordshire 1255 577 St. Asaph hath part of Flintshire and part of Denbighshire 121 19 St. Davids hath Pembrookshire and Carmarthenshire 308 120 Peterborough hath Northamptonshire and Rutlandshire 293 91 Landaff hath Glamorganshire Monmouthshire Brecknockshire and part of Radnorshire 177 98 Carlisle hath part of Cumberland and part of Westmerland 92 18 Exeter hath Devonshire Exeter
the Helm of State have precedency as the Lord Chancellor or Lord Keeper Lord President of his Majesties Council Lord Privy Seal Lord high Chamberlain the Earl Marshal the Lord Chamberlain the Master of the Horse c. Precedency may be thus observed the King who is the fountain of Honour the Prince of England who is eldest Son to the King and is born Duke of Cornwal and about the age of 17 years is usually created Prince of Wales Princes of the Blood Royal who are the Sons Brothers Uncles and Nephews of the King The Archbishop of Canterbury the Lord Chancellor or Lord Keeper the Archbishop of York Lord Treasurer of England Lord President of the Privy Council Lord Privy Seal Dukes Marquesses Dukes eldest Sons Earls Marquesses eldest Sons Dukes younger Sons Viscounts Earls eldest Sons Marquesses younger Sons Bishops Barons Viscounts eldest Sons Earls younger Sons Barons eldest Sons Privy Counsellors that are not Noblemen Judges Viscounts younger Sons Barons younger Sons Knights of the Garter if not otherwise dignified as is rarely found Knights Bannerets Baronets Knights of the Bath Knights Batchelors Colonels Sergeants at Law Masters of Chancery and Doctors and Esquires and those may be comprehended under five several heads 1. Esquires unto the Kings Body 2. the descendants by the Male-line from a Peer of the Realm 3. the eldest Sons of Knights of the Garter Baronets Knights of the Bath and Knights Batchelors 4. the two Esquires attending on the Knights of the Bath at their Knighting and 5. Officiary Esquires as Justices of the Peace Barresters at Law Lieutenant Colonels Majors and Captains and lastly Gentlemen At a Marshal Court held at White-Hall the 18th of March An. Dom. 1615. it was declared and concluded on that there are two degrees that establish and settle the Title of an Esquire by birth the one the younger Sons of Peers of the Realm which do invest into the Heirs-males descended from them the Name and Title of Esquires the other the lineal Heir-male of a Knights House and these may justly assume and challenge the Title of Esquire by birth so that in all reason the younger Sons of Peers are more worthy than Knights so the setling of a Title proceeding from them is more worthy and eminent than that derived from Knights The Dominions of England The Dominions of the King of England are very large for besides that of England Scotland and Ireland there are divers small Isles scituate nigh unto them and do belong to one or the other as the Isles of ORKNEY or ORCADES in number 32 seated against the North-cape of Scotland The Isles of SHETLAND also under the Scotish Dominions the HEBRIDES in number 44 seated Westwards of Scotland the SORLINGS seated in the Westrn-cape of Cornwall the SPORADES being several Isles dispersed about the British Seas amongst which these following are the chief MAN scituate between England Scotland and Ireland JERSEY and GARNSEY on the French Coast WIGHT part of Hantshire PORTLAND part of Dorsetshire STEEPHOLMS and FLATHOM in Somerfetshire AIBBRE in Cheshire DENNY in Monmouthshire CODLEY in Pembrokeshire ANGLESEY which is one of the Welsh Counties SHEPPEY in Kent NORTHEY OSEY and HORSEY in Essex FERNE COCKET and HOLY Isle in Northumberland with several other small Isles not worth the naming as indeed many of these are Then in Africa as TANGIER GVINEY c. In the East Indies several places though belonging to the East India Company of London and in America large Dominions as NEW ENGLAND NEW YORK MARYLAND VIRGINIA CAROLINA all which are on the Continent also divers Isles some of which are very considerable as JAMAICA BARBADOS BERMVDOS ANTEGO NEW FOVNDLAND c. all which shall be treated of as they come in order but first of the English Counties County of Barkshire described BARKSHIRE well clothed with Wood and watered with Rivers is blest with a sweet Air hath a rich Soil fit both for Corn and Pasturage especially in the Vale of Whitehorse and generally the whole County for profit and pleasure yieldeth to few Shires in England The principal Commodity that this Shire produceth is Cloth which finds great vent and amongst the Rivers that water the County the Isis the Oke and the Kenet which affords excellent Trouts are the chief It is severed into 20 Hundreds in which are 140 Parishes and hath 12 Market Towns Reading Reading pleasantly seated near the Thames and on the Kenet which is navigable for Barges to London which adds much to its Trade which is considerable especially for Cloth and Mault 't is a large Town containing three Parish Churches is beautified with well built Houses hath fair Streets is well inhabited and hath a very considerable Market for Grains Malt Hops and most Country commodities on Saturdays 'T is a Town Corporate governed by a Major 12 Aldermen and as many Burgesses with sub-Officers enjoyeth several Immunities and sendeth Burgesses to Parliament 'T was formerly beautified with a fair and rich Monastery and a strong Castle built by King Henry the First where in the Collegiate Church of the Abby himself and Queen with Maud their Daughter were interr'd both which now lie in their ruins New Windsor Windsor pleasantly seated near the banks of the Thames and adjoyning to a Park and Forest well stored with Game 't is a fair large well frequented and inhabited Town Corporate governed by a Major and other sub-Officers sendeth Burgesses to Parliament and hath a very good Market for Provisions on Saturdays This Town is of great note for its stately Castle and Royal Palace of his Majesty seated on a great eminency wherein is a Chappel for Devotion a Colledge for Learning and an Alms-house for decayed Gentlemen called the poor Knights of Windsor and famous is this Castle not only for giving birth to so many of our Kings and Princes but for being the place where the ceremony of the Knights of the Garter is solemnized on St. Georges day Nigh unto New Windsor is Old Windsor a Town of greater antiquity though not of so much splendor Newbury Newbury well seated on the Kennet and in a Champain Plain a large well inhabited and frequented Town Corporate governed by a Major Aldermen and Burgesses beautified with a spacious Market-place and well built Market-house sufficiently served with Corn Flesh Fish and Fowl on Thursdays This Town had its rise out of the ancient Spinae now a small Village near adjoyning and called Speenhamland and is of note for its Jack of Newbury who got so great an estate by Clothing which this Town at present is very considerable for Wallingford Wallingford a Town of great antiquity and in times past very strong and large containing four Parish Churches within its Walls which took up a mile in circuit 'T is at present a large Town Corporate governed by a Major Aldermen and sub-Officers enjoyeth large Immunities and sendeth Burgesses to Parliament 'T is commodiously seated on the banks of the Thames over which
Lea hath a Market on Tuesdays which is well provided with Commodities a place well known to many for its great Bed Stratford Stratford or Bishops-Stratford seated on the side of a Hill a very large fair and well inhabited and frequented Market Town full of Inns for the giving entertainment to Strangers and its Market on Thursdays is very well resorted unto and provided with Provisions and most Country Commodities Here are the ruins of a Castle raised on an artificial Mount within which is a deep and dark Dungeon called the Convicts Prison by which it may be supposed that some great Priviledges did belong unto it Baldock Baldock a considerable large Town seated between the Hills in a Chalky Soil fit for Corn of chief note for its many Maulsters yet its Market on Thursdays is but small Royston a famous Market Town Royston which is kept on Wednesdays for Corn and Mault here made being seated in a fat Soil and between Hills in a bottom The Town is large well inhabited and full of Inns part being in this County and part in Cambridgeshire Herefordshire described HEREFORDSHIRE a County every where exceeding fertil having great plenty of Grains and rich Pastures which feed store of Cattle especially Sheep whose Wool is much esteemed for its finess and for Wheat Wool and Water it yieldeth to no County in England It is well clothed with Wood and watered with Rivers the chief amongst which are the Wye Munow Wades Doive Lugg Froom c. All Fruits here grow in great plenty and of their Apples they make such abundance of Sider that besides what they use themselves it being their general drink of late years it is become a considerable Commodity especially that which is called Red-streak It s ancient Inhabitants were the Silures a stout and warlike People who sorely perplexed the Romans for 9 years space through the valour and noble exploits of their Commander Charactacus and became afterwards part of the Kingdom of the Mercians It is divided into 11 Hundreds in which are numbred 176 Parish Churches and hath Traffick with 8 Market Towns Hereford Hereford a City of great antiquity and raised out of the ancient Arconium now called Kenchester about 3 miles distant a place of good account in the time of the Romans and so continued until it was shaken to pieces by a violent Earthquake It is no less pleasantly than commodiously seated amongst delightful Meadows and rich Corn-fields and almost encompassed with Rivers to wit the Wye and two others over which are two Bridges It is of a large place beautified with good Buildings both publick and private amongst which are the Bishops Palace the Colledge the Cathedral the Prebends houses and Hospital and numbreth 6 Parish Churches two of which in the late Troubles were demolished besides its Cathedral to which belongeth a Bishop Dean Chancellor 6 Canons 27 Prebends with a Chanter Treasurer 12 Vicars Choral besides Deacons Queristers and other Attendants This City enjoyeth large Immunities sendeth Burgesses to Parliament is governed by a Major 6 Aldermen a Common Council Recorder and other sub-Officers and is very well served with Commodities having weekly 3 Markets on Wednesdays Fridays and Saturdays which are of considerable account that on Fridays for Cattle Sheep and Hogs and the other for Grain and all sorts of Provisions besides Gloves here made and sold in great quantities Near to this City is Gilden Vale so called from the fertility of the Soil and pleasant scituation Ross Ross seated in a fertil Soil on the banks of the Wye a fair Borough Town which hath a very great Market on Thursdays for Corn Cattle and Provisions being much resorted unto by the Inhabitants of Gloucestershire and Monmouthshire Lidbury Lidbury near adjoyning to Malvern Hills a fine well built Town seated in a rich Clayey-ground much inhabited by Clothiers who drive a good Trade and its Market on Tuesdays is well served with Corn Cattle and Provisions Lemster a large ancient and pleasant Town Lemster seated in a rich Soil and on the Lugg which runneth through it over which are several Bridges It is governed by a Bayliff a Recorder Justices of the Peace and 24 of the Chamber or Common Council it sendeth Burgesses to Parliament and hath a very good Market on Fridays for Corn Cattle Sheep Provisions Hops and Wool for which this Town is of note it being called Lemster-Ore Kyneton also seated on the Arrow a pretty large and well built Town Kyneton whose Inhabitants drive a good Trade for narrow Cloths It s Market on Wednesdays for Corn Cattle Provisions and several Country Commodities is esteemed the best in the County County of Huntington described HVNTINGTONSHIRE a County for the generality of a fertil Soil both for Corn and Tillage garnished with delightful Hills and towards the East where it joyneth on the Fens it hath rich Pasturage which feed store of Cattle It is well watered with Rivers the chief amongst which is the Ouse which divideth it self into several streams It is severed into 4 Hundreds in which are seated 79 Parish Churches and is traded unto by 5 Market Towns Huntington Huntington pleasantly seated on a rising Ascent and on the North-banks of the Owse over which it hath a fair Stone-bridge which leadeth to Godmanchester on the other side of the Owse a very large County and ancient Borough Town seated in a rich Soil and well inhabited by Yeomen and Farmers It is a Town of great antiquity was once very populous numbring no less than 15 Parish Churches which are now reduced to 4 and enjoyed great Immunities and had a Mint for Coynage At present it is dignified with the title of an Earldom sendeth Burgesses to Parliament is governed by a Major 12 Aldermen of which the Major is one and Burgesses is well inhabited and frequented and the rather as being a thorough-fate Town from London Cambridge and other Southern parts of England into the North and into Scotland and also for being the place where the Assizes are kept for the County and its Market on Saturdays is very well served with Provisions St. Ives St. Ives so called from one Ivo a Persian Bishop who 't is said about the year 600 travelled through England preaching the Gospel and here ended his days and his Body was from hence removed to Ramsey Abbey a fair large and ancient Town seated on the Owse over which it hath a very good Stone-bridge hath a Market on Mondays which is well served with Provisions and is of chief note for living Cattel St. Neots so called from Neotus St. Neots a Monk of Glastenbury a large and well built Town beautified with a neat Church is commodiously seated on the Owse over which it hath a fair Stone-bridge which leadeth to Bedfordshire It s Market is on Thursdays which is well served with Provisions and through the commodiousness of the Owse the Neighbouring Towns are
is a Town Corporate enjoyeth several Immunities hath the benefit of a Port Town and keepeth Courts for trial of Causes and Felons sendeth Burgesses to Parliament is governed by a Major 12 Aldermen a Recorder 2 Justices of the Peace 2 Town Clerks 2 Chamberlains and other sub-Officers and hath a good Market for Provisions on Wednesdays Thong-Caster or Caster a well compacted Town Thong-Caster which hath a very considerable Market on Saturdays chiefly for Swine Sheep and Cattle This Town is of note for its ancient Castle so called said to be built by Hengist the Saxon who had a grant from Vortiger for so much ground as an Ox-hide would compass which he cut into small Thongs so that it encompassed a tract of ground on which he built the Castle and there seated and defended himself Lowth a large well built and inhabited Town Corporate Lowth governed by a Warden and 7 Assistants and hath weekly two Markets on Saturdays and and Wednesdays which is the chief and is very considerable for Cattle Horses Swine Corn and all sorts of Provisions Stamford Stamford seated on the Weland which being now made navigable is no small advantage to the Town and Country adjacent its Inhabitants driving a considerable Trade especially for Mault and Free-stone It is a Town of good antiquity from whence the Roman High-street leaded to the North and in the Reign of King Edward the Third here was a Colledge for the Professors of the Arts and Sciences who thence removed to Brazen-Nose Colledge in Oxford It is a large well inhabited and frequented Town containing several Streets hath 6 Parish Churches is beautified with fair Buildings is begirt with a Wall and hath weekly 2 Markets on Mondays which is but small and on Fridays which is well furnished with Corn Cattle and all sorts of Provision in great plenty Grantham Grantham seated on the Witham a Borough Town of good account and well inhabited is governed by an Alderman and 12 Justices of the Peace and hath the election of Parliament men The Town is beautified with a fair Church which hath an exceeding lofty Spire-Steeple and its Market on Saturdays is very considerable and well served with Corn Mault Sheep and all sorts of Provisions Boston Boston a fair large Borough and Town-Corporate of good antiquity enjoyeth several Immunities electeth Parliament men and is governed by a Major 12 Aldermen Burgesses a Recorder c. It is commodiously seated on both sides the Witham over which it hath a fair Woodden-bridge and being near its influx into the Sea is a place of considerable account is well frequented and inhabited enjoyeth a good Trade and its Markets on Wednesdays and Saturdays are very great especially for Provisions both Flesh Fish and Fowl Its Market-place is fair and spacious as also its Church whose Lanthorn or Tower serves as a Landmark to Sailers Kirton Kirton seated on a Sandy-ground and so called from its Church a fair structure built of Free-stone Cathedral-wise in form of a Cross with a broad Steeple in the middle This whole Township is very large being divided into 4 Hamlets or Vintins viz. Kirton-Willington Kirton-Meers Kirton-Skeldike and Kirton-Holme and had formerly a Market which is now disused Crowland Crowland or Croyland a Town of good account amongst the Fenny-people but much greater in times past for its famous Abby founded by Aethelbald King of the Mercians in Anno 716. It is seated very low and dirty and so shut up that there is no access to it but by the North and East-sides and that by narrow Cawswaies not admitting of Carts insomuch that the Inhabitants have a Proverb That all the Carts that come to Crowland are shod with Silver And the scituation is much like to Venice in Italy the Streets being severed from each other by Dikes or Water-courses on the banks of which are set Willow-trees The chief Riches here gained is by Fish and Fowl which are taken in great plenty and here is a small Market Spalding Spalding a pretty fair Town seated very waterish and by a navigable River which doth occasion it to have a very good Trade having several Vessels and Barges belonging to them and here is every Tuesday a very good Market for Corn Cattle and Provision Dunington Dunington seated in a flat like Spalding an indifferent Town but hath a very considerable Market on Saturdays for Provisions and Hemp in great abundance MIDDLESEX County of Middlesex described a County of a small extent but every where garnished with Towns and fair buildings which are the habitations of the Nobility Gentry and Citizens of London It is blest with a sweet and wholsom Air and for fertility of Soil both for Tillage and Pasturage may compare with any shire in England especially for its bigness It is severed into 6 Hundreds in which are seated 73 Parish Churches besides those of London and its several Chapels of Ease and is traded unto by 4 Market Towns besides the Markets in London As to the description of the Towns in this County I shall treat of those of most note and conclude with London the Metropolis of the whole Kingdom and first with Vxbridge Vxbridge uxbridge seated on the high Road from London to Oxford a large well inhabited and frequented Town well accommodated with Inns is governed by two Bailiffs 2 Constables and 4 Headboroughs and hath a Market on Thursdays which is well served with Corn and Provisions Hampton Hampton seated on the banks of the Thames of chief note for its Palace of the King called Hampton-Court delightfully seated by two Parks first built by Cardinal Woolsey and afterwards much enlarged by King Henry the Eighth containing now within it several large Inner-Courts which are inclosed with fair Buildings in one of which is a stately Fountain Istleworth Istleworth or Thistleworth a fair large and pleasant Town seated on the banks of the Thames well inhabited by Gentry and the Citizens of London as are Twittenham Teddington Chiswick Hamersmith Fulham and Chelsey Towns all seated on the banks of the Thames Nigh unto Thistleworth is Sion-house a large Structure Sion-House now belonging to the Countess of Northumberland but in times past was a Monastery erected by King Henry the Fifth to the honour of our Saviour the Virgin Mary and Bridget of Sion for Religious Virgins where he appointed so many Nuns Priests and Lay-Brethren as in number did equal our Saviour his Apostles and Disciples and on the other side of the Thames opposite unto it he erected another for Carthusian Monks named Jesus of Bethlehem Brentford Brentford containing the Old and the New both seated on the Western Road which doth occasion it to be so well accommodated with Inns. In New Brentford is kept the Market which every Tuesday is very well served with Corn and Provisions which are much bought up by the Londoners Kensington Kensington a thorough-fare Town well
and The ater newly erected It enjoyeth ample Immunities keepeth Courts for all Actions without limitation of some hath the election of 4 Burgesses 2 for the University and 2 for the City It is a place very populous and well resorted unto hath weekly two Markets on Wednesdays and Saturdays which is the chief and very considerable for Provisions and all sorts of Grain especially Barly and also enjoys a great trade for Mault Burford Burford scituate on an Ascent near the Downs and on the River Windrush which springeth out of the Cotswold a large and fair Town Corporate governed by two Bailiffs and other sub-Officers and hath a well frequented Market for Corn Cattle and Provisions on Saturdays and is of chief note for Saddles here made Woodstock Woodstock a well compacted Borough Town governed by a Major 4 Aldermen c. enjoyeth several Immunities sends Burgesses to Parliament and hath an indifferent good Market on Tuesdays It is delightfully seated and of some note for its large Park wherein was Woodstock-Bower built by King Henry the first and where he kept his Mistress the beautiful Rosamond Clifford which was here poysoned by his enraged Queen Elianor Banbury Banbury seated on the Cherwel and in a Flat a pretty large wealthy and beautiful Town Corporate governed by a Major 12 Aldermen c. sends Burgesses to Parliament hath a very considerable Market for Cattle Sheep and Provisions on Thursdays and is of some note for its Cakes and Cheese Tame Tame pleasantly seated on the River so called which with its branches doth almost encompass it and over which it hath a Bridge which leadeth into Buckinghamshire It is a large Town having one spacious Street in the midst of which is the Market-place and its Market which is on Tuesdays is well resorted unto by Grasiers and Butchers from London and other parts it being very considerable for Cattle Henley Henley or Henley upon Thames as being thereon seated over which it hath a fair Bridge a large Town Corporate governed by a Warden for its chief Magistrate enjoyeth a considerable trade for Maulting and much inhabited by Bargmen and Watermen who are employed for the carrying of Mault Wood c. to London and in return bring such commodities as they and the Neighbourhood have occasion of It s Market is on Thursdays which is very considerable for Corn especially Barly there being oft-times about 300 Cartloads sold in one day RVTLAND County of Rutland described the smallest County in the Kingdom making in circumference not above 40 miles and although for quantity the least yet for quality may be compared with the best being of a very fertil Soil both for tillage and pasturage especially about the Vale of Catmose It is well clothed with Wood watered with fresh Streams is blest with a sweet Air and hath more Parks considering its extent than any County in England This County is severed into five Hundreds in which are 48 Parishes and hath two Market Towns viz. Oakham Oakham scituate in the rich and pleasant Valley of Catmose and although not large yet is the Shire Town where the Assizes and Sessions are held its Buildings are indifferent good especially its Church Free School and Hospital here is an old decayed Castle which is now made use of for the Assizes It hath a Market on Saturdays which is indifferently well served with Provisions Vpingham highly seated a neat compacted and well built Town Upingham hath the accommodation of a Free School and an Hospital and its Market which is on Wednesdays is well resorted unto and served with living Cattle Corn and Provisions SHROPSHIRE being a frontier County to Wales County of Salop described is well replenished with Towns and Castles the better to over-awe the Welshmen in the bordering Marches and divers Noblemen in this tract were called Barons of the March and enjoyed in their Territories certain Priviledges and held Courts for the administring of Justice This County is of a fertil Soil both for Tillage and Pasturage abounding in Wheat and Barly is well clothed with Wood feedeth good store of Cattle and in the bowels of the Earth are Mines of Iron and Pit-Coal It is well watered with Rivers as the Tern Clun Rea Teame Roden and Severn being the chief which in a crooked passage severeth the Shire in the midst It is very Hilly and Mountainous especially towards the Southern and Western parts In this County are 170 Parish Churches and hath for its Towns of chief note Shrewsbury raised out of the ancient Vriconium Shrewsbury the Seat of the Princes of Powis until forced thence by the Saxons It is pleasantly seated on an easie Ascent and on the banks of the Severn which almost encompasses it It is a place which for largeness numbring 5 Parish Churches besides a Chapel neatness of Buildings both publick and private largeness and variety of Streets and populousness may be set down in the rank of Cities It is a Town of good strength as well by Nature as Art being fenced about with a strong Wall defended by a Castle Bulwarks and other Fortifications It is a place of a great resort and well inhabited both by English and Welsh and enjoyeth this place being the common Mart between England and Middle Wales The Town enjoys large Immunities keepeth Courts sendeth its Representatives to Parliament hath a large Free School is governed by a Major 24 Aldermen 48 Common Council-men a Recorder Town Clerk with other sub-Officers and hath weekly 3 Markets on Wednesdays for Provisions on Thursdays for Cottons c. here sold in great abundance and thence sent to London and on Saturdays for Cattle and all sorts of Provisions in great plenty Oswestre so called from Oswald King of the Northumbers Oswestre who was here slain in a Battel and cruelly torn in pieces by Penda the Pagan Mercian Prince It is a Town Corporated governed by two Bailists and Burgesses and before the Mart for Welsh Cottons was hence removed to Shrewsbury was of greater account than now it is yet is it of some trade for Flannels and its Market which is on Mondays is well resorted unto and furnished with Cattle and Provisions Wenlock Magna seated in the road from Worcester to Shrewsbury Wenlock Magna a Town Corporate governed by Bailiffs and Burgesses hath the election of Parliament men is of some note for its Lime and Tobacco-pipes here made in great plenty and hath a very good Market on Mondays for Corn and Provisions Bridgnorth a large Town Corporate governed by 2 Bailiffs and Burgesses Bridgnorth and hath the election of Parliament men It is seated on the Severn over which is a fair Stone-bridge is well inhabited containeth 2 Parish Churches and hath a good Market for Corn Cattle and Provisions Ludlow seated on the Temd a Town more fair than ancient Ludlow being beautified with divers good Buildings amongst which is the Palace of the President
England is divided into four Circuits for the Administration of Justice and then the first shall contain the Counties of Denbigh Flint and Montgomery the second those of Brecknock Glamorgan and Radnor the third those of Cardigan Carmarden and Pembroke and the fourth those of Anglesey Caernarvon and Merioneth But to proceed to the description of these Counties and first of North-Wales NORTH-WALES Isle of Anglesey THe Island of ANGLESEY is severed from Caernarvon-shire by a narrow Streight of the River Menai and on all other parts it is washed with the Irish Seas It was the ancient Seat of the Druids and brought with no small difficulty under the Roman Scepter by Julius Agricola It is so fertil and abounding in all things as Corn Cattle and Provisions that the Welsh term it the Mother of Wales supplying its defects although for fight it seemeth dry stony and hilly It produceth a sort of Stones called Molares very fit and good for Mill-stones and Grind-stones In this Isle were formerly seated 360 Towns and Villages but at present but 74 and hath intercourse of Traffick with two Markes Towns and hath several good Ports and Harbours as also divers Ferries for the conveyance of Passengers to and fro It s chief places are Beau-Morish Beau-Morish seated on a Moorish-ground but commandeth a fair prospect into the Sea where it hath a very good Harbour for Ships It was built by King Edward the First the better to secure his Conquest who fortified it with a powerful Castle now in good repair It is a pretty good handsom Town Corporate governed by a Major Recorder 2 Bailiffs who are Justices of the Peace and 21 Common Council called Burgesses It is the chief Shire-Town where the Assizes and Sessions are held sends a Burgess to Parliament is indifferently well inhabited and frequented as being the usual place for the reception of Passengers from London to Ireland before their taking Shipping at Holyhead It hath weekly two Markets on Wednesdays and Saturdays which are indifferent good Newburgh Newburgh seated near Brant River where it formeth a Bay and falleth into Menai River a small Borough Town governed by a Major 2 Bailiffs and a Recorder and hath a Market on Tuesdays County of Caernarvon described The County of CAERNARVON before Wales was divided into Shires bore the name of Snowden-Forest from the principal Hill therein seated which is of a very great height and extent and affordeth excellent sweet Mutton on the top of this Hill floateth a Meer and maketh a River and falleth into the Sea at Trathe-Mawer It is a County of a sharp Air very Mountainous yet not unfertil and feedeth good Herds of Cattle In this County are seated 68 Parish Churches and hath six Market Towns Caernarvon Caernarvon commodiously seated on the Sea-shoar where it hath an excellent prospect into the Isle of Anglesey It was a place of good account where the Princes of Wales had their Exchequer and Chancery for North-Wales and is a place of great strength as well by Nature as Art being encompassed on all parts except towards the East with the Sea and two Rivers and had a strong Castle where in a Tower thereof called Eagle-Tower Edward the Second the first Prince of Wales was born It is a place of no great extent having but one Parish Church its Houses and Streets are well built and ordered is well inhabited enjoyeth several Immunities sends a Burgess to Parliament is governed by the Constable of the Castle who is ever Major and hath for his assistance an Alderman 2 Bailiffs a Town-Clerk with Sub-Officers and its Market on Saturdays is very good for Corn and Provisions Bangor lowly seated on the Sea-shoar a Town in Ancient time so large Bangor that it was called Bangor the Great and was defended by a powerful Castle which long since was laid level to the ground It is at present but a small City or rather a Town yet dignified with the See of a Bishop its Cathedral is large and well built its Houses indifferent good is pretty well inhabited is governed by the Bishops-Steward who keepeth Court-Leets and Courts-Baron for the Bishop and hath an indifferent good Market on Wednesdays Nigh unto Bangor is Penmaen-maur that is the Great Stony-head Penmaen-maur being an exceeding high and steep Rock which at High-Sea so hangeth over that it affordeth a very narrow and dangerous passage but having passed this and Penmaen-byehan that is the Lesser Stony-head the Country openeth it self in a broad Plain as far as the River Conwey Aberconwey seated at the Mouth of the Conwey Aberconwey raised out of the Ruins of the ancient Canonium of Antonine being strongly fenced both with Walls and a Castle It is a pretty good Town governed by an Alderman and 2 Bailiffs which for largeness and good Buildings doth rather deserve the name of a City than a Town especially were it thicker inhabited and better resorted unto yet its Market which is on Fridays is well served with Provisions and several Country-commodities Pulhely seated on the Sea-shoar and between two Rivers Pulhely a pretty large and indifferent well-built Bailiwick Town which hath a good Market on Wednesdays for Corn and Provisions and enjoyeth a good Trade by Sea County of Denbigh described DENBIGH-SHIRE a Country very Hilly several of which are of so great a height that they retain Snow and the tops thereof in the Summer season are the Country-mans Morning-Almanack to denote a fair day by the rising of certain Vapours It is of a different Soil the Western part being Heathy is much inclined to sterility and but thinly inhabited except the part which lieth towards the Sea the Eastern beyond the Valley is much more barren and the middle where it lieth flat is a pleasant and fertil Vale and well inhabited with Gentry Here are seated 57 Parish Churches and is traded unto by four Market Towns Denbigh seated on the hanging of a Rocky-Hill Denbigh and on a branch of the Cluyd once a place of good strength when fortified with a strong Wall and an impregnable Castle The Town is indifferent large well built inhabited by Glovers and Tanners enjoyeth a good Trade by some esteemed the best Town in North-Wales is governed by 2 Aldermen 2 Bailiffs and 25 Capital Burgesses with sub-Officers electeth a Parliament man and hath a good Market for Corn Cattle and Provisions on Wednesdays Ruthin seated on the Cluyd which washeth a rich Vale Ruthin of note for its once large and fair Castle It is a large well inhabited and frequented Town Corporate governed by 2 Aldermen and Burgesses hath a large Hospital and a Free School governed by a Warden and hath a very considerable Market for Corn and Provisions on Mondays which is esteemed the best in the Vale. Wrexham seated in a good Soil affordeth plenty of Lead Wrexham and on a small River which falleth into the Dee It is an indifferent
Fowl called the Soland-Geese which in many places are taken in very great plenty and are sound very profitable to the Inhabitants not only for their Flesh to eat but for their Feathers and Oil. Their chief Commodities are Course Cloths Freezes Lead-Oar Feathers Sea-Coal Alum Iron Salt Salt-Peter Linnen-Cloth Train-Oil Hops Wood Alablaster some Hides and Tallow c. To the R t Noble Iames Duke of Monmouth Buckleuch Earle of Doncaster Dalkeith Baron of Kendale Miâ—ekeâ—â— Ashdale Kt. of the Garter one of his Majs most honble prvy Councell This Mapp is most humbly dedicatâ—â— by Ric Blome A MAPP of the Kingdome of SCOTLAND By Ric Blome by His Majys comand Its Inhabitants The Inhabitants especially those Southernly are of a good feature strong of body very hardy couragious and fit for Martial affairs and their Nobility and Gentry which are of several degrees as Dukes Marquesses Earls Viscounts Barons Knights Esquires and Gentlemen are generally very ingenuous and accomplished men in all civil knowledge Nobility and Gentry of Scotland Their Sessions of Parliament This Kingdom like unto England consisteth of a King Nobility Gentry and Commons and these with the Lords Spiritual assemble together in Parliament as often as they are called together by Writ from the King And by reason of his Majesties residence in England so that he is not here at their Sessions of Parliament he constituteth and sendeth one to act as his Vice-Roy who is commonly called Lord Commissioner and such at present is the Right Noble John Duke of Lotherdale c. Things worthy of note Amongst the things worthy of note in this Kingdom for Antiquity famous was that Fortification drawn from Abercorne upon Edenborough Frith unto Alcluyd now called Dunbritton opening upon the West Sea where as Speed noteth Julius Agricola set the limits of the Roman Empire past which according to Tacitus there were no other bounds of Britain to be sought for And here the second Legion of Augusta and the twentieth of Victrix built a part of the Wall as also an ancient coped Monument of an high and round compass which according to the opinions of some was a Temple consecrated to the God Terminus but others there be that will have it to be a Trophy raised by Carausius who fortified this Wall with seven Castles Caledonian Wood. Here began that Wood Caledonia which name Tacitus attributeth to all that Tract of ground which lieth Northward beyond Grahames Dike or the Wall of Antonius Pius which Ptolomy divideth into several Nations as the Caledonii Vacomagi Epidii c. who are all known to the Romans by the general name of the Picts from their painting themselves This Wood or Forrest was very spacious and over-shadowed with Thickets and tall over-spreading Trees which rendred it impassable and was divided by Grampe-Hill now calâ—ed Grantzbain that is the crooked bending Mountain Solinus is of opinion that Vlysses was in Caledonia and to confirm his belief therein he saith there was a Votive Altar with an Inscription in Greek Letters Plutarch â—aith that Bears were brought out of Britain to Rome but for more truth 〈◊〉 may be said that here were bred the wild white Bulls a Beast of nature â—erce and cruel whose thick and curled manes resembled the Lions In the â—ays of Severus Argetecox a petty Prince reigned over this Tract of Ground â—hose Wife being reproachfully called by Julia the Empress an Adulteress â—oldly made this Answer We British Dames have to do with the best of men Cámbden p. 32. â—â—t you Roman Ladies secretly commit the same with every base and lewd Companion Two famous Loughs In this Kingdom are two famous Loughs Nessa and Lomund the former never Friezeth though in the extreamest cold weather and the waters of the â—atter most raging in the calmest and fairest weather and herein is an Island that the Wind forceth or moveth to and fro In the Rivers Dee and Done besides the great abundance of Salmons is taken a Shell-fish called the Horse-muskle wherein Pearls are engendred which are very good in many Physical Medicines and some of them not much inferiour to the Oriental Pearl Courts of Judicature Court of Parliament As to their Courts of Judicature they are peculiar to themselves and are several The chief amongst which is the High Court of Parliament consisting of Lords and Commons hath the same Authority as that of England and is also summoned by Writ from his Majesty at his pleasure as occasion requireth Colledge of Justice The second Court is the Sessions or Colledge of Justice consisting of a President 14 Senators 7 of the Clergy and as many of the Laity unto whom was afterwards adjoyned the Chancellor who is the chief and 5 other Senators besides 3 principal Scribes or Clerks and as many Advocates as the Senators see convenient And this was thus constituted by King James the Fifth in Anno 1532 after the form of the Parliament at Paris These sit and administer Justice with equity and reason and not according to the rigour of the Law every day except Sundays and Mondays from the first of Novemb. to the 15 of March and from Trinity Sunday to the first Calends of August and all the time between as being either Seed-time or Harvest is vacation They give judgment according to the Parliament Statutes and Municipal Laws and where they are defective they have recourse to the Imperial Civil Law Other Courts There are likewise in every Shire or County inferiour Civil Judicatories or Courts kept wherein the Sheriff of the Shire or his Deputy decideth the Controversies and Law-suits of the Inhabitants from which there are oft-times Appeals to the Sessions or Colledge of Justice And these Sheriffs are for the most part Hereditary Besides these Courts there are other Judicatories which they call Commissariots the highest whereof is kept at Edenburgh and these have to do with Ecclesiastical affairs as Wills and Testaments Divorcements Tithes c. In criminal Causes the Kings Chief Justice holdeth his Court at Edenburgh Likewise the Sheriffs in their Territories and the Magistrates in some Boroughs may sit in Judgment of Manslaughter in case the Manslayer be taken within 24 hours after the fact committed and being found guilty by a Jury may be put to death but if the said limited time is past the matter is referred and put over to the Kings Justice or his Deputies There are also Civil Courts in every Regality holden by their Bailiffs Ecclesiastical Government This Kingdom as to Ecclesiastical Government is divided into two Archbishopricks viz. of St. Andrews the Primate of Scotland and of Glasco and under these are several Suffragan-Bishops viz. under him of St. Andrews those of Dunkeld Aberdon Murray Dunblan Berohiu Ross Cathanes and Orkney And under him of Glasco those of Galloway Argile or Lismore and the Isles Ancient Inhabitants of Scotland The ancient People of this Kingdom were 1.
of the Dutchy of Lancaster and hath a Market on Saturdays Doncaster seated on the Done and on the great Road to London Doncaster an ancient Town of good Antiquity once defended by a Castle now reduced to ruins and in Anno 759 this Town suffered much great part with its Cittadel being consumed with Fire but was rebuilt with a fair Church erected in the place where the Cittadel stood It is a large well-built and inhabited Town Corporate governed by a Major and Aldermen enjoyeth a good Trade especially for Stockings Knit-Waistcoats Petticoats and Gloves and hath a very good Market for Corn Cattle and Provisions on Saturdays Selby honoured in giving birth to King Henry the First seated on the Owse Selby which gives passage for small Vessels to York which doth occasion it to be a Town of some Trade and hath a good Market for Provisions and Merchandize on Mondays Ponfract very delightfully seated in a dry tract of ground Pontfract a neat Town Corporate beautified with good Buildings was once strengthned with a strong and stately Castle which was demolished in the late Wars It is governed by a Major and Aldermen sends Burgesses to Parliament and hath a very great Market for Corn Cattle Provisions and divers Country-commodities on Saturdays Wakefield seated in a large Lordship so called having its Steward Wakefield It is a large Town of good antiquity beautified with well built Stone-houses it is a place well known for its Clothing here made and hath a great Market on Thursdays and Fridays for Cloth Corn Provisions and divers Country-commodities Leeds seated on the Are an ancient Town Leeds where the Kings had formerly their Royal Palace and here Oswy King of the Northumbers put to flight Penda the Mercian It is a large and well built Town Corporate governed by a Major and Aldermen with sub-Officers electeth Parliament men is very well inhabited especially by wealthy Clothiers who drive a great Trade for their Cloth and hath two considerable Markets on Tuesdays and Saturdays which are well traded unto for Corn Provisions Woollen-Cloth and divers good Commodities Knaresbrough Knaresbrough delightfully seated on the Nid and on a ragged rough Rock on which is seated a Castle It is a well-built Town Corporate electing Parliament men and hath a good Market for Corn and Provisions on Wednesdays Nigh unto this place in a Moorish boggy-ground ariseth a Spring of Vitrioline tast and odour and not far off is also a Sulphur-Well which is good for several Diseases here is also a droping petrefying-Well which turns Wood Moss c. into Stone Rippon Rippon feated between the Yore and a Branch thereof over which are two Bridges It is a place of good antiquity and of much same for its Religious Houses but especially for its stately Monastery built by Wilfrid Archbishop of York It is at present a large and well-built Town Corporate governed by a Major and Aldermen hath the election of Parliament men the Town is well inhabited by Gentry and its Market which is on Thursdays is very great for Cattle Corn Provisions and chiefly for Wool which is much bought up by the Cloathiers of Leeds This Town is beautified with a very fine Cathedral Church with a lofty Spire-Steeple and in this Church was St. Winfrids Needle a place famous in our Fore-fathers days being a narrow Hole in the close Vaulted-room under ground in which place as 't is reported but not Recorded for Truth Womens Honesty was used to be tried for according to the story those that were Chast could easily pass through but the kind-hearted Souls were by an unknown means held fast and could not pass through WALES THE Island of great Britain in ancient time was severed into three Parts the first fairest and greatest contained all within the French Seas the Rivers of Severn Dee and Humber and was called Lhoyger which name in Welsh it still retaineth and in English England The second took up all the Land Northwards from the Humber to the Orkney Isles and was called Mare Caledonium or Deucaledonium and now Scotland And the third lying between the Irish Seas the Rivers of Severn and Dee was anciently called Cambria and now Wales to which the Britains being outed of their Country were forced to retire and there fortified themselves The Bounds This Country of Wales is bounded on all sides by the Sea except towards England from which it is severed by the River Dee and a Line drawn to the River Wye but anciently it was extended to the River Severn Eastward for Offa King of the Mercians forced them to quit the Plain Countries beyond that River which now is called the Marches of Wales and to betake themselves to the Mountains which he caused to be separated from England by a great Ditch called Offa's Dike in Welsh Claudh Offa in many places yet to be seen which Dike beginneth at the influx of the Wye into the Severn and reacheth unto Chester which is about 84 miles where the Dee disburthens it self into the Sea And over this Dike by a Law made by Harald no Welshman was permitted to pass with a Weapon upon pain of losing his Right hand Very Mountainous and Barren The whole Country is Mountainous and Barren yet affordeth several good Commodities and is not without many fertil Valleys which bear good Corn and breed great abundance of small Cattle with which they furnish England as also with Butter Cheese Woollen-Cloths called Welsh-Frizes Cottons Bays Herrings both White and Red Calve-skins Hides Hony Wax c. and the Country is well stored with Quarries of Free-stone for building and Mill-stones as also hath Mines of Lead Lead-Oar Coals and some of Silver and Tin And these Commodities are generally brought to Shrewsbury Oswestre Bristol Worcester and other adjacent parts and thence dispersed into England It s Ancient division About the year of Christ 870 Rodericus Magnus King of Wales divided this Country into three Regions Territories or Talaiths which were so many Kingdoms to wit Gwineth Venedotia or North-Wales and this part he gave to Anarawd his eldest Son Deheubarth or South-Wales which he gave to Cadelh his second Son and Powis or Powis-Land which he gave to Mervin his third Son and in each of these three Kingdoms he appointed a Royal Palace as at Aberffraw in the Isle of Anglesey for North-Wales at Dynefar or Dynevowr-Castle not far from Carmarthen for South-Wales and at Matravan in Montgomery-shire for Powis-Land Present division But at present according to Act of Parliament made in the Reign of King Henry the Eighth it is severed into two Parts to wit North-Wales and South-Wales both which have as it were devoured all Powis-Land and in each of these parts there are 6 Counties in the North those of Anglesey Caernarvon Denbigh Flint Merioneth and Montgomery and in the South those of Brecknock Cardigan Carmarden Glamorgan Pembroke and Radnor Again Wales like unto